Characterization of linear epitope of the beta(2)-microglobulin via combination of MALDI-TOF-MS with immunoaffinity

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS), in combination with immunoaffinity provided a powerful tool for determining epitope (antigenic determinant) in protein. The linear epitope of the beta(2)-microglobulin was characterized in the paper. The method as follows: at first beta(2)-microglobulin was digested by a proteolytic enzyme to produce an appropriate set of peptide fragments, then peptide fragments containing the linear epitope were selected and separated from the pool of peptide fragments by immunoprecipitation with the monoclonal antibody. The agarose beads were collected carefully after the reaction. Unbound peptides would be washed away, while the peptides containing the epitope would remain bound to the immobilized antibody after. the beads were washed several times with appropriate buffer. At last the masses of the bound peptides were identified directly by MALDI-TOF MS. Using Endoproteinase Glu-C Endoproteinase Lys-C and Trypsin in the experiment, the linear epitope of beta(2)-microglobulin was located within peptide fragment 59-69, that is, DWSFYLLYYTE.

The mechanical properties of magnesium matrix composites reinforced with 10 wt.% W14Al86 alloy particles

The Mg-based metal matrix composite reinforced by 10 wt.% W14Al86 alloy particles has been prepared by mechanical alloying and press-forming process. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the formation of the composite. Microstructure characterization of the samples reveals the uniform distribution of fine W14Al86 alloy. Mechanical properties characterization revealed that the reinforcement of W14Al86 alloy lead to a significant increase in hardness and tensile strength of Mg and AZ91.

Crystal structures of EtEDTB center dot 1.4C(2)H(5)OH center dot 5H(2)O and H4EtEDTB(ClO4)(4)center dot C2H5OH (EtEDTB=N, N, N ', N '-tetrakis[2-(1-ethylbenzimidazolyl)methyl]-1,2-ethanediamine)

The crystal structures of EtEDTB.1.4C(2)H(5)OH.5H(2)O 1 and H4EtEDTB(ClO4)(4).C2H5OH 2 (EtEDTB = N, N,N',N'-tetrakis[2-(1-ethylbenzimidazolyl)methyl]-1,2-ethanediamine) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group P(1) over bar with a = 11.489(2), b = 11.866(3), c = 12.002(3) Angstrom, alpha = 97.47(2), beta = 114.564(13), gamma = 114.11(2)degrees, V = 1266.6(5) Angstrom(3), Z = 1, M-r = 847.48, D-c = 1.111 g/cm(3), F(000) = 456 and mu(MoKalpha) = 0.076 mm(-1). A total of 5207 reflections were measured for 1, of which 4323 were independent. The structure of 1 was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares technique to the final R = 0.0706 and wR = 0.1802 for 1318 observed reflections with I > 2sigma(I). In the structure of 1, centrosymmetric EtEDTB molecules are linked by hydrogen bonds through water and ethanol to form 2-dimensional network. Compound 2 crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 24.260(5), b = 13.040(3), c = 17.680(4) Angstrom, beta = 97.50(3)degrees, V = 5545.2(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 4, M-r = 1140.80, D-c = 1.366 g/cm(3), F(000) = 2384 and mu(MoKalpha) = 0.289 mm(-1).

Synthesis and properties of novel polyimides derived from 2,2 ',3,3 '-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride

A new synthetic route to 2,2',3,3'-BTDA (where BTDA is benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride), an isomer of 2,3',3',4'-BTDA and 3,3',4,4'-BTDA, is described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2,2',3,3'-BTDA has shown that this dianhydride has a bent and noncoplanar structure. The polymerizations of 2,2',3,3'-BTDA with 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (TPEQ) have been investigated with a conventional two-step process. A trend of cyclic oligomers forming in the reaction of 2,2',3,3'-BTDA and ODA has been found and characterized with IR, NMR, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Films based on 2,2',3,3'-BTDA/TPEQ can only be obtained from corresponding polyimide (PI) solutions prepared by chemical imidization because those from their polyamic acids by thermal imidization are brittle. PIS from 2,2',3,3'-BTDA have lower inherent viscosities and worse thermal and mechanical properties than the corresponding 2,3',3',4'-BTDA- and 3,3',4,4'-BTDA-based PIs. PIs from 2,2',3,3'-BTDA and 2,3',3',4'-BTDA are amorphous, whereas those from 3,3',4,4'-BTDA have some crystallinity, according to wide-angle X-ray diffraction.

Facile preparation of amperometric laccase biosensor with multifunction based on the matrix of carbon nanotubes-chitosan composite

The carbon nanotubes-chitosan (CNTs-CS) composite provides a suitable biosensing matrix due to its good conductivity, high stability, and good biocompatibility. Enzymes can be firmly incorporated into the matrix without the aid of other cross-linking reagents. The composite is easy to form insoluble film in solution above pH 6.3. Based on this, a facilely fabricated amperometric biosensor by entrapping laccase into the CNTs-CS composite film has been developed. At pH 6.0, the fungi laccase incorporated into the composite film remains better catalytic activity than that dissolved in solution. The system is in favor of the accessibility of substrate to the active site of laccase, thus the affinity to substrates is improved greatly, such as 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), catechol, and 0, with K. values of 19.86 mu M, 9.43 mu M, and 3.22 mM, respectively. The major advantages of the as-prepared biosensor are: detecting different substrates (ABTS, catechol, and 02), possessing high affinity and sensitivity, durable long-term stability, and facile preparation procedure. On the other hand, the system can be applied in fabrication of biofuel cells as the cathodic catalysts based on its good electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensing platform using Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) doped silica nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes

An effective electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was developed by coimmobilization of the Ru(bpy)(2)(3+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on glassy carbon electrode through hydrophobic interaction. The uniform RuDS nanoparticles were prepared by a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion method and Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) doped inside could still maintain its high ECL efficiency. With such unique immobilization method, a great deal of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was immobilized three-dimensionally on the electrode , which could greatly enhance the ECL response and result in the increased sensitivity. On the other hand, CNTs played dual roles as matrix to immobilize RuDS nanoparticles and promoter to accelerate the electron transfer between Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and the electrode. The as-prepared ECL sensor displayed good sensitivity and stability.

Stress transfer and damage evolution simulations of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites

The stress transfer from broken fibers to unbroken fibers in fiber-reinforced thermosetting polymer-matrix composites and thermoplastic polymer-matrix composites was studied using a detailed finite element model. In order to check the validity of this approach, an epoxy-matrix monolayer composite was used as thermosetting polymer-matrix composite and a polypropylene (PP)-matrix monolayer composite was used as thermoplastic polymer-matrix composite, respectively. It is found that the stress concentrations near the broken fiber element cause damage to the neighboring epoxy matrix prior to the breakage of other fibers, whereas in the case of PP-matrix composites the fibers nearest to the broken fiber break prior to the PP matrix damage, because the PP matrix around the broken fiber element yields. In order to simulate composite damage evolution, a Monte Carlo technique based on a finite element method has been developed in the paper. The finite element code coupled with statistical model of fiber strength specifically written for this problem was used to determine the stress redistribution. Five hundred samples of numerical simulation were carried out to obtain statistical deformation and failure process of composites with fixed fiber volume fraction.

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a novel compound: [Ni(phen)(3)](2)[(SiMo10V2O40)-O-IV((VO)-O-IV)2]center dot 2H(2)O

A novel compound [Ni(phen)(3)](2)[(SiMo10V1/2O40)-O-V((VO)-O-IV)(2)] . 2H(2)O has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic, system, space group P-1, a = 12.378(4) Angstrom, b = 14.148(5) Angstrom, c = 14.316(2) Angstrom, alpha = 105.91(2)degrees, beta = 95.31(2)degrees, gamma = 96.89(3)degrees, V = 2373.0(12) Angstrom(3), Z = 1, (lambdaMo(Kalpha)) = 0.71073 Angstrom, R1 (wR2) = 0.0869(0.2174). Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range of 1.51 < theta < 22.50degrees using the omega-scan technique. Empirical absorption correction (psi scan) was applied. The structure was solved by the direct method and refined by the Full-matrix least-squares on F-2 using the SHELXL-97 software. X-ray crystallographic study showed that the title compound contained a bi-capped alpha-Kegin-type [(SiMo10V2O40)-O-IV((VO)-O-IV)(2)](4-) polyoxoanion.

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.

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of an unusual compound: [Cu(en)(2)](4)[(SiMo8V4O40)-O-V((VO)-O-IV)(2)][MoO4](2)center dot 5H(2)O

A novel compound [Cu(en)(2)](4)[(SiMo8V4O40)-O-v(V-IV O)(2)] [MoO4](2) . 5H(2)O has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Black crystals crystallize in the tetragonal. system, space group 14/m, a = b = 14.019(2) Angstrom, c = 20.341(4) Angstrom, V = 3997.9(11) Angstrom(3), Z = 2, lambda(MoKalpha) = 0.71073 Angstrom (R(F) = 0.0443 for 1819 reflections). Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range of 1.76 < theta < 24.98degrees using the omega-scan technique. The structure was solved by the direct method and refined by the full-matrix least squares on F-2 method using the SHELXL-97 software. X-ray crystallographic study showed that the title compound contained a bicapped alpha-Keggin fragment [SiMo8 (V4O40)-O-v((VO)-O-IV)(2)](4-) polyoxoanion.

Study of electron transfer across the liquid/ice-like matrix interface by scanning electrochemical microscopy

In this work, we report the findings of a study on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to investigate the interfacial electron-transfer (ET) reaction between the 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane radical anion (TCNQ(.-)) in 1,2-dichloroethane and ferricyanide in an ice-like matrix (a mixture of insulting ice and conductive liquid) under low temperatures. Experimental results indicate that the formed liquid/ice-like matrix interface is superficially similar in electrochemical characteristics to a liquid/liquid interface at temperatures above -20 degreesC. Furthermore, imaging data show that the surface of the ice-like matrix is microscopically flat and physically stable and can be applied as either a conductive or an insulting substrate for SECM studies. Perchlorate ion was selected as the common ion in both phases, the concentrations of which controlled the interfacial potential difference. The effect of perchlorate concentration in the DCE phase on interfacial reactions has been studied in detail. The apparent heterogeneous rate constants for TCNQ(.-) oxidation by Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in another phase under different temperatures have been calculated by a best-fit analysis, where the experimental approach curves are compared with the theoretically derived relationships. Reaction rate data obey Butler-Volmer formulation before and after the freezing point, which is similar to most other known cases of ET reactions at liquid/liquid interfaces. However, there is a sharp change observed for heterogeneous rate constants around the freezing point of the aqueous phase, which reflects the phase transition. At temperatures below -20 degreesC, surface-confined voltammograms for the reduction of ferricyanide were obtained, and the ice-like matrix became an insulating one, which indicates that the aqueous phase is really a frozen phase.

Sol-gel-derived alpha(2)-K7P2W17VO62/graphite/organoceramic composite as the electrode material for a renewable amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor

The conductive alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62/graphite/organoceramic composite was prepared by dispersing alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62 and graphite powder in a propyltrimethoxysilane-based sol-gel solution; it was used as the electrode material for an amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor. The modified electrode had a homogeneous mirror-like surface and showed well defined cyclic voltammograms. Square-wave voltammetry was employed to study the pH-dependent electrochemical behavior of c alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62 doped in the graphite organoceramic matrix, and the experiment showed that both protons and sodium cations participated in the odor process. A hydrodynamic voltammetric experiment was performed to characterize the electrode as an amperometric sensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. The sensor can be renewed easily in a repeatable manner by a mechanical polishing step and has a long operational lifetime. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Resonant two-photon cross-section calculations for transitions to 4f5d state in Pr3+: YAG using density matrix theory

The density matrix resonant two-photon absorption (TPA) theory is applied to a rare-earth ion-doped laser crystal. TPA cross sections for transitions from the ground state to the first 4f5d state in Pr3+:YAG are calculated. The results indicate the density matrix TPA theory is attractive in studying TPA in laser crystals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

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.