Tailoring size and structural distortion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the purification of contaminated water

Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles with different particle sizes were synthesized using two methods, i.e., a co-precipitation process and a polyol process, respectively. The atomic pair distribution analyses from the high-energy X-ray scattering data and TEM observations show that the two kinds of nanoparticles have different sizes and structural distortions. An average particle size of 6–8 nm with a narrow size distribution was observed for the nanoparticles prepared with the co-precipitation method. Magnetic measurements show that those particles are in ferromagnetic state with a saturation magnetization of 74.3 emu g⁻¹. For the particles synthesized with the polyol process, a mean diameter of 18–35 nm was observed with a saturation magnetization of 78.2 emu g⁻¹. Although both kinds of nanoparticles are well crystallized, an obviously higher structural distortion is evidenced for the co-precipitation processed nanoparticles. The synthesized Fe₃O₄ particles with different mean particle size were used for treating the wastewater contaminated with the metal ions, such as Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI). It is found that the adsorption capacity of Fe₃O₄ particles increased with decreasing the particle size or increasing the surface area. While the particle size was decreased to 8 nm, the Fe₃O₄ particles can absorb almost all of the above-mentioned metal ions in the contaminated water with the adsorption capacity of 34.93 mg/g, which is ∼7 times higher than that using the coarse particles. We attribute the extremely high adsorption capacity to the highly-distorted surface.     

In situ preparation of magnetic Fe3O4-chitosan nanoparticles for lipase immobilization by cross-linking and oxidation in aqueous solution

A new and simple method has been proposed to prepare magnetic Fe₃O₄-chitosan (CS) nanoparticles by cross-linking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), precipitation with NaOH and oxidation with O₂ in hydrochloric acid aqueous phase containing CS and Fe(OH)₂, and these magnetic CS nanoparticles were used to immobilize lipase. The effects on the sequence of adding NaOH and TPP, the reaction temperature, and the ratio of CS/Fe(OH)₂ were studied. TEM showed that the diameter of composite nanoparticles was about 80 nm, and that the magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a diameter of 20 nm were evenly dispersed in the CS materials. Magnetic measurement revealed that the saturated magnetisation of the Fe₃O₄-CS nanoparticles could reach 35.54 emu/g. The adsorption capacity of lipase onto nanoparticles could reach 129 mg/g; and the maximal enzyme activity was 20.02 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ (protein), and activity retention was as high as 55.6% at a certain loading amount.     

The development of an electrochemical immunosensor using a thiol aromatic aldehyde and PAMAM-functionalized Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles

In this work, a novel thiol aromatic aldehyde was synthesized. It can be used as a substrate to directly immobilize antibodies on a gold electrode, for which no additional chemical cross-linker is required. It was also applied as a linker to prepare Fe₃O₄@Au/PAMAM/Ab₂–horseradish peroxidase bioconjugates, which introduced multiple enzymes onto a sensing interface owing to the high surface-to-volume ratio of Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles and many functional groups of the poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM). The introduced multiple enzymes greatly improved the detection signal. Under optimal conditions, the proposed electrochemical immunosensor exhibited desirable performance for detection of IgG in the range 0.005–50 ng ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3 pg ml⁻¹ based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. It has great potential application in the area of clinical analysis.     

Study on the heterogeneous degradation of chitosan with H2O2 catalyzed by a new supermolecular assembly crystal: [C6H8N2]6H3[PW12O40]·2H2O

A new supermolecular assembly crystal, [C₆H₈N₂]₆H₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]·2H₂O (DMB-PWA), was synthesized with phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and 1,2-diaminobenzene (DMB) under hydrothermal conditions and was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. DMB-PWA could effectively catalyze oxidative degradation of chitosan with H₂O₂ in the heterogeneous phase. The optimum degradation conditions were determined by orthogonal tests as follows: amount of chitosan 1.00 g, 30% (wt %); H₂O₂, 3.0 mL; dosage of catalyst, 0.06 g; reaction temperature, 85 °C; and reaction time, 30 min. The water-soluble chitosan with a viscosity-average molecular weight (M_v) of 4900 was obtained under the optimum degradation conditions and was characterized by FTIR, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectra (UV-vis DRS), and X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

On an erroneous view of fluxional behaviour of [Fe3(CO)12]

The idea that the mechanism of the very low energy fluxional behaviour of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] may be based on the movement of the ligand icosahedron about the central Fe₃ triangle which corresponds to a rotational symmetry operation of the CO ligand icosahedron is discussed and rejected.     

Transesterification of sunflower oil to biodiesel on ZrO2 supported La2O3 catalyst

ZrO₂ supported La₂O₃ catalyst prepared by impregnation method was examined in the transesterification reaction of sunflower oil with methanol to produce biodiesel. It was found that the catalyst with 21 wt% loaded La₂O₃ and calcined at 600 °C showed the optimum activity. The basic property of the catalyst was studied by CO₂-TPD, and the results showed that the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield was related to their basicity. The catalyst was also characterized by TG–DTA, XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM, and the mechanism for the formation of basic sites was discussed. It was also found that the crystallite size of support ZrO₂ decreased by loading of La₂O₃, and the model of the solid-state reaction on the surface of La₂O₃/ZrO₂ catalyst was proposed. Besides, the influence of various reaction variables on the conversion was investigated.     

Sn-S and Ru-Ru bonds cleavage reactions between [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and Ru3(CO)12: X-ray crystal structures of [Ph3SnS(CH2)3SSnPh3] and trans-[Ru(CO)4(SnPh3)2]

The organotin complex [Ph₃SnS(CH₂)₃SSnPh₃] (1) was synthesized by PdCl₂ catalyzed reaction between Ph₃SnCl and disodium-1,3-propanedithiolate which in turn was prepared from 1,2-propanedithiol and sodium in refluxing THF. Reaction of 1 with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing THF affords the mononuclear complex trans-[Ru(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂] (2) and the dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-κ²-SCH₂CH₂CH₂S)] (3) in 20 and 11% yields, respectively, formed by cleavage of Sn-S bond of the ligand and Ru-Ru bonds of the cluster. Treatment of pymSSnPPh₃ (pymS = pyrimidine-2-thiolate) with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ at 55-60 °C also gives 2 in 38% yield. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by a combination of spectroscopic data and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Differential sensitivity of C3 and C4 turfgrass species to increasing atmospheric vapor pressure deficit

Temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) effects on turfgrass growth are almost always confounded in experiments because VPD commonly is substantially increased in elevated-temperature treatments. The objective of this study as to examine specifically the influence of VPD on transpiration response of four ‘warm-season’ (C₄) and four ‘cool-season’ (C₃) turfgrasses to increasing VPD at a stable temperature (29.3 ± 1.5 °C). Although transpiration rates were noticeably lower in C₄ grasses, transpiration rates increased linearly in response to increasing VPD across the range of 0.8–3.0 kPa. In contrast, transpiration rates of C₃ increased sharply with increasing VPD across the range of low VPDs, but became constrained at higher VPDs (>1.35 kPa). Restricted transpiration rate at elevated VPD was most evident in Agrostis palustris and Lolium perenne. Assuming restricted transpiration rates reflect a limitation on leaf CO₂ uptake, these results indicate that the commonly observed decline in growth of C₃ (and success of C₄) grasses at elevated temperature may include a sensitivity to elevated VPD.     

Evaluation and modelling the utility of SCCO2 to support efficient lipase mediated esterification

Supercritical fluids offer environmental advantages over chemical solvents, while providing enhanced separation and chemical selectivity. The use of supercritical fluids for the recovery of products from biomass and the transformation of selected molecules (to add value) was studied. Free fatty acids were bio-catalytically transformed to fatty acid esters using lipase within a supercritical fluid environment. A central composite rotatable design was used to evaluate the influence of operating conditions on the enzymatic esterification process and a response surface equation was optimized to identify the most favourable process conditions for maximum free fatty acid conversion. Based on the model equation the process conditions under which it was predicted a yield of 100% esters could be obtained were: pressure 200 bar, temperature 60 °C, ethanol concentration 2.0 M, enzyme concentration 11 wt.% and time 60 min. Experiments conducted under these conditions gave an ester yield of 94.3% (close to predicted results). The activity per unit mass of biocatalyst was found to be 1585 μmol/min/g_cat. The results support the use of supercritical fluids for process integration.     

Amperometric tyrosinase biosensor based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles-chitosan nanocomposite

A novel tyrosinase biosensor based on Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles-chitosan nanocomposite has been developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. The large surface area of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles and the porous morphology of chitosan led to a high loading of enzyme and the entrapped enzyme could retain its bioactivity. The tyrosinase-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle-chitosan bionanocomposite film was characterized with atomic force microscopy and AC impedance spectra. The prepared biosensor was used to determine phenolic compounds by amperometric detection of the biocatalytically liberated quinone at -0.2V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). The different parameters, including working potential, pH of supporting electrolyte and temperature that governs the analytical performance of the biosensor have been studied in detail and optimized. The biosensor was applied to detect catechol with a linear range of 8.3 x 10(-8) to 7.0 x 10(-5)mol L(-1), and the detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-8)mol L(-1). The tyrosinase biosensor exhibits good repeatability and stability. Such new tyrosinase biosensor shows great promise for rapid, simple, and cost-effective analysis of phenolic contaminants in environmental samples. The proposed strategy can be extended for the development of other enzyme-based biosensors.     

Zinc tetraaminophthalocyanine-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite for laccase immobilization

Zinc tetraaminophthalocyanine-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composites were prepared by organic-inorganic complex technology and characterized. It has been proved that the ZnTAPc dispersed randomly onto the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form molecular dispersion layer and there was a relatively strong bond between central zinc cation and oxygen. The nanoparticle composite took the shape of roundish spheres with the mean diameter of about 15 nm. Active amino groups of magnetic carriers could be used to bind laccase via glutaraldehyde. The optimal pH for the activity of the immobilized laccases and free laccase were the same at pH 3.0 and the optimal temperature for laccase immobilization on ZnTAPc-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite was 45 degrees. The immobilization yields and K(m) value of the laccase immobilized on ZnTAPc-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite were 25% and 20.1 microM, respectively. This kind of immobilized laccase has good thermal, storage and operation stability, and could be used as the sensing biocomponent for the fiber optic biosensor based on enzyme catalysis.     

Purification and Properties of the Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) Lactate Dehydrogenase LDH-B4 and LDH-C4 Isoenzymes

In the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) is encoded by three loci, Ldh-A, Ldh-B, and Ldh-C. LDH-B₄ isoenzyme restricted its function to eye and brain, while LDH-C₄ isoenzyme functions in the eye. In the Dead Vistula stickleback population, none of LDH loci is polymorphic. The LDH-B₄ and LDH-C₄ isoenzymes from the eye were purified to homogeneity to specific activity of 186 and 229 μmol NADH min⁻¹mg⁻¹, respectively, at 30°C. Some physico-chemical and kinetic properties revealed that eye LDH-C₄ isoenzyme was more thermostable and had a higher affinity to pyruvate than LDH-B₄ isoenzyme. Lower Km for pyruvate of eye LDH-C₄ isoenzyme distinguishes it from fish LDH-C₄ isoenzyme isolated from liver.     

Effect of leukotriene C4 exposure on ciliated cells of the nasal mucosa

To clarify the effects of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) on human ciliated epithelium, ciliary activity of the ethmoid sinus mucosa was measured photoelectrically in tissue culture. At concentrations ranging from 10⁻⁶M to 10⁻⁹M, LTC4 showed minimal effects on the ciliated epithelium during the initial 30 minutes of exposure; thereafter, ciliary inhibition was observed in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Irrigation of the mucosa with culture medium 15 minutes after exposure prevented the LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition. However, irrigation 60 minutes after exposure failed to inhibit 10⁻⁸M LTC4-induced ciliary dysfunction and mucosal damage. The LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition was blocked in the presence of FPL-55712 and/or Ly-171883, both leukotriene receptor antagonists. L-serine and sodium tetraborate complex (SBC), a γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) inhibitor, also inhibited the LTC4-induced ciliary inhibition. These findings indicate that LTC4 is converted to LTD4 by γ-GTP during 60 minutes of exposure, and LTC4 itself has minimal direct effects on the ciliated cells.     

Na_2SeO_4对蛹虫草子实体生长的影响

蛹虫草是一种药食两用真菌,具有与冬虫夏草相似的功能,且富硒能力较强。本研究通过大量的人工栽培试验,旨在探究不同浓度Na_2SeO_4对新疆本地蛹虫草子实体生长的影响。试验表明,质量浓度为20 mg/L的Na_2SeO_4对蛹虫草的生长不产生显著影响,但蛹虫草各项生物学指标均随着培养基中外源Na_2SeO_4浓度的增加而呈下降趋势,说明随着外源Na_2SeO_4浓度的增加会对蛹虫草的生长产生抑制效应,当外源Na_2SeO_4质量浓度达到200 mg/L时,生产的蛹虫草已不具备商品价值。由此可见,20 mg/L的质量浓度是以Na_2SeO_4为硒源进行蛹虫草富硒研究的安全浓度。该研究为富硒产品开发寻找新的硒源开辟了新思路,为新疆地区进一步大规模栽培富硒蛹虫草提供一定的参考,但是对以Na_2SeO_4为硒源的最佳富硒浓度还有待于进一步研究。     

胞外ATP对AlCl3诱导的细胞死亡过程中胞内H2O2和Ca2+水平的影响及其生理机制分析

该实验以烟草悬浮细胞 BY 2 为材料,在烟草悬浮细胞中分别加入0.05、0.10、0.15、0.20 mmol·L^-1AlCl₃,以等体积去离子水处理的悬浮细胞液为对照,并依据前述实验结果选择0.15 mmol·L^-1 AlCl₃,分别添加5 mmol·L^-1 DMTU(H₂O₂ 抑制剂)、20 μmol·L^-1CaCl₂、15 μmol·L^-1 LaCl₃(Ca²⁺通道抑制剂)和50 μmol·L^-1 ATP设计多项处理,分析胞外ATP(eATP)对铝离子(Al³⁺)胁迫引起的植物细胞死亡及其胞内H₂O₂、Ca²⁺的影响,以揭示Al³⁺胁迫下植物调节细胞死亡的可能机制,进一步扩展对eATP功能的认知。结果显示：(1)随着 AlCl₃ 胁迫浓度的提高,细胞死亡水平和胞内H₂O₂水平上升,而胞内Ca²⁺和eATP水平则逐渐降低。(2)外援施加H₂O₂抑制剂 DMTU(二甲基硫脲)和Ca²⁺能够有效缓解AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡水平的上升;而Ca²⁺通道抑制剂LaCl₃(三氯化镧)则加剧了AlCl₃胁迫下的细胞死亡。(3)在AlCl₃胁迫下对细胞添加外源ATP,能够缓解AlCl₃胁迫下胞内H₂O₂水平上升和Ca²⁺水平下降的同时,并显著降低AlCl₃胁迫导致的细胞死亡。研究表明, Al³⁺以剂量依赖的模式提升细胞死亡和细胞内H₂O₂的水平并降低胞内Ca²⁺和eATP水平,AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡受到H₂O₂和Ca²⁺水平变化的调节,eATP可以通过调节H₂O₂与Ca²⁺水平缓解AlCl₃诱导的细胞死亡。推测Al³⁺胁迫可能通过抑制钙离子通道而破坏了细胞内H₂O₂和Ca²⁺之间的协同关系,外源ATP对Al³⁺诱导H₂O₂上升的缓解作用可能是由于其提升了细胞的抗氧化能力。     

应用15N示踪研究欧美杨对PM2.5无机成分NH4+和NO3-的吸收与分配

通过气溶胶发生系统模拟PM2.5颗粒的发生,运用15N示踪技术研究了欧美杨107(Populus euramericana Neva.)对PM2.5中水溶性无机成分NH+4和NO-3的吸收与分配规律。结果表明,欧美杨能够有效吸收PM2.5中的NH+4和NO-3。轻度和重度污染下,欧美杨叶片对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率均于处理后第1天达到峰值,之后,轻度污染下对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率迅速降低以后趋于稳定,而重度污染下对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率缓慢下降至趋于稳定。轻度污染下的欧美杨叶片的15N含量在处理后第1天达到峰值,15N(NH+4)的含量为0.11 mg/g,干重,15N(NO-3)的为0.14 mg/g,干重,之后15N含量迅速下降至趋于稳定。重度污染下的叶片15N含量在处理第1天迅速增长,之后缓慢增长至处理后第7天达到最高值,15N(NH+4)的含量为0.11 mg/g,干重,15N(NO-3)的为0.13 mg/g,干重。处理7 d后,欧美杨不同组织器官吸收或通过再分配获取的15N含量存在差异。轻度污染下,细根对NH+4和NO-3的吸收量最高,树皮、叶柄、叶片次之,髓最低。而重度污染下,叶片对NH+4和NO-3的吸收量最高,细根、叶柄、树皮次之,髓最低。欧美杨各组织器官中NH+4和NO-3的含量均表现为重度污染大于轻度污染,且两种污染程度下的欧美杨各组织器官对NO-3的吸收均大于对NH+4的吸收。重度污染下,欧美杨茎木质部对15N(NH+4和NO-3)的吸收征调能力(Ndff,Nitrogen derived from fertilizer)最大,其次为髓,叶片最小;欧美杨各组织器官中的15N分配率表现为叶片细根叶柄树皮粗根茎木质部髓。研究结果对进一步揭示植物吸收PM2.5的机制及有效利用植物降低颗粒物污染、净化环境提供了重要的科学理论依据。     

Evidence for H2O2 as the product of reduction of oxygen by alternative oxidase in mitochondria from potato tubers

Oxygen consumption by alternative oxidase (AOX), present in mitochondria of many angiosperms, is known to be cyanide-resistant in contrast to cytochrome oxidase. Its activity in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) was induced following chilling treatment at 4 °C. About half of the total O₂ consumption of succinate oxidation in such mitochondria was found to be sensitive to SHAM, a known inhibitor of AOX activity. Addition of catalase to the reaction mixture of AOX during the reaction decreased the rate of SHAM-sensitive oxygen consumption by nearly half, and addition at the end of the reaction released nearly half of the consumed oxygen by AOX, both typical of catalase action on H₂O₂. These findings with catalase suggest that the product of reduction of AOX is H₂O₂ and not H₂O, as previously surmised. In potatoes subjected to chill stress (4 °C) for periods of 3, 5 and ?8 days the activity of AOX in mitochondria increased progressively with a corresponding increase in the AOX protein detected by immunoblot of the protein.     

Time-dependent inhibition of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-5-phosphatase by calmidazolium chloride in rat GH3 cells

The calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium chloride inhibited the activity of soluble and particulate Ins(1,4,5)P₃-5-phosphatase from GH₃ cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 100 μM following a 10-min preincubation with enzyme. The inhibition was time-dependent and could not be reversed by washing of the particulate fraction. It is concluded that although the inhibitory effect of calmidazolium chloride cannot be related per se to inhibition of calmodulin function, effects of this compound unrelated to actions upon calmodulin function may be found when concentrations that are only moderately supramaximal are used.     

Quercetin-induced H2O2 mediates the pathogen resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis thaliana

Quercetin is a potent antioxidant and has been extensively used as a therapy intervention to prevent age-associated diseases. However, emerging studies showed it can also act as a prooxidant and induce H₂O₂ under certain conditions. In the current study, our results showed that quercetin contributed to the pathogen resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) in response to the infection of virulent strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000 (Pst). Various defense responses, such as H₂O₂ burst, callose deposition, cell death, PR1 (pathogenesis-related 1) and PAL1 (Phe ammonia-lyase 1) gene expression, have been investigated in quercetin-pretreated Pst-inoculated Arabidopsis Col-0 and there was a strong defensive response in quercetin-pretreated Arabidopsis against virulent Pst. However, with the presence of catalase, the protective effects of quercetin on pathogen resistance to virulent Pst disappeared in Arabidopsis, suggesting that H₂O₂ may play a key role in plant defense responses. In addition, we confirmed that quercetin did not show any beneficial effect on pathogen-free leaves in Arabidopsis, indicating that pathogen challenge is also required to induce the defense responses in quercetin-pretreated Arabidopsis. Furthermore, strong defense responses have been observed in quercetin-pretreated Arabidopsis mutant jar1, ein2, and abi1-2 under Pst challenge, whereas no protective effect has been observed in quercetin-pretreated Arabidopsis mutant NahG and npr1. These findings indicate that quercetin induces the resistance to Pst in Arabidopsis via H₂O₂ burst and involvement of SA and NPR1.     

Improving of Catalase Stability Properties by Encapsulation in Alginate/Fe3O4 Magnetic Composite Beads for Enzymatic Removal of H2O2

The aim of this study was enhancing of stability properties of catalase enzyme by encapsulation in alginate/nanomagnetic beads. Amounts of carrier (10–100 mg) and enzyme concentrations (0.25–1.5 mg/mL) were analyzed to optimize immobilization conditions. Also, the optimum temperature (25–50°C), optimum pH (3.0–8.0), kinetic parameters, thermal stability (20–70°C), pH stability (4.0–9.0) operational stability (0–390 min), and reusability were investigated for characterization of the immobilized catalase system. The optimum pH levels of both free and immobilized catalase were 7.0. At the thermal stability studies, the magnetic catalase beads protected 90% activity, while free catalase maintained only 10% activity at 70°C. The thermal profile of magnetic catalase beads was spread over a large area. Similarly, this system indicated the improving of the pH stability. The reusability, which is especially important for industrial applications, was also determined. Thus, the activity analysis was done 50 times in succession. Catalase encapsulated magnetic alginate beads protected 83% activity after 50 cycles.