Self-assembled fractal hybrid dendrites from water-soluble anionic (Thia)calix[4] arenes and Ag⁺

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2017. Novel water-soluble anionic p-tertbutylthiacalix[ 4]arene with propanesulfonate fragments has been synthesized. Alkylation of the lower rim of thiacalix[4] arene in the presence of NaH/THF led to cone conformation instead of the expected 1,3-alternate conformer due to metal template effect. The presence of supramolecular associates at the critical micelle concentration of 1.65 · 10 −5 M were investigated in aqueous solutions by a combination of different techniques (DLS and conductivity). It was observed that the macrocyclic platform decreases the CMC by tenfold as compared with non-macrocycle analogs. A simple approach for the design of stable monodisperse Ag-based nanoaggregates (near 95 nm) containing ionic Ag and organic ligand-thiacalix[4]arene sulfo derivative in water has been developed. Self-assembled fractal hybrid nanodendrites consisting of water-soluble anionic (thia)calix[4] arenes and Ag + have been obtained in a single step under mild conditions

Mechanism of solidification of simulated borate liquid wastes with sodium silicate activated slag cements

© 2017 Elsevier LtdIn this study the mineral matrix based on hydrous sodium metasilicate (NSH5) activated slag cement (AASC) was found to be suitable for solidification of borate solutions with pH 8.5–10.5 and concentration up to 200 g/L. Parameters such as setting times and compressive strength of the waste forms based on AASC and borate wastes can be influenced by the ratio of NSH5 and H3BO3 content. The dosage of 7% Na2O in the alkali activator per slag provides acceptable setting times and 28-day compressive strength of the waste forms in the range 49.7–56.1 MPa depending on pH of the borate solutions. Lowering the pH of borate solutions results in a reduced rate of setting of the fresh AASC paste, retardation in the structural formation of the hardened AASC paste, a reduced degree of hydration, and a reduction in the amount of calcium silicate hydrates and hydrotalcite. The product of AASC-based mineral matrix and simulated borate wastes interaction is ulexite (NaCaB5O6(OH)6(H2O)5)

Fluorescein-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Based on Monoamine Pillar[5]arene: Synthesis and Interaction with DNA

© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Present research is the first example to use pillar[5]arene for creation fluorescein-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and release dye during interaction with DNA - potential delivery system of the imaging agent. Monoamine functionalized pillar[5]arene was synthesized for preparation of the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) with/without luminescent marker (fluorescein). Interestingly, presence of a single tail-group in the pillar[5]arene has opened wide opportunities for the formation of the various types of pillararene-based assemblies, i. e., pseudorotaxanes, supramolecular polymers and SLNs, varying the solvents

On light scattering in transformer oil

GK transformer oil is studied using the methods of UV and visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, small-angle light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and element analysis. The effect exerted on the optical properties of transformer oil by colloidal, micelle-like, and solid particles formed in oil during its exploitation is investigated. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Marl-based geopolymers incorporated with limestone: A feasibility study

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. The expanding raw materials base is one of the drivers for the further development of inorganic binders, including alkali-activated cements. This research focuses on studying marl with a high calcite/aluminosilicates ratio as a geopolymer precursor, and limestone as a mineral addition to this geopolymer. The calcination of marl at 800 °C resulting in the formation of reactive Si, Al, and Ca due to the dehydroxylation of clay minerals and decarbonation of calcite makes marl suitable for use as a geopolymer precursor. Calcined marl activated with sodium silicate and cured at ambient temperature had a 28-day compressive strength of 34 MPa. When incorporated with 50% limestone, the compressive strength became 39.2 MPa. XRD, TG/DSC, FTIR, optical and SEM have been used to investigate the reaction products, as well as the microstructure of the geopolymer hardened pastes

Interfacing Living Unicellular Algae Cells with Biocompatible Polyelectrolyte-Stabilised Magnetic Nanoparticles

Green algae are a promising platform for the development of biosensors and bioelectronic devices. Here we report a reliable single-step technique for the functionalisation of living unicellular green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa with biocompatible 15 nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles stabilised with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The magnetised algae cells can be manipulated and immobilised using external permanent magnets. The distribution of the nanoparticles on the cell walls of C. pyrenoidosa was studied by optical and fluorescence microscopy, TEM, SEM and EDX spectroscopy. The viability and the magnetic properties of the magnetised algae are studied in comparison with the native cells. The technique may find a number of potential applications in biotechnology and bioelectronics.We report the functionalisation of viable algae C. pyrenoidosa cells with biocompatible polyelectrolyte-stabilised superparamagnetic nanoparticles via a single-step direct deposition. This study demonstrates that the living magnetised algae cells are susceptible for the spatial manipulation with a permanent magnet, opening new avenues for a number of practical applications, including the fabrication of whole-cell biosensors. Copyright © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

High catalytic activity of palladium nanoparticle clusters supported on a spherical polymer network

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015. In this communication we report the synthesis of Pd nanoparticle clusters achieved via the assembly of Pd nanoparticles on the surface of a spherical polymer network. The network exhibits flexibility and adapts to the cluster formation. The nanoclusters display high catalytic activity toward p-nitrophenol reduction and the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction

The pathology of familial breast cancer: Predictive value of immunohistochemical markers estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2, and p53 in patients with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2

Purpose : The morphologic and molecular phenotype of breast cancers may help identify patients who are likely to carry germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. This study evaluates the immunohistochemical profiles of tumors arising in patients with mutations in these genes. Materials and Methods: Samples of breast cancers obtained from the International Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium were characterized morphologically and immunohistochemically using antibodies to estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2 (c-erbB-2 oncogene), and p53 protein. Results: Breast cancers in patients with BRCA1 germline mutations are more often negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2, and are more likely to be positive for p53 protein compared with controls. In contrast, BRCA2 tumors do not show a significant difference in the expression of any of these proteins compared with controls. Conclusion: BRCA1 has a distinctive morphology and immunohistochemical phenotype. The combined morphologic and immunohistochemical data can be used to predict the risk of a young patient harboring a germline mutation in BRCA1. The BRCA2 phenotype is currently not well defined. (C) 2002 by American Society of Clinical Oncology

Integrative analyses identify modulators of response to neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitors in patients with early breast cancer

Introduction Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a vital component of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer treatment. De novo and acquired resistance, however, is common. The aims of this study were to relate patterns of copy number aberrations to molecular and proliferative response to AIs, to study differences in the patterns of copy number aberrations between breast cancer samples pre- and post-AI neoadjuvant therapy, and to identify putative biomarkers for resistance to neoadjuvant AI therapy using an integrative analysis approach. Methods Samples from 84 patients derived from two neoadjuvant AI therapy trials were subjected to copy number profiling by microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH, n = 84), gene expression profiling (n = 47), matched pre- and post-AI aCGH (n = 19 pairs) and Ki67-based AI-response analysis (n = 39). Results Integrative analysis of these datasets identified a set of nine genes that, when amplified, were associated with a poor response to AIs, and were significantly overexpressed when amplified, including CHKA, LRP5 and SAPS3. Functional validation in vitro, using cell lines with and without amplification of these genes (SUM44, MDA-MB134-VI, T47D and MCF7) and a model of acquired AI-resistance (MCF7-LTED) identified CHKA as a gene that when amplified modulates estrogen receptor (ER)-driven proliferation, ER/estrogen response element (ERE) transactivation, expression of ER-regulated genes and phosphorylation of V-AKT murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1). Conclusions These data provide a rationale for investigation of the role of CHKA in further models of de novo and acquired resistance to AIs, and provide proof of concept that integrative genomic analyses can identify biologically relevant modulators of AI response