Dephosphorylation of intact glycoprotein to greatly improve digestion efficiency coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric analysis

Sialylation is essential for a variety of cellular functions. Herein, we used bovine fetuin with three potential N-linked glycosylation sites containing complex-type glycan structures, four potential O-linked glycosylation sites and six potential phosphorylation sites as a model compound to develop a highly-efficient digestion strategy for sialylated glycoproteins and efficient enrichment strategy for sialylated glycopeptides using titanium dioxide. The former according to the process of alkaline phosphatase digestion followed by tryptic digestion and then proteinase K digestion could greatly improve the enzymatic efficiency on fetuin, and the latter could obviously enhance the enrichment efficiency for multisialylated glycopeptides using phosphoric acid solution as elution buffer. The mass spectra of the enriched glycopeptides derived from fetuin reveal that several series of the ion clusters with mass difference of 291 Da correspond to the presence of multisialylated glycopeptides. In addition, the approach was applied to characterize the sialylated status of α2-macroglobulin and transferrin, respectively, from the sera of healthy subjects and sex- and age-matched patients with thyroid cancer, and their spectra indicate that the change in the amount of the glycoforms containing different number of sialic acid (SA) residues from one glycosylation site may be used to differentiate between healthy subjects and cancer cases.     

Anisotropic studies of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-filled natural rubber (NR) and nitrile rubber (NBR) blends

50/50 NR/NBR blends with various MWCNT loadings were prepared by mixing with MWCNT/NR masterbatches on a two-roll mill and sheeted off at the smallest nip gap. Then, the effect of milling direction, machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD), on the mechanical and electrical properties of the blends was elucidated. Dichroic ratio and SEM results confirmed that most of the MWCNTs were aligned along MD when MWCNT was less than 4 phr, and the number of agglomerates increased when MWCNT was more than 4 phr. Additionally, anisotropic properties were clearly observed when 4 phr MWCNT was loaded. At 4 phr MWCNT, 100% modulus and tensile strength in the MD were about 1.5 and 1.3 times higher than those in the TD, respectively. Moreover, electrical conductivity in the MD was superior to that in the TD by about 3 orders of magnitude. Results from dynamic mechanical tests also showed that the maximum tan δ in the MD sample was lower than that in the corresponding TD sample. In addition, the storage modulus at 30 °C for the MD sample containing 4 phr MWCNT was 1.15 higher than that of the corresponding TD sample. This stronger reinforcement efficiency resulted from the combination of the greater alignment and dispersion of most MWCNTs in the MD sample.     

Swelling and Network Parameters of 1-Hexadecene-Co-Trimethylolpropane Distearate Monoacrylate Sorbers

Linear and crosslinked copolymers with different compositions of 1-hexadecene and trimethylolpropane distearate monoacrylate monomers were synthesized and evaluated for oil-absorbency application. Different concentrations of ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) crosslinkers were used. The concentration of both crosslinkers was varied from 0.5% to 2%. Copolymer compositions were determined from ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Monomer reactivity ratios were calculated using Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos techniques at low conversions. The oil absorbency and swelling rate constant were measured and influenced mainly by the degree of crosslinking and the hydrophobicity of copolymer units. The final equilibrium oil content, volume fraction of polymer and swelling capacity were determined at 298 K. The effective crosslinking density V_e, theoretical crosslink density V_t, the average molecular weight between the crosslinks M_c and the polymer-toluene interaction parameter χ were determined from swelling measurements. The efficiencies of EGDA and EGDMA crosslinking agents toward copolymers were determined.     

Characterization of Chitosan/Alginate Self-Assembled Nanoparticles as a Protein Carrier

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the polymeric ratios on the characteristics of chitosan/alginate (ch/alg) self-assembled nanoparticles and their potential as protein delivery vehicle. The nanoparticles were prepared using proper mixing of polymers in presence or absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a protein model. Three formulations of nanoparticles comprising ch/alg ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 were prepared. Size, shape and zeta potential of the formulations were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanosizer instruments. FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) studies were performed to investigate polymer-polymer or polymer-protein interactions. Release profiles and entrapment efficiencies of the nanoparticles were determined by calorimetric technique using appropriate techniques. Entrapment efficiency was 70% for ch/alg ratio of 1:1, 65% for 1:2, and 60% for 2:1. The z-average size of the nanoparticles were 403, 205, and 318 nm for ch/alg ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2, respectively. Average zeta potentials were ?47, +15, ?25 mV for 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 as well. Considering the favorable features required for protein delivery systems, ch/alg (1:1) due to its smallest size, highest loading, and most homogenous shape was regarded as the best ratio.     

Photocatalytic Activity of High Aspect Ratio TiO2 Nanorods

In this article, TiO₂ nanorods (aspect ratio >20) were prepared through a polyol process and doped with metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cr³⁺). Compared with TiO₂ nanoparticles, the TiO₂ nanorods displayed relatively higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of copper sulfophthalocyanine. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity was greatly enhanced when the metal ions were doped in the TiO₂ nanorods.     

Micellar Enhanced Ultrafiltration of Reactive Black 5 from Aqueous Solution by Cationic Surfactants

Reactive black 5 (RB-5) dye was removed from a water stream using two cationic surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), via micellar enhanced ultrafiltration. Three membranes with different pore size were used for the determination of rejection coefficient and permeate flux of the solution at 1.5 bar trans-membrane pressure (TMP). The two surfactants (CPC and CTAB) played an almost negligible role in rejection efficiency with 5000 and 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane (MWCO), respectively. In this case, high rejection and low permeate flux was the result of a larger molecular size of RB-5 DYE being retained by comparatively smaller sized pores of membrane via ultrafiltration. However, CPC and CTAB surfactants showed 83% and 98% rejection coefficient, respectively, at a concentration greater than their CMC values against 30,000 MWCO. Permeate flux remained low and constant in presence of 5000 and 10,000 MWCO with a small variation against 30,000 MWCO for the two surfactants, thereby no appreciable effect on both surfactant concentrations on concentration polarization was estimated. Thus, RB-5 dye alone was determined to be responsible for membrane plugging or concentration polarization and ultimately for low permeate flux. The effect of trans-membrane pressure was also investigated during this study.     

Solution Crystallization Behavior of Linear and Star-shaped Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-Poly(ε-caprolactone) Block Copolymers简

Lamellar crystals of diblock, triblock and four-arm poly（ethylene glycol）-b-poly（ε-caprolactone） （PEG-b-PCL） crystalline-crystalline copolymers were successfully obtained from their solution. Morphology and structure of lamellar crystals of crystalline-crystalline copotymers were investigated using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy （AFM） and selected area electron diffraction （SAED）. All of these samples showed the truncated-lozenge multilayer basal shapes with central screw dislocation or central stack, which were all obtained simultaneously from the oil bath. The diffraction pattern of PEG block lamellar crystal is attributed to the （120） diffracting planes and the pattern of PCL block lamellar crystal is attributed to the （1 I0） diffracting planes and （200） diffracting planes according to the SAED results. Four （110） crystal growth planes and two （200） crystal growth planes are discovered for the PCL blocks, but the （120） crystal growth planes of PEG blocks are hided in the figure of AFM. The crystalline structure of the four-arm copolymers （FA） is more disorder and confused than that of the diblock （DI） copolymer and the striated fold surface structures of lamellar crystals of four-arm copolymers （FA） are smoother than these of linear analogues, owing to the confused crystallization of blocks caused by the mutual restriction of blocks and the hindrance of the dendritic cores. In addition, the aspect ratio of FA is greater than that of the others. It is hypothesized that there are two reasons for the change of aspect ratios. First, the （200） diffracting planes of PCL crystals grew slowly compared to their （110） diffracting planes because of difference in the energy barrier. Secondly, edge dislocations on the （200） diffracting planes are also responsible for the variation of the aspect ratio. Consequently, the crystalline defects are augmented by the competing blocks crystallized simultaneously and the hindrance of the dendritic cores.     

Orientational and electro-optical properties of liquid crystal aligned with a directly spinnable carbon nanotube web

We investigated the orientational and electro-optical properties of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) aligned with a directly spinnable carbon nanotube (CNT) web functioning both as an electrode and as an alignment layer. The LC molecules were uniformly oriented along the drawing direction of the CNT web and the spatially averaged birefringence was comparable to a rubbed polyimide sample. The CNT web sample also showed smaller residual DC and hysteresis compared to the polyimide sample.     

Effects on molecular orientation and phase transition of addition of carbon nanotubes into liquid crystalline matrix

For practical guest–host applications, it is important to choose dyes with a high ability of orientation in the liquid crystal (LC) matrix. In this experimental work, two different azo-structured dyes (disperse yellow 3 and 7) were separately doped to each of two different nematic LCs (E7 and ZLI-1132). Their solubilities, textures, phase transition temperatures and order parameters were determined. At the second stage, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in a small amount were separately added to each of these solutions, and the experiments were repeated as similar to the previous ones. The solubilities of dyes in the LC E7 were lower than those of ZLI-1132. Moreover, the highest order parameter value was attained with yellow 7 dye in ZLI-1132 nematic host. Co-use of nanoparticles (CNTs) as dopant resulted in notable increases in order parameters. These dyes and CNTs did not significantly destabilise the mesomorphic phase of nematic hosts. An appreciable change in textures was not monitored with addition of dopant(s). In addition, it was observed that the narrowing on the temperature range of the LC did not take place with the addition of dopants to the crystal; on the contrary, an increase was recorded.     

Naphthalene and benzene levels in microenvironments associated with potential exposure: new and old apartments with moth repellents,and cabins of passenger cars

A lesser degree of information is available with respect to microenvironments associated with potential exposure to naphthalene, in comparison with other volatile organic compounds. The current study investigated the levels of benzene as well as naphthalene, both in the indoor and outdoor air of apartments and in the cabins of passenger cars. Two groups of 20 apartment buildings (20 new and 20 old) were chosen on the basis of the selection criteria (apartment location and size). In addition, 10 actual commuters were recruited for this study. The equal number of drivers was recruited for the study for comparison of two types of fuels for vehicles (five drivers of gasoline-fuelled and five drivers of diesel-fuelled passenger cars). Indoor naphthalene concentrations were similar between old and new apartments, while the benzene concentrations in new apartments were significantly higher than those of old apartments. The naphthalene concentrations in bedrooms, where wardrobes with moth repellent (MRs) were placed, were significantly higher than those for living rooms where no MRs were present. In turn, these indoor concentrations were significantly higher than outdoor levels. It is noteworthy that the mean and median values of naphthalene measured in the bedrooms exceeded the USEPA RfC (inhalation reference concentration) of 3?µg?m^?3, and the living room values were close to the RfC, while the residential benzene levels exceeded the European benzene limit of 5?µg?m^?3. In contrast, the maximum outdoor levels were well below that of the RfC. The use of passenger cars appeared to be a significant daily activity for both naphthalene and benzene exposure. The naphthalene-to-benzene ratios varied with the type of microenvironments. Both the indoor naphthalene and benzene concentrations in the present study were much higher than those of other studies.