In vitro evaluation of potential complexation between bovine insulin and bovine serum albumin

The objective of this study was to examine the possible binding of bovine insulin (BI) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form a new potential diabetogenic irreversible complex protein. Several preparations of BSA and BI were prepared. Both capillary electrophoresis and spectrophotometric analysis were undertaken to test the possibility of complexation between BI and BSA. HPLC was used to test whether the potential complex of BI and BSA is reversible or irreversible. The optimum deviation between the real and calculated absorbances was observed at a BI/BSA ratio of 2. Moreover, the migration time of BI decreased substantially with increasing ratio of BI to BSA until it became almost constant at equal molar ratio of BI/BSA. While the majority of the 2:1 BI–BSA sample detached during the HPLC analysis, which confirms the reversible character of BI–BSA binding, the HPLC chromatogram also emphasizes the formation of an irreversible complexation between the two proteins. This study provides evidence of the formation of reversible and irreversible new BI–BSA complexes under physiological conditions. This highlights the importance of examining the possible diabetogenicity of BI–BSA complex in genetically susceptible people. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Core-shell microgel stabilized silver nanoparticles for catalytic reduction of aryl nitro compounds

Silver nanoparticles loaded into shell of poly (styrene-N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) core shell [P (SNA-CS)] gel particles were synthesized and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Catalytic activity of Ag@P (SNA-CS) particles was investigated by reducing p-nitroaniline (p-NA) into p-aminoaniline (p-AA) in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) reductant. Molecules of the substrate adsorbed on the surface of silver nanoparticles interact with borohydride ions (BH₄⁻) to form p-AA. Other nitroarenes like o-nitroaniline (o-NA), p-nitrophenol (p-NP) o-nitrophenol (o-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol(2,4-DNP) were also reduced into their corresponding aryl amines using Ag@P (SNA-CS) composite microgels as catalyst. Reported catalyst efficiently reduced the nitro aromatic compounds individually as well as simultaneously at ambient temperature. Effect of different reaction conditions (catalyst dose, concentration of NaBH₄ and concentration of p-NA) on reaction completion time, value of apparent rate constant (k_app) and reduction efficiency of the catalyst for reduction of p-NA was also demonstrated. Ag@P (SNA-CS) catalyst was found to be able to retain activity up to four cycles.     

Determination of uranium, iron, copper, and nickel from ore samples by MEKC using N,N'-ethylene bis(salicylaldimine) as complexing reagent

An analytical procedure has been developed for the separation of dioxouranium(VI), iron(III), copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), cobalt(III), palladium(II), and thorium(IV) by MEKC using N,N'-ethylene bis(salicylaldimine) (H(2)SA(2)en) as a complexing reagent with total runtime <4.5 min. SDS was used as micellar medium at pH 8 with sodium tetraborate buffer (0.1 M). An uncoated fused-silica capillary with an effective length of 50 cm x 75 microm id was used with an applied voltage of 30 kV with photodiode array detection at 231 nm. Linear calibrations were obtained within 0.111-1000 microg/mL of each element with LODs within 37-325 ng/mL. The developed method was tested for analysis of uranium ore samples indicating its presence within 103-1789 microg/g with RSD within 0.79-1.87%. Likewise copper, nickel, and iron in their combined matrix were also simultaneously determined with RSD 0.4-1.6% (n = 6).     

Poly (ether amide) and silica nanocomposites derived from sol–gel process

The sol–gel derived chemically combined organic–inorganic nanocomposites were synthesized from poly(etheramide) and tetraethoxysilane. Reaction of a mixture of 4-aminophenyl ether and 1,3-phenyldiamine with terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) produced the amide chains. These chains were modified with carbonyl chloride end groups using a slight excess of diacid chloride and were then reacted with aminophenyl trimethoxysilane (APTMOS), where the amine group reacted with carbonyl chloride end groups. Hydrolysis/condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and alkoxy groups present in APTMOS developed bonding between the polyamide chains and inorganic silica network generated in situ. By changing the relative proportions of the polymer solution and the amount of TEOS, the composition of hybrid films was varied. Thin hybrid films with various concentrations of silica network obtained after evaporation of the solvent were subjected to mechanical, dynamic mechanical thermal and morphological measurements. The results indicate a gradual increase in the modulus (3.84 GPa) and tensile strength (121 MPa) up to 15-wt.% silica relative to the pure polyamide. The elongation at break point and toughness gradually decrease with addition of silica content. These hybrids were found to be thermally stable up to a temperature of 500 °C. The weight retained above 800 °C was roughly proportional to amount of silica in the matrix. The glass transition temperature and the storage moduli increased with increasing silica concentration. The maximum increase in the T _g value (358 °C) was observed with 15-wt.% silica. Scanning electron micrographs indicated the uniform distribution of silica in the composites with an average particle size ranging from 9 to 47 nm.     

Crystal structure and DFT calculations of Cp2NbH(SiIMe2)(SiFMe2): an asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex

An asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex, namely, bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(fluorodimethylsilyl)hydrido(iododimethylsilyl)niobium, [Nb(C₅H₅)₂(C₂H₆FSi)(C₂H₆ISi)H] or Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), has been studied to determine the effect of the silyl ligand on the position of the hydride attached to the Nb atom. It has been shown that when a Group 17 atom is substituted onto one of the silyl ligands, there is a greater interaction between the hydride and this ligand, as demonstrated by a shorter Si…H distance. In the present work, we have investigated the effect when the silyl ligands are substituted by different Group 17 atoms. We present here the structure and DFT calculations of Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), showing that the position of the hydride is located between the two silyl ligands. The results from our investigation show that the hydride is closer to the silyl ligand that is substituted by fluorine.     

Chelation of vanadium(V) by difluoromethylene bisphosphonate, a structural analogue of pyrophosphate

The structural and functional analogy between difluoromethylene bisphosphonate (CF2PP) and pyrophosphate (PPi) is investigated in a reaction with V(V) in the form of vanadate. The reaction of CF2PP with vanadate was investigated using 1.00 M KCl as supporting electrolyte over the ranges 3 < or = [CF2PP] < or = 60 mM and 2.06 < or = pH < or = 11.80. 51V, 19F, and 31P NMR spectroscopic studies showed that a 1:1 species was formed with an H+-dependent formation constant of 110 M-1 at pH 7.22. Results of solution experiments and ab initio calculations are consistent with CF2PP coordinating V(V) in a bidentate manner, as previously reported for PPi. Below pH 4, a minor complex forms, which is consistent with a 1:2 stoichiometry. This complex was also observed with pyrophosphate. The X-ray crystal structure of the monoprotonated difluoromethylene bisphosphonate anion (H[CF2PP]3-)-toludine complex is presented. The H[CF2PP]3- anion crystallized in the triclinic space group P with a = 12.7629(7) A, b = 13.3992(7) A, c = 17.1002(9) A, and V = 2584.4(2) A3, and Z = 2. Sheets of the layers of anions are connected through a network of H-bonds and separated by a layer of toludine cations. The structural features are investigated, and the CF2PP anion was found to be longer and wider than the corresponding PPi. Given the larger size of this anion compared to PPi, the chelation affinity upon CF2 substitution was found to be 4-5-fold reduced at neutral pH.     

Psychrotolerant Mesorhizobium sp. Isolated from Temperate and Cold Desert Regions Solubilizes Potassium and Produces Multiple Plant Growth Promoting Metabolites

Soil potassium (K) supplement depends intensively on the application of chemical fertilizers, which have substantial harmful environmental effects. However, some bacteria can act as inoculants by converting unavailable and insoluble K forms into plant-accessible forms. Such bacteria are an eco-friendly approach for enhancing plant K absorption and consequently reducing utilization of chemical fertilization. Therefore, the present research was undertaken to isolate, screen, and characterize the K solubilizing bacteria (KSB) from the rhizosphere soils of northern India. Overall, 110 strains were isolated, but only 13 isolates showed significant K solubilizing ability by forming a halo zone on solid media. They were further screened for K solubilizing activity at 0 °C, 1 °C, 3 °C, 5 °C, 7 °C, 15 °C, and 20 °C for 5, 10, and 20 days. All the bacterial isolates showed mineral K solubilization activity at these different temperatures. However, the content of K solubilization increased with the upsurge in temperature and period of incubation. The isolate KSB (Grz) showed the highest K solubilization index of 462.28% after 48 h of incubation at 20 °C. The maximum of 23.38 µg K/mL broth was solubilized by the isolate KSB (Grz) at 20 °C after 20 days of incubation. Based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization (through the 16S rDNA approach), the isolate KSB (Grz) was identified as Mesorhizobium sp. The majority of the strains produced HCN and ammonia. The maximum indole acetic acid (IAA) (31.54 µM/mL) and cellulase (390 µM/mL) were produced by the isolate KSB (Grz). In contrast, the highest protease (525.12 µM/mL) and chitinase (5.20 µM/mL) activities were shown by standard strain Bacillus mucilaginosus and KSB (Gmr) isolate, respectively.     

求线性边值问题数值解的Chebyshevτ—方法

提出了一种求解二维线性边值问题的新的τ＿方法·对该问题进行了理论分析和数值求解·结果表明了本文方法的优点和有效性     

Bright,NIR‐Emitting Au23 from Au25: Characterization and Applications Including Biolabeling

A novel interfacial route has been developed for the synthesis of a bright‐red‐emitting new subnanocluster, Au₂₃, by the core etching of a widely explored and more stable cluster, Au₂₅SG₁₈ (in which SG is glutathione thiolate). A slight modification of this procedure results in the formation of two other known subnanoclusters, Au₂₂ and Au₃₃. Whereas Au₂₂ and Au₂₃ are water soluble and brightly fluorescent with quantum yields of 2.5 and 1.3 %, respectively, Au₃₃ is organic soluble and less fluorescent, with a quantum yield of 0.1 %. Au₂₃ exhibits quenching of fluorescence selectively in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions and it can therefore be used as a metal‐ion sensor. Aqueous‐ to organic‐phase transfer of Au₂₃ has been carried out with fluorescence enhancement. Solvent dependency on the fluorescence of Au₂₃ before and after phase transfer has been studied extensively and the quantum yield of the cluster varies with the solvent used. The temperature response of Au₂₃ emission has been demonstrated. The inherent fluorescence of Au₂₃ was used for imaging human hepatoma cells by employing the avidin–biotin interaction.     

Aqueous to Organic Phase Transfer of Au25 Clusters

Aqueous to organic phase transfer of water soluble sub-nanocluster, Au₂₅SG₁₈ (-SG, glutathione thiolate) is demonstrated using the phase transfer reagent, tetraoctylammonium bromide. The phase transfer occurred by the electrostatic attraction between the hydrophilic carboxylate anion of the glutathione ligand on the cluster surface in the aqueous phase and the hydrophobic tetraoctylammonium cation in the toluene phase. Detailed spectroscopic characterization of the phase transferred cluster using optical absorption, photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the cluster retains its integrity during the phase transfer. The interaction of the cluster with the phase transfer reagent can be studied with infrared spectroscopy. The phase transferred cluster can be dried and redissolved in an organic medium, just as the original cluster. This is the first report of the phase transfer of a sub-nanocluster, keeping the cluster core intact. The effect of dilution and pH on phase transfer of this cluster is studied in detail. This method promises several possibilities to explore the properties, reactivity and applications of sub-nanoclusters both in the aqueous and organic phases. Dedicated to Prof. C.N.R. Rao on his 75th birthday, whose work on phase transfer of nanoparticles has inspired this work.