Rapid Detection of AIB1 in Breast Cancer Cells Based on Aptamer-Functionalized Nanomotors

Herein, we report ultrasound-propelled graphene-oxide coated gold nanowire motors, functionalized with fluorescein-labeled DNA aptamers (FAM-AIB1-apt), for qualitative detection of overexpressed AIB1 oncoproteins in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The movement of nanomotors under the ultrasound field facilitated intracellular uptake and resulted in a faster aptamer binding with the target protein and thus faster fluorescence recovery. The propulsion behavior of the aptamer functionalized nanomotors greatly enhanced the fluorescence intensity compared to static conditions. The new aptamer@nanomotor-based strategy offers considerable potential for further development of sensing methodologies towards diagnosis of breast cancer.     

Thermal conductivity and interfacial energy of solid Bi in the Bi–Ag eutectic system

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The equilibrated grain boundary groove shapes for solid Bi (Bi–2.87 at.%Ag) in equilibrium with Bi–Ag eutectic liquid have been...     

Buffering effects on the solution behavior and hydrolytic degradation of poly(β-amino ester)s

With a vast, synthetically accessible compositional space and highly tunable hydrolysis rates, poly(β-amino ester)s (PBAEs) are an attractive degradable polymer platform. Leveraging PBAEs in a wide range of applications hinges on the ability to program degradation, which, thus far, has been frustrated by multiple confounding phenomena contributing to the degradation of these charged polyesters. Basic conditions accelerate hydrolysis, yet reduce solubility, limiting water access to amines and esters. Further, the high buffering capacity of PBAEs can render buffers ineffective at controlling solution pH. To unify understanding of PBAE degradation and solution properties, this study examines PBAE hydrolysis as a function of pH and buffer concentration as well as polymer hydrophobicity. At low buffer concentrations, the PBAE amines and the acid produced during hydrolysis control solution pH. Meanwhile, at high buffer concentrations that afford relatively constant pH, hydrolysis rate increases with pH, despite the reduced PBAE solubility. Increasing the hydrophobic content of PBAEs eventually hinders the capacity of the polymer to accept protons from solution, limiting the pH increase and slowing hydrolysis. These studies showcase the role of buffering on the pH-dependent degradation and solution properties of PBAEs, providing guidance for programming degradation in applications ranging from drug delivery to thermosets.     

Fluorine in Small Molecules: Fluoromethyl Azide and Chalcogenocyanates

Fluoromethylating agents are a highly studied and controversely discussed class of compounds. New fluoromethyl pseudohalides FCH₂N₃, FCH₂SCN, and FCH₂SeCN were prepared for the first time and their physical and spectroscopic properties investigated. Their synthesis is performed conveniently by fluoromethylation of the respective silver or potassium pseudohalogenides with fluoroiodomethane.     

Temperature dependency of thermal conductivity of solid phases for fatty acids

Thermal conductivity variations with temperature of solid phases for lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), pivalic acid (PA), and stearic acid (SA) have been measured with radial heat-flow method. Temperature dependencies of the thermal conductivity for same organic materials have been obtained by linear regression analysis. From graphs of thermal conductivity versus temperature, the thermal conductivity of solid phase at their melting temperature and temperature coefficients of thermal conductivity for LA, MA, PA, and SA have been found to be 0.37, 0.39, 0.23, and 0.35 W K^?1 m^?1 and 0.00935, 0.00446, 0.01095, and 0.00295 K^?1, respectively. The ratios of thermal conductivity of liquid phase to thermal conductivity of solid phase for LA, MA, PA, and SA have also been measured to be 0.52, 0.48, 0.25, and 0.59, respectively, with a Bridgman-type directional solidification apparatus.     

Piper betle (L): Recent Review of Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties,Safety Profiles,and Commercial Applications

Piper betle (L) is a popular medicinal plant in Asia. Plant leaves have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. It is highly abundant and inexpensive, therefore promoting further research and industrialization development, including in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Articles published from 2010 to 2020 were reviewed in detail to show recent updates on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of betel leaves. This current review showed that betel leaves extract, essential oil, preparations, and isolates could inhibit microbial growth and kill various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as fungal species, including those that are multidrug-resistant and cause serious infectious diseases. P. betle leaves displayed high efficiency on Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The ratio of MBC/MIC indicated bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of P. betle leaves, while MFC/MIC values showed fungicidal and fungistatic effects. This review also provides a list of phytochemical compounds in betel leaves extracts and essential oils, safety profiles, and value-added products of betel leaves. Some studies also showed that the combination of betel leaves extract and essential oil with antibiotics (streptomycin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin) could provide potentiating antibacterial properties. Moreover, this review delivers a scientific resume for researchers in respected areas and manufacturers who want to develop betel leaves-based products.