Establishment of Logic Gates Based on Conformational Changes in a Multiple-Factor Biomolecule Interaction Process by Dual Polarization Interferometry.

DNA-based logic gates stimulate the development of molecular scale computers and show enormous potential in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, the reported detectors to date usually require one to label appropriate signal probes, resulting in not only a high cost but also potentially tedious manipulation. For the first time, we established a label-free logic gate by regarding the structure-related signal as output. Dual polarization interferometry (DPI) was employed to reveal the detailed conformational transitions occurring in the multiple-factor biomolecule interactions and then was utilized as a detection tool of logic gate. As a vital merit of this system, the dependence of the density output signal on the interaction with multiple-factor input can mimic the function of signal communication in OR, INHIBIT, and IDENTITY logic gates and the INHIBIT-OR cascade circuit. Additionally, the DPI signal with logic stringency can unambiguously distinguish conformational polymorphisms and compare structural stability. This study provides a new way for the construction of a label-free logic gate, supplements information deficiency of reaction details, and extends the application of DPI in logic operation.

Identification of herb Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. Et Maxim.) harms by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

In this paper, a rapid, high efficient, sensitive and inexpensive approach based on a combination of simple ultrasonic extract and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation with electrochemical detection (ED), is described to identify herbs by comparing their CE-ED profiles (namely, CE-ED electropherograms). The proposed method takes advantage of ultra-small sample volume, low consumption of organic solvent, simple sample pretreatment and easy cleanup procedure. It was applied to analyze the CE-ED profiles of stems of herb Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. Et Maxim.) Harms from different sources and different parts (roots, rhizomes, stems and leaves) of this herb. By comparing peak number, peak height and peak height ratio, we found that the CE-ED profiles showed big differences for the herbs from the different sources and the different parts of this herb. In addition, the distribution of bioactive compounds (isofraxidin, rutin and chlorogenic acid) in the different parts of this herb and their content variations affected by the source were studied with the CE-ED method. Based on their own unique CE-ED profiles, these herbs from the different sources and the different parts of this herb could be easily distinguished. Therefore, the proposed approach could be used as a rapid, high efficient and sensitive method for the identification of herbal medicines.

Oleanane triterpenes from Aegiceras corniculatum.

A new oleanane triterpene, 16alpha-hydroxy-l3,28-epoxyoleanan-3-one 1, was isolated from the stem bark of Aegiceras corniculatum, together with protoprimulagenin, aegicerin, embelinone, syringic acid, gallic acid, isorhamnetin and isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments of four new steroidal glycosides from a gorgonian coral Junceella juncea.

Four new cholest-type steroidal glycosides, junceellosides A-D, isolated from the EtOH/CH(2)Cl(2) extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea, were identified. Complete assignments of the (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts for these compounds were achieved by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra.

A new triterpenoid: taraxerol-3-beta-O-tridecyl ether from Derris triofoliata.

The new triterpenoid taraxerol-3-beta-O-tridecyl ether was isolated from the aerial part of Derris triofoliata. The structure was established on the basis of spectral data.

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for 10 phenylethanoid glycosides.

Ten phenylethanoid glycosides, including two new ones, isolated from the aerial parts of the mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius were identified. The first complete assignments of the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts for these glycosides were achieved by means of 2D NMR techniques, including 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC spectra.

New aliphatic alcohol and (Z)-4-coumaric acid glycosides from Acanthus ilicifolius.

From the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius, a new aliphatic alcohol glycoside (ilicifolioside C) and two new (Z)-4-coumaric acid glycosides, (Z)-4-coumaric acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (Z)-4-coumaric acid 4-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1"-->2')-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated. The structural elucidations were based on the analyses of spectroscopic data. Z-Form 4-coumaric acid glycosides were first isolated from plant.