Prospects of anionic nanolipoplexes in nanotherapy: transmission electron microscopy and light scattering studies

Currently nanosystems composed of polynucleotides and lipid vesicles (nanolipoplexes) are considered to be promising tools for gene therapeutics. Successful in vivo application of these vectors depends on their physicochemical, technological and biological characteristics including morphology, size distribution, molecular interactions and stability. Anionic nanoliposomes (DPPC:DCP:CHOL) were prepared by two different techniques, namely the conventional thin-film hydration method followed by extrusion, and the heating method (HM), in which no volatile solvent or detergent is used. A non-viral and non-cationic gene transfer vector was constructed by incorporating plasmid DNA (pcDNA3.1/His B/lacZ) to the HM-nanoliposomes by the electrostatic mediation of Ca²⁺ ions. Transfection efficiency of the nanolipoplexes was evaluated using a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o-) in the presence of serum. Particle characterisation, stability of the formulations and lipid–DNA interaction studies were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light scattering. TEM pictures of nanolipoplexes showed presence of two to four closely packed vesicles with signs of fusion. Efficient delivery of plasmid DNA and subsequent β-galactosidase expression was achieved using the anionic nanolipoplexes. Transfection efficiency increased with lipid:DNA ratio up to 7:1 (w/w), where transfection efficiency was 12-fold higher than in untreated cells. Further increase in lipid ratio decreased transfection. These nanolipoplexes appear to be safe, stable and efficient in the protection and delivery of DNA to different cells and tissues.     

Time-dependent discrete road network design with both tactical and strategic decisions

This paper aims to model and investigate the discrete urban road network design problem, using a multi-objective time-dependent decision-making approach. Given a base network made up with two-way links, candidate link expansion projects, and candidate link construction projects, the problem determines the optimal combination of one-way and two-way links, the optimal selection of capacity expansion projects, and the optimal lane allocations on two-way links over a dual time scale. The problem considers both the total travel time and the total CO emissions as the two objective function measures. The problem is modelled using a time-dependent approach that considers a planning horizon of multiple years and both morning and evening peaks. Under this approach, the model allows determining the sequence of link construction, the expansion projects over a predetermined planning horizon, the configuration of street orientations, and the lane allocations for morning and evening peaks in each year of the planning horizon. This model is formulated as a mixed-integer programming problem with mathematical equilibrium constraints. In this regard, two multi-objective metaheuristics, including a modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and a multi-objective B-cell algorithm, are proposed to solve the above-mentioned problem. Computational results for various test networks are also presented in this paper.     

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion in water and biological samples after preconcentration using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique

A simple and highly sensitive method developed for preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion (N ₃ ^? ) in water and biological samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique. The method is based on ion association formation of azide ion with malachite green and extraction of the ion pairing product using DLLME technique. Some important parameters, such as reaction conditions and the kind and volume of extraction solvent and disperser solvent were studied and optimized. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5–50 μg/L of azide ion. Also, the enrichment factor and extraction recovery obtained were 24.7 and 98.7%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of azide ion in water and biological samples.     

Ultrasonic accelerated efficient synthesis of aminobenzochromenes using Ag2Cr2O7 nanoparticles as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst

Ag₂Cr₂O₇ nanoparticles were found to be an exceedingly effective catalyst for the mild and green synthesis of aminobenzochromenes. The reaction was performed under ultrasonic irradiation as an innocuous tool and in water as a green solvent at room temperature. This method encompasses several sustainable and economic benefits.     

A new liquid-phase microextraction method based on solidification of floating organic drop

In the present study, a new and versatile liquid-phase microextraction method is described. This method requires very simple and cheap apparatus and also a small amount of organic solvent. Eight microliters of 1-undecanol was delivered to the surface of solution containing analytes and solution was stirred for a desired time. Then sample vial was cooled by inserting it into an ice bath for 5 min. The solidified 1-undecanol was transferred into a suitable vial and immediately melted; then, 2 μL of it was injected into a gas chromatograph for analysis.Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were used as model compounds for developing and evaluating of the method performance. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID).Several factors influencing the microextraction efficiency, such as the nature and volume of organic solvent, the temperature and volume of sample solution, stirring rate and extraction time were investigated and optimized. The applicability of the technique was evaluated by determination of trace amounts of PAHs in environmental samples. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits (LOD) of the method were in the range of 0.07-1.67 μg L⁻¹ and relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) for 10 μg L⁻¹ PAHs were <7%. A good linearity (r² > 0.995) in a calibration range of 0.25-300.00 μg L⁻¹ was obtained. After 30 min extraction duration, enrichment factors were in the range of 594-1940. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the determination of trace amounts of PAHs in several real water samples, and satisfactory results were resulted. Since very simple devices were used, this new technique is affordable, efficient, and convenient for extraction and determination of low concentrations of PAHs in water samples.     

Novel model of FM-noise conversion in a UMZI using RF external phase modulation of lasers: Theoretical and experimental results

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a new and original model for theoretical calculation and experimental measurement of the noise power spectral density (NPSD) in phase-modulated optical links. The phase modulation is operated in the RF frequency range by an external phase modulator. The NPSD is derived for the first time in interferometric systems, by considering all effects such as the 1/f FM noise of the laser and white noise applied to light from a 1550 nm DFB laser, with phase modulation. The results show for the first time the influence of the phase modulation index, modulation frequency and interferometric delay in the phase-to-intensity noise conversion. The experimental and simulation results of conversion of FM-noise to intensity noise in an optical link by considering the external RF phase modulation are shown with good agreement.     

Carpet oscillator: A new megastable nonlinear oscillator with infinite islands of self-excited and hidden attractors

Polarisation of the particle spin can be an important problem for different plasmas. In this article, the contribution of the electron spin on the growth rate of the temperature anisotropy of electromagnetic instabilities has been investigated. Results show that polarisation of the electron spin will restrict the instability growth rate while instability can survive due to the spin-depolarised electrons even when the requested temperature anisotropy is vanished. Instability can reach the damping state exponentially due to the spin-polarised electrons while it can grow linearly due to the spin-depolarised (the semi-classical) electrons.     

Synthesis of some new triamide derivatives via Ugi five-component reaction in aqueous solution

Triamide derivatives have been synthesized in good yields in a novel, one-pot, five-component, and efficient process by the reaction of Z-oxazolone, water, primary amines, aldehydes, isocyanides, in the presence of catalytic amount of KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O (alum) as a non-toxic, reusable, inexpensive, and easily available reagent via Ugi reaction in aqueous solution.     

Study on the Interaction of the CpG Alternating DNA with CdTe Quantum Dots

A novel sensitive method for detection of DNA methylation was developed with thioglycollic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescence probes. Recognition of methylated DNA sites would be useful strategy due to the important roles of methylation in disease occurrence and developmental processes. DNA methylation occurs most often at cytosine-guanine sites (CpG dinucleotides) of gene promoters. The QDs significantly interacted with hybridized unmethylated and methylated DNA. The interaction of CpG rich methylated and unmethylated DNA hybrid with quantum dots as an optical probe has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and electrophoresis assay. The fluorescence intensity of QDs was highly dependent to unmethylated and methylated DNA. Specific site of CpG islands of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a well-studied tumor suppressor gene, was used as the detection target. Under optimum conditions, upon the addition of unmethylated dsDNA, the fluorescence intensity increased in linear range from 1.0?×?10^??10 to 1.0?×?10^??6M with detection limit of 6.2?×?10^??11 M and on the other hand, the intensity of QDs showed no changes with addition of methylated dsDNA. We also demonstrated that the unmethylated and methylated DNA and QDs complexes showed different mobility in electrophoresis assay. This easy and reliable method could distinguish between methylated and unmethylated DNA sequences.     

Pyrophosphate Selective Recognition in Aqueous Solution Based on Fluorescence Enhancement of a New Aluminium Complex

A novel and simple fluorescence enhancement method for selective pyrophosphate(PPi) sensing was proposed based on a 1:1 metal complex formation between bis(8-hydroxy quinoline-5-solphonat) chloride aluminum(III) (Al(QS)₂Cl), (L) and PPi in aqueous solution. The linear response range covers a concentration range of 1.6 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L of PPi and the detection limit of 2.3 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L. The association constant of L-PPi complex was calculated 2.6 × 10⁵ L/mol. L was found to show selectively and sensitively fluorescence enhancement toward PPi over than I₃^-, NO₃^-, CN⁻, CO₃²⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, F⁻, H₂PO4⁻ and SO₄²⁻, which was attributed to higher stability of inorganic complex between pyrophosphate and L.