Resonant Raman spectroscopy and spectroelectrochemistry characterization of carbon nanotubes/polyaniline thin film obtained through interfacial polymerization

Thin, transparent, and self‐assembled films of neat polyaniline and polyaniline/carbon nanotube nanocomposites were deposited over glass substrates by interfacial polymerization. The effect of the carbon nanotubes on the structure and conformation of the polyaniline, and the type of interaction between the polymer and the nanotubes, have been studied by resonant Raman spectroscopy and UV–Vis and Raman spectroelectrochemistry. The results indicate clearly that the carbon nanotubes induce important changes in the electronic structure of the polymer, resulting in a more polaronic organization. Additionally, an effective interaction between the polymer and the nanotube, based on a polyaniline‐to‐nanotube charge transfer, is proposed in this work. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In Silico and Experimental Investigation of the Biological Potential of Some Recently Developed Carprofen Derivatives

The efficient regioselective bromination and iodination of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen were achieved by using bromine and iodine monochloride in glacial acetic acid. The novel halogenated carprofen derivatives were functionalized at the carboxylic group by esterification. The regioselectivity of the halogenation reaction was evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by X-ray analysis. The compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against planktonic cells and also for their anti-biofilm effect, using Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). The cytotoxic activity of the novel compounds was tested against HeLa cells. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of carprofen derivatives, as well as their toxicity, were established by in silico analyses.     

New PEPTIR-2.0 Peptide Designed for Use as Recognition Element in Electrochemical Biosensors with Improved Specificity towards E. coli O157:H7

The detection of pathogens through alternative methodologies based on electrochemical biosensors is being studied. These devices exhibit remarkable properties, such as simplicity, specificity, and high sensitivity in monitoring pathogens. However, it is necessary to continue conducting studies that adequately improve these characteristics, especially the recognition molecule. This work aims to design and evaluate a new peptide, named PEPTIR-2.0, as a recognition molecule in electrochemical biosensors to detect E. coli O157:H7 in water. PEPTIR-2.0 was obtained from modifications of the PEPTIR-1.0 peptide sequence, which was previously reported and exhibited excellent properties for detecting and quantifying this pathogenic microorganism. PEPTIR-1.0 is a peptide analogous to the TIR (Translocated Intimin Receptor) protein capable of interacting with the Intimin outer membrane. The basis of this study was to obtain, by using bioinformatics tools, a molecule analogous to PEPTIR-1.0 that maintains its three-dimensional structure but increases the hydrophobic interactions between it and Intimin, since these intermolecular forces are the predominant ones. The designed PEPTIR-2.0 peptide was immobilized on screen-printed electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles. The detection capacity of E. coli O157:H7 in water was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the presence of other microorganisms, such as P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and non-pathogenic E. coli. The results showed that PEPTIR-2.0 confers remarkable specificity to the biosensor towards detecting E. coli, even higher than PEPTIR-1.0.     

ChemInform Abstract: H2O Nucleation Around Au+

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