Simultaneous In Situ Quantification of Two Cellular Lipid Pools Using Orthogonal Fluorescent Sensors

Lipids regulate a wide range of biological activities. Since their local concentrations are tightly controlled in a spatiotemporally specific manner, the simultaneous quantification of multiple lipids is essential for elucidation of the complex mechanisms of biological regulation. Here, we report a new method for the simultaneous in situ quantification of two lipid pools in mammalian cells using orthogonal fluorescent sensors. The sensors were prepared by incorporating two environmentally sensitive fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap separately into engineered lipid‐binding proteins. Dual ratiometric analysis of imaging data allowed accurate, spatiotemporally resolved quantification of two different lipids on the same leaflet of the plasma membrane or a single lipid on two opposite leaflets of the plasma membrane of live mammalian cells. This new imaging technology should serve as a powerful tool for systems‐level investigation of lipid‐mediated cell signaling and regulation.     

Mechanical Force Induces Ylide-Free Cycloaddition of Nonscissible Aziridines

The application of aziridines as nonvulnerable mechanophores is reported. Upon exposure to a mechanical force, stereochemically pure nonactivated aziridines incorporated into the backbone of a macromolecule do not undergo cis–trans isomerization, thus suggesting retention of the ring structure under force. Nonetheless, aziridines react with a dipolarophile and seem not to obey conventional reaction pathways that involve C−C or C−N bond cleavage prior to the cycloaddition. Our work demonstrates that a nonvulnerable chemical structure can be a mechanophore.     

A Sensor for Serotonin and Dopamine Detection in Cancer Cells Line Based on the Conducting Polymer−Pd Complex Composite

An electrochemical sensor based on the conducting polymer composite with a palladium complex (Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂) was developed for the detection of serotonin and dopamine simultaneously in the breast cancer cell and human plasma samples. The proposed sensor was fabricated using the Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂ complex‐anchored poly2,2 : 5,2‐terthiophene‐3‐(p‐benzoic acid) (pTBA) layer on the AuNPs decorated reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs@rGO) substrate, which revealed the enhanced anodic current of the target species. The sensor probe was characterized by electrochemical and surface analysis methods. The experimental parameters affecting the sensor performance were optimized, in terms of AuNPs@rGO concentration, the number of electropolymerization cycle for pTBA, immobilization time of Pd(C₂H₄N₂S₂)₂, and pH. The dynamic ranges for serotonin and dopamine were obtained from 0.02 to 200 μM, and from 0.1 to 200 μM with the detection limit of 2.5, and 24.0 nM, respectively. The reliability of proposed sensor was evaluated using cancer cell lines for the clinical applications.     

Preparation and ionic conductivities of the plasticized polymer electrolytes based on poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkali metal methacrylate)

Ionic conductivities of the polymer electrolytes prepared from the ionomer (poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkali metal methacrylate)), lithium perchlorate, and ethylene carbonate as a plasticizer, were studied as a function of the ion content and the alkali-metal cation of the ionomer. It was possible to obtain tough films with room-temperature ionic conductivities of ∼ 10^-3 S/cm. The maximum ion conductivities of the polymer electrolytes were obtained at the ion content of 5 mol % for both Li and Na ionomer. The effects of the ion content of the ionomer on the ionic conductivities of the polymer electrolytes were mainly interpreted in terms of the characteristics of the ion aggregate formed in the polymer electrolytes. The thermal dependence of the ionic conductivity was shown to be a non-VTF pattern in some of the polymer electrolytes investigated, which is expected to be due to the presence of the ion aggregate. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Miscibility of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) blends by transesterification

The effects of transesterification on the miscibility of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) were studied. Blends were obtained by solution precipitation at room temperature to avoid transesterification during blend preparation. The physical blends and transesterified products were analyzed by wide-angle x-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was found that the physical blends are immiscible and when the extent of transesterification reaches 50% of the completely randomized state, independent of blend composition, the blends are not crystallizable and show a single glass transition temperature between those of starting polymers. The interchange reactions were significantly influenced by annealing temperature and time but negligibly by blend composition. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reaction of 4,5-dichloro-3-nitropyridazin-6-one with dimethylchloromethyleneammonium chloride

3,4,5-Trichloropyridazin-6-one, 3,4,5,6-tetrachloropyridzine and 4,5-dichloro-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-pyridazin-6-one were synthesized from 4,5-dichloro-3-nitropyridazin-6-one and dimethylchloromethylene-ammonium chloride selectively.     

Preparation of Tin Oxide-Based Metal Oxide Particles

Tin oxide-doped hybrid particles were prepared by a wet chemical process with organic-inorganic (phenyl/silica) hybrid particles in an alcoholic solution. The phenyl/silica hybrid particles, with a diameter of ca. 790 nm were used as a new support material for tin oxide (SnO₂) particles from tin(IV) chloride. The surface of the particles was modified via nitration of aromatic groups in the particles, to promote formation of the tin oxide coating on the particles. The thickness and surface morphology of the tin oxide layer coated on the nitrated-phenyl/silica hybrid particles could be controlled by varying the tin(IV) chloride concentration and reaction time. The size and morphology of the resultant particles were investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particles obtained were also characterised by infrared (FTIR) and solid-state ¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-CP/MAS NMR) spectroscopy. The effect of processing parameters on the crystallinity and structure of the doped hybrids were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns.     

A Fluorescent Sensor for Dual‐Channel Discrimination between Phosgene and a Nerve‐Gas Mimic

The ability to analyze highly toxic chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and related chemicals in a rapid and precise manner is essential in order to alleviate serious threats to humankind and public security caused by unexpected terrorist attacks and industrial accidents. In this investigation, we designed a o‐phenylenediamine‐pyronin linked dye that is capable of both fluorogenic and colorimetric discrimination between phosgene and the prototypical nerve‐agent mimic, diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP) in the solution or gas phase. Moreover, this dye has been used to construct a portable kit that can be employed for real‐time monitoring of DCP and phosgene in the field, both in a discriminatory manner, and in a simple and safe way.     

NMR chemical shifts in amino acids: effects of environments in the condensed phase

We present calculations of NMR chemical shifts in crystalline phases of some representative amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and alanyl-alanine. We explore the effects of environment on the chemical shifts in selected glycine geometries ranging from the crystalline phase to completely isolated molecules. In the crystalline and dilute molecular limits, the calculated distinct NMR chemical shifts are attributed to intermolecular hydrogen-bonds and dipole electric field effects, respectively.