3,4‐Dihydroxy‐L‐phenylalanine for Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles and as Electron Transfer Promoter in H2O2 Biosensor

3,4‐Dihydroxy‐L ‐phenylalanine (dopa) and 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine (dopamine) were investigated as reducing agent and stabilizer for synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by one‐pot heating of a solution of HAuCl₄/dopa or dopamine. AuNPs with different sizes were obtained by controlling the mass ratios of HAuCl₄/dopa or dopamine. The formation mechanism for AuNPs was also proposed. Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and promotion of its electron transfer by polydopa film were investigated for preparation of H₂O₂ biosensor. Alkaline dopa solution was dropped onto a gold electrode for the formation of polydopa film. HRP was immobilized on the polydopa film through interactions between heme centre of HRP and the amine and carboxyl groups in polydopa. The AuNPs embedded in the polydopa film improved the electron transfer efficiency. These two factors allowed successful development of a H₂O₂ sensor with HRP@polydopa‐AuNPs electrode. Due to its biocompatibility, the polydopa‐AuNPs film provided good retention of enzyme activity and long‐term stability of the sensor. A rapid catalytic response (3 s) and a linear range from 0.006 to 5.0 mmol L^?1 were obtained for H₂O₂. This facile preparation strategy can be extended to other enzyme‐based biosensors.     

Formation and tribological properties of two‐component ultrathin ionic liquid films on Si

Several single‐component and two‐component imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) ultrathin films were formed on Si substrates by a dip‐coating and heat treatment process. The formation and surface properties of the films were analyzed by means of ellipsometric thickness measurement, X‐ray photoelectron spectra and atomic force microscope. The adhesive and nanotribological behaviors of the films were evaluated by a homemade colloidal probe. A ball‐on‐plate tribometer was used to test the microtribological performances of these films. As a result, the two‐component ILs ultrathin film containing 80% solid‐like ILs phase shows more homogenous surface morphologies and optimal micro/nano‐tribological properties as compared to single‐component ILs films, which is ascribed to a synergic effect between the steady solid‐like ILs phase as the backbone and the proper amount of flowable liquid‐like ILs phase. By studying the influence of various solid/liquid ILs ratios on tribological properties of the two‐component ILs films, we might find the way to design ILs films with excellent comprehensive tribological properties. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detecting small lung tumors in mouse models by refractive-index microradiology

Refractive-index (phase-contrast) radiology was able to detect lung tumors less than 1 mm in live mice. Significant micromorphology differences were observed in the microradiographs between normal, inflamed, and lung cancer tissues. This was made possible by the high phase contrast and by the fast image taking that reduces the motion blur. The detection of cancer and inflammation areas by phase contrast microradiology and microtomography was validated by bioluminescence and histopathological analysis. The smallest tumor detected is less than 1 mm(3) with accuracy better than 1 × 10(-3) mm(3). This level of performance is currently suitable for animal studies, while further developments are required for clinical application.     

New dendritic gelator bearing carbazole in each branching unit: selected response to fluoride ion in gel phase

A new dendritic gelator with carbazole as the building block (HBCD) was synthesized. It was found that H-bonding between the amide groups and π-π interaction between the aromatic rings played predominant roles in the gel formation. Meanwhile, significant aggregation-induced emission enhancement was observed in the gel state due to the formation of J-aggregates and the restricted molecular motion. Notably, the gel state of HBCD can be destroyed upon addition of F(-), accompanied by fluorescence enhancement on account of the formation of N-HF(-), which could further lead to the increased coplanarity of HBCD. The sensory capability of HBCD exhibited a high selectivity towards F(-) instead of the Cl(-), Br(-), I(-) and AcO(-) anions, which could be explained by the fact that the steric hindrance of the dendrimer would go against the interactions between the larger anions and HBCD.     

Cucurbituril-resisted acylation of the anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid via a supramolecular strategy

A chemical investigation reveals that the resistance to acylation of an anti-tuberculosis drug, isoniazid is a consequent result of the inclusion or exclusion of cucurbit[n]urils (n = 6 or 7). The (1)H NMR spectra analysis shows that the different interaction models of the isoniazid with the two cucurbiturils are dependent on the cavity size of the hosts. Quantum chemistry calculations with density functional theory method indicate that the interaction of the isoniazid with both cucurbiturils is through thermodynamic stabilization in both the gas phase and aqueous solution through hydrogen bonding on the portal carbonyls of the cucurbiturils. Electronic absorption titration spectra suggest the hosts and guest interact in a ratio of 1 : 1 with moderate binding constants. Acylation kinetics of isoniazid with various acylating agents in the presence of the cucurbiturils revealed that resistance is only dependent on the host-isoniazid ratio, and independent on the size of the cucurbiturils and the species of acylating agents.     

Retention behaviors of natural products in reversed-phase liquid chromatography using mobile phase comprising methanol, acetonitrile and water

The three-component mobile phase, methanol-acetonitrile-water, has been frequently used for the separation of natural products in complicated herbal extracts by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, especially when two-component solvent systems do not work. However, the rational for optimization of this three-solvent system is not clear, so far. In this study, the retention behavior of different types of natural products in RP-LC with a methanol-acetonitrile-water elution system was studied. A total of 27 compounds from four classes, including steroids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpene saponins were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry or ultraviolet detectors. It was interesting to find that prolonged retention times and improved separation capabilities were obtained when the acetonitrile-to-methanol ratio was 3-16%. This rule applied to all four classes of natural products under different instrumental conditions, and could be valuable for the separation of natural products in complicated samples.     

Multi-residue determination of plant growth regulators in apples and tomatoes by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and rapid multi-residue analytical method for plant growth regulators (PGRs) (i.e., chlormequat, mepiquat, paclobutrazol, uniconazole, ethephon and flumetralin) in apples and tomatoes was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). A homogenised sample was extracted with a mixture of methanol/water (90:10, v/v) and adjusted to pH <3 with formic acid. Primary secondary amine (PSA) adsorbent was used to clean up the sample. The determination was performed using electrospray ionisation (ESI) and a triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyser. Under the optimised method, the results showed that, except for ethephon, the recoveries were 81.8-98.1% in apples and tomatoes at the spiked concentrations of 0.005 to 2 mg/kg, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 11.7%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were lower than their maximum residue limits (MRLs). The procedure was concluded as a practical method to determine the PGR residues in fruit and vegetables and is also suitable for the simultaneous analysis of the amounts of samples for routine monitoring. The analytical method described herein demonstrates a strong potential for its application in the field of PGR multi-residue analysis to help assure food safety.     

Disruption of Wnt planar cell polarity signaling by aberrant accumulation of the MetAP-2 substrate Rab37

Identification of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) as the molecular target of the antiangiogenic compound TNP-470 has sparked interest in N-terminal Met excision's (NME) role in endothelial cell biology. In this regard, we recently demonstrated that MetAP-2 inhibition suppresses Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling and that endothelial cells depend on this pathway for normal function. Despite this advance, the substrate(s) whose activity is altered upon MetAP-2 inhibition, resulting in loss of Wnt PCP signaling, is not known. Here we identify the small G protein Rab37 as a MetAP-2-specific substrate that accumulates in the presence of TNP-470. A functional role for aberrant Rab37 accumulation in TNP-470's mode of action is demonstrated using a Rab37 point mutant that is resistant to NME, because expression of this mutant phenocopies the effects of MetAP-2 inhibition on Wnt PCP signaling-dependent processes.     

α-环糊精修饰有机聚合物整体材料选择性富集室温磷光法测定土壤中的萘

合成了α-环糊精（α-CD）修饰的有机聚合整体材料,对合成的材料进行了表征,研究比较了α-CD修饰整体材料作为室温磷光固体基质的效果以及14种有机化合物在其上的室温磷光分析(RTP)行为。 α-CD修饰的有机聚合整体材料背景干扰低, 对二环芳烃类物质有较好的选择性和富集能力。 在α-CD修饰膜上,萘和7,8苯并喹啉的分配常数分别为5.03×103和2.94×102,表明修饰材料对萘有较好的选择性。 萘酚也能与修饰材料形成包络物。 但是由于较强的极性和在水中的溶解性,不能被有效富集。 对5.0×10-11 mol/mL萘,最大富集体积为300 mL。 采用SPE-RTP,萘和7,8苯并喹啉的检出限分别为9.80×10-12和4.60×10-11 mol/mL,RSD小于3.7%;线性范围分别为5.00×10-11~8.00×10-9 mol/mL和6.00×10-11~5.00×10-10 mol/mL。 应用修饰的膜片对土样中的萘进行选择性富集和测定,结果由GC-MS进一步确认。 用环己烷一步提取和SPE-RTP测定,萘可以被选择性富集。 在土壤样品中加萘标准0.012 8 mg,测得回收率（104.9±6.5）%。 土样中萘的浓度为（5.61±0.12） mg/kg,与GC-MS的较为吻合。     

Pd-carbene catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aryl iodides

A series of carbene complexes [PdBr(2)((i)Pr(2)-bimy)L] (C2-C13) with different types of co-ligands (L) have been tested for their catalytic activities in the carbonylative annulation of 2-iodophenol with phenylacetylene in DMF to afford the respective flavone 2a. Complex C12 with an N-phenylimidazole co-ligand showed the best activity and also afforded high yields when the substrate scope was extended to other aryl or pyridyl acetylenes. In addition, catalyst C12 was also efficient in the carbonylative annulation of 2-iodoaniline with acid chlorides giving the desirable 2-substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones (4) in good yields. Additionally, this Pd-NHC complex also proved to be a very efficient catalyst for the hydroxycarbonylation of iodobenzene derivatives at low catalyst loading and under low CO pressure. These results demonstrate the versatility and efficiency of this phosphine-free Pd(II)-NHC complex in different types of carbonylations of aryl iodides under mild conditions.