Quadratic interaction effect on the dark energy density in the universe

In this study, we deal with the holographic model of interacting dark components of dark energy and dark matter quadratic case of the equation of state parameter(Eo S). The effective equations of states for the interacting holographic energy density are derived and the results are analyzed and compared with the solution of the linear form in the literature.The result of our work shows that the value of interaction term between dark components affects the fixed points at far future in the DE-dominated universe in the case of quadratic Eo S parameter; it is a different result from the linear case in the theoretical results in the literature, and as the Quintom scenario the equations of state had coincidence at the cosmological constant boundary of -1 from above to below.     

Electrochemical Biosensors for Cancer Biomarkers Detection: Recent Advances and Challenges

Biomarkers are described as characteristics that provide information about biological conditions whether normal or pathological. Detection of biomarkers at the earliest stage of the cancer is of utmost importance for clinical diagnosis. Electrochemical biosensors allow detecting the low levels of specific analytes in blood, urine or saliva and providing a sensitive approach for direct measurement for cancer biomarker detection. Moreover, the integration of electrochemical devices with nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, gold and magnetic particles offer amplification and multiplexing capabilities for simultaneous measurements of cancer biomarkers very sensitively. This review summarizes the recent developments of electrochemical biosensors systems for the detection of cancer biomarkers with emphasis on voltammetric, amperometric and impedimetric biosensors. A special attention is paid to aptamers and miRNAs that are very promising for the ultra‐sensitive and specific cancer biomarker detection.     

Preconcentration and determination of trace elements with 2,6-diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 by flow injection and atomic spectroscopy

An on-line flow injection method for the direct determination of trace elements in environmental samples is described. A mini-column packed with 2,6-diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 was used to preconcentrate and separate 8 trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn) from water and extracts from solid samples. The metals were eluted with 0.1 M HNO(3) directly to the detection system (either inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)). As well as demonstrating that the resin could be used to preconcentrate ultra-trace analytes from natural waters, it was also shown to work well at a pH of 5.5. Therefore, after treatment of sample digests with sodium fluoride, samples that contain extremely large concentrations of iron may be analysed for trace analytes without the excess iron overloading the capacity of the resin. To this end, the analytes Cd, Co, Cu and Ni were preconcentrated from acid extracts of certified soil/sediment samples and then eluted with nitric acid to be determined on-line. Limits of detection (3sigma) of Cd = 0.33 microg l(-1), Co = 0.094 microg l(-1), Cu = 0.34 microg l(-1), Mn = 0.32 microg l(-1), Ni = 0.30 microg l(-1), Pb = 0.43 microg l(-1), U = 0.067 microg l(-1) and Zn = 0.20 microg l(-1) for the FI-ICP-MS system and Cd = 22 microg l(-1), Co = 60 microg l(-1), Cu = 10 microg l(-1) and Ni = 4.8 microg l(-1) for the FI-FAAS system were obtained. Analysis of certified reference materials showed good agreement with the certified values using the two methods.     

Preconcentration and separation of copper (II) with solvent extraction using N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane

Preconcentration and separation with solvent extraction of Cu(II) from aqueous solution using N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane (H₂L) as the new extractant has been studied. Separation of Cu(II) from other metal ions such as Cd(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cr(III), Co(II) and Mn(II) at aqueous solutions of various pH values and complexing agent H₂L, has been described. The possible extraction mechanism and the compositions of the extracted species have been determined. The separation factors for these metals using this reagent are reported while efficient methods for the separation of Cu(II) from other metal ions are proposed. From the loaded organic phase, Cu(II) stripping was carried out in one stage with different mineral acid solutions. The stripping efficiency was found to be quantitative in case of HNO₃ and HCl. From quantitative evaluation of the extraction equilibrium data, it has been deduced that the complex extracted is the simple 1:1 chelate, CuL. The extraction constant has a value of logK_ex=−4.05±0.04.     

Prostate Cancer Biomarker Detection with Carbon Nanotubes Modified Screen Printed Electrodes

DNA hypermethylation is an epigenetic alteration and a promising biomarker for early prostate cancer detection. Simple, sensitive, easy to handle and rapid detection methodologies are imperative for point of care diagnostics especially for cancer. Herein, we describe for the first time a regenerable and compatible electrochemical biosensor for detection of Glutathione S‐Transferase P‐1 (GSTP‐1) gene hypermethylation related to prostate cancer via DNA hybridization onto the disposable Carbon and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) Screen Printed Electrodes (SPEs). In the study, capture probes were adsorbed onto the SPEs by simple passive adsorption and then hybridization was achieved by sending the complementary target onto the probe‐modified electrodes. The selectivity of the biosensor was proved by control studies. Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique was used to detect hybridization via guanine oxidation signals changes. The total time of the optimized method was nearly 1h, measurements took for less than 1 min, and the biosensor response was stable up to 40 days of storage period at 4 °C. The main advantages of the biosensor are very low detection limit (picomolar range) and capability of reusing the biosensor for at least 3 times after very simple regeneration process that is a unique property to reduce the cost of the assay. In addition, this is the first study that demonstrates the detection of GSTP‐1 hypermethylation electrochemically by using SPEs in order to create point of care diagnostics. The optimum parameters for the biosensor, as well as its future prospects to enhance the performance of DNA biosensors were also presented.     

Flow injection determination of aluminium by spectrofluorimetric detection after complexation with N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol: the application to natural waters

An on-line flow injection spectrofluorimetric method for the direct determination of aluminium in water samples is described. The method is based on the reaction of aluminium with N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol (OVAC) in acidic medium at pH 4.0 to form a water-soluble complex. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 423.0 and 553.0 nm, respectively, at which the OVAC-Al complex gave the maximum fluorescence intensity at pH 4.0 in a 50% methanol-50% water medium at 50 °C. An interference from fluoride ions was minimised by the addition of Be²⁺. Other ions were found not to interfere at the concentrations likely to be found in natural waters. The proposed methods were validated in terms of linearity, repeatability, detection limit, accuracy and selectivity. Under these conditions, the calibration was linear up to 1000 μg L⁻¹ (r = 0.999). The limit of detection (3σ) for the determination of Al(III) was 0.057 μg L⁻¹ and the precision for multiple determinations of 3 ng mL⁻¹ Al(III) prepared in ultra-pure water was found to be 0.62% (n = 10).The Schiff base ligand could be used to determine ultra-trace aluminium from natural waters. Analysis of environmental certified reference materials showed good agreement with the certified values. The procedure was found to be equally applicable to both freshwater and saline solutions, including seawater.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of some novel benzothiazole-thiazolidine derivatives

Sixteen new 2-(benzothiazol-2-ylthio)-N′-(3-substituted-4-(3,4-substitutedphenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)acetohydrazide derivatives (4a-4p) were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated using FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and HRMS spectral data. Anticancer activity of the compounds 4a-4p against C6 (rat brain glioma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines was evaluated by using MTT, inhibition of DNA synthesis, and flow cytometric analysis assays. According to MTT assay, 4a and 4d were found to be the most active compounds against C6 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 0.03 mM. Moreover, IC₅₀ values of 4a (0.2 mM) and 4d (0.1 mM) against NIH3T3 (mouse embryo fibroblast cell line) were higher than their IC₅₀ values (0.03 mM) against C6 cell line. Accordingly, selectivity of compound 4a against C6 cell line was two-fold higher than that of compound 4d. Flow cytometry analysis showed that these compounds display anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis. As a result, compound 4a has a remarkable anticancer activity and a good selectivity towards C6 cell lines.     

Fabrication of amperometric cholesterol biosensor based on SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles and Nafion-modified carbon paste electrode

This study reports the fabrication of an amperometric cholesterol biosensor based on cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), SnO₂NPs and Nafion-modified carbon paste enzyme electrodes (CPE/SnO₂NPs-ChOx/Naf). The electrochemical characterisations of BCPE and CPE/SnO₂NPs were performed using CV and EIS. The determination of cholesterol was carried out by electrochemical oxidation of H₂O₂ at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The CPE/SnO₂NPs-ChOx/Naf presented a linear range from 0.20 μ.mol L^?1 to 4.95 μmol L^?1 with a low limit of detection (0.04 μ.mol L^?1). In addition, the optimal values for pH and temperature were found to be 7.5 and 35°C, respectively. The CPE/SnO₂NPs-ChOx/Naf was used for the determination of cholesterol in serum samples and good results were obtained.