Neuron-based microarray sensors for environmental sensing

We present a novel sensing scheme for detecting the effects of unburned fossil fuels by integrating microarray technology and dielectrophoresis to develop single-neuron arrays. These arrays have the capability to sense and identify the two fuels, at parts per billion (ppb) concentrations, as well to determine the associated physiological changes at the single-cell level. Identification is achieved through frequency domain analysis of the measured changes to the extracellular electrical activity due to the effect of the fossil fuels. This yields unique electrical identifiers known as "signature patterns". Simultaneous optical visualization to the physiological changes is obtained by specific fluorescent staining. The correlation between the signature patterns and the cellular biological behavior establishes the veracity of this identification technique.     

Electrokinetic properties of sepiolite suspensions in different electrolyte media

The present paper deals with the electrokinetic characterization of sepiolite. A series of systematic zeta potential measurements have been carried out to determine the isoelectric point (iep) and potential-determining ions (pdi), and the effect of mono-, di-, and trivalent electrolytes such as NaCl, KCl, LiCl, NaNO(3), NaCH(3)COO, MgCl(2), CaCl(2), BaCl(2), CoCl(2), CuCl(2), Pb(NO(3))(2), Na(2)CO(3), Na(2)SO(4), AlCl(3), FeCl(3), and Na(3)PO(4) on the zeta potential of sepiolite. Zeta potential has been calculated with the aid of Smoluchowski's equation. Sepiolite yields an isoelectric point at pH 6.6. The zeta potential for the sepiolite has ranged from +23.3 mV at pH approximately 2 to -22.4 mV at pH approximately 8 at 20 +/- 2 degrees C in water. The valency of the ions have proven to have a great influence on the electrokinetic behavior of the suspension. Monovalent cations were found to have a weak effect, while di- and trivalent cations made the zeta potential positive. Charge reversal was observed for divalent cations at 1 x 10(-2) M and for trivalent cations at 3 x 10(-4) M. As a result, it can be said that monovalent cations are indifferent ions when di- and trivalent cations are potential-determining ions.     

Reactions of 1S, 1D,and 3P carbon atoms with water. Oxygen abstraction and intermolecular formaldehyde generation mechanisms; An MCSCF study

Reactions of singlet and triplet carbon atoms with water are explored theoretically using CASSCF–MCQDPT2, CCSD, and DFT methodologies. The ¹S carbons are found to be unreactive. Depending on the carbon atom generation method and the reaction medium, gas‐phase C(³P) attacking water may generate CO and atomic hydrogen as the end products. Reaction paths of the C(¹D) + H₂O system are complicated due to the involvement of two reactive potential energy surfaces with branchings occurring along each. Modifications in product distributions for reactions taking place in condensed phases are elaborated. The decisive reaction conditions, under which the oxygen abstraction and intermolecular formaldehyde generation dominate, are suggested to clarify the discrepancy related with experimental CO observation. The findings are consistent with available experimental data on this system. Oxygen abstraction and intermolecular formaldehyde generation mechanisms suggested here are capable of serving as models for similar reactions of alcohols. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

New Methacrylate Copolymers Based on the Benzofurane Ring: Synthesis,Characterization, Monomer Reactivity Ratios and Biological Activity

The free radical copolymerization of (5-bromo-1-Benzofuran-2-yl)(phenyl)-O-methacrylketoxime (BPMKO) with 2-(4-acetylphenoxy)-2-oxoethyl-2-methylacrylate(AOEMA) has been carried out in 1, 4-dioxane at 65°C ± 1 and was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and gel permeation chromatography. Elemental analysis was used to determine the molar fractions of BPMKO and AOEMA in the copolymers. The monomer–reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using Kelen-Tüdõs and Finemann-Ross linearization methods. The reactivity ratios indicated a tendency toward random copolymerization. The polydispersity indices of the polymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography and suggested a strong tendency for chain termination by disproportionation. The thermal behaviors of copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass-transition temperature of the copolymers increased with increasing BPMKO content in the copolymers. All the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi.     

A Ready‐to‐Use Electrochemical Kit Design for the Diagnosis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

In this study, for the first time a model electrochemical kit was constructed for the detection of a functional polymorphism in catechol‐O‐methyl transferase (COMT) gene which is important for diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders as Alzheimer disease. The disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) is designed as a “kit” and the probe DNA covered PGE can detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from real samples based on the guanine oxidation signal even after 5 months of kit preparation (150 days durability).The detection limit (S/N=3) of the biosensor was calculated as 1.18 pmol of synthetic target sequence and 6.09×10⁵ molecules of real samples in 30 min detection time.     

A Sensitive and Selective RP-LC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of the Antihypertensive Drugs,Enalapril, Lercanidipine,Nitrendipine and Their Validation

A RP-LC method is presented, which is sensitive and selective for the simultaneous determination of enalapril–lercanidipine and enalapril–nitrendipine binary mixtures in their pharmaceutical dosage forms. The analyte peaks were detected using the LC method with the mobile phase ratio of methanol: water (70:30 v/v, pH 3.0) and a 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate. The detection wavelength was selected at 210 nm using photo diode array detector and column temperature was optimized to 30 °C. Linearity was obtained at different concentration ranges for all working pharmaceutically active compounds between 0.5 and 25 μg mL⁻¹. The proposed methods were extensively validated according to USP 27 requirements and ICH guidelines. The methods were applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical dosage forms containing binary mixtures of enalapril–lercanidipine and enalapril–nitrendipine. Moreover, the proposed methods were applied for the degradation studies of the selected compounds. Degradation studies were conducted using stress conditions such as UV light, acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation and heat in oven, to evaluate the ability of the separation of the response of standard compounds from their degradation products.

     

Electrochemical investigation and determination of ceftazidime in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human urine

A voltammetric study of the oxidation of Ceftazidime (CEFT) has been carried out at the glassy carbon electrode by cyclic, differential pulse (DPV) and square wave (SWV) voltammetry. The oxidation of CEFT was irreversible and exhibited diffusion controlled process depending on pH. The oxidation mechanism was proposed and discussed. According to the linear relationship between the peak current and concentration, DPV and SWV voltammetric methods for CEFT assay in pharmaceutical dosage forms and human urine were developed. For analytical purposes, a well resolved diffusion controlled voltammetric peak was obtained in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ at 1.00 and 1.02 V for differential pulse and square wave voltammetric techniques, respectively. The linear response was obtained within the range of 4 × 10^?6?8 × 10^?5 M with a detection limit of 6 × 10^?7 M for differential pulse and 4 × 10^?6–2 × 10^?4 M with a detection limit of 1 × 10^?6 M for square wave voltammetric technique. The determination of CEFT in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ was possible over the 2 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?4 M range in urine sample for both techniques. The standard addition method was used for the recovery studies.