Miniaturized monolithic disks for immunoadsorption of cardiac biomarkers from serum

Immunoadsorbers based on 2.0 × 6.0 mm i.d., epoxy-bearing, methacrylate-based monolithic disks were developed in order to target myoglobin and N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), two biomarkers involved in cardiovascular disease. In both cases, antibodies were successfully coupled to the polymeric disk material. The developed immunoadsorbers permitted the selective isolation of myoglobin and NT-proBNP from human serum. Myoglobin was successfully isolated and detected from serum samples at concentrations down to 250 fmol μL⁻¹. However, the affinity of the antibodies was not sufficient for the analysis of low-concentration clinical samples. Frontal analysis of anti-NT-proBNP disks revealed the ability of the immunoadsorber to bind up to 250 pmol NT-proBNP, which is more than sufficient for the analysis of clinical samples. Anti-NT-proBNP disks showed good stability over more than 18 months and excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility. Moreover, anti-NT-proBNP disks permitted the isolation of NT-proBNP at concentrations down to 750 amol μL⁻¹ in serum, corresponding to concentrations of strongly diseased patients. Using reversed-phase trapping columns, the detection of NT-proBNP eluted from immunoadsorbers by mass spectrometry was achieved for concentrations down to 7.8 fmol μL⁻¹.     

Localized and Collective Motions in HET‐s(218‐289) Fibrils from Combined NMR Relaxation and MD Simulation

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation data and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are combined to characterize the dynamics of the fungal prion HET‐s(218‐289) in its amyloid form. NMR data is analyzed with the dynamics detector method, which yields timescale‐specific information. An analogous analysis is performed on MD trajectories. Because specific MD predictions can be verified as agreeing with the NMR data, MD was used for further interpretation of NMR results: for the different timescales, cross‐correlation coefficients were derived to quantify the correlation of the motion between different residues. Short timescales are the result of very local motions, while longer timescales are found for longer‐range correlated motion. Similar trends on ns‐ and μs‐timescales suggest that μs motion in fibrils is the result of motion correlated over many fibril layers.     

Zur hochspannungselektrophoretischen Trennung anorganischer Ionen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Platinmetalle

Zusammenfassung Die hochspannungselektrophoretische Wanderung der Halogenokomplexe der Platinmetalle und weiterer anorganischer Ionen wird bei Anwendung von Polycarbonsäuren (Oxalsäure, Bernsteinsäure, Apfelsäure, Weinsäure und Zitronensäure) als Elektrolyt untersucht und der Einfluß des p_H-Werts und der Konzentration der Substanzen auf die Wanderung geprüft. Es wird festgestellt, daß die auf die abgestufte Komplexbildungstendenz der Polycarbonsäuren (Zitronensäure > Weinsäure Apfelsäure > Bernsteinsäure) rückführbaren Unterschiede der Wanderungsgeschwindigkeiten für die Trennung anorganischer Gemische gut einzusetzen sind. Für die Chlorokomplexe der Platinmetalle wird eine Abstufung der Beweglichkeiten in der Reihe Ir Pt Os > Rh > > Pd > Ru (> Rh) gefunden.

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The high voltage electrophoretic separation of inorganic ions with special consideration of the platinum metals

Summary The high voltage eleetrophoretic migration of the halogen complexes of the platinum metals and other inorganic ions was studied with the employment of the polycarboxylic acids (oxalic, succinic, malic, tartaric, citric) as electrolyte, and the influence of the p_H-value and the concentration of the substances on the migration investigated. It was found that the differences in the migration velocities, which may be traced back to the graded complex-forming tendency of the polycarboxylic acids (citric > tartaric malic > > succininic) can be used to good advantage in the separation of inorganic mixtures. With respect to the chlorocomplexes of the platinum metals, a decrease in the mobilities was discovered in the series Ir > Pt > Os > > Rh > Pd > Ru (>Rd).

     

Characterization of SiC-platelets

Three fractions of SiC platelets were characterized using polarizing microscopy, X-ray diffraction, high resolution Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis (SEM/EDX). The chemical analysis of the three fractions is given. The determination of the SiC polytypes (4H, 6H, 15R, 3C) was done and has been correlated with the chemical analysis. The results of the X-ray diffraction investigations confirm the polarizing microscopy observations. Using microanalytical techniques important conclusions about the impurity elements (e.g. B, Al, Fe) and their local distribution could be drawn. Most of them were found to be present on the outermost surfaces of the platelets. Some conclusions concerning the processing of the platelets are suggested.Dedicated to Professor Günther Tölg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

REGULATION OF CHLOROPLAST DEVELOPMENT BY RED AND BLUE LIGHT

There are specific differences between red and blue light greening of etiolated seedlings of Hordevm vulgare L. Blue light results in a different prenyl lipid composition of chloroplast as compared to red light of equal quanta density. This is documented by a much higher prenylquinone content, higher chlorophyll a/b ratios, and lower values for the ratio xanthophylls to carotenes (x/c). The photosynthetic activity of “blue light” chloroplasts (Hill reaction) is higher than that of “red light” chloroplasts. These differences in prenylquinone composition and Hill-activity are associated with a different ultrastructure of chloroplasts. “Red light” chloroplasts exhibit a much higher grana content than “blue light” chloroplasts. The difference in thylakoid composition, photosynthetic activity and chloroplast structure found between blue and red light greening are similar to those found between sun and shade leaves and those between plants grown under high and low light intensities.     

Formation and Properties of Losod,a New Sodium Zeolite

Losod, a new type of crystalline hydrated sodium aluminosilicate, Na₁₂Al₁₂Si₁₂O₄₈ · q H₂O, has been prepared from reaction mixtures containing bulky quaternary alkylammonium ions, particularly azonia-spiro[4.4]nonane, besides sodium ions. Losod crystallizes from batches with a low sodium content (Na/Al ≤ 1 and Si/Al ≈? 1). The quaternary ammonium hydroxide primarily serves as a source of hydroxide ions and is not incorporated into the zeolite crystals. These bulky bases provide a useful means for controlling the alkalinity of the system independently of the concentration of the necessary cations built into the zeolite. The crystals of Losod are hexagonal (a = 12.91 and c = 10.54 Å) and the proposed framework structure shows a polytypic relationship to sodalite and cancrinite. Losod has reversible sorption and ion exchange properties typical of a small-pore zeolite and in essential agreement with the proposed structure.     

Synthese und Abbau von 1-(5-Nitro-2-thiazolyl)-2-imidazolidinon und Derivaten

1-(5-Nitro-2-thiazolyl)-2-imidazolidinone is synthesized from 2-amino-5-nitro-thiazole and 2-chloroethyl-isocyanate. The structure of this new potent schistosomicide is established by acid and alkaline degradation as well as by synthesis starting from 2-imidazolidinone. A number of derivatives of 1-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-2-imidazolidinone are reported.     

Adiabatic passage Hartmann-Hahn cross polarization in NMR under magic angle sample spinning

We have recently demonstrated that polarization transfer using an adiabatic passage through the Hartmann-Hahn condition (APHH-CP) by a variation of the radio-frequency amplitude can substantially improve the transfer efficiency over Hartmann-Hahn cross polarization. Here we show that APHH-CP can be combined with fast magic angle sample spinning (MAS). The heteronuclear dipolar order, established in the course of the transfer, can indeed be created and preserved.     

Nonmonotonic pattern of the critical percolation temperature due to variations of additive chain length in water-in-oil microemulsions

The nonmonotonic variation of the critical percolation temperature (T _c) of ternary nonionic (C₁₄E₅) water-in-oil microemulsions was studied as a function of the alkyl chain length of an ionic additive (n-alkyl sulfonate sodium salt). A thermodynamic approach shows the relationship between T _c and additive chain length, which is supplemented by a consideration of a possible molecular mechanism of the observed phenomenon. Received: 20 October 2000 Accepted: 7 November 2000