Use of the MALDI BioTyper system with MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry for rapid identification of microorganisms

In a clinical diagnosis microbiology laboratory, the current method of identifying bacterial isolates is based mainly on phenotypic characteristics, for example growth pattern on different media, colony morphology, Gram stain, and various biochemical reactions. These techniques collectively enable great accuracy in identifying most bacterial isolates, but are costly and time-consuming. In our clinical microbiology laboratory, we prospectively assessed the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) to identify bacterial strains that were routinely isolated from clinical samples. Bacterial colonies obtained from a total of 468 strains of 92 bacterial species isolated at the Department of Clinical Laboratory at Chiba University were directly placed on target MALDI plates followed by addition of CHCA matrix solution. The plates were then subjected to MALDI–TOF MS measurement and the microorganisms were identified by pattern matching with the libraries in the BioTyper 2.0 software. Identification success at the species and genus levels was 91.7% (429/468) and 97.0% (454/468), respectively. MALDI–TOF MS is a rapid, simple, and high-throughput proteomic technique for identification of a variety of bacterial species. Because colony-to-colony differences and effects of culture duration on the results are minimal, it can be implemented in a conventional laboratory setting. Although for some pathogens, preanalytical processes should be refined, and the current database should be improved to obtain more accurate results, the MALDI–TOF MS based method performs, in general, as well as conventional methods and is a promising technology in clinical laboratories.     

Synthesis of transparent aqueous sols of colloidal layered niobate nanocrystals at room temperature

Transparent aqueous sols of colloidal tetramethylammonium niobate nanocrystals were synthesized by mixing tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), niobium ethoxide, and water at TMAOH/Nb≥0.7 at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the thin films prepared by evaporating the colloidal solutions on a glass substrate indicated that the colloidal niobate had a layered crystalline structure. Two types of layered structures are known as a layered niobate, i.e. M(4)Nb(6)O(17)·nH(2)O and MNb(3)O(8) (M=H, H(3)O, or alkaline metal). Raman spectra and electron diffraction suggested that the niobate nanocrystals were similar in crystal structure to M(4)Nb(6)O(17)·nH(2)O compounds. Moreover, when niobium oxide thin films were fabricated from the niobate colloidal solutions by the sol-gel method, oriented T-Nb(2)O(5) thin films, whose c-axis was parallel to the substrate surface, were obtained. The orientation of the thin films was probably attributed to the layered structure of the colloidal niobate nanocrystals.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of α-substituted nitroacetates to maleimides under base-free neutral phase-transfer conditions

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of α-substituted nitroacetates to maleimides under base-free neutral phase-transfer conditions was developed for the synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives.     

A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for Hg2+ and Ag+ with an N'-acetylthioureido group as a fluorescence switch

For detection of Hg(2+) and Ag(+), we have developed a coumarin-based probe with an N'-acetylthioureido group as a novel fluorescence switch, in which the hydrogen bond formation between the N-hydrogen and the acetyl O atom markedly increases the susceptibility of the probe toward desulfurization by Hg(2+) and Ag(+).     

X-ray absorption, photoemission spectroscopy, and Raman scattering analysis of amorphous tantalum oxide with a large extent of oxygen nonstoichiometry

The electronic structure and modification of the local interatomic structure of a reactive sputtered amorphous tantalum oxide (a-TaO(x)) thin film with the variation of oxygen nonstoichiometry, x in a-TaO(x) have been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Raman scattering spectroscopy, and Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy. A parallel chemical shift of Ta4f(7/2) and O1s core levels observed with the variation of x indicates the Fermi level shift by reduction and oxidation in the framework of the rigid band model. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) suggests both the increase of average coordination number of the first Ta-O shell in polyhedra and a considerable reduction of the average Ta-O bond length with the increase of x. The relative intensity of Raman shift peaks at 670 cm(-1) and 815 cm(-1), corresponding to Ta-O stretching of TaO(6) octahedra and TaO(5) probably with a pyramidal form, respectively, drastically changes between x = 2.47 to 1.86, suggesting the change in the predominant polyhedron from TaO(6) to TaO(5) with a modification in multiplicity of oxygen by the reorganization of the polyhedral network.     

Studies on thermal degradation of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS-Br) containing brominated flame retardant

The thermal degradation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS-Br; 10 g) containing brominated flame retardant (Br: 9.59 wt.%) was carried out at 450 °C using a semi batch operation using two different temperature programs. The heating rate was found to affect the quality of the degradation oil and yield of products (liquid, gas and residue). Data on the effect of the temperature program on the accumulation of liquid products was presented. It was found that the majority of the bromine was concentrated in the carbon residue and while majority of the nitrogen accumulates in the liquid products irrespective of degradation mode. The use of a one step constant heating rate process (I) produced a higher liquid yield (39%), than a two step process (29%). Differences were also noted in the Br and N contained in the liquids produced by the two processes.