Microscale measurements of protein complexes from single cells.

Proteins execute numerous cell functions in concert with one another in protein-protein interactions (PPI). While essential in each cell, such interactions are not identical from cell to cell. Instead, PPI heterogeneity contributes to cellular phenotypic heterogeneity in health and diseases such as cancer.

Dual-polarity MALDI mass spectrometry and imaging of oil binders and fatty acids in artworks using cyanographene as a single matrix.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) and imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) are being increasingly recognized for the detection and visualization of various organic species including lipids and fatty acids. Nevertheless, most MALDI matrices perform optimally in one ionization mode. This study investigates the performance of cyano derivative of graphene (G-CN) as a matrix in two polarities of MALDI MS and IMS for the detection of oil binders and fatty acids in artworks, and compares it with classical MALDI matrices (2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 9-aminoacridine).

The impact of biochar on soil carbon sequestration: Meta-analytical approach to evaluating environmental and economic advantages.

Soil carbon (SC) is important for food security, ecosystem functioning, and environmental health, especially in light of global climate change. The physico-chemical character of biochar (pyrolyzed crop residue) has been shown to augment SC levels. This review systematically compares the environmental and economic benefits of applying crop residue versus biochar produced from crop residues to soils and the potential implications for SC sequestration.

Nano MOF Entrapping Hydrophobic Photosensitizer for Dual-Stimuli-Responsive Unprecedented Therapeutic Action against Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of bacteria is a major threat to public health globally and its unprecedented increase calls for immediate alternative medical strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) offers alternative modalities to combat the growing MDR typically by means of targeted cellular internalization of a photosensitizer (PS) capable of producing photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, aPDT is severely limited by the self-aggregation behavior and hydrophobicity of PS molecules, which significantly curbs its viability for clinical application.

'Green' synthesis of metals and their oxide nanoparticles: applications for environmental remediation.

In materials science, "green" synthesis has gained extensive attention as a reliable, sustainable, and eco-friendly protocol for synthesizing a wide range of materials/nanomaterials including metal/metal oxides nanomaterials, hybrid materials, and bioinspired materials. As such, green synthesis is regarded as an important tool to reduce the destructive effects associated with the traditional methods of synthesis for nanoparticles commonly utilized in laboratory and industry. In this review, we summarized the fundamental processes and mechanisms of "green" synthesis approaches, especially for metal and metal oxide [e.

Metal-organic framework and Tenax-TA as optimal sorbent mixture for concurrent GC-MS analysis of C1 to C5 carbonyl compounds.

We report a multi adsorbent-based method using combinations of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and a commercial sorbent Tenax-TA for sampling and thermal desorption (TD) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantification of mixtures of six (C1 to C5) aldehydes. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated along with the optical analytical conditions for maximum recovery. Optimal TD conditions for adsorption and desorption of aldehydes using MOF-5 (Zn-based MOF)+ Tenax-TA were determined as -25 °C and 150 °C, respectively (purge volume: 100 ml).

Phytochemical-assisted synthetic approaches for silver nanoparticles antimicrobial applications: A review.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have recently emerged as promising materials in the biomedical sciences because of their antimicrobial activities towards a wide variety of microorganisms. Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems with antimicrobial activity are critical as they may lead to novel treatments for cutaneous pathogens. In this review, we explore the recent progress on phytochemical-mediated synthesis of Ag NPs for antimicrobial treatment and associated infectious diseases.

The micro-environmental impact of volatile organic compound emissions from large-scale assemblies of people in a confined space.

Large-scale assemblies of people in a confined space can exert significant impacts on the local air chemistry due to human emissions of volatile organics. Variations of air-quality in such small scale can be studied by quantifying fingerprint volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, toluene, and isoprene produced during concerts, movie screenings, and sport events (like the Olympics and the World Cup). This review summarizes the extent of VOC accumulation resulting from a large population in a confined area or in a small open area during sporting and other recreational activities.

2D visualization captures the local heterogeneity of oxidative metabolism across soils from diverse land-use.

Fine-scale processes in soils affect large-scale phenomena by controlling mixing and reaction rates, yet technological constraints have hampered the collection of micro-scale kinetic data. As a result, limited information is available on the magnitude of fine-scale biogeochemical rates and their temporal and spatial pattern in response to environmental perturbations. In this work we investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics in oxidative microbial activity and the development of anoxic micro zones (i.

Monitoring of airborne particulate matter at mountainous urban sites.

Concentrations of various size fractions (TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0) of particulate matter (PM) were measured at two mountainous sites, Buk Han (BH) and Gwan AK (GA), along with one ground reference site at Gwang Jin (GJ), located in Seoul, South Korea for the 4 years from 2010 to 2013.

Global demand for rare earth resources and strategies for green mining.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential raw materials for emerging renewable energy resources and 'smart' electronic devices. Global REE demand is slated to grow at an annual rate of 5% by 2020. This high growth rate will require a steady supply base of REEs in the long run.

Characteristics attributed to complementary foods by caregivers in four countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Background: Attributes that caregivers assign to complementary foods have been primarily described in the context of illness, but attributes assigned to foods in everyday circumstances must be understood to effectively promote good complementary feeding.

Objective: This study aimed to understand how mothers judge complementary foods to be appropriate by cross-cultural examination of food perceptions in four different Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Methods: We used semistructured interviews to assess attributes that mothers ascribed to a list of key foods, both home-made and manufactured, and reasons for feeding or not feeding them.