Gel-free IEF in a membrane-sealed multicompartment cell for proteome prefractionation

A minidevice for performing gel-free proteome prefractionation via conventional IEF in soluble carrier ampholyte buffers is reported here. It consists of a compact block of polyoxymethylene in which eight samples and two electrode chambers are machined. Each of the eight sample chambers can be filled with up to 120 microL of sample and has the following size: 7 mm width, 3 mm depth and 10 mm height. The anodic and cathodic compartments have the same width and height as the sample chambers, but with a depth of 6 mm, thus accepting up to 250 microL of electrodic solutions. Focusing is in general accomplished in 2 h with a voltage gradient of up to 1000 V (7 cm electrode distance). Easy fractionation and collection of the content of the eight chambers is achieved by simply pressing a rubber diaphragm against the edges of the thin walls separating each well, this automatically breaking liquid continuity. The performance of this device has been tested by subfractionating total cell lysates of a human cancer cell line (U2Os) and of Escherichia coli bacterial cells, and by analysing the content of each chamber by mono-dimensional SDS-PAGE and 2-D maps.     

Efficient removal of DNA from proteomic samples prior to two-dimensional map analysis

Several methods have been described in the literature for removal of DNA from protein samples prior to proteome analysis. They in general involve protein precipitation techniques. In other protocols, DNAse treatment is suggested prior to precipitation of proteins in excess acetone. All these methods have been evaluated and found to perform poorly in DNA removal, as illustrated by two-dimensional (2D) maps where horizontal and vertical sample streaking are still substantial. Such removal is in general necessary in tissue lysates and especially when analysing sub-cellular organelles, such as nuclei, where the high DNA levels strongly interfere with proteome analysis. Another method is proposed here for efficient DNA removal: two-phase extraction of DNA in chloroform/phenol/isoamyl alcohol, a procedure commonly used to rid DNA samples of protein contaminants, but rarely applied to protein preparation. This extraction is not very efficient if performed at slightly acidic to neutral pH values, but it performs extremely well at pH values of 9.5 or higher. The 2D maps thus obtained of Escherichia coli lysates as well as extracts from purified nuclei of eukaryotic cells are not only devoid of any vertical or horizontal streaking, but exhibit many more spots, especially in the alkaline region of the 2D gels, suggesting that these basic proteins were in general lost to proteome analysis due to co-precipitation in tenacious protein–DNA complexes. It is hypothesized that the alkaline pH values adopted in the two-phase extraction help to fully disrupt any residual DNA–protein complexes, due to strong Coulombic repulsion.     

Two‐dimensional non‐close‐packed arrays of nanoparticles via core‐shell nanospheres and reactive ion etching

Nanosized PTFE/polystyrene core‐shell particles were prepared by seed emulsion polymerization technique starting from PTFE seeds of 20 nm. At the end of the reaction, no residual PTFE nor secondary nucleation was observed and by appropriately choosing the ratio between the monomer and the PTFE seed it was possible to obtain particles, with predetermined size in the range 60–100 nm, featuring an extremely narrow size distribution. These particles were successfully employed as building blocks for the preparation of large scale nanosized monolayers through the floating technique. Reactive ion etching was further applied to modulate the size characteristics of the resulting 2D ordered nanostructure. Although for relatively short RIE times a peculiar continuous morphology was observed in which the particles are interconnected through thin arms, on further increasing the RIE time a well‐organized 2D arrangement of particles with size of about 30 nm was obtained. Considering the shell as an expendable ordering and spacing tool, the use of core‐shell nanospheres allows a wide variety of controlled morphologies to be designed and prepared thus opening new perspectives for nanostructure fabrication processes through nanosphere lithography (NSL). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the Zn2+ distribution on the magnetic properties of Ba2Zn2Fe12O22(Zn2-Y) hexaferrite investigated by thermal-scan Mössbauer spectroscopy

Summary The role of the cation distribution on the magnetic characteristics of Ba₂Zn₂Fe₁₂O₂₂(Zn₂-Y) hexaferrite has been analysed by using M?ssbauer techniques. For this purpose we developed a low-cost microcomputer-controlled thermal-scan M?ssbauer apparatus that allows accurate measurements of the Curie temperature. The measuring times are much shorter than those attained with previously described similar apparata. The variation of the Curie temperature with the sintering temperature of Zn₂-Y has been correlated with different cation distributions of Zn²⁺ among the two tetrahedral sublattices present in the Y-structure.

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Riassunto Utilizzando tecniche M?ssbauer si è analizzato il ruolo della distribuzione cationica sulle proprietà magnetiche dell’esaferrito Ba₂Zn₂Fe₁₂O₂₂ (Zn₂-Y). A questo scopo è stato messo a punto un apparato a basso costo controllato da microcomputer per analisi termiche che utilizza l’effetto M?ssbauer. L’apparecchiatura consente misure di temperatura di Curie con tempi di misura inferiori a quelli di apparecchiature simili descritte in precedenza. La variazione della temperatura di Curie al variare della temperatura di sinterizzazione osservata nell’esaferrito Zn₂-Y è stata correlata con la distribuzione del catione Zn²⁺ tra i due siti tetraedrici presenti nella struttura Y.

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Резюме Используя технику эффекта Мессбауэра, анализируется роль распределения катионов на магнитные свойства гексаферрита Ba₂Zn₂Fe₂O₂₂(Zn₂-Y). Для этой цели предлагается недорогостоящая установка, контролируемая компьютером для тырмического анализа, которая исрользует зффект Мессбауэра. Предложенная установка позволяет точно измерять температуру Кюри, причем времена измерений оказываются существенно меныше, чем у родобных установок, орисанных в литературе. Изменение температуры Кюри в завицимости от температурм спекания Zn₂-Y коррелирует с различными распределениями катионов Zn²⁺ между двумя тетраздрическими подрешетками, присутстствующими в Y-структуре.

     

Raman microspectrometric investigation of wall paintings in S. Giovanni Evangelista Abbey in Parma: a comparison between two artists of the 16th century

Micro-Raman spectroscopy, combined with gas chromatography and ultra-violet fluorescence photography, was used to study some wall paintings in the S. Giovanni Evangelista Abbey in Parma, Italy. The restoration of some painted chapels enabled a comparison between two painters of the 16th century: Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, 1503-1540) and Michelangelo Anselmi (1492?-1556?). Micro-Raman spectroscopy determined the palette used by the artists, leading to the identification of different white, yellow, red, brown, green, blue and black pigments. Some pigments are evidence of later restorations. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of organic binding media and enabled to distinguish between fresco and secco paintings.     

Silver(I) complexation of linked 2,2'-dipyridylamine derivatives. Synthetic, solvent extraction, membrane transport and X-ray structural studies

Synthesis of the 2,2'-dipyridylamine derivatives di-2-pyridylaminomethylbenzene 1, 1,2-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 2, 1,3-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 3, 2,6-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)pyridine 4, 1,4-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 5, and 1,3,5-tris(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 6 are reported together with the single-crystal X-ray structures of 2, 3, and 5. Reaction of individual salts of the type AgX (where X = NO(3)(-), PF(6)(-), ClO(4)(-), or BF(4)(-)) with the above ligands has led to the isolation of thirteen Ag(I) complexes, nine of which have also been characterised by X-ray diffraction. In part, the inherent flexibility of the respective ligands has resulted in the adoption of a range of coordination arrangements. A series of liquid-liquid (H(2)O/CHCl(3)) extraction experiments of Ag(I) with varying concentrations of 1-6 in the organic phase have been undertaken, with the counter ion in the aqueous phase being respectively picrate, perchlorate and nitrate. In general, extraction efficiencies for a given ionophore followed the Hofmeister order of picrate > perchlorate > nitrate; in each case the tris-dpa derivative 6 acting as the most efficient extractant of the six systems investigated. Competitive seven-metal bulk membrane transport experiments (H(2)O/CHCl(3)/H(2)O) employing the above ligands as the ionophore in the organic phase and equimolar concentrations of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ag(I) in the aqueous source phase were also undertaken, with transport occurring against a pH gradient. Under the conditions employed 1 and 5 yielded negligible transport of any of the metals present in the source phase while sole transport selectivity for Ag(I) was observed for 2-4 and 6.     

First CNGS events detected by LVD

The CERN Neutrino to Gran Sasso (CNGS) project aims to produce a high energy, wide band ν_μ beam at CERN and send it toward the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), 732 km away. Its main goal is the observation of the ν_τ appearance, through neutrino flavour oscillation. The beam started its operation in August 2006 for about 12 days: a total amount of 7.6×10¹⁷ protons were delivered to the target. The LVD detector, installed in hall A of the LNGS and mainly dedicated to the study of supernova neutrinos, was fully operating during the whole CNGS running time. A total number of 569 events were detected in coincidence with the beam spill time. This is in good agreement with the expected number of events from Monte Carlo simulations. PACS 14.60.Pq; 29.27.Fh; 29.40.Mc; 95.55.Vj     

Assembly of a trinuclear metallo-capsule from a tripodal tris(beta-diketone) derivative and copper(II)

A new metallo-capsule has been synthesised that consists of three copper(II) ions and two molecules of a tris-deprotonated tripodal ligand in which three 2,4-pentanedione groups are linked via their gamma-carbons through thioether spacers to the 1,3,5-positions of a triazine core.     

J/ψ polarization in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has studied J/ψ production in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV at the LHC through its muon pair decay. The polar and azimuthal angle distributions of the decay muons were measured, and results on the J/ψ polarization parameters λ(θ) and λ(φ) were obtained. The study was performed in the kinematic region 2.5相似文献   

Sol-Gel Preparation of α-Fe2O3 Thin Films: Structural Characterization by XAFS and Raman

Films of Fe2O3 have been prepared by two different sol-gel syntheses, starting from inorganic salts as precursors, Fe(NO3)3 · 9H2O or FeCl3 · 6H2O. Differences in the local order between the two preparations are investigated by XAFS (X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure) and Raman measurements.