A new disposable biosensor platform: carbon nanotube/poly(o-toluidine) nanocomposite for direct biosensing of urea

The development of new techniques for rapid and continuous monitoring of urea in biomedical and clinical analysis is very important. Thus, conductive polymer-supported carbon nanotube as an effective electrochemical biosensing platform for direct detection of urea in blood samples was designed. For the assay optimization, several conductive polymers were synthesized and tested as electrode modifiers; among the tested polymers, poly-o-toluidine (PoT) showed the highest electrochemical signals. However, after the enzyme immobilization, direct bioelectrochemical signals were not obtained when the PoT was used alone. Due to the lower electrocatalytic feature of PoT, integration of carbon nanotube, to form a composite with the PoT, was exploited to enable the direct electron transfer. Successfully, using the hybrid, the catalytic activity of the immobilized urease enzyme was retained. Consequently, a sensitive and specific chronoamperometric signals were achieved after the bioassay optimization. Eventually, a standard calibration curve for urea determination was obtained. A linear range was found from 0.1 to 11 mM with the limit of detection of 0.03 mM. Successfully, several blood samples were analyzed and urea level was correlated with the reference analytical method.

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Graphical abstract Scheme 1: Schematic representation of screen-printed electrode-modified urease biosensors. Three-layer functionalized surface (multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(o-toluidine) nanocomposite, with glutaraldehyde (cross-linker and urease-immobilized enzyme), was designed for urea biosensors.

     

Dissolution of hydroxyapatite by calcium complexing agents

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) dissolution effected by calcium complexing ions was studied. The efficiencies of various complexants on the dissolution of HAP at 37°C and pH=7.4 were compared. This effect was also examined in correlation with parameters such as: the concentration of the complexant solution, the volume of the complexant solution, dissolution times and the perfection of crystals structure. EDTA has been found to be superior complexant to others. The significant dissolution time occurs between 1 and 3 min and as the volume and concentration of the complexant solution increase, there is a significant increase in the efficiency of dissolution of HAP.     

The effect of orientation of the lateral methyl substituent on the mesophase behaviour of 4-alkoxyphenylazo aryl benzoates

Two homologous series of 4-alkoxyphenylazo 4?-(2?- (and 3?-) methyl-) 4?-substituted benzoates (IIn_a–f and IIIn_a–f, six series each) were prepared and investigated. Within each series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies among 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating CH₃O, CH₃, and the electron-withdrawing Br, NO₂ and CN groups, in addition to the un-substituted analogue, X = H, aiming to investigate the effect of the different orientations of the methyl groups substituted on the central benzene ring, on the mesophase behaviour. The mesomorphic properties were discussed in terms of steric and polarisability effects. The mesophase stability was correlated with the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the terminal substituent X. Comparative studies were made between the prepared isomers with each other and with the previously investigated laterally neat analogues 4-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) phenyl 4?-substituted benzoates (In_a–f).     

Polyphenols of the Mediterranean Diet and Their Metabolites in the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

The Mediterranean diet is a central element of a healthy lifestyle, where polyphenols play a key role due to their anti-oxidant properties, and for some of them, as nutripharmacological compounds capable of preventing a number of diseases, including cancer. Due to the high prevalence of intestinal cancer (ranking second in causing morbidity and mortality), this review is focused on the beneficial effects of selected dietary phytophenols, largely present in Mediterranean cooking: apigenin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin-rutine, and resveratrol. The role of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of colorectal cancer and future perspectives are discussed in terms of food polyphenol content, the effectiveness, the plasma level, and the importance of other factors, such as the polyphenol metabolites and the influence of the microbiome. Perspectives are discussed in terms of microbiome-dependency of the brain-second brain axis. The emergence of polyphenol formulations may strengthen the efficiency of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of cancer.     

Development and validation of a multiresidue method for the determination of 323 pesticide residues in dry herbs using QuEChERS method and LC-ESI-MS/MS

A multiresidue method was studied for determination of 323 pesticides representing a wide range of physicochemical properties in dry herbs (chamomile and parsley) based on QuEChERS method and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. In the current study, three different parameters were optimised for a higher accuracy and a lower matrix effects: extraction procedures, cleanup and matrix effect. Optimum extraction efficiency was obtained at sample hydration of 10 mL water on 2 g dry herbs and soaking time for 10 min. Use of different extraction techniques supported the use of mechanical shaker in comparison with ultrasound and handed shaking. As a way to remove interfering components from final extract, different cleanup techniques were studied: three dispersive solid phase extraction (D-SPE) (C₁₈, primary secondary amine and graphitised carbon black) have been investigated; matrix effect was reduced, but several pesticides were lost during the cleanup process. Unlike the SPE (hydrophilic lipophilic balanced polymer) produced a good recovery with all substances without expected reduction in matrix effect. Moreover, sample dilution and LC-MS/MS injection volume were studied, 3 µL injection volume was found to be the best sensitive condition without sample dilution. The developed method was validated by performing recovery tests at 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, the average recoveries ranged from 70% to 120%. The reproducibility expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD %) was ≤ 20%.     

Kinetics of aquation of chloropentamminecobalt(III) perchlorate in ethylene glycol-water media

Summary The aquation of chloropentamminecobalt(III) ion has been studied in ethylene glycol-water mixtures up to 80% by weight at five temperatures from 35 to 55°C. Specific solvent effects on the reaction rate and mechanism have been investigated and discussed. The validity of our previously proposed equations, correlating the specific reaction rate with the dielectric constant of the medium has been examined. The thermodynamic parameters of activation have been calculated and presented as evidence for the solvation effects and in support of the proposed reaction mechanism.     

Spectroscopic analysis of irradiated erythrocytes

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of gamma radiation on the lipid part of the erythrocyte membrane, and to test the efficiency of lipoic acid as a radioprotector. This effect was evaluated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results showed an increase in the number of spin density by 14%, 22% and 65% after exposure to 25, 50 and 100 Gy respectively; whereas there was a decline in the obtained density after incubation with lipoic acid by a factor of approximately 32%. The FT-IR spectra of the irradiated erythrocytes samples showed a marked decrease in the intensity of all characteristic peaks, which increased as the irradiation dose increased. The second-derivative of these spectra, allow the conformationally sensitive membrane acyl chain methylene stretching modes to be separated from the protein (mostly hemoglobin) vibrations that dominate the spectra of intact cells. The 2850 cm⁻¹ band showed changes in the band shape and position after exposure to 50 and 100 Gy. Therefore it can be concluded that the band at 2850 cm⁻¹ only is useful in monitoring the radiation effect of the lipids cell membrane intact cells.     

Synthesis of Bioactive Side‐Chain Analogues of TAN‐2483B

The fungal metabolite TAN‐2483B has a 2,6‐trans‐relationship across the pyran ring of its furo[3,4‐b]pyran‐5‐one core, which has thwarted previous attempts at its synthesis. We have now developed a chiral pool approach to this core and prepared side‐chain analogues of TAN‐2483B. The synthesis relies on ring expansion of a reactive furan ring‐fused dibromocyclopropane and alkynylation of the resulting pyran. The furan ring is constructed by palladium‐catalysed carbonylative lactonisation. Various side‐chains are appended through Wittig‐type chemistry. The prepared analogues showed micromolar activity towards cancer cell lines HL‐60, 1A9 and MCF‐7 and certain human disease‐relevant kinases, including Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk).     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Cholestanoheterocyclic Steroids as Anticancer Agents

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Modification of steroid molecules by introducing heterocyclic ring into the core structure of steroids has been utilized as an attractive approach for...