Development of stapled NONO-associated peptides reveals unexpected cell permeability and nuclear localisation.

The non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) is a nucleic acid-binding protein with diverse functions that has been identified as a potential cancer target in cell biology studies. Little is known about structural motifs that mediate binding to NONO apart from its ability to form homodimers, as well as heterodimers and oligomers with related homologues. We report a stapling approach to macrocyclise helical peptides derived from the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) that NONO interacts with, and also from the dimerisation domain of NONO itself. Using a range of chemistries including Pd-catalysed cross-coupling, cysteine arylation and cysteine alkylation, we successfully improved the helicity and observed modest peptide binding to the NONO dimer, although binding could not be saturated at micromolar concentrations. Unexpectedly, we observed cell permeability and preferential nuclear localisation of various dye-labelled peptides in live confocal microscopy, indicating the potential for developing peptide-based tools to study NONO in a cellular context.

Unraveling the Rich Fragmentation Dynamics Associated with S-H Bond Fission Following Photoexcitation of H2S at Wavelengths ∼129.1 nm.

H2S is being detected in the atmospheres of ever more interstellar bodies, and photolysis is an important mechanism by which it is processed. Here, we report H Rydberg atom time-of-flight measurements following the excitation of H2S molecules to selected rotational (JKaKc') levels of the 1B1 Rydberg state associated with the strong absorption feature at wavelengths of λ ∼ 129.1 nm. Analysis of the total kinetic energy release spectra derived from these data reveals that all levels predissociate to yield H atoms in conjunction with both SH(A) and SH(X) partners and that the primary SH(A)/SH(X) product branching ratio increases steeply with ⟨Jb2⟩, the square of the rotational angular momentum about the b-inertial axis in the excited state. These products arise via competing homogeneous (vibronic) and heterogeneous (Coriolis-induced) predissociation pathways that involve coupling to dissociative potential energy surfaces (PES(s)) of, respectively, 1A″ and 1A' symmetries. The present data also show H + SH(A) product formation when exciting the JKaKc' = 000 and 111 levels, for which ⟨Jb2⟩ = 0 and Coriolis coupling to the 1A' PES(s) is symmetry forbidden, implying the operation of another, hitherto unrecognized, route to forming H + SH(A) products following excitation of H2S at energies above ∼9 eV. These data can be expected to stimulate future ab initio molecular dynamic studies that test, refine, and define the currently inferred predissociation pathways available to photoexcited H2S molecules.

Quantum State-Dependent Fragmentation Dynamics of D2S Molecules Following Excitation at Wavelengths ∼ 129.1 and ∼ 139.1 nm.

The first high-resolution translational spectroscopy studies of D atom photoproducts following excitation to the Rydberg states of D2S are reported. Excitation at wavelengths λ ∼ 139.1 nm reveals an unusual 'inverse' isotope effect; the 1B1(3da1←2b1) Rydberg state of D2S predissociates much faster than its counterpart in H2S. This is attributed to accidental near resonance with a vibrationally excited level of a lower-lying, more heavily predissociated Rydberg state of D2S that boosts the probability of nonadiabatic coupling to the dissociation continuum with 1A″ symmetry. Excitation at λ ∼ 129.1 nm populates the 1B1(4da1←2b1) Rydberg state, which predissociates more slowly and allows the study of ways in which the branching into different quantum states of the SD products varies with the choice of parent excited (JKaKc) level. All excited parent levels yield both ground (X) and electronically excited (A) state SD fragments. The former are distributed over a wide range of rovibrational (v″, N″) levels, while the population of levels with low v' and high N' is favored in the latter. These trends reflect the topographies of the dissociative 1A″ (1A') potential energy surfaces that correlate with the respective dissociation limits. Rotational motion about the b-inertial axis in the excited state molecule increases the relative yield of SD(A) products, consistent with dissociation by rotationally (Coriolis-) induced coupling from the photoexcited Rydberg level to the 1A' continuum. Molecules excited to the rotationless (JKaKc = 000) level also yield some SD(A) products, however, confirming the operation of a rival fragmentation pathway wherein photoexcited molecules decay by initial vibronic coupling to the 1A″ continuum, with subsequent nonadiabatic coupling between the 1A″ and 1A' continua enabling access to the D + SD(A) limit.

Photodissociation dynamics of SO2 via the G̃1B1 state: The O(1D2) and O(1S0) product channels.

Produced by both nature and human activities, sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an important species in the earth's atmosphere. SO2 has also been found in the atmospheres of other planets and satellites in the solar system. The photoabsorption cross sections and photodissociation of SO2 have been studied for several decades. In this paper, we reported the experimental results for photodissociation dynamics of SO2 via the G̃1B1 state. By analyzing the images from the time-sliced velocity map ion imaging method, the vibrational state population distributions and anisotropy parameters were obtained for the O(1D2) + SO(X3Σ-, a1Δ, b1Σ+) and O(1S0) + SO(X3Σ-) channels, and the branching ratios for the channels O(1D2) + SO(X3Σ-), O(1D2) + SO(a1Δ), and O(1D2) + SO(b1Σ+) were determined to be ∼0.3, ∼0.6, and ∼0.1, respectively. The SO products were dominant in electronically and rovibrationally excited states, which may have yet unrecognized roles in the upper planetary atmosphere.

Polymeric Amines Induce Nitric Oxide Release from S-Nitrosothiols.

Catalytic generation of nitric oxide (NO) from NO donors by nanomaterials has enabled prolonged NO delivery for various biomedical applications, but this approach requires laborious synthesis routes. In this study, a new class of materials, that is, polymeric amines including polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly-L-lysine, and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), is discovered to induce NO generation from S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) at physiological conditions. Controlled NO generation can be readily achieved by tuning the concentration of the NO donors (RSNOs) and polymers, and the type and molecular weight of the polymers. Importantly, the mechanism of NO generation by these polymers is deciphered to be attributed to the nucleophilic reaction between primary amines on polymers and the SNO groups of RSNOs. The NO-releasing feature of the polymers can be integrated into a suite of materials, for example, simply by embedding PEI into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels. The functionality of the PVA/PEI hydrogels is demonstrated for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm prevention with a ≈4 log reduction within 6 h. As NO has potential therapeutic implications in various diseases, the identification of polymeric amines to induce NO release will open new opportunities in NO-generating biomaterials for antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antithrombotic, and wound healing applications.

Slice imaging study of NO2 photodissociation via the 12B2 and 22B2 states: the NO(X2Π) + O(3PJ) product channel.

The state-resolved photodissociation of NO2via the 12B2 and 22B2 excited states has been investigated by using time-sliced velocity-mapped ion imaging technique. The images of the O(3PJ=2,1,0) products at a series of excitation wavelengths are measured by employing a 1 + 1' photoionization scheme. The total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra, NO vibrational state distributions and anisotropy parameters (ß) are derived from the O(3PJ=2,1,0) images. For the 12B2 state photodissociation of NO2, the TKER spectra mainly present a non-statistical vibrational state distribution of the NO co-products, and the profiles of most vibrational peaks display a bimodal structure. The ß values show a gradual decrease with the photolysis wavelength increasing except for a sudden increase at 357.38 nm. The results suggest that the NO2 photodissociation via the 12B2 state proceeds via the non-adiabatic transition between the 12B2 and X̃2A1 states, leading to the NO(X2Π) + O(3PJ) products with wavelength-dependent rovibrational distributions. As for photodissociation of NO2via the 22B2 state, the NO vibrational state distribution is relatively narrow with the main peak shifting from v = 1, 2 at 235.43-249.22 nm to v = 6 at 212.56 nm. The ß values exhibit two distinctly different angular distributions, i.e., near isotropic at 249.22 and 246.09 nm and anisotropic at the rest of the excitation wavelengths. These results are consistent with the fact that the 22B2 state potential energy surface has a barrier, and the dissociation process is fast when the initial populated level is above this barrier. A bimodal vibrational state distribution is clearly observed at 212.56 nm, in which the main distribution (peaking at v = 6) is ascribed to dissociation via an avoided crossing with the higher electronically excited state while the subsidiary distribution (peaking at v = 11) likely arises due to dissociation via the internal conversion to the 12B2 state or to the X̃ ground state.

Photodissociation dynamics of SO2 between 193 and 201 nm.

The nonadiabatic interactions between the C̃ state and neighboring electronic states of SO2 have attracted much attention; however, the predissociation mechanisms are not yet completely understood. In this work, the predissociation dynamics of SO2 via its C̃ state have been investigated at λ = 193-201 nm by using the time-sliced velocity map ion imaging technique. The translational energy distributions and the branching ratios of the O(3PJ=2,1,0) spin-orbit products at six photolysis wavelengths have been acquired. The SO(3Σ-) product population gradually decreases in v = 0 and increases in v = 2 as the photolysis wavelength decreases. The branching ratios of O(3P J=2,1,0) products are almost similar at most wavelengths, except at 194.8 nm. Our data suggest that the predissociation between 193 and 201 nm is via an avoided crossing between the C̃ state and the repulsive triplet 23A' state. The state-to-state dynamical pictures shown in this work provide a rigorous test of the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the SO2 and the nonadiabatic couplings between these PESs.

Modeling of and Experimenting with Concentric Tube Robots: Considering Clearance, Friction and Torsion.

Concentric tube robots (CTRs) are a promising prospect for minimally invasive surgery due to their inherent compliance and ability to navigate in constrained environments. Existing mechanics-based kinematic models typically neglect friction, clearance, and torsion between each pair of contacting tubes, leading to large positioning errors in medical applications. In this paper, an improved kinematic modeling method is developed. The effect of clearance on tip position during concentric tube assembly is compensated by the database method. The new kinematic model is mechanic-based, and the impact of friction moment and torsion on tubes is considered. Integrating the infinitesimal torsion of the concentric tube robots eliminates the errors caused by the interaction force between the tubes. A prototype is built, and several experiments with kinematic models are designed. The results indicate that the error of tube rotations is less than 2 mm. The maximum error of the feeding experiment does not exceed 0.4 mm. The error of the new modeling method is lower than that of the previous kinematic model. This paper has substantial implications for the high-precision and real-time control of concentric tube robots.

Catalyst-Support Interactions Promoted Acidic Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Catalysis: A Mini Review.

In the context of the growing human demand for green secondary energy sources, proton-exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is necessary to meet the high-efficiency production of high-purity hydrogen required for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The development of stable, efficient, and low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is key to promoting the large-scale application of hydrogen production by PEMWE. At present, precious metals remain irreplaceable in acidic OER catalysis, and loading the support body with precious metal components is undoubtedly an effective strategy to reduce costs. In this review, we will discuss the unique role of common catalyst-support interactions such as Metal-Support Interactions (MSIs), Strong Metal-Support Interactions (SMSIs), Strong Oxide-Support Interactions (SOSIs), and Electron-Metal-Support Interactions (EMSIs) in modulating catalyst structure and performance, thereby promoting the development of high-performance, high-stability, low-cost noble metal-based acidic OER catalysts.

Ceria Nanoparticles as an Unexpected Catalyst to Generate Nitric Oxide from S-Nitrosoglutathione.

Ceria nanoparticles (NPs) are widely reported to scavenge nitric oxide (NO) radicals. This study reveals evidence that an opposite effect of ceria NPs exists, that is, to induce NO generation. Herein, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), one of the most biologically abundant NO donors, is catalytically decomposed by ceria NPs to produce NO. Ceria NPs maintain a high NO release recovery rate and retain their crystalline structure for at least 4 weeks. Importantly, the mechanism of this newly discovered NO generation capability of ceria NPs from GSNO is deciphered to be attributed to the oxidation of Ce3+ to Ce4+ on their surface, which is supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory analysis. The prospective therapeutic effect of NO-generating ceria NPs is evaluated by the suppression of cancer cells, displaying a significant reduction of 93% in cell viability. Overall, this report is, to the authors' knowledge, the first study to identify the capability of ceria NPs to induce NO generation from GSNO, which overturns the conventional concept of them acting solely as a NO-scavenging agent. This study will deepen our knowledge about the therapeutic effects of ceria NPs and open a new route toward the NO-generating systems for biomedical applications.

Rotational state specific dissociation dynamics of D2O via the C̃(010) state: The effect of bending vibrational excitation.

The rotational state resolved photodissociation dynamics of D2O via the C̃(010) state has been investigated by using the D-atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight technique combined with a tunable vacuum ultraviolet light source. The D-atom action spectrum of the C̃(010) ← X̃(000) band and the corresponding time-of-flight (TOF) spectra of D-atom photoproducts formed following the excitation of D2O to individual rotational transition have been measured. By comparison with the action spectrum of the C̃(000) ← X̃(000) band, the bending vibrational constant of the C̃ state for D2O can be determined to be v2 = 1041.37 ± 0.71 cm-1. From the TOF spectra, the product kinetic energy spectra, the vibrational state distributions of OD products, and the state resolved anisotropy parameters have been determined. The experimental results indicate a dramatic variation in the OD product state distributions for different rotational excitations. This illuminates that there are two distinctive coupling channels from the C̃(010) state to the low-lying electronic states: the homogeneous electronic coupling to the Ã1B1 state, resulting in vibrationally hot OD(X) products, and the Coriolis-type coupling to the B̃1A1 state, producing vibrationally cold but rotationally hot OD(X) and OD(A) products. Furthermore, the three-body dissociation channel is confirmed, which is attributed to the C̃ → 1A2 or C̃ → à pathway. In comparison with the previous results of D2O photolysis via the C̃(000) state, it is found that the v2 vibration of the parent molecule enhances both the vibrational and rotational excitations of OD products.

Photodissociation dynamics of CO2 + hv → CO(X1Σ+) + O(1D2) via the 3P1Πu state.

The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodissociation of CO2 is important to understand the primary photochemical processes of CO2 induced by solar VUV excitation in the Earth's atmosphere. Here, we report a detailed study of vibrational-state-specific photodissociation dynamics of the CO(X1Σ+) + O(1D2) channel via the 3P1Πu state by using the time-sliced velocity-mapped ion imaging apparatus combined with the single VUV photoionization detection scheme. By recording the sliced images of the O(1D2) photoproducts formed by VUV photoexcitation of CO2 to the individual vibrational structure of the 3P1Πu state, both the vibrational state distributions of the counterpart CO(X1Σ+) photoproducts and the vibrational-state-specific product anisotropy parameters (ß) are determined. The experimental results show that photodissociation of CO2 at 108.22, 107.50, 106.10, and 104.76 nm yields less anisotropic (ß > 0) and inverted distributed CO(X1Σ+, v) photoproducts. The possible dissociation mechanism for the CO(X1Σ+) + O(1D2) channel may involve the non-adiabatic transition of excited CO2* from the initially prepared state to the 31A' state with potential energy barriers. While at 108.82 and 107.35 nm, the vibrational distributions are found to have the population peaked at a low vibrational state, and the anisotropy parameters turn out to be negative. Such variation indicates the possibility of another non-adiabatic dissociation pathway that may involve Coriolis-type coupling to the low-lying dissociative state. These observations show sclear evidence of the influence of the initially vibrational excitations on the photodissociation dynamics of CO2 via the 3P1Πu state.

Photodissociation Dynamics of H2O via the E' (1B2) Electronic State.

Photodissociation dynamics of H2O via the E'1B2 state were studied using the high-resolution H atom photofragment translational spectroscopy method, in combination with the tunable vacuum ultraviolet free electron laser (VUV FEL). The measured translational energy spectra allow us to determine the respective quantum state population distributions for the nascent OH(X2Π) and OH(A2Σ+) photofragments. Analyses of the quantum state population distributions show both the ground and electronically excited OH fragments to be formed with moderate vibrational excitation but with highly rotational excitation. Unlike the dissociation via the lower-lying electronic states, where OH(X) is the major fragment, the OH(A) products are predominant via the E' state. These products are mainly ascribed to a fast dissociation on the B̃1A1 state surface after nonadiabatic transitions from the initial excited E' state to the B̃ state. Meanwhile, another dissociation pathway from the E' state to the 1B2 3pb2 state, followed by coupling to the 1A2 3pb2 state, is also observed, which yields the OH(X) + H and O(3P) + 2H products.

State-to-state photodissociation dynamics of CO2 around 108 nm: the O(1S) atom channel.

State-to-state photodissociation of carbon dioxide (CO2) via the 3p1Πu Rydberg state was investigated by the time-sliced velocity map ion imaging technique (TSVMI) using a tunable vacuum ultraviolet free electron laser (VUV FEL) source. Raw images of the O(1S) products resulting from the O(1S) + CO(X1Σ+) channel were acquired at the photolysis wavelengths between 107.37 and 108.84 nm. From the vibrational resolved O(1S) images, the product total kinetic energy releases and the vibrational state distributions of the CO(X1Σ+) co-products were obtained, respectively. It is found that vibrationally excited CO co-products populate at as high as v = 6 or 7 while peaking at v = 1 and v = 4, and most of the individual vibrational peaks present a bimodal rotational structure. Furthermore, the angular distributions at all studied photolysis wavelengths have also been determined. The associated vibrational-state specific anisotropy parameters (ß) exhibit a photolysis wavelength-dependent feature, in which the ß-values observed at 108.01 nm and 108.27 nm are more positive than those at 107.37 nm and 107.52 nm, while the ß-values have almost isotropic behaviour at 108.84 nm. These experimental results indicate that the initially prepared CO2 molecules around 108 nm should decay to the 41A' state via non-adiabatic coupling, and dissociate in the 41A' state to produce O(1S) + CO(X1Σ+) products with different dissociation time scales.

Photodissociation dynamics of H2O and D2O via the D[combining tilde](1A1) electronic state.

Photodissociation dynamics of H2O and D2O via the D[combining tilde] state by one-photon excitation have been investigated using the H/D atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight technique. The TOF spectra of the H/D-atom product in both parallel and perpendicular polarizations have been measured. Product translational energy distributions and angular distributions have been derived from TOF spectra. By simulating these distributions, quantum state distributions of the OH/OD product as well as the state-resolved angular anisotropy parameters were determined. The most important pathway of H2O/D2O dissociation via the D[combining tilde] state leads to highly rotationally excited OH/OD(X, v = 0) products, while vibrationally excited OH/OD products with v≥ 1 comprise only one third of the total OH/OD(X) population. The branching ratios of OH(A)/OH(X) and OD(A)/OD(X) have also been determined, 1.0/3.0 for H2O at 122.12 nm and 1.0/2.2 for D2O at 121.95 nm, which are reasonably consistent with the values predicted by the previous theory.

Paper-Based Ratiometric Fluorescence Analytical Devices towards Point-of-Care Testing of Human Serum Albumin.

Monitoring of human serum albumin (HSA) in a point-of-care fashion is urgently needed in particular for elderly or chronically ill patients. Herein, a dual-state emissive chalcone probe having the feature of aggregation-induced emission was designed and synthesized. The concentration of HSA can be evaluated by the ratios of emission from probes in aggregated and monomeric state, which gives a visually discernible red-to-green color change. A simple, portable paper-based analytical device have been fabricated by integration of the recognition probe in the detection pad and employed for HSA test using the whole blood samples. This paper-based assay shows the analytical capability comparable to the standard testing methods but is in a point-of-care fashion, providing a promising tool for at-home HSA detection and HSA-related disease diagnosis.

Roaming in highly excited states: The central atom elimination of triatomic molecule decomposition.

Chemical reactions are generally assumed to proceed from reactants to products along the minimum energy path (MEP). However, straying from the MEP-roaming-has been recognized as an unconventional reaction mechanism and found to occur in both the ground and first excited states. Its existence in highly excited states is however not yet established. We report a dissociation channel to produce electronically excited fragments, S(1D)+O2(a1Δg), from SO2 photodissociation in highly excited states. The results revealed two dissociation pathways: One proceeds through the MEP to produce vibrationally colder O2(a1Δg) and the other yields vibrationally hotter O2(a1Δg) by means of a roaming pathway involving an intramolecular O abstraction during reorientation motion. Such roaming dynamics may well be the rule rather than the exception for molecular photodissociation through highly excited states.

Vacuum ultraviolet photodissociation of sulfur dioxide and its implications for oxygen production in the early Earth's atmosphere.

The emergence of molecular oxygen (O2) in the Earth's primitive atmosphere is an issue of major interest. Although the biological processes leading to its accumulation in the Earth's atmosphere are well understood, its abiotic source is still not fully established. Here, we report a new direct dissociation channel yielding S(1D) + O2(a1Δg/X3Σg-) products from vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodissociation of SO2 in the wavelength range between 120 and 160 nm. Experimental results show O2 production to be an important channel from SO2 VUV photodissociation, with a branching ratio of 30 ± 5% at the H Lyman-α wavelength (121.6 nm). The relatively large amounts of SO2 emitted from volcanic eruptions in the Earth's late Archaean eon imply that VUV photodissociation of SO2 could have provided a crucial additional source term in the O2 budget in the Earth's primitive atmosphere. The results could also have implications for abiotic oxygen formation on other planets with atmospheres rich in volcanically outgassed SO2.

The vibronic state dependent predissociation of H2S: determination of all fragmentation processes.

Photochemistry plays a significant role in shaping the chemical reaction network in the solar nebula and interstellar clouds. However, even in a simple triatomic molecule photodissociation, determination of all fragmentation processes is yet to be achieved. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the photochemistry of H2S, derived from cutting-edge translational spectroscopy measurements of the H, S(1D) and S(1S) atom products formed by photolysis at wavelengths across the range 155-120 nm. The results provide detailed insights into the energy disposal in the SH(X), SH(A) and H2 co-fragments, and the atomisation routes leading to two H atoms along with S(3P) and S(1D) atoms. Theoretical calculations allow the dynamics of all fragmentation processes, especially the bimodal internal energy distributions in the diatomic products, to be rationalised in terms of non-adiabatic transitions between potential energy surfaces of both 1A' and 1A'' symmetry. The comprehensive picture of the wavelength-dependent (or vibronic state-dependent) photofragmentation behaviour of H2S will serve as a text-book example illustrating the importance of non-Born-Oppenheimer effects in molecular photochemistry, and the findings should be incorporated in future astrochemical modelling.

Photodissociation of H2S: A New Pathway for the Production of Vibrationally Excited Molecular Hydrogen in the Interstellar Medium.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most abundant S-bearing molecule in the solar nebula. Although its photochemistry has been studied for decades, the H2 fragment channel is still not well-understood. Herein, we describe the photodissociation dynamics of H2S + hv → S(1S) + H2(X1Σg+) with the excitation wavelength of 122 nm ≤ λ ≤ 136 nm. The results reveal that the H2(X) fragments formed are significantly vibrationally excited, with the quantum yields of ∼87% of H2(X) fragments populated in vibrational levels v″ = 3, 4, 5, and 6. Theoretical analysis suggest that these H2 products are formed on the H2S 41A' state surface following a nonadiabatic transition via an avoided crossing from the 31A' to 41A' state. The estimated quantum yield of the S(1S) + H2 channel is ∼0.05, implying this channel should be incorporated into the appropriate interstellar chemistry models.