Mortality response of folate receptor-activated,PEG–functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles for doxorubicin loading with and without ultraviolet irradiation

TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by hydrothermal assisted sol–gel technique. In the next step, as-synthesized NPs were modified by poly ethylene glycol (PEG). Then, folic acid (FA) was conjugated to TiO₂–PEG. Finally, Doxorubicin (Dox) as an anticancer drug was loaded on as-prepared TiO₂–PEG–FA nanocarrier. The optimization of TiO₂ and FA concentration and the influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on photocatalytic activity of nanocarrier and Dox loaded carrier were assessed by utilizing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-assay method.     

Identification of Proteins Modulated in the Date Palm Stem Infested with Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) Using Two Dimensional Differential Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry

A state of the art proteomic methodology using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI TOF) has been employed to characterize peptides modulated in the date palm stem subsequent to infestation with red palm weevil (RPW). Our analyses revealed 32 differentially expressed peptides associated with RPW infestation in date palm stem. To identify RPW infestation associated peptides (I), artificially wounded plants (W) were used as additional control beside uninfested plants, a conventional control (C). A constant unique pattern of differential expression in infested (I), wounded (W) stem samples compared to control (C) was observed. The upregulated proteins showed relative fold intensity in order of I > W and downregulated spots trend as W > I, a quite interesting pattern. This study also reveals that artificially wounding of date palm stem affects almost the same proteins as infestation; however, relative intensity is quite lower than in infested samples both in up and downregulated spots. All 32 differentially expressed spots were subjected to MALDI-TOF analysis for their identification and we were able to match 21 proteins in the already existing databases. Relatively significant modulated expression pattern of a number of peptides in infested plants predicts the possibility of developing a quick and reliable molecular methodology for detecting plants infested with date palm.     

Using bent carbon nanotubes for the fabrication of electromechanical switches

An electromechanical switch based on bent carbon nanotubes was fabricated. The shape and structure of the bent carbon nanotubes allows one to produce a low cost and low working voltage switch. The fabrication process is free of any nanolithography. The electrical characteristics of the fabricated device were investigated, both experimentally and theoretically. Actuation of the fabricated device shows hysteresis behavior in the measured I–V curves depending on the structural parameters of the bent nanotubes. The relationship between the pull-in voltage and the morphology of the bent nanotubes was studied by the obtained hysteresis curves. A scanning electron microscope was used for structural analysis. This study introduced an easy way to fabricate electromechanical switches with controllable on/off states.     

Composite mixed matrix membranes incorporating microporous carbon molecular sieve as filler in polyethersulfone for CO2/CH4 separation

Membrane technology has been considered a key factor for sustainable growth in high-efficiency gas separation. Current mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) technology is rising, but these membranes in the dense structure are having difficulties in operating at high pressures and scale up for commercialization. The purpose of this research is to synthesize composite MMMs (CMMMs) consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), carbon molecular sieve (CMS 1–5 wt %), and Novatex 2471 nonwoven fabric (support layer). The membranes' physical, chemical, and thermal properties were evaluated by different analytical equipment. The morphology of both PES and PES-CMS composite membranes had a porous and asymmetric structure, in which CMS was uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. The thermal properties showed that the membranes were stable up to 350 °C with a single glass transition temperature. The functional groups in the membrane were confirmed by spectral analysis. The gas performance results showed that carbon dioxide permeance increased with increased CMS concentration and methane permeance decreased due to the hindering effect of CMS under similar operating conditions. The highest selectivity achieved was 12.774 using CMMM of 5 wt % of CMS at 10 bar, which on average was 137.80%, improved selectivity compared to pure PES membrane. The support layer was able to withstand high operating pressures and showed the ability to scale up. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48476.     

尾式5-{对-[2-(2-甲乙基)-1,3-二噁烷]苯氧基}-10,15,20- 三苯基卟啉及其金属配合物的合成与表征

2-(2-溴-2-甲乙基)-1,3-二噁烷与存在无水K2CO3的DMF溶剂中的5-(4-羟基苯基)-10,15,20-三苯基卟啉反应,合成出了一种新型卟啉5-{对-[2-(2-甲乙基)-1,3-二噁烷]苯氧基}-10,15,20-三苯基卟啉,并据此制得了锌、钯、钌配合物.对化合物的结构分别用UV-Vis、IR、1HNMR、元素分析等手段进行了表征.     

Green Adeptness in the Synthesis and Stabilization of Copper Nanoparticles: Catalytic,Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity,and Antioxidant Activities

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are of great interest due to their extraordinary properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, high yield strength, ductility, hardness, flexibility, and rigidity. CuNPs show catalytic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal activities along with cytotoxicity and anticancer properties in many different applications. Many physical and chemical methods have been used to synthesize nanoparticles including laser ablation, microwave-assisted process, sol-gel, co-precipitation, pulsed wire discharge, vacuum vapor deposition, high-energy irradiation, lithography, mechanical milling, photochemical reduction, electrochemistry, electrospray synthesis, hydrothermal reaction, microemulsion, and chemical reduction. Phytosynthesis of nanoparticles has been suggested as a valuable alternative to physical and chemical methods due to low cytotoxicity, economic prospects, environment-friendly, enhanced biocompatibility, and high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The review explains characterization techniques, their main role, limitations, and sensitivity used in the preparation of CuNPs. An overview of techniques used in the synthesis of CuNPs, synthesis procedure, reaction parameters which affect the properties of synthesized CuNPs, and a screening analysis which is used to identify phytochemicals in different plants is presented from the recent published literature which has been reviewed and summarized. Hypothetical mechanisms of reduction of the copper ion by quercetin, stabilization of copper nanoparticles by santin, antimicrobial activity, and reduction of 4-nitrophenol with diagrammatic illustrations are given. The main purpose of this review was to summarize the data of plants used for the synthesis of CuNPs and open a new pathway for researchers to investigate those plants which have not been used in the past.

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Graphical abstract Proposed Mechanism for Antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles.

     

Recent Applications of Polymer Blends in Gas Separation Membranes

Polymeric membranes are extensively used for gas separations but their performance is limited by the upper bound trade‐off discovered by Robeson in 1991. Among the attractive modifications available to increase the performance of polymeric membranes, polymer blending is a unique technique because it offers a time‐ and cost‐effective method of tuning the properties of membranes. A variety of polymer blends has been explored in recent years. The application of polymer blends in gas separation membranes is described by critically analyzing the performance of polymer blend membranes. Polymer blend membranes of different polymer pairs are reviewed and evaluated in terms of phase behavior, permeability, and selectivity.     

Classification of Hydrogels Based on Their Source: A Review and Application in Stem Cell Regulation

Stem cells are recognized by their self-renewal ability and can give rise to specialized progeny. Hydrogels are an established class of biomaterials with the ability to control stem cell fate via mechanotransduction. They can mimic various physiological conditions to influence the fate of stem cells and are an ideal platform to support stem cell regulation. This review article provides a summary of recent advances in the application of different classes of hydrogels based on their source (e.g., natural, synthetic, or hybrid). This classification is important because the chemistry of substrate affects stem cell differentiation and proliferation. Natural and synthetic hydrogels have been widely used in stem cell regulation. Nevertheless, they have limitations that necessitate a new class of material. Hybrid hydrogels obtained by manipulation of the natural and synthetic ones can potentially overcome these limitations and shape the future of research in application of hydrogels in stem cell regulation.     

Modeling and simulation of intracellular dynamics: choosing an appropriate framework

Systems biology is a reemerging paradigm which, among other things, focuses on mathematical modeling and simulation of biochemical reaction networks in intracellular processes. For most simulation tools and publications, they are usually characterized by either preferring stochastic simulation or rate equation models. The use of stochastic simulation is occasionally accompanied with arguments against rate equations. Motivated by these arguments, we discuss in this paper the relationship between these two forms of representation. Toward this end, we provide a novel compact derivation for the stochastic rate constant that forms the basis of the popular Gillespie algorithm. Comparing the mathematical basis of the two popular conceptual frameworks of generalized mass action models and the chemical master equation, we argue that some of the arguments that have been put forward are ignoring subtle differences and similarities that are important for answering the question in which conceptual framework one should investigate intracellular dynamics.     

Kallikrein gene expression in human pituitary tissues

Somatostatin has been suggested to influence the somatotrophic axis outside the central nervous system, in reducing GH-induced IGF-I mRNA and IGF-I generation. This study aimed to determine whether such effects were mediated via the GH receptor (GHR). GH-deficient dwarf rats aged 45-47 days (n = 8 per group) received twice daily subcutaneous injections of octreotide (1 mg/kg) (group O), saline (group S), octreotide (1 mg/kg) plus bovine GH (0.25 mg/kg) (group OG), or bovine GH (0.25 mg/kg) plus saline (group G) for 10 days. Octreotide-treated animals had less weight gain compared with saline-treated animals, but not when GH cotreated (group OG vs G). Octreotide had an overall effect on decreasing length gain (P < 0.01). Serum IGF-I (ng/ml) was reduced by octreotide (group O 171 +/- 11, group S 239 +/- 20, P < 0.01; group OG 283 +/- 30, group G 362 +/- 10, P < 0.001), as was serum insulin (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in hepatic and muscle IGF-I mRNA expression was found as expected, yet this was not associated with decreased hepatic GHR expression. Rather, an increase in hepatic 125I-bovine GH specific binding was observed (P < 0.001) and, in GH-cotreated animals (OG), hepatic GHR and GH binding protein (GHBP) mRNA expression were also increased by octreotide by approximately 40%. In muscle, octreotide was associated with an approximately 30% decrease in GHBP mRNA and no effect on GHR mRNA. This study suggests that the suppressive effects of octreotide on IGF-I metabolism, at least in liver, are not mediated via down-regulation of GHR expression, but more likely by direct effects on IGF-I expression.