Synthesis, characterization and application of monocarboxy-phthalocyanine-single walled carbon nanotube conjugates in electrocatalysis

In this paper we report on the synthesis, characterization and use of monocarboxy-phthalocyanine-single walled carbon nanotube conjugates in the electrocatalysis of amitrole and diuron. UV-Vis, FTIR and XRD spectroscopies were used in the characterization of cobalt(II)-tris(benzyl-mercapto)-mono(carboxyphenoxy)-phthalocyanine conjugates (CoMCPc-PA-SWCNT(linked)), while AFM was used to show changes in surface morphologies of the modified electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used for the electrocatalytic oxidation of amitrole and diuron on the modified glassy carbon electrode. The catalytic rate constants for amitrole and diuron were found to be 1.83 × 10⁶ and 1.99 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The linear range for both was 1.0 × 10⁻⁵-2.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, with sensitivities of 5.10 and 3.70 A mol⁻¹ L cm⁻² for amitrole and diuron, respectively. The limits of detection were estimated to be 0.14 and 0.20 μM for amitrole and diuron, respectively, using the 3δ notation.     

Electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of benzene diamine functionalized single walled carbon nanotube-cobalt (II) tetracarboxy-phthalocyanine conjugates

In this paper we report on the synthesis and characterization of 1,4-benzene diamine (BDA) functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes linked to cobalt (II) tetracarboxy-phthalocyanine. The characterization of the conjugate was through UV-vis, FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies and by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electrochemical methods. The conjugate is used for the electrochemical characterization of diuron. The catalytic rate constant for diuron was 4.4×10(3)M(-1)s(-1) and the apparent electron transfer rate constant was 18.5×10(-6)cms(-1). The linear dynamic range was 1.0×10(-5)-2.0×10(-4)M, with a sensitivity of ～0.42Amol(-1)Lcm(-2) and a limit of detection of 0.18μM using the 3δ notation.     

Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon–ethylenediamine–cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine conjugate for catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid

We report on the synthesis and characterization of activated carbon–ethylenediamine–cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine conjugate (AC–CONHCH₂CH₂NH₂–CoPc) and its electrocatalytic behavior for oxidation of ascorbic acid. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies, and cyclic and square-wave voltammetry were used to characterize the electrode modifiers and modified glassy carbon electrode. The limit of detection was found to be 0.26 µm using 3δ notation. The linear dynamic range was from 1.5 × 10^?4 to 1 × 10^?2 M with electrode sensitivity of 0.01 A mol^?1 L cm^?2. A Tafel slope of 200.8 mV decade^?1 was found. The concentration of ascorbic acid in the tablet was 0.034 M. Oxalic acid showed no interference in ascorbic acid determination.     

Degenerations of cubic threefolds and matroids

We present a surprising connection between cubic threefolds and the well-known regular matroid by making use of intermediate Jacobians of cubic threefolds realized as Prym varieties. As a corollary we obtain a new proof of the nonrationality of generic cubic threefolds.

     

A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Resveratrol Supplementation on Markers of Renal Function and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Hypoglycemic Therapy

Evidence on the beneficial effects of resveratrol supplementation on cardiovascular disease-related profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is conflicting, while its impact on renal function and blood pressure measurements remains to be established in these patients. The current meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the impact of resveratrol supplementation on markers of renal function and blood pressure in patients with T2D on hypoglycemic medication. Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched for eligible studies from inception up to June 2020. The random and fixed effects model was used in the meta-analysis. A total of five RCTs met the inclusion criteria and involved 388 participants with T2D. Notably, most of the participants were on metformin therapy, or metformin in combination with other hypoglycemic drugs such as insulin and glibenclamide. Pooled estimates showed that resveratrol supplementation in patients with T2D lowered the levels of fasting glucose (SMD: −0.06 [95% CI: −0.24, 0.12]; I² = 4%, p = 0.39) and insulin (SMD: −0.08 [95% CI: −0.50, 0.34], I² = 73%, p = 0.002) when compared to those on placebo. In addition, supplementation significantly lowered systolic blood pressure (SMD: −5.77 [95% CI: −8.61, −2.93], I² = 66%, p = 0.02) in these patients. Although resveratrol supplementation did not affect creatinine or urea levels, it reduced the total protein content (SMD: −0.19 [95% CI: −0.36, −0.02]; I² = 91%, p = 0.001). In all, resveratrol supplementation in hypoglycemic therapy improves glucose control and lowers blood pressure; however, additional evidence is necessary to confirm its effect on renal function in patients with T2D.     

Porphyrin Nanorods Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Electrocatalysis of Dioxygen,Methanol and Hydrazine

Porphyrin nanorods (PNR) were prepared by ionic self‐assembly of two oppositely charged porphyrin molecules consisting of free base meso‐tetraphenylsulfonate porphyrin (H₄TPPS₄^2?) and meso‐tetra(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl) porphyrin (MTMePyP⁴⁺M=Sn, Mn, In, Co). These consist of H₄TPPS₄^2?? SnTMePyP⁴⁺, H₄TPPS₄^2?? CoTMePyP⁴⁺, H₄TPPS₄^2?? InTMePyP⁴⁺ and H₄TPPS₄^2?? MnTMePyP⁴⁺ porphyrin nanorods. The absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of these structures were obtained. These porphyrin nanostructures were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, and the oxidation of hydrazine and methanol at low pH. The cyclic voltammogram of PNR‐modified GCE in pH 2 buffer solution has five irreversible processes, two distinct reduction processes and three oxidation processes. The porphyrin nanorods modified GCE produce good responses especially towards oxygen reduction at ?0.50 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M KCl). The process of electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol using PNR‐modified GCE begins at 0.71 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M KCl). The electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine began at around 0.36 V on H₄TPPS₄^2?? SnTMePyP⁴⁺ modified GCE. The GCE modified with H₄TPPS₄^2?? CoTMePyP⁴⁺ H₄TPPS₄^2?? InTMePyP⁴⁺ and H₄TPPS₄^2?? MnTMePyP⁴⁺ porphyrin nanorods began oxidizing hydrazine at 0.54 V, 0.59 V and 0.56 V, respectively.     

The Potential Role of Polyphenols in Modulating Mitochondrial Bioenergetics within the Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Models

Polyphenols are naturally derived compounds that are increasingly being explored for their various health benefits. In fact, foods that are rich in polyphenols have become an attractive source of nutrition and a potential therapeutic strategy to alleviate the untoward effects of metabolic disorders. The last decade has seen a rapid increase in studies reporting on the bioactive properties of polyphenols against metabolic complications, especially in preclinical models. Various experimental models involving cell cultures exposed to lipid overload and rodents on high fat diet have been used to investigate the ameliorative effects of various polyphenols against metabolic anomalies. Here, we systematically searched and included literature reporting on the impact of polyphenols against metabolic function, particularly through the modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics within the skeletal muscle. This is of interest since the skeletal muscle is rich in mitochondria and remains one of the main sites of energy homeostasis. Notably, increased substrate availability is consistent with impaired mitochondrial function and enhanced oxidative stress in preclinical models of metabolic disease. This explains the general interest in exploring the antioxidant properties of polyphenols and their ability to improve mitochondrial function. The current review aimed at understanding how these compounds modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics to improve metabolic function in preclinical models on metabolic disease.     

Miniaturized pipette‐tip‐based electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers for the micro‐solid‐phase extraction of nitro‐based explosive compounds

In this study, a self‐assembly of miniaturized pipette‐tip‐based solid‐phase extraction for the simultaneous extraction of nitroaromatic compounds was developed, with electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers used as sorbents. The electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR analysis and surface area analysis. Good linearities for the four nitroaromatic compounds (2,6‐dinitrotoluene, 2‐nitrotoluene, 3‐nitrotoluene, and 4‐nitrotoluene) were obtained in a range of 250–1000 μg/L with coefficients of determination > 0.99. The limits of detection of these analytes were between 21 and 38 μg/L. The results showed that the pipette‐tip‐based solid‐phase extraction was effective in extracting nitrotoluenes in the pH regime of environmental interest (≈ 6). The investigation also revealed that the optimum mass of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers sorbent was 15 mg and 20 aspirating/dispensing cycles gave the maximum recovery of nitrotoluenes with 200 μL acetonitrile as the best eluting solvent. Moreover, the performance of the present method was studied for the extraction and determination of nitroaromatic compounds in real environmental water samples and good recoveries ranging from 70 to 115% were found, and respective relative standard deviations of <12% were obtained.