Universal fluorescent labeling of amplification products using locked nucleic acids

Amplification/hybridization‐based genetic analyses using primers containing locked nucleic acids (LNAs) present many benefits. Here, we developed a novel design for universal fluorescent PCR using LNAs. Universal fluorescent PCR generates intermediate nonlabeled fragments and final fluorescent fragments in a two‐step amplification process that uses locus‐specific primers with universal tails and universal fluorescent primers. In this study, a few standard nucleotides were replaced with LNAs only in the fluorescent universal primers. The sequence of the fluorescent universal primer significantly affected the amplification efficiency. For primers with three LNAs, the fluorescent primers with stable M13(‐47) sequences provided the most efficient signal (approximately tenfold higher than the primers with M13(‐21) sequences at lower Tm values). Moreover, AT‐rich LNA substitutions in the fluorescent primers produced much lower amplification efficiencies than GC‐rich substitutions. GC‐rich LNAs produced greater differences in Tm values among primers, and resulted in the preferential production of fluorescently labeled amplicons. The specificity and sensitivity of LNA‐containing fluorescent primers were assessed by genotyping eight STRs in Japanese individuals, and full STR profiles could be generated using as little as 0.25 ng of genomic DNA. The method permitted clear discrimination of alleles and represents sensitive STR genotyping at a reduced cost.     

Bimetallic Co–Pd alloy nanoparticles as magnetically recoverable catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water

Co–Pd bimetallic alloy nanoparticle catalysts were prepared from CoCl₂, Pd(OAc)₂ and several capping agents with Li(C₂H₅)₃BH. The nanoparticle catalysts were applied to the aerobic oxidation of a variety of alcohols in water to give the corresponding carbonyl products. The catalyst was magnetically recovered and reused for further oxidation. The nanoparticle catalysts were characterized with TEM, ICP, and XPS analyses.     

High‐Quality Three‐Dimensional Nanoporous Graphene

We report three‐dimensional (3D) nanoporous graphene with preserved 2D electronic properties, tunable pore sizes, and high electron mobility for electronic applications. The complex 3D network comprised of interconnected graphene retains a 2D coherent electron system of massless Dirac fermions. The transport properties of the nanoporous graphene show a semiconducting behavior and strong pore‐size dependence, together with unique angular independence. The free‐standing, large‐scale nanoporous graphene with 2D electronic properties and high electron mobility holds great promise for practical applications in 3D electronic devices.     

Synthesis of an Alternated Heterobimetallic Supramolecular Polymer Based on Ru(II) and Fe(II)

A heterobimetallic supramolecular polymer (polyRuFe) with alternately complexed Ru(II) and Fe(II) is prepared following a stepwise synthetic route through harnessing first the strongly binding metal ion Ru(II) and then the weakly binding metal ion Fe(II). A high yield of product is achieved in each step. The heterometal ions are incorporated into the polymer chain in identical coordination environments formed by two 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine moieties. Characterization is accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. PolyRuFe shows a wide optical window (λ = 311–577 nm) and a broad distinct reversible redox nature of two types, originated from the coupling of the two heterometallic segments into the polymer chain. Such characteristics of polyRuFe suggest its potential for various electrochemical and electro-optical applications.     

Effect of crystallite size on the thermal phase change and porous properties of boehmite

The effect of crystallite size on the thermal phase change and porous properties of boehmite was investigated using boehmites with crystallite sizes of 2.9 to 24.4 nm and boehmite gels prepared by precipitation and hydrothermal methods. The dehydroxylation temperature of boehmite increases, its phase transition temperature from gamma- to theta-Al(2)O(3) decreases and the theta- to alpha-Al(2)O(3) transition temperature increases as the crystallite size of the boehmite increases. Boehmite with a crystallite size of approximately 5 nm shows the highest specific surface area and greatest thermal stability. This boehmite contains pores of about 2-3 nm radius, suggested to be responsible for the superior porous properties and thermal stability.     

Avenic acid,a new amino acid possessing an iron chelating activity

A new amino acid derivative possessing an iron chelating activity was isolated from root washings of water cultured $\text{Avena sativa}$ under iron deficient conditions. The structure of this compound, avenic acid A has been determined as 2(S),3′(S),3″(S)-N-[3-(3-hydroxy-3-carboxypropylamino)-3-carboxypropyl]-homoserine (1) on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.     

Stein's positive part estimator and bayes estimator

Summary Stein's positive part estimator forp normal means is known to dominate the M.L.E. ifp≧3. In this article by introducing some proirs we show that Stein's positive part estimator is posterior mode. We also consider the Bayes estimators (posterior mean) with respect to the same priors and show that some of them dominate M.L.E. and are admissible.     

Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Cells Using a Flash Wave Light Xenon Lamp

We determined photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy using a flash wave (FW) and a continuous wave (CW) light, of which the fluence rate was 70 W/cm², for murine thymic lymphoma cells (EL-4) cultivated in vitro. The irradiation frequency and the pulse width of the FW light were in the range of 1–32 Hz and less than one millisecond, respectively. 5-Aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX (ALA-PpIX) was used as a photosensitizer. When EL-4 with ALA administration was irradiated by the light for 4 h (irradiation fluence: 1.0J/cm²), the survival rate of EL-4 by the FW light was lower than that by the CW light, except for the FW light with irradiation frequency of 32 Hz, and decreased gradually with decreasing irradiation frequency. Moreover, the FW light, especially at lower irradiation frequency, was superior to the CW light for the generation of singlet oxygen in an aqueous PpIX solution. Therefore, thehigher PDT efficacy for EL-4 of the FW light would be caused by the greater generation of singlet oxygen in the cells.     

Direct observation of chiral susceptibility in the canonical spin glass AuFe

The extraordinary Hall resistivity rho(xy) and the magnetization M of a canonical spin glass AuFe (8 at.% Fe) were measured simultaneously as functions of temperature with the best care to the thermal and the magnetic field hysteresis. The data of rho(xy) show an anomaly at the spin glass transition temperature T(g) and have different zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) measurements below T(g). Moreover, the value of rho(xy)/M, which represents the chiral susceptibility of the system in the present case, also shows the difference between ZFC and FC measurements. The results are consistent with the predictions of the chirality scenario of canonical spin glasses by Kawamura.     

Sterol composition of a cultured marine dinoflagellate,Heterocapsa circularisquama

The composition of sterols was determined in a cultured marine dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama. Ten kinds of the sterol in H. circularisquama were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major sterol was a 4-methyl sterol, 4alpha,23,24-trimethyl-5alpha-cholest-22E-en-3beta-ol (dinosterol) which is the common sterol in many dinoflagellates.