Activation energy of single-stranded DNA moving through cross-linked polyacrylamide gels at 300 V/cm effect of temperature on sequencing rate in high-electric-field capillary gel electrophoresis

In DNA sequencing, single-stranded DNA fragments are separated by gel electrophoresis. This separation is based on a sieving mechanism where DNA fragments are retarded as they pass through pores in the gel. In this paper, we present the mobility of DNA sequencing fragments as a function of temperature; mobility is determined in 4% T LongRanger gels at an electric field of 300 V/cm. The temperature dependence is compared with the predictions of the biased reptation model. The model predicts that the fragment length for the onset of biased reptation with stretching increases with the square of temperature; the data show that the onset of biased reptation with stretching decreases with temperature. Biased reptation fails to model accurately the temperature dependence of mobility. We analyzed the data and extracted the activation energy for passage of sequencing fragments through the gel. For fragments containing less than ca. 200 bases, the activation energy increases linearly with the number of bases at a rate of 25 J/mol per base; for longer fragments, the activation energy increases at a rate of 6.5 J/mol per base. This transition in the activation energy presumably reflects a change in conformation of the DNA fragments; small fragments exist in a random coil configuration and larger fragments migrate in an elongated configuration.     

Highly selective olefin epoxidation with aqueous H2O2 over surface-modified TaSBA15 prepared via the TMP method

Trialkylsiloxy-modified Ta(v) centers on mesoporous silica exhibit excellent selectivity for epoxide formation (>98% after 2 h) in the oxidation of cyclohexene using aqueous H2O2 as the oxidant; the modified catalysts exhibit an increased lifetime, retaining high selectivity after 6 h of reaction (>95% epoxide).     

Synthesis and characterisation of PC(sp3)P phosphine and phosphinite platinum(II) complexes. Cyclometallation and simple coordination

New and improved preparative routes to the previously known PCP ligands cis-1,3-bis(di-isopropylphosphinito)cyclohexane and cis-1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]cyclohexane are reported. They react with 1 equivalent of dichloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum(II) [(COD)PtCl2] to give the cis coordinated complex cis-[PtCl2{cis-1,3-bis(di-isopropylphosphinito)}cyclohexane] and the C(sp3)-H activated complex trans-[PtCl{cis-1,3-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)}cyclohexane]. The new PCP ligand cis-1,3-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)cyclohexane was synthesised and reacts with [(COD)PtCl2] giving the di-nuclear trans-[PtCl2{cis-1,3-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)cyclohexane}]2, which is highly insoluble. All metal complexes were characterised with X-ray crystallography. DFT calculations indicate that the inability of the phosphinite ligands to cyclometallate is due to a kinetic barrier, possibly involving an axial-equatorial conformational change necessary for the C-H activation process.     

Nanoporous magnets of chiral and racemic [{Mn(HL)}2Mn{Mo(CN)7}2] with switchable ordering temperatures (TC = 85 K <--> 106 K) driven by H2O sorption (L = N,N-dimethylalaninol)

Molecule-based solids represent a rare opportunity to combine, adjust, and interrelate structural and physical functionalities to develop multifunctional materials. Here we report on a series of porous supramolecular magnets whose magnetic properties are related to their sorption state. A family of magnets of the formula [{Mn(HL)(H2O)}2Mn{Mo(CN)7}2].2H2O have been obtained by assembling the heptacyano-metalate building unit {Mo(CN)7}4- with Mn(II) in the presence of protonated N,N-dimethylalaninol (L) as ligand, the latter being either as a racemic mixture or as a chiral R- or S-enantiomer. The resulting magnets possess an open framework structure and exhibit a TC with a switching behavior (TC = 85 K <--> 106 K) as a function of the hydration state. Moreover, chiral magnets are formed with the optically active ligands. The H2O and gas (N2, CO2, CO) sorption features, the magnetic behavior of both the hydrated and dehydrated magnets, and the crystal structures of the hydrated chiral (S) and racemic magnets are described.     

Analyses of macrolide antibiotic residues in eggs, raw milk, and honey using both ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Two liquid chromatography mass spectrometric techniques, i.e. ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-Tof MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), were used for quantification, confirmation or identification of six macrolide antibiotic residues and/or their degradation products in eggs, raw milk, and/or honey. Macrolides were extracted from food samples by acetonitrile or phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 8.0), and sample extracts were further cleaned up using solid-phase extraction cartridges. UPLC/Q-Tof data were acquired in Tof MS full scan mode that allowed both quantification and confirmation of macrolides, and identification of their degradation products. LC/MS/MS data acquisition was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), i.e. two transitions, to provide a high degree of sensitivity and repeatability. Matrix-matched standard calibration curves with the use of roxithromycin as an internal standard were utilized to achieve the best accuracy of the method. Both techniques demonstrated good quantitative performance in terms of accuracy and repeatability. LC/MS/MS had advantages over UPLC/Q-Tof MS in that its limits of detection were lower and repeatability was somewhat better. UPLC/Q-Tof provided ultimate and unequivocal confirmation of positive findings, and allowed degradation product identification based on accurate mass. The combination of the two techniques can be very beneficial or complementary in routine analysis of macrolide antibiotic residues and their degradation products in food matrices to ensure the safety of food supply.     

Protective Properties of Novel S‐Acyl‐Glutathione Thioesters Against Ultraviolet‐induced Oxidative Stress

UV‐induced toxicity is characterized by marked oxidative stress, accompanied by the depletion of key cellular antioxidants, particularly glutathione (GSH). Replenishing cellular GSH may represent a means of counteracting UV‐induced toxicity: however, treatment with free GSH is not therapeutically effective due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we show that S‐acyl‐glutathione (acyl‐SG) derivatives, which consist of an acyl chain (of variable length and saturation) linked via a thioester bond to GSH, increase intracellular levels of reduced GSH in primary skin fibroblasts, adenocarcinoma HeLa and neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. Consistent with this, acyl‐SG derivatives protect against UV‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and UV‐B/C‐mediated lipid peroxidation and caspase‐3 activation in the analyzed cell lines, with unsaturated thioesters displaying a significantly greater protective effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that acyl‐SG thioesters may be therapeutically effective in the treatment of UV‐related skin disorders and oxidative stress‐mediated conditions in general.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [(η3-C3H5)(CO)2Mo(μ-S2CPCy3)-Mo(η3-CH2CMeCH2)(CO)2]

A novel dimolybdenum complex [(³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂Mo(-S₂CPCy₃)Mo(³-CH₂CMeCH₂)(CO)₂], obtained by reacting the [(CO)₂(³-C₃H₅)Mo(-S₂CPCy₃)Mo(CO)₃]^– anion with an excess of ClCH₂CMe=CH₂, has been characterized by i.r., ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The crystal structure of the complex, determined by X-ray diffraction, shows a definite preference for the central carbon of the S₂CPCy₃ bridge to bind to the Mo(2) atom coordinated by ³-2-methylallyl, rather than the Mo(1) atom attached to unsubstituted ³-allyl ligand.     

A Tandem Olefin Migration and Prins Cyclization Using Cu(OTf)(2)-Bisphosphine Complexes: An Improved Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydropyrans

In situ-generated (bis-DPPMB)-Cu(OTf)₂ complex has been examined to catalyze a tandem olefin migration and Prins cyclization of an alkenol with various aldehydes. The reaction proceeded with electron-rich aromatic aldehydes at room temperature and provided functionalized tetrahydropyrans in good yields. An efficient synthesis of the bis-DPPMB ligand has also been described.     

Effect of Head‐Group Chemistry on Surface‐Mediated Molecular Self‐Assembly

Surface molecular self‐assembly is a fast advancing field with broad applications in sensing, patterning, device assembly, and biochemical applications. A vast number of practical systems utilize alkane thiols supported on gold surfaces. Whereas a strong Au? S bond facilitates robust self‐assembly, the interaction is so strong that the surface is reconstructed, leaving etch pits that render the monolayers susceptible to degradation. By using different head group elements to adcust the molecule–surface interaction, a vast array of new systems with novel properties may be formed. In this paper we use a carefully chosen set of molecules to make a direct comparison of the self‐assembly of thioether, selenoether, and phosphine species on Au(111). Using the herringbone reconstruction of gold as a sensitive readout of molecule–surface interaction strength, we correlate head‐group chemistry with monolayer (ML) properties. It is demonstrated that the hard/soft rules of inorganic chemistry can be used to rationalize the observed trend of molecular interaction strengths with the soft gold surface, that is, P>Se>S. We find that the structure of the monolayers can be explained by the geometry of the molecules in terms of dipolar, quadrupolar, or van der Waals interactions between neighboring species driving the assembly of distinct ordered arrays. As this study directly compares one element with another in simple systems, it may serve as a guide for the design of self‐assembled monolayers with novel structures and properties.