Polybutylene succinate (PBS) has become a potential candidate, similar to polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), for use as an organic plastic material due to its outstanding mechanical properties as well as high thermal deformation characteristics. A new composition of silica aerogel nanoparticles extracted from rice waste with PBS is proposed for use as a dielectric (εr = 4.5) substrate for microwave applications. A microstrip patch antenna was fabricated on the proposed dielectric substrate for multi-resonant ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. The performance characteristics of the proposed biomaterial-based antenna were investigated in a far-field measurement environment. The results indicate that the proposed biocompatible material-based antenna covered a bandwidth of 9.4 (2.3-11.7) GHz with stop bands from 5.5 GHz to 5.8 GHz and 7.0 GHz to 8.3 GHz. Peak gains of 9.82 dBi, 7.59 dBi, 8.0 dBi and 7.68 dBi were measured at resonant frequencies of 2.7 GHz, 4.6 GHz, 6.3 GHz and 9.5 GHz, respectively.
The present study reports the removal of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Ibuprofen (IBP) using adsorbents prepared from batik sludge. The calcite sludge-aluminum hydroxide (CAl) adsorbent was prepared by calcination and followed by aluminum hydroxide impregnation. The batik sludge and prepared adsorbents were characterized by FESEM, TGA, XRD, FTIR and BET techniques. The maximum adsorption capacity, adsorption time, different initial solution pH, ionic strength and regeneration study of the adsorbents were also investigated. Furthermore, the sorption behavior of the pollutants were studied by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The deposition of Al(OH)3 enhanced the BPA and IBP adsorption capacity on the CAl surface. The maximum removal capacity of BPA and Ibuprofen were 83.53 mg g-1 and 34.96 mg g-1 for the CAl adsorbent. In addition, the kinetic data for BPA and IBP were fitted to the pseudo first order, pseudo second order, Elovich, parabolic diffusion and power function equations to understand the sorption behavior. The adsorption behavior of BPA and IBP was mainly chemisorption. This study shows that CAl is a promising adsorbent for the removal of BPA and IBP.
Molecularly imprinted silica gel (MISG) was incorporated through dispersion in agarose polymer matrix to form a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) and was applied for the determination of three sulfonamide antibiotic compounds (i.e. sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), and sulfadiazine (SDZ)) from environmental water samples. Several important microextraction conditions, such as type of desorption solvent, extraction time, amount of sorbent, sample volume, pH, and effect of desorption time, were comprehensively optimized. A preconcentration factors of ≥ 20 was achieved by the extraction of 12.5 mL of water samples using the developed method. This microextraction-HPLC method demonstrated good linearity (1-500 μg L-1) with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9959-0.9999, low limits of detection (0.06-0.17 μg L-1) and limits of quantification (0.20-0.56 μg L-1), good analyte recoveries (80-96%), and acceptable relative standard deviations (< 10%) under the optimized conditions. The method is systematically compared to those reported in the literature.
An optical aptasensor-based sensing platform for rapid insulin detection was fabricated. Aminated porous silica microparticles (PSiMPs) were synthesized via a facile mini-emulsion method to provide large surface area for covalent immobilization of insulin-binding DNA aptamer (IGA3) by glutaraldehyde cross-linking protocol. A Nickel-salphen type complex with piperidine side chain [Ni(II)-SP] was synthesized with a simple one-pot reaction, and functionalized as an optical label due to strong π-π interaction between aromatic carbons of G-quadruplex DNA aptamer and planar aromatic groups of Ni(II)-SP to form the immobilized IGA3-Ni(II)-SP complex, i.e. the dye-labeled aptamer, thereby bringing yellow colouration to the immobilized G-quartet plane. Optical characterization of aptasensor towards insulin binding was carried out with a fiber optic reflectance spectrophotometer. The maximum reflectance intensity of the immobilized IGA3-Ni(II)-SP complex at 656 nm decreased upon binding with insulin as aptasensor changed to brownish orange colouration in the background. This allows optical detection of insulin as the colour change of aptasensor is dependent on the insulin concentration. The linear detection range of the aptasensor is obtained from 10 to 50 μIU mL-1 (R2 = 0.9757), which conformed to the normal fasting insulin levels in human with a limit of detection (LOD) at 3.71 μIU mL-1. The aptasensor showed fast response time of 40 min and long shelf life stability of >3 weeks. Insulin detection using healthy human serums with informed consent provided by participants suggests the DNA aptamer biosensor was in good agreement with ELISA standard method using BIOMATIK Human INS (Insulin) ELISA Kit.
A toxicity electrochemical DNA biosensor has been constructed for the detection of carcinogens using 24 base guanine DNA rich single stranded DNA, and methylene blue (MB) as the electroactive indicator. This amine terminated ssDNA was immobilized onto silica nanospheres and deposited on gold nanoparticle modified carbon-paste screen printed electrodes (SPEs). The modified SPE was initially exposed to a carcinogen, followed by immersion in methylene blue for an optimized duration. The biosensor response was measured using differential pulse voltammetry. The performance of the biosensor was identified on several anti-cancer compounds. The toxicity DNA biosensor demonstrated a linear response range to the cadmium chloride from 0.0005 ppm to 0.01 ppm (R2 = 0.928) with a limit of detection at 0.0004 ppm. The biosensor also exhibited its versatility to screen the carcinogenicity of potential anti-cancer compounds.
One of the current issues with thyroid tumor is early diagnosis as it makes the higher possibility of curing. This research was focused to detect and quantify the level of specific target sequence complementation of miR-222 with capture DNA sequence on interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensor. The aluminum electrode with the gap and finger sizes of 10 µm was fabricated on silicon wafer, further the surface was amine-functionalized for accommodating carboxylated-DNA probe. With DNA-target RNA complementation, the detection limit was attained to be 1 fM as estimated by a linear regression analysis [y = 1.5325x - 2.1171 R² = 0.9065] and the sensitivity was at the similar level. Current responses were higher by increasing the target RNA sequence concentrations. Control experiments with mismatched/noncomplementary sequences were failed to complement the capture DNA sequence immobilized on IDE, indicating the specific target validation. This research helps diagnosing and identifying the progression with thyroid tumor and miRNA being a potential "marker" in atypia diagnosis.
A novel label-free electrochemical DNA biosensor was constructed for the determination of Escherichia coli bacteria in environmental water samples. The aminated DNA probe was immobilized onto hollow silica microspheres (HSMs) functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and deposited onto a screen-printed electrode (SPE) carbon paste with supported gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The biosensor was optimized for higher specificity and sensitivity. The label-free E. coli DNA biosensor exhibited a dynamic linear response range of 1 × 10-10 µM to 1 × 10-5 µM (R2 = 0.982), with a limit of detection at 1.95 × 10-15 µM, without a redox mediator. The sensitivity of the developed DNA biosensor was comparable to the non-complementary and single-base mismatched DNA. The DNA biosensor demonstrated a stable response up to 21 days of storage at 4 ℃ and pH 7. The DNA biosensor response was regenerable over three successive regeneration and rehybridization cycles.
The conversion of aldehydes to valuable alkanes via cyanobacterial aldehyde deformylating oxygenase is of great interest. The availability of fossil reserves that keep on decreasing due to human exploitation is worrying, and even more troubling is the combustion emission from the fuel, which contributes to the environmental crisis and health issues. Hence, it is crucial to use a renewable and eco-friendly alternative that yields compound with the closest features as conventional petroleum-based fuel, and that can be used in biofuels production. Cyanobacterial aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) is a metal-dependent enzyme with an α-helical structure that contains di‑iron at the active site. The substrate enters the active site of every ADO through a hydrophobic channel. This enzyme exhibits catalytic activity toward converting Cn aldehyde to Cn-1 alkane and formate as a co-product. These cyanobacterial enzymes are small and easy to manipulate. Currently, ADOs are broadly studied and engineered for improving their enzymatic activity and substrate specificity for better alkane production. This review provides a summary of recent progress in the study of the structure and function of ADO, structural-based engineering of the enzyme, and highlight its potential in producing biofuels.
Surface acoustic wave mediated transductions have been widely used in the sensors and actuators applications. In this study, a shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SHSAW) was used for the detection of food pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E.coli O157:H7), a dangerous strain among 225 E. coli unique serotypes. A few cells of this bacterium are able to cause young children to be most vulnerable to serious complications. Presence of higher than 1cfu E.coli O157:H7 in 25g of food has been considered as a dangerous level. The SHSAW biosensor was fabricated on 64° YX LiNbO3 substrate. Its sensitivity was enhanced by depositing 130.5nm thin layer of SiO2 nanostructures with particle size lesser than 70nm. The nanostructures act both as a waveguide as well as a physical surface modification of the sensor prior to biomolecular immobilization. A specific DNA sequence from E. coli O157:H7 having 22 mers as an amine-terminated probe ssDNA was immobilized on the thin film sensing area through chemical functionalization [(CHO-(CH2)3-CHO) and APTES; NH2-(CH2)3-Si(OC2H5)3]. The high-performance of sensor was shown with the specific oligonucleotide target and attained the sensitivity of 0.6439nM/0.1kHz and detection limit was down to 1.8femto-molar (1.8×10(-15)M). Further evidence was provided by specificity analysis using single mismatched and complementary oligonucleotide sequences.
A rapid dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) combined with LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of ketoconazole and voriconazole in human urine and plasma samples. Synthesized mesoporous silica MCM-41 was used as sorbent in d-μ-SPE of the azole compounds from biological fluids. Important D-μ-SPE parameters, namely type desorption solvent, extraction time, sample pH, salt addition, desorption time, amount of sorbent and sample volume were optimized. Liquid chromatographic separations were carried out on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 μm), using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.05% formic acid in 5 mm ammonium acetate buffer (70:30, v/v). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive ionization mode was used for the determination of target analytes. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0.1-10,000 μg/L with satisfactory limit of detection (≤0.06 μg/L) and limit of quantitation (≤0.3 μg/L). The proposed method also showed acceptable intra- and inter-day precisions for ketoconazole and voriconazole from urine and human plasma with RSD ≤16.5% and good relative recoveries in the range 84.3-114.8%. The MCM-41-D-μ-SPE method proved to be rapid and simple and requires a small volume of organic solvent (200 μL); thus it is advantageous for routine drug analysis.
The severity of pulmonary aspiration depends mainly on the acidity of the aspirate. Mist magnesium trisilicate (MMT) has been used for many years at the maternity unit in General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, to neutralise the acidic gastric contents in all obstetric patients requiring caesarian section. This preliminary study shows that a single dose of 15 mls of MMT before general anaesthesia raises the intragastric pH to above the critical level of 2.5 in 80% of the patients. Recently there have been doubts over the protective role of MMT. Sodium citrate which is the other antacid available may be a better alternative.
Nanoparticles have been investigated as flagging tests for the sensitive DNA recognition that can be utilized as a part of field applications to defeat restrictions. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely utilized due to its optical property and capacity to get functionalized with a mixed bag of biomolecules. This study exhibits the utilization of AuNPs functionalized with single-stranded oligonucleotide (AuNP-oligo test) for fast the identification of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This test is displayed on interdigitated electrode sensor and supported by colorimetric assay. DNA conjugated AuNP has optical property that can be controlled for the applications in diagnostics. With its identification abilities, this methodology incorporates minimal effort, strong reagents and basic identification of HPV.
Rice is an important staple crop produced and consumed worldwide. However, poor seed emergence is one of the main impediments to obtaining higher yield of rice especially in hot and dry ecosystems of the world that are ravaged by drought. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of potassium nitrate (KNO3), salicylic acid (SA) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) priming in improving emergence, seedling growth, biochemical attributes and antioxidant activities of FARO44 rice under drought conditions. Rice seedlings primed with 2.5% and 5% KNO3, 3% and 3.5% SiO2, and 1 mM and 2.5 mM SA were subjected to three drought levels of low, moderate and severe under the greenhouse. Seed emergence, seedling growth, biochemical attributes and antioxidant activities were thereafter evaluated. Seed priming experiments were laid in a completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment. The results found that rice seedlings responded differently to different priming treatments. However, all primed rice seedlings had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved emergence percentage (72-92%), seedling growth, seedling vigor, seedling fresh and dry biomass and shorter emergence time compared with controls. Likewise, total soluble protein content, activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, carbohydrate, soluble sugar and total chlorophyll contents of rice seedlings were increased by more than two-folds by seed priming compared with control. Salicylic acid showed less effect in increasing emergence, seedling growth, antioxidant activities and biochemical attributes of rice. Thus, this study established that seed priming with KNO3 (2.5% and 5%) and SiO2 (3% and 3.5%) were more effective in improving emergence, seedling growth, biochemical attributes and antioxidant activities of FARO44. Thus, priming of FARO44 rice with this chemical is recommended for fast emergence, seedling growth and drought resistance in dry ecosystems.
This study describes the synthesis of Al(2)O(3)/SiC/ZrO(2) functionally graded material (FGM) in bio-implants (artificial joints) by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). A suitable suspension that was based on 2-butanone was applied for the EPD of Al(2)O(3)/SiC/ZrO(2), and a pressureless sintering process was applied as a presintering. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) was used to densify the deposit, with beneficial mechanical properties after 2 h at 1800 °C in Ar atmosphere. The maximum hardness in the outer layer (90 vol.% Al(2)O(3)+10 vol.% SiC) and maximum fracture toughness in the core layer (75 vol.% Al(2)O(3)+10 vol.% SiC + 15 vol.% ZrO(2)) composite were 20.8±0.3 GPa and 8±0.1 MPa m(1/2), respectively. The results, when compared with results from Al(2)O(3)/ZrO(2) FGM, showed that SiC increased the compressive stresses in the outer layers, while the inner layers were under a residual tensile stress.
OBJECTIVES: Silica exposure has been associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially among smokers. In this study, we aimed at examining the association between silica exposure (and its interaction with smoking) and the risk of RA in the Malaysian population.
METHODS: In total, 149 cases and 213 matched controls, all men, were included between August 2005 and December 2009. A case was defined as a person with early diagnosed RA using the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. Controls were randomly selected matched on sex, age and residential area. Silica exposure was defined as exposure to stone dust, rock drilling or stone crushing, and smoking status was categorized as ever/never cigarette smoking.
RESULTS: An increased risk of anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive RA (OR = 2.4, 95 % CI 1.0-5.6) was observed among those exposed to silica. Ever-smokers exposed to silica had a particularly high risk of developing ACPA-positive RA (OR = 7.5, 95 % CI 2.3-24.2), compared with never-smokers not exposed to silica. No association was found regarding ACPA-negative RA.
CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that exposure to both silica and cigarette smoke comprise risks for developing RA in the Malaysian genetic context. The findings expand a link between environmental lung exposures and ACPA-positive RA to Asian populations.
The potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) for phytoremediation of lead (Pb) on sand tailings was investigated. A pot experiment employing factorial design with two main effects of fertilizer and lead was conducted in a nursery using sand tailings from an ex-tin mine as the growing medium. Results showed that Pb was found in the root, stem, and seed capsule of kenaf but not in the leaf. Application of organic fertilizer promoted greater biomass yield as well as higher accumulation capacity of Pb. In Pb-spiked treatments, roots accumulated more than 85% of total plant Pb which implies that kenaf root can be an important sink for bioavailable Pb. Scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) X-ray microanalysis confirmed that electron-dense deposits located along cell walls of kenaf roots were Pb precipitates. The ability of kenaf to tolerate Pb and avoid phytotoxicity could be attributed to the immobilization of Pb in the roots and hence the restriction of upward movement (translocation factor < 1). With the application of fertilizer, kenaf was also found to have higher biomass and subsequently higher bioaccumulation capacity, indicating its suitability for phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated site.
An anion exchange monolithic silica capillary column was prepared by surface modification of a hybrid monolithic silica capillary column prepared from a mixture of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The surface modification was carried out by on-column copolymerization of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide methyl chloride-quaternary salt (DMAPAA-Q) with 3-methacryloxypropyl moieties bonded as an anchor to the silica surface to form a strong anion exchange stationary phase. The columns were examined for their performance in liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) separations of common anions. The ions were separated using 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.6. Evaluation by LC produced an average of 30,000 theoretical plates (33 cm column length) for the inorganic anions and nucleotides. Evaluation by CEC, using the same buffer, produced enhanced chromatographic performance of up to ca. 90,000 theoretical plates and a theoretical plate height of ca. 4 mum. Although reduced efficiency was observed for inorganic anions that were retained a long time, the results of this study highlight the potential utility of the DMAPAA-Q stationary phase for anion separations.
Three sorbent materials (A18C6-MS, DA18C6-MS and AB18C6-MS) based on the crown ether ligands, 1-aza-18-crown-6, 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo octadecane and 4'-aminobenzo-18-crown-6, respectively, were prepared by the chemical immobilization of the ligand onto mesoporous silica support. The sorbents were characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, elemental analysis and nitrogen adsorption-desorption test. The applicability of the sorbents for the extraction of biogenic amines by the batch sorption method was extensively studied and evaluated as a function of pH, biogenic amines concentration, contact time and reusability. Under the optimized conditions, all the sorbents exhibited highest selectivity toward spermidine (SPD) compared to other biogenic amines (tryptamine, putrescine, histamine and tyramine). Among the sorbents, AB18C6-MS offer the highest capacity and best selectivity towards SPD in the presence of other biogenic amines. The AB18C6-MS sorbent can be repeatedly used three times as there was no significant degradation in the extraction of the biogenic amines (%E>85). The optimized procedure was successfully applied for the separation of SPD in food samples prior to the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography separation.
Iron and 4-(methylamino)benzoic acid have been successfully incorporated into silica extracted from rice husk. The silica/Fe/amine complex, RH-Fe(5% amine), showed a ca. 24% increase in specific surface area compared to RH-Fe. This increase was attributed to the templated formation of regular pores. The XRD showed the RH-Fe(5% amine) to be amorphous. The Friedel-Crafts benzylation reaction with toluene using RH-Fe(5% amine) showed a drastic reduction in the di-substituted products to ca. 1.0%.