时间域电子自旋共振

时间域电子自旋共振(ESR)是研究顺磁弛豫机理和动力学过程不可缺少的方法,也是提高检测信号的灵敏度和分辨率的重要途径之一。然而,目前在ESR技术中较常用的还是频率域,而时间域ESR(包括付里叶变换法)却远远不如脉冲付里叶变换核磁共振(PFT-NMR)那样迅速的发展。本文对此进行了讨论,认为:如采用与PFT-NMR稍为不同的方法,并在微波技术、快速脉冲电路和电子计算技术等不断改善的基础上,时间域ESR势将成为今后发展的大方向。近年来,在时间域ESR技术方面,最引人重视的是:饱和恢复法和电子自旋回波(ESE)法。本文着重对这两种方法的基本原理、实验方法、应用场合及其优越性和局限性进行了评述。例如,用付里叶变换法(包括二维付里叶变换)把电子自旋回波调制的包络自时间域变换成频率域,从而获得高分辨率的频谱,则可分析出取向或无规取向样品的微弱超精细结构。又如,ENDOR(电子-核双共振)自旋回波与通常的ENDOR相比,前者具有较高的灵敏度以及可检测较低的ENDOR频率等独特之处。此外,文中对瞬态顺磁中间产物的时间分辨ESR和三重态分子在零场中的ESR也分别进行了简短的评介。最后,对时间域ESR发展的远景作了预计。     

Effect of a protein on the light energy conversion in dual fluorophore-nitroxide probes studied by ESR and fluorescence spectroscopy

Probing biological environment with dual fluorophore-nitroxide (FN) molecules in which fluorophore is tethered with nitroxide, a fluorescence quencher, opens unique opportunities to study molecular dynamics and micropolarity of the medium which affect intramolecular fluorescence quenching (IFQ), electron transfer, photoreduction and light energy conversion. In such molecules, the excited fragment of the chromophore can serve as an electron donor, and the nitroxide fragment as an electron acceptor. The same groups allow monitoring of molecular dynamics and also make it possible to measure micropolarity of the medium in the vicinity of the donor (by fluorescence technique) and acceptor (by electron spin resonance [ESR]) moieties. In the present work, two dual dansyl-nitroxide probes were incorporated in a binding site of bovine serum albumin. Their interactions with the protein, mobility, and photoreduction, as well as micropolarity of the media, have been studied by ESR and fluorescence methods. IFQ and spectral relaxation shift of the dansyl fragment have been monitored by time-resolved fluorescence technique. In parallel, computational studies on intramolecular dynamics of the FN probe were performed. On the basis of the Marcus model of the electron transfer between the excited dansyl fluorophore (donor) and nitroxide group (acceptor) and our experimental data, the mechanism of the electron transfer in the dual molecules incorporated into bovine serum albumin was established. It was shown that dual FN molecules in the protein meet main requirements for an efficient light energy conversion system.     

ESR自旋捕集技术的发展和在生物医学研究中的应用

ESR是研究自由基最直接和最有效的技术,但是这些自由基必须是相对稳定的,而且要达到一定浓度才能用ESR技术检测和研究. 而生物体系中产生的自由基大部分是不稳定的,这是常规ESR波谱仪无法检测的. 为了克服ESR技术的这一局限性,发展了自旋捕集技术,这是目前研究生物和医学体系中活泼自由基应用最多也是最成功的方法, 每年都有新的自旋捕集剂合成和大量在生物医学应用的报道,为自由基生物医学的研究和发展做出了巨大贡献.  作者建立和发展了捕捉超氧阴离子自由基、羟基自由基、脂质过氧化产生的脂类自由基、一氧化氮自由基和单线态氧及一氧化氮和氧自由基同时检测技术. 利用这些技术开展了细胞、组织产生自由基机理,天然抗氧化剂的筛选及一些重大疾病如炎症、心脏病、老年痴呆症、帕金森综合症,中风,辐射损伤,蛋白质氧化,植物光合系统中产生活性自由基和植物的发病机理研究中的应用,取得了一系列研究结果.     

Development of High-Pressure ESR System Using Micro-coil

We have developed the high-pressure electron spin resonance (ESR) system using a micro-coil in the frequency region up to around 2 GHz and potentially 10 GHz. The hybrid-type piston-cylinder pressure cell whose maximum pressure reaches 4 GPa was used. In this study, we obtained ESR spectra at 2.3 GPa successfully, which can never be obtained by the single-layer piston-cylinder pressure cell. The minimum detectable spin number was estimated to be the order of 10¹² spins/G. Moreover, it is shown that the sensitivity can be improved by two orders of magnitude using the field modulation technique. This high-pressure ESR technique is a promising one to achieve the sensitivity and the high pressure simultaneously.     

Variable Coupling Scheme for High-Frequency Electron Spin Resonance Resonators Using Asymmetric Meshes

The sensitivity of a high-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer depends strongly on the structure used to couple the incident millimeter wave to the sample that generates the ESR signal. Subsequent coupling of the ESR signal to the detection arm of the spectrometer is also a crucial consideration for achieving high spectrometer sensitivity. In previous work, we found that a means for continuously varying the coupling was necessary for attaining high sensitivity reliably and reproducibly. We report here on a novel asymmetric mesh structure that achieves continuously variable coupling by rotating the mesh in its own plane about the millimeter-wave transmission-line optical axis. We quantify the performance of this device with nitroxide spin label spectra in both a lossy aqueous solution and a low-loss solid-state system. These two systems have very different coupling requirements and are representative of the range of coupling achievable with this technique. Lossy systems, in particular, are a demanding test of the achievable sensitivity and allow us to assess the suitability of this approach for applying high-frequency ESR, e.g., to the study of biological systems at physiological conditions. The variable coupling technique reported on here allows us to readily achieve a factor of ca. 7 improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio at 170 GHz and a factor of ca. 5 at 95 GHz over what has previously been reported for lossy samples.     

High-field ESR on aligned membranes: a simple method to record spectra from different membrane orientations in the magnetic field

A combination of isopotential spin-dry ultracentrifugation (ISDU) and microtome techniques was used to facilitate the collection of high field/high frequency (170 GHz) ESR spectra corresponding to different orientations of the membrane normal relative to the magnetic field. This technique is particularly valuable for aligned biological samples in vitro. At 170 GHz, conventional sample preparation techniques based solely on ISDU constrained the sample to be oriented so that the membrane normal was parallel to the applied magnetic field due to the geometry and the millimeter wave field distribution of the Fabry-Pérot resonator used in these experiments. This orientational constraint limited the information that could be obtained from aligned membranes at high field. The combined ISDU/microtome technique overcame this limitation. Spectra from spin-labeled Gramicidin A and the spin label cholestane in aligned DPPC membranes provide a demonstration of the technique. We also discuss some virtues of high field/high frequency ESR on aligned membranes compared to X-band.     

An ESR, Mass Spectrometry and Fluorescence Microscopy Approach to Study the Stearic Acid Derivatives Anchoring in Cells

Lateral phase separations in biological membranes are of great interest, making electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy combined with spin labeling a nondestructive and sensitive technique for the study of lipid rafts. It is currently accepted that the spin probe is localized on the plasma membrane. However, no study confirms this hypothesis. Herein, we report, for the first time, an accurate multispectral method for the quantification of the lipid spin label presence in every subcellular fraction. Cells were incubated with the 5-DOXYL stearic acid derivative and then subfractionated. Results of our multimodal spectroscopy approach ubiquitously demonstrate that the ESR spin label presence only sets in the plasma membranes.     

电子自旋共振(ESR)技术在生物和医学中的应用

电子自旋共振(electron spin resonance,ESR)是检测自由基最直接最有效的方法,是自由基生物学和医学不可缺少的重要研究技术. 作者综述了ESR、自旋标记、自旋捕集和ESR 成像技术的最新发展及ESR技术在细胞膜、蛋白质结构和一些重大疾病如心脏病、老年痴呆症、帕金森综合症和中风等疾病研究及辐射损伤和植物疾病研究中的应用.     

New Possibilities of OD ESR: Vacuum Ultraviolet Generation of Radical Ion Pairs

A new version of the optically detected electron spin resonance (OD ESR) technique using vacuum ultraviolet radiation to generate radical ion pairs is discussed. The technique can be used to study the spin-correlated processes of charge recombination in thin films that can be useful in spintronics. Distinctive features of photoionization and high-energy (including X-ray) ionization are discussed. The first results obtained by the technique in the study of charge recombination in polymeric and liquid crystal films are presented. The results of the concurrent observation of the OD ESR and electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) in the low-pressure gas over the sample are outlined. A possible application of ECR in the context of the OD ESR spectroscopy is suggested.     

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Dating of Calcareous Fault Gouge of the Ushikubi Fault, Central Japan

The ages of fault events of active faults have been estimated using electron spin resonance (ESR) signals of siliceous gouges. This technique of ESR method is limited by obtaining only ages that are greater than tens of millennia. So this study focuses on developing a new technique of using calcareous gouges to gain an insight into the ages of latest seismogenic event within the Holocene. For the first time, signal B of the ESR method has been used to estimate the age of the Ushikubi fault from calcareous gouge. This technique proved reliable because the mean age (1.9 ka) obtained agrees with previous works on indirect age determination of latest fault events by utilizing radiocarbon dating in the study area. However, the result from the ESR technique showed an increase relative to the age of 1 ka that was obtained by the radiocarbon dating method. This disparity may be due to a high dose rate value of 50 Gy/h of artificial irradiation that was used to determine the equivalent dose (ED). Moreover, isochronal experiment revealed that the gouge did not comprise pure carbonates but consisted of a mixture of calcite and quartz grains. A younger age value would have been obtained if a lower artificial irradiation dose rate and a relatively pure carbonate fault gouge were used in the ED determination.     

Effects of high-temperature annealing on ESR properties of solid solutions of garnet minerals

A garnet (G7) silicate mineral belonging to pyralspite subgroup was studied using the technique of electron spin resonance (ESR). This study shows that iron is present in G7 as isolated species as well as species coupled by dipolar interactions. The ESR data shows a gradual increase of cluster of Fe³⁺ ions accompanied by decrease of dipolar interactions and increase of possible exchange interactions at high temperature. The Fe²⁺→Fe³⁺ oxidation process occurs in the garnets as a function of annealing temperature. Thermoluminescence (TL) peaks at approximately 190 and 340 °C are observed in the irradiated G7 garnet. Investigations using the technique of ESR were carried out to identify the centers involved in the TL process.     

Recent Advances in High-Frequency Electron Spin Resonance Detection Using a Microcantilever

Our recent developments in highly sensitive high-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) using a microcantilever are reviewed. ESR signals of a Co Tutton salt microcrystal (<1 μg) have been detected at low temperature at frequencies up to 315 GHz under a static magnetic field using a microcantilever and a modulation technique. The achieved sensitivity is about 10⁹ spins/G at 4.5 K. Moreover, we have shown that similar ESR detection using a microcantilever is possible up to 130 GHz under a pulsed magnetic field without using a modulation technique. The achieved sensitivity is about 10¹¹ spins/G at 1.7 K. These results suggest that the ESR detection using a microcantilever is promising for applications to high-resolution and high-sensitivity terahertz ESR.     

Hilbert phase microscopy for investigating fast dynamics in transparent systems

We introduce Hilbert phase microscopy (HPM) as a novel optical technique for measuring high transverse resolution quantitative phase images associated with optically transparent objects. Because of its single-shot nature, HPM is suitable for investigating rapid phenomena that take place in transparent structures such as biological cells. The potential of this technique for studying biological systems is demonstrated with measurements of red blood cells, and its ability to quantify dynamic processes on a millisecond scale is exemplified with measurements of evaporating micrometer-sized water droplets.     

顺磁共振(ESR)诊断恶性肿瘤的波谱信号载体研究

在顺磁共振(ESR)诊断恶性肿瘤的波谱信号载体研究中,经氨基酸序列及含量分析,测定人发内含有17种氨基酸,黑发与白发的氨基酸序列与含量分别为339.82±24.46μmol/g,334.24±31.66μmol/g,两者差别不明显,可见氨基酸不是ESR波谱信号的载体,但在人发和黑色素的g因子研究中^[1,2],其结果证实,人发顺磁共振波谱信号的主要载体是黑色素。     

Confocal fluorescence polarization microscopy for linear unmixing of spectrally similar labels

Studies of biological samples often call for simultaneous identification of multiple molecular or structural components. Multiple labelling fluorescence techniques are a powerful way of achieving this. However, the ability to distinguish a number of fluorescent probes unambiguously can be restricted by the fact that fluorescence spectra are generally broad and overlapping. Recently a technique known as linear unmixing has been combined with spectral imaging to discriminate between multiple fluorophores. In this study a scheme is proposed whereby fluorescence polarization information is used to expand the capability of the linear unmixing technique to accommodate additional fluorescent probes. As a proof-of-concept, it is shown that this polarization-based technique can be used to divide the signals generated by two spectrally similar fluorescent probes into their separate components.     

Identification of free radicals in irradiated MA-AMPS copolymer

Methacrylamide-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (MA-AMPS) (80:20) is subjected to n -irradiation and the generated free radicals are identified by the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique. The ESR spectrum "obser"ved for MA-AMPS (80:20) has shown a complex line shape, indicating the presence of more than one free radical. Computer simulations are employed to unravel the radicals responsible for the ESR spectrum. Radical "identification has been done with the magnetic parameters employed during computer simulation. The observed ESR spectrum of the copolymer is simulated to be a superposition of component quartet, quintet and singlet spectra. The component spectra are assigned to ～CH 2 - . (CONH 2 )-CH 2 ～ or ～CH 2 - . H-CH 2 ～, . H 3 radicals, "respectively. The possibility of formation of such radicals in the sample material has been discussed.     

Spin probe ESR studies of PEGxLiClO4 polymer electrolyte systems

The technique of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) is shown to be useful in the study of dynamics of solid polymer electrolytes (SPE). Through the ESR of the nitroxide radical (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-1-oxyl; TEMPO) dispersed in the SPE PEG₄₆LiClO₄ temperature dependence of correlation time is found. The glass transition temperature T_g is estimated to be −51 °C from the measurement of T_50G, the temperature at which the extrema separation 2A_ZZ becomes 50G and is found to be close to that measured using DSC (−51.7 °C). T_g for pure PEG-2000, which could not be measured from DSC because of its high crystallinity, is determined to be −72 °C by spin probe ESR. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Ionic Devices, Anna University, Chennai, India, Nov. 28–30, 2003.     

二茂铁基化合物的ESR研究进展

二茂铁基化合物因具有独特的氧化还原、电、光、磁和催化性能,而被广泛研究与应用.电子自旋共振(ESR)技术是观察物质顺磁性最直接的手段,在研究二茂铁基化合物的电子结构、电子转移和分子间相互作用等方面具有独特的优势.ESR技术还具有灵敏度高、样品处理简单、直接检测不破坏样品等优点.该文综述了二茂铁基化合物的ESR研究进展.     

Hydration and protein dynamics: an ESR and ST-ESR spin labelling study of human serum albumin

Human serum albumin has been studied at low hydration level by the ESR spin labelling technique, under the assumption that a covalently bound spin-label is a reporter of the protein internal dynamics. At room temperature, the presence of a double component signal allowed us to monitor the influence of increasing hydration level on internal protein dynamics as well as on the superficial water dynamics. The ESR results have shown that the first 20 g of water per 100 g of protein activate the internal protein dynamics and that superficial water dynamics starts at higher hydration values. ESR experiments at low temperature have shown that at ?160°C ?T??80°C, the label experiences an increasing environmental polarity with increasing temperature in the samples with hydration values higher than about 20 g of water per 100 g of protein. The results are discussed in connection with both conformational substates of the protein and hydration water dynamics.     

Interaction of ranked copper phthalocyanine films with dry nitrogen dioxide on the basis of ESR data

The calculation procedure of the orientation distribution of molecules by the angular dependence of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra was used to study copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) films of different thickness, obtained by the molecular complex deposition on flat quartz plates. In the first stage of the deposition, the formation of the layer of the α-phase of CuPc with the predominant orientation of molecular stacks (theb-axis of the crystalline lattice) along the plate surface was formed. In the second stage, the layer with the normal disposition of molecular stacks is condensed over the first layer. The copper binuclear associates were formed during the reaction of CuPc with NO₂. The ESR spectra analysis allows us to make an assumption about the construction of associates and to calculate the distance between paramagnetic copper(II) ions. It was shown that the orientation distribution of axially symmetric CuPc associates in the film depends both on the initial film order and the conditions under which it was treated.