Functionalization of gold and silver nanoparticles with diphenyl dichalcogenides probed by surface enhanced Raman scattering

This paper describes a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) systematic investigation regarding the functionalization of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles with diphenyl dichalcogenides, i.e. diphenyl disulfide, diphenyl diselenide, and diphenyl ditelluride. Our results showed that, in all cases, functionalization took place with the cleavage of the chalcogen–chalcogen bond on the surface of the metal. According to our density functional theory calculations, the molecules assumed a tilted orientation with respect to the metal surface for both Au and Ag, in which the angle of the phenyl ring relative to the metallic surface decreased as the mass of the chalcogen atom increased. The detected differences in the ordinary Raman and SERS spectra were assigned to the distinct stretching frequencies of the carbon–chalcogen bond and its relative contribution to the ring vibrational modes. In addition, the SERS spectra showed that there was no significant interaction between the phenyl ring and the surface, in agreement with the tilted orientation observed from our density functional theory calculations. The results described herein indicate that diphenyl dichalcogenides can be successfully employed as starting materials for the functionalization of Au nanoparticles with organosulfur, organoselenium, and organotellurium compounds. On the other hand, diphenyl disulfide and diphenyl diselenide could be employed for the functionalization of Ag nanoparticles, while the partial oxidation of the organotellurium unit could be detected on the Ag surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Robust Test Statistics Based on Restricted Minimum Rényi’s Pseudodistance Estimators

The Rao’s score, Wald and likelihood ratio tests are the most common procedures for testing hypotheses in parametric models. None of the three test statistics is uniformly superior to the other two in relation with the power function, and moreover, they are first-order equivalent and asymptotically optimal. Conversely, these three classical tests present serious robustness problems, as they are based on the maximum likelihood estimator, which is highly non-robust. To overcome this drawback, some test statistics have been introduced in the literature based on robust estimators, such as robust generalized Wald-type and Rao-type tests based on minimum divergence estimators. In this paper, restricted minimum Rényi’s pseudodistance estimators are defined, and their asymptotic distribution and influence function are derived. Further, robust Rao-type and divergence-based tests based on minimum Rényi’s pseudodistance and restricted minimum Rényi’s pseudodistance estimators are considered, and the asymptotic properties of the new families of tests statistics are obtained. Finally, the robustness of the proposed estimators and test statistics is empirically examined through a simulation study, and illustrative applications in real-life data are analyzed.     

Brazilian Red Propolis Presents Promising Anti-H. pylori Activity in In Vitro and In Vivo Assays with the Ability to Modulate the Immune Response

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic, curved-rod, flagellated bacterium commonly found in the stomach mucosa and associated with different gastrointestinal diseases. With high levels of prevalence worldwide, it has developed resistance to the antibiotics used in its therapy. Brazilian red propolis has been studied due to its biological properties, and in the literature, it has shown promising antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-H. pylori from the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (CHEBRP). For this, in vitro determination of the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) and synergistic activity and in vivo, microbiological, and histopathological analyses using Wistar rats were carried out using CHEBRP against H. pylori strains (ATCC 46523 and clinical isolate). CHEBRP presented MIC/MBC of 50 and 100 μg/mL against H. pylori strains (ATCC 43526 and clinical isolate, respectively) and tetracycline MIC/MBC of 0.74 µg/mL. The association of CHEBRP with tetracycline had an indifferent effect. In the stomach mucosa of rats, all treatments performed significantly decreased the number of H. pylori, and a concentration of 300 mg/kg was able to modulate the inflammatory response in the tissue. Therefore, CHEBRP showed promising anti-H. pylori in in vitro and in vivo assays.     

The Free Radical Scavenging Property of the Leaves,Branches, and Roots of Mansoa hirsuta DC: In Vitro Assessment, 3D Pharmacophore,and Molecular Docking Study

In this work, a metabolic profile of Mansoa hirsuta was investigated, and in vitro assays and theoretical approaches were carried out to evaluate its antioxidant potential. The phytochemical screening detected saponins, organic acids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in extracts of leaves, branches, and roots. Through LC-MS analysis, the triterpenes oleanolic acid (m/z 455 [M-H]⁻) and ursolic acid (m/z 455 [M-H]⁻) were identified as the main bioactive components. The extracts of the leaves, branches, and roots revealed moderate antioxidant potential in the DPPH test and all extracts were more active in the ABTS test. The leaf extracts showed better antioxidant capacity, displaying IC₅₀ values of 43.5 ± 0.14, 63.6 ± 0.54, and 56.1 ± 0.05 µg mL⁻¹ for DPPH, ABTS, and kinetics assays, respectively. The leaf extract showed higher total flavonoid content (TFC) (5.12 ± 1.02 mg QR/g), followed by branches (3.16 ± 0.88 QR/g) and roots (2.04 ± 0.52 QR/g/g). The extract of the branches exhibited higher total phenolic content (TPC) (1.07 ± 0.77 GAE/g), followed by leaves (0.58 ± 0.30 GAE/g) and roots (0.19 ± 0.47 GAE/g). Pharmacophore and molecular docking analysis were performed in order to better understand the potential mechanism of the antioxidant activity of its major metabolites.     

Effects of the Seed Oil of Carica papaya Linn on Food Consumption,Adiposity, Metabolic and Inflammatory Profile of Mice Using Hyperlipidic Diet

Background: Studies indicate that different parts of Carica papaya Linn have nutritional properties that mean it can be used as an adjuvant for the treatment of various pathologies. Methods: The fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from the seeds of Carica papaya Linn was evaluated by gas chromatography, and an acute toxicity test was performed. For the experiment, Swiss mice were fed a balanced or high-fat diet and supplemented with saline, soybean oil, olive oil, or papaya seed oil. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed. After euthanasia, adiposity, glycemia, total cholesterol and fractions, insulin, resistin, leptin, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the histology of the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue were evaluated. Results: Papaya seed oil showed predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids in its composition. No changes were observed in the acute toxicity test. Had lower food intake in grams, and caloric intake and in the area of adipocytes without minimizing weight gain or adiposity and impacting the liver or pancreas. Reductions in total and non-HDL-c, LDL-c, and VLDL-c were also observed. The treatment had a hypoglycemic and protective effect on insulin resistance. Supplementation also resulted in higher leptin and lower insulin and cytokine resistance. Conclusions: Under these experimental conditions, papaya seed oil led to higher amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids and had hypocholesterolemic, hypotriglyceridemic, and hypoglycemic effects.     

Carbon-based materials applied to the development of chemically modified sensors: Trends to environmental applications**

Nowadays, carbon-based materials applied to the development of chemically modified sensors have been highlighted once they can generate methods with high sensitivity, stability, conductivity, accuracy and low cost. Hence, these sensors have been used in environmental monitoring in aneco-friendlyy, sensitive, fast, efficient, inexpensive and robust way. In this review, firstly we described about carbon-based materials and their derivatives, followed by the chemically modified carbon-based sensors manufacturing overview and their applications in environmental analytical chemistry related to inorganic and organic compounds determinations. Future perspectives on trends of the carbon-based materials applications in the sensor modifications are also described.