Probing the kinetics of SYTOX Orange stain binding to double-stranded DNA with implications for DNA analysis

Rapid binding kinetics of SYTOX Orange stain with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was revealed on the DNA fragment sizing flow cytometer. We demonstrated for the first time that the dye molecules could be adsorbed onto the capillary surface and native DNA fragments can be dynamically stained while passing through the capillary. High-quality burst size distribution histograms were obtained for DNA samples analyzed immediately after staining, dilution, or mixing. These observations indicated that rapid interactions exist between SYTOX Orange dye molecules and dsDNA. A stopped-flow fluorescence apparatus was set up to capture the fast association traces of intercalating dyes binding to dsDNA. Kinetic equations were derived to fit the association curves for determination of association rates and to model the dynamic staining, dilution, and mixing processes of DNA samples stained with intercalating dyes. The measured association rates for both SYTOX Orange and PicoGreen stains intercalating into dsDNA were on the order of 10(8) M-1 s-1, suggesting a diffusion-controlled process. Simulations indicate that reequilibration can be reached in seconds upon staining, dilution, or mixing. Insight into the kinetics of DNA binding dyes will help implement efficient sample-handling practices in DNA analysis, including DNA fragment sizing flow cytometry.     

Oxidative treatment of azo dyes in aqueous solution by potassium permanganate

This work was conducted to study the ability of permanganate (KMnO(4)) oxidative treatment as a method to decolourise the solutions containing azo dye C.I. Acid Orange 7, C.I. Acid Orange 8, C.I. Acid Red 14, or C.I. Acid Red 73, in a batch system. The results of the study demonstrated the complete removal of the colour and partial mineralization for each dye solution. The effect of the key operating variables such as initial dye concentration, permanganate amount, pH and temperature were studied. Decolourisation reactions were influenced by the acidity and temperature of the treated solutions. To avoid the overdose of KMnO(4), the stoichiometric amount of permanganate required for 1 mol of dye complete colour removal was determined. The reactions between permanganate and C.I. Acid Orange 7, C.I. Acid Orange 8, C.I. Acid Red 14 and C.I. Acid Red 73 dyes in acidic medium exhibit (2.05, 2.20, 2.42 and 2.79):1 stoichiometry (MnO(4)(-):dye). Dye degradation efficiency by potassium permanganate was studied, monitoring total organic carbon (TOC). The results indicated that the degradation efficiency of azo dyes increased with the increase of the potassium permanganate amount. Meanwhile, even in large excess of the oxidant, the dye mineralization was incomplete.     

Influence of n-alkanes on wettability and zeta potential of quartz

Contact angles were measured in the following systems: quartz/water droplet/saturated vapor of water + n-alkane and quartz/water droplet/saturated vapor of n-alkane. The alkanes tested were from hexane to pentadecane. In both systems non-smooth changes of contact angle as a function of the chain length were observed. These changes are similar to the zeta-potential changes measured previously for two different samples of quartz in the quartz/n-alkana/water system. On the basis of the results and calculations it is suggested that the observed non-smooth changes of contact angle are due to similar changes in film pressures of the water and n-alkanes.     

Kinetics of the decoloration of reactive dyes over visible light-irradiated TiO(2) semiconductor photocatalyst

Photocatalytic decoloration kinetics of triazine (Reactive Red 11, Reactive Red 2, and Reactive Orange 84) and vinylsulfone type (Reactive Orange 16 and Reactive Black 5) of reactive dyes have been studied spectrophotometrically by following the decrease in dye concentration with time. At ambient conditions, over 90-95% decoloration of above dyes have been observed upon prolonged illumination (15 h) of the reacting system with a 150 W xenon lamp. It was found that the decoloration reaction followed first-order kinetics. The values of observed rate constants were found to be dependent of the structure of dyes at low dye concentration, but independent at higher concentration. It also reports for the first time the decoloration of two different dyes together in a binary dye mixture using visible light-irradiated TiO(2) photocatalyst. Rate of decoloration of two different dyes together in a binary dye mixture using visible light-irradiated TiO(2) photocatalyst is governed by the adsorptivity of the particular dye onto the surface of the TiO(2) photocatalyst.     

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels for organic dye removal from water

The ability of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm), and pNIPAm-co-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-AAc) microgels to remove an organic azo dye molecule, 4-(2-Hydroxy-1-naphthylazo) benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (Orange II) from aqueous solutions at both room and elevated temperature was assessed. At room temperature, we found that the amount of Orange II removed from water (removal efficiency) increased with increasing AAc and microgel concentration. The removal of Orange II from water was also fit by a Langmuir sorption isotherm model. Furthermore, we found the extent of Orange II removal depended on solution temperature; more Orange II was removed from water at elevated temperature and as the microgels were held at that temperature for longer durations of time. Additionally, by increasing the cycles between high and ambient temperature, the removal of Orange II was enhanced, although this was only true for two temperature cycles. We hypothesize that this is a result of the thermoresponsive nature of pNIPAm-based microgels which deswell at elevated temperature expelling their solvating water and when the microgels are cooled back down they reswell with the Orange II containing water. We also hypothesize that the microgels become saturated after the second heating cycle and so the efficiency of removal did not increase further. Finally, we assessed the ability of the microgels to retain the Orange II after it is removed from the aqueous solution. We determined that the microgels "leak" 25.6% of the Orange II that was originally removed from the water.     

Photostability of dye molecules trapped in solid matrices

The photostability of dye molecules trapped in transparent solid matrices synthesized by the solgel technique was studied both experimentally and theoretically using a model with numerical and approximate analytical solutions. The model is based on a one-photon photodestruction process with the creation of an absorbing bleached molecule. We give the number of photons that different trapped dye molecules can absorb on average before they are bleached. Dyes such as Perylene Red, Perylene Orange, Pyrromethenes 567 and 597, Rhodamines 6G and B, DCM, a Xanthylium salt, and Neon Red were investigated; significant differences were observed. Some dye molecules in solvents were also studied; increased stability resulted when the molecules were trapped in solid matrices.     

Rational design of a Nile Red/polymer composite film for fluorescence sensing of organophosphonate vapors using hydrogen bond acidic polymers

The solvatochromic dye Nile Red dispersed in selected hydrogen bond acidic polymer matrixes demonstrated strong fluorescence enhancement at the presence of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) vapors. Two hydrogen bond acidic polymers were examined as dye matrixes, one with fluorinated alcohol groups on a polystyrene backbone (PSFA) and the other with fluorinated bisphenol groups alternating with oligo(dimethylsiloxane) segments (BSP3). The combination of hydrogen bond acidic polymer (a strong sorbent for DMMP) with the solvatochromic dye led to initial depression of the dye fluorescence and a significant red shift in the absorbance and fluorescence spectra. DMMP sorption changed the dye environment and dramatically altered the fluorescence spectrum and intensity, resulting in a strong fluorescence enhancement. It is proposed that this fluorescence enhancement is due to the competition set up between the dye and the sorbed vapor for polymeric hydrogen-bonding sites. The highest responses were obtained with BSP3. DMMP detection has been demonstrated at sub-ppm DMMP concentrations, indicating very low detection limits compared to previous Nile Red/polymer matrix fluorescence vapor sensors. Nile Red/poly(methyl methacrylate) films prepared for comparisons exhibited substantially lower response to DMMP. Rational selection of polymers providing high sorption for DMMP and competition for hydrogen-bonding interactions with Nile Red yielded flourescent films with high sensitivity.     

Adhesion of streptococci to saliva-coated and uncoated composite-based resins

This study was designed to evaluate the bacterial adhesion to five types of experimental composite-based resins and a commercial composite resin used as a control. Physicochemical surface characteristics of composite resins with and without an artificial saliva coating were measured. The relationship between the numbers of adhering cells (Streptococcus sanguis, S. mutans and S. sobrinus) and surface characteristics was analysed. The values of contact angles and the number of adhering cells were small with saliva coating. S. sanguis ATCC 10557 showed a positive correlation (r=0.835, p<0.05) with the contact angles of uncoated resins, whereas no relationship was observed for saliva-coated resins. With S. mutans Ingbritt the cell numbers adhering to resins correlated strongly (p<0.01) with the values of zeta potential of resins for either saliva coated or uncoated. Electrical repulsion forces had a strong contribution to adherence of cells such as S. mutans and S. sobrinus which show a high absolute zeta potential.     

Decolourisation of Direct Orange S dye by ultra sonication using iron oxide nanoparticles

Biosynthesised iron oxide nanoparticles (INPs) less than 100 nm were used to decolourise the textile dye, Direct Orange S by the process of ultra sonication. The parameters tested for the decolourisation of the Direct Orange S dye were the INP concentration (0.2–1g/l), pH (3–11) and H₂O₂ concentration (2–8 ml/l). The rate of decolourisation process was performed by both stirrer and ultra sonicator method using the first-order kinetics ln(c/c₀). The percentage of dye removal for the optimum conditions such as INP, 1g/l (87.2%); pH, 9 (85.5%) and H₂O₂ concentration 8 ml/l (86.5%) were observed. The Direct Orange S dye was degraded efficiently by sonolysis (60 min) than by the magnetic stirrer method (120 min). High-performance liquid chromatography results showed that the peak for Direct Orange S dye was not present when the dye sample was treated by either H₂O₂ + INP or INP alone. Use of biosynthesised iron NPs in Direct Orange S dye (azo dye) decolourisation by a simple non-toxic Fenton reaction is a safe and novel approach. Industrialisation of this technique will be an economical way to decolorise the textile dyes present in water systems.     

Effect of TEGDMA content on staining of experimental bis-GMA-based resins

This study was to examine water uptake, contact angle and colour change vector in relation to the staining on the optically smooth surface in five experimental visible light-cured (VLC) bis-GMA-based resins. They were formulated from bis-GMA-based resins including 25 to 45 wt% TEGDMA which were accelerated by CQ/DMAEMA/BHT = 0.5/2/0.05 (wt%) to bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin matrix. Of the set resins including more than 25 wt% of TEGDMA, the resins including 30 to 45 wt% had less than 1.0% as bis-GMA residual monomer. Water uptake and solubility in bis-GMA-based resins including 35 wt% TEGDMA were the minimum of the resins tested. Contact angle decreased with increasing time over 70 days, from 67 to 62 degrees. Using the hydrophilic staining solution (food red 3), the values of colour change vector were 6 to 9 after immersing them for 70 days at 37 °C, whereas hydrophobic oil orange staining test had a range of 12 to 19. The change of water uptake with time of immersion correlated with that of the colour change vector. With the accelerated test, the minimum value was 4.55 in 65/35 (bis-GMA/TEGDMA) resin. Of the bis-GMA-based resins (25 to 45 wt% fraction of TEGDMA) the minimum value of water uptake and contact angle were obtained.     

Effect of ion motion on zeta-potential distribution at microchannel wall obtained from nanoscale laser-induced fluorescence

The present study has experimentally investigated the two-dimensional distribution of zeta-potential at the wall, which dominates electroosmotic microchannel flow. Nanoscale laser-induced fluorescence imaging using fluorescent dye and the evanescent wave with total internal reflection was developed for the zeta-potential measurement. The fluorescent dye in the vicinity of the wall is excited by the evanescent wave, which decays exponentially from the wall. The zeta-potential is obtained from the fluorescent intensity because the distribution of fluorescent dye near the wall is related to the zeta-potential by the Boltzman distribution. Two kinds of solution at different Na+ concentrations were mixed in a T-shaped microchannel composed of PDMS and silica glass. The zeta-potential distribution at the silica glass wall was measured with the uncertainty of 4.7 mV. The motion of Na+ in the microchannel was estimated by the numerical analysis using the velocity information obtained by micrometer-resolution particle image velocimetry. It is concluded that electroosmotic flow was generated by the zeta-potential distribution at the silica glass and PDMS wall, which was dependent on the Na+ transport in the flow field.     

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel-based assemblies for organic dye removal from water

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-AAc) microgel assemblies (aggregates) were synthesized via polymerization of the cross-linker N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) in the presence of microgels in solution. In this case, the microgels were entrapped in the polymerized cross-linker network. The aggregates were investigated for their ability to remove the organic, azo dye molecule 4-(2-hydroxy-1-napthylazo) benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (Orange II) from water at both room and elevated temperatures. These results were compared with unaggregated microgels that were previously reported (Parasuraman, D.; Serpe, M. J. ACS. Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2011, 3, 2732.). It was found that the removal efficiency increased at elevated temperature, most likely due to the thermoresponsive nature of the pNIPAm-based aggregates, which expel water of solvation and deswell at higher temperature and reswell when they are cooled back to room temperature. Furthermore, increasing the number of cycles the aggregates are heated and cooled enhanced the percent removal of the dye from water. We also evaluated the effect of increasing cross-linker concentration on the removal efficiency, where we found the removal efficiency to increase with increasing cross-linker concentration in the aggregates. The maximum removal efficiency reached by the microgel aggregates at elevated temperatures was calculated to be 73.1%. This enhanced uptake is due to the presence of larger internal volume between the microgels in the aggregates, which the individual microgels lack. Control studies reveal that the structure and hydrophobicity of the aggregates lead to the enhanced uptake efficiencies and is not due to the presence of BIS alone. We determined that aggregates leak 75.6% of the dye that was originally removed from solution. The removal of Orange II by the aggregates at room temperature was fit by a Langmuir sorption isotherm.     

Effect of nanogroove geometry on adipogenic differentiation

We present the effect of nanotopographically defined surfaces on adipocyte differentiation using various nanogroove patterns. Parallel nanogroove arrays with equal inter-groove distance (400, 550, 800?nm width) and varying distances (550?nm width with three different spacings of 550, 1100, and 2750?nm) were fabricated by UV-assisted capillary force lithography (CFL) on 18?mm diameter glass coverslips using biocompatible polyurethane (PU)-based material. After coating with fibronectin and subsequent culture of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, the degree of adipocyte differentiation was determined by Oil Red O staining and adipogenic gene expression. We observed that adipocyte differentiation was slightly but substantially affected by culture on various nanogrooved surfaces. In particular, the cell crawling into nanogrooves contributed substantially to an enhanced level of differentiation with higher contact guidance, suggesting that cell-to-surface interactions would play a role for the adipocyte differentiation.     

Adsorption of anionic dyes on ammonium-functionalized MCM-41

Investigations were conducted in a batch reactor system to study the adsorption behavior of four anionic dyes (Methyl orange (MO), Orange IV (OIV), Reactive brilliant red X-3B (X-3B), and Acid fuchsine (AF)) on ammonium-functionalized MCM-41 (NH(3)(+)-MCM-41) from aqueous medium by varying the parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, pH and competitive anions. Dye adsorption was broadly independent of initial dye concentration. The intraparticle diffusion model was the best in describing the adsorption kinetics for the four anionic dyes on NH(3)(+)-MCM-41. The adsorption data for the four dyes were well fitted with the Langmuir model. The electrostatic interaction was considered to be the main mechanism for the dye adsorption. Finally, it was observed that the anion of soft acid inhibited the adsorption capacity significantly.     

Coal-based bottom ash (CBBA) waste material as adsorbent for removal of textile dyestuffs from aqueous solution

A locally available CBBA waste material was used as adsorbent for removal of reactive dyes from synthetic textile wastewater. This study presents the results of our investigation on color removal from synthetic wastewater containing Vertigo Blue 49 (CI Blue 49) and Orange DNA13 (CI Orange 13) by adsorption onto CBBA waste material. The effectiveness of CBBA waste material in adsorbing reactive dyes from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of contact time, initial dye concentration and pH by batch experiments. Leachability of waste material was also evaluated using standard leaching test with deionized water (DIN38414-S4). pH 7 was more favorable for color removal from both Vertigo Blue 49 (CI Blue 49) and Orange DNA (CI Orange 13). Dyestuff adsorption capacities of CBBA for Vertigo Blue 49 and Orange DNA13 were 13.51 and 4.54mg dye/g adsorbent, respectively. The adsorption isotherms for the CBBA can be better described by the Freundlich isotherm. The results showed that the dyestuff uptake process for both dyes followed the second-order kinetics. The bottom ash used in this study is not classified as ecotoxic/hazardous material according to the French proposal for a criterion and evaluation methods of waste ecotoxicity (CEMWE) and the German regulation on Hazardous Waste Classification (HWC).     

Differential fate of metabolism of a sulfonated azo dye Remazol Orange 3R by plants Aster amellus Linn., Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. and their consortium

Plant consortium-AG of Aster amellus Linn. and Glandularia pulchella (Sweet) Tronc. showed complete decolorization of a dye Remazol Orange 3R in 36 h, while individually A. amellus and G. pulchella took 72 and 96 h respectively. Individually A. amellus showed induction in the activities of enzymes veratryl alcohol oxidase and DCIP reductase after degradation of the dye while G. pulchella showed induction of laccase and tyrosinase, indicating their involvement in the dye metabolism. Consortium-AG showed induction in the activities of lignin peroxidase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, laccase, tyrosinase and DCIP reductase. Two different sets of induced enzymes from A. amellus and G. pulchella work together in consortium-AG resulting in faster degradation of the dye. The degradation of the dye into different metabolites was confirmed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy analysis identified four metabolites of dye degradation by A. amellus as acetamide, benzene, naphthalene and 3-diazenylnaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, four metabolites by G. pulchella as acetamide, 3-diazenyl-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalen-1-ol and (ethylsulfonyl)benzene, while two metabolites by consortium-AG as 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethanol and N-(naphthalen-2-yl)acetamide. The non-toxic nature of the metabolites of Remazol Orange 3R degradation was revealed by phytotoxicity studies.     

Degradation of C.I. Reactive Red 2 through photocatalysis coupled with water jet cavitation

The decolorization of an azo dye, C.I. Reactive Red 2 was investigated using TiO(2) photocatalysis coupled with water jet cavitation. Experiments were performed in a 4.0 L solution under ultraviolet power of 9 W. The effects of TiO(2) loading, initial dye concentration, solution pH, geometry of cavitation tube, and the addition of anions on the degradation of the dye were evaluated. Degradation of the dye followed a pseudo-first order reaction. The photocatalysis coupled with water jet cavitation elevated degradation of the dye by about 136%, showing a synergistic effect compared to the individual photocatalysis and water jet cavitation. The enhancement of photocatalysis by water jet cavitation could be due to the deagglomeration of catalyst particles as well as the better contact between the catalyst surfaces and the reactants. Venturi tube with smaller diameter and shorter length of throat tube favored the dye decolorization. The degradation efficiency was found to increase with decreasing initial concentration and pH. The presence of NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-) enhanced the degradation of RR2, while Cl(-), and especially HCO(3)(-) significantly reduced dye decolorization. The results of this study indicated that the coupled photocatalysis and water jet cavitation is effective in degrading dye in wastewater and provides a promising alternative for treatment of dye wastewater at a large scale.     

The drying of clay minerals and mixed clay minerals

In natural plastic clays used on ceramic compositions, the presence of certain minerals is frequently observed in the mineralogical composition. In this study, the drying ability of five different clay minerals was examined. All experiments were conducted under steady-state drying conditions. The sorption isotherm of the samples was determined by measurement of the mass of water absorbed at a fixed temperature versus the relative partial water pressure. The shrinkage of pastes was measured under the same experimental conditions. From the experimental data the heat of water sorption was calculated using a model which comes from the interpretation of a sorption reaction. The specific behaviour of the five clay minerals studied was observed; this can explain the behaviour of common plastic clays during the drying process. In particular, some investigations were conducted on mixed minerals. The results should support the possibility of obtaining a correlation between the heat of water sorption of certain clay raw materials and their mineralogical composition.     

Organofunctionalized Amazon smectite for dye removal from aqueous medium--kinetic and thermodynamic adsorption investigations

The objective of this study is to examine the adsorption behavior of Sumifix Brilliant Orange 3R textile dye from aqueous solution on smectite sample, an abundant Amazon clay. The original smectite clay mineral has been collected from Amazon region, Brazil. The compound 2-aminomethylpyridine was anchored onto smectite surface by heterogeneous route. The ability of these materials to remove the Sumifix Brilliant Orange 3R textile dye from aqueous solution was followed by a series of adsorption isotherms, using a batchwise process. The maximum number of moles adsorbed was determined to be 1.26 and 2.07 mmol g(-1) for natural and modified clay samples, respectively. The energetic effects caused by dye cations adsorption were determined through calorimetric titrations. Thermodynamics indicated the existence of favorable conditions for such dye-nitrogen interactions.     

Evaluation of peanut husk as a novel,low cost biosorbent for the removal of Indosol Orange RSN dye from aqueous solutions: batch and fixed bed studies

The feasibility of using peanut husk biomass for the removal of Indosol Orange RSN dye was explored during this study. Batch experiments were conducted with native, polyethyleneimine (PEI) treated and Na-alginate immobilized biomass. Different important process parameters like pH, contact time, biosorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and temperature were optimized during batch study. Low pH and low biosorbent dose were found to be the feasible conditions for the maximum biosorption of dye. PEI-treated biomass exhibited maximum biosorption capacity (79.5 mg g^?1) for Indosol Orange RSN dye. Pseudo-second-order equation generated the best agreement with experimental data. Different equilibrium isotherm models were applied to the experimental data. Langmuir adsorption isotherm model showed better fitness to the experimental results. Biosorption process was found to be exothermic in nature and thermodynamic study was carried out to check out the feasibility of process. Continuous mode study was performed with native peanut husk biomass to optimize the bed height, flow rate, and initial dye concentration for maximum dye removal. The results indicate that maximum dye removal (8.8 mg L^?1) was obtained with 3 cm bed height and 1.8 mL min^?1 flow rate by using 70 mg L^?1 initial dye concentration. Characterization of biosorbent was carried out by determination of point of zero charge, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The findings revealed that peanut husk biomass has a high biosorption potential, and it can be exploited for the treatment of dye containing waste water.