Synthesis and applications of graphene oxide aerogels in bone tissue regeneration: a review

Development of biocompatible porous supports is a promising strategy in the field of tissue engineering for the repair and regeneration of bone tissues with severe damage. Graphene oxide aerogels (GOAs) are excellent candidates for the manufacture of these systems due to their porosity, ability to imitate bone structure, and mechanical resistance, and according to their surface chemical reactivity, they can facilitate osseointegration, osteogenesis, osteoinduction and osteoconduction. In this review, synthesis of GOAs from the most primary source is described, and recent studies on the use of these functionalized carbonaceous foams as scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration are presented.     

Topology optimization of composite hyperelastic material using SPIMFO-method

Meccanica - Fiber reinforced materials are used in assorted engineering application and for this reason, new additive manufacturing technologies have been developed for this type of materials. With...     

Elimination of man-made radionuclides from natural waters by applying a standard coagulation-flocculation process

We studied the effectiveness of potable water treatment processes that consist of the stages of coagulation-flocculation-decantation, using iron-based coagulants, in eliminating gamma-emitting man-made radioisotopes of cesium, strontium, and americium from two natural waters with different degrees of mineralization. The resulting decontamination was found to depend on the chemical behavior of each of the radionuclides considered, on the pH at which the process of coagulation is carried out, and on the concentration of the other stable cations present. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An improved process of separation of R- and S-timolol

Diastereomeric timolol tartrates 4 are obtained in a one-pot synthesis from the racemic base 2 and optically active O,O-diacetyl- or O,O-dibenzoyltartaric anhydrides 3 , as only one of the diastereomers precipitates from acetone solution. Acidic hydrolysis as the corresponding 4 leads to timolol in high yield and optical purity.     

Measurement of acid-catalyzed isomerization of unsaturated aldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis

Aldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones exist as (E)- and (Z)-geometrical isomers, and adventitious isomerization during sample preparation can cause analytical errors. Purified alkenal-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives comprise only the (E)-isomer. However, partial isomerization to the (Z)-isomer occurs upon addition of acid to attain an equilibrium isomer ratio. The UV-visible spectral properties of the isomers differ; the (Z)-isomer exhibiting a 6-10 nm lower absorption maximum compared to the (E)-isomer. Alkenal-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones having a CC double bond at the 2- or 3-position of the alkenal exhibited similar absorption maxima with an equilibrium isomer ratio (0.035) that was much lower than those of other alkenals. The CC double bond at the 3-position migrates to a position of conjugation with the CN double bond during hydrazone synthesis to form a stabilized molecular structure. Alkenal-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones having a double bond at the 4-position or greater exhibited a similar absorption maxima equilibrium isomer ratio (0.14) to alkanal-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones. The quantitative analysis of carbonyl compounds in air or water using DNPH is usually conducted in the presence of an acid catalyst. Consequently, the solution of the direct extract prepared for HPLC or GC analysis contains both (E)- and (Z)-isomers.     

Targeting cell surface receptors with ligand-conjugated nanocrystals

To explore the potential for use of ligand-conjugated nanocrystals to target cell surface receptors, ion channels, and transporters, we explored the ability of serotonin-labeled CdSe nanocrystals (SNACs) to interact with antidepressant-sensitive, human and Drosophila serotonin transporters (hSERT, dSERT) expressed in HeLa and HEK-293 cells. Unlike unconjugated nanocrystals, SNACs were found to dose-dependently inhibit transport of radiolabeled serotonin by hSERT and dSERT, with an estimated half-maximal activity (EC(50)) of 33 (dSERT) and 99 microM (hSERT). When serotonin was conjugated to the nanocrystal through a linker arm (LSNACs), the EC(50) for hSERT was determined to be 115 microM. Electrophysiology measurements indicated that LSNACs did not elicit currents from the serotonin-3 (5HT(3)) receptor but did produce currents when exposed to the transporter, which are similar to those elicited by antagonists. Moreover, fluorescent LSNACs were found to label SERT-transfected cells but did not label either nontransfected cells or transfected cells coincubated with the high-affinity SERT antagonist paroxetine. These findings support further consideration of ligand-conjugated nanocrystals as versatile probes of membrane proteins in living cells.     

Preferential solubilization of dodecanol from dodecanol-limonene binary oil mixture in sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate microemulsions: effect on optimum salinity and oil solubilization capacity

Solubilization of dodecanol-limonene binary oil mixtures has been studied in saturated Winsor type I and III sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate microemulsions. The systems showed different oil solubilization behavior below and above dodecanol volume fraction 0.2. Below 0.2 dodecanol volume fraction regular Winsor type microemulsions formed. The oil solubilization was characterized in this concentration range by the optimum salinity and the maximum characteristic length. Dodecanol showed Langmuirian-type surface excess adsorption at the vicinity of the surfactant layer. Variation of the optimum salinity and middle phase characteristic length with increasing dodecanol concentration could be linked to changes in the dodecanol surface excess. These relationships were used to develop new mathematical models for the optimum salinity and characteristic length as a function of oil phase composition. Both models yield excellent agreement with the data. Above dodecanol volume fraction 0.2 regular Winsor type III microemulsions are not formed. Therefore our new models are not applicable in this concentration range.     

Application of self-assembly for replacing chromate in corrosion protection of zinc

Due to the toxic and carcinogenic properties of hexavalent chromium ion, the corrosion protection with chromating technique needs replacement. Several environmentally friendly alternative metal pretreatments have already been proposed. One of these methods is the application of self-assembling molecules to form mono- or multilayers on the metal surfaces. These layers can prevent metal dissolution due to their dense and stable structure. The objective of our studies was to protect zinc surface against corrosion, with a thin phosphonate layer. Aqueous solutions of diphosphonic acid with different alkyl chain lengths were applied with different treatment times. The layer formation, stability, and corrosion protection of these films were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the effect of 1,5-diphosphono-pentane (DPP) on zinc was studied by polarization curves. The wetting properties were determined by static contact angle measurement. 1,5-Diphosphono-pentane forms a thin layer, with a pronounced protective ability in neutral aqueous solutions. The application of self-assembling molecules can be a promising method to replace the chromating technique on zinc surface.     

Rh(III), Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Au(III) complexes of 2-thiopyrimidine derivatives

Some news thiopyrimidine derivatives and complexes [4-amino-5-nitroso-6-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-thio-pyrimidine (TANH), its 2-methylthio derivative (MTH), the ammonium salt ofTANH (sTANH) and six new complexes of formulas: Rh(MT)₂Cl · 2H₂O, Pd(MTH)₂Cl₂, Pt(MTH)₂Cl₄, Au(MTH)Cl₃ Pd(TANH)₂Cl₂ and Au(TAN ^–)Cl] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and¹H-NMR spectroscopy techniques. The thermal behaviour of all compounds has also been studied.

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Rh(III), Pd(II), Pt(IV) und Au(III) Komplexe von 2-Thiopyrimidin Derivaten

Zusammenfassung Es wurden einige neue Thiopyrimidinderivate und deren Komplexe synthetisiert und mittels Elementaranalyse, IR und¹H-NMR charakterisiert: 4-Amino-5-nitroso-6-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-thio-pyrimidin (TANH), dessen 2-Methylthio-Derivat (MTH), das Ammoniumsalz vonTANH (sTANH) und sechs neue Komplexe der Formeln Rh(MT)₂Cl · 2H₂O, Pd(MTH)₂Cl₂, Pt(MTH)₂Cl₄, Au(MTH)Cl₃, Pd(TANH)₂Cl₂ und Au(TAN ^–)Cl. Das thermische Verhalten der Verbindungen wurde ebenfalls untersucht.