Optimization of Linac-based neutron source for thermal neutron activation analysis

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - A 20 MeV electron Linac based neutron beam has been shaped for neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. A beam shaping assembly (BSA)...     

A new disposable biosensor platform: carbon nanotube/poly(o-toluidine) nanocomposite for direct biosensing of urea

The development of new techniques for rapid and continuous monitoring of urea in biomedical and clinical analysis is very important. Thus, conductive polymer-supported carbon nanotube as an effective electrochemical biosensing platform for direct detection of urea in blood samples was designed. For the assay optimization, several conductive polymers were synthesized and tested as electrode modifiers; among the tested polymers, poly-o-toluidine (PoT) showed the highest electrochemical signals. However, after the enzyme immobilization, direct bioelectrochemical signals were not obtained when the PoT was used alone. Due to the lower electrocatalytic feature of PoT, integration of carbon nanotube, to form a composite with the PoT, was exploited to enable the direct electron transfer. Successfully, using the hybrid, the catalytic activity of the immobilized urease enzyme was retained. Consequently, a sensitive and specific chronoamperometric signals were achieved after the bioassay optimization. Eventually, a standard calibration curve for urea determination was obtained. A linear range was found from 0.1 to 11 mM with the limit of detection of 0.03 mM. Successfully, several blood samples were analyzed and urea level was correlated with the reference analytical method.

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Graphical abstract Scheme 1: Schematic representation of screen-printed electrode-modified urease biosensors. Three-layer functionalized surface (multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(o-toluidine) nanocomposite, with glutaraldehyde (cross-linker and urease-immobilized enzyme), was designed for urea biosensors.

     

Effect of calcination temperature on the properties of industrial V2O5-TiO2 (anatase) catalysts in methanol oxidation

The properties of the catalysts for partial oxidation of o-xylene depend on the structure of the supported vanadium sites. The structure itself is strongly dependent on the calcination temperature of the catalyst at which thermal deposition of the metal oxide on the oxide support takes place. We have investigated the effect of calcination temperature on the activity and selectivity of industrial V₂O₅-TiO₂ (anatase) supported catalysts designed for partial oxidation of o-xylene in their application to methanol oxidation.This revised version was published online in December 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Factors influencing level of hydrogen peroxide in exhaled breath condensate

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been proposed as a marker for oxidative stress in the airways. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the measurement of H₂O₂ in EBC with or without use of a nose clip, and the influence of mouth rinsing, sampling time and storage.An elevated H₂O₂ level was seen during nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing with nose clip (3.4 pmol/s vs. 2.1 pmol/s, p = 0.02). Breathing through the mouth, using a nose clip, was therefore practiced in all experiments. The H₂O₂ levels were increased when mouth rinsing was performed using an acid buffer (1.4 pmol/s vs. 1.9 pmol/s, p = 0.03). 15 min sampling time decreased the H₂O₂ output by almost 50% compared with 2 min sampling time (1.2 vs. 0.6 pmol/s, p = 0.03). When samples were left unattended for 15 min no change in H₂O₂ concentration in the EBC was seen.We found no significant differences in H₂O₂ levels between samples stored for 4 weeks at − 80 °C and samples analysed directly; however, a significant decrease in the levels was seen for samples stored for 4 weeks at − 20 °C.In conclusion, the method of EBC collection and storage plays an important role in reducing variability within and between individuals.     

Solubilization and Separation of Dicarboxylic Acids by Surfactant Micelles and Polyelectrolytes

Semi‐equilibrium dialysis (SED) and micellar enhanced ultra filtration (MEUF) methods are used to determine the extent of solubilization of water‐insoluble compounds by surfactant and polyelectrolyte. In this study, solubilization of ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐phthalic acids (OPA, MPA and TPA), 1,4‐ and 2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylic acids (1,4‐NDCA and 2,6‐NDCA) into hexadecylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and the behavior of these acids to bind to the polyelectrolyte ionizable groups were investigated at 25 °C, using SED and MEUF methods. Polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PDMDAAC) is used in this study. It was found that the solubilization of organic acids decreases with increasing the solute mole fractions in micelles. Also, the best separation occurs at the lowest concentration of the phthalate ions and high concentrations of either CPC or PDMDAAC. The results support the idea of charge interaction between the anionic dicarboxylate groups and cationic surfactant or polyelectrolyte. The results also show that the presence of a second phenyl ring does not greatly affect the solubilization behavior of the acids.     

Investigation of apparent mass deviations in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of a benzophenone-labeled peptide

In a previous study utilizing benzophenone-based topological probes to study conformationally dependent changes in mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) topology, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MS/MS) analysis led to a consistent -2.0 Da mass deviation from expected values. In the present study a synthetic peptide, corresponding to nAChR alpha1 subunit residues 130-139, was photolabeled. MS/MS analysis of this peptide using an ion trap confirmed the previously observed mass deviation, associated only with fragment ions that contain the incorporated benzophenone moiety. Analysis of peak profiles for the photolabeled ions does not indicate the typical 'peak fronting' that produces a mass shift when labile ions are prematurely ejected from the ion trap. Rather, hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments support the hypothesis that a chemical rearrangement involving phenyl migration and ketone formation has formed an unexpected oxidized peptide, with molecular mass 2 Da less than that expected, that is isolated for collision-induced dissociation in the ion trap together with the predicted precursor due to the broad ion isolation window specified.     

The Behavior of Phosphorus Reagents Towards Substituted Diazine and Hydrazine Derivatives

Summary. The reaction of dibenzoyldiazine with phosphorus ylides afforded the new 2-[(benzoylhydrazono)phenylalkyl]but-2-enedioic acid dialkylesters. Moreover, ethyl-2(triphenylphosphoranylidene)propionate reacts with dibenzoyldiazine to give the olefinic compound and triphenylphosphine oxide. On the other hand, oxovinylidene-triphenylphosphorane reacts with dibenzoyldiazine to give a new phosphorane adduct. Trialkyl phosphites react with dibenzoyldiazine to yield the dialkyl phosphonate products. The reaction of dibenzoylhydrazide with Wittig reagents gave rise to the new 3,7-diphenylpyrazolo[1,2-α]pyrazole-1,5-diones. Possible reaction mechanisms are considered, and the structural assignments are based on analytical and spectroscopic results.     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Thymus kotschyanus extract and evaluation of their antioxidant,antibacterial and cytotoxic effects

Present study used ecofriendly, cost efficient and easy method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) at the room temperature by Thymus Kotschyanus extract as reducing and capping agent. Various analytical technique including UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy determined presence of Ag NPs in the solution, the functional groups of Thymus Kotschyanus extract in the reduction and capping process of Ag NPs are approved by FT‐IR, crystallinity with the fcc plane approved from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) determined existence of elements in the sample, surface morphology, diverse shapes and size of present Ag NPs were showed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Beginning and end destroy temperature of present silver nanoparticles were determined by thermal gravimetric spectroscopy (TGA). In addition, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of Ag NPs were studied. Agar disk and agar well diffusion are the methods to determined antibacterial properties of synthesized Ag NPs. Also MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) were recognized by macro broth dilution assay. DPPH free radical scavenging assay was used for antioxidant property and compare to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standard antioxidant that showed high antioxidant activity more than BHT. Synthesized Ag NPs have great cell viability in a dose depended manner and demonstrate that this method for synthesis silver nanoparticles provided nontoxic. The average diameter of synthesized Ag NPs was about 50–60 nm.     

Studies on Phosphonium Ylides XXV: The Behavior of Active Phosphacumulene and Stabilized Alkylidenephosphoranes Towards 5-(4H)-Oxazolones

The reaction of 2-phenyl-5-(4H)-oxazolone 1 and its 4-benzylidene derivative 2 with oxovinylidenetriphenylphosphorane 3 afforded 2-phenylfuro [3,2-d] [1,3]oxazol-5-(6H)-one 6 and 2,7-diphenyl-5H-pyrano[3,2-d][1,3]oxazol-5-one 7 along with triphenylphosphine. Alternatively, when 2-phenyl-5-(4H)-oxazolone 1 reacts with phosphorus ylides 4a–f the corresponding new phosphorane, the cyclic and/or the olefinic adducts were obtained. Moreover, oxazolone reacts with N-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)aniline 5 to give the new imino product 14 together with triphenylphosphine oxide. Possible reaction mechanisms are considered and the structural assignments are based on analytical and spectroscopic results. Biological evaluations of the new products are also studied.