Suppression of red cell diffusional water permeability by lipophilic solutes

The inhibitory effect of a series of neutral lipophilic solutes (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, iso-amylalcohol, n-hexanol, diethylether, nitrobenzene, and pyridine) on the diffusional water permeability (Pd, tot) of bovine erythrocyte membrane at 25 degrees C was studied in comparison to that of p-chloromercuri benzoate (pCMB). Permeability data were obtained by measuring the transmembrane diffusional water exchange time tau(exch) using an 1H-T2 NMR technique. Maximal inhibition by approximately 50% of Pd, tot was produced by 2 mM pCMB which completely blocked the membrane water channels in 20 min, hence suggesting the channel-to-lipid diffusional water permeability ratio of about 1:1. Furthermore, the maximal inhibitory effect of pCMB in combination with the lipophilic solutes was lower than that of pCMB alone. As pCMB does not interfere with the lipid bilayer, and provided that it blocks the water channels in solute presence as well, this confirms that the solutes induce an increase in the lipid-mediated background water permeability contribution (Pd, lipid) by the formation of aqueous leaks in the membrane hydrophobic barrier. However, faster but less efficient in permeability inhibition than pCMB (either alone or combined with solutes) were the lipophilic solutes alone. Taken together, the results indicate that the lipophilic solutes suppress the membrane total permeability Pd, tot by two opposing effects: a reduction of its channel-mediated part (Pd, channel) to the extent exceeding that of a simultaneous Pd, lipid increase. The inhibitory potency of the solutes tested appears to be correlated with their solubility in the membrane medium.     

Synthesis of silver molybdate clusters driven by laser-annealing

The synthesis of silver rich molybdate clusters is achieved by laser induced chemical reaction of coadsorbed MoO(3) and O(2) molecules on free silver clusters. The reactants MoO(3) and/or O(2) molecules condensed at low temperature (77 K-175 K) on free silver clusters. Then, the silver clusters together with their adsorbed molecules are flashed either ionized with a discharge or ionized and heated by a laser. Then they are cooled down by evaporation. The synthesized chemical compounds are analyzed by a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer. If only one type of reactant is adsorbed on the cluster, only one oxide molecule is stabilized on the metallic core after the heating and cooling cycle. On the contrary, the coadsorption of the two types of molecules MoO(3) and O(2) on Ag(n) (+), at 77 K, leads to complex aggregates that transform, after laser heating, into a molybdate rich metal clusters. These synthesized species cool down by evaporating silver atoms showing evidence of a binary oxide that is more stable than the metallic core. Moreover we demonstrate that for small size molybdate clusters, a stoichiometric composition may differ from the bulk one.     

Characterization of archaeological frankincense by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method has been developed for the characterization of frankincense in archaeological samples. After trimethylsilylation of the methanolic extract, 15 triterpenoids have been found among the chemical constituents of commercial olibanum (alpha-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-alpha-boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, lupeol, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-lupeol, alpha-amyrenone, beta-amyrenone, lupenone, 3alpha-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid and 3-O-acetyl-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid). These compounds have been unequivocally identified by retention time and mass spectral comparison with pure standards previously isolated, for the most part, in our laboratory. Within these triterpenes, acid ones, the corresponding O-acetates, and their products of degradation were found to be characteristic of frankincense (Boswellia resin). The presence of these unusual triterpenic compounds in an archaeological resinous sample, recovered during excavations from Dahshour site (Egypt, XIIth Dynasty), enabled us to identify unambiguously frankincense resin among several other materials. Additional chromatographic peaks of this sample were assigned to broad chemical classes using retention time and mass spectra features.     

The katoite hydrogarnet Si-free Ca3Al2([OH]4)3: a periodic Hartree-Fock and B3-LYP study

The structure of the Si-free katoite hydrogarnet (116 atoms in the unit cell) has been investigated at the periodic ab initio quantum mechanical level with the CRYSTAL program, by using a Gaussian type basis set and both the HF and the hybrid B3-LYP Hamiltonians. The structure has been fully optimized at various pressures in the 0-46 GPa range; the modifications of the structure, and in particular of the (OH)4 group, as a function of pressure are analyzed. At the B3-LYP level and P greater than 15 GPa, a O-H...O interaction of increasing strength appears, with important modifications in the local geometry of the tetrahedral site. The calculated omega01(O-H) fundamental vibrational frequency at zero pressure is in excellent agreement with experiment (3674 and 3663 cm(-1), respectively); the omega01(O-H) stretching frequency remains essentially constant in the 0-15 GPa interval, whereas it dramatically decreases at higher pressures with a corresponding anharmonicity increase, as a consequence of the formation of a strong hydrogen bond. The hydration energy of grossular and the formation energy of Si-free katoite have also been computed, and the B3-LYP results are in quite good agreement with experiment.     

CdSe/ZnS-labeled carboxymethyl chitosan as a bioprobe for live cell imaging

A simple and convenient method for the construction of CdSe/ZnS-labeled polysaccharides as bioprobes were developed, which are highly biocompatible and photostable, and have been proven to be suitable for live cell imaging.     

Gradient elution capillary electrochromatography and hyphenation with nuclear magnetic resonance

Coupling of gradient capillary electrochromatography (gradient CEC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was performed using a recently developed capillary NMR interface. This technique was applied for the analysis of pharmaceuticals and food. An analgesic was investigated using isocratic and gradient continuous-flow CEC-NMR. Comparison of the results demonstrated the superiority of gradient CEC over isocratic CEC. Aspartame and caffeine, both ingredients of soft beverages, were separated and analyzed by continuous flow CZE-NMR. The order of elution could be reversed by altering the pH. This reversal led to an increased sample concentration in the NMR detection cell, thus allowing the acquisition of a totally correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY) two-dimensional (2-D) spectrum of the synthetic peptide aspartame.     

A novel microporous copper silicate: Na2Cu2Si4O11.2H2O

The synthesis and structural characterisation of a thermally stable novel three-dimensional microporous copper silicate open-framework are described; the material is capable of undergoing reversible zeolitic water removal without destruction of the framework.     

Headspace single-drop microextration for the detection of organotin compounds

The performance of single-drop microextraction (SDME), coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, was assessed for the determination of tributyltin compounds in water and solid samples. Experimental parameters impacting the performance of SDME, such as microextraction solvent and sampling and stirring time, were investigated. Analytical results obtained by SDME were compared with those generated by conventional solid phase microextraction (SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) for the determination of TBT in PACS-2 sediment certified reference material (CRM).     

大分子链的空间构象

在大约四十年的短暂时间内,大分子科学已从新兴阶段发展为繁荣昌盛的领域。不仅已经获得了大量知识,而且新的观点已出现在这个学科的各个分支中。这些发展是分布在全世界实验室中的许多具有献身精神的研究人员努力的结果。实际上我是作为他们的代表出现在这个场合。在此情况下,要作一个与瑞典皇家科学院授与我诺贝尔化学奖金的极大荣誉相称的讲演是一个极其困难的任务。我不想全面谈论皇家科学院所详细介绍的广泛领域,而是选择一个     

Photometric determination of malathion with molybdenum

A photometric method for the determination of malathion is described. Malathion dissolved in carbon tetrachloride is hydrolysed at room temperature with sodium ethoxide to dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP) and fumarate. The DMDTP is converted into a molybdenum-DMDTP complex and determined spectrometrically.