UV-responsive fluorescent behavior of pharmaceuticals assessed by UV-induced fingerprint spectroscopy (UV-IFS).

UV-induced fingerprint spectroscopy (UV-IFS), a new tool in a toolbox of analytical methods, is a powerful technique registering molecule-specific changes of fluorescence induced by UV irradiation. Analysis of fluorescence spectra of a sample prior and after UV irradiation enables an identification of a sample of a drug or pharmaceutics based on a comparison with signals of known standards. Moreover, UV-IFS uncovers the presence of undesired contaminations or intentional changes of the composition.

Quantum Dots in Peroxidase-like Chemistry and Formamide-Based Hot Spring Synthesis of Nucleobases.

Quantum dots (QDs) are usually seen as artificial semiconductor particles exhibiting optical and electronic properties interesting for nanotechnological applications. However, they may also play a role in prebiotic chemistry. Starting from zinc acetate, cadmium acetate, and mercaptosuccinic acid, we demonstrate the formation of ZnCd QDs upon UV irradiation in prebiotic liquid formamide.

Detection of pesticides in food products using paper-based devices by UV-induced fluorescence spectroscopy combined with molecularly imprinted polymers.

In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the detection of pesticides in food using a combined power of sensitive UV-induced fingerprint spectroscopy with selective capture by molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and portable cost-effective paper-based analytical devices (PADs). The specific pesticides used herein as model compounds (both pure substances and their application products for spraying), were: strobilurins (i.e.

UV-Induced fingerprint spectroscopy.

Here, we present the potential analytical applications of photochemistry in combination with fluorescence fingerprinting. Our approach analyzes the fluorescence of samples after ultraviolet light (UV) treatment. Especially in presence of metal ions and thiol-containing compounds, the fluorescence behavior changes considerably.

UV-induced Zn:Cd/S quantum dots in-situ formed in the presence of thiols for sensitive and selective fluorescence detection of thiols.

In this work, we explored a new approach to a simple and sensitive fluorescence detection of thiols. The approach takes advantage of an in-situ formation of UV light-induced fluorescent nanoparticles (ZnCd/S quantum dots), while utilizing the thiol group of the analyte as a capping agent. The selectivity is ensured by the selective isolation of the thiol analyte by a polydopamine molecularly imprinted polymeric (MIP) layer.

Prebiotic Route to Thymine from Formamide-A Combined Experimental-Theoretical Study.

Synthesis of RNA nucleobases from formamide is one of the recurring topics of prebiotic chemistry research. Earlier reports suggest that thymine, the substitute for uracil in DNA, may also be synthesized from formamide in the presence of catalysts enabling conversion of formamide to formaldehyde. In the current paper, we show that to a lesser extent conversion of uracil to thymine may occur even in the absence of catalysts.

Metallothionein dimerization evidenced by QD-based Förster resonance energy transfer and capillary electrophoresis.

Herein, we report a new simple and easy-to-use approach for the characterization of protein oligomerization based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and capillary electrophoresis with LED-induced detection. The FRET pair consisted of quantum dots (QDs) used as an emission tunable donor (emission wavelength of 450 nm) and a cyanine dye (Cy3), providing optimal optical properties as an acceptor. Nonoxidative dimerization of mammalian metallothionein (MT) was investigated using the donor and acceptor covalently conjugated to MT.

UV-Induced Nanoparticles-Formation, Properties and Their Potential Role in Origin of Life.

Inorganic nanoparticles might have played a vital role in the transition from inorganic chemistry to self-sustaining living systems. Such transition may have been triggered or controlled by processes requiring not only versatile catalysts but also suitable reaction surfaces. Here, experimental results showing that multicolor quantum dots might have been able to participate as catalysts in several specific and nonspecific reactions, relevant to the prebiotic chemistry are demonstrated.

Fully automated process for histamine detection based on magnetic separation and fluorescence detection.

To ensure food safety and to prevent unnecessary foodborne complications this study reports fast, fully automated process for histamine determination. This method is based on magnetic separation of histamine with magnetic particles and quantification by the fluorescence intensity change of MSA modified CdSe Quantum dots. Formation of FeO particles was followed by adsorption of TiO on their surface.

Prebiotic synthesis at impact craters: the role of Fe-clays and iron meteorites.

Besides delivering plausible prebiotic feedstock molecules and high-energy initiators, extraterrestrial impacts could also affect the process of abiogenesis by altering the early Earth's geological environment in which primitive life was conceived. We show that iron-rich smectites formed by reprocessing of basalts due to the residual post-impact heat could catalyze the synthesis and accumulation of important prebiotic building blocks such as nucleobases, amino acids and urea.

Short-sweep capillary electrophoresis with a selective zinc fluorescence imaging reagent FluoZin-3 for determination of free and metalothionein-2a-bound Zn ions.

A capillary electrophoretic (CE) method using a short-sweep approach and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection (ShortSweepCE-LIF) was developed for determination of Zn and Cd as complexes with highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe FluoZin-3. The ShortSweepCE-LIF method, established in this work, can be used for examining competitive Zn and Cd binding properties of metalloproteins or peptides. The parameters including background electrolyte composition, injection pressure and time as well as separation voltage were investigated.

Capillary electrophoresis-driven synthesis of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots in nanoliter scale.

'Green nanotechnology' is a term used for the design of nanomaterials and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and/or generation of hazardous substances. In this paper, a capillary electrophoresis (CE)-driven synthesis of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and their subsequent conjugation with a metal-binding protein metallothionein (isofom MT1) is reported. Even though the toxic materials (cadmium and potassium borohydride) were used for synthesis, the proposed method can be labeled as 'environmentally friendly' because the whole process (synthesis of QDs and MT1 conjugation) was carried out under mild conditions: ultra-low volume (nanoliter scale), relatively low temperature (50 °C), atmospheric pressure, and completed in a short time (under 90 s).

Amalgam Electrode-Based Electrochemical Detector for On-Site Direct Determination of Cadmium(II) and Lead(II) from Soils.

Toxic metal contamination of the environment is a global issue. In this paper, we present a low-cost and rapid production of amalgam electrodes used for determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in environmental samples (soils and wastewaters) by on-site analysis using difference pulse voltammetry. Changes in the electrochemical signals were recorded with a miniaturized potentiostat (width: 80 mm, depth: 54 mm, height: 23 mm) and a portable computer.

Platinum nanoparticles induce damage to DNA and inhibit DNA replication.

Sparsely tested group of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) may have a comparable effect as complex platinum compounds. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of PtNPs in in vitro amplification of DNA fragment of phage λ, on the bacterial cultures (Staphylococcus aureus), human foreskin fibroblasts and erythrocytes. In vitro synthesized PtNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (PtNPs size range 4.

Nanoparticles based on essential metals and their phytotoxicity.

Nanomaterials in agriculture are becoming popular due to the impressive advantages of these particles. However, their bioavailability and toxicity are key features for their massive employment. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the latest findings on the phytotoxicity of nanomaterial products based on essential metals used in plant protection.

Fluorescence Characterization of Gold Modified Liposomes with Antisense N-myc DNA Bound to the Magnetisable Particles with Encapsulated Anticancer Drugs (Doxorubicin, Ellipticine and Etoposide).

Liposome-based drug delivery systems hold great potential for cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to design a nanodevice for targeted anchoring of liposomes (with and without cholesterol) with encapsulated anticancer drugs and antisense N-myc gene oligonucleotide attached to its surface. To meet this main aim, liposomes with encapsulated doxorubicin, ellipticine and etoposide were prepared.

Improved Electrochemical Detection of Zinc Ions Using Electrode Modified with Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide.

Increasing urbanization and industrialization lead to the release of metals into the biosphere, which has become a serious issue for public health. In this paper, the direct electrochemical reduction of zinc ions is studied using electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated using modified Hummers method and was electrochemically reduced on the surface of GCE by performing cyclic voltammograms from 0 to -1.

Bioconjugation of peptides using advanced nanomaterials to examine their interactions in 3D printed flow-through device.

Peptide-peptide interactions are crucial in the living cell as they lead to the formation of the numerous types of complexes. In this study, synthetic peptides containing 11 of cysteines (α-domain of metallothionein (MT)) and sialic acid binding region (130-loop of hemagglutinin (HA)) were employed. The aim of the experiment was studying the interactions between MT and HA-derived peptides.

Fabrication of solid-state nanopores and its perspectives.

Nanofluidics is becoming an extensively developing technique in the field of bioanalytical chemistry. Nanoscale hole embed in an insulating membrane is employed in a vast variety of sensing platforms and applications. Although, biological nanopores have several attractive characteristics, in this paper, we focused on the solid-state nanopores due to their advantages as high stability, possibility of diameter control, and ease of surface functionalizing.

Label-free bead-based metallothionein electrochemical immunosensor.

A novel microfluidic label-free bead-based metallothionein immunosensors was designed. To the surface of superparamagnetic agarose beads coated with protein A, polyclonal chicken IgY specifically recognizing metallothionein (MT) were immobilized via rabbit IgG. The Brdicka reaction was used for metallothionein detection in a microfluidic printed 3D chip.

Study of linkage between glutathione pathway and the antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli from patients' swabs.

In this work, we focused on the differences between bacterial cultures of E. coli obtained from swabs of infectious wounds of patients compared to laboratory E. coli.

Use of nucleic acids anchor system to reveal apoferritin modification by cadmium telluride nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to synthesize cadmium telluride nanoparticles (CdTe NPs) modified apoferritin, and examine if apoferritin is able to accommodate CdTe NPs. Primarily, the thermostability of horse spleen apoferritin was tested and it's unfolding at 70 °C was observed. Cadmium telluride nanoparticles (CdTe NPs) were synthesized both within apoferritin protein cage and on its surface.

Simultaneous automatic electrochemical detection of zinc, cadmium, copper and lead ions in environmental samples using a thin-film mercury electrode and an artificial neural network.

In this study a device for automatic electrochemical analysis was designed. A three electrodes detection system was attached to a positioning device, which enabled us to move the electrode system from one well to another of a microtitre plate. Disposable carbon tip electrodes were used for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ion quantification, while Zn(II) did not give signal in this electrode configuration.

Modulation of induced cytotoxicity of doxorubicin by using apoferritin and liposomal cages.

Doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapeutic drug, however, its toxicity is a significant limitation in therapy. Encapsulation of doxorubicin inside liposomes or ferritin cages decreases cardiotoxicity while maintaining anticancer potency. We synthesized novel apoferritin- and liposome-encapsulated forms of doxorubicin ("Apodox" and "lip-8-dox") and compared its toxicity with doxorubicin and Myocet on prostate cell lines.

Interaction study of arsenic (III and V) ions with metallothionein gene (MT2A) fragment.

Arsenic compounds belong to the most controversial agents concerning human health. Arsenic (As) is considered as a top environmental element influencing human health due to its adverse effects including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive or developmental problems. Despite the proven mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects, the arsenic compounds are used for centuries to treat infectious diseases.