Electrophoretic migration of proteins in semidilute polymer solutions

We present a systematic study of the electrophoretic migration of 10-200 kDa protein fragments in dilute-polymer solutions using microfluidic chips. The electrophoretic mobility and dispersion of protein samples were measured in a series of monodisperse polydimethylacrylamide (PDMA) polymers of different molecular masses (243, 443, and 764 kDa, polydispersivity index <2) of varying concentration. The polymer solutions were characterized using rheometry. Prior to loading onto the microchip, the polymer solution was mixed with known concentrations of SDS (SDS) surfactant and a staining dye. SDS-denatured protein samples were electrokinetically injected, separated, and detected in the microchip using electric fields ranging from 100 to 300 V/cm. Our results show that the electrophoretic mobility of protein fragments decreases exponentially with the concentration c of the polymer solution. The mobility was found to decrease logarithmically with the molecular weight of the protein fragment. In addition, the mobility was found to be independent of the electric field in the separation channel. The dispersion is relatively independent of polymer concentration and it first increases with protein size and then decreases with a maximum at about 45 kDa. The resolution power of the device decreases with concentration of the PDMA solution but it is always better than 10% of the protein size. The protein migration does not seem to correspond to the Ogston or the reptation models. A semiempirical expression for mobility given by van Winkle fits the data very well.     

Reduction in the Resonance Error in Numerical Homogenization II: Correctors and Extrapolation

This paper is the follow-up of Gloria (Math Models Methods Appl Sci 21(8):1601–1630, 2011). One common drawback among numerical homogenization methods is the presence of the so-called resonance error, which roughly speaking is a function of the ratio \(\frac{\varepsilon }{\rho }\), where \(\rho \) is a typical macroscopic lengthscale and \(\varepsilon \) is the typical size of the heterogeneities. In the present work, we make a systematic use of regularization and extrapolation to reduce this resonance error at the level of the approximation of homogenized coefficients and correctors for general non-necessarily symmetric stationary ergodic coefficients. We quantify this reduction for the class of periodic coefficients, for the Kozlov subclass of almost-periodic coefficients, and for the subclass of random coefficients that satisfy a spectral gap estimate (e.g., Poisson random inclusions). We also report on a systematic numerical study in dimension 2, which demonstrates the efficiency of the method and the sharpness of the analysis. Last, we combine this approach to numerical homogenization methods, prove the asymptotic consistency in the case of locally stationary ergodic coefficients, and give quantitative estimates in the case of periodic coefficients.     

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides and chlorohydrins

Lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP)-induced intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides provides an efficient and completely stereoselective entry to bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols and bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-ols. Further elaboration of C-5 and C-6 stannyl-substituted bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols via Sn-Li exchange/electrophile trapping or Stille coupling generates a range of substituted bicyclic cyclopropanes. An alternative straightforward cyclopropanation protocol using a catalytic amount of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) allows for a convenient (1 g-7.5 kg) synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol and other bicyclic adducts. The synthetic utility of this chemistry has been demonstrated in a concise asymmetric synthesis of (+)-beta-cuparenone. The related unsaturated chlorohydrins also undergo intramolecular cyclopropanation via in situ epoxide formation.     

First principles studies on boron sites in zeolites

A systematic computational investigation on protonated and nonprotonated boron-containing zeolites (boralites), performed by using different periodic density functional theory approximations, is presented. Both minimum energy structures and finite temperature behavior of model boron sodalites were analyzed. All of the adopted computational schemes agree in predicting an acid site composed of a silanol Si-OH group loosely linked to a planar BO(3) structure in the protonated system and a BO(4) tetrahedral site in the sodium-containing zeolite. Calculated structural and vibrational properties are in line with experimental data. Comparisons of the protonated boralite site with Al and Ga zeolitic acid sites are discussed as well. Results indicate that this class of mild acid catalysts is characterized by significant framework flexibility and pronounced thermal effects due to the loosely bound acid site.     

A dinuclear copper(II) complex with adeninate bridge ligands and prominent DNA cleavage activity. Structural and spectroscopic characterization and magnetic properties

A new dinuclear copper(II) complex has been synthesized and structurally characterized: [Cu(mu-ade)(tolSO3)(phen)]2.2H2O (Hade = adenine, tolSO3- = toluenesulfonate anion). Its magnetic properties and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra have been studied in detail. The compound has two metal centers bridged by two adeninate NCN groups. The coordination geometry of the copper(II) ions in the dinuclear entity is distorted square pyramidal, with the four equatorial positions occupied by two phenanthroline N atoms and two N atoms from different adenine molecules. The axial position is occupied by one sulfonate O atom. Magnetic susceptibility data show antiferromagnetic behavior with an estimated exchange constant of -2J = 65 cm-1. The EPR spectrum has been obtained at both X- and Q-band frequencies; a study at different temperatures has been carried out at the latter. Above 20 K, the Q-band spectra are characteristic of S = 1 species with a small zero-field splitting parameter (D = 0.0970 cm-1). A detailed study of the DNA-complex interaction has been performed. The title complex efficiently cleaves the pUC18 plasmid in the presence of reducing agents. Both the kinetics and the mechanism of the cleavage reaction are examined and described herein.     

Thermal- and pressure-induced cooperative spin transition in the 2D and 3D coordination polymers {Fe(5-Br-pmd)z[M(CN)x]y} (M=AgI, AuI, NiII, PdII, PtII)

A new family of cyanide-based spin-crossover polymers with the general formula {Fe(5-Br-pmd)z[M(CN)x]y} [M=AgI (1), AuI (2), NiII (3), PdII (4), PtII (5); 5-Br-pmd=5-bromopyrimidine; z=1 or 2, x=2 or 4, and y=2 or 1] have been synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), magnetic susceptibility measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At 293 K, compound 1 presents the monoclinic space group C2/c, whereas at 120 K, it changes to the monoclinic space group P21/c. At 293 K, the crystal structure of 1 displays an uninodal three-dimensional network whose nodes, constituted of FeII, lie at the inversion center of an elongated octahedron. The equatorial bond lengths are defined by the N atoms of four [AgI(CN)2]- groups belonging to two crystallographically nonequivalent AgI atoms, Ag(1) and Ag(2). They are shorter than those of the axial positions occupied by the N atoms of the 5-Br-pmd ligands. The Fe-N average bond length of 2.1657(7) A is consistent with a high-spin (HS) state for the FeII ions. At 120 K, the crystal structure changes refer mainly to the FeII environment. There are two crystallographically independent FeII ions at this temperature, Fe(1) and Fe(2), which adopt the HS and low-spin (LS) states, respectively. The average Fe-N bond length for Fe(1) [2.174(5) A] and Fe(2) [1.955(5) A] agrees well with the reported magnetic data at this temperature. The spin transition of the FeII ions labeled as Fe(1) is found to be centered at Tc downward arrow=149 K and Tc upward arrow=167 K and accompanied by a drastic change of color from orange (HS) to red (LS). Magnetic susceptibility measurements under applied hydrostatic pressure performed on 1 have shown a linear displacement of the transition to higher temperatures while the hysteresis width remains unaltered in the interval of pressures of 105 Pa to 0.34 GPa. A further increase of the pressure induces the spin transition in the Fe(2) ions, which is completely accomplished at 1.12 GPa (T1/2=162 K). Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, but 2 does not exhibit spin-transition properties; the FeII centers remain in the HS state in the temperature range investigated, 5-300 K. Compounds 3-5 are not similar or isostructural with 1. A two-dimensional structure for 3-5 has been proposed on the basis of analytical data and the XRPD patterns. Compounds 3-5 undergo first-order spin transition where the critical temperatures for the cooling (Tc downward arrow) and warming (Tc upward arrow) modes are 170 and 180 K (3), 204 and 214 K (4), and 197 and 223 K (5), respectively. It is worth mentioning the color change from yellow to orange observed in 3-5 upon spin transition. The thermodynamic parameters associated with the spin transition estimated from DSC measurements are DeltaH=6 kJ mol(-1) (1), 11 kJ mol(-1) (3), 16 kJ mol(-1) (4), and 16 kJ mol(-1) (5) and DeltaS=38 J K(-1) mol(-1) (1), 62 J K(-1) mol(-1) (3), 76 J K-1 mol(-1) (4), and 81 J K(-1) mol(-1) (5).     

Dearomatizing anionic cyclization of N-alkyl-N-benzyl(dinaphthyl)phosphinamides. A facile route to gamma-(amino)dihydronaphthalenylphosphinic acids

The dearomatizing anionic cyclization of N-alkyl-N-benzyldi(n-naphthyl)phosphinamides (n = 1, 2) and subsequent trapping with a series of electrophiles (MeOH, MeI, CF3SO3Me, Me3O+BF4-, AllylBr, and PhCH2Br) have been accomplished. Optimized reaction conditions (base, temperature, reaction time) allow for synthesizing tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-c][1,2]-azaphosphole 1-oxides 13 and 18 and tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[2,1-c][1,2]azaphosphole 3-oxides 16 and 27-29 in high yield and diastereoselectivity. Appropriate selection of the base proved to be critical for promoting anionic cyclization of 2-naphthyl derivatives. The dearomatized heterocycles are transformed quantitatively into gamma-(N-alkylamino)phosphinic acids by acid hydrolysis of the P-N linkage. Bioactivity assays on five human tumor cell lines for one of these amino acids revealed growth inhibition factors (GI50) at a micromolar scale. Additionally, evidence for the feasibility of intermolecular nucleophilic dearomatization and sequential nucleophilic attack to both aromatic rings of dinaphthylphosphinamides have been obtained.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Detection of Choline Based on CNTs and Metal Oxide Nanomaterials

Choline is an officially established essential nutrient and precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is employed as a cholinergic activity marker in the early diagnosis of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Low levels of choline in diets and biological fluids, such as blood plasma, urine, cerebrospinal and amniotic fluid, could be an indication of neurological disorder, fatty liver disease, neural tube defects and hemorrhagic kidney necrosis. Meanwhile, it is known that choline metabolism involves oxidation, which frees its methyl groups for entrance into single-C metabolism occurring in three phases: choline oxidase, betaine synthesis and transfer of methyl groups to homocysteine. Electrocatalytic detection of choline is of physiological and pathological significance because choline is involved in the physiological processes in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous systems and thus requires a more reliable assay for its determination in biological, food and pharmaceutical samples. Despite the use of several methods for choline determination, the superior sensitivity, high selectivity and fast analysis response time of bioanalytical-based sensors invariably have a comparative advantage over conventional analytical techniques. This review focuses on the electrocatalytic activity of nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotubes (CNTs), CNT nanocomposites and metal/metal oxide-modified electrodes, towards choline detection using electrochemical sensors (enzyme and non-enzyme based), and various electrochemical techniques. From the survey, the electrochemical performance of the choline sensors investigated, in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and stability, is ascribed to the presence of these nanomaterials.     

2‐[(1‐Imidazolyl)formyloxy]ethyl methacrylate as a new chemical precursor of functional polymers

A novel activated derivative of methacrylic acid, namely 2‐[(1‐imidazolyl)formyloxy]ethyl methacrylate was synthesized and homopolymerized. The resulting polymer was used in exchange reactions with alcohols and amines, thus showing a potential for the synthesis of multifunctional polymers. All reactions, expecially those carried out in the presence of amines, proceeded under mild conditions. 2‐[(1‐Imidazolyl)formyloxy]ethyl methacrylate can also be regarded as a valuable precursor for the preparation of new and easily polymerizable functional monomers.