Sensitive targeted multiple protein quantification based on elemental detection of Quantum Dots

A generic strategy based on the use of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots (QDs) as elemental labels for protein quantification, using immunoassays with elemental mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), detection is presented. In this strategy, streptavidin modified QDs (QDs-SA) are bioconjugated to a biotinylated secondary antibody (b-Ab₂). After a multi-technique characterization of the synthesized generic platform (QDs-SA-b-Ab₂) it was applied to the sequential quantification of five proteins (transferrin, complement C3, apolipoprotein A1, transthyretin and apolipoprotein A4) at different concentration levels in human serum samples. It is shown how this generic strategy does only require the appropriate unlabeled primary antibody for each protein to be detected. Therefore, it introduces a way out to the need for the cumbersome and specific bioconjugation of the QDs to the corresponding specific recognition antibody for every target analyte (protein). Results obtained were validated with those obtained using UV–vis spectrophotometry and commercial ELISA Kits.     

Environmental UV‐A and UV‐B Threshold Doses for Apoptosis and Necrosis in Humans Fibroblasts¶

Apoptosis involves a highly organized and programmed series of events aimed at maintaining genomic stability by eliminating defective host cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold doses and environmental UV‐A and UV‐B exposure times necessary to produce apoptosis and necrosis in the normal cells of a human fibroblast cell line. Enviromental UV‐A and UV‐B doses were measured over a 6 year period with a four‐channel UV radiometer. The fibroblasts were irradiated once using an Oriel UV Solar Simulator with six doses of environmentally‐based UV. Doses corresponded to 0,11,19,23 and 45 min of average environmental UV‐A and UV‐B radiation at solar noon in Puerto Rico. The Annexin‐V binding method was used to differentiate between normal fibroblasts and apoptotic or necrotic fibroblasts. The threshold dose from apoptosis to necrosis was found between 24–28 kJ/m², which corresponded to 19 and 23 min of environmental UV‐A and UV‐B exposure. This study provides the first data that specify the environmental threshold doses of UV‐A and UV‐B at which human fibroblasts undergo apoptosis and necrosis. These results may provide valuable dose‐response thresholds for apoptosis and necrosis for future mechanistic studies and baseline data for skin cancer prevention programs.     

Mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate/dodecanol at the air/water interface by computer simulations

Molecular dynamics simulations of monolayers of surfactant mixtures at the air/water interface were performed where the binary mixture was composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecanol molecules. At the same ratio of SDS and dodecanol molecules, two monolayer mixtures were prepared. In the first monolayer, all the dodecanol molecules were placed together in the center of the simulation box, whereas in the second monolayer, those molecules were uniformly distributed in the surface area in such a way that they were far from each other. Simulations of both systems indicate that the dodecanol tails in the first monolayer are straighter and more ordered than those in the second monolayer. From the present results, we observed new insights of how the different molecules should array or distribute at the interface in real systems. Finally, studies of the interfacial water around the different surfactants were also analyzed, showing that they are closer to the polar headgroups of dodecanol than to the SDS headgroups.     

Hydrogen‐bonding patterns in rac‐1‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐2‐thioxoimidazolidin‐4‐one

In the title compound, C₆H₈N₂O₂S, also known as N‐acetyl‐2‐thiohydantoin–alanine, the molecules are joined by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming centrosymmetric R₂²(8) dimers; these dimers are linked by C—H...O interactions to form R₂²(10) rings, thus forming C₂²(10) chains that run along the [101] direction.     

A new space–time discretization for the Swift–Hohenberg equation that strictly respects the Lyapunov functional

The Swift–Hohenberg equation is a central nonlinear model in modern physics. Originally derived to describe the onset and evolution of roll patterns in Rayleigh–Bénard convection, it has also been applied to study a variety of complex fluids and biological materials, including neural tissues. The Swift–Hohenberg equation may be derived from a Lyapunov functional using a variational argument. Here, we introduce a new fully-discrete algorithm for the Swift–Hohenberg equation which inherits the nonlinear stability property of the continuum equation irrespectively of the time step. We present several numerical examples that support our theoretical results and illustrate the efficiency, accuracy and stability of our new algorithm. We also compare our method to other existing schemes, showing that is feasible alternative to the available methods.     

Chromium(V) Oxide Trichloride,and some Pentachlorido‐­oxido‐chromate(V) Salts: Structures and Spectroscopic ­Characterization

Crystalline CrOCl₃ contains [Cl₂OCr(μ‐Cl)₂CrOCl₂] molecules with two square pyramidal CrOCl₄ units sharing a common edge and with the Cr–O arranged anti, a new structure type for transition metal MOX₃ compounds. Crystals are monoclinic with space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, with a = 5.735(5), b = 13.738(7), c = 11.318(4) Å, α = 90°, β = 98.346(6)°, γ = 90°. Its IR and UV/Vis spectra are reported and compared with those of the C_3v monomer found in the gas phase. Structures are also reported for M₂[CrOCl₅] (M = Cs or Rb) and show a pseudo‐octahedral anion. Cs₂[CrOCl₅] adopts a K₂PtCl₆‐type structure with [CrOCl₅]^2– ions randomly orientated, but Rb₂[CrOCl₅] is orthorhombic with space group Pnma with a = 13.6471(7), b = 9.9175(5), and c = 6.9562(4) Å. Rietveld refinement of the data on the rubidium salt gave Cr–O = 1.628(1), Cr–Cl_transO = 2.652(7), Cr–Cl_transCl = 2.239(8)–2.342(3) Å. Corresponding Cr^V oxide bromide species do not form.     

Room temperature synthesis of glycerol carbonate catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes were used as efficient organocatalysts for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate. The reaction takes place in a liquid mixture of reactants without solvent at room temperature. It provides glycerol carbonate in high yield using 2.6–4 mol % of catalyst in a reaction period of 20–30 min.