Genetic differentiation and subspecies development of the giant panda as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Over the last 100 years giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have been separated into six completely isolated mountain ranges. DNA fingerprinting revealed different differentiation patterns in giant pandas, including early-stage, late-stage, recent divergence and recent genetic depression. A separation around 10 000 years ago resulted in highly significant differences in DNA fingerprints and morphological characteristics between Qinling and Sichuan populations. Supported by morphological differences, the genetic data were used to classify the Qinling population as a new subspecies, A. m. qinlingensis, while the Sichuan populations were classified into the original subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca. Thus, the Qinling population deserves management as a separate unit. In the Sichuan populations, two management units were defined, including Qionglai-Minshan and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. Our data suggest urgent measures are needed to establish green corridors between subpopulations in each mountain range to increase gene flow and genetic variation to ensure long-term survival.     

Effect of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on spectral characteristic of D1/D2/Cytb559 complex from spinach

It was studied by spectroscopy that PSII reaction center complex consisting of three polypeptides, D₁, D₂ and Cytb559, were purified from PSII particle of CeCl₃ treated spinach. The results of the experiment show that Ce³⁺ could improve the growth of spinach, and accelerate electron transport of PSII particles. Of chl-a of UV-Vis spectrum of D1/D2/Cytb559 complex, Soret band was blue-shifted by 3 nm and Q band by 2 nm, respectively, and the fluorescence emission peak was blue-shifted by 5 nm in CeCl₃-treated spinach compared with the one in control. By the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy methods, it has been found that Ce³⁺ is coordinated with 8 nitrogen atoms in the first coordination shell with Ce-N bond length of 0.253 nm, and Ce³⁺ with 6 oxygen atoms in the second coordination shell with Ce-O bond length of 0.32 nm. However, the secondary structure of D1/D2/Cytb559 complex by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy has no significant change after CeCl₃ treated. It might be that Ce³⁺ binds to porphyrin rings of chlorophyll and oxygen of amino acid residue of polypeptide in D1/D2/Cytb559 complex, and then accelerates the primary reaction of PSII, intensifies function of P680⁺ primary electron donor of D1/D2/Cytb559, but there is little change in conformation of PSII reaction center complex.     

Application of capillary electrophoretic immunoassay to analysis of estradiol in women's serum

Summary A rapid and sensitive capillary electrophoretic immunoassay is described for determination of estradiol in women's serum. Addition of thermally reversible hydrogel in the buffer, serving as a replaceable packing material, improved the reproducibility of the method. Using a laser-induced fluorescence detector this method can be applied to the determination of estradiol at concentrations as low as 30.6 pg mL¹. Estradiol levels in 16 normal women's serum were measured at the range 115≈370 pg mL¹. The results of this method have been found to correlate well with those of chemiluminescent immunoassay.     

Comparison of the thermal behavior of three cellulose fibers mercerized or submitted to solar degradation

Comparison of Lyocell, modal and viscose fibers was performed by means of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal analysis was performed in air atmosphere. Samples were mercerized (21.3 g 100 mL-1) or submitted to solar radiation (seven months). Solar degraded samples presents a higher thermal stability and are initially less degraded. Furthermore, Lyocell fiber is the most stable under thermal degradation conditions. Heating produces a reduction of the fiber diameter (about 50%). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

金属有机骨架及其复合材料在固相微萃取中的制备及应用

金属有机骨架材料是近几年涌现出的一类新型多功能多孔固体材料,由金属离子和有机配体自组装形成.基于其比表面积高、孔隙率大、热稳定性好和结构与功能多样化等优点,此类材料可作为潜在的吸附剂来对水体等环境污染物进行预处理分析.此外,金属有机骨架材料和不同功能材料如碳基材料、分子印迹聚合物材料以及磁性纳米粒子等组装形成的金属有机骨架复合材料,其整体性能较优于母体金属有机骨架材料.因此,金属有机骨架复合材料在样品预处理方面的应用也引起了研究者的极大兴趣和广泛关注.结合自己的研究工作,对近5年的金属有机骨架材料以及金属有机骨架复合材料,主要在固相微萃取样品预处理方面的应用进行了综述,并对其发展前景进行了展望.     

Detection of synergistic effect of superoxide dismutase and jujubosides on scavenging superoxide anion radical by capillary electrophoresis

A new capillary electrophoresis method was developed to study the synergistic effect of superoxide dismutase and jujuboside A or B on scavenging superoxide anion radical in serum matrix respectively, in which superoxide anion radical was generated from pyrogallol autoxidation. The electrophoresis conditions, and the factors affecting the productive rate of purpurogallin, such as pyrogallol autoxidation product and the activity of superoxide dismutase, were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the content of superoxide dismutase in Gibco newborn calf serum was 7.06 mg/L, RSD was 2.01% and the average recovery was 98.4%. The values of IC₅₀ for jujuboside A and B in the serum matrix were 157.67 and 31.60 mg/L respectively, and they both had synergy on scavenging superoxide anion radical with superoxide dismutase, but there was no the dose‐dependency on this synergy.     

Cube‐like 12‐MC‐4 and Offset Stacked 10‐MC‐3 Metallacrowns: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Two complexes [Mn^III₄(naphthsao)₄(naphthsaoH)₄] ( 1 ) and [Fe^III₆O₂(naphthsao)₄(O₂CPh)₆] ( 2 ) [naphthsao = 1‐(1‐hydroxy‐naphthalen‐2‐yl)ethanone oxime] were obtained through the reactions of naphthsao ligand and MnCl₂ · 4H₂O or FeCl₃ · 6H₂O in the presence of triethylamine (Et₃N). Their structures were determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, and IR spectra. Complex 1 displays 12‐MC‐4 metallacrown structural type with cube‐like configuration and 2 shows an offset stacked 10‐MC‐3 structural type with the ring connectivity containing Fe–O–C–O–Fe–O–N–Fe–O–N. Magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals the ferromagnetic interactions and field‐induced slow relaxation of the magnetization for 1 , whereas out‐of‐phase signal is not observed for 2 .     

Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Two DMTCNQ and DETCNQ Gadolinium Complexes

Two DMTCNQ (DMTCNQ = 2,5‐dimethyl‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyano‐p‐quinodimethane) and DETCNQ (DETCNQ = 2,5‐diethyl‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyano‐p‐quinodimethane) gadolinium complexes [Gd(DMTCNQ)₂(CH₃OH)(H₂O)₆][DMTCNQ] · 4H₂O ( 1 ) and [Gd(DETCNQ)(H₂O)₇][2DETCNQ] ( 2 ) were synthesized by reactions of GdCl₃ · 6H₂O with Li(DMTCNQ) or Li(DETCNQ). X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that complexes 1 and 2 are discrete complexes. The central metal atom in 1 is coordinated by two DMTCNQ ligand radicals whereas that in 2 is coordinated by just one DETCNQ ligand radical. The adjacent molecules are connected by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form the two‐dimensional (2D) supramolecular layer structures, which are further packed into a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture through the π–π interactions between ligand radicals in 1 and 2 . Magnetic investigation indicates that the antiferromagnetic interactions between spin carriers exists in 1 and 2 .     

Effect of the Spacer Chain Length of Organic Dicarboxylic Acid on the Supramolecular Assembly of Two Ternary Zinc (II) Coordination Polymers Derived from Mixed Ligands

Two new Zn^II coordination polymers (CPs), [Zn₂(SA)₂(L)₂]_n ( 1 ) and [Zn(AA)(L)]_n ( 2 ) [L = 1,6‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐yl)hexane, H₂SA = succinic acid, H₂AA = adipic acid], were synthesized via hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. CP 1 possesses a sql network, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular skeleton by non‐classical C–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions. CP 2 exhibits a 1D linear chain, which is further assembled into a 2D supramolecular layer by π ··· π stacking interactions. The solid state fluorescence properties of two Zn^II CPs were investigated. Both CPs present high photocatalytic activities for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The photodegradation efficiency using CP 1 as catalyst is 91.3 % and using CP 2 as catalyst is 85.0 %, respectively.     

Biomimetic Bottlebrush Polymer Coatings for Fabrication of Ultralow Fouling Surfaces

Demand for long‐lasting antifouling surfaces has steered the development of accessible, novel, biocompatible and environmentally friendly materials. Inspired by lubricin (LUB), a component of mammalian synovial fluid with excellent antifouling properties, three block polymers offering stability, efficacy, and ease of use were designed. The bottlebrush‐structured polymers adsorbed strongly on silica surfaces in less than 10 minutes by a simple drop casting or online exposure method and were extremely stable in high‐salinity solutions and across a wide pH range. Antifouling properties against proteins and bacteria were evaluated with different techniques and ultralow fouling properties demonstrated. With serum albumin and lysozyme adsorption <0.2 ng cm^?2, the polymers were 50 and 25 times more effective than LUB and known ultralow fouling coatings. The antifouling properties were also tested under MPa compression pressures by direct force measurements using surface forces apparatus. The findings suggest that these polymers are among the most robust and efficient antifouling agents currently known.