Structural Characterization of Protonated Water Clusters Confined in HZSM-5 Zeolites.

A molecular description of the structure and behavior of water confined in aluminosilicate zeolite pores is a crucial component for understanding zeolite acid chemistry under hydrous conditions. In this study, we use a combination of ultrafast two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (AIMD) to study HO confined in the pores of highly hydrated zeolite HZSM-5 (∼13 and ∼6 equivalents of HO per Al atom). The 2D IR spectrum reveals correlations between the vibrations of both terminal and H-bonded O-H groups and the continuum absorption of the excess proton.

Unveiling the role of microRNA-7 in linking TGF-β-Smad-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition with negative regulation of trophoblast invasion.

Several pregnancy complications result from abnormal trophoblast invasion. The dichotomous effect of TGF-β on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) between trophoblast invasion and cancer progression remains unknown and a critical concern. We attenuated the expression of TGF-β type 1 receptor (coding by ) with RNA interference in trophoblastic cells and significantly enhanced the trophoblastic invasion.

Proteomic survey of copper-binding proteins in Arabidopsis roots by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry.

To plants, copper is vitally essential at low concentrations but extremely toxic at elevated concentrations. Plants have evolved a suite of mechanisms that modulate the uptake, distribution, and utilization of copper ions. These mechanisms require copper-interacting proteins for transporting, chelating, and sequestrating copper ions.