A polymer-based microfluidic device for immunosensing biochips

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and test of a PDMS/PMMA-laminated microfluidic device for an immunosensing biochip. A poly(dimethyl siloxane)(PDMS) top substrate molded by polymer casting and a poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) bottom substrate fabricated by hot embossing are bonded with pressure and hermetically sealed. Two inlet ports and an air vent are opened through the PDMS top substrate, while gold electrodes for electrochemical biosensing are patterned onto the PMMA bottom substrate. The analyte sample is loaded from the sample inlet port to the detection chamber by capillary force, without any external intervening forces. For this and to control the time duration of sample fluid in each compartment of the device, including the inlet port, diffusion barrier, reaction chamber, flow-delay neck, and detection chamber, the fluid conduit has been designed with various geometries of channel width, depth, and shape. Especially, the fluid path has been designed so that the sample flow naturally stops after filling the detection chamber to allow sufficient time for biochemical reaction and subsequent washing steps. As model immunosensing tests for the microfluidic device, functionalizations of ferritin and biotin to the sensing surfaces on gold electrodes and their biospecific interactions with antiferritin antiserum and streptavidin have been investigated. An electrochemical detection method for immunosensing by biocatalyzed precipitation has been developed and applied for signal registration. With the biochip, the whole immunosensing processes could be completed within 30 min.     

A dimer of α‐ and β‐dihydro­arte­misinin: bis­(3,6,9‐trimethyl‐3,12‐epidioxy‐3,4,5,5a,6,7,8,8a,9,10‐deca­hydro‐12H‐pyrano[4,3‐j][1,2]­benzo­dioxepin‐10‐yl) ether

The title compound, C₃₀H₄₆O₉, prepared from a mixture of α‐ and β‐dihydro­artemisinin, has α‐ and β‐arteether moieties linked via an –O– bridge, so that the mol­ecule is asymmetric about the bridge. The endoperoxide bridges of the parent compounds have been retained in each half of the ether‐bridged dimer. The rings exhibit chair and twist–boat conformations.     

A hierarchical assembly strategy for near-infrared photothermal conversion: unconventional heterogeneous metalla[2]catenanes

Herein, we report a hierarchical assembly strategy for constructing heterogeneous half-sandwich organometallic D–A (D = π-donor, A = π-acceptor) interlocked structures, and their application in near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion. Thienothiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole groups were selected as the D and A units, leading to two homogeneous metalla[2]catenanes with D–D–D–D and A–A–A–A stacks, respectively. By the ordered secondary assembly of homogeneous metalla[2]catenanes, two unprecedented heterogeneous D–A metalla[2]catenanes comprising an unusual mixed D–A–D–D and unconventional D–A–A–A stacks were realized by the combination of multiple noncovalent interactions, as all demonstrated by a detailed X-ray crystallographic study. Benefiting from the mixed D–A stacking modes, NIR absorption of heterogeneous D–A metalla[2]catenanes is significantly enhanced in contrast to homogeneous metalla[2]catenanes. Thanks to the enhanced NIR absorption and the fluorescence quenching effect from half-sandwich organometallic fragments, heterogeneous D–A metalla[2]catenanes displayed high-performance NIR photothermal conversion properties (η = 27.3%).

Herein, we report a hierarchical assembly strategy for constructing heterogeneous half-sandwich organometallic D–A (D = π-donor, A = π-acceptor) interlocked structures, and their application in near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion.     

First principles study of the structure,electronic state,and stability of CmN2 clusters

Geometric and electronic properties of C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters have been investigated by density functional theory using the hybrid B3LYP functional and the 6‐311G(d) basis set. Harmonic frequencies for these clusters are given to aid in the characterization of the ground states. These results show that C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters form linear structures with D_∞h symmetry. Two N atoms favor to bond at ends in linear isomers. The chains with odd m have triplet ground states whereas the ones with even m have singlet ground states. The calculated HOMO–LUMO gaps and ionization potentials all show that the C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters with even m are more stable than those with odd m, which is consistent with the observed even–odd alternation of the time‐of‐flight signal intensities. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Synthesis and properties of polyketones containing thiophene links

A series of polyketones containing thiophene links was synthesized by the Friedel-Crafts polymerization of these dithienylalkanes with aromatic diacid chlorides or dicarbonyl chlorides comprising thiophene links with diphenyl compounds. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.11–0.27 dL/g and showed poor solubilities to common organic solvents except strong acids. These thiophene-based polyketones exhibited fairly good thermal stabilities. The TGA data revealed 5% weight losses at 375–450°C and residual weights at 500°C were 43–79% under nitorgen. It was found that the thermal stabilities of these polymers were superior to those of polymides or polysulfonamides containing thiophene links and almost comparable to common aromatic polyketones     

The Structure of Bis[N‐6‐aminopyridyl‐N‐(1S)‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonylamino]palladium in the Solid State and in Solution

The complex, bis[N‐6‐aminopyridyl‐N‐(1S)‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonylamino]palladium, Pd[(S)‐APCS]₂, 1 , was prepared by reaction of 2‐[(1S)‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonamino]‐6‐aminopyridine with PdCl₂ in THF. Complex 1 has been characterized by spectroscopic methods and its structure has been determined by X‐ray crystallography. Crystal data: space group C2, a= 16.082 (2), b = 17.104 (2), c = 13.051 (2)Å, β = 99.95 (1)°, V = 3535.9 (8) ų, Z = 2 with final residuals R1 = 0.0491 and wR2 = 0.0944. Two independent molecules, (S,S)‐Pd[(S)‐APCS]2, 1a , and (R,R)‐Pd[(S)‐APCS]2, 1b , were found in each asymmetric unit, which exchange to each other via a series of nitrogen inversion and C‐C bond rotation. The inversion energy (ΔGc₁^≠) and the energy barrier (δGc₂^≠) were 11.5 ± 0.1 Kcal mol^?1 at 246 K and 9.8 ± 0.1 Kcal mol^?1 at 199 K, respectively, calculated by dynamic NMR data.     

New strategic reactions for organic synthesis: catalytic asymmetric C-H activation alpha to oxygen as a surrogate to the aldol reaction

The C-H activation of silyl ethers by means of rhodium carbenoid-induced C-H insertion represents a very direct method for the stereoselective synthesis of silyl-protected beta-hydroxy esters. The reaction can proceed with very high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity and represents a surrogate to the aldol reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by the rhodium prolinate complex Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4). A critical requirement for the high chemoselectivity is the use of donor/acceptor-substituted carbenoids such as those derived from methyl aryldiazoacetates. A range of silyl ethers may be used such as allyl silyl ethers, tetraalkoxysilanes, and even simple trimethylsilyl alkyl ethers. In general, C-H activation preferentially occurs at methylene sites, as the reactivity is controlled by a delicate balance between steric and electronic effects.     

Synthesis and Properties of Polyetherketones Containing Sulfide and Phthalazinone

High molecular weight copoly(ether ketone)s (PEK) based on 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phthalazinone (DHPZ)/4,4′-thiobisphenol (TBP)/4,4′-diflourodiphenylketone (DFK) were prepared by nucleophilic substitution polycondensation. The copolymers were characterized by FT- and ^1H-NMR. Thermal properties and solubility of copolymers were studied.     

Separation and determination of carnosine-related peptides using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed for the separation and detection of carnosine-related peptides (carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine). A sensitive and fluorogenic regent, 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl) quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) was selected as a precapillary labeling reagent for imidazole dipeptides to form isoindole derivatives. The optimized molar ratio between CBQCA and peptide was found to be 75:1, and 50 mmol/L borate buffer (pH 9.2) was used for the derivatization in order to achieve good efficiency. Three imidazole dipeptides were baseline-separated within 20 min by using 112 mmol/L sodium borate (pH 10.4-10.8) as running buffer. Concentration detection limits (signal-to-noise ratios) for carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine were 4.73, 4.37, and 3.94 nmol/L, respectively. This method has been applied to the analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and meat dry powder of pig and sheep. Recoveries were in the range of 82.9-104.8% for homocarnosine in CSF. For carnosine and anserine, the recoveries are 98.3% and 80.2% in meat dry powder of pig and 111.2% and 112.8% in meat dry powder of sheep, respectively.     

Benzolignanoid and Polyphenols from Origanum Vulgare

A new dihydrobenzodioxane derivative, origalignanol ( 10 ), together with nine polyphenolic compounds, salvianolic acid A ( 1 ), salvianolic acid C ( 2 ), lithospermic acid ( 3 ), apigenin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide ( 4 ), apigenin 7‐O‐β‐D‐(6″‐methyl)glucuronide ( 5 ), luteolin, ( 6 ), luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronide ( 8 ), and luteolin 7‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranoside ( 9 ), were isolated from the aqueous ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Origanum vulgare for the first time. The structure of new compound 10 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compound 5 is probably an artifact formed during the isolation. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity with an EC₅₀ of 7.2 ± 0.4, 9.6 ± 0.9, and 9.5 ± 0.7 μM, respectively, and protected rat hepatocytes from CCl₄‐damage at 100 μM.