Synthesis of Dicarboxylic Acids Comprising an Ether Linkage and Cyclic Skeleton and Its Further Application for High-Performance Aluminum Electrolyte Capacitors.

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are essential components in all electronic devices, and it is known that their longevity depends on the performance of their electrolytes. We synthesized dicarboxylic acids having ether bonds showing the good solubility in ethylene glycol as a solvent and simultaneously developed a complete halogen removal method, which is strictly prohibited in capacitors. Moreover, the incorporation of bulky α-substituents and cyclic structures dramatically improved their heat resistance and can withstand high voltage, i.e., 764 V.

Preparation and characterization of a jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) polysaccharide-based bioactive 3D scaffold for improved vascularization and skin tissue engineering applications.

Jelly fig polysaccharides (JFP) were extracted from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes. The yield of JFP was approximately 10-15 %. FT-IR spectrum of the extracted JFP confirmed that it was made of low methoxyl pectin (LMP). 3D scaffolds of JFP (JFP scaffold) were fabricated using ionic crosslinking of 2 % (w/v) JFP solution with Ca2+ ions and freeze-drying. The JFP scaffold showed 73.46 ± 1.97 % porosity and a 12-fold swelling capacity. The porous morphology was also observed in SEM micrographs. JFP scaffolds were completely degraded in 14 days when incubated in 1 mg/mL lysozyme solution, compared to the 50 % degradation observed in PBS alone. The antioxidant activity of the JFP and JFP scaffold was approximately 40 %. The hemolytic assay of the JFP scaffold showed <5 % (3.0 ± 0.4) RBC lysis. The cytocompatibility of the JFP scaffold was evaluated using L929 mouse fibroblasts and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). The in vitro studies using L929 cells showed that the JFP scaffold is cytocompatible. HDF cells cultured in the presence of JFP scaffolds show a higher fold cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Collagen expression and deposition were also studied, and no significant changes occurred with JFP scaffold treatment. In vivo CAM assay showed an increase in the number and thickness of blood vessels by 1.185-fold and 1.19-fold, respectively. These results confirm the angiogenic property of the JFP scaffold. These biocompatible and bioactive properties of the JFP scaffold could be beneficial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

ß-Cyclodextrin-Encapsulated Rhodamine Derivatives Core-Shell Microspheres-Based Fluorescent Sensor for Au3+ and Template for Generating Microplates of Gold.

We have developed ß-cyclodextrin-encapsulated rhodamine derivative core-shell microspheres (ß-CD@RH) to improve their aqueous solubility and biocompatibility. The ß-CD@RH core-shell microspheres exhibited bright and stable fluorescence with Au3+ ion in aqueous media. The development of triangular and hexagonal gold microplates within an aqueous solution by a simple, one-step, and green chemistry strategy is followed and prepared. Fluorescent imaging of Au3+ in living cells is also successfully demonstrated.

Citrate Functionalized Zirconium-Based Metal Organic Framework for the Fluorescent Detection of Ciprofloxacin in Aqueous Media.

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of infectious diseases in humans and as a prophylactic agent in the livestock industry, leading to the environmental discharge of significant amounts of CIP. CIP is stable in aquatic systems leading to its pseudo-persistence. Constant exposure to these antibiotics results in the generation of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and potential toxicity/hypersensitivity in humans. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a convenient, rapid, and cost-effective method for the monitoring of ciprofloxacin in environmental samples. Rhodamine-based fluorescent receptors have the limitation of aqueous solubility. Therefore, in order to overcome this drawback, we designed a novel fluorescent receptor based on a zirconium-based metal organic framework (MOF-808). The precursor, MOF-808, was synthesized and functionalized by using sodium citrate to obtain a receptor called C-MOF-808. The C-MOF-808 was structurally characterized by XRD and spectroscopic analyses. Thus, this synthesized receptor can be used for the fluorescent detection of CIP in aqueous media with a detection limit of 9.4 µM. The detection phenomena of the receptor were studied by absorption as well as fluorescent spectra. The binding behavior of CIP with the receptor was studied by FT-IR and 1H-NMR analyses, and a binding mechanism is proposed.