Comprehensive two-dimensional gel protein databases offer a global approach to the analysis of human cells: the transformed amnion cells (AMA) master database and its link to genome DNA sequence data

A total of 3430 polypeptides (2592 cellular; 838 secreted) from transformed human amnion cells (AMA) labeled with [35S]methionine were separated and recorded using computer-aided two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. A master 2-D gel database of cellular protein information that includes both qualitative and quantitative annotations has been established. The protein numbers in this database differ from those reported in an earlier version (Celis et al. Leukemia 1988, 2,561-602) as a result of changes in the scanning hardware. The reported information includes: percentage of total radioactivity recovered from the gels (based on quantitations of polypeptides labeled with a mixture of 16 14C-amino acids), protein name (including credit to investigators that aided identification), antibody against protein, cellular localization, (nuclear, 40S hnRNP, 20S snRNP U5, proteasomes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi, ribosomes, intermediate filaments, microfilaments and microtubules), levels in fetal human tissues, partial protein sequences (containing information on 48 human proteins microsequenced so far), cell cycle-regulated proteins, proteins sensitive to interferons alpha, beta, and gamma, heat shock proteins, annexins and phosphorylated proteins. The results presented should be considered as the initial phase of a joint effort between our laboratories to undertake a general and systematic analysis of human proteins. Using this integrated approach it will be possible to identify phenotype-specific proteins, to microsequence them and store the information in the database, to identify the corresponding genes, to search for homology with previously characterized proteins and to study the function of groups of proteins (pathways, organelles, etc.) that exhibit interesting regulatory properties. In particular, the 2-D gel protein database may become increasingly important in view of the concerted effort to map and sequence the entire human genome.     

An evaluation of solid-phase microextraction for analysis of volatile organic compounds in drinking water

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied to the quantitative analysis of 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Equilibration curves for the partitioning of the VOCs between the fiber coating and fortified water obtained at 20, 50, and 80 °C are found between the theoretical curves for completely agitated and non-agitated samples. Two important factors for the amount adsorbed by the SPME fiber coating are the extraction time and the fiber coating/water distribution coefficient, K_FW . Both depend on the sample temperature, but in a counteracting manner: Increasing the temperature shortened the equilibration times, especially for the heavier VOCs, but also lead to lower K_FW values, and consequently a lower sensitivity of the method. K_FW values are determined for 33 of the VOCs at 40, 60, and 80°C and the heats of adsorption,–ΔH, are calculated. The nature of the adsorption is found to be exothermic which explains the decreasing sensitivity of the method with increasing temperature. Detection limits were typically from 20 ng/l to 200 ng/l, except for the very light VOCs with which detection difficulties were encountered. For all of the VOCs the linear range extended from the lowest concentration at which they were actually detected to at least 5 mg/l. The precision, 3% average standard deviation when an internal standard was used, was satisfactory for most quantitative routine analysis. SPME was also applied to head-space (HS) analysis of drinking water through the coupled equilibrium between water/head-space/fiber coating. HS-SPME is demonstrated to have shorter equilibration times than SPME directly from the water and equal sensitivities, except for the very light VOCs. Water samples from a drinking water plant contaminated in the low μg/l range with 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene were analyzed. There seems to be a reasonable agreement between results obtained by SPME and purge & trap. It is concluded that SPME has a great potential for drinking water analysis.     

Analytical Determination of Higher Buckling Modes for Unimodal Optimal Columns*

Recent results have revived interest in the problem of determining the optimal shape of clamped-clamped columns. The bimodal behavior of certain cases has drawn particular attention. In this paper a revised formulation of the problem is used. This formulation permits the determination of the optimal design in the unimodal range in a simpler form than was previously available. The equations governing higher buckling modes of unimodal optimal clamped-clamped columns are posed and solved in series form. The onset of bimodal behavior is determined analytically. Earlier numerical results are confirmed and increased in accuracy.     

Advances in synchrotron hard X-ray based imaging

Modern synchrotron radiation (SR) sources have dramatically fostered the use of SR-based X-ray imaging. The relevant information such as density, chemical composition, chemical states, structure, and crystallographic perfection is mapped in two, or, increasingly, in three dimensions. The development of nano-science requires pushing spatial resolution down towards the nanoscale.The present article describes a selection of hard X-ray imaging and microanalysis techniques that emerged over the last few years, by taking advantage of the flux and coherence of the SR beams, as well as exploiting the advances in X-ray optics and detectors, and the increased possibilities of computers (memory, speed). Examples are given to illustrate the opportunities associated with the use of these techniques, and a number of recent references are provided. To cite this article: J. Baruchel et al., C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

Efficient synthesis of enantiopure conduritols by ring-closing metathesis.

Two short synthetic approaches to enantiopure conduritols are described starting from the chiral pool. In both cases, the cyclohexene ring is assembled via ring-closing olefin metathesis. The terminal diene precursers for the metathesis reaction are prepared either from octitols or from tartaric acids. The former route involves a new method for selective bromination of the primary positions in long-chain carbohydrate polyols. Subsequent reductive elimination with zinc then generates the diene. The latter route uses a highly diastereoselective addition of divinylzinc to tartaric dialdehydes for preparation of the dienes.