A series of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salts of the transition metal mono-substituted silicotungstates [SiW 11 M(H 2 O)O 39 ] nÀ , M = Co II , Fe III , Mn III , (SiW 11 M) were explored as homogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of geraniol and styrene with H 2 O 2 . The most active homogeneous catalysts (SiW 11 Co and SiW 11 Fe) were immobilized onto an amine-functionalized SBA-15 (aptesSBA-15) and the resulting composites were characterized using several techniques (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis/DRS, elemental analysis, powder XRD, SEM and N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms). The catalytic performance of the new composites SiW 11 Co@aptesSBA-15 and SiW 11 Fe@aptesSBA-15 was investigated under similar experimental conditions to those used for homogeneous counterparts. 2,3-Epoxygeraniol and benzaldehyde were the main products obtained from geraniol and styrene oxidation, respectively, for all the catalysts. SiW 11 Co and SiW 11 Co@aptesSBA-15 showed to be the most active catalysts for the oxidation of geraniol and styrene.The recyclability of the composite SiW 11 Co@aptesSBA-15 was investigated for three reaction cycles. The stability of the composites was confirmed using several techniques after catalytic cycles.

Culturing aortic valvular interstitial cells in an environment that models the aortic valve is an essential step towards understanding the progression of calcific aortic valve disease. Here the adaption of a 3D stacked paper-based culture system is presented for analyzing valve cells in a thick collagen gel matrix. Filter paper layers, modeled after a 96-well plate design, were printed with a wax well-plate template and then seeded with valve cell and collagen mixtures that quickly gelled into 3D cultures. Stacking these layers permitted extensive customization of culture thickness and cell density profiles to model the full thickness of native valve tissue.

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Temperature and near infrared (NIR) light responsive multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/κ-carrageenan hydrogel composites have been prepared. The effects of the MWCNTs on the microstructure, strength, swelling and release properties of the resultant materials were investigated. MWCNTs acted as reinforcing fillers and enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, the effect being mostly nanotube concentration dependent. Surface functionalization of nanotubes had a major 10 influence on the swelling of the composites. The increased release of a model drug (methylene blue) in in vitro conditions, from κ-carrageenan hydrogel composites due to NIR photothermal effect of MWCNTs was demonstrated at the physiological temperature. Thus, these composites are promising materials for the development of carriers for remotely activated drug delivery.

crystalline phase.2,17 Here, we demonstrate that copper sulphide NCs can be prepared through a single-source approach by thermolysis of Cu(II) dialkyldithiocarbamate complexes in ILs. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the ensuing copper sulphide nanomaterials have been evaluated using rhodamine B (RhB) solutions under visible-light irradiation with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide. Experimental Reagents and methodsCopper nitrate tri-hydrate (Carlo Erba, 99.5%), dibutylamine (Sigma-Aldrich, 99%), carbon disulphide (Panreac), sodium hydroxide (Acros Organics, 98.5%), sodium diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate (Sigma-Aldrich), oleylamine (SigmaAldrich) and 30% (w/w) aqueous hydrogen peroxide (Riedel-deHäen) were used as received. The ionic liquids trihexyl(tetradecyl) phosphonium dicyanamide, [TDTHP]

Homogeneous catalytic oxidation of styrene and styrene derivatives with H2O2 in the presence of polyoxotungstates.

Clinical variation in patient responses to myocardial infarction (MI) has been difficult to model in laboratory animals. To assess the genetic basis of variation in outcomes after heart attack, we characterized responses to acute MI in the Collaborative Cross (CC), a multi-parental panel of genetically diverse mouse strains. Striking differences in post-MI functional, morphological, and myocardial scar features were detected across 32 CC founder and recombinant inbred strains. Transcriptomic analyses revealed a plausible link between increased intrinsic cardiac oxidative phosphorylation levels and MI-induced heart failure. The emergence of significant quantitative trait loci for several post-MI traits indicates that utilizing CC strains is a valid approach for gene network discovery in cardiovascular disease, enabling more accurate clinical risk assessment and prediction.

Humans are typically exposed to environmental contaminants’ mixtures that result in different toxicity than exposure to the individual counterparts. Yet, the toxicology of chemical mixtures has been overlooked. This work aims at assessing and comparing viability and cell cycle of A549 cells after exposure to single and binary mixtures of: titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NP) 0.75–75 mg/L; cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NP) 0.75–10 μg/L; arsenic (As) 0.75–2.5 mg/L; and mercury (Hg) 5–100 mg/L. Viability was assessed through water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) and thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) (24 h exposure) and clonogenic (seven-day exposure) assays. Cell cycle alterations were explored by flow cytometry. Viability was affected in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Prolonged exposure caused inhibition of cell proliferation even at low concentrations. Cell-cycle progression was affected by TiO2NP 75 mg/L, and As 0.75 and 2.5 μg/L, increasing the cell proportion at G0/G1 phase. Combined exposure of TiO2NP or CeO2NP mitigated As adverse effects, increasing the cell surviving factor, but cell cycle alterations were still observed. Only CeO2NP co-exposure reduced Hg toxicity, translated in a decrease of cells in Sub-G1. Toxicity was diminished for both NPs co-exposure compared to its toxicity alone, but a marked toxicity for the highest concentrations was observed for longer exposures. These findings prove that joint toxicity of contaminants must not be disregarded.