Arrival time distributions of product ions reveal isomeric ratio of deprotonated molecules in ion mobility–mass spectrometry of hyaluronan‐derived oligosaccharides

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring linear polysaccharide with substantial medical potential. In this work, discrimination of tyramine‐based hyaluronan derivatives was accessed by ion mobility–mass spectrometry of deprotonated molecules and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As the product ion mass spectra did not allow for direct isomer discrimination in mixture, the reductive labeling of oligosaccharides as well as stable isotope labeling was performed. The ion mobility separation of parent ions together with the characteristic fragmentation for reduced isomers providing unique product ions allowed us to identify isomers present in a mixture and determine their mutual isomeric ratio. The determination used simple recalculation of arrival time distribution areas of unique ions to areas of deprotonated molecules. Mass spectrometry data were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3D Study of the Morphology and Dynamics of Zeolite Nucleation

The principle aspects and constraints of the dynamics and kinetics of zeolite nucleation in hydrogel systems are analyzed on the basis of a model Na‐rich aluminosilicate system. A detailed time‐series EMT‐type zeolite crystallization study in the model hydrogel system was performed to elucidate the topological and temporal aspects of zeolite nucleation. A comprehensive set of analytical tools and methods was employed to analyze the gel evolution and complement the primary methods of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. TEM tomography reveals that the initial gel particles exhibit a core–shell structure. Zeolite nucleation is topologically limited to this shell structure and the kinetics of nucleation is controlled by the shell integrity. The induction period extends to the moment when the shell is consumed and the bulk solution can react with the core of the gel particles. These new findings, in particular the importance of the gel particle shell in zeolite nucleation, can be used to control the growth process and properties of zeolites formed in hydrogels.     

Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transition in an Enantiopure [7]Helquat Salt: The First Observation of a Reversible Phase Transition in a Helicene‐Like Compound

Here it is reported that crystals of an enantiopure [7]helquat salt undergo reversible thermal solid–solid phase transition at 404 K. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and X‐ray diffraction analysis were used to unravel the mechanistic details of this process. The single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal course enabled direct monitoring of the structural changes by in situ variable‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, thus providing the first direct evidence of a solid phase transition in a helicene‐like compound.     

Electrochemical Activity of Wedelolactone and Probing its Interaction with DNA Using Voltammetry at a Carbon Electrode

Wedelolactone (WLA) is a polyphenolic coumestan derivative found in extracts of plants used in traditional medicine. Due to its cytostatic activity, WLA is one of natural compounds tested as potential anticancer drugs. In this work we for the first time studied electrochemical properties of WLA using cyclic (CV) and square‐wave (SWV) voltammetry at the basal‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode. A reversible pair of peaks, corresponding to catechol/o‐benzoquinone redox system, was observed using CV around 0.275 V vs. Ag|AgCl|3 M KCl reference electrode. Measurements of SWV signal of WLA in the presence of single‐ or double‐stranded DNA suggested a weak interaction without evident preference for double‐stranded DNA. An indirect assay, employing electroactive DNA intercalator doxorubicin as competitor, confirmed absence of intercalative DNA binding of WLA.     

Effect of oligonucleotide probes substituted by deoxyinosines on the specificity of SNP detection on the DNA microarray

One of the main factors that can affect the quality of microarray results is the microarray hybridization specificity. The key factor that affects hybridization specificity is the design of the probes. In this paper, we described a novel oligonucleotide probe containing deoxyinosines aimed at improving DNA hybridization specificity. We compared different probes to determine the distance between deoxyinosine base and SNPs site and the number of deoxyinosine bases. The new probe sequences contained two set of deoxyinosines (each set had two deoxyinosines), in which the interval between SNP site and each set of deoxyinosines was two bases. The new probes could obtain the highest hybridization specificity. The experimental results showed that probes containing deoxyinosines hybridized effectively to the perfectly matched target and improved the hybridization specificity of DNA microarray. By including a simple washing step after hybridization, these probes could distinguish matched targets from single‐base‐mismatched sequences perfectly. For the probes containing deoxyinosines, the fluorescence intensity of a match sequence was more than eight times stronger than that of a mismatch. However, the intensity ratio was only 1.3 times or less for the probes without deoxyinosines. Finally, using hybridization of the PCR product microarrays, we successfully genotyped SNP of 140 samples using these new labeled probes. Our results show that this is a useful new strategy for modifying oligonucleotide probes for use in DNA microarray analysis.     

Enantiomeric separation of 1,3‐dimethylamylamine by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection using a dual‐selector system

The CE method employing an indirect UV detection for the enantioseparation of 1,3‐dimethylamylamine (DMAA), widely used in various preworkout and dietary supplements labeled as a constituent of geranium extract has been developed. The dual‐selector system consisting of negatively charged sulfated α‐CD (1.1% w/v) and sulfated β‐CD (0.2% w/v) in 5 mM phosphate/Tris buffer (pH 3.0) containing the addition of 10 mM benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) as the chromophoric additive was used for the enantiomeric separation of DMAA stereoisomers with the LODs in the range of 7.82–9.24 μg/mL. The method was partly validated and applied for the determination of the stereoisomeric composition of DMAA in commercial dietary supplements to verify the potential natural origin of DMAA.     

Reaction of 3‐Hydroxyquinoline‐2,4‐diones with Inorganic Thiocyanates in the Presence of Ammonium or Alkylammonium Ions: the Unexpected Replacement of a Hydroxy Group by an Amino Group

3‐Hydroxyquinoline‐2,4‐diones react with KSCN in the presence of the NH$\rm{{_{4}^{+}}}$ ions to generate 2,3‐dihydro‐3‐thioxoimidazo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐5(6H)‐ones, 2,3‐dihydro‐2‐thioxo‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐c]quinolin‐4(5H)‐ones, and products of molecular rearrangement of the 3‐aminoquinolinedione intermediates. Starting compounds with a benzyl (Bn) group at C(3) afford 3‐aminoquinolinediones, even when only AcONH₄ is used. The results of the reaction between 3‐hydroxyquinoline‐2,4‐diones and KSCN in the presence of BuNH₂ show that replacing a OH group with a secondary NH₂ group is also possible.     

Non‐enzymatic Ribonucleotide Reduction in the Prebiotic Context

Model studies of prebiotic chemistry have revealed compelling routes for the formation of the building blocks of proteins and RNA, but not DNA. Today, deoxynucleotides required for the construction of DNA are produced by reduction of nucleotides catalysed by ribonucleotide reductases, which are radical enzymes. This study considers potential non‐enzymatic routes via intermediate radicals for the ancient formation of deoxynucleotides. In this context, several mechanisms for ribonucleotide reduction, in a putative H₂S/HS^. environment, are characterized using computational chemistry. A bio‐inspired mechanistic cycle involving a keto intermediate and HSSH production is found to be potentially viable. An alternative pathway, proceeding through an enol intermediate is found to exhibit similar energetic requirements. Non‐cyclical pathways, in which HSS^. is generated in the final step instead of HS^., show a markedly increased thermodynamic driving force (ca. 70 kJ mol^?1) and thus warrant serious consideration in the context of the prebiotic ribonucleotide reduction.     

NiSe Nanowire Film Supported on Nickel Foam: An Efficient and Stable 3D Bifunctional Electrode for Full Water Splitting

Active and stable electrocatalysts made from earth‐abundant elements are key to water splitting for hydrogen production through electrolysis. The growth of NiSe nanowire film on nickel foam (NiSe/NF) in situ by hydrothermal treatment of NF using NaHSe as Se source is presented. When used as a 3D oxygen evolution electrode, the NiSe/NF exhibits high activity with an overpotential of 270 mV required to achieve 20 mA cm^?2 and strong durability in 1.0 M KOH, and the NiOOH species formed at the NiSe surface serves as the actual catalytic site. The system is also highly efficient for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction in basic media. This bifunctional electrode enables a high‐performance alkaline water electrolyzer with 10 mA cm^?2 at a cell voltage of 1.63 V.     

Interfacing of microbial cells with nanoparticles: Simple and cost-effective preparation of a highly sensitive microbial ethanol biosensor

Various types of carbon nanoparticles were directly mixed with microbial cells of Gluconobacter oxydans within a 3-D bionanocomposite in order to prepare a highly sensitive ethanol biosensor with a short response time. From all carbonaceous nanomaterials tested, single- or multi-walled carbon nanotubes provided the highest sensitivity of detection (117–121 µA cm^?2 mM^?1), but from a practical point of view, Ketjen black 300 and 600 provide very low detection limit (2–6 µM) and high sensitivity for the ethanol analysis (84–88 µA cm^?2 mM^?1)with a shortresponse time (14–33 s). Moreover, the price of Ketjen black is a few orders of magnitude lower compared to that of carbon nanotubes. Finally, the study showed that the morphology of nanoparticles rather than their surface modification is the key element in achieving high sensitivity of ethanol detection.