Large-scale synthesis of globotriose derivatives through recombinant E. coli

The carbohydrate chains decorating cell membranes and secreted proteins participate in a range of important biological processes. However, their ultimate significance and possible therapeutic potential have not been fully explored due to the lack of economical methods for their production. This study is an example of the use of a genetically engineered bacterial strain in the preparation of diverse oligosaccharides. Based on an ex vivo biosynthetic pathway, an artificial gene cluster was constructed by linking the genes of five associated enzymes on a plasmid vector. This plasmid was inserted into the E. coli NM522 strain to form globotriose-producing cells ('superbug' pLDR20-CKTUF). The specific strain was conveniently applied to the synthesis of globotriose trisaccharide and its derivatives, as potential neutralizers for Shiga toxin. This work demonstrates a novel and economical method for generating ligand diversity for carbohydrate drug development.     

可回收(S)-脯氨醇衍生物在催化查尔酮类化合物不对称环氧化反应中的催化性能研究

将以L-脯氨酸为原料合成的光学活性脯氨醇衍生物((S)-2-吡咯烷基-α,α-二(α-萘基)甲醇1),作为有机小分子催化剂,在催化8种α,β-不饱和酮的不对称环氧化反应中表现出较好的立体选择性(58.0~84.6?)和催化活性(58.0~89.7%).反应结束后,通过简单的酸碱调整,可使催化剂回收和重复使用.循环使用5次,催化剂的回收率均在93~97%之间,催化剂的催化活性和立体选择性无明显改变.     

On the interaction of UV screens with the lignocellulosic matrix

In this report, we describe our attempt to understand the photochemical interactions that occur between dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB)-based UV screens and lignin when high-yield pulps are treated with such materials. Milled wood lignin (MWL) and filter paper were used as models, and various irradiation protocols were carried out in the presence and absence of UV screens. After irradiation, the lignin and the UV screen were extracted and the products analyzed. These experiments showed that upon irradiation, fragments of MWL-containing chromophores were linked to cellulose via an acid-labile linkage. In the presence of UV screens, these reactions were minimized. Molecular weight measurements of the extracted lignin showed that the MWL is degraded upon solid-state irradiation. The samples that contained UV screens showed a reduced tendency to degrade. Using quantitative 31P NMR, it was possible to probe further the detailed structural changes that occurred in MWL during irradiation. In general, DHB-based UV screens and derivatives were found to interact actively with MWL when irradiated.     

Single-phase and gram-scale routes toward nearly monodisperse Au and other noble metal nanocrystals

Single-phase approaches are introduced for the synthesis of nearly monodisperse Au and other noble metal nanocrystals. The new approaches possess all the advantages of the popular Brust method. With weak ligands or surfactants for the metal ions, the control of the size and size distribution of the nanocrystals in synthesis in the size range between 1 and 15 nm was achieved via maintaining balanced nucleation and growth by tuning the activities of the metal precursors and reducing reagents. Because only weak ligands are employed in the new synthetic schemes, surface modification and functionalization of the resulting nanocrystals can be readily carried out.     

Synthesis and characterization of Mn2P2S6 single-crystal nanorods and nanotubes

Mn2P2S6 single-crystal nanorods with diameters 20-40 nm and lengths up to 1 microm and nanotubes with diameters 40-50 nm and lengths ranging between 110 and 170 nm have been prepared through a low-temperature solvothermal method. They have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution (HR) TEM, electron diffraction, energy-dispersive spectrometry analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.     

A new isoprenyl phenyl ether compound from mangrove fungus

A new isoprenyl phenyl ether, 3-hydroxy-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)benzoic acid methyl ester (1), together with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid (3), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4) were isolated from Mangrove fungus (No. B60) from the South China Sea. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. In the preliminary bioassay, compound 1 exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities. Compound 1 also inhibited cytotoxicity to the hepG2 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 10.0 μg/mL. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 313–314, July–August, 2007.     

Orthogonal PbS nanowire arrays and networks and their Raman scattering behavior

Three-dimensional, orthogonal lead sulfide (PbS) nanowire arrays and networks have been prepared by using a simple, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method. These uniform nanowires (average diameter 30 nm) grow epitaxially from the surface of the initial PbS crystal seeds and form orthogonal arrays and networks in space. The growth mechanism has been explored, and the process was classified as homogeneous, epitaxial growth in the 200 directions. Furthermore, Raman spectra of PbS nanowires are reported here, and their characteristic Raman peak (190 cm(-1), no shoulder) could be used as a unique probe for the study of PbS nanomaterials.     

Radioimpurity identification by retention index in tritium labeling

Retention indexes (RI's) on SE-30 and Carbowax 20M columns are characteristic and can be used for identification purposes. A method for predicting RI on the basis of the number of atoms and contributions from substituents and functional groups is discussed. This method establishes a structure retention index relationship (SRIR), capable of relating structure to RI and is useful for suggesting structure to match with radioactive peaks. Examples of labeled side products tentatively identified in this manner are given.     

库仑滴定法测定有机硅样品中的氮含量

本文利用库仑滴定法研究了高分子和低分子硅氮化合物及含氮有机硅样品中氮含量的测定,并研究和讨论了影响测定结果准确性的因素。     

利用高炉水淬渣制备(Ca/Y)-α-Sialon陶瓷的组织与性能

以高炉水淬渣合成的Ca-α-Sialon粉体为原料采用无压烧结技术制备了（Ca/Y）-α-Sialon陶瓷。通过用排水法、三点弯曲实验法、金相显微镜法、XRD法等手段研究了（Ca/Y）-α-Sialon陶瓷的烧结致密化过程、材料的力学性能、显微组织、相组成和材料的断裂特征。结果表明,适量的Y2O3促进材料的烧结致密化和提高材料的力学性能,但Y2O3过量（大于10%）时对材料的烧结和力学性能不利。掺杂Y^3＋的（Ca/Y）-α-Sialon呈柱状晶,随着Y2O3含量的增加和烧结温度的提高,（Ca/Y）-α-Sialon呈柱状晶出现粗化和等轴化。含10%Y2O3的材料在1700℃烧结时可获得较高的力学性能。