Turbostratic graphite nanofibres from electrospun solutions of PAN in dimethylsulphoxide

Homogenous turbostratic graphite nanofibres (TGNFs) have been synthesized by heat treatment of electrospun polyacrylonitrile in dimethylsulphoxide, offering a solution route of low toxicity to manufacture sub-60 nm diameter TGNFs. Characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy have been used to study the graphitization process, and structural morphology of the nanofibres. The TGNFs have an entangled micro-fibril structure with turbostratic ordering of up to 40 graphene layers after heat treatment at 3000 °C.     

Water soluble distyryl-boradiazaindacenes as efficient photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

We introduce a novel class of water soluble, extended conjugation boradiazaindacene dyes which are efficient singlet oxygen generators and have spectacular photoinduced cytotoxicity when excited in the "therapeutic window" of the electromagnetic spectrum.     

Immobilized hyperbranched glycoacrylate films as bioactive supports

[Image: see text] We report on the low-pressure plasma immobilization, characterization and application of thin films of hyperbranched glycoacrylates, poly(3-O-acryloyl-alpha,beta-D-glucopyranoside) (AGlc), on PTFE-like fluorocarbon surfaces. This method is an efficient and versatile way to immobilize sugar-carrying branched acrylates as thin films of approximately 5 nm thickness on polymeric substrates while the functional groups and properties of the immobilized molecules are largely retained. The extent of poly(AGlc) degradation during plasma immobilization was investigated using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and XPS. The thickness and topography of the immobilized films were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry and SFM, respectively. Studies of protein adsorption, as well as cell adhesion and proliferation on the poly(AGlc) surfaces, showed that these materials are suitable for the control of biointerfacial phenomena. Fluorescence images of fibronectin adsorbed on to the branched glycoacrylate with a mask.     

The effect of ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying on the drying rate and quality of red peppers

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Ultrasound-assisted vacuum (USV) drying is a promising method to increase heat and mass transfer rate. This study aimed to examine effects of USV...     

Probing the protein–nanoparticle interface: the role of aromatic substitution pattern on affinity

A new class of cationic gold nanoparticles (NPs) has been synthesised bearing benzyl moieties featuring –NO₂ and –OMe groups to investigate the regioisomeric control of aromatic NP–protein recognition. In general, NPs bearing electron-withdrawing groups demonstrated higher binding affinities towards green fluorescent protein (GFP) than NPs bearing electron-donating groups. Significantly, a ～7.5- and ～4.3-fold increase in binding with GFP was observed for –NO₂ groups in meta-position and para-position, respectively, while ortho-substitution showed binding similar to the unsubstituted ring. These findings demonstrated that the NP–protein interaction can be controlled by tuning the spatial orientation and the relative electronic properties of the aromatic substituents. This improved biomolecular recognition provides opportunities for enhanced biosensing and functional protein delivery to the cells.     

Radiation Parameters of Some Potential Bioactive Compounds

In this study,we aimed to determine the radiation parameters of some potential bioactive compounds.1-Aryl-3-dibenzylamino-propane-1-on hydrochloride type Mannich bases were synthesized via classical conventional heating method.Aryl part was changed as phenyl(C6H5),4-methylphenyl(4-CH3C6H4),4-fluorophenyl(4-FC6H4),4-nitrophenyl(4-NO2C6H4),4-chlorophenyl(4-ClC6H4),4-bromophenyl(4-BrC6H4),and 2-thienyl(C4H3S-2-yl).Mass attenuation coefficient(μm),effective atomic number(Zeff)and effective electron density(Nel)of compounds were determined experimentally and theoretically for at 8.040,8.910,13.40,14.96,17.48,19.61,22.16,24.94,32.19,36.38,44.48,50.38and 59.54keV photon energies by using an HPGe detector with a resolution of 182eV at 5.9keV.Radiation parameters of these compounds which can be anti-cancer drug candidate were given in the tables.The results show that phenyl ring behave like thiophene ring in terms of radiation absorption.It is thought that the results of study may drive allow the development of drug candidate new compounds in medical oncology.     

An HPTLC method for the determination of oleandrin in Nerium plant extracts and its application to forensic toxicology

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - The study reported in this paper was aimed to develop an accurate, specific, and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatography...     

Oxidative Stress Parameters of L929 Cells Cultured on Plasma-Modified PDLLA Scaffolds

Oxidative stress may produce high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following cell exposure to endogenous and exogenous factors. Recent experiments implicate oxidative stress as playing an essential role in cytotoxicity of many materials. The aim of this study was to measure intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of L929 fibroblasts cultured on PDLLA, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or ethylenediamine (EDA) grafted PDLLA by plasma polymerization method. Cell proliferation on these scaffolds was studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The study showed that MDA, AOPP levels, and SOD activities in L929 fibroblast cells cultured on all scaffolds were significantly different compared to the control group and each other. The highest MDA (0.42 ± 0.76 nmol/mg protein), AOPP (14.99 ± 4.67 nmol/mg protein) levels, and SOD activities (7.49 ± 3.74 U/mg protein) were observed in cells cultured on non-modified scaffolds; meanwhile, the most cell proliferation was obtained in EDA-modified scaffolds (MDA 0.15 ± 0.14 nmol/mg protein, AOPP 13.12 ± 3.86 nmol/mg protein, SOD 4.82 ± 2.64 U/mg protein). According to our finding, EDA- or PEG-modified scaffolds are potentially useful as suitable biomaterials in tissue engineering.     

Gamma-irradiated calcium succinate monohydrate single crystal investigation with EPR technique

In this study, EPR investigation of gamma-irradiated calcium succinate monohydrate [CaC(4)H(4)O(4)·H(2)O] single crystal has been carried out at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic symmetry with the unit-cell dimensions: a=11.952(2)?, b=9.691(2)?, c=11.606(2)?, β=108.81(1)°. The observed lines in the EPR spectra reveal the formation of C˙H(α)CH(β1)H(β2) radical after irradiating [CaC(4)H(4)O(4)·H(2)O] single crystal. The angular variations of EPR spectra have shown that the radical type has only one site in three perpendicular planes. The principal g and a values and direction cosines of C˙H(α)CH(β1)H(β2) radical have been determined.