Electrochemical immunosensor designs for the determination of Staphylococcus aureus using 3,3-dithiodipropionic acid di(N-succinimidyl ester)-modified gold electrodes

The preparation of novel Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) amperometric immunosensing designs based on the covalent immobilization of RbIgG at gold electrodes using the heterobifunctional cross-linker 3,3-dithiodipropionic acid di(N-succinimidyl ester) (DTSP), are reported. Two different competitive immunosensing configurations have been tested and compared. In the first one, protein A-bearing S. aureus cells and HRP-labelled antiRbIgG compete for immobilized RbIgG binding sites, while in the second case HRP-labelled protein A was used. In both cases, the evaluation of the developed immunosensors performance was accomplished through the monitoring at 0.00 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) of the catalytic current originated after addition of hydrogen peroxide, using tetrathiafulvalene as redox mediator entrapped at the modified electrode surface by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Optimization of variables concerning the composition of the immunosensors as well as the detection conditions was carried out in 0.1 M NaAc/0.1 M NaCl buffer of pH 5.6. The configuration that employed antiRbIgG-HRP resulted in better analytical characteristics, with a detection limit of 1.4 × 10⁴ cells mL⁻¹ for S. aureus cells submitted to wall lyses by ultrasonic treatment. This immunosensor design was also evaluated using gold screen-printed electrodes in order to reduce the analysis time and cost. In this case, a limit of detection of 3.7 × 10² cells mL⁻¹ and a dynamic range from 1.3 × 10³ to 7.6 × 10⁴ cells mL⁻¹ was obtained. A RSD value of 10.5% was found for the responses to 9.6 × 10³S. aureus cells mL⁻¹ obtained with seven different Au/SPEs-immunosensors. These disposable immunosensors were applied to the quantification of S. aureus in milk spiked at two concentration levels, 1.2 × 10³ and 4.8 × 10³ cells mL⁻¹, with good recoveries.     

Characterisation of varnishes used in violins by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The correct characterisation and a detailed knowledge of the materials originally used in violin varnishes, like natural resins, is crucial for the conservation in museums and for a suitable restoration technique. The study presented here reports on the potential of pyrolysis (Py) coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of chemical markers of each resin; this technique is very sensitive and selective, it needs a small quantity of sample and does not require chemical treatments. To improve the chromatographic behaviour of polar compounds the derivatising agent tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in combination with pyrolysis has been used, in the so-called TMAH thermochemolysis or thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM), or more simply pyrolysis-methylation. The natural resins studied were colophony, sandarac, manila copal, elemi, amber and benzoin, mainly composed of terpenic compounds, with the exception of the latter, composed of aromatic compounds. Many compounds were identified; in particular, methyl esters of resinous acids that, individually or in a group, can be used as chemical markers. However, through this technique it was not possible to distinguish between the sandarac and manila copal resins because their chromatographic behaviour is very similar. Finally, the procedure applied has been employed in the characterisation of original varnish samples.     

Unambiguous Intracellular Localization and Quantification of a Potent Iridium Anticancer Compound by Correlative 3D Cryo X‐Ray Imaging

The iridium half‐sandwich complex [Ir(η⁵:κ¹‐C₅Me₄CH₂py)(2‐phenylpyridine)]PF₆ is highly cytotoxic: 15–250× more potent than clinically used cisplatin in several cancer cell lines. We have developed a correlative 3D cryo X‐ray imaging approach to specifically localize and quantify iridium within the whole hydrated cell at nanometer resolution. By means of cryo soft X‐ray tomography (cryo‐SXT), which provides the cellular ultrastructure at 50 nm resolution, and cryo hard X‐ray fluorescence tomography (cryo‐XRF), which provides the elemental sensitivity with a 70 nm step size, we have located the iridium anticancer agent exclusively in the mitochondria. Our methodology provides unique information on the intracellular fate of the metallodrug, without chemical fixation, labeling, or mechanical manipulation of the cells. This cryo‐3D correlative imaging method can be applied to a number of biochemical processes for specific elemental localization within the native cellular landscape.     

In-Situ Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites in the Si-Ti-N and Si-Ti-C Systems

The pyrolysis (1000 °C) of a liquid poly(vinylmethyl-co-methyl)silazane modified by tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium in flowing ammonia, nitrogen and argon followed by the annealing (1000–1800 °C) of as-pyrolyzed ceramic powders have been investigated in detail. We first provide a comprehensive mechanistic study of the polymer-to-ceramic conversion based on TG experiments coupled with in-situ mass spectrometry and ex-situ solid-state NMR and FTIR spectroscopies of both the chemically modified polymer and the pyrolysis intermediates. The pyrolysis leads to X-ray amorphous materials with chemical bonding and ceramic yields controlled by the nature of the atmosphere. Then, the structural evolution of the amorphous network of ammonia-, nitrogen- and argon-treated ceramics has been studied above 1000 °C under nitrogen and argon by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. HRTEM images coupled with XRD confirm the formation of nanocomposites after annealing at 1400 °C. Their unique nanostructural feature appears to be the result of both the molecular origin of the materials and the nature of the atmosphere used during pyrolysis. Samples are composed of an amorphous Si-based ceramic matrix in which TiN_xC_y nanocrystals (x + y = 1) are homogeneously formed “in situ” in the matrix during the process and evolve toward fully crystallized compounds as TiN/Si₃N₄, TiN_xC_y (x + y = 1)/SiC and TiC/SiC nanocomposites after annealing to 1800 °C as a function of the atmosphere.     

Transannular Anti-Michael Addition: Formation of 4H-Pyrazolo[5,1-c]thiazines

The reaction of 2-(diphenylmethylene)thietan-3-one (2) with 1,2,4,5-tetrazines (3a-c) in KOH/MeOH/THF gives 4H-pyrazolo[5,1-c]thiazines (7a-c). This novel condensation reaction proceeds via the intermediacy of an 8-(diphenylmethylene)-2H-1,4,5-thiadiazocin-7(8H)-one (5), which undergoes a multi-step rearrangement including a rare anti-Michael addition.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of tribenzylphosphine rhodium and iridium complexes

New rhodium and iridium complexes, with the formula [MCl(PBz₃)(cod)] [M = Rh (1), Ir (2)] and [M(PBz₃)₂(cod)]PF₆ [M = Rh (3), Ir (4)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), stabilized by the tribenzylphosphine ligand (PBz₃) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The addition of pyridine to a methanol solution of 1or 2, followed by metathetical reaction with NH₄PF₆, gave the corresponding derivatives [M(py)(PBz₃)(cod)]PF₆ [M = Rh (5), Ir (6)]. At room temperature in CHCl₃ solution, 4 converted spontaneously to the ortho-metallated complex [IrH(PBz₃)(cod){η²-P,C-(C₆H₄CH₂)PBz₂}]PF₆ (7) as a mixture of cis/trans isomers via intramolecular C-H activation of a benzylic phenyl ring. The reaction of 3 or 4 with hydrogen in coordinating solvents gave the dihydrido bis(solvento) derivative [M(H)₂(S)₂(PBz₃)₂]PF₆ (M = Rh, Ir; S = acetone, acetonitrile, THF), that transformed into the corresponding dicarbonyls [M(H)₂(CO)₂(PBz₃)₂]PF₆ by treatment with CO. Analogous cis-dihydrido complexes [M(H)₂(THF)₂(py)(PBz₃)₂]PF₆ (M = Rh, Ir) were observed by reaction of the py derivatives 5 and 6 with H₂.     

New approach based on solid-phase microextraction to estimate polydimethylsiloxane fibre coating-water distribution coefficients for brominated flame retardants

A depletion solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method based on multiple SPME extraction was applied to estimate fibre coating-water distribution constants (Kfs) of brominated flame retardants. Several polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) including compounds present in the commercial mixture "Pentamix", and two polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were considered as target analytes. One hundred-micrometer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating fibre was selected to estimate partition coefficients. SPME kinetics studies at 25 and 100 degrees C were performed. Kfs values obtained at both temperatures for brominated flame retardants were compared with the corresponding octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) values found in literature. A linear log-log relationship between Kow with Kfs was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where brominated flame retardants Kfs values are estimated.     

The removal and kinetic study of Mn,Fe, Ni and Cu ions from wastewater onto activated carbon from coconut shells

Activated carbon from coconut shells (ACCS) was synthesised and used for the removal of metal ions (manganese, iron, nickel and copper) from aqueous solutions. Two different adsorption models were used for analysing the data. Adsorption capacities were determined: copper ions exhibited the greatest adsorption on activated carbon obtained from coconut shells because of their size and pH conditions. Adsorption capacity varied as a function of the pH. Adsorption isotherms from aqueous solutions of heavy metals on ACCS were determined and were found to be consistent with Langmuir’s adsorption model. Adsorbent quantity and immersion enthalpy were studied. The results were compared with other adsorbents used in a prior study.     

Aerosol-assisted self-assembly of hybrid Layered Double Hydroxide particles into spherical architectures

Over the last decade, the use of nanocellulose in advanced technological applications has been promoted both due the excellent properties of this material in combination with its renewability. In this study, multilayered thin films composed of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), polyvinyl amine (PVAm) and silica nanoparticles were fabricated on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a layer-by-layer adsorption technique. The multilayer build-up was followed in situ by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, which indicated that the PVAm-SiO(2)-PVAm-NFC system adsorbs twice as much wet mass material compared to the PVAm-NFC system for the same number of bilayers. This is accompanied with a higher viscoelasticity for the PVAm-SiO(2)-PVAm-NFC system. Ellipsometry indicated a dry-state thickness of 2.2 and 3.4 nm per bilayer for the PVAm-NFC system and the PVAm-SiO(2)-PVAm-NFC system, respectively. Atomic force microscopy height images indicate that in both systems, a porous network structure is achieved. Young's modulus of these thin films was determined by the Strain-Induced Elastic Buckling Instability for Mechanical Measurements (SIEBIMM) technique. The Young's modulus of the PVAm/NFC films was doubled, from 1 to 2 GPa, upon incorporation of silica nanoparticles in the films. The introduction of the silica nanoparticles lowered the refractive index of the films, most probably due to an increased porosity of the films.     

Thermal analysis characterization of PAAm-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-MC hydrogels

This paper reports the thermal characterization of polyacrylamide-co-methylcellulose hydrogels and the constituent monomers (acrylamide and methylcellulose). Polymeric materials can be used to produce hydrogels, which can be natural, synthetic, or a mixture. The hydrogels described here were obtained by free radical polymerization, in the presence of N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linker agent. Four acrylamide concentrations were used for the synthesis of hydrogels: 3.6, 7.2, 14.7, and 21.7% (w/v). The materials so obtained were analyzed by TG, DTG, DSC, and FT-IR. The TG curves of acrylamide and methylcellulose showed three mass loss events. In DSC curves, the acrylamide exhibited one melting peak at 84.5 °C, and methylcellulose indicated one exothermic event. Nevertheless, acrylamide was considered more stable than methylcellulose. The TG curves of the hydrogels exhibited three mass loss events, and on the DSC curves, three endothermic events were observed. It was verified that the different acrylamide proportions influenced the thermic behavior of hydrogels, and that the authors considered the 7.2% hydrogel a promising drug carrier system. The absorption bands were well defined, confirming the presence of the functional groups in the samples.