Search results for: FLUORESCENCE
-
Spatially variant PSF modeling in confocal macroscopy
PublicationThe point spread function (PSF) of imaging systems plays an essential role in image reconstruction. In the context of confocal microscopy, optical performance degrades towards the edge of the field of view. In confocal macroscopy, the related artifacts are even stronger, as the field of view is much larger. Because the related PSFs are strongly spatially variant, it is essential to be able to model them with few parameters. The...
-
Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Properties of Bioactive Compounds in Organic and Conventional Growing Kiwifruit
PublicationThe bioactivity of two kiwifruit’s cultivars growing under organic and conventional conditions were studied and compared. The bioactive compounds were extracted with water and ethanol using similar conditions which are applied in pharmaceutical applications and for daily fruit consumption such as tea drink. Antioxidant radical scavenging assays [ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC);...
-
Synergistic Effects of Bitumen Plasticization and Microwave Treatment on Short-Term Devulcanization of Ground Tire Rubber
PublicationGround tire rubber (GTR) was mechano-chemically modified with road bitumen 160/220 and subsequently treated using a microwave radiation. The combined impact of bitumen 160/220 content and microwave treatment on short-term devulcanization of GTR was studied by thermal camera, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WD-XRF), static headspace, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC-MS), thermogravimetric analysis...
-
A XAS study of a highly diluted Pt electrocatalyst operating in PEM fuel cells
PublicationWe present an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study of a low Pt content catalyst layer(Pt loading 0.1 mg c2) operating at the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC). This catalyst is based on the use of a mesoporous inorganic matrix as a support forthe catalyst Pt nanoparticles. Due to the high Pt dilution, in situ measurements of itsstructural properties by XAS are challenging and suitable experimental strategies...
-
New plasmonic platform for enhanced luminescence of Valrubicin
PublicationLuminescence enhanced by new structure of plasmonic platform with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) buffer layer deposited on gold nanostructures is investigated. Regularly distributed gold nanostructures of average dimension of 50 nm formed the active part of plasmonic platforms. They were manufactured on Corning 1737 glass substrate by melting of gold thin film. The nanostructures were coated by dielectric Al2O3 thin film with thickness...
-
Excitation energy transfer in partly ordered polymer films differing in donor and acceptor transition moments orientation
PublicationBased on spectroscopic measurements selected properties of nonradiative Förster energy transport are studied in uniaxially stretched polyvinyl alcohol thin films for three systems differing in donor and acceptor transition moments orientation relative to the axis of stretching. In particular, donor – acceptor emission anisotropy spectra yield completely different regularities for these systems in uniaxially stretched films, whereas...
-
MOBILITY OF SHALE DRILL CUTTINGS CONSTITUENTS
PublicationThis study focuses on the abundance and mobility of metals and trace elements from shale drill cuttings into the water, being the main component of hydraulic fracturing fluid. The relationship between composition of the shale rock and the potential element release during standard water-based leaching tests was characterized by means of X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The XRF analysis confirmed the assumption of shales constituents...
-
Dendron to Central Core S1–S1 and S2–Sn (n>1) Energy Transfers in Artificial Special Pairs Containing Dendrimers with Limited Numbers of Conformations
PublicationTwo dendrimers consisting of a cofacial free-base bisporphyrin held by a biphenylene spacer and functionalized with 4-benzeneoxomethane (5-(4-benzene)tri-10,15,20-(4-n-octylbenzene)zinc(II)porphyrin) using either five or six of the six available meso-positions, have been synthesized and characterized as models for the antenna effect in Photosystems I and II. The presence of the short linkers, -CH2O-, and long C8H17 soluble side...
-
π-Conjugated Donor-acceptor Polyelectrolytes: Toward Artificial Photosynthesis
PublicationGreat advances have been made in the development of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs), which provide tunable properties including water solubility and processability, main-chain exciton and charge transport, variable energy light absorption and fluorescence, non-covalent interactions, and formation of tertiary structures via self-assembly.[1] These characteristics allow CPEs to be considered for use in various optoelectronic applications,...
-
Programmed metalloporphyrins for self-assembly within light-harvesting stacks: 5,15-dicyano-10,20-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-porphyrinato zinc(II) and its push-pull 15-N,N-dialkylamino-5-cyano congeners obtained by a facile direct amination.
PublicationThe title dicyano compound was synthesized via cyanation and it self-assembles in nonpolar solvents giving red-shifted and broad absorption maxima just as the bacteriochlorophylls which are encountered in the light-harvesting organelles of early photosynthetic bacteria. In the crystal, stacks are formed through a hierarchic combination of π-stacking and a CNZn electrostatic interaction. Push−pull 15-N,N-dialkylamino-5-cyano congeners...
-
Au nanoparticles identifiction with the use of AFM Volta potential mapping
Open Research DataThe specific physical, chemical and electrochemical electrical properties of gold nanoparticles have led to their extensive use as high-performance chemical and biochemical sensors. The described properties relate to surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence quenching or enhancement, high electrical conductivity and light scattering. The described nanoparticles...
-
Photosensitization of TiO2 and SnO2 by Artificial Self-Assembling Mimics of the Natural Chlorosomal Bacteriochlorophylls
PublicationOf all known photosynthetic organisms, the green sulfur bacteria are able to survive under the lowest illumination conditions due to highly efficient photon management and exciton transport enabled by their special organelles, the chlorosomes, which consist mainly of self-assembled bacteriochlorophyll c, d, or e molecules. A challenging task is to mimic the principle of self-assembling chromophores in artificial light-harvesting...
-
Influence of the ionic strength on the amyloid fibrillogenesis of hen egg white lysozyme
PublicationThe study investigates the role of the electrostatic interactions in the fibrillation of the hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL). In order to achieve this aim the influence of the cations Na+, Mg2+ and Al3+ on the amyloid fibril formation and amorphous aggregation was tested. The amyloids are formed in the solution without added salt but the Thioflavin T fluorescence gives the false-negative result. In these conditions, the HEWL fibrils...
-
Effects of artificial lighting on bioactivity of sweet red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
PublicationRecent studies have shown that artificial light effectively promotes the growth and development of red peppers when light spectra, intensities and duration are controlled. Cited reports deal mostly with studies involving with the growth stages of pepper. Changes in the biochemical status of plants were not studied. Therefore, this study focuses on the changes in the content of some bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids,...
-
A new assay based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of homocitrate synthase gene fragments for Candida species identification
PublicationCandida sp. have been responsible for an increasing number of infections, especially in patients with immunodeficiency. Species specific differentiation of the Candida sp. is difficult in routine diagnosis. This identification can have a highly significant association in therapy and prophylaxis. This work has shown a new application of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (t-RFLP) method in molecular identification...
-
Multi-state vibronic interactions in the fluorobenzene radical cation: The importance of quadratic coupling terms
PublicationThe multi-mode multi-state vibronic interactions in the set of X^2B_1 - D^2A_1 electronic states of the monofluoro benzene radical cation are investigated theoretically, based on a quadratic vibronic coupling approach. The underlying ionization potentials and coupling constants are obtained from ab initio coupled-cluster calculations. Previous investigations (relying on the linear coupling approach) are extended by including all...
-
Photophysics of Soret-Excited Tin(IV) Porphyrins in Solution
PublicationThe photophysics of low-chlorin tin(IV) tetraphenylporphyrin dihydroxide, a core building block for axially substituted supramolecular tin porphyrin constructs, has been studied in a variety of hydrogen-bonding, nonpolar, and aprotic polar solvents using steady-state, nanosecond, and femtosecond time-resolved emission, and femtosecond time-resolved absorption methods. In hydrogen-bonding solvents the metalloporphyrin exists as...
-
Comparison of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Methods with Different Detectors for Determination of Steroid Hormones in Aqueous Matrices
PublicationThis paper presents the development and comparison of procedures for the qualitative and quantitative determination of five estrogenic compounds (17-a-ethynylestradiol, estrone, estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) in drinking water and wastewater samples. Five extraction columns and two disks were tested for their efficiency. The C18 columns were superior on the basis of cost for solid phase extraction of drinking water or sewage....
-
Evidence of mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin in wastewater and activated sludge
PublicationThe occurrence of clarithromycin in wastewater samples and of the activated sludge bacteria possibly resistant to this pharmaceutical was the object of the study. Samples of wastewater or activated sludge were taken from a municipal wastewater treatment plant in summer and winter and characterised regarding their clarithromycin concentrations and the presence of nucleic acid fragments (Cla-sequences) known to be responsible for...
-
Self-Association of Amphotericin B: Spontaneous Formation of Molecular Structures Responsible for the Toxic Side Effects of the Antibiotic
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB) is a lifesaving antibiotic used to treat deep-seated mycotic infections. Both the pharmaceutical activity and highly toxic side effects of the drug rely on its interaction with biomembranes, which is governed by the molecular organization of AmB. In the present work we present detailed analysis of self-assembly of AmB molecules in different environments, interesting from the physiological standpoint, based...
-
Novel primosomal protein B from thermophilic bacterium Thermoanerobacter tengcongensis
PublicationWe report the identification and characterization of theprimosomal protein B (PriB) from thermophilic bacteriumThermoanerobacter tengcongensis (TtePriB). It is the largestknown bacterial PriB protein consisting 216 amino acidresidues with a calculated molecular mass of 25 kDa. Surprisingly,it is functional as monomer containing two single-stranded DNA binding domain (OB-fold) and it is thecompletely new kind structure of SSB protein....
-
Surface Plasmon-Coupled Emission of Rhodamine 110 Aggregates in a Silica Nanolayer
PublicationFirst analysis of strong directional surface plasmon-coupled emission(SPCE) of ground-state formed intermolecular aggregates of Rhodamine 110 (R110) insilica nanofilms deposited on silver nanolayers is reported. Until now, the processes ofenergy transport and its trapping due to aggregate formation have not been studied in the presence of SPCE. A new approach to multicomponent systems with weakly and strongly fluorescent centers...
-
Light-Modulated Sunscreen Mechanism in the Retina of the Human Eye
PublicationThe functioning of the human eye in the extreme range of light intensity requires a combination of the high sensitivity of photoreceptors with their photostability. Here, we identify a regulatory mechanism based on dynamic modulation of light absorption by xanthophylls in the retina, realized by reorientation of pigment molecules induced by trans–cis photoisomerization. We explore this photochemically switchable system using chromatographic...
-
Multi-mode vibronic interactions in the five lowest electronic states of the fluorobenzene radical cation
PublicationThe multi-mode vibronic interactions between the five lowest electronic states of the fluorobenzene radical cation are investigated theoretically, based on ab initio electronic structure data, and employing the linear vibronic coupling model. Low-energy conical intersections, and strong vibronic couplings are found to prevail within the set of X-A and B-C-D cationic states, while the interactions between these two sets of states...
-
Localization and Orientation of Xanthophylls in a Lipid Bilayer
PublicationXanthophylls (polar carotenoids) play diverse biological roles, among which are modulation of the physical properties of lipid membranes and protection of biomembranes against oxidative damage. Molecular mechanisms underlying these functions are intimately related to the localization and orientation of xanthophyll molecules in lipid membranes. In the present work, we address the problem of localization and orientation of two xanthophylls...
-
Bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity in new kiwi fruit cultivars
PublicationThe aim of this investigation was to find the best among seven different kiwi fruit cultivars (‘Hayward’, ‘Daheung’, ‘Haenam’, ‘Bidan’, ‘Hort16A’, ‘Hwamei’ and ‘SKK12’) for human consumption and to classify them as groups. Therefore, the contents of bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant capacities of these cultivars were determined in four different extracts and compared. It was found that the contents of the bioactive...
-
In vitro antioxidative and binding properties of phenolics in traditional, citrus and exotic fruits
PublicationMany polyphenols bind proteins, therefore our research was focused on the potential of protein binding to polyphenols of investigated fruits and their health-related effects. The contents of polyphenols and related antioxidant activities of traditional, citrus and exotic fruits were compared. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) in the investigated samples and their interaction with human serum albumin (HSA)...
-
Properties of Different Varieties of Durian
PublicationDurian (Durio zibethinus Murr.), like many other exotic, tropical, and conventional fruits, is important in the prevention of different diseases. In this study, the characterization of the main bioactive compounds of the most popular cultivars of durian and their properties are described. The changes in the quality indices of the antioxidant status were determined by CUPRAC, ABTS, FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC assays. The profiling of phytochemicals...
-
Molecularly targeted nanoparticles: an emerging tool for evaluation of expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in a murine model of peripheral artery disease
PublicationAbstract Background: Molecular imaging with molecularly targeted probes is a powerful tool for studying the spatio-temporal interactions between complex biological processes. The pivotal role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in numerous pathological processes, aroused the demand for RAGE targeted imaging in various diseases. In the study, we evaluated the use of a diagnostic imaging agent for RAGE quantification...
-
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis of Urinary Extracellular Vesicle Proteins as a New Challenge in Laboratory Medicine
PublicationUrinary extracellular vesicle (uEV) proteins may be used as specific markers of kidney damage in various pathophysiological conditions. The nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA) appears to be the most useful method for the analysis of uEVs due to its ability to analyze particles below 300 nm. The NTA method has been used to measure the size and concentration of uEVs and also allows for a deeper analysis of uEVs based on their protein...
-
Real-Time PCR: molecular technique of many applications
PublicationReal-Time PCR is a sensitive DNA amplification technique initially applied in genetics and molecular biology. It enables in vivo copying of the selected DNA fragment (flanked by two primers) by the thermostable polymerase (in the presence of magnesium ions and deoxynucleotide triphosphates) and simultaneous measurement of the fluorescence. For one or more specific sequences in a DNA sample, real-time PCR enables both detection...
-
A mobile loop order–disorder transition modulates the speed of chaperonin cycling
PublicationMolecular machines order and disorder polypeptides as they form and dissolve large intermolecular interfaces, but the biological significance of coupled ordering and binding has been established in few, if any, macromolecular systems. The ordering and binding of GroES co-chaperonin mobile loops accompany an ATP-dependent conformational change in the GroEL chaperonin that promotes client protein folding. Following ATP hydrolysis,...
-
Nondestructive Optical Sensing of Flavonols and Chlorophyll in White Head Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. alba ) Grown under Different Nitrogen Regimens
PublicationA multiparametric optical sensor was used to nondestructively estimate phytochemical compounds in white cabbage leaves directly in the field. An experimental site of 1980 white cabbages (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. alba), under different nitrogen (N) treatments, was mapped by measuring leaf transmittance and chlorophyll fluorescence screening in one leaf/cabbage head. The provided indices of flavonols (FLAV) and...
-
Functionalization of Parylene During Its Chemical Vapor Deposition
PublicationTwo possible mechanisms for the reaction of four halogenated (metha)acrylate-based molecules with Parylene [poly (paraxylylene)] during its chemical vapor deposition were proposed. The chemical reactivity of acrylate double bond with the paraxylylene biradical was calculated for all four (metha)acrylate-based molecules. These calculations allowed the evaluation of the energetically favorable mechanism and indeed a direct correlation...
-
Concentration of Potentially Bioactive Compounds in Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Various Sources by Using LC-MS and Multivariate Data Analysis
PublicationHigh quality extra virgin olive oils represent an optimal source of nutraceuticals. The European Union (EU) is the world’s leading olive oil producer, with the Mediterranean region as the main contributor. This makes the EU the greatest exporter and consumer of olive oil in the world. However, small olive oil producers also contribute to olive oil production. Beneficial effects on human health of extra virgin olive oil are well...
-
Shales Leaching Modelling for Prediction of Flowback Fluid Composition
PublicationThe object of the paper is the prediction of flowback fluid composition at a laboratory scale, for which a new approach is described. The authors define leaching as a flowback fluid generation related to the shale processing. In the first step shale rock was characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diractometry and laboratory analysis. It was proven that shale rock samples taken from the selected sections of horizontal...
-
Stable nanoconjugates of transferrin with alloyed quaternary nanocrystals Ag–In–Zn–S as a biological entity for tumor recognition
PublicationOne way to limit the negative effects of anti-tumor drugs on healthy cells is targeted therapy employing functionalized drug carriers. Here we present a biocompatible and stable nanoconjugate of transferrin anchored to Ag-In-Zn-S quantum dots modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (Tf-QD) as a drug carrier versus typical anticancer drug, doxorubicin. Detailed investigations of Tf-QD nanoconjugates without and with doxorubicin...
-
Bacterial community succession in an Arctic lake–stream system (Brattegg Valley, SW Spitsbergen)
PublicationThe factors affecting prokaryotic and virus structure dynamics and bacterial commu-nity composition (BCC) in aquatic habitats along a ca. 1500 m of the Brattegg Valley lake–stream system (SW Spitsbergen) composed of three postglacial lakes created by Brattegg Glacier meltwater were examined. A high number of small-volume prokaryotic cells were found in the recently-formed, deep, upper,...
-
Nano soil improvement technique using cement
PublicationNano soil-improvement is an innovative idea in geotechnical engineering. Nanomaterials are among the newest additives that improve soil properties. Herein, laboratory tests, such as unconfined compressive strength, direct shear test, and initial tests, were conducted to investigate the geotechnical properties of Kelachay clay with micro- and nanosized cement to evaluate its particles in untreated soil and observe changes in the...
-
Volumetric incorporation of NV diamond emitters in nanostructured F2 glass magneto-optical fiber probes
PublicationIntegration of optically-active diamond particles with glass fibers is a powerful method of scaling diamond's magnetic sensing functionality. We propose a novel approach for the integration of diamond particles containing nitrogen-vacancy centers directly into the fiber core. The core is fabricated by stacking the preform from 790 soft glass canes, drawn from a single rod dip-coated with submicron diamond particles suspended in...
-
Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopic Properties of Calcium Thiophenecarboxylate Polymers. Structural Comparison with Analogous Lead Complexes
PublicationThree novel calcium coordination polymers [Ca(2tpCOO)2(2mpa)(H2O)]n (1), [Ca(3tpCOO)2(2mpa)(H2O)]n (2), and {[Ca(3tpacCOO)2(H2O)2]⋅⋅⋅H2O}n (3) (2tpCOO− or 3tpCOO− – thiophene-2- or thiophene-3-carboxylate, 3tpacCOO− – thiophene-3-acetate, 2mpa – 2-methylpropanal), were synthesised using a self-assembly method. The obtained polymers were characterised using SC-XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis DRS, thermogravimetric and luminescence analyses. The...
-
Self-assembly, stability and conductance of amphotericin B channels: bridging the gap between structure and function
PublicationAmphotericin B (AmB), one of the most powerful but also toxic drugs used to treat systemic mycoses, is believed to selectively permeabilize fungal cell membranes to ions in a sterol-dependent manner. Unfortunately, the structure of the biologically active AmB channels has long eluded researchers, obstructing the design of safer alternatives. Here, we investigate the structural and thermodynamic aspects of channel formation, stability,...
-
Nanosize effect of clay mineral nanoparticles on the drug diffusion processes in polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels
PublicationStudies of swelling and release of naproxen sodium (NAP) solution by polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels containing Cloisite® 30B (organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT)) have been performed. Polyurethane nanocomposite hydrogels are hybrid, nontoxic biomaterials with unique swelling and release properties in comparison with unmodified hydrogels. These features enable to use nanocomposite hydrogels as a modern wound dressing....
-
Structure and performance properties of environmentally-friendly biocomposites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) modified with copper slag and shale drill cuttings wastes
PublicationThe potential application of two types of industrial wastes, drill cuttings (DC) and copper slag (CS), as silica-rich modifiers of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) was investigated. Chemical structure and physical properties of DC and CS fillers were characterized using X-ray diffractometer, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, particle size and density measurements. PCL/DC and PCL/CS composites with a variable content of filler (5 to 50...
-
Two highly thermostable paralogous single-stranded DNA-binding proteins from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis
PublicationThe thermophilic bacterium Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis has two single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) proteins, designated TteSSB2 and TteSSB3. In a SSB complementation assay in Escherichia coli, only TteSSB3 took over the in vivo function of EcoSSB. We have cloned the ssb genes obtained by PCR and have developed E. coli overexpression systems. The TteSSB2 and TteSSB3 consist of 153 and 150 amino acids with a calculated molecular...
-
Vibrational Quenching of Optically Pumped Carbon Dimer Anions
PublicationCareful control of quantum states is a gateway to research in many areas of science such as quantum information, quantum-controlled chemistry, and astrophysical processes. Precise optical control of molecular ions remains a challenge due to the scarcity of suitable level schemes, and direct laser cooling has not yet been achieved for either positive or negative molecular ions. Using a cryogenic wire trap, we show how the internal...
-
The Product of Matrix Metalloproteinase Cleavage of Doxorubicin Conjugate for Anticancer Drug Delivery: Calorimetric, Spectroscopic, and Molecular Dynamics Studies on Peptide–Doxorubicin Binding to DNA
PublicationMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular matrix degradation factors, promoting cancer progression. Hence, they could provide an enzyme-assisted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer treatment. In the current study, the intercalation process of DOX and tetrapeptide-DOX, the product of the MMPs' cleavage of carrier-linked DOX, into dsDNA was investigated using stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis...
-
Gas‐Phase Removal of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Airborne Microorganisms Over Mono‐ and Bimetal‐Modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) Titanium(IV) Oxide Nanocomposites
PublicationThe photocatalytic deactivation of volatile organic compounds and mold fungi using TiO2 modified with mono‐ and bimetallic (Pt, Cu, Ag) particles is reported in this study. The mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide photocatalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method and characterized using XRD, XPS, DR/UV‐Vis, BET and TEM analysis. The effect of incident light, type and content of mono‐ and bimetallic...
-
Human serum interactions with phenolic and aroma substances of Kaffir(Citrus hystrix) and Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices
PublicationTo understand the therapeutic application of polyphenols extracted from Kaffir (PolKaf) and Key (PolKey) limesdifferent analytical methods were applied. Based on quantitative analysis by two dimensional gas chromato-graphy (GC×GC) and time of flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) it can be observed that the biggest differencesin the contents of selected terpenes of Kaffir and Key limes occur in chemical compounds such as limonene, citraland...
-
Antioxidant activities and bioactive components in some berries
PublicationThe objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and binding effects of gooseberry, a less-stud-ied berry, and to compare with blueberry and cranberry in the model of interaction with human serum albumin (HSA). The relationship between the scavenging properties of dietary polyphenols of the selected berries and their affinities for HSA were investigated by fluorescence anal- ysis. In order to perform the extraction and...