Performance of Pleurotus ostreatus Mushrooms and Spent Substrate for the Biosorption of Cd(II) From Aqueous Solution

The capacities of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom and spent substrate were evaluated for the biosorption of cadmium (II) from aqueous solution in order to select the most efficient material for bioremediation. The optimum sorption conditions were optimized, including the pH of the aqueous solution, contact time, biomass dosage, initial metal concentration, and temperature. The sorption of cadmium on both biosorbents was also evaluated by several kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic models. The possible heavy metal biosorption mechanisms were evaluated through point of zero charge (pH_pzc), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX). Based on the results of column studies, the effectiveness of the P. ostreatus spent substrate was confirmed as a biosorbent for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions.     

Thermal,spectral and biological characterisation of copper(II) complexes with isoniazid-based hydrazones

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - A series of complexes [Cu(L)(CH3COO)2]·nH2O (L: isonicotinic acid 2-(2-hydroxy-8-substituted-tricyclo[7.3.1.02.7]tridec-13-ylidene)-hydrazones)...     

Magnetic characterization of some nanometric iron oxides

Nanosized magnetite particles embedded in polypyrrole matrix have been studied by Mössbauer and electron magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Comparison with as grown magnetite is made. Hyperfine fields distribution is determined and line shape of resonance curves are discussed in terms of composite structure, sizes and treatments.     

Fluorescent Phthalocyanine-Encapsulated Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles: Their Deployment as Therapeutic Agents in the NIR Region

In recent times, researchers have aimed for new strategies to combat cancer by the implementation of nanotechnologies in biomedical applications. This work focuses on developing protein-based nanoparticles loaded with a newly synthesized NIR emitting and absorbing phthalocyanine dye, with photodynamic and photothermal properties. More precisely, we synthesized highly reproducible bovine serum albumin-based nanoparticles (75% particle yield) through a two-step protocol and successfully encapsulated the NIR active photosensitizer agent, achieving a good loading efficiency of 91%. Making use of molecular docking simulations, we confirm that the NIR photosensitizer is well protected within the nanoparticles, docked in site I of the albumin molecule. Encouraging results were obtained for our nanoparticles towards biomedical use, thanks to their negatively charged surface (−13.6 ± 0.5 mV) and hydrodynamic diameter (25.06 ± 0.62 nm), favorable for benefitting from the enhanced permeability and retention effect; moreover, the MTT viability assay upholds the good biocompatibility of our NIR active nanoparticles. Finally, upon irradiation with an NIR 785 nm laser, the dual phototherapeutic effect of our NIR fluorescent nanoparticles was highlighted by their excellent light-to-heat conversion performance (photothermal conversion efficiency 20%) and good photothermal and size stability, supporting their further implementation as fluorescent therapeutic agents in biomedical applications.     

Raman Micro-Spectroscopy of Dental Pulp Stem Cells: An Approach to Monitor the Effects of Cone Beam Computed Tomography Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular and biochemical changes in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) due to consecutive low-dose ionizing radiation exposures using label-free Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS). Ionizing radiation produces biological damage leading to health effects of varying severity. The effects and subsequent health implications caused by exposure to low-dose radiation, such as diagnostic exposure, remain ambiguous. We identified Raman biomarkers characteristic to low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) irradiation of the DPSCs. The biomarkers were monitored inside the cells using the relative intensity distribution of the 785 and 1734?cm^?1 bands. The control cells presented a higher relative intensity of the nucleic acid specific Raman bands, whereas the irradiated cells revealed an increased intensity of the lipid-induced bands. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the capability of RMS for the detection of cell response to diagnostic radiation dose levels. This may indicate the potential of the technique for future applications such as monitoring the radiation responses in pediatric patients suffering repeated radiological exposures.     

Ethylethanolammonium 4-nitrobenzoate

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the present studies, the thermal behaviour of NaUO2BO3 has been investigated. This compound is a potential product of interaction between the...     

Characterization of the complexing agents’ influence on bioscouring cotton fabrics by FT-IR and TG/DTG/DTA analysis

The nature of the complexing agents used in the bioscouring process of cotton fabrics aiming to eliminate the non-cellulosic compounds (pectin, waxes, etc.) and to improve the hydrophilic and wetting properties influences the thermal behaviour and the FT-IR spectra of the textile materials. In this paper, we study the influence of the experimental conditions and complexing agent nature (sodium citrate or disodium EDTA salt) on the pectin elimination in bioscouring treatment of cotton fabric by FT-IR and TG/DTG/DTA analysis. The changes from FT-IR spectra of the specific bands (absorbance intensity at 2916, 2852, 1732 and 1640/1642 cm^?1) were evaluated. The thermal behaviour of the investigated samples’ fabric by using TG/DTG/DTA analysis was studied at 30–600 °C temperature range, in air atmosphere. All samples showed three mass-loss steps due to the elimination of humidity, decomposition of the non-cellulosic and cellulosic components (main degradation stage of the samples) and thermo-oxidative decomposition of the formed degradation products. The T_onset values corresponding to the main decomposition step, the mass-loss values (%Δm) and the % residual mass (at 600 °C) were influenced by the complexing agent nature as well as the concentration and the action time of the commercial enzyme product. In addition, the calcium content of some samples treated with and without ultrasound was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy method (AAS) in order to correlate the results with TG/DTG/DTA analysis. The obtained results have shown that the synergistic action of experimental conditions (enzyme concentration, pH, enzyme product action time, ultrasound) and the presence of sodium citrate as a biodegradable complexing agent led to the elimination of a higher amount of pectin from the cotton samples than that eliminated when using EDTA.     

Spectral,thermal and biological characterization of complexes with a Schiff base bearing triazole moiety as potential antimicrobial species

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - A novel series of complexes ML(ClO4)·nH2O (M: Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; HL: 2-[(E)-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol) have been synthesized and...     

The Cu- and Zn-complex-catalyzed methanolysis of the chemical warfare nerve agents soman,sarin, and VX

The catalytic methanolysis of the chemical warfare nerve agents soman, sarin, and VX was investigated by using Cu or Zn complexes. Although VX withstood decontamination, the decomposition yield being around 96%, the soman and sarin deposited on different surfaces were almost fully destroyed under ambient conditions. The catalytic tests performed on a wide range of contaminated surfaces confirm the activity of the investigated catalytic systems, these complexes being suitable, from an economical point of view, for use in the formulation of a possible decomposition kit with military or civilian applicability.     

On the actual EPR detection of thioacyl radicals

The direct EPR detection of thioacyl radicals has been reported only once, while thioacyl nitroxides remain an elusive species. We failed to detect the thioacyl radicals from two thioaldehydes and from phosphoryldithioformates but have obtained EPR evidence that thioacyl radicals react with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane to give thiocarbonyloxyaminyls rather than thioacyl nitroxides. The results of DFT calculations support this unexpected reactivity of thioacyls, while making questionable their previous EPR identification.