Effect of the manufacturing parameters on the structure of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

Series of self-assembled and mono-dispersed bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with different Zn/Cu ratios had been successfully synthesized by a combination method of the biomimetic synthesis and ion-exchange strategy under the gentle conditions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation, Fourier transform infrared spectra and zeta potential analysis demonstrated that BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with well dispersity had the hierarchical structure and BSA was a key factor to control the morphology and surface electro-negativity of final products. The real-time monitoring by atomic absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the Zn/Cu ratio of nano-composites could be controlled by adjusting the ion-exchange time. In addition, the metabolic and morphological assays indicated that the metabolic proliferation and spread of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells could be inhibited by nano-composites, with the high anti-cancer activity at a low concentration (4 ppm). What were more important, Zn and Cu in nano-composites exhibited a positive cooperativity at inhibiting cancer cell functions. The microscope observation and biochemical marker analysis clearly revealed that the nano-composites-included lipid peroxidation and disintegration of membrane led to the death of PC12 cells. Summarily, the present study substantiated the potential of BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites as anti-cancer drug.     

EIS microfluidic chips for flow immunoassay and ultrasensitive cholera toxin detection

A flow-injection impedimetric immunosensor for the sensitive, direct and label-free detection of cholera toxin is reported. A limit of detection smaller than 10 pM was achieved, a value thousands of times lower than the lethal dose. The developed chips fulfil the requirement of low cost and quick reply of the assay and are expected to enable field screening, prompt diagnosis and medical intervention without the need of specialized personnel and expensive equipment, a perspective of special relevance for use in developing countries. Since the chip layout includes two sensing areas each one with a 2 × 2 sensor array, our biochips can allow statistical or (alternatively) multiplex analysis of biorecognition events between antibodies immobilized on each working electrode and different antigens flowing into the chamber.     

Thermal behavior of verapamil in pure and in solid dosage forms

Verapamil is a phenyl-alchil-amine type pharmaceutical largely used as a specific calcium antagonist. Knowledge of drug-excipient compatibility represents an important phase in development of different dosage forms. Hyphenated techniques are versatile for obtaining such necessary information’s. The TG/DTG/DTA curves were obtained in air at different heating rates and in nitrogen. The IR spectra of pure compound and its char at 400 °C (by U-ATR technique) and the IR identification of Evolved Gasses allowed some discussions on the thermally induced events. In the solid dosage forms verapamil was mixed with talc, magnesium stearate, starch, and cellulose, and the corresponding thermoanalytical curves were compared with that one of pure I. No physical or chemical interactions were observed till 250 °C. A kinetic analysis was performed for TG step of verapamil between 250 and 350 °C. The data at four heating rates (7, 10, 12, 15 °C min⁻¹) were processed on a strategy using at last three different kinetic methods. For these, the NPK method seems to be less speculative, allowing an objective determination of the kinetic parameters.     

Synthesis, structural and spectral studies of Cu(II) and V(IV) complexes of a novel Schiff base derived from pyridoxal. Antimicrobial activity

A novel Schiff base, N-(4-amino-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-5-one)pyridoxaldimine (HL·HCl), was prepared and structurally characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and IR spectral data. The synthesis and characterization of several Cu(II) (1-6) and V(IV) (7) complexes with N-(4-amino-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-5-one)pyridoxaldimine are reported. The composition and structures of the copper(II) and vanadium(IV) complexes were proposed based on elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopy. In addition, the structures of the ligand and the complex [CuL(H₂O)₂]NO₃·2.25H₂O (1) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that the Cu(II) center has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The ligand and the complexes were also tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity.     

Biological Activity of Triazolopyrimidine Copper(II) Complexes Modulated by an Auxiliary N-N-Chelating Heterocycle Ligands

Novel complexes of type [Cu(N-N)(dmtp)₂(OH₂)](ClO₄)₂·dmtp ((1) N-N: 2,2′-bipyridine; (2) L: 1,10-phenantroline and dmtp: 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine) were designed in order to obtain biologically active compounds. Complexes were characterized as mononuclear species that crystallized in the space group P-1 of the triclinic system with a square pyramidal geometry around the copper (II). In addition to the antiproliferative effect on murine melanoma B16 cells, complex (1) exhibited low toxicity on normal BJ cells and did not affect membrane integrity. Complex (2) proved to be a more potent antimicrobial in comparison with (1), but both compounds were more active in comparison with dmtp—both against planktonic cells and biofilms. A stronger antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect was noticed against the Gram-positive strains, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae studies indicated that the complexes were scavengers rather than reactive oxygen species promoters. Their DNA intercalating capacity was evidenced by modifications in both absorption and fluorescence spectra. Furthermore, both complexes exhibited nuclease-like activity, which increased in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.     

Development of New Efficient Adsorbent by Functionalization of Mg3Al-LDH with Methyl Trialkyl Ammonium Chloride Ionic Liquid

The present paper describes a new way of obtaining an efficient adsorbent material by functionalization of Mg₃Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) with methyl trialkyl ammonium chloride-ionic liquid (IL) using two methods: ultrasound and cosynthesis. Layered double hydroxides are good solid support for the functionalization with ionic liquids due to their well-ordered structure. The immobilization of the ILs in suitable solid supports combine the advantages of the ILs with the properties of the solid supports bringing more benefits such as use of lower quantity of ILs and avoiding of ILs loss in the aqua phase which overall decrease the treatment costs. In case of ultrasound method of functionalization is assured a uniform distribution of IL on the solid surface, but through immobilization by cosynthesis due to the tunable properties of LDH, is assured an intercalation of the ILs between the LDH layers. This fact was highlighted by the X-ray diffraction (RXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the obtained adsorbent. The added value brought by the functionalization of Mg₃Al with the studied IL was underlined by the adsorption studies conducted in the treatment process of water with diclofenac content. Kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies were performed. DCF adsorption onto the studied materials correspond to a chemisorption, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model describing the most accurately the experimental data. DCF adsorption onto the studied materials occurs as a heterogeneous process, with the experimental data fitting best with the SIPS isotherm. The sample obtained through cosynthesis developed a maximum adsorption capacity of 648 mg/g.     

Decomposition of the Space of Regular Operators

Let E be a directed vector space with the Riesz decomposition property and F be a complete v?ctor lattice. It is proved that if G is a solid subspace of E then the subspace of all regular operators annihilating on G is a component in the space of all regular operators from E into F.¹²     

Spectroscopic study on nystatin conformational modifications generated by its interaction with the solvent

Conformational transformations of the tetraenic nystatin chromophore under the influence of solvents and UV irradiation have been studied by absorption, fluorescence and wide-line NMR spectroscopy.     

Electron impact mass spectrometry of phenyl thiophosphoroorganic amides

The interpretation of the electron impact mass spectra of methyl phenyl phosphinomorpholinylamidothioate, O-methyl phenyl phosphonomorpholinylamidothioate, phenyl phosphonomorpholinylamidochloridothioate and O-ethyl phenyl phosphonomorpholinyhimidothioate is presented. Elucidation of the fragmentation pathways was aided by exact mass measurements and observation of peaks due to metastable transitions detected for the first and last of the above compounds.