Synthesis of air stable FeCo/C alloy nanoparticles by decomposing a mixture of the corresponding metal-acetyl acetonates under their autogenic pressure

A mixture of Fe(AcAc)(2) and Co(AcAC)(2) was thermolyzed in a closed cell under the autogenic pressure of the reactants. The nature of the products was temperature dependent. The reaction is a one-stage, simple, efficient, and solvent-free method to prepare FeCo alloy nanoparticles protected by a carbon shell. Particle sizes of 60-150 were obtained covered by a carbon layer of 3-4 nm. The air stability of these particles is also demonstrated.     

Long-term stability study of drug products and out-of-specification test results

A metrological approach for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results in long-term stability study of drug products was used. It is shown that OOS test results can indicate an actual change in a measured property of a product or be metrologically related with a certain confidence probability, i.e., be caused by the measurement problems, while the product still meets the quality requirements at the time of testing. As examples, results of testing sodium chloride injections in 500-mL plastic containers and of epinephrine (l-adrenaline) injections in 1-mL ampoules were discussed. Regression analysis of the data was performed, as well as warning and action lines for shelf life of the products calculated for relevant measurement uncertainties and confidence probabilities. Producer’s and consumer’s risks of the established shelf life values were also estimated.     

A one-step process for the antimicrobial finishing of textiles with crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles

Titanium oxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles (NPs) in their two forms, anatase and rutile, were synthesized and deposited onto the surface of cotton fabrics by using ultrasonic irradiation. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed by using characterization methods such as XRD, TEM, STEM, and EDS. The antimicrobial activities of the TiO(2)-cotton composites were tested against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) strains, as well as against Candida albicans. Significant antimicrobial effect was observed, mainly against Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the combination of visible light and TiO(2) NPs showed enhanced antimicrobial activity.     

Detection of polymorphism in the methlyenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene by Raman spectroscopy

A novel approach using micro‐Raman spectroscopy for the detection of alteration of global DNA methylation levels in human individuals with polymorphism in the methlyenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene was tested. Comparison of measured Raman spectra from samples with wild type genotype to those with polymorphism (homozygous and heterozygous ) in the MTHFR gene revealed that the intensity of the ~ 2945 cm^–1 peak, representing C–H stretches in the DNA constituents and in the methyl group is sample dependent. The intensity ratios between the area of these peaks in the different samples and the peaks at 1667 cm^–1 were used to assess the extent of methylation, allowing classification of the DNA samples for the common MTHFR polymorphism, MTHFR 677 C > T. These results suggest that improvement of the identification capabilities of Raman spectroscopy for DNA methylation can contribute to disease diagnosis and to a better understanding of the physical and biomolecular processes related to epigenetic regulation of the genome. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PEG‐Biscyanoacrylate Crosslinker for Octyl Cyanoacrylate Bioadhesive

PEG400 (polyethylene glycol, M_W 400) biscyanoacrylate is synthesized and copolymerized with 2‐octyl cyanoacrylate for potential use as bioadhesive. PEG400 biscyanoacrylate is synthesized from the esterification of anthracenyl cyanoacrylic acid where the anthracene unit serves as vinyl‐protecting group. Copolymerization increases the plasticity, mechanical strength, and resilience of the resulted polymer as determined by dynamic mechanical analysis. Peeling test confirms its superior bioadhesive properties. Surface morphology is characterized by SEM imaging. The formulations are cytocompatible and safe. This cyanoacrylate composition may provide improved bioadhesive cyanoacrylates.