Detection of Single Quantum Dots in Model Systems with Sheet Illumination Microscopy

Single molecule detection and tracking provides at times the only possible method to observe the interactions of low numbers of biomolecules, inlcuding DNA, receptors and signal mediating proteins in living systems. However, most existing imaging methods do not enable both high sensitivity and non-invasive imaging of large specimens. In this study we report a new setup for selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), which enables fast imaging and single molecule tracking with the resolution of confocal microscopy and the optical penetration beyond 300 μm. We detect and report our instrumental figures of merit, control values of fluorescence properties of single nano crystals in comparison to both standard widefield configurations, and also values of nanocrystals in multicellular “fruiting bodies” of Dictyostelium, an excellent control as a model developmental system. In the Dictyostelium , we also report some of our first tracking of single nanocrystals with SPIM. The new SPIM setup represents a new technique, which enables fast single molecule imaging and tracking in living systems.     

Multiple Spectroscopic,Docking and Cytotoxic Study of a Synthesized 2,2′ Bipyridin Phenyl Isopentylglycin Pt(II) Nitrate Complex: Human Serum Albumin and Breast Cancer Cell Line of MDA-MB231 as Targets

In the present study, the biological activities of a new synthesized Pt(II)-complex, 2,2′ bipyridinphenyl isopentylglycin Pt(II) nitrate was investigated via its interaction with the most important blood carrier protein of human serum albumin (HSA), using fluorescence and Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic techniques and also molecular docking. Moreover, cytotoxicity activity of the complex was studied against breast cancer cell line of MDA MB231 using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The Pt(II)-complex has a strong ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA through a static quenching mechanism. According fluorescence quenching data, the binding parameters of the interaction were calculated and showed that hydrophobic interaction has an important role. The molecular docking results in coherent with fluorescence measurements illustrated that Pt(II) complex can bind to HSA at one position that located in the hydrophobic cavity of groove between drug site I and II. Also, experimental data on driving force in binding site was confirmed whereas theoretical results demonstrated Pt(II) complexinteract to HSA by hydrophobic interaction. Far-UV-CD results showed that Pt(II)-complex induced an increasing in the content of α-helical structure of the protein and stabilized it. Also, MTT assay represented growth inhibitory effect of the complex toward the breast cancer cell line.     

Aggregation Behavior of pHLIP in Aqueous Solution at Low Concentrations: A Fluorescence Study

pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) is a 36-residue peptide derived from the third transmembrane helix of the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin. The hydrophobicity of this peptide makes it prone to aggregation even at low concentrations, but this has not been studied in detail. In this work, we characterized monomeric and aggregated forms of pHLIP in aqueous solution (pH 8) at low concentrations (~μM) using fluorescence-based approaches, complemented by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. We show here that monomeric and aggregated pHLIP display differential red edge excitation shift (REES) and CD spectra. These spectroscopic features allowed us to show that pHLIP aggregates even at low concentrations. A detailed knowledge of the aggregation behavior of pHLIP under these conditions will be useful for monitoring and quantifying its interaction with membranes.     

Papain Loaded Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanoparticles<Emphasis Type=Italic>: In-silico and</Emphasis><Emphasis Type=Italic>In-Vitro</Emphasis> Studies

Papain is a protease enzyme with therapeutic properties that are very valuable for medical applications. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is an ideal polymeric carrier for controlled drug delivery systems due to its low biodegradability and its high biocompatibility. In this study, the three-dimensional structure and action mechanism of papain were investigated by in vitro and in silico experiments using molecular dynamics (MD) and molecular docking methods to elucidate biological functions. The results showed that the size of papain-loaded PCL nanoparticles (NPs) and the polydispersity index (PDI) of the NPs were 242.9 nm and 0.074, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency were 80.4 and 27.2%, respectively. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were used for determining the cytotoxicity of papain-loaded PCL and PCL nanoparticles. The in vitro cell culture showed that nanoparticles are not toxic at low concentrations, while toxicity slightly increases at high concentrations. In silico studies, which were carried out with MD simulations and ADME analysis showed that the strong hydrogen bonds between the ligand and the papain provide stability and indicate the regions in which the interactions occur.     

Effect of Laser Fluence on the Structural and Optical Properties of Tantalum Oxide Films Ablated by Pulsed Laser

The influence of laser fluence on the properties of thin films of tantalum oxide is studied in this paper, varying the laser fluence from 5.7 to 8.3 J/cm². Thin films of tantalum oxide were deposited on glass substrates using pulsed-laser ablation technique. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the amorphous/nanocrystalline nature of all the films irrespective of the laser fluence. The Tauc plot analysis suggests that tantalum oxide is an indirect band gap material, whose band gap decreases with increase in laser fluence. The refractive index of the films is found to decrease with increase in laser fluence but the extinction coefficient of the films increases with increase in laser fluence. Fourier transform infrared studies suggest the use of tantalum oxide thin films as oxygen sensors. Micro-Raman analysis reveals the sensitiveness of Ta-O-Ta and Ta-O vibration modes to laser fluence. Among all the films, the film deposited at a laser fluence of 7 J/cm² is found to be superior in quality.     

Graph-Counting Polynomials for Oriented Graphs

If \(\mathcal{F}\) is a set of subgraphs F of a finite graph E we define a graph-counting polynomial \(p_\mathcal{F}(z)=\sum _{F\in \mathcal{F}}z^{|F|}\) In the present note we consider oriented graphs and discuss some cases where \(\mathcal{F}\) consists of unbranched subgraphs E. We find several situations where something can be said about the location of the zeros of \(p_\mathcal{F}\).     

Orbispaces as differentiable stratified spaces

We present some features of the smooth structure and of the canonical stratification on the orbit space of a proper Lie groupoid. One of the main features is that of Morita invariance of these structures—it allows us to talk about the canonical structure of differentiable stratified space on the orbispace (an object analogous to a separated stack in algebraic geometry) presented by the proper Lie groupoid. The canonical smooth structure on an orbispace is studied mainly via Spallek’s framework of differentiable spaces, and two alternative frameworks are then presented. For the canonical stratification on an orbispace, we extend the similar theory coming from proper Lie group actions. We make no claim to originality. The goal of these notes is simply to give a complementary exposition to those available and to clarify some subtle points where the literature can sometimes be confusing, even in the classical case of proper Lie group actions.     

Non-singular space-times with a negative cosmological constant: V. Boson stars

We prove existence of large families of solutions of Einstein-complex scalar field equations with a negative cosmological constant, with a stationary or static metric and a time-periodic complex scalar field.     

Insect growth regulatory activity of carvacrol-based 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Abstract 

In designing of novel insect growth regulators (IGRs), biologically occurring carvacrol has been structurally modified to thiadiazole and oxadiazole moieties. Two series of carvacrol analogs containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole (VIIIa–e) and 1,3,4-oxadiazole (IXa–e) derivatives are designed and synthesized. Their structures are confirmed by FT-IR, \(^{1}\text {H}\) NMR, \(^{13}\)C NMR and LC-MS. IGR activity is tested against Spodoptera litura. Several analogs displayed IGR activity against this insect pest. Compounds VIIIe and IXe displayed relatively good IGR activity with \(\text {GI}_{50 }\)values 117.43 and 108.83 ppm against Spodoptera litura, respectively.

Graphical Abstract

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of carvacrol-based 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives as potent insect growth regulators (IGRs).

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Hydrothermally grown nano-manganese oxide on clinoptilolite for low-temperature propane-selective catalytic reduction of NO<Subscript>x</Subscript>

A novel nano-size Mn_xO_y/clinoptilolite catalyst of high activity for propane-SCR reaction of NO_x at low temperatures has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method in a temperature range of 80–180 °C. The optimum synthesis temperature resulting in maximum NO_x conversion was 150 °C. An optimum manganese oxide loading of 0.2 wt.% results in the best catalytic behavior (71% NO_x conversion). All catalysts exhibited an optimal propane-SCR reaction temperature of 200 °C. The optimum catalyst produces no detectable CO (GHSV 27,000 h) at 200 °C. Manganese in the optimum catalyst exists as Mn²⁺ (37.8%), Mn³⁺ (14.2%), and Mn⁴⁺ (48%).

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Graphical abstract Flake-like manganese oxide nanostructures (indicated by an arrow in the TEM picture) next to the clinoptilolite zeolite sheet-like crystals result in a promising low-temperature propane-selective catalytic reduction of NO_x.