Exploring antibiotic resistance based on enzyme hydrolysis by microcalorimetry

In an effort to understand the reactions of antibiotics hydrolysis with metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs), the thermokinetic parameters of cefazolin hydrolysis with B1 subclass MβL CcrA from Bacteroides fragilis were determined by microcalorimetric method. The values of activation free energy $ \Updelta G_{ \ne }^{\theta } $ are 88.032 ± 0.038, 89.075 ± 0.025, 90.095 ± 0.034, and 91.261 ± 0.044 kJ mol^?1 at 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, and 308.15 K, respectively, the activation enthalpy $ \Updelta H_{ \ne }^{\theta } $ is 25.278 ± 0.005 kJ mol^?1, the activation entropy $ \Updelta S_{ \ne }^{\theta } $ is ?213.99 ± 0.14 J mol^?1 K^?1, the apparent activation energy E is 27.776 kJ mol^?1, and the reaction order is 1.4. The results indicated that the cefazolin hydrolysis with CcrA is an exothermic and spontaneous reaction. An association between the thermokinetic and kinetic parameters was revealed, which is that the catalytic constant K _cat increase with increase in $ \Updelta H_{ \ne }^{\theta } $ .     

Thermal study on decomposition of LiBH4 at non-isothermal and non-equilibrium conditions

Thermal decomposition measurements for lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) are performed at non-isothermal and non-equilibrium conditions by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA). A simplified alternative procedure is introduced for evaluating thermodynamic and kinetic parameters simultaneously using a single set of measurements. Rate constant (k) and enthalpy (ΔH = ?102.1 ± 0.7 kJ mol^?1 LiBH₄) are archived. Temperature dependence for activation energy (E _a) is found taking advantage of Guggenheim–Arrhenius method; the mean activation energy is $ \overline{E}_{a} $  93.9 ± 0.9 kJ mol^?1 LiBH₄ in the range of heating rate β 1–50 K min^?1.     

Thermochemical and structural properties of anthraquinones

We have investigated the energetic, structural, and other physical–chemical properties (aromaticity, intrinsic strain, hydrogen bond interaction) of 1,4-anthraquinone (1), its better known isomer 9,10-anthraquinone (2) and the derivatives 9-hydroxy-1,4-anthraquinone (3) and 9-methoxy-1,4-anthraquinone (4). In particular, the standard enthalpy of formation in the gas phase at 298.15 K of 1,4-anthraquinone was determined [ $\Updelta_{\text{f}}^{{}} H_{\text{m}}^{\text{o}} \left( {{\text{g}},{\mathbf{1}}} \right) \, = \, - 4 4. 9 { } \pm { 5}. 7\;{\text{kJ}}\;{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} ]$ . Using isodesmic/homodesmotic reaction schemes, we have experimentally estimated: (i) the stabilization energy of 1 (162.2 ± 7.2 kJ mol^?1) and 2 (193.2 ± 5.2 kJ mol^?1), (ii) strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 3 (HB = 79.8 ± 10.8 kJ mol^?1), and (iii) additional strain energy due to peri-oxygen interaction in 4 (?34.2 ± 7.6 kJ mol^?1). A computational study of these species, at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) level, sheds light on structural, aromatic, intrinsic strain, or hydrogen bond effects and further confirmed the consistency of the experimental results.     

Kinetics of ethylene glycol electrooxidation on the noble metal-based nano-catalysts

A comparative electrooxidation of Eg in the alkaline solution was investigated over Pt, Pd and Au nanoparticle-modified carbon-ceramic electrode. The kinetic parameters of Eg oxidation, i.e., Tafel slope and activation energy (E _a), were determined on the modified electrodes. The lowest E _a value of 8.9 kJ mol^?1 was calculated on Pt|CCE. In continuation, the reaction orders with respect to the Eg and NaOH concentrations on Pd|CCE were found to be 0.4–0.2 and 0.6, respectively. An adsorption equilibrium constant (b) of 22.36 M^?1 and the adsorption Gibbs energy change (ΔG°) of ?7.7 kJ mol^?1 were obtained on Pd|CCE. The chronopotentiometry (CP) and chronoamperometry (CA) results showed that Pd|CCE and then Au|CCE have better performance stability than Pt|CCE for Eg electrooxidation. Additionally, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) suggested faster electron-transfer kinetics on Pt than that on the Pd and Au electrocatalysts.     

Mesoporous ZnO-NiO architectures for use in a high-performance nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Mesoporous ZnO-NiO architectures were prepared by thermal annealing of zinc-nickel hydroxycarbonate composites. The resulting architectures are shown to be assembled by many mesoporous nanosheets, and this results in a large surface area and a strong synergy between the ZnO and NiO nanoparticles. The material obtained by annealing at 400 °C was used as an electrode that responds to glucose over a wide concentration range (from 0.5 μM to 6.4 mM), with a detection limit as low as 0.5 μM, fast response time (<3 s), and good sensitivity (120.5 μA?·?mM^?1?·?cm^?2). Figure

The mesoporous ZnO-NiO architecture by annealing at 400 °C was used as an electrode that responds to glucose over a wide concentration range (from 0.5 μM to 6.4 mM), with a detection limit as low as 0.5 μM, fast response time (<3 s), and good sensitivity (120.5 μA?·?mM^?1?·?cm^?2      

Binding interaction and conformational changes of human serum albumin with ranitidine studied by spectroscopic and time-resolved fluorescence methods

This study was designed to examine the interaction of histamine H₂-receptor antagonist drug ranitidine (RTN) with human serum albumin by multi-spectroscopic methods. The experimental results showed the involvement of dynamic quenching mechanism which was further confirmed by lifetime spectral studies. The binding constants (K _a) at three temperatures (288, 298, and 308 K) were 2.058 ± 0.020, 4.160 ± 0.010 and 6.801 ± 0.011 × 10⁴ dm³ mol^?1, respectively, and the number of binding sites (m) were 1.169, respectively; thermodynamic parameters ΔH ⁰ (44.152 ± 0.047 kJ mol^?1), ΔG ⁰ (?26.214 ± 0.040 kJ mol^?1), and ΔS ⁰ (236.130 ± 0.025 J K^?1 mol^?1) were calculated. The distance r between donor and acceptor was obtained (r = 3.40 nm) according to the Förster theory of non-radiative energy transfer. Synchronous fluorescence, CD, AFM and 3D fluorescence spectral results revealed the changes in secondary structure of the protein upon interaction with RTN. A molecular modeling study further confirmed the binding mode obtained by the experimental studies.     

Fluorine Bonding Enhances the Energetics of Protein-Lipid Binding in the Gas Phase

This paper reports on the first experimental study of the energies of noncovalent fluorine bonding in a protein-ligand complex in the absence of solvent. Arrhenius parameters were measured for the dissociation of gaseous deprotonated ions of complexes of bovine β-lactoglobulin (Lg), a model lipid-binding protein, and four fluorinated analogs of stearic acid (SA), which contained (X =) 13, 15, 17, or 21 fluorine atoms. In all cases, the activation energies (E_a) measured for the loss of neutral XF-SA from the (Lg + XF-SA)^7– ions are larger than for SA. From the kinetic data, the average contribution of each?>?CF₂ group to E_a was found to be ~1.1 kcal mol^–1, which is larger than the ~0.8 kcal mol^–1 value reported for?>?CH₂ groups. Based on these results, it is proposed that fluorocarbon–protein interactions are inherently stronger (enthalpically) than the corresponding hydrocarbon interactions.

Experimental and theoretical evidence suggests carbamate intermediates play a key role in CO2 sequestration catalysed by sterically hindered amines

The chemisorption of CO₂ by aqueous-hindered amines has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. Negative-ion ESI–MS analysis of solutions containing a sterically hindered amine and a source of ¹³CO₂ reveals peaks corresponding to [M–H + 45]^?. These ions readily lose 45 Da when subjected to collisional activation, and together with other key fragments confirms the generation of the ¹³C-labelled carbamate derivatives. The thermochemistry of the two key capture reactions: $$2.{\text{amine }} + {\text{ CO}}_{ 2} { \leftrightarrows }{\text{amine}} - {\text{CO}}_{ 2}^{ - } + {\text{ amine}} - {\text{H}}^{ + } {\kern 1pt} \quad 1:{\text{carbam}}$$ $${\text{amine }} + {\text{ CO}}_{ 2} + {\text{ H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}{ \leftrightarrows }{\text{HCO}}_{ 3}^{ - } + {\text{ amine}} - {\text{H}}^{ + } \quad 2:{\text{ bicarb}}$$ at 298 K was modelled using composite chemistry methods, CCSD(T), DFT, and SM8 free energies of solvation. The aqueous reaction free energies (ΔG ₂₉₈) for reaction 1 are predicted to be more negative than ΔG ₂₉₈ for reaction 2 when amine = ammonia, 2-aminoethanol (MEA), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (tris), and 2-piperidinemethanol (2-PM). For AMP, tris, and 2-PM, activation free energies ΔG ₂₉₈ ^? for reaction 1 (SM8 + CCSD(T)/6-311 ++G(d,p)//M08-HX/MG3S: 38–67 kJ mol^?1) are smaller than the corresponding values for 2 (109–113 kJ mol^?1). For 2-PM, the computed carbamate ΔG ₂₉₈ ^? (38 kJ mol^?1) is comparable to the MEA value (45 kJ mol^?1), whereas the primary amines with tertiary alpha carbons have slightly larger values (60–70 kJ mol^?1). The organic amine values are much lower than the value for ammonia (93 kJ mol^?1). The results indicate CO₂ chemisorption proceeds via a carbamate intermediate for all aqueous primary and secondary amines. Hindered carbamates are susceptible to further chemical transformations following their formation.     

Crystal structure and standard molar enthalpy of formation of ethylenediamine dilauroleate (C12H24O2)2C2N2H8(s)

The crystal structure of ethylenediamine dilauroleate was determined by X-ray crystallography. A thermochemical cycle was designed in accordance with Hess law. The enthalpy change of the synthesis reaction of ethylenediamine dilauroleate was determined to be $ \Updelta_{{\text{r}}} H_{{\text{m}}}^{\Uptheta } $ Δ r H m Θ  = ?(49.07 ± 0.11) kJ mol^?1 by an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the title compound was calculated to be $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\Uptheta } $ Δ f H m Θ  = ?(38.78 ± 0.43) kJ mol^?1 by the designed thermochemical cycle, the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic quantities.     

Study of the gadolinium sorption on the C100 ion-exchange resin for the development of the antineutrino detector targets

Adsorption of the gadolinium from H₂O and HCl solutions on the ion-exchange resin C100 is investigated. The experiments were carried out by varying the acidity of the liquid phase, the amount of sorbent, and the temperature. The maximal sorption of the ions Gd³⁺ is observed from the solution 0–0.2 M HCl under optimal conditions, the sorption reaches more than 99.5%. Sorption of Gd³⁺ on C100 from H₂O solution occurs most intensively during the first 3 min then for 30 min the system smoothly comes to equilibrium. The maximal sorption capacity of the resin C100 amounted to 1.2 ± 0.1 mmol g^?1. The thermodynamic parameters of sorption: ΔG = ? 24.20 kJ mol^?1, ΔS = ? 90.27 J mol^?1 K^?1, ?H = ? 50.93 kJ mol^?1 were evaluated. It is shown that the sorption of gadolinium on the ion-exchange resin C100 is described by models of kinetically pseudo-first and pseudo-second order. It is established that the Gd³⁺ sorption on the C100 resin is reversible second order chemical reaction.     

Thermogravimetric analyses revealed the bioenergy potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eulaliopsis binata</Emphasis>

The present study was focused on the thermal degradation of Eulaliopsis binata biomass produced on a salt-affected soil without any fertilizer or pesticide applications. The plant biomass was subjected to thermal degradation experiments at three heating rates, 10, 30 and 50 K min^?1. The kinetic analyses were performed through isoconversional models of Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, followed by the calculation of thermodynamic parameters of activation. The high heating value was calculated as 15.10 MJ mol^?1. The activation energy values of the grass were shown to be ranging from 118 through 240 kJ mol^?1. Energy difference of enthalpies of activation between the reagent and the activated complex was in accordance with activation energies. Pre-exponential factors indicated the reaction to follow first-order kinetics. Gibbs free energy for the grass was measured to be ranging from 171 to 174 kJ mol^?1. Our data have shown that E. binata biomass offers remarkable potential as a low-cost biomass for bioenergy.     

Ultrasensitive determination of hydrazine using a glassy carbon electrode modified with Pyrocatechol Violet electrodeposited on single walled carbon nanotubes

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with pyrocatechol violet (PCV) that was electrodeposited on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via continuous cycling between 0 and 0.9 V (vs. SCE). The resulting electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrazine at 0.3 V. The apparent surface coverage of the electrode is at least 24 times higher (2.7?×?10^?10 mol cm^?2) than that obtained with a bare GCE (1.1?×?10^?11 mol cm^?2). This is attributed to a remarkably strong synergistic effect between the acid-pretreated SWCNTs and the electrodeposited PCV coating. Response is fast (2 s) and sensitive (281 mA M^?1 cm^?2). Other features include a wide linear range (150 nM to 0.4 mM) and a low detection limit (150 nM at an SNR of 3). The sensor has been successfully applied to the determination of hydrazine in water and cigarette samples with good accuracy and precision. In addition, the morphology and the wetting properties of the coating were studied by scanning electromicroscopy and contact angle measurements.

Thermal and kinetic studies of epoxidized natural rubber in lithium salts-epoxidized natural rubber polymer electrolytes

The thermal and kinetic studies of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and its polymer electrolytes, LiX/ENR PEs, (where X = ClO ₄ ^? , CF₃SO ₃ ^? , COOCF ₃ ^? , I^?, and BF ₄ ^? ) were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis at different heating rates. The thermal behaviors for LiX/ENR PEs are closely related to the morphology and interactions between the LiX and ENR chains. The LiCF₃SO₃, LiCOOCF₃, and LiI form pseudo-crosslinking within the ENR; their thermal behavior resembled purified ENR. The LiClO₄ tends to form aggregates within the ENR. This phenomenon has promoted a much earlier decomposition of epoxide in the ENR. The occurrence of ring-opening and complexation or cross-linking reactions in and between the ENR chains in the LiBF₄/ENR has produced a thermally stable macrostructure. The activation energy for the thermal degradation (E _d) of purified ENR was 239.8 and 239.9 kJ mol^?1 using Kissinger and FWO methods, respectively. According to the Coats–Redfern method, the degradation mechanism of purified ENR follows the F₁ type model, while the Criado method revealed that the degradation starts with F₁ followed by D₃ type models. The E _d for LiX/ENR (X = COOCF ₃ ^? , CF₃SO ₃ ^? , I^?, and BF ₄ ^? ) PE’s obtained via the Kissinger method are 258.5, 257.0, 251.0, and 198.9 kJ mol^?1, respectively, and the corresponding E _d values obtained by FWO are 236.0, 223.6, 349.7, and 206.6 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The degradation of ENR in these PEs followed the D₃ type model. However, for LiClO₄/ENR, the presence of two distinct degradations of ENR gave two E _d values. These are 174.5 and 234.7 kJ mol^?1 using Kissinger and 117.8 and 293.6 kJ mol^?1 using FWO method. The degradation mechanism of ENR in the LiClO₄/ENR PE was similar to purified ENR that is F₁ followed by D₃ type models.     

Use of gold nanoparticle-labeled secondary antibodies to improve the sensitivity of an immunochromatographic assay for aflatoxin B1

We describe a sensitive method for the immunochromatographic determination of aflatoxin B1. It is based on the following steps: 1) Competitive interaction between non-labeled specific primary antibodies and target antigens in a sample and in the test zone of a membrane; 2) detection of the immune complexes on the membrane by using a secondary antibodies labeled with gold nanoparticles. The method enables precise adjustment of the required quantities of specific antibodies and the colloidal (gold) marker. It was applied in a lateral flow format to the detection of aflatoxin B1 and exhibits a limit of detection (LOD) of 160 pg?·?mL^?1 if detected visually, and of 30 pg?·?mL^?1 via instrumental detection. This is significantly lower than the LOD of 2 ng?·?mL^?1 achieved by conventional lateral flow analysis using the same reagents. Figure

Immunochromatography with secondary labeled antibodies caused 10-fold decrease of detection limit     

Investigation on the self-association of an inorganic coordination compound with biological activity (Casiopeína III-ia) in aqueous solution

From studies using different experimental techniques employed to determine the presence of aggregates e.g. isothermal titration calorimetry, surface tension, electrical conductivity, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic and static light scattering, it is clearly demonstrated that the compound [Cu(4, 4′-dimethyl-2, 2′-bipyridine)(acetylacetonato)H₂O]NO₃ (Casiopeína III-ia), promising member of a family of new generation compounds for cancer treatment, is able to auto associate in aqueous media. Physicochemical properties associated with the formation of the aggregates were determined in pure water and in phosphate buffer media in order to simulate physiological conditions. From isothermal titration calorimetry and electrical conductivity measurements we calculated the dissociation constant of the aggregates, K _D . For pure water the values obtained in both techniques are 2.73 × 10^?4 and 5.93 × 10^?4 M respectively while for the buffer media we obtained 4.61 × 10^?4 and 1.57 × 10^?3 M. The enthalpy of dissociation, ?H _D , calculated from the calorimetric data shows that the presence of the phosphate ions has an energetic effect on the aggregate stability since in pure water a value of 18.79 kJ mol^?1 was obtained in comparison with the buffer media where a value 4 times bigger was found (70.48 kJ mol^?1). With the data collected from these techniques the number of monomers calculated which participate in the formation of the aggregates is around two. From our surface tension, electrical conductivity and UV–Vis spectrophotometry measurements the critical aggregate concentration, cac, was determined. For each technique specific concentration ranges were obtained but we can summarize that the cac in pure water is between 3 and 3.5 mM and for the buffer media is between 3.5 and 4 mM. Dynamic light scattering measurements provide us with the hydrodynamic diameter of the aggregates and from static light scattering measurements we determined the molecular weight of the Casiopeína III-ia aggregates to be of 1000.015 g mol^?1 which is two times the molecular weight of the Casiopeína III-ia molecule. This value is in agreement with the number of monomers which participate in the formation of the aggregates obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry and electrical conductivity data analysis.     

Study of Brønsted acid site in H-MCM-22 zeolite by temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia

Interaction of ammonia with H-MCM-22 zeolite (Si/Al = 24.5) was investigated by temperature-programmed desorption technique in order to obtain information on thermodynamics of the process. Average activation energy for desorption of ammonia from Brønsted acid sites of H-MCM-22 zeolite was estimated from the data obtained under conditions varying in heating rate and also flow rate of carrier gas. It resulted in value of E _d = 127 kJ mol^?1 for heat rate variation method, whereas flow rate variation led to E _d value of 111 kJ mol^?1. Obtained E _d values are compared with those reported in the literature for other zeolitic materials and discussed in the broader context of zeolite acidity. Comparison of E _d values estimated here for H-MCM-22 zeolite with corresponding data for other protonic zeolites shows that H-MCM-22 displays mediocre/lower activation energy for ammonia compared with other high-silica zeolites.     

Detection of silver(I) ion based on mixed surfactant-adsorbed CdS quantum dots

Mixed cationic and anionic surfactants were adsorbed on cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) capped with mercaptoacetic acid. The CdS QDs can be extracted into acetonitrile with 98 % efficiency in a single step. Phase separation only occurs at a molar ratio of 1:1.5 between cationic and anionic surfactants. The surfactant-adsorbed QDs in acetonitrile solution display stronger and more stable photoluminescence than in water solution. The method was applied for determination of silver(I) ion based on its luminescence enhancement of the QDs. Under the optimum conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity is linearly proportional to the concentration of silver(I) ion in the range between 50 pmol L^?1and 4 μmol L^?1, with a 20 pmol L^?1 detection limit. The relative standard deviation was 1.93 % for 9 replicate measurements of a 0.2 μmol L^?1 solution of Ag(I).

Reinvestigation of the Structure of Protonated Lysine Dimer

To better understand inconsistencies between the predicted infrared (IR) spectra of previously suggested isomers of Lys₂H⁺ reported by Wu et al. (J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 22:1651–1659, 18) and the experimental IR photon dissociation (IRPD) spectrum obtained by Oh et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127:4076–4083, 4), the structure of Lys₂H⁺ was reinvestigated using IRPD spectroscopy in the extended region 2700–3700 cm^?1 and theoretical calculations. The new experimental IRPD spectrum is in good agreement with Oh’s spectrum in the corresponding wavelength range. Based on calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and MP2/6-31?+?G(d,p)//MP2/6-31?+?G(d,p) levels, a new salt-bridged isomer, ZW1, was found to be the most stable isomer; it is more energetically favored than the previously suggested charge-solvated isomer LL-CS01 by 10 or 26 kJ mol^?1. Although the calculated IR spectrum of ZW1 is in good agreement with the experimental one in the range 2700–3700 cm^?1, it is in poor agreement with the previous IRPD spectrum in the range 1000–1900 cm^?1. This investigation shows that the intermolecular interactions inside the dimer are more complex than previously supposed. It is possible that both salt-bridged and charge-solvated isomers of Lys₂H⁺ are stable in the gas phase, and the isomers generated during ionization are sensitive to the experimental conditions.

Solvent extraction of europium trifluoromethanesulfonate into nitrobenzene by using three electroneutral receptors

From extraction experiments and $ \gamma $ -activity measurements, the extraction constants corresponding to the general equilibrium Eu³⁺(aq) + 3 A^?(aq) + L(nb) $ \Leftrightarrow $ EuL³⁺(nb) + 3A^?(nb) taking place in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system ( $ {\text{A}}^{ - } = {\text{CF}}_{ 3} {\text{SO}}_{3}^{ - } $ ; L = electroneutral receptors denoted by 1, 2, and 3 – see Scheme 1; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) were evaluated. Further, the stability constants of the EuL³⁺ complexes in nitrobenzene saturated with water were calculated; they were found to increase in the series of 3 < 2 < 1.

Silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles loaded with Cu(II): preparation and application to the purification of bovine serum albumin

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with silica gel were prepared, then functionalized with a tridentate ligand via a silane coupling agent (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane, and finally loaded with Cu(II) ions. The resulting materials were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA techniques. They display strong affinity for BSA with an adsorption capacity as high as 235 mg g^?1 and with a fast (30 min) establishment of adsorption equilibrium. Repetitive adsorptions (6 times) hardly affect the adsorption capability. The kinetics and isotherm of the adsorption of BSA were also investigated.