The electrochemistry of antibody-modified conducting polymer electrodes

The modification of conducting polymer electrodes with antibodies (i.e. proteins) by means of electrochemical polymerization is a simple step that can be used to develop an immunological sensor. However, the electrochemical processes involved leading to the generation of analytical signals by the sensor have not been fully investigated. In this work, we report on the characterization of the interaction between an antigen, human serum albumin (HSA) and an antibody-immobilized polypyrrole electrode (such as anti-HSA) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy. This interaction was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at three different potentials. The potentials correspond to the three redox states of the electroconducting polymer (i.e. reduced, doped and overoxidized states). Evidence from the CV experiments confirmed that there was a shift in the potential, which was found to be proportional to the concentration. Both the CV and the impedance experiments indicated that this potential-dependent shift could be attributed to antibody–antigen (Ab–Ag) binding.     

Byssus Thread: A Novel Support Material for Urease Immobilization

Byssus threads are tough biopolymer produced by mussels (Mytilus viridis) to attach themselves to rocks. These were collected from mussels in their natural habitat (N) and from animals maintained in laboratory condition (L) as a novel support. Byssus thread surfaces were characterized by SEM analysis, chemically modified and used for adsorption of urease. The efficiency of the immobilization was calculated by examining the relative enzyme activity of free and the immobilized urease. The pH stabilities of immobilized urease were higher (0.5 unit) than free enzyme. Immobilized enzymes on byssus (both N and L) when stored at 6 °C retained 50% of its activity after 30 days, but they were more stable in dry condition. The optimum temperature of immobilized enzymes was found to increase (25 °C). A Michaelis-Menten constant (K (m)) value for immobilized urease was also elevated (2.08 mol).     

Milk-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots: Study of Biological and Chemical Properties Provides Evidence of Toxicity

Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon-based zero-dimensional nanomaterials that can be prepared from a number of organic precursors. In this research, they are prepared using fat-free UHT cow milk through the hydrothermal method. FTIR analysis shows C=O and C-H bond presence, as well as nitrogen-based bond like C-N, C=N and –NH₂ presence in CDs, while the absorption spectra show the absorption band at 280 ± 3 nm. Next, the Biuret test was performed, with the results showing no presence of unreacted proteins in CDs. It can be said that all proteins are converted in CDs. Photo luminance spectra shows the emission of CDs is 420 nm and a toxicity study of CDs was performed. The Presto Blue method was used to test the toxicity of CDs for murine hippocampal cells. CDs at a concentration of 4 mg/mL were hazardous independent of synthesis time, while the toxicity was higher for lower synthesis times of 1 and 2 h. When the concentration is reduced in 1 and 2 h synthesized CDs, the cytotoxic effect also decreases significantly, ensuring a survival rate of 60–80%. However, when the synthesis time of CDs is increased, the cytotoxic effect decreases to a lesser extent. The CDs with the highest synthesis time of 8 h do not show a cytotoxic effect above 60%. The cytotoxicity study shows that CDs may have a concentration and time–dependent cytotoxic effect, reducing the number of viable cells by 40%.     

Accurate computation of Stokes flow driven by an open immersed interface

We present numerical methods for computing two-dimensional Stokes flow driven by forces singularly supported along an open, immersed interface. Two second-order accurate methods are developed: one for accurately evaluating boundary integral solutions at a point, and another for computing Stokes solution values on a rectangular mesh. We first describe a method for computing singular or nearly singular integrals, such as a double layer potential due to sources on a curve in the plane, evaluated at a point on or near the curve. To improve accuracy of the numerical quadrature, we add corrections for the errors arising from discretization, which are found by asymptotic analysis. When used to solve the Stokes equations with sources on an open, immersed interface, the method generates second-order approximations, for both the pressure and the velocity, and preserves the jumps in the solutions and their derivatives across the boundary. We then combine the method with a mesh-based solver to yield a hybrid method for computing Stokes solutions at N² grid points on a rectangular grid. Numerical results are presented which exhibit second-order accuracy. To demonstrate the applicability of the method, we use the method to simulate fluid dynamics induced by the beating motion of a cilium. The method preserves the sharp jumps in the Stokes solution and their derivatives across the immersed boundary. Model results illustrate the distinct hydrodynamic effects generated by the effective stroke and by the recovery stroke of the ciliary beat cycle.     

Use of a crown ether-heteropoly acid precipitate as a potassium ion-selective membrane electrode

Summary A Potassium ion-selective electrode based on dibenzo-18-crown-6-tungstophosphoric acid precipitate membrane is prepared and conditions for the best functioning have been investigated. The working concentration and pH-range of the electrode is 2.0×10^–2 to 1.3×10^–6 mol/l and 2.9–6.5, respectively. The selectivity coefficient values for a large number of cations are quite low except for caesium and ammonium ions. The electrode can tolerate non-aqueous content upto 20%.

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Kaliumion-sensitive Membranelektrode auf Basis von Kronenether-Heteropolysäure

     

Theoretical study of the vertical electron affinity and ionization potentials of C3

The electron affinity and first three ionization potentials of C₃ are calculated using the multiconfigurational SCF and configuration interaction methods and by Möller-Plesset perturbation theory. Whereas Koopmans' theorem and SCF calculations indicate that the first cation state is ²Π_u, upon inclusion of correlation effects both the ²Σ_u and ²Σ_g cation states are found to lie lower in energy. CI calculations indicate that the ground state (²Π_g) anion is stable by 1.74 eV. Allowing for the error in the calculated electron affinity of the carbon atom, C₃^? is estimated to be stable by 2.0 eV, in excellent agreement with the 2.05 eV value determined from recent photodetachment measurements. No excited anion states are found to be bound at the equilibrium geometry of the neutral molecule.     

A new synthesis of homoisoflavanones (3-benzyl-4-chromanones)

Two 7-hydroxyhomoisoflavanones ( / ) have been synthesized from corresponding 2'-hydroxydihydrochalcones ( / ) in about 33% overall yields. The stages are : (1) selective protection of C₄'-hydroxyl in ( / ) with EtO.CH₂Cl (1 molar equiv.) In the presence of dry K₂C0₃ and acetone at r.t.; (ii) reaction with one more molar equiv. of EtO.CH₂Cl at 60–70° without Isolating products ( / ) (iii) cyclizatlon of resulting α-hydroxymethyl derivatives ( / ) with 4% aq. aIc. Na₂C0₃ and (iv) deprotection of resulting 7-ethoxymethoxy homoisoflavanones ( / ) with 10% CH₃0H-HC1. The explanations for the formation of ( / ) and ( / ) are given.