Impact of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles on Transesterified Lipids and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters.

Efforts to enhance the transformative potential of biofuels is an important step to achieving an environment-friendly and sustainable energy source. is an ideal third-generation biofuel agent due to its ability to produce lipids and desirable essential fatty acids. In this study, the impact of Nanofer 25s nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) on total lipid content and fatty acid composition of strains SF33 and B481 was investigated.

Nanoparticle-mediated Impact on Growth and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Composition in the Cyanobacterium .

Insufficient light supply is a major limitation in cultivation of cyanobacteria for scaled up biofuel production and other biotechnological applications, which has driven interest in nanoparticle-mediated enhancement of cellular light capture. In the present study, wild type (Fd33) and halotolerant (HSF33-2) strains were grown in solution with 20, 100, and 200 nm-diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to determine their impact on biomass accumulation, pigmentation, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) production. Results revealed a significant increase in growth of Fd33 (0.

Rapid Sensing of Biological and Environmental Analytes Using Microwave-Accelerated Bioassays and a MATLAB Application.

We report a method for rapid detection and analysis of biological and environmental analytes by microwave-accelerated bioassays (MABs) and a novel MATLAB-based image processing of colorimetric signals. In this regard, colorimetric bioassays for histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP-2) and microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) toxin were carried out using MABs and without microwave heating (i.e, gold standard bioassays).

Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization of Pseudo-Tophus in Synthetic Human Joint Models.

In this paper, we tested a hypothesis that the metal-assisted and microwave-accelerated decrystallization (MAMAD) technique, based on the combined use of low-power medical microwave heating (MWH) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), can be used to decrystallize laboratory-prepared monosodium urate monohydrate crystal aggregate (pseudo-tophus) placed in three-dimensional (3D) synthetic human joint models. To simulate a potential treatment of chronic tophaceous gout using the MAMAD technique, we used three different 3D synthetic human joint models and assessed the percent mass reduction (PMR, i.e.

Individually grown cobalt nanowires as magnetic force microscopy probes.

AC electric fields were utilized in the growth of individual high-aspect ratio cobalt nanowires from simple salt solutions using the Directed Electrochemical Nanowire Assembly method. Nanowire diameters were tuned from the submicron scale to 40 nm by adjusting the AC voltage frequency and the growth solution concentration. The structural properties of the nanowires, including shape and crystallinity, were identified using electron microscopy.

Microwave Heating of Crystals with Gold Nanoparticles and Synovial Fluid under Synthetic Skin Patches.

Gout is a disease with elusive treatment options. Reduction of the size of l-alanine crystals as a model crystal for gouty tophi with the use of a monomode solid-state microwave was examined as a possible therapeutic aid. The effect of microwave heating on l-alanine crystals in the presence of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in solution and synovial fluid (SF) in a plastic pouch through a synthetic skin patch was investigated.

Metal oxide surfaces for enhanced colorimetric response in bioassays.

Physical stability of metal nanoparticle films on planar surfaces can be increased by employing surface modification techniques and/or type of metal nanoparticles. Subsequently, the enzymatic response of colorimetric bioassays can be increased for improved dynamic range for the detection of biomolecules. Using a model bioassay b-BSA, three planar platforms (1) poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with silver thin films (STFs), (2) silver nanowires (Ag NWs) on paper and (3) indium tin oxide (ITO) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were evaluated to investigate the extent of increase in the colorimetric signal.

Effect of Microwave Heating on the Crystallization of Glutathione Tripeptide on Silver Nanoparticle Films.

Effect of microwave heating on the crystallization of glutathione (GSH) tripeptide using the metal-assisted and microwave-accelerated evaporative crystallization (MA-MAEC) technique is reported. GSH crystals were grown from supersaturated solutions of GSH (300-500 mg/mL) on the iCrystal plates with silver nanoparticle films (SNFs) and without SNFs in three different microwave systems operating at 2.45 GHz: conventional (multimode, fixed power at 900W), industrial (monomode, variable power up to 1200 W), and the iCrystal system (monomode, variable power up to 100 W).

Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization: An Alternative Approach to Potential Treatment of Crystal Deposition Diseases.

Gout is a painful and prevalent crystal deposition disease caused by the overproduction of Uric Acid (UA) in the body and the atypical deposition in human synovial joints as Monosodium Urate Monohydrate (MSUM). Conventional treatments, such as NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and systemic glucocorticoids often present harmful side-effects and are short-lived. Long-term therapies including xanthine oxidase inhibitors and the use of uricosuric agents have been developed and aim to lower the UA serum levels in the body.

Ultra-Rapid Crystallization of L-alanine Using Monomode Microwaves, Indium Tin Oxide and Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Evaporative Crystallization.

The use of indium tin oxide (ITO) and focused monomode microwave heating for the ultra-rapid crystallization of L-alanine (a model amino acid) is reported. Commercially available ITO dots (< 5 mm) attached to blank poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA, 5 cm in diameter with 21-well silicon isolators: referred to as the iCrystal plates) were found to withstand prolonged microwave heating during crystallization experiments. Crystallization of L-alanine was performed at room temperature (a control experiment), with the use of two microwave sources: a 2.

Microwave Heating of Synthetic Skin Samples for Potential Treatment of Gout Using the Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization Technique.

Physical stability of synthetic skin samples during their exposure to microwave heating was investigated to demonstrate the use of the metal-assisted and microwave-accelerated decrystallization (MAMAD) technique for potential biomedical applications. In this regard, optical microscopy and temperature measurements were employed for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of damage to synthetic skin samples during 20 s intermittent microwave heating using a monomode microwave source (at 8 GHz, 2-20 W) up to 120 s. The extent of damage to synthetic skin samples, assessed by the change in the surface area of skin samples, was negligible for microwave power of ≤7 W and more extensive damage (>50%) to skin samples occurred when exposed to >7 W at initial temperature range of 20-39 °C.

Decrystallization of Crystals Using Gold "Nano-Bullets" and the Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization Technique.

Gout is caused by the overproduction of uric acid and the inefficient metabolism of dietary purines in humans. Current treatments of gout, which include anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and systemic glucocorticoids, have harmful side-effects. Our research laboratory has recently introduced an innovative approach for the decrystallization of biological and chemical crystals using the Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Evaporative Decrystallization (MAMAD) technique.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of (E)-methyl 2-((2-oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methylamino)acetate as a biological agent and an anion sensor.

An amino acid based and bidentate Schiff base, (E)-methyl 2-((2-oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methylamino)acetate (ligand), was synthesized from the reaction of glycine-methyl ester hydrochloride with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde. Characterization of the ligand was carried out using theoretical quantum-mechanical calculations and experimental spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of the compound was confirmed using X-ray single-crystal data, NMR, FTIR and UV-Visible spectroscopy, which were in good agreement with the structure predicted by the theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT).

A Highly Selective Sensor for Cyanide in Organic Media and on Solid Surfaces.

The application of IR 786 perchlorate (IR-786) as a selective optical sensor for cyanide anion in both organic solution (acetonitrile (MeCN), 100%) and solvent-free solid surfaces was demonstrated. In MeCN, IR-786 was selective to two anions in the following order: CN(-) > OH(-). A significant change in the characteristic dark green color of IR-786 in MeCN to yellow was observed as a result of nucleophilic addition of CN(-) to the fluorophore, i.

Enhancement of the Chemiluminescence Response of Enzymatic Reactions by Plasmonic Surfaces for Biosensing Applications.

We report the enhancement of chemiluminescence response of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in bioassays by plasmonic surfaces, which are comprised of (i) silver island films (SIFs) and (ii) metal thin films (silver, gold, copper, and nickel, 1 nm thick) deposited onto glass slides. A model bioassay, based on the interactions of avidin-modified HRP with a monolayer of biotinylated poly(ethylene-glycol)-amine, was employed to evaluate the ability of plasmonic surfaces to enhance chemiluminescence response of HRP. Chemiluminescence response of HRP in model bioassays were increased up to ~3.

Microwave-accelerated bioassay technique for rapid and quantitative detection of biological and environmental samples.

Quantitative detection of molecules of interest from biological and environmental samples in a rapid manner, particularly with a relevant concentration range, is imperative to the timely assessment of human diseases and environmental issues. In this work, we employed the microwave-accelerated bioassay (MAB) technique, which is based on the combined use of circular bioassay platforms and microwave heating, for rapid and quantitative detection of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Shiga like toxin (STX 1). The proof-of-principle use of the MAB technique with the circular bioassay platforms for the rapid detection of GFAP in buffer based on colorimetric and fluorescence readouts was demonstrated with a 900W kitchen microwave.

Enhancement of Colorimetric Response of Enzymatic Reactions by Thermally Evaporated Plasmonic Thin Films: Application to Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein.

We report the enhancement of the colorimetric response of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in bioassays by thermally evaporated silver, gold, copper and nickel thin films. In this regard, a model bioassay based on biotin-avidin interactions was employed. Biotin groups and enzymes were introduced to all surfaces using a biotinylated linker molecule and avidin, respectively.

Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence from Silver Nanowires with High Aspect Ratio on Glass Slides for Biosensing Applications.

High enhancement of fluorescence emission, improved fluorophore photostability, and significant reduction of fluorescence lifetimes have been obtained from high aspect ratio (>100) silver (Ag) nanowires. These quantities are found to depend on the surface loading of Ag nanowires on glass slides, where the enhancement of fluorescence emission increases with the density of nanowires. The surface loading dependence was attributed to the creation of intense electric fields around the network of Ag nanowires and to the coupling of fluorophore excited states that takes place efficiently at a distance of 10 nm from the surface of nanowires, which was confirmed by theoretical calculations.

Circular Bioassay Platforms for Applications in Microwave-Accelerated Techniques.

In this paper, we present the design of four different circular bioassay platforms, which are suitable for homogeneous microwave heating, using theoretical calculations (i.e., COMSOL™ multiphysics software).

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of p53 Based on DNA-Protein Binding Interactions Using Silver Nanoparticle Films and Microwave Heating.

Tumor detection can be carried out via the detection of proteins, such as p53, which is known to play vital role in more than 50% of all cancers affecting humans. Early diagnosis of tumor detection can be achieved by decreasing the lower detection limit of p53 bioassays. Microwave-accelerated bioassay (MAB) technique, which is based on the use of circular bioassay platforms in combination with microwave heating, is employed for the rapid and sensitive detection of p53 protein.

Enhancement of enzymatic colorimetric response by silver island films on high throughput screening microplates.

In this study, we report the use of an enzyme-based hybrid platform, which is comprised of silver island films, enzymes (HRP and AP) and high-throughput screening (HTS) microplates, to enhance the colorimetric response of enzymatic reactions. The hybrid platform was designed in a two-step process: (i) deposition of SIFs onto HTS microplates with low, medium, and high loading (refers to the extent of the surface plasmon resonance peak of SIFs at 460 nm) using Tollen's reaction scheme; and (ii) attachment of b-BSA or BEA as linkers for the immobilization of enzymes. The presence of SIFs within the wells of the HTS microplates was confirmed using an optical spectrophotometer and real-color photography.

Crystal Engineering of l-Alanine with l-Leucine Additive using Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Evaporative Crystallization.

In this work, we demonstrated that the change in the morphology of l-alanine crystals can be controlled with the addition of l-leucine using the metal-assisted and microwave accelerated evaporative crystallization (MA-MAEC) technique. Crystallization experiments, where an increasing stoichiometric amount of l-leucine is added to initial l-alanine solutions, were carried out on circular poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) disks modified with a 21-well capacity silicon isolator and silver nanoparticle films using microwave heating (MA-MAEC) and at room temperature (control experiments). The use of the MA-MAEC technique afforded for the growth of l-alanine crystals with different morphologies up to ∼10-fold faster than those grown at room temperature.

De-crystallization of Uric Acid Crystals in Synovial Fluid Using Gold Colloids and Microwave Heating.

In this study, we demonstrated a unique application of our Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Evaporative Crystallization (MA-MAEC) technique for the de-crystallization of uric acid crystals, which causes gout in humans when monosodium urate crystals accumulate in the synovial fluid found in the joints of bones. Given the shortcomings of the existing treatments for gout, we investigated whether the MA-MAEC technique can offer an alternative solution to the treatment of gout. Our technique is based on the use of metal nanoparticles (i.

Design and Proof-of-Concept Use of a Circular PMMA Platform with 16-Well Sample Capacity for Microwave-Accelerated Bioassays.

We demonstrate the design and the use of a new, circular poly(methyl methacrylate)-based bioassay platform (PMMA platform), which affords for the rapid processing of 16 samples at once. The circular PMMA platform (5 cm in diameter) was coated with a silver nanoparticle film to accelerate the bioassay steps by microwave heating. A model colorimetric bioassay for biotinylated albumin (using streptavidin-labeled horse radish peroxidase) was performed on the PMMA platform coated with and without silver nanoparticles (a control experiment), and at room temperature and using microwave heating.

Immobilization of enzymes to silver island films for enhanced enzymatic activity.

Hypothesis: The performance of the enzyme-based biosensors depends on the enzymatic activity and the use of an appropriate technique for immobilization of enzymes. The incorporation of silver island films (SIFs) into the enzyme-based biosensors is expected to enhance the enzymatic activity and to increase the detectability of analytes of interest.

Experiments: Two enzymes, β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were immobilized onto SIFs using the interactions of avidin-modified enzymes with (i) a monolayer of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (b-BSA) and/or (ii) a monolayer of biotinylated poly(ethylene-glycol)-amine (BEA molecular weight: 550-10,000Da).