Composite Silica Particles Using a Mixture of Organosilane Monomers

Composite silica particles were synthesized by a two-step (acid-base) process in an aqueous solution with a mixture of organoalkoxysilane monomers. The two-step process separates the hydrolysis and condensation procedures to easily control condensation rate. In this study, the silane monomers used were phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS), vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), and tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS). The physical properties of the resultant composite particles were investigated with the change in the molar ratio of monomers. The size of the particles increased with increasing the molar ratio of R_aSi(OR)₃/R_bSi(OR)₃ or R_aSi(OR)₃/TEOS (R_a: phenyl; R_b: vinyl, methyl).     

Crystallization of Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C N-(1-D-carboxyethyl)-L-norvaline dehydrogenase and its complex with NAD+

The novel NAD+-linked opine dehydrogenase from a soil isolate Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C belongs to an enzyme superfamily whose members exhibit quite diverse substrate specificites. Crystals of this opine dehydrogenase, obtained in the presence or absence of co-factor and substrates, have been shown to diffract to beyond 1.8 ? resolution. X-ray precession photographs have established that the crystals belong to space group P21212, with cell parameters a = 104.9, b = 80.0, c = 45.5 ? and a single subunit in the asymmetric unit. The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme will provide a structural framework for this novel class of dehydrogenases to enable a comparison to be made with other enzyme families and also as the basis for mutagenesis experiments directed towards the production of natural and synthetic opine-type compounds containing two chiral centres.     

Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles through Alcohol Reduction with Organoalkoxysilanes

Silver nanoparticles of narrow size distribution were prepared through the chemical reduction in an alcohol solution with several organoalkoxysilanes. In this system, organoalkoxysilanes served as a stabilizer, protecting silver nanoparticles from aggregation. The changes in size and morphology of colloidal silver nanoparticles were investigated with the addition of organoalkoxysilanes such as 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTS), phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTS), vinyltriethoxysilane (VTS), and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) as stabilizers. The organic functional groups of organoalkoxysilanes interact with silver ions and clusters, which stabilize silver nanoparticles in the system. The silver nanoparticles obtained were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, etc.     

The kinetics of cation exchange reaction of europium propylenediaminetetraacetate with ytterbium ion

The kinetics of cation exchange reaction of Eu(III) propylenediaminetetraacetate with Yb(III) has been studied in an aqueous solution by the polarographic procedure. The measurements were made at 25°C and at an ionic strength of 0.5 M KCl. The dissociation of the europium complex has been found to be catalyzed by hydrogen ions. The influences of the inductive effect and the steric hindrance of a C-methyl group on the ethylene of PDTA are discussed by comparing it to analogous EDTA and CyDTA system.     

Metabolism of eupatilin in rats using liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6-trimethoxy flavone) is an active ingredient of an ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica (DA-9601) that is used in the treatment of gastritis. In vitro and in vivo metabolism of eupatilin in the rats has been studied by LC-electrospray mass spectrometry. Rat liver microsomal incubation of eupatilin in the presence of NADPH and UDPGA resulted in the formation of four metabolites (M1-M4). M1, M2, M3 and M4 were tentatively identified as 3'- or 4'-O-demethyl-eupatilin glucuronide, eupatilin glucuronide, 6-O-demethyleupatilin and 3'- or 4'-O-demethyl-eupatilin, respectively. Those metabolites from in vitro study were also characterized in bile, plasma or urine samples after an intravenous administration of eupatilin to rats. In rat bile, plasma and urine samples, eupatilin glucuronide (M2) was a major metabolite, whereas M3, M4 and M4 glucuronide (M1) were the minor metabolites.     

Functional involvement of src and focal adhesion kinase in a CD99 splice variant-induced motility of human breast cancer cells

Earlier report showed that expression of a splice variant of CD99 transmembrane protein increases invasive ability of human breast cancer cells. Cell motility was also significantly enhanced by the CD99 splice variant expression. In an effort to identify the cellular components that mediate a signal transduction pathway triggered by the CD99 splice variant, known signal path inhibitors were examined for their effects on the motility of the CD99 splice variant-transfected MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Phenylarsine oxide, an inhibitor of phosphatase specific for focal adhesion kinase, and PP1, an inhibitor of src kinase family, significantly suppressed motility of the cells. Among different types of src transfectant clones generated, kinase-negative mutant src transfectant cells were 80% less motile than the mock cells transfected with an empty-vector, while v-src and c-src transfectants exhibited cell motility levels at or slightly above the mock transfectant. These results suggest that src and focal adhesion kinase mediate the intracellular signaling pathway of a CD99 splice variant for the induction of motility of human breast cancer cells.     

Characterization and epitope mapping of two monoclonal antibodies against human CD99

CD99 plays a critical role in the diapedesis of monocytes, T cell differentiation, and the transport of MHC molecules. Engagement of CD99 by agonistic monoclonal antibodies has been reported to trigger multifactorial events including T cell activation as well as cell-cell adhesion during hematopoietic cell differentiation. In this study, to identify the functional domains participating in the cellular events, we mapped the epitopes of CD99, which are recognized by two agonistic CD99 monoclonal antibodies, DN16 and YG32. Using recombinant fusion proteins of GST with whole or parts of CD99, we found that both antibodies interact with CD99 molecules independently of sugar moieties. DN16 mAb detected a linear epitope located in the amino terminal region of CD99 while YG32 mAb bound another linear epitope in the center of the extracellular domain. To confirm that the identified epitopes of CD99 are actually recognized by the two mAbs, we showed the presence of physical interaction between the mAbs and the fusion proteins or synthetic peptides containing the corresponding epitopes using surface plasmon resonance analyses. The dissociation constants of DN16 and YG32 mAbs for the antigen were calculated as 1.27 x 10(-7) and 7.08 x 10(-9) M, respectively. These studies will help understand the functional domains and the subsequent signaling mechanism of CD99.     

Designed Construction of SrTiO3/SrSO4/Pt Heterojunctions with Boosted Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Activity

Efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs is a crucial factor for high-performance photocatalysts. Effective electron–hole separation and migration could be achieved by heterojunctions with suitable band structures. Herein, a porous SrTiO₃/SrSO₄ heterojunction is prepared by a sol-gel method at room temperature followed by an annealing process. XRD characterization suggests high crystallinity of the heterostructure. A well-defined interface between the two phases is confirmed by high-resolution (HR)TEM. The photocatalytic H₂ evolution productivity of the SrTiO₃/SrSO₄ heterojunction with Pt as co-catalyst reaches 396.82 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is 16 times higher than that of SrTiO₃/Pt. The boosted photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃/SrSO₄/Pt can be ascribed to the presence of SrSO₄, which promotes the transfer and migration of photogenerated carriers by forming the heterojunction and porous structure, which provides a large amount of active sites. This novel porous heterostructure brings new ideas for the development of high-efficiency photocatalysts for H₂ release.     

Spectral tuning of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot infrared photodetectors with bandpass guided‐mode resonance filters

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors can be coupled with micro‐structured filters to create narrowband sensors. Guided‐mode resonance filters based on a high‐index dielectric slab can exhibit bandpass characteristics that are suitable for monolithic integration with focal‐plane arrays. Here, patterned Ge filters were integrated with InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot detectors to linearly tune their 77 K photoresponse peaks from 5.6 µm to 6.2 µm. The dark current was not influenced by these filters but the ability to narrow the photoresponse linewidth was limited by substrate scattering, which is often encountered with front‐side illumination architectures. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preparation of Tin Oxide-Based Metal Oxide Particles

Tin oxide-doped hybrid particles were prepared by a wet chemical process with organic-inorganic (phenyl/silica) hybrid particles in an alcoholic solution. The phenyl/silica hybrid particles, with a diameter of ca. 790 nm were used as a new support material for tin oxide (SnO₂) particles from tin(IV) chloride. The surface of the particles was modified via nitration of aromatic groups in the particles, to promote formation of the tin oxide coating on the particles. The thickness and surface morphology of the tin oxide layer coated on the nitrated-phenyl/silica hybrid particles could be controlled by varying the tin(IV) chloride concentration and reaction time. The size and morphology of the resultant particles were investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particles obtained were also characterised by infrared (FTIR) and solid-state ¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-CP/MAS NMR) spectroscopy. The effect of processing parameters on the crystallinity and structure of the doped hybrids were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns.