Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

Chiral conflict. The effect of temperature on the helical sense of a polymer controlled by the competition between structurally different enantiomers: from dilute solution to the lyotropic liquid crystal state

Helical polymers appended with paired structurally different enantiomers, which have opposing helical sense preferences, yield a new kind of relationship between optical activity and temperature, and also reveal unusual details of the nature of chiral interactions. Consistent with a statistical physical theory developed for these experiments, the proportion of the competing chiral groups, determined by synthesis, fixes the compensation temperature at which the helical senses are equally populated. The lyotropic liquid crystal state formed by these polymers yields therefore a nematic state at any chosen temperature over a very wide range, with a cholesteric state arising with tightening pitch as temperature deviates from this point. Far from the nematic temperature, the pitch reaches the nanometer scale and therefore the reflection of visible light. Before crossing zero at the nematic temperature, the optical activity becomes so large that it may be observed with the unaided eye through crossed polarizers.     

Fe3O4-LiMo3Se3 nanoparticle clusters as superparamagnetic nanocompasses

A scaleable chemical approach to functional nanoscale analogues of the magnetic compasses in magnetotactic bacteria is described. LiMo(3)Se(3)-Fe(3)O(4) nanowire-nanoparticle composites were synthesized by a reaction of 3-iodopropionic acid treated LiMo(3)Se(3) nanowire bundles with oleic acid-stabilized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles of 2.8, 5.3, and 12.5 nm size in tetrahydrofuran. Transmission electron micrographs show that the composite consists of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles attached to the surfaces of the 4-6 nm thick nanowire bundles. UV/vis spectra reveal absorptions from the nanowire (506 nm) and magnetite components (280-450 nm), and IR spectra show characteristic bands for the propionic acid linkers and for the residual oleic acid ligands on the magnetite particles. In the presence of excess oleic acid, the nanocomposites undergo rapid disassembly, suggesting that Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles are bonded to nanowires via carboxylate groups from the linkers. Ultrasonication of a dispersion of the composite in THF produces individual LiMo(3)Se(3)-Fe(3)O(4) clusters, which are 340 +/- 107 nm long and 20 +/- 5 nm thick, depending on the sonication time and Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle size. Field cooled and zero-field cooled magnetization measurements reveal that the blocking temperature (T(B) = 100 K) of the clusters with 5.3 nm Fe(3)O(4) is increased as compared to the free nanoparticles (T(B) = 30 K). Directional dipolar interactions in the clusters lead to magnetic anisotropy, which makes it possible to align the clusters in a magnetic field (900 Oe).     

The polysaccharide extracts from the fungi Coprinus comatus and Coprinellus truncorum do exhibit AChE inhibitory activity

The polysaccharide (PSH) extracts from the edible mushroom species Coprinus comatus and Coprinellus truncorum were screened in liquid for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChE) activity. Both extracts were found to display inhibition of the aforementioned enzyme reaching similar IC₅₀ values of 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.61 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. According to the means of FTIR spectroscopy, these PSH extracts mostly contained β-glucans. However, the presence of some proteins and polyphenolics as minor ingredients were also detected. Compared with existing literature data for anti-AChE activity of the sugar samples, the findings within this study may be treated as a profound bioactivity. Consequently, this study puts some light on the possible use of the screened macrofungi in the palliative treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

The research on the high quality TiO2, MoO3-doped WO3 electrochromic film

The high quality TiO2, MoO3-doped WO3 electrochromic film was prepared by the sol–gel method for the first time. The sol, which has hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4), was very stable at room temperature and quite suitable for the deposition of films. The WO3 electrochromic film prepared from this doped sol had excellent performance, such as short response time, no cracks, good adhesion to the substrate, high coloring efficiency and longevity of service.     

介质对配合物稳定性的影响——Ⅳ. Cu(SCN)+-NaNO3-tert-Butyl Alcohol-H2O体系，25℃

本文用分光光度法确定了25℃下配阳离子Cu(SCN)⁺在NaNO₃-叔丁醇-水介质中的稳定常数。混合溶剂中叔丁醇组成为0，5，10，15，20和25 wt%，离子强度范围为0.2～3.0 mole·dm^-3，溶液的pH=1.5～1.6。基于Pitzer理论用最小二乘多项式逼近法，确定了混合溶剂中配合物热力学稳定常数。讨论了配位反应的一级介质效应。     

The Preparation and Characterization of Highly Dispersed PdO over Alumina for Low‐temperature Combustion of Methane

PdO/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by glow discharge plasma treatment followed by thermal calcination show a much higher dispersion and a better catalytic activity for methane combustion at relatively low temperatures. The dispersion of palladium active species by such plasma prepared catalysts is 29.7%, 5.4 times higher than that of conventional catalysts. XPS analysis indicates that a surface enrichment of Pd active species (PdO) has been achieved after plasma treatment. The surface atomic composition of PdO of plasma prepared catalysts reaches 10.5%. XRD characterization also confirms a wellcrystallized PdO phase present on the plasma prepared catalyst. The lightoff temperature of the plasma prepared catalyst is 370°C, 50°C lower than that obtained from the conventional catalyst.     

贫水电解质体系制备多孔阳极氧化铝模板的研究

在有机溶剂为主的含草酸电解质中,研究了大孔径有序度高的阳极氧化铝(AAO)的一步法电化学制备.实验证实,电解质中水含量的降低能够有效抑制铝的电氧化速率和溶解速率,使得其氧化膜孔道的生长能够稳定进行,所得到的六方孔道排列有序度明显高于纯水溶剂制备的电解质体系下的产物.考察了水含量、有机溶剂种类以及电解质浓度对AAO模板孔道形貌的影响.结果表明,有机溶剂贫水电解质体系使得电氧化电压的选取范围比水溶液电解质体系更宽,孔径连续可调,反应条件温和.该方法适合于制备均匀大孔径的AAO模板.     

Agonist–PPARγ interactions: Molecular modeling study with docking approach

Docking simulation of 18 agonists with the ligand binding pocket (LBP) of PPARγ has been performed. The binding conformations and binding affinities of these agonists were obtained by use of the flexible docking protocol FlexX. Test compound calculations indicated that FlexX can reproduce the binding conformation of the crystal structure (root mean square deviation = 1.43 Å); moreover, the predicted binding affinities correlate well with the activities of these agonists. The interaction model and pharmacophore of PPARγ agonists were derived and the difference in biologic activities of these agonists can be well explained. The PPARγ agonists must have both polar head and the hydrophobic tail, which form hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of the LBP of PPARγ, respectively. In addition, a suitable linker is also necessary. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 405–410, 2003     

Synthesis, structural characterization and ferrimagnetic property of MnPS3 intercalated with nickel(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations

Two new intercalation compounds were prepared by the reactions of Ni(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations with a preintercalate Mn_1−xPS₃K_2x(H₂O)_y, respectively, through “ion exchange” process. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The lattice spacing increased 0.567 and 1.093 nm with respect to the pristine MnPS₃. Ferrimagnetism of the intercalates was confirmed by SQUID experiment with T_c at 40 and 33 K, respectively.