Investigation of Vipera Anatolica Venom Disintegrin via Intracellular Uptake with Radiolabeling Study and Cell-Based Electrochemical Biosensing Assay

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Snake venoms are a natural biological source that has potential therapeutic value with various protein compounds. Disintegrins originally were discovered as...     

Graphene oxide integrated sensor for electrochemical monitoring of mitomycin C-DNA interaction

We present a graphene oxide (GO) integrated disposable electrochemical sensor for the enhanced detection of nucleic acids and the sensitive monitoring of the surface-confined interactions between the anticancer drug mitomycin C (MC) and DNA. Interfacial interactions between immobilized calf thymus double-stranded (dsDNA) and anticancer drug MC were investigated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Based on three repetitive voltammetric measurements of 120 μg mL(-1) DNA immobilized on GO-modified electrodes, the RSD % (n = 3) was calculated as 10.47% and the detection limit (DL) for dsDNA was found to be 9.06 μg mL(-1). EIS studies revealed that the binding of the drug MC to dsDNA leads to a gradual decrease of its negative charge. As a consequence of this interaction, the negative redox species were allowed to approach the electrode, and thus increase the charge transfer kinetics. On the other hand, DPV studies exploited the decrease of the guanine signal due to drug binding as the basis for specifically probing the biointeraction process between MC and dsDNA.     

Electron Spin Polarization and Time-Resolved Electron Paramagnetic Resonance: Applications to the Paradigms of Molecular and Supramolecular Photochemistry

Most molecular and supramolecular organic photochemical reactions involve paramagnetic reactive intermediates (such as molecular triplet states, triplet radical pairs, and free radicals). In a number of cases these species are created with "anomalous" spin populations which are far from thermal equilibrium. Such paramagnetic species are said to be "spin polarized" and may be observed directly by time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR). The TREPR technique can be applied to exploit spin polarization, which, in addition to providing an enormous signal to noise enhancement, also reveals the mechanisms involved in photochemical reactions. TREPR spectroscopy provides a means of tracking the reaction of radicals with molecules and the nonreactive interactions of radicals with other radicals in real time. The latter interactions provide a systematic investigation of supramolecular interactions of geminate radicals in micelles.     

Tin oxide nanoparticles-polymer modified single-use sensors for electrochemical monitoring of label-free DNA hybridization

In this study, SnO₂ nanoparticles (SNPs)-poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺) modified single-use graphite electrodes were developed for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization. The surfaces of polymer modified and polymer-SNP modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were firstly characterized by using SEM analysis. The electrochemical behaviours of these electrodes were also investigated using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The polymer-SNP modified PGEs were then tested for the electrochemical sensing of DNA based on the changes at the guanine oxidation signals. Experimental parameters, such as; different modifications in DNA oligonucleotides, DNA probe concentrations were examined to obtain more sensitive and selective electrochemical signals for nucleic acid hybridization. After optimization studies, DNA hybridization was investigated in the case of complementary of hepatitis B virus (HBV) probe, mismatch (MM), and noncomplementary (NC) sequences.     

DNA sensing on glassy carbon electrodes by using hemin as the electrochemical hybridization label

The electrochemical behavior of hemin, an iron complex of porphyrin, on binding to DNA at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and in solution, is described. Hemin, which interacts with covalently immobilized calf thymus DNA, was detected by use of a bare GCE, a double-stranded DNA-modified GCE (dsDNA-modified GCE), and a single-stranded DNA-modified GCE (ssDNA-modified GCE), in combination with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The structural conformation of DNA was determined from changes in the voltammetric signals acquired on reduction of hemin. As a result of its large steric structure and anionic substitution on its porphyrin plane, hemin intercalates between the base pairs of dsDNA. A scan-rate study for hemin and the dsDNA-hemin complex were also performed to determine the electrochemical behavior of the complex. The partition coefficient was obtained from the peak currents measured when different concentrations of hemin were in the presence of dsDNA. By observing the oxidation signals of guanine, damage to DNA after reaction with hemin at the GCE surface was also detected. The electrochemical detection of hybridization between the covalently immobilized probe and its target sequence was detected by use of hemin. These results demonstrate the use of DNA biosensors in conjunction with hemin for electrochemical detection of hybridization and damage to DNA.     

Sulfonic acid functionalized poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) as a high-performance solid acid catalyst for the esterification of lactic acid with methanol

Sulfonic acid functionalized poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole), poly(EGDMA-VTAZ-SO(3)H), is evaluated in the esterification of lactic acid with methanol. From nitrogen physisorption data, high surface area (220 m(2)/g) and type IV isotherm are obtained. Conversion measurements indicate a stronger interaction of poly(EGDMA-VTAZ-20%SO(3)H) with water molecules than that occurring in poly(EGDMA-VTAZ-10%SO(3)H). Hence, the higher catalytic activity of poly(EGDMA-VTAZ-10%SO(3)H) is related to the more hydrophobic microenvironment of -SO(3)H sites, which reduces the acid site deactivation associated with adsorption of water generated during the reaction. Moreover, apparent activation energy is found to be 48.02 kJ mol(-1), which can be comparable with the literature values.     

Are middle school mathematics teachers able to solve word problems without using variable?

Many people consider problem solving as a complex process in which variables such as x,?y are used. Problems may not be solved by only using ‘variable.’ Problem solving can be rationalized and made easier using practical strategies. When especially the development of children at younger ages is considered, it is obvious that mathematics teachers should solve problems through concrete processes. In this context, middle school mathematics teachers' skills to solve word problems without using variables were examined in the current study. Through the case study method, this study was conducted with 60 middle school mathematics teachers who have different professional experiences in five provinces in Turkey. A test consisting of five open-ended word problems was used as the data collection tool. The content analysis technique was used to analyze the data. As a result of the analysis, it was seen that the most of the teachers used trial-and-error strategy or area model as the solution strategy. On the other hand, the teachers who solved the problems using variables such as x, a, n or symbols such as Δ, □, ○, * and who also felt into error by considering these solutions as without variable were also seen in the study.     

High scotopic/photopic ratio white-light-emitting diodes integrated with semiconductor nanophosphors of colloidal quantum dots

We propose and demonstrate single-chip white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) integrated with semiconductor nanophosphors of colloidal quantum dots for high scotopic/photopic (S/P) ratio. These color conversion WLEDs achieve S/P ratios over 3.00, which exceeds the current limit of 2.50 in common lighting technologies, while sustaining sufficient levels of color rendering index.