Functionalization of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot: A sustainable carbon-based catalyst for the production of cyclic carbonate from epoxide and CO.

A series of organic compounds were successfully immobilized on an N-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD) to prepare a multifunctional organocatalyst for coupling reaction between CO and propylene oxide (PO). The simultaneous presence of halide ions in conjunction with acidic- and basic-functional groups on the surface of the nanoparticles makes them highly active for the production of propylene carbonate (PC). The effects of variables such as catalyst loading, reaction temperature, and structure of substituents are discussed.

Glucosamine-conjugated graphene quantum dots as versatile and pH-sensitive nanocarriers for enhanced delivery of curcumin targeting to breast cancer.

Applying multifunctional nanocarriers, comprising specifically traceable and tumor targeting moieties, has significantly increased in cancer theranostics. Herein, a novel targeted, trackable, and pH-responsive drug delivery system was fabricated based on glucosamine (GlcN) conjugated graphene quantum dots (GQDs) loaded by hydrophobic anticancer agent, curcumin (Cur), to evaluate its targeting and cytotoxicity potential against breast cancer cells with overexpression of GlcN receptors. The biocompatible photoluminescent GQDs were synthesized from graphene oxide through the green and facile oxidizing method.

A functionalized nano-structured cellulosic sorbent aerogel for oil spill cleanup: Synthesis and characterization.

A new synthesis strategy was adopted to convert cellulose to a biodegradable sorbent with properties of very high oil absorption and retention capacities, excellent oil-water selectivity, good mechanical strength and recycling ability. The sorbent in form of a hydrophobic/oleophilic nano-structured aerogel was prepared through functionalizing cotton cellulose with low surface energy moieties followed by dissolving and chemically cross-linking the product in an organic medium (DMSO), and freeze-drying. High absorption capacities of 40.

Targeting graphene quantum dots to epidermal growth factor receptor for delivery of cisplatin and cellular imaging.

The unique properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) which include high loading capacity, excellent physiological stability, strong photoluminescence, biocompatibility, and facile production make them attractive nanomaterials for biomedical applications. In this work, GQDs have been explored as dual-functional targeted drug carriers and cellular bioimaging agents. The GQDs were conjugated to single chain variable fragment of antibody (scFv), which had been engineered with high affinity (B10) to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), via amide covalent linkages (GQDs-scFvB10).

Targeted Delivery of Docetaxel by Use of Transferrin/Poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier.

The exceptional chemical and physical properties of graphene oxide (GO) make it an attractive nanomaterial for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery. In this work we synthesized a novel, GO-based nanocarrier for the delivery of docetaxel (DTX), a potent hydrophobic chemotherapy drug. The GO was functionalized with transferrin (Tf)-poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), which provided targeted and specific accumulation to extracellular Tf receptors and stabilized GO in physiological solutions.

Plasma Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Immobilization of Candida antarctica Lipase B: Production of Biodiesel from Methanolysis of Rapeseed Oil.

Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through functionalization could improve the characteristics of these nanomaterials as support for enzymes. Carboxylation of MWCNTs (MWCNT-COOH) has been carried out in this study using the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor through humidified air. The chemical method was also used for further functionalization of the MWCNT-COOH through which the amidation of the surfaces with either butylamine (MWCNT-BA) or octadecylamine (MWCNT-OA) was performed.

Human autologous serum as a substitute for fetal bovine serum in human Schwann cell culture.

Nowadays, cell -based and tissue engineered products have opened new horizons in treatment of incurable nervous system disorders. The number of studies on the role of Schwann cells (SC) in treating nervous disorders is higher than other cell types. Different protocols have been suggested for isolation and expansion of SC which most of them have used multiple growth factors, mitogens and fetal bovine sera (FBS) in culture medium.

Propagation of human germ stem cells in long-term culture.

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), a subset of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia, are the foundation of complex process of spermatogenesis and could be propagated in vitro culture conditions for long time for germ cell transplantation and fertility preservation.

Objective: The aim of this study was in vitro propagation of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and improvement of presence of human Germ Stem Cells (hGSCs) were assessed by specific markers POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 (POU5F1), also known as Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4) and PLZF (Promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger protein).

Materials And Methods: Human testicular cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion (Collagenase IV and Trypsin).

Ultra-deep adsorptive desulfurization of a model diesel fuel on regenerable Ni-Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ at low temperatures in absence of hydrogen.

A model diesel fuel containing 250 ppmw sulfur (as dibenzothiophene) in n-hexadecane was desulfurized at low temperatures in absence of hydrogen, down to about zero ppmwS on a novel adsorbent of well dispersed 3-12 nm Nix-Cu10-x (x=Ni wt%) nanoparticles formed by impregnation on γ-Al2O3 and reduced in H2 at 275 or 450°C. The sorbents were characterized by XRD, TEM-EDX, FESEM-EDS, H2-TPR, TPO, BJH and BET surface area measurement techniques. Effects of various parameters comprising Cu content, reduction and desulfurization temperatures, inhibition by naphthalene, and regeneration of spent sorbents were investigated.

Asphaltene adsorption onto acidic/basic metal oxide nanoparticles toward in situ upgrading of reservoir oils by nanotechnology.

The effects of surface acidity and basicity of metal oxide nanoparticles on the thermodynamics of asphaltene adsorption were studied. Three different categories of metal oxides/salts with acidic (WO3 and NiO), amphoteric (Fe2O3 and ZrO2), and basic (MgO and CaCO3) surfaces were synthesized, and their textural, structural, and acid-base properties were characterized. Asphaltenes were extracted from a dead oil sample and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Vanadium oxide decorated carbon nanotubes as a promising support of Pt nanoparticles for methanol electro-oxidation reaction.

VO(x)-MWCNTs nanocomposite was prepared via deposition-precipitation method followed by microwave treatment. Platinum nanoparticles were dispersed via polyol process over the nanocomposite support, and thus, prepared electro-catalyst was employed in methanol electro-oxidation reaction. The electro-catalysts were characterized by means of TGA, XRD, EDS, FESEM, TEM, and H(2)-TPR analysis.

EEG abnormalities in clinically diagnosed brain death organ donors in Iranian tissue bank.

Brain death is defined as the permanent, irreversible and concurrent loss of all brain and brain stem functions. Brain death diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and it is not routine to use paraclinical studies. In some countries, electroencephalogram (EEG) is performed in all patients for the determination of brain death while there is some skepticism in relying on EEG as a confirmatory test for brain death diagnosis.

Clinical grade cultivation of human Schwann cell, by the using of human autologous serum instead of fetal bovine serum and without growth factors.

Clinical grade cultivation of human schwann cell by the utilization of human autologous serum instead of fetal bovine serum, and also avoiding any growth factors, can increase safety level of this procedure in cases of clinical cell transplantation. The aim of this study was demonstration of the feasibility of clinical grade schwann cell cultivation. In this experimental study after obtaining consent from close relatives we harvested 10 sural nerves from brain death donors and then cultured in 10 seperated culture media plus autologous serum.

Fabrication and highly sensitive gas sensors based on h-MoO3/SnO2 hollow nanostructures operated at low temperatures.

Simulated by the synthesis of one dimensional hollow nanostructures with significant sensing, electrical, and optical properties, we have successfully synthesized 1D hollow nanostructures of h-MoO3/SnO2 with well-defined multi-side walls. These hollow nanostructured materials synthesized via a hydrothermal method with SnCl2.2H2O as the precursor and h-MoO3 as the template.

Highly sensitive tin oxide hollow microspheres and nanosheets to ethanol gas prepared by hydrothermal method.

In this study, we synthesized tetragonal-phase SnO2 with a variety of well-crystallized morphologies as solid microspheres, hollow microspheres and mixture of hollow microspheres and nanosheets via the hydrothermal method. The synthesized samples were characterized with XRD, SEM, and BET. SnO2 hollow microsphere structures have been hydrothermally synthesized by using urea and SnCl2 as raw materials.

Novel microwave-induced combustion synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles for selective sensing of CO using tin chloride.

A novel technique of chloride solution combustion synthesis (CSCS) is employed for preparation of SnO2 nanoparticles, using SnCl4 and sorbitol as a novel precursor and a fuel, respectively. Ammonium nitrate is also used as a combustion aid. The solution combustion synthesis is a single-step and simple method for nanoparticles synthesis.