Ultrathin-film growth of para-sexiphenyl (II): Formation of large-size domain and continuous thin film

The large-size domain and continuous para-sexiphenyl (p-6P) ultrathin film was fabricated successfully on silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate and investigated by atomic force microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. At the optimal substrate temperature of 180 degrees C, the first-layer film exhibits the mode of layer growth, and the domain size approaches 100 mu m(2). Its saturated island density (0.018 mu m(-2)) is much smaller than that of the second-layer film (0.088 mu m(-2)), which begins to show the Volmer-Weber growth mode.

Rapid molecular weight determination of recombinant hirudin by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The molecular weight of recombinant hirudin ( rHV-2) was determined rapidly by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The effects of the three types of matrixes were compared and discussed, alpha-cynao-4-hydroxycinnamic acid was proved to be the best matrix. It showed that MALDI-TOF-MS was superior to the traditional method of molecular weight determination of the biological macromolecules. The mass spectrum data proved that the primary structure of rHV-2 was correct and there was no amino acid deletion, mutation and modification in its expression, refolding and purification.

Analysis of poly (arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomer by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MAIDI-TOF-MS) was used for analysis of poly(arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomers. A comparison was made by using 1,8,9-dithranol, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and retinoic acid as the matrix. The result showed that the retinoic acid produced the strongest ion signals under the conditions used. Different salts of metals were used as the cationization agents to examine the effect on the cyclic oligomers. It was found that the salts could produce metal-cyclic oligomer cation spectra and lithium was the stronger one than those of silver so, the suitable matrix and cationization agent for the new cyclic oligmer were obtained. They were very effective for the analysis of poly(arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomer.

Investigation of a series of synthetic cationic porphyrins using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used to study a series of synthetic cationic porphyrins as the perchlorate and bromide salts. This work presents the analytical results for the porphyrins obtained using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and 1,8,9-anthratriol as matrices. The selective use of matrix affects ion formation from these porphyrins. By using DHB as the matrix, we not only observed [M - nCIO(4)](+) (n = 1-4) ions, but also obtained [2M - nCIO(4)](+) (n = 2-7) ions from the synthetic cationic porphyrins. The space volume of the side chains (R groups) and the nature of the anions (Br- or CIO4-) affected the relative importance of monomeric and dimeric ions of the porphyrin. The possible mechanisms of desorption and ionization of these cationic porphyrins were also considered in this study. MALDI-TOFMS proved to be a very useful method for obtaining structural information on these synthetic cationic porphyrins. Copyright (C) 1999 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.

Characterization of cyclic arylether ketone (sulfone) containing hexafluoroisopropylidene unit by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The cyclic aryletherketone( sulfone) oligomers containing hexafluoroisopropylidene unit were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-night mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS) using Na+ and Ag+ as cationization agents. The affinities of cyclic oligomers to the cation were studied. The analysis result showed that 1,8,9-dithranol, in the presence of silver trifluoroacetate, was very effective for the characterization of cyclic arylether ketone ( sulfone) containing hexafluoroisopropylidene unit.

Determination of purity and molecular weight of calmodulin by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The purity and molecular weight of calmodulin have been determined by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and the results have been discussed. The experimental results demonstrate that this method is high sensitive and rapid as compared with other traditional methods.

Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in determining arginine esterase from snake venom

Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The homogeneities and molecular weights of three arginine esterases from snake venom, which possessing therapeutic use in myocardial infarction, were determined and compared, MALDI-TOF-MS is possessed of high accuracy, high sensitivity and rapidity. MALDI-TOF-MS and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) can provide complementary and confirmatory results information. MALDI-TOF-MS can be directly used as an important method for the purification of snake venom complexes successfully.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of phospholipase A(2) and fibrinolytic enzyme, two enzymes obtained from Chinese Agkistrodon blomhoffii Ussurensis venom

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used to analyze two enzymes, phospholipase AZ and fibrinolytic enzyme isolated from Chinese Agkistrodon blomhoffii Ussurensis venom. Using sinapinic acid as the matrix, positive ion mass spectra of the enzymes were obtained, In addition to the dominant protein [M+H](+) ions, multimeric and multiply charged ions were also observed in the mass spectra, The higher the concentration of the enzymes, the more multiply charged polymer and multimeric ions were detected, Our results indicate that MALDI-TOFMS can provide a rapid and accurate method for molecular weight determination of snake venom enzymes, Mass accuracies of 0.1 and 0.3 % were achieved by analysis of highly dialyzed phospholipase A2 and fibrinolytic enzyme, and these results are much better than those obtained using sodium dodecyl sulfate-palyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. MALDI-TOFMS thus provides a reliable method to determine the purity and molecular weight of these enzymes, which are of potential use as therapeutants, Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Intensity exaggeration of endohedral metallofullerenes in laser-desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The laser-desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and desorption-electron-ionization mass spectrometry were employed for the characterization of metallofullerenes extract. it was found that the relative intensities of metallofullerenes in this positive-ion, negative-ion LD-TOF MS and DEI MS were much different. This phenomenon should have relationship with the peculiar ionization energies and electron affinities of metallofullerenes.

Characterization of cyclic (aryletherketone)s by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify cyclic(aryl ether ketone) oligomers, using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as a matrix, and Na+ and K+ as cationization agents, The existence of different ring-sized cyclic oligomers up to 9 and their distribution were determined and compared with GPC results, The results indicated that MALDI-TOF MS was a powerful and rapid analytical tool for the cyclic oligomers.

Behavior of silver cluster on laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A successful analysis of silver was reported utilizing laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI/TOF-MS) in this paper, The silver cluster ions Ag-n(+) and AgnO+ (n=2 similar to 5) were formed during laser desorption/ionization. In the presence of I-, K+ and Na+, the peaks corresponding, to the cluster ions [AgnIn-1](+) (n=2 similar to 6) and the adduct ions [AgI](+), [AgI]Na+ and [AgI]K+ were observed in the positive ion spectrum; the peaks corresponding to [AgnIn+1](-) (n=1 similar to 3) were found in the negative ion spectrum, all of which accompanied by sliver isotope distribution, The formation of silver cluster ions was accomplished through two-stage reaction: the first step was the generation of clusters, which was followed by the processes of photoionization and ion/molecule reaction.

Studies on extracting solutions of endohedral rare-earth metallofullerenes by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Thirteen extracting solutions of rare-earth metallofullerenes containing La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb respectively have been investigated by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-night, mass spectrometry. The influences of the positive-ion/negative-ion mode, laser intensity, matrix and mass discrimination to the analytical results are studied, based on which the optimal analytical conditions have been determined. The results show that the extracting solutions contain large quantities of rare-earth metallofullerenes brs;des empty fullerenes, On the basis of comparing their relative intensities, the different structure stabilities and solubilities of metallofullerenes with different rare-earth metals encapsulated into the fullerene cages, as well as some possible reasons to those differences, are discussed.

Unusual polymerization behavior of water-soluble fullerenols in laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been used to study the water-soluble multi-hydroxyl C-60 derivatives - fullerenols. The mass spectra exhibit unusual polymerization behavior of fullerenols. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Assembly of the protoplasm of Codium fragile (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) into new protoplasts

The cell organelles of the coenocytic alga Codium fragile (Sur.) Hariot aggregated rapidly and protoplasts were formed when its protoplasm was extruded out in seawater. Continuous observation showed that there were long and gelatinous threads connecting the cell organelles. The threads contracted, and thus the cell organelles aggregated into protoplasmic masses. The enzyme digestion experiments and Coomassie Brilliant Blue and Anthrone stainings showed that the long and gelatinous threads involved in the formation of the protoplasts might include protein and saccharides as structure components. Nile Red staining indicated that the protoplast primary envelope was non-lipid at first, and then lipid materials integrated into its surface gradually. The fluorescent brightener staining indicated that the cell wall did not regenerate in the newly formed protoplasts and they all disintegrated within 72 h after formation. Transmission electron microscopy of the cell wall of wild C. fragile showed electron-dense material embedded in the whole cell wall at regular intervals. The experiments indicated that C. fragile would be a suitable model alga for studying the formation of protoplasts.