Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH): a biomedical review

In this review we present a broad survey of fundamental scientific and medically applied studies on keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Commencing with the biochemistry of KLH, information on the biosynthesis and biological role of this copper-containing respiratory protein in the marine gastropod Megathura crenulata is provided. The established methods for the purification of the two isoforms of KLH (KLH1 and KLH2) are then covered, followed by detailed accounts of the molecular mass determination, functional unit (FU) structure, carbohydrate content, immunological analysis and recent aspects of the molecular genetics of KLH. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) has contributed significantly to the understanding of KLH structure, primarily from negatively stained images. We give a brief account of TEM studies on the native KLH oligomers, the experimental manipulation of the oligomeric states, together with immunolabelling data and studies on subunit reassociation. The field of cellular immunology has provided much relevant biomedical information on KLH and has led to the expansion of use of KLH in experimental immunology and clinically as an immunotherapeutic agent; this area is presented in some detail. The major clinical use of KLH is specifically for the treatment of bladder carcinoma, with efficacy probably due to a cross-reacting carbohydrate epitope. KLH also has considerable possibilities for the treatment of other carcinomas, in particular the epithelially derived adenocarciomas, when used as a carrier for carcinoma ganglioside and mucin-like epitopes. The widespread use of KLH as a hapten carrier and generalised vaccine component represent other major on-going aspects of KLH research, together with its use for the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis, drug assay and the treatment of drug addiction. Immune competence testing, assessment of stress and the understanding of inflammatory conditions are other areas where KLH is also making a useful contribution to medical research.     

Haliotis tuberculata hemocyanin (HtH): analysis of oligomeric stability of HtH1 and HtH2, and comparison with keyhole limpet hemocyanin KLH1 and KLH2

The multimeric/higher oligomeric states of the two isoforms of Haliotis tuberculata hemocyanin (HtH1 and HtH2) have been assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of negatively stained specimens, for comparison with previously published structural data from keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH1 and KLH2) [see Harris, J.R., Gebauer, W., Guderian, F.U., Markl, J., 1997a. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), I: Reassociation from Immucothel followed by separation of KLH1 and KLH2. Micron, 28, 31–41; Harris, J.R., Gebauer, W., Söhngen, S.M., Nermut, M.V., Markl, J., 1997b. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). II: Characteristic reassociation properties of purified KLH1 and KLH2. Micron, 28, 43–56; Harris, J.R., Gebauer, W., Adrian, M., Markl, J., 1998. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH): Slow in vitro reassociation of KLH1 and KLH2 from Immucothel. Micron, 29, 329–339]. In purified samples of both HtH isoforms, the hollow cylindrical ca 8 MDa didecamer predominates together with a small number of decamers, but tri- and longer multidecamers are detectable only in the HtH2. The stability of the two HtH isoforms under varying ionic conditions have been monitored, thereby enabling conditions for the production of stable decamers to be established. The ability of these decamers to reform multimers in the presence of 10 and 100 mM concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions in Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.4), and also of individual HtH1 and HtH2 subunits (produced by pH 9.6 dissociation in glycine-NaOH buffer), to reassociate in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions, has been assessed. For the HtH1 decamers, the predominant multimeric product is the didecamer at 10 and 100 mM calcium and magnesium concentrations, whereas for the HtH2 decamers, large numbers of multidecamers are produced, with the reaction proceeding more completely at the higher calcium and magnesium concentration. With the HtH1 subunit, reassociation in the presence of 10 and 100 mM calcium and magnesium ions yielded an almost 100% conversion into didecamers, whereas the HtH2 subunit produced a mixture containing large numbers of short multidecamers and relatively few didecamers, together with a considerable number of smaller diameter helical/tubular polymers. The association properties of the HtH1 and HtH2 decamers, and the subunit reassociation, firmly indicate the integrity and structural competency of the protein under the experimental conditions used. Data on the association of KLH2 decamers is also presented, which together with previously published data on the association KLH1 decamers and the reassociation of KLH1 and KLH2 subunits, enables a detailed comparison of the two hemocyanin isoforms from both molluscan species to be made. Biochemical manipulation of the oligomer states and the subunit reassociation of molluscan hemocyanins can usefully be assessed by the study of negatively stained TEM specimens.     

Characterization of a surface state on TiN(001)

A surface state seen in normal photoemission from TiN(001), at - 2.9 eV relative to the Fermi energy, is associated with the Δ₅ band in the bulk band structure consisting of N p_x/p_y orbitals. As TiN is somewhat ionic, there is a change in the electrostatic potential at the surface and this is large enough to pull a Tamm surface state off the Δ₅ band.     

Electrosyntheses and Characterization of Poly-N-(9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-L-isoleucine (PFI) with Chirality

Poly-(N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-L-isoleucine) (PFI) films with chirality were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of N-(9-fluorenylmethoxy- carbonyl)-L-isoleucine (FI) in a medium strong Lewis acid, boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of FI in BFEE was only 0.6 V vs. Pt, which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L^?1 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBATFB) (1.0 V vs. Pt). Results of FT-IR, UV–visible spectra and ¹H NMR spectra indicated that FI was polymerized successfully and the polymerization positions were C2 and C7. Results of electrochemical measurements showed PFI had good redox activity and stability. SEM provided the surface morphology of the PFI film. Result of thermogravimetric analyses (TG) indicated PFI films obtained from BFEE had good thermostability. As-formed PFI films can be dissolved in ethanol, N,N-Dimethylformamide(DMF), etc.     

Characterization of uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) with Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectrum of uranium tetrafluoride (UF₄) is unambiguously characterized with multiple Raman excitation laser sources for the first time. Across different laser excitation wavelengths, UF₄ demonstrates 16 distinct Raman bands within the 50–400 cm⁻¹ region. The observed Raman bands are representative of various F–F vibrational modes. UF₄ also shows intense fluorescent bands in the 325–750 nm spectral region. Comparison of the UF₄ spectrum with the ZrF₄ spectrum, its crystalline analog, demonstrates a similar Raman band structure consistent with group theory predictions for expected Raman bands. Additionally, a demonstration of combined scanning electron microscopy and in situ Raman spectroscopy microanalytical measurements of UF₄ particulates shows that despite the inherent weak intensity of Raman bands, identification and characterization are possible for micron‐sized particulates with modern instrumentation. The published well‐characterized UF₄ spectrum is extremely relevant to nuclear materials and nuclear safeguard applications. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Characterization of drug-eluting stent (DES) materials with cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) employing an SF₅⁺ polyatomic primary ion source was utilized to analyze several materials commonly used in drug-eluting stents (DES). Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and various poly(urethanes) were successfully depth profiled using SF₅⁺ bombardment. The resultant molecular depth profiles obtained from these polymeric films showed very little degradation in molecular signal as a function of increasing SF₅⁺ primary ion dose when experiments were performed at low temperatures (signal was maintained for doses up to ∼5 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm²). Temperature was determined to be an important parameter in both the success of the depth profiles and the mass spectral analysis of the polymers. In addition to the pristine polymer films, paclitaxel (drug released in Taxus™ stent) containing PLGA films were also characterized, where it was confirmed that both drug and polymer signals could be monitored as a function of depth at lower paclitaxel concentrations (10 wt%).     

苹果酸合锰(Ⅱ)的合成及光谱表征

本文合成了苹果酸合锰（Ⅱ），并用AAS法对中心原子锰进行了测定，回收率为97．6％，相对标准偏差为0．98％，并用紫外，红外光谱法对其进行了表征。     

Characterization of a Solvatochromic Fluorophore: 1-(2,2-Dicyanovinyo)-2,5-Dimethoxybenzene (DCN-2,5-DMOB)

Absorption spectra and steady-state fluorescence emission spectra for l-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene in five solvents were determined. Although the absorption spectra demonstrate little solvatochromism, emission peaks show a red shift of roughly 90 nm between cyclohexane and methanol or acetonitrile, which appears to indicate charge transfer associated with a relaxed, as opposed to a vertical, excited state. Semiempirical gas phase AM1 calculations on this compound and the related unsubstituted 2,2-dicyanovinyl benzene indicate a dihedral twist of roughly 35° between the phenyl and the dicyanovinyl planes for both molecules in their ground states, as well as substantial polarity associated with the ground states of these compounds.     

Characterization of tetragonal distortion in a thick Al_(0.2)Ga_(0.8)N epilayer with an AlN interlayer by Rutherford backscattering/channeling

An Al0.2Ga0.8N/AlN/Al0.2Ga0.8N heterostructure was grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on a sapphire(0001) substrate with a thick(> 1 μm) GaN intermediate layer. The Al composition was determined by Rutherford backscattering(RBS). Using the channeling scan around an off-normal [1213] axis in the(1010) plane of the Al0.2Ga0.8N layer, the tetragonal distortion eT, which is caused by the elastic strain in the epilayer, is investigated. The results show that eTin the high-quality Al0.2Ga0.8N layer is dramatically released by the AlN interlayer from 0.66% to 0.27%.     

Characterization of Al(III) complexes with hematein in artistic alum logwood inks

The complexes between Al(III) and hematein, the main coloring matter in alum logwood inks, were characterized by Raman and ²⁷Al NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopies. Raman spectra of the crystallized complexes and of the compounds applied on a paper substrate are presented and assigned based on published data for the parent compounds. These Raman spectra show that the coordination of the hematein to the Al(III) ions takes place in both cases through the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the molecule, and that the aromatic rings are also involved in the interaction. The Raman spectra of the pure hematein–Al(III) complexes were found to be consistent with those recorded for a logwood ink prepared following a late 19th century recipe, using logwood chips instead of pure hematein, and applied on a paper substrate. These spectra can be used as references for the noninvasive identification of the compounds in works of art. ²⁷Al solid‐state NMR showed that the coordination of the Al(III) atoms in the crystallized powder is predominantly octahedral, while when applied on a paper substrate the colorant is present mainly as a tetrahedral complex, with an octahedral coordination also present in a smaller proportion. The fact that the predominant coordinations for the complexes in the crystallized material and for the ones present on the paper substrate are different is relevant for the study of the lightfastness and thermal stability of works of art bearing these media. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity Study of a New Penta-Coordinated Mn(II) Complex

A penta-coordinated Mn(II) compound [dqpMnCl₂] (1) (dqp = 2,6-di-(8-quinoline-yl)-pyridine) has been synthesized and its X-ray crystallographic structure is reported here. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed a high-spin Mn(II) (S = 5/2) center in 1. The X-band EPR spectrum of 1 in dimethylformamide solution exhibits widely distributed transitions in the spectral range from 0 to 700 mT with particularly well-resolved hyperfine lines due to the ⁵⁵Mn (I = 5/2) nucleus. The abundance of highly resolved transition lines in the spectrum facilitated the electron paramagnetic resonance spectral simulation which revealed large zero-field splitting and g-anisotropies. When dissolved, 1 exists in equilibrium with a hexa-coordinated species, the latter probably resulting from disassociation of one chlorido-ligand allowing ligation of two solvent molecules. The redox behavior of 1 was studied and was compared to that of a structural analog for which water oxidation in the presence of a chemical oxidant has been shown. The results from water oxidation trials of 1 are discussed.     

Characterization of fish schooling behavior with different numbers of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) using a Hidden Markov Model

Fish that swim in schools benefit from increased vigilance, and improved predator recognition and assessment. Fish school size varies according to species and environmental conditions. In this study, we present a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that we use to characterize fish schooling behavior in different sized schools, and explore how school size affects schooling behavior. We recorded the schooling behavior of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) and goldfish (Carassius auratus  ) using different numbers of individual fish (10–40), in a circular aquarium. Eight to ten 3 s video clips were extracted from the recordings for each group size. Schooling behavior was characterized by three variables: linear speed, angular speed, and Pearson coefficient. The values of the variables were categorized into two events each for linear and angular speed (high and low), and three events for the Pearson coefficient (high, medium, and low). Schooling behavior was then described as a sequence of 12 events (2×2×3$2\times 2\times 3$), which was input to an HMM as data for training the model. Comparisons of model output with observations of actual schooling behavior demonstrated that the HMM was successful in characterizing fish schooling behavior. We briefly discuss possible applications of the HMM for recognition of fish species in a school, and for developing bio-monitoring systems to determine water quality.     

一种高电导率PVA聚合物电解质的制备与表征

通过溶液浇注法制备了一种polymer in salt型PVA KOH H2O聚合物电解质.对该电解质进行了X射线衍射、热性质及电化学性质测试与分析.X射线衍射显示PVA和KOH在聚合物电解质中均以非晶态存在.随着KOH含量的增加,聚合物的玻璃转化点温度逐渐上升,而电解质电导率也随之增加.该电解质的电化学窗口可达1.4V,阻抗测试显示当电解质组成PVA/KOH为1/3(质量比)时,室温电导率可达0.15S/cm,电导率与温度关系符合Arrhenius方程.该电解质热力学稳定性好,机械强度高、电化学性质优越.     

Multilayering of a pseudo polyelectrolyte (PVPh) with a strong polyelectrolyte (PDMAC) from aqueous media

The introduction of pseudo polyelectrolytes (pPE) into the field of multilayer thin films has recently been achieved with the successful combination of poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh) with the weak polyelectrolyte (WPE), polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH). This paper examines the stretching of this limit by exploring the extremes of using the pPE with the strong polyelectrolyte (SPE), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDMAC). UV-Vis absorbance and atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography data reveal a linear growth trend in film thickness that depends critically upon the assembly pH. At an assembly pH of 11.0 the multilayer was five times thicker compared to that assembled at pH 12.0. AFM topography images also show that the surface roughness of the films increases as the assembly pH decreases.     

铕镧苯甲酸α,α′-联吡啶配合物的合成及性质研究

在乙醇介质中合成了以Eu3+ 和La3+ 为中心体、苯甲酸和α ,α′ 联吡啶为配体的混合稀土配合物。测定了配合物的组成、研究了其紫外光谱和红外光谱。结果表明 ,配合物的组成为EuxLa1 -x(Dipy)L3·H2 O ,苯甲酸和α ,α′ 联吡啶的紫外吸收峰在配合物中分别位移了 2～ 9nm ;苯甲酸根羧基的反对称伸缩振动和对称伸缩振动在配合物中向低波数移动 ,而α ,α′ 联吡啶的CN振动则向高波数移动。这些事实表明 ,苯甲酸和α ,α′ 联吡啶与稀土离子配位。荧光测试表明 ,用不发光的镧离子取代该系列配合物中部分铕离子 ,在一定范围内 ,可以提高三价铕的特征荧光发射强度。这一结果也表明 ,在该系列配合物中 ,不仅配体可以将吸收的能量传递给发光的铕离子 ,使其发光 ,而且不发光的镧配合物也可将其吸收的能量通过分子内能量传递给铕离子 ,增强铕的发光强度。     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly (Acrylonitrile-co-1-Acryloylpyrrolidine- 2-Carboxylic Acid) with High Molecular Weight

1-acryloylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (APCA) monomer was copolymerized with acrylonitrile (AN) by aqueous suspension polymerization. High molecular weight (HMW) copolymers of AN and APCA [poly(AN-co-APCA)] with different copolymer composition were successfully prepared by employing azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as dispersant in a H₂O/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) mixture at 60°C. The PAN homopolymer and copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis (EA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The EA results indicated that the content of oxygen increased significantly in PAN copolymers with increasing APCA content. The APCA copolymer composition calculated from the EA was higher than that from ¹H NMR spectra. The FTIR spectra of PAN and poly(AN-co-APCA) with different monomer ratios confirmed that the contents of APCA units in the copolymer chains increased with increasing APCA content in the feed. The DSC exotherms revealed that copolymerization with APCA could slow the rate of the exothermic reactions during the heat-treatment processes. The XRD results indicated that the PAN homopolymer and copolymers poorly crystallized and the crystallinity decreased with increasing APCA contents.     

Characterization of Al/Si junctions on Si(100) wafers with chemical vapor deposition-based sulfur passivation

Chemical vapor deposition-based sulfur passivation using hydrogen sulfide is carried out on both n-type and p-type Si(100) wafers. Al contacts are fabricated on sulfur-passivated Si(100) wafers and the resultant Schottky barriers are characterized with current–voltage (I–V), capacitance–voltage (C–V) and activation-energy methods. Al/S-passivated n-type Si(100) junctions exhibit ohmic behavior with a barrier height of <0.078 eV by the I–V method and significantly lower than 0.08 eV by the activation-energy method. For Al/S-passivated p-type Si(100) junctions, the barrier height is ~0.77 eV by I–V and activation-energy methods and 1.14 eV by the C–V method. The discrepancy between C–V and other methods is explained by image force-induced barrier lowering and edge-leakage current. The I–V behavior of an Al/S-passivated p-type Si(100) junction remains largely unchanged after 300 °C annealing in air. It is also discovered that heating the S-passivated Si(100) wafer before Al deposition significantly improves the thermal stability of an Al/S-passivated n-type Si(100) junction to 500 °C.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of RE(III) Complexes with L-Isoleucine and 1,10-Phenanthroline

Six new ternary rare-earth (La, Eu, Sm, Nd, Y, Yb) complexes with L-isoleucine and 1,10-phenanthroline have been synthesized. Their compositions were characterized as RE(Ile)₃PhenCl₃ · 4H₂O (RE = La, Eu, Sm, Nd, Y, Yb; Ile = L-isoleucine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) by elemental analysis, EDTA titration, molar conductance measurement, UV spectra, FT-IR spectra, and TG-DTA. The average diameters of growth inhibition area and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the complexes were studied by disc diffusion method and dilution method in nutrient broth. The results showed that the ternary rare-earth complexes strongly exhibited the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and that their antibacterial effects were better than those of rare-earth chlorides, L-isoleucine, and 1,10-phenanthroline.     

Characterization of diamond (1 0 0) surface with oxygen termination

Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) was employed to study reconstructions of diamond (1 0 0) surfaces in the presence of hydrogen, oxygen and hydroxyl. Clean and (2 × 1):1H surfaces are taken as reference. The properties of oxidization diamond surfaces with several adsorption structures, namely, O-on-top (OT) site, O-bridge (BR) site, hydroxyl (-OH), hydroxyl/hydroxyl, OT/hydroxyl, BR/hydroxyl have been considered. The calculated results indicate that the BR model is much more stable than the OT model, and the most energetically favorable structures of oxygenated surfaces are those with chemisorbed hydroxyl (-OH) group. Furthermore, the stability of the structures is also discussed from the point of HOMO-LUMO gap. Analysis of electronic structures shows that the presence of hydrogen induces surface conductivity whereas oxygen weakens it.