Usage of deep eutectic solvents for the digestion and ultrasound-assisted liquid phase microextraction of copper in liver samples

In this study, we used deep eutectic solvents for digestion and ultrasound-assisted emulsification liquid phase microextraction (UA-ELPME) of copper in liver samples. Different types of DESs were prepared for digestion and microextraction steps. DESs consisting of lactic acid and choline chloride for the digestion step and DESs consisting of tetrabuthylamonium chloride and decanoic acid for ultrasound-assisted emulsification liquid phase microextraction were used in this method. The liver samples were digested by using DES-based digestion method. After digestion step, Cu(II) ions in aqueous phase were complexed with sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamate (NaDMDTC) and the obtained hydrophobic complex was extracted to tetrabuthylamonium chloride-decanoic acid DES phase. A microsample injection system coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometer (MS-FAAS) was used in the detection of copper. LOD, LOQ, PF and % RSD were determined as 4.00, 13.2 µg L^??1, 10 and 3.2%, respectively. The proposed microextraction procedure was successfully applied to copper contents of the liver samples.     

Detection of p53 Gene by Using Genomagnetic Assay Combined with Carbon Nanotube Modified Disposable Sensor Technology

Electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization related to p53 gene sequence was investigated using genomagnetic assay combined with single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs). The hybridization was performed either at magnetic beads (MB) surface or in solution. The enhanced guanine signal was obtained using SWCNT‐PGEs compared to one obtained by unmodified PGEs. The selectivity of genomagnetic assay was tested under optimum conditions. The DLs were calculated as 0.88 µM and 0.11 µM for hybridization performed at MB surface and solution, respectively. This selective, practical and cost effective genomagnetic assay combined with SWCNT‐PGEs is reported herein for the first time.     

Some inequalities of majorization type

We show some majorization inequalities and apply them to derive norm, eigenvalue, singular value, and trace inequalities of matrices. We also present a generalization and a different proof of a recent result on majorization concerning partitioned Hermitian positive semidefinite matrices.     

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Chitosan Modified Single‐Use Biosensors for Electrochemical Monitoring of Drug‐DNA Interactions

A multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT)‐chitosan (CHIT) modified pencil graphite electrode (CNT‐CHIT/PGE) was developed for the first time herein for electrochemical monitoring of the interaction of an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (MC) and DNA. The characterization of unmodified PGE, CHIT/PGE, CNT/PGE and CHIT‐CNT/PGE were performed by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The oxidation signals of MC and guanine were measured before and after interaction at the surface of CNT‐CHIT/PGEs using differential pulse voltammetry. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique was also successfully utilized for monitoring of the interaction process at the surface of CNT‐CHIT/PGEs in different interaction times.     

On exact solutions to epidemic dynamic models

In this study, we address an SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model that is given as a system of first order differential equations and propose the SIR model on time scales which unifies and extends continuous and discrete models. More precisely, we derive the exact solution to the SIR model and discuss the asymptotic behavior of the number of susceptibles and infectives. Next, we introduce an SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) model on time scales and find the exact solution. We solve the models by using the Bernoulli equation on time scales which provides an alternative method to the existing methods. Having the models on time scales also leads to new discrete models. We illustrate our results with examples where the number of infectives in the population is obtained on different time scales.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of S-,O-Substituted Naphthoquinone Dyes

New S-,O-substituted naphthoquinone compounds (3a, 4b, 6, 7c, 9d, 10, 12, 13c, 14d, 15) were synthesized via vinilic substitution. 2,3-Dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone gave 3a and 4b with 4,4′-thiobisbenzenethiol, respectively. Compounds 6 and 7c were obtained from the reaction of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with cyclohexylmercaptane. The compounds 9d and 10 were prepared from the reaction of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with 6-mercapto-1-hexanol. Compounds 12, 13c, 14d, and 15 were synthesized from the reaction of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with 1,6-hexanedithiol. Their structures were characterized by micro analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

in vitro Selection of Aptamer for Imidacloprid Recognition as Model Analyte and Construction of a Water Analysis Platform

Pesticide use in agriculture is one of the threats to water safety. Therefore, detection of pesticide residues is crucial for human health. Compared to conventional chromatographic methods, aptasensors are promising tools for fast, cheap and sensitive detection of environmental contaminants. To the best of our knowledge, such an aptasensor has not been reported for imidacloprid (Imi) which is one of the most widely used pesticides. In order to meet this demand, we initially selected two novel aptamers designated as ‘Apta‐1’ and ‘Apta‐2’ by graphene oxide‐SELEX (GO‐SELEX) method. Then, these aptamers were used to fabricate the gold electrode‐based aptasensor platforms and characterized by using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the limit of detection value of Apta‐1 based sensor for the Imi was found better than Apta‐2 based system, although linear ranges were similar. Based on that finding, Apta‐1 based system was further tested against possible interference molecules. The proposed platform was successfully used for detection of very low concentrations of Imi in the range of ng/mL. Thus, it eliminates the need for sample pre‐treatment and enables a practical analysis in real wastewater samples.     

Effect of the presence of strong and weak electrolytes on the existence of uniaxial and biaxial nematic phases in lyotropic mixtures

The lyotropic mixture of potassium laurate/decanol/water presenting only the uniaxial nematic calamitic phase was doped with one strong (potassium chloride, KCl) and 11 weak electrolytes with phenyl-rings (DL-mandelic acid, benzoic acid, DL-phenyllactic acid, phenylacetic acid, phenol and phenylmethanol) and with cyclohexyl-ring (RS-hexahydromandelic acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, cyclohexaneacetic acid, cyclohexanol and cyclohexylmethanol), separately. We also chose two nonpolar dopant molecules, benzene and cyclohexane, for the comparison of them with weak electrolytes, since they are located in the hydrocarbon core of the micelle. The nematic phase sequences, in particular the presence of the biaxial nematic phase, were investigated as a function of the dopant molar concentration and temperature. The laser conoscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques were used to characterise the different nematic phases. Weak electrolytes having –COOH group as polar part were found to be very effective in stabilising the three nematic phases (two uniaxial and a biaxial). Guest molecules with only the –OH group did not show any effect on the stabilisation of other nematic phases. The experimental results are interpreted considering the screening effect of the hydrophilic parts of the dopants on the repulsion between the polar heads of the main amphiphilic molecules at micelle surfaces. This process favours the increase of the more flat micellar surfaces of micelles, which triggers the orientational fluctuations responsible for the biaxial and discotic nematic phases.     

Effect of extraction conditions on measured total polyphenol contents and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of black tea

Black tea was extracted for 2, 8 and 18 h with absolute acetone, N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF), ethanol and methanol and their 50% aqueous solutions. The extracts were screened for total polyphenol contents, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The polyphenol content of the extracts was found to be in the range of 0.44-114.01 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight tea, depending on the solvent used and the length of the extraction process. In general, aqueous acetone or DMF extracts displayed the highest polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity, while absolute acetone was the least efficient solvent. Antioxidant activities of tea extracts tested using the reducing power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical methods ranged from 0.09 to 1.18 and from 2.60 to 95.42 %, respectively, depending on the extraction conditions and the antioxidant activities correlated well with the polyphenol concentrations. Aqueous solvent black tea extracts also possessed antibacterial activity, depending on the solvent used and bacterial species tested. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most sensitive to all tea extracts, except for the methanol extract. Tea extracts were not effective against Y. enterocolitica, L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7.