Purification and Characterization of Organic Solvent and Detergent Tolerant Lipase from Thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2

The aim of this study was to characterize the organic solvent and detergent tolerant properties of recombinant lipase isolated from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2 (Lip-SBRN2). The isolation of the lipase-coding gene was achieved by the use of inverse and direct PCR. The complete DNA sequencing of the gene revealed that the lip-SBRN2 gene contains 576 nucleotides which corresponded to 192 deduced amino acids. The purified enzyme was homogeneous with the estimated molecular mass of 19 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The Lip-SBRN2 was stable in a pH range of 9-11 and temperature range of 45-60 °C. The enzyme was a non metallo-monomeric protein and was active against pNP-caprylate (C8) and pNP-laurate (C12) and coconut oil. The Lip-SBRN2 exhibited a high level of activity in the presence of 108% benzene, 102.4% diethylether and 112% SDS. It is anticipated that the organic solvent and detergent tolerant enzyme secreted by Bacillus sp. RN2 will be applicable as catalysts for reaction in the presence of organic solvents and detergents.     

Biomolecule and surfactant-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of PbS crystals

PbS crystals were hydrothermally synthesized using Pb(NO₃)₂, l-cysteine, and N-cetyl pyridinium chloride in solutions with different pH values at 140 °C. Flower-like, granular and truncated cubic PbS crystals composing of Pb and S were detected using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a selected area electron diffraction (SAED) technique and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. In addition, a Raman spectrometer revealed the presence of the first and second overtone modes at 436 and 602 cm⁻¹, respectively. Emission spectra of the products were detected at 412 nm using a photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer.     

Transformation of cubic AgBiS2 from nanoparticles to nanostructured flowers by a microwave-refluxing method

Cubic AgBiS₂ nanoparticles and flower-like clusters were successfully synthesized by microwave refluxing of CH₃COOAg, Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O and thiosemicarbazide (NH₂NHCSNH₂) in ethylene glycol. The phase was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The SAED pattern was also in accordance with that of the simulation. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) revealed the gradual transformation of nanoparticles into flower-like clusters by increasing microwave power. Their UV–visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) emission were detected by spectrometry. Possible formation mechanism of nanoparticles and nanostructured flowers was also proposed according to the experimental results.     

Morphology development of ZnO produced by sonothermal process

Wurtzite ZnO (hcp) was produced by the 80 °C sonothermal reactions of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20 molar ratios of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O:NaOH in water, containing 2 g, 5 g, 10 g, and 20 g of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the molecular weights (MWs) of 6000, 10000, and 20000 for 1 h, 3 h, and 5 h. ZnO phase with different morphologies was detected. When the amount of NaOH, both MW and the amount of PEG, and the experimental time were increased, the products still retain their single phase, but their morphologies were changed from nanoplates in clusters to nanospears with sharp tips gathering together in the shape of flowers, and long nanorods with oval tips in clusters. In the present work, formation mechanism of these products was also discussed.     

Oxidative Stress and Its Significant Roles in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been implicated in diverse pathophysiological conditions, including inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative damage to biomolecules including lipids, proteins and DNA, contributes to these diseases. Previous studies suggest roles of lipid peroxidation and oxysterols in the development of neurodegenerative diseases and inflammation-related cancer. Our recent studies identifying and characterizing carbonylated proteins reveal oxidative damage to heat shock proteins in neurodegenerative disease models and inflammation-related cancer, suggesting dysfunction in their antioxidative properties. In neurodegenerative diseases, DNA damage may not only play a role in the induction of apoptosis, but also may inhibit cellular division via telomere shortening. Immunohistochemical analyses showed co-localization of oxidative/nitrative DNA lesions and stemness markers in the cells of inflammation-related cancers. Here, we review oxidative stress and its significant roles in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.     

Validation of Models Predicting Nucleation Rates from Induction Times and Metastable Zone Widths

Three approaches for estimation of nucleation rates from induction time and metastable zone width (MSZW) were validated based on directly measured nucleation rates for paracetamol in ethanol. To quantitatively predict nucleation kinetics using Kubota's methods it is necessary to know the minimum detectable number concentration of nuclei. This was found by determination of light transmission of a series of diluted suspensions of newly nucleated crystals where the size had already been assessed by optical reflection measurement (ORM). The measured nucleation rates strongly depended on both temperature and supersaturation. The Nyvlt method predicted nucleation rates in this system reasonably well; however, it gave slightly low estimates for all temperatures. The methods of Kubota provided nucleation rates that were low by an order of magnitude.     

Large-scale synthesis of WO3 nanoplates by a microwave-hydrothermal method

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanoplates were synthesized by a 270 W microwave-hydrothermal reaction of Na₂WO₄·2H₂O and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇·H₂O) in deionized water. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to reveal the synthesis of WO₃ complete rectangular nanoplates in the solution of 0.2 g citric acid for 180 min, with O-W-O FTIR stretching modes at 819 and 741 cm⁻¹, and two prominent O-W-O Raman stretching modes at 804 and 713 cm⁻¹. The 2.71 eV indirect energy gap, and 430-460 nm blue emission wavelength range of WO₃ complete rectangular nanoplates were determined using UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometers. The formation mechanism was also proposed according to the experimental results.     

The effect of solvents on ZnS nanostructures synthesized by biomolecule-assisted solvothermal method

Nanostructured ZnS (hexagonal and cubic) were synthesized by a 200 °C and 24 h solvothermal reaction of Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O and l-cysteine (C₃H₇NO₂S) in water, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GR) solvents. The products, characterized by XRD, were specified as pure ZnS (hexagonal) in water, and ZnS (cubic) in PG and GR. SEM and TEM analyses showed the particle sizes and agglomerated behaviors, mainly related to the reaction media, which were in accordance with BET adsorption of nitrogen, with blue shift energy gaps relative to the bulk.     

Hydraulic Characteristics of Gabion-Stepped Weirs

Experimental studies on the hydraulics of flow through and over gabion-stepped weirs are presented. Two flow components were observed, i.e., base flow through the void between filled stones and overflow on the gabions. The energy loss ratios in the gabion-stepped weirs are greater than those in the corresponding horizontal stepped weirs by approximately 7, 10, and 14% for weir slopes of 30, 45, and 60°, respectively. As a result, the velocity at the outlet is lower. Stone size and shape have little influence on the energy loss and flow velocity as compared to the increasing effect of the weir slope. The pressure acting on the step face for the gabion-stepped weirs is less than that of the horizontal steps owing to the cushioning effect generated by filled stones. To reduce pressure on a step face at a fixed discharge for different weir slopes, the void ratio of the filled stones should be low to allow a small amount of base flow. The pressure distribution pattern on the horizontal face of a step is provided.     

Characterization of Bi2S3 nanorods and nano-structured flowers prepared by a hydrothermal method

Bismuth sulfide nanorods and nano-structured flowers were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate and thiourea solutions, containing 1 and 2 ml of 65% HNO₃, respectively. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM), the products were specified as orthorhombic Bi₂S₃ in the shapes of nanorods and flower-like clusters of nanorods, with the growth of nanorods in the [001] direction. A diffraction pattern was also simulated, and was in good accordance with the SAED pattern obtained from the experiment.