Synthesis and crystallization kinetics of the novel ion exchanger Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript> for cesium removal

Thermodynamics and crystallization kinetics of the hydrothermal synthesis of Na₄Ti₄Si₃O₁₀ (NaTS) were systemically studied by both experiments and model simulation. Experimental results showed that the curve of crystallinity with time was a characteristic signmoid in the shape that indicated the crystallization of Na₄Ti₄Si₃O₁₀ was a typical spontaneous nucleation process on the laboratory scale. Crystallization of NaTS belongs to the liquid-liquid transformation mechanism and the reaction is endothermic (ΔH = 15.3 kJ/mol). A mathematic model of crystallization kinetics was developed to simulate the synthesis of NaTS. Runge-Kutta and simplex methods were adopted to solve the partial differential equations. Model results fitted well with the experimental data and showed that the synthesis process belongs to spontaneous nucleation and crystal growth. Moreover, the very small crystal growth constant (5.6·10⁻⁷) and gel dissolution constant (7.0·10⁻⁷) indicate they are the rate-limiting steps of the whole synthesis process.     

The role of neuropeptide somatostatin in the brain and its application in treating neurological disorders

Somatostatin (SST) is a well-known neuropeptide that is expressed throughout the brain. In the cortex, SST is expressed in a subset of GABAergic neurons and is known as a protein marker of inhibitory interneurons. Recent studies have identified the key functions of SST in modulating cortical circuits in the brain and cognitive function. Furthermore, reduced expression of SST is a hallmark of various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and depression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on SST expression and function in the brain. In particular, we describe the physiological roles of SST-positive interneurons in the cortex. We further describe the causal relationship between pathophysiological changes in SST function and various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, we discuss potential treatments and possibility of novel drug developments for neurological disorders based on the current knowledge on the function of SST and SST analogs in the brain derived from experimental and clinical studies.Subject terms: Molecular neuroscience, Drug development     

Unusual magnetic properties of one-dimensional molecule-based magnets associated with a structural phase transition

Three ion-pair complexes, [RbzPy](+)[Ni(mnt)(2)](-) (mnt(2)(-) = maleonitriledithiolate; [RbzPy](+) = 4-R-benzylpyridinium; R = Br (1), Cl (2), and NO(2) (3)), with unusual magnetic properties have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been solved. The two complexes belong to the P2(1)/c space group with Z = 4 and C(20)H(11)BrN(5)NiS(4), a = 12.0744(17) A, b = 26.369(4) A, c = 7.440(3) A, and beta = 102.63(3) degrees for 1 and C(20)H(11)ClN(5)NiS(4), a = 12.105(2) A, b = 26.218(4) A, c = 7.374(2) A, and beta = 102.55(2) degrees for 2, respectively. The [Ni(mnt)(2)](-) anions in 1-3 form uniformly spaced one-dimensional (1-D) magnetic chains of s = 1/2 at room temperature. The temperature dependences of the susceptibility for 1-3 show that they undergo phase transitions. All three complexes are paramagnetic in their high-temperature (abbreviation HT) phase and diamagnetic in the low-temperature (abbreviation LT) phase because of strong dimerization along the stacking direction. The results of thermal analysis (DSC) further confirm that the phase transition for 1 and 2 is first-order but maybe second-order for 3. The phenomena observed in this study are similar to those of the 1-D radical systems.     

Chemiluminescence sensor for isoniazid with controlled-reagent-release technology

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) sensor for isoniazid combined with flow-injection technology is presented in this paper. The analytical reagents, luminol and ferricyanide, were both immobilized on an anion-exchange column. The CL signal produced by the reaction between luminol and ferricyanide, which were eluted from the column through sodium phosphate injection, was decreased in the presence of isoniazid. The decreased CL intensity was linear with isoniazid concentration in the range 0.001–1.0 μg·ml⁻¹; and the detection limit was 0.35 ng·ml⁻¹ (3s). The whole process, including sampling and washing, could be completed in 2 min with a relative standard deviation of less than 4.1%. The sensor could be reused more than 400 times and has been applied for the determination of isoniazid in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Pt-Sn脱氢催化剂浸渍状态的Sn-119和Pt-195的多核NMR研究

测定了Ｐｔ－Ｓｎ型催化剂浸渍状态下的Ｓｎ－１１９、Ｐｔ－１９５的多核核磁共振。当ＳｎＣｌ２／ＤＣｌ溶液体系中加入Ｈ２ＰｔＣｌ６以后，出现了Ｓｎ（Ⅳ）和另外一种Ｓｎ（Ⅱ）的构型，Ｓｎ－１１９峰向高场位移，说明部分Ｓｎ（Ⅱ）被氧化成Ｓｎ（Ⅳ），Ｈ２ＰｔＣｌ６的量对这种氧化性影响较小。而Ｈ２ＰｔＣｌ６／Ｄ２Ｏ溶液体系中加入ＳｎＣｌ２以后部分Ｐｔ（Ⅳ）被还原成Ｐｔ（Ⅱ），随着ＳｎＣｌ２量的增加，Ｐｔ（Ⅱ）     

Application of an integrated microchip system with capillary array electrophoresis to optimization of enzymatic reactions

In this work, a combination of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) microchip system with capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) is demonstrated as a system for optimizing conditions for enzymatic reaction. Dimethylacridinone (DDAO)-phosphate substrate and alkaline phosphatase conjugate were selected for the enzymatic reaction, which was applicable to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Laser-induced fluorometry with a miniature semiconductor laser was used to detect the enzymatic products. The speed of the enzymatic reaction between the DDAO-phosphate and the alkaline phosphatase conjugate was investigated as a function of reaction time. The microchip-CAE detection system could determine the pH condition and the concentration of enzyme that are suitable for rapid and low-cost analysis. This result shows the feasibility of using the microchip-CAE system for application to miniaturized screening systems.     

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric study of the aconitines in the roots of aconite

Fragmentation pathways of aconitine-type alkaloids were investigated by electrospray ionization/ion trap multistage tandem mass spectrometry. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation of protonated aconitines follows a dominant first step, the elimination of the C(8)-substituent as acetic acid or fatty acid in MS(2) spectra. Successive losses of 1-4 CH(3)OH molecules, 1-3 H(2)O, CO, benzoic acid, and CH(3) or C(2)H(5) (N-substituents) are all fragmentation pathways observed in MS(3) and MS(4) spectra. By applying knowledge of these fragmentation pathways to the aconitines in the ethanolic extract of aconite roots, all the known aconitines were detected and also 23 unknown aconitine-type alkaloids, in which the lipo-alkaloids containing residues of 15C, 17C and 19C saturated or unsaturated fatty acids were characterized. These odd-carbon-number fatty acid substituents have not been reported previously.     

Trajectory studies of S(N)2 nucleophilic substitution. 8. Central barrier dynamics for gas phase Cl(-) + CH(3)Cl

Quasiclassical direct dynamics trajectories, calculated at the MP2/6-31G level of theory, are used to study the central barrier dynamics for the C1(-) + CH(3)Cl S(N)2 reaction. Extensive recrossings of the central barrier are observed in the trajectories. The dynamics of the Cl(-)-CH(3)Cl complex is non-RRKM and transition state theory (TST) is predicted to be an inaccurate model for calculating the Cl(-) + CH(3)Cl S(N)2 rate constant. Direct dynamics trajectories also show that Cl(-) + CH(3)Cl trajectories, which collide backside along the S(N)2 reaction path, do not form the Cl(-)-CH(3)Cl complex. This arises from weak coupling between the Cl(-)-CH(3)Cl intermolecular and CH(3)Cl intramolecular modes. The trajectory results are very similar to those of a previous trajectory study, based on a HF/6-31G* analytic potential energy function, which gives a less accurate representation of the central barrier region of the Cl(-) + CH(3)Cl reaction than does the MP2/6-31G* level of theory used here. Experiments are suggested for investigating the non-RRKM and non-TST dynamics predicted by the trajectories.     

Miniature biochip system for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 based on antibody-immobilized capillary reactors and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

In this work, we report Escherichia coli O157:H7 detection using antibody-immobilized capillary reactors, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a biochip system. ELISA selective immunological method to detect pathogenic bacteria. ELISA is also directly adaptable to a miniature biochip system that utilizes conventional sample platforms such as polymer membranes and glass. The antibody-immobilized capillary reactor is a very attractive sample platform for ELISA because of its low cost, compactness, reuse, and ease of regeneration. Moreover, an array of capillary reactors can provide high-throughput ELISA. In this report, we describe the use of an array of antibody-immobilized capillary reactors for multiplex detection of E. coli O157:H7 in our miniature biochip system. Side-entry laser beam irradiation to an array of capillary reactors contributes significantly to miniaturized optical configuration for this biochip system. The detection limits of E. coli O157:H7 using the ELISA and Cy5 label-based immunoassays were determined to be 3 and 230 cells, respectively. This system shows capability to simultaneously monitor multifunctional immunoassay and high sensitive detection of E. coli O157:H7.     

Hetero-calix[4]pyrroles: incorporation of furans, thiophenes, thiazoles or fluorenes as a part of the macrocycle

Furans, thiazoles, fluorene or thiophene incorporated calix[4]pyrrole analogues were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis was achieved by utilization of various building blocks such as 7, 13, 14, 18 and 21. Acid catalyzed condensation of those building blocks with acetone or meso-disubstituted dipyrromethanes afforded desired macrocycles.