Cu-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensing

Copper-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) Cu_xZn_1−xO (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04) were synthesized via a sol-gel process and used as an active electrode material to fabricate a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for the detection of glucose. Their structure, composition, and chemical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies, and zeta potential measurements. The electrochemical characterization of the sensors was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Cu doping was shown to improve the electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose, which resulted from the accelerated electron transfer and greatly improved electrochemical conductivity. The experimental conditions for the detection of glucose were optimized: a linear dependence between the glucose concentration and current intensity was established in the range from 1 nM to 100 μM with a limit of detection of 0.7 nM. The proposed sensor exhibited high selectivity for glucose in the presence of various interfering species. The developed sensor was also successfully tested for the detection of glucose in human serum samples.     

Pyridazine Derivatives and Related Compounds. Part 11: 1Synthesis of Some Pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridazines

3-Substituted pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridazine-2,4-di-ones and 3-amino-2-methylpyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridazine-4-ones were synthesized starting from ethyl 5-aminothieno[2,3-c] pyridazine-6-carboxylate 1. Reaction of amino ester 1with phenyl isothiocyanate affords thiourea derivative 10which undergo further transformation to the related fused heterocyclic systems.     

Electrochemical sensing and simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid,dopamine and uric acid at nickel nanoparticles/poly (1,2-diaminoanthraquinone) modified electrode

A highly sensitive sensor based on Ni nanoparticles/poly (1,2-diaminoanthraquinone) modified electrode was fabricated at glassy carbon (GC) electrode (Ni/PDAAQ@GC ME) using cyclic voltammetry technique. The incorporation of nickel (II) ions nanoparticles (Ni NPs) followed by anodic polarization process was achieved. Surface morphologies of both PDAAQ@GC ME and Ni/PDAAQ@GC MEs were studied by scanning electron microscope. Ni/PDAAQ@GC ME was tested for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) by square wave voltammetry technique. The ME showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward electrooxidation of these biomolecules in their single, binary and ternary systems in alkaline 0.1 M NaOH solutions. Experiment revealed that the low detection limits (LOD) for AA, DA and UA were 0.11, 0.072 and 1.2 µM in single system, respectively, and 0.069, 0.29 and 0.12 µM in ternary system, respectively.     

High temperature X-ray diffraction study of the formation of Na2Ti3O7 from a mixture of sodium carbonate and titanium oxide

Na2Ti3O7 has attracted much attention in the field of anode materials for Na-ion batteries thanks to its non-toxicity and very low working potential of 0.3 V vs Na0/Na+.Building a clearer picture of its formation from cheap Na₂CO₃ and TiO₂ starting materials is therefore of obvious interest.Here,we report new insights from an in-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction study conducted from room temperature to 800°C,complemented by ex-situ characterizations.We were thereby able to position the previously reported Na₄Ti₅O₁₂ and Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ intermediate phases in a reaction scheme involving three successive steps and temperature ranges.Shifts and/or broadening of a subset of the Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ reflections suggested a combination of intra-layer disorder with the well-established ordering of successive layers.This in-situ study was carried out on reproducible mixtures of Na₂CO₃ and TiO₂ in 1:3 molar ratio prepared by spraydrying of mixed aqueous suspensions.Single-phase Na₂Ti₃O₇ was obtained after only 8 h at 800°C in air,instead of a minimum of 20 h for a conventional solid-state route using the same precursors.Microstructure analysis revealed~15 mm diameter granules made up from rectangular rods of a fewmm length presenting electrochemical properties in line with expectations.In the absence of grinding or formation of intimate composites with conductive carbon,the specific capacity of 137 m Ah/g at C/5 decreased at higher rates.     

Lights and Shadows of DMSO as Solvent for Tin Halide Perovskites

In 2020 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the ever-present solvent for tin halide perovskites, was identified as an oxidant for Sn^II. Nonetheless, alternatives are lacking and few efforts have been devoted to replacing it. To understand this trend it is indispensable to learn the importance of DMSO on the development of tin halide perovskites. Its unique properties have allowed processing compact thin-films to be integrated into tin perovskite solar cells. Creative approaches for controlling the perovskite crystallization or increasing its stability to oxidation have been developed relying on DMSO-based inks. However, increasingly sophisticated strategies appear to lead the field to a plateau of power conversion efficiency in the range of 10–15 %. And, while DMSO-based formulations have performed in encouraging means so far, we should also start considering their potential limitations. In this concept article, we discuss the benefits and limitations of DMSO-based tin perovskite processing.     

A Novel Magnetic Polyethylene Glycol Nanocomposite based on Graphite Reinforcement Carbon Paste Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Perindopril L-arginine

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - The present study reports the development of a magnetic polyethylene glycol nanocomposite based on graphite reinforcement carbon paste electrode for the sensitive...     

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Total Polyphenols of Anchusa italica Retz

Anchusa italica Retz has been used for a long time in phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from the leaves and roots of Anchusa italica Retz. We first determined the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids using Folin–Ciocalteu reagents and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). The antioxidant activity was determined using three methods: reducing power (FRAP), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four strains of Escherichia coli, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and one fungal strain of Candida albicans. The results showed that the root extract was rich in polyphenols (43.29 mg GAE/g extract), while the leave extract was rich in flavonoids (28.88 mg QE/g extract). The FRAP assay showed a strong iron reduction capacity for the root extract (IC₅₀ of 0.11 µg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ of 0.121 µg/mL). The DPPH test determined an IC₅₀ of 0.11 µg/mL for the root extract and an IC₅₀ of 0.14 µg/mL for the leaf extract. These values are low compared to those for ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ of 0.16 µg/mL) and BHT (IC₅₀ 0.20 µg/mL). The TAC values of the leaf and root extracts were 0.51 and 0.98 mg AAE/g extract, respectively. In vitro, the extract showed inhibitory activity against all strains studied, with diameters of zones of inhibition in the range of 11.00–16.00 mm for the root extract and 11.67–14.33 mm for the leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded for the leaf extract against E. coli (ATB:57), corresponding to 5 mg/mL. Overall, this research indicates that the extracts of Anchusa italica Retz roots and leaves exert significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, probably because of the high content of flavonoids and polyphenols.     

Musa sp. Leaves Extract Ameliorates the Hepato-Renal Toxicities Induced by Cadmium in Mice

Heavy metals intoxication causes several health problems that necessitate finding new protective and therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Musa sp. leaves extract (MLE) on hepato-renal toxicities induced by cadmium (Cd) in male mice. The phytochemical screening, metal chelating activity (MCA), and the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of MLE were determined. Fifty CD-1 male mice were used and intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with MLE (1000 to 5000 mg/kg b.wt) for MLE LD₅₀ determination. Another 50 mice were used for evaluating the effect of MLE on Cd toxicity. Blood samples were collected for hematological, liver, and kidney functions assessments. Liver tissue homogenates were used for determination of oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological and molecular investigations. MLE showed potent in vitro antioxidant activities. The MCA and LD₅₀ of the MLE were 75 µg/mL and 3000 mg/kg b.wt, respectively. MLE showed beneficial therapeutic activity against hepato-renal toxicities in Cd-intoxicated mice, evidenced by improving the hematological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular alterations.     

A Novel Docetaxel-Biotin Chemical Conjugate for Prostate Cancer Treatment

A novel conjugate of docetaxel and biotin (designated as IDD-1010) was designed and chemically synthesized via an ester linkage at position 2’ carbon in docetaxel. The synthesized pure IDD-1010 exhibits a potent anti-cancer activity in in vitro and in vivo studies. At 10 nM, IDD-1010 has induced increased apoptosis and mitotic arrest of PC3-Luc prostate cancer cells, causing aneuploidy and cell death at higher concentrations. Toxicology studies indicate that the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of IDD-1010 is 150 mg/kg in mice; equivalent to about 12.2 mg/kg of body weight, or to about an 850 mg dose for a patient weighing 70 kg. The MTD-treated mice exhibited weight gain similar to that of the control group, with no gross pathological signs at 14 days post-dosing. At a lower dose, IDD-1010 treatment did not lead to any significant weight loss in mice, although decreased the tumor volume stemming from injecting cancer cells into the dorsal loop of mouse prostate, and it was found to be more potent than Paclitaxel (reference drug). Similarly, IDD-1010 treatment significantly reduced tumor weight and thereby increased the percentage of mice survival as compared to reference drug-treated and control groups. To summarize, the described experiments using IDD-1010, as compared to the reference drug, strongly suggest a potential treatment utility with a wider therapeutic window for prostate cancer. Henceforth, clinical research on such a novel drug candidate would be greatly worthwhile.     

Assessment of Lewis-Acidic Surface Sites Using Tetrahydrofuran as a Suitable and Smart Probe Molecule

Measuring the Lewis-acidic surface sites in catalysis is problematic when the material‘s surface area is very low (S_BET ≤1 m² ⋅ g⁻¹). For the first time, a quantitative assessment of total acidic surface sites of very small surface area catalysts (MoO₃ as pure and mixed with 5–30 % CdO (wt/wt), as well as CdO for comparison) was performed using a smart new probe molecule, tetrahydrofuran (THF). The results were nearly identical compared to using another commonly used probe molecule, pyridine. This audition is based on the limited values of the surface area of these samples that likely require a relatively moderate basic molecule as THF with pK_b=16.08, rather than strong basic molecules such as NH₃ (pK_b=4.75) or pyridine (pK_b=8.77). We propose mechanisms for the interaction of vapour phase molecules of THF with the Lewis-cationic Mo and Cd atoms of these catalysts. Besides, dehydration of isopropyl alcohol was used as a probe reaction to investigate the catalytic activity of these catalysts to further support our findings in the case of THF in a temperature range of 175–300 °C. A good agreement between the obtained data of sample MoO₃-10 % CdO, which is characterised by the highest surface area value, the population of Lewis-acidic sites and % selectivity of propylene at all the applied reaction temperatures was found.