RNA Methylation m6A: A New Code and Drug Target?

The m⁶A‐RNA modification is a dynamic and reversible process, which has emerged as a new RNA code for the regulation of gene expression. The functional network of methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and binding proteins (readers) modulate the level of m⁶A modification. Dysfunction of RNA methylation has been associated with various fundamental biological processes and human diseases. Herein, we briefly introduce an understanding‐enabled manipulation on m⁶A‐RNA modification with an emphasis on the use of small‐molecule intervention.      

Two novel dicoumaro-p-menthanes from Gerbera piloselloides (L.) CASS

Two new type dicoumarins (dicoumaro-p-menthanes), named dibothrioclinins I (1) and II (2) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Gerbera piloselloides (L.) CASS., collected in Yunnan Province, China. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, 1D ((1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, DEPT and NOE) and 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC) NMR spectral analyses. The relative structures of the two compounds were established by NOE difference spectroscopy and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Modification of silicon AFM cantilever tips with an oligo(ethylene glycol) derivative for resisting proteins and maintaining a small tip size for high-resolution imaging

We demonstrate that silicon AFM tips can be modified by etching with 2% HF solution followed by reaction with an alpha,omega-oligo(ethylene glycol)alkene. Tips properly modified by this technique maintain a small tip size and effectively reduce the nonspecific interaction with fibrinogen and bovine serum albumin, resulting in greatly improved image resolution and contrast for high-coverage fibrinogen films.     

Sonochemical synthesis of mass single-crystal PbS nanobelts

Based on sonochemical technique, large-scale PbS nanobelts are successfully synthesized in the mixed solution of PbCl₂ and Na₂S₂O₃. These nanobelts are characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electronic diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution TEM. The as-synthesized PbS nanobelts have width of about 80 nm, length up to several millimeters, and width-to-thickness ratio of about 5. In addition, the growth mechanism of PbS nanobelts is suggested.     

Direct electrochemical detection of glucose in human plasma on capillary electrophoresis microchips

We developed an electrochemical detector on a hybrid chip for the determination of glucose in human plasma. The microchip system described in this paper consists of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer containing separation and injection channels and an electrode plate. The copper microelectrode is fabricated by selective electroless deposition. The fabrication of the decoupler is performed by platinum electrochemical deposition on the metal film formed by electroless deposition. Factors influencing the performance, including detection potential, separation field strength, and buffer concentration, were studied. The electrodes exhibited good stability and durability in the analytical procedures. Under optimized detection conditions, glucose responded linearly from 10 microM to 1 mM. Finally, glucose in human plasma from three healthy individuals and two diabetics was successfully determined, giving a good prospect for a new clinical diagnostic instrument.     

Antioxidative effects of flavonols and their glycosides against the free-radical-induced peroxidation of linoleic acid in solution and in micelles

The antioxidative effect of flavonols and their glycosides against the peroxidation of linoleic acid has been studied in homogeneous solution (tBuOH/H(2)O, 3:2) and in sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide micelles. The peroxidation was initiated thermally by the water-soluble initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, and the reaction kinetics were studied by monitoring the formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides. The synergistic antioxidant effect of the flavonols with alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) was also studied by following the decay kinetics of alpha-tocopherol and the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical. Kinetic analysis of the antioxidative process demonstrates that the flavonols are effective antioxidants in solution and in micelles, either alone or in combination with alpha-tocopherol. The antioxidative action involves trapping the initiating radicals in solution or in the bulk-water phase of the micelles, trapping the propagating lipid peroxyl radicals on the surface of the micelles, and regenerating alpha-tocopherol by reducing the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical. It was found that the antioxidant activity of the flavonols and their glycosides depends significantly on the position and number of the hydroxy groups, the oxidation potential of the molecule, and the reaction medium. The flavonols bearing ortho-dihydroxy groups possess significantly higher antioxidative activity than those without such functionalities, and the glycosides are less active than their parent aglycones. The activity of the flavonols is higher in micelles than in solution, while the activity of alpha-tocopherol is lower in micelles than in solution. This is because the predominant factor for controlling the activity is the hydrogen-bonding interaction of the antioxidant with the micellar surface in the case of hydrophilic flavonols, while it is the inter- and intramicellar diffusion in the case of lipophilic alpha-tocopherol.     

草酸在α-Fe_2O_3上吸附的磁性研究

α—Fe_2O_3是多种工业催化剂的主要成分,有反铁磁结构的特殊性.张和Matijevie的实验曾经发现,草酸在均匀α-Fe_2O_3胶体粒子上的吸附随温度的升高而增加,这可能暗示着草酸从物理吸附向化学吸附的过渡.考虑到磁学测量需要更为明显的表面效应,我们制备了较小的α-Fe_2O_3粒子,并测定其吸附草酸前后的磁化率变化。     

A new approach to the synthesis of α-chlorocycloalkanones

α-Chlorocycloalkanones(Ⅳ) were synthesized from cycloalkanones via potassiumα-oxocycloalkylsulfonates(Ⅱ).A two-step mechanism was proposed to explain the formation ofⅣfromⅡ.     

New Photoluminescence Phenomena of Ge／SiO2 Glass Synthesized by Sol-gel Method

New Ge/SiO2 glasses have been synthesized by heating the GeO2/SiO2 dry gels under H2 gas at 700℃. The resulting fluorescence spectra show that this kind of Ge/SiO2 glasses emit strong photoluminescence at 392 nm (3.12 eV), medium strong photoluminescence at 600 nm (2.05 eV) and weak photoluminescence at 770 nm (1.60 eV) respectively. Possible photoluminescence mechanisms are also discussed based on the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS).     

钴(Ⅱ)与5-(5-硝基-2-吡啶偶氮)-2,4-二氨基甲苯络合物吸附波及其应用

钴 (Ⅱ )在NH3·H2O -NH2OH·HCl-5_(5_硝基_2_吡啶偶氮)_2,4_二氨基甲苯体系中有一灵敏的极谱波 ,其峰电位Vp 为 -1.20V(vsSCE) ,钴质量浓度在0.25～25μg/L范围内与峰电流Ip′有良好的线性关系 ,检出限为0.12μg/L;经多种电化学方法证明该波为络合物吸附波 ,其电极过程为不可逆过程 ,电子转移数为2 ,此外还试验了多种离子对峰电流Ip′的影响;所拟方法已用于维生素B12 和模拟样中痕量钴的测定