Characterization and epitope mapping of two monoclonal antibodies against human CD99

CD99 plays a critical role in the diapedesis of monocytes, T cell differentiation, and the transport of MHC molecules. Engagement of CD99 by agonistic monoclonal antibodies has been reported to trigger multifactorial events including T cell activation as well as cell-cell adhesion during hematopoietic cell differentiation. In this study, to identify the functional domains participating in the cellular events, we mapped the epitopes of CD99, which are recognized by two agonistic CD99 monoclonal antibodies, DN16 and YG32. Using recombinant fusion proteins of GST with whole or parts of CD99, we found that both antibodies interact with CD99 molecules independently of sugar moieties. DN16 mAb detected a linear epitope located in the amino terminal region of CD99 while YG32 mAb bound another linear epitope in the center of the extracellular domain. To confirm that the identified epitopes of CD99 are actually recognized by the two mAbs, we showed the presence of physical interaction between the mAbs and the fusion proteins or synthetic peptides containing the corresponding epitopes using surface plasmon resonance analyses. The dissociation constants of DN16 and YG32 mAbs for the antigen were calculated as 1.27 x 10(-7) and 7.08 x 10(-9) M, respectively. These studies will help understand the functional domains and the subsequent signaling mechanism of CD99.     

Chitosan-mediated and spatially selective electrodeposition of nanoscale particles

Nanoscale particles offer a variety of interesting properties, and there is growing interest in their assembly into higher ordered structures. We report that the pH-responsive aminopolysaccharide chitosan can mediate the electrodeposition of model nanoparticles. Chitosan is known to electrodeposit at the cathode surface in response to a high localized pH. To demonstrate that chitosan can mediate nanoparticle deposition, we suspended fluorescently labeled latex nanoparticles (100 nm diameter spheres) in a chitosan solution (1%) and performed electrodeposition (0.05 mA/cm2 for several minutes). Results demonstrate that chitosan is required for nanoparticle electrodeposition; chitosan confers spatial selectivity to electrodeposition; and nanoparticles distribute throughout the electrodeposited chitosan film. Additionally, we observed that the deposited films reversibly swell upon rehydration. This work indicates that chitosan provides a simple means to assemble nanoparticles at addressable locations and provides further evidence that stimuli-responsive biological materials may facilitate fabrication at the microscale.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF PYRENE INCORPORATED IN NAFION MEMBRANES*

Abstract— High concentrations of organic chromophores, in particular pyrene, were found to incorporate into the cluster network of water swollen Nation. The vibrational structure of the fluorescent molecule and its fluorescence lifetime were used to probe the location of pyrene in this structure. Strong heavy-atom induced room temperature phosphorescence was observed from the chromophore in the water swollen membrane. Excimer formation in tm-butanol swollen Nation was observed and was utilized to estimate the micro viscosity in this system.     

Syntheses and properties of 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonates and their flame-retarding effects on ABS copolymer

4-Hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonates (HDBBP) were synthesized by reacting phosphites with 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl bromide (HDBBB) which was prepared in advance by photobromination of 2,6-dibromo-p-cresol (DBPC) produced by bromination of p-cresol. In the reactions between HDBBB and phosphites, the rate of formation of dimethyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonate (HDBBP_m) was greater than that of diphenyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonate (HDBBP_P); however, quantitative yields for both products were obtainable. The addition of HDBBP as bromine and phosphorus containing flame-retardants to ABS copolymer showed better results than the addition of the same amount of brominated compound, or mixtures of both two compounds. It was also proved that compound containing both bromine and phosphorus exhibited more apparent synergistic effects on flame retardancy than the mixtures of brominated compound and phosphorous containing compound     

Solventless synthesis of monodisperse Cu2S nanorods, nanodisks, and nanoplatelets

Cu(2)S nanocrystals with disklike morphologies were synthesized by the solventless thermolysis of a copper alkylthiolate molecular precursor. The nanodisks ranged from circular to hexagonal prisms from 3 to 150 nm in diameter and 3 to 12 nm in thickness depending on the growth conditions. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed the high chalcocite (hexagonal) crystal structure oriented with the c-axis ([001] direction) orthogonal to the favored growth direction. This disk morphology is thermodynamically favored as it allows the extension of the higher energy [100] and [110] surfaces with respect to the [001] planes. The hexagonal prism morphology also appears to relate to increased C-S bond cleavage of adsorbed dodecanethiol along the more energetic [100] facets relative to [001] facets. Monodisperse Cu(2)S nanodisks self-assemble into ribbons of stacked platelets. This solventless approach provides a new technique to synthesize anisotropic metal chalcogenide nanostructures with shapes that depend on both the face-sensitive thermodynamic surface energy and the surface reactivity.     

Statistical techniques in activation analysis

Technical methods involved in activation analysis have received widespread publicity during recent years. Even more recently, various statistical techniques have been employed in conjunction with such technical methods in order to provide a better means of estimating the amounts of various pure chemical elements contained in an unknown mixture. In particular, the method of “least squares” has been employed extensively. However, for the most part, usual least squares applications in activation analysis have utilized the ordinary matrix model Y = Xβ +ρ, under the “error” assumptions (a) zero means, (b) variances proportional to Y and (c) zero covariances. In addition to the fact that assumptions (b) and (c) may lead to erroneous results, previous applications allow only point estimation, with no provision for confidence intervals and tests for model goodness of fit. The present paper is concerned with a feasible iterative estimation procedure which eliminates the necessity for assumptions (b) and (c), and which allows construction of confidence intervals and a test for model goodness of fit. A numerical example of the application of the technique is included. Further, an indication is given of how the technique can be extended to apply in the case of “restricted” least squares (quadratic programming).     

Spectrophotometric determination of Pd(II) using 1,3 bis (2′-pyridyl)-1,2-diaza-prop-2-ene

Summary The reaction of 1,3 bis (2-pyridyl)-l,2-diaza-prop-2-ene(PAPHY) with Pd(II) to produce a coloured complex extractable into organic solvents has been used to measure microquantities of Pd(II) in acid solutions. The method is sensitive for Pd(II) concentrations of 5g and above. Method used involves the reaction of Pd(II) with the ligand PAPHY in an acid medium followed by extraction of the Pd-PAPHY complex into benzene. The red complex has 2 absorption maxima in the visible spectrum, one at 573 nm and the other at 545 nm. The interference by other divalent ions has been studied and found to be negligible.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktion von 1,3-Bis-(2-pyridyl)-1,2-diaza-propen-2 (PAPHY) mit Pd(II) führt zur Bildung einer mit organischen Lösungsmitteln extrahierbaren, gefärbten Komplexverbindung und wurde zur Bestimmung von Mikromengen Pd(II) in sauren Lösungen verwendet. Die Methode eignet sich für 5g Pd(II) und mehr. Der rote Pd-PAPHY-Komplex wird aus saurem Milieu mit Benzol extrahiert und hat 2 Absorptionsmaxima im sichtbaren Bereich, u. zw. bei 573 nm und bei 545 nm. Störungen durch zweiwertige Fremdionen wurden geprüft und sind vernachlässigbar.

     

On the surface modification of microchannels for microcapillary electrophoresis chips

This paper presents systematic investigation of the microchannel surface properties in microCE chips. Three popular materials for microCE chips, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), quartz, and glass, are used. The zeta potentials of these microchannels are calculated by measuring the EOF velocity to evaluate the surface properties after surface modification. The hydrophobic PDMS is usually plasma-treated for microCE applications. In this study, a new method using a high-throughput atmospheric plasma generator is adopted to treat the PDMS surface under atmospheric conditions. In this approach, the cost and time for surface treatment can be significantly reduced compared with the conventional vacuum plasma generator method. Experimental results indicate that new functional groups could be formed on the PDMS surface after treatment, resulting in a change in the surface property. The time-dependent surface property of the plasma-treated PDMS is then measured in terms of the zeta potential. Results show that the surface property will reach a stable condition after 1 h of plasma treatment. For glass CE chips, two new methods for changing the microchannel surface properties are developed. Instead of using complicated and time-consuming chemical silanization procedures for CE channel surface modification, two simple and reliable methods utilizing organic-based spin-on-glass and water-soluble acrylic resin are reported. The proposed method provides a fast batch process for controlling the surface properties of glass-based CE channels. The proposed methods are evaluated using PhiX-174 DNA maker separation. The experimental data show that the surface property is modified and separation efficiency greatly improved. In addition, the long-term stability of both coatings is verified in this study. The methods proposed in this study show potential as an excellent solution for glass-based microCE chip surface modification.