Carbothermal Synthesis of α-SiC Micro-Ribbons

We report the synthesis of microscopic α-SiC ribbons (belts) on the surface of a graphite rod at 1800°–1900°C by a carbothermal process. The width of the ribbons produced ranged from 500 nm to 5 μm and the aspect ratio was up to 400. The ribbon thickness ranged from 50 to 800 nm. Their growth mechanism was explained by accelerated growth along the twin boundary. SiC whiskers grew on the rod along with the ribbons. Frequently, ribbons were growing from the tip of a whisker or whiskers were growing from the edge of a ribbon. SiC ribbons may find applications in high-temperature sensors, photo-electronic devices, or robust cantilevers in micro (or nano) electro mechanical systems. Alternatively, they can be used as reinforcements in composite materials, conferring anisotropic mechanical properties, such as unidirectional flexibility, to the composite.     

Microstructure and refinement performance of Al-Ti-C master alloy: Effect of excess Ti on the growth and nucleating ability of TiC particles

Al-5Ti-0.2C, Al-0.8Ti-0.2C, Al-8Ti-2C, and Al-10Ti master alloys were prepared and used to investigate the influence of excess Ti on the growth of TiC particles and its ability to nucleate Al-grains. The results of a microstructure analysis of TiC-containing alloys and refined CPAl were interrelated to the results of a refinement test. It was found that the presence of excess Ti is essential at the stage of master alloy preparation, as it facilitates the growth and uniform distribution of TiC within the structure. In Al-5Ti-0.2C alloy containing excess Ti, carbide particles grow faster and to a higher extent (from 0.29 μm to 0.44 μm) compared to Al-0.8Ti-0.2C alloy produced without excess Ti (from 0.29 μm to 0.32 μm). The results support the “Ti-transition zone theory” as the mechanism of grain refinement by TiC-containing master alloys. The refinement performance of Al-5Ti-0.2C is superior compared to the one achieved by adding Al-8Ti-2C and Al-10Ti master alloys in corresponding concentrations. For the TiC particles to become favourable nucleating sites, they must undergo certain interaction with excess Ti at the stage of master alloy preparation.     

Covalent Attachment of FeFe Hydrogenases to Carbon Electrodes for Direct Electron Transfer

Direct electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes is now commonly achieved, but obtaining protein films that are very stable may be challenging. This is particularly crucial in the case of hydrogenases, the enzymes that catalyze the biological conversion between dihydrogen and protons, because the instability of the hydrogenase films may prevent the use of these enzymes as electrocatalysts of H(2) oxidation and production in biofuel cells and photoelectrochemical cells. Here we show that two different FeFe hydrogenases (from Chamydomonas reinhardtii and Clostridium acetobutylicum) can be covalently attached to functionalized pyrolytic graphite electrodes using peptidic coupling. In both cases, a surface patch of lysine residues makes it possible to favor an orientation that is efficient for fast, direct electron transfer. High hydrogen-oxidation current densities are maintained for up to one week, the only limitation being the intrinsic stability of the enzyme. We also show that covalent attachment has no effect on the catalytic properties of the enzyme, which means that this strategy can also used be for electrochemical studies of the catalytic mechanism.     

Fully Transparent Nanocomposite Coating with an Amorphous Alumina Matrix and Exceptional Wear and Scratch Resistance

This study presents a method for high temperature stabilization of amorphous alumina. The strain‐induced stabilization is obtained by dispersion of rigid globular polycarbosilane macromolecules within an alumina matrix. The alumina matrix remains amorphous even at 1200 °C. This study confirms the chemical composition of the coating with an advanced chemical depth‐profile analysis and shows its nanostructure by transmission electron microscopy. Based on this amorphous nanocomposite, a new facile and inexpensive coating for mechanical protection of glass surfaces is further developed. The nanocomposite coating is characterized by a full optical transparency and exceptional tribological characteristics. The wear resistance exceeds that of the current advanced ion‐exchanged boroaluminosilicate glass by a factor of 25–35 whereas its scratch resistance is exceeded by more than an order of magnitude.     

Entrapment of enzymes and carbon nanotubes in biologically synthesized silica: glucose oxidase-catalyzed direct electron transfer

This work demonstrates a new approach for building bioinorganic interfaces by integrating biologically derived silica with single-walled carbon nanotubes to create a conductive matrix for immobilization of enzymes. Such a strategy not only allows simple integration into biodevices but presents an opportunity to intimately interface an enzyme and manifest direct electron transfer features. Biologically synthesized silica/carbon nanotube/enzyme composites are evaluated electrochemically and characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Voltammetry of the composites displayed stable oxidation and reduction peaks at an optimal potential close to that of the FAD/FADH(2) cofactor of immobilized glucose oxidase. The immobilized enzyme is stable for a period of one month and retains catalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose. It is demonstrated that the resulting composite can be successfully integrated into functional bioelectrodes for biosensor and biofuel cell applications.     

TRPM8 as an Anti–Tumoral Target in Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis Dissemination

In the fight against prostate cancer (PCa), TRPM8 is one of the most promising clinical targets. Indeed, several studies have highlighted that TRPM8 involvement is key in PCa progression because of its impact on cell proliferation, viability, and migration. However, data from the literature are somewhat contradictory regarding the precise role of TRPM8 in prostatic carcinogenesis and are mostly based on in vitro studies. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role played by TRPM8 in PCa progression. We used a prostate orthotopic xenograft mouse model to show that TRPM8 overexpression dramatically limited tumor growth and metastasis dissemination in vivo. Mechanistically, our in vitro data revealed that TRPM8 inhibited tumor growth by affecting the cell proliferation and clonogenic properties of PCa cells. Moreover, TRPM8 impacted metastatic dissemination mainly by impairing cytoskeleton dynamics and focal adhesion formation through the inhibition of the Cdc42, Rac1, ERK, and FAK pathways. Lastly, we proved the in vivo efficiency of a new tool based on lipid nanocapsules containing WS12 in limiting the TRPM8–positive cells’ dissemination at metastatic sites. Our work strongly supports the protective role of TRPM8 on PCa progression, providing new insights into the potential application of TRPM8 as a therapeutic target in PCa treatment.     

Targeting the Surface of the Protein 14-3-3 by Ultrasmall (1.5 nm) Gold Nanoparticles Carrying the Specific Peptide CRaf

The surface of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles with an average diameter of 1.55 nm was conjugated with a 14-3-3 protein-binding peptide derived from CRaf. Each particle carries 18 CRaf peptides, leading to an overall stoichiometry of Au(115)Craf(18). The binding to the protein 14-3-3 was probed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and fluorescence polarization spectroscopy (FP). The dissociation constant (K_D) was measured as 5.0 μM by ITC and 0.9 μM by FP, which was close to the affinity of dissolved CRaf to 14-3-3σ. In contrast to dissolved CRaf, which alone did not enter HeLa cells, CRAF-conjugated gold nanoparticles were well taken up by HeLa cells, opening the opportunity to target the protein inside a cell.     

Analysis of Biomechanical Parameters of Muscle Soleus Contraction and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Rat with Chronic Glyphosate Intoxication and Therapeutic Use of C60 Fullerene

The widespread use of glyphosate as a herbicide in agriculture can lead to the presence of its residues and metabolites in food for human consumption and thus pose a threat to human health. It has been found that glyphosate reduces energy metabolism in the brain, its amount increases in white muscle fibers. At the same time, the effect of chronic use of glyphosate on the dynamic properties of skeletal muscles remains practically unexplored. The selected biomechanical parameters (the integrated power of muscle contraction, the time of reaching the muscle contraction force its maximum value and the reduction of the force response by 50% and 25% of the initial values during stimulation) of muscle soleus contraction in rats, as well as blood biochemical parameters (the levels of creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, reduced glutathione and catalase) were analyzed after chronic glyphosate intoxication (oral administration at a dose of 10 μg/kg of animal weight) for 30 days. Water-soluble C₆₀ fullerene, as a poweful antioxidant, was used as a therapeutic nanoagent throughout the entire period of intoxication with the above herbicide (oral administration at doses of 0.5 or 1 mg/kg). The data obtained show that the introduction of C₆₀ fullerene at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg reduces the degree of pathological changes by 40–45%. Increasing the dose of C₆₀ fullerene to 1 mg/kg increases the therapeutic effect by 55–65%, normalizing the studied biomechanical and biochemical parameters. Thus, C₆₀ fullerenes can be effective nanotherapeutics in the treatment of glyphosate-based herbicide poisoning.     

Modified bentonites as adsorbents of hydrogen sulfide gases

Carbonate-rich bentonite was modified by iron and copper chlorides in order to synthesize effective and cheap adsorbents for neutralization of H₂S in low-concentrated exhaust gases. Bentonite and modified bentonite were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET surface area analysis. In addition, bentonite and modified bentonite were tested as hydrogen sulfide adsorbents. Iron-containing material showed a significant improvement in the capacity for H₂S removal. The longest time of effective protective action (before H₂S appears on the outlet of the column) was obtained for the bentonite modified with copper hydroxide. The results indicated that on the surface of modified samples hydrogen sulfide reacts with metal hydroxide forming sulfides. Sulfided iron-containing sample could be regenerated by exposing it to the air.