Application of Polypropylene Amine Dendrimers (POPAM)-Grafted MWCNTs Hybrid Materials as a New Sorbent for Solid-Phase Extraction and Trace Determination of Gold(III) and Palladium(II) in Food and Environmental Samples

A new method which utilizes a polypropylene amine dendrimers (POPAM)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybrid materials as an effective sorbent in solid-phase extraction has been developed for separation and preconcentration of Au(III) and Pd(II) trace levels in food, water and soil samples. The optimum experimental conditions such as pH, flow rates, type, concentration, and volume of the eluent for elution of gold and palladium ions, breakthrough volume, and effect of potentially interfering ions on separation and determination of these noble metals were investigated. The extraction recoveries for the mentioned noble metals were greater than 98 % and the limits of detection were 0.08 and 0.12 ng mL^?1 for gold and palladium, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the method were less than 4 % for eight separate column experiments for determination of 5.0 μg of gold and palladium ions. The adsorption capacity of the modified MWCNT was 92 mg g^?1 for gold and 74 mg g^?1 for palladium on POPAM-grafted MWCNTs. Validation of the suggested method was performed by analyzing certified reference materials. Finally, the proposed method was applied for determination of gold(III) and palladium(II) in real samples, including fish, shrimp, water, and soil.     

First principles study of structural and electronic properties of BNNTs

In this article the electronic and structural properties of single-walled boron nitride (BN) nanotubes with a diameter range of 4–22 Å have been investigated using the generalized gradient approximation with both Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) and Becke–Lee–Yang–Parr (BLYP) functionals based on density functional theory. The variation of radial distribution, bond length, lattice constant, density of states, buckling separation, total energies and the electronic band gap of BN nanotubes have been studied in terms of the diameter of the nanotube. Our results revealed a correlation between the buckling and band gap: the higher the buckling, the lower the band gap, and by decreasing the tube diameter, the buckling separation increases. It is revealed that for both armchair and zigzag boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) the value of the band gap increases by increasing the nanotube diameter. Moreover, it is concluded that for small BN nanotubes by reducing the radius, the band gap of the armchair nanotube remains almost constant, while the band gap of the zigzag nanotubes has a rapidly decreasing trend. The value of band gap obtained by the BLYP hybrid functional is more accurate than the PBE functional. The PDOS calculations revealed that the VBM comes from the N 2p orbitals, while the CBM is ruled by the B 2p orbitals. According to the obtained results, BNNTs are suggested as good materials for applications in the nanoscale optoelectronic devices.     

Role of spermatogonial stem cells extract in transdifferentiation of 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine‐treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into germ‐like cells

As one of the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) methods, spermatogonial stem cells (SSC_S) extract is considered as new approach in stem cell therapy of infertility. 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC) inhibits methyltransferase enzyme, and induces gene reprogramming; herein, the effects of SSC_S extract incubation in 5‐aza‐dC‐treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) has been surveyed. BMMSCs were isolated from femurs of three to four weeks old male NMRI mice, and the cells at passage three were treated with 2 µM 5‐aza‐dC for 72 hours. SSCs were isolated, cultured, and harvested at passage three to collect SSC_S extract; BMMSCs were then incubated with SSC_S extract in the three time periods: 72 hours, one week and two weeks. There were five groups: control, sham, extract, 5‐aza‐dC and extract‐5‐aza‐dC. After one week of incubation, flow cytometry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) exhibited high levels of expression for β1‐ and α6‐integrins and promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger (PLZF) in extract and extract‐5‐aza‐dC groups (P < 0.05 vs. control and 5‐aza‐dC), and cells in these two groups had two forms of morphology, round and fusiform, similar to germ‐like cells. 5‐aza‐dC had no significant effects during the three time periods of evaluation. These data disclose the effectiveness of SSCs extract incubation in transdifferentiation of BMMSCs into germ‐like cells; this strategy could introduce a new approach for treatment of male infertility in clinic. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:365–373, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tailoring Ordered Mesoporous Titania Films via Introducing Germanium Nanocrystals for Enhanced Electron Transfer Photoanodes for Photovoltaic Applications

Based on a diblock-copolymer templated sol–gel synthesis, germanium nanocrystals (GeNCs) are introduced to tailor mesoporous titania (TiO₂) films for obtaining more efficient anodes for photovoltaic applications. After thermal annealing in air, the hybrid films with different GeNC content are investigated and compared with films undergoing an argon atmosphere annealing. The surface and inner morphologies of the TiO₂/GeO_x nanocomposite films are probed via scanning electron microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering. The crystal phase, chemical composition, and optical properties of the nanocomposite films are examined with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Special focus is set on the air-annealed nanocomposite films since they hold greater promise for photovoltaics. Specifically, the charge–carrier dynamics of these air-annealed nanocomposite films are studied, and it is found that, compared with pristine TiO₂ photoanodes, the GeNC addition enhances the electron transfer, yielding an increase in the short-circuit photocurrent density of exemplary perovskite solar cells and thus, an enhanced device efficiency as well as a significantly reduced hysteresis.     

Doxorubicin-Induced Autophagolysosome Formation Is Partly Prevented by Mitochondrial ROS Elimination in DOX-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Since its discovery, mitophagy has been viewed as a protective mechanism used by cancer cells to prevent the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis. Most cancer treatments directly or indirectly cause mitochondrial dysfunction in order to trigger signals for cell death. Elimination of these dysfunctional mitochondria by mitophagy could thus prevent the initiation of the apoptotic cascade. In breast cancer patients, resistance to doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most widely used cancer drugs, is an important cause of poor clinical outcomes. However, the role played by mitophagy in the context of DOX resistance in breast cancer cells is not well understood. We therefore tried to determine whether an increase in mitophagic flux was associated with the resistance of breast cancer cells to DOX. Our first objective was to explore whether DOX-resistant breast cancer cells were characterized by conditions that favor mitophagy induction. We next tried to determine whether mitophagic flux was increased in DOX-resistant cells in response to DOX treatment. For this purpose, the parental (MCF-7) and DOX-resistant (MCF-7dox) breast cancer cell lines were used. Our results show that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) expression are higher in MCF-7dox in a basal condition compared to MCF-7, suggesting DOX-resistant breast cancer cells are prone to stimuli to induce a mitophagy-related event. Our results also showed that, in response to DOX, autophagolysosome formation is induced in DOX-resistant breast cancer cells. This mitophagic step following DOX treatment seems to be partly due to mitochondrial ROS production as autophagolysosome formation is moderately decreased by the mitochondrial antioxidant mitoTEMPO.     

Formulation and characterization of alprazolam-loaded nanoliposomes: screening of process variables and optimizing characteristics using RSM

This research study aimed to develop a novel sustained release formulation of alprazolam that can also be used for transdermal delivery. This was carried out, for the first time, through encapsulation of alprazolam in nanoliposomes using ethanol injection. In order to obtain the best formulation, four process variables, including the solvent/nonsolvent volume ratio, phospholipid concentration, alprazolam concentration, and cholesterol content were considered as key factors. Response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD) model were used to investigate the effect of these factors on vesicle size (VS) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) as the major properties of nanoliposomes. Experimental data were statistically analyzed, and two significant quadratic models were developed to test the VS and EE responses. The findings indicate that alprazolam and phospholipid concentrations have a significant effect on the mean VS. However, EE was significantly affected by both the alprazolam and phospholipid concentrations and the cholesterol content. The optimized formulation for preparation of alprazolam-loaded nanoliposomes with appropriate VS and EE was suggested. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), ranging in size from 50 to 100?nm were clearly observed in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, which is appropriate for transdermal delivery of alprazolam. The study of the prepared nanoliposomes over 28 days at 4?°C confirmed the stability of the formulations containing cholesterol. The results of an in vitro release study of alprazolam-loaded nanoliposomes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4 for 24?h at 37?°C using dialysis, indicated the sustained release of alprazolam due to encapsulation.     

The reaction of active methylene compounds with carbon disulfide in the presence of arylidenemalononitriles: synthesis of 6-amino-2-(4,4-dimethyl/dihydro-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)-4-aryl-4H-1,3-dithiine-5-carbonitrile derivatives

An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of novel ketene dithioacetals via a one-pot three-component reaction of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexan-1,3-dion or 1,3-cyclohexandion with carbon disulfide in the presence of arylidenemalononitriles is reported. The effects of different bases have been investigated and triethylamine can provide products in good to excellent yields at room temperature. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were established from advanced spectroscopic data.     

Effect of cellulose nanofibers and acetylated cellulose nanofibers on the properties of low‐density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blends

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and acetylated cellulose nanofibers (ACNFs) on the properties of low‐density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch/polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (LDPE/TPS/PE‐g‐MA) blends. For this purpose, CNFs, isolated from wheat straw fibers, were first acetylated using acetic anhydride in order to modify their hydrophilicity. Afterwards, LDPE/TPS/PE‐g‐MA blends were reinforced using either CNFs or ACNFs at various concentrations (1–5 wt%) with a twin‐screw extruder. The mechanical results demonstrated that addition of ACNFs more significantly improved the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus of blends than addition of CNFs, albeit elongation at break of both reinforced blends decreased compared with the neat sample. Additionally, biodegradability and water absorption capacity of blends improved due to the incorporation of both nanofibers, these effects being more pronounced for CNF‐assisted blends than ACNF‐reinforced counterparts. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photovoltaic properties of benzotriazole containing alternating donor–acceptor copolymers: Effect of alkyl chain length

A series of variable alkyl chain length substituted donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers with thiophene ring as the donor and benzotriazole moiety as the acceptor has been investigated in bulk heterojunction solar cells. The optical and electrochemical properties showed that the absorption onsets and the energy levels of the copolymers were not affected by alkyl substitution revealing 1.9 eV of optical band gap. The morphologies of the blend film can be fine-tuned by increasing the chain length attached to the benzotriazole unit. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated using (6,6)-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₀BM) and (6,6)-phenyl-C₇₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₀BM) as the acceptors. The maximum performance was achieved with a V_oc of 0.75 V, J_sc of 3.70 mA/cm², FF of 45% and a PCE of 1.23% for the PTBT-DA10:PC₇₀BM device using 1:4 w/w ratio in chlorobenzene (CB).