Au nanoparticle-functionalised WO3 nanoneedles and their application in high sensitivity gas sensor devices

A new method of synthesising nanoparticle-functionalised nanostructured materials via Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) has been developed. Co-deposition of Au nanoparticles with WO(3) nanoneedles has been used to deposit a sensing layer directly onto gas sensor substrates providing devices with a six-fold increase in response to low concentrations of a test analyte (ethanol).     

A Facile,One‐Step Conversion of 6‐O‐Trityl and 6‐O‐TBDMS Monosaccharides into the Corresponding Formate Esters

A convenient method has been developed for a facile and high‐yield conversion of 6‐O‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyl and 6‐O‐trityl protected monosaccharides to their formate esters, which may serve as useful intermediates for the replacement of the primary hydroxyl group of sugars by other functional groups.     

Use of Cationic Surfactants Film Carbon Paste Electrodes Modified with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Electrochemical Analysis of dsDNA

Direct electrochemistry of dsDNA based on the enhancement effect of cationic surfactants such as dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) was achieved by using a carbon paste electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/CPE) as the basal electrode. The results indicated that the dsDNA molecules have been adsorbed quite strongly on the cationic surfactants’ film and very well developed peaks which were attributed to the oxidation of guanine residues on the dsDNA molecule structure were obtained from both electrodes. The electrochemical behavior of dsDNA at the surface of the modified electrodes was also evaluated. Based on the signal of guanine, under the optimal conditions, very low levels of dsDNA were detected following short accumulation times with detection limits of 0.650 mg L^?1 and 0.119 mg L^?1 for DTAB/MWCNTs/CPE and TTAB/MWCNTs/CPE, respectively.     

Computational analysis and physico-chemical characterization of an inclusion compound between praziquantel and methyl-��-cyclodextrin for use as an alternative in the treatment of schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is still an endemic disease in many regions, with 250 million people infected with Schistosoma and about 500,000 deaths per year. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis treatment, however it is classified as Class II in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, as its low solubility hinders its performance in biological systems. The use of cyclodextrins is a useful tool to increase the solubility and bioavailability of drugs. The aim of this work was to prepare an inclusion compound of PZQ and methyl-??-cyclodextrin (MeCD), perform its physico-chemical characterization, and explore its in vitro cytotoxicity. SEM showed a change of the morphological characteristics of PZQ:MeCD crystals, and IR data supported this finding, with changes after interaction with MeCD including effects on the C?CH of the aromatic ring, observed at 758 cm^?1. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that complexation occurred in a 1:1 molar ratio, as evidenced by the lack of a PZQ transition temperature after inclusion into the MeCD cavity. In solution, the PZQ UV spectrum profile in the presence of MeCD was comparable to the PZQ spectrum in a hydrophobic solvent. Phase solubility diagrams showed that there was a 5.5-fold increase in PZQ solubility, and were indicative of a type A_L isotherm, that was used to determine an association constant (K_a) of 140.8 M^?1. No cytotoxicity of the PZQ:MeCD inclusion compound was observed in tests using 3T3 cells. The results suggest that the association of PZQ with MeCD could be a good alternative for the treatment of schistosomiasis.     

A New Oxadiazole-Based Topsentin Derivative Modulates Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 Expression and Exerts Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal form of cancer characterized by drug resistance, urging new therapeutic strategies. In recent years, protein kinases have emerged as promising pharmacological targets for the treatment of several solid and hematological tumors. Interestingly, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is overexpressed in PDAC tissues and has been correlated to the aggressive nature of these tumors because of its key role in cell cycle progression and resistance to the induction of apoptosis. For these reasons, CDK1 is one of the main causes of chemoresistance, representing a promising pharmacological target. In this study, we report the synthesis of new 1,2,4-oxadiazole compounds and evaluate their ability to inhibit the cell growth of PATU-T, Hs766T, and HPAF-II cell lines and a primary PDAC cell culture (PDAC3). Compound 6b was the most active compound, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.7 to 10.7 µM. Molecular docking of 6b into the active site of CDK1 showed the ability of the compound to interact effectively with the adenosine triphosphate binding pocket. Therefore, we assessed its ability to induce apoptosis (which increased 1.5- and 2-fold in PATU-T and PDAC3 cells, respectively) and to inhibit CDK1 expression, which was reduced to 45% in Hs766T. Lastly, compound 6b passed the ADME prediction, showing good pharmacokinetic parameters. These data demonstrate that 6b displays cytotoxic activity, induces apoptosis, and targets CDK1, supporting further studies for the development of similar compounds against PDAC.     

Synthesis and Post-Processing of Chemically Homogeneous Nanothreads from 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid**

Compared with conventional, solution-phase approaches, solid-state reaction methods can provide unique access to novel synthetic targets. Nanothreads—one-dimensional diamondoid polymers formed through the compression of small molecules—represent a new class of materials produced via solid-state reactions, however, the formation of chemically homogeneous products with targeted functionalization represents a persistent challenge. Through careful consideration of molecular precursor stacking geometry and functionalization, we report here the scalable synthesis of chemically homogeneous, functionalized nanothreads through the solid-state polymerization of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. The resulting product possesses high-density, pendant carboxyl functionalization along both sides of the backbone, enabling new opportunities for the post-synthetic processing and chemical modification of nanothread materials applicable to a broad range of potential applications.     

Synthesis and morphology of model 3‐miktoarm star terpolymers of styrene,isoprene and 2‐vinyl pyridine

The combination of anionic polymerization and controlled chlorosilane chemistry made possible for the first time the synthesis of model 3‐miktoarm star terpolymers of styrene (PS), isoprene (PI) and 2‐vinylpyridine (P2VP) (3μ‐SIV). The morphology of a nearly symmetric 3μ‐SIV star terpolymer, was also studied. From the preliminary results, it seems that the PI and P2VP phases form hexagonally packed adjoined cylinders, whereas the PS phase occupies the remaining space forming non‐regular curved hexagons, hexagonally packed as well. The star junction points reside on periodically spaced, parallel lines defined by the intersection of the three microdomain interfaces. Non of the phases form the matrix. The star molecular architecture gives the molecule the ability to “choose” which arms directly interact in the microphase segregate state, in order to minimize the most highly unfavorable contact between the PI and P2VP arms.     

Characterization of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites for industrial applications

This study aims in the examination of a new class of materials named polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. In our case, composites are usually combinations of polypropylene matrix with solid mineral reinforcements named silicates (e,g. montmorillonite, a natural clay). In this study, two complementary techniques used to characterize nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) both in transmission and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) modes combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).