Photodegradable Hydrogels for Capture,Detection, and Release of Live Cells

Cells may be captured and released using a photodegradable hydrogel (photogel) functionalized with antibodies. Photogel substrates were used to first isolate human CD4 or CD8 T‐cells from a heterogeneous cell suspension and then to release desired cells or groups of cells by UV‐induced photodegradation. Flow cytometry analysis of the retrieved cells revealed approximately 95 % purity of CD4 and CD8 T‐cells, suggesting that this substrate had excellent specificity. To demonstrate the possibility of sorting cells according to their function, photogel substrates that were functionalized with anti‐CD4 and anti‐TNF‐α antibodies were prepared. Single cells captured and stimulated on such substrates were identified by the fluorescence “halo” after immunofluorescent staining and could be retrieved by site‐specific exposure to UV light through a microscope objective. Overall, it was demonstrated that functional photodegradable hydrogels enable the capture, analysis, and sorting of live cells.     

MHD squeezing flow of second‐grade fluid between two parallel disks

This paper examines the unsteady two‐dimensional flow of a second‐grade fluid between parallel disks in the presence of an applied magnetic field. The continuity and momentum equations governing the unsteady two‐dimensional flow of a second‐grade fluid are reduced to a single differential equation through similarity transformations. The resulting differential system is computed by a homotopy analysis method. Graphical results are discussed for both suction and blowing cases. In addition, the derived results are compared with the homotopy perturbation solution in a viscous fluid (Math. Probl. Eng., DOI: 10.1155/2009/603916 ). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of novel inhibitory candidates against two major Flavivirus pathogens via CADD protocols: in silico analysis of phytochemical binding,reactivity, and pharmacokinetics against NS5 from ZIKV and DENV

Structural Chemistry - Zika and dengue virus are flaviviruses which with the passage of time have become a serious challenge affecting millions of people around the world. To lessen the impact of...     

A microwave-assisted extraction method combined with magnetic ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of chloramine–T from fish samples prior to its determination by high-performance liquid chromatography

In the present work, a combination of microwave-assisted extraction with magnetic ionic liquid–based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed for the extraction of chloramine–T from fish samples. In this method, the sample was mixed with a hydrochloric acid solution and exposed to microwave irradiations. By doing so, chloramine–T was converted to p–toluenesulfonamide and extracted from the sample into an aqueous phase. Then, a mixture of acetonitrile (as a dispersive solvent) and magnetic ionic liquid (as an extraction solvent) was rapidly injected into the obtained solution. In the following, the magnetic solvent droplets including the extracted analytes were isolated from the aqueous solution in the presence of an external magnetic field and after diluting with acetonitrile injected into high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector. Under the optimum extraction conditions, high extraction recovery (78%), low limits of detection (7.2 ng/g) and quantification (23.9 ng/g), good repeatability (relative standard deviations ≤5.8 and 6.8% for intra– and inter-day precisions, respectively), and wide linear range (23.9–1000 ng/g) were obtained. Finally, various fish samples marketed in Tabriz city (East Azarbaijan, Iran) were analyzed with the suggested method.     

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles of Psidium guajava Leaf Extract and Evaluation for Its Antidiabetic Activity

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications are a severe public health concern due to the high incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates. The present study aims to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous leaf extract of Psidium guajava (PGE) for investigating its antidiabetic activity. Psidium guajava silver nanoparticles (PGAg NPs) were prepared and characterized by various parameters. The in vivo study was conducted using PGE and PGAg NPs in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats to assess their antidiabetic properties. STZ of 55 mg/kg was injected to induce diabetes. The PGE, PGAg NPs at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard drug Metformin (100 mg/kg) were administered daily to diabetic rats for 21 days through the oral route. Blood glucose level, body weight changes, lipid profiles, and histopathology of the rats’ liver and pancreas were examined. In the diabetic rats, PGE and PGAg NPs produced a drastic decrease in the blood glucose level, preventing subsequent weight loss and ameliorating lipid profile parameters. The histopathological findings revealed the improvements in pancreas and liver cells due to the repercussion of PGE and PGAg NPs. A compelling effect was observed in all doses of PGE and PGAg NPs; however, PGAg NPs exhibited a more promising result. Thus, from the results, it is concluded that the synthesized PGAg NPs has potent antidiabetic activity due to its enhanced surface area and smaller particle size of nanoparticles.     

Photodegradable Hydrogels for Capture,Detection, and Release of Live Cells

Cells may be captured and released using a photodegradable hydrogel (photogel) functionalized with antibodies. Photogel substrates were used to first isolate human CD4 or CD8 T‐cells from a heterogeneous cell suspension and then to release desired cells or groups of cells by UV‐induced photodegradation. Flow cytometry analysis of the retrieved cells revealed approximately 95 % purity of CD4 and CD8 T‐cells, suggesting that this substrate had excellent specificity. To demonstrate the possibility of sorting cells according to their function, photogel substrates that were functionalized with anti‐CD4 and anti‐TNF‐α antibodies were prepared. Single cells captured and stimulated on such substrates were identified by the fluorescence “halo” after immunofluorescent staining and could be retrieved by site‐specific exposure to UV light through a microscope objective. Overall, it was demonstrated that functional photodegradable hydrogels enable the capture, analysis, and sorting of live cells.