Mutation Induction for Protein in Wheat

Agronom

Graphene oxide and its derivatives as promising In-vitro bio-imaging platforms

Intrinsic fluorescence and versatile optical properties of Graphene Oxide (GO) in visible and near-infrared range introduce this nanomaterial as a promising candidate for numerous clinical applications for early-diagnose of diseases. Despite recent progresses in the impact of major features of GO on the photoluminescence properties of GO, their modifications have not yet systematically understood. Here, to study the modification effects on the fluorescence behavior, poly ethylene glycol (PEG) polymer, metal nanoparticles (Au and Fe3O4) and folic acid (FA) molecules were used to functionalize the GO surface. The fluorescence performances in different environments (water, DMEM cell media and phosphate buffer with two different pH values) were assessed through fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescent microscopy, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to evaluate the modifications of chemical structures. The modification of GO with desired molecules improved the photoluminescence property. The synthesized platforms of GO-PEG, GO-PEG-Au, GO-PEG-Fe3O4 and GO-PEG-FA illustrated emissions in three main fluorescence regions (blue, green and red), suitable for tracing and bio-imaging purposes. Considering MTT results, these platforms potentially positioned themselves as non-invasive optical sensors for the diagnosis alternatives of traditional imaging agents. A correction for this article can be viewed at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75090-

Synthesis of Curcumin Loaded Smart pH-Responsive Stealth Liposome as a Novel Nanocarrier for Cancer Treatment

The innovation of drug delivery vehicles with controlled properties for cancer therapy is the aim of most pharmaceutical research. This study aims to fabricate a new type of smart biocompatible stealth-nanoliposome to deliver curcumin for cancer treatment. Herein, four different types of liposomes (with/without pH-responsive polymeric coating) were synthesized via the Mozafari method and then characterized with several tests, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscopes (FE-S EM). The loading and release profile of curcumin were evaluated in two pH of 7.4 and 6.6. Finally, the MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the samples. FE-SEM results revealed a mean size of about 40 and 50 nm for smart stealth-liposome and liposome, respectively. The results of drug entrapment revealed that non-coated liposome had about 74% entrapment efficiency, while it was about 84% for PEGylated liposomes. Furthermore, the drug released pattern of the nanocarriers showed more controllable release in stealth-liposome in comparison to non-coated one. The results of the cytotoxicity test demonstrated the toxicity of drug-loaded carriers on cancer cells. Based on the results of this study, the as-prepared smart stealth pH-responsive nanoliposome could be considered as a potential candidate for cancer therapy

Determination of the anisotropic thermal conductivity of an aerogel-based plaster using transient plane source method

Aerogel-based plasters are composite materials with declared thermal conductivities in the range of traditional insulating materials, i.e. 30-50 mW/(m K). Based on the results from reported field measurements, aerogel-based plasters can significantly reduce the thermal transmittance of uninsulated walls. However, the in-situ measured thermal conductivities have sometimes been higher than the declared values measured in laboratory and in the main direction of the heat flow. Meanwhile, the anisotropic thermal performance of aerogel-based plasters, i.e., deviating thermal performance in the different directions of heat flow, has not been explored yet.The objective of this study is thus to evaluate the anisotropic thermal conductivity of an aerogel-based plaster. This is done in a set of laboratory measurements using the transient plane source method. Six identical and cubic samples with the dimensions of 10x10x10 cm3 were paired two and two, creating three identical sample sets. In total, 360 measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, and 130 measurements for specific heat capacity were conducted. The results indicate a weak anisotropy of less than 6.5 % between the three directions (x, y, z). Considering the accuracy of the selected measurement technique, better than 5 %, supplementary measurements using another technique are recommended

An improved method for fabrication of Ag-GO nanocomposite with controlled anti-cancer and anti-bacterial behavior; a comparative study

In this study, two green procedures for Silver-Graphene Oxide (Ag-GO) nanocomposite synthesis were investigated. As a common method, AgNO3 was first loaded on the GO surface and then was reduced and stabilized by walnut green husk extract, producing Ag-GO-I. As an innovative approach, GO was first exposed to the extract and then the AgNO3 was added as the second step, producing Ag-GO-Pi. Physicochemical properties, antibacterial and cytotoxicity activity of both nanocomposites were subsequently studied comparing with free silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and pure GO. Based on the results, exposure of GO to the extract, as a reducing agent, at the first/last step of the synthesis process resulted in the fundamental differences in the final products. So that, high amounts of agglomerated silver nanoparticles were formed between the GO sheets, when using the common method, whereas in Ag-GO-Pi, small AgNPs were formed on the GO sheets without aggregation, entirely covering the sheets. Antibacterial and cytotoxic behavior of these nanomaterials could be compared as AgNPs > AgGO-Pi > Ag-GO-I. It is assumed that these differences are due to control of unwanted nucleation in the synthesis process that Ag nanoparticles are smaller with less agglomeration when the GO surfaces are pre-treated with reducing agent