LIOUVILLE RESULTS FOR STABLE SOLUTIONS OF QUASILINEAR EQUATIONS WITH WEIGHTS

This paper is devoted to the quasilinear equation ■where p 2,Ω is a(bounded or unbounded) domain of R~N,w_1,w_2 are nonnegative continuous functions and f is an increasing function. We establish a Liouville type theorem for nontrivial stable solutions of the equation under some mild assumptions on Ω,w_1, w_2 and f, which extends and unifies several results on this topic.     

Simple Characterization of Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles by Capillary Electrophoresis

The development of methodologies for the characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using natural products has received increasing attention, especially to monitoring its stability and size for further application. In this paper, a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method is presented for characterization of AgNPs synthesized using honey or glucose as reducing agents. A simple electrolyte solution composed of 20 mM sodium borate and 20 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) at pH 8.5 was used for separation of AgNPs within a short analysis time (<12 min). The obtained results were compared with the traditional characterization techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), showing satisfactory correlation in terms of size distribution. In addition, valuable information about electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential values of AgNPs was obtained by applying the CE-UV/Vis method. Thus, the proposed methodology represents a straightforward tool for the fast and cost-effective characterization of AgNPs within a single analysis, employing minimal amounts of reagents and samples.     

Apoptosis-accommodating Effect of Nitric Oxide in Photodynamically Stressed Tumor Cells

Using a 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy model, we have discovered a new effect of nitric oxide (NO)—the ability to accommodate apoptosis. When sensitized by disseminated ALA-generated protoporphyrin IX, COH-BR1 tumor cells in glucose-containing medium died mainly by necrosis with a low level of apoptosis. Introduced before light at a nontoxic concentration, the NO donor SPNO inhibited necrosis, but supported apoptosis such that the latter became predominant in the remaining cell death. Accompanying this was a large increase in caspase-3/7 activation. SPNO-supported apoptosis was more pronounced when glucose-deprived cells were compared with glucose-replenished, SPNO-treated counterparts. SPNO plus glucose also suppressed plasma membrane-damaging lipid peroxidation and loss of cellular ATP under photostress. The NO effect is attributed to membrane protection with maintenance of sufficient glycolytic ATP to sustain apoptosis.     

Trace analysis of pollutants by use of honeybees, immunoassays, and chemiluminescence detection

Specific and sensitive analysis to reveal and monitor the wide variety of chemical contaminants polluting all environment compartments, feed, and food is urgently required because of the increasing attention devoted to the environment and health protection. Our research group has been involved in monitoring the presence and distribution of agrochemicals by monitoring beehives distributed throughout the area studied. Honeybees have been used both as biosensors, because the pesticides affect their viability, and as “contaminant collectors” for all environmental pollutants. We focused our research on the development of analytical procedures able to reveal and quantify pesticides in different samples but with a special attention to the complex honeybee matrix. Specific extraction and purification procedures have been developed and some are still under optimization. The analytes of interest were determined by gas or liquid chromatographic methods and by compound-specific or group-specific immunoassays in the ELISA format, the analytical performance of which was improved by introducing luminescence detection. The range of chemiluminescent immunoassays developed was extended to include the determination of completely different pollutants, for example explosives, volatile organic compounds (including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), and components of plastics, for example bisphenol A. An easier and portable format, a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) was added to the ELISA format to increase application flexibility in these assays. Aspects of the novelty, the specific characteristics, the analytical performance, and possible future development of the different chromatographic and immunological methods are described and discussed.

α-Carbonyl Radical Cyclizatio n in Organic Synthesis

Intramolecular radical cyclization reactions are now used routinely to synthesize carbocyclic and heterocyclic structures. We have reported that α-carbonyl radicals 1, generated from the corresponding iodo ketones or enones, underwent intramolecular radical cyclization smoothly to afford products 2.1, 2,3     

PHOTOHEMOLYSIS OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES LABELED IN BAND 3 WITH EOSIN-ISOTHIOCYANATE

Eosin-isothiocyanate (EYNCS) is 50 to 100 times more effective in sensitizing delayed photo-hemolysis of human erythrocytes than is eosin when matched for absorbance in the reaction medium. These dyes are equally efficient in generating singlet oxygen, a potent membrane oxidant. When cells are treated with sensitizer and washed extensively prior to illumination, EYNCS phototoxicity persists, while that of eosin is lost. SDS-gel electrophoresis of membranes from EYNCS-exposed cells shows a large fluorescence signal coincident with band 3 protein that is abolished by pretreatment with H₂DIDS, the inhibitor of anion exchange by band 3. This treatment reduces the photohemolytic potency of EYNCS by over 90%. The marked enhancement of photohemolytic activity upon binding sensitizer to band 3 implicates band 3 itself as a site of photodamage leading to lysis.     

Application of matrix solid phase dispersion to the determination of imidacloprid, carbaryl, aldicarb, and their main metabolites in honeybees by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection

A method based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) using C18 as dispersant and dichloromethane-methanol as eluent and liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of imidacloprid, 6-chloronicotinic acid, carbaryl, aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, and aldicarb sulfone in honeybees.The proposed method was compared with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) combined with LC-APCI-MS analysis. Spiked blank samples were used as standards to counteract the matrix effect observed in the chromatographic determination. Recovery studies were performed at different fortification levels. Average recoveries by MSPD varied from 61% of 6-chloronicotinic acid to 99% of aldicarb sulfoxide and relative standard deviations were equal or lower than 14%. Limit of detections ranged from 0.004 mg kg⁻¹ for imidacloprid to 0.09 mg kg⁻¹ for 6-chloronicotinic acid. Results obtained by both methods were compared, MSPD showed higher recoveries and sensitivity than LLE for most pesticides, except for carbaryl. As MSPD is easier to perform, faster, consumes less sample and organic solvents than LLE, its application for pesticide analysis in honeybees is suggested.     

Development of an RPLC-based Method for Measurement of Indoprofen Stability and Validation of the Method

A method for quantitative measurement of the photochemical decomposition of the anti-inflammatory agent, indoprofen （INP） is descriped. An RPLC-based assay that could determine the extent of degradation of INP in a rapid, sensitive, and accurate manner was developed. The method was validated under photoirradiation. Quantitation was monitored with an Inertsil ODS-3V column using a mobile phase of acetonitril and 1% HOAc solution in deionized H2O. Statistics relevant to the system criteria, peak integrity and resolution among the parent drug and its degradation products were performed. From the intra- and inter-day tests, the coefficients of variation were found to range from 0.59% to 4.25% for the former and from 0.71% to 4.86% for the latter. The good selectivity and specificity of this RPLC-based procedure render it suitable for measurements of INP stability.     

Development of a chemiluminescent ELISA and a colloidal gold-based LFIA for TNT detection

To identify the explosive used in a terrorist attack, or to obtain an early sign of environmental pollution it is important to use simple and rapid assays able to detect analytes at low levels, possibly on-site. This is particularly true for TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), one of the most employed explosives in the 20th century and at the same time, because of its toxicity, a well known pollutant. In this work we describe the development of an indirect competitive ELISA with chemiluminescent detection (CL-ELISA) and of a lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA) based on colloidal gold nanoparticle labels. A commercially available monoclonal antibody was used and 13 specially synthesized conjugates were tested. We optimized the assay by determining the optimal concentration of monoclonal antibody and conjugates and the influence of various non-specific factors such as: tolerance to organic solvents at different concentrations, the washing and competitive step time, and the cross-reactivity with related compounds. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the CL-ELISA were good (LOD and IC₅₀ values in the ng mL⁻¹ range, and CV value about 7%). It has been applied to real samples of various materials involved in a controlled explosion of an “improvised explosive device”. Three extraction procedures were tested on these samples, all employing methanol as the solvent. The lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), developed by using the same immunoreagents, reached a detection limit of 1 μg mL⁻¹ when tested on the same samples analysed by CL-ELISA.      

Development of a heterogeneous chemiluminescent flow immunoassay for DDT and related compounds

A heterogeneous chemiluminescent (CL) flow immunoassay for DDT was optimized comparing different types of immunoaffinity supports: beads, nylon coils and membranes (membranes HyBondN+). In order to characterize solid immunoaffinity supports two basic immunoassay formats were performed, using (1) enzyme-labeled secondary and (2) enzyme-labeled specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). In both formats, hapten DDT5 conjugated to ovalbumin immobilized on solid supports according to the appropriate immobilization procedure, enzyme label (horseradish peroxidase, HRP) and luminescent detection (luminol/H₂O₂/p-iodophenol) were used. The lowest limit of detection (LOD), 1 nM p,p-DDT, was obtained with a membrane-based flow immunoassay with HRP-labeled specific antibody. Beads and packed tubing were discarded as appropriate supports because of the difficulties encountered for reproducible packing and the occurrence of light scatterring (beads), which seriously compromised the performance and reproducibility of the flow immunoassay.