Quantized Double‐Layer Charging of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on a‐Si:H Controlled by Charged Defects in a‐Si:H

Sequential single‐electron charging of iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in oleic acid/oleyl amine envelope and deposited by the Langmuir‐Blodgett technique onto Pt electrode covered with undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon film (a‐Si:H) is reported. Quantized double‐layer charging of nanoparticles is detected by cyclic voltammetry as current peaks and the charging effect can be switched on/off by the excess of negative/positive charged defect states in the a‐Si:H layer. The particular charge states in a‐Si:H are created by the simultaneous application of a suitable bias voltage and illumination before the measurement.     

Interaction of E6 Gene from Human Papilloma Virus 16 (HPV-16) with CdS Quantum Dots

The aim of this study was to analyze the interactions of blue and yellow fluorescent CdS quantum dots (CdS-QDs) with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) oncogene E6. The interactions were investigated using chip capillary electrophoresis, spectrophotometry and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Using chip capillary electrophoresis we proved that blue fluorescent CdS-QDs (0.5 mM) caused an increase of the migration time of the E6 HPV-16 DNA–CdS-QDs complex by 42 s compared to control DNA (E6 HPV-16). The same concentration of yellow fluorescent CdS-QDs caused an increase in the migration time of the DNA–CdS-QDs complex by 108 s compared to the control DNA (E6 HPV-16). The difference in the migration times between both complexes was 66 s. Using square wave voltammetry (SWV), the reduction signal of cytosine and adenine (peak CA) was observed, after the complex with 2.5 µg mL⁻¹ DNA was formed. A decrease of the peak CA reduction signal of the complex DNA–CdS-QDs by 90 % was caused when yellow fluorescent CdS-QDs (0.03 mM) were used. The same concentration of blue fluorescent CdS-QDs caused only a 50 % decrease of the C and A reduction signal of the DNA–CdS-QDs complex. The difference between both CdS-QDs was 40 %. Electrochemical measurements and chip electrophoresis analyses confirmed that the yellow fluorescent CdS-QDs show higher affinity to the DNA (E6 HPV-16) compared to blue ones.

     

γ-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Covered with Glutathione-Modified Quantum Dots as a Fluorescent Nanotransporter

The present paper describes the synthesis, characterization, and utilization of multi-functional magnetic conjugates that integrate optical and magnetic properties in a single structure for use in many biomedical applications. Spontaneous interaction with eukaryotic cell membrane (HEK-239 cell culture) was determined using fluorescence microscopy, and fluorescence analyses. Both, differences in excitation, and emission wavelength were observed, caused by glutathione intake by cells, resulting in disintegration of core–shell structure of quantum dots, as well as adhesion of conjugate onto cell surface. When compared with quantum dots fluorescent properties, HEK-239 cells with incorporated nanoconjugate exhibited two excitation maxima (λ _ex = 430 and 390 nm). Simultaneously, application of ideal λ _ex for quantum dots (λ _ex = 430 nm), resulted in two emission maxima (λ = 740 and 750 nm). This nanoconjugate fulfills the requirements of term theranostics, because it can be further functionalized with biomolecules as DNA, proteins, peptides or antibodies, and thus serves as a tool for therapy in combination with simultaneous treatment.

     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structure of a gallium monohydroxide and a hetero-bimetallic gallium zirconium oxide

A monomeric hydroxide of gallium, LGa(Me)OH, containing terminal hydroxide and methyl groups was prepared by the hydrolysis of LGa(Me)Cl in the presence of N-heterocyclic carbene and water [L = HC{(CMe)(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3N)}2] in high yield and in a pure form. LGa(Me)OH was used as a synthon to assemble the first hetero-bimetallic compound with a Ga-O-Zr core, [(LGaMe)(Cp2ZrMe)](mu-O).     

Using of chicken antibodies for metallothionein detection in human blood serum and cadmium‐treated tumour cell lines after dot‐ and electroblotting

Metallothionein (MT) is a low‐molecular mass protein playing an essential role in homeostasis of heavy metal ions. Its relation with formation and progression of a tumour disease is discussed in this article. Here, we propose a new methodological approach for visualization of MT on PVDF membranes after dot‐ and electroblotting by using a commercial mouse monoclonal antibody E9 and polyclonal chicken antibodies. The optimized procedure was as follows. We dotted 1 μL sample volume on PVDF membrane and let it to dry. Then, we blocked the membrane surface with 2% BSA in PBS for 30 min. After that, the membrane was incubated in chicken primary antibody (diluted 1:500), washed, and incubated in rabbit‐anti‐chicken secondary antibody conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. To visualize the interaction, we used 3‐aminoethyl‐9‐carbazole. Under these conditions, we estimated detection limit as 3 pg of MT per 1 μL. The optimal approach was further utilized for detection of MT level in two human fibroblast cell lines and in blood serum obtained from children with medulloblastoma. The results were in good agreement with differential pulse voltammetry‐Brdicka reaction.     

Preparation and structural characterization of RuS2 nanoislands on Au(111)

Among all the transition metal sulfides, ruthenium sulfide (RuS2) has been shown to be the most active catalyst for the hydrodesulfuriztion processes. Using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we have found a novel approach for the preparation of RuS2 nanoislands on an Au(111) substrate. Chemical vapor deposition of Ru3(CO)12 leads to metallic Ru nanoclusters on the gold substrate. Although sulfidation has not been observed on extended Ru (0001) surface, Ru nanoclusters react with S2, forming ruthenium sulfide. While the majority of the sulfide is in the form of nanosized clusters that aggregate into clustered islands, a small fraction of the sulfide is seen as flat islands. When Ru3(CO)12 was deposited on a sulfur-modified gold substrate at elevated temperature, flat islands of ruthenium sulfide are formed exclusively. The flat islands are single-layer RuS2 nanocrystals with a (111) surface termination which exhibits an ordered array of sulfur vacancies. On such RuS2 (111) surfaces, excess sulfur is stable at low temperature and induces surface reconstruction, and desorbs at high temperature. The RuS2(111)/Au system provides an excellent model system for ruthenium sulfide catalysts.