A simple,fast, and accurate thermodynamic‐based approach for transfer and prediction of gas chromatography retention times between columns and instruments Part I: Estimation of reference column geometry and thermodynamic parameters

The transfer of retention times based on thermodynamic models between columns can aid in separation optimization and compound identification in gas chromatography. Although earlier investigations have been reported, this problem remains unsuccessfully addressed. One barrier is poor predictive accuracy when moving from a reference column or system to a new target column or system. This is attributed to challenges associated with the accurate determination of the effective geometric parameters of the columns. To overcome this, we designed least squares‐based models that account for geometric parameters of the columns and thermodynamic parameters of compounds as they partition between mobile and stationary phases. Quasi‐Newton‐based algorithms were then used to perform the numerical optimization. In this first of three parts, the model used to determine the geometric parameters of the reference column and the thermodynamic parameters of compounds subjected to separation is introduced. As will be shown, the overall approach significantly improves the predictive accuracy and transferability of thermodynamic data (and retention times) between columns of the same stationary phase chemistry. The data required for the determination of the thermodynamic parameters and retention time prediction are obtained from fast and simple experiments. The proposed model and optimization algorithms were tested and validated using simulated and experimental data.     

Idealization of correlations between optimal simplified molecular input-line entry system-based descriptors and skin sensitization

The Index of Ideality of Correlation (IIC) is a new criterion of the predictive potential for quantitative structure–property/activity relationships. The value of the IIC is a mathematical function sensitive to the value of the correlation coefficient and dispersion (expressed via mean absolute error). The IIC has been applied to develop QSAR models for skin sensitization achieving good predictive potential. The ‘ideal correlation’ is based on elementary fragments of simplified molecular input-line entry system (SMILES) and on the taking into account of the total numbers of nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus in the molecule.     

Development of new and robust LC-MS method for simultaneous quantification of polyphenols from Sambucus ebulus fruits

A new and simple LC-MS method for analysis of flavonoids from Sambucus ebulus berry extracts was developed and validated. Successfully were quantitated seven polyphenols: epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin, resveratrol, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol.

Two detectors, working in parallel, were used: photodiode-array and single quadrupole mass-detector. The mass detection was used for identification and quantification of the analytes, while the diode-array detector was as confirmation tool. The following m/z were tracked: 457.15 (epigallocatechin gallate); 289.06 (epicatechin); 609.13 (rutin); 227.05 (resveratrol); 317.0 (myricetin); 301.02 (quercetin); 285.02 (kaempferol). For optimization the chromatographic separation three wavelengths 205?nm, 305?nm, 272?nm were monitored. The method was capable to detect in one run compounds with no UV or fluorescence chromophore and with very similar structures, such as plant polyphenols. The linearity was from 0.05?mg/L to 50?mg/L (R² 0.9962–0.9987). The recoveries for all tested analytes were between 81.6% and 104.7%.

The method was applied for analysis of crude extract of Sambucus ebulus ripe fruits. Three major polyphenols – epicatechin (0.84?mg/100gFW), quercetin (0.15?mg/100gFW) and kaempferol (0.05?mg/100gFW) were identified and quantified.

The proposed method could be successfully used for routine analysis of epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, rutin, resveratrol, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol in Sambucus ebulus extracts.     

Agent-Based Network Modeling Study of Immune Responses in Progression of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic inflammatory disorder that results in ulcers of the colon and rectum without known etiology.Ulcerative colitis causes a huge public health care burden particularly in developed countries.Many studies suggest that ulcerative colitis results from an abnormal immune response against components of commensal microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals.However, understanding of the disease mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels remains largely elusive.In this paper, a network model is developed based on our previous study and computer simulations are performed using an agent-based network modeling to elucidate the dynamics of immune response in ulcerative colitis progression.Our modeling study identifies several important positive feedback loops as a driving force for ulcerative colitis initiation and progression.The results demonstrate that although immune response in ulcerative colitis patients is dominated by anti-inflammatory/regulatory cells such as alternatively activated macrophages and type Ⅱ natural killer T cells, proinflammatory cells including classically activated macrophages, T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells, and their secreted cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-12, interleukin-23, interleukin-17 and interferon-γ remain at certain levels (lower than those in Crohn's disease, another inflammatory bowel disease).Long-term exposure to these proinflammatory components, causes mucosal tissue damage persistently, leading to ulcerative colitis.Our simulation results are qualitatively in agreement with clinical and laboratory measurements, offering novel insight into the disease mechanisms.     

Fragment‐based quantum mechanical calculation of protein–protein binding affinities

The electrostatically embedded generalized molecular fractionation with conjugate caps (EE‐GMFCC) method has been successfully utilized for efficient linear‐scaling quantum mechanical (QM) calculation of protein energies. In this work, we applied the EE‐GMFCC method for calculation of binding affinity of Endonuclease colicin–immunity protein complex. The binding free energy changes between the wild‐type and mutants of the complex calculated by EE‐GMFCC are in good agreement with experimental results. The correlation coefficient (R) between the predicted binding energy changes and experimental values is 0.906 at the B3LYP/6‐31G*‐D level, based on the snapshot whose binding affinity is closest to the average result from the molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) calculation. The inclusion of the QM effects is important for accurate prediction of protein–protein binding affinities. Moreover, the self‐consistent calculation of PB solvation energy is required for accurate calculations of protein–protein binding free energies. This study demonstrates that the EE‐GMFCC method is capable of providing reliable prediction of relative binding affinities for protein–protein complexes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

黑磷的制备及表征研究

黑磷是一种具有高的载流子迁移率、高的通断比,带隙为0.3~2 eV的二维材料,对中红外、近红外新型光电器件的开发具有十分重要的意义.本文利用高能球磨法和化学气相转移法成功将红磷转化为黑磷,并进行液相剥离,得到了一层或两层的磷烯.利用X射线衍射仪、透射电子显微镜、差示扫描量热仪对其微观结构和稳定性进行了研究,并表征了化学气相转移法制备黑磷的电学性能.结果表明：高能球磨法制备的黑磷尺寸小、结晶度低,样品中有红磷存在,稳定性差.化学气相转移法制备的黑磷尺寸大、结晶度好、纯度高,且较为稳定.此方法制备的黑磷可成为剥离磷烯的优异原料,进而应用于先进微电子器件.     

SSZ-33分子筛的合成、表征及其对汽车尾气中碳氢化合物的捕集性能

采用碘化N,N,N-三甲基-8-氨基-三环[5.2.1.02.6]癸烷为结构导向剂, 通过过程控制方法, 经3-4 d成功合成了高性价比的B-SSZ-33分子筛. 以B-SSZ-33为母体, 经过Al(NO3)3溶液后处理制得了Al-SSZ-33分子筛. 采用X射线衍射(XRD), 傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱, 扫描电子显微镜(SEM), 热重(TG)分析, 电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱(ICP-AES), N2吸附/脱附, 27Al核磁共振(27Al NMR)和NH3程序升温脱附(NH3-TPD)等手段对合成的B-SSZ-33、Al-SSZ-33样品进行了物理化学性能表征. 并以甲苯作为汽车尾气中碳氢化合物的探针分子, 通过甲苯程序升温脱附测试来考察样品的碳氢捕集性能. 结果表明: 后处理过程中Al同晶取代B, 从而制得了含骨架Al的Al-SSZ-33; 在甲苯的程序升温脱附测试中, 由于Al-SSZ-33相对于B-SSZ-33具有较强的酸性位, 且表面孔口由于骨架外硅铝物种的修饰, 限制了甲苯的扩散, 致使脱附速率最大时的温度(Tmax)和脱附最终的温度(Tend)均升高, 从而形成了新型汽车尾气捕集催化剂的雏形.     

Assessing bias in total mercury results after removing a subsample from the bottle

U.S. EPA Method 1631 for total mercury (THg) analysis in water recommends that bromine monochloride (BrCl) be added to the original bottle in which the sample was collected, to draw into solution any Hg that may have adsorbed to the bottle walls. The method also allows for the removal of a subsample of water from the sample bottle for methylmercury (MeHg) analysis prior to adding BrCl. We have demonstrated that the removal of a subsample from the sample bottle prior to THg analysis can result in a positive concentration bias. The proposed mechanism for the bias is that ‘excess’ inorganic Hg, derived from the subsample that was removed from the bottle, adsorbs to the bottle walls and is then drawn into solution when BrCl is added. To test for this bias, we conducted an interlaboratory comparison study in which nine laboratories analysed water samples in fluorinated polyethylene (FLPE) bottles for THg after removing a subsample from the sample bottle, and analysed a replicate sample bottle from which no subsample was removed. We received seven complete data sets, or 63 unique sample pairs. The positive concentration bias between the bottles was significant when comparing all samples in aggregate (1.76 ± 0.53 ng/L after subsample removal, 1.57 ± 0.58 ng/L with no subsample removal, P < 0.05), however when comparing each of the three samples individually, the only significant bias was in the saline sample (Site UJ; 1.51 ± 0.31 ng/L after subsample removal, 1.32 ± 0.47 ng/L with no subsample removal, P < 0.05). Based on the findings presented here, we conclude that water chemistry, volume of water poured off, and the sample storage temperature explain some but not all of the observed bias, and we recommend collecting THg and MeHg samples in separate bottles whenever possible.     

基于牛舌草指纹图谱的多指标成分相对定量与鉴别方法

色谱指纹图谱法在中草药产地鉴别或中成药鉴别中发挥着重要作用,然而色谱峰强度和位置易受目标物提取和分离条件的影响,发展更加准确的指纹图谱具有重要意义。该文以色谱峰中某一个常见组分（芦丁）作为内标,分析其他组分的相对含量,以相对含量作为指纹图谱信息,结合化学模式识别可以精确给出产地的相似度。以牛舌草的液相色谱指纹图谱指纹峰为例,以其中芦丁的组分峰作为基准峰,其他指纹峰以芦丁为参照,计算每个指纹峰以芦丁计的含量,建立了牛舌草的指纹图谱。将获得的相对含量指纹图谱采用系统聚类分析和主成分分析进行化学模式识别研究,实现了不同产地牛舌草的区分。该方法建立了牛舌草多指标成分的相对定量与鉴别方法,既节省资源,又具有可操作性,对于其他中药或中成药的质量控制具有一定的借鉴意义。     

小分子与三链DNA相互作用的研究进展

三链DNA是一种具有众多生理学功能的生物大分子,可用于基因的表达调控,可以作为一种基因疗法的手段控制基因的转录和调节特定基因的表达。 药物小分子与DNA的相互作用对于实现小分子的药理功能并介导相关生理过程都是非常重要的。 在过去的几十年里,科学家们付出了很多努力来研究三链核酸的结合剂,然而报道的比较有效的筛选方法并不多。 本文从提高TC型三链DNA稳定性的策略、三链DNA与结合剂相互作用的研究方法的原理及应用、研究方法的展望三方面展开论述。 主要阐述了平衡透析法、纳米金比色法、多种核酸结构混合变温法、离心超滤法、电喷雾直接进样法、液质联用法和光谱学方法(紫外分光光谱、荧光光谱、圆二色光谱)等几种方法的原理、应用及存在的问题,对小分子配体与三链DNA相互作用的研究具有重要的意义。