Formation of reversible shell cross-linked micelles from the biodegradable amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(L-cysteine)-block-poly(L-lactide)

A novel biodegradable diblock copolymer, poly(L-cysteine)-b-Poly(L-lactide) (PLC-b-PLLA), was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-carboxyanhydride of beta-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-Cysteine (ZLC-NCA) with amino-terminated Poly(L-lactide) (NH2-PLLA) as a macroinitiator in a convenient way. The diblock copolymer and its precursor were characterized by H-1 NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The length of each block polymer could be tailored by molecular design and the ratios of feeding monomers.

N-Acetyl-N-{2-[(Z)-2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl]phenyl}acetamide

The title compound, C13H11ClF3NO2, adopts a Z conformation. Halogen center dot center dot center dot oxygen interactions [Cl center dot center dot center dot O = 2.967 (3) angstrom] in the crystal packing lead to the formation of a dimer joined by two Cl center dot center dot center dot O bonds.

Sensitive detection of cysteine based on fluorescent silver clusters

In this work,we report the application of novel, water-soluble fluorescent Ag clusters in fluorescent sensors for detecting cysteine, an important biological analyte. The fluorescence of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)templated Ag clusters was found to be quenched effectively by cysteine, but not when the other alpha-amino acids were present. By virtue of the specific response, a new, simple, and sensitive fluorescent method for detecting cysteine has been developed based on Ag clusters. The present assay allows for the selective determination of cysteine in the range of 2.5 x 10(-8) to 6.0 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit of 20 nM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Based on the absorption and fluorescence studies, we suggested that cysteine quenched the emission by the thiol-adsorption-accelerated oxidation of the emissive Ag clusters. The present study shows a promising step toward the application of silver clusters, a new class of attractive fluorescence probes.

Fluorescent conjugated polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles for sensitive and selective detection of cysteine

We report a new fluorescent detection method for cysteine based on one-step prepared fluorescent conjugated polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles. The as-prepared fluorescent conjugated polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles fluoresce weakly due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the fluorophore and the gold nanoparticles. Upon the addition of cysteine, a thiol-containing amino acid, the fluorescence of the colloidal solution increases significantly, indicating that cysteine can modulate the energy transfer between fluorophore and gold. This phenomenon then allows for sensitive detection of cysteine with a limit of detection (LOD) of 25 nM. The linear range of determination of cysteine is from 5 x 10(-8) to 4 x 10(-6) M. None of the other amino acids found in proteins interferes with the determination. Moreover, due to the excellent protecting ability of the fluorescent conjugated polymers, the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and modifying with fluorophores can be accomplished within one step, which makes our method much simpler than conventional methods. We also expect that it will be possible to detect other biologically important analytes based on the fluorescent conjugated polymer-stabilized metal nanoparticles.

Efficient one-pot synthesis of highly substituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones via the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction of 1-acetyl,1-carbamoyl cyclopropanes

A facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of highly substituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones is developed via the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction of readily available 1-acetyl,1-carbamoyl cyclopropanes, and a mechanism involving sequential ring-opening, haloformylation, and intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization reactions is proposed.

Vilsmeier-Haack reactions of 2-arylamino-3-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrans toward the synthesis of highly substituted pyridin-2(1H)-ones

A facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of highly substituted pyridin-2(IH)-ones was developed via Vilsmeier-Haack reactions of readily available enaminones, 2-arylamino-3-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrans, and a mechanism involving sequential ring-opening, haloformylation, and intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization reactions is proposed.

Electrochemiluminescent determination of L-cysteine with a flow-injection analysis system

A flow-injection electrochemiluminescent method for L-cysteine determination has been developed based on its enhancement of the electrochemiluminecence of luminol at a glassy carbon electrode. This method is simple and sensitive for cysteine determination. Under the selected experimental parameters, the linear range for cysteine concentration was 1.0 x 10(-6) - 5.0 x 10(-5) mol/l, and the detection limit was 0.67 mumol/l (SIN = 3). The relative standard deviation for 11 measurements of 1.0 x 10(-5) mol/l cysteine was 4.5%. The proposed method has been applied to. the detection of cysteine in pharmaceutical injections with satisfactory results.

Studies of the ortho effect in fragmentations of acetyl ion adducts of disubstituted benzenes

The ion-molecule reactions of disubstituted benzenes under chemical ionization conditions with acetyl chloride as reagent gas were examined, and the fragmentation reactions of the adduct ions (mostly proton and acetyl ion adducts) were studied by collision-induced dissociation. Electron-releasing substituents favored the adduct reactions, and electron-withdrawing groups did not. The position and properties of substituting groups had an effect on the relative abundances of the adduct ions. Several examples of the ortho effect were observed. The fragmentation reaction of the adduct ions formed by ortho-benzenediamine with the acetyl ion was similar to the reductive alkylation reaction of amines in the condensed phase. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Renewable manganous hexacyanoferrate-modified graphite organosilicate composite electrode and its electrocatalytic oxidation of L-cysteine

Manganous hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) supported on graphite powder was dispersed into methyltrimethoxysilane-derived gels to yield a conductive composite, which was used as electrode material to construct a renewable three-dimensional MnHCF-modifed electrode. MnHCF acts as a catalyst, graphite powder ensures conductivity by percolation, the silicate provides a rigid porous backbone, and the methyl groups endow hydrophobicity and thus limit the wetting section of the modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was exploited to investigate the dependence of electrochemical behavior on supporting electrolytes containing various cations. The chemically modified electrode can electrocatalytically oxidize L-cysteine, and exhibits a distinct advantage of polishing in the event of surface fouling, as well as simple preparation, good chemical and mechanical stability, and good repeatability of surface renewal.

ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION AND FLOW DETECTION OF CYSTEINE AT AN AQUOCOBALAMIN ADSORBED GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE

A chemically modified electrode (CME) constructed by adsorption of aquocobalamin (VB12a) onto a glassy carbon electrode surface was demonstrated to catalyze the electro-oxidation of cysteine, a sulfhydryl-containing compound. The sulfhydryl oxidation occured at 0.54-0.88 V vs. Ag/AgCl depending on pH value (3.0-10.0). The electrocatalytic behavior of cysteine is elucidated with respect to solution pH, operating potential and other variables as well as the CME preparation conditions. When used as the sensing electrode in flow injection amperometric detection, the CME permitted detection of the compound at 0.8 V. The detection limit was 1.7 pmol. The linear response range went up to 1.16 nmol. The stability of the CME was shown by RSD (4.2%) over 10 repeated injections.

DETERMINATION OF CYSTEINE AND REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN HUMAN PLASMA BY LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH PULSED AMPEROMETRIC ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION USING A PLATINUM-PARTICLES MODIFIED GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE

An assay procedure utilizing pulsed amperometric detection at a platinum-particles modified electrode has been developed for the determination of cysteine and glutathione in blood samples following preliminary separation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. A chemically modified electrode (CME) constructed by unique electroreduction from a platinum-salt solution to produce dispersed Pt particles on a glassy carbon surface was demonstrated to catalyze the electo-oxidation of sulfhydryl-containing compounds: DL-cysteine (CYS), reduced glutathione (GSH). When used as the sensing electrode in flow-system pulsed-amperometric detection (PAD), electrode fouling could be avoided using a waveform in which the cathodic reactivation process occurred at a potential of - 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl to achieve a cathodic desorption of atomic sulfur. A superior detection limit for these free thiols was obtained at a Pt particle-based GC electrode compared with other methods; this novel dispersed Pt particles CME exhibited high electrocatalytic stability and activity when it was employed as an electrochemical detector in FIA and HPLC for the determination of those organo-sulfur compounds.

LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ELECTROCATALYTIC DETECTION OF CYSTEINE, N-ACETYLCYSTEINE AND GLUTATHIONE BY A PRUSSIAN BLUE FILM-MODIFIED ELECTRODE

Chemically modified electrodes prepared by adsorbing prussian blue on a glassy carbon electrode are shown to catalyse the electro-oxidation of cysteine, N-acetylcysteine and glutathione in acidic media. The catalytic response is evaluated with respect to the potential scan rate, the solution pH, the concentration dependence, and other variables. Covering the electrode with Nafion(R) film improved the stability and reproducibility in liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to the extent that repetitive sample injections produced relative standard deviations of less than 5% over several hours of operation. The limit of detection was 4 pmol for cysteine, 33 pmol for glutathione and 61 pmol for N-acetylcysteine.

A GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE MODIFIED BY DISPERSED ALPHA-ALUMINA AS AN ENHANCED ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTOR IN LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR CYSTEINE AND GLUTATHIONE

The dispersion of alumina particles on a glassy-carbon surface serving as a modified electrode significantly enhances the amperometric detection of cysteine and glutathione following liquid chromatography. With an applied potential of 0.8 V vs. SCE, the detection limits were 1.2 ng for cysteine and 8 ng for glutathione and the electrode response was linear up to 600 ng for cysteine and 1.8-mu-g for glutathione. The modified electrode displayed high sensitivity and stability and was easy and inexpensive to prepare.