Self-assembled calix[4]arenequinhydrone on the platinum electrode by cathodic reduction of calix[4]arenediquinone

The electrochemical reduction of di(methoxy-p-tert-butyl)calix[4]arenediquinone led to its calix[4]arenedihydroquinone. The presence of both in the solution refers to the generation of calix[4]arenequinhydrone charge-transfer complex at the electrode surface through a donor/acceptor process type. Self-assembled adlayers of calix[4]arenequinhydrone was obtained by partial electrochemical reduction. Electrochemical deposition of the last form was achieved on the platinum disk electrode at ?1.16?V versus SCE (saturated calomel electrode) in aprotic solution by cathodic reduction of the starting substrate. The deposit was first characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in electrolytic solution and then in electrolyte support solution and finally in a ferricyannure solution. The self-assembled product was characterized by MALDI-TOF Mass and IR spectroscopy techniques. It was observed too by SEM technique. Calix[4]arenequinhydrone is observed on the electrode surface as hexangular prisms with a length of few micrometers.     

Three anilides of 2,2′‐thiodibenzoic acid

The structures of N,N′‐bis(2‐methylphenyl)‐2,2′‐thiodibenzamide, C₂₈H₂₄N₂O₂S, (Ia), N,N′‐bis(2‐ethylphenyl)‐2,2′‐thiodibenzamide, C₃₀H₂₈N₂O₂S, (Ib), and N,N′‐bis(2‐bromophenyl)‐2,2′‐thiodibenzamide, C₂₆H₁₈Br₂N₂O₂S, (Ic), are compared with each other. For the 19 atoms of the consistent thiodibenzamide core, the r.m.s. deviations of the molecules in pairs are 0.29, 0.90 and 0.80 Å for (Ia)/(Ib), (Ia)/(Ic) and (Ib)/(Ic), respectively. The conformations of the central parts of molecules (Ia) and (Ib) are similar due to an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interaction. The molecules of (Ia) are further linked into infinite chains along the c axis by intermolecular N—H...O interactions, whereas the molecules of (Ib) are linked into chains along b by an intermolecular N—H...π contact. The conformation of (Ic) is quite different from those of (Ia) and (Ib), since there is no intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond, but instead there is a possible intramolecular N—H...Br hydrogen bond. The molecules are linked into chains along c by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Framework‐Substituted Bismuth Zeolite‐P: Synthesis and Characterization

Bismuth‐modified zeolite‐P (Bi‐ZP) was synthesized by hydrothermal methods during the phase transformation of analcime to zeolite‐P. The evolution of phase transformation of pure analcime to Bi‐ZP was investigated. The results showed that bismuth atoms were incorporated into the framework of the microporous zeolite‐P. The effect of various Bi/Al (0–3) and Si/Bi (1–5) mole ratios on the synthesis of bismuth modified zeolite were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Evolution of the growth process of Bi‐ZP spheres was carried out at different time intervals with XRD patterns and FE‐SEM images. The energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectrum indicated the existence of bismuth atoms in the synthesized Bi‐ZP. Framework substitutions of bismuth were evidenced by a set of complementary characterizations such as diffusive reflectance UV/Vis (DRS) and Raman spectroscopy on the synthesized Bi‐ZP (Si/Bi = 1).     

Bulk photochromism in a tungstate-phosphate glass: a new optical memory material?

In this work, we present a new photochromic tungstate based glass which have both absorption coefficient and refractive index modified under laser exposure. The photosensitive effect is superficial under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation but occurs in the entire volume of the glass under visible irradiation. The effect can be obtained in any specific point inside the volume using an infrared femtosecond laser. In addition, the photosensitive phenomenon can be erased by specific heat treatment. This glass can be useful to substitute actual data storage supports and is a promising material for 3-dimensional (3D) and holographic optical storage.     

Time resolved three-dimensional acousto-optic imaging of thick scattering media

Acousto-optic imaging is based on light interaction with focused ultrasound in a scattering medium. Thanks to photorefractive holography combined with pulsed ultrasound, we perform a time-resolved detection of ultrasound-modulated photons in the therapeutic window (780 nm). A high-gain SPS:Te crystal is used for this purpose and enables us to image through large optical thickness (500 mean free paths). We are able to generate three-dimensional (3D) acousto-optic images by translating a multielement ultrasound probe in only one direction. A 3D absorbing object is imaged through a 3 cm thick phantom.     

Determination of Meloxicam Using Europium Sensitized Luminescence in the Presence of Co-Luminescence Reagents

A sensitive time- resolved luminescence method for the determination of meloxicam (MX) in methanol and in aqueous solution is described. The method is based on the luminescence sensitization of europium (Eu³⁺) by formation of ternary complex with MX in the presence of 1,10- phenanthroline as coligand, Tween-80 as surfactant and gadolinium ion as a co-luminescence reagent. The signal for Eu- MX-1, 10- phenanthroline is monitored at λ_ex = 360 nm and λ_em = 620 nm. Optimum conditions for the formation of the complex in aqueous system were 0.01 M TRIS buffer, pH 8.0, 1,10- phenanthroline (6.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) , Gd³⁺ (7.0 × 10⁻⁶ M), Tween-80 (0.28%) and 1.75 mM of Eu³⁺ which allows the determination of 20–800 ppb of MX with limit of detection (LOD) of 7 ppb. The relative standard deviations of the method range between 0.1 and 1.1% indicating excellent reproducibility of the method. The proposed method was successfully applied for the assay of MX in pharmaceutical formulations, plasma and in urine samples. Average recoveries of 99.8 ± 1.1%, 100.2 ± 0.9% and 100.9 ± 1.1% were obtained for MX in tablet, plasma and urine sample respectively.     

Singlet Oxygen Generation Enhanced by Silver-Pectin Nanoparticles

We demonstrate the potential application of silver-pectin nanoparticles on photodynamic therapy, on a solution-base platform. Photodynamic therapy is a medical technique which uses a combination of photosensitizing drugs and light to induce selective damage on the target tissue, by electronically excited and highly reactive singlet state of oxygen. Metal enhanced singlet oxygen generation in riboflavin water solution with silver-pectin nanoparticles was observed and quantified. Here 13 nm silver nanospheres enclosed by a pectin layer were synthesized and it interaction with riboflavin molecule was analyzed. Pectin, a complex carbohydrate found in plants primary cell walls, was used to increase the biocompatibility of the silver nanoparticles and to improve metal enhanced singlet oxygen generation (28.5 %) and metal-enhanced fluorescence (30.7 %) processes at room temperature. The singlet oxygen sensor fluorescent green reagent was used to quantify the enhancement of the riboflavin singlet oxygen production induced by the silver colloid. We report a 1.7-fold increase of riboflavin emission and a 1.8-fold enhancement of singlet oxygen production.     

A Mucin-Based Bio-Ink for 3D Printing of Objects with Anti-Biofouling Properties

With its potential to revolutionize the field of personalized medicine by producing customized medical devices and constructs for tissue engineering at low costs, 3D printing has emerged as a highly promising technology. Recent advancements have sparked increasing interest in the printing of biopolymeric hydrogels. However, owing to the limited printability of those soft materials, the lack of variability in available bio-inks remains a major challenge. In this study, a novel bio-ink is developed based on functionalized mucin—a glycoprotein that exhibits a multitude of biomedically interesting properties such as immunomodulating activity and strong anti-biofouling behavior. To achieve sufficient printability of the mucin-based ink, its rheological properties are tuned by incorporating Laponite XLG as a stabilizing agent. It is shown that cured objects generated from this novel bio-ink exhibit mechanical properties partially similar to that of soft tissue, show strong anti-biofouling properties, good biocompatibility, tunable cell adhesion, and immunomodulating behavior. The presented findings suggest that this 3D printable bio-ink has a great potential for a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, wound healing, and soft robotics.