Bioconjugated and cross-linked bionanostructures for bifunctional immunohistochemical labeling

The present study describes the development and use of a new bioconjugate combining targeted quantum dot labeling with an immunoperoxidase method and explores whether these bioconjugates could specifically and effectively label Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The new bioconjugate is designed for the examination of samples both under fluorescent and bright-field microscopy at the same time. For this purpose chlorobis(2-2'-bipyridyl) methacryloyl tyrosine-ruthenium(II) and bis (2-2'-bipyridyl) methacryloyltyrosine-methacryloyltryptophan-ruthenium (II) photosensitive monomers and photosensitive poly(Bis (2-2'-bipyridyl)) methacryloyltyrosine-methacryloyltryptophan-ruthenium(II) were synthesized and characterized. The anti-SOD1 antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRD) conjugated quantum dots were prepared by using this polymer. The anti-SOD1 antibody and HRD conjugated quantum dots were used in labeling and imaging of SOD1 in rat liver sections. Quantum dot particles were observed as a bright fluorescence in their specific binding locations inside the hepatocytes. The HRD-diaminobenzidine reaction product was observed as brown-colored particles at the same locations under bright-field microscopy. Structural details of the tissue sections could be examined at the same time. The conjugation protocol is simple; the bioconjugate is applicable for efficient cell labeling and can be adapted for imaging of other targets in different tissues. Also, the prepared nanobioconjugates have mechanic stability and can be used for a long period.     

On the theoretical strength limit of the layered elastic and viscoelastic composites in compression

The theoretical strength limit in compression (TSLC) of composite material with two alternating isotropic homogeneous elastic and viscoelastic layers is studied. The investigation is made within the piecewise-homogeneous body model with the use of the Three-Dimensional Linearized Theory of Stability for elastic and viscoelastic materials. It is assumed that there is an initial imperfection in the local curving form of the reinforcing layers along the direction which is inclined to the layers. As the criterion for determination of the TSLC, the case is taken for which the aforementioned imperfections start to increase indefinitely. The numerical results for the TSLC are presented and discussed. According to these numerical results, in particular, the direction (or the surface) along which the fracture in compression takes place, is determined.     

Development of New Molecular Imprinted Solid Phase Extraction Material for Dimethoate

In this study, we have proposed a novel organophosphate mimic surface molecular imprinted polymer for selective binding of the nerve agent by chitosan–Cd(II) as a new metal-chelating monomer via metal coordination–chelation interactions and dimethoate templates. We have improved a method for the selective binding behavior of dimethoate compounds on the surface of molecular imprinted polymer, which was prepared using ligand-exchange (chitosan–Cd(II)) monomers. The influence of ligand exchange imprinting on the creation of recognition sites toward dimethoate has determined application of adsorption isotherms. The effect of initial concentration of dimethoate, adsorption time, and imprinting efficiency on the adsorption selectivity for molecular imprinted polymer-ligand exchange has been investigated. The number of accessible sites (Qmax), relative selectivity coefficients (k′), and binding abilities have also been evaluated. Then, molecular imprinted polymer-ligand exchange was treated with formaldehyde to remove dimethoate templates.     

A continuum-mechanical analysis of the influence of mechanical stimuli on biological tissue

Mechanical stimuli play a crucial role in the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The resulting mechanical signals are important in the regulation of various cell functions and maintenance of many tissues. The underlying molecular and biophysical mechanisms of the differentiation process are poorly understood. Present remodelling and growth models are purely phenomenological without linkage to cell mechanisms. The presented macroscopic model of MSC mechanics is based on a multiphasic-multicomponent formulation within the framework of Theory of Porous Media (TPM), where a single cell is considered as a mixture of interacting constituents. In particular, the constituents are the solid cytoskeleton saturated by a fluid phase (cytoplasm), which itself consists of a liquid solvent and mobile components, e. g., chemical messengers, proteins, etc. To demonstrate the capabilities of the developed model, first qualitative numerical simulations of the impact of external forces on MSC are presented. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Symmetric positive solutions for second order boundary value problems with integral boundary conditions on time scales

This paper investigates the existence of symmetric positive solutions for a class of nonlinear boundary value problem of second order dynamic equations with integral boundary conditions on time scales. Under suitable conditions, the existence of symmetric positive solution is established by using monotone iterative technique     

A New Piperidine Derivatized-Schiff Base Based “Turn-on” Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>Chemo-Sensor

In this study, we report the synthesis of new Schiff base E-1-(((1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)imino)methyl)naphthalenee-2-ol (L) and evaluation of its fluorescence response toward Cu²⁺ ion. Preliminary, solvent effect, metal selectivity and metal ligand ratio were analyzed through UV-Visible study. Fluorescence response toward Cu²⁺ was carried to assess the fluorescent property of synthesized Schiff base. The probe exhibited a higher fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Cu²⁺ over other metal ions (Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, and Pb²⁺). The binding stoichiometry between L and Cu²⁺ has been investigated using Job’s plot and Benesi-Hildebrand equation and it was found that ligand L can form 1:1 L-Cu²⁺ complex with binding constant (K _a) of 4?×?10⁴ LM^?1.     

Microstructural and Radioluminescence Characteristics of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Doped Columbite-Type SrNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> Phosphor

Undoped and different concentration Nd³⁺ doped SrNb₂O₆ powders with columbite structure were synthesized by molten salt process using a mixture of strontium nitrate and niobium (V) oxide and NaCl-KCl salt mixture as a flux under relatively low calcining temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis results indicated that SrNb₂O₆ phases found to be orthorhombic columbite single phase for undoped, 0.5 and 3 mol% Nd³⁺ doping concentrations. Phase composition of the powders was examined by SEM-EDS analyses. Radioluminescence properties of Nd³⁺ doped samples from UV to near-IR spectral region were studied. The emissions increased with the doping concentration of up to 3 mol%, and then decreased due to concentration quenching effect. There is a sharp emission peak around 880 nm associated with ⁴F_5/2 → ⁴I_9/2 transition in the Nd³⁺ ion between 300 and 1100 nm. The broad emission band intensity was observed from 400 to 650 nm where the peak intensities increased by increasing Nd³⁺ doping concentration. All the measurements were taken under the room temperature.     

Potentiometric behavior of electrodes based on overoxidized polypyrrole films

Electrodes based on oxidized polypyrrole films have potentiometric selectivity toward anions. When the films are overoxidized, however, electron-rich groups are introduced on to the polymer chains, reversing the selectivity of the electrodes from anionic to cationic. In this study, electrochemically overoxidized polypyrrole film electrodes were prepared, and the conditions for film formation that lead to near-Nernstian potentiometric response were investigated. It was found that the doping ion, overoxidation solution, and pH affect the response of these electrodes. Redox interference is significantly lower for the overoxidized polypyrrole films than for polypyrrole electrodes.