SERS-active substrates using DVD-R coated in silver thin films: A preliminary study for detection of commercial glyphosate.

Glyphosate (GLP) is the herbicide with the highest level of global commercialization and historical use. Even though numerous studies have found this substance to be harmless, current research demonstrates that GLP might affect human health. For this reason, researcher efforts are concentrating on alternatives for analytical quantification, such as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). In this work, a DVD-R@AgNPs SERS substrate was produced by the Cathodic Cage Plasma Deposition (CCPD) technique, which allowed a thin film layer deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the PC grating structure from Digital Video/Versatile Disc Recordable (DVD-R). Scanning Electron Microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to characterize the substrate and chemical changes on the surface after AgNPs deposition. The DVD-R@AgNPs substrate was used to detect standard crystal violet (CV), GLP, and RoundupTM GLP (GLP-RU) using Raman Spectroscopy. The CV was used as a control sample for SERS measurement, allowing the calculation of the substrate enhancement factor, which was in the order of âˆ¼ 105. To evaluate the efficiency of the SERS substrate, the limit of detection was calculated and showed values of âˆ¼ 10-10 mol/L for CV, 10-7 and 10-8 mol/L for GLP, and 10-6 mol/L for GLP-RU. Thus, the DVD-R@AgNPs SERS sensor is a low-cost substrate that analyzes traces of pesticides such as commercial GLP, demonstrating high SERS sensitivities and many applications.

FTIR study of secondary structure changes in Epidermal Growth Factor by gold nanoparticle conjugation.

Conformation of protein is vital to its function, but may get affected when processing to manufacture products. It is therefore important to understand structural changes during each step of production. In this study, we investigate secondary structure changes in the targeting protein Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) during synthesis of theranostic bifunctional nanoparticle, devised for Photodynamic therapy of breast cancer. We acquired FTIR spectra of EGF; unconjugated, post treatment with α-lipoic acid, attached to gold nanoparticle, and bound to the bifunctional nanoprobe. We observed decreasing disordered structures and turns, and increasing loops, as the synthesis process progressed. There was an overall increase in ß-sheets in final product compared to pure EGF, but this increase was not linear and fluctuated. Previous crystal structure studies on EGF-EGFR complex have shown loops and ß-sheets to be important in the binding interaction. Since our study found increase in these structures in the final product, no adverse effect on binding function of EGF was expected. This was confirmed by functional assays. Such studies may help modify synthesis procedures, and thus secondary structures of proteins, enabling increased functionality and optimum results.

Salivary Cortisol Responses and Session Ratings of Perceived Exertion to a Rugby Match and Fatigue Test.

This study compared the effects of an official rugby match and a fatigue test on the salivary cortisol responses of 13 rugby players. We also examined the relationship between this cortisol response and session ratings of perceived exertion (session-RPE). We collected saliva before and after the match and fatigue test and assessed physical effort intensity via session-RPE using a CR-10 scale. We measured cortisol concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were greater session-RPE and cortisol concentrations for the rugby match, compared with the fatigue test. There was a significant difference between cortisol concentrations obtained pre- and postmatch ( p < .022) and significant correlations between cortisol response and session-RPE sampling in both the rugby match ( r = .81; p < .001) and fatigue test ( r = .91; p < .001). This study provides evidence of greater perceived effort and higher cortisol concentrations in actual competition versus a fatigue test. Our data further support session-RPE as a relatively inexpensive close correlate of a stress biomarker (cortisol response). Thus, session-RPE can be used by coaches as a valid indication of training loads and adequate recovery time after exertion.

Synthesis and characterization of gold nanostructured Chorin e6 for Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy is an alternative treatment for cancer based on cellular uptake of a photosensitizer, illuminated with an appropriate wavelength in the presence of oxygen. A cascade of reactions generates reactive oxygen species leading to cell death. Using carbodiimide chemistry, chlorin e6 (Ce6) was covalently bonded to thiourea, and (via the sulphur end group) to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), forming the Ce6-AuNP complex. Ce6 absorbs in the range 650-680nm, where the coefficient of biological tissue absorption is low (part of the therapeutic window), which is ideal for biological application. Transmission Electron Microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Zeta potential measurements were completed to characterize the Ce6-AuNP complex. The bare AuNPs have an average diameter of 18±4nm. A line of human breast carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-468) was used to determine whether Ce6 functionalization to AuNPs potentiate its activity. Trypan blue assays were used to assess cell viability. In the absence of light, Ce6 either alone or bounded to AuNPs was not cytotoxic. When irradiated at 660nm, the cytotoxicity of Ce6-AuNP was higher than Ce6 alone for MDA-MB-468 cells using 4h incubation. AuNPs without Ce6 showed no cytotoxic.

Apoptosis-associated genes related to photodynamic therapy in breast carcinomas.

The aim of this study was to find the apoptosis molecular markers involved in the cell death that might be related to photodynamic therapy (PDT) mechanisms in breast cancer. The mammary tumors were induced in 25 Sprague-Dawley female rats by a single, oral gavage of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA; 70 mg/kg body weight). Animals were divided into four groups: G1 (normal, without DMBA), G2 (control, without PDT treatment), G3 (euthanized 48 h after PDT), and G4 (euthanized 24 h after PDT). For PDT experiments, the photosensitizer used was Photodithazine, and 100 J/cm of light at a fluence rate of 100 mW/cm was delivered to treat lesions. A sample of each animal was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR using Rat Apoptosis RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array platform. The results showed 20 genes with differential expression between PDT and control groups. A significant upregulation was observed for pro-apoptotic genes CASP4, CASP12, CIDEA, GADD45A, and FAS and downregulation of anti-apoptotic genes MAPK8IP1, TNFRSF11B, and NAIP2 in PDT-treated tumors. These results indicate that these genes are more directly involved in cell apoptosis induced by PDT.

Surface enhancement Raman scattering of tautomeric thiobarbituric acid. Natural bond orbitals and B3LYP/6-311+G (d, p) assignments of the Fourier Infrared and Fourier Raman Spectra.

Surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) of two tautomer of thiobarbituric acid was obtained using silver and gold nanoparticles. Large band enhancement in the region of the ν(C=S), ν(C=C), δ(CH2), and δ(CNH) vibrational modes was found. Natural bond analysis of the tautomer species revealed expressive values of charge transfer, principally from lone pair electron orbitals of the S, N, and O atoms. Complete vibrational assignment was done for the two tautomers using the B3LYP/6-311+G (d, p) procedure, band deconvolution analysis, and from a rigorous interpretation of the normal modes matrix. The calculated spectra agree well with the experimental ones.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering, electronic spectrum and Mulliken charge distribution in the normal modes of bis(diethyldithiocarbamate)zinc(II) complex.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was used to study the interactions of the normal modes of the bis(diethyldithiocarbamate)zinc(II) complex, [Zn(DDTC)2], on nano-structured silver surfaces. The electronic spectrum of this complex was measured and the charge transfer bands were assigned through the TD-PBE1PBE procedure. To see the electronic dispersion, the Mulliken electronic charges were calculated for each normal mode and correlated with the SERS effect. Full assignment of the SERS spectra was also supported by carefully analysis of the distorted geometries generated by the normal modes.

Phenylalanine ab initio models for the simulation of skin natural moisturizing factor.

In this study, we evaluated models that can be used to simulate amino acids in biological environments via density functional theory (DFT). The goal was to obtain realistic representations that combine computational economy and result quality when compared to experimental data. We increased the complexity of the models by using a model of an amino acid in a vacuum, followed by a water-solvated amino acid model. To consider pH variation, we simulated zwitterionic and nonionic amino acid configurations. The amino acid chosen for testing was phenylalanine, an aromatic amino acid present in high concentrations in the natural moisturizing factor of skin that plays a fundamental role in ultraviolet protection and vitiligo disease. To validate the models, vibrational modes and electronic properties were calculated and compared to experimental results.

DFT: B3LYP/6-311G (d, p) vibrational analysis of bis-(diethyldithiocarbamate)zinc(II) and natural bond orbitals.

Theoretical and experimental bands have been assigned for the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Fourier Transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectra of the bis-(diethydithiocarbamate)Zn(II) complex, [Zn(DDTC)(2)]. The calculations and spectra interpretation have been based on the DFT/B3LYP method, infrared and Raman second derivative spectra as well as band deconvolution analysis. To assign the metal-ligand normal modes the deviation percentage of the geometrical parameters was used. Results confirms a pseudo tetrahedral structure around the Zn(II) cation. The calculated infrared and Raman spectra has an excellent agreement with the experimental spectra. The Natural Bond Orbital analysis (NBO) was carried out as a way to study the Zn(II) hybridization leading to the pseudo tetrahedral geometry of the framework of the [Zn(DDTC)(2)] complex, and to study also which are the donor NBO and the acceptor NBO in meaningful charge transfer through the Second Order Perturbation Theory Analysis of Fox Matrix in NBO basis.

Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman spectra, DFT: B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) calculations and structural properties of bis(diethyldithiocarbamate)copper(II).

Theoretical and experimental bands have been assigned for the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and FT-Raman spectra of the bis(diethydithiocarbamate)Cu(II) complex, [Cu(DDTC)(2)]. The calculations and spectra interpretation have been based on the DFT/B3LYP method, infrared and Raman second derivative spectra, and band deconvolution analysis. To better assign the metal-ligand normal modes in the spectral region of low energy, the deviation percentage of the geometrical parameters was used, with values from the interpretation of the normal modes of L matrix. Results indicate a planar structure around the Cu(II) cation. The calculated infrared and Raman spectra, based on the proposed geometrical structure of the bis(diethyldithiocarbamate)copper(II) complex, agreed with the experimental spectra.

Molecular structure, natural bond analysis, vibrational, and electronic spectra of aspartateguanidoacetatenickel(II), [Ni(Asp)(GAA)]·H2O: DFT quantum mechanical calculations.

The aspartateguanidoacetatenickel (II) complex, [Ni(Asp)(GAA)], was synthesized and structural analysis was performed by means of the experimental methods: determination of the C, H, N and O contents, thermogravimetry, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. DFT:B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) calculations have been performed giving optimized structure and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers. Second derivative of the FT-infrared, FT-Raman and Surface Raman Enhanced Scattering (SERS) spectra, and band deconvolution analysis were also performed. Features of the FT-infrared, FT-Raman and SERS confirmed theoretical structure prediction. Full assignment of the vibrational spectrum was also supported by a carefully analysis of the distorted geometries generated by the normal modes. The Natural Bond Orbital analysis (NBO) was also carried out as a way to study the Ni (II) hybridization leading to the pseudo planar geometry of the framework, and the extension of the atomic N and O hybrid orbital of the different amino acids in the bond formation. Bands of charge transfer and d-d transitions were assigned in the UV-Vis spectrum.