Nanocatalyst-based assay using DNA-conjugated Au nanoparticles for electrochemical DNA detection

Compared to enzymes, Au nanocatalysts show better long-term stability and are more easily prepared. Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used as catalytic labels to achieve ultrasensitive DNA detection via fast catalytic reactions. In addition, magnetic beads (MBs) are employed to permit low nonspecific binding of DNA-conjugated AuNPs and to minimize the electrocatalytic current of AuNPs as well as to take advantage of easy magnetic separation. In a sandwich-type electrochemical sensor, capture-probe-conjugated MBs and an indium-tin oxide electrode modified with a partially ferrocene-modified dendrimer act as the target-binding surface and the signal-generating surface, respectively. A thiolated detection-probe-conjugated AuNP exhibits a high level of unblocked active sites and permits the easy access of p-nitrophenol and NaBH 4 to these sites. Electroactive p-aminophenol is generated at these sites and is then electrooxidized to p-quinoneimine at the electrode. The p-aminophenol redox cycling by NaBH 4 offers large signal amplification. The nonspecific binding of detection-probe-conjugated AuNPs is lowered by washing DNA-linked MB-AuNP assemblies with a formamide-containing solution, and the electrocatalytic oxidation of NaBH 4 by AuNPs is minimized because long-range electron transfer between the electrode and the AuNPs bound to MBs is not feasible. The high signal amplification and low background current enable the detection of 1 fM target DNA.     

High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Method for Analysis of Racecadotril in the Bulk Drug

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A new simple, rapid, reproducible, and stability-indicatiiig highperformance thin-layer chromatographic method for analysis of...     

Antioxidant,Anti-inflammatory and Biosorption Properties of Starch Nanocrystals In Vitro Study: Cytotoxic and Phytotoxic Evaluation

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and biosorption properties of starch nanocrystals (SNC). The characterization of synthesized SNC was done using various analytical techniques like microscopic and spectroscopic analysis. The antioxidant property was determined using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and metal ion chelating assay. SNC showed the highest scavenging activity of 70.03?±?0.74% at 100 µg/mL concentration. Protein denaturation assay and proteinase inhibitory assay depicted the anti-inflammatory property of SNC. The results revealed that the maximum inhibition activity was found at 100 µg/mL with 72.71% inhibition. The maximum removal efficiency was found to be 83.42% at pH 2.0 with 0.15 g biosorbent. As the pH increases, biosorption capacity of SNC were reduced from 8.17 to 6.30 mg/g and the efficiency of the dye removal was decreased from 80.95 to 36.01%. The shape of synthesized SNC was spherical nanoplatelets and it shows agglomeration. The Langmuir isotherm model is best suited for the biosorption experiments with the R2 value of 0.986. SNC were subjected to cytotoxic and phytotoxic evaluation. Cell viability and phytotoxic assays proves the non-toxic nature of the SNC.

     

Charge carrier decay and diffusion in organic–inorganic CH3NH3PbI3–xClx perovskite based solar cell

In recent years, organic–inorganic lead halides attracted widespread interest, mainly due to their impressive photoconversion properties and low‐cost solution processing. In this study, we employed small amplitude transient photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopy to investigate charge transport and recombination properties of perovskite CH₃NH₃PbI_3–xCl_x solar cell under realistic light harvesting conditions (<1 sun). Cell structure resembles outlay commonly found in organic photovoltaics, with perovskite absorber being sandwiched between two thin layers of organic polymers. Tested device displayed high power conversion efficiency (10.3%), good fill factor and negligible hysteresis effect. Fundamental device parameters were characterized at various open‐circuit voltages (V_oc) by examination of small voltage and current perturbations created by the low intensity pulsed laser excitations. The obtained results exhibit long charge carrier lifetimes and fast charge transport over the full range of applied optical bias, as well as remarkable diffusion lengths exceeding 1 μm. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electrical switching studies on As<Subscript>40</Subscript>Te<Subscript>60-x</Subscript>Se<Subscript>x</Subscript> and As<Subscript>35</Subscript>Te<Subscript>65-x</Subscript>Se<Subscript>x</Subscript> glasses

The I–V characteristics of bulk As₄₀Te_60-xSe_x and As₃₅Te_65-xSe_x glasses have been studied with a current sweep of 0–18 mA-0, over a wide range of compositions (4≤x≤22). All the glasses studied showed a threshold electrical switching behaviour. The number of switching cycles withstood by the samples has been found to depend on the ON-state current. It is seen that the switching voltages increase with increase in selenium content. Further, the switching voltages are found to be almost independent of the thickness of the sample (d), in the range 0.18–0.3 mm. Also, the switching voltages and the number of switching cycles withstood by the samples are found to decrease with temperature. Received: 6 November 2002 / Accepted: 8 November 2002 / Published online: 29 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +91-80/360-0135, E-mail: sasokan@isu.iisc.ernet.in     

Synthesis, growth, structural, spectroscopic and optical studies of a new semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal: L-valine hydrochloride

Single crystals of a new semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, L-valine hydrochloride (LVHCl), having dimensions up to 20 mm x 6 mm x 4 mm have been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm that the grown crystal belongs to the monoclinic system. The functional groups presented in the crystal were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. Optical transmission spectrum shows very low absorption in the entire visible region. Differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses confirmed that the crystal is stable up to 211 degrees C. The powder second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of LVHCl is 1.7 times efficient as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).     

Anomalous association and fluorophore influence on the position of dimethylaniline in micelles: fluorescence quenching of 1,8-acridinedione

Fluorescence quenching of 9,10-dimethyl-3, 4,6,7,9,10-hexahydro-1,8(2H,5H) acridinedione (ADD) dye by N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) in SDS and CTAB were studied by steady state fluorescence and time resolved techniques. The Stern-Volmer plots for the quenching of ADD by DMA is found to be linear and the Stern-Volmer constant K(SV) depends on the micellar concentration. The fluorescence quenching analysis reveals the binding of DMA with the micelles. The perturbation of the probe on the position of DMA molecule in micelle is inferred in the present investigation. The ADD fluorophore drives the DMA molecule into the non-polar region (core) of the micelle whereas other fluorophores like pyrene and rhodamine6G do not affect the position of DMA. In this report, the importance of the nature of fluorophores in determining the position and association of the quencher molecules in the aggregated systems is being discussed.