Size tunable three-dimensional annular laser trap based on axicons

A three-dimensional (3D) ring-shaped laser trap has been built using axicons. The diameter of this laser trap ranges from 70 to 140 mum and is adjusted by simply changing the position of one axicon in the optical path. Parallel 3D trapping of 5 mum silica microspheres and 3D confinement of cells along the ring are demonstrated. In this system the special optical properties of axicons are used to create a continuous annular trap with high power efficiency and a constant numerical aperture. This new approach, without any mechanical scanning, offers significant potential for applications in cell motility analysis and biotropism studies.     

The Potential of the Marine Microalga Diacronema lutheri in the Prevention of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in High-Fat-Fed Wistar Rats

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 series (n-3 LC-PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, are known to exert preventive effects on obesity and metabolic syndrome. Mainly consumed in the form of fish oil, LC-PUFAs n-3 are also found in significant quantities in other sources such as certain microalgae. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Diacronema lutheri (Dia), a microalga rich in n-3 LC-PUFAs, on metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) were submitted for eight weeks to a standard diet or high-fat and high-fructose diet (HF), supplemented or not with 12% of Dia (HF-Dia). Compared to HF rats, HF-Dia rats showed a 41% decrease in plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and an increase in plasma cholesterol (+35%) as well as in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+51%) without change to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Although fasting glycemia did not change, glucose and insulin tolerance tests highlighted an improvement in glucose and insulin homeostasis. Dia supplementation restored body weight and fat mass, and decreased levels of liver TAG (−75%) and cholesterol (−84%). In HF-Dia rats, leptin was decreased (−30%) below the control level corresponding to a reduction of 68% compared to HF rats. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 were restored up to control levels, corresponding to a 74% and 58% increase in HF rats, respectively. In contrast, the level of IL-6 remained similar in the HF and HF-Dia groups and about twice that of the control. In conclusion, these results indicated that the D. lutheri microalga may be beneficial for the prevention of weight gain and improvement in lipid and glucose homeostasis.     

Enzymatic and Molecular Characterization of Anti-Leishmania Molecules That Differently Target Leishmania and Mammalian eIF4A Proteins,LieIF4A and eIF4AMus

Previous investigations of the Leishmania infantum eIF4A-like protein (LieIF4A) as a potential drug target delivered cholestanol derivatives inhibitors. Here, we investigated the mode of action of cholesterol derivatives as a novel scaffold structure of LieIF4A inhibitors on the RNA-dependent ATPase activity of LieIF4A and its mammalian ortholog (eIF4AI). We compared their biochemical effects on RNA-dependent ATPase activities of both proteins and investigated if rocaglamide, a known inhibitor of eIF4A, could affect LieIF4A as well. Kinetic measurements were conducted at different concentrations of ATP, of the compound and in the presence of saturating whole yeast RNA concentrations. Kinetic analyses showed different ATP binding affinities for the two enzymes as well as different sensitivities to 7-α-aminocholesterol and rocaglamide. The 7-α-aminocholesterol inhibited LieIF4A with a higher binding affinity relative to cholestanol analogs. Cholesterol, another tested sterol, had no effect on the ATPase activity of LieIF4A or eIF4AI. The 7-α-aminocholesterol demonstrated an anti-Leishmania activity on L. infantum promastigotes. Additionally, docking simulations explained the importance of the double bond between C5 and C6 in 7-α-aminocholesterol and the amino group in the C7 position. In conclusion, Leishmania and mammalian eIF4A proteins appeared to interact differently with effectors, thus making LieIF4A a potential drug against leishmaniases.     

Alternating current electrokinetic separation and detection of DNA nanoparticles in high-conductance solutions

In biomedical research and diagnostics, it is a significant challenge to directly isolate and identify rare cells and potential biomarkers in blood, plasma and other clinical samples. Additionally, the advent of bionanotechnology is leading to numerous drug delivery approaches that involve encapsulation of drugs and imaging agents within nanoparticles, which now will also have to be identified and separated from blood and plasma. Alternating current (AC) electrokinetic techniques such as dielectrophoresis (DEP) offer a particularly attractive mechanism for the separation of cells and nanoparticles. Unfortunately, present DEP techniques require the dilution of blood/plasma, thus making the technology less suitable for clinical sample preparation. Using array devices with microelectrodes over-coated with porous hydrogel layers, AC electric field conditions have been found which allow the separation of DNA nanoparticles to be achieved under high-conductance (ionic strength) conditions. At AC frequencies in the 3000 Hz to 10,000 Hz range and 10 volts peak-to-peak, the separation of 10-microm polystyrene particles into low field regions, and 60-nm DNA-derivatized nanoparticles and 200-nm nanoparticles into high-field regions was carried out in 149 mM 1xPBS buffer (1.68 S/m). These results may allow AC electrokinetic systems to be developed that can be used with clinically relevant samples under physiological conditions.     

Laser-tweezer-controlled solid immersion microscopy in microfluidic systems

We describe the creation and implementation of a near-field scanning solid immersion microscope that is specifically tailored for use in microfluidic systems. The microscope comprises a newly fabricated Weierstrass solid immersion lens (SIL), which is detached from its substrate and is free floating in the fluid, and a laser optical tweezer, which serves both as a trapping beam for alignment and positioning of the SIL and as a near-field scanning beam that images the sample through the SIL. A discussion of the SIL's fabrication method is presented along with experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our microscope design.     

Electrochemical Determination of Dopamine Using a Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)-Reduced Graphene Oxide-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) was deposited on a reduced graphene oxide-decorated glassy carbon electrode through an electrochemical polymerization. The resulting glassy carbon electrode-reduced graphene oxide-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode was applied as an electrochemical biosensor for the determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid. The material deposited on glassy carbon electrode was investigated in terms of morphology and structural analysis. The comparison of electrochemical behavior of the glassy carbon electrode-reduced graphene oxide-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode with the glassy carbon electrode-graphene oxide, glassy carbon electrode-reduced graphene oxide, and glassy carbon electrode-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrodes exhibited high electrocatalytic activity for dopamine detection. Electrochemical kinetic parameters of glassy carbon electrode-reduced graphene oxide-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), including the charge transfer coefficient α (0.49) and electron transfer rate constant k_s (1.04), were determined and discussed. The glassy carbon electrode-reduced graphene oxide-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode was studied for the determination of dopamine by differential pulse voltammetry and exhibited a linear range from 19.6 to 122.8?µM with a sensitivity of 3.27?µA?µM^?1?cm^?2 and a detection limit of 1.92?µM. The developed biosensor exhibited good selectivity toward dopamine with high reproducibility and stability.     

Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous Ga(III) catalysis in the cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes

We describe a study of the gallium(III)-catalyzed 1,6-enynes cycloisomerization reaction in both homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. With GaBr₃ in homogeneous conditions, some particularities were observed in terms of selectivity compared to reported GaCl₃-catalyzed reactions. The transfer of the reaction in heterogeneous conditions was realized by supporting Ga(III) salts onto montmorillonite. Both systems were compared based on reaction times, conversion, and selectivity and showed complementary activities.     

Palladium acetate-catalysed one-pot green synthesis of bis α-aminophosphonates

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A simple and effective green method has been developed for the synthesis of a series of novel bis α-aminophosphonate derivatives (4a–j) by the...     

Solvent polarity scales: determination of new ET(30) values for 84 organic solvents

The solvent polarity parameter E_T(30) is newly measured from the solvatochromism of the betaine dye 30 for 84 solvents and re‐measured for 186 additional ones. The results are organized in a database. It is shown that the validity of linear solvation energy relationships used for the determination of secondary E_T(30) values is limited to non‐hydrogen‐bond donor solvents. Relationships with the chain length n are given for the determination of tertiary E_T(30) values of the homologous H(CH₂)_nY solvent series. The parameter E_T(30) is orthogonal to the function of the refractive index (n² ? 1) / (2n² + 1). For non hydrogen‐bond donor solvents, this allows to enter E_T(30) as an almost pure electrostatic parameter in a new linear solvation energy relationship. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.