Stopped-flow kinetic method for the fluorimetric determination of DNA traces in biological samples based on the interaction long-wavelength fluorophor, surfactant and nucleic acid

A simple and rapid method for the determination of DNA, involving the interaction between a surfactant, a long-wavelength fluorophor (LWF) and the nucleic acid, is presented. Different chemical systems based on the local effective charge of the surfactant/LWF system with DNA were tested, choosing cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and indocyanine green (ICG) for the development of the method. The fluorescence of ICG increases in the presence of CTAB, but it rapidly decreases in the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid. The initial reaction-rate (v₀) and signal at a prefixed-time (ΔIF₂₀) are monitored at 780 and 802 nm as excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively, using stopped-flow mixing technique, which makes the method applicable to automate routine analysis. Each measurement was obtained in about 30 s, being the integration time 0.1 s. The dynamic range of the calibration graph was 10-1500 ng mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 5 ng mL⁻¹. The precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, ranged between 2.1% and 4.5%. After a sample treatment consisting on a conventional extraction, the method was applied to the determination of DNA in several samples from different biological materials.     

A General Strategy for the Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Traditional Chinese Medicines and Their Potential Application as Catalysts

Tea time! Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could be readily prepared by a general strategy involving the reduction of aqueous HAuCl₄ in the presence of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Spheroidal and triangular gold nanoparticles were observed depending on the TCM used. The strategy exemplified the universal application of plant bioresources for the synthesis of GNPs and catalytic purposes.

     

High-level expression of soluble human β-defensin-2 fused with green fluorescent protein in Escherichia coli cell-free system

Human β-defensin-2 (hBD2), a small cationic peptide, exhibits a broad range of antimicrobial activity and does not acquire any microbial resistance. To produce this uneasily detectable, degradable, and toxic polypeptide efficiently, an alternative approach based on the Escherichia coli cell-free biosynthesis system was proposed. The approach implies that a polypeptide of interest is synthesized as a fusion protein linked to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) through a cleavable spacer. With batch-mode operation, a significant amount of hBD2 fused with GFP (0.25 mg/mL) can be expressed in this cell-free system. The productivity of the fusion protein can be improved up to 1.2 mg/mL by employing a continuous-exchange cell-free system. Furthermore, the GFP moiety provides directly visible and quantitative monitoring of the polypeptide synthesis, and the product is soluble and stable. This work will be helpful in allowing the rapid and visible expression of other similar defensins using an in vitro cell-free system.     

Devisable POM/Ni Foam Composite: Precisely Control Synthesis toward Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at High pH

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are promising catalysts for the electrochemical hydrogen production from water owing to their high intrinsic catalytic activity and chemical tunability. However, poor electrical conductivity and easy detachment of the POMs from the electrode cause significant challenges under operating condition. Herein, a simple one-step hydrothermal method is reported to synthesize a series of Dexter–Silverton POM/Ni foam composites (denoted as Ni M -POM/Ni; M =Co, Zn, Mn), in which the stable linkage between the POM catalysts and the Ni foam electrodes lead to high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Among them, the highest HER performance can be observed in the NiCo-POM/Ni, featuring an overpotential of 64 mV (at 10 mA cm⁻², vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), and a Tafel slope of 75 mV dec⁻¹ in 1.0 m aqueous KOH. Moreover, the NiCo-POM/Ni catalyst showed a high faradaic efficiency ≈97 % for HER. Post-catalytic of NiCo-POM/Ni analyses showed virtually no mechanical or chemical degradation. The findings propose a facile and inexpensive method to design stable and effective POM-based catalysts for HER in alkaline water electrolysis.     

Making Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis Greener: A Review of the Literature

To date, the synthesis of peptides is concurrent with the production of enormous amounts of toxic waste. DMF, CH₂Cl₂, and NMP are three of the most toxic organic solvents used in chemical synthesis and are the most common solvents used for peptide synthesis. Additionally, concerns about the hepatotoxicity caused by exposure to DMF and from the toxic and allergenic nature of additives used in peptide synthesis necessitates the need for a green, environmentally friendly, and safer protocol for peptide synthesis. This review summarizes the current literature on green solid‐phase peptide synthesis successes and challenges encountered. The review concludes with suggestions for future research towards a simple and efficient green peptide synthesis protocol.     

The use of poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) as a scaffold for adipose stem cells in bone tissue engineering: application in a spinal fusion model

Since the early 1990s, tissue engineering has been heralded as a strategy that may solve problems associated with bone grafting procedures. The original concept of growing bone in the laboratory, however, has proven illusive due to biological, logistic, and regulatory problems. Fat-derived stem cells and synthetic polymers open new, more practicable routes for bone tissue engineering. In this paper, we highlight the potential of poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) to serve as a radiolucent scaffold in bone tissue engineering. It appears that PLCL quickly and preferentially binds adipose stem cells (ASCs), which proliferate rapidly and eventually differentiate into the osteogenic phenotype. An in vivo spinal fusion study in a goat model provides a preclinical proof-of-concept for a one-step surgical procedure with ASCs in bone tissue engineering.     

Studies of modification of HDPE and interfacial interaction of its composites with sericite

Ultraviolet irradiation, which is environment friendly and without any chemical pollution, was used to functionalize high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and to improve the interfacial interaction of its composites with sericite in this study. The oxygen‐containing groups of C?O, C‐O, and C(?O)O were quickly introduced onto molecular chains of HDPE by ultraviolet irradiation in ozone atmosphere and the contents of the introduced oxygen‐containing groups increased with increasing the modification time. It is important to note that the irradiation time greatly decreased compared to that in air or oxygen atmosphere. After modification, the molecular weight of the irradiated HDPE decreased and its distribution became wider. The irradiated HDPE in ozone was not crosslinked, which is an advantage over the same reaction in air or oxygen atmosphere. With increasing the irradiation time, the melting temperature of the irradiated HDPE lightly decreased, while its crystallinity, hydrophilicity, and fluidity increased. The composites of HDPE/sericite were prepared. The results showed that the dispersion of sericite in the matrix and the interfacial interaction of sericite with the matrix were markedly improved for the irradiated HDPE/sericite composites. As a result, the irradiated HDPE/sericite composites showed significantly increased tensile yield strength and notched impact strength. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes to Anilines in Water through Graphitic Carbon Nitride Metal‐Free Photocatalysis

Green and efficient procedures are essential for the chemoselective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes to form industrially important anilines. Herein, it is shown that visible‐light‐driven, chemoselective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes with groups sensitive to forming anilines can be achieved in good to excellent yields (82–100 %) in water under relatively mild conditions and catalyzed by low‐cost and recyclable graphitic carbon nitride. The process is also applicable to gram‐scale reaction, with a yield of aniline of 86 %. A study of the mechanism reveals that visible‐light‐induced electrons are responsible for the hydrogenation reactions, and thermal energy can also promote the photocatalytic activity. A study of the kinetics shows that this reaction possibly occurs through one‐step hydrogenation or stepwise condensation routes. A wide range of applications can be expected for this green, efficient, and highly selective photocatalysis system in reduction reactions for the synthesis of fine chemicals.     

Spectrophtometric determination of malachite green in fish farming water samples after cloud point extraction using nonionic surfactant Triton X-100

A novel and sensitive cloud point extraction procedure for the determination of trace amounts of malachite green by spectrophotometry was developed. Malachite green was extracted at pH 2.5 mediated by micelles of nonionic surfactant Triton X-100. The extracted surfactant-rich phase was diluted with ethanol and its absorbance was measured at 630 nm. The effect of different variables such as pH, Triton X-100 concentration, cloud point temperature and time and diverse ions was investigated and optimum conditions were established. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 4-500 ng mL⁻¹ of malachite green in the initial solution with r = 0.9996 (n = 10). Detection limit based on three times the standard deviation of the blank (3S_b) was 1.2 ng mL⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 20 and 300 ng mL⁻¹ of malachite green was 1.48 and 1.13% (n = 8), respectively. The method was applied to the determination of malachite green in different fish farming and river water samples.     

Heterotermetallic Indium Lithium Halostannates: Low‐Temperature Single‐Source Precursors for Tin‐Rich Indium Tin Oxides and Their Application for Thin‐Film Transistors

The syntheses and structural elucidation of dimeric [Sn(OCyHex)₂] ( 1 ), its corresponding (cyclohexoxy)alkalistannates(II) [{M(OCyHex)₃Sn}₂] (M=Li ( 2 ), Na ( 3 ), K ( 4 )), and of the first heteroleptic heterotermetallic Li/In/Sn–haloalkoxide clusters [X₂In{LiSn₂(OCyHex)₆}] (X=Br ( 5 ), Cl ( 6 )) with a double seco‐norcubane core are reported. They represent suitable precursors for new amorphous indium tin oxide (ITO) materials as transparent conducting oxides with drastically reduced concentrations of expensive indium, while maintaining their high electrical performance. In fact, compounds 5 and 6 were successfully degraded under dry synthetic air at relatively low temperature, resulting in new semiconducting tin‐rich ITOs homogeneously dispersed in a tin oxide/lithium oxide matrix. The obtained particles were investigated and characterised by different analytical techniques, such as powder XRD, IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analytical data confirm that the final materials consist of tin‐containing indium oxide embedded in an amorphous tin oxide matrix. The typical broadening and shift of the observed indium oxide reflections to higher 2θ values in the powder XRD pattern clearly indicated that tin centres were successfully incorporated into the In₂O₃ lattice and partially occupied In³⁺ sites. Investigations by EDX mapping proved that Sn was homogeneously distributed in the final materials. Thin‐film field‐effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated by spin‐coating of silicon wafers with solutions of 5 in toluene and subsequent calcination under dry air (25–700 °C). The FETs prepared with precursor 5 exhibited excellent performances, as shown by a charge‐carrier mobility of 6.36×10^?1 cm² V^?1 s (calcination at 250 °C) and an on/off current ratio of 10⁶.