Synthesis and EPR Studies of 2′‐Deoxyuridines with Alkynyl,Rodlike Linkages

Sonogashira coupling of diacetyl 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine with diacetyl 5‐iodo‐2′‐deoxyuridine gave the acylated ethynediyl‐linked 2′‐deoxyuridine dimer ( 3 b ; 63 %), which was deprotected with ammonia/methanol to give ethynediyl‐linked 2′‐deoxyuridines ( 3 a ; 79 %). Treatment of 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine ( 1 a ) with 5‐iodo‐2′‐deoxyuridine gave the furopyrimidine linked to 2′‐deoxyuridine (78 %). Catalytic oxidative coupling of 1 a (O₂, CuI, Pd/C, N,N‐dimethylformamide) gave butadiynediyl‐linked 2′‐deoxyuridines ( 4 ; 84 %). Double Sonogashira coupling of 5‐iodo‐2′‐deoxyuridine with 1,4‐diethynylbenzene gave 1,4‐phenylenediethynediyl‐bridged 2′‐deoxyuridines ( 5 ; 83 %). Cu‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of dimers 4 and 5 gave their furopyrimidine derivatives. One‐electron addition to 1 a , 3 a , and 4 gave the anion radical, the EPR spectra of which showed that the unpaired electron is largely localized at C6 of one uracil ring (17 G doublet) at 77 K. The EPR spectra of the one‐electron‐oxidized derivatives of ethynediyl‐ and butadiynediyl‐linked uridines 3 a and 4 at 77 K showed that the unpaired electron is delocalized over both rings. Therefore, structures 3 a and 4 provide an efficient electronic link for hole conduction between the uracil rings. However, for the excess electron, an activation barrier prevents coupling to both rings. These dimeric structures could provide a gate that would separate hole transfer from electron transport between strands in DNA systems. In the crystal structure of acylated dimer 3 b , the bases were found in the anti position relative to each other across the ethynyl link, and similar anti conformation was preserved in the derived furopyrimidine–deoxyuridine dinucleoside.     

Inactivation of Virulent Burkholderia pseudomallei by Sunlight

The goal of this study was to determine the sensitivity of virulent Burkholderia pseudomallei to natural sunlight. We describe solar dosimetry calibrated to integrate radiation between 295 and 305 nm and an exposure system that minimizes thermal effects on bacterial cells. Burkholderia pseudomallei cells were either exposed to sunlight in UV transparent dishes or maintained in the dark covered by opaque foil. The cells maintained in the dark remained at constant levels for the duration of all experiments. The exposed cells nearby were killed with a kinetic studied through 5 Log₁₀ inactivation. We found that cells in stationary phase of growth were nearly two-fold more resistant to sunlight than cells in lag or exponential growth. A virulent strain of B. pseudomallei that produced mucoid colonies showed sensitivity to sunlight similar to both a virulent strain that produced nonmucoid colonies and a strain of B. thailandensis . The inactivation of B. pseudomallei by sunlight in different types of water of environmental relevance or inside amoebae was investigated. The sensitivity of virulent B. pseudomallei was calculated and its comparison with previous studies employing monochromatic germicidal light (254 nm) is discussed . This may be the first report in the open literature of the inactivation of a virulent biological threat agent by natural sunlight. These data should assist in estimating the risk for contracting melioidosis and in predicting the time period during which B. pseudomallei remains infectious after an accidental or intentional release in the environment.     

On-line preferential solvation studies of polymers by coupled chromatographic-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic flow-cell technique

Qualitative and quantitative comparison between liquid chromatography (LC) and LC coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (LC-FTIR) to evaluate preferential solvation phenomenon of polymers in a mixed solvent has been performed. These studies show that LC-FTIR technique leads to detailed structural information without the requirement for determination of additional parameters for quantitative analysis except calibration. Appropriate experimental conditions for preferential solvation study have been established by variation of polymer concentration, molar mass and eluent content.     

Bilinear electric field gradient focusing

Electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) uses an electric field gradient and a hydrodynamic counter flow to simultaneously separate and focus charged analytes in a channel. Previously, most EFGF devices were designed to form a linear field gradient in the channel. However, the peak capacity obtained using a linear gradient is not much better than what can be obtained using conventional CE. Dynamic improvement of peak capacity in EFGF can be achieved by using a nonlinear gradient. Numerical simulation results indicate that the peak capacity in a 4-cm long channel can be increased from 20 to 150 when changing from a linear to convex bilinear gradient. To demonstrate the increased capacity experimentally, an EFGF device with convex bilinear gradient was fabricated from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-functionalized acrylic copolymers. The desired gradient profile was confirmed by measuring the focusing positions of a standard protein for different counter flow rates at constant voltage. Dynamically controlled elution of analytes was demonstrated using a monolith-filled bilinear EFGF channel. By increasing the flow rate, stacked proteins that were ordered but not resolved after focusing in the steep gradient segment were moved into the shallow gradient segment, where the analyte peak resolution increased significantly. In this way, the nonlinear field gradient was used to realize a dynamic increase in the peak capacity of the EFGF method.     

Development of quadrupole mass spectrometers using rapid prototyping technology

In this report, we present a prototype design of a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) with hyperbolic electrodes, fabricated at the University of Liverpool using digital light processing (DLP), a low-cost and lightweight 3D rapid prototyping (RP) technique. Experimental mass spectra are shown for H₂⁺, D₂⁺, and He⁺ ions to provide proof of principle that the DLP mass filter is working as a mass analyzer in the low-mass range (1 to 10 amu). The performance of the DLP QMF has also been investigated for individual spectral peaks. Numerical simulations of the instrument were performed by coupling CPO and Liverpool QMS-2 programs to model both the ion source and mass filter, respectively, and the instrument is shown to perform as predicted by theory. DLP thus allows miniaturization of mass spectrometers at low cost, using hyperbolic (or other) geometries of mass analyzer electrodes that provide optimal ion manipulation and resolution for a given application. The potential of using RP fabrication techniques for developing miniature and microscale mass analyzers is also discussed.     

A novel controllable synthesis of silica nanotube arrays with ultraviolet photoluminescence

The synthesis of large-scale one-dimensional silica nanotube (SNT) arrays embedded in Si substrate is demonstrated by using the combination of AAO template mask and Ar ion milling technique. The geometry of the SNTs could be precisely controlled by the process parameters, which included that the SNT diameter and the interpore distance were controlled by AAO anodization voltage and H₃PO₄ pore widening time, while the length of SNT was controlled by ion milling time and AAO aspect ratio. Also, the SNT fabrication parameters could be related to their photoluminescence (PL) emitting properties, when anodized at 40 V, pore widening in H₃PO₄ acid for 70 min and ion milled for 5 min, a strong intensity and stable ultraviolet (UV) light of 3.25 eV (381 nm) emitted from the SNTs under the excitation of 266 nm laser, which could be assumed arising from twofold coordinated silicon lone pair centers in the oxygen deficiency SNTs. The present fabrication of SNT arrays presents a novel method for intensity and frequency adjustable ultraviolet optoelectronic devices.     

Isomer-specific product detection of CN radical reactions with ethene and propene by tunable VUV photoionization mass spectrometry

Product detection studies of CN reactions with ethene and propene are conducted at room temperature (4 Torr, 533.3 Pa) using multiplexed time-resolved mass spectrometry with tunable synchrotron photoionization. Photoionization efficiency curves, i.e., the ion signal as a function of photon energy, are used to determine the products and distinguish isomers. Both reactions proceed predominantly via CN addition to the π orbital of the olefin. For CN + ethene, cyanoethene (C₂H₃CN) is detected as the sole product in agreement with recent studies on this reaction. Multiple products are identified for the CN + propene reaction with 75(±15)% of the detected products in the form of cyanoethene from a CH₃ elimination channel and 25(±15)% forming different isomers of C₄H₅N via H elimination. The C₄H₅N comprises 57(±15)% 1-cyanopropene, 43(±15)% 2-cyanopropene and <15% 3-cyanopropene. No evidence of direct H abstraction or indirect HCN formation is detected for either reaction. The results have relevance to the molecular weight growth chemistry on Saturn's largest moon Titan, where the formation of small unsaturated nitriles are proposed to be key steps in the early chemical stages of haze formation.     

Separation of tryptic peptides of native and glycated BSA using open‐tubular CEC with salophene–lanthanide–Zn2+ complex as stationary phase

Open‐tubular CEC (OT‐CEC) with a new stationary phase, salophene–lanthanide–Zn²⁺ complex, has been applied to the separation of tryptic peptides of native BSA and BSA glycated by glucose and ribose. Glycation of proteins (non‐enzymatic modification by sugars) significantly affects their properties and it is of great importance from a physiological point of view. Separation of tryptic peptides of glycated BSA by CZE was poor because of their strong adsorption to the bare fused silica capillary. An improved separation of tryptic peptides of both native and glycated BSA was achieved by OT‐CEC in the fused silica capillary non‐covalently coated with salophene–lanthanide–Zn²⁺ complex, which suppressed the adsorption of peptides to the capillary and via specific interactions with some (glyco)peptides enhanced selectivity of the separation. Significant differences have been found in OT‐CEC analyses of tryptic hydrolysates of native and glycated BSA. In OT‐CEC‐UV profile of tryptic peptides of native BSA, 44 peaks could be resolved, whereas a reduced number of 38 peaks were observed in the profile of tryptic peptides of glucose‐glycated BSA and only 30 peaks were found in the case of ribose‐glycated BSA. The developed OT‐CEC can be potentially used for monitoring of protein glycation.