Constant electrical resistivity of Zn along the melting boundary up to 5 GPa

We measured the electrical resistivity of high purity Zn along the melting boundary, up to 5?GPa in a large volume press. The electrical resistivity remained constant on the melting boundary, as predicted in a thermodynamics-based model for simple metals. The effects of pressure and temperature on the electrical resistivity of the solid and liquid states are interpreted in terms of their antagonistic effects on the electronic structure of Zn. Within the error of measurements, our melting temperature data agree well with those of the previous studies. The electronic thermal conductivity was calculated from resistivity data using the Wiedemann–Franz law and shows a decrease with temperature in the solid state and an increase in the liquid state, with a large decrease on melting. Comparison of calculated electronic and measured total thermal conductivities indicates that the electronic component dominates over the phonon component in Zn.     

Experimental and computational modeling of the biological activity of benzaldehyde sulphur trioxide as a potential drug for the treatment of Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer's disease is a major public brain infection that has resulted in many deaths as revealed by the world health organization (WHO). Conventional Alzheimer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy are not very effective and are usually associated with several adverse effects. Therefore, it is necessary to find new therapeutic approach that completely treat Alzheimer disease without much side effects. In this research work, we report the experimental and in silico molecular modeling of the biological activity of a novel azo-based compound as potential candidate for Alzheimer's disease. The synthesized compound was obtained by coupling reactions with 4-amino-3-nitrobenzaldehyde. Suitable purification and characterization techniques were employed and density functional theory (DFT) computational approach as well as in-silico molecular modeling has been employed to assess the electronic properties and anti-Alzheimer's potency. Suitable protein targets often regarded as target sites for most therapeutic vaccines for the said disease (4EY7, 1QTN, 4EY7, and 6EUE) have been selected for molecular docking investigation. For proper valuation of the drug candidacy, molecular docking studies were compared with conventional Alzheimer drug (donepezil). Also, the spectroscopic properties of the studied compound were investigated and compared with experimental data. Our findings show that the studied structure is relatively stable and expresses greater binding affinities of ?6.10, ?9.01, ?5.90, and ?11.20 kcal/mol than donepezil which had binding affinities of: 5.30, ?6.30, 5.90, and ?10.70 kcal/mol for each protein target. Thus, demonstrating the efficacy of the studied compound as potential candidate for Alzheimer's disease.     

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Various E. senegalensis Extracts

Although Erythrina senegalensis is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in sub-Saharan Africa, its biological properties have been poorly investigated to date. We first characterized by conventional reactions the composition of several stem bark extracts and evaluated in acellular and cellular assays their pro- or antioxidant properties supported by their high phenolic and flavonoid content, particularly with the methanolic extract. The pro- or antioxidant effects observed did not correlate with their IC₅₀ concentrations against five cancer cell lines determined by MTT assay. Indeed, the CH₂Cl₂ extract and its ethyl acetate (EtOAc) subfraction appeared more potent although they harbored lower pro- or antioxidant effects. Nevertheless, at equipotent concentration, both extracts induced ER- and mitochondria-derived vacuoles observed by fluorescent microscopy that further led to non-apoptotic cell death. LC coupled to high resolution MS investigations have been performed to identify chemical compounds of the extracts. These investigations highlighted the presence of compounds formerly isolated from E. senegalensis including senegalensein that could be retrieved only in the EtOAc subfraction but also thirteen other compounds, such as 16:3-Glc-stigmasterol and hexadecanoic acid, whose anticancer properties have been previously reported. Nineteen other compounds remain to be identified. In conclusion, E. senegalensis appeared rich in compounds with antioxidant and anticancer properties, supporting its use in traditional practice and its status as a species of interest for further investigations in anticancer drug research.     

Levels and sources of heavy metal contamination in road dust in selected major highways of Accra,Ghana

Environmental studies have revealed significant contributions of vehicular exhaust emissions to high pollution levels in urban dwellings. The levels and sources of heavy metal contaminations of some major roads in Accra have been investigated in this work. Street dust samples collected from four major roads in Accra (Mallam Junction‐Weija road, John Teye‐Pokuase road, Tema Motorway and Tetteh Quarshie Interchange in Accra) were analysed for their elemental concentrations using energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence. Twenty elements were identified: K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Pb. Significant concentration levels were obtained for K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Pb in all the samples and were used for the source identification. Enrichment factors and principal component analysis were used to verify the anthropogenic contribution to road dust. Results obtained for the enrichment factors showed moderate enrichment for V, Cr and Cu, while Zn, Br, Zr and Pb were significantly enriched. Principal component analysis identified four sources and their contributions to the elemental contents in the road dust. Natural crust, brake wear, tyre wear and vehicle exhaust emission were the four sources identified. The contribution of vehicular non‐exhaust emissions to heavy metal contamination in the road dust was found to be greater than that of exhaust emissions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mitochondrial Responses of Normal and Injured Human Skin Fibroblasts Following Low Level Laser Irradiation—An In Vitro Study

Laser irradiation has proved to be very efficient in speeding and improving the quality of healing in pathological conditions of diverse etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which the beneficial effects are attained are not clear. Mitochondria are the primary phototargets during irradiation. The study aimed to establish if laser irradiation had an effect on hypoxic and acidotic cells. The study also aimed to use existing information regarding the possible mechanism of action (established in wounded cells) and apply these principles to acidic and hypoxic irradiated cells to determine whether laser has a stimulatory or inhibitory effect. Cell cultures were modified to simulate conditions of hypoxia (hypoxic gas mixture 95% N₂ and 5% O₂) and acidosis (pH 6.7) whereas the central scratch model was used to simulate a wound. Cells were irradiated with a helium–neon (632.8 nm, 3 mW cm^?2) laser using 5 or 16 J cm^?2 on days 1 and 4. Mitochondrial responses were measured 1 or 24 h after laser irradiation by assessing changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cyclic AMP, intracellular Ca²⁺ and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cell viability. Hypoxia and acidosis significantly reduced MMP when compared with normal nonirradiated control cells. Wounded, hypoxic and acidotic cells irradiated with 5 J cm^?2 showed an increase in mitochondrial responses when compared with nonirradiated cells while 16 J cm^?2 showed a significant decrease. The study confirmed that laser irradiation with 5 J cm^?2 stimulated an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ which resulted in an increase in MMP, ATP and cAMP, which ultimately results in photobiomodulation to restore homeostasis of injured cells.     

Physicochemical characterization of ion-exchange membranes in water-methanol mixtures

A complete physicochemical characterization of two ion-exchange membranes—CM2 and Nafion^®117—used in electrodialysis and in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) has been carried out. For each membrane, in different methanol-water mixtures—0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%—and at different temperatures (25.0; 40.0 et 55.0 °C), we have measured the variations of the geometrical dimensions, the proton electrical conductivity, the swelling rate and the amount of methanol in the membrane. The FTIR analysis of Nafion^®117 was performed at different methanol contents of the external solution.The results show that the CM2 membrane presents the best geometrical stability, and the lowest conductivity at any methanol content. At high methanol contents, Nafion^®117 is 10 times more conductive than the CM2 membrane. It was found that the methanol is absorbed more by Nafion^®117, and its effect is more noticeable on the microstructure of this membrane, under standard conditions. The high methanol permeability of these membranes, particularly of the Nafion^®117, induces bad cell efficiencies and lifetimes.     

Electrospun Nanofibers Modified with Phospholipid Moieties for Enzyme Immobilization

Summary: PANCMPCs containing phospholipid side moieties were electrospun into nanofibers with a mean diameter of 90 nm. Field emission SEM was used to characterize the morphologies of the nanofibers. These phospholipid‐modified nanofibers were explored as supports for enzyme immobilization due to the characteristics of excellent biocompatibility, high surface/volume ratio, and porosity, which were beneficial to the catalytic efficiency and activity of immobilized enzymes. Lipase from Candida rugosa was immobilized on these nanofibers by adsorption. Preliminary results indicated that the properties of the immobilized lipase on these phospholipid‐modified nanofibers were greatly promising.

Schematic representation of the structure and electrostatic properties of phospholipid‐modified nanofibers.