TDAG51 deficiency promotes oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through the generation of reactive oxygen species in mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Apoptosis has an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis in cellular stress responses such as inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and oxidative stress. T-cell death-associated gene 51 (TDAG51) is a member of the pleckstrin homology-like domain family and was first identified as a pro-apoptotic gene in T-cell receptor-mediated cell death. However, its pro-apoptotic function remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the role of TDAG51 in oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). TDAG51 expression was highly increased by oxidative stress responses. In response to oxidative stress, the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species was significantly enhanced in TDAG51-deficient MEFs, resulting in the activation of caspase-3. Thus, TDAG51 deficiency promotes apoptotic cell death in MEFs, and these results indicate that TDAG51 has a protective role in oxidative stress-induced cell death in MEFs.     

Direct Oxidation of N‐Benzylamides to Aldehydes or Ketones by N‐Bromosuccinimide

A simple and efficient approach for the one‐pot transformation of N‐benzylamides to aldehydes or ketones under mild conditions was reported. All the 20 substrates gave moderate to excellent oxidative yields under the optimized conditions. Our study may provide a new approach for the one‐pot synthesis of aldehydes or ketones from the corresponding amides.     

Liquid crystal parameters through image analysis

A technique which combines image analysis and polarising optical microscope (POM) is a useful tool for the physical investigation of discotic liquid crystals, such as hexabutoxytriphenylene and hexahexyloxytriphenylene. This investigation includes the phase transitions, optical properties and order parameter as a function of temperature. Textures of discotic liquid crystals are captured as a function of temperature using POM. These microscopic textures are analysed using MATLAB software to compute statistical parameters, Legendre moments, optical parameters and order parameters of discotic liquid crystal samples. Compared with other techniques in the literature, the proposed methodology is a reliable and very simple technique for the physical investigation of liquid crystals.     

Heterocyclic benzothiazole-based liquid crystals: synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Two homologous series of 2-(4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles and 2-(2-hydroxy-4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles were synthesised and characterised. Their molecular structures differed wherein the latter comprised a lateral hydroxyl group, unlike the former. Spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, ¹H & ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry together with elemental analysis were employed to elucidate the molecular structures. The transition temperatures and their mesophases were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarising microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Members with decanoyloxy till hexadecanoloxy chain in the series without the lateral hydroxyl group each exhibited a smectic A phase, while those in the series with the lateral hydroxyl group were non-mesogenic. The mesomorphic properties of the present series were compared with other structurally related series to establish the chemical structure–mesomorphic properties relationship.     

Synthesis of new schiff base ester liquid crystals with a benzothiazole core

A series of new calamitic liquid crystals, 6-methoxy-2-(4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles, comprising a benzothiazole core, terminal methoxy group and a Schiff base linkage were synthesised and characterised. This series comprises 12 members wherein members differ by the length of the alkanoyloxy chain (C _n-1H_2n-1COO-, where n?=?2–8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18). Their mesomorphic properties were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarising microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The short chain derivatives (n?=?2 and 3) were non-mesogenic compounds, while an enantiotropic nematic phase was present throughout the remaining members of the series. The smectic C phase emerged from the decanoyloxy derivative onwards.     

Optical properties of a mesogen by image analysis

An image analysis technique in conjunction with polarising optical microscopy (POM) is proposed for assessment of the thermo-optical properties of homogeneously aligned chiral ester liquid crystals of the type ((S)-(-)-2-methylbutyl 4′-(4″-n-alkanoyloxybenzoyloxy) biphenyl-4-carboxylates, where n?=?16 or 18. Chiral ester textures are recorded as a function of temperature using POM provided with a hot-stage and a high-resolution colour camera. Temperature-dependent optical parameters, or thermo-optical properties such as optical transmission, degree of polarisation, absorption coefficient and birefringence are computed for chiral esters by analysing the texture of samples using MATLAB software. This is a simple experimental technique for observing how the optical parameters of liquid crystals change with temperature.     

Biological Removal of Phosphate at Low Concentrations Using Recombinant Escherichia coli Expressing Phosphate-Binding Protein in Periplasmic Space

During wastewater treatment, phosphate removal is an important and challenging process; thus, diverse technologies, including those derived from biological means, have been devised for efficient phosphate removal. Although conventional biological methods are effective in decreasing wastewater phosphate levels to ~1 mg/L, long periods of microbial adaptation are required for effective phosphate removal, and the removal efficiency of these methods is relatively poor at lower phosphate concentrations. In the present work, we constructed a recombinant Escherichia coli with periplasmic-expressed phosphate-binding protein (PBP) and investigated its biological removal ability for low phosphate levels. We found that the PBP-expressing recombinant E. coli cells showed efficient (> 94 %) removal of phosphate at low concentrations (0.2–1.0 mg/L) in a treated cell mass-dependent manner. Collectively, we propose that our PBP-expressing recombinant whole-cell system could be successfully used during wastewater treatment for the biological removal of low concentrations of phosphate.     

Ultrasound-Enhanced Recovery of Butanol/ABE by Pervaporation

The search for renewable sources of energy has led to renewed interests on the biochemical route for the production of butanol. Butanol production suffers from several drawbacks, mainly caused by butanol inhibition to the butanol-producing microorganism which makes it economically uncompetitive against the chemical process. One possible solution proposed is the in situ recovery of acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE). Among the in situ recovery options, membrane processes like pervaporation have a great potential. Thus, the effects of temperature, feed concentration, and ultrasound irradiation on permeate concentration and permeation flux for the recovery of butanol/ABE by pervaporation from aqueous solutions were investigated in this study. In the butanol–water system, permeate butanol concentration as well as flux increased with an increase in temperature and butanol feed concentration. When pervaporation studies with ABE–water mixture were carried out at 60 °C for 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h, pervaporation profile revealed an optimal permeate concentration as well as permeation flux. Applications of ultrasound irradiation on pervaporation improved permeate concentration by about 23 g/L for both butanol and ABE. Ultrasound irradiation also improved butanol and ABE mass permeation flux by about 13 and 11 %, respectively.     

Production from ilmenite of TiO2-supported catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

Economic production of titanium dioxide (yield >98 %) from ilmenite has been achieved by use of a modified sulfate reduction process. A series of samples were prepared by varying the concentration of titanium dioxide nuclei (0.2, 0.3, and 0.6 %) and further impregnation with antimony and vanadia. The structural and acidic properties of the samples were comprehensively studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, BJH pore size distribution, and temperature-programmed desorption of NH₃. The XRD results revealed the presence of intense peaks from anatase titanium dioxide. Enhancement of surface area was observed for second-time filtered samples, possibly because of loss of iron from the bulk. As a result, formation of additional micropores was apparent from N₂ adsorption and desorption isotherms. Among all the antimony and vanadia-doped samples, the first-time filtered sample with the low concentration of nuclei (0.2 %) had the highest catalytic activity at low temperatures, owing to its larger pore size and abundant acidic species.     

Instant Visual Detection of Picogram Levels of Trinitrotoluene by Using Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework Gel‐Coated Filter Paper

There is an ongoing need for explosive detection strategies to uncover threats to human security including illegal transport and terrorist activities. The widespread military use of the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT) for landmines poses another particular threat to human health in the form of contamination of the surrounding environment and groundwater. The detection of explosives, particularly at low picogram levels, by using a molecular sensor is seen as an important challenge. Herein, we report on the use of a fluorescent metal–organic framework hydrogel that exhibits a higher detection capability for TNT in the gel state compared with that in the solution state. A portable sensor prepared from filter paper coated by the hydrogel was able to detect TNT at the picogram level with a detection limit of 1.82 ppt (parts per trillon). Our results present a simple and new means to provide selective detection of TNT on a surface or in aqueous solution, as afforded by the unique molecular packing through the metal–organic framework structure in the gel formation and the associated photophysical properties. Furthermore, the rheological properties of the MOF‐based gel were similar to those of a typical hydrogel.