In vitro study on the binding of neutral red to bovine serum albumin by molecular spectroscopy

In this paper, the binding of neutral red (NR) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions has been studied by spectroscopy method including fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The Stern-Volmer fluorescence quenching constant (K-SV), binding constant (K-b) and the number of binding sites (It) were measured by fluorescence quenching method. Fluorescence experiments were also performed at different ionic strengths. It was found K-SV was ionic strength dependent, which indicated the electrostatic interactions were part of the binding forces. The distance r between donor (BSA) and acceptor (NR) was obtained according to Foster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. CD spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to investigate the structural information of BSA molecules on the binding of NR, and the results showed no change of BSA conformation in our experimental conditions.

Independence of the brittle-ductile transition from the rubber particle size for impact-modified poly(vinyl chloride)

A series of acrylic impact modifiers (AIMS) with different particle sizes ranging from 55.2 to 927.0 nm were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization, and the effect of the particle size on the brittle-ductile transition of impact-modified poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was investigated. For each AIM, a series of PVC/AIM blends with compositions of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 15 phr AIM in 100 phr PVC were prepared, and the Izod impact strengths of these blends were tested at 23 degrees C. For AIMs with particle sizes of 55.2, 59.8, 125.2, 243.2, and 341.1 nm, the blends fractured in the brittle mode when the concentration of AIM was lower than 10 phr, whereas the blends showed ductile fracture when the AIM concentration reached 10 phr. It was concluded that the brittle-ductile transition of the PVC/AIM blends was independent of the particle size in the range of 55.2-341.1 nm. When the particle size was greater than 341.1 nm, however, the brittle-ductile transition shifted to a higher AIM concentration with an increase in the particle size. Furthermore, the critical interparticle distance was found not to be the criterion of the brittle-ductile transition for the PVC/AIM blends.

Facile preparation of ZnTiO3 ceramic powders in sodium/potassium chloride melts

A facile molten salt synthesis route was developed to prepare ZnTiO3 ceramic powders with simple oxides ZnO and TiO2 using sodium and potassium chloride eutectic salts as flux. The role of calcination temperature and time and the amount of salt addition to ZnTiO3 formation was investigated by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformation-infrared spectroscopy measurements. Pure hexagonal phase of ZnTiO3 could be obtained from the mixture of the simple oxides and the chlorides (50 mol% KCl, 20 times to oxides in molar ratio) heating at 800 degrees C for 6 h. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed the products were hexagonal sheets of about 1-3 mu m size. Increasing the amount of salt aids in reducing the crystal sizes of final ceramic powders because of diluting the solution.

Synergistic extraction of rare earths(III) from chloride medium with mixtures of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazalone-5 and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-2-ethylhexylphosphonate

The synergistic effect of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazalone-5 (HPMBP, HA) and di-(2ethylhexyl)-2-ethylhexylphosphonate (DEHEHP, B) in the extraction of rare earths (RE) from chloride solutions has been investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, there was no detectable extraction when DEHEHP was used as a single extractant while the amount of RE(III) extracted by HPMBP alone was also low. But mixtures of the two extractants at a certain ratio had very high extractability for all the RE (III). For example, the synergistic enhancement coefficient was calculated to be 9.35 for Y3+, and taking Yb3+ and Y3+ as examples, RE3+ is extracted as RE(OH)A(2).B. The stoichiometry, extraction constants and thermodynamic functions such as Gibbs free energy change Delta G (-17.06kJmol(-1)), enthalpy change Delta H (-35.08kjmol(-1)) and entropy change Delta S (-60.47JK(-1)mol(-1)) for Y3+ at 298 K were determined. The separation factors (SF) for adjacent pairs of rare earths were calculated. Studies show that the binary extraction system not only enhances the extraction efficiency of RE(III) but also improves the selectivity, especially between La(III) and the other rare earth elements.

Single-molecule dynamics reveals cooperative binding-folding in protein recognition

The study of associations between two biomolecules is the key to understanding molecular function and recognition. Molecular function is often thought to be determined by underlying structures. Here, combining a single-molecule study of protein binding with an energy-landscape-inspired microscopic model, we found strong evidence that biomolecular recognition is determined by flexibilities in addition to structures. Our model is based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics on the residue level with the energy function biased toward the native binding structure ( the Go model). With our model, the underlying free-energy landscape of the binding can be explored. There are two distinct conformational states at the free-energy minimum, one with partial folding of CBD itself and significant interface binding of CBD to Cdc42, and the other with native folding of CBD itself and native interface binding of CBD to Cdc42. This shows that the binding process proceeds with a significant interface binding of CBD with Cdc42 first, without a complete folding of CBD itself, and that binding and folding are then coupled to reach the native binding state.

Synthesis of substituted indenyl lanthanide chloride and molecular structure of [(C5H9C9H6)(2)Yb(mu-Cl)(2)Li(Et2O)(2)]

Reaction of anhydrous ytterbium trichlorides with 2 equiv. of cyclopentylindenyl lithium in THF solution, followed by removal of the solvent MO. crystallization of the product from diethyl ether, affords a crystal complex of the composition (C5H9C9H6)(2)Yb(mu-Cl)(2)Li(Et2O)(2). Crystallographic analysis shows that the ytterbium coordinated by two cyclopentylindenyl rings and lithium surrounded by two ether molecules are bridged by the two chlorine atoms and Yb, U and two chlorine atoms form a plane.

Synergistic extraction of lanthanum(III) from chloride medium by mixtures of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazalone-5 and triisobutylphosphine sulphide

The synergistic effect of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazalone-5 (HPMBP) and triisobutylphosphine sulphide (TIBPS, B) is investigated in the extraction of lanthanum(III) from chloride solution. Lanthanum(III) is extracted by the mixture as LaCl2.PMBP.B-0.5 instead of La(PMBP)(3).(HPMBP) which is extracted by HPMBP alone. The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic functions such as DeltaG, DeltaH and DeltaS are determined. The extraction of other rare earth ions by mixtures of HPMBP and TIBPS is also studied and the possibility of separating rare earth ions is discussed.

Energy landscape theory, funnels, specificity, and optimal criterion of biomolecular binding

We study the nature of biomolecular binding. We found that in general there exists several thermodynamic phases: a native binding phase, a non-native phase, and a glass or local trapping phase. The quantitative optimal criterion for the binding specificity is found to be the maximization of the ratio of the binding transition temperature versus the trapping transition temperature, or equivalently the ratio of the energy gap of binding between the native state and the average non-native states versus the dispersion or variance of the non-native states. This leads to a funneled binding energy landscape.

Cationic cyclization of neoprene with a diethylaluminum chloride and organic chloride catalyst system

The cyclization of neoprene was achieved with the aid of a cationic catalyst system based on diethylaluminum chloride (Et2AlCl) and an organic chloride, allyl chloride (CH2=CHCH2Cl) or benzyl chloride (C6H5CH2Cl). The main parameters of the cyclization process were investigated. Elastomers with low intrinsic viscosity, ready solubility and some gelling were obtained. Xylene was a good solvent for the cyclization process, which took place in a very short time (less than or equal to5 min). The products were characterized with IR, H-1-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. The polycyclic structure was determined. The degree of cyctization and the incorporated solvent content were estimated with a H-1-NMR method.

Fabrication and electrochemical behaviors of multilayers composed of heteropholyanions and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) on 4-aminothiophenol modified gold electrodes

Multilayer films composed of heteropolyanions (HPAS, SiMo11 VO405-) and cationic polymer poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) on 4-aminothiophenol self-assembled-monolayer were fabricated by electrochemical growth. Growth processes of the composite films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. The results prove the third redox peak of Mo increases more rapidly, otherwise the other Mo redox peaks increase very slowly when the number of layers of heteropolyanions is greater. The peak potentials of composite films shift linearly to negative position with higher pH, which implies that protons are involved in the redox processes of HPA. The investigation of electrocatalytic behaviors of composite films shows a good catalytic activity for the reductions of HNO2 and BrO3-. Catalytic currents increase with increasing number of layers of heteropolyanions, moreover, the catalytic currents have a good linear relationship with the concentrations of BrO3-.

The LB films of dansyl chloride labeled octadecylamine and its fluorescence lifetime

Octadecylamine was derivatized with dansyl chloride (5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride) In order to simplify and understand the LB films of fluorescent probe labeling proteins. its monolayer and multilayers in the absence and presence of stearic acid were deposited by LB technique. Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of the fluorescent products were studied to elucidate the microenvironment of molecules in the LB films.

Synthesis of bis [bis (tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) neodymium chloride] and structural trend of bis[bis(tertbutylcyclopentadienyl) lanthanide chloride]

The reaction of NdCl3 with 2 equiv. of Na-(BuC5H4)-C-t in THF(tetrahydrofuran) gives blue crystals [((BUC5H4)-C-t)(2)NdCl](2), C36H52Cl2Nd2(M-r = 844.11) Which crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group . The crystal data are a=11.978 (1), b=12.671(4), c=12.706(2)Angstrom, alpha=105.47(2), beta=99.38(1)? gamma=93.15 (2)degrees, V=1825 (3) Angstrom(3), Z = 2 , D-c = 1.53g/cm(3), F(000) = 450 , T = 298K , lambda(MoK alpha) = 0.71069 Angstrom, , mu = 14.97cm(-1). Final R = 0.0390, R-w = 0.0376 for 4329 reflections with I greater than or equal to 3 sigma(I-o). The molecule has a dimer structure with two certrosymmetrical chlorine bridges. The structural trend of these analogous complexes is discussed.

Metal ion and anion coordination in the thiamine-[Pt-II(NO2)(4)](2-) system. Structures of a metal complex, Pt(thiamine)(NO2)(3), and two salts, (H-thiamine)[Pt(NO2)(4)]center dot 2H(2)O and (thiamine monophosphate)(2)[Pt(NO2)(4)]center dot 2H(2)O

Reaction of thiamine or thiamine monophosphate (TMP) with K2Pt(NO2)(4) afforded a metal complex, Pt(thiamine)(NO2)(3) (1), and two salt-type compounds, (H-thiamine)[Pt(NO2)(4)]. 2H(2)O (2) and (TMP)(2)[Pt(NO2)(4)]. 2H(2)O (3), which were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. In 1, the square-planar Pt2+ ion is coordinated to the pyrimidine N(1'), a usual metal-binding site, and three NO2- groups. The thiamine molecule exists as a monovalent cation in 1 and a divalent cation in 2 while the TMP molecule is a monovalent cation in 3. In each compound, thiamine or TMP adopts the usual F conformation and forms two types of host-guest-like interactions with anions, which are of the bridging forms, C(2)-H . . . anion . . . pyrimidine-ring and N(4'1)-H(...)anion(...)thiazolium-ring. In 3, there is an additional anion-bridging interaction between the pyrimidine and thiazolium rings of TMP, being of the form C(6')-H . . . anion . . . thiazolium-ring. The salts 2 and 3 show similar hydrogen-bonded cyclic dimers of thiamine or TMP between which the anions are held. Results are compared with those of the other thiamine-platinum complexes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.