Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of 8-Hydroxy-2 \u27-deoxyguanosine Incorporating SWCNTs-Nafion Composite Film

8-Hydroxy-2\u27-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a typical biomarker of oxidative DNA damage and has attracted much attention in recent years since the level of 8-OHdG in body fluids is typically associated with various diseases. In this work, a simple and highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of 8-OHdG was fabricated incorporating single wall carbon nanotubes-(SWCNTs-) Nafion composite film coated on glassy carbon electrode. Nafion was chosen as an optimal adhesive agent from a series of adhesive agents and acted as a binder, enrichment, and exclusion film. Due to the strong cation-exchange ability of Nafion and the outstanding electronic properties ofSWCNTs, the prepared SWCNTs-Nafion film can strongly enhance the electrochemical response to oxidation of 8-OHdG and efficiently alleviate the interferences from uric acid and ascorbic acid. The oxidation peak currents are linear with the concentration of 8-OHdG in the range of 0.03 to 1.25 mu M with a detection limit of 8.0 nM (S/N = 3). This work demonstrates that SWCNTs-Nafion film can improve the sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability, making it an ideal candidate for electrochemical detection of 8-OHdG

Immuno Nanoparticles Integrated Electrical Control of Targeted Cancer Cell Development Using Whole Cell Bioelectronic Device

Electrical properties of cells determine most of the cellular functions, particularly ones which occur in the cell’s membrane. Manipulation of these electrical properties may provide a powerful electrotherapy option for the treatment of cancer as cancerous cells have been shown to be more electronegative than normal proliferating cells. Previously, we used an electrical impedance sensing system (EIS) to explore the responses of cancerous SKOV3 cells and normal HUVEC cells to low intensity (\u3c2 V/cm) AC electric fields, determining that the optimal frequency for SKOV3 proliferation arrest was 200 kHz, without harming the non-cancerous HUVECs. In this study, to determine if these effects are cell type dependant, human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7) were subjected to a range of frequencies (50 kHz–2 MHz) similar to the previously tested SKOV3. For the MCF7, an optimal frequency of 100 kHz was determined using the EIS, indicating a higher sensitivity towards the applied field. Further experiments specifically targeting the two types of cancer cells using HER2 antibody functionalized gold nanoparticles (HER2-AuNPs) were performed to determine if enhanced electric field strength can be induced via the application of nanoparticles, consequently leading to the killing of the cancerous cells without affecting non cancerous HUVECs and MCF10a providing a platform for the development of a non-invasive cancer treatment without any harmful side effects. The EIS was used to monitor the real-time consequences on cellular viability and a noticeable decrease in the growth profile of the MCF7 was observed with the application of the HER2-AuNPs and the electric fields indicating specific inhibitory effects on dividing cells in culture. To further understand the effects of the externally applied field to the cells, an Annexin V/EthD-III assay was performed to determine the cell death mechanism indicating apoptosis. The zeta potential of the SKOV3 and the MCF7 before and after incorporation of the HER2-AuNPs was also obtained indicating a decrease in zeta potential with the incorporation of the nanoparticles. The outcome of this research will improve our fundamental understanding of the behavior of cancer cells and define optimal parameters of electrotherapy for clinical and drug delivery applications

Research on deep hole segmented charge cut blasting of rock roadway based on numerical simulation

With the increase of the depth of the blast hole, the rock clamping effect at the bottom of the blast hole is enhanced, resulting in low rock breaking efficiency and blast hole utilization. The past continuous charging method can not solve the above problems. On this basis, this paper studies the rock roadway deep hole segmented charging cut blasting technology to improve the cut blasting efficiency. Using the smooth particle hydrodynamics-finite element method (SPH-FEM), a single-hole cut blasting model with different segmented charge structures was established, and the blasting speed of rock particles in the rock, the number of rock blasting and the characteristics of blasting cavity were analyzed in the blasting process under different models. The results show that different charge structures affect the damage range of the rock near the blast hole, and the damage area of the traditional continuous charge structure in the direction of the blast hole is larger than that of the segmented charge structure. In addition, the continuous charge structure makes the energy distribution of the explosive uneven because the explosive is concentrated at the bottom of the blast hole, resulting in poor blasting effect. The segmented charge structure can increase the number of rock fragments and optimize the blasting cavity, and the rock particles accelerate twice in the process of flying. The large or small proportion of the first segment charge obviously causes the unreasonable use of explosive energy and the poor effect of blasting cavity. Under the conditions of blast hole length, rock parameters and explosive performance set in the simulation, when the first stage charge ratio is 0.4, deep-hole rock tunnel excavation and blasting can make full use of explosive energy to achieve better cut blasting effect. The optimal subsection ratio obtained by numerical simulation was applied to the blasting construction of roadway excavation, and the delay initiation of two explosives in the cut hole was realized by using digital electronic detonator. The field test results show that the segmented charging can create good blasting effect and improve the utilization rate of blast holes in deep hole cut blasting

Assembly strategies for rubber-degrading microbial consortia based on omics tools

Numerous microorganisms, including bacteria and fungus, have been identified as capable of degrading rubber. Rubber biodegradation is still understudied due to its high stability and the lack of well-defined pathways and efficient enzymes involved in microorganism metabolism. However, rubber products manufacture and usage cause substantial environmental issues, and present physical-chemical methods involve dangerous chemical solvents, massive energy, and trash with health hazards. Eco-friendly solutions are required in this context, and biotechnological rubber treatment offers considerable promise. The structural and functional enzymes involved in poly (cis-1,4-isoprene) rubber and their cleavage mechanisms have been extensively studied. Similarly, novel bacterial strains capable of degrading polymers have been investigated. In contrast, relatively few studies have been conducted to establish natural rubber (NR) degrading bacterial consortia based on metagenomics, considering process optimization, cost effective approaches and larger scale experiments seeking practical and realistic applications. In light of the obstacles encountered during the constructing NR-degrading consortia, this study proposes the utilization of multi-omics tools to discern the underlying mechanisms and metabolites of rubber degradation, as well as associated enzymes and effective synthesized microbial consortia. In addition, the utilization of omics tool-based methods is suggested as a primary research direction for the development of synthesized microbial consortia in the future

Assembly strategies for polyethylene-degrading microbial consortia based on the combination of omics tools and the “Plastisphere”

Numerous microorganisms and other invertebrates that are able to degrade polyethylene (PE) have been reported. However, studies on PE biodegradation are still limited due to its extreme stability and the lack of explicit insights into the mechanisms and efficient enzymes involved in its metabolism by microorganisms. In this review, current studies of PE biodegradation, including the fundamental stages, important microorganisms and enzymes, and functional microbial consortia, were examined. Considering the bottlenecks in the construction of PE-degrading consortia, a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches is proposed to identify the mechanisms and metabolites of PE degradation, related enzymes, and efficient synthetic microbial consortia. In addition, the exploration of the plastisphere based on omics tools is proposed as a future principal research direction for the construction of synthetic microbial consortia for PE degradation. Combining chemical and biological upcycling processes for PE waste could be widely applied in various fields to promote a sustainable environment

Applications of Nanomaterials in Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Biosensors

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (also called electrochemiluminescence and abbreviated ECL) involves the generation of species at electrode surfaces that then undergo electron-transfer reactions to form excited states that emit light. ECL biosensor, combining advantages offered by the selectivity of the biological recognition elements and the sensitivity of ECL technique, is a powerful device for ultrasensitive biomolecule detection and quantification. Nanomaterials are of considerable interest in the biosensor field owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, which have led to novel biosensors that have exhibited high sensitivity and stability. Nanomaterials including nanoparticles and nanotubes, prepared from metals, semiconductor, carbon or polymeric species, have been widely investigated for their ability to enhance the efficiencies of ECL biosensors, such as taking as modification electrode materials, or as carrier of ECL labels and ECL-emitting species. Particularly useful application of nanomaterials in ECL biosensors with emphasis on the years 2004-2008 is reviewed. Remarks on application of nanomaterials in ECL biosensors are also surveyed

Study on Crack Propagation of the Tunnel Model under Dynamic Loading

Crack defects make it difficult to predict the dynamic fracture of tunnel specimens under an impact load. To study the impact of the velocity and crack location on a roadway under dynamic load, specimens with tunnel-type voids were made using polymethyl methacrylate. The split-Hopkinson bar was used as the loading method, and a digital laser dynamic caustics system was used to observe the fracture process of the specimens. The dynamic fracture process was evaluated by the crack propagation velocity, displacement, and dynamic stress intensity factor. To predict and verify the test results, ABAQUS was used to simulate the test process. It was found that the results of the simulated combinations of the crack propagation path and initial fracture toughness change law are consistent with the test results. The initial fracture toughness and the peak value of the crack propagation velocity increased with the increase of the impact velocity. The crack propagation law and trajectory were affected by the location of the prefabricated cracks