Suitable potentiometric enzyme sensors for urea and creatinine

Enzyme sensors for urea and creatinine were developed by coupling an ammonia gas-diffusion electrode with triacetate cellulose membranes entrapping urease or creatinine deiminase enzymes. Satisfactory results were obtained by using these sensors both in standard solutions and in authentic biological matrices.     

Surface Functionalization of Face Masks with Cold Plasma and Its Effect in Anchoring Polyphenols Extracted from Agri-Food

To improve the capability of non-woven polypropylene-based fabric (NWF-PP) used for face mask production to retain active biomolecules such as polyphenols, the surface functionalization of NWF-PP–directly cut from face masks–was carried out by employing cold plasma with oxygen. The nature/structure of the functional groups, as well as the degree of functionalization, were evaluated by ATR-FTIR and XPS by varying the experimental conditions (generator power, treatment time, and oxygen flow). The effects of plasma activation on mechanical and morphological characteristics were evaluated by stress–strain measurements and SEM analysis. The ability of functionalized NWF-PP to firmly anchor polyphenols extracted from cloves was estimated by ATR-FTIR analysis, IR imaging, extractions in physiological solution, and OIT analysis (before and after extraction), as well as by SEM analysis. All the results obtained converge in showing that, although the plasma treatment causes changes–not only on the surface–with certain detriment to the mechanical performance of the NWF-PP, the incorporated functionalities are able to retain/anchor the active molecules extracted from the cloves, thus stabilizing the treated surfaces against thermo-oxidation even after prolonged extraction.     

Anticancer Drugs: Recent Strategies to Improve Stability Profile,Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties

In past decades, anticancer research has led to remarkable results despite many of the approved drugs still being characterized by high systemic toxicity mainly due to the lack of tumor selectivity and present pharmacokinetic drawbacks, including low water solubility, that negatively affect the drug circulation time and bioavailability. The stability studies, performed in mild conditions during their development or under stressing exposure to high temperature, hydrolytic medium or light source, have demonstrated the sensitivity of anticancer drugs to many parameters. For this reason, the formation of degradation products is assessed both in pharmaceutical formulations and in the environment as hospital waste. To date, numerous formulations have been developed for achieving tissue-specific drug targeting and reducing toxic side effects, as well as for improving drug stability. The development of prodrugs represents a promising strategy in targeted cancer therapy for improving the selectivity, efficacy and stability of active compounds. Recent studies show that the incorporation of anticancer drugs into vesicular systems, such as polymeric micelles or cyclodextrins, or the use of nanocarriers containing chemotherapeutics that conjugate to monoclonal antibodies can improve solubility, pharmacokinetics, cellular absorption and stability. In this study, we summarize the latest advances in knowledge regarding the development of effective highly stable anticancer drugs formulated as stable prodrugs or entrapped in nanosystems.     

Synthesis of uracil derivatives by oxidation of Fischer tungsten-carbene uracil complexes

A study on the oxidation of Fischer tungsten-carbene uracil complexes has been carried out. Several commonly used oxidants gave results strongly influenced by the presence of substituent on nitrogen atoms. In particular, usual oxidants failed in the oxidation of 3-alkyl uracil carbene complexes. Finally, we showed that t-butyl hydroperoxide is able to oxidize successfully also 3-alkyl uracil carbene complexes and can be used as a good alternative to the other methods.     

Metal-cinnamic acids interactions. Part II. Synthesis and magnetic characterization of copper(II) complexes with 3, 4-, 2, 4- and 2, 6-dichlorocinnamic acid

Summary Compounds of the types Cu(3,4-DCA)₂.2H₂O (1), Cu(2,4-DCA)₂. 2MeOH (2), and Cu(2,6-DCA)₂.2H₂O (3) (DCAH=dichlorocinnamic acid) were synthesized and characterized by electronic, and e.s.r. spectroscopy, and by magnetic and thermal measurements.Complexes (1) and (2) appear to be monomeric; (3) appears to be a bimetallic complex with a classical copper(II) acetate structure.     

B 1 inhomogeneity effects on spin density andT 1 contrast in MRI

Summary An analysis of the effect ofB ₁ inhomogeneity on spin density andT ₁ contrasted images is here given. Distortions both in saturation recovery and inversion recovery sequences are found. The impact of these distortions onin vivo spectroscopy, where quantitative data are required, is also discussed. In general, these aspects are found to be reduced at shortertime parameters of the pulse sequences. Work partially supported by Progetto Finalizzato Tecnologie Biomediche of CNR and by Esacontrol, Genova.     

Further applications of a new biosensor method for dating cellulosic finds

Using a cellulosic material dating method recently proposed by three of the authors of the present article further applications to real samples are discussed. In the first instance, to wood samples, that is, to a type of sample for which the method was specifically developed but with the samples differing widely in age, and then to textile or paper samples. Of course in the latter two cases the results obtained are still quite preliminary, above all because of the difficulty of procuring certainly dated samples of this type.     

Conjugated polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes: physical properties and device applications

The aim of this article is to present an overview about the preparation method and physical properties of a new hybrid system consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) wrapped by conjugated polymers. The technique firstly demonstrated in 2007 has attracted great interest because of the high purity of the resulting semiconducting SWNTs and the possibility of applying them in electronic devices. Here, we will review recent progresses regarding the preparation of these nano-hybrids, their photophysical properties and application in field-effect transistors and photovoltaic devices.     

Fatty acid composition and volatile compounds of caviar from farmed white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The present study was conducted to characterize caviar obtained from farmed white sturgeons (Acipenser transmontanus) subjected to different dietary treatments. Twenty caviar samples from fish fed two experimental diets containing different dietary lipid sources have been analysed for chemical composition, fatty acids and flavour volatile compounds. Fatty acid make up of caviar was only minimally influenced by dietary fatty acid composition. Irrespective of dietary treatments, palmitic acid (16:0) and oleic acid (OA, 18:1 n-9) were the most abundant fatty acid followed by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) and eicopentaenoic (EPA, 20:5 n-3). Thirty-three volatile compounds were isolated using simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) and identified by GC-MS. The largest group of volatiles were represented by aldehydes with 20 compounds, representing the 60% of the total volatiles. n-Alkanals, 2-alkenals and 2,4-alkadienals are largely the main responsible for a wide range of flavours in caviar from farmed white surgeon.