Exploring BODIPY-Based Sensor for Imaging of Intracellular Microviscosity in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

BODIPY-based molecular rotors are highly attractive imaging tools for imaging intracellular microviscosity in living cells. In our study, we investigated the ability to detect the microviscosity of biological objects by using BDP-NO and BDP-H molecular rotors. We describe in detail the optical properties of BDP-NO and BDP-H molecular rotors in aqueous media with and without proteins, together with their accumulation dynamics and localization in live and fixed human breast cancer cells.

Development of molecularly imprinted polymer based phase boundaries for sensors design (review).

Achievements in polymer chemistry enables to design artificial phase boundaries modified by imprints of selected molecules and some larger structures. These structures seem very useful for the design of new materials suitable for affinity chromatography and sensors. In this review, we are overviewing the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and the applicability of these MIPs in the design of affinity sensors.

Electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymer based sensors for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications (review).

Recent challenges in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields require the development of new analytical methods. Therefore, the development of new sensors is a very important task. In this paper, we are outlining the development of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based sensors, which belongs to important branch of affinity sensors.

Designing Carbon-Enriched Alumina Films Possessing Visible Light Absorption.

Aluminum anodization in an aqueous solution of formic acid and sodium vanadate leads to the formation of alumina/carbon composite films. This process was optimized by varying the concentrations of formic acid and sodium vanadate, the pH, and the processing time in constant-voltage (60-100 V) or constant-current mode. As estimated, in this electrolyte, the anodizing conditions played a critical role in forming thick, nanoporous anodic films with surprisingly high carbon content up to 17 at.

Electrochemically Deposited Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors.

This review is dedicated to the development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and the application of MIPs in sensor design. MIP-based biological recognition parts can replace receptors or antibodies, which are rather expensive. Conducting polymers show unique properties that are applicable in sensor design.

Adsorption behaviour of pollutants: Heavy metals, radionuclides, organic pollutants, on clays and their minerals (raw, modified and treated): A review.

The increasing anthropogenic pressure results in environmental pollution and thus adversely affects the integrity of ecosystems. Consequently, various methods of removing pollutants from effluents have been developed and used to minimise this negative impact, with adsorption on clay minerals identified as the most promising approach. This review examines the adsorption of heavy metals, radionuclides, and organic pollutants on clays/clay minerals and their composites under diverse conditions and deals with the applications of these materials in the construction of engineering barriers for waste management.

Separation of anthropogenic radionuclides from aqueous environment using raw and modified biosorbents.

In this study, two types of biosorbents were used to remove Cs and plutonium isotopes from aqueous solutions - moss (Ptilium crista - castrensis) and oak sawdust (Quercus robur), both in the form of natural and modified state. Sorbent modification significantly increases the sorbent surface area (for moss sorbents - from 4.0 to 47.

Application of Tamm Plasmon Polaritons and Cavity Modes for Biosensing in the Combined Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Quartz Crystal Microbalance Method.

Low-cost 1D plasmonic photonic structures supporting Tamm plasmon polaritons and cavity modes were employed for optical signal enhancement, modifying the commercially available quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) sensor chip in a combinatorial spectroscopic ellipsometry and quartz microbalance method. The Tamm plasmon optical state and cavity mode (CM) for the modified mQCM-D sample obtained sensitivity of ellipsometric parameters to RIU of Ψ = 126.78 RIU and Δ = 325 RIU, and Ψ = 264 RIU and Δ = 645 RIU, respectively.

Visualizing hypochlorous acid production by human neutrophils with fluorescent graphene quantum dots.

In living organisms, redox reactions play a crucial role in the progression of disorders accompanied by the overproduction of reactive oxygen and reactive chlorine species, such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, respectively. We demonstrate that green fluorescence graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can be employed for revealing the presence of the hypochlorous acid in aqueous solutions and cellular systems. Hypochlorous acid modifies the oxygen-containing groups of the GQD, predominantly opens epoxide ring C-O-C, forms excessive C=O bonds and damages the carbonic core of GQDs.

Rapid and delayed effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes in glioma cells.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) demonstrate a strong potential as an optically activated theranostic nano-agent. However, using SWCNTs in theranostics still requires revealing mechanisms of the SWCNT-mediated effects on cellular functions. Even though rapid and delayed cellular responses can differ significantly and may lead to undesirable consequences, understanding of these mechanisms is still incomplete.

An automated method for thermal-optical separation of aerosol organic/elemental carbon for C analysis at the sub-μgC level: A comprehensive assessment.

We describe and thoroughly evaluate a method for C analysis in different fractions of carbonaceous aerosols, especially elemental carbon (EC). This method combines a Sunset thermal-optical analyzer and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) via a custom-built automated separation, purification, and injection system. Organic carbon (OC), EC, and other specific fractions from aerosol filter samples can be separated and analyzed automatically for C based on thermal-optical protocols (EUSAAR_2 in this study) at sub-μgC levels.

Cheap and easy human breath collection system for trace volatile organic compounds screening using thermal desorption - gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

•By analyzing the VOCs presents in our breath, we could identify if some components should not be present in our bodies, or their concentration is higher or lower than normal.•To collect breath samples for VOC analysis, we looked into the current available methodologies and, due to their high prices, tried to develop our own easy and cheap device. A simple single use Minigrip LDPE plastic bag was used in this work and its efficiency and performance were tested.

Elucidation of Volatiles, Anthocyanins, Antioxidant and Sensory Properties of . Caner Pomegranate ( L.) Juices Produced from Three Juice Extraction Methods.

This study deals with the characterization of the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of cv. Caner pomegranate () juices obtained from three different juice extraction methods including halved pomegranate (HPJ), arils (AJ), and macerated arils (MAJ) extraction for the first time. It was found that the type of the juice extraction process had substantial effects on the volatiles, anthocyanin compositions, and antioxidant activities of the samples.

From Microorganism-Based Amperometric Biosensors towards Microbial Fuel Cells.

This review focuses on the overview of microbial amperometric biosensors and microbial biofuel cells (MFC) and shows how very similar principles are applied for the design of both types of these bioelectronics-based devices. Most microorganism-based amperometric biosensors show poor specificity, but this drawback can be exploited in the design of microbial biofuel cells because this enables them to consume wider range of chemical fuels. The efficiency of the charge transfer is among the most challenging and critical issues during the development of any kind of biofuel cell.

Advances in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Based Affinity Sensors (Review).

Recent challenges in biomedical diagnostics show that the development of rapid affinity sensors is very important issue. Therefore, in this review we are aiming to outline the most important directions of affinity sensors where polymer-based semiconducting materials are applied. Progress in formation and development of such materials is overviewed and discussed.

Cysteine-Induced Hybridization of 2D Molybdenum Disulfide Films for Efficient and Stable Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The noble, metal-free materials capable of efficiently catalyzing water splitting reactions currently hold a great deal of promise. In this study, we reported the structure and electrochemical performance of new MoS-based material synthesized with L-cysteine. For this, a facile one-pot hydrothermal process was developed and an array of densely packed nanoplatelet-shaped hybrid species directly on a conductive substrate were obtained.

Influence of PDA Coating on the Structural, Optical and Surface Properties of ZnO Nanostructures.

Polydopamine (PDA) is a new biocompatible material, which has prospects in biomedical and sensor applications. Due to functional groups, it can host wide range of biomolecules. ZnO nanostructures are well known templates for optical sensors and biosensors.

Insights in the Application of Stoichiometric and Non-Stoichiometric Titanium Oxides for the Design of Sensors for the Determination of Gases and VOCs (TiO and TiO vs. TiO).

In this review article, attention is paid towards the formation of various nanostructured stoichiometric titanium dioxide (TiO), non-stoichiometric titanium oxide (TiO) and Magnéli phase (TiO)-based layers, which are suitable for the application in gas and volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors. Some aspects related to variation of sensitivity and selectivity of titanium oxide-based sensors are critically overviewed and discussed. The most promising titanium oxide-based hetero- and nano-structures are outlined.

Initiation of radioecological monitoring of forest soils and plants at the Lithuanian border region before the start of the Belarusian nuclear power plant operation.

Knowledge of the background activity concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides before the start of operation of the new nuclear power plant in Belarus, BelNPP, is an issue of great importance for neighbouring countries. In this study, we provide the pilot characterisation of the Lithuanian part of the 30-km zone of the BelNPP, emphasising the forest plants, terrestrial mosses, forest organic and mineral topsoil to describe the preoperational radioecological state of the pine forest ecosystem. Key anthropogenic radionuclides (C, H, Cs and Pu) were analysed.

Highly Active Wood-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

In this recent decade, great interest has risen to develop metal-free and cheap, biomass-derived electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report a facile strategy to synthesize an electrochemically active nanocarbon material from the renewable and biological resource, wood biomass. The ORR activity of the catalyst material was investigated in 0.

Occupational exposure in a PET/CT facility using two different automatic infusion systems.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to measure the occupational exposure using active personal dosimeters (APD) in the PET/CT department at different stages of the operation chain i.e. radiopharmaceutical arrival, activity preparation, dispensing, injection, patient positioning, discharge and compare the radiation exposure doses received using two automatic injection/infusion systems.

Distribution of radiocarbon in sediments of the cooling pond of RBMK type Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania.

The vertical distribution of radiocarbon (14C) was examined in the bottom sediment core, taken from Lake Drūkšiai, which has served as a cooling pond since 1983 for the 26 years of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) operation using two RBMK-1500 reactors (Russian acronym for"Channelized Large Power Reactor"). 14C specific activity was measured in alkali-soluble and -insoluble fractions of the sediment layers. Complementary measurements of the 210Pb and 137Cs activity of the samples provided the possibility to evaluate the date of every layer formation, covering the 1947-2013 period.

Photovoltaic effect-driven IR response of heterojunctions obtained by direct CVD synthesis of MoS nanolayers on crystalline silicon.

The development of technologies of hybrid structures with combined three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) materials is being recognised as a highly attractive opportunity to create new optoelectronic devices with unique properties originating from the atomic thin structures. In the present study, a novel approach in the direct synthesis of MoS 2D-layers on p-Si was proved to be acceptable for fabricating a photovoltaic effect-driven photodetector based on a hybrid 2D/3D heterojunction that included an atomically thin n-MoS film and crystalline p-Si substrate. It was demonstrated experimentally that the heterojunction with the top and bottom contacts was highly sensitive to illumination between 650 and 1200 nm.

Fe and Zn co-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP): Synthesis, structural, magnetic, mechanical and biological properties.

In the present work, Fe and Zn co-substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has been synthesized by wet co-precipitation method. Co-substitution level in the range from 1 to 5 mol% has been studied. Thermal decomposition of as-prepared precipitates was shown to be affected by introducing of foreign ions, decreasing the decomposition temperature of precursor.

Toxic, Radical Scavenging, and Antifungal Activity of H. Essential Oils.

The chemical composition of eight (seven shoot and one inflorescence) essential oils (EOs) of H. plants growing in Eastern Lithuania is reported. The plant material was collected during different phases of vegetation (from April to October).