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Sediment bioelectrochemical systems (SBESs) can be integrated into brackish aquaculture ponds for in-situ bioremediation of the pond water and sediment. Such an in-situ system offers advantages including reduced treatment cost, reusability and simple handling. In order to realize such an application potential of the SBES, in this laboratory-scale study we investigated the effect of several controllable and uncontrollable operational factors on the in-situ bioremediation performance of a tank model of a brackish aquaculture pond, into which a SBES was integrated, in comparison with a natural degradation control model. The performance was evaluated in terms of electricity generation by the SBES, Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and nitrogen removal of both the tank water and the tank sediment. Real-life conditions of the operational parameters were also experimented to understand the most close-to-practice responses of the system to their changes. Predictable effects of controllable parameters including external resistance and electrode spacing, similar to those reported previously for the BESs, were shown by the results but exceptions were observed. Accordingly, while increasing the electrode spacing reduced the current densities but generally improved COD and nitrogen removal, increasing the external resistance could result in decreased COD removal but also increased nitrogen removal and decreased current densities. However, maximum electricity generation and COD removal efficiency difference of the SBES (versus the control) could be reached with an external resistance of 100 Ω, not with the lowest one of 10 Ω. The effects of uncontrollable parameters such as ambient temperature, salinity and pH of the pond (tank) water were rather unpredictable. Temperatures higher than 35°C seemed to have more accelaration effect on natural degradation than on bioelectrochemical processes. Changing salinity seriously changed the electricity generation but did not clearly affect the bioremediation performance of the SBES, although at 2.5% salinity the SBES displayed a significantly more efficient removal of nitrogen in the water, compared to the control. Variation of pH to practically extreme levels (5.5 and 8.8) led to increased electricity generations but poorer performances of the SBES (vs. the control) in removing COD and nitrogen. Altogether, the results suggest some distinct responses of the SBES under brackish conditions and imply that COD removal and nitrogen removal in the system are not completely linked to bioelectrochemical processes but electrochemically enriched bacteria can still perform nonbioelectrochemical COD and nitrogen removals more efficiently than natural ones. The results confirm the application potential of the SBES in brackish aquaculture bioremediation and help propose efficient practices to warrant the success of such application in real-life scenarios.

Nanodiamond (ND) has recently emerged as a potential nanomaterial for nanovaccine development. Here, a plant-based haemagglutinin protein (H5.c2) of A/H5N1 virus was conjugated with detonation NDs (DND) of 3.7 nm in diameter (ND4), and high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) oxidative NDs of ~40–70 nm (ND40) and ~100–250 nm (ND100) in diameter. Our results revealed that the surface charge, but not the size of NDs, is crucial to the protein conjugation, as well as the in vitro and in vivo behaviors of H5.c2:ND conjugates. Positively charged ND4 does not effectively form stable conjugates with H5.c2, and has no impact on the immunogenicity of the protein both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, the negatively oxidized NDs (ND40 and ND100) are excellent protein antigen carriers. When compared to free H5.c2, H5.c2:ND40, and H5.c2:ND100 conjugates are highly immunogenic with hemagglutination titers that are both 16 times higher than that of the free H5.c2 protein. Notably, H5.c2:ND40 and H5.c2:ND100 conjugates induce over 3-folds stronger production of both H5.c2-specific-IgG and neutralizing antibodies against A/H5N1 than free H5.c2 in mice. These findings support the innovative strategy of using negatively oxidized ND particles as novel antigen carriers for vaccine development, while also highlighting the importance of particle characterization before use.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are gaining attention as the new generation of lipid vehicles. These carriers consist of saturated lipids with small drops of liquid oil dispersed into the inner lipid matrix and are stabilized by a surfactant. Conventionally, NLC-based drug delivery systems have been widely studied, and many researchers are looking into the composition of NLC properties to improve the performance of NLCs. The membrane fluidity and polarity of self-assembling lipids are also essential properties that must be affected by membrane compositions; however, such fundamental characteristics have not been studied yet. In this study, NLCs were prepared from cetyl palmitate (CP), caprylic triglyceride (CaTG), and Tween 80 (T80). Structural properties, such as particle size and ζ-potential of the CP/CaTG/T80 ternary mixtures, were investigated. Then, the systematic characterization of self-assembly properties using fluorescence-based analysis was applied for the first time to the NLC system. As a final step, the ternary diagram was developed based on the self-assembly properties to summarize the possible structures formed at different compositions. The results showed four states: micelle-like, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion-like, solid lipid nanoparticle-like, and intermediate (solid-liquid coexistence). For the purpose of making the lipid matrix more liquified, the heterogeneous state and the disordered state of the O/W emulsion-like structure might fulfill the criteria of NLCs. Finally, the ternary diagram provides new information about the assembly state of NLC constituents that could become an important reference for developing high-performance NLCs.

The sterol ergosterol (Erg) is ubiquitous in the membranes of lower eukaryotes such as fungi. To investigate the interactions between Erg and phosphocholine (PC) molecules, we studied ternary lipid mixture systems composed of unsaturated 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), saturated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine (DPPC), and Erg. Bilayer membrane fluidity and polarity were systematically analyzed using fluorescent probes. The presence of ≥30 mol % of Erg exhibited a significant ordering effect and stabilized membrane properties when temperatures increased, suggesting that Erg has a similar function to cholesterol (Chol) in comparable lipid systems that form a liquid-ordered phase. Erg was also observed to have a significant condensing effect at the monolayer level in saturated PC-enriched systems. The phase behavior of Erg in bilayer systems was compared with that of Chol, with the data suggesting that Erg behaves in a similar manner to Chol in membranes enriched with saturated lipids.

NiS is a highly promising transition metal sulfide versatile for a sensor material owing to its superior conductivity and stability, and herein we report its first incorporation into an electrochemical sensor. Because exposure to electrolyte under electrochemical impact can easily deform NiS, thereby decreasing its electro-activity and measurement reproducibility, a strategy for optimally integrating NiS into sensors is critically necessary. For this purpose, NiS was initially firmly affixed to a mechanical pencil lead (MPL) by means of hydrothermal deposition (with the result designated as MPL-NiS). MPL, a commercially available carbon-based material with consistent quality, was adopted to make the sensor cost-effective and easily prepared. Then, to prevent direct exposure of NiS to samples during electrochemical measurement and to make the sensor surface more reactive for wide variety of analytes, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was electrodeposited on the NiS surface to construct a final structure of MPL-NiS/rGO. In summary, NiS, a p-type semiconductor with positive charge, was effectively composited and sandwiched with negatively charged rGO and MPL by means of mutual electrostatic interaction. When the developed MPL-NiS/rGO sensor was used to separately measure bisphenol A (BPA) and mercury- Hg2+, the sensitivity and sensor-to-sensor reproducibility were comparable with or superior to those of previously reported sensors.

The present work reports on the morphological influence of catalyst on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As a catalyst, Prussian blue analog structured nickel hexacyanoferrate (Ni-HCF) with two distinct morphologically controlled frameworks, viz. granular crystalline bulk film and rose-petal like structured thin film having smooth surface, are synthesized via controlled anodization route, and their morphological influence on the ORR is investigated. In addition, the influence of addition of carbon black, which is commonly used as catalytic dispersing support, is also studied on the catalytic mechanism for the ORR. Based on the hydrodynamic voltammetry of the electrocatalytic films on rotating disk electrode, the number of electrons involved in the reduction of an O2 molecule, and the kinetic current density of the reaction are estimated. While the pristine Ni-HCF frameworks based catalyst, regardless of their morphology, demonstrates the direct reduction of O2 with participation of 4 electrons, the frameworks when mixed with carbon black as support diverts the reduction via two steps with participation of 2 electrons at each step. A larger kinetic current density is, however, obtained in the case of granular crystalline bulk film of the Ni-HCF frameworks.

Aims In RCT of adults with decompensated cirrhosis, GCSF mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells HSC and improves short-term outcome. An FDA-IND for sequential Kasai-GCSF treatment in biliary atresia BA was approved. This phase 1 study examines GCSF safety in Kasai subjects. Preliminary short-term outcome was evaluated. Methods GCSF (Neupogen) at 5 or 10 μg/kg (n = 3/group) was given in 3 daily doses starting on day 3 of Kasai surgery (NCT03395028). Serum CD34+ HSC cell counts, and 1-month of GCSF-related adverse events were monitored. The 6-months Phase 1 clinical outcome was compared against 10 subsequent post Phase 1 Kasai patients who did not receive GCSF. Results With GCSF, WBC and platelet count transiently increased, LFT and serum creatinine remained stable. Reversible splenic enlargement (by 8.5–20%) occurred in 5/6 subjects. HSC count increased 12-fold and 17.5-fold for the 5 μg/kg and10 ug/kg dose respectively; with respective median total bilirubin levels for GCSF vs no-GCSF groups of 55 vs 91 μM at 1 month, p = 0.05; 15 vs 37 μM at 3 months, p = 0.24); and the 6-months cholangitis frequency of 40% vs 90%, p = 0.077. Conclusions GCSF safely mobilizes HSC in Kasai infants and may improve short-term biliary drainage and cholangitis. Phase 2 efficacy outcome of GCSF adjunct therapy for sequential Kasai and GCSF is pending.

The present work demonstrates the formation of self-aligned nanoporous architecture of gallium oxide by anodization of gallium metal film controlled at −15 °C in aqueous electrolyte consisting of phosphoric acid. SEM examination of the anodized film reveals that by adding ethylene glycol to the electrolyte and optimizing the ratio of phosphoric acid and water, chemical etching at the oxide/electrolyte interfaces can be controlled, leading to the formation of aligned nanotubular oxide structures with closed bottom. XPS analysis confirms the chemical composition of the oxide film as Ga2O3. Further, XRD and SAED examination reveals that the as-synthesized nanotubular structure is amorphous, and can be crystallized to β-Ga2O3 phase by annealing the film at 600 °C. The nanotubular structured film, when used as photoanode for photoelectrochemical splitting of water, achieved a higher photocurrent of about two folds than that of the nanoporous film, demonstrating the rewarding effect of the nanotubular structure...

From the stems of Paramignya trimera (Rutaceae), two new prenylated phenolic compounds, paratrimerins G (1) and H (2), together with 24 known compounds, as well as their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was examined. Paratrimerins G (1) and H (2) showed moderate inhibitory effect, with the IC50 values of 89.2 and 58.8 μM, respectively. The plausible biosynthetic pathways of two new compounds was proposed.

This work reports on back-electron injection barrier property and electrical charge storing behavior of PEDOT film with and without substituted propylene as terminal group. As a barrier layer, thin polymer film is deposited on TiO 2 particles of DSSC using photo-induced polymerization route. The same piece of DSSC device is used before and after deposition of polymer thin-film for studying the influence of interfacial treatment. The propylene substituted PEDOT treatment of the device demonstrates an enhanced power conversion efficiency from 4.31 to 5.96% whereas the unsubstituted PEDOT treated device shows only the power conversion enhancement from 4.54 to 5.31%. This finding suggests the higher barrier performance of the propylene substituted PEDOT for back-electron injections. Unlike the barrier performance, the propylene substituted PEDOT shows poorer electrical charge storing behavior with specific capacitance of 63.47 F g −1 whereas the unsubstituted PEDOT film achieved 96.84 F g −1 .

Bronsted acidic ionic liquid was found to be an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines and 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones. The reactions proceeded smoothly with a broad scope of substrates providing the expected products in good to excellent yields under an atom-economical pathway. The low-cost recyclable catalyst, metal- and solvent-free conditions, and the ease of product isolation are the highlighted advantages in solving the issue of trace metal contamination in synthesized pharmaceuticals.

Functionalization of BODIPY dyes with TPP substituents endowed them with mitochondria-targeting capabilities. The uniodinated BODIPY control displayed good biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity in the dark, and exceptional cellular imaging capabilities; however, it did not exhibit photodynamic therapeutic properties upon excitation at 530 nm. Dual functional photosensitizers were obtained in the case of mono- and di-iodinated BODIPY derivatives, which exhibited mitochondria-targeting capabilities and provided clear fluorescence confocal bioimages, while efficiently generating high levels of singlet oxygen species and displaying photodynamic therapeutic activity toward two cancer cell lines following LED irradiation. Overall, the results presented herein demonstrate the considerable potential for the use of TPP-functionalized BODIPY dyes as viable agents for fluorescence-imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment.

We report the modulation of the dual photo/thermo-responsive multicolor fluorescence from poly( N -isopropyl acrylate) pNIPAM-based nanogels. The thermo-responsive pNIPAM-crosslinked matrix was covalently copolymerized with nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) monomers as a Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor and electrostatically conjugated with photochromic spiropyran (SP) dyes as a FRET acceptor. The pristine nanogel emits green fluorescence derived from the NBD moieties; however, the irradiation of the nanogels with UV light led to the transformation of the ring-closed colorless SP moieties to the ring-opened coral-red merocyanine (MC) moieties, resulting in light-pink fluorescent nanogels. Notably, at higher temperatures, the fluorescence of the nanogels was red-shifted and enhanced by the more efficient FRET process. The nanogels were well-distributed in the cellular cytoplasm and showed excellent photochromic function in the subcellular environment for applications as photo-switchable bio-imaging agents and nanothermometers.

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices due to their ultrahigh theoretical gravimetric energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, the application of Li–S batteries remains challenging; mainly due to a lack of understanding of the complex chemical reactions and associated equilibria that occur in a working Li–S system. A new approach preparing graphene-based active cathode materials of Li-S battery with spatially confined lithium sulfides is reported. The starting graphene-embedded 2D-MoS2 was synthesized by a solvothermal method in organic solvents followed by the calcination of trapped organic solvent molecules at 800 °C to give graphene single sheets inside the 2D-MoS2 layers with 7 A distance (MoS2-Gr-32.51). Then, it was electrochemically reduced/lithiated at potential 0.01 V vs Li+/Li generating metallic molybdenum and lithium sulfides. As a result, the structure of MoS2 multi-layers collapsed. The graphene multi-layer (ML-Graphene) was left behind and shut the lithium sulfides between the layers. The sizes of Li2Sn (n = 4–6) are bigger than the inter-layer distance of ML-Graphene, and the escape of sulfur/sulfides from the cathode into the electrolyte is physically blocked alleviating shuttle effects. The specific capacity of ML-Graphene/lithium sulfides cathode was high of 1209 mAh/gMoS2-Gr at 0.1 C (1 C = 670 mA/g). The ML-Graphene exhibited the remarkable lithium intercalation capability, and the theoretical calculation has been carried out to give 2231.4 mAh/g. Such high capacity was hybridized with the theoretical capacity of sulfur (1675 mAh/g), and the ML-Graphene composite with dichalcogenides (2D-MoS2) became a promising platform for the cathode of Li-S batteries.

One of the challenges in obtaining hydrogen economically by electrochemical water splitting is to identify and substitute cost-effective earth-abundant materials for the traditionally used precious-metal-based water-splitting electrocatalysts. Herein, we report the electrochemical formation of a thin film of nickel-based Prussian blue analogue hexacyanoferrate (Ni-HCF) through the anodization of a nickel substrate in ferricyanide electrolyte. As compared to the traditionally used Nafion-binder-based bulk film, the anodically obtained binder-free Ni-HCF film demonstrates superior performance in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is highly competitive with that shown by a Pt-plate electrode. The HER onset and the benchmark cathodic current density of 10 mA cm–2 were achieved at small overpotentials of 15 mV and 0.2 V (not iR-corrected), respectively, in 1 M KOH electrolyte, together with the long-term electrochemical durability of the film. Further, a metal-HCF-electrode-based full...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the meiotic and developmental competence of porcine oocytes from small follicles (SF; 0.5–3 mm diameter). When cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from medium-sized follicles (MF; 3–6 mm diameter) and SF were cultured for IVM, the maturation rates were significantly higher for oocytes from MF than SF. Concentrations of VEGF in the medium were significantly higher for COCs cultured from MF than SF. When COCs from SF were exposed to 200 ng mL–1 VEGF during the first 20 h of IVM, the maturation rate improved significantly and was similar to that of oocytes derived from MF. The fertilisability of oocytes was also significantly higher than that of VEGF-free SF controls. Following parthenogenetic activation, the blastocyst formation rate improved significantly when SF COC culture was supplemented with 200 ng mL–1 VEGF, with the rate similar to that of oocytes from MF. The results of the present study indicate that VEGF markedly improves the meiotic and developmental competence of oocytes derived from SF, especially at a concentration of 200 ng mL–1 during the first 20 h of IVM.

We investigate aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characters of bulk tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives with nonpolar and polar exterior chains. The bulk TPE derivatives with nonpolar dodecyl and polar di(ethylene oxide) chains are in liquid crystal (LC) and crystalline phases, respectively, at room temperature. The mobile LC character of the TPE derivatives in bulk is crucial for high AIE efficiency because the mobile LC character is effective in minimizing the number of undesirable nonemissive local sites in aggregates and inducing a homogeneous zigzag-stacked columnar structure with j-type coupled transition dipoles of the TPE derivatives. The mobile LC characteristics of AIE luminogens can be advantageous for highly efficient solid-state emission.

The screening and monitoring of residual antibiotics in pork meat were conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 2014 to 2015. One hundred samples collected from a wholesale market were screened on-site using a microbiological kit, and eighteen samples were determined as positive for residual antibiotics. Once transferred to the lab, all the samples were analyzed for 28 antibiotics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sulfamethazine residues (11–1600 μg/kg) were detected in 23 samples by LC-MS/MS. Notably, 11 samples with sulfamethazine concentrations ranging from 310 to 1600 μg/kg were detected as “positive” in the initial screening, whereas 12 other samples with sulfamethazine levels below 200 μg/kg were screened as “negative”. No other targeted antibiotics were identified among the remaining positive samples. These results show the potential and limitations of a monitoring system combining on-site microbiological tests and an LC-MS/MS method.

Sterols such as cholesterol (Chol) and ergosterol (Erg) are known to regulate membrane properties in higher eukaryotes and in lower eukaryotes, respectively. To better understand the modulation of membrane properties by Erg, binary lipid membranes composed of Erg and diacylglycerophosphocholine (PC) were studied in Langmuir monolayer and bilayer vesicle systems. From the excess area measured by pressure-area isotherms, attractive interactions between Erg and saturated PC were significant above the melting temperature (Tm) of PC. Conversely, repulsive interactions were observed at temperatures below Tm. From the analyses of membrane fluidity and polarity using fluorescence probes, similar trends were observed for bilayer systems where Erg had an ordering effect on saturated PC vesicles in the fluid state. However, Chol had a stronger ordering effect than Erg. In unsaturated PC systems, Erg did not alter membrane ordering. These findings demonstrate that the interaction of Erg with the fluid-state PC lipids will maintain lower-eukaryote membranes in a more ordered state, similar to the effect of cholesterol in higher eukaryotes.

We investigated the intramolecular charge transfer characteristics in the S1 state of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives with triphenylamine (TPA) substituents, depending on the substituted position and the number of substituents. Based on the spectroscopic and theoretical results, the β-substitution of TPA on BODIPY hybridizes locally excited and intramolecular charge transfer characteristics in the S1 state because of strong coupling between the highest occupied molecular orbitals of BODIPY and TPA moieties, and consequently, the BODIPY derivatives with β-substituted TPAs exhibit strong red-color fluorescence around 640 nm in nonpolar and moderately polar solvents. The TPA substituent with propeller-like nonplanar geometry could prevent H-type aggregation between neighboring BODIPY derivative units and induce aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics of the BODIPY derivatives with TPA substituents, which are helpful to maintain their emission efficiencies under highly concentrated and condensed conditions. Since the red-color emission and AIEE property of the BODIPY derivatives with β-substituted TPAs are promising characteristics for a bioimaging application, we applied these derivatives to L-929 fibroblast cells for cellular imaging. The BODIPY derivative with a single β-substituted TPA (compound 2) was effectively loaded into porous silica nanoparticles (SNPs). Consequently, we achieved good cellular uptake of 2-SNPs and good cellular imaging, which further confirmed the bioimaging ability of 2-SNPs.

This work reports on in-situ doping of Fe(III) redox centers to Ni Co based Prussian blue analogue framework films and their eletrocatalytic performance towards water splitting into molecular hydrogen and oxygen. Uniform and self-supported films of frameworks are deposited onto nickel substrate via anodization in 80 vol % glycerol based aqueous electrolyte containing 0.1 M K3[Co(CN)6] with/without addition of a small amount of [Fe(CN)6]3− as doping precursor. XRD, HR-TEM, STEM and XPS characterization of the film confirmed the doping. Notably, the doped film demonstrated an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte with small overpotentials of 169 and 263 mV, respectively to derive the benchmark current density of 10 mAcm−2. In addition, bulk electrolysis at 10 mAcm−2 demonstrated an improved and well-maintained long-term electrochemical durability of the doped film-based cathode and anode for overall splitting of water.

This work presents an epitaxial deposition of a thin film of single crystal MoTe2 nanorods via electrodeposition at room temperature from aqueous based electrolyte purged with argon. The method allows control over film morphology through deposition potential. In a typical deposition performed at −0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl for 10 min, film comprised of 1D MoTe2 nanorods is obtained, while the deposition at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl renders nanoplate like structure. When characterized with FE-SEM, XRD, TEM, SAED and Raman spectroscopy, the film shows uniform deposition of single crystal MoTe2 nanorods particularly with metallic 1 T’ phase. In a preliminary test on feasibility of the nanorod film as anode material for Li-ion storage, a promising result is perceived showing discharge capacity of about 770 mAhg−1 with good electrochemical reversibility.

Liposomes are considered an ideal biomimetic environment and are potential functional carriers for important molecules such as steroids and sterols. With respect to the regulation of self-assembly via sterol insertion, several pathways such as the sterol biosynthesis pathway are affected by the physicochemical properties of the membranes. However, the behavior of steroid or sterol molecules (except cholesterol (Chl)) in the self-assembled membranes has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, to analyze the fundamental behavior of steroid molecules in fluid membranes, Chl, lanosterol, and ergosterol were used as representative sterols in order to clarify how they regulate the physicochemical properties of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) liposomes. Membrane properties such as surface membrane fluidity, hydrophobicity, surface membrane polarity, inner membrane polarity, and inner membrane fluidity were investigated using fluorescent probes, including 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylamino) naphthalene, 6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene, and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The results indicated that each sterol derivative could regulate the membrane properties in different ways. Specifically, Chl successfully increased the packing of the DOPC/Chl membrane proportional to its concentration, and lanosterol and ergosterol showed lower efficiencies in ordering the membrane in hydrophobic regions. Given the different binding positions of the probes in the membranes, the differences in membrane properties reflected the relationship between sterol derivatives and their locations in the membrane.

In the present study, a carbon dot/hemoglobin (CD/Hb) complex is used as a bio-receptor in an optical cholesterol biosensor. This optical sensor detects cholesterol through fluorescence enhancement of CD, which is normally quenched via π–π interactions between CD and Hb in the CD/Hb complex. CD is released from the CD/Hb complex because hydrophobic interactions between Hb and cholesterol are more favorable than π–π interactions between CD and Hb. The CD/Hb complex enabled selective detection of cholesterol within a linear range from 0 to 800 μM, with a limit of detection of 56 μM and a response time of ≤5 minutes in human blood plasma. Compared with other cholesterol sensors, a CD/Hb complex-based biosensor is simple, highly sensitive, selective, rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective for cholesterol detection in both biological and environmental samples.

We investigated the mechanism and sensing efficiency of an anthracene-based fluorescent water-content chemosensor (AMG) containing a guanidine moiety in water-miscible organic solvents. Based on spectroscopic and theoretical results, we established that there are two functions of water for AMG in organic solvents, one of which is as a reagent for protonation and the other is in the solvation and stabilization of ionic products, such as protonated AMG (AMGH+) and hydroxide ion. Moreover, the effective solvation and stabilization of ionic products in organic solvents are critical for the mitigation of the deprotonation between them and the relatively high ratio of the fluorescence turn-on AMGH+ species. In 1,4-dioxane with low polarity, AMGH+ and hydroxide ion cannot be effectively solvated, and there is a strong positive correlation between the fluorescence intensity and volumetric fraction of water due to the improved solvation condition caused by the co-existent water. Conversely, the amount of water in polar solvents is less significant, as evidenced by the relatively small increase in the fluorescence intensity upon increasing the water content. This is because ionic products can be stabilized by polar organic solvent molecules without cooperation with water. Conclusively, the solvation and stabilization of ionic products produced by a chemical reaction at a chemical sensing site in a fluorescent chemosensor are important for determining the relative ratio between the fluorescence turn-on and –off species and the overall sensing efficiency of the fluorescent chemosensors.

The purpose of this study is to prepare and characterize the potential edible packaging films based on chitosan and Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. leaf extract (SCELE) into matrix. The incorporation of SCELE into Chitosan matrix was conducted with various contents (1–3 % wt) and the chitosan-based film samples were investigated. The effects of SCELE on the physical properties and antimicrobial activity of samples were also characterized. The Vietnamese banana fruit was chosen for food preservation and the appearance of banana coated with and without chitosan-based composite films was evaluated. The results indicated that the presence of SCELE can improve the antimicrobial activities, water vapor barriers while a significant decrease in light transmittance was found. Furthermore, the tensile strength and thermal stability were not affected by the addition of 2 % wt SCELE. Bananas coated with composite film based on chitosan matrix and SCELE had longer life time than control sample and those coated with pure chitosan film, indicating that the combination of SCELE into chitosan matrix brings potential application for active edible food packaging.

A theoretical study on antioxidant properties of fourteen xanthones extracted from the pericarp of G. Mangostana has been performed. Three main reaction mechanisms are investigated: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer–proton transfer (SETPT) and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). The O H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), ionization energy (IE), proton affinity (PA) and electron transfer energy (ETE) parameters were computed in gas phase and water. The results show that HAT would be the most favorable mechanism for explaining antioxidant activity of xanthones in gas phase, whereas the SPLET mechanism is thermodynamically favored in water.

This work reports on designing of first successful MOF-sensitizer based solid-state photovoltaic device, perticularly with a meaningful output power conversion efficiency. In this study, an intrinsically conductive cobalt-based MOFs (Co-DAPV) formed by the coordination between Co (II) ions and a redox active di(3-diaminopropyl)-viologen (i.e., DAPV) ligand is investigated as sensitizer. Hall-effect measurement shows p-type conductivity of the Co-DAPV film with hole mobility of 0.017 cm2 V–1 s–1, suggesting its potential application as hole transporting sensitizer. Further, the energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of Co-DAPV are well-matched to be suitably employed for sensitizing TiO2. Thus, by layer-by-layer deposition of hole conducting MOF-sensitizer onto mesoporous TiO2 film, a power conversion efficiency of as high as 2.1% is achieved, which exceeds the highest efficiency values of MOF-sensitized liquid-junction solar cells ...

The residual levels of antibiotics in Vietnamese eggs were monitored from 2014 to 2015. A total of 111 egg packages, distributed by 11 different companies, were collected from supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City and the levels of 28 antibiotics were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method. Sixteen samples tested positive for antibiotics; a total of eight compounds (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethazine, sulfamonomethoxine, tilmicosin and trimethoprim) were detected. Enrofloxacin was detected in eight samples, with two samples exhibiting concentrations exceeding 1,000 µg kg−1. Tilmicosin was detected in three samples at a range of 49–568 µg kg−1. We observed that two of the 11 companies frequently sold antibiotic-contaminated eggs (detection rates of 56 and 60%), suggesting that a number of companies do not regulate the use of antibiotics in egg-laying hens. Our findings indicate that livestock farmers require instr...

This work reports a facile solution based chemical transformation of thin film of CdCO3 cuboids into Cd-based Prussian blue analogue structured thin film with controlled redox-state by manipulating the anion exchange reaction between the solid film and the aqueous solution of K3[Fe(CN)6] at 60 °C. The progress of the transformation reaction is monitored via electron microscopy, X-ray difractometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Based on the scenario of the reaction progress revealed by these analysis, the CdCO3 cuboids are first found to be transformed into the smaller cuboids of cadmium ferricyanide, which, on further reaction, are transformed into the cadmium ferrocyanide cuboids. Thus, by controlling the redox-state of the Fe-metal center on the frameworks, the electrocatalytic activity of the frameworks on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is studied. The electrocatalytically inert CdCO3 cuboids after transformation to the frameworks with Fe3+-centers demonstrate an enhanced catalytic activity on ORR, while the Fe2+-centers of the frameworks are found to relegate the catalytic activity, thereby manifesting the redox-sate modulated ORR activity of the frameworks. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this kind on redox-state specific ORR activity.

Euphorbia hirta L., a kind of herbs belonging to family Euphorbiaceae, has been found a lot in the Mekong Delta. From the ethyl acetat and methanol fractions of this plant, four pure compounds were isolated and identified their chemical structure by spectroscopic techniques including quercitrin (1), luteolin (2), quercetin (3) and caffeic acid (4). The effect of crude ethanolic extract and some fractioned extracts as well as four isolated compounds from E hirta L., collected in the Mekong Delta, on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death in mouse β-cell lines was investigated. The results showed that methanol fraction and a isolated compound, quercitrin gave strong cell-protective effect with the cell viability of 69% and 78% at the dose of 100 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL, respectively. This proves that E hirta L. might have anti-diabetic effects and worth conducting further pharmacological investigations related to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In the present study, a solution-processed organic semiconductor based on indolocarbazole derivative (heptazole) is introduced as a p-type donor material for a bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic device. The heptazole has an optical band gap of 2.97 eV, and its highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels are compactable with the PC60BM to construct a donor-acceptor heterojuction for energy harvesting and transfer. When the bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic devices consisting of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/heptazole:PC60BM/Al with different blending ratio of heptazole:PC60BM were constructed, the cell with 1:1 blending ratio exhibited the best power conversion efficiency. Further, when an indoline organic dye (D149) was introduced as an interfacial modifier to the above donor/acceptor bulk heterojunction, the device demonstrated an enhanced overall power conversion efficiency from 1.26% to 2.51% hence demonstrating enhancement by the factor of 100%. The device was further characterized using electronic absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the photovoltage decay kinetics. These studies reveal that the enhanced power conversion efficiency of the device is due to the enhanced charge transfer with the complementary light absorption feature of the interfacial D149 dye molecules.

In the Cuu Long basin, three source beds are identified: lower Miocene, Upper Oligocene, upper Eocene + lower Oligocene. They are separated from each other by sand-clay layers. Only Upper Oligocene and Upper Eocene + Lower Oligocene source beds are two main source beds supplying a great part of organic matter into traps. Petroleum source potential of Upper Oligocene source bed (66.30 billion tons) is greater than Upper Eocene + Lower Oligocene bed (29.88 billion tons). Total amount of hydrocarbon has ability to take part in accumulation process at the petroleumbearing traps from Upper Oligocene and Upper Eocene + Lower Oligocene source beds is over 2.19 billion tons and below 1.16 billion tons respectively. Thus, in whole CuuLong basin, source rocks have capacity to produce 96.18 billion tons of hydrocacbon in which accumulation is 3.35 billion tons making up 3.35% production quantity. Applying Monte - Carlo simulation method, using Crystal Ball software to calculate production potential and total amount of organic matter taking part into migration and accumulation process give rather appropriate result with difference level ≤ 1.25%.. Prospecting levels are in the following order: (i)Central lift zone has the greatest prospects, next is Dong Nai lift zone, graben located in north west inclined slope, south east inclined slope, north east area of Tam Dao lift zone finally. (2)Petroleum does not only accumulate in structural, combination traps but also in non-structural traps.

The role of the charged liposome on the in vitro expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was investigated, focusing on its elemental steps such as transcription, translation and folding. The total GFP expression was enhanced to 145% when a neutral liposome (POPC: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline) was added externally to a cell-free translation system. On the contrary, the addition of the charged liposome composed of POPC with anionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (POPG) or cationic stearyl amine (SA) inhibited the total GFP expression, depending on the surface charge density of liposome. In transcription, the RNA synthesis was enhanced regardless of the variation of the surface charge, indicating that transcription was enhanced due to the stabilization of RNA structure by its hydrophobic interaction with liposome. Translation was inhibited by cationic liposome although it was enhanced by anionic liposome and neutral liposome. On the other hand, the folding was not inhibited in the presence of neutral liposome, whereas anionic liposome and cationic liposome inhibited the folding in proportion to the their surface charges, suggesting that the total GFP expression was controlled by a charged liposome in the translation step and folding step.

Cuu Long basin is located mainly in South Vietnam continental shelf and a part of mainland belonging to Mekong estuary area. It has an oval shape, convex seawards and lies along Vung Tau-Binh Thuan coast. Cuu Long basin adjoins mainland northwestwards, separates from Nam Con Son basin by Con Son uplift, southwest part is Khorat - Natuna uplift and northeast part is Tuy Hoa strike-slips separated from Phu Khanh basin. Recent oil and gas quantity exploited from Cuu Long basin is evaluated to be produced dominantly from Oligocene organic-rich sediments. Some studies suggested that organic matter of lower Miocene shale deposits fails to come up to standard of source rock or very poor source rock. Lower Miocene sediments considered how to play a role in providing production into trap is the subject studied more in detailed in this report. The organic carbon (TOC %) in lower Miocene source rocks contains mostly kerogene type III is 0.64-1.32%. The depositional environment of the organic matter in the lower Miocene sediments is terrestral. Therefore the lower Miocene formation may be considered the source rocks, but has not generated hydrocarbon, because it has not passed the oil window. The depositional environment of the organic matter in the lower Miocene sediments is terrestry.

Geochemical parameters used popularly to define the level of maturation of organic matter are a vitrinite reflectance % Ro) combined with Tmax value defined at the peak Pic S2 by Pyrolysis (Rock-Eval). Moreover, model TTI method of Lopatin and Waple is applied to define the level of maturation of organic matter at any point where there is no well. By this way, mature process of organic matter will be estimated generally for a whole of study area. Results are that organic matters of lower Oligocene and upper Eocene formation and the bottom of upper Oligocene formation provide essentially oil and gas of Cuu Long basin. The bottom of lower Oligocene and the top of Eocene formation supplement wet and Condensat. Eocene formation at the depressions especially in the east and north BachHo is the dry gas. Oil and gas generated and migrated into traps occurred from early Miocene, but very intensively generated and migrated in period of Pliocene + Quaternary times. At the same time, the traps always are supplemented the wet gas, condensate and dry gas from Eocene formation.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is characterized by the T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β cells. Accordingly, APCs, such as macrophage, have also been shown to be important in the disease process. However, the role(s) of dendritic cells (DCs) that exhibit potent APC function remains undefined in IDDM. Here we demonstrate that DCs derived from nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model for IDDM, are more sensitive to various forms of stimulation compared with those from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, resulting in increased IL-12 secretion. This property is a consequence of hyperactivation of NF-κB, a transcription factor known to regulate IL-12 gene expression. Specifically, NOD DCs exhibit persistent hyperactivation of both IκB kinase and NF-κB in response to stimuli, in addition to selective degradation of IκBε. Transfection of NOD DCs with a modified form of IκBα significantly reduced IL-12 secretion, suggesting that hyperactivation of NF-κB was in part responsible for increased IL-12 production. An enhanced capacity of NOD DCs to secrete IL-12 would be expected to contribute to the development of pathogenic Th1 (Tc1) cells during the diabetogenic response.

CO2 emission from burning coal has been used as a carbon source for growing Cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis in order to minimize the cost of biomass production, and currently to carry out CO2 bioremediation. This article presents the results of feeding S. platensis in laboratory conditions with 2 formulas including Pure CO2 and Flue gas CO2 upon using modified Zarrouk’s medium with 1.6 g / L NaHCO3 and 2g / L Na2CO3. Pure CO2 with 1.2% concentrations taken from 99% vol of industrial CO2 and CO2 gas (1.2%) received from the flue gas through the Modular system of Exhausted Gas Treatment (MEGT). Growth of the Cyanobacterium using CO2 - Flue gas is equivalent to CO2 -Pure. On this basis, S. platensis has been cultivated outdoor in an 25 m2 pond using CO2 gas (1.2%) from the tunnel brick factory emissions after suitable cleaning. The experiment in an outdoor pond system of 25 m2 indicated that the yield of biomass is of 10g/m2d with high-protein content (62.58 ± 2.34%) and fatty acids of high nutritional value (8.72 ± 0.14%), such as Omega - 6 and Omega - 3 reaching 14.74 ± 0.42% and 26.05 ± 0.64% of total fatty acid content, respectively. The quality of Spirulina cultured by CO2 gas meets the requirements for functional foods according to Vietnam national food standards. The article also presents the results of biomass productivity and chemical composition of the Cyanobacterium in different culture conditions.

The present study reports a facile synthetic route for thin film formation of a self-standing 1-D structured array of cobalt hexacyanoferrate crystals using an aqueous solution based ion exchange transformation approach. For this, the cobalt hydroxycarbonate 1-D structured array film was used as a sacrificial precursor template for the ion exchange reaction in aqueous K3[Fe(CN)6] solution. By controlling the reaction, 1-D structured array film, or particulate structured film of the cobalt hexacyanoferrate crystals could be obtained, which thus offered possibilities on morphology-dependent property engineering. The films before and after the ion exchange reaction were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Further, electrochemical study of the films was performed using voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The study reveals the morphology-dependent electrocatalytic property of the cobalt hexacyanoferrate crystal film on water-oxidation. The 1-D structured array film of the cobalt hexacyanoferrate crystals has demonstrated superior electrocatalytic performance on water-oxidation from alkaline and neutral electrolytes, which is competitive to the catalytic performance demonstrated by many outstanding water-oxidation catalysts.

The effective production and secretion of chitosanase from S. griseus cells, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, were studied by the treatment of the cells with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) liposomes under heat condition. The variation of the conformation and activity of the chitosanase caused by the interaction of liposomes with target chitosanase under stress condition was systematically investigated by using circular dichroism (CD) spectra and dielectric dispersion analysis (DDA). The effect of the oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) on the lipid and protein peroxide of cell membrane of S. griseus pretreated with and without liposomes under heat stress at 41 degrees C was further carried out. The possible utilization of membrane-membrane interaction between liposomes and cell membrane induced by the heat treatment was further investigated to enhance the production of chitosanase from S. griseus under oxidative stress condition.

A possible role of a model biomembrane, liposome, in gene expression was investigated by using the cell-free translation system. A reporter protein, green fluorescence protein (GFP), was expressed in vitro with and without liposome prepared with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl chorine (POPC) and cholesterol (Ch) (5.7 mM lipid concentration). In the presence of POPC/Ch liposome, the fluorescence intensity of produced GFP was found to be 1.67 times higher than that in the control after 18 h of expression. The results of the SDS-PAGE analysis also show the above promotion effect of the liposome on the net expression of the GFP gene (1.58 times more). The amounts of mRNA were found to be promoted to 1.29 times higher than those in the control. The differences among mRNA, net expression of the GFP gene, and GFP fluorescence indicate that the enhanced GFP expression in the presence of POPC/Ch liposome could primarily affect the transcription and translation of the GFP gene among the possible steps of gene expression. The variation of in vitro gene expression with various liposomes also shows that the biomembrane could act as a modulator to split the genotype and phenotype in a biological cell.

A direct interaction of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) liposomes with membrane of Streptomyces griseus cell under the heat stress at 41 degrees C increased the chitosanase production and release to 2.2 times higher than that at 37 degrees C without the POPC liposomes. Amount of chitosanase released across the lipid mimicking cell membrane (LMCM) liposome under a heat at 41 degrees C in the presence of POPC liposomes was 17% of initially-entrapped chitosanase while it was only 1% in the absence of POPC liposomes, even under a heat stress at 41 degrees C, clearly showing the importance of the direct interaction between membrane and membrane.