Chiral recognition of proteins having L-histidine residues on the surface with lanthanide ion complex incorporated-molecularly imprinted fluorescent nanoparticles

In this study, lanthanide ion complex incorporated molecularly imprinted fluorescent nanoparticles were synthesized. A combination of three novel approaches was applied for the purpose. First, lanthanide ions [Terbium(III)] were complexed with N-methacryloyl-L-histidine (MAH), polymerizable derivative of L-histidine amino acid, in order to incorporate the complex directly into the polymeric backbone. At the second stage, L-histidine molecules imprinted nanoparticles were utilized instead of whole protein imprinting in order to avoid whole drawbacks such as fragility, complexity, denaturation tendency, and conformation dependency. At the third stage following the first two steps mentioned above, imprinted L-histidine was coordinated with cupric ions [Cu(II)] to conduct the study under mild conditions. Then, molecularly imprinted fluorescent nanoparticles synthesized were used for L-histidine adsorption from aqueous solution to optimize conditions for adsorption and fluorimetric detection. Finally, usability of nanoparticles was investigated for chiral biorecognition using stereoisomer, D-histidine, racemic mixture, D,L-histidine, proteins with surface L-histidine residue, lysozyme, cytochrome C, or without ribonuclease A. The results revealed that the proposed polymerization strategy could make significant contribution to the solution of chronic problems of fluorescent component introduction into polymers. Additionally, the fluorescent nanoparticles reported here could be used for selective separation and fluorescent monitoring purposes.     

Management of invasive candidal infections: results of a prospective, randomized, multicenter study of fluconazole versus amphotericin B and review of the literature

We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter study comparing fluconazole and amphotericin B in the treatment of candidal infections. One hundred and sixty-four patients (60 of whom were neutropenic) with documented or presumed invasive candidiasis were assigned to treatment with either fluconazole (400 mg daily) or amphotericin B (25-50 mg daily; 0.67 mg/kg daily for neutropenic patients). Clinical response and survival rates were assessed at 48 hours, after 5 days, and at the end of therapy. Overall response rates to fluconazole and amphotericin B were similar (66% and 64%, respectively). There were no differences in response as related to site of infection, pathogen, time to defervescence, relapse, or survival rates between the groups. Adverse effects were more frequent with amphotericin B (35%) than with fluconazole (5%; P < .0001). The results of this study confirm that fluconazole is as effective as but better tolerated than amphotericin B in the treatment of candidal infections.     

Sulfur removal from original and acid treated lignites by pyrolysis

Six original, three hydrochloric acid treated and three demineralized lignite samples were pyrolysed at seven different temperatures between 350 and 950 °C for 7 min under evolved gas atmosphere. All samples and their chars were analysed quantitatively for their total sulfur content and pyritic, sulfate and organic sulfur forms. The alkaline oxide contents of original lignites and their hydrochloric acid treated counterparts were determined. The results clearly indicate that calcium and sulfurous compounds in the parent lignites undergo various chemical changes during pyrolysis. The pyrolysis temperature, types of sulfur and calcium compounds, all affect the behaviour of sulfur during pyrolysis. Higher pyrolysis temperatures favour total sulfur removal for all lignites, reaching 30-54% around 850 and 950 °C. HCl treatment and demineralization decreases calcium contents, hence, increases quantitative sulfur removal from the lignites by pyrolysis. The maximum total sulfur removal from acid treated lignites is observed as 77%. The ratios of the total sulfur to heating value decreases with increases of pyrolysis temperature up to around 600 °C for acid treated lignites and no major changes are observed at higher pyrolysis temperatures; no common behaviour is observed for original lignites.     

Rapid and catalytic pyrolysis of corn stalks

Non-catalytic and catalytic rapid pyrolysis of corn stalks was studied in a tubular fixed-bed reactor. The optimum operating conditions giving the highest liquid yield was determined as pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, sweeping gas flow rate of 400 cm³ min^− 1 and heating rate of 500 °C min^− 1. In the catalytic process, rapid pyrolysis of stalks was performed at the optimum conditions with catalysts such as ZSM-5, HY and USY. The highest liquid yield from the catalytic pyrolysis was 27.55% with ZSM-5, while the oil from non-catalytic pyrolysis was 33.30%. In the last part, various spectroscopic and chromatographic methods were applied for characterization of bio-oils. Although catalytic pyrolysis converts the long chains of alkanes and alkenes of the oils into lower weight hydrocarbons, the obtained oil yields were lower than those of non-catalytic pyrolysis. USY catalyst gives the highest amount of aromatics among the catalysts used. Moreover, TG–DTA analyses were applied on raw materials to investigate thermal degradation of corn stalks and calculate the kinetic parameters.     

Determining the parameters of dual-card kanban system: an integrated multicriteria and artificial neural network methodology

In this study, we proposed a methodology for determining the design parameters of kanban systems. In this methodology, a backpropagation neural network is used in order to generate simulation meta-models, and a multi-criteria decision making technique (TOPSIS) is employed to evaluate kanban combinations. In order to reflect the decision maker’s point of view, different weight structures are used to find the optimum design parameters. The proposed methodology is applied to a case problem and the results are presented. We also performed several experiments on different types of problems to show the effectiveness of the methodology.     

The Role of Weak Links and Zn-Doping on Magnetic Parameters of High-T c Superconductors

The second harmonic signal, which is generated by co-application of AC and DC fields to polycrystalline type-II superconductors, were analyzed in terms of the weak links and the critical current density. With this aim the YBa₂Cu_3?x Zn _x O_7?y (x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1) samples were synthesized in order to adjust intergranular couplings and thus the strength of weak links. The mechanical and magnetic measurements are in good agreement on that Zn doping reduces strength of the links between grains; however, contrary to the common expectations, it has no direct contribution to the 2nd harmonic signal strength.     

Effect of muscle relaxation splint therapy on the electromyographic activities of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of splint therapy on the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles (anterior temporalis and masseter) before and after the application of a muscle relaxation splint. Electromyography recordings from the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were analyzed quantitatively during maximal biting in the intercuspal position both before and after treatment without a splint. Fourteen patients whose chief complaint was masticatory muscle pain were selected for the study. After the initial evaluations muscle relaxation splints were applied, and the patients were instructed to use the splints for 6 weeks. Surface electromyographic recordings were taken from each patient before the beginning of clinical therapy and after 6 weeks of wearing the splints. The data obtained were analyzed through paired sample t tests and Wilcoxon's signed rank tests. The results of the study were as follows: (1) the electromyographic activity of the two muscles during maximal biting was not markedly changed after the muscle relaxation splint was used; and (2) the changes observed in electromyographic activity of the involved and noninvolved sides were insignificant as well.     

Fat and fatty acids of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in comparison to sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The study was undertaken to compare fat and fatty acid profiles in white lupin (Lupinus albus ssp. albus) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), representing two different families, Fabaceae and Pedaliaceae. Fat levels were 10.74% and 55.44% in seeds of white lupin and sesame, respectively. The results indicated that oleic, linolenic and arachidic acids in seed fat were higher in white lupin than in sesame cultivars. Oleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in white lupin, whereas linoleic acid was predominant in sesame. Fat content (%) was statistically significantly correlated with linoleic, linolenic and arachidic acids at the genotypic level. The fatty acid composition of white lupin is useful for human consumption. Although oil content of white lupin was lower than that of sesame, white sweet lupin could be improved.