Novel radical‐responsive MRI contrast agent based on paramagnetic liposomes

A novel, radical responsive MRI contrast agent based on a gadolinium chelate conjugated to a liposome through a disulfide linker was synthesized, with the aim of pursuing the in vivo mapping of radicals. The liposome was prepared by incorporating a thiol‐activated phospholipid, which was subsequently reacted with a gadolinium chelate containing a free thiol group. The long reorientational motion of the supramolecular adduct endows the paramagnetic agent with a relaxivity significantly higher than that of the free complex. The disulfide bond represents a radical‐sensitive moiety and a large decrease in contrast efficacy (T₁ relaxivity) is shown upon its cleavage. A preliminary assessment of the system was made by means of in vitro gamma‐irradiation and thiol–disulfide bond exchange with dithiothreitol. Both methods showed a clear dose‐dependent decrease in T₁‐relaxivity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics of proton transfer in a green fluorescent protein: A laser-induced pH jump study

The sub-millisecond protonation dynamics of the chromophore in S65T mutant form of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was tracked after a rapid pH jump following laser-induced proton release from the caged photolabile compoundo-nitrobenzaldehyde. Following a jump in pH from 8 to 5 (which is achieved within 2 μs), the fluorescence of S65T GFP decreased as a single exponential with a time constant of ∼90 μs. This decay is interpreted as the conversion of the deprotonated fluorescent GFP chromophore to a protonated non-fluorescent species. The protonation kinetics showed dependence on the bulk viscosity of the solvent, and therefore implicates bulk solvent-controlled protein dynamics in the protonation process. The protonation is proposed to be a sequential process involving two steps: (a) proton transfer from solvent to the chromophore, and (b) internal structural rearrangements to stabilize a protonated chromophore. The possible implications of these observations to protein dynamics in general is discussed     

Cr^4＋：YAG,Cr^4＋：Mg2SiO4近红外荧光辐射温度特性研究

测量了Ｃｒ＾４＋，ＹＡＧ、Ｃｒ＾４＋，Ｍｇ２ＳｉＯ４晶体在室温和液氮温度下的荧光光谱，吸收光谱和激发态寿命，讨论了温度变化时，两种晶体中Ｃｒ＾４＋近红外辐射积分强度变化与激光发态寿命变化的关系，得出结论：在７７Ｋ￣３００Ｋ范围内，Ｃｒ＾４＋的＾３Ｔ２能级荧光辐射截面本身受温度影响不大，Ｃｒ＾４＋辐射荧光的变化，主要是由无辐射弛豫速率随温度变化而引起的。     

Malyngamide X: The First (7R)‐Lyngbic Acid that Connects to a New Tripeptide Backbone from the Thai Sea Hare Bursatella leachii

Malyngamide X ( 1 ), the first (7R)‐lyngbic acid connected to a new tripeptide backbone, was isolated from the Thai sea hare Bursatella leachii. The gross structure of 1 was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data. Combination of the NMR spectroscopic experiments with α‐methoxy‐α‐(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid esters, 2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐(9‐anthryl)ethanol chiral solvating agent, and molecular mechanics of 1 and the synthetic molecular fragments allowed us to determine the absolute stereochemistry of all six stereogenic centers without hydrolytic degradation of the compound. Compound 1 displayed moderate cytotoxic, antitubercular, and antimalarial properties.     

Synthesis of latonduine derivatives via intramolecular Heck reaction

The synthesis of indole ring-fused benzazepinone series as latonduine derivatives has been developed via an intramolecular Heck reaction. The scope has been enlarged not only to indole moiety but also to pyrrolo and benzo[b]thiophene nuclei. Several derivatives prepared have been evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activities on breast cancer cell lines. Some of them showed promising cytotoxic activities.     

Freedom and trying: Understanding agent-causal exertions

In this paper, I argue that trying is the locus of freedom and moral responsibility. Thus, any plausible view of free and responsible action must accommodate and account for free tryings. I then consider a version of agent causation whereby the agent directly causes her tryings. On this view, the agent is afforded direct control over her efforts and there is no need to posit—as other agent-causal theorists do—an uncaused event. I discuss the potential advantages of this sort of view, and its challenges.     

Homogeneous immunoassays

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology -     

Structure, reactivity, and application of some triketone derivatives

The major tautomer of several triketone derivatives in organic and aqueous solutions has been determined. Their solvent- and base-sensitive properties have been applied in the design of a polarity-sensitive fluorescent probe and an acidichromic colorant, respectively. The regioselective acetylation and methylation of 2-acyldimedone, 3-acyl-4-hydroxycoumarin, and 2-acyl-1,3-indandione have also been investigated. The results indicated that acetylation and methylation of the first two occurred specifically at endocyclic enolic oxygens, whereas for the latter they occurred at exocyclic enolic oxygen.     

荧光波长对共焦显微镜成像特性的影响

导出了共焦显微镜中不同荧光波长情况下的荧光功率传输函数、三维脉冲响应函数（3D－PSF）和三维光学传递函数（3D－OTF）。结果表明，不同的荧光波长对共焦显微镜的空间截止频率、分辨率、光学传递函数存在明显的影响。当激发波长与荧光波长的比值下降到一定程度时，可以看到明显的失锥现象。