A highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of bilastine in human plasma: Application of content uniformity testing.

Bilastine, a new second generation antihistaminic drug, has been widely used for relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria without a sedative effect. A simple, cost-effective, and highly sensitive fluorimetric method was developed for the estimation of bilastine in human plasma, in addition to its pure state and tablets. The suggested method depended on binary complex formation of eosin with bilastine in a buffered medium at pH 4.2. The formed complex resulted in quantitative quenching of eosin emission at 538 nm after excitation at 335 nm. This method demonstrates a broad range of linearity, spanning from 200 to 1000 ng/mL, and exhibits exceptional sensitivity, with a limit of detection and quantitation of 30.85 and 93.48 ng/mL, respectively. In addition, this spectrofluorimetric method may be employed to determine the amount of bilastine in human plasma and tablets with satisfactory accuracy and excellent precision. Furthermore, the content uniformity of bilastine in commercially available tablets was successfully tested by this approach. Compared with the reference method, there were no significant variations in terms of precision or accuracy. In conclusion, the proposed protocol is highly recommended to quantitatively estimate bilastine in different quality control settings.

Efficacy of combined chemical and electrochemical decontamination treatments on contaminated healing abutments and their effect on surface topography: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of four decontamination protocols on contaminated healing abutments (HAs) and their effects on surface topography. METHODS: Eighty contaminated single-use HA samples collected from human participants were stained with phloxine B and examined microscopically. The retrieved HAs were randomly divided into four test groups: (1) Autoclaving only (AU), (2) 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) + AU, (3) Electrochemical treatment (EC) + AU, (4) NaOCl + EC + AU, and positive control (contaminated without any treatment). Four new unused HAs served as negative controls (NC). The surface features were analyzed using stereo microscopy (SM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and optical profilometry. RESULTS: The lowest decontamination efficacy was observed for the AU group. The NaOCl + AU and EC + AU groups effectively removed residual contamination, whereas EC + AU showed better decontamination results than NaOCl + AU. SM, SEM, and EDS analyses revealed the best decontamination efficacy in the combined NaOCl + EC + AU group compared to the other groups. Surface roughness (Sa), developed surface area ratio (Sdr), and texture-aspect ratio (Str) in AU, NaOCl + AU, EC + AU, and NaOCl + EC + AU groups were not statistically significant compared to the NC group. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of NaOCl with subsequent EC can remove soft and hard deposits from the surface of HAs compared to NaOCl alone and EC alone, without altering the surface topography of HAs.

UV-light-driven cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanocatalysts: synthesis, characterization, therapeutic and environmental applications; kinetics and thermodynamic study of photocatalytic degradation of Eosin B and Methyl Green dyes.

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through hydrothermal route and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA).The band gap of CdS nanoparticles was found to be 2.38 eV. CdS NPs are crystalline aggregates with hexagonal structure as shown by SEM and XRD analysis. TGA study revealed that the synthesized nanomaterials were very stable to temperature and only 6.54% total loss occurred during heating range (25 °C-600 °C).The CdS NPs were used for the first time against the degradation of Eosin B (EB) and Methyl green (MG) dyes in aqueous solution.The degradation of EB and MG over CdS nanocatalysts followed second order kinetics. The predicted activation energies for both the dyes' reactions were 61.1 kJ/mol and 32.11 kJ/mol, respectively. About 95% and 90% dye degradation was observed at the time interval of 160 minutes for EB and MG, respectively. High percent degradation of EB was observed at high pH (pH 0) while at low pH (pH 4) high percent degradation was found for MG dye. Maximum dye degradation was found at the optimal dose (0.03 g/L) of the catalyst and at low dye concentration. The rate of EB and MG dye degradation was found to increase with increase in temperature up to 45 °C. The recyclability study showed that CdS nanoparticles could be reused for the degradation of the given dyes. Good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was shown by CdS NPs. From the biocompatibility it was confirmed that CdS NPS are bioincompatible compatible.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of eosin B-loaded nano-liposomes for growth inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum.

Malaria is a deadly disease in humans caused by the Plasmodium parasite. High prevalence of malaria and resistance of malaria parasite to currently proposed drugs have increased the need to introduce and use new and effective antimalarial agents. In this study, eosin B was used as an effective antimalarial agent, the efficacy of which has already been confirmed by in vitro models. Also, for efficacy and safety improvement of eosin B, liposomal nanocarrier was used because of diversity and adaptability in controlled drug delivery and targeting. Eosin B was trapped inside liposomal nanocarriers by thin layer hydration method and its optimization was performed based on size, polydispersity index, and drug entrapment efficiency. Finally, the eosin B-loaded liposomes were tested on Plasmodium falciparum in culture to evaluate its anti-plasmodial effect. According to the results, the formulation with DSPC:cholesterol 8:1 (molar ratio) and drug concentration of 3 mg/ml was selected as the optimal form. The optimal nano-liposomes showed a size of 163.3 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.250, and an encapsulation efficiency of 69.94%. The process of drug release from nanocarriers was also obtained about 63% at the end of 72 h. Stability studies over 2 months at 25 °C and 4 °C on the optimum sample showed that the samples stored in the refrigerator were more stable in terms of size characteristics, polydispersity index, and drug entrapment efficiency. The results indicate a greater effect of liposomal-formulated eosin B on inhibiting parasite growth compared to the free eosin B.

Physico-Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of Hybrid Film Based on Saponite and Phloxine B.

This research was aimed at the preparation of a hybrid film based on a layered silicate saponite (Sap) with the immobilized photosensitizer phloxine B (PhB). Sap was selected because of its high cation exchange capacity, ability to exfoliate into nanolayers, and to modify different surfaces. The X-ray diffraction of the films confirmed the intercalation of both the surfactant and PhB molecules in the Sap film. The photosensitizer retained its photoactivity in the hybrid films, as shown by fluorescence spectra measurements. The water contact angles and the measurement of surface free energy demonstrated the hydrophilic nature of the hybrid films. Antimicrobial effectiveness, assessed by the photodynamic inactivation on hybrid films, was tested against a standard strain and against methicillin-resistant bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). One group of samples was irradiated (green LED light; 2.5 h) and compared to nonirradiated ones. S. aureus strains manifested a reduction in growth from 1-log10 to over 3-log10 compared to the control samples with Sap only, and defects in S. aureus cells were proven by scanning electron microscopy. The results proved the optimal photo-physical properties and anti-MRSA potential of this newly designed hybrid system that reflects recent progress in the modification of surfaces for various medical applications.

A sodium alginate-based nano-pesticide delivery system for enhanced in vitro photostability and insecticidal efficacy of phloxine B.

To improve in vitro photostability and enhance insecticidal activity, a novel esterase/glutathione (GSH) responsive photoactivated nano-pesticide delivery system was synthesized by conjugation of photoactivated pesticide phloxine B(PB) to sodium alginate (SA) via esterase/GSH sensitive phenolic ester bond followed by ultrasonic dispersion. The system was stable in PBS (pH 7.4) and could protect effectively the conjugated PB from in vitro photodegradation because of aggregation-caused quenching effect, whose maximum photodegradation rate did not exceed 10 % after 270 min illumination. However, upon exposure to esterase-6 or GSH stimulus, high photoactivity was observed due to the destruction of the system and accompanied by PB release. The combined stimulation could trigger more PB release than any single stimulus and thus resulting in a higher photoactivity. Compared with free PB, The system showed a higher phototoxicity on Sf9 insect cells and the in vitro light exposure had little influence on the phototoxicity.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using a plaque disclosing solution on Streptococcus mutans.

OBJECTIVES: Photodynamic therapy with a bactericidal action is called antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT),which is a method of staining an object with a photosensitizing dye and then sterilizing by irradiating the dye at it's excitation wavelength. In this study, we aimed to investigate a caries pathogenic bactericidal method in a site difficult to mechanically remove, by examining aPDT effect on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which is a typical caries pathogenic bacteria by applying the plaque disclosing solution as photosensitizing dye. METHODS: The absorption wavelength spectrum of irradiating plaque staining agent phloxine B (PB) was analyzed using UV-vis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photo excitation with blue LED irradiation was measured by electron spin resonance technique. S. mutans was cultured according to a conventional method and the effect of aPDT after PB staining was evaluated by a Colony Forming Unit (CFU). In addition, protein carbonyl (PC), an oxidative stress marker, was also measured by western blotting. RESULTS: Singlet oxygen was generated by PB with blue light. As a result of aPDT treatment on S. mutans under this condition, it was recognized that CFU was suppressed dependent on irradiation intensity of blue light. In addition, the expression of PC was enhanced by aPDT. CONCLUSIONS: aPDT is demonstrated by staining S. mutans with PB and irradiating blue light used for resin polymerization and tooth bleaching to generate ROS. Therefore, plaque-disclosing solution-based aPDT against S. mutans might represent a new method for cleaning pit and fissure grooves.

Assessment of contamination on sterilised dental burs after being subjected to various pre-cleaning methods.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of different pre-cleaning methods by determining frequency and site of contamination on the sterilised dental burs using Phloxine B dye. METHODS: The in-vitro experimental study was conducted from June to August 2017 at dental clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. Diamond dental burs were selected and divided into two control and four test groups. The two control groups were classified as Negative (new burs) and Positive (used contaminated). The four test groups were classified as Manual (Group-1), Ultrasonic (Group-2), Manual + Enzyme (Group-3) and Manual + Ultrasonic (Group-4). Phloxine B dye was used to determine the contamination. The images of the burs were taken and enlarged at 15X before subjected to visual assessment. Association between contamination and pre-cleaning methods were determined. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total of 210 burs were selected for the study which were divided in 6 groups of 35(16.66%) each. One (2.8%) bur in negative control group and all burs in positive control group showed contamination. In test groups, 27(77.1%), 29(82.8%), 27(77.1%) and 24(68.5%) burs showed contamination in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. There was no association between type of pre-cleaning method with the frequency of contamination (p =0.57). The head of bur was the most frequently contaminated site (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: None of the pre-cleaning method was found to be effective. Head of bur was the most frequently contaminated site.

Accurate anisotropy recovery from fluorophore mixtures using Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR).

Anisotropy resolved multidimensional emission spectroscopy (ARMES) provides valuable insights into multi-fluorophore systems like proteins that have complex overlapping emission bands. The method combines multidimensional fluorescence, anisotropy, and chemometrics to facilitate the differentiation of fluorophores with very similar emission properties. Here, we address the critical issue of standardizing the chemometric methods required to accurately extract spectral and anisotropy information from fluorophore mixtures using two standard sample sets: perylene in glycerol, and a mixture of Erythrosin B and Phloxine B with overlapping emission but different anisotropies. We show for the first time how to accurately model component anisotropy using Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) from data collected using total synchronous fluorescence scan (TSFS) and Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) measurement methods. These datasets were selected to avoid the presence of inner filter effects (IFE) or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) that would depolarize fluorescence emission or reduce data tri-linearity. This allowed the non-trilinear TSFS data to yield accurate component anisotropy data once modelled using the correct data augmentation strategy, however, the EEM data proved to be more accurate once optimal constraints (non-negativity and correspondence among species) were employed. For perylene (S2) and Phloxine B which both have very weak anisotropy (<0.06), while the spectral recovery was excellent, the modelled anisotropy values were reasonably accurate (±20% of the real value) because of large relative noise contributions. However, for perylene (S1) and Erythrosin B which have large (>0.2) anisotropies, bilinear and trilinear EEM models built using a total tri-linearity constraint, yielded solutions without any rotational ambiguities and very accurate (±4% of real value) anisotropy values. These sample systems thus provide simple and robust test systems for validating the spectral measurement and chemometric data analysis elements of ARMES.

Advanced negative detection method comparable to silver stain for SDS-PAGE separated proteins detection.

In order to achieve an easy, rapid and sensitive protocol to detect proteins in polyacrylamide gel, an advanced negative detection method comparable to silver stain is described. When a gel was incubated with Phloxine B and followed by the development in acidic solution, the zones where forming protein-dye complex were selectively transparent, unlike opaque gel background. Within 50 min after electrophoresis, down to 0.1-0.4 ng of gel-separated proteins (similar with silver stain) could be observed, without labor-intensive and time-consuming procedure. Comparing with the most common negative stain method, Imidazole-zinc stain, Phloxine B stain has been shown higher sensitivity and distinct contrast between the transparent protein bands/spots and opaque background than those; furthermore, it is no longer necessary to concern about retention time of observation. This technique may provide a sensitive and practical choice for proteomics researches.

Electrical Properties of Conductive Cotton Yarn Coated with Eosin Y Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide.

This study reports the fabrication and investigation of the electrical properties of two types of conductive cotton yarns coated with eosin Y or eosin B functionalized reduced graphene (RGO) and bare graphene oxide (GO) using dip-coating method. The surface morphology of the conductive cotton yarn coated with reduced graphene oxide was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Due to the strong electrostatic attractive forces, the negatively charged surface such as the eosin Y functionalized reduced graphene oxide or bare GO can be easily coated to the positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) treated cotton yarn. The maximum current for the conductive cotton yarn coated with eosin Y functionalized RGO and bare GO with 20 cycles repetition of (5D + R) process was found to be 793.8 µA and 3482.8 µA. Our results showed that the electrical conductivity of bare GO coated conductive cotton yarn increased by approximately four orders of magnitude with the increase in the dipping cycle of (5D+R) process.

ROS mediated crosstalk between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria by Phloxine B under environmental UV irradiation.

Phloxine B (PhB) is a most commonly used dye in cosmetic products throughout the world. It shows an absorption in visible and ultraviolet radiations. PhB was photodegraded within 4h of UV exposure. It generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) photochemically and intracellularly. Photosensitized PhB caused dose dependent cell viability reduction of human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) which was measured through MTT (75.4%) and NRU (77.3%) assays. It also induces cell cycle arrest and DNA damage. Photosensitized PhB induces Ca(2+) release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It causes the upregulation of ER stress marker genes ATF6 (1.79 fold) and CHOP (1.93 fold) at transcription levels. The similar response of ATF6 (3.6 fold) and CHOP (2.38 fold) proteins was recorded at translation levels. CHOP targeted the mitochondria and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential analyzed through JC-1 staining. It further increases Bax/Bcl2 ratio (3.58 fold) and promotes the release of cytochrome c, finally leads to caspase-dependent apoptosis. Upregulation of APAF1 (1.79 fold) in PhB treated cells under UV B exposure supports the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic cell death. The results support the involvement of ER and mitochondria in ROS mediated PhB phototoxicity. Therefore, the use of PhB in cosmetic products may be deleterious to users during sunlight exposure.

Quantitative generalized ratiometric fluorescence spectroscopy for turbid media based on probe encapsulated by biologically localized embedding.

PEBBLE (probe encapsulated by biologically localized embedding) nanosensor encapsulating an intensity-based fluorescence indicator and an inert reference fluorescence dye inside the pores of stable matrix can be used as a generalized wavelength-ratiometric probe. However, the lack of an efficient quantitative model render the choices of inert reference dyes and intensity-based fluorescence indicators used in PEBBLEs based generalized wavelength-ratiometric probes rather limited. In this contribution, an extended quantitative fluorescence model was derived specifically for generalized wavelength-ratiometric probes based on PEBBLE technique (QFMGRP) with a view to simplify the design of PEBBLEs and hence further extend their application potentials. The effectiveness of QFMGRP has been tested on the quantitative determination of free Ca(2+) in both simulated and real turbid media using a Ca(2+) sensitive PEBBLE nanosensor encapsulating Rhod-2 and eosin B inside the micropores of stable polyacrylamide matrix. Experimental results demonstrated that QFMGRP could realize precise and accurate quantification of free Ca(2+) in turbid samples, even though there is serious overlapping between the fluorescence excitation peaks of eosin B and Ca(2+) bound Rhod-2. The average relative predictive error value of QFMGRP for the test simulated turbid samples was 5.9%, about 2-4 times lower than the corresponding values of partial least squares calibration model and the empirical ratiometric model based on the ratio of fluorescence intensities at the excitation peaks of Ca(2+) bound Rhod-2 and eosin B. The recovery rates of QFMGRP for the real and spiked turbid samples varied from 93.1% to 101%, comparable to the corresponding results of atomic absorption spectrometry.

Cross-Coupling Hydrogen Evolution by Visible Light Photocatalysis Toward C(sp(2))-P Formation: Metal-Free C-H Functionalization of Thiazole Derivatives with Diarylphosphine Oxides.

Visible light along with 5 mol % eosin B catalyzed the first direct C-H phosphorylation of thiazole derivatives with diarylphosphine oxides by a photoredox process in the absence of an external oxidant. The scope of thiazoles and phosphine oxides was further investigated, as was functional group tolerance. The general and operational simplicity provides a novel metal and oxidant-free alternative for the formation of heteroaryl-P bonds, and only molecular hydrogen is generated as a byproduct.

Reliable Screening of Dye Phototoxicity by Using a Caenorhabditis elegans Fast Bioassay.

Phototoxicity consists in the capability of certain innocuous molecules to become toxic when subjected to suitable illumination. In order to discover new photoactive drugs or characterize phototoxic pollutants, it would be advantageous to use simple biological tests of phototoxicy. In this work, we present a pilot screening of 37 dyes to test for phototoxic effects in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Populations of this nematode were treated with different dyes, and subsequently exposed to 30 min of white light. Behavioral outcomes were quantified by recording the global motility using an infrared tracking device (WMicrotracker). Of the tested compounds, 17 dyes were classified as photoactive, being phloxine B, primuline, eosin Y, acridine orange and rose Bengal the most phototoxic. To assess photoactivity after uptake, compounds were retested after washing them out of the medium before light irradiation. Dye uptake into the worms was also analyzed by staining or fluorescence. All the positive drugs were incorporated by animals and produced phototoxic effects after washing. We also tested the stress response being triggered by the treatments through reporter strains. Endoplasmic reticulum stress response (hsp-4::GFP strain) was activated by 22% of phototoxic dyes, and mitochondrial stress response (hsp-6::GFP strain) was induced by 16% of phototoxic dyes. These results point to a phototoxic perturbation of the protein functionality and an oxidative stress similar to that reported in cell cultures. Our work shows for the first time the feasibility of C. elegans for running phototoxic screenings and underscores its application on photoactive drugs and environmental pollutants assessment.

Molecularly imprinted coated graphene oxide solid-phase extraction monolithic capillary column for selective extraction and sensitive determination of phloxine B in coffee bean.

A method was developed to sensitively determine phloxine B in coffee bean by molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) coated graphene oxide (GO) solid-phase extraction (GO-MISPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and laser-induced fluorescence detection (HPLC-LIF). The GO-MISPE capillary monolithic column was prepared by water-bath in situ polymerization, using GO as supporting material, phloxine B, methacrylic acid (MAA), and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as template, functional monomer, and cross-linker, respectively. The properties of the homemade GO-MISPE capillary monolithic column, including capacity and specificity, were investigated under optimized conditions. The GO-MIPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The mean recoveries of phloxine B in coffee bean ranged from 89.5% to 91.4% and the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) values all ranged from 3.6% to 4.7%. Good linearity was obtained over 0.001-2.0 µg mL(-1) (r=0.9995) with the detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.075 ng mL(-1). Under the selected conditions, enrichment factors of over 90-fold were obtained and extraction on the monolithic column effectively cleaned up the coffee bean matrix. The results demonstrated that the proposed GO-MISPE HPLC-LIF method can be applied to sensitively determine phloxine B in coffee bean.

Spectroscopic investigation on the sonodynamic damage to protein in the presence of eosine B.

In this work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eosine B (EB) were selected as a model protein and sonosensitizer, respectively. The sonodynamic damage to protein in the presence of EB and its mechanism were studied by means of absorption and fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the synergistic effects of ultrasound and EB can efficiently damage the BSA molecules, and the damage of protein could be mainly due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The damage degree of protein increased with the increase of ultrasonic time and EB concentration because of the increased quantities of ROS. Hydroxyl free radical (OH) was the major mediators of the ultrasound-inducing proteins damage in the presence of EB. In addition, the quantities of ROS from the diphenylcarbazide (DPCI)-EB solutions and the DPCI-fluorescein (FS) solutions with or without ROS scavengers were contrasted, respectively. The results show that FS mainly produce OH, but the quantities of ROS in the presence of FS were lower than those of EB, which indicates that the nitro and bromine substituent groups on the benzene ring of FS increase the quantity of ROS, but do not change the kinds of ROS.

Multidimensional optical sensing platform for detection of heparin and reversible molecular logic gate operation based on the phloxine B/polyethyleneimine system.

A multidimensional optical sensing platform which combines the advantages of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), fluorescence, and colorimetry has been designed for detection of heparin. Phloxine B, a fluorescein derivative showing the special RRS spectrum in the long wavelength region, was selected to develop an easy-to-get system which can achieve switch-on sensing to obtain high sensitivity. The noise level of RRS in the long wavelength region is much weaker, and the reproducibility is much better; in this way, the sensitivity and selectivity can be improved. In the absence of heparin, the phloxine B and polyethyleneimine (PEI) form a complex through electrostatic interaction. Thus, the RRS signal at 554 nm is low; the phloxine B fluorescence is quenched, and the absorption signal is low. In the presence of heparin, competitive binding occurred between phloxine B and heparin toward PEI; then, phloxine B is gradually released from the phloxine B/PEI complex, causing obvious enhancement of the RRS, fluorescence, and absorption signals. Besides, the desorption of phloxine B is less effective for the heparin analogues, such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. In addition, the system presents a low detection limit of heparin to 5.0 × 10(-4) U mL(-1) and can also be applied to the detection of heparin in heparin sodium injection and 50% human serum samples with satisfactory results. Finally, the potential application of this method in reversible on-off molecular logic gate fabrication was discussed using the triple-channel optical signals as outputs.

Sugar uptake in the Aril of litchi fruit depends on the apoplasmic post-phloem transport and the activity of proton pumps and the putative transporter LcSUT4.

The post-phloem unloading pathway and the mechanism of sugar accumulation remain unclear in litchi fruit. A combination of electron microscopy, transport of phloem-mobile symplasmic tracer (carboxyfluorescein, CF) and biochemical and molecular assays was used to explore the post-phloem transport pathway and the mechanism of aril sugar accumulation in litchi. In the funicle, where the aril originates, abundant plasmodesmata were observed, and CF introduced from the peduncle diffused to the parenchyma cells. In addition, abundant starch and pentasaccharide were detected and the sugar concentration was positively correlated with activities of sucrose hydrolysis enzymes. These results clearly showed that the phloem unloading and post-phloem transport in the funicle were symplastic. On the other hand, imaging of CF showed that it remained confined to the parenchyma cells in funicle tissues connecting the aril. Infiltration of both an ATPase inhibitor [eosin B (EB)] and a sucrose transporter inhibitor [p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS)] inhibited sugar accumulation in the aril. These results indicated an apoplasmic post-phloem sugar transport from the funicle to the aril. Although facilitated diffusion might help sucrose uptake from the cytosol to the vacuole in cultivars with high soluble invertase, membrane ATPases in the aril, especially tonoplast ATPase, are crucial for aril sugar accumulation. The expression of a putative aril vacuolar membrane sucrose transporter gene (LcSUT4) was highly correlated with the sugar accumulation in the aril of litchi. These data suggest that apoplasmic transport is critical for sugar accumulation in litchi aril and that LcSUT4 is involved in this step.

Hyperbranched poly(ether amine) (hPEA)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) interpenetrating network (IPN) for selective adsorption and separation of guest homologues.

We here reported that hyperbranched poly(ether amine) (hPEA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) interpenetrating network (hPEA/PVA-IPN) can be used for the selective adsorption and separation of guest homologues. A series of hyperbranched poly(ether amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating networks (hPEA/PVA-IPNs) were fabricated by introducing poly(vinyl alcohol) chains into network of hyperbranched poly(ether amine), in which two independent networks of hyperbranched poly(ether amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol) were cross-linked through photodimerization of coumarin groups of hyperbranched poly(ether amine) and aldol condensation reaction between hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) and glutaraldehyde, respectively. The mechanical strength of interpenetrating networks can be enhanced by the introduction of poly(vinyl alcohol), and the tensile strength of interpenetrating networks increased with tens of times in compared with the pure hyperbranched poly(ether amine) network. The adsorption behavior of seven fluorescein dyes sharing with the same backbone and charge state onto hyperbranched poly(ether amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating networks was then investigated in detail. Regardless of their charge states, these interpenetrating networks exhibited the quick adsorption to Rose Bengal (RB), Erythrosin B (ETB), Eosin B (EB), 4',5'-dibromofluorescein (DBF), and 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein (TCF), with high adsorption capacity (Qeq) and very low adsorption of Calcein (Cal) and fluorescein (FR). The adsorption process was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the introduction of poly(vinyl alcohol) has no obvious effect on the adsorption behavior in this study. The big difference in the adsorption is indicative of the selective adsorption of hyperbranched poly(ether amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating networks to fluorescein dyes. Based on the unique selective adsorption, the separation of several mixtures of fluorescein dyes such as RB/Cal, RB/FR, ETB/FR, and ETB/Cal was achieved by using hPEA/PVA-IPN as adsorbent.