Properties Change of Korean Traditional Animal Glue Depending on The Parts of Cattle Hide and Extraction Conditions

We investigated the properties of Korean traditional animal glue which are associated with the use of different parts of cattle hide and extraction conditions. Both average molecular weight(Mw, Mz) and polydispersity (PDI) of the animal glue increased with extraction time, whereas only PDI decreased after 48h. There were no differences in the average molecular weight and PDI for the different cattle hide parts used, although a individual difference was observed with regard to total molecular weight. Differences in extracts over time were compared by investigating the amide regions representing the gelatien component of the animal glue. The triple helix structure of the belly skin deteriorated in a manner proportional to the extraction time, and differences were observed for each cattle hide part. The yellowness increased with the extraction time; however, the viscosity was not proportional to the average change in molecular weight. This study has some limitations because of difficulties in the quality control of cases where small amounts of glue were extracted as small differences might impact the overall results considerably. Further research exploring various extraction conditions is required to ensure the prodiction of traditional animal glue with optimum qualities.

Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein glycan shield reveals implications for immune recognition

Here we have generated 3D structures of glycoforms of the spike (S) glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2, based on reported 3D structures and glycomics data for the protein produced in HEK293 cells. We also analyze structures for glycoforms representing those present in the nascent glycoproteins (prior to enzymatic modifications in the Golgi), as well as those that are commonly observed on antigens present in other viruses. These models were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to determine the extent to which glycan microheterogeneity impacts the antigenicity of the S glycoprotein. Lastly, we have identified peptides in the S glycoprotein that are likely to be presented in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complexes, and discuss the role of S protein glycosylation in potentially modulating the innate and adaptive immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or to a related vaccine. The 3D structures show that the protein surface is extensively shielded from antibody recognition by glycans, with the notable exception of the ACE2 receptor binding domain, and also that the degree of shielding is largely insensitive to the specific glycoform. Despite the relatively modest contribution of the glycans to the total molecular weight of the S trimer (17% for the HEK293 glycoform) they shield approximately 40% of the protein surface.

Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein glycan shield: implications for immune recognition

Here we have generated 3D structures of glycoforms of the spike (S) glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2, based on reported 3D structures and glycomics data for the protein produced in HEK293 cells. We also analyze structures for glycoforms representing those present in the nascent glycoproteins (prior to enzymatic modifications in the Golgi), as well as those that are commonly observed on antigens present in other viruses.These models were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to determine the extent to which glycan microheterogeneity impacts the antigenicity of the S glycoprotein. Lastly, we have identified peptides in the S glycoprotein that are likely to be presented in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complexes, and discuss the role of S protein glycosylation in potentially modulating the adaptive immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or to a related vaccine.The 3D structures show that the protein surface is extensively shielded from antibody recognition by glycans, with the exception of the ACE2 receptor binding domain, and also that the degree of shielding is largely insensitive to the specific glycoform. Despite the relatively modest contribution of the glycans to the total molecular weight (17% for the HEK293 glycoform) the level of surface shielding is disproportionately high at 42%.

Small and Medium Amplitude Oscillatory Shear Rheology of Model Branched Polystyrene (PS) Melts

Linear and nonlinear rheological properties of model comb polystyrenes (PS) with loosely to densely grafted architectures were measured under small and medium amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS and MAOS) flow. This comb PS set had the same length of backbone and branches but varied in the number of branches from 3 to 120 branches. Linear viscoelastic properties of the comb PS were compared with the hierarchical model predictions. The model underpredicted zero-shear viscosity and backbone plateau modulus of densely branched comb with 60 or 120 branches because the model does not include the effect of side chain crowding. First- and third-harmonic nonlinearities reflected the hierarchy in the relaxation motion of comb structures. Notably, the low-frequency plateau values of first-harmonic MAOS moduli scaled with M w − 2 (total molecular weight), reflecting dynamic tube dilution (DTD) by relaxed branches. Relative intrinsic nonlinearity Q0 exhibited the difference between comb and bottlebrush via no low-frequency Q0 peak of bottlebrush corresponding to backbone relaxation, which is probably related to the stretched backbone conformation in bottlebrush.

Acid phosphatase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification and properties of the enzyme

Acid phosphatase from the yeast <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> was purified to homogeneity as ascertained by ultracentrifugation and electrophoresis. The purification procedure involved mechanical cell disruption, ethanol precipitation, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. The sedimentation constant S20^0.580 of the purified enzyme was 15.4 S. Carbohydrate content accounted for 50% of the total molecular weight of the enzyme. The optimum pH for purified enzyme was 3.0-3.5, it was stable at pH 3.0-5.0 at room temperature. After 10 min. incubation at 45° C, 50 per cent of the enzymatic activity was lost. Michaelis constant was found to be 1.3 x 10^-4 M for p-nitrophenylphosphate and 5 x 10^-4 M for 3-glycerophosphate as substrates. The enzyme was inhibited by Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, molybdate, phosphate, arsenate, fluoride ions. Inhibition caused by fluoride ions was noncompetitive, by phosphate - competitive, 5 M urea inactivated the enzyme completely, inactivation was reversible at urea concentration below 2,5 M.

Poly(lactic acid) polymer stars built from early generation dendritic polyols

A family of polymer stars has been prepared from early generation dendritic cores with four, six, and eight arms. Four dendritic cores were prepared from the sequential reaction of a multifunctional alcohol with a protected anhydride, followed by deprotection to afford two or three new alcohol functionalities per reactive site. These cores were used as initiators for the tin-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and rac-lactide to afford isotactic and atactic degradable stars, respectively. Two series of stars were prepared for each monomer, either maintaining total molecular weight or number of monomer units per arm. The polymers were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, light-scattering gel-permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our results support previous work that suggests that the length of the arms dictates thermal properties rather than the total molecular weight of the star. Little effect was noted between aromatic and aliphatic cores, presumably due to the flexibility of the rest of the core molecule. We have shown that early generation dendrimers can serve as excellent core structures for building core-first polymer stars via the ring-opening of cyclic esters.

Formation of 12-nm Nanodot Pattern by Block Copolymer Self-Assembly Technique

In this work, we studied the fabrication of 12-nm-size nanodot pattern by self-assembly technique using high-etching-selectivity poly (styrene)-poly (dimethyl-siloxane) (PS-PDMS) block copolymers. The necessary etching duration for removing the very thin top PDMS layer is unexpectedly longer when the used molecular weight of PS-PDMS is 13.5-4.0 kg/mol (17.5 kg/mol total molecular weight) than that of 30.0-7.5 kg/mol (37.5 kg/mol total molecular weight). From this experimental result, it was clear that PS-PDMS with lower molecular weight forms thicker PDMS layer on the air/polymer interface of PS-PDMS film after microphase separation process. The 22-nm pitch of nanodot pattern by self-assembly holds the promise for the low-cost and high-throughput fabrication of 1.3 Tbit/inch2storage device. Nanodot size of 12 nm also further enhances the quantum-dot effect in quantum-dot solar cell.

Flexible and rigid core molecules in the synthesis of poly(lactic acid) star polymers

This study presents the synthesis and physical characterization of a series of structurally well-defined star-shaped poly(lactic acids). Polymer stars are prepared from a series of multifunctional alcohol cores including flexible polyols pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol (four-armed and six-armed cores, respectively) and rigid substituted arenes tri(hydroxymethyl)benzene and hexa(hydroxymethyl)benzene. Utilizing a tin(II) octanoate catalyst, arms of 10 monomer units long are built from rac-lactide and l-lactide to form atactic and isotactic star polymers. Polymers were subsequently characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our results support previous work that suggests that the length of the individual arms, not the total molecular weight, correlates to physical characteristics including glass, melt, crystallization, and decomposition temperatures. In addition, differences between core molecules suggest that the chemical nature of the core can significantly alter the physical properties of the star polymer. Trends in crystallization and glass transition temperatures relative to the core used merit further study and correlate closest to the molecular weight and the number of arms emanating from the star core. It is also clear that the rigidity provided by aromatic cores has a significant effect on the melting temperatures of these macromolecules.

Synthesis of Poly(styrene-b-styrenesulfonic acid) and its Blend with PPO for Proton Exchange Membrane

Poly(styrene-b-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salts) (PS-b-PSSNa) were synthesized via stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radical and the block copolymers were blended with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) to prepare polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM). The ratio of block length and total molecular weight of PS-b-PSSA were varied, and weight ratio of PPO/PS-b-PSSA was also controlled. The blend membranes showed good proton conductivity, low methanol permeability, and good thermal property.