Chemodosimeter functionalized diatomaceous earth particles for visual detection and removal of trace mercury ions from water

Patil, Pravin,Madhuprasad, Pravin,Bhat, Mahesh P.,Gatti, Manasa G.,Kabiri, Shervin,Altalhi, Tariq,Jung, Ho-Young,Losic, Dusan,Kurkuri, Mahaveer Elsevier 2017 Chemical engineering journal Vol.327 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The rhodamine based receptor, P2 has been developed for the detection of environmentally hazardous Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions with a limit of detection, 1.5×10<SUP>−6</SUP> M. The P2 showed a significant colour change from colourless to pink upon binding with Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. As a result, a new peak at 533nm was observed in UV–vis spectroscopy which was attributed to spirolactum ring opening followed by through bond energy transfer (TBET). In addition, the presence of other competing cations did not interfere the detection of Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. Further, P2 has been successfully immobilized onto the naturally available and highly porous diatomaceous earth particles (P2D) for removal of Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions from water. The covalently attached organic molecule in P2D forms complex with Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ion present in the water and thus traps the Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. Based on this, a proof-of-concept cartridge has been developed for water purification. The cartridge having 450mg of P2D was able to purify 30mL of water containing 1ppm Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. The efficiency of cartridge could be visualized with a colour change from colourless to pink.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Detection and removal of Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> from water using chemodosimeter P2 were realized. </LI> <LI> P2 has been successfully immobilized onto naturally available diatoms (P2D). </LI> <LI> Organic receptor and hazardous Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions were physically contained in diatoms. </LI> <LI> Eco-friendly cartridge containing P2D was developed for the removal of Hg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. </LI> <LI> Device efficiency (time to replace) could be realized through visual colour change. </LI> </UL> </P>

Synthesis and photophysical property of well-defined donor–acceptor diblock copolymer based on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) and fullerene

Lee, Jea Uk,Cirpan, Ali,Emrick, Todd,Russell, Thomas P.,Jo, Won Ho Royal Society of Chemistry 2009 Journal of materials chemistry Vol.19 No.10

<P>A new, well-defined diblock copolymer (P3HT-<I>b</I>-C<SUB>60</SUB>) based on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and fullerene was synthesized. First, regioregular P3HT was synthesized through Grignard metathesis polymerization, and then methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were copolymerized by using an end-functionalized P3HT as a macroinitiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization to yield a diblock copolymer (P3HT-<I>b</I>-P(MMA-<I>r</I>-HEMA)). A fullerene derivative functionalized with carboxylic acid, [6,6]-phenyl-C<SUB>61</SUB>-butyric acid (PCBA), was then chemically linked to the HEMA unit in the second block (P(MMA-<I>r</I>-HEMA)) to produce a diblock copolymer with the second block containing fullerenes. Annealing thin films of the copolymer revealed nanometer-scale phase separation, a more suitable morphology for enabling excitons generated in the P3HT domain to more efficiently reach the donor–acceptor interface, relative to simple blends of P3HT and C<SUB>60</SUB>. As a result, photoluminescence of the P3HT-<I>b</I>-C<SUB>60</SUB> diblock copolymer in the films showed a complete quenching of photoluminescence of P3HT, which is indicative of charge transfer between P3HT and fullerene.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>A new, well-defined diblock copolymer (P3HT-<I>b</I>-C<SUB>60</SUB>) based on regioregular P3HT and fullerene showed phase separation on a nanometer scale, which allows the excitons generated in the P3HT domain to reach the donor–acceptor interface more efficiently. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=b813368a'> </P>

Report of the CCQM-K97: measurement of arsenobetaine standard solution and arsenobetaine content in fish tissue (tunafish)

Ma, L D,Wang, J,WEI, C,Kuroiwa, T,Narukawa, T,Ito, N,HIOKI, A,CHIBA, K,Yim, Y H,Lee, K S,Lim, Y R,Turk, G C,Davis, C W,Mester, Z,Yang, L,McCooeye, M,Maxwell, P,Cankur, O,Tokman, N,Coskun, F G BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES 2017 METROLOGIA -BERLIN- Vol.54 No.-

<P></P> <P>The CCQM-K97 key comparison was organized by the inorganic analysis working group (IAWG) of CCQM as a follow-up to completed pilot study CCQM-P96 and P96.1 to test the abilities of the national metrology institutes to accurately quantitate the mass fraction of arsenobetaine (AsB) in standard solution and in fish tissue. A pilot study CCQM-P133 was parallelized with this key comparison. National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China and National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) acted as the coordinating laboratories.</P> <P>Six NMIs participated in CCQM-K97 and two institutes participated in CCQM-P133, and all of them submitted the results. Some NMIs submitted more than one results by different methods. The results were in excellent agreement with each other, and obviously better than those of previous P96 and P96.1. Therefore the calibrant which each NMI used was comparable. It shows that the capabilities of some of the participants have been improved after the previous pilot studies.</P> <H2>Main text</H2> <P> To reach the main text of this paper, click on <A HREF='http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/final_reports/QM/K97/CCQM-K97.pdf'>Final Report</A>. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database <A HREF='http://kcdb.bipm.org/'>kcdb.bipm.org/</A>.</P> <P>The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).</P>

Growth Mechanism and Electronic Structure of Zn₃P₂ on the Ga-Rich GaAs(001) Surface

Jeon, Seokmin,Bosco, Jeffrey P.,Wilson, Samantha S.,Rozeveld, Steve J.,Kim, Hyungjun,Atwater, Harry A. American Chemical Society 2014 The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Vol.118 No.24

<P>The growth of epitaxial Zn<SUB>3</SUB>P<SUB>2</SUB> films on III–V substrates unlocks a promising pathway toward high-efficiency, earth-abundant photovoltaic devices fabricated on reusable, single-crystal templates. The detailed chemical, structural, and electronic properties of the surface and interface of pseudomorphic Zn<SUB>3</SUB>P<SUB>2</SUB> epilayers grown on GaAs(001) were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Two interesting features of the growth process were observed: (1) vapor-phase P<SUB>4</SUB> first reacts with the Ga-rich GaAs surface to form an interfacial GaP layer with a thickness of several monolayers, and (2) a P-rich amorphous overlayer is present during the entire film growth process, beneath which a highly ordered Zn<SUB>3</SUB>P<SUB>2</SUB> crystalline phase is precipitated. These features were corroborated by transmission electron micrographs of the Zn<SUB>3</SUB>P<SUB>2</SUB>/GaAs interface as well as density functional theory calculations of P reactions with the GaAs surface. Finally, the valence-band offset between the crystalline Zn<SUB>3</SUB>P<SUB>2</SUB> epilayer and the GaAs substrate was determined to be Δ<I>E</I><SUB>V</SUB> = 1.0 ± 0.1 eV, indicating the formation of a hole-depletion layer at the substrate surface which may inhibit formation of an ohmic contact.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jpccck/2014/jpccck.2014.118.issue-24/jp4127804/production/images/medium/jp-2013-127804_0010.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/jp4127804'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Identification of a novel <i>FAM83H</i> mutation and microhardness of an affected molar in autosomal dominant hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta

Hyun, H.-K.,Lee, S.-K.,Lee, K.-E.,Kang, H.-Y.,Kim, E.-J.,Choung, P.-H.,Kim, J.-W. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2009 International endodontic journal Vol.42 No.11

<P>Abstract</P><P>Aim </P><P>To determine the underlying molecular genetic aetiology of a family with the hypocalcified form of amelogenesis imperfecta and to investigate the hardness of the enamel and dentine of a known <I>FAM83H</I> mutation.</P><P>Methodology </P><P>Mutational screening of the <I>FAM83H</I> on the basis of candidate gene approach was performed. All exons and exon–intron boundaries was amplified and sequenced. A microhardness test was performed to measure the Vickers microhardness value.</P><P>Results </P><P>A novel nonsense mutation (c.1354C>T, p.Q452X) was identified in the last exon of <I>FAM83H</I>, which resulted in soft, uncalcified enamel. The affected enamel was extremely soft (about 17% of the normal control), but the underlying dentine was as hard as the normal control.</P><P>Conclusions </P><P>Mutational analysis revealed a novel mutation in <I>FAM83H</I> gene. Hardness of dentine was not affected by the mutation, whilst the enamel was extremely soft.</P>

Effect of <i>CYP3A5*3</i> genotype on serum carbamazepine concentrations at steady-state in Korean epileptic patients

Park, P.-W.,Seo, Y. H.,Ahn, J. Y.,Kim, K.-A.,Park, J.-Y. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2009 Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics Vol.34 No.5

<P>Abstract</P><P>Background and Objective: </P><P>Carbamazepine (CBZ) is metabolized mainly by the CYP3A family of enzymes, which includes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Several studies have suggested that the <I>CYP3A5*3</I> genotype influences the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A substrates. The present study aimed to assess the effect of the <I>CYP3A5*3</I> genotype on serum concentration of CBZ at the steady-state in Korean epileptic patients.</P><P>Method: </P><P>The serum concentrations of CBZ in 35 Korean epileptic patients were measured and their <I>CYP3A5</I> genotype was determined. Fourteen patients were <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors (two for <I>CYP3A5*1/*1</I> and 12 for <I>CYP3A5*1/*3</I>) and 21 patients were <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors (<I>CYP3A5*3/*3</I>). Dose-normalized concentrations (mean ± SD) of CBZ were 9·9 ± 3·4 ng/mL/mg for <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors and 13·1 ± 4·5 ng/mL/mg for <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors (<I>P</I> = 0·032). The oral clearance of CBZ was significantly higher in <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors than that of <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors (0·056 ±0·017 L/h/kg vs. 0·040 ± 0·014 L/h/kg, <I>P</I> = 0·004). The <I>CYP3A5</I> genotype affected the CBZ concentrations in Korean epileptic patients and is a factor that may contribute to inter-individual variability in CBZ disposition in epileptic patients.</P>

Toward high efficiency organic photovoltaic devices with enhanced thermal stability utilizing P3HT-b-P3PHT block copolymer additives

Zhu, M.,Kim, H.,Jang, Y.,Park, S.,Ryu, D.,Kim, K.,Tang, P.,Qiu, F.,Kim, D.,Peng, J. Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.4 No.47

<P>Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have drawn an extensive amount of attention due to their low cost, processibility and flexibility. However, a cell based on a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) has a limited power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to the short exciton diffusion length of similar to 10 nm. We address this issue by designing a series of all-conjugated diblock copolymers, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(3-(6-diethylphosphonatohexyl) thiophene) (P3HT-b-P3PHT), intended for use as additives to improve the performance of P3HT:PC61BM-based photovoltaic devices. The PCE of the devices improved from 3.30% to 4.03% with the addition of P3HT-b-P3PHT (3 : 1). The thermal stability of devices with P3HT-b-P3PHT additives improved significantly relative to that of the P3HT:PC61BM reference device, where the devices including a copolymer with a higher P3PHT content exhibited a better thermal stability. It was found that the fill factor (FF) could be regulated by simply varying the block ratio of P3HT-b-P3PHT and played a crucial role in improving both the PCE and the thermal stability. The P3HT-b-P3PHT diffused at the P3HT:PC61BM interface, improved the miscibility between P3HT and PC61BM, optimized the nanoscale morphology of the photoactive layer, and reduced the active layer roughness, all of which improved the FF and thus contributed to an improvement in device performance.</P>

P53 Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Vasomotor Function Through Transcriptional Upregulation of P66shc

Kim, Cuk-Seong,Jung, Saet-Byel,Naqvi, Asma,Hoffman, Timothy A.,DeRicco, Jeremy,Yamamori, Tohru,Cole, Marsha P.,Jeon, Byeong-Hwa,Irani, Kaikobad Ovid Technologies Wolters Kluwer -American Heart A 2008 Circulation research Vol.103 No.12

<P>The transcription factor, p53, and the adaptor protein, p66shc, both play essential roles in promoting oxidative stress in the vascular system. However, the relationship between the two in the context of endothelium-dependent vascular tone is unknown. Here, we report a novel, evolutionarily conserved, p53-mediated transcriptional mechanism that regulates p66shc expression and identify p53 as an important determinant of endothelium-dependent vasomotor function. We provide evidence of a p53 response element in the promoter of p66shc and show that angiotensin II-induced upregulation of p66shc in endothelial cells is dependent on p53. In addition, we demonstrate that downregulation of p66shc expression, as well as inhibition of p53 function in mice, mitigates angiotensin II-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, decrease in bioavailable nitric oxide, and hypertension. These findings reveal a novel p53-dependent transcriptional mechanism for the regulation of p66shc expression that is operative in the vascular endothelium and suggest that this mechanism is important in impairing endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation.</P>

Balanced intake of protein and carbohydrate maximizes lifetime reproductive success in the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Rho, M.S.,Lee, K.P. Pergamon Press 2016 Journal of insect physiology Vol.91 No.-

<P>Recent developments in insect gerontological and nutritional research have suggested that the dietary protein:carbohydrate (P:C) balance is a critical determinant of lifespan and reproduction in many insects. However, most studies investigating this important role of dietary P:C balance have been conducted using dipteran and orthopteran species. In this study, we used the mealworm beetles, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to test the effects of dietary P:C balance on lifespan and reproduction. Regardless of their reproductive status, both male and female beetles had the shortest lifespan at the protein-biased ratio of P:C 5:1. Mean lifespan was the longest at P:C 1:1 for males and at both P:C 1:1 and 1:5 for females. Mating significantly curtailed the lifespan of both males and females, indicating the survival cost of mating. Age-specific egg laying was significantly higher at P:C 1:1 than at the two imbalanced P:C ratios (1:5 or 5:1) at any given age throughout their lives, resulting in the highest lifetime reproductive success at P:C 1:1. When given a choice, beetles actively regulated their intake of protein and carbohydrate to a slightly carbohydrate-biased ratio (P:C 1:1.54-1:1.64 for males and P:C 1:1.31:1.36 for females). The self-selected P:C ratio was significantly higher for females than males, reflecting a higher protein requirement for egg production. Collectively, our results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting the key role played by dietary macronutrient balance in shaping lifespan and reproduction in insects. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Foxp3 is a key downstream regulator of p53-mediated cellular senescence

Kim, J-E,Shin, J-S,Moon, J-H,Hong, S-W,Jung, D-J,Kim, J H,Hwang, I-Y,Shin, Y J,Gong, E-Y,Lee, D H,Kim, S-M,Lee, E Y,Kim, Y S,Kim, D,Hur, D,Kim, T W,Kim, K-p,Jin, D-H,Lee, W-J Macmillan Publishers Limited 2017 Oncogene Vol.36 No.2

<P>The downstream events and target genes of p53 in the process of senescence are not fully understood. Here, we report a novel function of the forkhead transcription factor Foxp3, which is a key player in mediating T-cell inhibitory functions, in p53-mediated cellular senescence. The overexpression of Foxp3 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) accelerates senescence, whereas Foxp3 knockdown leads to escape from p53-mediated senescence in p53-expressing MEFs. Consistent with these results, Foxp3 expression resulted in the induction of senescence in epithelial cancer cells, including MCF7 and HCT116 cells. Foxp3 overexpression also increased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine rescued cells from Foxp3-expression-induced senescence. Furthermore, the elevated ROS levels that accompanied Foxp3 overexpression were paralleled by an increase in p21 expression. Knockdown of p21 in Foxp3-expressing MEFs abrogated the Foxp3-dependent increase in ROS levels, indicating that Foxp3 acts through the induction of p21 and the subsequent ROS elevation to trigger senescence. Collectively, these results suggest that Foxp3 is a downstream target of p53 that is sufficient to induce p21 expression, ROS production and p53-mediated senescence.</P>