Silk Fibroin/Wool Keratin Composite Scaffold with Hierarchical Fibrous and Porous Structure

The present study describes a silk microfiber reinforced meniscus scaffold (SMRMS) with hierarchical fibrous and porous structure made from silk fibroin (SF) and wool keratin (WK) using electrospinning and freeze-drying technology. This study focuses on the morphology, secondary structure, mechanical properties, and water absorption properties of the scaffold. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of SMRMS are assessed in vivo and in vitro. The scaffold shows hierarchical fibrous and porous structure, hierarchical pore size distribution (ranges from 50 to 650 µm), robust mechanical properties (compression strength can reach at 2.8 MPa), and stable biodegradability. A positive growth condition revealed by in vitro cytotoxicity testing indicates that the scaffold is not hazardous to cells. In vivo assessments of biocompatibility reveal that only a mild inflammatory reaction is present in implanted rat tissue. Meniscal scaffold made of SF/WK composite shows a potential application prospect in the meniscal repair engineering field with its development.     

桑蚕丝素蛋白初始结构对其矿化作用的影响

以碱金属离子诱导桑蚕丝素蛋白溶液发生构象转变, 研究了蛋白质初始结构对其矿化作用的影响. FT-IR, XRD和SEM等测试结果显示, 未经任何处理的桑蚕丝素蛋白溶液矿化后形成片状复合物, 其无机相以二水磷酸氢钙(DCPD)为主; 而经过K^＋和Na^＋金属离子处理后, 桑蚕丝素溶液的结构由无规线团/螺旋构象向β-折叠发生转变, 矿化后成纤维状, 并相互结合呈现纳米级的三维多孔结构, 其无机相以热力学稳定的羟基磷灰石(HA)为主. 可以认为, 丝素蛋白结构转化为较伸展的β-折叠后, 使得更多的亲水基团暴露在外面, 在丝素蛋白分子不断凝聚成纤过程中, HA结晶快速生长并附着在这些微纤上, 最终形成纤维状的丝素蛋白/HA复合物. 该结果为阐明蛋白质的生物矿化过程及其调控机理提供了理论依据, 同时可以从矿化复合物的形成来反映这些微量元素可能对骨组织形成的影响, 为临床骨组织的修复提供一定的参考.     

桑蚕丝素-RGD融合蛋白的固态结构及其细胞粘附性分析

利用基因工程方法把含有短肽RGD的氨基酸序列连接到桑蚕丝素蛋白的结晶序列GAGAGS上, 通过调节DNA的聚合度, 合成了具有[TGRGDSPA(GVPGV)₂GG(GAGAGS)₃AS]_n一级结构、不同分子量大小的桑蚕丝素-RGD融合蛋白, 并且通过在M9培养基中添加[3-¹³C]Ala的方法进行融合蛋白的稳定同位素标记. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR结果显示, 融合蛋白中的GAGAGS部分具有与天然桑蚕丝素结晶部分相同的分子结构, 即Silk I处理后为均一的分子结构, 而Silk II处理后为不均一的分子结构, 它包含了三种不同的结构成分. 另一方面, 通过对小鼠成纤维细胞BALB/3T3在不同蛋白材料载体上的粘附和增殖性能的测定结果显示, 融合蛋白对细胞的增殖性能与天然胶原蛋白相近, 但表现出了比胶原蛋白更好的细胞粘附性能. 该研究结果显示, 如果对该桑蚕丝素-RGD融合蛋白进行适当加工, 可能适合于组织工程支架材料的应用.     

Spherulites of Tussah Silk Fibroin. Structure, thermal properties and growth rates

The crystal structure, thermal properties and growth rates of spherulites of the Tussah silk fibroin, produced upon drying of the silk taken directly from the lumen which is essentially a poly(L-alanine)polypeptide, are investigated. Depending on casting conditions, spherulites with either αhelical chain conformation or β parallel sheet structure are produced. The growth rates display a strong positive temperature coefficient, with an apparent transition, which however cannot be related with the formation of two different crystal structures at this stage. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

光谱法研究钙离子对丝素蛋白溶解过程中结构的影响

为研究丝素蛋白在氯化钙溶液溶解过程中结构的阶段性变化特征,通过荧光光谱、紫外可见吸收光谱和拉曼光谱技术探讨了不同溶解时间下钙离子对丝素蛋白结构的影响情况。结果表明,在90℃左右,丝素蛋白与氯化钙溶液(Ca Cl2∶H2O=111∶180,质量比)作用0~30 min的时间段内,随着溶解时间的延长,钙离子逐渐渗透到丝素蛋白分子中,与丝氨酸(Ser)、酪氨酸(Tyr)侧链羟基进行配位而形成螯合物,丝素蛋白逐渐溶胀,分子结构变得松弛,埋藏在非结晶区内的色氨酸(Trp)和Tyr也逐渐暴露出来,分子构象由β-折叠向α-螺旋或无规线团转变。此外,外源性荧光探针(ANS)的结果表明,随着溶解时间的延长,丝素蛋白中的疏水性基团逐渐暴露于溶液中。电镜结果表明,丝素蛋白在氯化钙溶液的作用下逐渐由带状转变为片层状,最终呈球状结构。这些结果对调控丝素蛋白在氯化钙溶液中的溶解过程有着较为重要的现实意义。     

桑蚕丝素蛋白的结构、形态及其化学改性

通过对桑蚕吐丝机构的描述,着重从高分子科学的角度介绍桑蚕丝和蚕丝素蛋白大分子的组成、形态及各种化学、物理性质,讨论了蚕丝素蛋白的纤维化机理,并简述了丝索蛋白纤维的化学接枝改性及其应用。     

Structure and molecular conformation of tussah silk fibroin films: Effect of methanol

Structural changes of tussah (Antheraea pernyi) silk fibroin films treated with different water-methanol solutions at 20°C were studied as a function of methanol concentration and immersion time. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the α-helix structure, typical of untreated tussah films, did not change for short immersion times (2 min), regardless of methanol concentration. However, crystallization to β-sheet structure was observed following immersion of tussah films for 30 min in methanol solutions ranging from 20 to 60% (v/v). IR spectra of tussah films untreated and methanol treated for 2 min exhibited strong absorption bands at 1265, 892, and 622 cm^?1, typical of the α-helix conformation. The intensity of the bands assigned to the β-sheet conformation (1245, 965, and 698 cm^?1) increased for the sample treated with 40% methanol for 30 min. Raman spectra of tussah films with α-helix molecular conformation exhibited strong bands at 1657 (amide I), 1263 (amide III), 1106, 908, 530, and 376 cm^?1. Following α → β conformational transition, amide I and III bands shifted to 1668, and to 1241, 1230 cm^?1, respectively. The band at 1106 cm^?1 disappeared and new bands appeared at 1095 and 1073 cm^?1, whereas the intensity of the bands at 530 and 376 cm^?1 decreased significantly. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Vibrational study on the cobalt binding mode of Carnosine

The Co(II)-l-Carnosine (Carnos) system was investigated at different pH and metal/ligand molar ratios by Raman and IR spectroscopy. Raman spectra present some marker bands yielding information on the ability of the Co(II)/Carnos system to bind molecular oxygen and to identify the metal co-ordination site of the imidazole ring (N_π or N_τ atom) of Carnos.The existence of different oxygenated species is greatly affected by pH and the structure of the predominant complexes depends on the available nitrogen atoms. Under basic conditions, binuclear complexes binding molecular oxygen are the predominant species and two forms (monobridged and dibridged) were identified by the Raman νO-O band (750-850 cm⁻¹).Decreasing pH to 7, the species present in the system are less able to bind oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide and a Co(III) chelate not binding O₂, were formed with a significant conversion of peroxo into superoxo complexes. A slight excess of Carnos does not enhance metal chelation.In slightly acidic conditions, the formation of H₂O₂ and superoxo species is more enhanced than at pH 7 and another Co(III) chelate is probably formed.     

Raman Scattering Study on Vibrational Modes and Structure of Lanthanum Tellurite Glasses

Raman spectra of xLa₂O₃-(1-x)的TeO₂(x=0、0.05、0.10、0.15、0.20和0.25) lanthanum tellurite glasses were measured and analyzed over the entire glass-forming region in an effort to quantitatively follow the structural changes caused by lanthanum oxide variation. For the first time, systematic intensity measurements have been performed to elucidate the composition induced structural changes in the high-frequency stretching vibration region and a possible mechanism was proposed. The network structure of the glasses is formed by mixing TeO₄ trigonal bipyramid and TeO₃ trigonal pyramid units. The change of the lanthanum oxide content results in conversion of the TeO₄ units to TeO₃ units with a varying number of non-bridging oxygen atoms. Analysis of the Raman band contours in terms of vibrations due to different oxygen bridged trigonal bipyramid and trigonal pyramid tellurite structural units, allowed to calculate the relative amounts of the species involved in the structural changes with composition. The fraction of the terminal oxygen atoms has been estimated from the Raman intensities with the aid of a structural model concerning the structure of tellurite network systems. The simulation of the experimental density of lanthanum tellurite glasses with modifier content up to 25% revealed that the short range order building units assumed here are sufficient to account for the overall structure in these glasses.     

纺丝条件及纺丝液组成对丝素-丝胶蛋白同轴干纺纤维的影响

为了模仿家蚕的纺丝工艺及天然蚕丝的组成和皮芯结构,利用同轴干法纺丝技术制备了以再生丝素蛋白（RSF）为芯层、丝胶蛋白（SS）为皮层的RSF-SS纤维。研究了卷绕速率及芯层纺丝液中RSF质量分数对纤维形貌、2级结构及力学性能的影响。结果表明：复合纤维具有明显的皮芯结构;相对于RSF的质量分数,卷绕速率对纤维结构和性能的影...     

1H pulsed NMR study of bombyx mori silk fibroin: Dynamics of fibroin and of absorbed water

The dynamical behavior of the Bombyx mori silk fibroin chain and of absorbed water in silk fiber, film, and powder has been studied by ¹H pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Segmental motions do not occur and only the rapid rotation of the methyl groups of alanine residues is observed from ?120 to 130°C. This is independent of the conformation or form of the silk fibroin samples. Magnetization of dry silk fibroin by the solid-echo method shows a single Gaussian decay, while two components are observed in the solid-echo signals of films containing 6–10 w/w% water. An immobile component with a T₂ value of 11 μs is attributed to silk fibroin, and the mobile component to bound water. The T₂ of the latter varies from 50 to 200 μs, depending on the sample. The dynamical behavior of water trapped in the film is discussed on the basis of these T₂ values.     

二维相关红外光谱研究再生蚕丝蛋白膜的构象与温度之间的关系

通过二维相关红外光谱,研究了再生蚕丝蛋白膜的构象及其转变与温度之间的关系.实验结果表明,将样品从130℃升温到220℃、或在180℃的恒温过程中,丝素蛋白分子链的构象会发生变化,且不同构象对温度升高过程或180℃恒温过程响应的顺序是无规线团变化先于β-折叠、α-螺旋的形成.     

氧化石墨烯接枝碳纤维新型增强体的制备与表征

利用“Grafting-to”化学修饰法制备氧化石墨烯接枝国产碳纤维新型增强体。利用红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱和原子力显微镜对样品的官能团和表面形貌进行表征;利用接触角测量、单丝拉伸方法研究了接枝前后纤维单丝的润湿性能及拉伸强度,并通过微脱粘法分析了其复合材料的界面剪切强度。结果表明：氧化石墨烯的接枝修饰使国产碳纤维表面粗糙度提高了166%,表面能提高了46.3%,拉伸强度提高了7.8%,复合材料的界面剪切强度提高了111.7%。     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Vibrational Spectra of Coordination Polymers Based on TCE‐TTF

The room‐temperature infrared and Raman spectra of a series of four isostructural polymeric salts of 2,3,6,7‐tetrakis(2‐cyanoethylthio)‐tetrathiafulvalene (TCE‐TTF) with paramagnetic (Co^II, Mn^II) and diamagnetic (Zn^II, Cd^II) ions, together with BF₄^? or ClO₄^? anions are reported. Infrared and Raman‐active modes are identified and assigned based on theoretical calculations for neutral and ionized TCE‐TTF using density functional theory (DFT) methods. It is confirmed that the TCE‐TTF molecules in all the materials investigated are fully ionized and interact in the crystal structure through cyanoethylthio groups. The vibrational modes related to the C?C stretching vibrations of TCE‐TTF are analyzed assuming the occurrence of electron–molecular vibration coupling (EMV). The presence of the antisymmetric C?C dimeric mode provides evidence that charge transfer takes place between TCE‐TTF molecules belonging to neighboring polymeric networks.     

Vibrational and quantum-chemical study of nonlinear optical chromophores containing dithienothiophene as the electron relay

A series of nonlinear optical (NLO) donor-acceptor (D-A) chromophores containing a fused terthiophene, namely dithienothiophene (DTT), as the electron relay, the same donor group, and acceptors of various strengths, has been investigated by means of infrared and Raman spectroscopies, both in the solid state as well as in a variety of solvents, to evaluate the effectiveness of the intramolecular charge transfer from the electron-donor to the electron-acceptor end groups. The Raman spectral profiles of these NLO-phores measured from their dilute solutions have been found to be rather similar to those of the corresponding solids, and thus their intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) shows very little dependence on the solvent polarity. The experimental results obtained for the DTT-containing NLO-phore with a 4-(N,N-dibutylamino)styryl end group as the donor and a 2,2-dicyanoethen-1-yl end group as the acceptor differ from those previously obtained for two parent "push-pull" chromophores with the same D-A pair but built-up around either a bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythienyl) (BEDOT) or a bithienyl (BT) electron relay. Vibrational spectroscopy shows that DTT is significantly more efficient as an electron relay than BT (which has the same number of conjugated C=C bonds) or BEDOT (which can be viewed as a rigidified version of BT on account of noncovalent intramolecular interactions between heteroatoms of adjacent rings). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have also been performed on these NLO-phores to assign their main electronic and vibrational features and to obtain information about their structures. An additional merit of these molecular materials was revealed by the infrared spectra of the DTT-based NLO-phores recorded at different temperatures. Thus, spectra recorded between -170 and 150 degrees C did not show any substantial change, indicating that the materials have a high thermal stability, which is of significance for their use as active components in optoelectronic devices.     

Vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations of 1,3-dibromo-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene: Anharmonicity,coupling and methyl group tunneling

The Raman, IR and INS spectra of 1,3-dibromo-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (DBMH) were recorded in the 80–3200 cm⁻¹ range. The molecular conformation and vibrational spectra of DBMH were computed at the MPW1PW91/LANL2DZ level. Except for the methyl 2 environment, the agreement between the DFT calculations and the neutron diffraction structure is almost perfect (deviations < 0.01 Å for bond lengths, <0.2° for angles). The frequencies of the internal modes of vibration were calculated with the harmonic and anharmonic approximations; the later method yields results that are in remarkable agreement with the spectroscopic data, resulting in a confident assignment of the vibrational bands. Thus, no scaling is necessary. The coupling, in phase or anti-phase, of the motions of symmetrical CBr and CMe bonds is highlighted. Our DFT calculations suggest that the torsion of methyl groups 4 and 6 is hindered in deep wells, whereas methyl group 2 is a quasi-free rotor. The failure of the calculations to determine the frequencies of the methyl torsional modes is explained as follows: DFT does not consider the methyl spins and assumes localization of the protons, whereas the methyl groups must be treated as quantum rotors.     

Reinterpretation of Dynamic Vibrational Spectroscopy to Determine the Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Ferrocene

Molecular distortion of dynamic molecules gives a clear signature in the vibrational spectra, which can be modeled to give estimates of the energy barrier and the sensitivity of the frequencies of the vibrational modes to the reaction coordinate. The reaction coordinate method (RCM) utilizes ab initio‐calculated spectra of the molecule in its ground and transition states together with their relative energies to predict the temperature dependence of the vibrational spectra. DFT‐calculated spectra of the eclipsed (D_5h) and staggered (D_5d) forms of ferrocene (Fc), and its deuterated analogue, within RCM explain the IR spectra of Fc in gas (350 K), solution (300 K), solid solution (7–300 K), and solid (7–300 K) states. In each case the D_5h rotamer is lowest in energy but with the barrier to interconversion between rotamers higher for solution‐phase samples (ca. 6 kJ mol^?1) than for the gas‐phase species (1–3 kJ mol^?1). The generality of the approach is demonstrated with application to tricarbonyl(η⁴‐norbornadiene)iron(0), Fe(NBD)(CO)₃. The temperature‐dependent coalescence of the ν(CO) bands of Fe(NBD)(CO)₃ is well explained by the RCM without recourse to NMR‐like rapid exchange. The RCM establishes a clear link between the calculated ground and transition states of dynamic molecules and the temperature‐dependence of their vibrational spectra.