Imaging new transient nanostructures using a microfluidic chip integrated with a controlled environment vitrification system for cryogenic transmission electron microscopy

Nanostructures (vesicles, micelles, bilayers) are important in nanomedicine and biochemical processes. They are agents for encapsulation and eventual release of drugs, flavors, and fragrances. The structural transition from micelles to vesicles through disk-like intermediate states has been demonstrated previously. Here, we disclose a new route for the micelle-vesicle transition, where micelles aggregate to first form long tubules that become unstable, and break up into vesicles. A simple theory, based on energy principles, is presented to explain the tubule-vesicle transition. Observation of this new tubular intermediate state has been facilitated by the development of an integrated microfluidic chip/cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) unit. Although this transition has been observed in a specific amphiphilic system where micellar solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (HDBS) are mixed to form vesicles, this new tool can be applied broadly to study transient structures in nanoscale systems under the very controlled conditions provided by microfluidics.     

PR_b-targeted PEGylated liposomes for prostate cancer therapy

In recent years, there has been considerable effort in designing improved delivery systems by including site-directed surface ligands to further enhance their selective targeting. The goal of this study is to engineer alpha5beta1-targeted stealth liposomes (nanoparticles covered with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)) that will bind to alpha5beta1-expressing LNCaP human prostate cancer cells and efficiently release the encapsulated load intracellularly. For this purpose, liposomes (with and without PEG2000) were functionalized with a fibronectin-mimetic peptide (PR_b) and delivered to LNCaPs. The amount of PEG2000 and other liposomal components were characterized by 1H NMR, and the amount of peptide by the bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Fibronectin is the natural ligand for alpha5beta1, and a promising design for a fibronectinmimetic peptide includes both the primary binding site (RGD) and the synergy site (PHSRN) connected by a linker and extended off a surface by a spacer. We have previously designed a peptide-amphiphile, PRb, that employed a hydrophobic tail, connected to the N-terminus of a peptide headgroup composed of a spacer, the synergy site sequence, a linker mimicking both the distance and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity present in the native protein fibronectin (thus presenting an overall "neutral" linker), and finally the primary binding sequence. We have examined different liposomal formulations, functionalized only with PR_b or with PR_b and PEG2000. For PR_b-targeted PEGylated liposomes, efficient cell binding was observed for peptide concentrations of 2 mol % and higher. When compared to GRGDSP-targeted stealth liposomes, PR_b functionalization was superior to that of GRGDSP as shown by increased LNCaP binding, internalization efficiency, as well as cytotoxicity after incubation of LNCaPs with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-encapsulated liposomes. More importantly, PR_b is alpha5beta1-specific, whereas many integrins bind to small RGD peptides. Thus, the proposed PR_b-targeted delivery system has the potential to deliver a therapeutic payload to prostate cancer cells in an efficient and specific manner.     

On multicolour noncomplete Ramsey graphs of star graphs

Given graphs , where k≥2, the notation

     

Application of MoS2 modified screen-printed electrodes for highly sensitive detection of bovine serum albumin

The present work reports the application of a new molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂)-based electrochemical platform for highly sensitive quantitation of an iron-binding protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The gold screen-printed electrodes were modified with MoS₂ nanoflakes, followed by bioconjugation with anti-BSA antibodies. Using the above bioelectrode, cyclic voltammetric analysis was carried out in the presence of a Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox probe which exhibited a linear response of peak current with varying concentrations of BSA up to 10 ng/mL (with a detection limit of 0.006 ng/mL). This study is novel in that it shows a considerable enhancement of signal during electrochemical sensing of a protein.     

Selective Production of Secondary Amine by the Photocatalytic Cascade Reaction Between Nitrobenzene and Benzyl Alcohol over Nanostructured Bi2MoO6 and Pd Nanoparticles Decorated with Bi2MoO6

The synthesis of secondary amine by the photoalkylation of nitrobenzene with benzyl alcohol using a simple light source and sunlight is a challenging task. Herein, a one-pot cascade protocol is employed to synthesize secondary amine by the reaction between nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol. The one-pot cascade protocol involves four reactions: (a) photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline, (b) photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, (c) reaction between aniline and benzaldehyde to form imine, and (d) photocatalytic reduction of imine to a secondary amine. The cascade protocol to synthesize secondary amine is accomplished using Bi₂MoO₆ and Pd nanoparticles decorated Bi₂MoO₆ catalysts. The surface characteristics, oxidation states, and elemental compositions of the materials are characterized by several physicochemical characterization techniques. Optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical measurements are carried out to determine the bandgap, band edge potentials, photocurrents, charge carrier's separation, etc. An excellent yield of secondary amine is achieved with simple household white LED bulbs. The catalyst also exhibits similar or even better activity in sunlight. The structure-activity relationship is established using catalytic activity data, control reactions, physicochemical, optoelectronic characteristics, and scavenging studies. Bi₂MoO₆ and Pd nanoparticles decorated Bi₂MoO₆ exhibit excellent photostability and recyclability. The simple catalyst design with a sustainable and economical light source for the synthesis of useful secondary amine from the nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol would attract the researchers to develop similar catalytic protocols for other industrially important chemicals.     

Investigating the effect of PEG200 and two-dimensional h-BN on PVDF membrane performance for membrane distillation–crystallization

Although water supplies are prominently dependent on desalination technology, desalination plant facing severe issues of discharged brine concentrate. Membrane distillation crystallization is an emerging synergistic technology that resolves the issue of brine concentrate by recovering clean water and value-added minerals simultaneously. In the present study, properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane were modified by incorporation of exfoliated fillers of hexagonal boron nitride and polyethylene glycol. The changes in morphology, surface roughness, hydrophobicity, thermal stability, and chemical composition of the prepared membranes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Membrane distillation crystallization experiments were conducted to observe the effect of modified membranes on the permeate flux and salts recovery at different feed temperatures. The results showed a significant improvement in the permeate flux with modified membranes compared with pure PVDF membrane. It was found that hexagonal boron nitride/polyethylene glycol200 incorporated PVDF membrane gave the higher permeate flux (3.41 kg/m² h for K₂SO₄ and 2.62 kg/m² h for KNO₃) at a temperature of 80 °C along with higher salts recovery than pure PVDF membranes. A 100 h long run test was conducted on modified membranes, which showed consistency in permeate flux with a marginal increase in conductivity.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic conjugated ψ-disacharides via nitrile oxide cycloaddition: Alkenyl chain length controlled unprecedented formation of di-oxa heterocycles from monosaccharides

Various symmetrical and unsymmetrical isoxazoline embodied chiral macroheterocycles were synthesized from carbohydrate derived oximes. Our result shows that the mode of cycloaddition is dependent on the length and tether present in alkenyl chain of sugar moiety. Thus in some cases inter- and intramolecular cycloaddition of nitrile oxide were observed with high selectivity. The cycloadducts contains two sugar units linked via macrocycles thus they are considered as pseudo-disacharides. The stereochemistry of the newly formed chiral centers was established by 2D-NMR techniques and X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Click chemistry approach for the regioselective synthesis of iso-indoline-1,3-dione-linked 1,4 and 1,5 coumarinyl 1,2,3-triazoles and their photophysical properties

Copper-catalyzed reaction of N-propargyl isoindoline-1,3-dione and 4-azidomethyl coumarins / 4-azidomethyl-1-aza coumarins under click chemistry conditions afforded 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, whereas ruthenium catalysis yielded isomeric 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. The two regioisomers have been distinguished by NOE studies. UV absorption for a given pair of isomers exhibited similar trend, whereas fluorescence measurements showed considerable differences. Photo physical studies on the interaction of azides with copper and ruthenium have also been performed.