Polarity reversal induced by electrochemically generated thiazol-2-ylidenes: The Stetter reaction

The inversion of the normal reactivity (umpolung) of aldehydes has been induced via N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) thiazol-2-ylidenes 2a or 3a, generated by simple electrolyses of solutions containing thiazolium salt 2 or 3. Accordingly, 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds have been obtained, in mild conditions and in moderate to very high yields, via 1,4-addition of the Breslow intermediates to the suitable Michael acceptor. The procedure has been performed in classical organic solvents (VOCs) as well as in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The different reactivity of aliphatic aldehydes vs the one of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes has been emphasized.     

Thin‐film nanostructure and polymer architecture in semicrystalline syndiotactic poly(p‐methylstyrene)–(cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene) multiblock copolymers

The thin‐film morphology of stereoregular syndiotactic poly(p‐methylstyrene)–(cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene) (sP(pMS–B)) multiblock copolymers has been investigated using tapping mode atomic force microscopy with variation of the polymer composition and monomer block lengths. The morphology of the thin films ranges from isolated circular domains of sP(pMS) embedded into a matrix of polybutadiene (PB) to isolated domains of PB embedded into a matrix of sP(pMS), passing through bicontinuous (jagged) lamellae when the pMS concentration is in the range 20–67 mol%. Multiple folding of the polymer segments, i.e. where reciprocal inclusions of polymer segments to each other phase are able to generate greater domain, has been postulated and validated by considerations on the polymer architecture and the thermal and crystalline behaviour. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Statistical Evaluation of Real-Time PCR Protocols Applied to Quantify Genetically Modified Maize

Real-time PCR (RTi-PCR) is the technique of choice for event-specific quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by determining the amount of event with respect to a species-specific reference gene. Reference genes can be amplified from the genome extracted from Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) or from ad hoc designed plasmids. In the present study, we statistically evaluate the performance of RTi-PCR protocols for GM maize MON810 event by using both genomic DNA from conventional CRMs and a plasmid containing sequences representative of four maize species-specific reference genes. The significance of simple and interaction effects of several variables included in the experimental design on DNA quantification methods and RTi-PCR were evaluated and discussed. Statistically significant differences on Ct values may have an impact on the GMOs quantification and consequently on the compliance of GM quantification-established legal thresholds. Our results confirm the reliability of the plasmid as alternative calibrant for the calculation of GMOs copy number.     

Resveratrol as Chemosensitizer Agent: State of Art and Future Perspectives

Resistance to chemotherapy still remains a major challenge in the clinic, impairing the quality of life and survival rate of patients. The identification of unconventional chemosensitizing agents is therefore an interesting aspect of cancer research. Resveratrol has emerged in the last decades as a fascinating molecule, able to modulate several cancer-related molecular mechanisms, suggesting a possible application as an adjuvant in cancer management. This review goes deep into the existing literature concerning the possible chemosensitizing effect of resveratrol associated with the most conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Despite the promising effects observed in different cancer types in in vitro studies, the clinical translation still presents strong limitations due to the low bioavailability of resveratrol. Recently, efforts have been moved in the field of drug delivery to identifying possible strategies/formulations useful for a more effective administration. Despite the necessity of a huge implementation in this research area, resveratrol appears as a promising molecule able to sensitize resistant tumors to drugs, suggesting its potential use in therapy-refractory cancer patients.     

A cross‐cultural comparison of colour emotion for two‐colour combinations

Psychophysical experiments were conducted in the UK, Taiwan, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, and Iran to assess colour emotion for two‐colour combinations using semantic scales warm/cool, heavy/light, active/passive, and like/dislike. A total of 223 observers participated, each presented with 190 colour pairs as the stimuli, shown individually on a cathode ray tube display. The results show consistent responses across cultures only for warm/cool, heavy/light, and active/passive. The like/dislike scale, however, showed some differences between the observer groups, in particular between the Argentinian responses and those obtained from the other observers. Factor analysis reveals that the Argentinian observers preferred passive colour pairs to active ones more than the other observers. In addition to the cultural difference in like/dislike, the experimental results show some effects of gender, professional background (design vs. nondesign), and age. Female observers were found to prefer colour pairs with high‐lightness or low‐chroma values more than their male counterparts. Observers with a design background liked low‐chroma colour pairs or those containing colours of similar hue more than nondesign observers. Older observers liked colour pairs with high‐lightness or high‐chroma values more than young observers did. Based on the findings, a two‐level theory of colour emotion is proposed, in which warm/cool, heavy/light, and active/passive are identified as the reactive‐level responses and like/dislike the reflective‐level response. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">flaA</Emphasis> Short Variable Region Sequencing,Multilocus Sequence Typing,and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Discrimination between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> Strains

Discriminatory and robust typing methods are needed to improve the understanding of the dynamics of food-borne Campylobacter infections and epidemiology in primary animal production. To evaluate the strain discriminatory potential of typing methods, flaA short variable region (SVR) sequencing and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied on a collection of 102 epidemiologically related and unrelated Campylobacter jejuni strains. Previous application of FTIR spectroscopy for subtyping of Campylobacter has been limited. A subset of isolates, initially discriminated by flaA SVR sequencing, were further subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). It was found that flaA SVR sequencing had a slightly higher discriminatory power than FTIR spectroscopy, based on the Simpson diversity index. The clustering of strains indicated that FTIR spectroscopy is indeed a suitable method for discrimination of Campylobacter. The isolates were assigned to six clusters based on flaA SVR sequences and nine clusters based on the FTIR spectroscopy profiles. Furthermore, the cluster analysis of flaA SVR sequences, MLST, and FTIR spectroscopy profiles showed a high degree of congruence, assigning the isolates to similar cluster structures. In conclusion, FTIR spectroscopy can be applied for subtyping of Campylobacter, and the high discriminatory potential of both flaA SVR sequencing and FTIR spectroscopy render them suitable screening methods for large numbers of strains.     

Dual detection biosensor based on porous silicon substrate

Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio (hundreds of m²/cm³) porous silicon became during the last years a good candidate material as substrate for biosensor application. Moreover, the versatility of surface chemistry allows different functionalization approaches and large number of molecules to be captured on well-defined areas. This paper reports a dual detection method for protein recognition processes developed on different nanostructured porous silicon (PS) substrates, based on using two complementary spectroscopic techniques: fluorescence and electrochemical impedance. The structures were tested for biomolecular recognition – biotin–strepavidin couples – in order to achieve an optimum surface for protein's immobilizations. Comparative analyses of the attachment degree and preservation of the biomolecules activity on the porous silicon surfaces and silicon slides are also described.     

基建仓库

基建仓库项目位于莱瓦顿的Harlingervaart运河岸边,作为周边建筑的仓库,它具有独特的趣味性良好的形体感,因此被认为是立于运河沿岸广场上的一座雕塑。建筑的入口处挑出悬臂,并且顺势突出建筑南侧的体量     

Nanosponge-based pediatric-controlled release dry suspension of Gabapentin for reconstitution

Abstract

Context: Gabapentin was selected to formulate oral controlled release dry suspension because of short biological half life of 5–7?h and low bioavailability (60%). Gabapentin is a bitter drug so an attempt was made to mask its taste.

Objective: To formulate and evaluate controlled release dry suspension for reconstitution to increase the bioavailability and to control bitter taste of drug.

Materials and methods: Cyclodextrin based nanosponges were synthesized by previously reported melt method. The nanosponge–drug complexes were characterized by FTIR, DSC and PXRD as well as evaluated for taste and saturation solubility. The complexes were coated on Espheres by a suspension layering technique followed by coating with ethyl cellulose and Eudragit RS-100. A dry powder suspension for reconstitution of the microspheres was formulated and evaluated for taste, redispersibility, in vitro dissolution, sedimentation volume, leaching and pharmacokinetics.

Results and discussion: The complexes showed partial entrapment of drug nanocavities. Significant decrease in solubility (25%) was observed in the complexes than pure drug in different media. The microspheres of nanosponge complexes showed desired controlled release profile for 12?h. Insignificant drug leaching was observed in reconstituted suspension during storage for 7 days at 45?°C/75% RH. Nanosponges effectively masked the taste of Gabapentin and the coating polymers provided controlled release of the drug and enhanced taste masking. The results of in vivo studies showed increase in bioavailability of controlled release suspension by 24.09% as compared to pure drug.

Conclusion: The dry powder suspension loaded with microspheres of nanosponges complexes can be proposed as a suitable controlled release drug delivery for Gabapentin.     

The Industrial Heritage and the New Architecture： Teaching, Researching, Designing the Place Identity

The new architecture may provide unusual opportunities for the abandoned areas involved by former industrial processes, both in the city centers and in the landscape. In fact, it may create new centralities and give new collective function for deprived areas. The case study of the architectural and educational project for a new museum park devoted to the technique and the science in the Apennine＇ s landscape near Parma （Italy） may give an interesting point of view about the role of the teaching and the research of the architecture in the former industrial heritage, and to avoid the abandonment and the pauperization of the territory around.