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Synthetic pheromones have been used for pest control over several decades. The conventional synthesis of di-unsaturated pheromone compounds is usually complex and costly. Camelina (Camelina sativa) has emerged as an ideal, non-food biotech oilseed platform for production of oils with modified fatty acid compositions. We used Camelina as a plant factory to produce mono- and di-unsaturated C 12 chain length moth sex pheromone precursors, (E)-9-dodecenoic acid and (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienoic acid, by introducing a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase FatB gene UcTE from California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) and a bifunctional ∆9 desaturase gene Cpo_CPRQ from the codling moth, Cydia pomonella. Different transgene combinations were investigated for increasing pheromone precursor yield. The most productive Camelina line was engineered with a vector that contained one copy of UcTE and the viral suppressor protein encoding P19 transgenes and three copies of Cpo_CPRQ transgene. The T 2 generation of this line produced 9.4% of (E)-9-dodecenoic acid and 5.5% of (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienoic acid of the total fatty acids, and seeds were selected to advance top-performing lines to homozygosity. In the T 4 generation, production levels of (E)-9-dodecenoic acid and (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienoic acid remained stable. The diene acid together with other seed fatty acids were converted into corresponding alcohols, and the bioactivity of the plant-derived codlemone was confirmed by GC-EAD and a flight tunnel assay. Trapping in orchards and home gardens confirmed significant and specific attraction of C. pomonella males to the plant-derived codlemone., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

One strategy for overcoming infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant fungi involves combining drugs rendered inactive by resistance with agents targeting the drug resistance mechanism. The antifungal activity of n-dodecanol disappears as incubation time passes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, anethole, a principal component of anise oil, prolongs the transient antifungal effect of dodecanol by downregulating genes of multidrug efflux pumps, mainly PDR5. However, the detailed mechanisms of dodecanol's antifungal action and the anethole-induced prolonged antifungal action of dodecanol are unknown. Screening of S. cerevisiae strains lacking genes related to Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling identified a pmr1Δ strain lacking Golgi Ca2+-ATPase as more sensitive to dodecanol than the parental strain. Dodecanol and the dodecanol + anethole combination significantly increased intracellular Ca2+ levels in both strains, but the mutant failed to clear intracellular Ca2+ accumulation. Further, dodecanol and the drug combination reduced PMR1 expression and did not lead to specific localization of Pmr1p in the parental strain after 4-h treatment. By contrast with the parental strain, dodecanol did not stimulate PDR5 expression in pmr1Δ. Based on these observations, we propose that the antifungal activity of dodecanol is related to intracellular Ca2+ accumulation, possibly dependent on PMR1 function, with anethole enabling Ca2+ accumulation by restricting dodecanol efflux., (© FEMS 2020.)

FAVs (fatty acid vesicles), originated from natural biomass and created available biointerface, have advantages of biocompatibility, low-cost, and easy self-assembly in aqueous solution due to their dynamic feature. However, there is no example of applying FAVs in contact with human body since they are inherently alkaline-adapted and pH windows for the FAV formation and application are very narrow and far away from the physiological pH range. In this work an attempt to turn the alkaline-adapted FAVs into neutral and acid-adapted ones was made by fabricating the amphiphile-hybrid vesicles of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) with a typical cosmetic emulsifier SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) and/or a co-emulsifier DA (dodecyl alcohol). pH windows for the SDS- and/or DA-hybrid FAV formation of CLA were judged by using dynamic light scattering criterion, and confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering and room temperature transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results show that with the aid of H-bonding and ion-dipole forces among molecules of CLA, SDS and DA within the hybrid vesicle walls that were identified by Fourier transform infrared analysis, much wider pH windows of 2.5-11.7 for the hybrid FAVs were obtained by expansion from 8.0-9.0 for FAV of CLA alone, which was composition-dependent and made the hybrid FAVs become neutral and acid-adapted., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Azelaic acid (AzA) and its derivatives have been known to be effective in the treatment of acne and various cutaneous hyperpigmentary disorders. The esterification of azelaic acid with lauryl alcohol (LA) to produce dilaurylazelate using immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) is reported. Response surface methodology was selected to optimize the reaction conditions. A well-fitting quadratic polynomial regression model for the acid conversion was established with regards to several parameters, including reaction time and temperature, enzyme amount, and substrate molar ratios. The regression equation obtained by the central composite design of RSM predicted that the optimal reaction conditions included a reaction time of 360 min, 0.14 g of enzyme, a reaction temperature of 46 °C, and a molar ratio of substrates of 1:4.1. The results from the model were in good agreement with the experimental data and were within the experimental range (R² of 0.9732).The inhibition zone can be seen at dilaurylazelate ester with diameter 9.0±0.1 mm activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis S273. The normal fibroblasts cell line (3T3) was used to assess the cytotoxicity activity of AzA and AzA derivative, which is dilaurylazelate ester. The comparison of the IC 50 (50% inhibition of cell viability) value for AzA and AzA derivative was demonstrated. The IC 50 value for AzA was 85.28 μg/mL, whereas the IC 50 value for AzA derivative was more than 100 μg/mL. The 3T3 cell was still able to survive without any sign of toxicity from the AzA derivative; thus, it was proven to be non-toxic in this MTT assay when compared with AzA., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

A new fibroin/dodecanol floating solidification microextraction, coupled with high performance liquid chromatography, was developed and applied for enrichment and quantification of the trace flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine and biological samples. Also, fibroin sensibilization mechanism was described, and influence of sample matrix to enrichment factor was investigated. In this method, a homogeneous fibroin/dodecanol of dispersed solution was employed as microextraction phase to flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, chrysin, kaempferide), the several critical parameters affecting the performance, such as organic extractant, amount of fibroin in organic extractant, volume of extraction phase, dispersant, salt concentration, pH of sample phase, stirring rate, extraction time, and volume of sample phase were tested and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, enrichment factor of flavonoids ranged from 42.4 to 238.1 in different samples, excellent linearities with r 2 ≥ 0.9968 for all analytes were achieved, limits of detection were less than or equal to 5.0ng/mL, average recoveries were 92.5% to 115.0% in different samples. The new procedure is simple, fast, low cost, environmentally friendly and high EF, it can also be applied to the concentration and enrichment of the trace flavonoids in other complex matrixes., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Phytochemical analyses of the chloroform extract of Piper betle L. var. birkoli, Piperaceae, leaves led to the isolation of two new phenylpropanoid analogues: bis-chavicol dodecanoyl ester (2) and bis-hydroxychavicol dodecanoyl ester (3), along with one known compound: allyl-3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzene (1) on the basis of spectroscopic data 1D ( 1 H and 13 C) and 2D ( 1 H- 1 H COSY and HMBC) NMR, as well as ESI-MS, FT-IR, HR-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS. Compound 2 and 3 exhibited excellent antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC 50 values of 12.67 μg/mL and 1.08 μg/mL compared to ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant drug with IC 50 value of 6.60 μg/mL. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity against two human oral cancer cell lines (AW13516 and AW8507) showed significant effect with GI 50 values of 19.61 and 23.01 μg/mL for compound 2 and 10.25 and 13.12 μg/mL for compound 3, compared to Doxorubicin ® as a standard cytotoxic drug with GI 50 value of < 10 μg/mL.

Lauryl ferulate (LF) was synthesized through lipase-catalyzed esterification of ferulic acid (FA) with lauryl alcohol in a novel ionic liquid ([(EO)-3C-im][NTf 2 ]), and its antibacterial activities was evaluated in vitro against three food-related bacteria. [(EO)-3C-im][NTf 2 ] was first synthesized through incorporating alkyl ether moiety into the double imidazolium ring. [(EO)-3C-im][NTf 2 ] containing hexane was found to be the most suitable for this reaction. The effects of various parameters were studied, and the maximum yield of LF (90.1%) was obtained in the optimum reaction conditions, in [(EO)-3C-im][NTf 2 ]/hexane (V ILs :V hexane =1:1) system, 0.08mmol/mL of FA concentration, 50mg/mL Novozym 435, 60°C. LF exhibited a stronger antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (25 mm) than Gram-positive (21.5-23.2 mm) bacteria. The lowest MIC value was seen for E. coli (1.25mM), followed by L. Monocytogenes (2.5mM) and S.aureus (5mM). The MBCs for L. Monocytogenes, S.aureus and E. coli were 10, 20 and 5mM., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

For the first time, we demonstrated two integrated processes for the direct synthesis of dodecanol or 2,4,8-trimethylnonane (a jet fuel range C 12 -branched alkane) using methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) that can be derived from lignocellulose. The reactions were carried out in dual-bed continuous flow reactors. In the first bed, MIBK was selectively converted to a mixture of C 12 alcohol and ketone. Over the Pd-modified magnesium- aluminium hydrotalcite (Pd-MgAl-HT) catalyst, a high total carbon yield (73.0 %) of C 12 oxygenates can be achieved under mild conditions. In the second bed, the C 12 oxygenates generated in the first bed were hydrogenated to dodecanol over a Ru/C catalyst or hydrodeoxygenated to 2,4,8-trimethylnonane over a Cu/SiO 2 catalyst. The as-obtained dodecanol can be used as feedstock in the production of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), which are widely used as surfactants or detergents. The asobtained 2,4,8-trimethylnonane can be blended into conventional jet fuel without hydroisomerization., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A new method for the simultaneous determination of the three antifungal drugs using ultrasonic-assisted supramolecular dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of a floating organic droplet (UASMDLLME-SFO) was proposed. The supramolecular solvents produced from reversed micelles of 1-dodecanol (extraction solvent) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) were injected into the aqueous sample solution. Reverse micelle coacervates were produced in situ through self-assembly processes. The antifungal drugs were extracted from the aqueous sample into a supramolecular solvent. Sonication accelerated the mass transfer of the target analytes into the supramolecular solvent phase and enhanced the dispersion process. Some parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as type and volume of the extraction solvent, pH, volume of the disperser solvent and ultrasound extraction time were investigated. Under optimum conditions, the limits of detections for ketoconazole, clotrimazole and miconazole ranged from 0.08 to 1.3μgL(-1) and the relative standard deviations (RSDs, n=5)<6% were obtained. The method was successfully applied for preconcentration of the three drugs in biological and water samples., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays an important role in the development and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although gemcitabine (GEM) has been used as a first-line therapy for PDAC, its rapid metabolism and short plasma half-life restrict its use as a single chemotherapy. Combination therapy with more than one drug is a promising approach for treating cancer. Herein, we report the use of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate)-graft-dodecanol (mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC) copolymer for conjugating GEM and encapsulating a Hh inhibitor, vismodegib (GDC-0449), into its hydrophobic core for treating PDAC. Our objective was to determine whether the micelle mixtures of these two drugs could show better response in inhibiting Hh signaling pathway and restraining the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. The in vivo stability of GEM significantly increased after conjugation, which resulted in its increased antitumor efficacy. Almost 80% of encapsulated GDC-0449 and 19% conjugated GEM were released in vitro at pH 5.5 in 48 h in a sustained manner. The invasion, migration, and colony forming features of MIA PaCa-2 cells were significantly inhibited by micelle mixture carrying GEM and GDC-0449. Remarkable increase in PARP cleavage and Bax proved increased apoptosis by this combination formulation compared to individual micelles. This combination therapy efficiently inhibited tumor growth, increased apoptosis, reduced Hh ligands PTCH-1 and Gli-1, and lowered EMT-activator ZEB-1 when injected to athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous tumor generated using MIA PaCa-2 cells compared to monotherapy as observed from immunohistochemical analysis. In conclusion, micelle mixtures carrying GEM and GDC-0449 have the potential to treat pancreatic cancer.

Successful treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a challenge due to the desmoplastic microenvironment that promotes both tumor growth and metastasis and forms a barrier to chemotherapy. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is implicated in initiation and progression of PDAC and also contributes to desmoplasia. While Hh levels are increased in pancreatic cancer cells, levels of tumor suppressor miR-let7b, which targets several genes involved in PDAC pathogenesis, is downregulated. Therefore, our overall objective was to inhibit Hh pathway and restore miR-let7b simultaneously for synergistically treating PDAC. miR-let7b and Hh inhibitor GDC-0449 could inhibit the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells (Capan-1, HPAF-II, T3M4, and MIA PaCa-2), and there was synergistic effect when miR-let7b and GDC-0449 were coformulated into micelles using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-methyl- 2-carboxyl-propylenecarbonate-graft-dodecanol-graft-tetraethylene-pentamine) (mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC-g-TEPA). This copolymer self-assembled into micelles of <100 nm and encapsulated hydrophobic GDC-0449 into its core with 5% w/w drug loading and allowed complex formation between miR-let7b and its cationic pendant chains. Complete polyplex formation with miRNA was observed at the N/P ratio of 16/1. Almost 80% of GDC-0449 was released from the polyplex in a sustained manner in 2 days. miRNA in the micelle formulation was stable for up to 24 h in the presence of serum and high uptake efficiency was achieved with low cytotoxicity. This combination therapy effectively inhibited tumor growth when injected to athymic nude mice bearing ectopic tumor generated using MIA PaCa-2 cells compared to micelles carrying GDC-0449 or miR-let7b alone. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased tumor cell proliferation with increased apoptosis in the animals treated with miR-let7b and GDC-0449 combination.

Plastic labware is used in all processes of modern pharmaceutical research, including compound storage and biological assays. The use of these plastics has created vast increases in productivity and cost savings as experiments moved from glass test tubes and capillary pipettes to plastic microplates and multichannel liquid handlers. One consequence of the use of plastic labware, however, is the potential release of contaminants and their resultant effects on biological assays. We report herein the identification of biologically active substances released from a commonly used plastic microplate. The active contaminants were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy as dodecan-1-ol, dodecyl 3-(3-dodecoxy-3-oxopropyl)sulfanylpropanoate, and dodecanoic acid, and they were found to be selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors., (© 2014 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.)

A key challenge in biomass conversion is how to achieve valuable molecules with optimal reactivity in the presence of immiscible reactants. This issue is usually tackled using either organic solvents or surfactants to promote emulsification, making industrial processes expensive and not environmentally friendly. As an alternative, Pickering emulsions using solid particles with tailored designed surface properties can promote phase contact within intrinsically biphasic systems. Here we show that amphiphilic silica nanoparticles bearing a proper combination of alkyl and strong acidic surface groups can generate stable Pickering emulsions of the glycerol/dodecanol system in the temperature range of 35-130°C. We also show that such particles can perform as Pickering Interfacial Catalysts for the acid-catalyzed etherification of glycerol with dodecanol at 150°C. Our findings shed light on some key parameters governing emulsion stability and catalytic activity of Pickering interfacial catalytic systems. This understanding is critical to pave the way toward technological solutions for biomass upgrading able to promote eco-efficient reactions between immiscible organic reagents with neither use of solvents nor surfactants., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dispersive-solidification liquid-liquid microextraction (DSLLME) coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed for preconcentration and determination of inorganic arsenic (III, V) in water samples. At pH=1, As(III) formed complex with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) and extracted into the fine droplets of 1-dodecanol (extraction solvent) which were dispersed with ethanol (disperser solvent) into the water sample solution. After extraction, the organic phase was separated by centrifugation, and was solidified by transferring into an ice bath. The solidified solvent was transferred to a conical vial and melted quickly at room temperature. As(III) was determined in the melted organic phase while As(V) remained in the aqueous layer. Total inorganic As was determined after the reduction of the pentavalent forms of arsenic with sodium thiosulphate and potassium iodide. As(V) was calculated by difference between the concentration of total inorganic As and As(III). The variable of interest in the DSLLME method, such as the volume of extraction solvent and disperser solvent, pH, concentration of APDC (chelating agent), extraction time and salt effect, was optimized with the aid of chemometric approaches. First, in screening experiments, fractional factorial design (FFD) was used for selecting the variables which significantly affected the extraction procedure. Afterwards, the significant variables were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). In the optimum conditions, the proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of inorganic arsenic in different environmental water samples and certified reference material (NIST RSM 1643e)., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A simple, rapid, effective and eco-friendly preconcentration method, vortex-assisted low density solvent based solvent demulsified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VLDS-SD-DLLME), followed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis, has been developed for the first time for the determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (e.g., azinphos-methyl, parathion-methyl, fenitrothion and diazinon) in environmental water samples. In this preconcentration procedure, an emulsion was obtained after the mixture of extraction solvent (1-dodecanol) and dispersive solvent (acetonitrile, ACN) was injected rapidly into 10 mL of the sample solution. The vortex agitator aided the dispersion of the extraction solvent into the sample solution. After the formation of an emulsion, the demulsifier (ACN) was added, resulting in the rapid separation of the mixture into two phases without centrifugation. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method provided high extraction efficiency (90-99%), good linearity range (0.5-500 ng mL(-1)), low limits of detection (0.25-1 ng mL(-1)) and good repeatability and recoveries were obtained., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Research to discover and develop attractants for the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., has involved identification of the chemicals eliciting moth orientation to conspecific female moths, host fruits, fermented baits, and species of microbes. Pear ester, acetic acid, and N-butyl sulfide are among those chemicals reported to attract or enhance attractiveness to codling moth. We evaluated the trapping of codling moth with N-butyl sulfide alone and in combination with acetic acid and pear ester in apple orchards. Acetic acid was attractive in two tests and N-butyl sulfide was attractive in one of two tests. N-Butyl sulfide increased catches of codling moth when used with acetic acid to bait traps. N-Butyl sulfide also increased catches of codling moth when added to traps baited with the combination of acetic acid and pear ester. Male and female codling moth both responded to these chemicals and chemical combinations. These results provide a new three-component lure comprising N-butyl sulfide, acetic acid, and pear ester that is stronger for luring codling moth females than other attractants tested.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a specific and frequently used end group (lauryl alcohol) on the protein release and degradation kinetics of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) particles of different sizes. Lauryl-capped PLGA and uncapped PLGA (referred to as PLGA-capped and PLGA-COOH, respectively) particles (0.3, 1 and 20 μm) were prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein for release studies. During degradation (PBS buffer, pH7.4 at 37°C), a slower dry mass loss was observed for 0.3 μm particles than for particles of 1 and 20 μm. It was further shown that PLGA-capped particles showed slower mass loss likely due to its more hydrophobic nature. It was found that the ester bond hydrolysis rate was substantially slower for PLGA-capped particles and that the rate increased with particle size. Particles showed enrichment in lactic acid content (and thus a decrease in glycolic acid content) in time, and interestingly PLGA-capped particles showed also an enrichment of the lauryl alcohol content. No difference was observed in degradation kinetics between BSA loaded and blank particles. Independent of size, PLGA-COOH based particles showed, after a small burst, a sustained and nearly complete release of BSA during 60-80 days. On the other hand, particles based on PLGA-capped showed a much slower release and exhibited incomplete release, accompanied by the presence of an insoluble residue remaining even after 180 days. FTIR analysis of this residue showed that it contained both polymer and protein. Considering the polymer enrichment in lauryl alcohol, the incomplete release observed for PLGA-capped is likely attributed to interactions between the protein and the lauryl end group. In conclusion, since PLGA-COOH, in contrast to the capped derivative, shows complete degradation as well as quantitative release of an entrapped protein, this polymer is preferred for the design of protein formulations., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Composite scaffolds consisting of polymers reinforced with ceramic nanoparticles are widely applied for hard tissue engineering. However, due to the incompatible polarity of ceramic nanoparticles with polymers, they tend to agglomerate in the polymer matrix which results in undesirable effects on the integral properties of composites. In this research, forsterite (Mg2SiO4) nanoparticles was surface esterified by dodecyl alcohol and nanofibrous poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL)/modified forsterite scaffolds were developed through electrospinning technique. The aim of this research was to investigate the properties of surface modified forsterite nanopowder and PCL/modified forsterite scaffolds, before and after hydrolytic treatment, as well as the cellular attachment and proliferation. Results demonstrated that surface modification of nanoparticles significantly enhanced the tensile strength and toughness of scaffolds upon 1.5- and 4-folds compared to unmodified samples, respectively, due to improved compatibility between matrix and filler. Hydrolytic treatment of scaffolds also modified the bioactivity and cellular attachment and proliferation due to greatly enhanced hydrophilicity of the forsterite nanoparticles after this process compared to surface modified samples. Results suggested that surface modification of forsterite nanopowder and hydrolytic treatment of the developed scaffolds were effective approaches to address the issues in the formation of composite fibers and resulted in development of bioactive composite scaffolds with ideal mechanical and structural properties for bone tissue engineering applications., (© 2013.)

Background: Pheromone antagonists are good disruptants of the pheromone communication in insects and, as such, have been used in mating disruption experiments. In this study, new non-fluorinated electrophilic keto derivatives structurally related to the pheromone of Cydia pomonella (codlemone) have been synthesised and tested as putative pheromone antagonists., Results: Codlemone (1) was prepared in excellent stereoselectivity in a new, iterative approach involving two Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions. Methyl ketone (2), keto ester (3) and diketone (4) were obtained from codlemone in straightforward approaches in good overall yields and excellent stereochemical purity (≥98% E,E). In electrophysiology, only compound 2 displayed inhibition of the antennal response to the pheromone after presaturation of the antennal receptors. Compounds 2 to 4 did not inhibit the pheromone-degrading enzyme responsible for codlemone metabolism, but mixtures of ketone 2 and diketone 4 with codlemone elicited erratic flights on males in a wind tunnel. In the field, blends of either compound (2 or 4) with the pheromone caught significantly fewer males than codlemone alone., Conclusion: Codlemone and the potential antagonists 2 to 4 have been synthesised in good yields and excellent stereoselectivity. These chemicals behave as pheromone antagonists of the codling moth both in the laboratory and in the field., (© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Synthetic amino acid-based surfactants possess versatile aggregation properties and are typically more biocompatible and biodegradable than surfactants with conventional headgroups. This opens the possibility of a myriad of specialty applications, namely in pharmaceutics, cosmetics, biomedicine, and nanotemplating chemistry. In this work, we have investigated the interfacial and self-assembling properties in aqueous medium of novel double-chained lysine-based surfactants, with particular focus on the behavior of the dodecyl derivative, 12Lys12. Upon cooling from dilute isotropic micellar solutions, this surfactant crystallizes into micrometer-sized tubular structures that induce gelation of the system. The tubules have been characterized in terms of morphology, assembly process, thermal behavior, and stability, by using differential scanning calorimetry, light and scanning electron microscopy, and deuterium NMR. Possible mechanisms for tubule assembly are discussed, on the basis of surfactant molecular shape, H-bonding and electrostatic interactions, and chirality effects.

A novel sample preparation method, "water with low concentration of surfactant in dispersed solvent-assisted emulsion dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (WLSEME)", coupled with gas chromatography using an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) was developed for the analysis of the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), heptachlor, α-endosulfan, 4,4-DDE, 2,4-DDD and endrin, in aqueous samples. A microsyringe is used to withdrew and discharge 10-12μL of the extraction solvent and 60-120μL of water as the dispersed solvent (containing 1mgL(-1), Tween 80) 4 times within 10s to form a cloudy emulsified solution in the syringe. This is then injected into an 8mL aqueous sample spiked with all above OCPs. Dodecyl acetate and 2-dodecanol were both selected as extraction solvents to optimize their conditions separately. The total extraction time was about 0.5min. Under optimum conditions, using dodecyl acetate (12μL) as extraction solvent, the linear range of the method was 10-1000ngL(-1) for all OCPs, and the the limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 1 to 5ngL(-1). The absolute recoveries and relative recoveries were from 20.8 to 43.5% and 83.2 to 109.8% for lake water, and 19.9-49.2% and 85.4-115.9% for seawater respectively. In the second method, 2-dodecanol as extraction solvent, the linear range was from 5 to 5000ngL(-1) for the target compounds, and the LODs were between 0.5 and 2ngL(-1). The absolute recoveries and relative recoveries ranged from 25.7 to 42.2% and 96.3-111.2% for sea water, and 22.4-41.9% and 90.7-107.9% for stream water. This could solve several problems, which commonly occur in ultrasound-assisted emulsification micro-extraction (USAEME), dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) and other assisted emulsification methods. These problems include analyte degradation, increased solubility of the extraction solvent and analyte, and high toxicity and large volume of the organic solvent used., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new one-step derivatization and microextraction technique was developed for determination of amino acids in tobacco samples. In the proposed method, amino acids were derivatized with isobutyl chloroformate (IBCF) in aqueous solution. The derivatives were extracted by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFO). Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated in detail. The optimum conditions were as follows: a mixture of 500μL acetone, containing 40μL 2-dodecanol, was rapidly injected by syringe into the 2mL water sample. After centrifugation, the 2-dodecanol droplets were floated at the top of the tube. Then, the tube was cooled in an ice bath. After 5min the solvent had solidified and was then transferred into a conical vial; it melted quickly at room temperature and it was injected into a gas chromatograph for analysis. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection were of the order of 0.12-2.82μg/mL. The calibration curves showed good linearity over the investigated concentration range between 0.5 and 200μg/mL with a coefficient of estimation (R(2))>0.9887 for GC-MS (SIM). The proposed method is an alternative approach to the quantification of amino acids in tobacco samples., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A simple, single-column, high-throughput fractionation procedure based on size-exclusion chromatography of aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate suspensions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is presented. This procedure is found to yield monochiral or near monochiral SWCNT fractions of semiconducting SWCNTs. Unsorted and resulting monochiral suspensions are characterized using optical absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

Modern insect pest management is faced with an increasingly sophisticated set of requirements. Control agent/dispenser combinations must be at the same time safe, nontoxic, inexpensive, reproducibly efficacious, environmentally compatible, biodegradable, and sustainable, and should be based on renewable resources. The methods employed preferably should be suitable for the growing and tightly controlled organic growing sector as well. All this calls for a level of sophistication and reproducibility previously unknown. Only very few systems can offer this kind of performance, but fortunately can be found in the area of suitable pheromone/dispenser combinations. This report is an attempt to adapt electrospun Ecoflex polyester micro fibers of the Greiner-Wendorff type to the very specific needs of the grape growing industry. Specifically required are "semi-intelligent" dispenser materials. On a weight basis, the electrospun product should achieve as high a proportion as possible of "retainable" sex pheromone (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate of Lobesia botrana (Lep.: Tortricidae) and should release it as uniformly as possible into the surrounding airspace. Using the Doye bioassay, some progress indeed has recently been achieved with electrospun Ecoflex microfibers of 0.5-3.5 microm diameter. They were employed as dispensers for programmed sex pheromone release with an effective mating disruption duration of up to seven weeks. With one microfiber/pheromone treatment, this covers one entire flight period of the trivoltine L. botrana. Mechanical application of this microfiber/pheromone preparation (with the option of automation) is possible. Disruption effects are comparable with those of commercially available dispensers of the Isonet type. Exposed under vineyard conditions, Ecoflex polyester fibers are a spider silk like material which is biodegradable within half a year. Thus, after releasing its pheromone load, it does not need removal, which saves one cultivation step. The fibers are under rigorous quantitative pretesting by analytical lab methods such as scanning EM, CLSA, timed weight loss curves in isothermal wind tunnels, and by thermogravimetry. Grapes produced under protection with these pheromone-charged biodegradable and mechanically deployable Ecoflex microfibers are completely free of pesticide residues.

Pentabromocyclododecanols (PBCDOHs) are potential environmental transformation products of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). They are also potential stage one metabolites of biological HBCD transformations. Herein, we present analytical evidence that PBCDOHs are also constituents of technical HBCDs and flame-proofed polystyrenes (FP-PSs). PBCDOHs are possibly formed during the synthesis of technical HBCD, presumably during the bromination of cyclododecatrienes in aqueous isobutanol together with isobutoxypentabromocyclododecanes (iBPBCDs), which have been identified in these materials recently. Of the 64 stereoisomers possible, eight pairs of enantiomers, named α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε-, ζ-, η-, and θ-PBCDOHs were separated with a combination of normal-, reversed- and chiral-phase LC. Crystal structure analysis revealed the stereochemistry of the α-PBCDOH pair of enantiomers, which was assigned to (1S,2S,5R,6S,9S,10R)-2,5,6,9,10-pentabromocyclododecanol and its enantiomer. Mass spectrometric data are in accordance with the expected isotope patterns. On a C(18)-RP-column, the polar PBCDOHs eluted before the HBCD and iBPBCD classes of compounds. PBCDOHs were also found in FP-PS materials. The stereoisomer patterns varied considerably in these materials like those of HBCDs and iBPBCDs. Expanded polystyrenes were rich in late-eluting stereoisomers, similar to technical HBCD mixtures. Extruded polystyrenes contained more of the polar, faster-eluting isomers. The presented chromatographic and analytical methods allow a stereoisomer-specific search for PBCDOHs in biota samples, which might have experienced metabolic HBCD transformation reactions. Besides this potential source, it has to be recognized that PBCDOHs are by-products in technical HBCDs and in flame-proofed polystyrenes. Therefore, it is likely that PBCDOHs and iBPBCDs are released to the environment together with HBCD-containing plastic materials., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In an earlier study, biocatalytic carbon oxyfunctionalization with water serving as oxygen donor, e.g., the bioconversion of quinaldine to 4-hydroxyquinaldine, was successfully achieved using resting cells of recombinant Pseudomonas putida, containing the molybdenum-enzyme quinaldine 4-oxidase, in a two-liquid phase (2LP) system (Ütkür et al. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 38:1067-1077, 2011). In the study reported here, key parameters determining process performance were investigated and an efficient and easy method for product recovery was established. The performance of the whole-cell biocatalyst was shown not to be limited by the availability of the inducer benzoate (also serving as growth substrate) during the growth of recombinant P. putida cells. Furthermore, catalyst performance during 2LP biotransformations was not limited by the availability of glucose, the energy source to maintain metabolic activity in resting cells, and molecular oxygen, a possible final electron acceptor during quinaldine oxidation. The product and the organic solvent (1-dodecanol) were identified as the most critical factors affecting biocatalyst performance, to a large extent on the enzyme level (inhibition), whereas substrate effects were negligible. However, none of the 13 alternative solvents tested surpassed 1-dodecanol in terms of toxicity, substrate/product solubility, and partitioning. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide for phase separation and an easy and efficient liquid-liquid extraction step enabled 4-hydroxyquinaldine to be isolated at a purity of >99.9% with recoveries of 57 and 84%, respectively. This study constitutes the first proof of concept on an integrated process for the oxyfunctionalization of toxic substrates with a water-incorporating hydroxylase.

A new temperature controlled cold column trapping (CCT) system was developed for in-line sequestration of organic phase in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method. In the developed CCT-DLLME method, the dispersed organic extraction phase is solidified and trapped in the CCT, packed with glass particles. Subsequently, the sequestered phase is washed out in an elevated temperature by using an appropriate solvent. The column temperature is controlled by a pair of thermal electric cooler (TEC) plates. The new device is simple and portable and can eliminate the need for centrifugation in the DLLME method for solvents with an appropriate melting point. Some important parameters such as types of extraction and disperser solvents and their volumes, minimum and maximum column temperatures and extraction time were optimized for the extraction of curcumin, as a model compound. Using 1-dodecanol as the organic solvent and acetone as the disperser, recoveries exceeding 90% and a relative standard deviation of 2.87% were obtained for 5 replicated analyses of curcumin by an HPLC method. The detection limit of curcumin (3σ) extracted by the CCT-DLLME system was 28 μg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of curcumin in some human serum samples., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A transdermal formulation of indomethacin (IMC) was developed by incorporation into cholesteryl cetyl carbonate (CCC). The liquid crystalline phase properties of the IMC-CCC mixture were detected by polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. A low drug loading was obtained (1-5 %) similar to that used in conventional topical IMC in a clinical setting. A controlled release of IMC was found over 12 h. A low amount of IMC in 1 % IMC-CCC permeated the stratum corneum. Further formulation development has been carried out by the addition of lauryl alcohol into 5 % IMC-CCC mixture it was found that the permeation of IMC was significantly improved to 45 % within 24 h.

Seven crosslinking monomers, i.e., 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,3-BDDMA), 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,4-BDDMA), neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate (NPGDMA), 1,5-pentanediol dimethacrylate (1,5-PDDMA), 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (1,6-HDDMA), 1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate (1,10-DDDMA), and 1,12-dodecanediol dimethacrylate (1,12-DoDDMA), were used to synthesize highly cross-linked monolithic capillary columns for reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) of small molecules. Dodecanol and methanol were chosen as "good" and "poor" porogenic solvents, respectively, for these monoliths, and were investigated in detail to provide insight into the selection of porogen concentration using 1,12-DoDDMA. Isocratic elution of alkylbenzenes at a flow rate of 300 nL/min was conducted for all of the monoliths. Gradient elution of alkylbenzenes and alkylparabens provided high resolution separations. Optimized monoliths synthesized from all seven crosslinking monomers showed high permeability. Several of the monoliths demonstrated column efficiencies in excess of 50,000 plates/m. Monoliths with longer alkyl-bridging chains showed very little shrinking or swelling in solvents of different polarities. Column preparation was highly reproducible; the relative standard deviation (RSD) values (n=3) for run-to-run and column-to-column were less than 0.25% and 1.20%, respectively, based on retention times of alkylbenzenes., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lauryl grafted sodium alginate (SA-C(12)) was prepared by the reaction between sodium alginate and dodecanol with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) as a coupling agent. The structure of SA-C(12) was confirmed by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, and thermoanalysis. Meantime, the degree of substitution (DS) of SA-C(12) was determined by GC. The reaction conditions were studied systematically, which included reaction time and temperature, the molar ratio of hexuronic acid in alginate to dodecanol (N(hexuronic)/N(dodecanol)) and N(hexuronic)/N(EDC), the mass of toluenesulfonic acid. By investigating the relationship between these conditions and DS, the optimal conditions with the maximum DS were obtained., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pheromone eluting oligolactide (OLA) microcapsules immobilized in electrospun biodegradable polyester nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning of aqueous dispersions of the microcapsules. OLA was prepared by conventional melt polycondensation of lactic acid. Following the protocol of the solvent displacement method, OLA was dissolved in acetone and mixed with Brij S20 and the pheromone of the European grape vine moth, Lobesia Botrana, (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadien-l-yl acetate (DA). Up to 32 wt % of this mixture could be dispersed in water with colloidal stability of several weeks without any sedimentation. Without DA as well as OLA, no stable dispersions of OLA in water were obtained. Replacement of DA by classical hydrophobes typically used for miniemulsions did not yield stable dispersions, but the addition of octyl acetate, which shows structural similarity to DA, yielded stable dispersions in water up to 10 wt %. Dispersions of OLA/DA were successfully electrospun in combination with an aqueous dispersion of a biodegradable block copolyester resulting in water-stable nanofibers containing OLA/DA microcapsules. Release of DA from microcapsules and fibers was retarded in comparison with non-encapsulated DA, as shown by model studies.

A poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) film was modified on an indium-tin oxide electrode in order to immobilize bacterial luciferase (BL) on the electrode surface. By using the modified electrode, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was electrochemically reduced to FMNH(2), which is one of the substrates of the BL luminescence reaction, to control the bioluminescence reaction by BL. The BL reaction in the modified film could be promoted and controlled by the electrochemical generation of FMNH(2). This BL luminescence system was evaluated as a model system for the inhibitory assay of hydrophobic molecules on protein functions.

In this study, molecular packing in lamellar liquid crystals in poly(oxyethylene) dodecyl ether(C(12)EO(n)) pure systems and the two surfactant mixtures of C(12)EO(8)/1-dodecanol(C(12)EO(0)), C(12)EO(8)/lipophilic sucrose laurate (L-595), hydrophilic sucrose laurate (L-1695)/C(12)EO(2) is investigated in terms of mean molecular area and partial molecular area (PMA). Lamellar liquid crystals formed in the C(12)EO(8)/C(12)EO(0) mixed system show higher melting temperatures than those in the C(12)EO(n) pure systems, even though the average number of EO units in the mixed surfactant system is the same as in the pure system. We compared the mean molecular area at the interface between hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties in the lamellar liquid crystals in each system. In the mixed system, the molecules are packed more tightly than in the pure system. Among the C(12)EO(n) and sucrose laurate mixtures, the L-1695/C(12)EO(2) mixed system showed a smaller mean molecular area per lipophilic chain than the C(12)EO(8)/L-595 mixed system. We investigated the effect of mixing two surfactants with different head group geometry on molecular packing by comparing the PMA of each surfactant., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A series of N-substituted 4-azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11)]dodecan-3-ols incorporating the respective arylalkyl subunits from several known sigma (σ) receptor ligands were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity against σ receptors and dopamine receptors. The hybrid trishomocubane-derived ligands (4-6) showed good selectivity for σ(1) and σ(2) receptors over multiple dopamine receptors. The molecular hybrid obtained from haloperidol and 4-azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11)]dodecan-3-ol (4, σ(1)K(i)=27 nM, σ(2)K(i)=55 nM) showed reduced affinity for D(1)-D(5) dopamine receptors when compared to haloperidol itself. The compound with the greatest σ(1) affinity in the series, benzamide 4 (σ(1)K(i)=7.6 nM, σ(2)K(i)=225 nM) showed a complete reversal of the subtype selectivity displayed by the highly σ(2) selective parent benzamide, RHM-2 (3, σ(1)K(i)=10412 nM, σ(2)K(i)=13.3 nM)., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to optimize the concentration of a fatty alcohol, in addition to internal phase, for formulating a stable O/W emulsion, by using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Predictions from ANNs are accurate and allow quantification of the relative importance of the inputs. Furthermore, by varying the network topology and parameters it was possible to obtain output values that were close to experimental values. The ANN model's predictive results and the actual output values were compared. R(2) values depict the percentage of response variability for the model; R(2) value of 0.84 for the model suggested adequate modeling, which is supported by the correlation coefficient value of 0.9445.

Even though sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) is the most frequently studied surfactant, its properties at liquid interfaces are not easily accessible. This is mainly caused by the fact that in aqueous solution SDS is subject to hydrolysis, by which the homologous dodecanol (C12OH) is formed. Due to its enormously high surface activity it competes with SDS at the interface. We demonstrate here that this "natural" impurity C12OH does not remarkably affect the adsorption dynamics of SDS at the water/hexane interface, due to its high solubility in hexane. Therefore, the dynamic adsorption properties can be determined independent of disturbing dodecanol effects. The surfactant adsorbs diffusion controlled and the interfacial tension isotherm at the water/hexane interface is well described by a Frumkin model. However complementary experiments via direct admixture of dodecanol in hexane indicate a significant decrease in interfacial tension of the water-hexane interface at concentrations higher than 10(-3) mol/l in hexane. This condition may happen when the oil phase is distributed as small droplets in a high concentrated solution of SDS. The distribution coefficient of C12OH between water and hexane is estimated from adsorption experiments to be K(p)=c(o)/c(w)=6.7×10(3)., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This paper describes the construction of an apparatus that detects the dynamic thickness/reflective-index changes of the curved thin films on the pendent droplet surfaces. The apparatus was constructed by integrating two well-established techniques: null ellipsometry and the pendent drop shape analysis system. The shape analysis system is used to precisely control the height of the objective pendent droplets. This allows the laser beam of ellipsometry to be continually locked in the exact bottom position of the pendent droplets. Such an arrangement facilitates the dynamic investigation of the film thickness as well as the continual monitoring of the surface tension.

Monolithic polymeric supports have been prepared by electron-beam-triggered free-radical polymerization using a mixture of glycidyl methacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate in 2-propanol, 1-dodecanol, and toluene. Under appropriate conditions, phase separation occurred, which resulted in the formation of a porous monolithic matrix that was characterized by large (convective) pores in the 30 μm range as well as pores of <600 nm. The epoxy groups in pores of >7 nm were hydrolyzed by using poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (Mw = 69,400 g mol(-1), PDI=2.4). The remaining epoxy groups inside pores of <7 nm were subjected to aminolysis with norborn-5-en-2-ylmethylamine (2) and provided covalently bound norborn-2-ene (NBE) groups inside these pores. These NBE groups were then treated with the first-generation Grubbs initiator [RuCl2 (PCy3 )2 (CHPh)]. These immobilized Ru-alkylidenes were further used for the surface modification of the small pores by a grafting approach. A series of monomers, that is, 7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (3), norborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (4), N,N-di-2-pyridyl-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2-carboxylic amide (5), N,N-di-2-pyridylnorborn-5-ene-2-carboxamide (6), N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide (7), and dimethyl bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ylphosphonate (8), were used for this purpose. Finally, monoliths functionalized with poly-5 graft polymers were used to permanently immobilize Pd(2+) and Pt(4+), respectively, inside the pores. After reduction, metal nanoparticles 2 nm in diameter were formed. The palladium-nanoparticle-loaded monoliths were used in both Heck- and Suzuki-type coupling reactions achieving turnover numbers of up to 167,000 and 63,000, respectively., (Copyright © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A new dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet method (DLLME-SFO) was developed for the determination of volatile aldehyde biomarkers (hexanal and heptanal) in human blood samples. In the derivatization and extraction procedure, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) as derivatization reagent and formic acid as catalyzer were injected into the sample solution for derivatization with aldehydes, then the formed hydrazones was rapidly extracted by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with 1-dodecanol as extraction solvent. After centrifugation, the floated droplet was solidified in an ice bath and was easily removed for analysis. The effects of various experimental parameters on derivatization and extraction conditions were studied, such as the kind and volume of extraction solvent and dispersive solvent, the amount of derivatization reagent, derivatization temperature and time, extraction time and salt effect. The limit of detections (LODs) for hexanal and heptanal were 7.90 and 2.34nmolL(-1), respectively. Good reproducibility and recovery of the method were also obtained. The proposed method is an alternative approach to the quantification of volatile aldehyde biomarkers in complex biological samples, being more rapid and simpler and providing higher sensitivity compared with the traditional dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) methods., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A monolithic column of macro porous poly (glycidyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene) (poly(GMA-DVB)) has been prepared by free radical polymerization within the confines of a chromatographic stainless steel tube (50 mm x 4.6 mm). For the best separation and low back pressure, orthogonal experiments were carried out with V (cyclohexanol): V (dodecanol), V (GMA): V (DVB) and BPO dosage as the three main factors. The characteristic feature of the column, including specific surface area, pore volume as well as pore diameter distribution, was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry analysis and BET analysis. The obtained optimum preparation conditions were that the volume ratio of GMA, DVB, cyclohexanol and dodecanol was 0.825: 0.825: 1.32: 2.03 and the BPO dosage was 0.7% (mass percentage), then it was heated at 70 degrees C for 24 h. Using this monolithic column, benzene and ethylbenzene and a drug of oxiracetam can be well separated on a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system equipped with a ultraviolet (UV) detector at 254 nm. A solution of acetonitrile-water (50 : 50, v/v) for the separation of benzene and ethylbenzene, and acetonitrile-water (80 : 20, v/v) for the separation of oxiracetam were used as mobile phases at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The theoretical plate number was 37 000 plates/m and the resolution of peak width at half height (R1/2) was 7.14. The separation time was less than 10 min. The monolithic column prepared by this method is reproducible and has high column efficiency. It is an economical method to prepare monolithic column, which can be applied to separate small molecules.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy was applied to obtain information on lateral drug diffusion of dithranol in artificial acceptor membranes. Lateral (2D) drug distribution into an artificial membrane was investigated on an area of 300microm x 1000microm with a lateral resolution of 25microm x 25microm by integrating a specific IR band located at 1430cm(-1). The concentration profiles show a heterogeneous distribution of dithranol particles resulting in non-uniform drug diffusion. Use of the FTIR microscope either in the transmission or in the reflection mode was restricted to a thickness of the DDC membrane <15microm. The third dimension (depth profile) was analysed by means of confocal Raman microscopy (CRM). In an artificial membrane, the depth range from a minimum of 1.5microm up to a maximum of 49microm was analysed for dithranol distribution., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this paper a mathematical model describing the non-specific interactions of the medium surrounding a fluorophore on its fluorescence intensity is proposed. The model, which has been developed for quantitative analytical applications, is based on the following general ideas: (1) the medium affects the fluorescence quantum yield across the non-radiative decay constant (k(nr)); (2) the k(nr) can be simplified to the singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing (k(ISC)) constants; (3) k(ISC) follows the energy gap law and then depends on the singlet and triplet energy difference, and (4) the medium, due to solvation, changes the energy of both excited levels (singlet and triplet), then the constants and finally the fluorescence intensity. In our model, the strength of the fluorophore solvation by the solvent (represented by its refraction index, n, dielectric constant, epsilon, and electric charge) changes the singlet (excited)-to-fundamental and the singlet-to-triplet energy gaps, thus the k(ISC) and k(IC) (internal conversion constant) values and in consequence the fluorescence quantum yield. The final model relates the fluorescence intensity (F) with the solvent dielectric constant and refraction index. Finally, the model is particularized for the case of a medium composed of a solvent and a solute, obtaining an F-to-solute concentration relationship and enabling this fact to be used for analytical applications. The very first experimental data are shown demonstrating the fulfilment of this model.

A new pheromone antagonist of the codling moth Cydia pomonella is reported. Presaturation of the antennae of the insects with vapors of the antagonist (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienyl trifluoromethyl ketone, analogue of the main component of the pheromone (codlemone), resulted in lower electrophysiological responses to the pheromone relative to untreated insects. In the wind tunnel, the compound elicited a remarkable disruptive effect on all types of behavior of males flying toward a source baited with a pheromone/antagonist blend in 1:1, 1:5, and 1:10 ratios. The insects displayed erratic flights in the presence of the antagonist, as shown by their flight parameters in comparison to insects attracted to the pheromone alone. In the field, traps baited with mixtures of 1:10 codlemone/antagonist attracted considerably lower numbers of males than the natural attractant. The antagonist, however, did not inhibit the pheromone-degrading enzymes present in male antennae, suggesting that trifluoromethyl ketones are not sufficiently electrophilic to produce a stable intermediate adduct with a cysteine residue of the enzyme, a mechanism previously proposed for oxidase inhibition in insects. Overall and taking into account our previous reports and, particularly, the reduction in damage induced in maize fields by a trifluoromethyl ketone analogue of the pheromone of Sesamia nonagrioides (Sole, J.; Sans, A.; Riba, M.; Rosa, E.; Bosch, M. P.; Barrot, M.; Palencia, J.; Castella, J.; Guerrero, A. Reduction of damage by the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides , and the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis , in maize fields by a trifluoromethyl ketone pheromone analog . Entomol. Exp. Appl. 2008, 126, 28-39), the antagonist might be a new candidate to consider in future strategies to control the codling moth.

Recent experimental and theoretical results have firmly established the existence of enhanced concentrations of selected ions at the air/water interface. Ion adsorption to aqueous interfaces involving complex organic molecules is relevant to biology in connection with the familiar but incompletely understood Hofmeister effects. Here, we describe resonant UV second harmonic generation (SHG) studies of the strongly chaotropic thiocyanate ion adsorbed to the interface formed by water and a monolayer of dodecanol, wherein the Gibbs free energy of adsorption was determined to be -6.7 +/- 1.1 and -6.3 +/- 1.8 kJ/mol for sodium and potassium thiocyanate, respectively, coincident with the value determined for thiocyanate at the air/water interface. Interestingly, near 4 M and higher concentrations, the resonant SHG signal increases discontinuously, indicating a structural change in the interfacial region.

In order to improve the homogeneous dispersion of particles in the polymeric matrix, 45S5, mesoporous 58S, and 58S bioactive glasses were surface modified by esterification reactions with dodecyl alcohol at reflux temperature of 260 degrees C (named as m-45S5, m-mesoporous 58S, and m-58S, respectively). The modified particles showed better hydrophobicity and longer time of suspension in organic matrix. The PDLLA/bioactive glass composite films were fabricated using surface modified bioactive glass particles through solvent casting-evaporation method. Surface morphology, mechanical property, and bioactivity were investigated. The results revealed that the inorganic particle distribution and tensile strength of the composite films with modified bioactive glass particles were significantly improved while great bioactive properties were maintained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation illustrated that the modified bioactive glass particles were homogeneously dispersed in the PDLLA matrix. The maximum tensile strengths of composite films with modified bioactive glass particles were higher than that of composite films with unmodified bioactive glass particles. The bioactivity of the composite films were evaluated by being soaked in the simulated body fluid (SBF) and the SEM observation of the films suggested that the modified composite films were still bioactive in that they could induce the formation of HAp on its surface and the distribution of HAp was even more homogeneous on the film. The results mentioned above indicated that the surface modification of bioactive glasses with dodecyl alcohol was an effective method to prepare PDLLA/bioactive glass composites with enhanced properties. By studying the comparisons of modification effects among the three types of bioactive glasses, we could get the conclusion that the size and morphology of the inorganic particles would greatly affect the modification effects and the properties of composites.

In this study, the influence of the ratio of silicone (Si) to acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and lauryl alcohol (LA) % (wt/wt) on the properties of a drug in adhesive patch containing 4% (wt/wt) fentanyl as model drug was evaluated. The dependent variables selected were drug solubility, in vitro drug release in the platforms as well as adhesion properties including peel strength and tack value. By using the central composite design of Design Expert software, it was found that the effect of each factor was different, yet all had influenced dependent variables significantly (p < .05). Quadratic model generated for various response variables using backward regression analysis was found to be statistically significant (p < .05). It was deduced that the presence of PVP and Si displayed similar trends on drug solubility and release. Each role played by Si with LA and PVP in release rate was separately investigated, and it was found that the presence of PVP and LA in lowering the amount of drug released was more dominant compared with that of Si. The release patterns at the early and later stages follow the Higuchi and semiempirical models, respectively. Effect of PVP as well as Si and LA were similar on tack value. The influence of LA compared to peeling characteristics of Si system was more pronounced.

Monolithic capillary columns were prepared via electron beam triggered free radical polymerization within the confines of 0.2 and 0.1mm I.D. capillary columns using ethyl methacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate as monomers as well as 2-propanol, 1-dodecanol and toluene as porogenic system. The influence of column diameter on reproducibility and separation performance was investigated. For evaluation, a protein standard consisting of five proteins in the range of 5800-66,000 g mol(-1) was used. Reproducibility was checked by determining the relative standard deviations in retention times, peak widths at half height, asymmetry and resolution. Excellent run-to-run reproducibility was found for both 0.2 and 0.1mm I.D. columns; batch-to-batch reproducibility was good for both column types. In order to enhance the non-polar character of the monolithic columns, lauryl methacrylate-based capillary columns were prepared. These were successfully used for the separation of proteins and a cytochrome c digest.

A new dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet method (DLLME-SFO) was developed for the determination of five kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental water samples. In this method, no specific holder, such as the needle tip of microsyringe and the hollow fiber, is required for supporting the organic microdrop due to the using of organic solvent with low density and proper melting point. Furthermore, the extractant droplet can be collected easily by solidifying it in the lower temperature. 1-Dodecanol was chosen as extraction solvent in this work. A series of parameters that influence extraction were investigated systematically. Under optimal conditions, enrichment factors (EFs) for PAHs were in the range of 88-118. The limit of detections (LODs) for naphthalene, diphenyl, acenaphthene, anthracene and fluoranthene were 0.045, 0.86, 0.071, 1.1 and 0.66ngmL(-1), respectively. Good reproducibility and recovery of the method were also obtained. Compared with the traditional liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) methods, the proposed method obtained about 2 times higher enrichment factor than those in LPME. Moreover, the solidification of floating organic solvent facilitated the phase transfer. And most importantly, it avoided using high-density and toxic solvent in the traditional DLLME method. The proposed method was successfully applied to determinate PAHs in the environmental water samples. The simple and low-cost method provides an alternative method for the analysis of non-polar compounds in complex environmental water.

Clofazimine, an antibiotic drug active against mycobacteria and used for the treatment of leprosy, is a very weak base insoluble in neutral aqueous media. It may cause rather severe secondary effects. Basically, these two shortcomings can be minimized by combination with a drug carrier. The potential of a polymeric carrier composed of nanosized aggregates formed by hydrophobized poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) to solubilize clofazimine in neutral aqueous media and to administer it to mice was investigated. This amphiphilic polyanion was synthesized by partial esterification of commercial poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) by dodecanol. An aggregate-forming analog bearing mannose residues aimed at targeting mannose receptors born by macrophages was also synthesized and characterized. In the presence of the aggregates, rather large amounts of clofazimine were compatibilized with neutral aqueous media. Comparison with a water-insoluble neutral dye, namely yellow OB, showed that the apparent solubilization of clofazimine was due to a synergistic combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and not only to the latter as in the case of yellow OB. Despite its favorable in vitro characteristics, clofazimine entrapped within the lipophilic pockets born by the amphiphilic aggregates exhibited no antibiotic activity after administration to mice infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG.