非对称场流分离系统的构建及其在淀粉颗粒粒径表征中的应用

淀粉颗粒粒径与分子尺寸分别在1~100 μm和20~250 nm之间,是影响淀粉功能特性的重要因素之一。非对称场流分离(AF4)是一种基于样品与外力场相互作用机制的分离技术,已应用于表征淀粉分子尺寸分布。商品化的AF4系统的粒径检测范围为1 nm~10 μm,对于淀粉颗粒粒径表征具有一定的局限性。该文研制了AF4分离系统;考察了其在微米尺度下对红薯、莲子和大米淀粉颗粒粒径表征的性能;采用微米尺寸的聚苯乙烯乳化球(PS)标准样品验证了构建的AF4系统的分离性能。实验结果显示,构建的AF4系统对PS混合样品(粒径2、6、12、20 μm)实现了基线分离,同商品化AF4相比提高了检测上线,具有分离表征淀粉颗粒的潜力。此外,该文研究了载液组成对淀粉颗粒分离表征的影响;通过光学显微镜验证了构建的AF4系统在微米尺度上对淀粉颗粒粒径分布的表征能力。最后,采用商品化的AF4系统串联多角度激光光散射检测器和示差折光检测器对3种淀粉分子进行了分离表征,考察了淀粉的溶解温度对其表征结果的影响。在摩尔质量10 ⁶~10⁸ g/mol范围内,红薯和莲子淀粉的回转半径和水合半径的比值(R_g/R_h)在0.9~1.1之间,大米淀粉的R_g/R_h在1.2~1.4之间。实验结果证明构建的AF4系统是一种快速、准确的淀粉颗粒粒径表征方法,与商品化的AF4系统结合可为研究淀粉尺寸分布与其功能性质之间的关系提供技术支持。     

Combination of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and total-reflexion X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) for determination of heavy metals associated with colloidal humic substances

To assess the structural variability of colloidal humic substances and the associated heavy metals an off-line coupling of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) is presented. AF4 allows a rather gentle separation of colloids with a minimum of interference and artifacts as no shear forces, drying, or interactions with a stationary phase are involved. After a calibration with suitable polymer particles of known molecular weight, the molecular weight distribution of colloidal humic substances between 1 and 10(3) kDa can be assessed with AF4. The combination with TXRF permits a simultaneous multielement analysis after preconcentration of samples on the AF4 channel using an optimized buffer. The analysis of seepage and sewage water sample and a sewage sludge sample yielded continuous distributions of the molecular weight and the associated heavy metals. The potential of AF4-TXRF coupling for the study of metal ion exchange equilibria with colloids was demonstrated by spiking seepage water with various heavy metals and subsequent AF4-TXRF analysis of the heavy metals bound to the colloidal fraction (Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Co).     

Specific features of the salting-out of oxyethylated nonylphenols using inorganic salts at 25°С

The solubility of oxyethylated nonylphenols (neonol AF 9-12 and neonol AF 9-25) in aqueous solutions of inorganic salts is studied at 25°С. Cation and anion abilities to salt out neonols from aqueous solutions are examined. It is found that anions are able to salt out neonols while cations are able to salt in neonols. The concentration parameters of extraction in water–neonol AF 9-12 (neonol AF 9-25)–(NH4)2SO4 systems are optimized.     

非对称流场流分离技术的现状及发展趋势

场流分离是生物分析领域一项成熟的技术,将流体与外场联合作用于待分离物质,利用分析物某些理化参数上的差异进行分离。非对称流场流是其重要的分支之一,所施加的外力场为垂直方向的液流,分离过程于开放型的通道中在某种组成的载液迁移推动下进行,主要根据分析物与垂直施加的第二维液流之间的相互作用完成分离。非对称流场流在蛋白质、蛋白质复合物、衍生纳米级/微米级粒子、亚细胞单元和聚合物等分离中的应用日益广泛,主要归功于其直接应用于生物样品时可进行无损分离,因此生物分析物如蛋白质可以在生物友好型的环境中完成分离而不改变其构型,也无需使用降解载液。分离设备便于保持无菌状态,分析物可在生物友好的环境中维持其自然状态。该文简要描述了场流分离原理并罗列出其在生物分析领域一些卓越的发展和应用。     

非对称场流分离技术在蛋黄浆质低密度脂蛋白粒径表征中的应用

通过自组装的非对称场流分离系统(AF4)与紫外可见光检测器联用分离表征了笼养鸡蛋、柴鸡蛋、鹌鹑蛋和鸭蛋蛋黄浆质中的低密度脂蛋白(LDL)。在近似蛋黄浆质生理条件下,研究了进样量、交叉流流速、膜的类型对AF4蛋黄浆质中LDL分离表征的影响;考察了该方法的精密度。在优化的AF4分析条件下,检测出了笼养鸡蛋、柴鸡蛋、鹌鹑蛋和鸭蛋蛋黄浆质中LDL的水力学粒径分布。LDL的AF4洗脱峰高和峰面积的日内精密度分别为1.3%和1.9%(n=7),日间精密度分别为2.4%和2.3%(n=7)。研究结果表明,该方法可用于分离禽类蛋黄浆质中的LDL,同时能够得到LDL水力学粒径分布。     

A comparison of polymeric materials as pre-concentrating media for use with ATR/FTIR sensing

Polymer-modified ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was investigated to determine its potential suitability for use as an analytical methodology for process stream analysis. The process stream under investigation contains toluene, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, and acetonitrile in an aqueous matrix. Four polymers, Teflon® AF2400, poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) (PAB), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and poly(styrene-co-butadiene) (PSB), were chosen for study based on partition coefficients measured using a novel automated GC technique. Polymer suitability as pre-concentration media was assessed utilizing analyte/polymer diffusion coefficient data, equilibrium absorbance values, water ingress, and polymer plasticization. PAB displayed the fastest sensing times and enhanced sensitivities. Teflon® AF2400 demonstrated a low water absorption and a low degree of plasticization. Other factors affecting the diffusion rate of analytes were also investigated including molecular size, shape and analyte concentration. This research demonstrated that the choice of pre-concentrating medium is not a trivial issue, being dictated by a combination of sensitivity constraints as well as polymer robustness in real sample matrices.     

载液组成对于卵白蛋白在非对称流场流分离通道中膜吸附和聚集行为的影响

非对称流场流分离技术对于蛋白质等生物大分子的分析具有温和、分离范围广的特点。然而,在场流分离通道中,受载液组成的影响而产生的蛋白质与通道膜的相互作用和蛋白质在通道内的聚集行为,会影响分析物的回收率和尺寸形态,这些现象一定程度上限制了场流分离仪器的进一步应用。该文研究了载液组成对于卵白蛋白在非对称流场流分离中膜吸附和聚集行为的影响。考察了不同pH （6.2、7.4、8.2）、阳离子种类（Na⁺、K⁺、Mg²⁺）及多种离子强度（0~0.1 mol/L）等条件对卵白蛋白洗脱过程的影响。结果表明a）载液的离子强度越大,卵白蛋白的吸附和聚集行为越严重;b） pH和蛋白质的等电点pI的相对大小决定了蛋白质的表面电荷,从而影响蛋白质的吸附聚集行为;c）二价阳离子Mg²⁺更易引发通道中蛋白质的吸附和聚集。这些结果有助于今后使用非对称流场流分离技术分析蛋白质样品时,改善载液组成以获得更高的回收率,降低蛋白质聚集作用,对AF4更广泛地应用于蛋白质生化分析中有较好的参考价值。     

Direct determination of the anisotropy and exchange splittings in the dimeric single-molecule magnet [Mn4O3Cl4(O2CEt)3(py)3]2.8MeCN by inelastic neutron scattering

Energy splittings resulting from anisotropy and exchange interactions in the dimer of single-molecule magnets [Mn4O3Cl4(O2CEt)3(py)3]2.8MeCN are determined for both an undeuterated and a partially deuterated sample using inelastic neutron scattering. The antiferromagnetic (AF) exchange coupling between the two Mn4 subunits strongly depends on their separation. The Cl...Cl distance between the two subunits can be modified either by exchanging the solvent of crystallization or by deuteration of the C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds. The exchange of acetonitrile for n-hexane leads to a five times greater shortening of the Cl...Cl separation than does full deuteration of all the hydrogen bonds. As a result, the AF exchange coupling constants between the subunits are 0.0073(4) and 0.0103(9) meV in the samples with acetonitrile and n-hexane solvent molecules, respectively, in the crystal structure. On the other hand, the effect of C-H...Cl deuteration on the AF exchange coupling is not detectable within the experimental accuracy of INS.     

Discovery of a Prenylated Flavonol Derivative as a Pin1 Inhibitor to Suppress Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Modulating MicroRNA Biogenesis

Peptidyl‐prolyl cis‐trans isomerase Pin1 plays a crucial role in the development of human cancers. Recently, we have disclosed that Pin1 regulates the biogenesis of miRNA, which is aberrantly expressed in HCC and promotes HCC progression, indicating the therapeutic role of Pin1 in HCC therapy. Here, 7‐(benzyloxy)‐3,5‐dihydroxy‐2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐8‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one ( AF‐39 ) was identified as a novel Pin1 inhibitor. Biochemical tests indicate that AF‐39 potently inhibits Pin1 activity with an IC₅₀ values of 1.008 μm , and also displays high selectivity for Pin1 among peptidyl prolyl isomerases. Furthermore, AF‐39 significantly suppresses cell proliferation of HCC cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Mechanistically, AF‐39 regulates the subcellular distribution of XPO5 and increases miRNAs biogenesis in HCC cells. This work provides a promising lead compound for HCC treatment, highlighting the therapeutic potential of miRNA‐based therapy against human cancer.     

Heterotropic binding of alclofenac and dansylsarcosine to bovine serum albumin

The binding data for the interaction of alclofenac (AF) and dansylsarcosine (DS) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) have respectively yielded nonlinear Scatchard plots. The plots have been subjected to Rosenthal’s method of analysis and thus the ligands have been found to possess two different kinds of sites in BSA. The binding capacities of these sites have been evaluated. The fluorescence competition studies have revealed that the binding of DS to BSA is noncompetitively inhibited by AF. Therefore, the presence of distinct binding sites for AF and DS in BSA could be inferred. The fluorescence quenching studies have also been able to demonstrate this aforesaid fact. The analysis of the quenching data by the modified Stern-Volmer plot has indicated that both the tryptophan (Trp) residues of BSA are accessible to DS for the quenching in absence of AF, but only one of them is accessible in presence of AF. This has led to suggest that the binding site of DS has been in the vicinity of loop 3–4, involving Trp-134 and Trp-212. The binding of AF at a distinct site from that of DS has exerted heterotropic interactions at the DS binding site and thereby inhibited the binding of DS to BSA.     

Characterization of branched ultrahigh molar mass polymers by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation and size exclusion chromatography

The molar mass distribution (MMD) of synthetic polymers is frequently analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to multi angle light scattering (MALS) detection. For ultrahigh molar mass (UHM) or branched polymers this method is not sufficient, because shear degradation and abnormal elution effects falsify the calculated molar mass distribution and information on branching. High temperatures above 130 °C have to be applied for dissolution and separation of semi-crystalline materials like polyolefins which requires special hardware setups. Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) offers the possibility to overcome some of the main problems of SEC due to the absence of an obstructing porous stationary phase. The SEC-separation mainly depends on the pore size distribution of the used column set. The analyte molecules can enter the pores of the stationary phase in dependence on their hydrodynamic volume. The archived separation is a result of the retention time of the analyte species inside SEC-column which depends on the accessibility of the pores, the residence time inside the pores and the diffusion ability of the analyte molecules. The elution order in SEC is typically from low to high hydrodynamic volume. On the contrary AF4 separates according to the diffusion coefficient of the analyte molecules as long as the chosen conditions support the normal FFF-separation mechanism. The separation takes place in an empty channel and is caused by a cross-flow field perpendicular to the solvent flow. The analyte molecules will arrange in different channel heights depending on the diffusion coefficients. The parabolic-shaped flow profile inside the channel leads to different elution velocities. The species with low hydrodynamic volume will elute first while the species with high hydrodynamic volume elute later. The AF4 can be performed at ambient or high temperature (AT-/HT-AF4). We have analyzed one low molar mass polyethylene sample and a number of narrow distributed polystyrene standards as reference materials with known structure by AT/HT-SEC and AT/HT-AF4. Low density polyethylenes as well as polypropylene and polybutadiene, containing high degrees of branching and high molar masses, have been analyzed with both methods. As in SEC the relationship between the radius of gyration (R(g)) or the molar mass and the elution volume is curved up towards high elution volumes, a correct calculation of the MMD and the molar mass average or branching ratio is not possible using the data from the SEC measurements. In contrast to SEC, AF4 allows the precise determination of the MMD, the molar mass averages as well as the degree of branching because the molar mass vs. elution volume curve and the conformation plot is not falsified in this technique. In addition, higher molar masses can be detected using HT-AF4 due to the absence of significant shear degradation in the channel. As a result the average molar masses obtained from AF4 are higher compared to SEC. The analysis time in AF4 is comparable to that of SEC but the adjustable cross-flow program allows the user to influence the separation efficiency which is not possible in SEC without a costly change of the whole column combination.     

Impact of Ionic Strength of Carrier Liquid on Recovery in Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation (HF5) are techniques widely used in analytical, industrial and biological analyses. The main problem in all AF4 and HF5 analyses is sample loss due to analyte–membrane interactions. In this work the impact of liquid carrier composition on latex nanoparticles (NPs) separation in water and two different concentrations of NH₄NO₃ was studied. In AF4, a constant trend of decreasing the size of 60 and 121.9 nm particles induced by the ionic strength of the carrier liquid has been observed. In contrast, an agglomeration effect of the biggest 356 nm particles was observed when increasing ionic strength, which induced a significant drop of recovery to 35%. H5F provides better resolution and intensified peaks of NPs, but careful optimisation of system parameters is mandatory to obtain good separation.     

一步法制备聚脲多孔材料及其对染料的吸附

以甲苯二异氰酸酯为单体, 在水和丙酮混合溶剂中不用致孔剂且无需任何高分子改性一步法合成了聚脲多孔材料(PPU), 通过扫描电镜和BET氮气吸附法对其表面形貌和孔参数进行了表征. 以酸品红(AF)溶液模拟染料废水, 对其在PPU上的吸附进行了研究, 讨论了pH、 吸附时间、 AF初始浓度及吸附剂用量对吸附过程的影响, 优化了吸附条件. 结果表明, PPU对染料AF具有优异的吸附效果. PPU在30℃, pH=3时对AF的最大吸附量为44.60 mg/g. PPU对AF的吸附过程更接近于Langmuir等温吸附的单分子层吸附机理. PPU对水溶性染料刚果红(CR)也有很好的吸附能力. 使用水、 乙醇和水混合溶剂以及NaOH水溶液对染料吸附后的解吸附结果表明, 乙醇和水混合溶剂对吸附染料的解吸效率最高, 对2种染料的解吸附都达90%以上. 解吸后PPU的再吸附能力略有下降, 但第三次吸附量仍达到首次吸附的80%以上.     

Chiral two ring compounds exhibiting antiferroelectric phases

Novel chiral two ring compounds possessing phenylethenoate moieties were synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties determined. Some of these compounds were found to exhibit SmC* γ, AF and SmC* A phases, whereas in other compounds only SmA* and SmC* phases appear. The influence of the molecular structure on the appearance of SmC* γ, AF and SmC* γ phases is discussed. The basic electro-optical properties of the homologous series of ( S )-( E )4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl 4-alkoxycinnamates, in which SmC*, SmC* γ, AF and SmC* A phases appear, were also investigated. High values of spontaneous polarization, low threshold voltages and fast switching times at room temperature were observed.     

非对称流场流分离-超高效液相色谱-串联四极杆飞行时间质谱用于过敏原蛋白表位筛选

应用非对称流场流分离（AF4）技术结合超高效液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱（UPLC-QTOF-MS）对过敏原蛋白表位进行筛选。将选择的过敏原蛋白（虾原肌球蛋白，TM）酶解后经UPLC-QTOF-MS分析，建立蛋白质肽谱。将TM酶解后的肽段与免疫球蛋白E混合孵育30 min，孵育过程中含有抗原表位的特异性肽段与免疫球蛋白E（IgE）结合，未结合的肽段仍留在溶液中。将孵育后的溶液进行AF4分离，已结合的肽段随IgE一起由出口流出，未结合的肽段透过分离通道膜，滤出至废液。收集出口流出的组分进行UPLC-QTOF-MS分析，与蛋白质肽谱匹配，找到特异性肽段，进而检测抗原表位。本研究扩展了非对称流场流分离技术的应用，对过敏原蛋白表位的检测进行了初步探索，为过敏原蛋白表位的研究提供了一种新的研究策略。     

A novel approach to improve operation and performance in flow field-flow fractionation

A new system design and setup are proposed for the combined use of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation (HF5) within the same instrumentation. To this purpose, three innovations are presented: (a) a new flow control scheme where focusing flow rates are measured in real time allowing to adjust the flow rate ratio as desired; (b) a new HF5 channel design consisting of two sets of ferrule, gasket and cap nut used to mount the fiber inside a tube. This design provides a mechanism for effective and straightforward sealing of the fiber; (c) a new AF4 channel design with only two fluid connections on the upper plate. Only one pump is needed to deliver the necessary flow rates. In the focusing/relaxation step the two parts of the focusing flow and a bypass flow flushing the detectors are created with two splits of the flow from the pump. In the elution mode the cross-flow is measured and controlled with a flow controller device. This leads to reduced pressure pulsations in the channel and improves signal to noise ratio in the detectors. Experimental results of the separation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and of a mix of four proteins demonstrate a significant improvement in the HF5 separation performance, in terms of efficiency, resolution, and run-to-run reproducibility compared to what has been reported in the literature. Separation performance in HF5 mode is shown to be comparable to the performance in AF4 mode using a channel with two connections in the upper plate.     

基于非对称场流分离技术分离表征小米淀粉

基于非对称场流分离技术耦合多角度激光光散射检测器和示差折光检测器,建立了分离表征小米淀粉的方法。研究了进样量、交叉流流速、半衰期（t_1/2）、载液离子强度和pH值对小米淀粉分离效果的影响;考察了该方法的重现性;探究了小米淀粉分子结构。结果表明,在进样体积为50 μL、进样质量浓度为0.50 g/L、交叉流流速为1.2 mL/min、t_1/2=3 min、载液为10 mmol/L pH 7.00 NaNO₃（含3 mmol/L NaN₃）的条件下,小米淀粉分离效果最佳。该方法具有良好的重现性,得到的小米淀粉的回转半径相对标准偏差为3.4%、摩尔质量相对标准偏差为7.0%。     

Immune Modulatory Activities of Arginyl-Fructose (AF) and AF-Enriched Natural Products in In-Vitro and In-Vivo Animal Models

The immune system plays an important role in maintaining body homeostasis. Recent studies on the immune-enhancing effects of ginseng saponins have revealed more diverse mechanisms of action. Maillard reaction that occurs during the manufacturing processes of red ginseng produces a large amount of Amadori rearrangement compounds (ARCs), such as arginyl-fructose (AF). The antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic effects of AF have been reported. However, the possible immune enhancing effects of non-saponin ginseng compounds, such as AF, have not been investigated. In this study the effects of AF and AF-enriched natural product (Ginofos, GF) on proliferation of normal mouse splenocytes were evaluated in vitro and male BALB/c mice models. The proliferation of splenocytes treated with mitogens (concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharide) were further increased by addition of AF (p < 0.01) or GF (p < 0.01), in a dose dependent manner. After the 10 days of oral administration of compounds, changes in weights of spleen and thymus, serum immunoglobulin, and expression of cytokines were measured as biomarkers of immune-enhancing potential in male BALB/c mice model. The AF or GF treated groups had higher weights of the thymus (0.94 ± 0.25 and 0.86 ± 0.18, p < 0.05, respectively) than that of cyclophosphamide treated group (0.59 ± 0.18). This result indicates that AF or AF-enriched extract (GF) increased humoral immunity against CY-induced immunosuppression. In addition, immunoglobulin contents and expression of cytokines including IgM (p < 0.01), IgG (p < 0.05), IL-2 (p < 0.01), IL-4 (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.01), and IFN-γ (p < 0.05) were also significantly increased by supplementation of AF or GF. These results indicate that AF has immune enhancing effects by activation of adaptive immunity via increase of expression of immunoglobulins and cytokines such as IgM, IgG, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and thereby proliferating the weight of thymus. Our findings provide a pharmacological rationale for AF-enriched natural products such as ginseng and red ginseng that can possibly have immune-enhancement potential and should be further evaluated.     

Blue-violet excited autofluorescence spectroscopy and imaging of normal and cancerous human bronchial tissue after formalin fixation

Autofluorescence (AF) imaging is a powerful tool for the detection of (pre-)neoplastic lesions in the bronchi. Several endoscopic imaging systems exploit the spectral and intensity contrast of AF between healthy and (pre-)neoplastic bronchial tissues, yet, the mechanisms underlying these contrasts are poorly understood. In this report, the effect of formalin fixation on the human bronchi AF, hence on the contrast, was studied by spectrofluorometric point measurements and DAFE (Diagnostic AutoFluorescence Endoscopy) broad field imaging. Generally, formalin-fixed samples have higher AF intensity than in vivo, whereas the emission spectral shape is similar. Additionally, the spectrofluorometric data showed a moderate decrease of the AF intensity on (pre-)neoplastic lesions relative to the healthy bronchial samples. However, this decrease was lower than that reported from in vivo measurements. Neither spectral measurements nor imaging revealed spectral contrast between healthy bronchial tissue and (pre-)neoplastic lesions in formalin. These results indicate that epithelial thickening and blood supply in the adjacent lamina propria are likely to play a key role in the generation of the AF contrast in bronchial tissues. Our results show that the AF contrast in bronchial tissues was significantly affected by standard, 10% buffered, formalin fixation. Therefore, these samples are not suited to AF contrast studies.     

Combined Experimental and Computational Studies on the Physical and Chemical Properties of the Renewable Amide, 3‐Acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran

The pK_a of 3‐acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran (3A5AF) was predicted to be in the range 18.5–21.5 by using the B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) method and several amides as references. The experimental pK_a value, 20.7, was determined through UV/Vis titrations. Its solubility was measured in methanol‐modified supercritical CO₂ (mole fraction, 3.23×10^?4, cloud points 40–80 °C) and it was shown to be less soluble than 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF). Dimerization energies were calculated for 3A5AF and 5‐HMF to compare hydrogen bonding, as such interactions will affect their solubility. Infrared and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 3A5AF samples support the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and electrostatic potential of 3A5AF were determined through molecular orbital calculations using B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p). The π–π* transition energy (time‐dependent density functional theory study) was compared with UV/Vis data. Calculated atomic charges were used in an attempt to predict the reactivity of 3A5AF. A reaction between 3A5AF and CH₃MgBr was conducted. As 3A5AF is a recently developed renewable compound that has previously not been studied extensively, these studies will be helpful in designing future reactions and processes involving this molecule.