Combination of FASP and fully automated 2D‐LC‐MS/MS allows in‐depth proteomic characterization of mouse zymogen granules

Zymogen granule (ZG) constituents play important roles in pancreatic injury and disease. In previous studies, proteomic analyses with rat zymogen granules were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis or one‐dimensional SDS–PAGE, followed by in‐gel tryptic digestion. In order to overcome the disadvantage of in‐gel digestion and to carry out further in‐depth proteomic analysis of the zymogen granules, in this study, by combining a filter‐aided sample preparation method and fully automated 2D‐LC‐MS/MS technique, 800 ZG proteins were identified with at least two unique peptides for each protein, 75% of which have not been previously reported. The identified proteins revealed broad diversity in protein identity and function. This is the largest dataset of ZG proteome, and also the first dataset of the mouse ZG proteome, which may help elucidate on the molecular architecture of ZGs and their functions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Emerging Design Principle of Near-Infrared Upconversion Sensitizer Based on Mitochondria-Targeted Organic Dye for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Upconversion luminescent (UCL) triggered photodynamic therapy (PDT) affords superior outcome for cancer treatment. However, conventional UCL materials which all work by a multiphoton absorption (MPA) process inevitably need extremely high power density far over the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to laser. Here, a one-photon absorption molecular upconversion sensitizer Cy5.5-Br based on frequency upconversion luminescent (FUCL) is designed for PDT. The unusual super heavy atom effect (SHAE) in Cy5.5-Br strongly enhances its spin-orbit coupling (0.23 cm⁻¹), triplet quantum yield (11.1 %) and triplet state lifetime (18.8 μs) while the potential hot-band absorption of Cy5.5-Br is well maintained. Importantly, Cy5.5-Br can efficiently target the tumour site and kill cancer cells by destroying mitochondria under a biosafety MPE to 808 nm laser. The photostability and antitumor results are obviously superior to that of a Stokes process. This work provides a design criterion for FUCL dyes to realize effective PDT upon a biosafety optical density, possibly bringing more clinical benefits than conventional MPA materials.     

A Phosphorescent Platinum(II) Bipyridyl Supramolecular Polymer Based on Quadruple Hydrogen Bonds

A platinum(II) bipyridyl complex bearing bis‐ureidopyrimidinone (Pt‐bisUPy) has been designed and its self‐assembling behavior has been thoroughly investigated by ¹H NMR, DOSY NMR, Ubbelohde viscometry analysis, UV/Vis, and emission spectroscopies. Pt‐bisUPy underwent concentration‐dependent ring‐chain polymerization in apolar solvents. Hydrogen‐bonding interactions play an important role during the formation of the supramolecular polymers. Hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers were transformed to nanoparticles in water through the miniemulsion method. These nanoparticles showed strong π–π excimeric emission. Metal‐metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) from Pt–Pt interactions was not significant in the emission spectrum. The phosphorescence of the nanoparticle persisted even under aerobic conditions. The triplet state of these phosphorescent nanomaterials were long‐lived and possessed moderate emission quantum yields. Furthermore, the low toxicity of these materials promises a place for them in in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.     

Sell through a local retailer or operate your own store? Channel structure and risk analysis

Either a company store or a local retailer can be used to establish a sales channel. For high-value products with an existing competing brand, this choice represents a crucial decision a brand-named manufacturer must make for a new market. Under the burden of high operating costs, a weak local retailer may find it difficult to sustain and using it may hurt the manufacturer’s chance to successfully establish the channel. We consider a chain-to-chain competition model comprising two manufacturers and two retailers, in which one retailer may be unable to continue its operation because of high financing costs. We identify a threshold policy for the manufacturers to select the channel structure. Interestingly, we find that channel integration is not always better. Without the consideration of contract termination risk, the manufacturer will bear the operating expenses when its opportunity cost is low or the retailer’s financing cost is sufficiently high. In equilibrium, the manufacturers will choose either (decentralized, decentralized) or (integrated, integrated) channel structure. However, when the termination risk is considered, the equilibrium channel structure would be more likely (integrated, integrated) or (integrated, decentralized).     

Thermogravimetric analysis of carbide slag

Potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is validated. Combined with X-ray fluorescence for ingredient determination, X-ray diffraction for textural phase analysis, scanning electron microscope for surface morphology observation and Hammett indicator for basic strength mensuration, thermal event of carbide slag is investigated through thermogravimetric analysis to estimate the potential of this calcium-based industrial waste as transesterification catalyst. Further, kinetic parameters are calculated through model-free method, where the experiments are conducted at temperature heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min^?1. As for activation energy and reaction order, Vyazovkin method and Avrami theory are respectively mentioned. Meanwhile, catalytic performance of carbide slag is labeled by transesterification efficiency and calcium hydroxide is conditionally mentioned for comparison. In conclusion, potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is adequately validated.