A maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish single molecules by their fluorescence decays

We have developed a maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish between similar molecules at the single molecule level based upon fluorescence decay measurements. Time resolved fluorescence measurements for single Rhodamine 6G and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate molecules in fluid flow are derived from time-correlated single photon counting. A maximum likelihood estimator is developed and applied to data from a mixture of molecules. Single molecules are identified and distinguished by their fluorescence time decays. Comparison is made between identification error rates and theoretical predictions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported example of single molecule identification by fluorescence decay in a mixture.     

A constitutional diagram of the system TiC−HfC−WC

The system TiC?HfC?WC was investigated by means of melting point, differential thermoanalytical, X-ray diffraction and metallographic techniques on hot pressed and heat treated as well as melted alloy specimens and a complete constitutional diagram from 1500°C through the melting range established. According to the peritectic melting of hexagonal WC both isopleths, TiC?WC as well as HfC?WC show a class II reaction at 2760°C in Ti?W?C and at 2730°C in Hf?W?C. The phase behaviour within the TiC?HfC?WC system is characterized by the presence of a (binary) miscibility gap within TiC?HfC [T _c=1780°C, (TiC)_0.55(HfC)_0.45] which extends into the ternary forming a closed ternary miscibility gap at higher temperatures with an isolated ternary critical point:T _c=1800°C, (TiC)_0.55(HfC)_0.45(WC)_0.05. Interaction of the solvus (boundary of the cubic-B 1 monocarbide solid solution) and the ternary miscibility gap was established at 1540°C and (TiC)_0.27(HfC)_0.41(WC)_0.32: Alloys of this composition enter a decomposition reaction on cooling into two isotypic cubic B 1 phases and hexagonal WC. Isothermal sections were calculated assuming regular solutions.     

C—H...π interactions in five ethynyl‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophanes: further examples of the `7,11' packing pattern

The monosubstituted derivative 4‐ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane, C₁₈H₁₆, (I), and the four disubstituted isomers, 4,12‐, (II), 4,13‐, (III), 4,15‐, (IV), and 4,16‐diethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane, (V), all C₂₀H₁₆, show the usual distortions of the [2.2]paracyclophane framework. The crystal packing is analyzed in terms of C—H...π interactions, some with H...π as short as 2.47 Å, in which the cyclophane rings and/or the triple‐bond systems may act as acceptors. For compounds (I) and (IV), the known `7,11'‐type cyclophane packing is observed, with a herring‐bone pattern of molecules in a layer structure.     

Ultrasensitive small molecule fluorogenic probe for human heparanase

Heparanase (HPA) is a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and its elevated expression has been linked with diseases such as various types of cancer and inflammation. The detection of heparanase enzymatic activity holds tremendous value in the study of the cellular microenvironment, and search of molecular therapeutics targeting heparanase, however, no structurally defined probes are available for the detection of heparanase activity. Here we present the development of the first ultrasensitive fluorogenic small-molecule probe for heparanase enzymatic activity via tuning the electronic effect of the substrate. The probe exhibits a 756-fold fluorescence turn-on response in the presence of human heparanase, allowing one-step detection of heparanase activity in real-time with a picomolar detection limit. The high sensitivity and robustness of the probe are exemplified in a high-throughput screening assay for heparanase inhibitors.

Heparanase, a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, activates a disaccharide probe HADP to give a strong fluorescence signal.     

Alloxazines and isoalloxazines. Mass spectrometric analysis of riboflavin and related compounds

The positive ion electron-impact mass spectra of a series of alloxazines, iso-alloxazines and some derivatives have been examined. The compounds employed were lumichrome (7,8-dimethylalloxazine), 1,3-dimethyllumichrome, lumiflavin (7,8,10-trimethyl-iso-alloxazine), 3-methyllumiflavin, riboflavin [7,8-dimethyl-10-(D-1′-ribityl)-iso-alloxazine], riboflavin tetraacetate, 3-methylriboflavin tetraacetate and riboflavin tetrapropionate. By using exact mass measurements, metastable ion defocusing and the mass/composition shifts occurring with derivatives, it has been possible to arrive at detailed interpretations of the mass spectra of all compounds. With lumichrome and lumiflavin, fragmentation commences by elimination of HNCO from the pyrimidine ring. With riboflavin and its derivatives the ribityl chain cleaves off first, followed by decomposition of the iso-alloxazine ring. Application of these methods and findings to the structural analysis of chemically interesting modified flavins is predicted to be rewarding.     

Quantitative analysis of small pharmaceutical drugs using a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization source

In this work, a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) source is studied on a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QqTOF) and a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometer for rapid quantification of small pharmaceutical drugs. The high repetition rate laser allows an up to 100-fold higher pulse frequency as compared with regular MALDI lasers, resulting in much larger sample throughput and number of accumulated spectra. This increases the reproducibility of signal intensities considerably, with average values being around 5% relative standard deviation after taking into account the area ratio of the analyte to an internal standard. Experiments were conducted in MS/MS mode to circumvent the large chemical background due to MALDI matrix ions in the low mass range. The dynamic range of calibration curves on the QqTOF mass spectrometer extended over at least two orders of magnitude, whereas on the QqQ it extended over at least three orders of magnitude. Detection limits ranged from 60-400 pg/microL on the QqTOF and from 6-70 pg/microL on the QqQ for a series of benzodiazepines. The benzodiazepine content of commercial pill formulations was quantified, and less than 5% error was obtained between the present method and the manufacturer's certified values. Furthermore, a high sample throughput was achieved with this method, so that a single MALDI spot could be quantitatively scanned in as little as 15 s, and an entire 96-well MALDI plate in 24 min.     

Photochemical investigation of Roussin's red salt esters: Fe2(mu-SR)2(NO)4

The photochemistry of various Roussin's red ester compounds of the general formula Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(4), where R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), CH(2)C(6)H(5), CH(2)CH(2)OH, and CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)(-), were investigated. Continuous photolyses of these ester compounds in aerated solutions led to the release of NO with moderate quantum yields for the photodecomposition of the ester (Phi(RSE) = 0.02-0.13). Electrochemical studies using an NO electrode demonstrated that 4 mol of NO are generated for each mole of ester undergoing photodecomposition. Nanosecond flash photolysis studies of Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(4) (where R = CH(2)CH(2)OH and CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)(-)) indicate that the initial photoreaction is the reversible dissociation of NO. In the absence of oxygen, the presumed intermediate, Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(3), undergoes second-order reaction with NO to regenerate the parent cluster with a rate constant of k(NO) = 1.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for R = CH(2)CH(2)OH. Under aerated conditions the intermediate reacts with oxygen to give permanent photochemistry.