Size and support effects for CO oxidation on supported Pd catalysts

Science China Chemistry - Supporting Pd catalysts characterized significant different size distribution were obtained using PdCl2, [Pd(NH3)4](NO3)2 and Pd(acac)2 as precursors. High-resolution...     

Quantitative interrogation of protein co-aggregation using multi-color fluorogenic protein aggregation sensors

Co-aggregation of multiple pathogenic proteins is common in neurodegenerative diseases but deconvolution of such biochemical process is challenging. Herein, we developed a dual-color fluorogenic thermal shift assay to simultaneously report on the aggregation of two different proteins and quantitatively study their thermodynamic stability during co-aggregation. Expansion of spectral coverage was first achieved by developing multi-color fluorogenic protein aggregation sensors. Orthogonal detection was enabled by conjugating sensors of minimal fluorescence crosstalk to two different proteins via sortase-tag technology. Using this assay, we quantified shifts in melting temperatures in a heterozygous model protein system, revealing that the thermodynamic stability of wild-type proteins was significantly compromised by the mutant ones but not vice versa. We also examined how small molecule ligands selectively and differentially interfere with such interplay. Finally, we demonstrated these sensors are suited to visualize how different proteins exert influence on each other upon their co-aggregation in live cells.

A little leak will sink a great ship! We prepared a series of multi-color protein aggregation sensors and developed a dual-color thermal shift assay to simultaneously and quantitatively report on protein co-aggregation of two different proteins.     

Fatty amides synthesized from vegetable oil as extractant of molybdenum(VI)

In this study, fatty amides (FAs) synthesized from palm olein were used to extract and separate Mo(VI) from acidic media. Effects of various parameters upon the separation of Mo(VI) from Co(II), Ni(II), Al(III) and Mn(II), including extractant concentration, metal ion concentration, contact time, diluent, and acidity, were investigated. It was found that Mo(VI) was successfully separated from the above commonly associated metal ions by stripping from the loaded organic phase. Different acidic and alkaline solutions were used. Ammonium hydroxide solution was an optimal. Extraction of Mo(VI) into the organic phase involved the formation of 1:3 complexes. This work presents the development of a low-cost and environmentally friendly extractant to recycle and recover molybdenum.     

石墨烯基铁氧化物磁性材料的制备及在水处理中的吸附性能

石墨烯及其衍生物氧化石墨烯均有良好的物理和化学性质,其巨大的表面积和丰富的官能团使其成为良好的吸附材料。石墨烯基磁性材料则综合了石墨烯的吸附能力和磁性材料易分离的特性,是水处理过程中具有巨大应用潜力的吸附材料。本文在论述了石墨烯、氧化石墨烯及铁氧化物磁性材料对水体中的重金属离子、有机染料及含苯环的芳香类污染物的吸附富集性能的基础上,重点介绍了石墨烯基铁氧化物磁性材料的不同合成方法及复合材料在水处理中去除污染物的能力,探讨了复合材料在水处理中的应用前景。     

Morphology-controlled electrochemical sensing amaranth at nanomolar levels using alumina

Different-shaped aluminas were readily prepared via hydrothermal reaction. It was found that the morphology and the electrochemical sensing properties of alumina were heavily dependent on the reaction time. When extending the reaction time from 6 h to 24 h, the obtained alumina samples changed from amorphous bumps to regular microfibers in diameter of 200 nm, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy observation revealed that longer reaction time was beneficial for the formation of porous and uniform fiber-like structures. Electrochemical tests proved that alumina microfibers were more active for the oxidation of amaranth and exhibited much higher enhancement effect, compared with alumina bumps. On the surface of alumina microfibers, the oxidation peak currents of amaranth increased remarkably. The influences of pH value, amount of alumina microfibers, and accumulation time on the signal enhancement of amaranth were discussed. As a result, a novel electrochemical method was developed for the detection of amaranth. The linear range was from 1 to 150 nM, and the detection limit was 0.75 nM after 1-min accumulation. The analytical application in drink samples was investigated, and the results consisted with the values that obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography.     

A simple microextraction and preconcentration approach based on a mixed matrix membrane

A simple adsorption/desorption procedure using a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) as extraction medium is demonstrated as a new miniaturized sample pretreatment and preconcentration technique. Reversed-phase particles namely polymeric bonded octadecyl (C₁₈) was incorporated through dispersion in a cellulose triacetate (CTA) polymer matrix to form a C₁₈-MMM. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) namely diclofenac, mefenamic acid and ibuprofen present in the environmental water samples were selected as targeted model analytes. The extraction setup is simple by dipping a small piece of C₁₈-MMM (7 mm × 7 mm) in a stirred 10 mL sample solution for analyte adsorption process. The entrapped analyte within the membrane was then desorbed into 100 μL of methanol by ultrasonication prior to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Each membrane was discarded after single use to avoid any analyte carry-over effect. Several important parameters, such as effect of sample pH, salting-out effect, sample volume, extraction time, desorption solvent and desorption time were comprehensively optimized. The C₁₈-MMM demonstrated high affinity for NSAIDs spiked in tap and river water with relative recoveries ranging from 92 to 100% and good reproducibility with relative standard deviations between 1.1 and 5.5% (n = 9). The overall results obtained were found comparable against conventional solid phase extraction (SPE) using cartridge packed with identical C₁₈ adsorbent.     

Construction of microscale structures in enclosed microfluidic networks by using a magnetic beads based method

A large number of microscale structures have been used to elaborate flowing control or complex biological and chemical reaction on microfluidic chips. However, it is still inconvenient to fabricate microstructures with different heights (or depths) on the same substrate. These kinds of microstructures can be fabricated by using the photolithography and wet-etching method step by step, but involves time-consuming design and fabrication process, as well as complicated alignment of different masters. In addition, few existing methods can be used to perform fabrication within enclosed microfluidic networks. It is also difficult to change or remove existing microstructures within these networks. In this study, a magnetic-beads-based approach is presented to build microstructures in enclosed microfluidic networks. Electromagnetic field generated by microfabricated conducting wires (coils) is used to manipulate and trap magnetic beads on the bottom surface of a microchannel. These trapped beads are accumulated to form a microscale pile with desired shape, which can adjust liquid flow, dock cells, modify surface, and do some other things as those fabricated microstructures. Once the electromagnetic field is changed, trapped beads may form new shapes or be removed by a liquid flow. Besides being used in microfabrication, this magnetic-beads-based method can be used for novel microfluidic manipulation. It has been validated by forming microscale dam structure for cell docking and modified surface for cell patterning, as well as guiding the growth of neurons.     

氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法同时测定水中砷和锑

建立在硝酸介质中用氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法同时测定水中砷和锑的方法。优化了仪器工作条件、酸度、硼氢化钾及还原剂浓度。砷、锑的线性范围为0～10．0μg／L;检出限分别为0．02,0．01μg／L;测定结果的相对标准偏差分别为1．77％～3．72％,2．95％～4．87％（n=6）;加标回收率分别为98％106％,96％105％。该法操作简便,灵敏度高,快速,便于推广,适用于水中砷和锑的同时测定。     

Determination of antazoline hydrochloride in rat plasma and excreta by reversed‐phase ion‐pair chromatography and its application to pharmacokinetics

A reversed‐phase ion pair chromatography method with liquid–liquid extraction analytical method was developed and validated for the determination of antazoline hydrochloride in plasma and excreta of rat. The aim of our study was to characterize the preclinical pharmacokinetics and excretion profiles of antazoline hydrochloride in rats after intravenous injection at the dose of 10 mg/kg. Plasma and excreta samples were extracted with ethyl acetate, and phenacetin was used as the internal standard. The result showed that the method is suitable for the quantification of antazoline hydrochloride in plasma and excreta samples. Analysis of accuracy (90.89–112.33%), imprecision (<7.1%) and recovery (>82.5%) showed adequate values. After a single intravenous administration at 10 mg/kg to rats, plasma concentration profile showed a relative fast elimination proceeding with a terminal elimination half‐life of 3.53 h. Approximately 61.8 and 14.2% of the administered dose were recovered in urine and bile after 72 and 24 h post‐dosing respectively; 5.9% of the administered dose was recovered in feces after 72 h post‐dosing. The above results show that the major elimination route is urinary excretion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alternating DNA and pi-conjugated sequences. Thermophilic foldable polymers

Foldable polymers with alternating single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid and planar conjugated organic perylene tetracarboxylic diimide units were found to self-organize into loosely folded nanostructures. Upon heating, the loosely folded structures become more ordered as evidenced by pi-stacking in the perylene segments. The folding and unfolding processes driven by the molecular interactions of adjacent perylenes were monitored in both aqueous and organic solutions. Heat-promoted folding, or inverse temperature behavior, which originates from positive enthalpy changes, was only observed in water. Therefore, we attributed this inverse temperature dependence to hydrophobic effects rather than pi-pi molecular orbital overlap between the perylene planes. These findings shed light on the design of new thermophiles in protein engineering as well as the construction of macromolecular-based nanodevices with actuator and sensory properties.