In situ observation of protein-adsorbed stearic acid monolayer by Brewster angle microscopy and fluorescence microscopy

A fluorescence probe, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), was introduced to proteins, and the morphology of protein-adsorbed stearic acid monolayer was observed by fluorescence microscopy and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) in order to analyze images. At a low protein concentration, the surface pressure increased as shown by a sigmoidal curve. A number of stripe patterns in the BAM images increased and the shapes became clear with increasing concentration of proteins. Simultaneously, the size of circular islands also became small, and finally disappeared. These results suggest that the very large stripe patterns in the BAM image show the assembly of both proteins and stearic acid molecules, and small circular islands show only the stearic acid molecules. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of the fluorescence dynamics of single molecules of a green fluorescent protein: one- versus two-photon excitation.

We report on the dynamics of fluorescence from individual molecules of a mutant of the wild-type green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria, super folder GFP (SFGFP). SFGFP is a novel and robust variant designed for in vivo high-throughput screening of protein expression levels. It shows increased thermal stability and is able to retain its fluorescence when fused to poorly folding proteins. We use a recently developed single-molecule technique which combines fluorescence-fluctuation spectroscopy and time-correlated single photon counting in order to characterize the photophysical properties of SFGFP under one- (OPE) and two- (TPE) photon excitation conditions. We use Rhodamine 110 as a model chromophore to validate the methodology and to explain the single-molecule results of SFGFP. Under OPE, single SFGFP molecules undergo fluorescence flickering on the time scale of micros and tens of micros due to triplet formation and ground-state protonation-deprotonation, respectively, as demonstrated by excitation intensity- and pH-dependent experiments. OPE single-molecule fluorescence lifetimes indicate heterogeneity in the population of SFGFP, indicating the presence of the deprotonated I and B forms of the SFGFP chromophore. TPE of single SFGFP molecules results in the photoconversion of the chromophore. TPE of single SFGFP molecules show fluorescence flickering on the time scale of micros due to triplet formation. A flicker connected with protonation-deprotonation of the SFGFP chromophore is detected only at low pH. Our results show that SFGFP is a promising fusion reporter for intracellular applications using OPE and TPE microscopy.     

Details of surface features in aromatic polyamide reverse osmosis membranes characterized by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy

In the present article, some new events on the surface morphology of the aromatic polyamide thin‐film‐composite (TFC) membranes were demonstrated in conjunction with their inherent chemical nature. In addition, the detailed, quantitative understanding of the microscopic surface features was shown to be essential in controlling the water permeability and eventually developing the high performance membranes. The surface roughness and the surface area were mainly affected by the existence or nonexistence of the crosslinking and/or the free amide groups not pertinent to the formation of the hydrogen bonding, which in turn contributed to the water permeability. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1429–1440, 1999     

High-performance liquid chromatography determination of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by indirect fluorescence detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the analysis of nitrated polcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) is reported. NPAH mixtures were pre-concentrated using solid-phase extraction and well resolved on a C(18) column. They were detected using an indirect method involving the quenching of the emission from the fluorophores 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthol (5,6,7,8-THN-1-OH), 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin (Coumarin 120, COU-120) and 3-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-4-sulfo-1-naphthylazo)2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (Calcon carboxylic acid, CCA). Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range 1.1 x 10(-9) to 1.1 x 10(-8) mol/L. Using COU 120 as the fluorophore, the detection limit was 2.9 x 10(-10) mol/L for 1-nitronaphthalene and 2.1 x 10(-11) mol/L for 2-nitrofluorene. Recoveries of NPAHs from spiked tap water samples were between 88 and 100%.     

Formation of an intact liposome layer adsorbed on oxidized gold confirmed by three complementary techniques: QCM‐D,AFM and confocal fluorescence microscopy

Supported layers of vesicles of dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC and DPPC) containing cholesterol (CHOL) are adequate models for eukaryotic plasma membranes. Among the possible substrates to support these layers, gold offers the possibility of being used as an electrode for application in sensors. However, the formation of intact liposome layers on gold is not completely understood and several authors use more or less complex strategies to bind the liposomes. In this work we investigate the adsorption of unilamellar vesicles of DMPC, DMPC/CHOL and DMPC/DPPC/CHOL on the surface of oxidized gold using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, atomic force microscopy and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy. The results of all techniques indicate that for lipid concentrations ≥ 0.7 mg?mL^–1 a dense layer of intact liposomes irreversibly adsorbs on the gold surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct observation of frits and dynamic air bubble formation in capillary electrochromatography using confocal fluorescence microscopy

Confocal fluorescence microscopy has been used to study the capillary electrochromatography (CEC) frits and dynamic air bubble formation under real chromatographic conditions. Confocal fluorescence microscopy provides a nondestructive way to view the three-dimensional structure of the frits with high spatial resolution. Frits prepared with four different procedures were studied: (1) sintering bare silica beads with sodium silicate; (2) sintering bare silica beads wetted with water; (3) sintering C18 beads wetted with water; and (4) sintering C18 beads wetted with water and then surfaced-recovered with C18. Frits prepared with sintering silicate-wetted beads have a high degree of heterogeneity, while the other three types of frits have similar, more homogeneous packing structures. Confocal fluorescence microscopy also provides sufficient temporal resolution for in situ observation of the dynamic processes in air bubble formation. In this study, air bubble formation is imaged during the reorganization process of the packing bed and is shown to occur close to the border between the packing bed and the outlet frit. Confocal fluorescence microscopy opens a new avenue in studying dynamic processes in situ in CEC separations.     

A method for visualization of biomolecules labeled by a single quantum dot in living cells by a combination of total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and intracellular fluorescence microscopy

We developed a simple fluorescence microscopy for acquisition of high-resolution images of single quantum dots (QDs) labeled to biomolecules on apical plasma membrane, in cell interior and on basal plasma membrane of living cells. The method was a combination of total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) at apical cell surface and intracellular microscopy coupled with focusing objective. Insulin conjugated to single QD (insulin-QD) was chosen as the model system. In order to bind insulin-QDs to insulin receptors on the plasma membrane through the interaction between insulin and its receptor, as well as internalize them, the cells attached on a coverslip were incubated with biotinylated insulin and QD-streptavidin conjugate at 37 °C. Next, fluorescent molecules in the cells were photobleached by illuminating the cells using a 100-W mercury lamp with the wavelengths from 460 to 490 nm. Then, the incident angle of a laser beam was adjusted to produce total internal reflection at the apical surface of a single cell. In this case, the insulin-QDs in the whole cell were excited, and the fluorescent molecules outside the cell were not illuminated. Finally, the images of single insulin-QDs on the apical plasma membrane, in the cell interior and on the basal plasma membrane of the cell were taken by focusing the objective to different positions, respectively. The resolution and contrast of the fluorescent spots in the images were much higher than those obtained by using epi-fluorescence microscopy and comparable to those obtained by using the conventional TIRFM. The method improved the image acquisition speed for the images on the apical and basal plasma membrane using the conventional TIRFM, and could acquire the high-resolution images in the cell interior quickly.     

On sombor indices of tetraphenylethylene,terpyridine rosettes and QSPR analysis on fluorescence properties of several aromatic hetero-cyclic species

Aromatic heterocyclic compounds have received a lot of interest due to their various important medicinal and biological applications. The broad synthetic investigation and functional usefulness of heterocyclic molecules is driving a surge in research interest. They are found in more than 90% of innovative medications and bridge the gap between biology and chemistry, where so much scientific discovery and application happens. Heterocycles are also useful in a variety of domains, including pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, and others. In this article, quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models is developed using sombor indices to predict fluorescence properties of aromatic hetero-cyclic species based on their structural features. This allows researchers to estimate the fluorescence behavior of new molecules without performing experimental measurements. As an application, we have computed the sombor indices for self-assembled supramolecular graphs made of terpyridine (TPE) and tetraphenylethylene (TPY) molecules that are produced as rosette cycles. This form of rosettes graph is used in electrical sensors, light emitting diodes, bioimaging and photoelectric devices, and so on. Tetraphenylethylene can be used to make fluorescent probes for next-generation sensing applications with typical induced aggregative emission behavior.     

A quantum-chemical study of para/ortho-toluene alkylation by adsorbed methoxy species on zeolites

MNDO and PM3 semiempirical methods have been employed to study the mechanism of toluene alkylation by methanol on zeolites, by means of the cluster (H)₃SiO(CH₃)T(H)₂OSi(H)₃ in were T = Al, B, Ga. Two possible reaction mechanisms have been found. The first one corresponds to the classical process of aromatic electrophilic substitution, in which the transition state of the reaction shows distances and angles according to the precursor of the Wheland intermediate. The second mechanism proceeds in one concerted step, in which the transfer of the proton from the toluene to the basic oxygen of the zeolite is simultaneous to the transfer of the methyl cation from the zeolite to the toluene. The effect of chemical composition of the cluster on regioselectivity has been studied, and perturbed molecular orbital (PMO) analysis of the system at the ab initio HF/STO-3G level has shown that covalent interactions are important. The energy of the covalent interaction between the molecular orbitals of the toluene and the cluster mainly HOMO-LUMO, are more important in para than in ortho positions.     

The leading role of association in framework modification of highly siliceous zeolites with adsorbed methylamine.

Affinity index (AT value), adsorption heat, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and 13C and 29Si magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies were used to study the interaction of highly siliceous MFI-, FAU-, and FER-type zeolites with adsorbed methylamine (MA). Compared with the data for methanol, the much higher AT values and adsorption heats, and significant changes in XRD patterns, 29Si MAS NMR spectra, and FTIR spectra for the zeolites after adsorption of MA, revealed a strong hydrogen-bonding interaction between the perfect framework of the zeolites and the adsorbed MAs. This interaction results from the fact that the H atom of the amine group attacks the [Si-O] framework to form a Si-OHN bond, which leads to the appearance of Si-N bonds in the zeolites at 323 K. Therefore, the zeolite framework can be modified with MA under mild conditions. The highly siliceous MFI zeolite and the H-ZSM-5 zeolite with SiO2/Al2O3=31:1 were modified with MA and investigated by temperature-programmed desorption of CO2. The modified zeolites exhibited greatly enhanced basic properties in comparison with those of the raw materials. The influence of defects in the zeolite on the adsorption and the interaction with MA is discussed.     

Recent progress in ultrafast X-ray diffraction.

X-ray diffraction with femtosecond time-resolution represents a direct probe of ultrafast structural changes in condensed matter. The generation of ultrashort X-ray pulses in laser-driven plasma and/or accelerator-based sources has made substantial progress, and has allowed for studies of transient structures with an unprecedented accuracy. Herein, recent work on transient crystalline structures is reviewed, with the focus on laser-based experiments.