Synthesis, conformational analysis and CB1 binding affinity of hairpin-like anandamide pseudopeptide mimetics.

We have designed, synthesized and evaluated the CB(1) binding affinity of a number of new conformationally restricted lipopeptides (1-17). All of them present some of the AEA key structural elements incorporated in a hairpinlike peptide framework. Among them, compounds 1-3 and 8 showed CB(1) affinities in competitive binding assays with K(i) values in the micromolar range (K(i) of AEA = 0.8 microM in the same assay). The remaining pseudopeptides showed little binding to the CB(1) receptor (with K(i) values >or= 50 microM). Conformational analysis on two representative compounds, performed by a combination of NMR studies, restrained molecular dynamics and QM calculations, allowed us to shed light on the structure-activity relationships (SAR), pointing to a correlation between the predominance of the hairpin-like structural motif and the CB(1) binding affinity. In a more general context, the present study may also prove useful in gaining additional insight into the biological relevance of the various AEA conformations.     

利用城市垃圾发酵生产绿色木霉孢子

研究利用城市生活垃圾发酵生产绿色木霉孢子的可行性,培养条件和发酵过程中的种群密度变化规律。结果表明,城市生活垃圾适宜作为生产木霉孢子的培养基质;合适的培养条件为垃圾培养基质中添加 ３０％（Ｗ／Ｗ）的麸皮,接种量 ３０％（ｖ／ｗ）,发酵 ８—１０ｄ,孢子密度可达 １０９／ｇ以上。     

Purification, characterization and substrate specificity of a trypsin from the Amazonian fish tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

An enzyme was purified from the pyloric caecum of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) through heat treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex® G-75 and p-aminobenzamidine-agarose affinity chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 23.9 kDa, NH₂-terminal amino acid sequence of IVGGYECKAHSQPHVSLNI and substrate specificity for arginine at P1, efficiently hydrolizing substrates with leucine and lysine at P2 and serine and arginine at P1′. Using the substrate z-FR-MCA, the enzyme exhibited greatest activity at pH 9.0 and 50 °C, whereas, with BAPNA activity was higher in a pH range of 7.5-11.5 and at 70 °C. Moreover, the enzyme maintained ca. 60% of its activity after incubated for 3 h at 60 °C. The enzymatic activity significantly decreased in the presence of TLCK, benzamidine (trypsin inhibitors) and PMSF (serine protease inhibitor). This source of trypsin may be an attractive alternative for the detergent and food industry.     

硫酸盐还原菌净化含铬电镀废水的中试研究

本文研究了硫酸盐还原菌在还原剂的参与下净化含铬电镀废水中间试验的工艺条件,通过净化措施,使废水中Cr(6 )含量由30～40mg／L,下降为0．1mg／L以下,达到了废水排放标准。去除率为99．67～99．97％。分批净化电镀废水103t,试验证明废水净化工艺具有良好的稳定性。而且消除了二次污染。     

TiO2 Nanocrystals Synthesized by Laser Pyrolysis for the Up‐Scaling of Efficient Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A crucial issue regarding emerging nanotechnologies remains the up‐scaling of new functional nanostructured materials towards their implementation in high performance applications on a large scale. In this context, we demonstrate high efficiency solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells prepared from new porous TiO₂ photoanodes based on laser pyrolysis nanocrystals. This strategy exploits a reduced number of processing steps as well as non‐toxic chemical compounds to demonstrate highly porous TiO₂ films. The possibility to easily tune the TiO₂ nanocrystal physical properties allows us to demonstrate all solid‐state dye‐sensitized devices based on a commercial benchmark materials (organic indoline dye and molecular hole transporter) presenting state‐of‐the‐art performance comparable with reference devices based on a commercial TiO₂ paste. In particular, a drastic improvement in pore infiltration, which is found to balance a relatively lower surface area compared to the reference electrode, is evidenced using laser‐synthesized nanocrystals resulting in an improved short‐circuit current density under full sunlight. Transient photovoltage decay measurements suggest that charge recombination kinetics still limit device performance. However, the proposed strategy emphasizes the potentialities of the laser pyrolysis technique for up‐scaling nanoporous TiO₂ electrodes for various applications, especially for solar energy conversion.     

暗发酵-光发酵两阶段联合生物制氢技术研究进展

随着能源紧缺的日益加剧,以及化石燃料燃烧引起的环境问题逐渐突显,氢能作为一种清洁可再生能源越来越受到青睐。生物制氢与热化学及电化学制氢相比其反应条件温和、低耗、绿色,是一项非常有应用前景的技术。生物制氢从广义上可以分为暗发酵和光发酵产氢两种,其中暗发酵微生物可以利用有机废弃物产生氢气以及有机酸等副产物,光合细菌在光照和固氮酶的作用下可以将暗发酵产生的有机酸继续用于产氢,因此两种发酵产氢方式相结合可以提高有机废物的资源化效率。将近年来暗发酵-光发酵两阶段生物制氢技术进行整理分析,从其产氢机理、主要影响因素、暗发酵-光发酵产氢结合方式(两步法、混合培养产氢)几个方面进行阐述,最后指出该技术面临的挑战。     

Nanocomposite Ionogel Electrolytes for Solid‐State Rechargeable Batteries

Ionogels composed of ionic liquids and gelling solid matrices offer several advantages as solid‐state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries, including safety under diverse operating conditions, favorable electrochemical and thermal properties, and wide processing compatibility. Among gelling solid matrices, nanoscale materials have shown particular promise due to their ability to concurrently enhance ionogel mechanical properties, thermal stability, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability. These beneficial attributes suggest that ionogel electrolytes are not only of interest for incumbent lithium‐ion batteries but also for next‐generation rechargeable battery technologies. Herein, recent advances in nanocomposite ionogel electrolytes are discussed to highlight their advantages as solid‐state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. By exploring a range of different nanoscale gelling solid matrices, relationships between nanoscale material structure and ionogel properties are developed. Furthermore, key research challenges are delineated to help guide and accelerate the incorporation of nanocomposite ionogel electrolytes in high‐performance solid‐state rechargeable batteries.     

Characterization of a protease of a feather-degrading Microbacterium species

AIMS: To characterize a new feather-degrading bacterium. METHODS AND RESULTS: The strain kr10 producing a high keratinolytic activity when cultured on native feather broth was identified as Microbacterium sp., based on phenotypical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence. The bacterium presented optimum growth and feather-degrading activity at pH 7.0 and 30 degrees C. Complete feather degradation was achieved during cultivation. The keratinase was partially purified by gel filtration chromatography. It was optimally active at pH 7.0 and 55 degrees C. The enzyme was inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, EDTA, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, 2-mercaptoethanol and metal ions like Hg(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A new Microbacterium sp. strain was characterized presenting high feather-degrading activity, which appears to be associated to a metalloprotease-type keratinase. This micro-organism has enormous potential for use in biotechnological processes involving keratin hydrolysis.