Assessment of measurement accuracy of amplified DNA using a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

A colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay detects changes in pH during amplification based on color changes at a constant temperature. Currently, various studies have focused on developing and assessing molecular point-of-care testing instruments. In this study, we evaluated amplified DNA concentrations measured using the colorimetric LAMP assay of the 1POT™ Professional device (1drop Inc, Korea). Results of the 1POT analysis of clinical samples were compared with measurements obtained from the Qubit™ 4 and NanoDrop™ 2000 devices (both from Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, USA). These results showed a correlation of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92-0.98) between 1POT and the Qubit and NanoDrop. 1POT can measure amplified DNA accurately and is suitable for on-site molecular diagnostics.

Synthesis of Cerium Ion Doped Ti-SBA-15 Catalysts and Their Photocatalytic Activity.

Ti-SBA-15 catalysts doped with cerium ion were synthesized using conventional hydrothermal method and they were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, DRS, BET and PL. We also examined the activity of these materials on the photocatalytic decomposition of orange II. Ti-SBA-15 catalysts doped with cerium ions maintained the mesoporous structure regardless of the doping amount of cerium ion. 5 mole% Ce/Ti-SBA-15 catalysts showed the highest photocatalytic activity on the decomposition of orange II, however, the catalysts doped with less than 3 mole% Ce/Ti-SBA-15 showed lower activity compared to pure Ti-SBA-15 catalyst. The PL peaks appeared at about 410 nm at all catalysts and the excitonic PL signal was proportional to the photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of orange II.

Synthesis of Needle-Like BiVO4 with Improved Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation.

A highly crystallized monoclinic-scheelite type BiVO4 powder was successfully synthesized using the solvothermal method. The as-synthesized BiVO4 powder was characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis DRS spectroscopy, and TA-PL. Based on the XRD data and Raman spectra, the monoclinic-scheelite type BiVO4 samples can be obtained at solvothermal synthesis temperatures higher than 140 °C. The preparation conditions, such as the Bi/V molar ratio and synthesis temperature, play an important role in controlling the morphologies of the BiVO4 samples. The BVO 2 sample shows the highest photocatalytic activity, as well as the highest formation rate of OH radicals and the highest PL peak. This result suggests that the formation rate of OH radicals is well correlated with the photocatalytic activity.

Synthesis of Lead-Doped SrTiO3 Perovskite Type Oxides and Their Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation.

Pure and lead-doped SrTiO3 perovskite type oxides were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by XRD, SEM and DRS. From the results of XRD, the metal replacement with the Pb ion on the crystal lattice does not change the high crystallinity of the perovskite structure. UV-vis DRS analysis shows that Pb was in situ doped in the lattice of SrTiO3 and the absorption band shifted to a higher wavelength on the Pb-doped SrTiO3 sample compared to the pure SrTiO3 sample. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of Pb-doped SrTiO3 for the decomposition of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. From the results of photocatalytic decomposition of RhB, a doping of lead into SrTiO3 perovskite oxides enhanced the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.

In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by Lactobacilllus paracasei HP7.

The efficacy of standard therapeutic strategies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is decreasing over time due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As an alternative, the present study investigated the capacity of Lactobacilllus paracasei (L. paracasei) HP7, isolated from kimchi, to inhibit H. pylori growth. The effects of L. paracasei HP7 on H. pylori adhesion and H. pylori-induced inflammation were examined in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells and a mouse model of H. pylori SS1 infection. L. paracasei HP7 reduced H. pylori adhesion to AGS cells and suppressed the inflammatory response in infected cells by downregulating interleukin-8. H. pylori colonization in the stomach of C57BL/6 mice was demonstrated by rapid urease test, and results showed significant decrease in mice post-treated with L. paracasei HP7. Additionally, L. paracasei HP7 decreased gastric inflammation and epithelial lesions in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that L. paracasei HP7 treatment can inhibit H. pylori growth and is thus a promising treatment for patients with gastric symptoms such as gastritis that are caused by H. pylori infection.

Synthesis of BiVO4 Nanoparticles Using Microwave Process and Their Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation.

A solvothermal method assisted by microwave technique has been developed for the synthesis of highly crystalline and monoclinic BiVO4 powders with ellipsoidal structure, using Bi(NO3)3 · 5H2O and Na3VO4 · 12H2O as raw materials, and oleic acid as surfactant. The phase structure and morphology of as-prepared BiVO4 samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and DRS. We have also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these materials for the decomposition of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. From DRS results, BiVO4 samples showed the absorption spectrum up to the visible region and then their photocatalytic activity was shown higher than commercial P-25 TiO2 materials. BiVO4 prepared by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method showed highest photocatalytic activity due to a small particle-size effect.

Synthesis of PbMoO4 Nanoparticles Using a Facile Surfactant-Assisted Microwave Process and Their Photocatalytic Activity.

Lead molybdate (PbMoO4) materials were successfully synthesized using a facile surfactant-assisted microwave process and characterized by XRD, Raman, PL, BET and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these materials for the decomposition of Rhodamine B under UV-light irradiation. The XRD and Raman results revealed the successful synthesis of 42­69 nm, well-crystallized PbMoO4 crystals with a facile surfactant-assisted microwave process. The PbMoO4 catalysts prepared using microwave process enhanced the photocatalytic activity compared to PbMoO4 catalyst prepared by hydrothermal method. The PbMoO4 catalyst prepared at 100 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The PL peak was appeared at about 540 nm for all catalysts and the excitonic PL signal was proportional to the photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of Rhodamine B.

Complete Oxidation of Benzene Over CuO-CeO2 Catalysts Prepared Using Different Process.

Catalytic combustion of benzene over CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides has been investigated. The CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides were prepared using various methods and characterized by XRD, BET and TPR. For the CuO-CeO2 catalysts with a Cu/(Cu + Ce) molar ratio of more than 0.5, highly dispersed copper oxide species were shown at 2θ = 35.5 degrees and 38.8 degrees. The CuO-CeO2 catalyst prepared using co-precipitation method showed the highest activity. In addition, the highest activity is shown on Cu0.35 (the index denotes the molar ratio Cu/(Cu + Ce)) sample and then it decreases on Cu0.5 and Cu0.6 samples.

Synthesis of Metal Ion-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles Using Two-Phase Method and Their Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation.

In this study, TiO2 and metal ion-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by solvothermal reaction of titanium butoxide precursor in the presence of oleic acid, oleylamine and vapor water and they were characterized by XRD, Raman, TEM and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these oxides for the decomposition of Rhodamine B. From XRD and Raman results, doping of the metal ion in the crystal lattice did not change the high crystallinity of the TiO2 structure, and all the metal ions were incorporated into the structures of titania as well as replaced titanium ion or located at interstitial site. The absorption band shifted to a higher wavelength on the metal ion-doped TiO2 samples compared to the pure TiO2 sample. The Ce ion- doped TiO2 catalysts showed the higher photocatalytic activity compared to the pure TiO2 and a commercial P-25 catalysts and 1% Ce-doped TiO2 showed the highest photocatalytic activity.

Liquid Hydrogenation of Maleic Anhydride with Pd/C Catalyst at Low Pressure and Temperature in Batch Reactor.

Succinic acid (SA) produced from hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MAN) is used widely in manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, surfactants and detergent, green solvent and biodegradable plastic. In this study, we performed that liquid hydrogenation of MAN to SA with 5 wt% Pd supported on activated carbon (Pd/C) at low pressure and temperature. The synthesis of SA was performed in aqueous solution while varying temperature, pressure, catalytic amount and agitation speed. We confirmed that the composition of the products consisting of SA, maleic acid (MA), fumaric acid (FA) and malic acid (MLA) depends on the process. The catalytic characteristics were analyzed by TGA, TEM.

Catalytic Oxidation of Benzene Over LaCoO3 Perovskite-Type Oxides Prepared Using Microwave Process.

LaCoO3 perovskite type oxides were successfully prepared using microwave-assisted method, characterized by TG/DTA, XRD, XPS and H2-TPR and their catalytic activities for combustion of benzene were determined. Almost of catalyst showed perovskite crystalline phase and 13-84 nm particle size. LaCoO3 catalysts prepared by microwave-assisted method showed the highest activity and the conversion reached almost 100% at 360 degrees C. In the LaCoO3-type catalyst, the partial substitution of Sr into site A enhanced the catalytic activity on the combustion of benzene. The higher amount of the chemisorbed oxygen was, the better the performance of the combustion catalyst. The catalytic activity of perovskite-type oxides showed a good relationship with the results of H2-TPR and XPS measurement.

Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to Propylene Glycol on Nanosized Cu-Zn-Al Catalysts Prepared Using Microwave Process.

Cu-Zn-Al catalysts were prepared using microwave-assisted process and co-precipitation methods. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, XPS and TPD of ammonia and their catalytic activity for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol was also examined. The XRD patterns of Cu/Zn/Al mixed catalysts show CuO and ZnO crystalline phase regardless of preparation method. The highest glycerol hydrogenolysis conversion is obtained with the catalyst having a Cu/Zn/Al ratio of 2:2:1. Hydrogen pre-reduction of catalysts significantly enhanced both glycerol conversions and selectivity to propylene glycol. The glycerol conversion increased with an increase of reaction temperature. However, the selectivity to propylene glycol increased with an increase of temperature, and then declined to 30.5% at 523 K.

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Methylene Blue Over MIL-53(Fe) Prepared Using Microwave-Assisted Process Under Visible Light Irradiation.

Iron-based MIL-53 crystals with uniform size were successfully synthesized using a microwave-assisted solvothermal method and characterized by XRD, FE-SEM and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of MIL-53(Fe) for the decomposition of methylene blue using H2O2 as an electron acceptor. From XRD and SEM results, the fully crystallized MIL-53(Fe) materials were obtained regardless of preparation method. From DRS results, MIL-53(Fe) samples prepared using microwave-assisted process displayed the absorption spectrum up to the visible region and then they showed the high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The MIL-53(Fe) catalyst prepared by two times microwave irradiation showed the highest activity.

Synthesis of PbMoO4 nanoparticles by microwave-assisted hydrothermal process and their photocatalytic activity.

Lead molybdate (PbMoO4) was successfully synthesized using a microwave-assisted method and characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, PL and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these materials for the decomposition of Rhodamin B under UV-light irradiation. The XRD and Raman results revealed the successful synthesis of 42-52 nm, well-crystallized PbMoO4 crystals with the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The PbMoO4 catalysts prepared using the microwave-assisted process enhanced the photocatalytic activity compared to that prepared by hydrothermal method and the catalysts prepared at a solution pH = 11 and temperature of 105 degrees C showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The PL peaks appeared at about 540 nm for all catalysts and the excitonic PL signal was proportional to the photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of Rhodamin B.

Catalytic combustion of benzene over CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides.

Catalytic combustion of benzene over CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides has been investigated. The CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides were prepared by the combustion method using malic acid as an organic fuel and characterized by XRD, XPS and TPR. For the CuO-CeO2 catalyst with a Cu/(Cu + Ce) molar ratio of more than 0.4, highly dispersed copper oxide species were shown at 2θ = 35.5 degrees and 38.8 degrees. The CuO-CeO2 catalyst prepared using 2.0 M malic acid showed the highest activity, with conversion reaching nearly 100% at 350 degrees C. In addition, the highest activity is shown on Cu0.40 (the index denotes the molar ratio Cu/(Cu + Ce)) sample and then it decreases on Cu0.5 and Cu0.7 samples.

Catalytic combustion of benzene over nanosized LaMnO3 perovskite oxides.

In this study, LaMnO3 perovskite type oxides were successfully prepared using the malic acid method. The oxides were characterized by TG/DTA, XRD, XPS, TEM and H2-TPR and their catalytic activities for the combustion of benzene were determined. Almost all of the catalysts showed perovskite crystalline phase and had a particle size of 15-60 nm. The LaMnO3 catalysts prepared with more than 1.0 mol of malic acid showed the highest activity and the conversion reached almost 100% at 310 degrees C. The catalysts were modified to enhance the activity by substituting the metal at the A or B site of the perovskite oxides. In the LaMnO3-type catalyst, the partial substitution of Sr into site A enhanced the catalytic activity during benzene combustion. In addition, the partial substitution of Co into site B also increased the catalytic activity and the catalytic activity was in the following order: Co > Cu > Fe in the LaMn1_xBxO3(B = Co, Fe, Cu) type catalysts.

Synthesis of Pb-substituted LaCoO3 nanoparticles by microwave process and their photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.

In this study, nanosized lead-substituted perovskite type oxides, La1_xPbxCoO3, were successfully synthesized using a microwave-assisted method and characterized by TG/DTA, XRD, XPS, TEM and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these oxides for the decomposition of methyl orange. From XRD results, metal replacement with the Pb ion in the crystal lattice does not change the high crystallinity of the perovskite structure. When Pb ions are substituted into site A, the particle size decreased when compared to lead-free LaCoO3 perovskite type oxide. In the of UV-Vis DRS analysis, all the catalysts displayed the similar absorption spectrum up to the visible region and the absorption band shifted to a higher wavelength on the lead-substituted LaCoO3 perovskite oxides when compared to the lead-free LaCoO3 oxide. From XPS results, chemisorbed oxygen was shown to play an important role in the photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange and the higher chemisorbed oxygen content, the better the performance of the photocatalyst.

Noncovalent grafting of poly(3-octylthiophene) at the edges of the graphene nanosheets.

Noncovalent functionalization of graphene was carried out via in-situ oxidative polymerization of poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT). First, graphene sheets were prepared by a modified Hummer's method and subsequently reduced with hydrazine monohydrate. The structure and morphology of the composites were investigated by using FTIR, XPS, EDX, TGA, HRTEM, FESEM and XRD measuments. The results obtained from spectroscopic studies confirm the reduction of graphite oxide to graphene. UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies were also used to prove the doping function of the graphene in the composites. Dispersion stability indicates the good mixing between graphene and the polymer due to pi-pi interaction between two components. Scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the graphene sheets were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The UV-Vis spectra of graphene/P3OT composites show a red shift by a few nanometers, while the emission spectra show a small blue shift. However, the nanocomposites retained the photoluminescence property of as synthesized P3OT.

A simple preparation of a stable CdS-polyacrylamide nanocomposite: structure, thermal and optical properties.

A facile approach was employed for the preparation of stable luminescent nanocomposites of CdS quantum dots (QDs) and polyacrylamide (PAM) through the cross coupling chemistry. Initially, CdS QDs were synthesized in a well controlled manner using 3-mercaptopropionic acid as a capping agent. Then, carboxylic acid groups on CdS QDs were chemically incorporated into PAM matrices with the assistance of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide coupling agents. FT-IR analysis was used to investigate the chemical incorporation of CdS QDs in PAM matrices via the covalent protocol. The XPS elemental mapping studies further suggested the formation of CdS-PAM nanocomposites. FE-SEM and TEM images were engaged to study the morphologies, and distribution of CdS QDs in the PAM networks. The physical structure of the CdS-PAM nanocomposites was investigated by XRD analysis. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was observed to be enhanced in compare to PAM as evidenced from TGA data. The UV-vis and photoluminescence studies of the CdS-PAM nanocomposites suggested their promising optical applications.

Chemical modification of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes by functional polymer via azide-alkyne click reaction.

A series of poly(methylmethacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (P(MMA-co-HEMA)/POSS) nanocomposites were synthesized by the combination of ATRP and click chemistry. The hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, GPC, SEM, XRD, DSC, and TGA analyses. The loading of POSS in the nanocomposites was calculated using 1H-NMR data. TGA measurements suggested that the incorporation of POSS into polymer matrices enhanced decomposition temperature as well as char yield of the polymeric materials. The glass transition temperature linearly increased with the increase of POSS loading plausibly because of the aggregation of POSS nanoparticles and the dipole-dipole interaction between POSS and P(MMA-co-HEMA) segments.