Gel filtration of sialoglycoproteins.

PubMed Central

Alhadeff, J A

1978-01-01

The role of sialic acid in the gel-filtration behaviour of sialoglycoproteins was investigated by using the separated isoenzymes of purified human liver alpha-L-fucosidase and several other well-known sialic acid-containing glycoproteins (fetuin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, thyroglobulin and bovine submaxillary mucin). For each glycoprotein studied, gel filtration of its desialylated derivative gave an apparent molecular weights much less than that expected just from removal of sialic acid. For the lower-molecular-weight glycoproteins (fetuin and alpha1-acid glyocprotein), gel filtration of the sialylated molecules led to apparent molecular weights much larger than the known values. The data indicate that gel filtration cannot be used for accurately determining the molecular weights of at least some sialoglycoproteins. Images Fig. 1. PMID:356853

Gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of ketones from water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rathbun, R.E.; Tai, D.Y.

1986-01-01

Volatilization is a significant process in determining the fate of many organic compounds in streams and rivers. Quantifying this process requires knowledge of the mass-transfer coefficient from water, which is a function of the gas-film and liquid-film coefficients. The gas-film coefficient can be determined by measuring the flux for the volatilization of pure organic liquids. Volatilization fluxes for acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, and 2-octanone were measured in the laboratory over a range of temperatures. Gas-film coefficients were then calculated from these fluxes and from vapor pressure data from the literature. An equation was developed for predicting the volatilization flux of pure liquid ketones as a function of vapor pressure and molecular weight. Large deviations were found for acetone, and these were attributed to the possibility that acetone may be hydrogen bonded. A second equation for predicting the flux as a function of molecular weight and temperature resulted in large deviations for 4methyl-2-pentanone. These deviations were attributed to the branched structure of this ketone. Four factors based on the theory of volatilization and relating the volatilization flux or rate to the vapor pressure, molecular weight, temperature, and molecular diffusion coefficient were not constant as suggested by the literature. The factors generally increased with molecular weight and with temperature. Values for acetone corresponded to ketones with a larger molecular weight, and the acetone factors showed the greatest dependence on temperature. Both of these results are characteristic of compounds that are hydrogen bonded. Relations from the literature commonly used for describing the dependence of the gas-film coefficient on molecular weight and molecular diffusion coefficient were not applicable to the ketone gas-film coefficients. The dependence on molecular weight and molecular diffusion coefficient was in general U-shaped with the largest coefficients observed for acetone, the next largest for 2octanone, and the smallest for 2-pentanone and 3-pentanone. The gas-film coefficient for acetone was much more dependent on temperature than were the coefficients for the other ketones. Such behavior is characteristic of hydrogen-bonded substances. Temperature dependencies of the other ketones were about twice the theoretical value, but were comparable to a literature value for water. Ratios of the ketone gas-film coefficients to the gasfilm coefficients for the evaporation of water were approximately constant for all the ketones except for acetone, whose values were considerably larger. The ratios increased with temperature; however, the increases were small except for acetone. These ratios can be combined with an equation from the literaure for predicting the gasfilm coefficient for evaporation of water from a canal to predict the gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of ketones from streams and rivers.

[Correlations between apparent diffusion coefficient in diffusion?weighted magnetic resonance imaging and molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer masses].

PubMed

Shang, Liu-Tong; Yang, Jia-Fei; Lu, Jing; Wang, Ting-Ting; Zhou, Ying; Xing, Xin-Bo; Wang, Xin-Kun; Yang, Shu-Hui; Hu, Ming-Yan

2017-10-20

To study the correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the molecular subtypes and biological prognostic factors of invasive breast cancer masses. Breast MRI data (including dynamic enhanced and diffusion-weighted imaging) were collected from 64 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancer masses (a total of 69 lesions). The mean ADC values of the lesions were calculated and their correlations were analyzed with the 5 molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer and the biological prognostic factors including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 index. The ADC values did not differ significantly among the 5 molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer masses (P>0.05) or among lesions with different ER, PR, or HER2 status (P>0.05). The mean ADC values were significantly higher in Ki-67-positive lesions than in the negative lesions (P=0.023 and negatively correlated with the expressions of Ki-67 (r=-0.249). ADC value can not be used to identify the molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer masses or to evaluate the biological prognosis of the lesions, but its correlation with Ki-67 expression may help in prognostic evaluation and guiding clinical therapy of the tumors.

Linear rheology and structure of molecular bottlebrushes with short side chains

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

López-Barrón, Carlos R., E-mail: carlos.r.lopez-barron@exxonmobil.com; Brant, Patrick; Crowther, Donna J.

We investigate the microstructure and linear viscoelasticity of model molecular bottlebrushes (BBs) using rheological and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering measurements. Our polymers have short atactic polypropylene (aPP) side chains of molecular weight ranging from 119 g/mol to 259 g/mol and narrow molecular weight distribution (M{sub w}/M{sub n} 1.02–1.05). The side chain molecular weights are a small fraction of the entanglement molecular weight of the corresponding linear polymer (M{sub e,aPP}= 7.05 kg/mol), and as such, they are unentangled. The morphology of the aPP BBs is characterized as semiflexible thick chains with small side chain interdigitation. Their dynamic master curves, obtained by time-temperature superposition,more » reveal two sequential relaxation processes corresponding to the segmental relaxation and the relaxation of the BB backbone. Due to the short length of the side chains, their fast relaxation could not be distinguished from the glassy relaxation. The fractional free volume is an increasing function of the side chain length (N{sub SC}). Therefore, the glassy behavior of these polymers as well as their molecular friction and dynamic properties are influenced by their N{sub SC} values. The apparent flow activation energies are a decreasing function of N{sub SC}, and their values explain the differences in zero-shear viscosity measured at different temperatures.« less

Broadening of polymer chromatographic signals: Analysis, quantification and correction through effective diffusion coefficients.

PubMed

Suárez, Inmaculada; Coto, Baudilio

2015-08-14

Average molecular weights and polydispersity indexes are some of the most important parameters considered in the polymer characterization. Usually, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and multi angle light scattering (MALS) are used for this determination, but GPC values are overestimated due to the dispersion introduced by the column separation. Several procedures were proposed to correct such effect usually involving more complex calibration processes. In this work, a new method of calculation has been considered including diffusion effects. An equation for the concentration profile due to diffusion effects along the GPC column was considered to be a Fickian function and polystyrene narrow standards were used to determine effective diffusion coefficients. The molecular weight distribution function of mono and poly disperse polymers was interpreted as a sum of several Fickian functions representing a sample formed by only few kind of polymer chains with specific molecular weight and diffusion coefficient. Proposed model accurately fit the concentration profile along the whole elution time range as checked by the computed standard deviation. Molecular weights obtained by this new method are similar to those obtained by MALS or traditional GPC while polydispersity index values are intermediate between those obtained by the traditional GPC combined to Universal Calibration method and the MALS method. Values for Pearson and Lin coefficients shows improvement in the correlation of polydispersity index values determined by GPC and MALS methods when diffusion coefficients and new methods are used. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fucoidan cytotoxicity against human breast cancer T47D cell line increases with higher level of sulfate ester group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saepudin, Endang; Alfita Qosthalani, Fildzah; Sinurat, Ellya

2018-01-01

The anticancer activity of different sulfate ester group content in different molecular weight was examined. The anticancer activity was achieved in vitro on human breast cancer T47D cell line. Fucoidan with lower molecular weight (5.79 kDa) tends to have lower sulfate ester group content (8.69%) and resulted in higher IC50 value (184.22 μg/mL). While fucoidan with higher molecular weight (785.12 kDa) tends to have higher sulfate level (18.63%) and achieved lower IC50 value (75.69 μg/mL). The result showed that in order to maintain fucoidan cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer T47D cell line, the sulfate content should be remain high. Keywords: fucoidan, sulfate ester group, human breast cancer

Synthesis and characterization of functional acrylic copolymers via RAFT mini-emulsion polymerization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yılmaz, Onur; Özkan, ćiǧdem Kılıçarislan; Yılmaz, Catalina N.; Yorgancıoǧlu, Ali; Özgünay, Hasan; Karavana, Hüseyin Ata

2017-12-01

Copolymers bearing reactive functional groups with controlled molecular weights are of importance since they can be used in many fields such as composites, coatings, membranes, catalysis, biology, optoelectronics, pharmaceuticals, etc. In the present study low molecular weight copolymers based on butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in combination with reactive functional monomers of vinyl trietoxysilane (VTES), 3-trimetoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were synthesized via RAFT mini-emulsion technique using 2-cyano 2-propyldodecyldithiocarbonate as CTA agent. The results showed that the average molecular weights of copolymers were close to the theoretical values. On the other hand, PDI values were found to be higher than conventional RAFT polymers. The particle sizes of the latexes were small with very homogenous distributions and good stability. FTIR, H-NMR and TGA results verified the success of copolymer syntheses.

Effect of polyacrylamide on soil physical and hydraulic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albalasmeh, Ammar; Gharaibeh, Mamoun; Hamdan, Enas

2017-04-01

The effect of polyacrylamide (PAM), as a soil conditioner, on selected soil physical and hydraulic properties (infiltration rate (f(t)), hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil moisture content, aggregate stability (AS), and soil aggregation) was studied. Two types of anionic PAM were used: Low molecular weight (LPAM) (1×105 g/mol) with medium charge density (33-43) and high molecular weight (HPAM) (1-6×106 g/mol) with medium charge density (33-43). Sandy loam soil was packed into plastic columns; PAM solutions at different concentrations (100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L-1) were used every two weeks in four wetting and drying cycles. The highest infiltration rate value was 0.16 mm s-1 at 1000 mg/L low molecular weight PAM while the highest value of infiltration rate in high PAM molecular weight was 0.11 mm s-1 compared to the control (0.01 mm s-1). Soil HC was about 3.00 cm h-1 for LPAM at 1000 mg L-1 PAM, while the highest value for HPAM was about 2 cm h-1 for the same concentration, compared to the control. The amount of water that can be held by soil increased with the addition of PAM compared to the control. Differences in water content were more pronounced in LPAM compared to HPAM. The addition of LPAM increased aggregate stability proportional to PAM concentration. Moreover, 1000 mg L-1 produced the highest aggregate stability (19{%}) compared to HPAM and control (7{%} and 5{%}), respectively. As PAM concentration increased, the geometric mean diameter (GMD) increased for both PAM molecular weights compared to control (0.4 mm). At 1000 mg L-1 the GMD values were 0.88 mm and 0.79 mm for LPAM and HPAM, respectively. The addition of PAM improved soil physical and hydraulic properties, with an advantage to LPAM owing that to its ability to penetrate soil aggregates and therefore stabilizing them.

A study of poplar organosolv lignin after melt rheology treatment as carbon fiber precursors

DOE PAGES

Sun, Qining; Khunsupat, Ratayakorn; Akato, Kokouvi; ...

2016-06-16

Lignins from various poplar genotypes were isolated by using organosolv fractionation and subjected to rheological treatment at various temperatures. Physicochemical characterization of the lignin variants shows a broad distribution of glass transition temperatures, melt viscosity, and pyrolysis char residues. Rheological treatment at 170 °C induces lignin repolymerization accompanied with an increase in condensed linkages, molecular weights, and viscosities. In contrast, rheology testing at 190 °C results in the decrease in lignin aliphatic and phenolic hydroxyl groups, β-O-aryl ether linkages, molecular weights, and viscosity values. Lignin under air cooling generates more oxygenated and condensed compounds, but lower amounts of ether linkagesmore » than lignin cooled under nitrogen. Here, lignin with a lower syringyl/guaiacyl ratio tends to form more cross-linkages along with higher viscosity values, higher molecular weight and larger amounts of condensed bonds.« less

Isolation, purification and characterisation of low molecular weight xylanase from Bacillus pumilus SSP-34.

PubMed

Subramaniyan, S

2012-04-01

Low molecular weight endo-xylanase from Bacillus pumilus SSP-34 was purified to homogeneity using ion exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. Xylanases were isolated by novel purification protocol which includes the use of anion exchange matrix such as DEAE Sepharose CL 6B with less affinity towards enzyme protein. The purified B. pumilus SSP-34 have a molecular weight of 20 kDa, with optimum pH and temperature at 6.0 and 50 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at 50 °C for 30 min. It showed remarkable stability at pH values ranging from 4.5 to 9 when the reaction was carried out at 50 °C. K (m) and V (max) values, determined with oats spelts xylan were 6.5 mg ml⁻¹ and 1,233 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively, and the specific activity was 1,723 U mg⁻¹.

The subunit structure of horse spleen apoferritin: the molecular weight of the oligomer and its stability to dissociation by dilution (Short Communication)

PubMed Central

Crichton, Robert R.; Eason, Robert; Barclay, Allan; Bryce, Charles F. A.

1973-01-01

The oligomer molecular weight of horse spleen apoferritin was determined by sedimentation-equilibrium techniques and a value of 443000 found. It is concluded that the apoferritin molecule consists of 24 subunits. At concentrations as low as 0.01μm there is no evidence of subunit dissociation. PMID:4737327

Purification and Partial Characterization of a Fructanase which Hydrolyzes Natural Polysaccharides from Sugarcane Juice 1

PubMed Central

Legaz, M. Estrella; Martin, Luisa; Pedrosa, Mercedes M.; Vicente, Carlos; de Armas, Roberto; Martínez, Maritza; Medina, Isabel; Rodriguez, Carlos W.

1990-01-01

A new sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) fructanase which hydrolyzes both high molecular weight polysaccharides ∣Fructose4:Galactitol5∣n (SP) and moderate-sized carbohydrates ∣Fructose2:Galactitol33∣n (MMWC) has been purified from sugarcane juice. The Km value has been estimated to be 33.7 micrograms per milliliter and 20 micrograms per milliliter for SP and MMWC, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature values are 6.0 and 30°C, respectively. Purified protein has a pl value of 6.35 and a molecular weight of 13.2 kilodaltons. Fructanase activity appears to be Mn2+-dependent. PMID:16667334

[The value of low-molecular-weight DNA of blood plasma in the diagnostic of the patological processes of different genesis].

PubMed

Vasil'eva, I N; Zinkin, V N

2013-01-01

The low-molecular-weight DNA appears in blood plasma of irradiated rats, and its content correlates directly with the irradiation dose. Cloning has shown, that enrichment of low-molecular-weight DNA with G+C content and features of its nucleotide sequences point to its ability to form rather stable nucleosomes. DNA obtained after irradiation of rats with principally different doses 8 and 100 Gy differed not only quantitatively, but also by content of the dinucleotides CpG and CpT; this suggests their origin from different sites of genome. For the first time it has been shown that exposure to low-frequency noise results in an increase of the contents of blood plasma low-molecular-weight DNA. In stroke patients blood concentrations of this DNA increased 3 days after the beginning of the acute period, and dynamics of its excretion differs in ischemic and hemorrhagic forms; in the case of ischemia low-molecular-weight DNA appears in cerebrospinal fluid. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the state of remission is characterized by the decline of the level of low-molecular-weight DNA in the blood plasma unlike in the case of the chronic nonobstructive bronchitis. The clear dependence between formation and special features of the low-molecular-weight DNA fraction in blood plasma makes it possible to consider the low-molecular fraction as an universal index of apoptosis, which allows to distinguish basically different conditions of the body.

Molecular features determining different partitioning patterns of papain and bromelain in aqueous two-phase systems.

PubMed

Rocha, Maria Victoria; Nerli, Bibiana Beatriz

2013-10-01

The partitioning patterns of papain (PAP) and bromelain (BR), two well-known cysteine-proteases, in polyethyleneglycol/sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) were determined. Polyethyleneglycols of different molecular weight (600, 1000, 2000, 4600 and 8000) were assayed. Thermodynamic characterization of partitioning process, spectroscopy measurements and computational calculations of protein surface properties were also carried out in order to explain their differential partitioning behavior. PAP was observed to be displaced to the salt-enriched phase in all the assayed systems with partition coefficients (KpPAP) values between 0.2 and 0.9, while BR exhibited a high affinity for the polymer phase in systems formed by PEGs of low molecular weight (600 and 1000) with partition coefficients (KpBR) values close to 3. KpBR values resulted higher than KpPAP in all the cases. This difference could be assigned neither to the charge nor to the size of the partitioned biomolecules since PAP and BR possess similar molecular weight (23,000) and isoelectric point (9.60). The presence of highly exposed tryptophans and positively charged residues (Lys, Arg and His) in BR molecule would be responsible for a charge transfer interaction between PEG and the protein and, therefore, the uneven distribution of BR in these systems. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clarifying atomic weights: A 2016 four-figure table of standard and conventional atomic weights

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, Tyler B.; Meyers, Fabienne; Holden, Norman E.

2017-01-01

To indicate that atomic weights of many elements are not constants of nature, in 2009 and 2011 the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) replaced single-value standard atomic weight values with atomic weight intervals for 12 elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, bromine, and thallium); for example, the standard atomic weight of nitrogen became the interval [14.00643, 14.00728]. CIAAW recognized that some users of atomic weight data only need representative values for these 12 elements, such as for trade and commerce. For this purpose, CIAAW provided conventional atomic weight values, such as 14.007 for nitrogen, and these values can serve in education when a single representative value is needed, such as for molecular weight calculations. Because atomic weight values abridged to four figures are preferred by many educational users and are no longer provided by CIAAW as of 2015, we provide a table containing both standard atomic weight values and conventional atomic weight values abridged to four figures for the chemical elements. A retrospective review of changes in four-digit atomic weights since 1961 indicates that changes in these values are due to more accurate measurements over time or to the recognition of the impact of natural isotopic fractionation in normal terrestrial materials upon atomic weight values of many elements. Use of the unit “u” (unified atomic mass unit on the carbon mass scale) with atomic weight is incorrect because the quantity atomic weight is dimensionless, and the unit “amu” (atomic mass unit on the oxygen scale) is an obsolete term: Both should be avoided.

Melt fracture of linear low-density polyethylenes: Die geometry and molecular weight characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahimi, Marzieh; Tomkovic, Tanja; Liu, Guochang; Doufas, Antonios A.; Hatzikiriakos, Savvas G.

2018-05-01

The melt fracture phenomena of three linear low-density polyethylenes are investigated as a function of die geometry (capillary, slit, and annular) and molecular weight and its distribution. The onset of melt fracture instabilities is determined by using capillary rheometry, mainly studying the extrudate appearance using optical microscopy. It is found that the onset of flow instabilities (melt fracture phenomena) is significantly affected by die geometry and molecular weight characteristics of the polymers. Use of annular die eliminates the stick-slip transition (oscillating melt fracture) and delays the onset of sharkskin to higher values of shear rate and shear stress. Moreover, it is shown that the molecular weight characteristics of the polymers are well correlated with critical conditions for the onset of flow instabilities based on a criterion proposed in the literature [A. Allal et al., "Relationships between molecular structure and sharkskin defect for linear polymers," J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 134, 127-135 (2006) and A. Allal and B. Vergnes, "Molecular design to eliminate sharkskin defect for linear polymers," J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 146, 45-50 (2007)].

Predicting critical micelle concentration and micelle molecular weight of polysorbate 80 using compendial methods.

PubMed

Braun, Alexandra C; Ilko, David; Merget, Benjamin; Gieseler, Henning; Germershaus, Oliver; Holzgrabe, Ulrike; Meinel, Lorenz

2015-08-01

This manuscript addresses the capability of compendial methods in controlling polysorbate 80 (PS80) functionality. Based on the analysis of sixteen batches, functionality related characteristics (FRC) including critical micelle concentration (CMC), cloud point, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value and micelle molecular weight were correlated to chemical composition including fatty acids before and after hydrolysis, content of non-esterified polyethylene glycols and sorbitan polyethoxylates, sorbitan- and isosorbide polyethoxylate fatty acid mono- and diesters, polyoxyethylene diesters, and peroxide values. Batches from some suppliers had a high variability in functionality related characteristic (FRC), questioning the ability of the current monograph in controlling these. Interestingly, the combined use of the input parameters oleic acid content and peroxide value - both of which being monographed methods - resulted in a model adequately predicting CMC. Confining the batches to those complying with specifications for peroxide value proved oleic acid content alone as being predictive for CMC. Similarly, a four parameter model based on chemical analyses alone was instrumental in predicting the molecular weight of PS80 micelles. Improved models based on analytical outcome from fingerprint analyses are also presented. A road map controlling PS80 batches with respect to FRC and based on chemical analyses alone is provided for the formulator. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

IMP dehydrogenase. II. Purification and properties of the enzyme from Yoshida sarcoma ascites tumor cells.

PubMed

Okada, M; Shimura, K; Shiraki, H; Nakagawa, H

1983-11-01

The preceding paper showed that IMP dehydrogenase [IMP:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.14] tended to form a precipitable complex(es) through ionic and hydrophobic interactions. On the basis of these observations, a method was developed for purification of IMP dehydrogenase from Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified preparation (1.19 U/mg protein) appeared homogeneous and its minimum molecular weight was estimated to be 68K daltons. Amino acid analyses indicated a subunit molecular weight of 68,042. Molecular sieve chromatography in the presence of 10% (NH4)2SO4 showed that the molecular weight of the native enzyme was 127K daltons. These values indicate that the native enzyme is composed of two identical subunits. However, the purified enzyme gave 4 protein bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, and appeared as a single fraction in the vicinity of the void volume on Ultrogel AcA 34 column chromatography at low salt concentration, indicating that its molecular weight exceeded 200K daltons. These findings indicate that the enzyme tends to aggregate owing to its own physicochemical characteristics. The Km values for IMP and NAD were calculated to be 12 and 25 microM, respectively, and the Ki values for XMP, GMP, and AMP to be 109, 130, and 854 microM, respectively. The purified enzyme showed full activity in the presence of K+, and K+ could be partially replaced by Na+. PCMB inactivated the enzyme, but the activity was completely restored by the addition of DTT. Cl-IMP also inactivated the enzyme and IMP prevented this inactivation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis for the determination of molecular mass of heparins and low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparins.

PubMed

Buzzega, Dania; Maccari, Francesca; Volpi, Nicola

2008-11-01

We report the use of fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) to determine the molecular mass (M) values of heparins (Heps) and low-molecular-weight (LMW)-Hep derivatives. Hep are labeled with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid and FACE is able to resolve each fraction as a discrete band depending on their M. After densitometric acquisition, the migration distance of each Hep standard is acquired and the third-grade polynomial calibration standard curve is determined by plotting the logarithms of the M values as a function of migration ratio. Purified Hep samples having different properties, pharmaceutical Heps and various LMW-Heps were analyzed by both FACE and conventional high-performance size-exclusion liquid chromatography (HPSEC) methods. The molecular weight value on the top of the chromatographic peak (Mp), the number-average Mn, weight-average Mw and polydispersity (Mw/Mn) were examined by both techniques and found to be similar. This approach offers certain advantages over the HPSEC method. The derivatization process with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid is complete after 4 h so that many samples may be analyzed in a day also considering that multiple samples can be run simultaneously and in parallel and that a single FACE analysis requires approx. 15 min. Furthermore, FACE is a very sensitive method as it requires approx. 5-10 microg of Heps, about 10-100-fold lower than samples and standards used in HPSEC evaluation. Finally, the utilization of mini-gels allows the use of very low amounts of reagents with neither expensive equipment nor any complicated procedures having to be applied. This study demonstrates that FACE analysis is a sensitive method for the determination of the M values of Heps and LMW-Heps with possible utilization in virtually any kind of research and development such as quality control laboratories due to its rapid, parallel analysis of multiple samples by means of common and simple largely used analytical laboratory equipment.

Molecular Structural Characteristics of Polysaccharide Fractions from Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch and Their Antioxidant Activities.

PubMed

Zeng, Hongliang; Miao, Song; Zheng, Baodong; Lin, Shan; Jian, Yeye; Chen, Shen; Zhang, Yi

2015-11-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the multiple relations between the preliminary molecular structural characteristics and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch (CPS). Three polysaccharide fractions, CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3, were isolated from CPS by column chromatography. CPS1 and CPS3 were mainly composed of neutral polysaccharides linked by α- and β-glycosidic linkages while CPS2 was pectin polysaccharides mainly linked by β-glycosidic linkages. According to the SEC-MALLS-RI system, the molecular weight of CPS1 was greater compared to CPS2 and CPS3, and the molecular weight and radius of CPS did not display positive correlation. The chain conformation analysis indicated CPS1 and CPS2 were typical highly branched polysaccharides while CPS3 existed as a globular shape in aqueous. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of CPS2 was better than that of CPS3, while that of CPS1 was the weakest. The antioxidant activities of polysaccharide fractions were affected by their monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage, molecular weight, and chain conformation. This functional property was a result of a combination of multiple molecular structural factors. CPS2 was the major antioxidant component of CPS and it could be exploited as a valued antioxidant product. The molecular structural characteristics, antioxidant activities, and structure-function relationships of polysaccharide fractions from Canarium album were first investigated in this study. The results provided background and practical knowledge for the deep-processed products of C. album with high added value. CPS2 was the major antioxidant component of CPS, which could be exploited as a valued antioxidant ingredient in food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®

Determination of molecular mass values of chondroitin sulfates by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE).

PubMed

Buzzega, Dania; Maccari, Francesca; Volpi, Nicola

2010-03-11

Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) was applied to determine the molecular mass (M) values of various chondroitin sulfate (CS) samples. After labeling with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (ANTS), FACE was able to resolve each CS sample as a discrete band depending on the M value. After densitometric acquisition, the migration distance of each CS standard was acquired and the third grade polynomial calibration standard curve was determined by plotting the logarithms of the M values as a function of migration ratio. Purified CS samples of different origin and the European Pharmacopeia CS standard were analyzed by both FACE and conventional high-performance size-exclusion liquid chromatography (HPSEC) methods. The molecular weight value on the top of the chromatographic peak (M(p)), the number-average M(n), weight-average M(w), and polydispersity (M(w)/M(n)) were examined by both techniques and found to be quite similar. This study demonstrates that FACE analysis is a suitable, sensitive and simple method for the determination of the M values of CS macromolecules with possible utilization in virtually any kind of research and development such as quality control laboratories. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Grading of Gliomas by Using Monoexponential, Biexponential, and Stretched Exponential Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis MR Imaging

PubMed Central

Bai, Yan; Lin, Yusong; Tian, Jie; Shi, Dapeng; Cheng, Jingliang; Haacke, E. Mark; Hong, Xiaohua; Ma, Bo; Zhou, Jinyuan

2016-01-01

Purpose To quantitatively compare the potential of various diffusion parameters obtained from monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion-weighted imaging models and diffusion kurtosis imaging in the grading of gliomas. Materials and Methods This study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Both diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging were performed in 69 patients with pathologically proven gliomas by using a 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging unit. An isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true ADC, pseudo-ADC, and perfusion fraction were calculated from diffusion-weighted images by using a biexponential model. A water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index and distributed diffusion coefficient were calculated from diffusion-weighted images by using a stretched exponential model. Mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, and mean kurtosis were calculated from diffusion kurtosis images. All values were compared between high-grade and low-grade gliomas by using a Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic and Spearman rank correlation analysis were used for statistical evaluations. Results ADC, true ADC, perfusion fraction, water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index, distributed diffusion coefficient, and mean diffusivity values were significantly lower in high-grade gliomas than in low-grade gliomas (U = 109, 56, 129, 6, 206, and 229, respectively; P < .05). Pseudo-ADC and mean kurtosis values were significantly higher in high-grade gliomas than in low-grade gliomas (U = 98 and 8, respectively; P < .05). Both water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.993) and mean kurtosis (AUC = 0.991) had significantly greater AUC values than ADC (AUC = 0.866), mean diffusivity (AUC = 0.722), and fractional anisotropy (AUC = 0.500) in the differentiation of low-grade and high-grade gliomas (P < .05). Conclusion Water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index and mean kurtosis values may provide additional information and improve the grading of gliomas compared with conventional diffusion parameters. © RSNA, 2015 Online supplemental material is available for this article. PMID:26230975

Water-Sediment Partition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Nansi Lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guizhai; Diao, Youjiang

2018-06-01

Based on field data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment in Nansi Lake. The concentrations and the partitioning characteristic of PAHs in the water and sediment were studied. The lgKd of high molecular weight PAHs were higher than the low molecular weight PAHs. The most of PAHs Kd values were negligible correlated with TOC, soluble salt, clay and pH of the sediment in Nansi Lake.

Oligomeric cationic polymethacrylates: a comparison of methods for determining molecular weight.

PubMed

Locock, Katherine E S; Meagher, Laurence; Haeussler, Matthias

2014-02-18

This study compares three common laboratory methods, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF), to determine the molecular weight of oligomeric cationic copolymers. The potential bias for each method was examined across a series of polymers that varied in molecular weight and cationic character (both choice of cation (amine versus guanidine) and relative proportion present). SEC was found to be the least accurate, overestimating Mn by an average of 140%, owing to the lack of appropriate cationic standards available, and the complexity involved in estimating the hydrodynamic volume of copolymers. MALDI-TOF approximated Mn well for the highly monodisperse (Đ < 1.1), low molecular weight (degree of polymerization (DP) <50) species but appeared unsuitable for the largest polymers in the series due to the mass bias associated with the technique. (1)H NMR was found to most accurately estimate Mn in this study, differing to theoretical values by only 5.2%. (1)H NMR end-group analysis is therefore an inexpensive and facile, primary quantitative method to estimate the molecular weight of oliogomeric cationic polymethacrylates if suitably distinct end-groups signals are present in the spectrum.

Surface segregation and surface tension of polydisperse polymer melts.

PubMed

Minnikanti, Venkatachala S; Qian, Zhenyu; Archer, Lynden A

2007-04-14

The effect of polydispersity on surface segregation of a lower molecular weight polymer component in a higher molecular weight linear polymer melt host is investigated theoretically. We show that the integrated surface excess zM of a polymer component of molecular weight M satisfies a simple relation zM=2Ue(M/Mw-1)phiM, where Mw is the weight averaged molecular weight, phiM is the polymer volume fraction, and Ue is the attraction of polymer chain ends to the surface. Ue is principally of entropic origin, but also reflects any energetic preference of chain ends to the surface. We further show that the surface tension gammaM of a polydisperse melt of high molar mass components depends on the number average degree of polymerization Mn as, gammaM=gammainfinity+2UerhobRT/Mn. The parameter gammainfinity is the asymptotic surface tension of an infinitely long polymer of the same chemistry, rhob is the bulk density of the polymer, R is the universal gas constant, and T is the temperature. The predicted gammaM compare favorably with surface tension values obtained from self-consistent field theory simulations that include equation of state effects, which account for changes in polymer density with molecular weight. We also compare the predicted surface tension with available experimental data.

Synthesis and Thermal Degradation Studies of Melamine Formaldehyde Resins

PubMed Central

Ullah, Sami; Bustam, M. A.; Nadeem, M.; Tan, W. L.; Shariff, A. M.

2014-01-01

Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resins have been synthesized at different reaction temperature and pH values. Different molar ratios of melamine and formaldehyde were used to synthesize the corresponding resins. The prepared resin samples were characterized by using molecular weight determination viscometry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The maximum percentage of solid content (69.7%) was obtained at pH 8.5 and 75°C temperature. The molecular weight of MF resin was increased with an increase of melamine monomer concentration. The highest residual weight 14.125 wt.% was obtained with sample 10. PMID:25436237

Evaporative purification to produce highly monodisperse polymers: Application to polystyrene for n =3 -13 and quantification of Tg from oligomer to polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, S.; Chai, Y.; Forrest, J. A.

2017-07-01

We demonstrate the use of selective thermal evaporation to separate and purify small molecular weight polymers into highly monodisperse polymers over an extended range of polymerization index. By exploiting the calculated dependence of polymer vapor pressure on polymerization index N and temperature T , we can isolate individual components (N -mers) of an initially polydisperse mixture. To demonstrate this ability, we consider polystyrene samples of Mw=600 g/mol and Mw=890 g/mol with narrow molecular weight distributions, as well as a Mw=1200 g/mol sample with a broader distribution. In each case we are able to separate the sample into milligram quantities of many different components. Using this technique, we have been able to isolate N -mers from 3 to 13. We use differential scanning calorimetry to measure the Tg values of these components, and find that the components have the same Tg values independent of the Mw or polydispersity of the sample they originate from. We find that even initially narrow molecular weight distributions have many different components whose Tg values can differ by more than 50 K. Calculations suggest the isolated components have Mw/Mn values less than 1.001 and through a second iteration of the process could become as low as 1.000 003. The measured Tg values for the N -mers as well as large N polymers are well described by a simple relation derived from the Fox equation for the Tg of mixtures.

Proteomic analysis of albumin and globulin fractions of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds.

PubMed

Dziuba, Jerzy; Szerszunowicz, Iwona; Nałęcz, Dorota; Dziuba, Marta

2014-01-01

Proteomic analysis is emerging as a highly useful tool in food research, including studies of food allergies. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis involving isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is the most effective method of separating hundreds or even thousands of proteins. In this study, albumin and globulin tractions of pea seeds cv. Ramrod were subjected to proteomic analysis. Selected potentially alergenic proteins were identified based on their molecular weights and isoelectric points. Pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Ramrod harvested over a period of two years (Plant Breeding Station in Piaski-Szelejewo) were used in the experiment. The isolated albumins, globulins and legumin and vicilin fractions of globulins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteomic images were analysed in the ImageMaster 2D Platinum program with the use of algorithms from the Melanie application. The relative content, isoelectric points and molecular weights were computed for all identified proteins. Electrophoregrams were analysed by matching spot positions from three independent replications. The proteomes of albumins, globulins and legumin and vicilin fractions of globulins produced up to several hundred spots (proteins). Spots most characteristic of a given fraction were identified by computer analysis and spot matching. The albumin proteome accumulated spots of relatively high intensity over a broad range of pi values of ~4.2-8.1 in 3 molecular weight (MW) ranges: I - high molecular-weight albumins with MW of ~50-110 kDa, II - average molecular-weight albumins with MW of ~20-35 kDa, and III - low molecular-weight albumins with MW of ~13-17 kDa. 2D gel electrophoregrams revealed the presence of 81 characteristic spots, including 24 characteristic of legumin and 14 - of vicilin. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis proved to be a useful tool for identifying pea proteins. Patterns of spots with similar isoelectric points and different molecular weights or spots with different isoelectric points and similar molecular weights play an important role in proteome analysis. The regions characteristic of albumin, globulin and legumin and vicilin fractions of globulin with typical MW and pi values were identified as the results of performed 2D electrophoretic separations of pea proteins. 2D gel electrophoresis of albumins and the vicilin fraction of globulins revealed the presence of 4 and 2 spots, respectively, representing potentially allergenic proteins. They probably corresponded to vicilin fragments synthesized during post-translational modification of the analysed protein.

Indirect Measurement Of Nitrogen In A Multi-Component Gas By Measuring The Speed Of Sound At Two States Of The Gas.

DOEpatents

Morrow, Thomas B.; Behring, II, Kendricks A.

2004-10-12

A methods of indirectly measuring the nitrogen concentration in a gas mixture. The molecular weight of the gas is modeled as a function of the speed of sound in the gas, the diluent concentrations in the gas, and constant values, resulting in a model equation. Regression analysis is used to calculate the constant values, which can then be substituted into the model equation. If the speed of sound in the gas is measured at two states and diluent concentrations other than nitrogen (typically carbon dioxide) are known, two equations for molecular weight can be equated and solved for the nitrogen concentration in the gas mixture.

PALS Free Volume Measurements of Fractionated Hydrido- Silsesquioxane Resin.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madani, Mahmoud M.; Granata, Richard D.; Pernisz, Udo C.

1997-03-01

Hydrido-Silsesquioxane (HSQ) is a resinous polymer with monomer unit formula (HSiO_3/2)_n. For n=8...16, it forms cages which in turn cross-link to yield a resin with a broad molecular weight distribution. It is soluble and forms thin films that may be converted to low-density silica with excellent dielectric properties. These, and the HSQ solubility, depend on molecular structure and size distribution of the cages. Samples of different molecular weight fractions were prepared from HSQ by SCF and the free volume of several cuts was measured by PALS in a conventional fast-fast system. POSITRONFIT and CONTIN programs were used to analyze the spectra. Three separate lifetime regions were identified with free volume regimes that correlate strongly with the molecular weight. The lowest is identified with the monomer cage unit, the larger values with intramolecular separation.

Saponification equivalent of dasamula taila.

PubMed

Saxena, R B

1994-07-01

Saponification equivalent values of Dasamula taila are very useful for the technical and analytical work. It gives the mean molecular weight of the glycerides and acids present in Dasamula Taila. Saponification equivalent values of Dasamula taila are reported in different packings.

Comparison of the influence of polyaspartic acid and polylysine functional groups on the adsorption at the Cr2O3-Aqueous polymer solution interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostolska, Iwona; Wiśniewska, Małgorzata

2014-08-01

Polyamino acids are a group of synthesized polymers obtained by polymerization of a given kind of amino acid monomer. Because of high biodegradability of this class of polymers, they can be used as flocculation or stabilization agents in the environmental aspects. Therefore determination of their influence on the stability of the aqueous suspension of metal oxides is important. An influence of different functional groups of polyamino acids, their molecular weight and concentration on the adsorption at the chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3)-aqueous solution interface was determined. Experiments were carried out for four values of solution pH varying from 3 to 10 (3, 4, 7.6 and 10, respectively). Two polymers were used: anionic polyaspartic acid (ASP) of 6800 and 27,000 as well as polylysine (LYS) of 4900 and 33,000 molecular weights. Changes of surface charge density of colloidal Cr2O3 in the presence and in the absence of macromolecular substances were determined using potentiometric titration. In these studies the influence of the concentration and molecular weight of the ionic polymers on the pHpzc value was determined. Additionally, due to the lack of appropriate literature data, potentiometric titration of the selected polymers was performed to determine pKa values.

SAPONIFICATION EQUIVALENT OF DASAMULA TAILA

PubMed Central

Saxena, R. B.

1994-01-01

Saponification equivalent values of Dasamula taila are very useful for the technical and analytical work. It gives the mean molecular weight of the glycerides and acids present in Dasamula Taila. Saponification equivalent values of Dasamula taila are reported in different packings. PMID:22556683

21 CFR 172.260 - Oxidized polyethylene.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN CONSUMPTION (CONTINUED) FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION... polyethylene has a minimum number average molecular weight of 1,200, as determined by high temperature vapor pressure osmometry; contains a maximum of 5 percent by weight of total oxygen; and has an acid value of 9...

Effect of ring-opening polymerization condition on the characteristic and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene glutarate) biomaterials.

PubMed

Monvisade, Pathavuth; Siriphannon, Punnama; Tapcharoen, Walailak

2009-09-01

Preparation of hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene glutarate) (HAp/PEG) composites was carried out by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic oligo(ethylene glutarate) in porous HAp scaffolds using various reaction temperatures and times. The content of ROP-PEG interpenetrated into the porous HAp scaffold was about 13-18 wt % with the values of number average molecular weight (overline_M{n}) and weight average molecular weight (overline_M{W}) of 2120-3630 and 2760-5250 g/mol, respectively. The increase in polymerization time and temperature brought about increase in molecular weight of ROP-PEG, but decrease in its content. Compressive strength and compressive modulus of the HAp/PEG composites were about 5.8-20.1 and 105-208 MPa, respectively. These mechanical properties depend upon the effects of distribution, content, and molecular weight of ROP-PEG in the composites. In vitro bioactivity of the HAp/PEG composites was studied by soaking them in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 28 days. The formation of HAp nanocrystal on the composite surfaces through the consumption of calcium and phosphorus from the SBF solution was observed after soaking, indicating the bioactivity of these HAp/PEG composites.

Influence of polymeric carrier on the disposition and retention of 20(R)-ginsenoside-rg3-loaded swellable microparticles in the lung.

PubMed

Wang, Xiuhua; Zhang, Xiao; Fan, Linlin; He, Huan; Zhang, Xiaofei; Zhang, Yuyang; Mao, Shirui

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of differently charged biocompatible polymers, including chitosan (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), on the disposition and retention of 20(R)-ginsenoside-rg3 (Rg3)-loaded swellable microparticles in the lung. A high-pressure homogenization method combined with spray drying was used to prepare Rg3-loaded microparticles. In vitro aerodynamic performance of different microparticles was characterized by the Next Generation Impactor (NGI). Retention of the swellable microparticles in the rat lung was investigated using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid method. Influence of drug loading, polymer molecular weight, and polymer charge on the properties of the swellable microparticles was investigated. It was found that drug loading had no significant influence on experimental mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD e ) and fine particle fraction (FPF). Increasing polymer molecular weight caused no remarkable change in MMAD e value, but the FPF value decreased with the increase of polymer molecular weight. At the same molecular weight level, polymer structure and charge had no statistical influence on the in vitro aerodynamic properties of the microparticles and lung disposition, but it influenced the swelling and bioadhesion behavior and therefore lung retention profile. Desirable phagocytosis escapement and inhibition of A549 cell proliferation were achieved for the developed swellable microparticles. In conclusion, the lung retention of swellable microparticles can be adjusted by selecting polymeric carriers with different structure and charge.

Inferential determination of various properties of a gas mixture

DOEpatents

Morrow, Thomas B.; Behring, II, Kendricks A.

2007-03-27

Methods for inferentially determining various properties of a gas mixture, when the speed of sound in the gas is known at an arbitrary temperature and pressure. The method can be applied to natural gas mixtures, where the known parameters are the sound speed, temperature, pressure, and concentrations of any dilute components of the gas. The method uses a set of reference gases and their calculated density and speed of sound values to estimate the density of the subject gas. Additional calculations can be made to estimate the molecular weight of the subject gas, which can then be used as the basis for heating value calculations. The method may also be applied to inferentially determine density and molecular weight for gas mixtures other than natural gases.

On the origin of Triton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Celebonovic, V.

1986-01-01

The origin of Triton, based on the theory of materials under high pressure by Savic and Kasanin (1962, 1965), is described. The mean molecular weight (A) and the volume of one gram mole of Triton's material (V) are evaluated using its values of mass and radius; it is calculated that A = 67 + or - 2 and V = 3 + or - 2. These values are compared with Celebonovic's (1983) model of Neptune; it is observed that the mean molecular weight of Triton is ten times larger than Neptune's. The cause of this large variation in chemical composition is investigated. It is hypothesized that Triton and Neptune formed in different regions of the solar system, and that Triton was ejected from its primordial orbit and was later captured by Neptune.

Effect of molecular weight of polyethylene glycol on the rheological properties of fumed silica-polyethylene glycol shear thickening fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Mansi; Verma, Sanjeev K.; Biswas, Ipsita; Mehta, Rajeev

2018-05-01

The steady-shear viscosity and dynamic visco-elastic behavior of suspensions of 20 wt% fumed silica-polyethylene glycol (PEG200) shear thickening fluid (STF) with different concentrations of various molecular weight PEG (4600, 6000 and 10000) has been studied. The results demonstrate that with an increase in the molecular weight of dispersing medium, the shear thickening parameters are significantly enhanced. In steady-state rheology, addition of PEG6000 as an additive results in high shear thickening at both low and high temperatures whereas in dynamic state, PEG4600 gives high values of all dynamic parameters. Additionally, long polymer can interconnect several particles, acting as cross-links which explain the mechanism of the enhancement in viscosity. Interestingly, compositions having PEG10000 as additive exhibits shear thinning rheology. Long polymer chains increases hydrodynamic forces thus aggregation of particles increases. Also, the results demonstrate the effect of high molecular weight PEGs on the elasticity and stability of the STF, which is important with regard to high impact resisting applications.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis of small molecular weight compounds (under 10 KDa) as biomarkers of rat hearts undergoing arecoline challenge.

PubMed

Chen, Tung-Sheng; Chang, Mu-Hsin; Kuo, Wei-Wen; Lin, Yueh-Min; Yeh, Yu-Lan; Day, Cecilia Hsuan; Lin, Chien-Chung; Tsai, Fuu-Jen; Tsai, Chang-Hai; Huang, Chih-Yang

2013-04-01

Statistical and clinical reports indicate that betel nut chewing is strongly associated with progression of oral cancer because some ingredients in betel nuts are potential cancer promoters, especially arecoline. Early diagnosis for cancer biomarkers is the best strategy for prevention of cancer progression. Several methods are suggested for investigating cancer biomarkers. Among these methods, gel-based proteomics approach is the most powerful and recommended tool for investigating biomarkers due to its high-throughput. However, this proteomics approach is not suitable for screening biomarkers with molecular weight under 10 KDa because of the characteristics of gel electrophoresis. This study investigated biomarkers with molecular weight under 10 KDa in rats with arecoline challenge. The centrifuging vials with membrane (10 KDa molecular weight cut-off) played a crucial role in this study. After centrifuging, the filtrate (containing compounds with molecular weight under 10 KDa) was collected and spotted on a sample plate for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. Compared to control, three extra peaks (m/z values were 1553.1611, 1668.2097 and 1740.1832, respectively) were found in sera and two extra peaks were found in heart tissue samples (408.9719 and 524.9961, respectively). These small compounds should play important roles and may be potential biomarker candidates in rats with arecoline. This study successfully reports a mass-based method for investigating biomarker candidates with small molecular weight in different types of sample (including serum and tissue). In addition, this reported method is more time-efficient (1 working day) than gel-based proteomics approach (5~7 working days).

21 CFR 172.260 - Oxidized polyethylene.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION Coatings, Films and Related Substances... average molecular weight of 1,200, as determined by high temperature vapor pressure osmometry; contains a maximum of 5 percent by weight of total oxygen; and has an acid value of 9 to 19. (b) The additive is used...

Size and shape of soil humic acids estimated by viscosity and molecular weight.

PubMed

Kawahigashi, Masayuki; Sumida, Hiroaki; Yamamoto, Kazuhiko

2005-04-15

Ultrafiltration fractions of three soil humic acids were characterized by viscometry and high performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) in order to estimate shapes and hydrodynamic sizes. Intrinsic viscosities under given solute/solvent/temperature conditions were obtained by extrapolating the concentration dependence of reduced viscosities to zero concentration. Molecular mass (weight average molecular weight (M (w)) and number average molecular weight (M (n))) and hydrodynamic radius (R(H)) were determined by HPSEC using pullulan as calibrant. Values of M (w) and M (n) ranged from 15 to 118 x 10(3) and from 9 to 50 x 10(3) (g mol(-1)), respectively. Polydispersity, as indicated by M (w)/M (n), increased with increasing filter size from 1.5 to 2.4. The hydrodynamic radii (R(H)) ranged between 2.2 and 6.4 nm. For each humic acid, M (w) and [eta] were related. Mark-Houwink coefficients calculated on the basis of the M (w)-[eta] relationships suggested restricted flexible chains for two of the humic acids and a branched structure for the third humic acid. Those structures probably behave as hydrated sphere colloids in a good solvent. Hydrodynamic radii of fractions calculated from [eta] using Einstein's equation, which is applicable to hydrated sphere colloids, ranged from 2.2 to 7.1 nm. These dimensions are fit to the size of nanospaces on and between clay minerals and micropores in soil particle aggregates. On the other hand, the good agreement of R(H) values obtained by applying Einstein's equation with those directly determined by HPSEC suggests that pullulan is a suitable calibrant for estimation of molecular mass and size of humic acids by HPSEC.

Middle molecules and small-molecular-weight proteins in ESRD: properties and strategies for their removal.

PubMed

Clark, William R; Winchester, James F

2003-10-01

Molecular weight has traditionally been the parameter most commonly used to classify uremic toxins, with a value of approximately 500 Da frequently used as a demarcation point below which the molecular weights of small nitrogenous waste products fall. This toxin group, the most extensively studied from a clinical perspective, is characterized by a high degree of water solubility and the absence of protein binding. However, uremia is mediated by the retention of a plethora of other compounds having characteristics that differ significantly from those of the previously mentioned group. As opposed to the relative homogeneity of the nitrogenous metabolite class, other uremic toxins collectively are a very heterogeneous group, not only with respect to molecular weight but also other characteristics, such as protein binding and hydrophobicity. A recently proposed classification scheme by the European Uraemic Toxin Work Group subdivides the remainder of molecules into 2 categories: protein-bound solutes and middle molecules. For the latter group, the Work Group proposes a molecular weight range (500-60,000 Da) that incorporates many toxins identified since the original middle molecule hypothesis, for which the upper molecular weight limit was approximately 2,000 Da. In fact, low-molecular-weight peptides and proteins (LMWPs) comprise nearly the entire middle molecule category in the new scheme. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the middle molecule class of uremic toxins, with the focus on LMWPs. A brief review of LMWP metabolism under conditions of normal (and in a few cases, abnormal) renal function will be presented. The physical characteristics of several LMWPs will also be presented, including molecular weight, conformation, and charge. Specific LMWPs to be covered will include beta 2-microglobulin, complement proteins (C3a and Factor D), leptin, and proinflammatory cytokines. The article will also include a discussion of the treatment-related factors influencing dialytic removal of middle molecules. Once these factors, which include membrane characteristics, protein-membrane interactions, and solute removal mechanisms, are discussed, an overview of the different therapeutic strategies used to enhance clearance of these compounds is provided.

Predicting residue-wise contact orders in proteins by support vector regression.

PubMed

Song, Jiangning; Burrage, Kevin

2006-10-03

The residue-wise contact order (RWCO) describes the sequence separations between the residues of interest and its contacting residues in a protein sequence. It is a new kind of one-dimensional protein structure that represents the extent of long-range contacts and is considered as a generalization of contact order. Together with secondary structure, accessible surface area, the B factor, and contact number, RWCO provides comprehensive and indispensable important information to reconstructing the protein three-dimensional structure from a set of one-dimensional structural properties. Accurately predicting RWCO values could have many important applications in protein three-dimensional structure prediction and protein folding rate prediction, and give deep insights into protein sequence-structure relationships. We developed a novel approach to predict residue-wise contact order values in proteins based on support vector regression (SVR), starting from primary amino acid sequences. We explored seven different sequence encoding schemes to examine their effects on the prediction performance, including local sequence in the form of PSI-BLAST profiles, local sequence plus amino acid composition, local sequence plus molecular weight, local sequence plus secondary structure predicted by PSIPRED, local sequence plus molecular weight and amino acid composition, local sequence plus molecular weight and predicted secondary structure, and local sequence plus molecular weight, amino acid composition and predicted secondary structure. When using local sequences with multiple sequence alignments in the form of PSI-BLAST profiles, we could predict the RWCO distribution with a Pearson correlation coefficient (CC) between the predicted and observed RWCO values of 0.55, and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.82, based on a well-defined dataset with 680 protein sequences. Moreover, by incorporating global features such as molecular weight and amino acid composition we could further improve the prediction performance with the CC to 0.57 and an RMSE of 0.79. In addition, combining the predicted secondary structure by PSIPRED was found to significantly improve the prediction performance and could yield the best prediction accuracy with a CC of 0.60 and RMSE of 0.78, which provided at least comparable performance compared with the other existing methods. The SVR method shows a prediction performance competitive with or at least comparable to the previously developed linear regression-based methods for predicting RWCO values. In contrast to support vector classification (SVC), SVR is very good at estimating the raw value profiles of the samples. The successful application of the SVR approach in this study reinforces the fact that support vector regression is a powerful tool in extracting the protein sequence-structure relationship and in estimating the protein structural profiles from amino acid sequences.

A tunable pH-sensing system based on Ag nanoclusters capped by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine with different molecular weights.

PubMed

Qu, Fei; Zou, Xuan; Kong, Rongmei; You, Jinmao

2016-01-01

In this assay, a tunable pH sensing system was developed based on Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) capped by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) with different molecular weights (abbreviated as Ag NC-PEIs). For instance, when the molecular weight of PEI was 600 or 1800, the fluorescence intensities of Ag NCs exhibited a linear fashion over the pH range 4.10-7.96; when the molecular weight of PEI was 25,000, the pH linear range was from 4.78 to 7.96; when the molecular weight of PEI was 70,000, the pH linear range was 6.09-8.95. According to the molecular weight of PEI 600/1800, 25,000, and 70,000, the color change point was pH 4.10-4.78, 5.33-6.09, and 6.09-6.80, respectively. Therefore, Ag NC-PEI 600 and 1800 were proper to acid conditions; Ag NC-PEI 25,000 was sensitive to weak acid media; while Ag NC-PEI 70,000 was adapted to neutral solution. The tunable and selective color change points brought an excellent feature of Ag NC-PEIs as visual pH indicators, which was flexible and applicable to a variety of environments. Besides, the ratios of absorbance at 415 nm and 268 nm of Ag NCs also showed linear relationships with pH variations. Therefore, there were three ways of this system for sensing pH values, including fluorescence assay, ultraviolet-visible measurement, and visual detection, suggesting that this tunable pH-sensing platform was more feasible, reliable, and accurate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular weight distribution of phosphorus fraction of aquatic dissolved organic matter.

PubMed

Ged, Evan C; Boyer, Treavor H

2013-05-01

This study characterized dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) that is discharged from the Everglades Agricultural Area as part of the larger pool of aquatic dissolved organic matter (DOM). Whole water samples collected at the Everglades stormwater treat area 1 West (STA-1 W) were fractionated using a batch ultrafiltration method to separate organic compounds based on apparent molecular weight (AMW). Each AMW fraction of DOM was characterized for phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, UV absorbance, and fluorescence. The DOP content of the Everglades water matrix was characteristically variable constituting 4-56% of total phosphorus (TP) and demonstrated no correlation with dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Measured values for DOP exceeded 14μgL(-1) in four out of five sampling dates making phosphorus load reductions problematic for the stormwater treatment areas (STAs), which target inorganic phosphorus and have a goal of 10μgL(-1) as TP. The molecular weight distributions revealed 40% of DOP is high molecular weight, aromatic-rich DOM. The results of this research are expected to be of interest to environmental chemists, environmental engineers, and water resources managers because DOP presents a major obstacle to achieving TP levels <10μgL(-1). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving of Mechanical and Shape-Memory Properties in Hyperbranched Epoxy Shape-Memory Polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santiago, David; Fabregat-Sanjuan, Albert; Ferrando, Francesc; De la Flor, Silvia

2016-09-01

A series of shape-memory epoxy polymers were synthesized using an aliphatic amine and two different commercial hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine)s with different molecular weights as crosslinking agents. Thermal, mechanical, and shape-memory properties in materials modified with different hyperbranched polymers were analyzed and compared in order to establish the effect of the structure and the molecular weight of the hyperbranched polymers used. The presence of hyperbranched polymers led to more heterogeneous networks, and the crosslinking densities of which increase as the hyperbranched polymer content increases. The transition temperatures can be tailored from 56 to 117 °C depending on the molecular weight and content of the hyperbranched polymer. The mechanical properties showed excellent values in all formulations at room temperature and, specially, at T_{{g}}^{{E^' with stress at break as high as 15 MPa and strain at break as high as 60 %. The shape-memory performances revealed recovery ratios around 95 %, fixity ratios around 97 %, and shape-recovery velocities as high as 22 %/min. The results obtained in this study reveal that hyperbranched polymers with different molecular weights can be used to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy-based SMPs while keeping excellent shape-memory properties.

Enthalpy measurement of coal-derived liquids. Technical progress report, November 1982-January 1983

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kidnay, A.J.; Yesavage, V.F.

The objective of this research is to measure the enthalpy for representative coal-derived liquids and model compounds over the pressure and temperature regions most likely to be encountered in both liquefaction and processing systems, and to prepare from the data an enthalpy correlation suitable for process design calculations. The correlational effort this past quarter on the enthalpy of coal-derived syncrudes and model compounds has emphasized the experimental determination of a correlating factor for association in coal liquids. As in previous work, the degree of association is to be related to cryoscopic molecular weight determinations on the coal liquids. To thismore » end, work on and an evaluationof a cryoscopic molecular weight apparatus was completed this quarter. Molecular weights of coal liquids determined by the standard Beckman freezing point depression apparatus were consistently low (5 to 10%). After modifications of the apparatus, it was tested with the following compounds: hexane, dodecane, m-xylene and naphthalene. Benzene was the solvent used. However, the molecular weight measurements were again consistently lower than the true values, and in many cases the experimental error was greater than that of the Beckman apparatus.« less

Honey melanoidins: Analysis of the compositions of the high molecular weight melanoidins exhibiting radical-scavenging activity.

PubMed

Brudzynski, Katrina; Miotto, Danielle

2011-08-01

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and activity-guided fractionation of honeys allowed the isolation of high molecular weight brown compounds, ranging in size from 66 to 235kDa that exhibited peroxyl radical-scavenging activity. Their concentrations, antioxidant activity and degree of browning increased after heat-treatment of honeys, suggesting that they represent melanoidins. Chemical analysis of melanoidins demonstrated the presence of proteins, polyphenols and oligosaccharides. Heat-treatment caused an increased incorporation of phenolics into high molecular weight melanoidins and drastically decreased the protein content in these fractions with a concomitant appearance of high molecular weight protein-polyphenol complexes of reduced solubility. LC-ESI-MS demonstrated the presence of oligosaccharide moieties, supporting the postulated origin of melanoidins. The changes in the phenolic content of melanoidins from heated honeys were strongly correlated with their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values (R=0.75, p<0.0001), indicating that polyphenols contribute to the antioxidant activity of melanoidins. In summary, honey melanoidins are multi-component polymers consisting of protein-polyphenol-oligosaccharide complexes. A direct interaction between polyphenols and melanoidins resulted in a loss or gain of function for melanoidin antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khezri, Khezrollah, E-mail: kh.khezri@ut.ac.ir; Roghani-Mamaqani, Hossein

Graphical abstract: Effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-41) on the activator generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) is investigated. Decrement of conversion and number average molecular weight and also increment of polydispersity index (PDI) values are three main results of addition of MCM-41 nanoparticles. Incorporation of MCM-41 nanoparticles in the polystyrene matrix can clearly increase thermal stability and decrease glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites. - Highlights: • Spherical morphology, hexagonal structure, and high surface area with regular pore diameters of the synthesized MCM-41 nanoparticles are examined. • AGET ATRP of styrene in the presencemore » of MCM-41 nanoparticles is performed. • Effect of MCM-41 nanoparticles addition on the polymerization rate, conversion and molecular weights of the products are discussed. • Improvement in thermal stability of the nanocomposites and decreasing T{sub g} values was also observed by incorporation of MCM-41 nanoparticles. - Abstract: Activator generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization was employed to synthesize well-defined mesoporous silica nanoparticles/polystyrene composites. Inherent features of spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles were evaluated by nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis techniques. Conversion and molecular weight evaluations were carried out using gas and size exclusion chromatography respectively. By the addition of only 3 wt% mesoporous silica nanoparticles, conversion decreases from 81 to 58%. Similarly, number average molecular weight decreases from 17,116 to 12,798 g mol{sup −1}. However, polydispersity index (PDI) values increases from 1.24 to 1.58. A peak around 4.1–4.2 ppm at proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy results clearly confirms the living nature of the polymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that thermal stability of the nanocomposites increases by adding nanoparticles content. Decrease of glass transition temperature is also demonstrated by the addition of 3 wt% of silica nanoparticles according to the differential scanning calorimetry results.« less

Quantitative estimation of film forming polymer-plasticizer interactions by the Lorentz-Lorenz Law.

PubMed

Dredán, J; Zelkó, R; Dávid, A Z; Antal, I

2006-03-09

Molar refraction as well as refractive index has many uses. Beyond confirming the identity and purity of a compound, determination of molecular structure and molecular weight, molar refraction is also used in other estimation schemes, such as in critical properties, surface tension, solubility parameter, molecular polarizability, dipole moment, etc. In the present study molar refraction values of polymer dispersions were determined for the quantitative estimation of film forming polymer-plasticizer interactions. Information can be obtained concerning the extent of interaction between the polymer and the plasticizer from the calculation of molar refraction values of film forming polymer dispersions containing plasticizer.

Poly(styrene-co-butadiene) random copolymer thin films and nanostructures on a mica surface: morphology and contact angles of nanodroplets.

PubMed

McClements, Jake; Buffone, Cosimo; Shaver, Michael P; Sefiane, Khellil; Koutsos, Vasileios

2017-09-20

The self-assembly of poly(styrene-co-butadiene) random copolymers on mica surfaces was studied by varying solution concentrations and polymer molecular weights. Toluene solutions of the poly(styrene-co-butadiene) samples were spin coated onto a mica surface and the resulting polymer morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy. At higher concentrations, thin films formed with varying thicknesses; some dewetting was observed which depended on the molecular weight. Total dewetting did not occur despite the polymer's low glass transition temperature. Instead, partial dewetting was observed suggesting that the polymer was in a metastable equilibrium state. At lower concentrations, spherical cap shaped nanodroplets formed with varying sizes from single polymer chains to aggregates containing millions of chains. As the molecular weight was increased, fewer aggregates were observed on the surface, albeit with larger sizes resulting from increased solution viscosities and more chain entanglements at higher molecular weights. The contact angles of the nanodroplets were shown to be size dependent. A minimum contact angle occurs for droplets with radii of 100-250 nm at each molecular weight. Droplets smaller than 100 nm showed a sharp increase in contact angle; attributed to an increase in the elastic modulus of the droplets, in addition, to a positive line tension value. Droplets larger than 250 nm also showed an increased contact angle due to surface heterogeneities which cannot be avoided for larger droplets. This increase in contact angle plateaus as the droplet size reaches the macroscopic scale.

Determination of the molecular weight of low-molecular-weight heparins by using high-pressure size exclusion chromatography on line with a triple detector array and conventional methods.

PubMed

Bisio, Antonella; Mantegazza, Alessandra; Vecchietti, Davide; Bensi, Donata; Coppa, Alessia; Torri, Giangiacomo; Bertini, Sabrina

2015-03-19

The evaluation of weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution represents one of the most controversial aspects concerning the characterization of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs). As the most commonly used method for the measurement of such parameters is high performance size exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC), the soundness of results mainly depends on the appropriate calibration of the chromatographic columns used. With the aim of meeting the requirement of proper Mw standards for LMWHs, in the present work the determination of molecular weight parameters (Mw and Mn) by HP-SEC combined with a triple detector array (TDA) was performed. The HP-SEC/TDA technique permits the evaluation of polymeric samples by exploiting the combined and simultaneous action of three on-line detectors: light scattering detectors (LALLS/RALLS); refractometer and viscometer. Three commercial LMWH samples, enoxaparin, tinzaparin and dalteparin, a γ-ray depolymerized heparin (γ-Hep) and its chromatographic fractions, and a synthetic pentasaccharide were analysed by HP-SEC/TDA. The same samples were analysed also with a conventional HP-SEC method employing refractive index (RI) and UV detectors and two different chromatographic column set, silica gel and polymeric gel columns. In both chromatographic systems, two different calibration curves were built up by using (i) γ-Hep chromatographic fractions and the corresponding Mw parameters obtained via HP-SEC/TDA; (ii) the whole γ-Hep preparation with broad Mw dispersion and the corresponding cumulative distribution function calculated via HP-SEC/TDA. In addition, also a chromatographic column calibration according to European Pharmacopoeia indication was built up. By comparing all the obtained results, some important differences among Mw and size distribution values of the three LMWHs were found with the five different calibration methods and with HP-SEC/TDA method. In particular, the detection of the lower molecular weight components turned out to be the most critical aspect. Whereas HP-SEC/TDA may underestimate species under 2 KDa when present in low concentration, other methods appeared to emphasize their content.

Molecular weight between entanglements for κ- and ι-carrageenans in an ionic liquid.

PubMed

Horinaka, Jun-ichi; Urabayashi, Yuhei; Wang, Xiaochen; Takigawa, Toshikazu

2014-08-01

The molecular weight between entanglements (Me) for κ- and ι-carrageenans, sulfated galactans, was examined in concentrated solutions using an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a solvent. The dynamic viscoelasticity data for the solutions measured at different temperatures were overlapped according to the time-temperature superposition principle, and the obtained master curves exhibited the flow and rubbery plateau zones, being typical of concentrated polymer solutions having entanglement coupling. The values of Me for κ- and ι-carrageenans in the solutions were determined from the plateau moduli. Then the values of Me in the molten state (Me,melt) estimated as a material constant to be 6.6×10(3) and 7.2×10(3), respectively. The close values of Me,melt for κ- and ι-carrageenans indicate that 4-sulfate group of ι-carrageenan are not so influential for the entanglement network. Compared with agarose, a non-sulfate galactan, carrageenans have larger values of average spacing between entanglements. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fractionation of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin by sequential extraction for enhancing antioxidant performance.

PubMed

An, Liangliang; Wang, Guanhua; Jia, Hongyu; Liu, Cuiyun; Sui, Wenjie; Si, Chuanling

2017-06-01

The heterogeneity of lignin chemical structure and molecular weight results in the lignin inhomogeneous properties which also covers the antioxidant performance. In order to evaluate the effects of lignin heterogeneity on its antioxidant activity, four lignin fractions from enzymatic hydrolysis lignin were classified by sequential organic solvent extraction and further evaluated by DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power analysis. The characterization including FTIR, 1 H NMR and GPC showed that the fractionation process could effectively separate lignin fractions with distinctly different molecular weight and weaken the heterogeneity of unfractionated lignin. The antioxidant performance comparison of lignin fractions indicated that the dichloromethane fraction (F1) with lowest molecular weight (4585g/mol) and highest total phenolics content (246.13mg GAE/g) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity whose value was close to commercial antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). Moreover, the relationship between the antioxidant activity and the structure of lignin was further discussed to elucidate the mechanism of antioxidant activity improvement of lignin fractionation. Consequently, this study suggested that the sequential extraction was an effective way to obtain relatively homogeneous enzymatic hydrolysis lignin fractions which showed the potential for the value-added antioxidant application. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Toughening mechanism in elastomer-modified epoxy resins, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yee, A. F.; Pearson, R. A.

1984-01-01

The role of matrix ductility on the toughenability and toughening mechanism of elastomer-modified DGEBRA epoxies was investigated. Matrix ductility was varied by using epoxide resins of varying epoxide monomer molecular weights. These epoxide resins were cured using 4,4' diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and, in some cases, modified with 10% HYCAR(r)CTBN 1300X8. Fracture roughness values for the neat epoxies were found to be almost independent on the monomer molecular weight of the epoxide resin used. However, it was found that the fracture toughness of the elastomer-modified epoxies was very dependent upon the epoxide monomer molecular weight. Tensile dilatometry indicated that the toughening mechanism, when present, is similar to the mechanisms found for the piperidine cured epoxies in Part 1. SEM and OM corroborate this finding. Dynamic mechanical studies were conducted to shed light on the toughenability of the epoxies. The time-dependent small strain behavior of these epoxies were separated into their bulk and shear components. The bulk component is related to brittle fracture, whereas the shear component is related to yielding. It can be shown that the rates of shear and bulk strain energy buildup for a given stress are uniquely determined by the values of Poisson's ratio, nu. It was found that nu increases as the monomer molecular weight of the epoxide resin used increases. This increase in nu can be associated with the low temperature beta relaxation. The effect of increasing cross-link density is to shift the beta relaxation to higher temperatures and to decrease the magnitude of the beta relaxation. Thus, increasing cross-link density decreases nu and increases the tendency towards brittle fracture.

Effect of thermal treatment on potato starch evidenced by EPR, XRD and molecular weight distribution.

PubMed

Bidzińska, Ewa; Michalec, Marek; Pawcenis, Dominika

2015-12-01

Effect of heating of the potato starch on damages of its structure was investigated by quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and determination of the molecular weight distribution. The measurements were performed in the temperature range commonly used for starch modifications optimizing properties important for industrial applications. Upon thermal treatment, because of breaking of the polymer chains, diminishing of the average molecular weights occurred, which significantly influences generation of radicals, evidenced by EPR. For the relatively mild conditions, with heating parameters not exceeding temperature 230 °C and time of heating equal to 30 min a moderate changes of both the number of thermally generated radicals and the mean molecular weight of the starch were observed. After more drastic thermal treatment (e.g. 2 h at 230 °C), a rapid increase in the radical amount occurred, which was accompanied by significant reduction of the starch molecular size and crystallinity. Experimentally established threshold values of heating parameters should not be exceeded in order to avoid excessive damages of the starch structure accompanied by the formation of the redundant amount of radicals. This requirement is important for industrial applications, because significant destruction of the starch matrix might annihilate the positive influence of the previously performed intentional starch modification. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Growth of long triisopropylsilylethynyl pentacene (TIPS-PEN) nanofibrils in a polymer thin film during spin-coating.

PubMed

Park, Minwoo; Min, Yuho; Lee, Yu-Jeong; Jeong, Unyong

2014-03-01

This study demonstrates the growth of long triisopropylsilyethynyl pentacene (TIPS-PEN) nanofibrils in a thin film of a crystalline polymer, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). During spin-coating, TIPS-PEN molecules are locally extracted around the PCL grain boundaries and they crystallize into [010] direction forming long nanofibrils. Molecular weight of PCL and weight fraction (α) of TIPS-PEN in PCL matrix are key factors to the growth of nanofibrils. Long high-quality TIPS-PEN nanofibrils are obtained with high-molecular-weight PCL and at the α values in the range of 0.03-0.1. The long nanofibrils are used as an active layer in a field-effect organic transistor. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electrosprayed chitosan nanoparticles: facile and efficient approach for bacterial transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abyadeh, Morteza; Sadroddiny, Esmaeil; Ebrahimi, Ammar; Esmaeili, Fariba; Landi, Farzaneh Saeedi; Amani, Amir

2017-12-01

A rapid and efficient procedure for DNA transformation is a key prerequisite for successful cloning and genomic studies. While there are efforts to develop a facile method, so far obtained efficiencies for alternative methods have been unsatisfactory (i.e. 105-106 CFU/μg plasmid) compared with conventional method (up to 108 CFU/μg plasmid). In this work, for the first time, we prepared chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles by electrospraying methods to improve transformation process. Electrospray method was used for chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles production to investigate the non-competent bacterial transformation efficiency; besides, the effect of chitosan molecular weight, N/P ratio and nanoparticle size on non-competent bacterial transformation efficiency was evaluated too. The results showed that transformation efficiency increased with decreasing the molecular weight, N/P ratio and nanoparticles size. In addition, transformation efficiency of 1.7 × 108 CFU/μg plasmid was obtained with chitosan molecular weight, N/P ratio and nanoparticles size values of 30 kDa, 1 and 125 nm. Chitosan/pDNA electrosprayed nanoparticles were produced and the effect of molecular weight, N/P and size of nanoparticles on transformation efficiency was evaluated. In total, we present a facile and rapid method for bacterial transformation, which has comparable efficiency with the common method.

Hofmeister effect on thermo-responsive poly(propylene oxide): Role of polymer molecular weight and concentration.

PubMed

Moghaddam, Saeed Zajforoushan; Thormann, Esben

2016-03-01

Although a vast amount of research has been dedicated to investigate the Hofmeister effect on the stability of polymer solutions, a clear understanding of the role of polymer properties in this phenomenon is still missing. Here, the Hofmeister effect of NaCl (destabilizing) and NaSCN (stabilizing) salts on aqueous solutions of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) is studied. Four different molecular weights of PPO were investigated, to determine how the variation in the polymer coil size affects the Hofmeister effect. The investigation was further conducted for different PPO concentrations, in order to understand the effect of inter-chain interactions on the response to addition of salt. The temperature-driven phase separation of the solutions was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry, which provides the precise value of the phase separation temperature, as well as the enthalpy change accompanied with the transition. It was observed that increasing the molecular weight weakens the effect of the both salts, which is interpreted in terms of a scaling law between the molecular weight and the accessible surface area of the polymers. Increasing the PPO concentration further diminished the NaCl effect, but amplified the NaSCN effect. This difference is attributed to an electrostatic stabilization mechanism in the case of NaSCN. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhanced wear performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene crosslinked by organosilane.

PubMed

Tang, C Y; Xie, X L; Wu, X C; Li, R K Y; Mai, Y W

2002-11-01

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) crosslinked by organosilane was thermal compression molded. The organosilane used was the tri-ethyloxyl vinyl silane. Its gelation, melting behavior, crystallinity, mechanical and wear-resisting properties were systematically investigated. The results showed that the gel ratio of UHMWPE increases with the incorporation of organosilane. At a low content of organosilane, the melting point and crystallinity of the crosslinked UHMWPE increase, and hence the mechanical and wear-resisting properties are improved. However, at a high content of organosilane, these performances of the crosslinked UHMWPE become worse. At 0.4 phr silane, the wear resistance of crosslinked UHMWPE reaches its optimum value.

Search for organic compounds in the lunar dust from the Sea of Tranquillity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ponnamperuma, C.; Kvenvolden, K.; Chang, S.; Johnson, Richard; Pollock, G.; Philpott, D.; Kaplan, I.; Smith, J.; Schopf, J.W.; Gehrke, C.; Hodgson, G.; Breger, I.A.; Halpern, B.; Duffield, A.; Krauskopf, K.; Barghoorn, E.; Holland, H.; Keil, Klaus

1970-01-01

A sample of lunar dust was examined for organic compounds. Carbon detected in concentrations of 157 micrograms per gram had a δ13C per mil (PDB) value of + 20. Treatment with hydrochloric acid yielded hydrocarbons of low molecular weight, suggesting the presence of carbides. The gas chromatogram of the acylated and esterified derivatives of the hydrolyzate was similar to that obtained for the Pueblito de Allende meteorite. There were no detectable amounts of extractable high-molecular-weight alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, isoprenoid hydrocarbons, normal alkanes, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, or nucleic acid bases. Traces of porphyrins were found, perhaps arising from rocket exhaust materials.

Controllable production of low molecular weight heparins by combinations of heparinase I/II/III.

PubMed

Wu, Jingjun; Zhang, Chong; Mei, Xiang; Li, Ye; Xing, Xin-Hui

2014-01-30

Enzymatic depolymerization of heparin by heparinases is promising for production of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) as anticoagulants, due to its mild reaction conditions and high selectivity. Here, different heparinase combinations were used to depolymerize heparin. Heparinase I and heparinase II can depolymerize heparin more efficiently than heparinase III, respectively, but heparinase III was the best able to protect the anticoagulant activities of LMWHs. Heparinase III and heparinase I/II combinations were able to efficiently depolymerize heparin to LMWHs with higher anticoagulant activity than the LMWHs produced by the respective heparinase I and heparinase II. HepIII and HepI is the best combination for maintaining high anti-IIa activity (75.7 ± 4.21 IU/mg) at the same Mw value. Furthermore, considering both the changes in molecular weight and anticoagulant activity, the action patterns of heparinase I and heparinase II were found not to follow the exolytic and processive depolymerizing mechanism from the reducing end of heparin. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterisation of pectins extracted from banana peels (Musa AAA) under different conditions using an experimental design.

PubMed

Happi Emaga, Thomas; Ronkart, Sébastien N; Robert, Christelle; Wathelet, Bernard; Paquot, Michel

2008-05-15

An experimental design was used to study the influence of pH (1.5 and 2.0), temperature (80 and 90°C) and time (1 and 4h) on extraction of pectin from banana peels (Musa AAA). Yield of extracted pectins, their composition (neutral sugars, galacturonic acid, and degree of esterification) and some macromolecular characteristics (average molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity) were determined. It was found that extraction pH was the most important parameter influencing yield and pectin chemical composition. Lower pH values negatively affected the galacturonic acid content of pectin, but increased the pectin yield. The values of degree of methylation decreased significantly with increasing temperature and time of extraction. The average molecular weight ranged widely from 87 to 248kDa and was mainly influenced by pH and extraction time. Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationship Between Frequency and Deflection Angle in the DNA Prism

PubMed Central

Chen, Zhen; Dorfman, Kevin D.

2013-01-01

The DNA prism is a modification of the standard pulsed-field electrophoresis protocol to provide a continuous separation, where the DNA are deflected at an angle that depends on their molecular weight. The standard switchback model for the DNA prism predicts a monotonic increase in the deflection angle as a function of the frequency for switching the field until a plateau regime is reached. However, experiments indicate that the deflection angle achieves a maximum value before decaying to a size-independent value at high frequencies. Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we show that the maximum in the deflection angle is related to the reorientation time for the DNA and the decay in deflection angle at high frequencies is due to inadequate stretching. The generic features of the dependence of the deflection angle on molecular weight, switching frequency, and electric field strength explain a number of experimental phenomena. PMID:23410375

Extraction of gelatin from salmon (Salmo salar) fish skin using trypsin-aided process: optimization by Plackett-Burman and response surface methodological approaches.

PubMed

Fan, HuiYin; Dumont, Marie-Josée; Simpson, Benjamin K

2017-11-01

Gelatin from salmon ( Salmo salar ) skin with high molecular weight protein chains ( α -chains) was extracted using trypsin-aided process. Response surface methodology was used to optimise the extraction parameters. Yield, hydroxyproline content and protein electrophoretic profile via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of gelatin were used as responses in the optimization study. The optimum conditions were determined as: trypsin concentration at 1.49 U/g; extraction temperature at 45 °C; and extraction time at 6 h 16 min. This response surface optimized model was significant and produced an experimental value (202.04 ± 8.64%) in good agreement with the predicted value (204.19%). Twofold higher yields of gelatin with high molecular weight protein chains were achieved in the optimized process with trypsin treatment when compared to the process without trypsin.

Comparison of molecular breeding values based on within- and across-breed training in beef cattle.

PubMed

Kachman, Stephen D; Spangler, Matthew L; Bennett, Gary L; Hanford, Kathryn J; Kuehn, Larry A; Snelling, Warren M; Thallman, R Mark; Saatchi, Mahdi; Garrick, Dorian J; Schnabel, Robert D; Taylor, Jeremy F; Pollak, E John

2013-08-16

Although the efficacy of genomic predictors based on within-breed training looks promising, it is necessary to develop and evaluate across-breed predictors for the technology to be fully applied in the beef industry. The efficacies of genomic predictors trained in one breed and utilized to predict genetic merit in differing breeds based on simulation studies have been reported, as have the efficacies of predictors trained using data from multiple breeds to predict the genetic merit of purebreds. However, comparable studies using beef cattle field data have not been reported. Molecular breeding values for weaning and yearling weight were derived and evaluated using a database containing BovineSNP50 genotypes for 7294 animals from 13 breeds in the training set and 2277 animals from seven breeds (Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Limousin, and Simmental) in the evaluation set. Six single-breed and four across-breed genomic predictors were trained using pooled data from purebred animals. Molecular breeding values were evaluated using field data, including genotypes for 2227 animals and phenotypic records of animals born in 2008 or later. Accuracies of molecular breeding values were estimated based on the genetic correlation between the molecular breeding value and trait phenotype. With one exception, the estimated genetic correlations of within-breed molecular breeding values with trait phenotype were greater than 0.28 when evaluated in the breed used for training. Most estimated genetic correlations for the across-breed trained molecular breeding values were moderate (> 0.30). When molecular breeding values were evaluated in breeds that were not in the training set, estimated genetic correlations clustered around zero. Even for closely related breeds, within- or across-breed trained molecular breeding values have limited prediction accuracy for breeds that were not in the training set. For breeds in the training set, across- and within-breed trained molecular breeding values had similar accuracies. The benefit of adding data from other breeds to a within-breed training population is the ability to produce molecular breeding values that are more robust across breeds and these can be utilized until enough training data has been accumulated to allow for a within-breed training set.

Functional Interfaces Constructed by Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization for Analytical Chemistry.

PubMed

Wang, Huai-Song; Song, Min; Hang, Tai-Jun

2016-02-10

The high-value applications of functional polymers in analytical science generally require well-defined interfaces, including precisely synthesized molecular architectures and compositions. Controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP) has been developed as a versatile and powerful tool for the preparation of polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and predetermined molecular weights. Among the CRP system, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) are well-used to develop new materials for analytical science, such as surface-modified core-shell particles, monoliths, MIP micro- or nanospheres, fluorescent nanoparticles, and multifunctional materials. In this review, we summarize the emerging functional interfaces constructed by RAFT and ATRP for applications in analytical science. Various polymers with precisely controlled architectures including homopolymers, block copolymers, molecular imprinted copolymers, and grafted copolymers were synthesized by CRP methods for molecular separation, retention, or sensing. We expect that the CRP methods will become the most popular technique for preparing functional polymers that can be broadly applied in analytical chemistry.

Molecular weight analyses and enzymatic degradation profiles of the soft-tissue fillers Belotero Balance, Restylane, and Juvéderm Ultra.

PubMed

Flynn, Timothy Corcoran; Thompson, David H; Hyun, Seok-Hee

2013-10-01

In this study, the authors sought to determine the molecular weight distribution of three hyaluronic acids-Belotero Balance, Restylane, and Juvéderm Ultra-and their rates of degradation following exposure to hyaluronidase. Lot consistency of Belotero Balance also was analyzed. Three lots of Belotero Balance were analyzed using liquid chromatography techniques. The product was found to have high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight species. One lot of Belotero Balance was compared to one lot each of Juvéderm Ultra and Restylane. Molecular weights of the species were analyzed. The hyaluronic acids were exposed to ovine testicular hyaluronidase at six time points-baseline and 0.5, 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours-to determine degradation rates. Belotero Balance lots were remarkably consistent. Belotero Balance had the largest high-molecular-weight species, followed by Juvéderm Ultra and Restylane (p < 0.001). Low-molecular-weight differences among all three hyaluronic acids were not statistically significant. Percentages of high-molecular-weight polymer differ among the three materials, with Belotero Balance having the highest fraction of high-molecular-weight polymer. Degradation of the high-molecular-weight species over time showed different molecular weights of the high-molecular-weight fraction. Rates of degradation of the hyaluronic acids following exposure to ovine testicular hyaluronidase were similar. All hyaluronic acids were fully degraded at 24 hours. Fractions of high-molecular-weight polymer differ across the hyaluronic acids tested. The low-molecular-weight differences are not statistically significant. The high-molecular-weight products have different molecular weights at the 0.5- and 2-hour time points when exposed to ovine testicular hyaluronidase and are not statistically different at 24 hours.

The Role of Molecular Weight and Temperature on the Elastic and Viscoelastic Properties of a Glassy Thermoplastic Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2001-01-01

Mechanical testing of the elastic and viscoelastic response of an advanced thermoplastic polyimide (LaRC-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The notched tensile strength was shown to be a strong function of both molecular weight and temperature, whereas stiffness was only a strong function of temperature. A critical molecular weight was observed to occur at a weight average molecular weight of M, approx. 22,000 g/mol below which, the notched tensile strength decreases rapidly. This critical molecular weight transition is temperature-independent. Low, molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. Furthermore, low molecular weight materials have increased creep compliance and creep compliance rate, and are more sensitive to temperature than the high molecular weight materials. At long timescales (less than 1100 hours) physical aging serves to significantly decrease the creep compliance and creep rate of all the materials tested. Low molecular weight materials are less influenced by the effects of physical aging.

Receptor theory and biological constraints on value.

PubMed

Berns, Gregory S; Capra, C Monica; Noussair, Charles

2007-05-01

Modern economic theories of value derive from expected utility theory. Behavioral evidence points strongly toward departures from linear value weighting, which has given rise to alternative formulations that include prospect theory and rank-dependent utility theory. Many of the nonlinear forms for value assumed by these theories can be derived from the assumption that value is signaled by neurotransmitters in the brain, which obey simple laws of molecular movement. From the laws of mass action and receptor occupancy, we show how behaviorally observed forms of nonlinear value functions can arise.

PREPARATION, DRUG RELEASE, AND CELL GROWTH INHIBITION OF A GELATIN – DOXORUBICIN CONJUGATE

PubMed Central

Wu, Darren C.; Cammarata, Christopher R.; Park, Hyun Joo; Rhodes, Brian T.; Ofner, Clyde M.

2013-01-01

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of a novel macromolecular delivery system for doxorubicin (DOX) which combines pH dependent DOX release with a high molecular weight and biodegradable gelatin carrier. Methods DOX was conjugated to gelatin using an acid labile hydrazone bond and a glycylglycine linker. The gelatin-doxorubicin conjugate (G-DOX) was evaluated for hydrazide and DOX content by spectrophotometry, molecular weight by HPLC-SEC, in vitro DOX release at various pH, and cell growth inhibition using EL4 mouse lymphoma and PC3 human prostate cells. Results G-DOX hydrazide and DOX content was 47% and 5-7%, respectively of theoretical gelatin carboxylic acid sites. During preparation of G-DOX, the molecular weight decreased to 22 kDa. DOX release was 48% in pH 4.8 phosphate buffer, 22% at pH 6.5, but 10% at pH 7.4. The G-DOX IC50 values in EL4 and PC3 cells were 0.26 μM and 0.77 μM, respectively; the latter value 3 times greater than that of free DOX. Conclusions A 22 kDa macromolecular DOX conjugate containing 3.4-5.0% w/w DOX has been prepared. The pH dependent drug release in combination with a biodegradable gelatin carrier offer potential therapeutic advantages of enhanced tumor cell localization and reduced systemic toxicities of the drug. PMID:23686374

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments and mussels of Corral Bay, south central Chile.

PubMed

Palma-Fleming, Hernan; P, Adalberto J Asencio; Gutierrez, Elena

2004-03-01

PAHs were measured in sediments and mussels (Mytilus chilensis) from Carboneros and Puerto Claro, located in Corral Bay, Valdivia. According to the ratio of phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene concentrations, these sites are medium polluted with PAHs originating mainly from pyrolytic sources. Fluoranthene was the major component measured in mussels (3.1-390 ng g(-1) dry weight) and sediments (6.9-74.1 ng g(-1) dry weight). In general, mussels were mainly exposed to the dissolved fraction of the lower molecular weight PAHs (tri- and tetra-aromatics) while the higher molecular ring systems (penta- and hexa-aromatics) were more bioavailable to sediments. Mussel PAHs content was relatively constant, with the exception of the 1999 summer season (March), when higher concentration values were found in both sites; however, PAHs residues in sediments showed a temporal variation.

Molecular dynamics studies of polyethylene oxide and polyethylene glycol: hydrodynamic radius and shape anisotropy.

PubMed

Lee, Hwankyu; Venable, Richard M; Mackerell, Alexander D; Pastor, Richard W

2008-08-01

A revision (C35r) to the CHARMM ether force field is shown to reproduce experimentally observed conformational populations of dimethoxyethane. Molecular dynamics simulations of 9, 18, 27, and 36-mers of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and 27-mers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in water based on C35r yield a persistence length lambda = 3.7 A, in quantitative agreement with experimentally obtained values of 3.7 A for PEO and 3.8 A for PEG; agreement with experimental values for hydrodynamic radii of comparably sized PEG is also excellent. The exponent upsilon relating the radius of gyration and molecular weight (R(g) proportional, variantM(w)(upsilon)) of PEO from the simulations equals 0.515 +/- 0.023, consistent with experimental observations that low molecular weight PEG behaves as an ideal chain. The shape anisotropy of hydrated PEO is 2.59:1.44:1.00. The dimension of the middle length for each of the polymers nearly equals the hydrodynamic radius R(h)obtained from diffusion measurements in solution. This explains the correspondence of R(h) and R(p), the pore radius of membrane channels: a polymer such as PEG diffuses with its long axis parallel to the membrane channel, and passes through the channel without substantial distortion.

Concentrating phenolic acids from Lonicera japonica by nanofiltration technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Cunyu; Ma, Yun; Li, Hongyang; Peng, Guoping

2017-03-01

Response surface analysis methodology was used to optimize the concentrate process of phenolic acids from Lonicera japonica by nanofiltration technique. On the basis of the influences of pressure, temperature and circulating volume, the retention rate of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid and 4-dicaffeoylquinic acid were selected as index, molecular weight cut-off of nanofiltration membrane, concentration and pH were selected as influencing factors during concentrate process. The experiment mathematical model was arranged according to Box-Behnken central composite experiment design. The optimal concentrate conditions were as following: nanofiltration molecular weight cut-off, 150 Da; solutes concentration, 18.34 µg/mL; pH, 4.26. The predicted value of retention rate was 97.99% under the optimum conditions, and the experimental value was 98.03±0.24%, which was in accordance with the predicted value. These results demonstrate that the combination of Box-Behnken design and response surface analysis can well optimize the concentrate process of Lonicera japonica water-extraction by nanofiltration, and the results provide the basis for nanofiltration concentrate for heat-sensitive traditional Chinese medicine.

Influence of Molecular Weight on the Mechanical Performance of a Thermoplastic Glassy Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.

1999-01-01

Mechanical Testing of an advanced thermoplastic polyimide (LaRC-TM-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The physical characterization, elastic properties and notched tensile strength were all determined as a function of molecular weight and test temperature. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature. A critical molecular weight (Mc) was observed to occur at a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approx. 22000 g/mol below which, the notched tensile strength decreases rapidly. This critical molecular weight transition is temperature-independent. Furthermore, inelastic analysis showed that low molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. The microstructural images supported these findings.

Development of Army High-Energy Fuel for Diesel/Turbine-Powered Surface Equipment. Phase II

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

preparation. The same extracting procedure used with methylene chloride was then used with pen- tans. A 3.0-percent loss in weight was noted, and a residue...minimum time to reach the target, and minimum weight . Since small missiles, such as the cruise, are volume-limited, it is imperative that the fuel contains...tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (C1 0 R1 6 ) Molecular Weight 136.2 C:H Ratio 0.62 r Specific Gravity @ 15.60C (60*F) 0.94 Heating Value, Btu/gal. 142,000

Use of an exchange method to estimate the association and dissociation rate constants of cadmium complexes formed with low-molecular-weight organic acids commonly exuded by plant roots.

PubMed

Schneider, André; Nguyen, Christophe

2011-01-01

Organic acids released from plant roots can form complexes with cadmium (Cd) in the soil solution and influence metal bioavailability not only due to the nature and concentration of the complexes but also due to their lability. The lability of a complex influences its ability to buffer changes in the concentration of free ions (Cd); it depends on the association (, m mol s) and dissociation (, s) rate constants. A resin exchange method was used to estimate and (m mol s), which is the conditional estimate of depending on the calcium (Ca) concentration in solution. The constants were estimated for oxalate, citrate, and malate, three low-molecular-weight organic acids commonly exuded by plant roots and expected to strongly influence Cd uptake by plants. For all three organic acids, the and estimates were around 2.5 10 m mol s and 1.3 × 10 s, respectively. Based on the literature, these values indicate that the Cd- low-molecular-weight organic acids complexes formed between Cd and low-molecular-weight organic acids may be less labile than complexes formed with soil soluble organic matter but more labile than those formed with aminopolycarboxylic chelates. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Purification and Characterization of Axial Filaments from Treponema phagedenis Biotype reiterii (the Reiter Treponeme)

PubMed Central

Bharier, Michael; Allis, David

1974-01-01

Axial filaments have been purified from Treponema phagedenis biotype reiterii (the Reiter treponeme) and partially characterized chemically. The preparations consist largely of protein but also contain small amounts of hexose (3%). Filaments dissociate to subunits in acid, alkali, urea, guanidine, and various detergents. Amino acid analyses show an overall resemblance to other spirochetal axial filaments and to bacterial flagella. Dissociated filaments migrate as a single band upon acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3 (in 4 M urea and 10 3 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate) and at pH 12, but in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, three bands are obtained under a wide variety of conditions. Two of these bands migrate very close together, with molecular weights of 33,000 ± 500. The other band has a molecular weight of 36,500 ± 500. Analysis of axial filaments by the dansyl chloride method yields both methionine and glutamic acid as amino terminal end groups. Sedimentation equilibrium measurements on dissociated axial filaments in 7 M guanidine hydrochloride yield plots of log C against ϰ2 which vary with the speed and initial protein concentration used. Molecular weight values calculated from these plots are consistent with a model in which axial filament subunits are heterogeneous with respect to molecular weight in the approximate range of 32,000 to 36,000. Images PMID:4436261

The Activity of Trypsin

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russo, Salvatore F.; Holzman, Tom

1977-01-01

Describes an experiment that illustrates the following points concerning the experimental determination of trypsin activity: (1) there is a difference in basing enzyme concentration on weight, absorbance, or active sites; and (2) the method of expressing enzyme concentration determines the value of specific, molecular, and catalytic center…

The Place for Thermoplastic Composites in Structural Components

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

The molten tube is then squashed flat and consolidated into ribbon form by continuous opposed-belt laminating. Existing graphite-epoxy pultrusion...the solid form it must have a molecular weight that exceeds the critical entanglement value. Thus thermoplastic materials of commercial worth almost

Comparison of molecular breeding values based on within- and across-breed training in beef cattle

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Although the efficacy of genomic predictors based on within-breed training looks promising, it is necessary to develop and evaluate across-breed predictors for the technology to be fully applied in the beef industry. The efficacies of genomic predictors trained in one breed and utilized to predict genetic merit in differing breeds based on simulation studies have been reported, as have the efficacies of predictors trained using data from multiple breeds to predict the genetic merit of purebreds. However, comparable studies using beef cattle field data have not been reported. Methods Molecular breeding values for weaning and yearling weight were derived and evaluated using a database containing BovineSNP50 genotypes for 7294 animals from 13 breeds in the training set and 2277 animals from seven breeds (Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Limousin, and Simmental) in the evaluation set. Six single-breed and four across-breed genomic predictors were trained using pooled data from purebred animals. Molecular breeding values were evaluated using field data, including genotypes for 2227 animals and phenotypic records of animals born in 2008 or later. Accuracies of molecular breeding values were estimated based on the genetic correlation between the molecular breeding value and trait phenotype. Results With one exception, the estimated genetic correlations of within-breed molecular breeding values with trait phenotype were greater than 0.28 when evaluated in the breed used for training. Most estimated genetic correlations for the across-breed trained molecular breeding values were moderate (> 0.30). When molecular breeding values were evaluated in breeds that were not in the training set, estimated genetic correlations clustered around zero. Conclusions Even for closely related breeds, within- or across-breed trained molecular breeding values have limited prediction accuracy for breeds that were not in the training set. For breeds in the training set, across- and within-breed trained molecular breeding values had similar accuracies. The benefit of adding data from other breeds to a within-breed training population is the ability to produce molecular breeding values that are more robust across breeds and these can be utilized until enough training data has been accumulated to allow for a within-breed training set. PMID:23953034

Low-Molecular-Weight Plasma Proteome Analysis Using Top-Down Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Cheon, Dong Huey; Yang, Eun Gyeong; Lee, Cheolju; Lee, Ji Eun

2017-01-01

While human plasma has a wealth of diagnostic information regarding the state of the human body in heath and disease, low molecular weight (LMW) proteome (<30 kDa) has been shown to contain a rich source of diagnostic biomarkers. Here we describe a protocol for top-down proteomic analysis to identify and characterize the LMW proteoforms present in four types of human plasma samples without immunoaffinity depletion and with depletion of the top two, six, and seven high-abundance proteins. Each type of plasma sample was first fractionated based on molecular weight using gel-eluted liquid fraction entrapment electrophoresis (GELFrEE). Then, the GELFrEE fractions containing up to 30 kDa were subjected to nanocapillary-LC-MS/MS, and the high-resolution MS and MS/MS data were processed using ProSightPC software. As a result, a total of 442 LMW proteins and cleaved products, including those with posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and single amino acid variations (SAAVs), were identified with a threshold E-value of 1 × 10 -4 from the four types of plasma samples.

Transformations of dissolved organic matter in a landfill leachate--a size exclusion chromatography/mass spectrometric approach.

PubMed

Persson, Linn; Alsberg, Tomas; Ledin, Anna; Odham, Göran

2006-08-01

The aim of the present study was to search for qualitative changes in the landfill leachate DOM along a groundwater gradient. The study was focused on DOM characteristics of importance for its interaction with pollutants, such as molecular weight distribution and aromaticity. It was concluded that the leachate DOM underwent substantial qualitative changes along the investigated gradient at the Vejen landfill, Denmark. The molecular weight decreased, the polydispersity increased, and the aromaticity varied with the lowest values found in the middle of the gradient. The high aromaticity in the end of the gradient may explain the higher DOM binding capacity towards hydrophobic compounds seen earlier in these samples. The relative abundance of ions with mass to charge ratio (m/z) of 600-1200 seemed to be very stable along the gradient, indicating that the observed qualitative changes of the DOM is mostly attributed to changes in the m/z 100-600 range. The DOM seemed to become more similar to fulvic acids present in uncontaminated groundwater with respect to molecular weight and polydispersity along the gradient.

POROSITY OF ISOLATED CELL WALLS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AND BACILLUS MEGATERIUM.

PubMed

GERHARDT, P; JUDGE, J A

1964-04-01

Gerhardt, Philipp (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), and Jean A. Judge. Porosity of isolated cell walls of a yeast and a bacillus. J. Bacteriol. 87:945-951. 1964.-Decagram masses of cell walls were isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus megaterium; their porosity was examined by measuring the extent of uptake with polyethylene glycols and dextrans varying in molecular weight from 62 to 2,000,000. The results indicated that both walls are heteroporous. The near equality of extrapolated water-uptake values and determined moisture contents suggested that water in the cell walls is mainly free for distribution of solutes. Polymers with molecular weights of 4,500 and above were excluded by the yeast walls, and those with molecular weights of 57,000 were excluded by the bacillus walls; from these results, maximal openings of 36 and 107 A, respectively, were calculated. Electron micrographs of shadowed, stained, and sectioned walls revealed fine structure not inconsistent with heteroporosity, but the predicted openings were not seen. Altogether, in structure and permeability behavior, the cell walls were like a random meshwork of cross-linked macromolecular strands.

Induction and Tunability of Self-Healing Property of Dendron Based Hydrogel Using Clay Nanocomposite.

PubMed

Vivek, Balachandran; Kumar, Prashant; Prasad, Edamana

2016-06-16

Low molecular weight gels have relatively poor self-healing capacity compared to that of polymeric gels. Induction and tuning of the healing capacity of low molecular weight gels to achieve desired applications are thus challenging tasks. The present work describes the achievement of remarkable tunability of self-healing property for a low molecular weight hybrid gel, based on poly(aryl ether) dendron derivative (PAD). The hybrid gel has been synthesized using PAD and poly(amido amine) {PAMAM} dendrimer derivative (QPD), which are intercalated in the montmorillonite clay (MMT) layers. The self-healing of the hybrid gel (QPD-MMT-PAD) was demonstrated through experiments where the distorted gel regained the initial value of storage modulus (G') within a few minutes. Further, the propensity of self-healing of the gel has been tuned as a function of QPD concentration. The mechanically stable QPD-MMT-PAD hybrid gel has been utilized for the adsorption of ppm level concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as β-naphthol, pyrene, and phenenathrene from water with excellent efficiency (80-98%).

Mechlorethamine-based drug structures for intervention of central nervous system tumors.

PubMed

Bartzatt, Ronald

2013-06-01

Tumors of the central nervous system are the third most common type of childhood cancers. Brain tumors occur in children and adults; however pediatric patients require a different treatment process. Thirteen drugs similar to mechlorethamine are analyzed in this study. These drugs possess molecular properties enabling substantial and successful access to tumors of the central nervous system. All drugs exhibit zero violations of the Rule of 5, which indicate favorable bioavailability. Ranges in Log P, formula weight, and polar surface area for these drugs are: 1.554 to 3.52, 156.06 to 460.45, and 3.238 Angstroms(2) to 45.471 Angstroms(2), respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis determined that agents 7 and 12 are most similar to the parent compound mechlorethamine. The mean values of Log P, formula weight, polar surface area, and molecular volume are 2.25, 268.51, 16.57 Angstroms(2), and 227.01 Angstroms(3), respectively. Principal component analysis indicates that agents 7 and 12 are most similar to mechlorethamine and multiple regression analysis of molecular properties produced a model to enable the design of similar alkylating agents. Values of Log (Cbrain/Cblood) indicate these agents will have very high permeation into the central nervous system.

Broadband terahertz dynamics of propylene glycol monomer and oligomers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koda, Shota; Mori, Tatsuya; Kojima, Seiji

2016-12-01

We investigated the broadband terahertz spectra (0.1-5.0 THz) of glass-forming liquids, propylene glycol (PG), its oligomers poly (propylene glycol)s (PPGs), and poly (propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PPG-de) using broadband terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and low-frequency Raman scattering. The numerical value of the dielectric loss at around 1.5 THz, which is the peak position of broad peaks in all samples, decreased as the molecular weight increased. Furthermore, the peak at around 1.5 THz is insensitive to the molecular weight. For PPGs, the side chain effect of the oligomer was observed in the terahertz region. Based on the experimental and calculation results for the PPGs and PPG-de, whose end groups are epoxy groups, the beginnings of the increases in the observed dielectric loss above 3.5 THz of the PPGs are assigned to the OH bending vibration. The higher value of the dielectric loss in the terahertz region for the PPG-de can be the tail of a broad peak located in the MHz region. The difference between the Raman susceptibility and dielectric loss reflects the difference in the observable molecular dynamics between the infrared and Raman spectroscopies.

A novel approach to select differential pathways associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy based on gene co‑expression analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Xiao-Min; Feng, Ming-Jun; Shen, Cai-Jie; He, Bin; Du, Xian-Feng; Yu, Yi-Bo; Liu, Jing; Chu, Hui-Min

2017-07-01

The present study was designed to develop a novel method for identifying significant pathways associated with human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), based on gene co‑expression analysis. The microarray dataset associated with HCM (E‑GEOD‑36961) was obtained from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory‑European Bioinformatics Institute database. Informative pathways were selected based on the Reactome pathway database and screening treatments. An empirical Bayes method was utilized to construct co‑expression networks for informative pathways, and a weight value was assigned to each pathway. Differential pathways were extracted based on weight threshold, which was calculated using a random model. In order to assess whether the co‑expression method was feasible, it was compared with traditional pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes, which were identified using the significance analysis of microarrays package. A total of 1,074 informative pathways were screened out for subsequent investigations and their weight values were also obtained. According to the threshold of weight value of 0.01057, 447 differential pathways, including folding of actin by chaperonin containing T‑complex protein 1 (CCT)/T‑complex protein 1 ring complex (TRiC), purine ribonucleoside monophosphate biosynthesis and ubiquinol biosynthesis, were obtained. Compared with traditional pathway enrichment analysis, the number of pathways obtained from the co‑expression approach was increased. The results of the present study demonstrated that this method may be useful to predict marker pathways for HCM. The pathways of folding of actin by CCT/TRiC and purine ribonucleoside monophosphate biosynthesis may provide evidence of the underlying molecular mechanisms of HCM, and offer novel therapeutic directions for HCM.

Antimicrobial and anticancer potential of low molecular weight polypeptides extracted and characterized from leaves of Azadirachta indica.

PubMed

Al Saiqali, Mohammed; Tangutur, Anjana Devi; Banoth, Chandrasekhar; Bhukya, Bhima

2018-07-15

Low molecular weight antimicrobial polypeptides were extracted and purified from the young fresh leaves of Azadirachta indica (neem). The total protein extracted was precipitated with 15% TCA-Acetone. The total purified proteins yielded from the two extraction methods were 122.33±2.21 and 115.09±1.88mg/g of the total fresh weight. The SDS-PAGE analysis identified the presence of eight low molecular weight polypeptide bands. The antimicrobial activity of the resolved bands was detected by Polyacrylamide gel-Agar overlay diffusion assay (PAG-ADA). Their broad-spectrum bactericidal activity was confirmed using the same technique and found three low molecular weight bands from 11 to 14kDa collectively exhibiting superior bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermis, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungicidal activity against Candida tropicalis. The FTIR spectrum of the protein bands depicted the presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in the protein bands. These polypeptides were characterized by MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis. Further, the purified protein extract was found to be active against HELA, BT-549 and Neuro-2a cell lines with IC 50 value of 74.03±2.31, 64.82±1.64, 238.32±2.12 and 109.94±2.96, 59.61±0.75 for 24h and 48h, respectively. The results of present study indicate that these polypeptides exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer activity and can therefore be explored for their therapeutic potential. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The use of low molecular weight heparin-pluronic nanogels to impede liver fibrosis by inhibition the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

PubMed

Lee, Ju-Hee; Lee, Hyunseung; Joung, Yoon Ki; Jung, Kyung Hee; Choi, Jong-Hoon; Lee, Don-Haeng; Park, Ki Dong; Hong, Soon-Sun

2011-02-01

Low molecular weight heparin (LH) has been reported to have anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer effects. To enhance the efficacy and minimize adverse effects of LH, a low molecular weight heparin-pluronic nanogel (LHP) was synthesized by conjugating carboxylated pluronic F127 to LH. The LHP reduced anti-coagulant activity by about 33% of the innate activity. Liver fibrosis was induced by the injection of 1% dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats, and LH or LHP (1000 IU/kg body weight) was treated once daily for 4 weeks. LHP administration prevented DMN-mediated liver weight loss and decreased the values of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin. LHP markedly reduced the fibrotic area compared to LH. Also, LHP potently inhibited mRNA or protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen type I, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 compared to LH, in DMN-induced liver fibrosis. In addition, LHP decreased the expression of transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), p-Smad 2, and p-Smad 3, which are all important molecules of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. The results support an LHP shows anti-fibrotic effect in the liver via inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad pathway as well as by the elimination of the extracellular matrix. Crown Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rapid and Clean Covalent Attachment of Methylsiloxane Polymers and Oligomers to Silica Using B(C6F5)3 Catalysis.

PubMed

Flagg, Daniel H; McCarthy, Thomas J

2017-08-22

The rapid, room-temperature covalent attachment of alkylhydridosilanes (R 3 Si-H) to silicon oxide surfaces to form monolayers using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 , BCF) catalysis has recently been described. This method, unlike alternative routes to monolayers, produces only unreactive H 2 gas as a byproduct and reaches completion within minutes. We report the use of this selective reaction between surface silanols and hydridosilanes to prepare surface-grafted poly(dimethylsiloxane)s (PDMSs) with various graft architectures that are controlled by the placement of hydridosilane functionality at one end, both ends, or along the chain of PDMS samples of controlled molecular weight. We also report studies of model methylsiloxane monolayers prepared from pentamethyldisiloxane, heptamethyltrisiloxane (two isomers), heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane. These modified silica surfaces with structurally defined methylsiloxane groups are not accessible by conventional silane surface chemistry and proved to be useful in exploring the steric limitations of the reaction. Linear monohydride- and dihydride-terminated PDMS-grafted surfaces exhibit increasing thickness and decreasing contact angle hysteresis with increasing molecular weight up to a particular molecular weight value. Above this value, the hysteresis increases with increasing molecular weight of end-grafted polymers. Poly(hydridomethyl-co-dimethylsiloxane)s with varied hydride content (3-100 mol %) exhibit decreasing thickness, decreasing contact angle, and increasing contact angle hysteresis with increasing hydride content. These observations illustrate the importance of molecular mobility in three-phase contact line dynamics on low-hysteresis surfaces. To calibrate our preparative procedure against both monolayers prepared by conventional approaches as well as the recent reports, a series of trialkylsilane (mostly, n-alkyldimethylsilane) monolayers was prepared to determine the reaction time required to achieve the maximum bonding density using dynamic contact angle analysis. Monolayers prepared from hydridosilanes with BCF catalysis have lower bonding densities than those derived from chlorosilanes, and the reactions are more sensitive to alkyl group sterics. This lower bonding density renders greater flexibility to the n-alkyl groups in monolayers and can decrease the contact angle hysteresis.

Formation of nitrosothiols from gaseous nitric oxide at pH 7.4.

PubMed

Palmerini, Carlo Alberto; Saccardi, Carla; Arienti, Giuseppe; Palombari, Roberto

2002-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated in biological systems and plays important roles as a regulatory molecule. Its ability to bind to haem iron is well known. Moreover, it may lose an electron, forming the nitrosonium ion, involved in the synthesis of S-nitrosothiols (SNOs). It has been suggested that S-nitrosohaemoglobin (-SNO Hb) and low molecular weight SNOs may act as reservoirs of NO. SNOs are formed in vitro, at strongly acidic pH values; however, the mechanism of their formation at neutral pH values is still debated. In this paper we report the anaerobic formation of SNOs (both high- and low-molecular weight) from low concentrations of NO at pH 7.4, provided Hb is also present. We propose a reaction mechanism entailing the participation of Fehaem in the formation of NO(+) and the transfer of NO(+) either to Cysbeta(93) of Hb or to glutathione; we show that this reaction also occurs in human RBCs. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular Weight Effects on the Viscoelastic Response of a Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2000-01-01

The effect of molecular weight on the viscoelastic performance of an advanced polymer (LaRC -SI) was investigated through the use of creep compliance tests. Testing consisted of short-term isothermal creep and recovery with the creep segments performed under constant load. The tests were conducted at three temperatures below the glass transition temperature of each material with different molecular weight. Through the use of time-aging-time superposition procedures, the material constants, material master curves and aging-related parameters were evaluated at each temperature for a given molecular weight. The time-temperature superposition technique helped to describe the effect of temperature on the timescale of the viscoelastic response of each molecular weight. It was shown that the low molecular weight materials have increased creep compliance and creep compliance rate, and are more sensitive to temperature than the high molecular weight materials. Furthermore, a critical molecular weight transition was observed to occur at a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 25000 g/mol below which, the temperature sensitivity of the time-temperature superposition shift factor increases rapidly.

Fractionation of Organosolv Lignin Using Acetone:Water and Properties of the Obtained Fractions

DOE PAGES

Sadeghifar, Hasan; Wells, Tyrone; Le, Rosemary Khuu; ...

2016-11-07

In this study, lignin fractions with different molecular weight were prepared using a simple and almost green method from switchgrass and pine organosolv lignin. Different proportions of acetone in water, ranging from 30 to 60%, were used for lignin fractionation. A higher concentration of acetone dissolved higher molecular weight fractions of the lignin. Fractionated organosolv lignin showed different molecular weight and functional groups. Higher molecular weight fractions exhibited more aliphatic and less phenolic OH than lower molecular weight fractions. Lower molecular weight fractions lead to more homogeneous structure compared to samples with a higher molecular weight. In conclusion, all fractionsmore » showed strong antioxidant activity.« less

Degradation mechanisms of bioresorbable polyesters. Part 2. Effects of initial molecular weight and residual monomer.

PubMed

Gleadall, Andrew; Pan, Jingzhe; Kruft, Marc-Anton; Kellomäki, Minna

2014-05-01

This paper presents an understanding of how initial molecular weight and initial monomer fraction affect the degradation of bioresorbable polymers in terms of the underlying hydrolysis mechanisms. A mathematical model was used to analyse the effects of initial molecular weight for various hydrolysis mechanisms including noncatalytic random scission, autocatalytic random scission, noncatalytic end scission or autocatalytic end scission. Different behaviours were identified to relate initial molecular weight to the molecular weight half-life and to the time until the onset of mass loss. The behaviours were validated by fitting the model to experimental data for molecular weight reduction and mass loss of samples with different initial molecular weights. Several publications that consider initial molecular weight were reviewed. The effect of residual monomer on degradation was also analysed, and shown to accelerate the reduction of molecular weight and mass loss. An inverse square root law relationship was found between molecular weight half-life and initial monomer fraction for autocatalytic hydrolysis. The relationship was tested by fitting the model to experimental data with various residual monomer contents. Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of sources of protein and enzyme supplementation on protein digestibility and chyme characteristics in broilers.

PubMed

Yu, B; Lee, T T T; Chiou, P W S

2002-07-01

1. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein source and enzyme supplementation on protein digestibility and chyme characteristics in broilers. 2. One hundred and twenty growing (13 d old) and 60 finishing (34 d old) Arbor Acre strain commercial male broilers were selected and placed into individual metabolic cages. 3. The experiment was a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with 5 different sources of protein: casein, fish meal, soybean meal (SBM), soy protein concentrate (SPC), maize gluten meal (MGM) and two levels of protease (bromelain), 0 and 65 CDU/kg diets. 4. The diets were iso-nitrogenous and semi-purified, with Cr2O3 as an indicator for determination of ileal digestibility and chyme characteristics. 5. Apparent ileal protein digestibility (AIPD) in both growing and finishing chickens was highest on the casein diet, followed by fish meal, SBM, SPC and MGM. 6. Enzyme inclusion did not improve protein digestibility, but significantly decreased the digesta pH value in the gizzard and increased pH in the ileum in the 3-week-old broilers. 7. The digesta pH values in the gizzard and duodenum were significantly lower in the SBM and fish meal groups compared with the other protein groups. The molecular weight distribution pattern of the soluble protein in the chyme of the gastrointestinal (GI) segments showed a similar trend, regardless of the enzyme inclusion or the stage of growth. 8. The molecular weight profile of soluble protein changed dynamically in the casein fed broilers from the gizzard to ileum and the low molecular weight proteins, < 7 kDa, reached maximum levels at the ileum. The molecular weight profile of the soluble protein in the SBM and SPC changed between the jejunum and the ileum and in the intermediate molecular soluble protein weight (7 to 10 kDa) was significantly decreased. This indicated that the hydrolysis process began from the middle to the posterior end of the small intestine. 9. Similar profiles were also shown with fish meal protein. The pattern of distribution, however, did not show any prominent change in the GI segments of the MGM group. 10. The pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin protease activity in the gizzard and duodenum were highest in the casein group and lowest in the MGM group as compared with the other protein groups. 11. The rate change in the patterns of molecular weight distribution in soluble protein and the digestive enzyme activity provide indications of the partial digestibility of different protein sources. The exogenous enzyme, bromelain, did not show any beneficial effect on protein digestion.

Rheological study of the effect of polyethylene oxide (PEO) homopolymer on the gelation of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer in aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaolei; Hyun, Kyu

2018-05-01

The effects of polyethylene oxide (PEO) homopolymer on the gelation behavior of a PEO100-PPO65-PEO100 triblock copolymer (Pluronic F127) were explored in aqueous solution under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. Under non-isothermal conditions (temperature sweep test), two transition points were observed on increasing temperature, that is, at lower and upper gelation temperatures (LTgel and UTgel, respectively). Between LTgel and UTgel, F127 aqueous solutions maintained a hard gel state. Both molecular weight (MW) and PEO concentration affected these two gelation temperatures. In particular, relative molecular weight (MWrel ≡ molecular weight of PEO homopolymer/PEO segment of F127) affected LTgel. LTgel decreased on increasing PEO concentration at MWrel values of <1, but increased on increasing PEO concentration at MWrel values of >1. On the other hand, UTgel decreased with increasing PEO concentration regardless of MWrel. Under isothermal conditions (fixed temperature between LTgel and UTgel), the effects of PEO homopolymer on the mechanical properties of F127 hard gel were systemically investigated using small and large amplitude oscillatory shear tests. In the linear viscoelastic regime, total intra-cycle stress and elastic intra-cycle stress were similar, and viscous response increased on increasing PEO concentration. However, at large strain amplitudes, hard gels showed intra-cycle stiffening but inter-cycle softening behavior. In addition, on increasing PEO concentrations, viscous nonlinearities underwent strain-rate thickening followed by strain-rate thinning.

A comparison study on microwave-assisted extraction of Artemisia sphaerocephala polysaccharides with conventional method: Molecule structure and antioxidant activities evaluation.

PubMed

Wang, Junlong; Zhang, Ji; Wang, Xiaofang; Zhao, Baotang; Wu, Yiqian; Yao, Jian

2009-12-01

The conventional extraction methods for polysaccharides were time-consuming, laborious and energy-consuming. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was employed for the extraction of Artemisia sphaerocephala polysaccharides (ASP), which is a traditional Chinese food. The extracting parameters were optimized by Box-Behnken design. In microwave heating process, a decrease in molecular weight (M(w)) was detected in SEC-LLS measurement. A d(f) value of 2.85 indicated ASP using MAE exhibited as a sphere conformation of branched clusters in aqueous solution. Furthermore, it showed stronger antioxidant activities compared with hot water extraction. The data obtained showed that the molecular weights played a more important role in antioxidant activities.

Antioxidation activities of low-molecular-weight gelatin hydrolysate isolated from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jingfeng; Wang, Yuming; Tang, Qingjuan; Wang, Yi; Chang, Yaoguang; Zhao, Qin; Xue, Changhu

2010-03-01

Gelatin extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber ( Stichopus japonicus) was hydrolyzed with flavourzyme. Low-molecular-weight gelatin hydrolysate (LMW-GH) of 700-1700 Da was produced using an ultrafiltration membrane bioreactor system. Chemiluminescence analysis revealed that LMW-GH scavenges high free radicals in a concentration-dependent manner; IC50 value for superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was 442 and 285 μg mL-1, respectively. LMW-GH exhibited excellent inhibitory characteristics against melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16 cells. Furthermore, LMW-GH notably increased intracellular glutathione (GSH), which in turn suppressed melanogenesis. LMW-GH performs antioxidation activity, holding the potential of being used as a valuable ingredient in function foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals or nutriceuticals.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and prediction of new structures by comparative analysis.

PubMed

Bartzatt, Ronald

2012-01-01

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of agents important for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. This study presents several approaches to predict and elucidate new molecular structures of NSAIDs based on 36 known and proven anti-inflammatory compounds. Based on 36 known NSAIDs the mean value of Log P is found to be 3.338 (standard deviation= 1.237), mean value of polar surface area is 63.176 Angstroms2 (standard deviation = 20.951 A2), and the mean value of molecular weight is 292.665 (standard deviation = 55.627). Nine molecular properties are determined for these 36 NSAID agents, including Log P, number of -OH and -NHn, violations of Rule of 5, number of rotatable bonds, and number of oxygens and nitrogens. Statistical analysis of these nine molecular properties provides numerical parameters to conform to in the design of novel NSAID drug candidates. Multiple regression analysis is accomplished using these properties of 36 agents followed with examples of predicted molecular weight based on minimum and maximum property values. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that licofelone, tolfenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, droxicam, and aspirin are substantially distinct from all remaining NSAIDs. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) produced R = 0.4947, which indicates low to moderate level of dissimilarity between these 36 NSAIDs. Non-hierarchical K-means cluster analysis separated the 36 NSAIDs into four groups having members of greatest similarity. Likewise, discriminant analysis divided the 36 agents into two groups indicating the greatest level of distinction (discrimination) based on nine properties. These two multivariate methods together provide investigators a means to compare and elucidate novel drug designs to 36 proven compounds and ascertain to which of those are most analogous in pharmacodynamics. In addition, artificial neural network modeling is demonstrated as an approach to predict numerous molecular properties of new drug designs that is based on neural training from 36 proven NSAIDs. Comprehensive and effective approaches are presented in this study for the design of new NSAID type agents which are so very important for inhibition of COX-2 and COX-1 isoenzymes.

Ultrahigh molecular weight aromatic siloxane polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ludwick, L. M.

1982-01-01

The condensation of a diol with a silane in toluene yields a silphenylene-siloxane polymer. The reaction of stiochiometric amounts of the diol and silane produced products with molecular weights in the range 2.0 - 6.0 x 10 to the 5th power. The molecular weight of the product was greatly increased by a multistep technique. The methodology for synthesis of high molecular weight polymers using a two step procedure was refined. Polymers with weight average molecular weights in excess of 1.0 x 10 to the 6th power produced by this method. Two more reactive silanes, bis(pyrrolidinyl)dimethylsilane and bis(gamma butyrolactam)dimethylsilane, are compared with the dimethyleminodimethylsilane in ability to advance the molecular weight of the prepolymer. The polymers produced are characterized by intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran. Weight and number average molecular weights and polydispersity are determined by gel permeation chromatography.

Lead-binding capacity of calcium pectates with different molecular weight.

PubMed

Khotimchenko, Maksim; Makarova, Ksenia; Khozhaenko, Elena; Kovalev, Valeri

2017-04-01

Nowadays, heavy metal contamination of environment is considered as a serious threat to public health because of toxicity of these pollutants and the lack of effective materials with metal-binding properties. Some biopolymers such as pectins were proposed for removal of metal ions from industrial water disposals. Chemical structure of pectins is quite variable and substantially affects their metal binding properties. In this work, relationship between molecular weight and Pb(II)-binding capacity of calcium pectates was investigated in a batch sorption system. The results showed that all pectate samples are able to form complexes with Pb(II) ions. The effects of contact time, pH of the media and equilibrium metal concentration on metal-binding process were tested in experiments. The equilibrium time min required for uptake of Pb(II) by pectate compounds was found to be 60min. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied for description of interactions between pectates and metal ions. Binding capacity of low molecular pectate was highest among all the samples tested. Langmuir model was figured out to be the best fit within the whole range of pH values. These results demonstrate that calcium pectate with low molecular weight is more promising agent for elimination of Pb(II) ions from contaminated wastewaters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 177.1430 - Isobutylene-butene copolymers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...: Isobutylene-butene copolymers Molecular weight (range) Viscosity (range) Maximum bromine value 1. Used as.../federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. (2) Viscosity. Viscosity shall be determined by ASTM method D445-74, “Test for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids,” which is...

The gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake inhibitor, tiagabine, is anticonvulsant in two animal models of reflex epilepsy.

PubMed

Smith, S E; Parvez, N S; Chapman, A G; Meldrum, B S

1995-02-06

The effects of i.p. administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake inhibitors R(-)N-(4,4-di(3-methylthien-2-yl)-but-3-enyl) nipecotic acid hydrochloride (tiagabine; molecular weight 412.0), (1-(2-(((diphenylmethylene)-amino)oxy)ethyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-3- pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (NNC-711; molecular weight 386.9), and (+/-)-nipecotic acid (molecular weight 128.2) are compared with those of carbamazepine (molecular weight 236.3) on sound-induced seizures and locomotor performance in genetically epilepsy-prone (GEP) rats. The ED50 value against clonic seizures (in mumol kg-1 at the time of maximal anticonvulsant effect) for tiagabine was 23 (0.5 h), and for NNC-711 was 72 (1 h), and for carbamazepine was 98 (2 h). (+/-)-Nipecotic acid (0.4-15.6 mmol kg-1) was not anticonvulsant. High doses of NNC-711 (207-310 mumol kg-1) and of (+/-)-nipecotic acid (39-78 mmol kg-1) induced ataxia and myoclonic seizures 0.25-1 h. Tiagabine and carbamazepine did not induce myoclonic seizures and had similar therapeutic indices (locomotor deficit ED50/anticonvulsant ED50) ranging from 0.4 to 1.9. In Papio papio, we observed a reduction in photically induced myoclonic seizures with tiagabine (2.4 mumol kg-1 i.v.) accompanied with neurological impairment. Tiagabine has comparable anticonvulsant action to carbamazepine in rats and has anticonvulsant effects in non-human primates supporting the potential use of inhibitors of GABA uptake as therapy for epilepsy.

Characterization and analysis of the molecular weight of lignin for biorefining studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tolbert, Allison; Akinosho, Hannah; Khunsupat, Ratayakorn

2014-06-04

The molecular weight of lignin is a fundamental property that infl uences the recalcitrance of biomass and the valorization of lignin. The determination of the molecular weight of lignin in native biomass is dependent on the bioresources used and the isolation and purifi cation procedures employed. The three most commonly employed isolation methods are milled wood lignin (MWL), cellulolytic enzyme lignin (CEL), and enzymatic mild acidolysis lignin (EMAL). Common characterization techniques for determining the molecular weight of lignin will be addressed, with an emphasis on gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This review also examines the mechanisms behind several biological, physical, andmore » chemical pre-treatments and their impact on the molecular weight of lignin. The number average molecular weight (Mn), weight average molecular weight (Mw) and polydispersity index (D) all vary in magnitude depending on the biomass source, pre-treatment conditions, and isolation method. Additionally, there is a growing body of literature that supports changes in the molecular weight of lignin in response to genetic modifi cations in the lignin biosynthetic pathways. This review summarizes different procedures for obtaining the molecular weight of lignin that have been used in recent years and highlight future opportunities for applications of lignin.« less

Toxicity tests, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of chitosan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniasih, M.; Purwati; Dewi, R. S.

2018-04-01

Chitosan is a naturally occurring cationic biopolymer, obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin. This research aims to investigate the toxicity, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of chitosan from shrimp chitin. In this study, chitin extracted from shrimp waste material. Chitin is then deacetylation with 60% NaOH so that chitosan produced. Degrees of deacetylation, molecular weight, toxicity test, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of chitosan then evaluated. Toxicity test using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test. The antioxidant analysis was performed using DPPH method (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FTC method (ferric thiocyanate) in which the radical formed will reduce Ferro to Ferri resulting in a complex with thiocyanate. To determine the antibacterial activity of Staphylococcus aureus, antifungal in Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by measuring antimicrobial effects and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Based on the result of research, the value of degrees of deacetylation, molecular weight, and LC50 values of chitosan synthesis was 94,32, 1052.93 g/mol and 1364.41 ppm, respectively. In general, the antioxidative activities increased as the concentration of chitosan increased. MIC value of chitosan against S. aureus, C. albicans, and A. niger was 10 ppm, 15.6 ppm, and 5 ppm, respectively.

The Combined Influence of Molecular Weight and Temperature on the Aging and Viscoelastic Response of a Glassy Thermoplastic Polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2000-01-01

The effect of molecular weight on the viscoelastic performance of an advanced polymer (LaRC-SI) was investigated through the use of creep compliance tests. Testing consisted of short-term isothermal creep and recovery with the creep segments performed under constant load. The tests were conducted at three temperatures below the glass transition temperature of five materials of different molecular weight. Through the use of time-aging-time superposition procedures, the material constants, material master curves and aging-related parameters were evaluated at each temperature for a given molecular weight. The time-temperature superposition technique helped to describe the effect of temperature on the timescale of the viscoelastic response of each molecular weight. It was shown that the low molecular weight materials have higher creep compliance and creep rate, and are more sensitive to temperature than the high molecular weight materials. Furthermore, a critical molecular weight transition was observed to occur at a weight-average molecular weight of M (bar) (sub w) 25000 g/mol below which, the temperature sensitivity of the time-temperature superposition shift factor increases rapidly. The short-term creep compliance data were used in association with Struik's effective time theory to predict the long-term creep compliance behavior for the different molecular weights. At long timescales, physical aging serves to significantly decrease the creep compliance and creep rate of all the materials tested.

Conversion of calibration curves for accurate estimation of molecular weight averages and distributions of polyether polyols by conventional size exclusion chromatography.

PubMed

Xu, Xiuqing; Yang, Xiuhan; Martin, Steven J; Mes, Edwin; Chen, Junlan; Meunier, David M

2018-08-17

Accurate measurement of molecular weight averages (M¯ n, M¯ w, M¯ z ) and molecular weight distributions (MWD) of polyether polyols by conventional SEC (size exclusion chromatography) is not as straightforward as it would appear. Conventional calibration with polystyrene (PS) standards can only provide PS apparent molecular weights which do not provide accurate estimates of polyol molecular weights. Using polyethylene oxide/polyethylene glycol (PEO/PEG) for molecular weight calibration could improve the accuracy, but the retention behavior of PEO/PEG is not stable in THF-based (tetrahydrofuran) SEC systems. In this work, two approaches for calibration curve conversion with narrow PS and polyol molecular weight standards were developed. Equations to convert PS-apparent molecular weight to polyol-apparent molecular weight were developed using both a rigorous mathematical analysis and graphical plot regression method. The conversion equations obtained by the two approaches were in good agreement. Factors influencing the conversion equation were investigated. It was concluded that the separation conditions such as column batch and operating temperature did not have significant impact on the conversion coefficients and a universal conversion equation could be obtained. With this conversion equation, more accurate estimates of molecular weight averages and MWDs for polyether polyols can be achieved from conventional PS-THF SEC calibration. Moreover, no additional experimentation is required to convert historical PS equivalent data to reasonably accurate molecular weight results. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Molecular weight of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase in concentrated solutions of guanidine hydrochloride

PubMed Central

Erickson, Robert P.

1970-01-01

The molecular weight of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase was determined in 6m- and 8m-guanidine hydrochloride by meniscus-depletion sedimentation equilibrium, sedimentation velocity and viscosity. Sedimentation equilibrium revealed heterogeneity with the smallest component having a molecular weight of about 50000. At lower speeds, the apparent weight-average molecular weight is about 80000. By use of a calculation based on an empirical correlation for proteins that are random coils in 6m-guanidine hydrochloride, sedimentation velocity gave a molecular weight of 91000, and the intrinsic viscosity indicated a viscosity-average molecular weight of 84000. Heating in 6m-guanidine hydrochloride lowered the viscosity of β-galactosidase in a variable manner. PMID:4924171

From oligomers to molecular giants of soybean oil in supercritical carbon dioxide medium: 1. Preparation of polymers with lower molecular weight from soybean oil.

PubMed

Liu, Zengshe; Sharma, Brajendra K; Erhan, Sevim Z

2007-01-01

Polymers with a low molecular weight derived from soybean oil have been prepared in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium by cationic polymerization. Boron trifluoride diethyl etherate was used as an initiator. Influences of polymerization temperature, amount of initiator, and carbon dioxide pressure on the molecular weight were investigated. It is shown that the higher polymerization temperature favors polymers with relatively higher molecular weights. Larger amounts of initiator also provide polymers with higher molecular weights. Higher pressure favors polymers with relatively higher molecular weights. The applications of these soy-based materials will be in the lubrication and hydraulic fluid areas.

Distribution of molecular weight in glyceride polymerizates or aggregates of them after contact with lunar grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asunmaa, S. K.; Haack, R.

1977-01-01

An attempt is made to report on experiments in which a molecular-weight increase was determined in thin layers of triglyceride-containing glycerides after thin-layer contact for two years with lunar topsoil grains at 25 C without any thermal activation. It is noted that solidification was observed on both dielectric grains and metal-rich areas and that changes in viscosity and molecular weights were first detected by solidification of surface layers. Gel permeation chromatography is described which detected a general shift of the Gaussian distribution of the molecular-weight data toward generally higher molecular weights as well as an increase in mean molecular weight. Reaction mechanisms are considered, and results of spectrographic analysis are cited which support the interpretations of the molecular-weight data.

Effect of molecular weight on polyphenylquinoxaline properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, Brian J.

1991-01-01

A series of polyphenyl quinoxalines with different molecular weight and end-groups were prepared by varying monomer stoichiometry. Thus, 4,4'-oxydibenzil and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine were reacted in a 50/50 mixture of m-cresol and xylenes. Reaction concentration, temperature, and stir rate were studied and found to have an effect on polymer properties. Number and weight average molecular weights were determined and correlated well with viscosity data. Glass transition temperatures were determined and found to vary with molecular weight and end-groups. Mechanical properties of films from polymers with different molecular weights were essentially identical at room temperature but showed significant differences at 232 C. Diamine terminated polymers were found to be much less thermooxidatively stable than benzil terminated polymers when aged at 316 C even though dynamic thermogravimetric analysis revealed only slight differences. Lower molecular weight polymers exhibited better processability than higher molecular weight polymers.

Molecular hydrogen sorption capacity of D-shwarzites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasnov, Pavel O.; Shkaberina, Guzel S.; Kuzubov, Alexander A.; Kovaleva, Evgenia A.

2017-09-01

Schwarzites are one of the most well-known forms of nanoporous carbon. High porosity and large surface area of these materials make them promising candidates for molecular hydrogen storage. Quantum-chemical modeling showed that hydrogen weight fraction inside D-schwarzite structure depends on the number of atoms per unit cell that determines its size and morphology. D480 schwarzite has demonstrated the largest value of hydrogen sorption capacity amongst the structures considered in this work. It reaches 7.65% at the technologically acceptable values of temperature and pressure (300 K and 10 MPa). Though being lower than that required by DOE (9%), this amount can be increased by using schwarzites with larger unit cell corresponding to the larger surface area.

Polymer Molecular Weight Analysis by [Superscript 1]H NMR Spectroscopy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Izunobi, Josephat U.; Higginbotham, Clement L.

2011-01-01

The measurement and analysis of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution remain matters of fundamental importance for the characterization and physical properties of polymers. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is the most routinely used method for the molecular weight determination of polymers whereas matrix-assisted laser…

Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distributions in Synthetic Polymers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ward, Thomas Carl

1981-01-01

Focuses on molecular weight and molecular weight distributions (MWD) and models for predicting MWD in a pedagogical way. In addition, instrumental methods used to characterize MWD are reviewed with emphasis on physical chemistry of each, including end-group determination, osmometry, light scattering, solution viscosity, fractionation, and…

Prediction of glass transition temperature of freeze-dried formulations by molecular dynamics simulation.

PubMed

Yoshioka, Sumie; Aso, Yukio; Kojima, Shigeo

2003-06-01

To examine whether the glass transition temperature (Tg) of freeze-dried formulations containing polymer excipients can be accurately predicted by molecular dynamics simulation using software currently available on the market. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for isomaltodecaose, a fragment of dextran, and alpha-glucose, the repeated unit of dextran. in the presence or absence of water molecules. Estimated values of Tg were compared with experimental values obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics simulations (NPTMD) and isothermal molecular dynamics simulations at a constant volume (NVTMD) were carried out using the software package DISCOVER (Material Studio) with the Polymer Consortium Force Field. Mean-squared displacement and radial distribution function were calculated. NVTMD using the values of density obtained by NPTMD provided the diffusivity of glucose-ring oxygen and water oxygen in amorphous alpha-glucose and isomaltodecaose, which exhibited a discontinuity in temperature dependence due to glass transition. Tg was estimated to be approximately 400K and 500K for pure amorphous a-glucose and isomaltodecaose, respectively, and in the presence of one water molecule per glucose unit, Tg was 340K and 360K, respectively. Estimated Tg values were higher than experimentally determined values because of the very fast cooling rates in the simulations. However, decreases in Tg on hydration and increases in Tg associated with larger fragment size could be demonstrated. The results indicate that molecular dynamics simulation is a useful method for investigating the effects of hydration and molecular weight on the Tg of lyophilized formulations containing polymer excipients. although the relationship between cooling rates and Tg must first be elucidated to predict Tg vales observed by DSC measurement. January 16.

Characterization of low molecular weight dissolved natural organic matter along the treatment trait of a waterworks using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zhang, Haifeng; Zhang, Yahe; Shi, Quan; Ren, Shuoyi; Yu, Jianwei; Ji, Feng; Luo, Wenbin; Yang, Min

2012-10-15

Dissolved natural organic matter (DOM), particularly the low molecular weight DOM, can affect the performance of water treatment processes and serve as a main precursor of disinfection by-products (DBPs) during chlorination. In this study, electrospray ionization coupled to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) was used to characterize the low molecular weight DOM along the treatment trait of a conventional drinking water treatment plant. The ESI FT-ICR MS data showed that various C, H, O-only class species were the major components in the source water. According to the van Krevelen diagram analysis, lignin- and tannin-like compounds were the most abundant components. Within an isobaric group, the DOM molecules with a high degree of oxidation (high O/C value) were preferentially removed during coagulation, while those with low degree of oxidation were found to be more reactive toward chlorine. In addition, 357 one-chlorine containing products and 199 two-chlorine containing products formed during chlorination were detected in the chlorination effluent sample at a high confidence level. The chlorinated products can be arranged into series, suggesting that they were originated from C, H, O-only precursor compounds, which were in series related by the replacement of CH(4) against oxygen. For the first time, this study explored the behavior of low molecular weight DOM along a drinking water treatment trait on the molecular level, and revealed the presence of abundant unknown chlorinated products, which are probably rich in carboxylic and phenolic groups, in drinking water. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studies on the accessibility of deoxyribonucleic acid in deoxyribonucleoprotein to cationic molecules

PubMed Central

Itzhaki, Ruth F.

1971-01-01

The binding of deoxyribonucleoprotein to Toluidine Blue, to cetylpyridinium chloride and to polylysine of various molecular weights was studied to determine the percentage of free DNA phosphate groups in deoxyribonucleoprotein. Binding was measured by addition of these reagents to deoxyribonucleoprotein at a range of concentrations such that complete precipitation of the deoxyribonucleoprotein occurred. With Toluidine Blue the binding corresponded to about 48% of the DNA phosphates in deoxyribonucleoprotein. The dye did not cause appreciable displacement of protein from the DNA. With cetylpyridinium chloride the binding corresponded to about 41% of the DNA phosphates. With polylysine preparations of molecular weight 1250 and 7790 the binding values for deoxyribonucleoprotein were 46 and 38% respectively. The results suggest that the free phosphates lie in stretches sufficiently long to accommodate most of each polylysine molecule. With polylysine of molecular weight 62000 cross-linking of free stretches of DNA on different deoxyribonucleoprotein molecules probably occurs. It is concluded that although most of the free phosphates are probably `hidden' beneath covering histone, corresponding perhaps to runs of non-basic residues in the latter, they are surprisingly accessible to very large molecules. The relevance of this finding to the problem of gene repression is discussed. PMID:5166331

Operation of the ISO-DALT system: Seventh edition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tollaksen, S.L.; Anderson, N.L.; Anderson, N.G.

1984-05-01

The ISO-DALT system of two-dimensional electrophoresis was developed as a series of modifications of the original technique of O'Farrell. We have written a series of recipes and more detailed laboratory procedures that incorporate refinements and ''tricks of the trade'' as they have developed during our use of the system. The present collection is the seventh version in this series and represents the state of art as of May 1984. The seventh edition has been prepared to incorporate the changes that we have found helpful, as well as to add a few new sections such as silver staining, transfer gels, ACIDOs,more » and BASOs. Although these directions are specific for our laboratory, we hope that they will be helpful in other laboratories as well. Although some disagreement still exists, we recommend that gel patterns be oriented with acid isoelectric points (pIs) to the left and high sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) molecular weights at the top. This results in a system of pI and molecular weight values that run according to the Cartesian convention and facilitates the use of the charge and molecular weight standards described herein. 67 refs., 14 figs.« less

Mechanical Properties of LaRC(tm) SI Polymer for a Range of Molecular Weights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Nicholson, Lee M.

2000-01-01

Mechanical testing of an advanced polyimide resin (LaRC(tm)-SI) with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. Elastic and inelastic properties were characterized as a function of molecular weight and test temperature. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature. The combined analysis of calculated yield stress and notched tensile strength indicated that low molecular weight materials tended to fail in a brittle manner, whereas high molecular weight materials exhibited ductile failure. The microphotographs of the failure surfaces also supported these findings.

Analysis of Publically Available Skin Sensitization Data from REACH Registrations 2008–2014

PubMed Central

Luechtefeld, Thomas; Maertens, Alexandra; Russo, Daniel P.; Rovida, Costanza; Zhu, Hao; Hartung, Thomas

2017-01-01

Summary The public data on skin sensitization from REACH registrations already included 19,111 studies on skin sensitization in December 2014, making it the largest repository of such data so far (1,470 substances with mouse LLNA, 2,787 with GPMT, 762 with both in vivo and in vitro and 139 with only in vitro data). 21% were classified as sensitizers. The extracted skin sensitization data was analyzed to identify relationships in skin sensitization guidelines, visualize structural relationships of sensitizers, and build models to predict sensitization. A chemical with molecular weight > 500 Da is generally considered non-sensitizing owing to low bioavailability, but 49 sensitizing chemicals with a molecular weight > 500 Da were found. A chemical similarity map was produced using PubChem’s 2D Tanimoto similarity metric and Gephi force layout visualization. Nine clusters of chemicals were identified by Blondel’s module recognition algorithm revealing wide module-dependent variation. Approximately 31% of mapped chemicals are Michael’s acceptors but alone this does not imply skin sensitization. A simple sensitization model using molecular weight and five ToxTree structural alerts showed a balanced accuracy of 65.8% (specificity 80.4%, sensitivity 51.4%), demonstrating that structural alerts have information value. A simple variant of k-nearest neighbors outperformed the ToxTree approach even at 75% similarity threshold (82% balanced accuracy at 0.95 threshold). At higher thresholds, the balanced accuracy increased. Lower similarity thresholds decrease sensitivity faster than specificity. This analysis scopes the landscape of chemical skin sensitization, demonstrating the value of large public datasets for health hazard prediction. PMID:26863411

Perchlorate-induced combustion of organic matter with variable molecular weights: Implications for Mars missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sephton, Mark A.; Lewis, James M. T.; Watson, Jonathan S.; Montgomery, Wren; Garnier, Carole

2014-11-01

Instruments on the Viking landers and Curiosity rover analyzed samples of Mars and detected carbon dioxide and organic compounds of uncertain origin. Mineral-assisted reactions are leading to uncertainty, particularly those involving perchlorate minerals which thermally decompose to produce chlorine and oxygen which can then react with organic matter to generate organochlorine compounds and carbon dioxide. Although generally considered a problem for interpretation, the release profiles of generated gases can indicate the type of organic matter present. We have performed a set of experiments with perchlorate and organic matter of variable molecular weights. Results indicate that organic susceptibility to thermal degradation and mineral-assisted reactions is related to molecular weight. Low molecular weight organic matter reacts at lower temperatures than its high molecular weight counterparts. The natural occurrence and association of organic matter with differing molecular weights helps to discriminate between contamination (usually low molecular weight organic matter only) and indigenous carbon (commonly low and high molecular weight organic matter together). Our results can be used to provide insights into data returning from Mars.

Peptidylation for the determination of low-molecular-weight compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Tang, Feng; Cen, Si-Ying; He, Huan; Liu, Yi; Yuan, Bi-Feng; Feng, Yu-Qi

2016-05-23

Determination of low-molecular-weight compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) has been a great challenge in the analytical research field. Here we developed a universal peptide-based derivatization (peptidylation) strategy for the sensitive analysis of low-molecular-weight compounds by MALDI-TOF-MS. Upon peptidylation, the molecular weights of target analytes increase, thus avoiding serious matrix ion interference in the low-molecular-weight region in MALDI-TOF-MS. Since peptides typically exhibit good signal response during MALDI-TOF-MS analysis, peptidylation endows high detection sensitivities of low-molecular-weight analytes. As a proof-of-concept, we analyzed low-molecular-weight compounds of aldehydes and thiols by the developed peptidylation strategy. Our results showed that aldehydes and thiols can be readily determined upon peptidylation, thus realizing the sensitive and efficient determination of low-molecular-weight compounds by MALDI-TOF-MS. Moreover, target analytes also can be unambiguously detected in biological samples using the peptidylation strategy. The established peptidylation strategy is a universal strategy and can be extended to the sensitive analysis of various low-molecular-weight compounds by MALDI-TOF-MS, which may be potentially used in areas such as metabolomics.

Isolation of a thermophilic bacterium capable of low-molecular-weight polyethylene degradation.

PubMed

Jeon, Hyun Jeong; Kim, Mal Nam

2013-02-01

A thermophilic bacterium capable of low-molecular-weight polyethylene (LMWPE) degradation was isolated from a compost sample, and was identified as Chelatococcus sp. E1, through sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. LMWPE was prepared by thermal degradation of commercial PE in a strict nitrogen atmosphere. LMWPE with a weight-average-molecular-weight (Mw) in the range of 1,700-23,700 was noticeably mineralized into CO(2) by the bacterium. The biodegradability of LMWPE decreased as the Mw increased. The low molecular weight fraction of LMWPE decreased significantly as a result of the degradation process, and thereby both the number-average-molecular-weight and Mw increased after biodegradation. The polydispersity of LMWPE was either narrowed or widened, depending on the initial Mw of LMWPE, due to the preferential elimination of the low molecular weight fraction, in comparison to the high molecular weight portion. LMWPE free from an extremely low molecular weight fraction was also mineralized by the strain at a remarkable rate, and FTIR peaks assignable to C-O stretching appeared as a result of microbial action. The FTIR peaks corresponding to alkenes also became more intense, indicating that dehydrogenations occurred concomitantly with microbial induced oxidation.

Molecular weight dependence of LB morphology of poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC).

PubMed

Morioka, Takako; Shibata, Osamu; Kawaguchi, Masami

2010-12-07

The morphologies of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of two fractionated poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC) and those of their binary mixtures were observed by AFM, together with those of an unfractionated PHIC. The low molecular weight PHIC formed random packing of bundles consisting of rigid rods, while the high molecular weight PHIC formed random packing of bundles consisting of hairy rods. Bundle interpenetration was observed only for the latter in the semidilute regime. In the bilayer region, the area occupied by the PHIC bundles in the upper layer was obviously smaller for the high molecular weight PHIC than for the low molecular weight PHIC, suggesting that the bundles of high molecular weight PHIC more easily interpenetrate than those of low molecular weight PHIC. For the blended films composed of both low and high molecular weight PHICs, the characteristic morphologies of the respective PHIC samples were no longer present. Moreover, the morphologies of the blended films appeared to resemble each other at any molar fraction owing to the ideal miscibility of the low molecular weight and high molecular weight PHICs. The morphologies of the blended films were also similar to that of the unfractionated PHIC film in the dilute regime. In the semidilute regime, the blended films became rounded owing to an increase in bundles interpenetration between PHICs as compared to that in the dilute regime, whereas the morphology of unfractionated PHIC films remained unchanged as compared to that in the dilute regime.

Polar organic compounds in pore waters of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Eyreville core hole: Character of the dissolved organic carbon and comparison with drilling fluids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rostad, C.E.; Sanford, W.E.

2009-01-01

Pore waters from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure cores recovered at Eyreville Farm, Northampton County, Virginia, were analyzed to characterize the dissolved organic carbon. After squeezing or centrifuging, a small volume of pore water, 100 ??L, was taken for analysis by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Porewater samples were analyzed directly without filtration or fractionation, in positive and negative mode, for polar organic compounds. Spectra in both modes were dominated by low-molecular-weight ions. Negative mode had clusters of ions differing by -60 daltons, possibly due to increasing concentrations of inorganic salts. The numberaverage molecular weight and weight-average molecular weight values for the pore waters from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure are higher than those reported for other aquatic sources of natural dissolved organic carbon as determined by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. In order to address the question of whether drilling mud fluids may have contaminated the pore waters during sample collection, spectra from the pore waters were compared to spectra from drilling mud fluids. Ions indicative of drilling mud fluids were not found in spectra from the pore waters, indicating there was no detectable contamination, and highlighting the usefulness of this analytical technique for detecting potential contamination during sample collection. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

Evaluation of Isolated Fractions of Aloe vera Gel Materials on Indinavir Pharmacokinetics: In vitro and in vivo Studies.

PubMed

Wallis, Lonette; Malan, Maides; Gouws, Chrisna; Steyn, Dewald; Ellis, Suria; Abay, Efrem; Wiesner, Lubbe; Otto, Daniel P; Hamman, Josias

2016-01-01

Aloe vera is a plant with a long history of traditional medicinal use and is consumed in different products, sometimes in conjunction with prescribed medicines. A. vera gel has shown the ability to modulate drug absorption in vitro. The aim of this study was to fractionate the precipitated polysaccharide component of A. vera gel based on molecular weight and to compare their interactions with indinavir pharmacokinetics. Crude polysaccharides were precipitated from a solution of A. vera gel and was fractionated by means of centrifugal filtration through membranes with different molecular weight cut-off values (i.e. 300 KDa, 100 KDa and 30 KDa). Marker molecules were quantified in the aloe leaf materials by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the average molecular weight was determined by means of gel filtration chromatography linked to multi-angle-laser-light scattering and refractive index detection. The effect of the aloe leaf materials on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 cell monolayers as well as indinavir metabolism in LS180 cells was measured. The bioavailability of indinavir in the presence and absence of the aloe leaf materials was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats. All the aloe leaf materials investigated in this study reduced the TEER of Caco-2 cell monolayers, inhibited indinavir metabolism in LS 180 cells to different extents and changed the bioavailability parameters of indinavir in rats compared to that of indinavir alone. These indinavir pharmacokinetic modulation effects were not dependent on the presence of aloverose and also not on the average molecular weight of the isolated fractions.

Relationships of Quality Characteristics with Size Exclusion HPLC Chromatogram of Protein Extract in Soft-White Winter Wheats.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study investigated relationships between molecular weight distributions of unreduced grain proteins and grain, flour, and end-use quality characteristics of soft white winter wheats grown in Oregon. Absorbance area and area % values of protein fractions separated by size exclusion HPLC (SE-HPL...

Purification and biochemical characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase from rat lung and inhibition effects of some antibiotics.

PubMed

Adem, Sevki; Ciftci, Mehmet

2016-12-01

G6PD, 6PGD and GR have been purified separately in the single step from rat lung using 2', 5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified enzymes showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weights of the enzymes were estimated to be 134 kDa for G6PD, 107 kDa for 6PGD and 121 kDa for GR by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatography, and the subunit molecular weights was respectively found to be 66, 52 and 63 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Optimum pH, stable pH, optimum ionic strength, optimum temperature, KM and Vmax values for substrates were determined. Product inhibition studies were also performed. The enzymes were inhibited by levofloxacin, furosemide, ceftazidime, cefuroxime and gentamicin as in vitro with IC50 values in the range of 0.07-30.13 mM. In vivo studies demonstrated that lung GR was inhibited by furosemide and lung 6PGD was inhibited by levofloxacin.

Semi-empirical estimation of organic compound fugacity ratios at environmentally relevant system temperatures.

PubMed

van Noort, Paul C M

2009-06-01

Fugacity ratios of organic compounds are used to calculate (subcooled) liquid properties, such as solubility or vapour pressure, from solid properties and vice versa. They can be calculated from the entropy of fusion, the melting temperature, and heat capacity data for the solid and the liquid. For many organic compounds, values for the fusion entropy are lacking. Heat capacity data are even scarcer. In the present study, semi-empirical compound class specific equations were derived to estimate fugacity ratios from molecular weight and melting temperature for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated benzenes, biphenyls, dibenzo[p]dioxins and dibenzofurans. These equations estimate fugacity ratios with an average standard error of about 0.05 log units. In addition, for compounds with known fusion entropy values, a general semi-empirical correction equation based on molecular weight and melting temperature was derived for estimation of the contribution of heat capacity differences to the fugacity ratio. This equation estimates the heat capacity contribution correction factor with an average standard error of 0.02 log units for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated benzenes, biphenyls, dibenzo[p]dioxins and dibenzofurans.

Synthesis and excretion of glycerol teichoic acid during growth of two streptococcal species.

PubMed Central

Joseph, R; Shockman, G D

1975-01-01

Examination of both supernatant culture medium and cell pellets after exponential- and stationary-phase growth of Streptococcus mutans strain FA-1 and Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 9790 (S. faecium) showed the presence of [-3H]glycerol-labeled material that possessed several of the properties of glycerol teichoic acid. In the supernatant medium of S. mutans FA-1, an apparently large-molecular-size material, which eluted from agarose columns with the Kd value expected of a lipoteichoic acid, was observed. Large amounts of this material were present in supernatants during the stationary phase. In contrast, with S. faecalis only an apparently lower-molecular-weight form, with a Kd consistent with deacylated glycerol teichoic acid, was found in the growth medium. Both organisms had high-molecular-weight lipoteichoic acid in the cells along with the deacylated glycerol teichoic acid. The presence of relatively large amounts of glycerol teichoic acids in the medium was considered to be a result of excretion of these compounds rather than a result of cellular lysis. PMID:807523

Method and system for gas flow mitigation of molecular contamination of optics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delgado, Gildardo; Johnson, Terry; Arienti, Marco

A computer-implemented method for determining an optimized purge gas flow in a semi-conductor inspection metrology or lithography apparatus, comprising receiving a permissible contaminant mole fraction, a contaminant outgassing flow rate associated with a contaminant, a contaminant mass diffusivity, an outgassing surface length, a pressure, a temperature, a channel height, and a molecular weight of a purge gas, calculating a flow factor based on the permissible contaminant mole fraction, the contaminant outgassing flow rate, the channel height, and the outgassing surface length, comparing the flow factor to a predefined maximum flow factor value, calculating a minimum purge gas velocity and amore » purge gas mass flow rate from the flow factor, the contaminant mass diffusivity, the pressure, the temperature, and the molecular weight of the purge gas, and introducing the purge gas into the semi-conductor inspection metrology or lithography apparatus with the minimum purge gas velocity and the purge gas flow rate.« less

Effect of Sulfation and Molecular Weight on Anticoagulant Activity of Dextran.

PubMed

Drozd, N N; Logvinova, Yu S; Torlopov, M A; Udoratina, E V

2017-02-01

Sulfation (to 2.8) of dextrans with molecular weight of 150 and 20 kDa was followed by the appearance of anticoagulant activity that increased with decreasing their molecular weight and did not depend on antithrombin, plasma inhibitor of serine proteases of the blood coagulation system. Antithrombin activity of dextran sulfate with a molecular weight of 20 kDa reached 12.6-15.3 U/mg. Dextran sulfates with molecular weights of 20 and 150 kDa did not potentiate ADP-induced human platelet aggregation.

Determination of the absolute molecular weight averages and molecular weight distributions of alginates used as ice cream stabilizers by using multiangle laser light scattering measurements.

PubMed

Turquois, T; Gloria, H

2000-11-01

High-performance size exclusion chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering detection (HPSEC-MALLS) was used for characterizing complete molecular weight distributions for a range of commercial alginates used as ice cream stabilizers. For the samples investigated, molecular weight averages were found to vary between 115 000 and 321 700 g/mol and polydispersity indexes varied from 1. 53 to 3.25. These samples displayed a high content of low molecular weights. Thus, the weight percentage of material below 100 000 g/mol ranged between 6.9 and 54.4%.

Preparation of highly thermally stable and conductive Schiff base polymer: Molecular weight monitoring and investigation of antimicrobial properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yılmaz Baran, Nuray; Saçak, Mehmet

2018-07-01

A novel thermally stable polyazomethine with phenol group, Poly(4-[[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) P(4-DBAP), was synthesized from 4-[[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) (4-DBAP) in aqueous alkaline medium via oxidative polycondensation with NaOCl, H2O2, and O2 oxidants. The change of the yield and molecular weight distribution of P(4-DBAP) with oxidant type and concentration, monomer concentration, and polymerization temperature and time were analyzed. The structures of the monomer and polymer were confirmed by UV-Vis, FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and TGA techniques. The conductivity value of the polymer which was doped with iodine vapor for 24 h was reached 3.2 × 10-5 S/cm and 1.1 × 10-4 S/cm values by increasing 107 and 108 folds compared to the initial conductivity value at 20 °C and 60 °C, respectively. This conductivity value which was measured at 20 °C is the highest value reported in the literature for polyazomethines having phenol group in such a short time and at low temperature. Moreover, antimicrobial activity test was performed for 4-DBAP and P(4-DBAP) against Sarcina lutea, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus Feacalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis bacteria, and Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi. Although both monomer and polymer showed antibacterial activity, the polymer was more efficient compared to the monomer.

Two-dimensional zymography differentiates gelatinase isoforms in stimulated microglial cells and in brain tissues of acute brain injuries.

PubMed

Chen, Shanyan; Meng, Fanjun; Chen, Zhenzhou; Tomlinson, Brittany N; Wesley, Jennifer M; Sun, Grace Y; Whaley-Connell, Adam T; Sowers, James R; Cui, Jiankun; Gu, Zezong

2015-01-01

Excessive activation of gelatinases (MMP-2/-9) is a key cause of detrimental outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases. A single-dimension zymography has been widely used to determine gelatinase expression and activity, but this method is inadequate in resolving complex enzyme isoforms, because gelatinase expression and activity could be modified at transcriptional and posttranslational levels. In this study, we investigated gelatinase isoforms under in vitro and in vivo conditions using two-dimensional (2D) gelatin zymography electrophoresis, a protocol allowing separation of proteins based on isoelectric points (pI) and molecular weights. We observed organomercuric chemical 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate-induced activation of MMP-2 isoforms with variant pI values in the conditioned medium of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells. Studies with murine BV-2 microglial cells indicated a series of proform MMP-9 spots separated by variant pI values due to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The MMP-9 pI values were shifted after treatment with alkaline phosphatase, suggesting presence of phosphorylated isoforms due to the proinflammatory stimulation. Similar MMP-9 isoforms with variant pI values in the same molecular weight were also found in mouse brains after ischemic and traumatic brain injuries. In contrast, there was no detectable pI differentiation of MMP-9 in the brains of chronic Zucker obese rats. These results demonstrated effective use of 2D zymography to separate modified MMP isoforms with variant pI values and to detect posttranslational modifications under different pathological conditions.

Gel filtration applied to the study of lipases and other esterases

PubMed Central

Downey, W. K.; Andrews, P.

1965-01-01

1. Sephadex G-100 and G-200 gel-filtration columns were calibrated for molecular-weight estimation with proteins of known molecular weights, and used to study the composition of several lipase or esterase preparations. 2. Enzymes from cow's milk, rat adipose tissue and pig pancreas were detected in the column effluents by their ability to liberate free acid from emulsified tributyrin at pH 8·5. 3. Four tributyrinases were detected in preparations from individual cow's milks. Molecular weights 62000, 75000 and 112000 were estimated for three of them, but although the fourth may be of unusually low molecular weight an estimate was not possible. 4. Extracts of rat adipose tissue apparently contained six tributyrinases (molecular weights 39000, 47000, 55000, 68000, 75000 and 200000) but the relative amounts of these enzymes varied widely from rat to rat. 5. Tributyrinase activity in juice expressed from pig pancreatic tissue was due mainly to one enzyme (molecular weight 42000). On the other hand, activity in extracts of acetone-dried pancreas was confined to material of molecular weight > 106, which may be an aggregated form of the lower-molecular-weight enzyme. 6. Activity in fractionated wheat-germ extracts was assayed with emulsified triacetin substrate, and was evidently due to one enzyme (molecular weight 51000). 7. Some problems arising in the application of gel filtration to the study of lipase–esterase systems were indicated. PMID:14340054

Immunostimulative Activity of Low Molecular Weight Chitosans in RAW264.7 Macrophages

PubMed Central

Wu, Ning; Wen, Zheng-Shun; Xiang, Xing-Wei; Huang, Yan-Na; Gao, Yang; Qu, You-Le

2015-01-01

Chitosan and its derivatives such as low molecular weight chitosans (LMWCs) have been reported to exert many biological activities, such as antioxidant and antitumor effects. However, complex and molecular weight dependent effects of chitosan remain controversial and the mechanisms that mediate these complex effects are still poorly defined. This study was carried out to investigate the immunostimulative effect of different molecular weight chitosan in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our data suggested that two LMWCs (molecular weight of 3 kDa and 50 kDa) both possessed immunostimulative activity, which was dependent on dose and, at the higher doses, also on the molecular weight. LMWCs could significantly enhance the the pinocytic activity, and induce the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a molecular weight and concentration-dependent manner. LMWCs were further showed to promote the expression of the genes including iNOS, TNF-α. Taken together, our findings suggested that LMWCs elicited significantly immunomodulatory response through up-regulating mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines and activated RAW264.7 macrophage in a molecular weight- and concentration-dependent manner. PMID:26437419

Effects of Molecular Weight upon Irradiation-Cross-Linked Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Clay Aerogel Properties.

PubMed

Chen, Hong-Bing; Zhao, Yan; Shen, Peng; Wang, Jun-Sheng; Huang, Wei; Schiraldi, David A

2015-09-16

Facile fabrication of mechanically strong poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH)/clay aerogel composites through a combination of increasing polymer molecular weights and gamma irradiation-cross-linking is reported herein. The aerogels produced from high polymer molecular weights exhibit significantly increased compressive moduli, similar to the effect of irradiation-induced cross-linking. The required irradiation dose for fabricating strong PVOH composite aerogels with dense microstructure decreased with increasing polymer molecular weight. Neither thermal stability nor flammability was significantly changed by altering the polymer molecular weight or by modest gamma irradiation, but they were highly dependent upon the polymer/clay ratio in the aerogel. Optimization of the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of these composite aerogels could therefore be obtained by using relatively low levels of polymer, with very high polymer molecular weight, or lower molecular weight coupled with moderate gamma irradiation. The facile preparation of strong, low flammability aerogels is an alternative to traditional polymer foams in applications where fire safety is important.

Using different drift gases to change separation factors (alpha) in ion mobility spectrometry

PubMed

Asbury; Hill

2000-02-01

The use of different drift gases to alter separation factors (alpha) in ion mobility spectrometry has been demonstrated. The mobility of a series of low molecular weight compounds and three small peptides was determined in four different drift gases. The drift gases chosen were helium, argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. These drift gases provide a range of polarizabilities and molecular weights. In all instances, the compounds showed the greatest mobility in helium and the lowest mobility in carbon dioxide; however the percentage change of mobility for each compound was different, effectively changing the alpha value. The alpha value changes were primarily due to differences in drift gas polarizability but were also influenced by the mass of the drift gas. In addition, gas-phase ion radii were calculated in each of the different drift gases. These radii were then plotted against drift gas polarizability producing linear plots with r2 values greater than 0.99. The intercept of these plots provides the gas-phase radius of an ion in a nonpolarizing environment, whereas the slope is indicative of the magnitude of the ion's mobility change related to polarizability. It therefore, should be possible to separate any two compounds that have different slopes with the appropriate drift gas.

High resolution mass spectrometry method and system for analysis of whole proteins and other large molecules

DOEpatents

Reilly, Peter T. A. [Knoxville, TN; Harris, William A [Naperville, IL

2010-03-02

A matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) method and related system for analyzing high molecular weight analytes includes the steps of providing at least one matrix-containing particle inside an ion trap, wherein at least one high molecular weight analyte molecule is provided within the matrix-containing particle, and MALDI on the high molecular weight particle while within the ion trap. A laser power used for ionization is sufficient to completely vaporize the particle and form at least one high molecular weight analyte ion, but is low enough to avoid fragmenting the high molecular weight analyte ion. The high molecular weight analyte ion is extracted out from the ion trap, and is then analyzed using a detector. The detector is preferably a pyrolyzing and ionizing detector.

Process for crosslinking and extending conjugated diene-containing polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, Vernon L. (Inventor); Havens, Stephen J. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

A process using a Diels-Alder reaction which increases the molecular weight and/or crosslinks polymers by reacting the polymers with bisunsaturated dienophiles is developed. The polymer comprises at least 75% by weight based on the reaction product, has a molecular weight of at least 5000 and a plurality of conjugated 1,3-diene systems incorporated into the molecular structure. A dienophile reaction with the conjugated 1,3-diene of the polymer is at least 1% by weight based on the reaction product. Examples of the polymer include polyesters, polyamides, polyethers, polysulfones and copolymers. The bisunsaturated dienophiles may include bis-maleimides, bis maleic and bis tumaric esters and amides. This method for expanding the molecular weight chains of the polymers, preferable thermoplastics, is advantageous for processing or fabricating thermoplastics. A low molecular weight thermoplastic is converted to a high molecular weight plastic having improved strength and toughness for use in the completed end use article.

Storm impacts upon the composition of organic matrices in Nagara River--a study based on molecular weight and activated carbon adsorbability.

PubMed

Li, Fusheng; Yuasa, Akira; Chiharada, Hajime; Matsui, Yoshihiko

2003-09-01

The impacts of a heavy storm of rain on the composition of natural organic matter (NOM) in Nagara River water were studied in terms of molecular weights (MWs) and activated carbon (AC) adsorbabilities using six water samples collected during a critical Typhoon weather condition. The composition in MWs was analyzed using a HPSEC system and that in adsorbabilities was characterized using parameters devised to reflect NOMs average adsorptive strength (K(M)), adsorptive strength polydispersity (sigma), affinity to AC (1/n) and non-adsorbable fraction (C(non)/C(T0)), respectively. These parameters were determined by model description of observed isotherms with a distributed fictive component method. The heavy storm of rain brought higher content of larger organic components into the river source, thus causing changes of NOMs weight-averaged MWs in the range of 2962-3495 Dalton and MW polydispersity in the narrow range of 1.153-1.226. Comparison of K(M) and sigma values for all samples assessed with both indices of TOC and UV260 showed that large proportions of the storm-induced organic components had adsorptive strengths similar to those existent before the storm, with the presence levels for components revealing much strong and weak adsorbabilities being low. Among all organic components brought into the river by the storm of rain, the percentages of non-adsorbable ones was lower (smaller C(non)/C(T0) values); and the adsorbable ones had generally more affinity to the adsorbents used (smaller 1/n values).

Protective effect of dextrans on glucose oxidase denaturation and inactivation.

PubMed

Altikatoglu, Melda; Basaran-Elalmis, Yeliz

2012-08-01

In the present study, the stabilizing effect of dextrans as additives on the denaturation and inactivation of glucose oxidase (GOD) was investigated. Three different molecular weighted dextrans (M(w) 17.5, 75, 188 kD) were used with different concentrations. Dramatically increased enzyme activities were measured after one hour of incubation of enzyme with additives between 25-40°C in water bath. Highest activity value was measured with 75 kDa molecular weighted dextran (in concentration 30% w/v) at pH 5. Dextran as an additive supplied a long shelf-life to the enzyme at 4°C. In the presence of the 75 kDa dextran, the enzyme was more stable and its activity was increased 2.7-fold at 30°C. In addition, dextran protected GOD against inactivation by a n-heptane/aqueous buffer-stirred system.

Sharp Absorption Peaks in THz Spectra Valuable for Crystal Quality Evaluation of Middle Molecular Weight Pharmaceuticals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Tetsuo; Sakamoto, Tomoaki; Otsuka, Makoto

2018-05-01

Middle molecular weight (MMW) pharmaceuticals (MW 400 4000) are attracting attention for their possible use in new medications. Sharp absorption peaks were observed in MMW pharmaceuticals at low temperatures by measuring with a high-resolution terahertz (THz) spectrometer. As examples, high-resolution THz spectra for amoxicillin trihydrate, atorvastatin calcium trihydrate, probucol, and α,β,γ,δ-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin p-toluenesulfonate (TMPyP) were obtained at 10 K. Typically observed as peaks with full width at half-height (FWHM) values as low as 5.639 GHz at 0.96492 THz in amoxicillin trihydrate and 8.857 GHz at 1.07974 THz for probucol, many sharp peaks of MMW pharmaceuticals could be observed. Such narrow absorption peaks enable evaluation of the crystal quality of MMW pharmaceuticals and afford sensitive detection of impurities.

Production of high molecular weight polylactic acid

DOEpatents

Bonsignore, Patrick V.

1995-01-01

A degradable high molecular weight poly(lactic acid). A poly(lactic acid) has a terminal end group of one of carboxyl or hydroxyl groups with low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) units coupled with linking agents of di-isocyanates, bis-epoxides, bis-oxazolines and bis-ortho esters. The resulting high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) can be used for applications taking advantage of the improved physical properties.

Recovery of uranium values

DOEpatents

Brown, K. B.; Crouse, Jr., D. J.; Moore, J. G.

1959-03-10

A liquid-liquid extraction method is presented for recovering uranium values from an aqueous acidic solution by means of certain high molecular weight amine fn the amine classes of primary, secondary, heterocyclic secondary, tertiary, or heterocyclic tertiary. The uranium bearing aqueous acidic solution is contacted with the selected anine dissolved in a nonpolar waterimmiscible organfc solvent such as kerosene. The uranium which is substantially completely extracted by the organic phase may be stripped therefrom by water, and recovered from the aqueous phase by treatment into ammonia to precipitate ammonium diuranate.

RECOVERY OF URANIUM VALUES

DOEpatents

Brown, K.B.; Crouse, D.J. Jr.; Moore, J.G.

1959-03-10

A liquid-liquid extraction method is presented for recovering uranium values from an aqueous acidic solution by means of certain high molecular weight amine in the amine classes of primary, secondary, heterocyclic secondary, tertiary, or heterocyclic tertiary. The uranium bearing aqueous acidic solution is contacted with the selected amine dissolved in a nonpolar water-immiscible organic solvent such as kerosene. The uranium which is substantially completely exiracted by the organic phase may be stripped therefrom by waters and recovered from the aqueous phase by treatment into ammonia to precipitate ammonium diuranate.

Molecular weight profiles of proanthocyanidin polymers

Treesearch

Vincent M. Williams; Lawrence J. Porter; Richard W. Hemingway

1983-01-01

The MW profiles of proanthocyanidin polymers (condensed tannins) from 32 samples representing a wide range of plant tissues of many different species have been obtained by gel permeation chromatography of the peracetate derivatives. The tannins vary widely in MW, with M values for the peracetates in the range 1600-5500. The MW profiles vary greatly from those with...

Relationship between solvent retention capacity and protein molecular weight distribution, quality characteristics, and breadmaking functionality of hard red spring wheat flour

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In order to investigate suitability of solvent retention capacity (SRC) test for quality assessment of hard red spring (HRS) wheat flour, ten HRS genotypes from six locations in North Dakota State were analyzed for SRC and flour and breadmaking quality characteristics. The SRC values were significa...

Molecular Weight of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesized During Initiation of Chromosome Replication in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Kuempel, Peter L.

1972-01-01

Alkaline sucrose gradients were used to study the molecular weight of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesized during the initiation of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli 15 TAU-bar. The experiments were conducted to determine whether newly synthesized, replication origin DNA is attached to higher-molecular-weight parental DNA. Little of the DNA synthesized after readdition of required amino acids to cells previously deprived of the amino acids was present in DNA with a molecular weight comparable to that of the parental DNA. The newly synthesized, low-molecular-weight DNA rapidly appeared in higher-molecular-weight material, but there was an upper limit to the size of this intermediate-molecular-weight DNA. This limit was not observed when exponentially growing cells converted newly synthesized DNA to higher-molecular-weight material. The size of the intermediate-molecular-weight DNA was related to the age of the replication forks, and the size increased as the replication forks moved further from the replication origin. The results indicate that the newly synthesized replication origin DNA is not attached to parental DNA, but it is rapidly attached to the growing strands that extend from the replication fork to the replication origin, or to the other replication fork if replication is bidirectional. Experiments are reported which demonstrate that the DNA investigated was from the vicinity of the replication origin and was not plasmid DNA or DNA from random positions on the chromosome. PMID:4562387

Poly(glycidyl ether)-Based Monolayers on Gold Surfaces: Control of Grafting Density and Chain Conformation by Grafting Procedure, Surface Anchor, and Molecular Weight.

PubMed

Heinen, Silke; Weinhart, Marie

2017-03-07

For a meaningful correlation of surface coatings with their respective biological response reproducible coating procedures, well-defined surface coatings, and thorough surface characterization with respect to layer thickness and grafting density are indispensable. The same applies to polymeric monolayer coatings which are intended to be used for, e.g., fundamental studies on the volume phase transition of surface end-tethered thermoresponsive polymer chains. Planar gold surfaces are frequently used as model substrates, since they allow a variety of straightforward surface characterization methods. Herein we present reproducible grafting-to procedures performed with thermoresponsive poly(glycidyl ether) copolymers composed of glycidyl methyl ether (GME) and ethyl glycidyl ether (EGE). The copolymers feature different molecular weights (2 kDa, 9 kDa, 24 kDa) and are equipped with varying sulfur-containing anchor groups in order to achieve adjustable grafting densities on gold surfaces and hence control the tethered polymers' chain conformation. We determined "wet" and "dry" thicknesses of these coatings by QCM-D and ellipsometry measurements and deduced anchor distances and degrees of chain overlap of the polymer chains assembled on gold. Grafting under cloud point conditions allowed for higher degrees of chain overlap compared to grafting from a good solvent like ethanol, independent of the used sulfur-containing anchor group for polymers with low (2 kDa) and medium (9 kDa) molecular weights. By contrast, the achieved grafting densities and thus chain overlaps of surface-tethered polymers with high (24 kDa) molecular weights were identical for both grafting methods. Monolayers prepared from an ethanolic solution of poly(glycidyl ether)s equipped with sterically demanding disulfide-containing anchors revealed the lowest degrees of chain overlap. The ratio of the radius of gyration to the anchor distance (2 R g /l) of the latter coating was found to be lower than 1.4, indicating that the assembly was rather in the mushroom-like than in the brush regime. Polymer chains with thiol-containing anchors of different alkyl chain lengths (C 11 SH vs C 4 SH) formed assemblies with comparable degrees of chain overlap with 2 R g /l values above 1.4 and are thus in the brush regime. Molecular weights influenced the achievable degree of chain overlap on the surface. Coatings prepared with the medium molecular weight polymer (9 kDa) resulted in the highest chain packing density. Control of grafting density and thus chain overlap in different regimes (brush vs mushroom) on planar gold substrates are attainable for monolayer coatings with poly(GME-ran-EGE) by adjusting the polymer's molecular weight and anchor group as well as the conditions for the grafting-to procedure.

Production of high molecular weight polylactic acid

DOEpatents

Bonsignore, P.V.

1995-11-28

A degradable high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) is described. The poly(lactic acid) has a terminal end group of one of carboxyl or hydroxyl groups with low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) units coupled with linking agents of di-isocyanates, bis-epoxides, bis-oxazolines and bis-ortho esters. The resulting high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) can be used for applications taking advantage of the improved physical properties.

Effect of molecular weight profile of sorghum proanthocyanidins on resistant starch formation.

PubMed

Barros, Frederico; Awika, Joseph; Rooney, Lloyd W

2014-04-01

There is a growing interest to increase resistant starch (RS) in foods through natural modification of starch. Sorghum tannins (proanthocyanidins, PAs) were recently reported to interact with starch, increasing RS. However, there is no information about how the molecular weight profile of PAs affects RS formation. This study investigated how different-molecular-weight PAs from sorghum affected RS formation in different starch models. The levels of RS were higher (331-437 mg g(-1)) when high-amylose starch was cooked with phenolic extracts containing mostly high-molecular-weight PAs compared with extracts containing lower-molecular-weight PAs or monomeric catechin (249-285 mg g(-1)). In general, binding capacity of PAs with amylose increased proportionally with molecular weight. For example, the percentage of PAs bound to amylose increased from 45% (PAs with degree of polymerization (DP) = 6) to 94% (polymeric PAs, DP > 10). The results demonstrate that molecular weight of the PAs directly affects their interaction with starch: the higher the molecular weight, the stronger the binding to amylose and the higher the RS formation. Polymeric PAs from sorghum can naturally modify starch by interacting strongly with amylose and are thus most suitable to produce foods with higher RS. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminations in surface sediment and water from Gao-ping River, Taiwan.

PubMed

Doong, Ruey-An; Lin, Yu-Tin

2004-04-01

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment samples collected from 12 locations in Gao-ping River, Taiwan were analyzed. Molecular ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to characterize the possible pollution sources. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (SigmaPAHs) in water samples ranged from below method detection limits (

Impact of polymorphism of the regulatory subunit of the μ-calpain (CAPN1S) on the proteolysis process and meat tenderness of young cattle

PubMed Central

Iwanowska, Agnieszka; Grześ, Bożena; Mikołajczak, Beata; Iwańska, Ewa; Juszczuk-Kubiak, Edyta; Rosochacki, Stanisław J.

2010-01-01

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of the polymorphism of μ-calpain (CAPN1S) gene on protein changes of the cattle muscle tissue and its tenderness during 10-day cold storage. The analysis was performed on the longest dorsal and lumbar muscles collected from 76 bulls 6 to 12 months of age. Polymorphism identification of the above-mentioned gene was conducted using the PCR-RFLP technique. Its effect on the course of the proteolysis process was assessed by monitoring changes in proportions of tissue proteins during 10-day process of meat ageing. Special attention was focused on changes in native titin (T1) share and products of its degradation (proteins of molecular weight (m.w.) of 2400 and 200 kDa), α-actinin and protein of 37 kDa as well as myosin heavy chains (MHC). In the case of the last proteins, their polymorphism was evaluated as well. Meat tenderness was estimated measuring the value of shear force and sensorially. The highest tenderness was ascertained for the heterozygote. Its improvement was associated with a significant decrease in proportions of proteins of molecular weight of approximately 37 kDa accompanied by an increase of those with 200 kDa molecular weight. Muscles derived from cattle of CT genotype were characterised by the highest proportions of type 2a MHC isoform. Value differences between proportions determined for the heterozygote and CC and TT homozygotes of the CAPN1S gene were statistically significant. Therefore, it can be presumed that the process of meat tenderisation was especially connected with MHC polymorphism. PMID:20563650

Chromatographic molecular weight measurements for heparin, its fragments and fractions, and other glycosaminoglycans.

PubMed

Mulloy, Barbara; Hogwood, John

2015-01-01

Glycosaminoglycan samples are usually polydisperse, consisting of molecules with differing length and differing sequence. Methods for measuring the molecular weight of heparin have been developed to assure the quality and consistency of heparin products for medicinal use, and these methods can be applied in other laboratory contexts. In the method described here, high-performance gel permeation chromatography is calibrated using appropriate heparin molecular weight markers or a single broad standard calibrant, and used to characterize the molecular weight distribution of polydisperse samples or the peak molecular weight of monodisperse, or approximately monodisperse, heparin fractions. The same technology can be adapted for use with other glycosaminoglycans.

Characterization of Natural Organic Matter in Conventional Water Treatment Processes and Evaluation of THM Formation with Chlorine

PubMed Central

Özdemır, Kadir

2014-01-01

This study investigates the fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) and trihalomethane (THM) formation after chlorination in samples of raw water and the outputs from ozonation, coagulation-flocculation, and conventional filtration treatment units. All the water samples are passed through various ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. UF membranes with different molecular size ranges based on apparent molecular weight (AMW), such as 1000, 3000, 10,000, and 30,000 Daltons (Da), are commonly used. The NOM fraction with AMW < 1000 Da (1 K) is the dominant fraction within all the fractionated water samples. Its maximum percentage is 85.86% after the filtration process and the minimum percentage is 65.01% in raw water samples. The total THM (TTHM) yield coefficients range from 22.5 to 42 μg-TTHM/mg-DOC in all fractionated samples, which is related to their specific ultraviolet Absorbance (SUVA) levels. As the molecular weight of the fractions decreased, the TTHM yield coefficients increased. The NOM fractions with AMW values less than 1 K had lower SUVA values (<3 L/mg·m) for all treatment stages and also they had higher yield of TTHM per unit of DOC. The NOM fraction with AMW < 1 K for chlorinated raw water samples has the highest yield coefficient (42 μg-TTHM/mg-DOC). PMID:24558323

Preparation of poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with different network structures for the application of enzyme immobilization.

PubMed

Choi, Dongkil; Lee, Woojin; Park, Jinwon; Koh, Wongun

2008-01-01

In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels having different network structures were synthesized by UV-initiated photopolymerization and used for the enzyme immobilization. PEGs with different molecular weight were acrylated by derivatizing both ends with acryloyl chloride and photopolymerization of PEG-diacrylate (PEG-DA) yielded crosslinked hydrogel network within 5 seconds. Attachment of acrylate groups and gelation were confirmed by ATR/FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. Network structures of hydrogels could be easily controlled by changing the molecular weight (MW) of PEG-DA and characterized by calculating molecular weight between crosslinks and mesh size from the swelling measurement. Synthesis of hydrogels with higher MW of PEG produced less crosslinked hydrogels having higher water content, larger value of Mc and mesh size, which resulted in enhanced mass transfer but loss of mechanical properties. For the enzyme immobilization, glucose oxidase (GOX) was immobilized inside PEG hydrogels by means of physical entrapment and covalent immobilization. Encapsulated GOX were covalently bound to PEG backbone using acryloyl-PEG-N-hydroxysuccinimide and maintained their activity over a week period without leakage. Kinetic study indicated that immobilized enzyme inside hydrogel prepared from higher MW of PEG possessed lower apparent Km (Michaelis-Menten constant) and higher activity.

Poly(ethylenimine) conjugated bioreducible dendrimer for efficient gene delivery.

PubMed

Nam, Kihoon; Jung, Simhyun; Nam, Joung-Pyo; Kim, Sung Wan

2015-12-28

Branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) 25 kDa is an efficient gene delivery vector with outstanding gene condensation ability and great endosome escape activity. However, it also induces higher cytotoxicity. Transfection efficiency and toxicity of PEI are highly dependent upon their molecular weight and structure. We developed a bioreducible poly(ethylenimine) (PEI (-s-s-)) derived from low molecular weight PEI (1.8 kDa) for efficient gene delivery. Bioreducible core molecule is expected to increase molecular weight and reduce the cytotoxicity of the copolymer. PEI (-s-s-) polyplexes showed higher transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity compared to branched PEI 25 kDa, Lipofectamine® 2000 and, FuGENE® 6. In addition, PEI (-s-s-) derivative (16 kDa) formed stable polyplexes with a zeta-potential value of +34 mV and polyplex size of 61 nm. PEI (-s-s-) derivative (16 kDa) showed excellent transfection efficiency: 3.6 times higher than branched PEI 25 kDa in HeLa cells and 7.4 times higher than Lipofectamine® 2000 in H9C2 cell. The derivatives also showed lower cytotoxicity compared with Lipofectamine® 2000 and PEI 25 kDa in various cell types. In addition, newly synthesized PEI (-s-s-) derivatives have high reproducibility. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation and partial purification of anticoagulant fractions from the venom of the Iranian snake Echis carinatus.

PubMed

Babaie, Mahdi; Zolfagharian, Hossein; Salmanizadeh, Hossein; Mirakabadi, Abbas Zare; Alizadeh, Hafezeh

2013-01-01

Many snake venoms comprise different factors, which can either promote or inhibit the blood coagulation pathway. Coagulation disorders and hemorrhage belong to the most prominent features of bites of the many vipers. A number of these factors interact with components of the human blood coagulation. This study is focused on the effect of Echis carinatus snake venom on blood coagulation pathway. Anticoagulant factors were purified from the Iranian Echis carinatus venom by two steps: gel filtration (Sephadex G-75) and ion-exchange (DEAE-Sephadex) chromatography, in order to study the anticoagulant effect of crude venom and their fractions. The prothrombin time was estimated on human plasma for each fraction. Our results showed that protrombin time value was increase from 13.4 s to 170 s for F2C and to 280 s for F2D. Our study showed that these fractions of the venom delay the prothrombine time and thus can be considered as anticoagulant factors. They were shown to exhibit proteolytic activity. The molecular weights of these anticoagulants (F2C, F2D) were estimated by SDS/PAGE electrophoresis. F2C comprises two protein bands with molecular weights of 50 and 79 kDa and F2D a single band with a molecular weight of 42 kDa.

Prostatic origin of a zinc binding high molecular weight protein complex in human seminal plasma.

PubMed

Siciliano, L; De Stefano, C; Petroni, M F; Vivacqua, A; Rago, V; Carpino, A

2000-03-01

The profile of the zinc ligand high molecular weight proteins was investigated in the seminal plasma of 55 normozoospermic subjects by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The proteins were recovered from Sephadex G-75 gel filtration of seminal plasma in three zinc-containing fractions which were then submitted to HPLC analysis. The results were, that in all the samples, the protein profiles showed two peaks with apparent molecular weight of approximately 660 and approximately 250 kDa. Dialysis experiments revealed that both approximately 660 and approximately 250 kDa proteins were able to uptake zinc against gradient indicating their zinc binding capacity. The HPLC analysis of the whole seminal plasma evidenced only the approximately 660 kDa protein complex as a single well quantifying peak, furthermore a positive correlation between its peak area and the seminal zinc values (P < 0.001) was observed. This suggested a prostatic origin of the approximately 660 kDa protein complex which was then confirmed by the seminal plasma HPLC analysis of a subject with agenesis of the Wolffian ducts. Finally the study demonstrated the presence of two zinc binding proteins, approximately 660 and approximately 250 kDa respectively, in human seminal plasma and the prostatic origin of the approximately 660 kDa.

Emulsifying Activity and Stability of a Non-Toxic Bioemulsifier Synthesized by Microbacterium sp. MC3B-10

PubMed Central

Camacho-Chab, Juan Carlos; Guézennec, Jean; Chan-Bacab, Manuel Jesús; Ríos-Leal, Elvira; Sinquin, Corinne; Muñiz-Salazar, Raquel; De la Rosa-García, Susana del C.; Reyes-Estebanez, Manuela; Ortega-Morales, Benjamín Otto

2013-01-01

A previously reported bacterial bioemulsifier, here termed microbactan, was further analyzed to characterize its lipid component, molecular weight, ionic character and toxicity, along with its bioemulsifying potential for hydrophobic substrates at a range of temperatures, salinities and pH values. Analyses showed that microbactan is a high molecular weight (700 kDa), non-ionic molecule. Gas chromatography of the lipid fraction revealed the presence of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids; thus microbactan may be considered a glycolipoprotein. Microbactan emulsified aromatic hydrocarbons and oils to various extents; the highest emulsification index was recorded against motor oil (96%). The stability of the microbactan-motor oil emulsion model reached its highest level (94%) at 50 °C, pH 10 and 3.5% NaCl content. It was not toxic to Artemia salina nauplii. Microbactan is, therefore, a non-toxic and non-ionic bioemulsifier of high molecular weight with affinity for a range of oily substrates. Comparative phylogenetic assessment of the 16S rDNA gene of Microbacterium sp. MC3B-10 with genes derived from other marine Microbacterium species suggested that this genus is well represented in coastal zones. The chemical nature and stability of the bioemulsifier suggest its potential application in bioremediation of marine environments and in cosmetics. PMID:24065097

Effects of peat fires on the characteristics of humic acid extracted from peat soil in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

PubMed

Yustiawati; Kihara, Yusuke; Sazawa, Kazuto; Kuramitz, Hideki; Kurasaki, Masaaki; Saito, Takeshi; Hosokawa, Toshiyuki; Syawal, M Suhaemi; Wulandari, Linda; Hendri I; Tanaka, Shunitz

2015-02-01

When peat forest fires happen, it leads to burn soil and also humic acids as a dominant organic matter contained in peat soil as well as the forest. The structure and properties of humic acids vary depending on their origin and environment, therefore the transformation of humic acid is also diverse. The impacts of the peat fires on peat soil from Central Kalimantan, Indonesia were investigated through the characterization of humic acids, extracted from soil in burnt and unburnt sites. The characterization of humic acids was performed by elemental composition, functional groups, molecular weight by HPSEC, pyrolysate compounds by pyrolysis-GC/MS, fluorescence spectrum by 3DEEM spectrofluorometer, and thermogravimetry. The elemental composition of each humic substance indicated that the value of H/C and O/C of humic acids from burnt sites were lower than that from unburnt sites. The molecular weight of humic acids from burnt sites was also lower than that from unburnt sites. Pyrolysate compounds of humic acids from unburnt sites differed from those of humic acids from burnt soil. The heating experiment showed that burning process caused the significant change in the properties of humic acids such as increasing the aromaticity and decreasing the molecular weight.

Effect of PEO molecular weight on the miscibility and dynamics in epoxy/PEO blends.

PubMed

Lu, Shoudong; Zhang, Rongchun; Wang, Xiaoliang; Sun, Pingchuan; Lv, Weifeng; Liu, Qingjie; Jia, Ninghong

2015-11-01

In this work, the effect of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) molecular weight in blends of epoxy (ER) and PEO on the miscibility, inter-chain weak interactions and local dynamics were systematically investigated by multi-frequency temperature modulation DSC and solid-state NMR techniques. We found that the molecular weight (M(w)) of PEO was a crucial factor in controlling the miscibility, chain dynamics and hydrogen bonding interactions between PEO and ER. A critical PEO molecular weight (M(crit)) around 4.5k was found. PEO was well miscible with ER when the molecular weight was below M(crit), where the chain motion of PEO was restricted due to strong inter-chain hydrogen bonding interactions. However, for the blends with high molecular weight PEO (M(w) > M(crit)), the miscibility between PEO and ER was poor, and most of PEO chains were considerably mobile. Finally, polarization inversion spin exchange at magic angle (PISEMA) solid-state NMR experiment further revealed the different mobility of the PEO in ER/PEO blends with different molecular weight of PEO at molecular level. Based on the DSC and NMR results, a tentative model was proposed to illustrate the miscibility in ER/PEO blends.

Enzymatic and acidic degradation of high molecular weight dextran into low molecular weight and its characterizations using novel Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Iqbal, Samina; Marchetti, Roberta; Aman, Afsheen; Silipo, Alba; Qader, Shah Ali Ul; Molinaro, Antonio

2017-10-01

Low molecular weight fractions were derived from native high molecular weight dextran produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides KIBGE-IB26. Structural characterization of native and low molecular weight fractions obtained after acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis was done using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weight was estimated using Diffusion Ordered NMR spectroscopy. Native dextran (892kDa) is composed of α-(1→6) glycosidic linkage along with α-(1→3) branching. Major proportion of 528kDa dextran was obtained after prolong enzymatic hydrolysis however, an effective acidic treatment at pH-1.4 up to 02 and 04h of exposure resulted in the formation of 77kDa and 57kDa, respectively. The increment in pH from 1.4 to 1.8 lowered the hydrolysis efficiency and resulted in the formation of 270kDa dextran fraction. The results suggest that derived low molecular weight water soluble fractions can be utilized as a drug delivery carrier along with multiple application relating pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular interactions in high conductive gel electrolytes based on low molecular weight gelator.

PubMed

Bielejewski, Michał; Łapiński, Andrzej; Demchuk, Oleg

2017-03-15

Organic ionic gel (OIG) electrolytes, also known as gel electrolytes or ionogels are one example of modern functional materials with the potential to use in wide range of electrochemical applications. The functionality of OIGs arises from the thermally reversible solidification of electrolytes or ionic liquids and their superior ionic conductivity. To understand and to predict the properties of these systems it is important to get the knowledge about the interactions on molecular level between the solid gelator matrix and the electrolyte solution. This paper reports the spectroscopic studies (FT-IR, UV-Vis and Raman) of the gel electrolyte based on low molecular weight gelator methyl-4,6-O-(p-nitrobenzylidene)-α-d-glucopyranoside and solution of quaternary ammonium salt, tetramethylammonium bromide. The solidification process was based on sol-gel technique. Below characteristic temperature, defined as gel to sol phase transition temperature, T gs , the samples were solid-like and showed high conductivity values of the same order as observed for pure liquid electrolytes. The investigations were performed for a OIGs in a wide range of molar concentrations of the electrolyte solution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Proteomics in Diagnostic Pathology

PubMed Central

Chaurand, Pierre; Sanders, Melinda E.; Jensen, Roy A.; Caprioli, Richard M.

2004-01-01

Direct tissue profiling and imaging mass spectrometry (MS) provide a molecular assessment of numerous expressed proteins within a tissue sample. MALDI MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization) analysis of thin tissue sections results in the visualization of 500 to 1000 individual protein signals in the molecular weight range from 2000 to over 200,000. These signals directly correlate with protein distribution within a specific region of the tissue sample. The systematic investigation of the section allows the construction of ion density maps, or specific molecular images, for virtually every signal detected in the analysis. Ultimately, hundreds of images, each at a specific molecular weight, may be obtained. To date, profiling and imaging MS has been applied to multiple diseased tissues, including human non-small cell lung tumors, gliomas, and breast tumors. Interrogation of the resulting complex MS data sets using modern biocomputational tools has resulted in identification of both disease-state and patient-prognosis specific protein patterns. These studies suggest that such proteomic information will become more and more important in assessing disease progression, prognosis, and drug efficacy. Molecular histology has been known for some time and its value clear in the field of pathology. Imaging mass spectrometry brings a new dimension of molecular data, one focusing on the disease phenotype. The present article reviews the state of the art of the technology and its complementarity with traditional histopathological analyses. PMID:15466373

Consequences of increasing convection onto patient care and protein removal in hemodialysis

PubMed Central

Duranton, Flore; Guzman, Caroline; Szwarc, Ilan; Vetromile, Fernando; Cazevieille, Chantal; Brunet, Philippe; Servel, Marie-Françoise; Le Quintrec, Moglie

2017-01-01

Introduction Recent randomised controlled trials suggest that on-line hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) improves survival, provided that it reaches high convective volumes. However, there is scant information on the feasibility and the consequences of modifying convection volumes in clinics. Methods Twelve stable dialysis patients were treated with high-flux 1.8 m2 polysulphone dialyzers and 4 levels of convection flows (QUF) based on GKD-UF monitoring of the system, for 1 week each. The consequences on dialysis delivery (transmembrane pressure (TMP), number of alarms, % of achieved prescribed convection) and efficacy (mass removal of low and high molecular weight compounds) were analysed. Results TMP increased exponentially with QUF (p<0.001 for N >56,000 monitoring values). Beyond 21 L/session, this resulted into frequent TMP alarms requiring nursing staff interventions (mean ± SEM: 10.3 ± 2.2 alarms per session, p<0.001 compared to lower convection volumes). Optimal convection volumes as assessed by GKD-UF-max were 20.6 ± 0.4 L/session, whilst 4 supplementary litres were obtained in the maximum situation (24.5 ± 0.6 L/session) but the proportion of sessions achieving the prescribed convection volume decreased from 94% to only 33% (p<0.001). Convection increased high molecular weight compound removal and shifted the membrane cut-off towards the higher molecular weight range. Conclusions Reaching high convection volumes as recommended by the recent RCTs (> 20L) is feasible by setting an HDF system at its optimal conditions based upon the GKD-UF monitoring. Prescribing higher convection volumes resulted in instability of the system, provoked alarms, was bothersome for the nursing staff and the patients, rarely achieved the prescribed convection volumes and increased removal of high molecular weight compounds, notably albumin. PMID:28166268

Consequences of increasing convection onto patient care and protein removal in hemodialysis.

PubMed

Gayrard, Nathalie; Ficheux, Alain; Duranton, Flore; Guzman, Caroline; Szwarc, Ilan; Vetromile, Fernando; Cazevieille, Chantal; Brunet, Philippe; Servel, Marie-Françoise; Argilés, Àngel; Le Quintrec, Moglie

2017-01-01

Recent randomised controlled trials suggest that on-line hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) improves survival, provided that it reaches high convective volumes. However, there is scant information on the feasibility and the consequences of modifying convection volumes in clinics. Twelve stable dialysis patients were treated with high-flux 1.8 m2 polysulphone dialyzers and 4 levels of convection flows (QUF) based on GKD-UF monitoring of the system, for 1 week each. The consequences on dialysis delivery (transmembrane pressure (TMP), number of alarms, % of achieved prescribed convection) and efficacy (mass removal of low and high molecular weight compounds) were analysed. TMP increased exponentially with QUF (p<0.001 for N >56,000 monitoring values). Beyond 21 L/session, this resulted into frequent TMP alarms requiring nursing staff interventions (mean ± SEM: 10.3 ± 2.2 alarms per session, p<0.001 compared to lower convection volumes). Optimal convection volumes as assessed by GKD-UF-max were 20.6 ± 0.4 L/session, whilst 4 supplementary litres were obtained in the maximum situation (24.5 ± 0.6 L/session) but the proportion of sessions achieving the prescribed convection volume decreased from 94% to only 33% (p<0.001). Convection increased high molecular weight compound removal and shifted the membrane cut-off towards the higher molecular weight range. Reaching high convection volumes as recommended by the recent RCTs (> 20L) is feasible by setting an HDF system at its optimal conditions based upon the GKD-UF monitoring. Prescribing higher convection volumes resulted in instability of the system, provoked alarms, was bothersome for the nursing staff and the patients, rarely achieved the prescribed convection volumes and increased removal of high molecular weight compounds, notably albumin.

Detection of Ketones by a Novel Technology: Dipolar Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (DP-PTR-MS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Yue; Zhang, Qiangling; Zhou, Wenzhao; Zou, Xue; Wang, Hongmei; Huang, Chaoqun; Shen, Chengyin; Chu, Yannan

2017-05-01

Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has played an important role in the field of real-time monitoring of trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to its advantages such as low limit of detection (LOD) and fast time response. Recently, a new technology of proton extraction reaction mass spectrometry (PER-MS) with negative ions OH- as the reagent ions has also been presented, which can be applied to the detection of VOCs and even inorganic compounds. In this work, we combined the functions of PTR-MS and PER-MS in one instrument, thereby developing a novel technology called dipolar proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (DP-PTR-MS). The selection of PTR-MS mode and PER-MS mode was achieved in DP-PTR-MS using only water vapor in the ion source and switching the polarity. In this experiment, ketones (denoted by M) were selected as analytes. The ketone (molecular weight denoted by m) was ionized as protonated ketone [M + H]+ [mass-to-charge ratio ( m/z) m + 1] in PTR-MS mode and deprotonated ketone [M - H]- ( m/z m - 1) in PER-MS mode. By comparing the m/z value of the product ions in the two modes, the molecular weight of the ketone can be positively identified as m. Results showed that whether it is a single ketone sample or a mixed sample of eight kinds of ketones, the molecular weights can be detected with DP-PTR-MS. The newly developed DP-PTR-MS not only maintains the original advantages of PTR-MS and PER-MS in sensitive and rapid detection of ketones, but also can estimate molecular weight of ketones.

A Secondary Antibody-Detecting Molecular Weight Marker with Mouse and Rabbit IgG Fc Linear Epitopes for Western Blot Analysis

PubMed Central

Cheng, Ta-Chun; Tung, Yi-Ching; Chu, Pei-Yu; Chuang, Chih-Hung; Hsieh, Yuan-Chin; Huang, Chien-Chiao; Wang, Yeng-Tseng; Kao, Chien-Han; Roffler, Steve R.; Cheng, Tian-Lu

2016-01-01

Molecular weight markers that can tolerate denaturing conditions and be auto-detected by secondary antibodies offer great efficacy and convenience for Western Blotting. Here, we describe M&R LE protein markers which contain linear epitopes derived from the heavy chain constant regions of mouse and rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG Fc LE). These markers can be directly recognized and stained by a wide range of anti-mouse and anti-rabbit secondary antibodies. We selected three mouse (M1, M2 and M3) linear IgG1 and three rabbit (R1, R2 and R3) linear IgG heavy chain epitope candidates based on their respective crystal structures. Western blot analysis indicated that M2 and R2 linear epitopes are effectively recognized by anti-mouse and anti-rabbit secondary antibodies, respectively. We fused the M2 and R2 epitopes (M&R LE) and incorporated the polypeptide in a range of 15–120 kDa auto-detecting markers (M&R LE protein marker). The M&R LE protein marker can be auto-detected by anti-mouse and anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibodies in standard immunoblots. Linear regression analysis of the M&R LE protein marker plotted as gel mobility versus the log of the marker molecular weights revealed good linearity with a correlation coefficient R2 value of 0.9965, indicating that the M&R LE protein marker displays high accuracy for determining protein molecular weights. This accurate, regular and auto-detected M&R LE protein marker may provide a simple, efficient and economical tool for protein analysis. PMID:27494183

A Secondary Antibody-Detecting Molecular Weight Marker with Mouse and Rabbit IgG Fc Linear Epitopes for Western Blot Analysis.

PubMed

Lin, Wen-Wei; Chen, I-Ju; Cheng, Ta-Chun; Tung, Yi-Ching; Chu, Pei-Yu; Chuang, Chih-Hung; Hsieh, Yuan-Chin; Huang, Chien-Chiao; Wang, Yeng-Tseng; Kao, Chien-Han; Roffler, Steve R; Cheng, Tian-Lu

2016-01-01

Molecular weight markers that can tolerate denaturing conditions and be auto-detected by secondary antibodies offer great efficacy and convenience for Western Blotting. Here, we describe M&R LE protein markers which contain linear epitopes derived from the heavy chain constant regions of mouse and rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG Fc LE). These markers can be directly recognized and stained by a wide range of anti-mouse and anti-rabbit secondary antibodies. We selected three mouse (M1, M2 and M3) linear IgG1 and three rabbit (R1, R2 and R3) linear IgG heavy chain epitope candidates based on their respective crystal structures. Western blot analysis indicated that M2 and R2 linear epitopes are effectively recognized by anti-mouse and anti-rabbit secondary antibodies, respectively. We fused the M2 and R2 epitopes (M&R LE) and incorporated the polypeptide in a range of 15-120 kDa auto-detecting markers (M&R LE protein marker). The M&R LE protein marker can be auto-detected by anti-mouse and anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibodies in standard immunoblots. Linear regression analysis of the M&R LE protein marker plotted as gel mobility versus the log of the marker molecular weights revealed good linearity with a correlation coefficient R2 value of 0.9965, indicating that the M&R LE protein marker displays high accuracy for determining protein molecular weights. This accurate, regular and auto-detected M&R LE protein marker may provide a simple, efficient and economical tool for protein analysis.

A universal reduced glass transition temperature for liquids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedors, R. F.

1979-01-01

Data on the dependence of the glass transition temperature on the molecular structure for low-molecular-weight liquids are analyzed in order to determine whether Boyer's reduced glass transition temperature (1952) is a universal constant as proposed. It is shown that the Boyer ratio varies widely depending on the chemical nature of the molecule. It is pointed out that a characteristic temperature ratio, defined by the ratio of the sum of the melting temperature and the boiling temperature to the sum of the glass transition temperature and the boiling temperature, is a universal constant independent of the molecular structure of the liquid. The average value of the ratio obtained from data for 65 liquids is 1.15.

Functional Comparison for Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal and Fecal Microflora Enzyme Activities between Low Molecular Weight Chitosan and Chitosan Oligosaccharide in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Rats.

PubMed

Chiu, Chen-Yuan; Feng, Shih-An; Liu, Shing-Hwa; Chiang, Meng-Tsan

2017-07-24

The present study investigated and compared the regulatory effects on the lipid-related metabolism and intestinal disaccharidase/fecal bacterial enzyme activities between low molecular weight chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide in high-fat-diet-fed rats. Diet supplementation of low molecular weight chitosan showed greater efficiency than chitosan oligosaccharide in suppressing the increased weights in body and in liver and adipose tissues of high-fat-diet-fed rats. Supplementation of low molecular weight chitosan also showed a greater improvement than chitosan oligosaccharide in imbalance of plasma, hepatic, and fecal lipid profiles, and intestinal disaccharidase activities in high-fat-diet-fed rats. Moreover, both low molecular weight chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide significantly decreased the fecal microflora mucinase and β-glucuronidase activities in high-fat-diet-fed rats. These results suggest that low molecular weight chitosan exerts a greater positive improvement than chitosan oligosaccharide in lipid metabolism and intestinal disaccharidase activity in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats.

Development of solvent-free offset ink using vegetable oil esters and high molecular-weight resin.

PubMed

Park, Jung Min; Kim, Young Han; Kim, Sung Bin

2013-01-01

In the development of solvent-free offset ink, the roles of resin molecular weight and used solvent on the ink performance were evaluated by examining the relationship between the various properties of resin and solvent and print quality. To find the best performing resin, the soy-oil fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was applied to the five modified-phenolic resins having different molecular weights. It is found from the experimental results that the ink made of higher molecular weight and better solubility resin gives better printability and print quality. It is because larger molecular weight resin with better solubility gives higher rate of ink transfer. From the ink application of different esters to high molecular weight resin, the best printing performance was yielded from the soy-oil fatty acid butyl ester (FABE). It is due to its high kinematic viscosity resulting in the smallest change of ink transfer weight upon multiple number of printing, which improves the stability of ink quality.

21 CFR 172.820 - Polyethylene glycol (mean molecular weight 200-9,500).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... ethylene oxide and water with a mean molecular weight of 200 to 9,500. (2) It contains no more than 0.2 percent total by weight of ethylene and diethylene glycols when tested by the analytical methods... the total ethylene and diethylene glycol content of polyethylene glycols having mean molecular weights...

In vivo anti-radiation activities of the Ulva pertusa polysaccharides and polysaccharide-iron(III) complex.

PubMed

Shi, Jinming; Cheng, Cuilin; Zhao, Haitian; Jing, Jing; Gong, Ning; Lu, Weihong

2013-09-01

Polysaccharides with different molecular weights were extracted from Ulva pertusa and fractionated by ultrafiltration. Iron(III) complex of the low molecular-weight U. pertusa polysaccharides were synthesized. Atomic absorption spectrum showed that the iron content of iron(III)-polysaccharide complex was 27.4%. The comparison between U. pertusa polysaccharides and their iron(III) complex showed that iron chelating altered the structural characteristics of the polysaccharides. The bioactivity analysis showed that polysaccharide with low molecular weight was more effective than polysaccharide with high molecular weight in protecting mice from radiation induced damages on bone marrow cells and immune system. Results also proved that the anti-radiation and anti-oxidative activity of iron(III) complex of low molecular-weight polysaccharides were not less than that of low molecular-weight polysaccharides. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Degradation of chitosan by gamma ray with presence of hydrogen peroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmud, Maznah; Naziri, Muhammad Ihsan; Yacob, Norzita; Talip, Norhashidah; Abdullah, Zahid

2014-02-01

The radiation degraded chitosan samples were prepared by swelling the chitosan powder in water and exposed for gamma irradiation. The ratio chitosan to water was 1:6 with the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 1%-5%. These chitosan-water mixtures were irradiated at 6kGy, which is the lowest irradiation dose that facility can offered. All samples were purified and proceed with characterization. The molecular weight (MW) study was monitored by size exclusion chromatography-multi angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS). Results showed that MW of chitosan reduced as the dose increased. Application of H2O2 enhanced the degradation rate of chitosan even at very low irradiation dose. Homogenous degradation also occurred during treatment with H2O2based on the polydispersity index (PDI) derived from the calculation of weight average molecular weight over number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn). Mechanism of chitosan radiation degradation with and without hydrogen peroxide was also discussed in this paper. Structure of degraded products was characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The degree of deacetylation (DDA) values of the samples was determined by acid-base titration. Solubility test results showed that, chitosan powder even at low Mw was insoluble in water even at low pH water. Chitosan as well as irradiated chitosan powder are soluble in strong and weak acid solution. Further discussion on behaviours of radiation degraded chitosan will be elaborated more in this paper.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mahmud, Maznah; Yacob, Norzita; Talip, Norhashidah

The radiation degraded chitosan samples were prepared by swelling the chitosan powder in water and exposed for gamma irradiation. The ratio chitosan to water was 1:6 with the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}), 1%–5%. These chitosan-water mixtures were irradiated at 6kGy, which is the lowest irradiation dose that facility can offered. All samples were purified and proceed with characterization. The molecular weight (MW) study was monitored by size exclusion chromatography-multi angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS). Results showed that MW of chitosan reduced as the dose increased. Application of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} enhanced the degradation rate of chitosan evenmore » at very low irradiation dose. Homogenous degradation also occurred during treatment with H{sub 2}O{sub 2}based on the polydispersity index (PDI) derived from the calculation of weight average molecular weight over number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn). Mechanism of chitosan radiation degradation with and without hydrogen peroxide was also discussed in this paper. Structure of degraded products was characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The degree of deacetylation (DDA) values of the samples was determined by acid-base titration. Solubility test results showed that, chitosan powder even at low Mw was insoluble in water even at low pH water. Chitosan as well as irradiated chitosan powder are soluble in strong and weak acid solution. Further discussion on behaviours of radiation degraded chitosan will be elaborated more in this paper.« less

Quantitative diffusion weighted imaging parameters in tumor and peritumoral stroma for prediction of molecular subtypes in breast cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Ting; Fan, Ming; Zhang, Peng; Li, Hui; Zhang, Juan; Shao, Guoliang; Li, Lihua

2018-03-01

Breast cancer can be classified into four molecular subtypes of Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 and Basal-like, which have significant differences in treatment and survival outcomes. We in this study aim to predict immunohistochemistry (IHC) determined molecular subtypes of breast cancer using image features derived from tumor and peritumoral stroma region based on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). A dataset of 126 breast cancer patients were collected who underwent preoperative breast MRI with a 3T scanner. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were recorded from DWI, and breast image was segmented into regions comprising the tumor and the surrounding stromal. Statistical characteristics in various breast tumor and peritumoral regions were computed, including mean, minimum, maximum, variance, interquartile range, range, skewness, and kurtosis of ADC values. Additionally, the difference of features between each two regions were also calculated. The univariate logistic based classifier was performed for evaluating the performance of the individual features for discriminating subtypes. For multi-class classification, multivariate logistic regression model was trained and validated. The results showed that the tumor boundary and proximal peritumoral stroma region derived features have a higher performance in classification compared to that of the other regions. Furthermore, the prediction model using statistical features, difference features and all the features combined from these regions generated AUC values of 0.774, 0.796 and 0.811, respectively. The results in this study indicate that ADC feature in tumor and peritumoral stromal region would be valuable for estimating the molecular subtype in breast cancer.

Generation of a large volume of clinically relevant nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles for cell culture studies

PubMed Central

Ingham, Eileen; Fisher, John; Tipper, Joanne L

2014-01-01

It has recently been shown that the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene in hip and knee prostheses leads to the generation of nanometre-sized particles, in addition to micron-sized particles. The biological activity of nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles has not, however, previously been studied due to difficulties in generating sufficient volumes of nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles suitable for cell culture studies. In this study, wear simulation methods were investigated to generate a large volume of endotoxin-free clinically relevant nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles. Both single-station and six-station multidirectional pin-on-plate wear simulators were used to generate ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles under sterile and non-sterile conditions. Microbial contamination and endotoxin levels in the lubricants were determined. The results indicated that microbial contamination was absent and endotoxin levels were low and within acceptable limits for the pharmaceutical industry, when a six-station pin-on-plate wear simulator was used to generate ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles in a non-sterile environment. Different pore-sized polycarbonate filters were investigated to isolate nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles from the wear test lubricants. The use of the filter sequence of 10, 1, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.015 µm pore sizes allowed successful isolation of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles with a size range of < 100 nm, which was suitable for cell culture studies. PMID:24658586

Generation of a large volume of clinically relevant nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles for cell culture studies.

PubMed

Liu, Aiqin; Ingham, Eileen; Fisher, John; Tipper, Joanne L

2014-04-01

It has recently been shown that the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene in hip and knee prostheses leads to the generation of nanometre-sized particles, in addition to micron-sized particles. The biological activity of nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles has not, however, previously been studied due to difficulties in generating sufficient volumes of nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles suitable for cell culture studies. In this study, wear simulation methods were investigated to generate a large volume of endotoxin-free clinically relevant nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles. Both single-station and six-station multidirectional pin-on-plate wear simulators were used to generate ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles under sterile and non-sterile conditions. Microbial contamination and endotoxin levels in the lubricants were determined. The results indicated that microbial contamination was absent and endotoxin levels were low and within acceptable limits for the pharmaceutical industry, when a six-station pin-on-plate wear simulator was used to generate ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles in a non-sterile environment. Different pore-sized polycarbonate filters were investigated to isolate nanometre-sized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles from the wear test lubricants. The use of the filter sequence of 10, 1, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.015 µm pore sizes allowed successful isolation of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene wear particles with a size range of < 100 nm, which was suitable for cell culture studies.

Adsorption of Poly(methyl methacrylate) on Concave Al2O3 Surfaces in Nanoporous Membranes

PubMed Central

Nunnery, Grady; Hershkovits, Eli; Tannenbaum, Allen; Tannenbaum, Rina

2009-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of polymer molecular weight and surface curvature on the adsorption of polymers onto concave surfaces. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) of various molecular weights was adsorbed onto porous aluminum oxide membranes having various pore sizes, ranging from 32 to 220 nm. The surface coverage, expressed as repeat units per unit surface area, was observed to vary linearly with molecular weight for molecular weights below ~120 000 g/mol. The coverage was independent of molecular weight above this critical molar mass, as was previously reported for the adsorption of PMMA on convex surfaces. Furthermore, the coverage varied linearly with pore size. A theoretical model was developed to describe curvature-dependent adsorption by considering the density gradient that exists between the surface and the edge of the adsorption layer. According to this model, the density gradient of the adsorbed polymer segments scales inversely with particle size, while the total coverage scales linearly with particle size, in good agreement with experiment. These results show that the details of the adsorption of polymers onto concave surfaces with cylindrical geometries can be used to calculate molecular weight (below a critical molecular weight) if pore size is known. Conversely, pore size can also be determined with similar adsorption experiments. Most significantly, for polymers above a critical molecular weight, the precise molecular weight need not be known in order to determine pore size. Moreover, the adsorption developed and validated in this work can be used to predict coverage also onto surfaces with different geometries. PMID:19415910

The Molecular Weight Distribution of Polymer Samples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horta, Arturo; Pastoriza, M. Alejandra

2007-01-01

Various methods for the determination of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of different polymer samples are presented. The study shows that the molecular weight averages and distribution of a polymerization completely depend on the characteristics of the reaction itself.

Silver Coating for High-Mass-Accuracy Imaging Mass Spectrometry of Fingerprints on Nanostructured Silicon.

PubMed

Guinan, Taryn M; Gustafsson, Ove J R; McPhee, Gordon; Kobus, Hilton; Voelcker, Nicolas H

2015-11-17

Nanostructure imaging mass spectrometry (NIMS) using porous silicon (pSi) is a key technique for molecular imaging of exogenous and endogenous low molecular weight compounds from fingerprints. However, high-mass-accuracy NIMS can be difficult to achieve as time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyzers, which dominate the field, cannot sufficiently compensate for shifts in measured m/z values. Here, we show internal recalibration using a thin layer of silver (Ag) sputter-coated onto functionalized pSi substrates. NIMS peaks for several previously reported fingerprint components were selected and mass accuracy was compared to theoretical values. Mass accuracy was improved by more than an order of magnitude in several cases. This straightforward method should form part of the standard guidelines for NIMS studies for spatial characterization of small molecules.

Synthesis of Transesterified Palm Olein-Based Polyol and Rigid Polyurethanes from this Polyol.

PubMed

Arniza, Mohd Zan; Hoong, Seng Soi; Idris, Zainab; Yeong, Shoot Kian; Hassan, Hazimah Abu; Din, Ahmad Kushairi; Choo, Yuen May

Transesterification of palm olein with glycerol can increase the functionality by introducing additional hydroxyl groups to the triglyceride structure, an advantage compared to using palm olein directly as feedstock for producing palm-based polyol. The objective of this study was to synthesize transesterified palm olein-based polyol via a three-step reaction: (1) transesterification of palm olein, (2) epoxidation and (3) epoxide ring opening. Transesterification of palm olein yielded approximately 78 % monoglyceride and has an hydroxyl value of approximately 164 mg KOH g -1 . The effect of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations on the epoxidation reaction was studied. The relationships between epoxide ring-opening reaction time and residual oxirane oxygen content and hydroxyl value were monitored. The synthesized transesterified palm olein-based polyol has hydroxyl value between 300 and 330 mg KOH g -1 and average molecular weight between 1,000 and 1,100 Da. On the basis of the hydroxyl value and average molecular weight of the polyol, the transesterified palm olein-based polyol is suitable for producing rigid polyurethane foam, which can be designed to exhibit desirable properties. Rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized by substituting a portion of petroleum-based polyol with the transesterified palm olein-based polyol. It was observed that by increasing the amount of transesterified palm olein-based polyol, the core density and compressive strength were reduced but at the same time the insulation properties of the rigid polyurethane foam were improved.

[Preliminary Investigation of the Amount, the Molecular Weight and the Activity of Polysaccharides from Chaenomeles Speciosa Fruits in Ethanol Fractional Precipitation].

PubMed

Tian, Bing-mei; Xie, Xiao-mei; Shen, Pan-pan; Yang, Mo; Zhang, Sheng-long; Tang, Qing-jiu

2015-05-01

Chaenomeles speciosa fruits were extracted using water. The extracts were precipitated with 20%~95% (φ) ethanol, respectively. The amount of total polysaccharide was measured with phenol-sulfuric acid method. A method using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) equipped with multiangle laser-light-scattering photometry (MALLS) and differential refractometry (RI) was presented for determining the molecular weight and molecular weigh distribution. RAW264.7 macrophage were cultured and stimulated with the polysaccharides in vitro and the production of nitric oxide in the cells was determined by the Griess assay. The aim of the study is to determine the amount and the molecular weight of the polysaccharides from Chaenomeles speciosa fruits, and preliminary investigate the immunomodulatory activity, The study provided the basis datas for the further research of Chaenomeles speciosa fruits. , and provided a simple and system method for the research of natural polysaccharide. The ethanol fractional precipitation showed that the order of total polysaccharide content was 95%>80%>40% ≥60%>20%. The results indicated that most polysaccharide from Chaenomeles speciosa fruits might be precipitated when ethanol concentration was up to 95% (T) and the crude polysaccharide purity had risen from 35. 1% to 45. 0% when the concentration of ethanol increased from 20% to 95%. HPSEC-MALLS-RI system showed that all the polysaccharide samples had the similar compositions. They appeared three chromatographic peaks and the retention time were not apparently different. The Mw were 6. 570 X 10(4) g . mol-1 and 1. 393 X 10(4) g . mol-1 respectively, and one less than 10 000 which was failure to obtain accurate values. The molecular weight of the first two polysaccharide distribution index(Mw/Mn)were 1. 336 and 1. 639 respectively. The polysaccharide samples had not exhibited immunomodulatory activity assessed on the basis of nitric oxide production by RAW264. 7 macrophage cells in the experiment.

Molecular weight dependency of polyrotaxane-cross-linked polymer gel extensibility.

PubMed

Ohmori, Kana; Abu Bin, Imran; Seki, Takahiro; Liu, Chang; Mayumi, Koichi; Ito, Kohzo; Takeoka, Yukikazu

2016-12-11

This work investigates the influence of the molecular weight of polyrotaxane (PR) cross-linkers on the extensibility of polymer gels. The polymer gels, which were prepared using PR cross-linkers of three different molecular weights but the same number of cross-linking points per unit volume of gel, have almost the same Young's modulus. By contrast, the extensibility and rupture strength of the polymer gels are substantially increased with increasing molecular weight of the PR cross-linker.

Combustion of High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Fuels and JP-8 at Moderate Pressures

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-26

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: The objective of this research is to characterize combustion of high molecular weight hydrocarbon fuels and jet- fuels (in...Unlimited UU UU UU UU 26-07-2016 1-May-2012 30-Apr-2016 Final Report: Combustion of High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Fuels and JP-8 at Moderate...Report: Combustion of High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Fuels and JP-8 at Moderate Pressures (Research Area 1: Mechanical Sciences) Report Title The

Application of the weibull distribution function to the molecular weight distribution of cellulose

Treesearch

A. Broido; Hsiukang Yow

1977-01-01

The molecular weight distribution of a linear homologous polymer is usually obtained empirically for any particular sample. Sample-to-sample comparisons are made in terms of the weight- or number-average molecular weights and graphic displays of the distribution curves. Such treatment generally precludes data interpretations in which a distribution can be described in...

Synthesis of high molecular weight PEO using non-metal initiators

DOEpatents

Yang, Jin; Sivanandan, Kulandaivelu; Pistorino, Jonathan; Eitouni, Hany Basam

2015-05-19

A new synthetic method to prepare high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) with a very narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI<1.5) is described. The method involves a metal free initiator system, thus avoiding dangerous, flammable organometallic compounds.

Comparison of Two Serologically Distinct Ribonucleic Acid Bacteriophages I. Properties of the Viral Particles

PubMed Central

Overby, L. R.; Barlow, G. H.; Doi, R. H.; Jacob, Monique; Spiegelman, S.

1966-01-01

Overby, L. R. (University of Illinois, Urbana), G. H. Barlow, R. H. Doi, Monique Jacob, and S. Spiegelman. Comparison of two serologically distinct ribonucleic acid bacteriophages. I. Properties of the viral particle. J. Bacteriol. 91:442–448. 1966.—Two ribonucleic acid (RNA) coliphages, MS-2 and Qβ, have been characterized physically and serologically. MS-2 has an S20, w value of 79, a molecular weight of 3.6 × 106, a density of 1.422, and pH 3.9 as its isoelectric point. Qβ has an S20, w of 84, a molecular weight of 4.2 × 106, a density of 1.439, and an isoelectric point at pH 5.3. One host (Escherichia coli A-19) permits a distinction between the two on the basis of a marked difference in plaque size. They are distinct immunochemically, no serological cross-reaction being detectable. Images PMID:5903109

Effect of Injection Molding Melt Temperatures on PLGA Craniofacial Plate Properties during In Vitro Degradation.

PubMed

de Melo, Liliane Pimenta; Salmoria, Gean Vitor; Fancello, Eduardo Alberto; Roesler, Carlos Rodrigo de Mello

2017-01-01

The purpose of this article is to present mechanical and physicochemical properties during in vitro degradation of PLGA material as craniofacial plates based on different values of injection molded temperatures. Injection molded plates were submitted to in vitro degradation in a thermostat bath at 37 ± 1°C by 16 weeks. The material was removed after 15, 30, 60, and 120 days; then bending stiffness, crystallinity, molecular weights, and viscoelasticity were studied. A significant decrease of molecular weight and mechanical properties over time and a difference in FT-IR after 60 days showed faster degradation of the material in the geometry studied. DSC analysis confirmed that the crystallization occurred, especially in higher melt temperature condition. DMA analysis suggests a greater contribution of the viscous component of higher temperature than lower temperature in thermomechanical behavior. The results suggest that physical-mechanical properties of PLGA plates among degradation differ per injection molding temperatures.

The Role of Electrolyte Upon the SEI Formation Characteristics and Low Temperature Performance of Lithium-Ion Cells With Graphite Anodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, M. C.; Ratnakumar, B. V.; Greenbaum, S.; Surampudi, S.

2000-01-01

Quarternary lithium-ion battery electrolyte solutions containing ester co-solvents in mixtures of carbonates have been demonstrated to have high conductivity at low temperatures (< -20C). However, in some cases the presence of such co-solvents does not directly translate into improved low temperature cell performance, presumably due to the formation of ionically resistive surface films on carbonaceous anodes. In order to understand this behavior, a number of lithium-graphite cells have been studied containing electrolytes with various ester co-solvents, including methyl acetate (MA), ethyl acetate (EA), ethyl propionate (EP), and ethyl butyrate (EB). The charge/discharge characterization of these cells indicates that the higher molecular weight esters result in electrolytes which possess superior low temperature performance in contrast to the lower molecular weight ester-containing solutions, even though these solutions display lower conductivity values.

Adsorption of polyethyleneimine and polymethacrylic acid onto synthesized hematite.

PubMed

Chibowski, S; Patkowski, J; Grzadka, E

2009-01-01

An influence of different functional groups of polymer, its molecular weight, polydispersity ratio (M(w)/M(n)) and presence of impurities on its adsorption in different pH values (3, 6 and 9) onto synthesized hematite (Fe(2)O(3)) was measured. A structure of adsorbed macromolecules of PMA and PEI was obtained according to S-F theory. Two polymers were used: polymethacrylic acid (PMA) of 6500 and 75,100 molecular weight as well as polyethyleneimine (PEI) 25,000 commercial and fractionated. Electrokinetic properties of the interface oxide-polymer solution (surface charge density and zeta potential) were also measured as well as adsorption layer thicknesses (with use of viscosimetric measurements). Obtained data show, that all above-mentioned factors do influence not only the adsorption process itself but also a surface charge, zeta potential and structure of adsorbed polymer layers on polymer/hematite interface.

Well-Defined High Molecular Weight Polystyrene with High Rates and High Livingness Synthesized via Two-Stage RAFT Emulsion Polymerization.

PubMed

Yan, Kun; Gao, Xiang; Luo, Yingwu

2015-07-01

A highly living polymer with over 100 kg mol(-1) molecular weight is very difficult to achieve by controlled radical polymerization since the unavoidable side reactions of irreversible radical termination and radical chain transfer to monomer reaction become significant. It is reported that over 500 kg mol(-1) polystyrene with high livingness and low dispersity could be synthesized by a facile two-stage reversible addition-fragmentation transfer emulsion polymerization. The monomer conversion reaches 90% within 10 h. High livingness of the product is ascribed to the extremely low initiator concentration and the chain transfer constant for monomer unexpectedly much lower than the well-accepted values in the conventional radical polymerization. The two-stage monomer feeding policy much decreases the dispersity of the product. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dichloromethane dehalogenase of Hyphomicrobium sp. strain DM2.

PubMed

Kohler-Staub, D; Leisinger, T

1985-05-01

Dichloromethane dehalogenase, a highly inducible glutathione-dependent enzyme catalyzing the conversion of dichloromethane into formaldehyde and inorganic chloride, was purified fivefold with 60% yield from Hyphomicrobium sp. strain DM2. The electrophoretically homogeneous purified enzyme exhibited a specific activity of 17.3 mkat/kg of protein. Its pH optimum was 8.5. The enzyme was stable at -20 degrees C for at least 6 months. A subunit molecular weight of 33,000 was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gel filtration of native dichloromethane dehalogenase yielded a molecular weight of 195,000. Subunit cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate confirmed the hexameric tertiary structure of the enzyme. Dichloromethane dehalogenase was highly specific for dihalomethanes. Its apparent Km values were 30 microM for CH2Cl2, 15 microM for CH2BrCl, 13 microM for CH2Br2, 5 microM for CH2I2, and 320 microM for glutathione. Several chlorinated aliphatic compounds inhibited the dichloromethane dehalogenase activity of the pure enzyme. The Ki values of the competitive inhibitors 1,2-dichloroethane and 1-chloropropane were 3 and 56 microM, respectively.

Dichloromethane dehalogenase of Hyphomicrobium sp. strain DM2.

PubMed Central

Kohler-Staub, D; Leisinger, T

1985-01-01

Dichloromethane dehalogenase, a highly inducible glutathione-dependent enzyme catalyzing the conversion of dichloromethane into formaldehyde and inorganic chloride, was purified fivefold with 60% yield from Hyphomicrobium sp. strain DM2. The electrophoretically homogeneous purified enzyme exhibited a specific activity of 17.3 mkat/kg of protein. Its pH optimum was 8.5. The enzyme was stable at -20 degrees C for at least 6 months. A subunit molecular weight of 33,000 was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gel filtration of native dichloromethane dehalogenase yielded a molecular weight of 195,000. Subunit cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate confirmed the hexameric tertiary structure of the enzyme. Dichloromethane dehalogenase was highly specific for dihalomethanes. Its apparent Km values were 30 microM for CH2Cl2, 15 microM for CH2BrCl, 13 microM for CH2Br2, 5 microM for CH2I2, and 320 microM for glutathione. Several chlorinated aliphatic compounds inhibited the dichloromethane dehalogenase activity of the pure enzyme. The Ki values of the competitive inhibitors 1,2-dichloroethane and 1-chloropropane were 3 and 56 microM, respectively. Images PMID:3988708

Determination of the molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) in biological samples by reversed-phase LC-MS with in-source fragmentation.

PubMed

Warrack, Bethanne M; Redding, Brian P; Chen, Guodong; Bolgar, Mark S

2013-05-01

PEGylation has been widely used to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of therapeutic proteins and peptides. Previous studies have used multiple analytical techniques to determine the fate of both the therapeutic molecule and unconjugated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) after drug administration. A straightforward strategy utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to characterize high-molecular weight PEG in biologic matrices without a need for complex sample preparation is presented. The method is capable of determining whether high-MW PEG is cleaved in vivo to lower-molecular weight PEG species. Reversed-phase chromatographic separation is used to take advantage of the retention principles of polymeric materials whereby elution order correlates with PEG molecular weight. In-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) combined with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) or selected ion monitoring (SIM) mass spectrometry (MS) is then used to monitor characteristic PEG fragment ions in biological samples. MS provides high sensitivity and specificity for PEG and the observed retention times in reversed-phase LC enable estimation of molecular weight. This method was successfully used to characterize PEG molecular weight in mouse serum samples. No change in molecular weight was observed for 48 h after dosing.

Metabolism of AGEs – Bacterial AGEs Are Degraded by Metallo-Proteases

PubMed Central

Cohen-Or, Ifat; Katz, Chen; Ron, Eliora Z.

2013-01-01

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are the final products of non-enzymatic protein glycation that results in loss of protein structure and function. We have previously shown that in E. coli AGEs are continually formed as high-molecular weight protein complexes. Moreover, we showed that AGEs are removed from the cells by an active, ATP-dependent secretion and that these secreted molecules have low molecular weight. Taken together, these results indicate that E. coli contains a fraction of low molecular weight AGEs, in addition to the high-molecular weight AGEs. Here we show that the low-molecular weight AGEs originate from high-molecular weight AGEs by proteolytic degradation. Results of in-vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that this degradation is carried out not by the major ATP-dependent proteases that are responsible for the main part of bacterial protein quality control but by an alternative metal-dependent proteolysis. This proteolytic reaction is essential for the further secretion of AGEs from the cells. As the biochemical reactions involving AGEs are not yet understood, the implication of a metalloprotease in breakdown of high molecular weight AGEs and their secretion constitutes an important step in the understanding of AGEs metabolism. PMID:24130678

Metabolism of AGEs--bacterial AGEs are degraded by metallo-proteases.

PubMed

Cohen-Or, Ifat; Katz, Chen; Ron, Eliora Z

2013-01-01

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are the final products of non-enzymatic protein glycation that results in loss of protein structure and function. We have previously shown that in E. coli AGEs are continually formed as high-molecular weight protein complexes. Moreover, we showed that AGEs are removed from the cells by an active, ATP-dependent secretion and that these secreted molecules have low molecular weight. Taken together, these results indicate that E. coli contains a fraction of low molecular weight AGEs, in addition to the high-molecular weight AGEs. Here we show that the low-molecular weight AGEs originate from high-molecular weight AGEs by proteolytic degradation. Results of in-vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that this degradation is carried out not by the major ATP-dependent proteases that are responsible for the main part of bacterial protein quality control but by an alternative metal-dependent proteolysis. This proteolytic reaction is essential for the further secretion of AGEs from the cells. As the biochemical reactions involving AGEs are not yet understood, the implication of a metalloprotease in breakdown of high molecular weight AGEs and their secretion constitutes an important step in the understanding of AGEs metabolism.

Improving the accuracy of hyaluronic acid molecular weight estimation by conventional size exclusion chromatography.

PubMed

Shanmuga Doss, Sreeja; Bhatt, Nirav Pravinbhai; Jayaraman, Guhan

2017-08-15

There is an unreasonably high variation in the literature reports on molecular weight of hyaluronic acid (HA) estimated using conventional size exclusion chromatography (SEC). This variation is most likely due to errors in estimation. Working with commercially available HA molecular weight standards, this work examines the extent of error in molecular weight estimation due to two factors: use of non-HA based calibration and concentration of sample injected into the SEC column. We develop a multivariate regression correlation to correct for concentration effect. Our analysis showed that, SEC calibration based on non-HA standards like polyethylene oxide and pullulan led to approximately 2 and 10 times overestimation, respectively, when compared to HA-based calibration. Further, we found that injected sample concentration has an effect on molecular weight estimation. Even at 1g/l injected sample concentration, HA molecular weight standards of 0.7 and 1.64MDa showed appreciable underestimation of 11-24%. The multivariate correlation developed was found to reduce error in estimations at 1g/l to <4%. The correlation was also successfully applied to accurately estimate the molecular weight of HA produced by a recombinant Lactococcus lactis fermentation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How Molecular Structure Affects Mechanical Properties of an Advanced Polymer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.

2000-01-01

density was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The physical characterization, elastic properties and notched tensile strength all as a function of molecular weight and test temperature were determined. For the uncrosslinked SI material, it was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature. For the crosslinked PETI-SI material, it was shown that the effect of crosslinking significantly enhances the mechanical performance of the low molecular weight material; comparable to that exhibited by the high molecular weight material.

Enhancement of mechanical properties of 3D printed hydroxyapatite by combined low and high molecular weight polycaprolactone sequential infiltration.

PubMed

Suwanprateeb, Jintamai; Thammarakcharoen, Faungchat; Hobang, Nattapat

2016-11-01

A new infiltration technique using a combination of low and high molecular weight polycaprolactone (PCL) in sequence was developed as a mean to improve the mechanical properties of three dimensional printed hydroxyapatite (HA). It was observed that using either high (M n ~80,000) or low (M n ~10,000) molecular weight infiltration could only increase the flexural modulus compared to non-infiltrated HA, but did not affect strength, strain at break and energy at break. In contrast, a combination of low and high molecular infiltration in sequence increased the flexural modulus, strength and energy at break compared to those of non-infiltrated HA or infiltrated by high or low molecular weight PCL alone. This overall enhancement was found to be attributed to the densification of low molecular weight PCL and the reinforcement of high molecular PCL concurrently. The combined low and high molecular weight infiltration in sequence also maintained high osteoblast proliferation and differentiation of the composites at the similar level of the HA. Densification was a dominant mechanism for the change in modulus with porosity and density of the infiltrated HA/PCL composites. However, both densification and the reinforcing performance of the infiltration phase were crucial for strength and toughening enhancement of the composites possibly by the defect healing and stress shielding mechanisms. The sequence of using low molecular weight infiltration and followed by high molecular infiltration was seen to provide the greatest flexural properties and highest cells proliferation and differentiation capabilities.

Origin of change in molecular-weight dependence for polymer surface tension.

PubMed

Thompson, R B; Macdonald, J R; Chen, P

2008-09-01

Self-consistent-field theory is used to reproduce the behavior of polymer surface tension with molecular-weight for both lower and higher molecular-weight polymers. The change in behavior of the surface tension between these two regimes is shown to be due to the almost total exclusion of polymer from the nonpolymer bulk phase. The predicted two regime surface tension behavior with molecular-weight and the exclusion explanation are shown to be valid for a range of different polymer compressibilities.

Rare expression of high-molecular-weight cytokeratin in adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland: a study of 100 cases of metastatic and locally advanced prostate cancer.

PubMed

Yang, X J; Lecksell, K; Gaudin, P; Epstein, J I

1999-02-01

Immunohistochemistry with antibodies for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin labels basal cells and is used as an ancillary study in diagnosing prostate carcinoma, which reportedly lacks expression of high-molecular-weight cytokeratin. A recent report questioned the specificity of this marker, describing immunopositivity for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin in a small series of metastatic prostate cancer. We have also noted rare cases of prostate lesions on biopsy with typical histological features of adenocarcinoma showing immunopositivity for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, either in tumor cells or in patchy cells with the morphology of basal cells. In some of these cases, it was difficult to distinguish cancer from out-pouching of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. To investigate whether prostate cancer cells express high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, we studied 100 cases of metastatic prostate carcinoma and 10 cases of prostate cancer invading the seminal vesicles from surgical specimens. Metastatic sites included regional lymph nodes (n = 67), bone (n = 19), and miscellaneous (n = 14). Cases with any positivity for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin antibody (34betaE12) were verified as being of prostatic origin with immunohistochemistry for prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific acid phosphatase. Only four cases were detected positive for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin. In two cases (one metastasis, one seminal vesicle invasion) there was weakly diffuse positivity above background level. Two metastases in lymph nodes showed scattered strong staining of clusters of tumor cells, which represented <0.2% of tumor cells in the metastatic deposits. These positive cells did not have the morphology of basal cells. We conclude that prostate cancer, even high grade, only rarely expresses high-molecular-weight cytokeratin. This marker remains a very useful adjunct in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

High and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid differentially influence macrophage activation

PubMed Central

Rayahin, Jamie E.; Buhrman, Jason S.; Zhang, Yu; Koh, Timothy J.; Gemeinhart, Richard A.

2015-01-01

Macrophages exhibit phenotypic diversity permitting wide-ranging roles in maintaining physiologic homeostasis. Hyaluronic acid, a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to have differential signaling based on its molecular weight. With this in mind, the main objective of this study was to elucidate the role of hyaluronic acid molecular weight on macrophage activation and reprogramming. Changes in macrophage activation were assessed by activation state selective marker measurement, specifically quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine enzyme-linked immunoassays, after macrophage treatment with differing molecular weights of hyaluronic acid under four conditions: the resting state, concurrent with classical activation, and following inflammation involving either classically or alternatively activated macrophages. Regardless of initial polarization state, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid induced a classically activated-like state, confirmed by up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including nos2, tnf, il12b, and cd80, and enhanced secretion of nitric oxide and TNF-α. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid promoted an alternatively activated-like state, confirmed by up regulation of pro-resolving gene transcription, including arg1, il10, and mrc1, and enhanced arginase activity. Overall, our observations suggest that macrophages undergo phenotypic changes dependent on molecular weight of hyaluronan that correspond to either (1) pro-inflammatory response for low molecular weight HA or (2) pro-resolving response for high molecular weight HA. These observations bring significant further understanding of the influence of extracellular matrix polymers, hyaluronic acid in particular, on regulating the inflammatory response of macrophages. This knowledge can be used to guide the design of HA-containing biomaterials to better utilize the natural response to HAs. PMID:26280020

21 CFR 178.3750 - Polyethylene glycol (mean molecular weight 200-9,500).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... conditions: (a) The additive is an addition polymer of ethylene oxide and water with a mean molecular weight of 200 to 9,500. (b) It contains no more than 0.2 percent total by weight of ethylene and diethylene... ethylene and diethylene glycols if its mean molecular weight is below 350, when tested by the analytical...

Effect of molecular weight of starch on the properties of cassava starch microspheres prepared in aqueous two-phase system.

PubMed

Xia, Huiping; Li, Bing-Zheng; Gao, Qunyu

2017-12-01

Starch microspheres (SMs) were fabricated in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). A series of starch samples with different molecular weight were prepared by acid hydrolysis, and the effect of molecular weight of starch on the fabrication of SMs were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the morphologies of SMs varied with starch molecular weight, and spherical SMs with sharp contours were obtained while using starch samples with weight-average molecular weight (M¯w)≤1.057×10 5 g/mol. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that crystalline structure of SMs were different from that of native cassava starch, and the relative crystallinity of SMs increased with the molecular weight of starch decreasing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed peak gelatinization temperature (T p ) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) of SMs increased with decreased M¯wof starch. Stability tests indicated that the SMs were stable under acid environment, but not stable under α-amylase hydrolysis. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

High-value utilization of eucalyptus kraft lignin: Preparation and characterization as efficient dye dispersant.

PubMed

Zhang, Hui; Yu, Boming; Zhou, Wanpeng; Liu, Xinxin; Chen, Fangeng

2018-04-01

The dark color of industrial lignin is the main obstacle for their high value-added use in areas such as dyestuff dispersants. A kind of light-colored lignosulfonate with favorable dispersibility and remarkable stain resistance is prepared using fractionated eucalyptus kraft lignin. The fractionated lignins named as D (insoluble part) and X (soluble part) and sulfonated lignin fractions named as SD and SX are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, GPC and brightness test. The results reveal that fraction X presents a lower molecular weight but a higher hydroxyl content than that of fraction D, which lead to the differences on the SO 3 H content, dispersibility and color performance of SD and SX. The sulfonated fractions perform a similar molecular weight to that of unsulfonated lignins and show light color due to the phenolic hydroxyl blocking of 1,4-BS (1,4-butane sultone) and the postprocessing of sodium borohydride. The SX that performs the best of all exhibits obvious decrease on phenolic hydroxyl groups and increase on brightness value which is improved by 85.8% compared with control sample. The SX reaches the highest level (grade 5) in the dispersibility test and presents remarkable stain resistance on different textiles, especially on the dacron and cotton. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural characterization and evaluation of antioxidant, anticancer and hypoglycemic activity of radiation degraded oat (Avena sativa) β- glucan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, Peerzada R.; Rather, Sarver A.; Suradkar, Prashant P.

2018-03-01

Oat β-D-glucan after extraction was degraded at doses of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kGy. The average molecular weight decreased to 45 kDa at dose of 15 kGy from an initial value of 200 kDa in native sample. XRD analysis revealed no significant change in diffraction pattern of irradiated samples when compared with control, except a decrease in intensity of x-ray diffraction. The results of the antioxidant activity revealed decrease in EC50 values and corresponding increase in antioxidant activity of radiation degraded oat β-D-glucan. Results of the anticancer studies indicated that cytotoxicity of gamma irradiated oat β-D-glucan in cancer cell lines was highest against colo-205 and MCF7 cancer cells compared to T47D cell and no cytotoxicity was observed in normal cell lines at all concentrations used. Evaluation of hypoglycemic activity showed highest inhibition in α-glucosidase activity compared to α-amylase activity due to gamma irradiation of oat β-D-glucan. Comparison of the EC50 values of known standards and gamma irradiated oat beta-glucan samples indicates that radiation treatment significantly modified the biological activity of the beta-glucan samples. Therefore, it is suggested that gamma irradiation can be used for producing low molecular weight oat β-D-glucan; which can help in modifying the biological activities.

THE MITOTIC APPARATUS

PubMed Central

Stephens, R. E.

1967-01-01

The major 22S protein of the hexylene glycol-isolated mitotic apparatus has been characterized from spindle isolates and extracts of whole eggs and acetone powders of eggs from the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, and Arbacia punctulata. The protein is free of nucleotide, lipid, and ATPase activity. Essentially identical in amino acid composition, proteins from these species show a relatively high content of glutamic and aspartic acids and are fairly rich in hydrophobic amino acids. Optical rotatory dispersion studies indicate a helical content of about 20%, a value consistent with the proline content of the protein. The purified proteins have sedimentation rates in the range of 22–24S, diffusion constants of 2.4–2.5F, intrinsic viscosities of 3.7–4.3 ml/g, a partial specific volume of 0.74, and an average molecular weight of 880,000. Electron microscopy indicates a globular molecule with dimensions of approximately 150 by 200 A; such size and symmetry are consistent with hydrodynamic measurements. The 22S protein yields 6–7S, 9–10S, and 13–14S subunits below pH 4 or above pH 11. The 13–14S component has an estimated molecular weight of 600,000–700,000. A 5–6S particle is formed in 8 M urea or 5 M guanidine hydrochloride, while at pH 12 the 6–7S subunit is seen; each particle has a molecular weight of 230,000–240,000. In 8 M urea plus 2% mercaptoethanol or at pH 13, the molecular weight becomes 105,000–120,000; under these conditions the particle sediments at 2.5–3S and 4S, respectively. On the basis of these molecular weights, the 6–7S, 9–10S, 13–14S, and the parent 22S particle should be dimer, tetramer, hexamer, and octamer, respectively, of the 105,000–120,000 molecular weight subunit. The various subunits will reform the 22S particle when returned to neutral buffer, with the exception of the mercaptoethanol-treated urea subunit where breakage of disulfide bonds results in a polydisperse aggregate. The 22S particle itself is not susceptible to sulfhydryl reagents, implying either that the disulfide bonds are inaccessible or that they are unnecessary for maintenance of tertiary structure once the 22S particle has formed from subunits. PMID:10976220

Highly Conductive Ionic-Liquid Gels Prepared with Orthogonal Double Networks of a Low-Molecular-Weight Gelator and Cross-Linked Polymer.

PubMed

Kataoka, Toshikazu; Ishioka, Yumi; Mizuhata, Minoru; Minami, Hideto; Maruyama, Tatsuo

2015-10-21

We prepared a heterogeneous double-network (DN) ionogel containing a low-molecular-weight gelator network and a polymer network that can exhibit high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength. An imidazolium-based ionic liquid was first gelated by the molecular self-assembly of a low-molecular-weight gelator (benzenetricarboxamide derivative), and methyl methacrylate was polymerized with a cross-linker to form a cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) network within the ionogel. Microscopic observation and calorimetric measurement revealed that the fibrous network of the low-molecular-weight gelator was maintained in the DN ionogel. The PMMA network strengthened the ionogel of the low-molecular-weight gelator and allowed us to handle the ionogel using tweezers. The orthogonal DNs produced ionogels with a broad range of storage elastic moduli. DN ionogels with low PMMA concentrations exhibited high ionic conductivity that was comparable to that of a neat ionic liquid. The present study demonstrates that the ionic conductivities of the DN and single-network, low-molecular-weight gelator or polymer ionogels strongly depended on their storage elastic moduli.

21 CFR 172.820 - Polyethylene glycol (mean molecular weight 200-9,500).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... the total ethylene and diethylene glycol content of polyethylene glycols having mean molecular weights... and diethylene glycol content of polyethylene glycols having mean molecular weights below 450. Analytical Method ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol content of polyethylene glycols The analytical method...

Effects of Hofmeister Anions on the LCST of PNIPAM as a Function of Molecular Weight

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yanjie; Furyk, Steven; Sagle, Laura B.; Cho, Younhee; Bergbreiter, David E.; Cremer, Paul S.

2008-01-01

The effect of a series of sodium salts on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, was investigated as a function of molecular weight and polymer concentration with a temperature gradient microfluidic device under a dark-field microscope. In solutions containing sufficient concentrations of kosmotropic anions, the phase transition of PNIPAM was resolved into two separate steps for higher molecular weight samples. The first step of this two step transition was found to be sensitive to the polymer’s molecular weight and solution concentration, while the second step was not. Moreover, the binding of chaotropic anions to the polymer was also influenced by molecular weight. Both sets of results could be explained by the formation of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between polymer chains. By contrast, the hydrophobic hydration of the isopropyl moieties and polymer backbone was found to be unaffected by either the polymer’s molecular weight or solution concentration. PMID:18820735

How Does the Preparation of Rye Porridge Affect Molecular Weight Distribution of Extractable Dietary Fibers?

PubMed Central

Rakha, Allah; Åman, Per; Andersson, Roger

2011-01-01

Extractable dietary fiber (DF) plays an important role in nutrition. This study on porridge making with whole grain rye investigated the effect of rest time of flour slurries at room temperature before cooking and amount of flour and salt in the recipe on the content of DF components and molecular weight distribution of extractable fructan, mixed linkage (1→3)(1→4)-β-d-glucan (β-glucan) and arabinoxylan (AX) in the porridge. The content of total DF was increased (from about 20% to 23% of dry matter) during porridge making due to formation of insoluble resistant starch. A small but significant increase in the extractability of β-glucan (P = 0.016) and AX (P = 0.002) due to rest time was also noted. The molecular weight of extractable fructan and AX remained stable during porridge making. However, incubation of the rye flour slurries at increased temperature resulted in a significant decrease in extractable AX molecular weight. The molecular weight of extractable β-glucan decreased greatly during a rest time before cooking, most likely by the action of endogenous enzymes. The amount of salt and flour used in the recipe had small but significant effects on the molecular weight of β-glucan. These results show that whole grain rye porridge made without a rest time before cooking contains extractable DF components maintaining high molecular weights. High molecular weight is most likely of nutritional importance. PMID:21686191

How does the preparation of rye porridge affect molecular weight distribution of extractable dietary fibers?

PubMed

Rakha, Allah; Aman, Per; Andersson, Roger

2011-01-01

Extractable dietary fiber (DF) plays an important role in nutrition. This study on porridge making with whole grain rye investigated the effect of rest time of flour slurries at room temperature before cooking and amount of flour and salt in the recipe on the content of DF components and molecular weight distribution of extractable fructan, mixed linkage (1→3)(1→4)-β-d-glucan (β-glucan) and arabinoxylan (AX) in the porridge. The content of total DF was increased (from about 20% to 23% of dry matter) during porridge making due to formation of insoluble resistant starch. A small but significant increase in the extractability of β-glucan (P = 0.016) and AX (P = 0.002) due to rest time was also noted. The molecular weight of extractable fructan and AX remained stable during porridge making. However, incubation of the rye flour slurries at increased temperature resulted in a significant decrease in extractable AX molecular weight. The molecular weight of extractable β-glucan decreased greatly during a rest time before cooking, most likely by the action of endogenous enzymes. The amount of salt and flour used in the recipe had small but significant effects on the molecular weight of β-glucan. These results show that whole grain rye porridge made without a rest time before cooking contains extractable DF components maintaining high molecular weights. High molecular weight is most likely of nutritional importance.

Molecular Weight Determination by an Improved Temperature-Monitored Vapor-Density Method.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grider, Douglas J.; And Others

1988-01-01

Recommends determining molecular weights of liquids by use of a thermocouple. Utilizing a mathematical gas equation, the molecular weight can be determined from the measurement of the vapor temperature upon complete evaporation. Lists benefits as reduced time and cost, and improved safety factors. (ML)

Factors that affect molecular weight distribution of Suwannee river fulvic acid as determined by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rostad, Colleen E.; Leenheer, Jerry A.

2004-01-01

Effects of methylation, molar response, multiple charging, solvents, and positive and negative ionization on molecular weight distributions of aquatic fulvic acid were investigated by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. After preliminary analysis by positive and negative modes, samples and mixtures of standards were derivatized by methylation to minimize ionization sites and reanalyzed.Positive ionization was less effective and produced more complex spectra than negative ionization. Ionization in methanol/water produced greater response than in acetonitrile/water. Molar response varied widely for the selected free acid standards when analyzed individually and in a mixture, but after methylation this range decreased. After methylation, the number average molecular weight of the Suwannee River fulvic acid remained the same while the weight average molecular weight decreased. These differences are probably indicative of disaggregation of large aggregated ions during methylation. Since the weight average molecular weight decreased, it is likely that aggregate formation in the fulvic acid was present prior to derivatization, rather than multiple charging in the mass spectra.

SEDFIT-MSTAR: Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution analysis of polymers by sedimentation equilibrium in the ultracentrifuge

PubMed Central

Schuck, Peter; Gillis, Richard B.; Besong, Tabot M.D.; Almutairi, Fahad; Adams, Gary G.; Rowe, Arthur J.; Harding, Stephen E.

2014-01-01

Sedimentation equilibrium (analytical ultracentrifugation) is one of the most inherently suitable methods for the determination of average molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of polymers, because of its absolute basis (no conformation assumptions) and inherent fractionation ability (without the need for columns or membranes and associated assumptions over inertness). With modern instrumentation it is also possible to run up to 21 samples simultaneously in a single run. Its application has been severely hampered because of difficulties in terms of baseline determination (incorporating estimation of the concentration at the air/solution meniscus) and complexity of the analysis procedures. We describe a new method for baseline determination based on a smart-smoothing principle and built into the highly popular platform SEDFIT for the analysis of the sedimentation behavior of natural and synthetic polymer materials. The SEDFIT-MSTAR procedure – which takes only a few minutes to perform - is tested with four synthetic data sets (including a significantly non-ideal system) a naturally occurring protein (human IgG1) and two naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers (pullulan and λ–carrageenan) in terms of (i) weight average molecular weight for the whole distribution of species in the sample (ii) the variation in “point” average molecular weight with local concentration in the ultracentrifuge cell and (iii) molecular weight distribution. PMID:24244936

Occurrence of a multimeric high-molecular-weight glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in human serum.

PubMed

Kunjithapatham, Rani; Geschwind, Jean-Francois; Devine, Lauren; Boronina, Tatiana N; O'Meally, Robert N; Cole, Robert N; Torbenson, Michael S; Ganapathy-Kanniappan, Shanmugasundaram

2015-04-03

Cellular glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a phylogenetically conserved, ubiquitous enzyme that plays an indispensable role in energy metabolism. Although a wealth of information is available on cellular GAPDH, there is a clear paucity of data on its extracellular counterpart (i.e., the secreted or extracellular GAPDH). Here, we show that the extracellular GAPDH in human serum is a multimeric, high-molecular-weight, yet glycolytically active enzyme. The high-molecular-weight multimers of serum GAPDH were identified by immunodetection on one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using multiple antibodies specific for various epitopes of GAPDH. Partial purification of serum GAPDH by DEAE Affigel affinity/ion exchange chromatography further established the multimeric composition of serum GAPDH. In vitro data demonstrated that human cell lines secrete a multimeric, high-molecular-weight enzyme similar to that of serum GAPDH. Furthermore, LC-MS/MS analysis of extracellular GAPDH from human cell lines confirmed the presence of unique peptides of GAPDH in the high-molecular-weight subunits. Furthermore, data from pulse-chase experiments established the presence of high-molecular-weight subunits in the secreted, extracellular GAPDH. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the presence of a high-molecular-weight, enzymatically active secretory GAPDH in human serum that may have a hitherto unknown function in humans.

Ultrarapid electrophoretic transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins using heat.

PubMed

Kurien, Biji T; Scofield, R Hal

2009-01-01

An ultrarapid method for the electrophoretic transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins to nitrocellulose membranes following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel is described here. The transfer was performed with heated (70-75 degrees C) normal transfer buffer from which methanol had been omitted. Complete transfer of high and low molecular weight antigens (molecular weight protein standards, a purified protein, and proteins from a human tissue extract) could be carried out in 10 min for a 7% (0.75 mm) SDS polyacrylamide gel. For 10 and 12.5% gels (0.75 mm) the corresponding time was 15 min. A complete transfer could be carried out in 20 min for 7, 10, and 12.5% gels (1.5 mm gels). The permeability of the gel is increased by heat, such that the proteins trapped in the polyacrylamide gel matrix can be easily transferred to the membrane. The heat mediated transfer method was compared with a conventional transfer protocol, under similar conditions. The conventional method transferred minimal low molecular weight proteins while retaining most of the high molecular weight proteins in the gel. In summary, this procedure is particularly useful for the transfer of high molecular weight proteins, very rapid, and avoids the use of methanol.

Western blotting of high and low molecular weight proteins using heat.

PubMed

Kurien, Biji T; Scofield, R Hal

2015-01-01

A method for the electrophoretic transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins to nitrocellulose membranes following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel is described here. The transfer was performed with heated (70-75 °C) normal transfer buffer from which methanol had been omitted. Complete transfer of high and low molecular weight antigens (molecular weight protein standards, a purified protein, and proteins from a human tissue extract) could be carried out in 10 min for a 7 % (0.75 mm) SDS polyacrylamide gel. For 10 and 12.5 % gels (0.75 mm) the corresponding time was 15 min. A complete transfer could be carried out in 20 min for 7, 10, and 12.5 % gels (1.5 mm gels). The permeability of the gel is increased by heat, such that the proteins trapped in the polyacrylamide gel matrix can be easily transferred to the membrane. The heat mediated transfer method was compared with a conventional transfer protocol, under similar conditions. The conventional method transferred minimal low molecular weight proteins while retaining most of the high molecular weight proteins in the gel. In summary, this procedure is particularly useful for the transfer of high molecular weight proteins, very rapid, and avoids the use of methanol.

Hyaluronic Acid Molecular Weight-Dependent Modulation of Mucin Nanostructure for Potential Mucosal Therapeutic Applications.

PubMed

Hansen, Irene M; Ebbesen, Morten F; Kaspersen, Liselotte; Thomsen, Troels; Bienk, Konrad; Cai, Yunpeng; Malle, Birgitte Mølholm; Howard, Kenneth A

2017-07-03

This study investigates the effects of different molecular weight hyaluronic acids (HAs) on the mucosal nanostructure using a pig stomach mucin hydrogel as a mucosal barrier model. Microparticles (1.0 μm) and nanoparticles (200 nm) were used as probes, and their movement in mucin was studied by a three-dimensional confocal microscopy-based particle tracking technique and by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) after addition of high-molecular weight (900 kDa) and low-molecular weight (33 kDa) HA. This demonstrated a molecular weight-dependent HA modulation of the mucin nanostructure with a 2.5-fold decrease in the mobility of 200 nm nanoparticles. To further investigate these mechanisms and to verify that the natural viscoelastic properties of mucus are not undesirably altered, rheological measurements were performed on mucin hydrogels with or without HA. This suggested the observed particle mobility restriction was not attributed to alterations of the natural mucin cohesive and viscoelastic properties but, instead, indicates that the added high-molecular weight HA primarily modulates the mucin nanostructure and mesh size. This study, hereby, demonstrates how mucus nanostructure can be modulated by the addition of high-molecular weight HA that offers an opportunity to control mucosal pathogenesis and drug delivery.

Thermal and single frequency counter-current ultrasound pretreatments of sodium caseinate: enzymolysis kinetics and thermodynamics, amino acids composition, molecular weight distribution and antioxidant peptides.

PubMed

Abdualrahman, Mohammed Adam Y; Ma, Haile; Zhou, Cunshan; Yagoub, Abu ElGasim A; Hu, Jiali; Yang, Xue

2016-12-01

Due to the disadvantages of traditional enzymolysis, pretreatments are crucial to enhance protein enzymolysis. Enzymolysis kinetics and thermodynamics, amino acids composition, molecular weight distribution, fluorescence spectroscopy and antioxidant activity of thermal (HT) and single frequency counter-current ultrasound (SCFU) pretreated sodium caseinate (NaCas) were studied. Enzymolysis of untreated NaCas (control) improved significantly (P < 0.05) by SFCU and followed by HT. Values of the Michaelis-Menten constant (K M ) of SFCU and HT were 0.0212 and 0.0250, respectively. HT and SFCU increased (P < 0.05) the reaction rate constant (k) by 38.64 and 90.91%, respectively at 298 K. k values decreased with increasing temperature. The initial activation energy (46.39 kJ mol -1 ) reduced (P < 0.05) by HT (39.66 kJ mol -1 ) and further by SFCU (33.42 kJ mol -1 ). SFCU-pretreated NaCas hydrolysates had the highest contents of hydrophobic, aromatic, positively and negatively charged amino acids. Medium-sized peptides (5000-1000 Da) are higher in SFCU (78.11%) than HT and the control. SFCU induced molecular unfolding of NaCas proteins. Accordingly, SFCU-pretreated NaCas hydrolysate exhibited the highest scavenging activity on DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, reducing power, and iron chelating ability. SFCU pretreatment would be a useful tool for production of bioactive peptides from NaCas hydrolysate. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of macromolecular precipitants on phase behavior of monoclonal antibodies.

PubMed

Rakel, Natalie; Galm, Lara; Bauer, Katharina Christin; Hubbuch, Juergen

2015-01-01

For the successful application of protein crystallization as a downstream step, a profound knowledge of protein phase behavior in solutions is needed. Therefore, a systematic screening was conducted to analyze the influence of macromolecular precipitants in the form of polyethylene glycol (PEG). First, the influence of molecular weight and concentration of PEG at different pH-values were investigated and analyzed in three-dimensional (3-D) phase diagrams to find appropriate conditions in terms of a fast kinetic and crystal size for downstream processing. In comparison to the use of salts as precipitant, PEG was more suitable to obtain compact 3-D crystals over a broad range of conditions, whereby the molecular weight of PEG is, besides the pH-value, the most important parameter. Second, osmotic second virial coefficients as parameters for protein interactions are experimentally determined with static light scattering to gain a deep insight view in the phase behavior on a molecular basis. The PEG-protein solutions were analyzed as a pseudo-one-compartment system. As the precipitant is also a macromolecule, the new approach of analyzing cross-interactions between the protein and the macromolecule PEG in form of the osmotic second cross-virial coefficient (B23 ) was applied. Both parameters help to understand the protein phase behavior. However, a predictive description of protein phase behavior for systems consisting of monoclonal antibodies and PEG as precipitant is not possible, as kinetic phenomena and concentration dependencies were not taken into account. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

A low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803: enzymatic characterization and identification of its potential substrates

PubMed Central

Mukhopadhyay, Archana; Kennelly, Peter J.

2011-01-01

The predicted protein product of open reading frame slr0328 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, SynPTP, possesses significant amino acid sequence similarity with known low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). To determine the functional properties of this hypothetical protein, open reading frame slr0328 was expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein, SynPTP, displayed its catalytic phosphatase activity towards several tyrosine, but not serine, phosphorylated exogenous protein substrates. The protein phosphatase activity of SynPTP was inhibited by sodium orthovanadate, a known inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases, but not by okadaic acid, an inhibitor for many serine/threonine phosphatases. Kinetic analysis indicated that the Km and Vmax values for SynPTP towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate are similar to those of other known bacterial low molecular weight PTPs. Mutagenic alteration of the predicted catalytic cysteine of PTP, Cys7, to serine abolished enzyme activity. Using a combination of immunodetection, mass spectrometric analysis and mutagenically altered Cys7SerAsp125Ala-SynPTP, we identified PsaD (photosystem I subunit II), CpcD (phycocyanin rod linker protein) and phycocyanin-α and -β subunits as possible endogenous substrates of SynPTP in this cyanobacterium. These results indicate that SynPTP might be involved in the regulation of photosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. PMID:21288886

Design of aqueous two-phase systems for purification of hyaluronic acid produced by metabolically engineered Lactococcus lactis.

PubMed

Rajendran, Vivek; Puvendran, Kirubhakaran; Guru, Bharath Raja; Jayaraman, Guhan

2016-02-01

Hyaluronic acid has a wide range of biomedical applications and its commercial value is highly dependent on its purity and molecular weight. This study highlights the utility of aqueous two-phase separation as a primary recovery step for hyaluronic acid and for removal of major protein impurities from fermentation broths. Metabolically engineered cultures of a lactate dehydrogenase mutant strain of Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis NZ9020) were used to produce high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. The cell-free fermentation broth was partially purified using a polyethylene glycol/potassium phosphate system, resulting in nearly 100% recovery of hyaluronic acid in the salt-rich bottom phase in all the aqueous two-phase separation experiments. These experiments were optimized for maximum removal of protein impurities in the polyethylene glycol rich top phase. The removal of protein impurities resulted in substantial reduction of membrane fouling in the subsequent diafiltration process, carried out with a 300 kDa polyether sulfone membrane. This step resulted in considerable purification of hyaluronic acid, without any loss in recovery and molecular weight. Diafiltration was followed by an adsorption step to remove minor impurities and achieve nearly 100% purity. The final hyaluronic acid product was characterized by Fourier-transform IR and NMR spectroscopy, confirming its purity. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

'Ogura'-based 'CMS' lines with different nuclear backgrounds of cabbage revealed substantial diversity at morphological and molecular levels.

PubMed

Parkash, Chander; Kumar, Sandeep; Singh, Rajender; Kumar, Ajay; Kumar, Satish; Dey, Shyam Sundar; Bhatia, Reeta; Kumar, Raj

2018-01-01

A comprehensive study on characterization and genetic diversity analysis was carried out in 16 'Ogura'-based 'CMS' lines of cabbage using 14 agro-morphological traits and 29 SSR markers. Agro-morphological characterization depicted considerable variations for different horticultural traits studied. The genotype, ZHA-2, performed better for most of the economically important quantitative traits. Further, gross head weight (0.76), head length (0.60) and head width (0.83) revealed significant positive correlation with net head weight. Dendrogram based on 10 quantitative traits exhibited considerable diversity among different CMS lines and principle component analysis (PCA) indicated that net and gross head weight, and head length and width are the main components of divergence between 16 CMS lines of cabbage. In molecular study, a total of 58 alleles were amplified by 29 SSR primers, averaging to 2.0 alleles in each locus. High mean values of Shannon's Information index (0.62), expected (0.45) and observed (0.32) heterozygosity and polymorphic information content (0.35) depicted substantial polymorphism. Dendrogram based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient constructed two major groups and eight sub-groups, which revealed substantial diversity among different CMS lines. In overall, based on agro-morphological and molecular studies genotype RRMA, ZHA-2 and RCA were found most divergent. Hence, they have immense potential in future breeding programs for the high-yielding hybrid development in cabbage.

Exploiting Molecular Weight Distribution Shape to Tune Domain Spacing in Block Copolymer Thin Films.

PubMed

Gentekos, Dillon T; Jia, Junteng; Tirado, Erika S; Barteau, Katherine P; Smilgies, Detlef-M; DiStasio, Robert A; Fors, Brett P

2018-04-04

We report a method for tuning the domain spacing ( D sp ) of self-assembled block copolymer thin films of poly(styrene- block-methyl methacrylate) (PS- b-PMMA) over a large range of lamellar periods. By modifying the molecular weight distribution (MWD) shape (including both the breadth and skew) of the PS block via temporal control of polymer chain initiation in anionic polymerization, we observe increases of up to 41% in D sp for polymers with the same overall molecular weight ( M n ≈ 125 kg mol -1 ) without significantly changing the overall morphology or chemical composition of the final material. In conjunction with our experimental efforts, we have utilized concepts from population statistics and least-squares analysis to develop a model for predicting D sp based on the first three moments of the MWDs. This statistical model reproduces experimental D sp values with high fidelity (with mean absolute errors of 1.2 nm or 1.8%) and provides novel physical insight into the individual and collective roles played by the MWD moments in determining this property of interest. This work demonstrates that both MWD breadth and skew have a profound influence over D sp , thereby providing an experimental and conceptual platform for exploiting MWD shape as a simple and modular handle for fine-tuning D sp in block copolymer thin films.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kwok, C; Williams, L

Purpose: Animal biodistribution data are required prior to introducing a new radiopharmaceutical into clinical trials. Protein engineering, using recombinant DNA techniques can produce a large number of related (cognate) antibodies to a given molecular target. Thus, it is important that these constructs be numerically related to one another via a single criterion. In the following, we use the mean residence time (MRT) in murine blood as this criterion. Methods: Five cognate anti-CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) antibodies were compared with regard to their MRT in whole blood of CEA-positive tumor-bearing (LS174T) mice. MRT was defined by blood AUC (area under the curve)more » divided by the initial blood uptake value; all in units of percent injected dose per gram (%ID/g). Cognates included single chain scFv (25 kDa), diabody (50 kDa), minibody (80 kDa), F(ab')2 (120 kDa), and intact (155 kDa) forms of the murine cT84.66 antibody against CEA. All were labeled with radioactive iodine. Results: The agents, in the sequence listed, exhibited MRT values of 1.16 +/- 0.01 h, 0.99 h, 5.06 +/- 0.70 h, 6.61 +/- 0.36 h, and 59.3 +/- 2.4 h respectively. Because of the monotonic nature of the sequence, a linear correlation analysis was performed between molecular weight (MW) and MRT or ln(MRT) of the 5 proteins. Probability of random correlation was 0.10 for MRT and 0.01 for ln(MRT). Conclusion: MRT values of cognate anti-CEA antibodies were found to be a monotonically increasing sequence with respect to MW. Cognate MW values correlated best to ln(MRT) of the protein species. Thus MRT was proportional to an exponential function of molecular weight. The extended intact antibody circulation time presumably reflected its relatively maximal MW. Presence of an intact FC segment on this native antibody may also have influenced these results.« less

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings of kidneys in patients with early phase of obstruction.

PubMed

Bozgeyik, Zulkif; Kocakoc, Ercan; Sonmezgoz, Fitnet

2009-04-01

Diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an MR technique used to show molecular diffusion. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), as a quantitative parameter calculated from the DW MR images. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of DW MR imaging in early phase of obstruction due to urolithiasis. Twenty-six patients with acute dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system detected by intravenous urography were included in this study. MR imaging was performed using a 1.5 T whole-body superconducting MR scanner. DW imaging can be performed using single-shot spin-echo, echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences with the following diffusion gradient b values: 100, 600, 1000 s/mm(2). Circular region of interest (ROI) was placed in the renal parenchyma for the measurement of ADC values in the normal and obstructed kidney. For statistical analyses, Paired t test were used. In spite of obstructed kidneys had the lower ADC values compared to normal kidneys, these alterations were statistically insignificant. We did not observe significantly different ADC values of early phase of obstructed kidneys compared to normal kidneys.

Correlation of the physicochemical properties of natural organic matter samples from different sources to their effects on gold nanoparticle aggregation in monovalent electrolyte.

PubMed

Louie, Stacey M; Spielman-Sun, Eleanor R; Small, Mitchell J; Tilton, Robert D; Lowry, Gregory V

2015-02-17

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) released into natural environments will interact with natural organic matter (NOM) or humic substances, which will change their fate and transport behavior. Quantitative predictions of the effects of NOM are difficult because of its heterogeneity and variability. Here, the effects of six types of NOM and molecular weight fractions of each on the aggregation of citrate-stabilized gold NPs are investigated. Correlations of NP aggregation rates with electrophoretic mobility and the molecular weight distribution and chemical attributes of NOM (including UV absorptivity or aromaticity, functional group content, and fluorescence) are assessed. In general, the >100 kg/mol components provide better stability than lower molecular weight components for each type of NOM, and they contribute to the stabilizing effect of the unfractionated NOM even in small proportions. In many cases, unfractionated NOM provided better stability than its separated components, indicating a synergistic effect between the high and low molecular weight fractions for NP stabilization. Weight-averaged molecular weight was the best single explanatory variable for NP aggregation rates across all NOM types and molecular weight fractions. NP aggregation showed poorer correlation with UV absorptivity, but the exponential slope of the UV-vis absorbance spectrum was a better surrogate for molecular weight. Functional group data (including reduced sulfur and total nitrogen content) were explored as possible secondary parameters to explain the strong stabilizing effect of a low molecular weight Pony Lake fulvic acid sample to the gold NPs. These results can inform future correlations and measurement requirements to predict NP attachment in the presence of NOM.

An evaluation of the effects of PEO/PEG molecular weights on extruded alumina rods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolger, Nancy Beth

1998-12-01

Alumina rods were piston extruded from bodies containing polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and polyethylene oxides (PEOs) with molecular weights ranging from 1,300 to 3,800,000 g/mol. A blend of aluminas possessing different particle size distributions was evaluated with regard to its extrusion pressure by varying the amount of PEG/PEO addition. Behavior exhibited by the alumina blend was dependent upon the additive that was used. The higher molecular weight binders with average molecular weight of 200,000 g/mol and 3,350,000 g/mol displayed the most severe behaviors of near dilatant and dilatant respectively. Physical properties of the green and fired states, as well as the binder burnout, were investigated with the changing additions. Correlation between the green and fired strengths and the changing molecular weights were examined. The additive present influenced the surface properties of the rods, which affected the green strengths. The highest average molecular weight polyethylene glycols showed higher green strengths, while the lowest green strengths were observed for the high molecular weight polyethylene oxides. Fired strengths generally ranged from approximately 12,000 psi to 16,000 psi for additive batches. Alumina pellets containing twelve separate combinations of polyethylene glycol with polyethylene oxide were dry pressed. Physical properties of the green and fired states were examined. Statistical analysis was performed upon the data and seven combinations of polyethylene glycol with polyethylene oxide were deemed significant. These combinations in conjunction with the same alumina blend were then piston extruded. The addition of polyethylene glycol reduced the near dilatant behavior exhibited by the 200,000 g/mol average molecular weight polyethylene oxide. Dilatant behavior was completely eliminated from the 3,350,000 g/mol average molecular weight polyethylene oxide batches. Physical properties of the green and fired states were again investigated with the changing additions. Polyethylene oxide, in combination with polyethylene glycol, did show an increase in green strength versus the polyethylene oxide alone. Strengths were still lower than those displayed by the polyethylene glycols alone. Reductions or degradations in molecular weight of the polymers due to mixing and extrusion processes may account for lower green strength of bodies, especially those containing polyethylene oxides.

Branched chain amino acids maintain the molecular weight of poly(γ-glutamic acid) of Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945 during the fermentation.

PubMed

Mitsunaga, Hitoshi; Meissner, Lena; Büchs, Jochen; Fukusaki, Eiichiro

2016-10-01

Poly(γ-glutamic acid) mainly produced by Bacillus spp. is an industrially important compound due to several useful features. Among them, molecular weight is an important characteristic affecting on the physical properties such as viscosities and negative charge densities. However, it is difficult to control the molecular size of PGA since it decreases during fermentation. Previous study reported that PGA produced in the media containing different carbon sources such as glucose and glycerol showed differences in molecular weight. Therefore in this study, the effect of carbon source on the PGA molecular weight was examined; with the aim of developing a strategy to maintain the high molecular weight of PGA during fermentation. Our result showed that the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of PGA of Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945 cultivated in the media containing PTS-sugars were higher than the medium containing glycerol (non-PTS). The result of metabolome analysis indicated the possibility of CodY (a global regulator protein) activation in the cells cultivated in the media containing PTS-sugars. To mimic this effect, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are activators of CodY, were added to a medium containing glycerol. As the result, the Mw of PGA in the BCAAs-supplemented media were maintained and high during the early production phase compared to the non BCAAs-supplemented medium. These results indicate that BCAAs can repress the PGA molecular weight reduction during fermentation in B. licheniformis ATCC 9945. Copyright © 2016 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-term low-molecular-weight heparin and the post-thrombotic syndrome: a systematic review.

PubMed

Hull, Russell D; Liang, Jane; Townshend, Grace

2011-08-01

Post-thrombotic syndrome causes considerable morbidity. The Home-LITE study showed a lower incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome and venous ulcers after 3 months of treating deep vein thrombosis with the low-molecular-weight heparin tinzaparin versus oral anticoagulation. This systematic review examined whether long-term treatment of deep vein thrombosis using low-molecular-weight heparin, rather than oral anticoagulation, reduces development of post-thrombotic syndrome. We identified 9 articles comparing treatment of deep vein thrombosis using long-term low-molecular-weight heparin with any comparator, which reported outcomes relevant to the post-thrombotic syndrome assessed ≥ 3 months post-deep vein thrombosis. Pooled analysis of 2 studies yielded an 87% risk reduction with low-molecular-weight heparin in the incidence of venous ulcers at ≥ 3 months (P = .019). One study showed an overall odds ratio of 0.77 (P = .001) favoring low-molecular-weight heparin for the presence of 8 patient-reported post-thrombotic syndrome signs and symptoms. Pooled analysis of 5 studies showed a risk ratio for low-molecular-weight heparin versus oral anticoagulation of 0.66 (P < .0001) for complete recanalization of thrombosed veins. These results support the lower incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome and venous ulcers observed in Home-LITE. Long-term treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin rather than oral anticoagulation after a deep vein thrombosis may reduce or prevent development of signs and symptoms associated with post-thrombotic syndrome. Post-thrombotic syndrome and associated acute ulcers may develop more rapidly after deep vein thrombosis than previously recognized. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Simple, Inexpensive Molecular Weight Measurement for Water-Soluble Polymers Using Microemulsions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathias, Lon J.; Moore, D. Roger

1985-01-01

Describes an experiment involving use of a microemulsion and its characteristic thermal phase change to determine molecular weights of polyoxyethylene samples. The experiment provides students with background information on polymers and organized media and with experience in evaluating polymer molecular weight by using a unique property of a…

Determinations of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of high polymers by the rheological properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, J. Y.; Hou, T. H.; Tiwari, S. N.

1989-01-01

Several methods are reviewed by which the molecular weight (MW) and the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of polymeric material were determined from the rheological properties. A poly(arylene ether) polymer with six different molecular weights was used in this investigation. Experimentally measured MW and MWD were conducted by GPC/LALLS (gel permeation chromatography/low angle laser light scattering), and the rheological properties of the melts were measured by a Rheometric System Four rheometer. It was found that qualitative information of the MW and MWD of these polymers could be derived from the viscoelastic properties, with the methods proposed by Zeichner and Patel, and by Dormier et al., by shifting the master curves of the dynamic storage modulus, G', and the loss modulus, G'', along the frequency axis. Efforts were also made to calculate quantitative profiles of MW and MWD for these polymers from their rheological properties. The technique recently proposed by Wu was evaluated. It was found that satisfactory results could only be obtained for polymers with single modal distribution in the molecular weight.

Biological and structural analyses of bovine heparin fractions of intermediate and high molecular weight.

PubMed

Nogueira, Alexsandro V; Drehmer, Daiana L; Iacomini, Marcello; Sassaki, Guilherme L; Cipriani, Thales R

2017-02-10

Low molecular weight heparin, which is generally obtained by chemical and enzymatic depolymerization of unfractionated heparin, has high bioavailability and can be subcutaneously injected. The aim of the present investigation was to fractionate bovine heparin using a physical method (ultrafiltration through a 10kDa cut-off membrane), avoiding structural modifications that can be caused by chemical or enzymatic treatments. Two fractions with different molecular weights were obtained: the first had an intermediate molecular weight (B-IMWH; Mn=9587Da) and the other had a high molecular weight (B-HMWH; 22,396Da). B-IMWH and B-HMWH have anticoagulant activity of 103 and 154IU/mg respectively, which could be inhibited by protamine. Both fractions inhibited α-thrombin and factor Xa in vitro and showed antithrombotic effect in vivo. Moreover, ex vivo aPTT assay demonstrated that B-IMWH is absorbed by subcutaneous route. The results showed that ultrafiltration can be used to obtain two bovine heparin fractions, which differ on their molecular weights, structural components, anticoagulant potency, and administration routes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical and size characterization of dissolved organic matter from the lower Yukon River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, L.; Lin, H.

2017-12-01

The Arctic rivers have experienced significant climate and environmental changes over the last several decades and their export fluxes and environmental fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have received considerable attention. Monthly or bimonthly water samples were collected from the Yukon River, one of the Arctic rivers, between July 2004 and September 2005 for size fractionation to isolate low-molecular-weight (LMW, <1 kDa) and high-molecular-weight (HMW, >1 kDa) DOM. The freeze-dried HMW-DOM was then characterized for their optical properties using fluorescence spectroscopy and colloidal size spectra using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation techniques. Ratios of biological index (BIX) to humification index (HIX) show a seasonal change, with lower values in river open seasons and higher values under the ice, and the influence of rive discharge. Three major fluorescence DOM components were identified, including two humic-like components (Ex/Em at 260/480 nm and 250/420 nm, respectively) and one protein-like component (Ex/Em=250/330). The ratio of protein-like to humic-like components was broadly correlated with discharge, with low values during spring freshet and high values under the ice. The relatively high protein-like/humic-like ratio during the ice-covered season suggested sources from macro-organisms and/or ice-algae. Both protein-like and humic-like colloidal fluorophores were partitioned mostly in the 1-5 kDa size fraction although the protein-like fluorophores in some samples also contained larger colloidal size. The relationship between chemical/biological reactivity and size/optical characteristics of DOM needs to be further investigated.

Phototransformation Rate Constants of PAHs Associated with Soot Particles

PubMed Central

Kim, Daekyun; Young, Thomas M.; Anastasio, Cort

2013-01-01

Photodegradation is a key process governing the residence time and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particles, both in the atmosphere and after deposition. We have measured photodegradation rate constants of PAHs in bulk deposits of soot particles illuminated with simulated sunlight. The photodegradation rate constants at the surface (k0p), the effective diffusion coefficients (Deff), and the light penetration depths (z0.5) for PAHs on soot layers of variable thickness were determined by fitting experimental data with a model of coupled photolysis and diffusion. The overall disappearance rates of irradiated low molecular weight PAHs (with 2-3 rings) on soot particles were influenced by fast photodegradation and fast diffusion kinetics, while those of high molecular weight PAHs (with 4 or more rings) were apparently controlled by either the combination of slow photodegradation and slow diffusion kinetics or by very slow diffusion kinetics alone. The value of z0.5 is more sensitive to the soot layer thickness than the k0p value. As the thickness of the soot layer increases, the z0.5 values increase, but the k0p values are almost constant. The effective diffusion coefficients calculated from dark experiments are generally higher than those from the model fitting method for illumination experiments. Due to the correlation between k0p and z0.5 in thinner layers, Deff should be estimated by an independent method for better accuracy. Despite some limitations of the model used in this study, the fitted parameters were useful for describing empirical results of photodegradation of soot-associated PAHs. PMID:23247292

Atmospheric Retrieval Analysis of the Directly Imaged Exoplanet HR 8799b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jae-Min; Heng, Kevin; Irwin, Patrick G. J.

2013-12-01

Directly imaged exoplanets are unexplored laboratories for the application of the spectral and temperature retrieval method, where the chemistry and composition of their atmospheres are inferred from inverse modeling of the available data. As a pilot study, we focus on the extrasolar gas giant HR 8799b, for which more than 50 data points are available. We upgrade our non-linear optimal estimation retrieval method to include a phenomenological model of clouds that requires the cloud optical depth and monodisperse particle size to be specified. Previous studies have focused on forward models with assumed values of the exoplanetary properties; there is no consensus on the best-fit values of the radius, mass, surface gravity, and effective temperature of HR 8799b. We show that cloud-free models produce reasonable fits to the data if the atmosphere is of super-solar metallicity and non-solar elemental abundances. Intermediate cloudy models with moderate values of the cloud optical depth and micron-sized particles provide an equally reasonable fit to the data and require a lower mean molecular weight. We report our best-fit values for the radius, mass, surface gravity, and effective temperature of HR 8799b. The mean molecular weight is about 3.8, while the carbon-to-oxygen ratio is about unity due to the prevalence of carbon monoxide. Our study emphasizes the need for robust claims about the nature of an exoplanetary atmosphere to be based on analyses involving both photometry and spectroscopy and inferred from beyond a few photometric data points, such as are typically reported for hot Jupiters.

Ultrafiltration for the Determination of Cu Complexed with Dissolved Organic Matters of Different Molecular Weight from a Eutrophic River, China.

PubMed

Li, Anding; Zhang, Yan; Zhou, Beihai; Xin, Kailing; Gu, Yingnan; Xu, Weijie; Tian, Jie

2018-05-21

The molecular weight of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the essential factors controlling the properties of metal complexes. A continuous ultrafiltration experiment was designed to study the properties of Cu complexes with different molecular weights in a river before and after eutrophication. The results showed that the concentration of DOM increased from 26.47 to 38.20 mg/L during the eutrophication process, however, DOM was still dominated by the small molecular weight fraction before and after eutrophication. The amount of Cu-DOM complexes increased with the increasing of molecular weight, however, the amounts of DOM-Cu complexes before eutrophication were higher than those after eutrophication. This is because DOM contained more -COOH and -OH before eutrophication and these functional groups are the active sites complexed with Cu.

Enrichment of low-molecular-weight proteins from biofluids for biomarker discovery.

PubMed

Chertov, Oleg; Simpson, John T; Biragyn, Arya; Conrads, Thomas P; Veenstra, Timothy D; Fisher, Robert J

2005-01-01

The dramatic progress in mass spectrometry-based methods of protein identification has triggered a new quest for disease-associated biomarkers. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and its variant surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, provide effective means to explore the less studied information slice of the human serum proteome -- low-molecular-weight proteins and peptides. These low-molecular-weight proteins and peptides are promising for the detection of important biomarkers. Due to the significant experimental problems imposed by high-abundance and high-molecular-weight proteins, it is important to effectively remove these species prior to mass spectrometry analysis of the low-molecular-weight serum and plasma proteomes. In this review, the advantages afforded by recently introduced methods for prefractionation of serum, as they pertain to the detection and identification of biomarkers, will be discussed.

EPDM polymers with intermolecular asymmetrical molecular weight, crystallinity and diene distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Datta, S.; Cheremishinoff, N.P.; Kresge, E.N.

1993-12-31

Rapid extrusion of EPDM elastomers require low viscosity and thus low molecular weights for the polymer. Efficient vulcanization of these elastomers requires network perfection and thus high molecular weights for the polymer. The benefits of these apparently mutually exclusive goals is important in uses of EPDM elastomers which require extrusion of profiles which are later cured. This paper shows that by introducing simultaneously asymmetry in the distribution of molecular weights, crystallinity and vulcanizable sites these apparently contradictory goals can be resolved. While these polymers cannot be made from a single Ziegler polymerization catalyst, the authors show the synthesis of thesemore » model EPDM polymers by blending polymers with very different molecular weights, ethylene and ENB contents. These blends can be rapidly extruded without melt fracture and can be cured to vulcanizates which have excellent tensile properties.« less

Adsorption of dissolved organics in lake water by aluminum oxide. Effect of molecular weight

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, J.A.; Gloor, R.

1981-01-01

Dissolved organic compounds in a Swiss lake were fractionated into three molecular size classes by gel exclusion chromatography, and adsorption of each fraction on colloidal alumina was studied as a function of pH. Organic compounds with molecular weight (Mr) greater than 1000 formed strong complexes with the alumina surface, but low molecular weight compounds were weakly adsorbed. Electrophoretic mobility measurements indicated that alumina particles suspended in the original lake water were highly negatively charged because of adsorbed organic matter. Most of the adsorbed organic compounds were in the Mr range 1000 < Mr < 3000. Adsorption of these compounds during the treatment of drinking water by alum coagulation may be responsible for the preferential removal of trihalomethane precursors. Adsorption may also influence the molecular-weight distribution of dissolved organic material in lakes. surface, the present work will focus on the influence of molecular size and pH on the adsorption behavior of dissolved organic material of a Swiss lake. From a geochemical point of view, it is important to know the molecular-weight distribution of adsorbed organic matter so that we may better assess its reactivity with trace elements. The study also serves as a first step in quantifying the role of adsorption in the geochemical cycle of organic carbon in lacustrine environments. For water-treatment practice, we need to determine whether molecular weight fractionation occurs during adsorption by aluminum oxide. Such a fractionation could be significant in the light of recent reports that chloroform and other organochlorine compounds are preferentially produced by particular molecular-weight fractions (25-27). ?? 1981 American Chemical Society.

Correlation between human maternal-fetal placental transfer and molecular weight of PCB and dioxin congeners/isomers.

PubMed

Mori, Chisato; Nakamura, Noriko; Todaka, Emiko; Fujisaki, Takeyoshi; Matsuno, Yoshiharu; Nakaoka, Hiroko; Hanazato, Masamichi

2014-11-01

Establishing methods for the assessment of fetal exposure to chemicals is important for the prevention or prediction of the child's future disease risk. In the present study, we aimed to determine the influence of molecular weight on the likelihood of chemical transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta. The correlation between molecular weight and placental transfer rates of congeners/isomers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins was examined. Twenty-nine sample sets of maternal blood, umbilical cord, and umbilical cord blood were used to measure PCB concentration, and 41 sample sets were used to analyze dioxins. Placental transfer rates were calculated using the concentrations of PCBs, dioxins, and their congeners/isomers within these sample sets. Transfer rate correlated negatively with molecular weight for PCB congeners, normalized using wet and lipid weights. The transfer rates of PCB or dioxin congeners differed from those of total PCBs or dioxins. The transfer rate for dioxin congeners did not always correlate significantly with molecular weight, perhaps because of the small sample size or other factors. Further improvement of the analytical methods for dioxin congeners is required. The findings of the present study suggested that PCBs, dioxins, or their congeners with lower molecular weights are more likely to be transferred from mother to fetus via the placenta. Consideration of chemical molecular weight and transfer rate could therefore contribute to the assessment of fetal exposure. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A kinetic model for thermally induced hydrogen and carbon isotope fractionation of individual n-alkanes in crude oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Yongchun; Huang, Yongsong; Ellis, Geoffrey S.; Wang, Yi; Kralert, Paul G.; Gillaizeau, Bruno; Ma, Qisheng; Hwang, Rong

2005-09-01

A quantitative kinetic model has been proposed to simulate the large D and 13C isotope enrichments observed in individual n-alkanes (C 13-C 21) during artificial thermal maturation of a North Sea crude oil under anhydrous, closed-system conditions. Under our experimental conditions, average n-alkane δ 13C values increase by ˜4‰ and δD values increase by ˜50‰ at an equivalent vitrinite reflectance value of 1.5%. While the observed 13C-enrichment shows no significant dependence on hydrocarbon chain length, thermally induced D-enrichment increases with increasing n-alkane carbon number. This differential fractionation effect is speculated to be due to the combined effect of the greater extent of thermal cracking of higher molecular weight, n-alkanes compared to lower molecular weight homologues, and the generation of isotopically lighter, lower molecular weight compounds. This carbon-number-linked hydrogen isotopic fractionation behavior could form the basis of a new maturity indicator to quantitatively assess the extent of oil cracking in petroleum reservoirs. Quantum mechanical calculations of the average change in enthalpy (ΔΔH ‡) and entropy (ΔΔS ‡) as a result of isotopic substitution in n-alkanes undergoing homolytic cleavage of C-C bonds lead to predictions of isotopic fractionation that agree quite well with our experimental results. For n-C 20 ( n-icosane), the changes in enthalpy are calculated to be ˜1340 J mol -1 (320 cal mol -1) and 230 J mol -1 (55 cal mol -1) for D-H and 13C- 12C, respectively. Because the enthalpy term associated with hydrogen isotope fractionation is approximately six times greater than that for carbon, variations in δD values for individual long-chain hydrocarbons provide a highly sensitive measure of the extent of thermal alteration experienced by the oil. Extrapolation of the kinetic model to typical geological heating conditions predicts significant enrichment in 13C and D for n-icosane at equivalent vitrinite reflectance values corresponding to the onset of thermal cracking of normal alkanes. The experimental and theoretical results of this study have significant implications for the use of compound-specific hydrogen isotope data in petroleum geochemical and paleoclimatological studies. However, there are many other geochemical processes that will significantly affect observed hydrogen isotopic compositions (e.g., biodegradation, water washing, isotopic exchange with water and minerals) that must also be taken into consideration.

Fossil fuel combined cycle power system

DOEpatents

Labinov, Solomon Davidovich; Armstrong, Timothy Robert; Judkins, Roddie Reagan

2006-10-10

A system for converting fuel energy to electricity includes a reformer for converting a higher molecular weight gas into at least one lower molecular weight gas, at least one turbine to produce electricity from expansion of at least one of the lower molecular weight gases, and at least one fuel cell. The system can further include at least one separation device for substantially dividing the lower molecular weight gases into at least two gas streams prior to the electrochemical oxidization step. A nuclear reactor can be used to supply at least a portion of the heat the required for the chemical conversion process.

Effect of sterilization irradiation on friction and wear of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. R., Jr.; Hady, W. F.; Crugnola, A.

1979-01-01

The effect of sterilization gamma irradiation on the friction and wear properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sliding against 316L stainless steel in dry air at 23 C was determined. A pin-on-disk apparatus was used. Experimental conditions included a 1-kilogram load, a 0.061- to 0.27-meter-per-second sliding velocity, and a 32000- to 578000-meter sliding distance. Although sterilization doses of 2.5 and 5.0 megarads greatly altered the average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution, the friction and wear properties of the polymer were not significantly changed.

Low molecular weight species in humic and fulvic fractions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wilson, M.A.; Collin, P.J.; Malcolm, R.L.; Perdue, E. Michael; Cresswell, P.

1988-01-01

Fourier transform solution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry with homogated water peak irradiation is a useful method for detecting low molecular weight substances in humic extracts. Succinate, acetate, methanol, formate, lactate and some aryl methoxyl compounds have been detected in extracts from a wide range of sources. In view of the controversy over whether low molecular weight substances are contaminants in humic extracts introduced by the concentration procedure, we report that some of these materials are not contaminants since 1H-NMR can be used to follow their formation from higher molecular weight species. ?? 1988.

Factors that affect molecular weight distribution of Suwannee river fulvic acid as determined by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rostad, C.E.; Leenheer, J.A.

2004-01-01

Effects of methylation, molar response, multiple charging, solvents, and positive and negative ionization on molecular weight distributions of aquatic fulvic acid were investigated by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. After preliminary analysis by positive and negative modes, samples and mixtures of standards were derivatized by methylation to minimize ionization sites and reanalyzed.Positive ionization was less effective and produced more complex spectra than negative ionization. Ionization in methanol/water produced greater response than in acetonitrile/water. Molar response varied widely for the selected free acid standards when analyzed individually and in a mixture, but after methylation this range decreased. After methylation, the number average molecular weight of the Suwannee River fulvic acid remained the same while the weight average molecular weight decreased. These differences are probably indicative of disaggregation of large aggregated ions during methylation. Since the weight average molecular weight decreased, it is likely that aggregate formation in the fulvic acid was present prior to derivatization, rather than multiple charging in the mass spectra. ?? 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlation of transarterial transport of various dextrans with their physicochemical properties.

PubMed

Elmalak, O; Lovich, M A; Edelman, E

2000-11-01

Local vascular drug delivery provides elevated concentrations of drug in the target tissue while minimizing systemic side effects. To better characterize local pharmacokinetics we examined the arterial transport of locally applied dextran and dextran derivatives in vivo. Using a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model to correct the measured transmural flux of these compounds for systemic redistribution and elimination as delivered from a photopolymerizable hydrogel surrounding rat carotid arteries, we found that the diffusivities and the transendothelial permeabilities were strongly dependent on molecular weight and charge. For neutral dextrans, the effective diffusive resistance in the media increased with molecular weight approximately 4.1-fold between the molecular weights of 10 and 282 kDa. Similarly, endothelial resistance increased 28-fold over the same molecular weight range. The effective medial diffusive resistance was unaffected by cationic charge as such molecules moved identically to neutral compounds, but increased approximately 40% when dextrans were negatively charged. Transendothelial resistance was 20-fold lower for the cationic dextrans, and 11-fold higher for the anionic dextrans, when both were compared to neutral counterparts. These results suggest that, while low molecular weight drugs will rapidly traverse the arterial wall with the endothelium posing a minimal barrier, the reverse is true for high molecular weight agents. With these data, the deposition and distribution of locally released vasotherapeutic compounds might be predicted based upon chemical properties, such as molecular weight and charge.

Heat-mediated, ultra-rapid electrophoretic transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins to nitrocellulose membranes.

PubMed

Kurien, Biji T; Scofield, R Hal

2002-08-01

Here, we report an ultra-rapid method for the transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins to nitrocellulose membranes following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In this procedure, the electro-transfer was performed with heated (70-75 degrees C) normal transfer buffer from which methanol had been omitted. Complete transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins (a purified protein, molecular weight protein standards and proteins from a human tissue extract) could be carried out in 10 min for a 0.75-mm, 7% SDS-PAGE gel. For 10% and 12.5% gels (0.75 mm), the corresponding time was 15 min. In the case of 1.5-mm gels, a complete transfer could be carried out in 20 min for 7%, 10% and 12.5% gels. The permeability of the gel is increased by heat, such that the proteins trapped in the polyacrylamide gel matrix can be easily transferred to the membrane. When the heat-mediated transfer method was compared with a conventional transfer protocol, under similar conditions, we found that the latter method transferred minimal low molecular weight proteins while retaining most of the high molecular weight proteins in the gel. In summary, this procedure is very rapid, avoids the use of methanol and is particularly useful for the transfer of high molecular weight proteins.

Molecular weight dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rate in neat P3HT films

DOE PAGES

Dixon, Alex G.; Visvanathan, Rayshan; Clark, Noel A.; ...

2017-11-02

The microstructure dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rates of neat films of poly 3-hexylthyophene (P3HT) were determined for a range of materials of weight-average molecular weights, Mw, ranging from 14 to 331 kDa. This variation has previously been shown to modify the polymer microstructure, with low molecular weights forming a one-phase, paraffinic-like structure comprised of chain-extended crystallites, and higher molecular weights forming a semicrystalline structure with crystalline domains being embedded in an amorphous matrix. Using Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (CELIV), we show here that the carrier mobility in P3HT devices peaks for materials of Mw = 48more » kDa, and that the recombination rate decreases monotonically with increasing molecular weight. This trend is likely due to the development of a semicrystalline, two-phase structure with increasing Mw, which allows for the spatial separation of holes and electrons into the amorphous and crystalline regions, respectively. This separation leads to decreased recombination.« less

Molecular weight dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rate in neat P3HT films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dixon, Alex G.; Visvanathan, Rayshan; Clark, Noel A.

The microstructure dependence of carrier mobility and recombination rates of neat films of poly 3-hexylthyophene (P3HT) were determined for a range of materials of weight-average molecular weights, Mw, ranging from 14 to 331 kDa. This variation has previously been shown to modify the polymer microstructure, with low molecular weights forming a one-phase, paraffinic-like structure comprised of chain-extended crystallites, and higher molecular weights forming a semicrystalline structure with crystalline domains being embedded in an amorphous matrix. Using Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (CELIV), we show here that the carrier mobility in P3HT devices peaks for materials of Mw = 48more » kDa, and that the recombination rate decreases monotonically with increasing molecular weight. This trend is likely due to the development of a semicrystalline, two-phase structure with increasing Mw, which allows for the spatial separation of holes and electrons into the amorphous and crystalline regions, respectively. This separation leads to decreased recombination.« less

Static liquid permeation cell method for determining the migration parameters of low molecular weight organic compounds in polyethylene terephthalate.

PubMed

Song, Yoon S; Koontz, John L; Juskelis, Rima O; Zhao, Yang

2013-01-01

The migration of low molecular weight organic compounds through polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films was determined by using a custom permeation cell assembly. Fatty food simulant (Miglyol 812) was added to the receptor chamber, while the donor chamber was filled with 1% and 10% (v/v) migrant compounds spiked in simulant. The permeation cell was maintained at 40°C, 66°C, 100°C or 121°C for up to 25 days of polymer film exposure time. Migrants in Miglyol were directly quantified without a liquid-liquid extraction step by headspace-GC-MS analysis. Experimental diffusion coefficients (DP) of toluene, benzyl alcohol, ethyl butyrate and methyl salicylate through PET film were determined. Results from Limm's diffusion model showed that the predicted DP values for PET were all greater than the experimental values. DP values predicted by Piringer's diffusion model were also greater than those determined experimentally at 66°C, 100°C and 121°C. However, Piringer's model led to the underestimation of benzyl alcohol (Áp = 3.7) and methyl salicylate (Áp = 4.0) diffusion at 40°C with its revised "upper-bound" Áp value of 3.1 at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PET (<70°C). This implies that input parameters of Piringer's model may need to be revised to ensure a margin of safety for consumers. On the other hand, at temperatures greater than the Tg, both models appear too conservative and unrealistic. The highest estimated Áp value from Piringer's model was 2.6 for methyl salicylate, which was much lower than the "upper-bound" Áp value of 6.4 for PET. Therefore, it may be necessary further to refine "upper-bound" Áp values for PET such that Piringer's model does not significantly underestimate or overestimate the migration of organic compounds dependent upon the temperature condition of the food contact material.

Studies on cellulose nanocrystals isolated from groundnut shells.

PubMed

Bano, Saleheen; Negi, Yuvraj Singh

2017-02-10

Today, various renewable biomass resources are accepted as waste material and are mostly burnt or used as cattle feed. The commercial value of these wastes can be increased by utilising them in production of nanomaterials. So, the present work was conducted for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from groundnut shells which are produced annually as waste in large quantity (∼7 million tons). The structural, thermal, morphological & elemental analyses were assessed through corresponding techniques. Light Scattering studies were performed to analyse more likely weight average molecular weight (M w ) & radius of radius (R g ). The high M w ∼10 5 g/mol obtained for CNCs in lithium chloride (LiCl)/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) system, was an interesting feature which gets affected by LiCl and polymer concentrations. Solution with high polymer and low LiCl concentration was found to show higher values of M w & R g . Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Some physico-chemical properties of Prunus armeniaca L. gum exudates.

PubMed

Fathi, Morteza; Mohebbi, Mohebbat; Koocheki, Arash

2016-01-01

The objectives of this paper were to investigate some physicochemical properties of Prunus armeniaca L. gum exudates (PAGE). PAGE had, on average, 66.89% carbohydrate, 10.47% uronic acids, 6.9% moisture (w.b.), 2.91% protein, 4% ash and 1.59% fat. PAGE was composed of monosaccharides including l-arabinose, d-galactose, xylose, mannose and rhamnose in molar percentages of 41.52%, 23.72%, 17.82%, 14.40% and 2.54%, respectively. Elemental analysis showed that PAGE had high values of nutrients. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and methyl groups and glycoside bonds. The weight average molecular weight, number average molecular weight and polydispersity index were found to be approximately 5.69 × 10(5)g/mol, 4.33 g/mol and 1.31, respectively. Rheological measurement of PAGE solutions as a function of concentration (8, 10 and 12% (w/w)) and temperature (10, 20, 30 and 40°C) demonstrated that the gum solutions had a non Newtonian shear thinning behaviour. Intrinsic viscosity for PAGE in deionized water was 3.438 dl/g based on Kramer equation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Static stability and thermal wind in an atmosphere of variable composition Applications to Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, S. L.

1979-01-01

Radiometric measurements of the temperature of the south polar cap of Mars in winter have yielded values significantly below the expected 148 K. One proposed explanation for this result is a substantial reduction in the CO2 content of the atmosphere and a lowering of the mean molecule weight near the surface. The meteorological consequences of this explanation are explored by deriving a criterion for vertical static stability and a thermal wind law for an atmosphere of variable composition. The atmosphere proves to be statically unstable unless the anomaly in the CO2 mixing ratio extends to heights of tens of kilometers. The effect of varying molecular weight exceeds the effect of temperature gradient, producing shears with height of reversed sign. The shears are baroclinically unstable, and this instability would eradicate the latitudinal gradient of molecular weight. This inconsistency can be resolved by invoking a reasonable elevation of the central polar cap and by imposing an adequate zonal wind. It is concluded that if the explanation requiring a change in atmospheric composition is correct, it must be accompanied by other special circumstances to make it meteorologically consistent.

Chemistry and structure of coal-derived asphaltenes, Phase III. Quarterly progress report, January--March 1978

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yen, T. F.

1978-01-01

The solubility limits of Synthoil and PAMCO asphaltenes have been measured as a function of Hildebrand solubility parameters and hydrogen bonding. Solvents with moderate hydrogen bonding capacity such as dioxane, ethyl benzoate and dibutyl phthalate were found to be most effective in dissolving asphaltenes over the widest range of solubility parameters. VPO molecular weight studies of coal liquid derived carbenes, as a function of concentration in the solvent THF, indicate that these fractions are more strongly self-associated than the corresponding asphaltenes, and generally afford high infinite dilution number average molecular weights: Synthoil, 861; HRI H-Coal, 1156; Cat. Inc. SRC, 1228;more » PAMCO SRC, 1054. The variable ESR temperature dependence of the spin intensity for a Synthoil asphaltene-I/sub 2/ charge transfer followed a 1/T (Curie--Weiss) dependence over the temperature range from 25/sup 0/ to -114/sup 0/C suggesting that independent, non-interacting donor and acceptor doublets were formed. Weight percent OH values, determined from 'H NMR analysis of silylated asphaltenes, were found to provide a reasonably linear correlation with the absorbance of the monomeric OH infrared stretching bands of the asphaltenes.« less

Fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular weight distribution of extracellular polymers from full-scale activated sludge biomass.

PubMed

Esparza-Soto, M; Westerhoff, P K

2001-01-01

Two fractions of extracellular polymer substances (EPSs), soluble and readily extractable (RE), were characterised in terms of their molecular weight distributions (MWD) and 3-D excitation-emission-matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy signatures. The EPS fractions were different: the soluble EPSs were composed mainly of high molecular weight compounds, while the RE EPSs were composed of small molecular weight compounds. Contrary to previous thought, EPS may not be considered only as macromolecular because most organic matter present in both fractions had low molecular weight. Three different fluorophore peaks were identified in the EEM fluorescence spectra. Two peaks were attributed to protein-like fluorophores, and the third to a humic-like fluorophore. Fluorescence signatures were different from other previously published signatures for marine and riverine environments. EEM spectroscopy proved to be a suitable method that may be used to characterise and trace organic matter of bacterial origin in wastewater treatment operations.

Effect of the different chain transfer agents on molecular weight and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çetinkaya, Onur; Demirci, Gökhan; Mergo, Paweł

2017-08-01

Investigation of molecular weight and optical properties of poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) polymerized in house with different chain transfer agents was studied. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), n-butyl mercaptan (nBMC) and pentamethyl disilane (PMDS) were used as chain transfer agents. The molecular weight (Mw) of PMMA samples were measured by Ostwald viscometer. Mw of bulk polymer samples were decreased with increase the concentration of chain transfer agents (CTA). Since reactivity of used CTAs is not same, molecular weights of samples which were produced with different type of CTA but same concentration of CTA was varied. Higher concentration of n-BMC showed higher scattering. Transmission of samples could not be correlated with different concentration of CTA. Refractive index of samples was not affected by concentration of CTA nevertheless higher molecular weight of CTA showed higher refractive index.

Low molecular weight salts combined with fluorinated solvents for electrolytes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tikhonov, Konstantin; Yip, Ka Ki; Lin, Tzu-Yuan

2015-11-10

Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. An electrolyte includes at least one salt having a molecular weight less than about 250. Such salts allow forming electrolytes with higher salt concentrations and ensure high conductivity and ion transport in these electrolytes. The low molecular weight salt may have a concentration of at least about 0.5M and may be combined with one or more other salts, such as linear and cyclic imide salts and/or methide salts. The concentration of these additional salts may be less than that of the low molecular weight salt, in some embodiments, twicemore » less. The additional salts may have a molecular weight greater than about 250. The electrolyte may also include one or more fluorinated solvents and may be capable of maintaining single phase solutions at between about -30.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C.« less

Manipulation of Molecular Weight Distribution Shape as a New Strategy to Control Processing Parameters.

PubMed

Nadgorny, Milena; Gentekos, Dillon T; Xiao, Zeyun; Singleton, S Parker; Fors, Brett P; Connal, Luke A

2017-10-01

Molecular weight and dispersity (Ð) influence physical and rheological properties of polymers, which are of significant importance in polymer processing technologies. However, these parameters provide only partial information about the precise composition of polymers, which is reflected by the shape and symmetry of molecular weight distribution (MWD). In this work, the effect of MWD symmetry on thermal and rheological properties of polymers with identical molecular weights and Ð is demonstrated. Remarkably, when the MWD is skewed to higher molecular weight, a higher glass transition temperature (T g ), increased stiffness, increased thermal stability, and higher apparent viscosities are observed. These observed differences are attributed to the chain length composition of the polymers, easily controlled by the synthetic strategy. This work demonstrates a versatile approach to engineer the properties of polymers using controlled synthesis to skew the shape of MWD. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Apparatus for molecular weight separation

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard D.; Liu, Chuanliang

2001-01-01

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for separating high molecular weight molecules from low molecular weight molecules. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of microdialysis for removal of the salt (low molecular weight molecules) from a nucleotide sample (high molecular weight molecules) for ESI-MS analysis. The dialysis or separation performance of the present invention is improved by (1) increasing dialysis temperature thereby increasing desalting efficiency and improving spectrum quality; (2) adding piperidine and imidazole to the dialysis buffer solution and reducing charge states and further increasing detection sensitivity for DNA; (3) using low concentrations (0-2.5 mM NH4OAc) of dialysis buffer and shifting the DNA negative ions to higher charge states, producing a nearly 10-fold increase in detection sensitivity and a slightly decreased desalting efficiency, (4) conducting a two-stage separation or (5) any combination of (1), (2), (3) and (4).

Microdialysis unit for molecular weight separation

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard D.; Liu, Chuanliang

1999-01-01

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for separating high molecular weight molecules from low molecular weight molecules. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of microdialysis for removal of the salt (low molecular weight molecules) from a nucleotide sample (high molecular weight molecules) for ESI-MS analysis. The dialysis or separation performance of the present invention is improved by (1) increasing dialysis temperature thereby increasing desalting efficiency and improving spectrum quality; (2) adding piperidine and imidazole to the dialysis buffer solution and reducing charge states and further increasing detection sensitivity for DNA; (3) using low concentrations (0-2.5 mM NH4OAc) of dialysis buffer and shifting the DNA negative ions to higher charge states, producing a nearly 10-fold increase in detection sensitivity and a slightly decreased desalting efficiency, or (4) any combination of (1), (2), and (3).

Intensified fractionation of brewery yeast waste for the recovery of invertase using aqueous two-phase systems.

PubMed

De León-González, Grecia; González-Valdez, José; Mayolo-Deloisa, Karla; Rito-Palomares, Marco

2016-11-01

The potential recovery of high-value products from brewery yeast waste confers value to this industrial residue. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have demonstrated to be an attractive alternative for the primary recovery of biological products and are therefore suitable for the recovery of invertase from this residue. Sixteen different polyethylene glycol (PEG)-potassium phosphate ATPS were tested to evaluate the effects of PEG molecular weight (MW) and tie-line length (TLL) upon the partition behavior of invertase. Concentrations of crude extract from brewery yeast waste were then varied in the systems that presented the best behaviors to intensify the potential recovery of the enzyme. Results show that the use of a PEG MW 400 g mol -1 system with a TLL of 45.0% (w/w) resulted in an invertase bottom phase recovery with a purification factor of 29.5 and a recovery yield of up to 66.2% after scaling the system to a total weight of 15.0 g. This represents 15.1 mg of invertase per mL of processed bottom phase. With these results, a single-stage ATPS process for the recovery of invertase is proposed. © 2015 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Platelet von Willebrand factor in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

PubMed

McKeown, L P; Hansmann, K E; Wilson, O; Gahl, W; Gralnick, H R; Rosenfeld, K E; Rosenfeld, S J; Horne, M K; Rick, M E

1998-10-01

The Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, tissue accumulation of ceroid pigment, and a mild to moderate bleeding diathesis attributed to storage-pool deficient (SPD) platlets. Patients have platelet aggregation and release abnormalities. In addition, low levels of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen in some HPS patients have been associated with a greater bleeding tendency than would be predicted from either condition alone. Other HPS patients have severe bleeding despite normal levels of plasma vWF, suggesting that at least one additional factor is responsible for their bleeding diathesis. Because platelet vWF levels have been well correlated with clinical bleeding times in patients with von Willebrand's disease, we have measured the platelet vWF activity and antigen levels in 30 HPS patients and have attempted to correlate their clinical bleeding with these values. The platelet vWF activity levels in patients was significantly lower than that of normal subjects (P < 0.0001). The patients as a group also had slightly lower values of plasma vWF activity when compared with normals (P-0.03). In 11 of the HPS patients, the multimeric structure of plasma vWF showed a decrease in the high molecular weight multimers and an increase in the low molecular weight multimers. In correlating the platelet and plasma vWF values with the bleeding histories, we were not able to show a predictable relationship in the majority of the patients.

Capture, enrichment, and mass spectrometric detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers with nanoporous silicon microparticles.

PubMed

Tan, Jie; Zhao, Wei-Jie; Yu, Jie-Kai; Ma, Sai; Sailor, Michael J; Wu, Jian-Min

2012-11-01

Mining the disease information contained in the low-molecular-weight range of a proteomic profile is becoming of increasing interest in cancer research. This work evaluates the ability of nanoporous silicon microparticles (NPSMPs) to capture, enrich, protect, and detect low-molecular-weight peptides (LMWPs) sieved from a pool of highly abundant plasma proteins. The average pore size and porosity of NPSMPs are controlled by the electrochemical preparation conditions, and the critical parameters for admission or exclusion of protein with a definite molecular weight are determined by reflectometric-interference Fourier transform spectroscopy (RIFTS). Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis of the proteins captured by the NPSMPs show that the chemical nature of the NPSMPs surface and the solution pH also play vital roles in determining the affinity of NPSMPs for target analytes. It is found that carboxyl-terminated porous microparticles with a porosity of 26% (pore diameter around 9.0 nm) specifically fractionate, enrich and protect LMWPs sieved from either simulated samples or human serum samples. Moreover, NPSMPs containing captured peptides can be directly spotted onto a MALDI plate. When placed in a conventional MALDI matrix, laser irradiation of the particles results in the release of the target peptides confined in the nanopores, which are then ionized and detected in the MALDI experiment. As a proof-of-principle test case, mass spectra of NPSMPs prepared using serum from colorectal cancer patients and from control patients can be clearly distinguished by statistical analysis. The work demonstrates the utility of the method for discovery of biomarkers in the untapped LMWP fraction of human serum, which can be of significant value in the early diagnosis and management of diseases. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Using pulse field gradient NMR diffusion measurements to define molecular size distributions in glycan preparations.

PubMed

Miller, Michelle C; Klyosov, Anatole; Platt, David; Mayo, Kevin H

2009-07-06

Glycans comprise perhaps the largest biomass in nature, and more and more glycans are used in a number of applications, including those as pharmaceutical agents in the clinic. However, defining glycan molecular weight distributions during and after their preparation is not always straightforward. Here, we use pulse field gradient (PFG) (1)H NMR self-diffusion measurements to assess molecular weight distributions in various glycan preparations. Initially, we derived diffusion coefficients, D, on a series of dextrans with reported weight-average molecular weights from about 5 kDa to 150 kDa. For each dextran sample, we analyzed 15 diffusion decay curves, one from each of the 15 major (1)H resonance envelopes, to provide diffusion coefficients. By measuring D as a function of dextran concentration, we determined D at infinite dilution, D(inf), which allowed estimation of the hydrodynamic radius, R(h), using the Stokes-Einstein relationship. A plot of log D(inf) versus log R(h) was linear and provided a standard calibration curve from which R(h) is estimated for other glycans. We then applied this methodology to investigate two other glycans, an alpha-(1-->2)-L-rhamnosyl-alpha-(1-->4)-D-galacturonosyl with quasi-randomly distributed, mostly terminal beta(1-->4)-linked galactose side-chains (GRG) and an alpha(1-->6)-D-galacto-beta(1-->4)-D-mannan (Davanat), which is presently being tested against cancer in the clinic. Using the dextran-derived calibration curve, we find that average R(h) values for GRG and Davanat are 76+/-6 x 10(-10) m and 56+/-3 x 10(-10) m, with GRG being more polydispersed than Davanat. Results from this study will be useful to investigators requiring knowledge of polysaccharide dispersity, needing to study polysaccharides under various solution conditions, or wanting to follow degradation of polysaccharides during production.

The intrinsic mechanical nonlinearity 3Q0(ω) of linear homopolymer melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cziep, Miriam Angela; Abbasi, Mahdi; Wilhelm, Manfred

2017-05-01

Medium amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS) in combination with Fourier Transformation of the mechanical stress signal (FT rheology) was utilized to investigate the influence of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and the monomer on the intrinsic nonlinearity 3Q0(ω). Nonlinear master curves of 3Q0(ω) have been created, applying the time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle. These master curves showed a characteristic shape with an increasing slope at small frequencies, a maximum 3Q0,max and a decreasing slope at high frequencies. 3Q0(De) master curves of monodisperse polymers were evaluated and quantified with the help of a semi-empiric equation, derived from predictions from the pom-pom and molecular stress function (MSF) models. This resulted in a monomer independent description of the nonlinear mechanical behavior of linear, monodisperse homopolymer melts, where 3Q0(ω,Z) is only a function of the frequency ω and the number of entanglements Z. For polydisperse samples, 3Q0(ω) showed a high sensitivity within the experimental window towards an increasing PDI. At small frequencies, the slope of 3Q0(ω) decreases until approximately zero as a plateau value is reached, starting at a PDI around 2 and higher.

Histidinoalanine, a naturally occurring cross-link derived from phosphoserine and histidine residues in mineral-binding phosphoproteins.

PubMed

Marsh, M E

1986-05-06

Native mineral-containing phosphoprotein particles were isolated from the Heterodont bivalve Macrocallista nimbosa. The native particles are discrete structures about 40 nm in diameter which migrate as a single band during electrophoresis in agarose gels. Removal of the mineral component with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dissociates the native protein into nonidentical subunits. The lower molecular weight subunits, representing 8% of the total protein, were obtained by differential centrifugation. The native protein is characterized by a high content of aspartic acid, phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, histidine, and the bifunctional cross-linking residue histidinoalanine. The low molecular weight subunits have the same amino acid composition except for a reduction in histidinoalanine and a corresponding increase in phosphoserine and histidine residues, demonstrating that the alanine portion of the cross-link is derived from phosphoserine residues. Ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve chromatography show that the low molecular weight subunits have a similar charge density but differ in molecular weight, and the relative mobilities of the subunits on agarose gels indicate that they are polymers of a single phosphoprotein molecule. The minimum molecular weight of the monomer is about 140 000 on the basis of the amino acid composition. The high molecular weight subunits are rich in histidinoalanine and too large to be resolved by either molecular sieve chromatography or gel electrophoresis. On the basis of the ultrastructural, electrophoretic, chromatographic, and compositional evidence, native phosphoprotein particles are composed of subunits ionically cross-linked via divalent cations. These subunits are variable molecular weight aggregates of a single phosphoprotein molecule covalently cross-linked via histidinoalanine residues. Evidence for a nonenzymatic cross-linking mechanism is discussed.

Comparative Characterization of Biomechanical Behavior and Healing Profile of a Novel Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Amorphous Poly-l-Lactic Acid Sirolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold.

PubMed

Cheng, Yanping; Gasior, Pawel; Shibuya, Masahiko; Ramzipoor, Kamal; Lee, Chang; Estrada, Edward A; Dokko, Daniell; McGregor, Jenn C; Conditt, Gerard B; Kaluza, Greg L; Granada, Juan F

2016-10-01

Clinically available bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) rely on polymer crystallinity to achieve mechanical strength resulting in limited overexpansion capabilities and structural integrity when exposed to high-loading conditions. We aimed to evaluate the biomechanical behavior and vascular healing profile of a novel, sirolimus-eluting, high-molecular-weight, amorphous poly-l-lactic acid-based BRS (Amaranth BRS). In vitro biomechanical testing was performed under static and cyclic conditions. A total of 99 devices (65 Amaranth BRS versus 34 Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold [BVS]) were implanted in 99 coronary arteries of 37 swine for pharmacokinetics and healing evaluation at various time points. In the Absorb BVS, the number of fractures per scaffold seen on light microscopy was 6.0 (5.0-10.5) when overexpanded 1.0 mm above nominal values (≈34%). No fractures were observed in the Amaranth BRS group at 1.3 mm above nominal values (≈48% overexpansion). The number of fractures was higher in the Absorb BVS on accelerated cycle testing over time (at 24K cycles=5.0 [5.0-9.0] Absorb BVS versus 0.0 [0.0-0.5] Amaranth BRS). Approximately 90% of sirolimus was found to be eluted by 90 days. Optical coherence tomography analysis demonstrated lower percentages of late scaffold recoil in the Amaranth BRS at 3 months (Amaranth BRS=-10±16.1% versus Absorb BVS=10.7±13.2%; P=0.004). Histopathology analysis revealed comparable levels of vascular healing and inflammatory responses between both BRSs up to 6 months. New-generation high-molecular-weight amorphous poly-l-lactic acid scaffolds have the potential to improve the clinical performance of BRS and provide the ideal platform for the future miniaturization of the technology. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Spectroscopic investigations of humic-like acids formed via polycondensation reactions between glycine, catechol and glucose in the presence of natural zeolites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuchi, Shigeki; Miura, Akitaka; Okabe, Ryo; Fukushima, Masami; Sasaki, Masahide; Sato, Tsutomu

2010-10-01

Polycondensation reactions between low-molecular-weight compounds, such as amino acids, sugars and phenols, are crucially important processes in the formation of humic substances, and clay minerals have the ability to catalyze these reactions. In the present study, catechol (CT), glycine (Gly) and glucose (Gl) were used as representative phenols, amino acids and sugars, respectively, and the effects of the catalytic activities of natural zeolites on polycondensation reactions between these compounds were investigated. The extent of polycondensation was evaluated by measuring the specific absorbance at 600 nm ( E600) as an index of the degree of darkening. After a 3-week incubation period, the E600 values for solutions that contained zeolite samples were 4-10 times greater than those measured in the absence of zeolite, suggesting that the zeolite had, in fact, catalyzed the polycondensation reaction. The humic-like acids (HLAs) produced in the reactions were isolated, and their elemental composition and molecular weights determined. When formed in the presence of a zeolite, the nitrogen contents and molecular weights for the HLAs were significantly higher, compared to the HLA sample formed in the absence of zeolite. In addition, solid-state CP-MAS 13C NMR spectra and carboxylic group analyses of the HLA samples indicated that the concentration of carbonyl carbon species for quinones and ketones produced in the presence of zeolite were higher than the corresponding values for samples produced in the absence of a zeolite. Carbonyl carbons in quinones and ketones indicate the nucleophilic characteristics of the samples. Therefore, a nitrogen atom in Gly, which serves as nucleophile, is incorporated into quinones and ketones in CT and Gl. The differences in the catalytic activities of the zeolite samples can be attributed to differences in their transition metal content (Fe, Mn and Ti), which function as Lewis acids.

Solving traveling salesman problems with DNA molecules encoding numerical values.

PubMed

Lee, Ji Youn; Shin, Soo-Yong; Park, Tai Hyun; Zhang, Byoung-Tak

2004-12-01

We introduce a DNA encoding method to represent numerical values and a biased molecular algorithm based on the thermodynamic properties of DNA. DNA strands are designed to encode real values by variation of their melting temperatures. The thermodynamic properties of DNA are used for effective local search of optimal solutions using biochemical techniques, such as denaturation temperature gradient polymerase chain reaction and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis. The proposed method was successfully applied to the traveling salesman problem, an instance of optimization problems on weighted graphs. This work extends the capability of DNA computing to solving numerical optimization problems, which is contrasted with other DNA computing methods focusing on logical problem solving.

Drop-on-demand drop formation of polyethylene oxide solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Xuejia; Carr, Wallace W.; Dong, Hongming

2011-10-01

The dynamics of drop-on-demand (DOD) drop formation for solutions containing polyethylene oxide (PEO) have been studied experimentally. Using a piezoelectrical actuated inkjet printhead with the nozzle orifice diameter of 53 μm, experiments were conducted for a series of PEO aqueous solutions with molecular weights ranging from 14 to 1000 kg/mol, polydispersity from 1.02 to 2.5, and concentrations from 0.005 to 10 wt. %. The addition of a small amount of PEO can have a significant effect on the DOD drop formation process, increasing breakup time, decreasing primary drop speed, and decreasing the number of satellite drops in some cases. The effects depend on both molecular weight and concentration. At lower molecular weights (14 and 35 kg/mol), the effect of PEO over the dilute solution regime is insignificant even at concentrations large enough that the solution does not fall in the dilute regime. As PEO molecular weight increased, the effects became significant. For monodispersed PEO solutions, breakup time and primary drop speed closely correlated with effective relaxation time but not for polydispersed PEO. Effective relaxation time depended greatly on molecular weight distribution. Viscosity-average molecular weight, used in calculating effective relaxation time for polydispersed PEO solutions, did not adequately account for high molecular fractions in the molecular weight distribution of the polydispersed PEOs. A mixture rule was developed to calculate the effective relaxation times for aqueous solutions containing mixtures of monodispersed PEO, and breakup times and primary drop speeds correlated well with effective relaxation times. For our experiments, DOD drop formation was limited to Deborah number ≲ 23.

Overview of the TREC 2009 Chemical IR Track

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-01

several classes have been identified. 3 methods for controlling molecular weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate organic, high molecular weight We are a group of...researchers in an university/company. We want to start a project and, before starting, we want more informations about polyhydroxyalkanoate and about...methods for controlling molecular weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate constituted of units containing residue of phenyl-, thienyl-, or cyclohexyl-structure

Temperature and molecular-weight dependences of acoustic behaviors of polystyrene studied using Brillouin spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Soo Han; Lee, Byoung Wan; Ko, Jae-Hyeon; Lee, Hyeonju; Park, Jaehoon; Ko, Young Ho; Kim, Kwang Joo

2017-04-01

The acoustic properties of three polystyrene polymers with different molecular weights were investigated as a function of temperature by using Brillouin light scattering. The longitudinal sound velocity showed a change in the slope, which depended on the molecular weight, at the glass transition temperature. The absorption coefficient exhibited a maximum above the glass transition temperature, and the maximum temperature became higher as the molecular weight was increased. Comparison with previous acoustic studies on polystyrene indicate that a substantial frequency dispersion caused by strong coupling between the longitudinal acoustic waves and the segmental motions exists in the high-temperature range.

Isolation and Characterization of a Toxic Moiety of Low Molecular Weight from Clostridium botulinum Type A

PubMed Central

Gerwing, Julia; Dolman, Claude E.; Bains, Hardial S.

1965-01-01

Gerwing, Julia (The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada), Claude E. Dolman, and Hardial S. Bains. Isolation and characterization of a toxic moiety of low molecular weight from Clostridium botulinum type A. J. Bacteriol. 89:1383–1386. 1965.—A toxic moiety of low molecular weight has been isolated from a type A strain of Clostridium botulinum, by a method involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and elution through diethylaminoethyl cellulose at pH 5.6. By means of electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation, the toxic substance was shown to be homogeneous; a molecular weight of 12,200 was calculated. Images PMID:14293025

Mass spectrometric characterization of membrane integral low molecular weight proteins from photosystem II in barley etioplasts.

PubMed

Plöscher, Matthias; Granvogl, Bernhard; Zoryan, Mikael; Reisinger, Veronika; Eichacker, Lutz Andreas

2009-02-01

In Photosystem II (PSII), a high number of plastid encoded and membrane integral low molecular weight proteins smaller than 10 kDa, the proteins PsbE, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, Tc, Z and the nuclear encoded PsbW, X, Y1, Y2 proteins have been described. Here we show that all low molecular weight proteins of PSII already accumulate in the etioplast membrane fraction in darkness, whereas PsaI and PsaJ of photosystem I (PSI) represent the only low molecular weight proteins that do not accumulate in darkness. We found by BN-PAGE separation of membrane protein complexes and selective MS that the accumulation of one-helix proteins from PSII is light independent and occurs in etioplasts. In contrast, in chloroplasts isolated from light-grown plants, low molecular weight proteins were found to specifically accumulate in PSI and II complexes. Our results demonstrate how plants grown in darkness prepare for the induction of chlorophyll dependent photosystem assembly upon light perception. We anticipate that our investigation will provide the essential means for the analysis of protein assembly in any membrane utilizing low molecular weight protein subunits.

The Presence Of Strange Males' Odor Induces Behavioral Responses And Elevated Levels Of Low Molecular Weight Proteins Excreted In The Urine Of Mature Water Vole Males (Arvicola amphibius L).

PubMed

Nazarova, Galina G; Proskurniak, Lyudmila P; Yuzhik, Ekaterina I

2016-03-01

We hypothesized that low molecular weight urinary proteins play a role in male-male chemical communication in the water vole, Arvicola ampibius L. We studied the effect of placing soiled litter from strange males into the cage of another sexually mature male on the intensity of its digging and scattering, urination on the litter, and alteration in the levels of low molecular weight proteins (15-25 kDa) excreted in the urine before and after 4 days of exposure as determined by chip electrophoresis. The intensity of digging and scattering was positively correlated with levels of testosterone in serum of males exposed to strange male odors (r = 0.56; P < 0.01), as well as with the concentration of low molecular weight proteins in the donor's urine (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, the level of low molecular weight protein in excreted urine was elevated in the males exposed to the strange male's litter. These results highlight the importance of quantitative inter-individual variation of low molecular weight urinary proteins in the modulation of the physiology and behavior of conspecifics.

Effects of Molecular Structure in Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of an Advanced Polymer (LARC(sup TM)-SI)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, Lee M.; Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Whitley, Karen S.; Gates, Thomas S.

2004-01-01

Mechanical testing of an advanced polymer resin with known variations in molecular weight was performed over a range of temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The elastic properties, inelastic elongation behavior, and notched tensile strength all as a function of molecular weight and test temperature were determined. It was shown that notched tensile strength is a strong function of both temperature and molecular weight, whereas stiffness is only a strong function of temperature.

Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the acute lethality, accumulation, and enzyme activity of cadmium in Eisenia fetida in a simulated soil solution.

PubMed

Liu, Hai-Long; Wang, Yu-Jun; Xuan, Liang; Dang, Fei; Zhou, Dong-Mei

2017-04-01

In the present study, the effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) on the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) to Eisenia fetida were investigated in a simulated soil solution. The LMWOAs protected E. fetida from Cd toxicity, as indicated by the increased median lethal concentration (LC50) values and the increased activity of superoxide dismutase. In addition, Cd concentrations in E. fetida decreased dramatically in the presence of LMWOAs. These results were likely because of the complexation between Cd and LMWOAs, which decreased the bioavailability and consequential toxicity of Cd to E. fetida. Notably, LMWOAs reduced Cd toxicity in decreasing order (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid [EDTA] > citric acid > oxalic acid > malic acid > acetic acid), which was consistent with the decreasing complexation constants between LMWOAs and Cd. These results advance our understanding of the interactions between Cd and LMWOAs in soil. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1005-1011. © 2016 SETAC. © 2016 SETAC.

Application of Sodium Ligno Sulphonate as Surfactant in Enhanced Oil Recovery and Its Feasibility Test for TPN 008 Oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakoso, N. I.; Rochmadi; Purwono, S.

2018-04-01

One of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods is using surfactants to reduce the interfacial tension between the injected fluid and the oil in old reservoir. The most important principle in enhanced oil recovery process is the dynamic interaction of surfactants with crude oil. Sodium ligno sulphonate (SLS) is a commercial surfactant and already synthesized from palm solid waste by another researcher. This work aimed to apply SLS as a surfactant for EOR especially in TPN 008 oil from Pertamina Indonesia. In its application as an EOR’s surfactant, SLS shall be passed feasibility test like IFT, thermal stability, compatibility, filtration, molecular weight, density, viscosity and pH tests. The feasibility test is very important for a preliminary test prior to another advanced test. The results demonstrated that 1% SLS solution in formation water (TPN 008) had 0.254 mN/M IFT value and was also great in thermal stability, compatibility, filtration, molecular weight, viscosity and pH test.

The numerical simulation on swelling factor and extraction rate of a tight crude oil and SC-CO2 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Hongjun; Gong, Houjian; Li, Yajun; Dong, Mingzhe

2018-03-01

A method was established to study swelling and extraction between CO2 and crude oil, and the influences of pressure, temperature and molecular weight were investigated. Firstly, laboratory analysis was conducted to determine the pseudo-component and other parameters of the crude oil. Then swelling and extraction of the crude oil and SC-CO2 system were calculated by computer simulation. The results show that the pressure and temperature have little influence on the swelling and extraction between CO2 and crude oil when the mole fraction of CO2 is lower. A higher pressure and temperature is more beneficial to the interaction of CO2 and crude oil, while the swelling and extraction will not be obvious when the system is miscible. And the smaller the molecular weight of the oil is, the larger the maximum value of the swelling factor of CO2 and crude oil changes. The study of swelling and extraction plays an important role in the oilfield stimulation.

Effect of Injection Molding Melt Temperatures on PLGA Craniofacial Plate Properties during In Vitro Degradation

PubMed Central

Fancello, Eduardo Alberto

2017-01-01

The purpose of this article is to present mechanical and physicochemical properties during in vitro degradation of PLGA material as craniofacial plates based on different values of injection molded temperatures. Injection molded plates were submitted to in vitro degradation in a thermostat bath at 37 ± 1°C by 16 weeks. The material was removed after 15, 30, 60, and 120 days; then bending stiffness, crystallinity, molecular weights, and viscoelasticity were studied. A significant decrease of molecular weight and mechanical properties over time and a difference in FT-IR after 60 days showed faster degradation of the material in the geometry studied. DSC analysis confirmed that the crystallization occurred, especially in higher melt temperature condition. DMA analysis suggests a greater contribution of the viscous component of higher temperature than lower temperature in thermomechanical behavior. The results suggest that physical-mechanical properties of PLGA plates among degradation differ per injection molding temperatures. PMID:29056968

Quantification and varietal variation of low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) using size exclusion chromatography.

PubMed

Dangi, Priya; Khatkar, B S

2018-03-01

Crude glutenin of four commercial wheat varieties viz. C 306, HI 977, HW 2004 and PBW 550 of diverse origin and breadmaking quality were fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography into three fractions of decreasing molecular weights. The relative quantity of peak II, containing LMW-GS specifically, varied considerably among the varieties as reflected from their discrete SEC profiles. The area % of peak II, containing protein of interest, was maximal for C 306 (22.08%) followed by PBW 550 (15.86%). The least proportion of LMW-GS were recovered from variety HW 2004 (9.68%). As the concentration of the sample extract injected to the column increased, the resolution of the peak declined in association with the slight shifting of retention time to the higher values. The best results were obtained for variety C 306 at 100 mg protein concentration with 3 M urea buffer. Consequently, the optimized conditions for purification of LMW-GS in appreciable amounts using SEC were established.

Lipid oxidation induced oxidative degradation of cereal beta-glucan.

PubMed

Wang, Yu-Jie; Mäkelä, Noora; Maina, Ndegwa Henry; Lampi, Anna-Maija; Sontag-Strohm, Tuula

2016-04-15

In food systems, lipid oxidation can cause oxidation of other molecules. This research for the first time investigated oxidative degradation of β-glucan induced by lipid oxidation using an oil-in-water emulsion system which simulated a multi-phased aqueous food system containing oil and β-glucan. Lipid oxidation was monitored using peroxide value and hexanal production while β-glucan degradation was evaluated by viscosity and molecular weight measurements. The study showed that while lipid oxidation proceeded, β-glucan degradation occurred. Emulsions containing β-glucan, oil and ferrous ion showed significant viscosity and molecular weight decrease after 1 week of oxidation at room temperature. Elevated temperature (40°C) enhanced the oxidation reactions causing higher viscosity drop. In addition, the presence of β-glucan appeared to retard the hexanal production in lipid oxidation. The study revealed that lipid oxidation may induce the degradation of β-glucan in aqueous food systems where β-glucan and lipids co-exist. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/Silica Aerogel Nanocomposites by in situ AGET ATRP: Investigating Thermal Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khezri, Khezrollah; Fazli, Yousef

2017-10-01

Hydrophilic silica aerogel nanoparticles surface was modified with hexamethyldisilazane. Then, the resultant modified nanoparticles were used in random copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate via activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization. Conversion and molecular weight determinations were performed using gas and size exclusion chromatography respectively. Addition of modified nanoparticles by 3 wt% results in a decrease of conversion from 68 to 46 %. Molecular weight of copolymer chains decreases from 12,500 to 7,500 g.mol-1 by addition of 3 wt% modified nanoparticles; however, PDI values increase from 1.1 to 1.4. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy results indicate that the molar ratio of each monomer in the copolymer chains is approximately similar to the initial selected mole ratio of them. Increasing thermal stability of the nanocomposites is demonstrated by thermal gravimetric analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry also shows a decrease in glass transition temperature by increasing modified silica aerogel nanoparticles.

Structural analysis and anticoagulant activities of two sulfated polysaccharides from the sea cucumber Holothuria coluber.

PubMed

Yang, Wenjiao; Cai, Ying; Yin, Ronghua; Lin, Lisha; Li, Zhongkun; Wu, Mingyi; Zhao, Jinhua

2018-05-01

Sulfated polysaccharides such as fucosylated glycosaminoglycan and fucan sulfate from echinoderm possess complex chemical structure and various biological activities. The two sulfated polysaccharides were purified from the low-value sea cucumber Holothuria coluber. Their physicochemical properties and chemical structures were analyzed and characterized by chemical and instrumental methods. Structural analysis clarified that the sea cucumber fucosylated glycosaminoglycan contains a chondroitin sulfate-like backbone and fucosyl branches with four various sulfation patterns. The fucan sulfate with molecular weight of 64.6 kDa comprises a central core of regular α(1 → 4)-linked tetrasaccharide repeating units, each of which is linked by a 4-O-sulfated fucose residue. Anticoagulant assays indicated that these sulfated polysaccharides possessed strong APTT prolonging activities and intrinsic factor Xase inhibitory activities, both of which decreased with the reduction of their molecular weights. Our results expand knowledge on the structural types of sulfated polysaccharides from sea cucumbers and further illustrate their functionality. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of molecular weight of natural organic matter on cadmium mobility in soil environments and its carbon isotope characteristics.

PubMed

Mahara, Y; Kubota, T; Wakayama, R; Nakano-Ohta, T; Nakamura, T

2007-11-15

We investigated the role of natural organic matter in cadmium mobility in soil environments. We collected the dissolved organic matter from two different types of natural waters: pond surface water, which is oxic, and deep anoxic groundwater. The collected organic matter was fractionated into four groups with molecular weights (unit: Da (Daltons)) of <1 x 10(3), 1-10 x 10(3), 10-100 x 10(3), and >100 x 10(3). The organic matter source was land plants, based on the carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C/(12)C). The organic matter in surface water originated from presently growing land plants, based on (14)C dating, but the organic matter in deep groundwater originated from land plants that grew approximately 4000 years ago. However, some carbon was supplied by the high-molecular-weight fraction of humic substances in soil or sediments. Cadmium interacted in a system of siliceous sand, fractionated organic matter, and water. The lowest molecular weight fraction of organic matter (<1 x 10(3)) bound more cadmium than did the higher molecular weight fractions. Organic matter in deep groundwater was more strongly bound to cadmium than was organic matter in surface water. The binding behaviours of organic matter with cadmium depended on concentration, age, molecular weight, and degradation conditions of the organic matter in natural waters. Consequently, the dissolved, low-molecular-weight fraction in organic matter strongly influences cadmium migration and mobility in the environment.

Effect of polyethylene glycols on the trans-ungual delivery of terbinafine.

PubMed

Nair, Anroop B; Chakraborty, Bireswar; Murthy, S Narasimha

2010-12-01

Topical nail drug delivery could be improved by identifying potent chemical penetration enhancers. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) on the trans-ungual delivery of terbinafine. In vitro permeation studies were carried out by passive and iontophoresis (0.5 mA/cm2) processes for a period of 1 h using gel formulations containing different molecular weight PEGs (30%w/w). The release of drug from the loaded nail plates and the possible mechanisms for the enhanced delivery was studied. Passive delivery using formulation with low molecular weight PEGs (200 and 400 MW) indicated moderate enhancement in the permeation and drug load in the nail plate, compared to the control formulation. However, the effect of low molecular weight PEGs was predominant during iontophoresis process with greater amount of terbinafine being permeated (≈35 µg/cm2) and loaded into the nail plate (≈2.7 µg/mg). However, little or no effect on drug delivery was observed with high molecular weight PEGs (1000- 3350 MW) in passive and iontophoresis processes. Release of drug from the nail plates loaded by iontophoresis using low molecular weight PEG (400 MW) exhibited sustain effect which continued over a period of 72 days. The enhancement in drug permeation by low molecular weight PEGs is likely due to their ability to lead to greater water uptake and swelling of nail. This study concluded that the low molecular weight PEGs are indeed a promising trans-ungual permeation enhancer.

Physicochemical and immunologic characterization of low-molecular-weight allergoids of Dactylis glomerata pollen proteins.

PubMed

Cirković, T D; Bukilica, M N; Gavrović, M D; Vujcić, Z M; Petrović, S; Jankov, R M

1999-02-01

Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) pollen proteins were chemically modified by means of acid anhydrides (maleic and succinic anhydride) to obtain low-molecular-weight allergoids. Chemical modification in both cases led to the replacement of one positive charge (epsilon amino group of Lys) by one negative charge, yielding proteins with changed physicochemical properties in comparison to the native orchard grass-pollen proteins. Physicochemical characterization of derivatives was done by gel chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and isoelectric focusing. To examine the IgE-binding properties of these derivatives, we carried out immunoblotting. To examine the ability of derivatives to induce IgG production, we immunized rabbits. Skin prick testing with the allergoids was performed on 15 individuals allergic to orchard grass pollens and on two healthy subjects. It was shown that the modified proteins retain their original molecular weights, but change pI to more acidic values. In the case of allergoids, a strong reduction in IgE binding was found. Immunization of rabbits with allergoids showed that the derivatives retain the ability to induce IgG production, and that the antisera obtained in such a way react to native (unmodified) extract. The ability of derivatives to induce allergic reaction was significantly reduced. The patients (86.6%) included in our study exhibited less than 50% of native extract response. Among them, 53.3% had no response to one or both allergoids. These modification procedures yield allergoids with a reduced allergenic activity and preserved immunogenic potential suitable for use in immunotherapy.

Association between arsenic and different-sized dissolved organic matter in the groundwater of black-foot disease area, Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Ting-Chien; Hseu, Zeng-Yei; Jean, Jiin-Shuh; Chou, Mon-Lin

2016-09-01

The formation of an arsenic (As)-dissolved organic matter (DOM) complex is important in driving the release of arsenic in groundwater. This study collected groundwater samples from a 20 m deep well throughout 2014 and separated each into three subsamples by ultrafiltration: high molecular weight-DOM (HDOM, 0.45 μm-10 kDa), medium molecular weight-DOM (MDOM, 10-1 kDa), and low molecular weight-DOM (LDOM, <1 kDa) solutions. The fractional DOM was measured with a three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (EEM) via fluorescence spectroscopy. A fluorescence quenching method was used to calculate the apparent stability constant (Ks) between arsenic and the fractional DOM. Based on the EEM records, three fluorescence indicators were further calculated to characterize the DOM sources, including the fluorescence index (FI), the biological index (BI), and the humification index (HI). The experimental results indicated that arsenic in the groundwater was mainly partitioned into the MDOM and LDOM fractions. All fractional DOMs contained humic acid-like substances and were considered as microbial sources. LDOM had the highest humification degree and aromaticity, followed by MDOM and HDOM. The As and DOM association could be formed by a Fe-bridge, which was demonstrated by the Ks values and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the DOM. The formation of AsFe-DOM complex was only significant in the MDOM and LDOM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recovering the Physical Properties of Molecular Gas in Galaxies from CO SLED Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamenetzky, J.; Privon, G. C.; Narayanan, D.

2018-05-01

Modeling of the spectral line energy distribution (SLED) of the CO molecule can reveal the physical conditions (temperature and density) of molecular gas in Galactic clouds and other galaxies. Recently, the Herschel Space Observatory and ALMA have offered, for the first time, a comprehensive view of the rotational J = 4‑3 through J = 13‑12 lines, which arise from a complex, diverse range of physical conditions that must be simplified to one, two, or three components when modeled. Here we investigate the recoverability of physical conditions from SLEDs produced by galaxy evolution simulations containing a large dynamical range in physical properties. These simulated SLEDs were generally fit well by one component of gas whose properties largely resemble or slightly underestimate the luminosity-weighted properties of the simulations when clumping due to nonthermal velocity dispersion is taken into account. If only modeling the first three rotational lines, the median values of the marginalized parameter distributions better represent the luminosity-weighted properties of the simulations, but the uncertainties in the fitted parameters are nearly an order of magnitude, compared to approximately 0.2 dex in the “best-case” scenario of a fully sampled SLED through J = 10‑9. This study demonstrates that while common CO SLED modeling techniques cannot reveal the underlying complexities of the molecular gas, they can distinguish bulk luminosity-weighted properties that vary with star formation surface densities and galaxy evolution, if a sufficient number of lines are detected and modeled.

Biodegradable in situ gelling delivery systems containing pilocarpine as new antiglaucoma formulations: effect of a mercaptoacetic acid/N-isopropylacrylamide molar ratio

PubMed Central

Lai, Jui-Yang

2013-01-01

Ocular drug delivery is one of the most commonly used treatment modalities in the management of glaucoma. We have recently proposed the use of gelatin and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) graft copolymers as biodegradable in situ forming delivery systems for the intracameral administration of antiglaucoma medications. In this study, we further investigated the influence of carrier characteristics on drug delivery performance. The carboxyl-terminated PNIPAAm samples with different molecular weights were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of mercaptoacetic acid (MAA)/N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) from 0.05 to 1.25, and were determined by end-group titration. The preparation of gelatin-g-PNIPAAm (GN) copolymers from these thermoresponsive polymers was achieved using carbodiimide chemistry. Our results showed that the carboxylic end-capped PNIPAAm of high molecular weight may lead to the lower thermal phase transition temperature and slower degradation rate of GN vehicles than its low molecular weight counterparts. With a decreasing MAA/NIPAAm molar ratio, the drug encapsulation efficiency of copolymers was increased due to fast temperature-triggered capture of pilocarpine nitrate. The degradation of the gelatin network could greatly affect the drug release profiles. All of the GN copolymeric carriers demonstrated good corneal endothelial cell and tissue compatibility. It is concluded that different types of GN-based delivery systems exhibit noticeably distinct intraocular pressure-lowering effect and miosis action, thereby reflecting the potential value of a MAA/NIPAAm molar ratio in the development of new antiglaucoma formulations. PMID:24187486

Biodegradable in situ gelling delivery systems containing pilocarpine as new antiglaucoma formulations: effect of a mercaptoacetic acid/N-isopropylacrylamide molar ratio.

PubMed

Lai, Jui-Yang

2013-01-01

Ocular drug delivery is one of the most commonly used treatment modalities in the management of glaucoma. We have recently proposed the use of gelatin and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) graft copolymers as biodegradable in situ forming delivery systems for the intracameral administration of antiglaucoma medications. In this study, we further investigated the influence of carrier characteristics on drug delivery performance. The carboxyl-terminated PNIPAAm samples with different molecular weights were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of mercaptoacetic acid (MAA)/N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) from 0.05 to 1.25, and were determined by end-group titration. The preparation of gelatin-g-PNIPAAm (GN) copolymers from these thermoresponsive polymers was achieved using carbodiimide chemistry. Our results showed that the carboxylic end-capped PNIPAAm of high molecular weight may lead to the lower thermal phase transition temperature and slower degradation rate of GN vehicles than its low molecular weight counterparts. With a decreasing MAA/NIPAAm molar ratio, the drug encapsulation efficiency of copolymers was increased due to fast temperature-triggered capture of pilocarpine nitrate. The degradation of the gelatin network could greatly affect the drug release profiles. All of the GN copolymeric carriers demonstrated good corneal endothelial cell and tissue compatibility. It is concluded that different types of GN-based delivery systems exhibit noticeably distinct intraocular pressure-lowering effect and miosis action, thereby reflecting the potential value of a MAA/NIPAAm molar ratio in the development of new antiglaucoma formulations.

Formation of high molecular weight products from benzene during boundary lubrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morales, W.

1985-01-01

High molecular weight products were detected on the wear track of an iron disk at the end of a sliding friction and wear test using benzene as a lubricant. Size exclusion chromagography in conjunction with UV analysis gave evidence that the high molecular weight products are polyphenyl ether type substances. Organic electrochemistry was used to elucidate the possible surface reaction mechanisms.

Antiedematogenic and antioxidant properties of high molecular weight protein sub-fraction of Calotropis procera latex in rat.

PubMed

Chaudhary, Priyanka; de Araújo Viana, Carolina; Ramos, Marcio V; Kumar, Vijay L

2015-03-01

The aim was to evaluate the effect of high molecular weight protein fraction of Calotropis procera latex on edema formation and oxidative stress in carrageenan-induced paw inflammation. A sub-plantar injection of carrageenan was given to induce edema in the hind paw of the rat. The inhibitory effect of high molecular weight protein fraction of C. procera latex was evaluated following intravenous administration (5 and 25 mg/kg body weight) and was compared with that of diclofenac given orally (5 mg/kg). The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in the inflamed paw tissue at the end of the study. The high molecular weight protein fraction obtained from the latex of C. procera produced a dose-dependent inhibition of edema formation that was accompanied by normalization of levels of oxidative stress markers (GSH and TBARS) and MPO, a marker for neutrophils in the paw tissue. The high molecular weight protein fraction of C. procera latex ameliorates acute inflammation in the paw through its antioxidant effect.

[Crosslinking sodium hyaluronate gel with different ratio of molecular weight for subcutaneous injection: animal experimental study and clinical trials subcutaneous injection].

PubMed

Ran, Weizhi; Wang, Xiaoli; Hu, Yuefei; Gao, Songying; Yang, Yahong; Sun, Jian; Sun, Shuming; Liu, Zhongmei; Wang, Jiangling

2015-05-01

To investigate the biocompatibility and degradation rate of crosslinking sodium hyaluronate gel with different ratio of molecular weight, so as to choose the effective, safe and totally degraded hyaluronate gel for aesthetic injection. (1) Compound colloid was formed by cross-linking the divinyl sulphone and sodium hyaluronate with different molecular weight (4 x 10(5), 8 x 10(5), 10 x 10(5), 12 x 10(5)). (2) Healthy level KM mice was randomly divided into two groups to receive hyaluronic acid gel or liquid injection. Each group was subdivided into three subgroup to receive hyaluronic acid with different molecular weight. The biocompatibility and degradation rate, of hyaluronate were observed at 7, 90, 180 days after injection. At the same time, different molecular weight of sodium hyaluronate gel is sealed or exposed respectively under the low temperature preservation to observe its natural degradation rate. (3) The most stable colloid was selected as aesthetic injector for volunteers to observe the aesthetic effect. The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 4 x 10(5) was completely degraded 90 days later. The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 8 x 10(5) was completely degraded 180 days later. The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 10 x 10(5) was degraded to 90.0% after 180 days. The sodium hyaluronate liquid can be degraded completely within 7 days. The colloid could be kept for at least 12 months when sealed under low temperature, but was totally degraded when exposed for I d. Sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular 10 x 10(5) was confirmed to be kept for at least 6 months in animal experiment and clinical trials. Under the same condition of material ratio, the higher the molecular weight is, the lower the degradation rate is. But the liquidity of gel is not good for injection when molecular weight is too large. It suggests that Sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular 10 x 10(5) maybe the best choice in cosmetic injections.

Dynamic changes in plasma total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels in acute heart failure.

PubMed

Ohara, Takahiro; Hashimura, Kazuhiko; Asakura, Masanori; Ogai, Akiko; Amaki, Makoto; Hasegawa, Takuya; Kanzaki, Hideaki; Sonoda, Mina; Nishizawa, Hitoshi; Funahashi, Tohru; Kitakaze, Masafumi

2011-09-01

Elevated levels of total plasma adiponectin (APN) and high molecular weight (HMW)-APN have been observed in chronic heart failure (HF) and are associated with poor prognosis, however, the response of APN levels in acute HF is not known. The purpose of this study was to clarify the dynamic changes of the plasma total APN, HMW-APN levels, and the ratio of HMW-APN to total APN (HMWR) in acute HF. From February 2006 to January 2007, 20 patients with acute HF (non-ischemic and non-valvular origin, 17 men, aged 63±11 years) were enrolled, and blood was sampled before the onset of the treatment and at discharge. Ten patients admitted for the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmia (8 men, aged 45±13 years) were included as controls. The medians and interquartile ranges of the plasma total APN, HMW-APN levels, and HMWR at admission were 20.8 (14.5-38.9) μg/mL, 12.4 (7.7-23.3) μg/mL, and 0.60 (0.50-0.69), respectively. The total APN and HMW-APN values were significantly higher than the values of the control. The plasma total APN, HMW-APN, and HMWR values at discharge decreased to 19.4 (7.2-27.3)μg/mL, 10.5 (3.2-12.8) μg/mL, and 0.52 (0.46-0.57), respectively. An exploratory survival analysis showed that the higher HMWR values at admission and the larger decrease in HMWR were associated with a better prognosis after discharge. Plasma total APN and HMW-APN values are elevated at the admission for acute HF. Plasma total APN, HMW-APN, and HMWR values decrease following treatment. Higher HMWR at admission and its larger decrease may be the signs of favorable treatment responsiveness in acute HF. Copyright © 2011 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Additional Value of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging to Evaluate Prognostic Factors of Breast Cancer: Correlation with the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient.

PubMed

Park, Eun Kyung; Cho, Kyu Ran; Seo, Bo Kyoung; Woo, Ok Hee; Cho, Sung Bum; Bae, Jeoung Won

2016-01-01

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with diverse prognoses. The main prognostic determinants are lymph node status, tumor size, histological grade, and biological factors, such as hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67 protein levels, and p53 expression. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be used to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) that provides information related to tumor cellularity and the integrity of the cell membranes. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether ADC measurements could provide information on the prognostic factors of breast cancer. A total of 71 women with invasive breast cancer, treated consecutively, who underwent preoperative breast MRIs with DWI at 3.0 Tesla and subsequent surgery, were prospectively included in this study. Each DWI was acquired with b values of 0 and 1000 s/mm(2). The mean ADC values of the lesions were measured, including the entire lesion on the three largest sections. We performed histopathological analyses for the tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade, hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67, p53, and molecular subtypes. The associations with the ADC values and prognostic factors of breast cancer were evaluated using the independent-samples t test and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A low ADC value was associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01) and with high Ki-67 protein levels (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the ADC values among the histological grade (P = 0.48), molecular subtype (P = 0.51), tumor size (P = 0.46), and p53 protein level (P = 0.62). The pre-operative use of the 3.0 Tesla DWI could provide information about the lymph node status and tumor proliferation for breast cancer patients, and could help determine the optimal treatment plan.

Phototransformation rate constants of PAHs associated with soot particles.

PubMed

Kim, Daekyun; Young, Thomas M; Anastasio, Cort

2013-01-15

Photodegradation is a key process governing the residence time and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particles, both in the atmosphere and after deposition. We have measured photodegradation rate constants of PAHs in bulk deposits of soot particles illuminated with simulated sunlight. The photodegradation rate constants at the surface (k(p)(0)), the effective diffusion coefficients (D(eff)), and the light penetration depths (z(0.5)) for PAHs on soot layers of variable thickness were determined by fitting experimental data with a model of coupled photolysis and diffusion. The overall disappearance rates of irradiated low molecular weight PAHs (with 2-3 rings) on soot particles were influenced by fast photodegradation and fast diffusion kinetics, while those of high molecular weight PAHs (with 4 or more rings) were apparently controlled by either the combination of slow photodegradation and slow diffusion kinetics or by very slow diffusion kinetics alone. The value of z(0.5) is more sensitive to the soot layer thickness than the k(p)(0) value. As the thickness of the soot layer increases, the z(0.5) values increase, but the k(p)(0) values are almost constant. The effective diffusion coefficients calculated from dark experiments are generally higher than those from the model fitting method for illumination experiments. Due to the correlation between k(p)(0) and z(0.5) in thinner layers, D(eff) should be estimated by an independent method for better accuracy. Despite some limitations of the model used in this study, the fitted parameters were useful for describing empirical results of photodegradation of soot-associated PAHs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reexamining protein–protein and protein–solvent interactions from Kirkwood-Buff analysis of light scattering in multi-component solutions

PubMed Central

Blanco, Marco A.; Sahin, Erinc; Li, Yi; Roberts, Christopher J.

2011-01-01

The classic analysis of Rayleigh light scattering (LS) is re-examined for multi-component protein solutions, within the context of Kirkwood-Buff (KB) theory as well as a more generalized canonical treatment. Significant differences arise when traditional treatments that approximate constant pressure and neglect concentration fluctuations in one or more (co)solvent∕co-solute species are compared with more rigorous treatments at constant volume and with all species free to fluctuate. For dilute solutions, it is shown that LS can be used to rigorously and unambiguously obtain values for the osmotic second virial coefficient (B22), in contrast with recent arguments regarding protein interactions deduced from LS experiments. For more concentrated solutions, it is shown that conventional analysis over(under)-estimates the magnitude of B22 for significantly repulsive(attractive) conditions, and that protein-protein KB integrals (G22) are the more relevant quantity obtainable from LS. Published data for α–chymotrypsinogen A and a series of monoclonal antibodies at different pH and salt concentrations are re-analyzed using traditional and new treatments. The results illustrate that while traditional analysis may be sufficient if one is interested in only the sign of B22 or G22, the quantitative values can be significantly in error. A simple approach is illustrated for determining whether protein concentration (c2) is sufficiently dilute for B22 to apply, and for correcting B22 values from traditional LS regression at higher c2 values. The apparent molecular weight M2, app obtained from LS is shown to generally not be equal to the true molecular weight, with the differences arising from a combination of protein-solute and protein-cosolute interactions that may, in principle, also be determined from LS. PMID:21682538

Improved synthesis with high yield and increased molecular weight of poly(alpha,beta-malic acid) by direct polycondensation.

PubMed

Kajiyama, Tetsuto; Kobayashi, Hisatoshi; Taguchi, Tetsushi; Kataoka, Kazunori; Tanaka, Junzo

2004-01-01

The development of synthetic biodegradable polymers, such as poly(alpha-hydroxy acid), is particularly important for constructing medical devices, including scaffolds and sutures, and has attracted growing interest in the biomedical field. Here, we report a novel approach to preparing high molecular weight poly(malic acid) (HMW--PMA) as a biodegradable and bioabsorbable water-soluble polymer. We investigated in detail the reaction conditions for the simple direct polycondensation of l-malic acid, including the reaction times, temperatures, and catalysts. The molecular weight of synthesized alpha,beta-PMA is dependent on both the reaction temperature and time. The optimum reaction condition to obtain alpha,beta-PMA by direct polycondensation using tin(II) chloride as a catalyst was thus determined to be 110 degrees C for 45 h with a molecular weight of 5300. The method for alpha,beta-PMA synthesis established here will facilitate production of alpha,beta-PMA of various molecular weights, which may have a potential utility as biomaterials.

Reorganization of low-molecular-weight fraction of plasma proteins in the annual cycle of cyprinidae.

PubMed

Andreeva, A M; Lamas, N E; Serebryakova, M V; Ryabtseva, I P; Bolshakov, V V

2015-02-01

Reorganization of the low-molecular-weight fraction of cyprinid plasma was analyzed using various electrophoretic techniques (disc electrophoresis, electrophoresis in polyacrylamide concentration gradient, in polyacrylamide with urea, and in SDS-polyacrylamide). The study revealed coordinated changes in the low-molecular-weight protein fractions with seasonal dynamics and related reproductive rhythms of fishes. We used cultured species of the Cyprinidae family with sequenced genomes for the detection of these interrelations in fresh-water and anadromous cyprinid species. The common features of organization of fish low-molecular-weight plasma protein fractions made it possible to make reliable identification of their proteins. MALDI mass-spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of the same proteins (hemopexin, apolipoproteins, and serpins) in the low-molecular-weight plasma fraction in wild species and cultured species with sequenced genomes (carp, zebrafish). It is found that the proteins of the first two classes are organized as complexes made of protein oligomers. Stoichiometry of these complexes changes in concordance with the seasonal and reproductive rhythms.

The polysaccharide and low molecular weight components of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes: Structure and skin repairing properties.

PubMed

Di Lorenzo, Flaviana; Silipo, Alba; Molinaro, Antonio; Parrilli, Michelangelo; Schiraldi, Chiara; D'Agostino, Antonella; Izzo, Elisabetta; Rizza, Luisa; Bonina, Andrea; Bonina, Francesco; Lanzetta, Rosa

2017-02-10

The Opuntia ficus-indica multiple properties are reflected in the increasing interest of chemists in the identification of its natural components having pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical applications. Here we report the structural elucidation of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage that highlighted the presence of components differing for their chemical nature and the molecular weight distribution. The high molecular weight components were identified as a linear galactan polymer and a highly branched xyloarabinan. The low molecular weight components were identified as lactic acid, D-mannitol, piscidic, eucomic and 2-hydroxy-4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butanoic acids. A wound healing assay was performed in order to test the cicatrizing properties of the various components, highlighting the ability of these latter to fasten dermal regeneration using a simplified in vitro cellular model based on a scratched keratinocytes monolayer. The results showed that the whole Opuntia mucilage and the low molecular weight components are active in the wound repair. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-molecular-weight polymers for protein crystallization: poly-γ-glutamic acid-based precipitants

PubMed Central

Hu, Ting-Chou; Korczyńska, Justyna; Smith, David K.; Brzozowski, Andrzej Marek

2008-01-01

Protein crystallization has been revolutionized by the intro­duction of high-throughput technologies, which have led to a speeding up of the process while simultaneously reducing the amount of protein sample necessary. Nonetheless, the chemistry dimension of protein crystallization has remained relatively undeveloped. Most crystallization screens are based on the same set of precipitants. To address this shortcoming, the development of new protein precipitants based on poly-γ-­glutamic acid (PGA) polymers with different molecular-weight ranges is reported here: PGA-LM (low molecular weight) of ∼400 kDa and PGA-HM (high molecular weight) of >1000 kDa. It is also demonstrated that protein precipitants can be expanded further to polymers with much higher molecular weight than those that are currently in use. Furthermore, the modification of PGA-like polymers by covalent attachments of glucosamine substantially improved their solubility without affecting their crystallization properties. Some preliminary PGA-based screens are presented here. PMID:18703844

Effects of the Terminal Structure, Purity, and Molecular Weight of an Amorphous Conjugated Polymer on Its Photovoltaic Characteristics.

PubMed

Kuwabara, Junpei; Yasuda, Takeshi; Takase, Naoto; Kanbara, Takaki

2016-01-27

The photovoltaic characteristics of an amorphous polymer containing EDOT and fluorene units were investigated. In particular, the effects of the terminal structure, residual amount of Pd, and molecular weight were systematically investigated. Direct arylation polycondensation of EDOT followed by an established purification method readily afforded polymers with different terminal structures, Pd contents, and molecular weights. Of these factors, the terminal structure of the polymer was a crucial factor affecting the photovoltaic characteristics. For example, the polymer with a Br terminal had a PCE of 2.9% in bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaics (BHJ OPVs) with a fullerene derivative, whereas the polymer without a Br terminal had a PCE of 4.6% in the same cell configuration. The decreased Pd residues and high molecular weights of the polymers increased the long-term stability of the devices. Moreover, BHJ OPVs containing the high-molecular-weight polymer could be fabricated with an environmentally friendly nonhalogenated solvent.

Increasing molecular weight parameters of a helical polymer through polymerization in a chiral solvent.

PubMed

Holder, Simon J; Achilleos, Mariliz; Jones, Richard G

2006-09-27

In this communication, we will demonstrate that polymerization in a chiral solvent can affect the molecular weight distribution of the product by perturbing the balance of the P and M helical screw senses of the growing chains. Specifically, for the Wurtz-type synthesis of polymethylphenylsilane (PMPS) in either (R) or (S)-limonene, the weight-average molecular weight of the products (average Mw = 80 000) was twice that of PMPS synthesized in (R/S)-limonene (average Mw = 39 200). Peturbation of the helical segmentation along the polymer chains leads to a reduction in the rate of occurrence of a key termination step. This the first time that a chiral solvent has been demonstrated to have such an effect on a polymerization process in affecting molecular weight parameters in contrast to affecting tacticity.

Production of low-molecular weight soluble yeast β-glucan by an acid degradation method.

PubMed

Ishimoto, Yuina; Ishibashi, Ken-Ichi; Yamanaka, Daisuke; Adachi, Yoshiyuki; Kanzaki, Ken; Iwakura, Yoichiro; Ohno, Naohito

2018-02-01

β-glucan is widely distributed in nature as water soluble and insoluble forms. Both forms of β-glucan are utilized in several fields, especially for functional foods. Yeast β-glucan is a medically important insoluble particle. Solubilization of yeast β-glucan may be valuable for improving functional foods and in medicinal industries. In the present study, we applied an acid degradation method to solubilize yeast β-glucan and found that β-glucan was effectively solubilized to low-molecular weight β-glucans by 45% sulfuric acid treatment at 20°C. The acid-degraded soluble yeast β-glucan (ad-sBBG) was further fractionated into a higher-molecular weight fraction (ad-sBBG-high) and a lower-molecular weight fraction (ad-sBBG-low). Since ad-sBBG-high contained mannan, while ad-sBBG-low contained it only scarcely, it was possible to prepare low-molecular weight soluble β-glucan with higher purity. In addition, ad-sBBG-low bound to dectin-1, which is an innate immunity receptor of β-glucan, and showed antagonistic activity against reactive oxygen production and cytokine synthesis by macrophages. Thus, this acid degradation method is an important procedure for generating immune-modulating, low-molecular weight, soluble yeast β-glucan. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Retraction Note: Catalytic living ring-opening metathesis polymerization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarkar, Amit A.; Kilbinger, Andreas F. M.

2018-05-01

We the authors are retracting this Article because of our failure to reproduce the molecular weight dispersities (PDI) shown in Fig. 4 using the chain-transfer agent described in the paper (CTA1). While the degenerate chain-transfer mechanism described in Fig. 3 is correct, the best molecular weight dispersities that could be reproduced with the chain-transfer agent shown in the Article are much larger (PDI > 2.0) than reported.We have since studied the kinetics of CTA1 in comparison with several other chain-transfer agents we are currently investigating and we now understand that the reactivity of CTA1 towards propagating ruthenium alkylidene complexes is very low. Very long monomer addition times would therefore have been necessary to gain control over the molecular weight distribution. Such long addition times would exceed the lifetime of the Grubbs catalyst in solution. Faster addition of the monomer has since repeatedly been shown to broaden the molecular weight dispersity.Additionally, the best chain-transfer agents we are currently investigating are orders of magnitude more reactive than CTA1 but give broader molecular weight dispersities than reported in Fig. 4. Molecular weight and dispersity control as shown in Fig. 4 is therefore an inappropriate claim for CTA1.The authors deeply regret these errors and apologize to the community.

Molecular structure of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Escherichia coli K-12.

PubMed

Vogel, O; Hoehn, B; Henning, U

1972-06-01

The pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12, defined as the multienzyme complex that can be obtained with a unique polypeptide chain composition, has a molecular weight of 3.75 x 10(6). All results obtained agree with the following numerology. The core complex consists of 48 polypeptide chains. There are 16 chains (molecular weight = 100,000) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component, 16 chains (molecular weight = 80,000) of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component, and 16 chains (molecular weight = 56,000) of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component. Usually, but not always, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is produced in vivo containing at least 2-3 mol more of dimers of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component than the stoichiometric ratio with respect to the core complex. This "excess" component is bound differently than are the eight dimers in the core complex.

Post-exercise ingestion of a unique, high molecular weight glucose polymer solution improves performance during a subsequent bout of cycling exercise.

PubMed

Stephens, Francis B; Roig, Marc; Armstrong, Gerald; Greenhaff, Paul L

2008-01-15

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of post-exercise ingestion of a unique, high molecular weight glucose polymer solution, known to augment gastric emptying and post-exercise muscle glycogen re-synthesis, on performance during a subsequent bout of intense exercise. On three randomized visits, eight healthy men cycled to exhaustion at 73.0% (s = 1.3) maximal oxygen uptake (90 min, s = 15). Immediately after this, participants consumed a one-litre solution containing sugar-free flavoured water (control), 100 g of a low molecular weight glucose polymer or 100 g of a very high molecular weight glucose polymer, and rested on a bed for 2 h. After recovery, a 15-min time-trial was performed on a cycle ergometer, during which work output was determined. Post-exercise ingestion of the very high molecular weight glucose polymer solution resulted in faster and greater increases in blood glucose (P < 0.001) and serum insulin (P < 0.01) concentrations than the low molecular weight glucose polymer solution, and greater work output during the 15-min time-trial (164.1 kJ, s = 21.1) than both the sugar-free flavoured water (137.5 kJ, s = 24.2; P < 0.05) and the low molecular weight glucose polymer (149.4 kJ, s = 21.8; P < 0.05) solutions. These findings could be of practical importance for athletes wishing to optimize performance by facilitating rapid re-synthesis of the muscle glycogen store during recovery following prolonged sub-maximal exercise.

A log-normal distribution model for the molecular weight of aquatic fulvic acids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cabaniss, S.E.; Zhou, Q.; Maurice, P.A.; Chin, Y.-P.; Aiken, G.R.

2000-01-01

The molecular weight of humic substances influences their proton and metal binding, organic pollutant partitioning, adsorption onto minerals and activated carbon, and behavior during water treatment. We propose a lognormal model for the molecular weight distribution in aquatic fulvic acids to provide a conceptual framework for studying these size effects. The normal curve mean and standard deviation are readily calculated from measured M(n) and M(w) and vary from 2.7 to 3 for the means and from 0.28 to 0.37 for the standard deviations for typical aquatic fulvic acids. The model is consistent with several types of molecular weight data, including the shapes of high- pressure size-exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC) peaks. Applications of the model to electrostatic interactions, pollutant solubilization, and adsorption are explored in illustrative calculations.The molecular weight of humic substances influences their proton and metal binding, organic pollutant partitioning, adsorption onto minerals and activated carbon, and behavior during water treatment. We propose a log-normal model for the molecular weight distribution in aquatic fulvic acids to provide a conceptual framework for studying these size effects. The normal curve mean and standard deviation are readily calculated from measured Mn and Mw and vary from 2.7 to 3 for the means and from 0.28 to 0.37 for the standard deviations for typical aquatic fulvic acids. The model is consistent with several type's of molecular weight data, including the shapes of high-pressure size-exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC) peaks. Applications of the model to electrostatic interactions, pollutant solubilization, and adsorption are explored in illustrative calculations.

A single center retrospective cohort study comparing low-molecular-weight heparins to direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer - A real world experience.

PubMed

Phelps, Megan K; Wiczer, Tracy E; Erdeljac, H Paige; Van Deusen, Kelsey R; Porter, Kyle; Philips, Gary; Wang, Tzu-Fei

2018-01-01

Introduction Low-molecular-weight heparins are the standard treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants are a new option for thrombosis treatment; however, data supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants for cancer-associated thrombosis are limited. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis and major bleeding within 6 months of starting either low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant for treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. Secondary objectives were to determine the rates of clinically relevant-non-major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Patients/methods This is a retrospective cohort study including adults with cancer-associated thrombosis treated with low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant between 2010 and 2016 at the Ohio State University. Medical records were reviewed for 6 months after initiation of anticoagulation or until the occurrence of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis, major bleeding, cessation of anticoagulation of interest, or death, whichever occurred first. Results Four hundred and eighty patients were included (290 low-molecular-weight heparin and 190 direct oral anticoagulant). Patients treated with direct oral anticoagulant were found to carry "lower risk" features including cancer with lower VTE risk and lower rate of metastatic disease. After adjustment for baseline differences, there was no significant difference in the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis (7.2% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 6.3% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.71) or major bleeding (7.6% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 2.6% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.08). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that in a select population of cancer patients with VTE, direct oral anticoagulant use can be as effective and safe compared to the standard therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin.

Modeling the relationship between body weight and energy intake: A molecular diffusion-based approach

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Body weight is at least partly controlled by the choices made by a human in response to external stimuli. Changes in body weight are mainly caused by energy intake. By analyzing the mechanisms involved in food intake, we considered that molecular diffusion plays an important role in body weight changes. We propose a model based on Fick's second law of diffusion to simulate the relationship between energy intake and body weight. Results This model was applied to food intake and body weight data recorded in humans; the model showed a good fit to the experimental data. This model was also effective in predicting future body weight. Conclusions In conclusion, this model based on molecular diffusion provides a new insight into the body weight mechanisms. Reviewers This article was reviewed by Dr. Cabral Balreira (nominated by Dr. Peter Olofsson), Prof. Yang Kuang and Dr. Chao Chen. PMID:22742862

Evaluation of a Viscosity-Molecular Weight Relationship.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathias, Lon J.

1983-01-01

Background information, procedures, and results are provided for a series of graduate/undergraduate polymer experiments. These include synthesis of poly(methylmethacrylate), viscosity experiment (indicating large effect even small amounts of a polymer may have on solution properties), and measurement of weight-average molecular weight by light…

Determination of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion in polymer films at the nanoscale: influence of the composition of EVA copolymers and the molecular weight of PMMA.

PubMed

González-Benito, J; Castillo, E; Cruz-Caldito, J F

2015-07-28

Nanothermal-expansion of poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate), EVA, and poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, in the form of films was measured to finally obtain linear coefficients of thermal expansion, CTEs. The simple deflection of a cantilever in an atomic force microscope, AFM, was used to monitor thermal expansions at the nanoscale. The influences of: (a) the structure of EVA in terms of its composition (vinylacetate content) and (b) the size of PMMA chains in terms of the molecular weight were studied. To carry out this, several polymer samples were used, EVA copolymers with different weight percents of the vinylacetate comonomer (12, 18, 25 and 40%) and PMMA polymers with different weight average molecular weights (33.9, 64.8, 75.600 and 360.0 kg mol(-1)). The dependencies of the vinyl acetate weight fraction of EVA and the molecular weight of PMMA on their corresponding CTEs were analyzed to finally explain them using new, intuitive and very simple models based on the rule of mixtures. In the case of EVA copolymers a simple equation considering the weighted contributions of each comonomer was enough to estimate the final CTE above the glass transition temperature. On the other hand, when the molecular weight dependence is considered the free volume concept was used as novelty. The expansion of PMMA, at least at the nanoscale, was well and easily described by the sum of the weighted contributions of the occupied and free volumes, respectively.

Low Molecular Weight Chitosan–Insulin Polyelectrolyte Complex: Characterization and Stability Studies

PubMed Central

Al-Kurdi, Zakieh I.; Chowdhry, Babur Z.; Leharne, Stephen A.; Al Omari, Mahmoud M. H.; Badwan, Adnan A.

2015-01-01

The aim of the work reported herein was to investigate the effect of various low molecular weight chitosans (LMWCs) on the stability of insulin using USP HPLC methods. Insulin was found to be stable in a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) consisting of insulin and LMWC in the presence of a Tris-buffer at pH 6.5. In the presence of LMWC, the stability of insulin increased with decreasing molecular weight of LMWC; 13 kDa LMWC was the most efficient molecular weight for enhancing the physical and chemical stability of insulin. Solubilization of insulin-LMWC polyelectrolyte complex (I-LMWC PEC) in a reverse micelle (RM) system, administered to diabetic rats, results in an oral delivery system for insulin with acceptable bioactivity. PMID:25830681

Polyimide molding powder, coating, adhesive, and matrix resin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

St.clair, Terry L. (Inventor); Progar, Donald J. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

The invention is a polyimide prepared from 3,4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) and 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), in 2-methoxyethyl ether (diglyme). The polymer was prepared in ultra high molecular weight and in a controlled molecular weight form which has a 2.5 percent offset in stoichiometry (excess diamine) with a 5.0 percent level of phthalic anhydride as an endcap. This controlled molecular weight form allows for greatly improved processing of the polymer for moldings, adhesive bonding, and composite fabrication. The higher molecular weight version affords tougher films and coatings. The overall polymer structure groups in the dianhydride, the diamine, and a metal linkage in the diamine affords adequate flow properties for making this polymer useful as a molding powder, adhesive, and matrix resin.

A study of physical properties of ODPA-p-PDA polyimide films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Jag J.; Eftekhari, Abe; St.clair, Terry L.

1990-01-01

Physical properties were investigated of ODPA-p-PDA polyimide films, including their lower molecular weight versions with phthalimide endcaps. Free volume, determined by low energy positron annihilation in the test films, was the major parameter of interest since all other physical properties are ostensibly related to it. It affects the dielectric constant as well as the saturation moisture pickup of the test films. An empirical relation was developed between the free volume and molecular weight of the test films, comparable to the Mark-Houwink relation between the polymer solution viscosity and the molecular weight. Development of such a relation constitutes a unique achievement since it enables researchers to estimate the molecular weight of an intractable polymer in solid state for the first time.

Summary of GPC/DV results for space exposed poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siochi, Emilie

1995-01-01

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) was used to analyze poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s whose backbones were identical except for the ketone content and placement. These samples were exposed to low Earth orbit environment (predominantly atomic oxygen) on space shuttle flights. The materials and their unexposed controls were then characterized by GPC to investigate the effect of atomic oxygen on the molecular weight distributions. Analysis of the soluble portion of the samples revealed that there was significant loss of high molecular weight species. The presence of insoluble material also suggested that crosslinking was induced by the atomic oxygen exposure and that this very likely occurred at the high molecular weight portion of the molecular weight distribution.

An agarose gel electrophoretic method for analysis of hyaluronan molecular weight distribution.

PubMed

Lee, H G; Cowman, M K

1994-06-01

An electrophoretic method is described for determining the molecular weight distribution of hyaluronan (HA). The method involves separation of HA by electrophoresis on a 0.5% agarose gel, followed by detection of HA using the cationic dye Stains-All (3,3'-dimethyl-9-methyl-4,5,4'5'-dibenzothiacarbocyanine). The recommended sample load is 7 micrograms. Calibration of the method with HA standards of known molecular weight has established a linear relationship between electrophoretic mobility and the logarithm of the weight-average molecular weight over the range of approximately 0.2-6 x 10(6). The separated HA pattern may also be visualized after electrotransfer of HA from the agarose gel to a nylon membrane. The membrane may be stained with the dye alcian blue. Alternatively, specific detection of HA from impure samples can be achieved by probing the nylon membrane with biotin-labeled HA-binding protein and subsequent interaction with a streptavidin-linked gold reagent and silver staining for amplification. The electrophoretic method was used to analyze HA in two different liquid connective tissues. Normal human knee joint synovial fluid showed a narrow HA molecular weight distribution, with a peak at 6-7 x 10(6). Owl monkey vitreous HA also showed a narrow molecular weight distribution, with a peak at 5-6 x 10(6). These results agree well with available published data and indicate the applicability of the method to the analysis of impure HA samples which may be available in limited amounts.

Profiling of the molecular weight and structural isomer abundance of macroalgae-derived phlorotannins.

PubMed

Heffernan, Natalie; Brunton, Nigel P; FitzGerald, Richard J; Smyth, Thomas J

2015-01-16

Phlorotannins are a group of complex polymers of phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) unique to macroalgae. These phenolic compounds are integral structural components of the cell wall in brown algae, but also play many secondary ecological roles such as protection from UV radiation and defense against grazing. This study employed Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry to investigate isomeric complexity and observed differences in phlorotannins derived from macroalgae harvested off the Irish coast (Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Himanthalia elongata and Cystoseira nodicaulis). Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content assays were used as an index for producing phlorotannin fractions, enriched using molecular weight cut-off dialysis with subsequent flash chromatography to profile phlorotannin isomers in these macroalgae. These fractions were profiled using UPLC-MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and the level of isomerization for specific molecular weight phlorotannins between 3 and 16 monomers were determined. The majority of the low molecular weight (LMW) phlorotannins were found to have a molecular weight range equivalent to 4-12 monomers of phloroglucinol. The level of isomerization within the individual macroalgal species differed, resulting in substantially different numbers of phlorotannin isomers for particular molecular weights. F. vesiculosus had the highest number of isomers of 61 at one specific molecular mass, corresponding to 12 phloroglucinol units (PGUs). These results highlight the complex nature of these extracts and emphasize the challenges involved in structural elucidation of these compounds.

Profiling of the Molecular Weight and Structural Isomer Abundance of Macroalgae-Derived Phlorotannins

PubMed Central

Heffernan, Natalie; Brunton, Nigel P.; FitzGerald, Richard J.; Smyth, Thomas J.

2015-01-01

Phlorotannins are a group of complex polymers of phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) unique to macroalgae. These phenolic compounds are integral structural components of the cell wall in brown algae, but also play many secondary ecological roles such as protection from UV radiation and defense against grazing. This study employed Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry to investigate isomeric complexity and observed differences in phlorotannins derived from macroalgae harvested off the Irish coast (Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Himanthalia elongata and Cystoseira nodicaulis). Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content assays were used as an index for producing phlorotannin fractions, enriched using molecular weight cut-off dialysis with subsequent flash chromatography to profile phlorotannin isomers in these macroalgae. These fractions were profiled using UPLC-MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and the level of isomerization for specific molecular weight phlorotannins between 3 and 16 monomers were determined. The majority of the low molecular weight (LMW) phlorotannins were found to have a molecular weight range equivalent to 4–12 monomers of phloroglucinol. The level of isomerization within the individual macroalgal species differed, resulting in substantially different numbers of phlorotannin isomers for particular molecular weights. F. vesiculosus had the highest number of isomers of 61 at one specific molecular mass, corresponding to 12 phloroglucinol units (PGUs). These results highlight the complex nature of these extracts and emphasize the challenges involved in structural elucidation of these compounds. PMID:25603345

Flagellated bacterial motility in polymer solutions

PubMed Central

Martinez, Vincent A.; Schwarz-Linek, Jana; Reufer, Mathias; Wilson, Laurence G.; Morozov, Alexander N.; Poon, Wilson C. K.

2014-01-01

It is widely believed that the swimming speed, v, of many flagellated bacteria is a nonmonotonic function of the concentration, c, of high-molecular-weight linear polymers in aqueous solution, showing peaked v(c) curves. Pores in the polymer solution were suggested as the explanation. Quantifying this picture led to a theory that predicted peaked v(c) curves. Using high-throughput methods for characterizing motility, we measured v and the angular frequency of cell body rotation, Ω, of motile Escherichia coli as a function of polymer concentration in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Ficoll solutions of different molecular weights. We find that nonmonotonic v(c) curves are typically due to low-molecular-weight impurities. After purification by dialysis, the measured v(c) and Ω(c) relations for all but the highest-molecular-weight PVP can be described in detail by Newtonian hydrodynamics. There is clear evidence for non-Newtonian effects in the highest-molecular-weight PVP solution. Calculations suggest that this is due to the fast-rotating flagella seeing a lower viscosity than the cell body, so that flagella can be seen as nano-rheometers for probing the non-Newtonian behavior of high polymer solutions on a molecular scale. PMID:25468981

Precise measurement of the self-diffusion coefficient for poly(ethylene glycol) in aqueous solution using uniform oligomers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, Kayori; Kato, Haruhisa; Saito, Takeshi; Matsuyama, Shigetomo; Kinugasa, Shinichi

2005-06-01

Uniform poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomers, with a degree of polymerization n =1-40, were separated by preparative supercritical fluid chromatography from commercial monodispersed samples. Diffusion coefficients, D, for separated uniform PEG oligomers were measured in dilute solutions of deuterium oxide (D2O) at 30 ° C, using pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance. The measured D for each molecular weight was extrapolated to infinite dilution. Diffusion coefficients obtained at infinite dilution follow the scaling behavior of Zimm-type diffusion, even in the lower molecular weight range. Molecular-dynamics simulations for PEG in H2O also showed this scaling behavior, and reproduced close hydrodynamic interactions between PEG and water. These findings suggest that diffusion of PEG in water is dominated by hydrodynamic interaction over a wide molecular weight range, including at low molecular weights around 1000.

Molecular Structure of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex from Escherichia coli K-12

PubMed Central

Vogel, Otto; Hoehn, Barbara; Henning, Ulf

1972-01-01

The pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12, defined as the multienzyme complex that can be obtained with a unique polypeptide chain composition, has a molecular weight of 3.75 × 106. All results obtained agree with the following numerology. The core complex consists of 48 polypeptide chains. There are 16 chains (molecular weight = 100,000) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component, 16 chains (molecular weight = 80,000) of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component, and 16 chains (molecular weight = 56,000) of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component. Usually, but not always, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is produced in vivo containing at least 2-3 mol more of dimers of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component than the stoichiometric ratio with respect to the core complex. This “excess” component is bound differently than are the eight dimers in the core complex. Images PMID:4556465

Global Liver Gene Expression Analysis on a Murine Metabolic Syndrome Model Treated by Low-molecular-weight Lychee Fruit Polyphenol (Oligonol®).

PubMed

Uchiyama, Hironobu; Uehara, Kaori; Nagashima, Takayuki; Nakata, Akifumi; Sato, Keisuke; Mihara, Yoshihiro; Komatsu, Ken-Ich; Takanari, Jun; Shimizu, Shigeomi; Wakame, Koji

2016-07-01

Oligonol® (OLG) is a low-molecular-weight lychee fruit polyphenol mainly containing catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins. Dietary OLG supplementation reportedly improves lipid metabolism disorder and lowers the visceral fat level in animal and human studies. Thus, we investigated the mechanism behind the protective and beneficial effects of OLG on a Western diet (WD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) of a murine model. Using the C57BL/6J mouse for the MetS model, mice were divided into three groups: control (normal diet: ND), Western diet (WD) and WD + 0.5% OLG (OLG) groups. The WD group was fed a high-calorie (high fructose plus high fat) diet for 12 weeks to develop MetS. At week 12, all mice were sacrificed and the blood and liver were obtained for histological and biological examinations and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Body weight, liver weight, plasma triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-Cho) and alanine aminotransferase (ATS) levels of both OLG groups were significantly lower than those of the WD group. On histological examination of the liver, the area of fatty deposits was shown to be suppressed by OLG administration. Expression gene analysis in the liver of WD- versus OLG-fed mice by RNA-Seq showed that 464/45,706 genes exhibited a significant change of expression (corrected p-value <0.05, absolute value of fold change (FC) ≥2). Gene network analysis showed that genes related to hepatic steatosis, liver inflammation and tumor invasion were inactivated in the OLG group. In particular, the lipid metabolism-related genes Lpin1, Adig and Cidea were regulated by OLG administration. OLG may function to suppress MetS and the progression of geriatric diseases in WD-fed mice by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism, inflammation and tumor-related genes in the liver. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Enzymatic Processes to Unlock the Lignin Value

PubMed Central

Hämäläinen, Veera; Grönroos, Toni; Suonpää, Anu; Heikkilä, Matti Wilhem; Romein, Bastiaan; Ihalainen, Petri; Malandra, Sara; Birikh, Klara R.

2018-01-01

Main hurdles of lignin valorization are its diverse chemical composition, recalcitrance, and poor solubility due to high-molecular weight and branched structure. Controlled fragmentation of lignin could lead to its use in higher value products such as binders, coatings, fillers, etc. Oxidative enzymes (i.e., laccases and peroxidases) have long been proposed as a potentially promising tool in lignin depolymerization. However, their application was limited to ambient pH, where lignin is poorly soluble in water. A Finnish biotechnology company, MetGen Oy, that designs and supplies industrial enzymes, has developed and brought to market several lignin oxidizing enzymes, including an extremely alkaline lignin oxidase MetZyme® LIGNO™, a genetically engineered laccase of bacterial origin. This enzyme can function at pH values as high as 10–11 and at elevated temperatures, addressing lignin at its soluble state. In this article, main characteristics of this enzyme as well as its action on bulk lignin coming from an industrial process are demonstrated. Lignin modification by MetZyme® LIGNO™ was characterized by size exclusion chromatography, UV spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering for monitoring particle size of solubilized lignin. Under highly alkaline conditions, laccase treatment not only decreased molecular weight of lignin but also increased its solubility in water and altered its dispersion properties. Importantly, organic solvent-free soluble lignin fragmentation allowed for robust industrially relevant membrane separation technologies to be applicable for product fractionation. These enzyme-based solutions open new opportunities for biorefinery lignin valorization thus paving the way for economically viable biorefinery business. PMID:29623274

Optimization of chitin yield from shrimp shell waste by Bacillus subtilis and impact of gamma irradiation on production of low molecular weight chitosan.

PubMed

Gamal, Rawia F; El-Tayeb, Tarek S; Raffat, Enas I; Ibrahim, Haytham M M; Bashandy, A S

2016-10-01

Chitin and chitosan have been produced from the exoskeletons of crustacean shells such as shrimps. In this study, seventy bacterial isolates, isolated from soil, were tested for proteolytic enzymes production. The most efficient one, identified as Bacillus subtilis, was employed to extract chitin from shrimp shell waste (SSW). Following one-variable-at-a-time approach, the relevant factors affecting deproteinization (DP) and demineralization (DM) were sucrose concentration (10%, w/v), SSW concentration (5%, w/v), inoculum size (15%, v/v), and fermentation time (6days). These factors were optimized subsequently using Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. Maximum DP (97.65%) and DM (82.94%) were predicted at sucrose concentration (5%), SSW concentration (12.5%), inoculum size (10%, containing 35×10(8) CFU/mL), and fermentation time (7days). The predicted optimum values were verified by additional experiment. The values of DP (96.0%) and DM (82.1%) obtained experimentally correlated to the predicted values which justify the authenticity of optimum points. Overall 1.3-fold increase in DP% and DM% was obtained compared with 75.27% and 63.50%, respectively, before optimization. Gamma-irradiation (35kGy) reduced deacetylation time of irradiated chitin by 4.5-fold compared with non-irradiated chitin. The molecular weight of chitosan was decreased from 1.9×10(6) (non-irradiated) to 3.7×10(4)g/mol (at 35kGy). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vivo oxidation in remelted highly cross-linked retrievals.

PubMed

Currier, B H; Van Citters, D W; Currier, J H; Collier, J P

2010-10-20

Elimination of free radicals to prevent oxidation has played a major role in the development and product differentiation of the latest generation of highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene bearing materials. In the current study, we (1) examined oxidation in a series of retrieved remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene bearings from a number of device manufacturers and (2) compared the retrieval results with findings for shelf-stored control specimens. The hypothesis was that radiation-cross-linked remelted ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene would maintain oxidative stability in vivo comparable with the stability during shelf storage and in published laboratory aging tests. Fifty remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular liners and nineteen remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tibial inserts were received after retrieval from twenty-one surgeons from across the U.S. Thirty-two of the retrievals had been in vivo for two years or more. Each was measured for oxidation with use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A control series of remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular liners from three manufacturers was analyzed with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure free radical content and with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to measure oxidation initially and after eight to nine years of shelf storage in air. The never-implanted, shelf-aged controls had no measurable free-radical content initially or after eight to nine years of shelf storage. The never-implanted controls showed no increase in oxidation during shelf storage. Oxidation measurements showed measurable oxidation in 22% of the retrieved remelted highly cross-linked liners and inserts after an average of two years in vivo. Because never-implanted remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials had no measurable free-radical concentration and no increase in oxidation during shelf storage, these materials were expected to be oxidation-resistant in vivo. However, some remelted highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene retrievals showed measurable oxidation after an average of more than two years in vivo. This apparent departure from widely expected behavior requires continued study of the process of in vivo oxidation of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials.

Features of Extrusion Processing of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Experiment and Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skul‧skii, O. I.; Slavnov, E. V.

2018-05-01

Experimental studies have been made of the permissible regimes of processing ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene GUR 2122 with molecular mass of 4.5 million g/moles in a laboratory extruder with an auger diameter 32 mm and a ratio L/D = 20 at temperatures of 155-165oC. On the basis of rotational viscometry, the rheological properties of the melt are described. A mathematical model and a numerical method for calculating the motion of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene melt in the auger and in the moulding rigging are proposed. The velocity and stress fields have been determined.

Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus.

PubMed

Theisen, Linda L; Erdelmeier, Clemens A J; Spoden, Gilles A; Boukhallouk, Fatima; Sausy, Aurélie; Florin, Luise; Muller, Claude P

2014-01-01

Antiviral activity has been demonstrated for different tannin-rich plant extracts. Since tannins of different classes and molecular weights are often found together in plant extracts and may differ in their antiviral activity, we have compared the effect against influenza A virus (IAV) of Hamamelis virginiana L. bark extract, fractions enriched in tannins of different molecular weights and individual tannins of defined structures, including pseudotannins. We demonstrate antiviral activity of the bark extract against different IAV strains, including the recently emerged H7N9, and show for the first time that a tannin-rich extract inhibits human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection. As the best performing antiviral candidate, we identified a highly potent fraction against both IAV and HPV, enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins by ultrafiltration, a simple, reproducible and easily upscalable method. This ultrafiltration concentrate and the bark extract inhibited early and, to a minor extent, later steps in the IAV life cycle and tannin-dependently inhibited HPV attachment. We observed interesting mechanistic differences between tannin structures: High molecular weight tannin containing extracts and tannic acid (1702 g/mol) inhibited both IAV receptor binding and neuraminidase activity. In contrast, low molecular weight compounds (<500 g/mol) such as gallic acid, epigallocatechin gallate or hamamelitannin inhibited neuraminidase but not hemagglutination. Average molecular weight of the compounds seemed to positively correlate with receptor binding (but not neuraminidase) inhibition. In general, neuraminidase inhibition seemed to contribute little to the antiviral activity. Importantly, antiviral use of the ultrafiltration fraction enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins and, to a lesser extent, the unfractionated bark extract was preferable over individual isolated compounds. These results are of interest for developing and improving plant-based antivirals.

The influence of malalignment and ageing following sterilisation by gamma irradiation in an inert atmosphere on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene in patellofemoral replacements

PubMed Central

Maiti, Raman; Cowie, Raelene M; Fisher, John; Jennings, Louise M

2017-01-01

Complications of patellofemoral arthroplasty often occur soon after implantation and, as well as other factors, can be due to the design of the implant or its surgical positioning. A number of studies have previously considered the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae following suboptimal implantation; however, studies have primarily been carried out under a limited number of degrees of freedom. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to assess the wear of patellae under a malaligned condition in a six-axis patellofemoral joint simulator. The malalignment protocol hindered the tracking of the patella centrally in the trochlear groove and imparted a constant 5° external rotation (tilt) on the patella button. Following 3 million cycles of wear simulation, this condition had no influence on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae aged for 4 years compared to well-positioned non-aged implants (p > 0.05). However, under the malaligned condition, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae aged 8–10 years after unpacking (following sterilisation by gamma irradiation in an inert atmosphere) and worn ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene components also aged 4 years after unpacking (following the same sterilisation process) exhibited a high rate of wear. Fatigue failure due to elevated contact stress led to delamination of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and in some cases complete failure of the patellae. The results suggest that suboptimal tracking of the patella in the trochlear groove and tilt of the patella button could have a significant effect on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and could lead to implant failure. PMID:28661229

The influence of malalignment and ageing following sterilisation by gamma irradiation in an inert atmosphere on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene in patellofemoral replacements.

PubMed

Maiti, Raman; Cowie, Raelene M; Fisher, John; Jennings, Louise M

2017-07-01

Complications of patellofemoral arthroplasty often occur soon after implantation and, as well as other factors, can be due to the design of the implant or its surgical positioning. A number of studies have previously considered the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae following suboptimal implantation; however, studies have primarily been carried out under a limited number of degrees of freedom. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to assess the wear of patellae under a malaligned condition in a six-axis patellofemoral joint simulator. The malalignment protocol hindered the tracking of the patella centrally in the trochlear groove and imparted a constant 5° external rotation (tilt) on the patella button. Following 3 million cycles of wear simulation, this condition had no influence on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae aged for 4 years compared to well-positioned non-aged implants (p > 0.05). However, under the malaligned condition, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene patellae aged 8-10 years after unpacking (following sterilisation by gamma irradiation in an inert atmosphere) and worn ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene components also aged 4 years after unpacking (following the same sterilisation process) exhibited a high rate of wear. Fatigue failure due to elevated contact stress led to delamination of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and in some cases complete failure of the patellae. The results suggest that suboptimal tracking of the patella in the trochlear groove and tilt of the patella button could have a significant effect on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and could lead to implant failure.

Effects of different enzymatic hydrolysis methods on the bioactivity of peptidoglycan in Litopenaeus vannamei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Xiaoling; Zhang, Yue; Wei, Song; Huang, Jie

2013-03-01

The effects of different hydrolysis methods on peptidoglycan (PG) were assessed in terms of their impact on the innate immunity and disease resistance of Pacific white shrimp, Litop enaeus vannamei. PG derived from Bifidobacterium thermophilum was prepared in the laboratory and processed with lysozyme and protease under varying conditions to produce several different PG preparations. A standard shrimp feed was mixed with 0.05% PG preparations to produce a number of experimental diets for shrimp. The composition, concentration, and molecular weight ranges of the soluble PG were analyzed. Serum phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase activity in the shrimp were determined on Days 6—31 of the experiment. The protective activity of the PG preparations was evaluated by exposing shrimp to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Data on the composition of the PG preparations indicated that preparations hydrolyzed with lysozyme for 72 h had more low-molecular-weight PG than those treated for 24 h, and hydrolysis by protease enhanced efficiency of hydrolysis compared to lysozyme. SDS-PAGE showed changes in the molecular weight of the soluble PG produced by the different hydrolysis methods. Measurements of serum phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase activity levels in the shrimp indicated that the PG preparations processed with enzymes were superior to the preparation which had not undergone hydrolysis in enhancing the activity of the two serum enzymes. In addition, the preparation containing more low-molecular-weight PG enhanced the resistance of the shrimp to WSSV, whereas no increased resistance was observed for preparations containing less low-molecular-weight PG. These findings suggest that the immunity-enhancing activity of PG is related to its molecular weight and that increasing the quantity of low-molecular-weight PG can fortify the effect of immunity enhancement.

Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana Bark Extract: Characterization and Improvement of the Antiviral Efficacy against Influenza A Virus and Human Papillomavirus

PubMed Central

Theisen, Linda L.; Erdelmeier, Clemens A. J.; Spoden, Gilles A.; Boukhallouk, Fatima; Sausy, Aurélie; Florin, Luise; Muller, Claude P.

2014-01-01

Antiviral activity has been demonstrated for different tannin-rich plant extracts. Since tannins of different classes and molecular weights are often found together in plant extracts and may differ in their antiviral activity, we have compared the effect against influenza A virus (IAV) of Hamamelis virginiana L. bark extract, fractions enriched in tannins of different molecular weights and individual tannins of defined structures, including pseudotannins. We demonstrate antiviral activity of the bark extract against different IAV strains, including the recently emerged H7N9, and show for the first time that a tannin-rich extract inhibits human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection. As the best performing antiviral candidate, we identified a highly potent fraction against both IAV and HPV, enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins by ultrafiltration, a simple, reproducible and easily upscalable method. This ultrafiltration concentrate and the bark extract inhibited early and, to a minor extent, later steps in the IAV life cycle and tannin-dependently inhibited HPV attachment. We observed interesting mechanistic differences between tannin structures: High molecular weight tannin containing extracts and tannic acid (1702 g/mol) inhibited both IAV receptor binding and neuraminidase activity. In contrast, low molecular weight compounds (<500 g/mol) such as gallic acid, epigallocatechin gallate or hamamelitannin inhibited neuraminidase but not hemagglutination. Average molecular weight of the compounds seemed to positively correlate with receptor binding (but not neuraminidase) inhibition. In general, neuraminidase inhibition seemed to contribute little to the antiviral activity. Importantly, antiviral use of the ultrafiltration fraction enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins and, to a lesser extent, the unfractionated bark extract was preferable over individual isolated compounds. These results are of interest for developing and improving plant-based antivirals. PMID:24498245

Differentiation of parenteral anticoagulants in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism.

PubMed

Fareed, Jawed; Adiguzel, Cafer; Thethi, Indermohan

2011-03-28

The prevention of venous thromboembolism has been identified as a leading priority in hospital safety. Recommended parenteral anticoagulant agents with different indications for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism include unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins and fondaparinux. Prescribing decisions in venous thromboembolism management may seem complex due to the large range of clinical indications and patient types, and the range of anticoagulants available. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify relevant original articles. Low-molecular-weight heparins have nearly replaced unfractionated heparin as the gold standard antithrombotic agent. Low-molecular-weight heparins currently available in the US are enoxaparin, dalteparin, and tinzaparin. Each low-molecular-weight heparin is a distinct pharmacological entity with different licensed indications and available clinical evidence. Enoxaparin is the only low-molecular-weight heparin that is licensed for both venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment. Enoxaparin also has the largest body of clinical evidence supporting its use across the spectrum of venous thromboembolism management and has been used as the reference standard comparator anticoagulant in trials of new anticoagulants. As well as novel oral anticoagulant agents, biosimilar and/or generic low-molecular-weight heparins are now commercially available. Despite similar anticoagulant properties, studies report differences between the branded and biosimilar and/or generic agents and further clinical studies are required to support the use of biosimilar low-molecular-weight heparins. The newer parenteral anticoagulant, fondaparinux, is now also licensed for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in surgical patients and the treatment of acute deep-vein thrombosis; clinical experience with this anticoagulant is expanding. Parenteral anticoagulants should be prescribed in accordance with recommended dose regimens for each clinical indication, based on the available clinical evidence for each agent to assure optimal safety and efficacy.

Short chain aliphatic acid anions in oil field waters and their contribution to the measured alkalinity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Willey, L.M.; Kharaka, Y.K.; Presser, T.S.; Rapp, J.B.; Barnes, I.

1975-01-01

High alkalinity values found in some formation waters from Kettleman North Dome oil field are due chiefly to acetate and propionate ions, with some contribution from higher molecular weight organic acid ions. Some of these waters contain no detectable bicarbonate alkalinity. For waters such as these, high supersaturation with respect to calcite will be incorrectly indicated by thermodynamic calculations based upon carbonate concentrations inferred from traditional alkalinity measurements. ?? 1975.

Chemical composition and molecular structure of polysaccharide-protein biopolymer from Durio zibethinus seed: extraction and purification process

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The biological functions of natural biopolymers from plant sources depend on their chemical composition and molecular structure. In addition, the extraction and further processing conditions significantly influence the chemical and molecular structure of the plant biopolymer. The main objective of the present study was to characterize the chemical and molecular structure of a natural biopolymer from Durio zibethinus seed. A size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multi angle laser light-scattering (SEC-MALS) was applied to analyze the molecular weight (Mw), number average molecular weight (Mn), and polydispersity index (Mw/Mn). Results The most abundant monosaccharide in the carbohydrate composition of durian seed gum were galactose (48.6-59.9%), glucose (37.1-45.1%), arabinose (0.58-3.41%), and xylose (0.3-3.21%). The predominant fatty acid of the lipid fraction from the durian seed gum were palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:2). The most abundant amino acids of durian seed gum were: leucine (30.9-37.3%), lysine (6.04-8.36%), aspartic acid (6.10-7.19%), glycine (6.07-7.42%), alanine (5.24-6.14%), glutamic acid (5.57-7.09%), valine (4.5-5.50%), proline (3.87-4.81%), serine (4.39-5.18%), threonine (3.44-6.50%), isoleucine (3.30-4.07%), and phenylalanine (3.11-9.04%). Conclusion The presence of essential amino acids in the chemical structure of durian seed gum reinforces its nutritional value. PMID:23062269

Analyzing milestoning networks for molecular kinetics: definitions, algorithms, and examples.

PubMed

Viswanath, Shruthi; Kreuzer, Steven M; Cardenas, Alfredo E; Elber, Ron

2013-11-07

Network representations are becoming increasingly popular for analyzing kinetic data from techniques like Milestoning, Markov State Models, and Transition Path Theory. Mapping continuous phase space trajectories into a relatively small number of discrete states helps in visualization of the data and in dissecting complex dynamics to concrete mechanisms. However, not only are molecular networks derived from molecular dynamics simulations growing in number, they are also getting increasingly complex, owing partly to the growth in computer power that allows us to generate longer and better converged trajectories. The increased complexity of the networks makes simple interpretation and qualitative insight of the molecular systems more difficult to achieve. In this paper, we focus on various network representations of kinetic data and algorithms to identify important edges and pathways in these networks. The kinetic data can be local and partial (such as the value of rate coefficients between states) or an exact solution to kinetic equations for the entire system (such as the stationary flux between vertices). In particular, we focus on the Milestoning method that provides fluxes as the main output. We proposed Global Maximum Weight Pathways as a useful tool for analyzing molecular mechanism in Milestoning networks. A closely related definition was made in the context of Transition Path Theory. We consider three algorithms to find Global Maximum Weight Pathways: Recursive Dijkstra's, Edge-Elimination, and Edge-List Bisection. The asymptotic efficiency of the algorithms is analyzed and numerical tests on finite networks show that Edge-List Bisection and Recursive Dijkstra's algorithms are most efficient for sparse and dense networks, respectively. Pathways are illustrated for two examples: helix unfolding and membrane permeation. Finally, we illustrate that networks based on local kinetic information can lead to incorrect interpretation of molecular mechanisms.

Inhibitors of protein-protein interactions (PPIs): an analysis of scaffold choices and buried surface area.

PubMed

Ran, Xu; Gestwicki, Jason E

2018-06-13

Protein-protein interactions (PPI) were once considered 'undruggable', but clinical successes, driven by advanced methods in drug discovery, have challenged that notion. Here, we review the last three years of literature on PPI inhibitors to understand what is working and why. From the 66 recently reported PPI inhibitors, we found that the average molecular weight was significantly greater than 500Da, but that this trend was driven, in large part, by the contribution of peptide-based compounds. Despite differences in average molecular weight, we found that compounds based on small molecules or peptides were almost equally likely to be potent inhibitors (K D <1μM). Finally, we found PPIs with buried surface area (BSA) less than 2000Å 2 were more likely to be inhibited by small molecules, while PPIs with larger BSA values were typically inhibited by peptides. PPIs with BSA values over 4000Å 2 seemed to create a particular challenge, especially for orthosteric small molecules. Thus, it seems important to choose the inhibitor scaffold based on the properties of the target interaction. Moreover, this survey suggests a (more nuanced) conclusion to the question of whether PPIs are good drug targets; namely, that some PPIs are readily 'druggable' given the right choice of scaffold, while others still seem to deserve the 'undruggable' moniker. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antihypercholesterolemic Effects of Fruit Aqueous Extract of Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore in Mice Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia

PubMed Central

Benjamin, Stephen Rathinaraj; Rondina, Davide; Marques, Márcia Maria Mendes; Viana, Daniel de Araújo; Gonzaga, Maria Leônia da Costa; Vieira, Ícaro Gusmão Pinto; Mendes, Francisca Noélia Pereira; Rodrigues, Paula Alves Salmito

2017-01-01

The present objective of the investigation is to evaluate the antihypercholesterolemic activity of the aqueous fruit pulp extract (APE) of Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore (Arecaceae family). Various chemical characterization methods like thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR, and molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography have been employed to characterize the extracted pectin. The present study demonstrated that hypercholesterolemic diet (HD) created hypercholesterolemia, caused significant increases in body weight, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, and caused decreases in high-density lipoprotein in serum compared with SD group. Two doses (APE 150 and 300 mg/Kg b.w./day) were administered to hyperlipidemic mice for 90 days. APE reversed body weight changes, changed serum lipids to normal values, and significantly inhibited the changes of lipid peroxidation and inflammation in the liver tissues. The renal parameters analyzed (urea and creatinine) altered by diet were reverted to normal values. Our results revealed that aqueous fruit pulp extracts of carnauba reduced hypercholesterolemia showing a potential preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases without side effects cause. PMID:29081820

Noninvasive amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the grading and cellularity of gliomas.

PubMed

Bai, Yan; Lin, Yusong; Zhang, Wei; Kong, Lingfei; Wang, Lifu; Zuo, Panli; Vallines, Ignacio; Schmitt, Benjamin; Tian, Jie; Song, Xiaolei; Zhou, Jinyuan; Wang, Meiyun

2017-01-24

Using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging techniques to accurately evaluate the grading and cellularity of gliomas is beneficial for improving the patient outcomes. Amide proton transfer imaging is a noninvasive molecular magnetic resonance imaging technique based on chemical exchange saturation transfer mechanism that detects endogenous mobile proteins and peptides in biological tissues. Between August 2012 and November 2015, a total number of 44 patients with pathologically proven gliomas were included in this study. We compared the capability of amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging with that of noninvasive diffusion-weighted imaging and noninvasive 3-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin imaging in evaluating the grading and cellularity of gliomas. Our results reveal that amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging is a superior imaging technique to diffusion-weighted imaging and 3-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin imaging in the grading of gliomas. In addition, our results showed that the Ki-67 index correlated better with the amide proton transfer-weighted signal intensity than with the apparent diffusion coefficient value or the cerebral blood flow value in the gliomas. Amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging is a promising method for predicting the grading and cellularity of gliomas.

Serum cholesterol reduction by feeding a high-cholesterol diet containing a lower-molecular-weight polyphenol fraction from peanut skin.

PubMed

Tamura, Tomoko; Inoue, Naoko; Shimizu-Ibuka, Akiko; Tadaishi, Miki; Takita, Toshichika; Arai, Soichi; Mura, Kiyoshi

2012-01-01

Feeding a high-cholesterol diet with a water-soluble peanut skin polyphenol fraction to rats reduced their plasma cholesterol level, with an increase in fecal cholesterol excretion. The hypocholesterolemic effect was greater with the lower-molecular-weight rather than higher-molecular-weight polyphenol fraction. This effect was possibly due to some oligomeric polyphenols which reduced the solubility of dietary cholesterol in intestinal bile acid-emulsified micelles.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of New Light Molecular Weight Inorganic Oxidizers and Related Derivatives. Volume: 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-01

of the strong inductive effect of the five fluorine ligands attached to the tellurium atom. 34 It is prepared under anhydrous conditions according to...MOLECULAR WEIGHT INORGANIC OXIDIZERS AND RELATED DERIVATIVES. VOLUME: II Professor G. J. Schrobilgen McMaster University Department of Chemistry...C: F04611-91-K-0004 Molecular Weight Inorganic Oxidizers and Relative PE: 62302F SDerivatives: Volume II 1PR: 5730 6. AUTHOFR(S) TA: 0*( C

Raman analysis of polyethylene glycols and polyethylene oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagitova, E. A.; Prokhorov, K. A.; Nikolaeva, G. Yu; Baimova, A. V.; Pashinin, P. P.; Yarysheva, A. Yu; Mendeleev, D. I.

2018-04-01

We present Raman study of commercial liquids and powders of polyethylene glycols and polyethylene oxides with the average molecular weight from 400 Da to 10000 kDa. The most significant spectral changes were observed for the range of the molecular weights, where the liquid/semisolid transition has occurred. For the powders we revealed increase in the content of the molecules in the helical conformation and in the content of the monoclinic crystalline phase with growth of the molecular weight.

Should Low Molecular Weight PSMA Targeted Ligands Get Bigger and Use Albumin Ligands for PSMA Targeting?

PubMed

Huang, Steve S; Heston, Warren D W

2017-01-01

Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is strongly expressed in prostate cancer. Recently a number of low-molecular-weight inhibitors have demonstrated excellent PSMA targeting activity for both imaging as well as Lutecium-177 radiotherapy in human trials. The paper by Choy et al raises the question of whether we can further increase the effectiveness of PSMA targeted therapy by adding an albumin-binding entity to low-molecular-weight agents.

High-molecular-weight tropomyosins localize to the contractile rings of dividing CNS cells but are absent from malignant pediatric and adult CNS tumors.

PubMed

Hughes, Julie A I; Cooke-Yarborough, Claire M; Chadwick, Nigel C; Schevzov, Galina; Arbuckle, Susan M; Gunning, Peter; Weinberger, Ron P

2003-04-01

Tropomyosin has been implicated in the control of actin filament dynamics during cell migration, morphogenesis, and cytokinesis. In order to gain insight into the role of tropomyosins in cell division, we examined their expression in developing and neoplastic brain tissue. We found that the high-molecular-weight tropomyosins are downregulated at birth, which correlates with glial cell differentiation and withdrawal of most cells from the cell cycle. Expression of these isoforms was restricted to proliferative areas in the embryonic brain and was absent from the adult, where the majority of cells are quiescent. However, they were induced under conditions where glial cells became proliferative in response to injury. During cytokinesis, these tropomyosin isoforms were associated with the contractile ring. We also investigated tropomyosin expression in neoplastic CNS tissues. Low-grade astrocytic tumors expressed high-molecular-weight tropomyosins, while highly malignant CNS tumors of diverse origin did not (P

The binding of sodium dodecyl sulphate to various proteins

PubMed Central

Pitt-Rivers, Rosalind; Impiombato, F. S. Ambesi

1968-01-01

1. The binding of sodium dodecyl sulphate to proteins by equilibrium dialysis was investigated. 2. Most of the proteins studied bound 90–100% of their weight of sodium dodecyl sulphate. 3. The glycoproteins studied bound 70–100% of their weight of sodium dodecyl sulphate, calculated in terms of the polypeptide moiety of the molecule. 4. Proteins not containing S·S groups bound about 140% of their weight of sodium dodecyl sulphate. 5. Reduction of four proteins containing S·S groups caused a rise in sodium dodecyl sulphate binding to 140% of the weight of protein. 6. The apparent micellar molecular weights of the protein–sodium dodecyl sulphate complexes were measured by the dye-solubilization method; they were all found to have approximately the same micellar molecular weight (34000–41000) irrespective of the molecular weight of the protein to which they were attached. PMID:4177067

Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) of low molecular weight organic compounds and synthetic polymers using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles.

PubMed

Watanabe, Takehiro; Kawasaki, Hideya; Yonezawa, Tetsu; Arakawa, Ryuichi

2008-08-01

We have developed surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with anisotropic shapes (ZnO-SALDI-MS). The mass spectra showed low background noises in the low m/z, i.e. less than 500 u region. Thus, we succeeded in SALDI ionization on low molecular weight organic compounds, such as verapamil hydrochloride, testosterone, and polypropylene glycol (PPG) (average molecular weight 400) without using a liquid matrix or buffers such as citric acids. In addition, we found that ZnO-SALDI has advantages in post-source decay (PSD) analysis and produced a simple mass spectrum for phospholipids. The ZnO-SALDI spectra for synthetic polymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) showed the sensitivity and molecular weight distribution to be comparable to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) spectra with a 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) matrix. ZnO-SALDI shows good performance for synthetic polymers as well as low molecular weight organic compounds. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Complete Molecular Weight Profiling of Low-Molecular Weight Heparins Using Size Exclusion Chromatography-Ion Suppressor-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Zaia, Joseph; Khatri, Kshitij; Klein, Joshua; Shao, Chun; Sheng, Yuewei; Viner, Rosa

2016-11-01

Low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) prepared by partial depolymerization of unfractionated heparin are used globally to treat coagulation disorders on an outpatient basis. Patent protection for several LMWH has expired and abbreviated new drug applications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, reverse engineering of LMWH for biosimilar LMWH has become an active global endeavor. Traditionally, the molecular weight distributions of LMWH preparations have been determined using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with optical detection. Recent advances in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods have enabled exact mass measurements of heparin saccharides roughly up to degree-of-polymerization 20, leaving the high molecular weight half of the LMWH preparation unassigned. We demonstrate a new LC-MS system capable of determining the exact masses of complete LMWH preparations, up to dp30. This system employed an ion suppressor cell to desalt the chromatographic effluent online prior to the electrospray mass spectrometry source. We expect this new capability will impact the ability to define LMWH mixtures favorably.

[The analysis of the low and medium molecular weight substances for differential diagnostics of deaths from acute small-focal myocardial infarction and other forms of cardiac pathology].

PubMed

Edelev, N S; Obuhova, L M; Edelev, I S; Katirkina, A A

The objective of the present study was to analyze the possibilities for the use of the low and medium molecular weight substances for differential diagnostics of deaths from acute small-focal myocardial infarction and other forms of cardiac pathology. We determined the amount of the low and medium molecular weight substances in the urine obtained from the subjects who had died as a result of chronic coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The levels of the low and medium molecular weight substances in the urine were measured by the method of N.Ya. Malakhov in the modification of T.V. Kopytova [5]. The study has demonstrated the appearance of the products of cardiomyocyte degradation (giving rise to a peak at a wavelength of 278 nm) in the fraction of the low and medium molecular weight substances of the urine from the patients suffering from acute small-focal myocardial infarction and some other forms of cardiac pathology.

Brominated flame retardants in Chinese air before and after the phase out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wen-Long; Qi, Hong; Ma, Wan-Li; Liu, Li-Yan; Zhang, Zhi; Mohammed, Mohammed O. A.; Song, Wei-Wei; Zhang, Zifeng; Li, Yi-Fan

2015-09-01

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel non-BDE flame retardants (NBFRs), were analyzed in Chinese air during China's POPs Soil and Air Monitoring Program Phase I (SAMP-I) and Phase II (SAMP-II). The levels of Σ12PBDEs and Σ6NBFRs in urban sites were significantly higher than those in rural sites and background sites. The higher detection rate and concentrations of high molecular weight PBDEs and NBFRs in Phase II indicated the changing of the commercial pattern of BFRs after the phase out of PBDEs in China. Temperature was the major factor affecting the seasonal variations of molecular weight BFRs in atmosphere. A significant correlation between BFRs concentration and gross domestic product (GDP) was observed, with the GDP parameter explained 59.4% and 72.7% of the total variability for Octa-BDEs and low molecular weight NBFRs, respectively. Our findings indicated an evolving commercial usage of BFRs from SAMP-I to SAMP-II, i.e. shifting from lower molecular weight to higher molecular weight congeners in China.

MAPLE deposition of PLGA:PEG films for controlled drug delivery: Influence of PEG molecular weight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paun, Irina Alexandra; Moldovan, Antoniu; Luculescu, Catalin Romeo; Staicu, Angela; Dinescu, Maria

2012-09-01

Implantable devices consisting of indomethacin (INC) cores coated with poly(lactide-co-glycolide):polyethylene glycol films (i.e. PLGA:PEG films) deposited by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) were produced. To predict their behavior after implantation inside the body, the implants were studied in vitro, in media similar with those encountered inside the body (phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4 and blood). The influence of the molecular weight of PEG (i.e. low (1450 Da) versus high (10 kDa) molecular weights) on the characteristics of the implants was investigated, in terms of morphology, blood compatibility and kinetics of the drug release. The use of PEG of high molecular weight resulted in larger pores on the implants surfaces, enhanced blood compatibility of the implants and higher drug delivery rates. For both molecular weights PEGs, sustained release of INC was maintained over a three weeks interval. Theoretical fitting of the drug release data with Higuchi's model indicated that the INC was released mainly by diffusion, most probably through the pores formed in PLGA:PEG films during PBS immersion.

Derepression of the Azotobacter vinelandii siderophore system, using iron-containing minerals to limit iron repletion.

PubMed Central

Page, W J; Huyer, M

1984-01-01

Azotobacter vinelandii solubilized iron from certain minerals using only dihydroxybenzoic acid, which appeared to be produced constitutively. Solubilization of iron from other minerals required dihydroxybenzoic acid and the siderophore N,N'-bis-(2,3- dihydroxybenzoyl )-L-lysine ( azotochelin ) or these chelators plus the yellow-green fluorescent siderophore azotobactin . In addition to this sequential production of siderophores, cells also demonstrated partial to hyperproduction relative to the iron-limited control. The iron sources which caused partial derepression of the siderophores caused derepression of all the high-molecular-weight iron-repressible outer membrane proteins except a 77,000-molecular-weight protein, which appeared to be coordinated with azotobactin production. Increased siderophore production correlated with increased production of outer membrane proteins with molecular weights of 93,000, 85,000, and 77,000, but an 81,000-molecular-weight iron-repressible protein appeared at a constant level despite the degree of derepression. When iron was readily available, it appeared to complex with a 60,000-molecular-weight protein believed to form a surface layer on the A. vinelandii cell. Images PMID:6233258

Effect of the molecular weight of a neutral polysaccharide on soy protein gelation.

PubMed

Monteiro, Sónia R; Lopes-da-Silva, José A

2017-12-01

The effects of galactomannans with different molecular weights on the heat-induced gelation characteristics of soybean protein were investigated using dynamic small-strain rheometry, under conditions where the proteins carry a net negative charge (pH7). Microstructure of the resulting gels was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Phase-separated systems were obtained with different morphologies and degree of phase separation, depending on both biopolymer concentrations and polysaccharide molecular weight. In general, a gelling enhancing effect on soy proteins was verified, despite extensive phase-separation processes observed at the higher polysaccharide molecular weight. This effect was demonstrated by an increase of the gelation rate, a decrease in the temperature at the onset of gelation, and an increase of gel stiffness and elastic character, with the length of polysaccharide chains. Overall, the results obtained established that the judicious selection of the galactomannan molecular weight may be used to modify the structure and gelation properties of soy proteins, originating a diversity of rheological characteristics and microstructures that will impact on the design of novel food formulations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polymeric micelles based on poly(methacrylic acid) block-containing copolymers with different membrane destabilizing properties for cellular drug delivery.

PubMed

Mebarek, Naila; Aubert-Pouëssel, Anne; Gérardin, Corine; Vicente, Rita; Devoisselle, Jean-Marie; Bégu, Sylvie

2013-10-01

Poly(methacrylic acid)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) are double hydrophilic block copolymers, which are able to form micelles by complexation with a counter-polycation, such as poly-l-lysine. A study was carried out on the ability of the copolymers to interact with model membranes as a function of their molecular weights and as a function of pH. Different behaviors were observed: high molecular weight copolymers respect the membrane integrity, whereas low molecular weight copolymers with a well-chosen asymmetry degree can induce a membrane alteration. Hence by choosing the appropriate molecular weight, micelles with distinct membrane interaction behaviors can be obtained leading to different intracellular traffics with or without endosomal escape, making them interesting tools for cell engineering. Especially micelles constituted of low molecular weight copolymers could exhibit the endosomal escape property, which opens vast therapeutic applications. Moreover micelles possess a homogeneous nanometric size and show variable properties of disassembly at acidic pH, of stability in physiological conditions, and finally of cyto-tolerance. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Activity of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis during and after hydroxyethyl starch (HES) colloidal volume replacement.

PubMed

Omar, M N; Shouk, T A; Khaleq, M A

1999-06-01

To examine the effect of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch on protein C levels and the changes in the activation state of blood platelets, coagulation and fibrinolyis during and after 5 day of its infusion. Fifty male patients (mean age: 47 years, range 45-50 years) who required prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into two equal groups. One group was given 15 mL/kg body weight (mean volume 1000 mL +/- 100 mL) of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 200/0.5, the other received an equal volume of 5% human albumin during the operation. Blood samples were collected immediately before infusion (baseline values) and at 20, 40, 60, 90, 240, and 480 min after the infusion started then daily for the next 5 days postoperatively. Hematocrit, factor VIII:C, thrombin-antithrombin III complex; the anticoagulant protein C levels; the fibrinolytic parameters tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and the fibrinolytic product D-Dimer and the platelet aggregation activity were measured. The data obtained did not detect any significant differences between HES and human albumin in the plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex, protein C, tissue-type plasminogen activator and the fibrin split products D-Dimer. Factor VIII:C and platelet aggregation were significantly lower in the hydroxyethyl starch group in comparison with albumin. Baseline values were attained postoperatively for factor VIII:C and platelet aggregation by the first and fifth days, respectively. The lowering effect of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch on factor VIII:C would not be attributed to increased proteolytic activity of protein C on this coagulation cofactor because there is a nonsignificant change in protein C levels.

Molecular carbon isotope variations in core samples taken at the Permian-Triassic boundary layers in southern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ruiliang; Zhang, Shuichang; Brassell, Simon; Wang, Jiaxue; Lu, Zhengyuan; Ming, Qingzhong; Wang, Xiaomei; Bian, Lizeng

2012-07-01

Stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of carbonate sediments and the molecular (biomarker) characteristics of a continuous Permian-Triassic (PT) layer in southern China were studied to obtain geochemical signals of global change at the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB). Carbonate carbon isotope values shifted toward positive before the end of the Permian period and then shifted negative above the PTB into the Triassic period. Molecular carbon isotope values of biomarkers followed the same trend at and below the PTB and remained negative in the Triassic layer. These biomarkers were acyclic isoprenoids, ranging from C15 to C40, steranes (C27 dominates) and terpenoids that were all significantly more abundant in samples from the Permian layer than those from the Triassic layer. The Triassic layer was distinguished by the dominance of higher molecular weight (waxy) n-alkanes. Stable carbon isotope values of individual components, including n-alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids such as phytane, isop-C25, and squalane, are depleted in δ13C by up to 8-10‰ in the Triassic samples as compared to the Permian. Measured molecular and isotopic variations of organic matter in the PT layers support the generally accepted view of Permian oceanic stagnation followed by a massive upwelling of toxic deep waters at the PTB. A series of large-scale (global) outgassing events may be associated with the carbon isotope shift we measured. This is also consistent with the lithological evidence we observed of white thin-clay layers in this region. Our findings, in context with a generally accepted stagnant Permian ocean, followed by massive upwelling of toxic deep waters might be the major causes of the largest global mass extinction event that occurred at the Permian-Triassic boundary.

Constructing Phylogenies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bilardello, Nicholas; Valdes, Linda

1998-01-01

Introduces a method for constructing phylogenies using molecular traits and elementary graph theory. Discusses analyzing molecular data and using weighted graphs, minimum-weight spanning trees, and rooted cube phylogenies to display the data. (DDR)

Influence of excess diamine on properties of PMR polyimide resins and composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurwitz, F. I.

1980-01-01

By varying the stoichiometry of the reactants in the preparation of PMR polyimide resin, changes occur in molecular weight distribution which influence the rheological properties and thus the processability of the resin, as well as the mechanical properties of the composite. The influence of 1-10 percent molar excess MDA on the molecular weight distribution and rheological properties of an imidized PMR system were exposed. Molecular weight distribution is characterized by gel permeation chromatography of the imidized molding compound; shear viscosity is related to changes in average molecular weight. The thermo-oxidative stability at 600 F, glass transition temperature, flexural and interlaminar shear properties of PMR polyimide/Celion 6000 graphite fiber composites are compared as a function of the percent excess MDA in the monomer reactant mixture.

Selenium/Tellurium-Containing Hyperbranched Polymers: Effect of Molecular Weight and Degree of Branching on Glutathione Peroxidase-Like Activity.

PubMed

Thomas, Joice; Dong, Zeyuan; Dehaen, Wim; Smet, Mario

2012-12-21

A series of novel hyperbranched polyselenides and polytellurides with multiple catalytic sites at the branching units has been synthesized via the polycondensation of A2 + B3 monomers. The GPx-like activities of these polymer mimics were assessed and it was found that the polytellurides showed higher GPx-like activities than the corresponding polyselenides. Interestingly, the polymers with higher molecular weights and degree of branching (DB) showed higher GPx-like activities than the analogous lower molecular weight polymer. The enhancement in the catalytical activity of the hyperbranched polymers with increasing molecular weight affirmed the importance of the incorporation of multiple catalytic groups in the macromolecule which increases the local concentration of catalytic sites. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Characteristics and bioactivities of different molecular weight polysaccharides from camellia seed cake.

PubMed

Xu, Zhou; Li, Xu; Feng, Shiling; Liu, Jing; Zhou, Lijun; Yuan, Ming; Ding, Chunbang

2016-10-01

Four polysaccharides, namely COP-1, COP-2, COP-3 and COP-4, were ultrafiltrated from crud Camellia oleifera seed cake polysaccharides (COP-c), purified, and characterized, including the determination of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Their molecular weights were 7.9, 36, 83 and 225kDa, respectively. All COPs showed the similar FT-IR spectrums, but significant differentials in monosaccharide components. COP-2 exhibited the highest radical scavenging abilities. COP-1 has the strongest metal chelating capabilities. Although with higher molecular weight, COP-4 showed the poorest antioxidant abilities. These results suggested appreciate molecular weight COP possessed a better antioxidant activities. Additionally, all COPs had non-significant antiproliferative abilities in HaLa and HepG2 cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthetic polycations with controlled charge density and molecular weight as building blocks for biomaterials.

PubMed

Kleinberger, Rachelle M; Burke, Nicholas A D; Zhou, Christal; Stöver, Harald D H

2016-01-01

A series of polycations prepared by RAFT copolymerization of N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APM) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide, with molecular weights of 15 and 40 kDa, and APM content of 10-75 mol%, were tested as building blocks for electrostatically assembled hydrogels such as those used for cell encapsulation. Complexation and distribution of these copolymers within anionic calcium alginate gels, as well as cytotoxicity, cell attachment, and cell proliferation on surfaces grafted with the copolymers were found to depend on composition and molecular weight. Copolymers with lower cationic charge density and lower molecular weight showed less cytotoxicity and cell adhesion, and were more mobile within alginate gels. These findings aid in designing improved polyelectrolyte complexes for use as biomaterials.

Dietary fibre: challenges in production and use of food composition data.

PubMed

Westenbrink, Susanne; Brunt, Kommer; van der Kamp, Jan-Willem

2013-10-01

Dietary fibre is a heterogeneous group of components for which several definitions and analytical methods were developed over the past decades, causing confusion among users and producers of dietary fibre data in food composition databases. An overview is given of current definitions and analytical methods. Some of the issues related to maintaining dietary fibre values in food composition databases are discussed. Newly developed AOAC methods (2009.01 or modifications) yield higher dietary fibre values, due to the inclusion of low molecular weight dietary fibre and resistant starch. For food composition databases procedures need to be developed to combine 'classic' and 'new' dietary fibre values since re-analysing all foods on short notice is impossible due to financial restrictions. Standardised value documentation procedures are important to evaluate dietary fibre values from several sources before exchanging and using the data, e.g. for dietary intake research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The analysis of the market success of FDA approvals by probing top 100 bestselling drugs.

PubMed

Polanski, Jaroslaw; Bogocz, Jacek; Tkocz, Aleksandra

2016-05-01

Target-oriented drug discovery is the main research paradigm of contemporary drug discovery. In target-oriented approaches, we attempt to maximize in vitro drug potency by finding the optimal fit to the target. This can result in a higher molecular complexity, in particular, the higher molecular weight (MW) of the drugs. However, a comparison of the successful developments of pharmaceuticals with the general trends that can be observed in medicinal chemistry resulted in the conclusion that the so-called molecular obesity is an important reason for the attrition rate of drugs. When analyzing the list of top 100 drug bestsellers versus all of the FDA approvals, we discovered that on average lower-complexity (MW, ADMET score) drugs are winners of the top 100 list in terms of numbers but that, especially, up to some optimal MW value, a higher molecular complexity can pay off with higher incomes. This indicates that slim drugs are doing better but that fat drugs are bigger fishes to catch.

The analysis of the market success of FDA approvals by probing top 100 bestselling drugs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polanski, Jaroslaw; Bogocz, Jacek; Tkocz, Aleksandra

2016-05-01

Target-oriented drug discovery is the main research paradigm of contemporary drug discovery. In target-oriented approaches, we attempt to maximize in vitro drug potency by finding the optimal fit to the target. This can result in a higher molecular complexity, in particular, the higher molecular weight (MW) of the drugs. However, a comparison of the successful developments of pharmaceuticals with the general trends that can be observed in medicinal chemistry resulted in the conclusion that the so-called molecular obesity is an important reason for the attrition rate of drugs. When analyzing the list of top 100 drug bestsellers versus all of the FDA approvals, we discovered that on average lower-complexity (MW, ADMET score) drugs are winners of the top 100 list in terms of numbers but that, especially, up to some optimal MW value, a higher molecular complexity can pay off with higher incomes. This indicates that slim drugs are doing better but that fat drugs are bigger fishes to catch.

Control of pulmonary absorption of water-soluble compounds by various viscous vehicles.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Akira; Yamada, Keigo; Muramatsu, Hideaki; Nishinaka, Asako; Okumura, Shigeki; Okada, Naoki; Fujita, Takuya; Muranishi, Shozo

2004-09-10

Effects of various viscous vehicles on the pulmonary absorption of water-soluble drugs were examined by an in situ pulmonary absorption experiment. Gelatin, polyvinylacohol (PVA), hydroxypropylcellose (HPC), chondroitin sulfate A sodium salt (CS), polyacrylic acid (PAA), methylcellulose #400 (MC400) and hyaluronic acid sodium salt (HA) were used as models of viscous vehicles. 5(6)-Carboxyfluorescein (CF) and fluorescein isothiocayanate-labeled dextran with an average molecular weight of 4000 (FD4) were used as water-soluble drugs. The plasma concentration of CF was controlled and regulated in the presence of these viscous vehicles, especially gelatin (1-5%) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) 1%. In the pharmacokinetic analysis, the Cmax values of CF significantly decreased, and its Tmax values increased in the presence of these viscous vehicles compared with the control. The MRT and MAT values of CF with these vehicles were significantly higher than those without these vehicles. Therefore, these findings indicated that the viscous vehicles were effective to regulate the absorption rate of CF. On the other hand, the pulmonary absorption of FD4 was not so much affected even in the presence of gelatin and PVA, although PVA slightly decreased MRT value, and significantly decreased Tmax value. Furthermore, we examined the release rate of CF from the cellulose tube containing various concentrations of gelatin. The release rate of CF from the cellulose tube with gelatin was inversely related to the viscosity of gelatin. In addition, the release rate of CF was inversely related to DeltaMAT (DeltaMAT = MATgel(MAT with gelatin)-MATsol(MAT without gelatin)) in the presence of varying concentrations of gelatin. These findings indicated that these viscous vehicles were effective to control the pulmonary absorption of CF, a water-soluble drug with low molecular weight and they might be useful to increase the local concentration of drugs in the lung.

δ 13C of free and macromolecular aromatic structures in the murchison meteorite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sephton, M. A.; Pillinger, C. T.; Gilmour, I.

1998-05-01

Analyses of the organic compounds in the Murchison meteorite have led to a greater understanding of the nature of extraterrestrial organic materials. However, the relationship between low and high molecular weight material remains poorly understood. To investigate this relationship, untreated Murchison was subjected to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to obtain the free organic components in the meteorite. Toluene and other volatile aromatic hydrocarbons dominated the extract, and the carbon isotopic composition of these molecules was determined by gas chromatography-isotope ratio-mass spectrometry (GCIRMS). δ 13C values of the aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from -28.8 to -5.8‰. These compounds displayed a 13C-enrichment with increasing carbon number suggesting an origin by cracking. The high molecular weight organic material in the meteorite was isolated and subjected to hydrous pyrolysis. This procedure produced a number of aromatic products, the majority of which were volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly toluene. SFE was used to extract and successfully retain them. This enabled the first carbon isotopic analysis of this poorly understood material to be performed at the molecular level by GCIRMS. δ 13C values for aromatic pyrolysis products occupied a range from -24.6 to -5.6‰. The trend of 13C-enrichment with increasing carbon number, observed in the free compounds, was also evident in the macromolecular fragments. Furthermore, the organic fragments of the macromolecular material were consistently 13C-enriched when compared to structurally identical free molecules. This suggested that the free aromatic hydrocarbons in Murchison were produced by the preterrestrial degradation of the organic macromolecular material. This natural degradation event was extended by the hydrous pyrolysis experiment.

[Effect of N-terminal truncation of Bacillus acidopullulyticus pullulanase on enzyme properties and functions].

PubMed

Chen, A'na; Liu, Xiuxia; Dai, Xiaofeng; Zhan, Jinling; Peng, Feng; Li, Lu; Wang, Fen; Li, Song; Yang, Yankun; Bai, Zhonghu

2016-03-01

We constructed different N-terminal truncated variants based on Bacillus acidopullulyticus pullulanase 3D structure (PDB code 2WAN), and studied the effects of truncated mutation on soluble expression, enzymatic properties, and application in saccharification. Upon expression, the variants of X45 domain deletion existed as inclusion bodies, whereas deletion of CBM41 domain had an effective effect on soluble expression level. The variants that lack of CBM41 (M1), lack of X25 (M3), and lack both of CBM41 and X25 (M5) had the same optimal pH (5.0) and optimal temperature (60 degrees C) with the wild-type pullulanase (WT). The K(m) of M1 and M5 were 1.42 mg/mL and 1.85 mg/mL, respectively, 2.4- and 3.1-fold higher than that of the WT. k(cat)/K(m) value of M5 was 40% lower than that of the WT. Substrate specificity results show that the enzymes exhibited greater activity with the low-molecular-weight dextrin than with high-molecular-weight soluble starch. When pullulanases were added to the saccharification reaction system, the dextrose equivalent of the WT, M1, M3, and M5 were 93.6%, 94.7%, 94.5%, and93.1%, respectively. These results indicate that the deletion of CBM41 domain and/or X25 domain did not affect the practical application in starch saccharification process. Furthermore, low-molecular-weight variants facilitate the heterologous expression. Truncated variants may be more suitable for industrial production than the WT.

Primitive-path statistics of entangled polymers: mapping multi-chain simulations onto single-chain mean-field models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steenbakkers, Rudi J. A.; Tzoumanekas, Christos; Li, Ying; Liu, Wing Kam; Kröger, Martin; Schieber, Jay D.

2014-01-01

We present a method to map the full equilibrium distribution of the primitive-path (PP) length, obtained from multi-chain simulations of polymer melts, onto a single-chain mean-field ‘target’ model. Most previous works used the Doi-Edwards tube model as a target. However, the average number of monomers per PP segment, obtained from multi-chain PP networks, has consistently shown a discrepancy of a factor of two with respect to tube-model estimates. Part of the problem is that the tube model neglects fluctuations in the lengths of PP segments, the number of entanglements per chain and the distribution of monomers among PP segments, while all these fluctuations are observed in multi-chain simulations. Here we use a recently proposed slip-link model, which includes fluctuations in all these variables as well as in the spatial positions of the entanglements. This turns out to be essential to obtain qualitative and quantitative agreement with the equilibrium PP-length distribution obtained from multi-chain simulations. By fitting this distribution, we are able to determine two of the three parameters of the model, which govern its equilibrium properties. This mapping is executed for four different linear polymers and for different molecular weights. The two parameters are found to depend on chemistry, but not on molecular weight. The model predicts a constant plateau modulus minus a correction inversely proportional to molecular weight. The value for well-entangled chains, with the parameters determined ab initio, lies in the range of experimental data for the materials investigated.

Static and dynamic light scattering studies on dilute polyrotaxane solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kume, Tetsuya; Araki, Jun; Sakai, Yasuhiro; Mayumi, Koichi; Kidowaki, Masatoshi; Yokoyama, Hideaki; Ito, Kohzo

2009-08-01

Static and dynamic light scattering measurements were performed for dilute polyrotaxane solutions in different types of solvent systems, i.e. dimethylacetamide (DMAc) or dimethylformamide (DMF) containing 1-6 wt% lithium chloride (LiCl), 1 M aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). No aggregation of the polyrotaxane in DMF/LiCl was confirmed in the present study. Radius of gyration of the dissolved polyrotaxane was largest in NaOHaq., followed by values in amide solvents/LiCl and that in DMSO, and was probably dominated not by Coulombic repulsion but by the mutual affinity between solvent and polyrotaxane. Ratio of radius of gyration to hydrodynamic radius suggested the flexible random-coiled conformation in DMSO and relatively more extended, semi-flexible ones in amide solvents/LiCl and NaOHaq. The obtained values of second virial coefficient and weight average molecular weight seemed to be affected by a potential change in differential refractive index increments, caused by selective macrocationization or ionization.

Petroleum pollution in mangrove forests sediments from Qeshm Island and Khamir Port-Persian Gulf, Iran.

PubMed

Ebrahimi-Sirizi, Zohreh; Riyahi-Bakhtiyari, Alireza

2013-05-01

The concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 22 individual PAH compounds in 42 surface sediments collected from the mangrove forest of Qeshm Island and Khamir Port (Persian Gulf) were analyzed. PAHs concentrations ranged from 259 to 5,376 ng g(-1) dry weight with mean and median values of 1,585 and 1,146 ng g(-1), respectively. The mangrove sediments had higher percentages of lower molecular weight PAHs and the PAH profiles were dominated by naphthalene. Ratio values of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination. This ratios suggesting that the mangrove sediments have a petrogenic input of PAHs. Sediment quality guidelines were conducted to assess the toxicity of PAH compounds. The levels of total PAHs at all of stations except one station, namely Q6, were below the effects range low. Also, concentrations of naphthalene in some stations exceeded the effects range median.

Isomer effects on polyimide properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stump, B. L.

1974-01-01

The polymerization of 2,4'-methylene-dianiline with benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride yields high molecular weight polyamic acid. Polyimide is formed when films of the polyamic acid are cured between 200 - 300 C. A lower molecular weight polyamic acid is obtained from 2,2'-MDA with BTDA, but it appears that a lowering of the reaction temperature will yield high molecular weight polymer. Evaluation of these polymers is underway. Continued efforts to synthesize 2,3'- MDA and 2,3'-diaminobenzophenone have met with little success.

[Intensive care of children with DIC syndrome based on the use of low molecular weight heparins].

PubMed

Chuprova, A V; Shmakov, A N; Solov'ev, O N; Anokhina, T Iu; Loskutova, S A; Pinegina, Iu S

2002-01-01

The first section of this paper presents data on low-molecular-weight heparins: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, advantages in comparison with common heparin. The second section presents the results of fraxiparin and clivarin use in 43 children aged 9 months to 14 years with acute/subacute DIC syndrome of infectious origin. Therapeutic and maintenance doses, the mode of injection of low-molecular-weight heparins, and methods for laboratory monitoring of their efficiency and safety are presented.

The Vertex Version of Weighted Wiener Number for Bicyclic Molecular Structures

PubMed Central

Gao, Wei

2015-01-01

Graphs are used to model chemical compounds and drugs. In the graphs, each vertex represents an atom of molecule and edges between the corresponding vertices are used to represent covalent bounds between atoms. We call such a graph, which is derived from a chemical compound, a molecular graph. Evidence shows that the vertex-weighted Wiener number, which is defined over this molecular graph, is strongly correlated to both the melting point and boiling point of the compounds. In this paper, we report the extremal vertex-weighted Wiener number of bicyclic molecular graph in terms of molecular structural analysis and graph transformations. The promising prospects of the application for the chemical and pharmacy engineering are illustrated by theoretical results achieved in this paper. PMID:26640513

Molecular model for the diffusion of associating telechelic polymer networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramirez, Jorge; Dursch, Thomas; Olsen, Bradley

Understanding the mechanisms of motion and stress relaxation of associating polymers at the molecular level is critical for advanced technological applications such as enhanced oil-recovery, self-healing materials or drug delivery. In associating polymers, the strength and rates of association/dissociation of the reversible physical crosslinks govern the dynamics of the network and therefore all the macroscopic properties, like self-diffusion and rheology. Recently, by means of forced Rayleigh scattering experiments, we have proved that associating polymers of different architectures show super-diffusive behavior when the free motion of single molecular species is slowed down by association/dissociation kinetics. Here we discuss a new molecular picture for unentangled associating telechelic polymers that considers concentration, molecular weight, number of arms of the molecules and equilibrium and rate constants of association/dissociation. The model predicts super-diffusive behavior under the right combination of values of the parameters. We discuss some of the predictions of the model using scaling arguments, show detailed results from Brownian dynamics simulations of the FRS experiments, and attempt to compare the predictions of the model to experimental data.

Characterization of a humic acid-like brown substance in airborne particulate matter and tentative identification of its origin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukai, Hitoshi; Ambe, Yoshinari

A brown substance having the solubility characteristics of humic acid was extracted from airborne particulate matter sampled in a rural area of Japan. This brown substance contributed 0.6-3% of the total carbon in airborne particulate matter. This fraction also contained pollen protein in samples collected during the pollen season. Patterns of elution from gel permeation chromatography suggested a molecular weight range from 500 to 10,000, with a still higher upper limit for one sample. The infrared spectra were compared with those of humic acid from the local soil, extracts from dead leaves, smoke from burning plant matter, and soot from automotive exhaust, all possible sources of the brown substance. The closest similarity was with the extract smoke. This identification is strengthened by lack of correlation of the brown substance with aluminum, a tracer for soil content, and a value of K/Fe ratio in the associated particulate matter higher than any plausible source other than combustion. It is probable that the primary source of this brown, high molecular weight acidic materials is agricultural burning.

Nano-sized, quaternary titanium(IV) metal-organic frameworks with multidentate ligands.

PubMed

Baranwal, Balram Prasad; Singh, Alok Kumar

2010-12-01

Some mononuclear nano-sized, quaternary titanium(IV) complexes having the general formula [Ti(acac)(OOCR)2(SB)] (where Hacac=acetylacetone, R=C15H31 or C17H35, HSB=Schiff bases) have been synthesized using different multidentate ligands. These were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations and spectral (FTIR, 1H NMR and powder XRD) studies. Conductance measurement indicated their non-conducting nature which may behave like insulators. Structural parameters like the values of limiting indices h, k, l, cell constants a, b, c, angles α, β, γ and particle size are calculated from powder XRD data for complex 1 which indicated nano-sized triclinic system in them. Bidentate chelating nature of acetylacetone, carboxylate and Schiff base anions in the complexes was established by their infrared spectra. Molecular weight determinations confirmed mononuclear nature of the complexes. On the basis of physico-chemical studies, coordination number 8 was assigned for titanium(IV) in the complexes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies indicated spherical particles with poor crystallinity. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Scaling exponent and dispersity of polymers in solution by diffusion NMR.

PubMed

Williamson, Nathan H; Röding, Magnus; Miklavcic, Stanley J; Nydén, Magnus

2017-05-01

Molecular mass distribution measurements by pulsed gradient spin echo nuclear magnetic resonance (PGSE NMR) spectroscopy currently require prior knowledge of scaling parameters to convert from polymer self-diffusion coefficient to molecular mass. Reversing the problem, we utilize the scaling relation as prior knowledge to uncover the scaling exponent from within the PGSE data. Thus, the scaling exponent-a measure of polymer conformation and solvent quality-and the dispersity (M w /M n ) are obtainable from one simple PGSE experiment. The method utilizes constraints and parametric distribution models in a two-step fitting routine involving first the mass-weighted signal and second the number-weighted signal. The method is developed using lognormal and gamma distribution models and tested on experimental PGSE attenuation of the terminal methylene signal and on the sum of all methylene signals of polyethylene glycol in D 2 O. Scaling exponent and dispersity estimates agree with known values in the majority of instances, leading to the potential application of the method to polymers for which characterization is not possible with alternative techniques. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Mesoporous Diatomite Particles on the Kinetics of SR&NI ATRP of Styrene and Butyl Acrylate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khezri, Khezrollah; Ghasemi, Moosa; Fazli, Yousef

2018-05-01

Mesoporous diatomite particles were employed to prepare different poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/diatomite nanocomposites. Diatomite nanoplatelets were used for in situ copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate by SR&NI ATRP to synthesize well-defined poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) nanocomposites. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm is applied to examine surface area and structural characteristics of the diatomite nanoplatelets. Evaluation of pore size distribution and morphological studies were also performed by SEM and TEM. Conversion and molecular weight determinations were carried out using gas and size exclusion chromatography respectively. Addition of 3 wt% pristine mesoporous diatomite nanoplatelets leads to increase of conversion from 73 to 89%. Molecular weight of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) chains increases from 17,115 to 20,343 g·mol-1 by addition of 3 wt% pristine mesoporous diatomite; however, polydispersity index values increases from 1.14 to 1.37. Increasing thermal stability of the nanocomposites is demonstrated by TGA. Differential scanning calorimetry shows an increase in glass transition temperature from 35.26 to 39.61°C by adding 3 wt% of mesoporous diatomite nanoplatelets.

Synthesis and characterization of low-molecular-weight π-conjugated polymers covered by persilylated β-cyclodextrin

PubMed Central

Resmerita, Ana-Maria; Stefanache, Andreea; Balan, Mihaela; Harabagiu, Valeria

2012-01-01

Summary The paper reports the preparation of a poly[2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-5,5'-bithiophene/PS-βCD] (PDOF-BTc) polyrotaxane copolymer, through a Suzuki coupling reaction between the 5,5'-dibromo-2,2'-bithiophene (BT) inclusion complex with persilylated β-cyclodextrin (PS-βCD), and 9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-bis(trimethylene borate) (DOF) as the blocking group. The chemical structure and the thermal and morphological properties of the resulting polyrotaxane were investigated by using NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, DSC and AFM analysis. The encapsulation of BT inside the PS-βCD cavity results in improvements in the solubility, as well as in different surface morphology and thermal properties of the PDOF-BTc rotaxane copolymer compared to its noncomplexed PDOF-BT homologue. In contrast, the number-average molecular weight (M n) of PDOF-BTc rotaxane copolymer indicated lower values suggesting that the condensation reaction is subjected to steric effects of the bulkier silylated groups, affecting the ability of the diborate groups from the DOF molecule to partially penetrate the PS-βCD cavity. PMID:23019485

Purification and characterization of the {alpha}-glucuronidase from Thermoanaerobacterium sp. strain JW/SL-YS485, an important enzyme for the utilization of substituted xylans

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shao, W.; Obi, S.K.C.; Wiegel, J.

1995-03-01

A cell-associated {alpha}-glucuronidase was purified to gel electrophoretic homogeneity from the thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Thermoanaerobacterium sp. strain JW/SL-YS485. This enzyme had a pI of 4.65, a molecular weight of 130,000, and two subunits; the molecular weight of each subunit was 74,000. The enzyme exhibited the highest level of activity at pH 5.4 and 60{degrees}C, as determined by a 5-min assay. The K{sub m} and k{sub cat} values of the enzyme for 4-methylglucuronosyl xylobiose were 0.76 mM and 1,083 IU/{mu}mol, respectively. The Arrhenius energy was 26.4 kJ/mol. The specific activities of the enzyme with 4-0-methylglucuronosyl xylobiose, 4-0-methylglucuronosyl xylotriose, and 4-0-methylglucuronosyl xylotetraosemore » were 8.4, 4.8, and 3.9 IU/mg, respectively. The purified {alpha}-glucuronidase and a {beta}-xylosidase purified from the same organism interacted synergistically to hydrolyze 4-methylglucuronosyl xylotetraose.« less

Extraction, chemical composition, rheological behavior, antioxidant activity and functional properties of Cordia myxa mucilage.

PubMed

Dokht, Shaghayegh Keshani; Djomeh, Zahra Emam; Yarmand, Mohammad Saeid; Fathi, Morteza

2018-06-14

This paper aims to investigate chemical composition, rheological behavior, antioxidant activity and functional properties of Cordia myxa mucilage (CMM). Response surface methodology (RSM) demonstrated that optimum conditions for CMM extraction were as follow: ultrasound power of 99.37 W, extraction temperature of 88.05 °C and solid to water ratio of 16.25 w/w. CMM had, on average, 77.51% carbohydrate, 5.86% total ash, 8.90% protein, 6.90% moisture, and 1.00% fat. Due to a high level of nutrients, CMM can be suggested as a value added by-product in food and pharmaceutical systems. CMM is a low molecular weight polysaccharide containing three fractions with various molecular weights. FT-IR spectrum illustrated that this polymer had all typical bands and peaks characteristics of polysaccharides. Based on steady shear measurements, CMM can be introduced as a new source of hydrocolloid with high-temperature stability. CMM had the desirable antiradical capacity, water solubility and water/oil holding capacity. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Radiation grafting of various water-soluble monomers on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene powder. Part II: Thermal, FTIR and morphological characterisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydınlı, Bahattin; Tin c̡er, Teoman

2001-10-01

Radiation induced grafted polyacrylic acid (PAA), polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), polyacrylamide (PAAm), poly N,N-dimethyl acrylamide (PNDAAm) and poly 1-vinyl-2 pyrrolidone (PVP) on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were characterised by DSC, FTIR and SEM analysis. While the effect of irradiation on pure UHMWPE was found to increase crystallinity and cause higher enthalpy of crystallisation, grafted UHMWPE powders showed lower crystallinity and enthalpy of crystallisation. In all grafted UHMWPE there existed secondary transitions corresponding to grafting polymers in the first run of DSC above 60°C and they became clearer at a higher grafting level. In the second run of DSC some Tg values appeared to shift to higher temperatures while some were not detected. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of water-soluble polymers in the grafted UHMWPE. The characteristic peaks of water-soluble polymers became sharper in the grafted UHMWPE. SEM analysis revealed that the grafting occurs both on fiber and microparticles of UHMWPE while flowing characteristic of powder is retained.

pH Effects on solubility, zeta potential, and correlation between antibacterial activity and molecular weight of chitosan.

PubMed

Chang, Shun-Hsien; Lin, Hong-Ting Victor; Wu, Guan-James; Tsai, Guo Jane

2015-12-10

Six chitosans with molecular weights (MWs) of 300, 156, 72.1, 29.2, 7.1, and 3.3 kDa were prepared by cellulase degradation of chitosan (300 kDa) and ultrafiltration techniques. We examined the correlation between activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and chitosan MW, and provided the underlying explanation. In acidic pH conditions, the chitosan activity increased with increasing MW, irrespective of the temperature and bacteria tested. However, at neutral pH, chitosan activity increased as the MW decreased, and little activity was observed for chitosans with MW >29.2 kDa. At pH 5.0 and 6.0, chitosans exhibited good water solubility and zeta potential (ZP) decreased with the MW, whereas the solubility and ZP of the chitosans decreased with increasing MW at pH 7.0. Particularly, low solubility and negative ZP values were determined for chitosans with MW >29.2 kDa, which may explain the loss of their antibacterial activity at pH 7.0. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification, characterization and immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from stem lettuce.

PubMed

Nie, Chenzhipeng; Zhu, Peilei; Ma, Shuping; Wang, Mingchun; Hu, Youdong

2018-05-15

Stem lettuce has a long history of cultivation in China and possesses high nutritional and medicinal value. In our previous studies, extraction optimization, characterization, and bioactivities of stem lettuce polysaccharides (SLP) were investigated. In this study, SLP were further separated into two purified polysaccharides, SLP-1 and SLP-2, by anion exchange chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography. SLP-1, with a molecular weight of 90 KDa, was mainly composed of galacturonic acid, galactose and arabinose in a molar ratio of 17.6:41.7:33.9. SLP-2, with a molecular weight of 44 KDa, was mainly composed of mannose, galacturonic acid, galactose and arabinose in a molar ratio of 11.5:69.5:9.3:8.2. In addition, both purified polysaccharides contain sulphate radicals, have triple helical structures and can promote macrophage proliferation without cytotoxicity. SLP-2 was better able to stimulate phagocytic and nitric oxide production than SLP-1. The results suggest that polysaccharides from stem lettuce could be explored as immunomodulatory agents in the field of pharmaceuticals and functional foods. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formation of a percolating cluster in films prepared by cathodic electrodeposition of a mixture of lower and higher molecular weight epoxy-amine adducts.

PubMed

Ranjbar, Zahra; Moradian, Siamak; Rastegar, Saeed

2003-08-15

The electrodeposition behavior of blends of primary dispersions of a lower and a higher molecular weight epoxy-amine adduct has been investigated. The throwing power of the above-mentioned blends showed a voltage-dependent critical composition at which the throwing power dropped to a much lower value. This was assigned to the formation of an infinite conducting cluster, the extension of which is dependent on the rate of the electrocoagulation process at the cathode boundary. The random resistor network approach of Stauffer (RRNS) and the random resistor network approach of Miller and Abrahams (RRNMA) were applied to the experimental data with high correlations (r2=0.9314 and 0.9699). The percolating cluster formed within the film, however, gave a critical exponent of conductivity equal to 1.1028, much less than expected from a classical three-dimensional lattice (i.e., 1.5-2.0). This discrepancy was explained in terms of the changed behavior of the film resulting from the bubbles formed near the cathode and its effect on the infinite conducting cluster.

Morphological, spectral and chromatography analysis and forensic comparison of PET fibers.

PubMed

Farah, Shady; Tsach, Tsadok; Bentolila, Alfonso; Domb, Abraham J

2014-06-01

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber analysis and comparison by spectral and polymer molecular weight determination was investigated. Plain fibers of PET, a common textile fiber and plastic material was chosen for this study. The fibers were analyzed for morphological (SEM and AFM), spectral (IR and NMR), thermal (DSC) and molecular weight (MS and GPC) differences. Molecular analysis of PET fibers by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) allowed the comparison of fibers that could not be otherwise distinguished with high confidence. Plain PET fibers were dissolved in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and analyzed by GPC using hexafluoroisopropanol:chloroform 2:98 v/v as eluent. 14 PET fiber samples, collected from various commercial producers, were analyzed for polymer molecular weight by GPC. Distinct differences in the molecular weight of the different fiber samples were found which may have potential use in forensic fiber comparison. PET fibers with average molecular weights between about 20,000 and 70,000 g mol(-1) were determined using fiber concentrations in HFIP as low as 1 μg mL(-1). This GPC analytical method can be applied for exclusively distinguish between PET fibers using 1 μg of fiber. This method can be extended to forensic comparison of other synthetic fibers such as polyamides and acrylics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of computer-assisted molecular modeling (CAMM) for immunoassay of low molecular weight food contaminants: A review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Immunoassay for low molecular weight food contaminants, such as pesticides, veterinary drugs, and mycotoxins is now a well-established technique which meets the demands for a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective analytical method. However, due to limited understanding of the fundamental aspects of i...

[Correlation of molecular weight and nanofiltration mass transfer coefficient of phenolic acid composition from Salvia miltiorrhiza].

PubMed

Li, Cun-Yu; Wu, Xin; Gu, Jia-Mei; Li, Hong-Yang; Peng, Guo-Ping

2018-04-01

Based on the molecular sieving and solution-diffusion effect in nanofiltration separation, the correlation between initial concentration and mass transfer coefficient of three typical phenolic acids from Salvia miltiorrhiza was fitted to analyze the relationship among mass transfer coefficient, molecular weight and concentration. The experiment showed a linear relationship between operation pressure and membrane flux. Meanwhile, the membrane flux was gradually decayed with the increase of solute concentration. On the basis of the molecular sieving and solution-diffusion effect, the mass transfer coefficient and initial concentration of three phenolic acids showed a power function relationship, and the regression coefficients were all greater than 0.9. The mass transfer coefficient and molecular weight of three phenolic acids were negatively correlated with each other, and the order from high to low is protocatechualdehyde >rosmarinic acid> salvianolic acid B. The separation mechanism of nanofiltration for phenolic acids was further clarified through the analysis of the correlation of molecular weight and nanofiltration mass transfer coefficient. The findings provide references for nanofiltration separation, especially for traditional Chinese medicine with phenolic acids. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

The pPSU Plasmids for Generating DNA Molecular Weight Markers.

PubMed

Henrici, Ryan C; Pecen, Turner J; Johnston, James L; Tan, Song

2017-05-26

Visualizing nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis is one of the most common techniques in molecular biology, and reference molecular weight markers or ladders are commonly used for size estimation. We have created the pPSU1 & pPSU2 pair of molecular weight marker plasmids which produce both 100 bp and 1 kb DNA ladders when digested with two common restriction enzymes. The 100 bp ladder fragments have been optimized to migrate appropriately on both agarose and native polyacrylamide, unlike many currently available DNA ladders. Sufficient plasmid DNA can be isolated from 100 ml E. coli cultures for the two plasmids to produce 100 bp or 1 kb ladders for 1000 gels. As such, the pPSU1 and pPSU2 plasmids provide reference fragments from 50 to 10000 bp at a fraction of the cost of commercial DNA ladders. The pPSU1 and pPSU2 plasmids are available without licensing restrictions to nonprofit academic users, affording freely available high-quality, low-cost molecular weight standards for molecular biology applications.

Using molecular recognition of beta-cyclodextrin to determine molecular weights of low-molecular-weight explosives by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zhang, Min; Shi, Zhen; Bai, Yinjuan; Gao, Yong; Hu, Rongzu; Zhao, Fenqi

2006-02-01

This study presents a novel method for determining the molecular weights of low molecular weight (MW) energetic compounds through their complexes of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in a mass range of 500 to 1700 Da, avoiding matrix interference. The MWs of one composite explosive composed of 2,6-DNT, TNT, and RDX, one propellant with unknown components, and 14 single-compound explosives (RDX, HMX, 3,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, 2,5-DNT, 2,4,6-TNT, TNAZ, DNI, BTTN, NG, TO, NTO, NP, and 662) were measured. The molecular recognition and inclusion behavior of beta-CD to energetic materials (EMs) were investigated. The results show that (1) the established method is sensitive, simple, accurate, and suitable for determining the MWs of low-MW single-compound explosives and energetic components in composite explosives and propellants; and (2) beta-CD has good inclusion and modular recognition abilities to the above EMs.

An NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Investigation of the Chemical Association and Molecular Dynamics in Asphalt Ridge Tar Sand Ore and Bitumen

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Netzel, D. A.; Coover, P. T.

1987-09-01

Preliminary studies on tar sand bitumen given in this report have shown that the reassociation of tar sand bitumen to its original molecular configuration after thermal stressing is a first-order process requiring nearly a week to establish equilibrium. Studies were also conducted on the dissolution of tar sand bitumen in solvents of varying polarity. At a high-weight fraction of solute to solvent the apparent molecular weight of the bitumen molecules was greater than that of the original bitumen when dissolved in chloroform-d{sub 1} and benzene-d{sub 6}. This increase in the apparent molecular weight may be due to micellar formation or a weak solute-solvent molecular complex. Upon further dilution with any of the solvents studied, the apparent molecular weight of the tar sand bitumen decreased because of reduced van der Waals forces of interaction and/or hydrogen bonding. To define the exact nature of the interactions, it will be necessary to have viscosity measurements of the solutions.

Effects of cross-linked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid on epidural fibrosis: experimental study.

PubMed

Isık, Semra; Taşkapılıoğlu, M Özgür; Atalay, Fatma Oz; Dogan, Seref

2015-01-01

Epidural fibrosis is nonphysiological scar formation, usually at the site of neurosurgical access into the spinal canal, in the intimate vicinity of and around the origin of the radicular sheath. The formation of dense fibrous tissue causes lumbar and radicular pain. In addition to radicular symptoms, the formation of scar tissue may cause problems during reoperation. The authors aimed to investigate the effects of cross-linked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA), an HA derivative known as HA gel, on the prevention of epidural fibrosis by using histopathological and biochemical parameters. Fifty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated. The rats were divided into 4 groups. Rats in the sham group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy and received no treatment; rats in the control group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy and received 0.9% NaCl treatment in the surgical area; rats in the HA group (n = 14) received HA treatment at the surgical area after laminectomy and discectomy; and rats in the HA gel group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy in addition to receiving treatment with cross-linked high-molecular-weight HA in the surgical area. All rats were decapitated after 4 weeks, and the specimens were evaluated histopathologically and biochemically. The results were statistically compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Compared with the sham and control groups, the HA and HA gel groups showed significantly lower fibroblast cell density and tissue hydroxyproline concentrations (p < 0.05). There was statistically significant lower dural adhesion and foreign-body reaction between the control and HA gel groups (p < 0.05). Granulation tissue and epidural fibrosis were significantly lower in the HA and HA gel groups compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in any histopathological parameters or biochemical values between Groups 3 and 4 (p > 0.05). Cross-linked high-molecular-weight HA had positive effects on the prevention of epidural fibrosis and the reduction of fibrotic tissue density. The efficacy of this agent should also be verified in further experimental and clinical studies.

Study on the prediction of visible absorption maxima of azobenzene compounds

PubMed Central

Liu, Jun-na; Chen, Zhi-rong; Yuan, Shen-feng

2005-01-01

The geometries of azobenzene compounds are optimized with B3LYP/6-311G* method, and analyzed with nature bond orbital, then their visible absorption maxima are calculated with TD-DFT method and ZINDO/S method respectively. The results agree well with the observed values. It was found that for the calculation of visible absorption using ZINDO/S method could rapidly yield better results by adjusting OWFπ-π (the relationship between π-π overlap weighting factor) value than by the TD-DFT method. The method of regression showing the linear relationship between OWFπ-π and BLN-N (nitrogen-nitrogen bond lengths) as OWF π-π=−8.1537+6.5638BL N-N, can be explained in terms of quantum theory, and also be used for prediction of visible absorption maxima of other azobenzne dyes in the same series. This study on molecules’ orbital geometry indicates that their visible absorption maxima correspond to the electron transition from HOMO (the highest occupied molecular orbital) to LUMO (the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital). PMID:15909349

Pairwise-additive hydrophobic effect for alkanes in water

PubMed Central

Wu, Jianzhong; Prausnitz, John M.

2008-01-01

Pairwise additivity of the hydrophobic effect is indicated by reliable experimental Henry's constants for a large number of linear and branched low-molecular-weight alkanes in water. Pairwise additivity suggests that the hydrophobic effect is primarily a local phenomenon and that the hydrophobic interaction may be represented by a semiempirical force field. By representing the hydrophobic potential between two methane molecules as a linear function of the overlap volume of the hydration layers, we find that the contact value of the hydrophobic potential (−0.72 kcal/mol) is smaller than that from quantum mechanics simulations (−2.8 kcal/mol) but is close to that from classical molecular dynamics (−0.5∼−0.9 kcal/mol). PMID:18599448

Thermo-acoustical molecular interaction study in binary mixtures of glycerol and ethylene glycol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Kirandeep; Juglan, K. C.; Kumar, Harsh

2017-07-01

Ultrasonic velocity, density and viscosity are measured over the entire composition range for binary liquid mixtures of glycerol (CH2OH-CHOH-CH2OH) and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH) at different temperatures and constant frequency of 2MHz using ultrasonic interferometer, specific gravity bottle and viscometer respectively. Measured experimental values are used to obtained various acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, acoustic impedance, intermolecular free length, relaxation time, ultrasonic attenuation, effective molar weight, free volume, available volume, molar volume, Wada's constant, Rao's constant, Vander Waal's constant, internal pressure, Gibb's free energy and enthalpy. The variation in acoustical parameters are interpreted in terms of molecular interactions between the components of molecules of binary liquid mixtures.

Effect of molecular weight of polystyrensulfonic acid sodium salt polymers on the precipitation kinetics of sodium bicarbonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Cruz, Nancy; Carrillo-Romo, Felipe; Jaramillo-Vigueras, David

2004-10-01

This paper analyzes the effect of polystyrensulfonic acid sodium salt (NaPSS), obtained by kinetic precipitation from solutions of polymers of molecular weight 245 000 and 38 000 g mol-1 in sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) itself precipitated from synthetic brine. Crystal size, shape and the additive adsorbed are reported. X shaped and hexagonal prisms crystals with different aspect ratios were obtained. The results show that with increasing polymer concentration the crystal size decreases, from 0.27 to 0.48 mm. Additionally, the higher molecular weight polymer shows both higher adsorption capacity and higher crystal habit modification. Crystal shape patterns were similar for both polymers; however, the higher molecular weight material induced changes at lower concentration. It was observed that the precipitation rate reached a minimum with increasing additive concentration.

Tests of potential functional barriers for laminated multilayer food packages. Part II: Medium molecular weight permeants.

PubMed

Simal-Gándara, J; Sarria-Vidal, M; Rijk, R

2000-09-01

Experiments were performed to characterize the kinetics of the permeation of different medium molecular weight model permeants: bisphenol A, warfarin and anthracene, from liquid paraffin, through a surrogate potential functional barrier (25 microns-thick orientated polypropylene--OPP) into the food simulants olive oil and 3% (w/v) acetic acid. The characterization of permeation kinetics generally observed the permeation models previously reported to explain the experimental permeation results obtained for a low molecular weight group of model permeants. In general, the model permeants exhibited behaviour consistent with their relative molecular weights with respect to (a) the time taken to attain steady-state permeation into the food simulant in which they were more soluble, (b) their subsequent steady-state permeation rates, and (c) their partition between liquid paraffin and the OPP membrane.

The development of low-molecular weight hydrogels for applications in cancer therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Ran; Chen, Jin; Niu, Runfang

2014-03-01

To improve the anti-cancer efficacy and to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy, a variety of drug delivery systems have been invented in past decades, but few of these systems have succeeded in clinical trials due to their respective inherent shortcomings. Recently, low-molecular weight hydrogels of peptides that self-assemble via non-covalent interactions have attracted considerable attention due to their good biocompatibility, low toxicity, inherent biodegradability as well as their convenience of design. Low-molecular weight hydrogels have already shown promise in biomedical applications as diverse as 3D-cell culture, enzyme immobilization, controllable MSC differentiation, wound healing, drug delivery etc. Here we review the recent development in the use of low-molecular weight hydrogels for cancer therapy, which may be helpful in the design of soft materials for drug delivery.

Endogenous ethanol affects biopolyester molecular weight in recombinant Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Hiroe, Ayaka; Hyakutake, Manami; Thomson, Nicholas M; Sivaniah, Easan; Tsuge, Takeharu

2013-11-15

In biopolyester synthesis, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase (PhaC) catalyzes the polymerization of PHA in bacterial cells, followed by a chain transfer (CT) reaction in which the PHA polymer chain is transferred from PhaC to a CT agent. Accordingly, the frequency of CT reaction determines PHA molecular weight. Previous studies have shown that exogenous alcohols are effective CT agents. This study aimed to clarify the effect of endogenous ethanol as a CT agent for poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB)] synthesis in recombinant Escherichia coli, by comparing with that of exogenous ethanol. Ethanol supplementation to the culture medium reduced P(3HB) molecular weights by up to 56% due to ethanol-induced CT reaction. NMR analysis of P(3HB) polymers purified from the culture supplemented with (13)C-labeled ethanol showed the formation of a covalent bond between ethanol and P(3HB) chain at the carboxyl end. Cultivation without ethanol supplementation resulted in the reduction of P(3HB) molecular weight with increasing host-produced ethanol depending on culture aeration. On the other hand, production in recombinant BW25113(ΔadhE), an alcohol dehydrogenase deletion strain, resulted in a 77% increase in molecular weight. Analysis of five E. coli strains revealed that the estimated number of CT reactions was correlated with ethanol production. These results demonstrate that host-produced ethanol acts as an equally effective CT agent as exogenous ethanol, and the control of ethanol production is important to regulate the PHA molecular weight.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Photocrosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate Implants for Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery.

PubMed

McAvoy, Kathryn; Jones, David; Thakur, Raghu Raj Singh

2018-01-16

To investigate the sustained ocular delivery of small and large drug molecules from photocrosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) implants with varying pore forming agents. Triamcinolone acetonide and ovalbumin loaded photocrosslinked PEGDA implants, with or without pore-forming agents, were fabricated and characterised for chemical, mechanical, swelling, network parameters, as well as drug release and biocompatibility. HPLC-based analytical methods were employed for analysis of two molecules; ELISA was used to demonstrate bioactivity of ovalbumin. Regardless of PEGDA molecular weight or pore former composition all implants loaded with triamcinolone acetonide released significantly faster than those loaded with ovalbumin. Higher molecular weight PEGDA systems (700 Da) resulted in faster drug release of triamcinolone acetonide than their 250 Da counterpart. All ovalbumin released over the 56-day time period was found to be bioactive. Increasing PEGDA molecular weight resulted in increased system swelling, decreased crosslink density (Ve), increased polymer-water interaction parameter (χ), increased average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) and increased mesh size (ε). SEM studies showed the porosity of implants increased with increasing PEGDA molecular weight. Biocompatibility showed both PEGDA molecular weight implants were non-toxic when exposed to retinal epithelial cells over a 7-day period. Photocrosslinked PEGDA implant based systems are capable of controlled drug release of both small and large drug molecules through adaptations in the polymer system network. We are currently continuing evaluation of these systems as potential sustained drug delivery devices.

Hydration of Watson-Crick base pairs and dehydration of Hoogsteen base pairs inducing structural polymorphism under molecular crowding conditions.

PubMed

Miyoshi, Daisuke; Nakamura, Kaori; Tateishi-Karimata, Hisae; Ohmichi, Tatsuo; Sugimoto, Naoki

2009-03-18

It has been revealed recently that molecular crowding, which is one of the largest differences between in vivo and in vitro conditions, is a critical factor determining the structure, stability, and function of nucleic acids. However, the effects of molecular crowding on Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairs remain unclear. In order to investigate directly and quantitatively the molecular crowding effects on base pair types in nucleic acids, we designed intramolecular parallel- and antiparallel-stranded DNA duplexes consisting of Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick base pairs, respectively, as well as an intramolecular parallel-stranded triplex containing both types of base pairs. Thermodynamic analyses demonstrated that the values of free energy change at 25 degrees C for Hoogsteen base-pair formations decreased from +1.45 +/- 0.15 to +1.09 +/- 0.13 kcal mol(-1), and from -1.89 +/- 0.13 to -2.71 +/- 0.11 kcal mol(-1) in the intramolecular duplex and triplex, respectively, when the concentration of PEG 200 (polyethylene glycol with average molecular weight 200) increased from 0 to 20 wt %. However, corresponding values for Watson-Crick formation in the duplex and triplex increased from -10.2 +/- 0.2 to -8.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1), and from -10.8 +/- 0.2 to -9.2 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that the opposing effects of molecular crowding on the Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick base pairs were due to different behaviors of water molecules binding to the DNA strands.

Fabrication and characterization of amine terminated poly(arylene ether sulfone) modified epoxy-carbon fiber composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cecere, James A.; Senger, James S.; Mcgrath, James E.; Steiner, Paul A.; Wong, Raymond S.

1987-01-01

Multifunctional epoxy resin networks were chemically modified with thermoplastic amine terminated poly(arylene ether sulfones) of controlled molecular weights. This system was then examined as both neat resin and as a matrix resin for carbon fiber composites. The neat resin displayed a significant increase in both fracture toughness and energy release rate values. This was attributed to the altered morphology, which could be varied from particles of polysulfone in an epoxy matrix to that of a quasi-continuous polysulfone phase.

Gas-film coefficients for streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rathbun, R.E.; Tai, D.Y.

1983-01-01

Equations for predicting the gas-film coefficient for the volatilization of organic solutes from streams are developed. The film coefficient is a function of windspeed and water temperature. The dependence of the coefficient on windspeed is determined from published information on the evaporation of water from a canal. The dependence of the coefficient on temperature is determined from laboratory studies on the evaporation of water. Procedures for adjusting the coefficients for different organic solutes are based on the molecular diffusion coefficient and the molecular weight. The molecular weight procedure is easiest to use because of the availability of molecular weights. However, the theoretical basis of the procedure is questionable. The diffusion coefficient procedure is supported by considerable data. Questions, however, remain regarding the exact dependence of the film coefficint on the diffusion coefficient. It is suggested that the diffusion coefficient procedure with a 0.68-power dependence be used when precise estimate of the gas-film coefficient are needed and that the molecular weight procedure be used when only approximate estimates are needed.

Earth GRAM-99 and Trace Constituents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Justus, C. G.; Duvall, Aleta; Keller, Vernon W.

2004-01-01

Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM-99) is an engineering-level model of Earth's atmosphere. It provides both mean values and perturbations for density, temperature, pressure, and winds, as well as monthly- and geographically-varying trace constituent concentrations. From 0-27 km, GRAM thermodynamics and winds are based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Upper Air Climatic Atlas (GUACA) climatology. Above 120 km, GRAM is based on the NASA Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) model. In the intervening altitude region, GRAM is based on Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) climatology that also forms the basis of the 1986 COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere (CIRA). Atmospheric composition is represented in GRAM by concentrations of both major and minor species. Above 120 km, MET provides concentration values for N2, O2, Ar, O, He, and H. Below 120 km, species represented also include H2O, O3, N2O, CO, CH4, and CO2. At COSPAR 2002 a comparison was made between GRAM constituents below 120 km and those provided by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) climatology. No current need to update GRAM constituent climatology in that height range was identified. This report examines GRAM (MET) constituents between 100 and 1000 km altitudes. Discrepancies are noted between GRAM (MET) constituent number densities and mass density or molecular weight. Near 110 km altitude, there is up to about 25% discrepancy between MET number density and mass density (with mass density being valid and number densities requiring adjustment). Near 700 km altitude there is also up to about 25% discrepancy between MET number density and mean molecular weight (with molecular weight requiring adjustment). In neither case are MET mass density estimates invalidated. These discrepancies have been traced to MET subroutines SLV (which affects 90-170 km height range) and SLVH (which affects helium above 440 km altitude). With these discrepancies corrected, results are presented to illustrate GRAM (MET) constituent mole fractions in terms of height-latitude cross sections from 100 to 1000 km altitude, and latitude-longitude 'maps' at 450 km (approximate height of International Space Station). Plans are discussed for an update of MET (and GRAM) to correct these constituent inconsistencies and to incorporate several new thermospheric model features.

Evaluation of various molecular parameters as predictors of bioconcentration in fish

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Connell, D.W.; Schueuermann G3

1988-06-01

A reliable set of data on the bioconcentration factors (KB) of a diverse range of compounds in fish was selected from the literature. Using the structures of these compounds, the following molecular parameters were calculated: molecular weight (MW), solvent accessible molecular surface area (SASA), solvent accessible molecular volume (SAV), molar refraction (MR), largest principal moment of inertia (LPMI) and several molecular connectivity indices of the Randic type (1 chi, 2 chi, 3 chi, 1 chi vr, 3 chi c). The relationships between these parameters and log KB were evaluated for all compounds and the following subgroups: chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC), polyaromaticmore » hydrocarbons (PAH), and CHC and PAH combined. These relationships indicated that SASA, SAV, and MR were good predictors of log KB for the CHC and PAH combined or alone and the other parameters were less satisfactory with these groups. In addition with the CHC, the log of these parameters displayed an improved correlation with log KB due to apparent nonlinearity in the log to linear relationship. Thus, with these groups of compounds, calculated values of SASA, SAV, and MR provide a satisfactory means of estimating log KB without measured data.« less

A fluorescent molecular sensor for pH windows in traditional and polymeric biocompatible micelles: comicellization of anionic species to shift and reshape the ON window.

PubMed

Cavallaro, Gennara; Giammona, Gaetano; Pasotti, Luca; Pallavicini, Piersandro

2011-09-12

A new approach is presented to obtain fluorescent sensors for pH windows that work in water and under biomimetic conditions. A single molecule that features all-covalently linked components is used, thus making it capable of working as a fluorescent sensor with an OFF/ON/OFF response to pH value. The components are a tertiary amine, a pyridine, and a fluorophore (pyrene). The forms with both protonated bases or both neutral bases quench the pyrene fluorescence, whereas the form with the neutral pyridine and protonated amine groups is fluorescent. The molecular sensor is also equipped with a long alkyl chain to make it highly hydrophobic in all its protonated and unprotonated forms, that is, either when neutral or charged. Accordingly, it can be confined at any pH value either in traditional (i.e., low-molecular-weight) nonionic surfactant micelles or inside polymeric, biocompatible micellar containers. Relevant for future applications in vivo, thanks to its strong hydrophobicity, no leakage of the molecular sensor is observed from the polymeric biocompatible micelles. Due to the proximity of the pyridine and amine functions in the molecular structure and the poor hydration inside the micelles, the observed pK(a) values are low so that the ON window is positioned at very low pH values. However, the window can be shifted to biologically relevant values by comicellization of anionic species. In particular, in the micelles of the nonionic surfactant TritonX-100, a shift of the ON window to pH 4-6 is obtained by addition of the anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate surfactant, whose negative charge promotes the stability of the protonated forms of the pyridine and amine fragments. In the case of the polymeric micelles, we introduce the use of the amphiphilic polystyrene sulfonate anionic polyelectrolyte, the comicellization of which induces a shift and sharpening of the ON window that is centered at pH 4. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Can Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Related Apparent Diffusion Coefficient be a Prognostic Value in Women With Breast Cancer?

PubMed

Rabasco, Paola; Caivano, Rocchina; Simeon, Vittorio; Dinardo, Giuseppina; Lotumolo, Antonella; Gioioso, Matilde; Villonio, Antonio; Iannelli, Giancarlo; D'Antuono, Felice; Zandolino, Alexis; Macarini, Luca; Guglielmi, Giuseppe; Cammarota, Aldo

2017-02-07

To analyze diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the related apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in women with breast cancer, correlating these values with the presence at 3 years of distant metastases, and to demonstrate that DWI-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and related ADC values may represent a prognostic value in the study of women with breast cancer. Sixty women (aged 45-73 years) affected with breast cancer with a follow-up in 3 years were enrolled. On DWI, we obtained the ADC values, and these were correlated with the clinical condition of patients at 3 years. Moreover, tumour size, lymph node status, and molecular markers, including estrogens receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67 index, and human growth factor receptor 2 protein, were correlated with ADC values. This study was approved by the Scientific Committee of our institution. We considered patients with metastasis at 3 years (12 patients - 20%) and without metastasis (48 patients - 80%). The mean ADC value in patients with no metastases at 3 years was 1.06 ± 0.38, while for patients with metastases it was 0.74 ± 0.34 (p = .011). The receiver-operator curve analysis identified a value of 0.75 (<0.75 with risk to develop metastasis) as the best predictive cutoff for ADC values, with the highest sensitivity (81.25%) and higher specificity (66.67%). After regression analysis, ADC value, positivity to estrogen-progestin receptors, and presence of lymph nodes were the only prognostic factors found to be statistically significant. DWI-MRI and related ADC values may represent a prognostic value in women with breast cancer.

Simulation of size-exclusion chromatography distribution coefficients of comb-shaped molecules in spherical pores comparison of simulation and experiment.

PubMed

Radke, Wolfgang

2004-03-05

Simulations of the distribution coefficients of linear polymers and regular combs with various spacings between the arms have been performed. The distribution coefficients were plotted as a function of the number of segments in order to compare the size exclusion chromatography (SEC)-elution behavior of combs relative to linear molecules. By comparing the simulated SEC-calibration curves it is possible to predict the elution behavior of comb-shaped polymers relative to linear ones. In order to compare the results obtained by computer simulations with experimental data, a variety of comb-shaped polymers varying in side chain length, spacing between the side chains and molecular weights of the backbone were analyzed by SEC with light-scattering detection. It was found that the computer simulations could predict the molecular weights of linear molecules having the same retention volume with an accuracy of about 10%, i.e. the error in the molecular weight obtained by calculating the molecular weight of the comb-polymer based on a calibration curve constructed using linear standards and the results of the computer simulations are of the same magnitude as the experimental error of absolute molecular weight determination.

Solution pH and oligoamine molecular weight dependence of the transition from monolayer to multilayer adsorption at the air-water interface from sodium dodecyl sulfate/oligoamine mixtures.

PubMed

Halacheva, S S; Penfold, J; Thomas, R K; Webster, J R P

2013-05-14

Neutron reflectivity and surface tension have been used to investigate the solution pH and oligoamine molecular weight dependence of the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/oligoamine mixtures at the air-water interface. For diethylenetriamine, triamine, or triethylenetetramine, tetramine mixed with SDS, there is monolayer adsorption at pH 7 and 10, and multilayer adsorption at pH 3. For the slightly higher molecular weight tetraethylenepentamine, pentamine, and pentaethylenehexamine, hexamine, the adsorption is in the form of a monolayer at pH 3 and multilayers at pH 7 and 10. Hence, there is a pH driven transition from monolayer to multilayer adsorption, which shifts from low pH to higher pH as the oligoamine molecular weight increases from tetramine to pentamine. This results from the relative balance between the electrostatic attraction between the SDS and amine nitrogen group which decreases as the charge density decreases with increasing pH, the ion-dipole interaction between the amine nitrogen and SDS sulfate group which is dominant at higher pH, and the hydrophobic interalkyl chain interaction between bound SDS molecules which changes with oligoamine molecular weight.

Comparison of antimicrobial activities of newly obtained low molecular weight scorpion chitosan and medium molecular weight commercial chitosan.

PubMed

Kaya, Murat; Asan-Ozusaglam, Meltem; Erdogan, Sevil

2016-06-01

In this study the antimicrobial activity of low molecular weight (3.22 kDa) chitosan, obtained for the first time from a species belonging to the Scorpiones, was screened against nine pathogenic microorganisms (seven bacteria and two yeasts) and compared with that of medium molecular weight commercial chitosan (MMWCC). It was observed that the antimicrobial activity of the low molecular weight scorpion chitosan (LMWSC) was specific to bacterial species in general rather than gram-negative or gram-positive bacterial groups. It was also determined that LMWSC had a stronger inhibitory effect than the MMWCC, particularly on the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and the yeast Candida albicans, which are important pathogens for public health. In addition, it was recorded that the MMWCC had a greater inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis than LMWSC. According to the results obtained by the disc diffusion method, the antibacterial activity of both LMWSC and MMWCC against B. subtilis and Salmonella enteritidis was higher than the widely used antibiotic Gentamicin (CN, 10 μg/disc). Copyright © 2015 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis.

PubMed

Camporese, Giuseppe; Bernardi, Enrico

2009-09-01

Venous thromboembolism represents a potentially threatening complication in surgical and medical patients. Thromboprophylaxis showed a significant reduction of venous thromboembolic events, and low-molecular-weight heparins have been considered the standardized prophylactic regimen for a long time. The purpose of this review is to provide updated evidence on the use of low-molecular-weight heparins for prevention of venous thromboembolism after the publication of the latest American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines on antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy. Low-molecular-weight heparins, used as comparator or investigational drug, have been investigated in several studies not included in the analysis of the latest American College of Chest Physicians Guidelines on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Data gathered from studies published from December 2007 up to May 2009 dealing with surgical and medical patients have been collected and discussed. Low-molecular-weight heparins are expanding their application, but progressively they will be replaced by other new antithrombotics for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism. Surgical patients undergo a more concerted approach to thromboprophylaxis than medical patients. Future research should aim at improving prophylaxis in the latter setting in order to significantly reduce the rate of venous thromboembolic events.

Chelating resin immobilizing carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine for selective solid-phase extraction of trace elements: Effect of the molecular weight of polyethyleneimine and its carboxymethylation rate.

PubMed

Kagaya, Shigehiro; Kajiwara, Takehiro; Gemmei-Ide, Makoto; Kamichatani, Waka; Inoue, Yoshinori

2016-01-15

The effect of the molecular weight of polyethyleneimine (PEI), defined as a compound having two or more ethyleneamine units, and of its carboxymethylation rate (CM/N), represented by the ratio of ion-exchange capacity to the amount of N on the resin, on the selective solid-phase extraction ability of the chelating resin immobilizing carboxymethylated (CM) PEI was investigated. The chelating resins (24 types) were prepared by immobilization of diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, PEI300 (MW=ca. 300), and PEI600 (MW=ca. 600) on methacrylate resins, followed by carboxymethylation with various amounts of sodium monochloroacetate. When resins with approximately the same CM/N ratio (0.242-0.271) were used, the recovery of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn, and alkaline earth elements increased with increasing the molecular weight of PEIs under acidic and weakly acidic conditions; however, the extraction behavior of Mo and V was only slightly affected. This was probably due to the increase in N content of the resin, resulting in an increase in carboxylic acid groups; the difference in the molecular weight of PEIs immobilized on the resin exerts an insignificant influence on the selective extraction ability. The CM/N ratio considerably affected the extraction behavior for various elements. Under acidic and neutral conditions, the recovery of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, and Zn increased with increasing CM/N values. However, under these conditions, the recovery of alkaline earth elements was considerably low when a resin with low CM/N ratio was used. This is presumably attributed to the different stability constants of the complexes of these elements with aminocarboxylic acids and amines, and to the electrostatic repulsion between the elements and the protonated amino groups in the CM-PEI. The recovery of Mo and V decreased or varied with increasing CM/N values, suggesting that the extraction of these elements occurred mainly by the anion-exchange reaction. For the separation and preconcentration of trace elements in samples containing large amounts of alkali and alkaline earth elements, the CM-PEI600 resin with CM/N=0.131 (Cu(II) extraction capacity, 0.37mmol g(-)(1)) was found to be the most suitable because it scarcely extracts alkali and alkaline earth elements under acidic and neutral conditions. This resin proved to be convenient for separating and preconcentrating Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the certified reference materials (EnviroMAT EU-L-1 wastewater and ES-L-1 ground water) and commercially available table salt. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling the [NTf2] pyridinium ionic liquids family and their mixtures with the soft statistical associating fluid theory equation of state.

PubMed

Oliveira, M B; Llovell, F; Coutinho, J A P; Vega, L F

2012-08-02

In this work, the soft statistical associating fluid theory (soft-SAFT) equation of state (EoS) has been used to provide an accurate thermodynamic characterization of the pyridinium-based family of ionic liquids (ILs) with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion [NTf(2)](-). On the basis of recent molecular simulation studies for this family, a simple molecular model was proposed within the soft-SAFT EoS framework. The chain length value was transferred from the equivalent imidazolium-based ILs family, while the dispersive energy and the molecular parameters describing the cation-anion interactions were set to constant values for all of the compounds. With these assumptions, an appropriate set of molecular parameters was found for each compound fitting to experimental temperature-density data at atmospheric pressure. Correlations for the nonconstant parameters (describing the volume of the IL) with the molecular weight were established, allowing the prediction of the parameters for other pyridiniums not included in the fitting. Then, the suitability of the proposed model and its optimized parameters were tested by predicting high-pressure densities and second-order thermodynamic derivative properties such as isothermal compressibilities of selected [NTf(2)] pyridinium ILs, in a large range of thermodynamic conditions. The surface tension was also provided using the density gradient theory coupled to the soft-SAFT equation. Finally, the soft-SAFT EoS was applied to describe the phase behavior of several binary mixtures of [NTf(2)] pyridinium ILs with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. In all cases, a temperature-independent binary parameter was enough to reach quantitative agreement with the experimental data. The description of the solubility of CO(2) in these ILs also allowed identification of a relation between the binary parameter and the molecular weight of the ionic liquid, allowing the prediction of the CO(2) + C(12)py[NTf(2)] mixture. The good agreement with the experimental data shows the excellent ability of the soft-SAFT EoS to describe the thermophysical properties of ILs as well as their phase behavior. Results prove that this equation of state can be a valuable tool to assist the design of ILs (in what concerns cation and anion selection) in order to obtain ILs with the desired properties and, consequently, enhancing their potential industrial applications.

Use of Kinematic Viscosity Data for the Evaluation of the Molecular Weight of Petroleum Oils

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maroto, J. A.; Quesada-Perez, M.; Ortiz-Hernandez, A. J.

2010-01-01

A new laboratory procedure for the evaluation of the mean molecular weight (mean relative molecular mass) of petroleum oils with high accuracy is described. The density and dynamic viscosity of three commercial petroleum oils are measured at different temperatures. These experimental data are used to calculate the kinematic viscosity as a function…

Development of haplotype-specific molecular markers for the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) are one of the major components of gluten and their allelic variation has been widely associated with numerous wheat end-use quality parameters. These proteins are encoded by multigene families located at the orthologous Glu-3 loci (Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and...

Molecular-Size-Separated Brown Carbon Absorption for Biomass-Burning Aerosol at Multiple Field Sites.

PubMed

Di Lorenzo, Robert A; Washenfelder, Rebecca A; Attwood, Alexis R; Guo, Hongyu; Xu, Lu; Ng, Nga L; Weber, Rodney J; Baumann, Karsten; Edgerton, Eric; Young, Cora J

2017-03-21

Biomass burning is a known source of brown carbon aerosol in the atmosphere. We collected filter samples of biomass-burning emissions at three locations in Canada and the United States with transport times of 10 h to >3 days. We analyzed the samples with size-exclusion chromatography coupled to molecular absorbance spectroscopy to determine absorbance as a function of molecular size. The majority of absorption was due to molecules >500 Da, and these contributed an increasing fraction of absorption as the biomass-burning aerosol aged. This suggests that the smallest molecular weight fraction is more susceptible to processes that lead to reduced light absorption, while larger-molecular-weight species may represent recalcitrant brown carbon. We calculate that these large-molecular-weight species are composed of more than 20 carbons with as few as two oxygens and would be classified as extremely low volatility organic compounds (ELVOCs).

Chitosan derivatives with antimicrobial, antitumour and antioxidant activities--a review.

PubMed

Jarmila, Vinsová; Vavríková, Eva

2011-01-01

Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide with a good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and no toxicity, which provide it with huge potential for future development. The chitosan molecule appears to be a suitable polymeric complex for many biomedical applications. This review gathers current findings on the antibacterial, antifungal, antitumour and antioxidant activities of chitosan derivatives and concurs with our previous review presenting data collected up to 2008. Antibacterial activity is based on molecular weight, the degree of deacetylation, the type of substitutents, which can be cationic or easily form cations, and the type of bacterium. In general, high molecular weight chitosan cannot pass through cell membranes and forms a film that protects cells against nutrient transport through the microbial cell membrane. Low molecular weight chitosan derivatives are water soluble and can better incorporate the active molecule into the cell. Gram-negative bacteria, often represented by Escherichia coli, have an anionic bacterial surface on which cationic chitosan derivatives interact electrostatically. Thus, many chitosan conjugates have cationic components such as ammonium, pyridinium or piperazinium substituents introduced into their molecules to increase their positive charge. Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus are inhibited by the binding of lower molecular weight chitosan derivatives to DNA or RNA. Chitosan nanoparticles exhibit an increase in loading capacity and efficacy. Antitumour active compounds such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel and norcantharidin are used as drug carriers. It is evident that chitosan, with its low molecular weight, is a useful carrier for molecular drugs requiring targeted delivery. The antioxidant scavenging activity of chitosan has been established by the strong hydrogen-donating ability of chitosan. The low molecular weight and greater degree of quarternization have a positive influence on the antioxidant activity of chitosan. Phenolic and polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant effects are condensed with chitosan to form mutual prodrugs.

Ring-opening polymerization of 19-electron [2]cobaltocenophanes: a route to high-molecular-weight, water-soluble polycobaltocenium polyelectrolytes.

PubMed

Mayer, Ulrich F J; Gilroy, Joe B; O'Hare, Dermot; Manners, Ian

2009-08-05

Water-soluble, high-molecular-weight polycobaltocenium polyelectrolytes have been prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) techniques. Anionic polymerization of a strained 19-electron dicarba[2]cobaltocenophane followed by oxidation in the presence of ammonium chloride resulted in the formation of oligomers with up to nine repeat units. Thermal ROP of dicarba[2]cobaltocenophane followed by oxidation in the presence of ammonium nitrate resulted in the formation of high-molecular-weight polycobaltocenium nitrate, a redox-active cobalt-containing polyelectrolyte.

Tribological characteristics of a composite total-surface hip replacement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. R., Jr.; Roberts, J. C.; Ling, F. F.

1982-01-01

Continuous fiber, woven E glass composite femoral shells having the same elastic properties as bone were fabricated. The shells were then encrusted with filled epoxy wear resistant coatings and run dry against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups in 42,000 and 250,000 cycle wear tests on a total hip simulator. The tribological characteristics of these continuous fiber particulate composite femoral shells articulating with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups were comparable to those of a vitallium ball articulating with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cup.

Diffusion coefficient of the protein in various crystallization solutions: The key to growing high-quality crystals in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Hiroaki; Takahashi, Sachiko; Yamanaka, Mari; Yoshizaki, Izumi; Sato, Masaru; Sano, Satoshi; Motohara, Moritoshi; Kobayashi, Tomoyuki; Yoshitomi, Susumu; Tanaka, Tetsuo; Fukuyama, Seijiro

2006-09-01

The diffusion coefficients of lysozyme and alpha-amylase were measured in the various polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions. Obtained diffusion coefficients were studied with the viscosity coefficient of the solution. It was found that the diffusion process of the protein was suppressed with a factor of vγ, where ν is a relative viscosity coefficient of the PEG solution. The value of γ is -0.64 at PEG1500 for both proteins. The value increased to -0.48 at PEG8000 for lysozyme, while decreased to -0.72 for alpha-amylase. The equation of an approximate diffusion coefficient at certain PEG molecular weight and concentration was roughly obtained.

Theoretical performance of liquid hydrogen and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Sanford; Huff, Vearl N

1953-01-01

Theoretical values of performance parameters for liquid hydrogen and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant were calculated on the assumption of equilibrium composition during the expansion process for a wide range of fuel-oxidant and expansion ratios. The parameters included were specific impulse, combustion-chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, equilibrium composition, mean molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ration of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, coefficient of viscosity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity. The maximum value of specific impulse was 364.6 pound-seconds per pound for a chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute (20.41 atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere.

The deoxyribonucleic acid of Micrococcus radiodurans

PubMed Central

Schein, Arnold H.

1966-01-01

The DNA of Micrococcus radiodurans was prepared by three methods. Although the recovery of DNA varied considerably, the percentage molar base ratios of the DNA from the three preparations were essentially the same: guanine, 33±2; adenine, 18±1; cytosine, 33±2; thymine, 17±1. Base compositions calculated from Tm values and from density in caesium chloride gradients also yielded guanine+cytosine contents of 66 and 68% of total bases respectively. No unusual bases were observed. The S20,w values were characteristic of high-molecular-weight DNA. Electron microscopy showed the purified DNA in long strands; occasionally these were coiled. Images(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)Fig. 1. PMID:16742439

Theoretical performance of liquid ammonia and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Sanford; Huff, Vearl N

1953-01-01

Theoretical values of performance parameters for liquid ammonia and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant were calculated on the assumption of equilibrium composition during the expansion process for a wide range of fuel-oxidant and expansion ratios. The parameters included were specific impulse, combustion chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, equilibrium composition, mean molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, coefficient of viscosity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity. The maximum value of specific impulse was 311.5 pound-seconds per pound for a chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute (20.41 atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Population structure and strong divergent selection shape phenotypic diversification in maize landraces.

PubMed

Pressoir, G; Berthaud, J

2004-02-01

To conserve the long-term selection potential of maize, it is necessary to investigate past and present evolutionary processes that have shaped quantitative trait variation. Understanding the dynamics of quantitative trait evolution is crucial to future crop breeding. We characterized population differentiation of maize landraces from the State of Oaxaca, Mexico for quantitative traits and molecular markers. Qst values were much higher than Fst values obtained for molecular markers. While low values of Fst (0.011 within-village and 0.003 among-villages) suggest that considerable gene flow occurred among the studied populations, high levels of population differentiation for quantitative traits were observed (ie an among-village Qst value of 0.535 for kernel weight). Our results suggest that although quantitative traits appear to be under strong divergent selection, a considerable amount of gene flow occurs among populations. Furthermore, we characterized nonproportional changes in the G matrix structure both within and among villages that are consequences of farmer selection. As a consequence of these differences in the G matrix structure, the response to multivariate selection will be different from one population to another. Large changes in the G matrix structure could indicate that farmers select for genes of major and pleiotropic effect. Farmers' decision and selection strategies have a great impact on phenotypic diversification in maize landraces.

[Adsorption of aflatoxin on montmorillonite modified by low-molecular-weight humic acids].

PubMed

Yao, Jia-Jia; Kang, Fu-Xing; Gao, Yan-Zheng

2012-03-01

The adsorption of a typical biogenic toxin aflatoxin B1 on montmorillonite modified by low-molecular-weight humic acids (M(r) < 3 500) was investigated. The montmorillonite rapidly adsorbed the aflatoxin B1 until amounting to the maximal capacity, and then the adsorbed aflatoxin B1 slowly released into solution and reached the sorption equilibrium state after 12 h. The sorption isotherm of aflatoxin B1 by montmorillonite could be well described by Langmiur model, while the sorption isotherm by humic acid-modified montmorillonite was well fitted by using the Freundlich model. The modification of the montmorillonite with humic acids obviously enhanced its adsorption capacity for aflatoxin B1, and the amounts of aflatoxin adsorbed by modified montmorillonite were obviously higher than those by montmorillonite. The sorption enhancement by humic acid modification was attributed to (1) the enlarged adsorption sites which owed to the surface collapse of crystal layers induced by organic acids, and (2) the binding of aflatoxin with the humic acid sorbed on mineral surface. In addition, the adsorption amounts of aflatoxin by montmorillonite and modified montmorillonite increased with the increase of pH values in solution, and more significant enhancement was observed for the latter than the former, which attributed to the release of humic acids from the modified montmorillonite with the high pH values in solution. This indicates that increasing the pH values resulted in the enhanced hydrophilic property and the release of the organic acids presented in modified montmorillonite, and more sorption sites were available for aflatoxin on the modified montmorillonite. Results of this work would strengthen our understanding of the behavior and fate of biological contaminants in the environment.

High Molecular Weight Polymers in the New Chemicals Program

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

There are three categories or types of High Molecular Weight (HMW, 10,000 daltons) polymers typically reviewed by the New Chemicals Program: Soluble, insoluble, and water absorbing. Each of the three types are treated differently.

[Hemapheresis using vesicular plant separation materials].

PubMed

Mavrina, L; Ehwald, R; Matthes, G; Stamminger, G

1990-01-01

The present paper deals with the separation of cells from soluble compounds of blood by means of exclusion chromatography using a recently described vesicular packing material made from the cell wall framework of the small duckweed Wolffia arrhiza. The cells of the periphere blood are hardly retarded in passing through a packing of the vesicular material and eluted as sharp peak at an elution volume which is near to 30% of the column volume. The behavior of cells is similar to that of the excluded high molecular weight plasma proteins (e.g. serumalbumin). Low molecular weight solutes (e.g. salts, glucose, urea, kreatinin), but also substances of considerable molecular weight (e.g. myoglobin and Vitamin B12) which are usually difficult to separate by dialysis from serum, are eluted at nearly 100% of the packing volume and may be separated completely from cells and high molecular weight proteins. In vitro-Tests did not show a reduced vitality of eluted blood cells.

Effect of molecular weight of chitosan on the shelf life and other quality parameters of three different cultivars of Actinidia kolomikta (kiwifruit).

PubMed

Drevinskas, Tomas; Naujokaitytė, Gintarė; Maruška, Audrius; Kaya, Murat; Sargin, Idris; Daubaras, Remigijus; Česonienė, Laima

2017-10-01

The kiwi fruit, Actinidia kolomikta, has valuable properties such as high antioxidant activity, high vitamin C, polyphenols, chlorophylls and organic acids content, but the species are hardly commercialized due to their short shelf life (less than two days). In this study three different cultivars of A. kolomikta (Anykšta, Sentiabrskaya and VIR2) were coated with low, medium and high molecular weight chitosan bio-polymer with the aim to extend the shelf life. The changes in fruit firmness, mass, phenolic compound content, vitamin C content and subjective criteria (withering level, decoloration level and aesthetic appearance) were monitored. It was observed that high molecular weight chitosan had higher positive effect on the shelf life of Sentiabrskaya and Anykšta cultivars than VIR2. Low molecular weight chitosan was found effective on VIR2. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxicity of polycations: Relationship of molecular weight and the hydrolytic theory of the mechanism of toxicity.

PubMed

Monnery, Bryn D; Wright, Michael; Cavill, Rachel; Hoogenboom, Richard; Shaunak, Sunil; Steinke, Joachim H G; Thanou, Maya

2017-04-15

The mechanism of polycation cytotoxicity and the relationship to polymer molecular weight is poorly understood. To gain an insight into this important phenomenon a range of newly synthesised uniform (near monodisperse) linear polyethylenimines, commercially available poly(l-lysine)s and two commonly used PEI-based transfectants (broad 22kDa linear and 25kDa branched) were tested for their cytotoxicity against the A549 human lung carcinoma cell line. Cell membrane damage assays (LDH release) and cell viability assays (MTT) showed a strong relationship to dose and polymer molecular weight, and increasing incubation times revealed that even supposedly "non-toxic" low molecular weight polymers still damage cell membranes. The newly proposed mechanism of cell membrane damage is acid catalysed hydrolysis of lipidic phosphoester bonds, which was supported by observations of the hydrolysis of DOPC liposomes. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Short communication: possible mechanism for inhibiting the formation of polymers originated from 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde by sulfite groups in the dairy thermal process.

PubMed

Guan, Yong-Guang; Zhu, Si-Ming; Yu, Shu-Juan; Xu, Xian-Bing; Zhu, Li-Cai

2013-05-01

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde can undergo polymerization to form high-molecular weight molecules via the Maillard reaction during dairy thermal treatment. In this study, the effect of sulfite group on polymer formation, especially in inhibiting the formation of high-molecular weight polymers has been described. Results showed that the sulfite group significantly inhibited the increase of polymer molecular weight via prevention of the polymerization of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde. The formation of an intermolecular dimer based on the glucose molecule through Schiff base cyclization can lead to a competitive reaction with 1,2-enolization to reduce 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde formation, which might be another factor in reducing the formation of high-molecular weight polymers. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of thermally stable phosphonitrile elastomers for advanced aerospace structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reynard, K. A.; Rose, S. H.

1972-01-01

Attempts to prepare low molecular weight, curable poly-(fluoroalkoxyphosphazenes) have been successful. Derivatization of /Cl2PN/n polymer with alkoxides gave functionally reactive terpolymers. These terpolymers could be crosslinked with polyisocyanates at room temperature. Attempts to control molecular weight have not been as successful. The effects of (Cl2PN)3 monomer purity, use of (Cl2PN)3,4 mixture, and early termination of the bulk polymerization of (Cl2PN)3 were studied briefly. Both low and high molecular weight polymers were obtained. Reaction of NH4Cl with PCl5 with subsequent heating to give chain extension gave either gels of oils with molecular weights of several thousand. The stabilization of poly-(fluoroalkoxyphosphazene) was investigated. The results generally were inconclusive, but acids were found to be deleterious while bases had little discernible effect. Improvements in stability by modification of end groups was inconclusive.

Fossil fuel combined cycle power generation method

DOEpatents

Labinov, Solomon D [Knoxville, TN; Armstrong, Timothy R [Clinton, TN; Judkins, Roddie R [Knoxville, TN

2008-10-21

A method for converting fuel energy to electricity includes the steps of converting a higher molecular weight gas into at least one mixed gas stream of lower average molecular weight including at least a first lower molecular weight gas and a second gas, the first and second gases being different gases, wherein the first lower molecular weight gas comprises H.sub.2 and the second gas comprises CO. The mixed gas is supplied to at least one turbine to produce electricity. The mixed gas stream is divided after the turbine into a first gas stream mainly comprising H.sub.2 and a second gas stream mainly comprising CO. The first and second gas streams are then electrochemically oxidized in separate fuel cells to produce electricity. A nuclear reactor can be used to supply at least a portion of the heat the required for the chemical conversion process.

Absolute molecular weight determination of hypromellose acetate succinate by size exclusion chromatography: use of a multi angle laser light scattering detector and a mixed solvent.

PubMed

Chen, Raymond; Ilasi, Nicholas; Sekulic, Sonja S

2011-12-05

Molecular weight distribution is an important quality attribute for hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), a pharmaceutical excipient used in spray-dried dispersions. Our previous study showed that neither relative nor universal calibration method of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) works for HPMCAS polymers. We here report our effort to develop a SEC method using a mass sensitive multi angle laser light scattering detector (MALLS) to determine molecular weight distributions of HPMCAS polymers. A solvent screen study reveals that a mixed solvent (60:40%, v/v 50mM NaH(2)PO(4) with 0.1M NaNO(3) buffer: acetonitrile, pH* 8.0) is the best for HPMCAS-LF and MF sub-classes. Use of a mixed solvent creates a challenging condition for the method that uses refractive index detector. Therefore, we thoroughly evaluated the method performance and robustness. The mean weight average molecular weight of a polyethylene oxide standard has a 95% confidence interval of (28,443-28,793) g/mol vs. 28,700g/mol from the Certificate of Analysis. The relative standard deviations of average molecular weights for all polymers are 3-6%. These results and the Design of Experiments study demonstrate that the method is accurate and robust. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of molecular size and osmolarity of sugars and dextrans on the synthesis of outer membrane proteins O-8 and O-9 of Escherichia coli K-12.

PubMed Central

Kawaji, H; Mizuno, T; Mizushima, S

1979-01-01

Supplementation of the growth medium with high concentrations of sugars or low-molecular-weight dextrans results in a drastic change in the ratio of outer membrane proteins O-8 and O-9, due to induction of O-8 synthesis and suppression of O-9 synthesis. Sugars and dextrans of molecular weights greater than 600 to 700 switched the synthesis of O-9 to that of O-8 more effectively than those of lower molecular weight, although the effect was almost the same within each of the two groups irrespective of the differences in molecular weight within the group. Proteins O-8 or O-9, or both, are responsible for the formation of pores that allow the passive diffusion of hydrophilic molecules whose molecular weights are smaller than about 600 (T. Nakae, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 71:877-884, 1976). The results indicate that substances that cannot pass through the outer membrane switch the synthesis of O-9 to that of O-8 more effectively than those that can penetrate this membrane with the aid of O-8, O-9, or both. It is suggested that the osmotic pressure exerted on the outer membrane plays an important role in the regulation of synthesis of the two proteins. PMID:391802

Synthesis of the low molecular weight heat shock proteins in plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mansfield, M.A.; Key, J.L.

1987-08-01

Heat shock of living tissue induces the synthesis of a unique group of proteins, the heat shock proteins. In plants, the major group of heat shock proteins has a molecular mass of 15 to 25 kilodaltons. Accumulation to these proteins to stainable levels has been reported in only a few species. To examine accumulation of the low molecular weight heat shock proteins in a broader range of species, two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to resolve total protein from the following species: soybean (Glycine max L. Merr., var Wayne), pea (Pisum sativum L., var Early Alaska), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), wheat (Triticummore » asetivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L., cv IR-36), maize (Zea mays L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke, line 23DB), and Panicum miliaceum L. When identified by both silver staining and incorporation of radiolabel, a diverse array of low molecular weight heat shock proteins was synthesized in each of these species. These proteins accumulated to significant levels after three hours of heat shock but exhibited considerable heterogeneity in isoelectric point, molecular weight, stainability, and radiolabel incorporation. Although most appeared to be synthesized only during heat shock, some were detectable at low levels in control tissue. Compared to the monocots, a higher proportion of low molecular weight heat shock proteins was detectable in control tissues from dicots.« less

21 CFR 172.820 - Polyethylene glycol (mean molecular weight 200-9,500).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... ethylene oxide and water with a mean molecular weight of 200 to 9,500. (2) It contains no more than 0.2..., or equivalent) 12 percent in H2O by weight on 60-80 mesh nonacid washed diatomaceous earth... in cylinder equipped with reducing regulator to provide 50 p.s.i.g. to the gas chromatograph...

21 CFR 172.820 - Polyethylene glycol (mean molecular weight 200-9,500).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... ethylene oxide and water with a mean molecular weight of 200 to 9,500. (2) It contains no more than 0.2..., or equivalent) 12 percent in H2O by weight on 60-80 mesh nonacid washed diatomaceous earth... in cylinder equipped with reducing regulator to provide 50 p.s.i.g. to the gas chromatograph...

Applicability of mode-coupling theory to polyisobutylene: a molecular dynamics simulation study.

PubMed

Khairy, Y; Alvarez, F; Arbe, A; Colmenero, J

2013-10-01

The applicability of Mode Coupling Theory (MCT) to the glass-forming polymer polyisobutylene (PIB) has been explored by using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. MCT predictions for the so-called asymptotic regime have been successfully tested on the dynamic structure factor and the self-correlation function of PIB main-chain carbons calculated from the simulated cell. The factorization theorem and the time-temperature superposition principle are satisfied. A consistent fitting procedure of the simulation data to the MCT asymptotic power-laws predicted for the α-relaxation regime has delivered the dynamic exponents of the theory-in particular, the exponent parameter λ-the critical non-ergodicity parameters, and the critical temperature T(c). The obtained values of λ and T(c) agree, within the uncertainties involved in both studies, with those deduced from depolarized light scattering experiments [A. Kisliuk et al., J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 38, 2785 (2000)]. Both, λ and T(c)/T(g) values found for PIB are unusually large with respect to those commonly obtained in low molecular weight systems. Moreover, the high T(c)/T(g) value is compatible with a certain correlation of this parameter with the fragility in Angell's classification. Conversely, the value of λ is close to that reported for real polymers, simulated "realistic" polymers and simple polymer models with intramolecular barriers. In the framework of the MCT, such finding should be the signature of two different mechanisms for the glass-transition in real polymers: intermolecular packing and intramolecular barriers combined with chain connectivity.

Low molecular weight components in an aquatic humic substance as characterized by membrane dialysis and orbitrap mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Remucal, Christina K; Cory, Rose M; Sander, Michael; McNeill, Kristopher

2012-09-04

Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA) was dialyzed through a 100-500 molecular weight cutoff dialysis membrane, and the dialysate and retentate were analyzed by UV-visible absorption and high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS). A significant fraction (36% based on dissolved organic carbon) of SRFA passed through the dialysis membrane. The fraction of SRFA in the dialysate had a different UV-visible absorption spectrum and was enriched in low molecular weight molecules with a more aliphatic composition relative to the initial SRFA solution. Comparison of the SRFA spectra collected by Orbitrap MS and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS (FT-ICR MS) demonstrated that the mass accuracy of the Orbitrap MS is sufficient for determination of unique molecular formulas of compounds with masses <600 Da in a complex mixture, such as SRFA. The most intense masses detected by Orbitrap MS were found in the 100-200 Da mass range. Many of these low molecular masses corresponded to molecular formulas of previously identified compounds in organic matter, lignin, and plants, and the use of the standard addition method provided an upper concentration estimate of selected target compounds in SRFA. Collectively, these results provide evidence that SRFA contains low molecular weight components that are present individually or in loosely bound assemblies.

Quantitative LC-MS of polymers: determining accurate molecular weight distributions by combined size exclusion chromatography and electrospray mass spectrometry with maximum entropy data processing.

PubMed

Gruendling, Till; Guilhaus, Michael; Barner-Kowollik, Christopher

2008-09-15

We report on the successful application of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and refractive index (RI) detection for the determination of accurate molecular weight distributions of synthetic polymers, corrected for chromatographic band broadening. The presented method makes use of the ability of ESI-MS to accurately depict the peak profiles and retention volumes of individual oligomers eluting from the SEC column, whereas quantitative information on the absolute concentration of oligomers is obtained from the RI-detector only. A sophisticated computational algorithm based on the maximum entropy principle is used to process the data gained by both detectors, yielding an accurate molecular weight distribution, corrected for chromatographic band broadening. Poly(methyl methacrylate) standards with molecular weights up to 10 kDa serve as model compounds. Molecular weight distributions (MWDs) obtained by the maximum entropy procedure are compared to MWDs, which were calculated by a conventional calibration of the SEC-retention time axis with peak retention data obtained from the mass spectrometer. Comparison showed that for the employed chromatographic system, distributions below 7 kDa were only weakly influenced by chromatographic band broadening. However, the maximum entropy algorithm could successfully correct the MWD of a 10 kDa standard for band broadening effects. Molecular weight averages were between 5 and 14% lower than the manufacturer stated data obtained by classical means of calibration. The presented method demonstrates a consistent approach for analyzing data obtained by coupling mass spectrometric detectors and concentration sensitive detectors to polymer liquid chromatography.

NprR-NprX Quorum-Sensing System Regulates the Algicidal Activity of Bacillus sp. Strain S51107 against Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

PubMed

Wu, Lishuang; Guo, Xingliang; Liu, Xianglong; Yang, Hong

2017-01-01

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms have severely impaired freshwater quality and threatened human health worldwide. Here, a Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain S51107, which exhibits strong algicidal activity against Microcystis aeruginosa , was isolated from Lake Taihu. We found that the algicidal activity of strain S51107 was regulated primarily by NprR-NprX quorum sensing (QS), in which the mature form of the signaling peptide NprX was identified as the SKPDIVG heptapeptide. Disruption of the nprR-nprX cassette markedly decreased the algicidal activity, and complemented strains showed significantly recovered algicidal activity. Strain S51107 produced low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds [indole-3-carboxaldehyde and cyclo(Pro-Phe)] and high-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) (>3 kDa). Moreover, the production of high-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) was regulated by NprR-NprX QS, but the production of low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds was not. High-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) played a more important role than low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds in the algicidal activity of strain S51107. The results of this study could increase our knowledge about algicidal characteristics of a potential algicidal bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain S51107, and provide the first evidence that the algicidal activity of Gram-positive algicidal bacteria is regulated by QS, which will greatly enhance our understanding of the interactions between algae and indigenous algicidal bacteria, thereby providing aid in the design and optimization of strategies to control harmful algae blooms.

NprR-NprX Quorum-Sensing System Regulates the Algicidal Activity of Bacillus sp. Strain S51107 against Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

PubMed Central

Wu, Lishuang; Guo, Xingliang; Liu, Xianglong; Yang, Hong

2017-01-01

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms have severely impaired freshwater quality and threatened human health worldwide. Here, a Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain S51107, which exhibits strong algicidal activity against Microcystis aeruginosa, was isolated from Lake Taihu. We found that the algicidal activity of strain S51107 was regulated primarily by NprR-NprX quorum sensing (QS), in which the mature form of the signaling peptide NprX was identified as the SKPDIVG heptapeptide. Disruption of the nprR-nprX cassette markedly decreased the algicidal activity, and complemented strains showed significantly recovered algicidal activity. Strain S51107 produced low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds [indole-3-carboxaldehyde and cyclo(Pro-Phe)] and high-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) (>3 kDa). Moreover, the production of high-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) was regulated by NprR-NprX QS, but the production of low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds was not. High-molecular-weight algicidal substance(s) played a more important role than low-molecular-weight algicidal compounds in the algicidal activity of strain S51107. The results of this study could increase our knowledge about algicidal characteristics of a potential algicidal bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain S51107, and provide the first evidence that the algicidal activity of Gram-positive algicidal bacteria is regulated by QS, which will greatly enhance our understanding of the interactions between algae and indigenous algicidal bacteria, thereby providing aid in the design and optimization of strategies to control harmful algae blooms. PMID:29075240

Cleavage of the main carbon chain backbone of high molecular weight polyacrylamide by aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment.

PubMed

Song, Wenzhe; Zhang, Yu; Gao, Yingxin; Chen, Dong; Yang, Min

2017-12-01

High molecular weight partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAM) can be bio-hydrolyzed on the amide side group, however, solid evidence regarding the biological cleavage of its main carbon chain backbone is limited. In this study, viscometry, flow field-flow fractionation multi-angle light scattering (FFF-MALS), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis were used to investigate the biodegradability of PAM with a nominal molecular weight of 2 × 10 7  Da (Da) in two suspended aerobic (25 and 40 °C) and two upflow anaerobic blanket reactors (35 and 55 °C) operated for 470 d under a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 2 d. Both anaerobic and aerobic biological treatment reduced the viscosity from 2.02 cp in the influent to 1.45-1.60 cp, and reduced the molecular weight of PAM using FFF-MALS from 2.17 × 10 7  Da to less than one-third its original size. The removals of both the amide group and carbon chain backbone in the PAM molecule were further supported by the FTIR analysis. In comparison with the other conditions, thermophilic anaerobic treatment exhibited higher efficiency for PAM biodegradation. Batch test excluded the influence of temperature on the molecular weight of PAM over the range 25-55 °C, suggesting that cleavage of the main carbon chain backbone was attributed to biological degradation. Our results suggested that high molecular weight PAM was biodegradable, but mineralization did not occur. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel method for the determination of average molecular weight of natural polymers based on 2D DOSY NMR and chemometrics: Example of heparin.

PubMed

Monakhova, Yulia B; Diehl, Bernd W K; Do, Tung X; Schulze, Margit; Witzleben, Steffen

2018-02-05

Apart from the characterization of impurities, the full characterization of heparin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) also requires the determination of average molecular weight, which is closely related to the pharmaceutical properties of anticoagulant drugs. To determine average molecular weight of these animal-derived polymer products, partial least squares regression (PLS) was utilized for modelling of diffused-ordered spectroscopy NMR data (DOSY) of a representative set of heparin (n=32) and LMWH (n=30) samples. The same sets of samples were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to obtain reference data. The application of PLS to the data led to calibration models with root mean square error of prediction of 498Da and 179Da for heparin and LMWH, respectively. The average coefficients of variation (CVs) did not exceed 2.1% excluding sample preparation (by successive measuring one solution, n=5) and 2.5% including sample preparation (by preparing and analyzing separate samples, n=5). An advantage of the method is that the sample after standard 1D NMR characterization can be used for the molecular weight determination without further manipulation. The accuracy of multivariate models is better than the previous results for other matrices employing internal standards. Therefore, DOSY experiment is recommended to be employed for the calculation of molecular weight of heparin products as a complementary measurement to standard 1D NMR quality control. The method can be easily transferred to other matrices as well. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analysis of pork and chicken products by droplet digital PCR.

PubMed

Cai, Yicun; Li, Xiang; Lv, Rong; Yang, Jielin; Li, Jian; He, Yuping; Pan, Liangwen

2014-01-01

In this project, a highly precise quantitative method based on the digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) technique was developed to determine the weight of pork and chicken in meat products. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is currently used for quantitative molecular analysis of the presence of species-specific DNAs in meat products. However, it is limited in amplification efficiency and relies on standard curves based Ct values, detecting and quantifying low copy number target DNA, as in some complex mixture meat products. By using the dPCR method, we find the relationships between the raw meat weight and DNA weight and between the DNA weight and DNA copy number were both close to linear. This enabled us to establish formulae to calculate the raw meat weight based on the DNA copy number. The accuracy and applicability of this method were tested and verified using samples of pork and chicken powder mixed in known proportions. Quantitative analysis indicated that dPCR is highly precise in quantifying pork and chicken in meat products and therefore has the potential to be used in routine analysis by government regulators and quality control departments of commercial food and feed enterprises.

Molecular resolution and fragmentation of fulvic acid by electrospray ionization/multistage tandem mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Leenheer, J.A.; Rostad, C.E.; Gates, Paul M.; Furlong, E.T.; Ferrer, I.

2001-01-01

Molecular weight distributions of fulvic acid from the Suwannee River, Georgia, were investigated by electrospray ionization/quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI/QMS), and fragmentation pathways of specific fulvic acid masses were investigated by electrospray ionization/ion trap multistage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MST/MS). ESI/QMS studies of the free acid form of low molecular weight poly(carboxylic acid) standards in 75% methanol/25% water mobile phase found that negative ion detection gave the optimum generation of parent ions that can be used for molecular weight determinations. However, experiments with poly(acrylic acid) mixtures and specific high molecular weight standards found multiply charged negative ions that gave a low bias to molecular mass distributions. The number of negative charges on a molecule is dependent on the distance between charges. ESI/MST/MS of model compounds found characteristic water loss from alcohol dehydration and anhydride formation, as well as CO2 loss from decarboxylation, and CO loss from ester structures. Application of these fragmentation pathways to specific masses of fulvic acid isolated and fragmented by ESI/MST/MS is indicative of specific structures that can serve as a basis for future structural confirmation after these hypothesized structures are synthesized.

Analysis of heparin oligosaccharides by capillary electrophoresis-negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lin, Lei; Liu, Xinyue; Zhang, Fuming; Chi, Lianli; Amster, I Jonathan; Leach, Franklyn E; Xia, Qiangwei; Linhardt, Robert J

2017-01-01

Most hyphenated analytical approaches that rely on liquid chromatography-MS require relatively long separation times, produce incomplete resolution of oligosaccharide mixtures, use eluents that are incompatible with electrospray ionization, or require oligosaccharide derivatization. Here we demonstrate the analysis of heparin oligosaccharides, including disaccharides, ultralow molecular weight heparin, and a low molecular weight heparin, using a novel electrokinetic pump-based CE-MS coupling eletrospray ion source. Reverse polarity CE separation and negative-mode electrospray ionization were optimized using a volatile methanolic ammonium acetate electrolyte and sheath fluid. The online CE hyphenated negative-ion electrospray ionization MS on an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer was useful in disaccharide compositional analysis and bottom-up and top-down analysis of low molecular weight heparin. The application of this CE-MS method to ultralow molecular heparin suggests that a charge state distribution and the low level of sulfate group loss that is achieved make this method useful for online tandem MS analysis of heparins. Graphical abstract Most hyphenated analytical approaches that rely on liquid chromatography-MS require relatively long separation times, produce incomplete resolution of oligosaccharide mixtures, use eluents that are incompatible with electrospray ionization, or require oligosaccharide derivatization. Here we demonstrate the analysis of heparin oligosaccharides, including disaccharides, ultralow molecular weight heparin, and a low molecular weight heparin, using a novel electrokinetic pump-based CE-MS coupling eletrospray ion source. Reverse polarity CE separation and negative-mode electrospray ionization were optimized using a volatile methanolic ammonium acetate electrolyte and sheath fluid. The online CE hyphenated negative-ion electrospray ionization MS on an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer was useful in disaccharide compositional analysis and bottom-up and top-down analysis of low molecular weight heparin. The application of this CE-MS method to ultralow molecular heparin suggests that a charge state distribution and the low level of sulfate group loss that is achieved make this method useful for online tandem MS analysis of heparins.

Mild acetosolv process to fractionate bamboo for the biorefinery: structural and antioxidant properties of the dissolved lignin.

PubMed

Li, Ming-Fei; Sun, Shao-Ni; Xu, Feng; Sun, Run-Cang

2012-02-22

Fractionation of lignocellulosic material into its constitutive components is of vital importance for the production of biofuels as well as other value-added chemicals. The conventional acetosolv processes are mainly focused on the production of pulp from woody lignocelluloses. In this study, a mild acetosolv process was developed to fractionate bamboo under atmospheric pressure to obtain cellulosic pulp, water-soluble fraction, and acetic acid lignin. The structural features of the lignins obtained under various conditions were characterized with elemental analysis, sugar analysis, alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), and heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) spectroscopy. As compared to milled wood lignin (MWL) of bamboo, acetic acid lignins had low impurities (carbohydrates 2.48-4.56%) mainly due to the cleavage of linkages between lignin and carbohydrates. In addition, acetic acid lignins showed a low proportion of syringyl (S) units. Due to the cleavage of linkages between lignin units, acetic acid lignins had weight-average molecular weights ranging from 4870 to 5210 g/mol, less than half that of MWL (13000 g/mol). In addition, acetic acid lignins showed stronger antioxidant activity mainly due to the significant increase of free phenolic hydroxyls. The lignins obtained with such low impurities, high free phenolic hydroxyls, and medium molecular weights are promising feedstocks to replace petroleum chemicals.

Isoleucine epimerization and amino acid composition in molecular-weight separations of Pleistocene Genyornis eggshell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaufman, Darrell S.; Miller, Gifford H.

1995-07-01

This study explores the geochronological utility and analytical reproducibility of separating the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMW) from eggshells of the extinct late Pleistocene ratite, Genyornis, using disposable, prepacked gel-filtration columns. The superior integrity of ratite eggshell for the retention of amino acids indicates that this biomineral is better suited for this type of investigation than previously studied molluscan shell. To evaluate the reproducibility of the gel-filtration technique, we analyzed triplicate subsamples of three eggshells of different ages. The reproducibility, based on the average intrashell variation (coefficient of variation; CV) in the extent of isoleucine epimerization (aIle/Ile) in the HMW (enriched in molecules ca. >10,000 MW) is 3%, well within the range appropriate for geochronological purposes. The average intrashell variation in the total amino acid concentration (Σ[aa]) of the HMW is 5%, somewhat better than for the total acid hydrolysate (TOTAL) of the same samples (7%). To evaluate the relation between molecular weight and the rate of isoleucine epimerization, three molecular-weight fractions were separated using gel filtration, plus the naturally hydrolyzed free fraction (FREE), for each of four fossil eggshells. AIle/Ile increases with decreasing molecular weight in all shells, with a ca. sixfold to ninefold difference in ratios between the HMW andFREE, and a ca. fivefold difference between the HMW andTOTAL. Although linear correlations between aIle/Ile measured in each molecular-weight fraction and in theTOTAL are all highly significant (r ⩾ 0.951), the relation between the extent of epimerization in the HMW and in the TOTAL is best expressed as an exponential function (r = 0.951). This relation is consistent with the idea that, as the epimerization reaction approaches equilibrium in theTOTAL (ca. aIle/Ile > 1.1), its rate decreases beyond that of the HMW. The amino acid composition (relative percent of eight amino acids or combinations of amino acids) is more uniform in the HMW of the four samples compared to lower-molecular-weight fractions. The greater "compositional stability" of the HMW indicates that it contains a residuum of macromolecules that have not been affected by the diagenetically driven changes observed in lower-molecular-weight fractions.

Ozonation effects on emerging micropollutants and effluent organic matter in wastewater: characterization using changes of three-dimensional HP-SEC and EEM fluorescence data.

PubMed

Liu, Chen; Li, Penghui; Tang, Xiangyu; Korshin, Gregory V

2016-10-01

The degradation of effluent organic matter (EfOM) in a municipal wastewater treated by ozonation was characterized using the methods of high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC) and excitation/emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The removal of 40 diverse trace-level contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) present in the wastewater was determined as well. Ozonation caused a rapid decrease of the absorbance and fluorescence of the wastewater, which was associated primarily with the oxidation of high and low apparent molecular weight (AMW) EfOM fractions. PARAFAC analysis also showed that components C1 and C2 decreased prominently in these conditions. The EfOM fraction of intermediate molecular weight ascribable to a terrestrial humic-like component (C3) tended to be less reactive toward ozone. Relative changes of EEM fluorescence were quantified using F max values of PARAFAC-identified components (∆F/F 0 max ). Unambiguous relationships between ∆F/F 0 max values and the extent of the degradation of the examined CECs (∆C/C 0 ) were established. This allowed correlating main parameters of the ∆C/C 0 vs. ∆F/F 0 max relationships with the rates of oxidation of these CECs. The results demonstrate the potential of online measurements of EEM fluorescence for quantitating effects of ozonation on EfOM and micropollutants in wastewater effluents.

Alternative CHCA-based matrices for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds by UV-MALDI-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Porta, Tiffany; Grivet, Chantal; Knochenmuss, Richard; Varesio, Emmanuel; Hopfgartner, Gérard

2011-02-01

Analysis of low molecular weight compounds (LMWC) in complex matrices by vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) often suffers from matrix interferences, which can severely degrade limits of quantitation. It is, therefore, useful to have available a range of suitable matrices, which exhibit complementary regions of interference. Two newly synthesized α-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives are reported here; (E)-2-cyano-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)acrylic acid (NpCCA) and (2E)-3-(anthracen-9-yl)-2-cyanoprop-2enoic acid (AnCCA). Along with the commonly used α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and the recently developed 4-chloro-α-cyanocinnamic acid (Cl-CCA) matrices, these constitute a chemically similar series of matrices covering a range of molecular weights, and with correspondingly differing ranges of spectral interference. Their performance was compared by measuring the signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of 47 analytes, mostly pharmaceuticals, with the different matrices using the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode on a triple quadrupole instrument equipped with a vacuum MALDI source. AnCCA, NpCCA and Cl-CCA were found to offer better signal-to-noise ratios in SRM mode than CHCA, but Cl-CCA yielded the best results for 60% of the compounds tested. To better understand the relative performance of this matrix series, the proton affinities (PAs) were measured using the kinetic method. Their relative values were: AnCCA > CHCA > NpCCA > Cl-CCA. This ordering is consistent with the performance data. The synthesis of the new matrices is straightforward and they provide (1) tunability of matrix background interfering ions and (2) enhanced analyte response for certain classes of compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A low molecular weight proteome comparison of fertile and male sterile 8 anthers of Zea mays

PubMed Central

Wang, Dongxue; Adams, Christopher M.; Fernandes, John F.; Egger, Rachel L.; Walbot, Virginia

2014-01-01

Summary During maize anther development, somatic locular cells differentiate to support meiosis in the pollen mother cells. Meiosis is an important event during anther growth and is essential for plant fertility as pollen contains the haploid sperm. A subset of maize male sterile mutants exhibit meiotic failure, including ms8 (male sterile 8) in which meiocytes arrest as dyads and the locular somatic cells exhibit multiple defects. Systematic proteomic profiles were analysed in biological triplicates plus technical triplicates comparing ms8 anthers with fertile sibling samples at both the premeiotic and meiotic stages; proteins from 3.5 to 20 kDa were fractionated by 1-D PAGE, cleaved with Lys-C and then sequenced using a LTQ Orbitrap Velos MS paradigm. Three hundred and 59proteins were identified with two or more assigned peptides in which each of those peptides were counted at least two or more times (0.4% peptide false discovery rate (FDR) and 0.2% protein FDR); 2761 proteins were identified with one or more assigned peptides (0.4% peptide FDR and 7.6% protein FDR). Stage-specific protein expression provides candidate stage markers for early anther development, and proteins specifically expressed in fertile compared to sterile anthers provide important clues about the regulation of meiosis. 49% of the proteins detected by this study are new to an independent whole anther proteome, and many small proteins missed by automated maize genome annotation were validated; these outcomes indicate the value of focusing on low molecular weight proteins. The roles of distinctive expressed proteins and methods for mass spectrometry of low molecular weight proteins are discussed. PMID:22748129

Terrestrially derived glomalin-related soil protein quality as a potential ecological indicator in a peri-urban watershed.

PubMed

Sui, Xueyan; Wu, Zhipeng; Lin, Chen; Zhou, Shenglu

2017-07-01

Glomalin, which sequesters substantial amounts of carbon, plays a critical role in sustaining terrestrial biome functions and contributes to the fate of many pollutants from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Despite having focused on the amount of glomalin produced, very few attempts have been made to understand how landscapes and environmental conditions influence glomalin composition and characteristics. This study focused on glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) exported as storm runoff including eroded sediment and water that was collected before flowing to surface waters in a peri-urban watershed. GRSP characteristics were assessed by Bradford protein analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), and the determination of aromaticity based on the specific ultraviolet absorption value (280 nm) and molecular weight. General linear models (GLMs) was established by integrating microbial activity, land cover, water temperature, precipitation, and other solution chemical properties to explain the variations in GRSP characteristics. Results showed that a higher GRSP concentration in agricultural reference sites was produced in the form of specific materials with low molecular weight and aromaticity, as well as high percentage of C1 and C5 components which indicate microbial-processed sources, relative to urbanized and forested sites. Compared with forested land, urbanized land clearly produced runoff GRSP with low molecular weight and aromaticity, as well as more degradation of humic-like materials (C3 component). The highest GLM explaining 89% of the variables, including significant variables (p < 0.05) such as microbial activity, water temperature, and water conductivity, was observed for GRSP characteristics. Therefore, changes in eroded soil GRSP quality can serve as an indicator for improving watershed management and thus protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Molecular Sieving by the Bacillus megaterium Cell Wall and Protoplast

PubMed Central

Scherrer, Rene; Gerhardt, Philipp

1971-01-01

Passive permeabilities of the cell wall and protoplast of Bacillus megaterium strain KM were characterized by use of 50 hydrophilic probing molecules (tritiated water, sugars, dextrans, glycols, and polyglycols) which varied widely in size. Weight per cent uptake values (Rw) were measured at diffusional equilibrium under conditions that negated the influences of adsorption or active transport. Plots of Rw for intact cells as a function of number-average molecular weight (¯Mn) or Einstein-Stokes hydrodynamic radius (¯rES) of the solutes showed three phases: a protoplast uptake phase with a polydisperse exclusion threshold of ¯Mn = 0.6 × 103 to 1.1 × 103, ¯rES = 0.6 to 1.1 nm; a cell wall uptake phase with a polydisperse exclusion threshold of ¯Mn = 0.7 × 105 to 1.2 × 105, ¯rES ≅ 8.3 nm; and a total exclusion phase. Isolated cell walls showed only the latter two phases. However, it became evident that the cell wall selectively passed only the smallest molecules in a heterodisperse polymer sample. When the molecular-weight distributions of polyglycol samples (¯Mn = 1,000, 1,450, and 3,350) were determined by analytical gel chromatography before and after uptake by intact cells or isolated cell walls, a quasi-monodisperse exclusion threshold was obtained corresponding to Mn = 1,200, rES = 1.1 nm. The permeability of isolated protoplasts was assessed by the relative ability of solutes to effect osmotic stabilization. An indefinite exclusion threshold, evident even with monodisperse sugars, was attributed to lengthwise orientation of the penetrating rod-shaped molecules. Altogether, the best estimate of the limiting equivalent porosity of the protoplast was 0.4 to 0.6 nm in radius and of the cell wall, 1.1 nm. PMID:4999413

Analyzing the influence of PEG molecular weight on the separation of PEGylated gold nanoparticles by asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation.

PubMed

Hansen, Matthew; Smith, Mackensie C; Crist, Rachael M; Clogston, Jeffrey D; McNeil, Scott E

2015-11-01

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an important tool for increasing the biocompatibility of nanoparticle therapeutics. Understanding how these potential nanomedicines will react after they have been introduced into the bloodstream is a critical component of the preclinical evaluation process. Hence, it is paramount that better methods for separating, characterizing, and analyzing these complex and polydisperse formulations are developed. We present a method for separating nominal 30-nm gold nanoparticles coated with various molecular weight PEG moieties that uses only phosphate-buffered saline as the mobile phase, without the need for stabilizing surfactants. The optimized asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation technique using in-line multiangle light scattering, dynamic light scattering, refractive index, and UV-vis detectors allowed successful separation and detection of a mixture of nanoparticles coated with 2-, 5-, 10-, and 20-kDa PEG. The particles coated with the larger PEG species (10 and 20 kDa) were eluted at times significantly earlier than predicted by field-flow fractionation theory. This was attributed to a lower-density PEG shell for the higher molecular weight PEGylated nanoparticles, which allows a more fluid PEG surface that can be greater influenced by external forces. Hence, the apparent particle hydrodynamic size may fluctuate significantly depending on the overall density of the stabilizing surface coating when an external force is applied. This has considerable implications for PEGylated nanoparticles intended for in vivo application, as nanoparticle size is important for determining circulation times, accumulation sites, and routes of excretion, and highlights the importance and value of the use of secondary size detectors when one is working with complex samples in asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation.

Microvascular pericytes express platelet-derived growth factor-beta receptors in human healing wounds and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

PubMed Central

Sundberg, C.; Ljungström, M.; Lindmark, G.; Gerdin, B.; Rubin, K.

1993-01-01

The expression of platelet-derived growth factor- beta (PDGF-beta) receptors in the microvasculature of human healing wounds and colorectal adenocarcinoma was investigated. Frozen sections were subjected to double immunofluorescence staining using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for pericytes (MAb 225.28 recognizing the high-molecular weight-melanoma-associated antigen, expressed by activated pericytes during angiogenesis), endothelial cells (MAb PAL-E), laminin, as well as PDGF-beta receptors (MAb PDGFR-B2) and its ligand PDGF-B chain (MAb PDGF 007). Stained sections were analyzed by computer-aided imaging processing that allowed for a numerical quantification of the degree of colocalization of the investigated antigens. An apparent background colocalization, varying between 23 and 35%, between markers for cells not expected to co-localize was recorded. This background could be due to limitations of camera resolution, to out-of-focus fluorescence, and to interdigitations of the investigated structures. In all six tumor specimens, co-localization of PDGF-beta receptors and PAL-E was not different from the background co-localization, whereas that of PDGF-beta receptors and high-molecular weight-melanoma-associated antigen was significantly higher with mean values between 57 and 71%. Qualitatively, the same pattern was obtained in the two investigated healing wounds. PDGF-B chain did not co-localize with either PAL-E or high-molecular weight-melanoma-associated antigen, but PDGF-B chain-expressing cells were, however, frequently found juxtaposed to the microvasculature. The expression of PDGF-beta receptors on pericytes in activated microvessels and the presence of PDGF-B chain-expressing cells in close proximity to the microvasculature of healing wounds and colorectal adenocarcinoma is compatible with a role for PDGF in the physiology of the microvasculature in these conditions. Images Figure 1 p1381-a Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:8238254

Water solubility enhancement of some organic pollutants and pesticides by dissolved humic and fulvic acids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chiou, C.T.; Malcolm, R.L.; Brinton, T.I.; Kile, D.E.

1986-01-01

Water solubility enhancements by dissolved humic and fulvic acids from soil and aquatic origins and by synthetic organic polymers have been determined for selected organic pollutants and pesticides (p,p???-DDT, 2,4,5,2???,5???-PCB, 2,4,4???-PCB, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, and lindane). Significant solubility enhancements of relatively water-insoluble solutes by dissolved organic matter (DOM) of soil and aquatic origins may be described in terms of a partition-like interaction of the the solutes with the microscopic organic environment of the high-molecular-weight DOM species; the apparent solute solubilities increase linearly with DOM concentration and show no competitive effect between solutes. With a given DOM sample, the solute partition coefficient (Kdom) increases with a decrease of solute solubility (Sw) or with an increase of the solute's octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow). The Kdom values of solutes with soil-derived humic acid are approximately 4 times greater than with soil fulvic acid and 5-7 times greater than with aquatic humic and fulvic acids. The effectiveness of DOM in enhancing solute solubility appears to be largely controlled by the DOM molecular size and polarity. The relative inability of high-molecular-weight poly(acrylic acids) to enhance solute solubility is attributed to their high polarities and extended chain structures that do not permit the formation of a sizable intramolecular nonpolar environment.

Thermal properties of the gel made by low molecular weight gelator 1,2-O-(1-ethylpropylidene)-alpha-D-glucofuranose with toluene and molecular dynamics of solvent.

PubMed

Tritt-Goc, Jadwiga; Bielejewski, Michał; Luboradzki, Roman; Lapiński, Andrzej

2008-01-15

The studies of the gel-to-sol phase transition by the Raman, FT-IR, and 1H NMR methods of the gel made by low molecular weight organogelator 1,2-O-(1-ethylpropylidene)-alpha-D-glucofuranose with toluene as the solvent are reported. The FT-IR spectra revealed the existence of a hydrogen bond network formed by gelator molecules in the crystalline and gel phase. In both phases, the network formation is dominated by the gelator self-interaction. Upon gelation, only one stretching band of infrared absorption modes nualpha, assigned to the O(6)H hydroxyl protons of gelator, is shifted by Deltaupsilonalpha = 25 cm-1, which indicates the involvement of this proton in the interaction with the solvent molecules. The phase transition measurements performed as a function of gelator concentration allowed the calculation of the energy correlated with the transition from gel to solution phase. The obtained value of 72 kJ/mol is the largest one reported up until now for monosaccharide-based gels. The analysis of the temperature measurements of the toluene 1H NMR spectra provides evidence for a different chemical environment of toluene molecules in the gel. The toluene spin-lattice relaxation in bulk and gel indicate that the viscosity is most likely the main factor that influences the dynamics of toluene.

[Near ultraviolet absorption spectral properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the north area of Yellow Sea].

PubMed

Wang, Lin; Zhao, Dong-Zhi; Yang, Jian-Hong; Chen, Yan-Long

2010-12-01

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) near ultraviolet absorption spectra contains CDOM molecular structure, composition and other important physical and chemical information. Based on the measured data of CDOM absorption coefficient in March 2009 in the north area of Yellow Sea, the present paper analyzed near ultraviolet absorption spectral properties of CDOM. The results showed that due to the impact of near-shore terrigenous input, the composition of CDOM is quite different in the north area of Yellow Sea, and this area is a typical case II water; fitted slope with specific range of spectral band and absorption coefficient at specific band can indicate the relative size of CDOM molecular weight, correlation between spectral slope of the Sg,275-300), Sg,300-350, Sg,350-400 and Sg,250-275 and the relative size of CDOM molecular weight indicative parameter M increases in turn and the highest is up to 0.95. Correlation between a(g)(lambda) and M value increases gradually with the increase in wavelength, and the highest is up to 0.92 at 400 nm; being correlated or not between spectral slope and absorption coefficient is decided by the fitting-band wavelength range for the spectra slope and the wavelength for absorption coefficient. Correlation between Sg,275-300 and a(g)(400) is the largest, up to 0.87.

Molecular weight distribution characterization of hydrophobe-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose by size-exclusion chromatography.

PubMed

Li, Yongfu; Meunier, David M; Partain, Emmett M

2014-09-12

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) of hydrophobe-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HmHEC) is challenging because polymer chains are not isolated in solution due to association of hydrophobic groups and hydrophobic interaction with column packing materials. An approach to neutralize these hydrophobic interactions was developed by adding β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to the aqueous eluent. SEC mass recovery, especially for the higher molecular weight chains, increased with increasing concentration of β-CD in the eluent. A β-CD concentration of 0.75wt% in the eluent was determined to be optimal for the HmHEC polymers studied. These conditions enabled precise determinations of apparent molecular weight distributions exhibiting less than 2% relative standard deviation in the measured weight-average molecular weight (MW) for five injections on three studied samples and showed no significant differences in MW determined on two different days. The developed technology was shown to be very robust for characterizing HmHEC having MW from 500kg/mol to 2000kg/mol, and it can be potentially applied to other hydrophobe-modified polymers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Volatilization of benzene and eight alkyl-substituted benzene compounds from water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rathbun, R.E.; Tai, D.Y.

1988-01-01

Predicting the fate of organic compounds in streams and rivers often requires knowledge of the volatilization characteristics of the compounds. The reference-substance concept, involving laboratory-determined ratios of the liquid-film coefficients for volatilization of the organic compounds to the liquid-film coefficient for oxygen absorption, is used to predict liquid-film coefficients for streams and rivers. In the absence of experimental data, two procedures have been used for estimating these liquid-film coefficient ratios. These procedures, based on the molecular-diffusion coefficient and on the molecular weight, have been widely used but never extensively evaluated. Liquid-film coefficients for the volatilization of benzene and eight alkyl-substituted benzene compounds (toluene through n-octylbenzene) from water were measured in a constant-temperature, stirred water bath. Liquid-film coefficients for oxygen absorption were measured simultaneously. A range of water mixing conditions was used with a water temperature of 298.2 K. The ratios of the liquid-film coefficients for volatilization to the liquid-film coefficient for oxygen absorption for all of the organic compounds were independent of mixing conditions in the water. Experimental ratios ranged from 0.606 for benzene to 0.357 for n-octylbenzene. The molecular-diffusion-coefficient procedure accurately predicted the ratios for ethylbenzene through n-pentylbenzene with a power dependence of 0.566 on the molecular-diffusion coefficient, in agreement with published values. Predicted ratios for benzene and toluene were slightly larger than the experimental ratios. These differences were attributed to possible interactions between the molecules of these compounds and the water molecules and to benzene-benzene interactions that form dimers. Because these interactions also are likely to occur in natural waters, it was concluded that the experimental ratios are more correct than the predicted ratios for application purposes in the reference-substance concept. Predicted ratios for n-hexylbenzene, n-heptylbenzene, and n-octylbenzene were larger than the experimental ratios. These differences were attributed to a sorption-desorption process between these compounds and the surfaces of the constant-temperature water bath. Other experimental problems associated with preparing water solutions of these slightly soluble compounds also may have contributed to the differences. Because these processes are not part of the true volatilization process, it was concluded that the predicted ratios for these three compounds are probably more correct than the experimental ratios for application purposes in the reference-substance concept. Any model of the fate of these compounds in streams and rivers would have to include terms accounting for sorption processes, however. The molecular-weight procedure accurately predicted the ratios for ethylbenzene through n-pentylbenzene, but only if the power dependence on the molecular weight was decreased from the commonly used -0.500 to -0.427. Deviations for the low- and high-molecular-weight compounds were similar to those observed for the molecular-diffusion-coefficient procedure.

Appraisement, source apportionment and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in vehicle-wash wastewater, Pakistan.

PubMed

Qamar, Zahir; Khan, Sardar; Khan, Anwarzeb; Aamir, Muhammad; Nawab, Javed; Waqas, Muhammad

2017-12-15

Vehicle-wash wastewater (VWW) contains elevated concentrations of different petrochemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a carcinogenic group of organic compounds. This study investigates the discharge of PAHs present in the untreated wastewater of vehicle-wash stations (VWS) located in district Peshawar, Pakistan. The data obtained was being novel with the detection of 16 USEPA PAHs (both individuals and total) and compared with earlier studies and international standards. The ∑16PAHs in wastewater from light vehicle-wash stations (LVWS) and heavy vehicle-wash stations (HVWS) ranged from 245-429μg/l and 957-1582μg/l, respectively. A significant difference (p<0.01) was observed in PAHs discharged from LVWS and HVWS. The projected ∑16PAHs discharge from both HVWS (92% of total generated PAHs) and LVWS (8%) was about 5109.9 g per annum. According to PAH diagnostic ratios, PAHs were both petrogenic (chrysene/benz(a)anthracene, low molecular weight/high molecular weight) and pyrogenic (phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene, fluoranthene/fluoranthene+pyrene) in origin. The highest toxic equivalent quotient (TEQ) value was shown by benzo(a)pyrene (21.6μg/l) followed by dibenz(ah)anthracene (9.81μg/l) in wastewater from HVWS. However, in LVWS the case was reversed with highest value (7.54μg/l) for dibenz(ah)anthracene followed by benzo(a)pyrene (3.54μg/l). The lowest TEQ value was indicated for phenanthrene (0.007μg/l) in wastewater of LVWS, while pyrene showed the lowest value (0.007μg/l) in wastewater of HVWS. The results indicated that VWS contribute significant amount of PAHs each year, which is of great concern regarding water quality, ecological and human health risk. This is the first systematic and comprehensive research related with generation of PAHs load per day, week, month and annum from VWS, their source apportionment and health effects in Pakistan. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of colloidal graphite as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry of low molecular weight analytes.

PubMed

Warren, Alexander D; Conway, Ulric; Arthur, Christopher J; Gates, Paul J

2016-07-01

The analysis of low molecular weight compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry is problematic due to the interference and suppression of analyte ionisation by the matrices typically employed - which are themselves low molecular weight compounds. The application of colloidal graphite is demonstrated here as an easy to use matrix that can promote the ionisation of a wide range of analytes including low molecular weight organic compounds, complex natural products and inorganic complexes. Analyte ionisation with colloidal graphite is compared with traditional organic matrices along with various other sources of graphite (e.g. graphite rods and charcoal pencils). Factors such as ease of application, spectra reproducibility, spot longevity, spot-to-spot reproducibility and spot homogeneity (through single spot imaging) are explored. For some analytes, considerable matrix suppression effects are observed resulting in spectra completely devoid of matrix ions. We also report the observation of radical molecular ions [M(-●) ] in the negative ion mode, particularly with some aromatic analytes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topological analysis of long-chain branching patterns in polyolefins.

PubMed

Bonchev, D; Markel, E; Dekmezian, A

2001-01-01

Patterns in molecular topology and complexity for long-chain branching are quantitatively described. The Wiener number, the topological complexity index, and a new index of 3-starness are used to quantify polymer structure. General formulas for these indices were derived for the cases of 3-arm star, H-shaped, and B-arm comb polymers. The factors affecting complexity in monodisperse polymer systems are ranked as follows: number of arms > arm length > arm central position approximately equal to arm clustering > total molecular weight approximately equal to backbone molecular weight. Topological indices change rapidly and then plateau as the molecular weight of branches on a polyolefin backbone increases from 0 to 5 kD. Complexity calculations relate 2-arm or 3-arm comb structures to the corresponding 3-arm stars of equivalent complexity but much higher molecular weight. In a subsequent paper, we report the application of topological analysis for developing structure/property relationships for monodisperse polymers. While the focus of the present work is on the description of monodisperse, well-defined architectures, the methods may be extended to the description of polydisperse systems.

Effects and mechanism of dual-frequency power ultrasound on the molecular weight distribution of corn gluten meal hydrolysates.

PubMed

Jin, Jian; Ma, Haile; Wang, Bei; Yagoub, Abu El-Gasim A; Wang, Kai; He, Ronghai; Zhou, Cunshan

2016-05-01

The impact of dual-frequency power ultrasound (DPU) on the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of corn gluten meal (CGM) hydrolysates and its mechanism were investigated in the present study. The mechanism was studied from aspects of structural and nano-mechanical characteristics of the major protein fractions of CGM, viz. zein and glutelin. The results of molecular weight distribution indicated that DPU pretreatment of CGM was beneficial to the preparation of peptides with molecular weights of 200-1000Da. Moreover, FTIR spectral analysis and atomic force microscopy characterization showed that the DPU pretreatment changed the contents of secondary structure of proteins, decreased the particle height and surface roughness of glutelin, reduced the Young's modulus and stiffness of zein while increased its adhesion force. In conclusion, DPU pretreatment of proteins before proteolysis is an efficient alternative method to produce short-chain peptides because of its positive effects originating from acoustic cavitation on the molecular conformation, nano-structures and nano-mechanical properties of proteins as well. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martinez, Andre P.; Carrillo, Jan-Michael Y.; Dobrynin, Andrey V.

The molecular weight and polydispersity of the chains in a polymer brush are critical parameters determining the brush properties. However, the characterization of polymer brushes is hindered by the vanishingly small mass of polymer present in brush layers. In this study, in order to obtain sufficient quantities of polymer for analysis, polymer brushes were grown from high surface area fibrous nylon membranes by ATRP. We synthesized the brushes with varying surface initiator densities, polymerization times, and amounts of sacrificial initiator, then cleaved from the substrate, and analyzed by GPC and NMR. Characterization showed that the surface-grown polymer chains were moremore » polydisperse and had lower average molecular weight compared to solution-grown polymers synthesized concurrently. Furthermore, the molecular weight distribution of the polymer brushes was observed to be bimodal, with a low molecular weight population of chains representing a significant mass fraction of the polymer chains at high surface initiator densities. Moreover, the origin of this low MW polymer fraction is proposed to be the termination of growing chains by recombination during the early stages of polymerization, a mechanism confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations of brush polymerization.« less

Synthesis of Poly(Propylene Fumarate)

PubMed Central

Kasper, F. Kurtis; Tanahashi, Kazuhiro; Fisher, John P.; Mikos, Antonios G.

2010-01-01

This protocol describes the synthesis of 500 – 4000 Da poly(propylene fumarate) by a two-step reaction of diethyl fumarate and propylene glycol through a bis(hydroxypropyl) fumarate diester intermediate. Purified PPF can be covalently crosslinked to form degradable polymer networks, which have been widely explored for biomedical applications. The properties of crosslinked PPF networks depend upon the molecular properties of the constituent polymer, such as the molecular weight. The purity of the reactants and the exclusion of water from the reaction system are of utmost importance in the generation of high-molecular-weight PPF products. Additionally, the reaction time and temperature influence the molecular weight of the PPF product. The expected time required to complete this protocol is 3 d. PMID:19325548

Step-Growth Polymerization.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stille, J. K.

1981-01-01

Following a comparison of chain-growth and step-growth polymerization, focuses on the latter process by describing requirements for high molecular weight, step-growth polymerization kinetics, synthesis and molecular weight distribution of some linear step-growth polymers, and three-dimensional network step-growth polymers. (JN)

Low molecular weight thermostable {beta}-D-glucosidase from Acidothermus cellulolyticus

DOEpatents

Himmel, M.E.; Tucker, M.P.; Adney, W.S.; Nieves, R.A.

1995-07-11

A purified low molecular weight {beta}-D-glucosidase is produced from Acidothermus cellulolyticus ATCC 43068. The enzyme is water soluble, possesses activity against pNP-{beta}-D-glucopyranoside, has a high of degree of stability toward heat, exhibits optimal temperature activity at about 65 C at a pH range of from about 2 to about 7, has an inactivation temperature of about 80 C at a pH range of from about 2 to about 7 and has a molecular weight of about 50.5--54.5 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. 6 figs.

Reduction of diffusional defocusing in hydrodynamically focused flows

DOEpatents

Affleck, Rhett L.; Demas, James N.; Goodwin, Peter M.; Keller, Richard; Wu, Ming

1998-01-01

An analyte fluid stream with first molecules having relatively low molecular weight and a corresponding high coefficient of diffusion has reduced diffusional defocusing out of an analyte fluid stream. The analyte fluid stream of first molecules is associated with second molecules of relatively high molecular weight having a relatively low coefficient of diffusion and a binding constant effective to associate with the first molecules. A focused analyte fluid stream is maintained since the combined molecular weight of the associated first and second molecules is effective to minimize diffusion of the first molecules out of the analyte fluid stream.

Reduction of diffusional defocusing in hydrodynamically focused flows

DOEpatents

Affleck, R.L.; Demas, J.N.; Goodwin, P.M.; Keller, R.; Wu, M.

1998-09-01

An analyte fluid stream with first molecules having relatively low molecular weight and a corresponding high coefficient of diffusion has reduced diffusional defocusing out of an analyte fluid stream. The analyte fluid stream of first molecules is associated with second molecules of relatively high molecular weight having a relatively low coefficient of diffusion and a binding constant effective to associate with the first molecules. A focused analyte fluid stream is maintained since the combined molecular weight of the associated first and second molecules is effective to minimize diffusion of the first molecules out of the analyte fluid stream. 6 figs.