Preparation and antibacterial effects of Ag/AgCl-doped quaternary ammonium-modified silicate hybrid antibacterial material.

Organic-inorganic hybrid antibacterial materials based on Ag/AgCl and quaternary ammonium-modified silicate (Ormosil(NR4+Cl-)) were prepared by sol-gel processes and an in situ reduction method. The physical properties of Ormosil(NR4+Cl-) and the Ormosil(NR4+Cl-)/Ag hybrids were examined using FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, XRD and NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that Ag/AgCl was incorporated into the Ormosil(NR4+Cl-) matrix after impregnation. Morphological analysis by SEM showed uniformly-distributed Ag and AgCl particles in the Ormosil(NR4+Cl-) matrix, of spherical nature and a size around 5-20 and <200 nm. The antibacterial effects of Ormosil(NR4+Cl-) and the Ormosil(NR4+Cl-)/Ag hybrids against Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and E. coli, and Gram-positive S. aureus and B. subtilis, were assessed in terms of the zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and plate-counting method, and an excellent antibacterial performance was discovered. Moreover, the antibacterial performance of the Ormosil(NR4+Cl-)/Ag hybrid was better than that of Ormosil(NR4+Cl-) and the Ormosil/Ag hybrids.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the GmSnRK2 Family in Soybean.

Sucrose non-fermenting-1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) that were reported to be involved in the transduction of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, play important roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Compared to the systemic investigation of SnRK2s in Arabidopsisthaliana and Oryza sativa, little is known regarding SnRK2s in soybean, which is one of the most important oil and protein crops. In the present study, we performed genome-wide identification and characterization of GmSnRK2s in soybean. In summary, 22 GmSnRK2s were identified and clustered into four groups. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the expansion of SnRK2 gene family during the evolution of soybean. Various cis-acting elements such as ABA Response Elements (ABREs) were identified and analyzed in the promoter regions of GmSnRK2s. The results of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data for different soybean tissues showed that GmSnRK2s exhibited spatio-temporally specific expression patterns during soybean growth and development. Certain GmSnRK2s could respond to the treatments including salinity, ABA and strigolactones. Our results provide a foundation for the further elucidation of the function of GmSnRK2 genes in soybean.

One-pot synthesis of three-dimensional Mn3O4 microcubes for high-level sensitive detection of head and neck cancer drug nimorazole.

We described a three-dimensional Mn3O4 microcubes (3D-Mn3O4MCs) synthesised via a facile hydrothermal route for the determination of nimorazole (NMZ), an important drug that used in the treatment of head and neck cancer. The 3D-Mn3O4 MCs possess large active area and high conductivity, and 3D-Mn3O4 MCs film modified screen-printed carbon electrode (3D-Mn3O4MCs/SPCE) was fabricated which displayed excellent electrocatalytic ability towards NMZ. Under optimised working conditions, the modified electrode responded linearly to NMZ in the 0.025-8060µM concentration range and the detection limit was 6nM. A rapid, sensitive, selective, reproducible, and durable sensor was described. The practical feasibility of the sensor was demonstrated in human serum and NMZ tablet samples. The obtained results revealed the potential real-time applicability of the sensing device in biological analysis and pharmaceutical formulations.

One-step synthesis of porous copper oxide for electrochemical sensing of acetylsalicylic acid in the real sample.

A Facile approach of one-step synthesis was employed to prepare porous CuO at different annealing temperature and characterized by using numerous analytical techniques. Moreover, the electrochemical sensing application of CuO modified glassy carbon electrode was studied and recorded using various electrochemical techniques. From the results, it was interpreted that the CuO prepared at 350°C exhibits satisfactorily electrochemical determination of Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with unique sensitivity, linear range and limit of detection of about 831.65µA mM-1cm-2, 0.1-714µM and 0.037µM respectively. The proposed sensor also shows good electrocatalytic performance in real sample analysis with acceptable results.

Electrochemical preparation of activated graphene oxide for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol.

This paper describes the electrochemical preparation of highly electrochemically active and conductive activated graphene oxide (aGO). Afterwards, the electrochemical properties of aGO was studied towards the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC). This aGO is prepared by the electrochemical activation of GO by various potential treatments. The resultant aGOs are examined by various physical and electrochemical characterizations. The high potential activation (1.4 to -1.5) process results a highly active GO (aGO1), which manifest a good electrochemical behavior towards the determination of HQ and CC. This aGO1 modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was furnished the sensitive detection of HQ and CC with linear concentration range from 1 to 312µM and 1 to 350µM. The aGO1 modified SPCE shows the lowest detection limit of 0.27µM and 0.182µM for the HQ and CC, respectively. The aGO1 modified SPCE reveals an excellent selectivity towards the determination of HQ and CC in the presence of 100 fold of potential interferents. Moreover, the fabricated disposable aGO1/SPCE sensor was demonstrated the determination of HQ and CC in tap water and industrial waste water.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by using Camellia japonica leaf extract for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene and photocatalytic degradation of Eosin-Y.

In the present study, sphere-like silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized by using Camellia japonica leaf extract and its remediation industrial pollutants such as nitrobenzene and Eosin-Y (EY). As-prepared sphere-like Ag-NPs were characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic methods such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDX), and the chemical constituents of the leaf extract were also analyzed by using Gas chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Fascinatingly, the as-prepared sphere-like Ag-NPs exhibits excellent electrocatalytic and photocatalytic activity for the reduction of nitrobenzene and photo-degradation of EY dye respectively. The Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric (i-t) studies realized that the electrochemical behavior of sphere-like Ag-NPs modified electrode on nitrobenzene reduction. The proposed nitrobenzene sensor exhibited appreciable wide linear response range and low detection limit of 0.05-21µM, 23-2593µM and 12nM, respectively. The Ag-NPs modified electrode showed excellent selectivity towards the nitrobenzene detection even in the presence of common metal ions and nitroaromatic containing substances. On the other hand, Ag-NPs have excellent photocatalytic activity with >97% degradation of EY dye after irradiated 60min. These results indicated that the growth of sphere-like Ag-NPs should be a proficient.

A Study of Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Activity of Cerium Molybdate Nanocubes Decorated Graphene Oxide for the Sensing and Degradation of Antibiotic Drug Chloramphenicol.

In this present work, "killing two birds with one stone" strategy was performed for the electrochemical trace level detection and photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic drug chloramphenicol (CAP) using Ce(MoO4)2 nanocubes/graphene oxide (CeM/GO) composite for the first time. The CeM/GO composite was synthesized via simple hydrothermal treatment followed by sonication process. The successful formation of CeM/GO composite was confirmed by several analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The CeM/GO composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of CAP in terms of decrease the potential and increase the cathodic peak current in comparison with different modified and unmodified electrodes. The electrocatalytic reduction of CAP based on the CeM/GO modified GCE exhibited high selectivity, wide linear ranges, lower detection limit, and good sensitivity of 0.012-20 and 26-272 µM, 2 nM ,and 1.8085 µA µM-1 cm-2, respectively. Besides, when CeM/GO/GCE was used to analyze the CAP in real samples, such as honey and milk, the satisfactory recovery results were obtained. On the other hand, the CeM/GO composite played excellent catalyst toward the photodegradation of CAP. The obtained results from the UV-vis spectroscopy clearly suggested that CeM/GO composite had high photocatalytic activity compared to pristine Ce(MoO4)2 nanocubes. The degradation efficiency of CeM/GO toward CAP is observed about 99% within 50 min under visible irradiation and it shows a good stability by observing the reusability of the catalyst. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was attributed to the increased migration efficiency of photoinduced electrons and holes.

Preparation, electrochemical and spectral properties of free-base and manganese N-methyl-pyridylethynyl porphyrins.

Two series of free-base and manganese N-methyl-pyridylethynyl-5,15-biphenyl porphyrins were synthesized, and their UV-Visible, electrochemical and spectro-electrochemical properties were studied. Cyclic voltammetry experiments showed positive shifts in the reduction potentials and the UV-Visible spectra showed significant red-shifts in the absorption wavelengths of these porphyrins, indicating the effects of N-methyl-pyridylethynyl substituents.