Self-templated synthesis of single-crystal and single-domain ferroelectric nanoplates

Free-standing single-crystal PbTiO(3) nanoplates were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. A "self-templated" crystal growth is presumed to lead to the formation of the PbTiO(3) nanoplates, which have ferroelectric single-domain structures, whose polarization areas can be manipulated by writing and reading. The nanoplates are also effective catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide.     

Three Types of Induced Tryptophan Optical Activity Compared in Model Dipeptides: Theory and Experiment

The tryptophan (Trp) aromatic residue in chiral matrices often exhibits a large optical activity and thus provides valuable structural information. However, it can also obscure spectral contributions from other peptide parts. To better understand the induced chirality, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra of Trp‐containing cyclic dipeptides c‐(Trp‐X) (where X=Gly, Ala, Trp, Leu, nLeu, and Pro) are analyzed on the basis of experimental spectra and density functional theory (DFT) computations. The results provide valuable insight into the molecular conformational and spectroscopic behavior of Trp. Whereas the ECD is dominated by Trp π–π* transitions, VCD is dominated by the amide modes, well separated from minor Trp contributions. The ROA signal is the most complex. However, an ROA marker band at 1554 cm^?1 indicates the local χ₂ angle value in this residue, in accordance with previous theoretical predictions. The spectra and computations also indicate that the peptide ring is nonplanar, with a shallow potential so that the nonplanarity is primarily induced by the side chains. Dispersion‐corrected DFT calculations provide better results than plain DFT, but comparison with experiment suggests that they overestimate the stability of the folded conformers. Molecular dynamics simulations and NMR results also confirm a limited accuracy of the dispersion‐DFT model in nonaqueous solvents. Combination of chiral spectroscopies with theoretical analysis thus significantly enhances the information that can be obtained from the induced chirality of the Trp aromatic residue.     

Organelle-specific detection of phosphatase activities with two-photon fluorogenic probes in cells and tissues

Two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) provides key advantages over conventional fluorescence imaging techniques, namely, increased penetration depth, lower tissue autofluorescence and self-absorption, and reduced photodamage and photobleaching and therefore is particularly useful for imaging deep tissues and animals. Enzyme-detecting, small molecule probes provide powerful alternatives over conventional fluorescent protein (FP)-based methods in bioimaging, primarily due to their favorable photophysical properties, cell permeability, and chemical tractability. In this article, we report the first fluorogenic, small molecule reporter system (Y2/Y1) capable of imaging endogenous phosphatase activities in both live mammalian cells and Drosophila brains. The one- and two-photon excited photophysical properties of the system were thoroughly investigated, thus confirming the system was indeed a suitable Turn-ON fluorescence pair for TPFM. To our knowledge, this is the first enzyme reporting two-photon fluorescence bioimaging system which was designed exclusively from a centrosymmetric dye possessing desirable two-photon properties. By conjugation of our reporter system to different cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), we were able to achieve organelle- and tumor cell-specific imaging of phosphatase activities with good spatial and temporal resolution. The diffusion problem typically associated with most small molecule imaging probes was effectively abrogated. We further demonstrated this novel two-photon system could be used for imaging endogenous phosphatase activities in Drosophila brains with a detection depth of >100 μm.     

Charge Transport within a Three-Dimensional DNA Nanostructure Framework

Three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures have shown great promise for various applications including molecular sensing and therapeutics. Here we report kinetic studies of DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) within a 3D DNA nanostructure framework. A tetrahedral DNA nanostructure was used to investigate the through-duplex and through-space CT of small redox molecules (methylene blue (MB) and ferrocene (Fc)) that were bound to specific positions above the surface of the gold electrode. CT rate measurements provide unambiguous evidence that the intercalative MB probe undergoes efficient mediated CT over longer distances along the duplex, whereas the nonintercalative Fc probe tunnels electrons through the space. This study sheds new light on DNA-based molecular electronics and on designing high-performance biosensor devices.     

A novel high selectivity chemiluminescence sensor for fenvalerate based on double-sided hollow molecularly imprinted materials

Novel fenvalerate double-sided hollow molecularly imprinted microspheres (fenvalerate-DHMIMs) were fabricated by in situ polymerization with the help of mesoporous silica microspheres (MSMs) in this paper for the very first time. Scanning electron microscope was employed to characterize the surface morphology of the fenvalerate-DHMIMs. Taking advantage of the quenching effect of fenvalerate on the luminol-H(2)O(2)-NaOH chemiluminescence system, a new model was established to determine fenvalerate by a highly selective flow injection chemiluminescence method. The traditional flow-through cell was replaced by a novel Y-shaped column. The chemiluminescence intensity was linear with fenvalerate concentration over the range of 5.0 × 10(-8) to 2.0 × 10(-5) g mL(-1) and the detection limit was 2.2 × 10(-8) g mL(-1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the determination of 2.0 × 10(-6) g mL(-1) fenvalerate was 1.4% (n = 11). The proposed method was applied to the determination of fenvalerate in real samples with satisfactory results.     

A simple colorimetric detection of DNA methylation

In this work, we describe a simple colorimetric method to detect DNA methylation. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) with a small CpG region containing methylated cytosine (methylated APC) was synthesized and tested. Methylated APC was first captured and enriched by anti-5-methylcytosine monoclonal antibody conjugated magnetic microspheres (MMPs). Then a probe partly complementary to the APC sequence was added, resulting in the formation of DNA duplexes. The microsphere-captured probe was then released by heat denaturation and added into unmodified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) solution. Colorimetric detection was performed by salt-induced aggregation. The limit of detection is 80 fmol. Semi-quantitative analysis was done with a UV/Vis spectrophotometer by recording the absorbance of AuNP solution at 520 nm. Thus, this method provides a simple, rapid and quantitative tool for DNA methylation detection.     

Relative and Absolute Configuration of Vatiparol (1 mg): A Novel Anti‐inflammatory Polyphenol

Bioactive natural products offer multiple opportunities for the discovery of novel chemical entities with potential pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and agrochemical applications. Many new organic compounds with novel scaffolds are isolated in small quantities and established methods often fail to determine the structure and bioactivity of such novel natural products. To meet this challenge, we present here a new methodology combining RDC (residual dipolar coupling)‐based NMR spectroscopy in microtubes, with a motif‐inspired biological assessment strategy. Using only one milligram (ca. 1.5 μmol) of sample, the new protocol established the bioactivity as well as the relative and absolute configuration of vatiparol obtained from Vatica parvifolia. Vatiparol is unique in its unprecedented carbon skeleton and selective inhibitory effect on the expression of monocyte chemo‐attractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1, also known as CCL2). The plausible biosynthetic pathway of vatiparol is briefly discussed. The approach introduced here promises to be widely applicable to the determination of the structure and bioactivity of structurally unknown organic samples available in very limited amounts.     

ZnSe掺Cu与Zn空位缺陷的稳定性、电子结构与光学性质

采用基于密度泛函理论框架下的第一性原理平面波超软雁势方法, 对ZnSe闪锌矿结构本体、掺入p型杂质Cu(Zn_0.875Cu_0.125Se)及Zn空位(Zn_0.875Se)超晶胞进行结构优化处理. 计算并详细分析了缺陷体系的形成能和三种体系下ZnSe材料的态密度、能带结构、集居数、介电和吸收光谱. 结果表明: 在Zn空位与Cu掺杂ZnSe体系中, 由于空位及杂质能级的引入, 禁带宽度有所减小, 吸收光谱产生红移; 单空位缺陷结构不易形成, Zn_0.875Se结构不稳定, Cu掺杂ZnSe结构相对更稳定.     

工业色谱法分离制备7-木糖基-10-去乙酰紫杉醇酶解产物10-去乙酰紫杉醇

基于工业色谱法分离制备抗癌药物紫杉醇的半合成前体10-去乙酰紫杉醇(10-DAP)。7-木糖基-10-去乙酰紫杉醇(10-DAXP)在我国特有红豆杉品系(中华红豆杉)枝叶中含量丰富,以其为原料可制备紫杉醇最理想的半合成前体——10-DAP。本研究以部分纯化后的7-木糖基-10-去乙酰紫杉烷为原料,通过β-木糖苷酶水解该粗提物中的主要成分10-DAXP及其两个微量类似物7-木糖基-10-去乙酰三尖杉宁碱(10-DAXC)和7-木糖基-10-去乙酰紫杉醇C(10-DAXP C),脱去其C-7位上的木糖基,水解产物采用大孔吸附树脂吸附,正相快速柱分离和反相制备色谱分离,可获得高纯度的目标物10-DAP,产物纯度为96%,整个工艺的收率大于75%。该方法适合以10-DAXP为原料大规模制备紫杉醇的半合成前体化合物10-DAP,为工业化生产紫杉醇开辟了一条新途径。