Electrical probing of endothelial cell behaviour on a fibronectin/polystyrene/thiol/gold electrode by Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique has been shown to be an effective tool for monitoring endothelial cell behaviour on a multilayer functionalised gold electrode. Polystyrene, a reproducible model substrate, is deposited as a thin layer on a thiol functionalised gold electrode. Fibronectin, a protein promoting endothelial cell adhesion, is then adsorbed on the polystyrene surface. The different steps of this multilayer assembly are characterized by Faradaic impedance. The charge transfer resistance and the capacitance for the total layer are modified at each step according to the electrical properties of each layer. This gives the endothelial cells' electrical state in terms of its resistive and capacitive properties. In this study, the endothelial cell layer presents a specific charge transfer resistance equal to 1.55 kOmega cm(2) with no large defects in the cell layer, and a specific capacitance equal to few microF cm(-2) explained by the existence of pseudopods. These electrical properties are correlated to the endothelial cell viability, adhesion and cytoskeleton organization.     

Chemical compounds from Phoenician juniper berries (Juniperus phoenicea)

Natural chemical compounds are a widely researched topic worldwide because of their potential activity against cerebrovascular diseases. Chemicals from Juniperus phoenicea berries are reported in this study. Lipids (11%) from seeds are mainly unsaturated (86%). Minerals are also quantified like Na (63.8?mg per 100?g?DW) or K (373.9?mg per 100?g?DW). Total reduced sugars are ca 192.6?mg?g(-1)?DW. Polyphenols and flavonoids from berries are highly present with an average of 1764?±?174.3?mg gallic acid per 100?g?DW and 890?±?47.6?mg rutin per 100?g?DW, respectively. Mean free radical scavenging activities, determined by DPPH and ABTS, are 1337?±?126.2?mM TEAC per 100?g?DW and 1105.7?±?95.9?mM TEAC per 100?g?DW, respectively. All findings improve the possible presence of biologically active fractions in phytocomplex that could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.     

Synthesis and surface-active properties of the fatty acid N-methylethylolamides and their phosphate derivatives

N-Methylethylolamides have been synthesized on the basis of vegetable oils (corn, coconut, canola, olive, cotton-seed, and palm) and modified with orthophosphoric acid. The structure of the synthesized N-methylethylolamides and their phosphate derivatives has been identified by IR and NMR spectroscopies. Surface activity of the N-methylethylolamides and their derivatives at the water–air border has been determined and their colloidal-chemical parameters (maximum surface excess concentration and minimum area per molecule at the aqueous solution–air interface, surface pressure at the critical micellization concentration (CMC), standard thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and micellization) have been calculated. The character of influence of the surfactants structure on their colloidal-chemical parameter has been clarified. The petroleum-collecting and petroleum-dispersing capacities of the synthesized surfactants have been studied on the surface of the water of various mineralization degrees.     

Characterization of imazamox degradation by-products by using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

The photodecomposition of imazamox, a herbicide of the imidazolinone family, was investigated in pure water. The main photoproducts from the photolysis were followed over time by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and structures were proposed from exact mass determinations obtained by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The method comprised exact mass determination with better than 0.2 ppm mass accuracy and a corresponding structural visualization taking care of respective isotopes with an adapted van Krevelen diagram that enabled a systematic approach to the characterisation of the elementary composition of each photoproduct. By taking advantage of the high resolving power of FT-ICR MS to make precise formula assignments, the derived 2D van Krevelen diagram (O/C; H/C; m/z) enabled one to structurally differentiate the formed photoproducts and to propose a degradation pathway for imazamox. Figure Overview of applied method to analyse the photolysis process of imazamox herbicide     

Effect of Al and Ce on Zr-pillared bentonite and their performance in catalytic oxidation of phenol

Catalysts based on pillared clays with Zr and/or Al and Ce–Zr and/or Al polycations have been synthesized from a Tunisian bentonite and tested in catalytic oxidation of phenol at 298 K. The Zr-pillared clay showed higher activity than the Al-one in phenol oxidation. Mixed Zr–Al pillars lead to an enhancement of the catalytic activity due to the modification of the zirconium properties. The clays modified with Ce showed high conversions of phenol and TOC thus showing to be very selective towards the formation of CO₂ and H₂O.