Copper,gold, and silver decorated magnetic core–polymeric shell nanostructures for destruction of pathogenic bacteria

Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by co-precipitation method. The nanoparticles were silica coated using TEOS, and then modified by the polymeric layers of polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Finally, the core-shell samples were decorated with Ag, Au, and Cu nanoparticles. The products were characterized by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), TGA, SEM, XRD, and FTIR methods. The antibacterial activity of the prepared samples was evaluated in inactivation of E. coli and S. aureus microorganisms, representing the Gram-negative and Gram-positive species, respectively. The effect of solid dosage, bacteria concentration and type of polymeric modifier on the antibacterial activity was investigated. TEM images of the bacteria were recorded after the treatment time and according to the observed changes in the cell wall, the mechanism of antibacterial action was discussed. The prepared nanostructures showed high antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This was due to the leaching of metal ions which subsequently led to the lysis of bacteria. A theoretical investigation was also done by studying the interaction of loaded metals with the nucleotide components of the microorganism DNA, and the obtained results were used to explain the experimental data. Finally, based on the observed inactivation curves, we explain the antibacterial behavior of the prepared nanostructures mathematically.

     

Approximation in weighted Smirnov classes

In this work, the direct and inverse problems of approximation theory in the weighted Smirnov classes of analytic functions defined on the domains with a regular boundary are investigated. In particular, the constructive characterization of the generalized Lipschitz classes of functions are obtained.     

Even factor of bridgeless graphs containing two specified edges

An even factor of a graph is a spanning subgraph in which each vertex has a positive even degree. Let G be a bridgeless simple graph with minimum degree at least 3. Jackson and Yoshimoto (2007) showed that G has an even factor containing two arbitrary prescribed edges. They also proved that G has an even factor in which each component has order at least four. Moreover, Xiong, Lu and Han (2009) showed that for each pair of edges e₁ and e₂ of G, there is an even factor containing e₁ and e₂ in which each component containing neither e₁ nor e₂ has order at least four. In this paper we improve this result and prove that G has an even factor containing e₁ and e₂ such that each component has order at least four.     

Flavanols from Nature: A Phytochemistry and Biological Activity Review

Flavanols, a common class of secondary plant metabolites, exhibit several beneficial health properties by acting as antioxidant, anticarcinogen, cardioprotective, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and neuroprotective agents. Furthermore, some flavanols are considered functional ingredients in dairy products. Based on their structural features and health-promoting functions, flavanols have gained the attention of pharmacologists and botanists worldwide. This review collects and summarizes 121 flavanols comprising four categories: flavan-3-ols, flavan-4-ols, isoflavan-4-ols, and flavan-3,4-ols. The research of the various structural features and pharmacological activities of flavanols and their derivatives aims to lay the groundwork for subsequent research and expect to provide mentality and inspiration for the research. The current study provides a starting point for further research and development.     

On approximation in Weighted Orlicz spaces

An inverse theorem of the trigonometric approximation theory in Weighted Orlicz spaces is proved and the constructive characterization of the generalized Lipschitz classes defined in these spaces is obtained.