Detection of Leptin Using Electrocatalyst Mediated Impedimetric Sensing.

Obesity is a complex disorder associated with immense health consequences including high risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Abnormality in the thyroid gland, genetics, less physical activity, uptake of excessive diet, and leptin resistance are critical factors in the development of obesity. To determine the treatment strategy, understanding the pathophysiology of obesity is crucial.

Controlling the Interfacial Charge Polarization of MOF-Derived 0D-2D vdW Architectures as a Unique Strategy for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

The design of alternative earth-abundant van der Waals (vdW) nanoheterostructures for bifunctional oxygen evolution/reduction (OER/ORR) electrocatalysis is of paramount importance to fabricate energy-related devices. Herein, we report a simple metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived synthetic strategy to fabricate low-dimensional (LD) nanohybrids formed by zero-dimensional (0D) ZrO nanoparticles (NPs) and heteroatom-doped two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanostructures. The 2D platforms controlled the electronic structures of interfacial Zr atoms, thus producing optimized electron polarization for boron and nitrogen-doped carbon (BCN)/ZrO nanohybrids.

Novel method to achieve crystallinity of calcite by Bacillus subtilis in coupled and non-coupled calcium-carbon sources.

Bacteria mineralization is a promising biotechnological approach to apply in biomaterials development. In this investigation, we demonstrate that Bacillus subtilis 168 induces and influences CaCO composites precipitation. Crystals were formed in calcium-carbon non-coupled (glycerol + CaCl, GLY; or glucose + CaCl, GLC) and coupled (calcium lactate, LAC; or calcium acetate, ACE) agar-sources, only maintaining the same Ca concentration.

Tissue paper-derived porous carbon encapsulated transition metal nanoparticles as advanced non-precious catalysts: Carbon-shell influence on the electrocatalytic behaviour.

Porous carbon encapsulated non-precious metal nanocatalysts have recently opened the ways towards the development of high-performance water remediation and energy conversion technologies. Herein, we report a facile, scalable and green synthetic methodology to fabricate porous carbon encapsulated transition metal nanocatalysts (M@TP: M = Cu, Ni, Fe and Co) using commercial tissue paper. The morphology, crystalline structure, chemical composition and textural properties of the M@TP nanocatalysts were thoroughly characterized.

Development of photocatalytic paint based on TiO and photopolymer resin for the degradation of organic pollutants in water.

While the use of TiO2 nanoparticles in the form of slurry/suspension requires energy-intensive separation processes, its immobilization in solid support may open new opportunities in the area of sustainable water treatment technologies. In this study, a novel method for the development of photocatalytic paint based on TiO nanoparticles and acrylate-based photopolymer resin is reported. The paint (TiO@polymer) was applied on substrates such as plastic petri dish and glass jar, which was polymerized/solidified by ultraviolet light irradiation.

Sucrose-Mediated Fast Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water.

We report a facile method for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnOs) by rapidly heating a paste of zinc nitrate and sucrose on the hot plate at 500 °C. The transmission electron microscopy images revealed the spherical shape of the nZnO with an average size of 35 nm. The band gap and the specific surface area of the nZnO were measured to be about 3.

Adsorption of methylene blue and tetracycline onto biomass-based material prepared by sulfuric acid reflux.

The adsorptive removal of environmental pollutants is an effective method for the treatment of contaminated water. Thus, the preparation of adsorbents from low-cost, readily available, and renewable resources has garnered immense attention in recent years. In this study, a facile one-step method for the preparation of a high-capacity adsorbent is demonstrated by refluxing pine cones in concentrated sulfuric acid.

Inhibition of Urease by Disulfiram, an FDA-Approved Thiol Reagent Used in Humans.

Urease is a nickel-dependent amidohydrolase that catalyses the decomposition of urea into carbamate and ammonia, a reaction that constitutes an important source of nitrogen for bacteria, fungi and plants. It is recognized as a potential antimicrobial target with an impact on medicine, agriculture, and the environment. The list of possible urease inhibitors is continuously increasing, with a special interest in those that interact with and block the flexible active site flap.