Airborne concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds in school environment in Brisbane

Traffic emissions are considered as a major source of pollutants, particularly ultrafine particles, in the urban environment. There is an increased concern about airborne particles not only because of their environmental effects but also due to their potential adverse health effects on humans. There have been a number of studies related to the number concentration and size distribution of these particles but studies on the chemical composition of aerosols, especially in the school environment, are very limited. Mejia et. al (2011) reviewed studies on the exposure to and impact of air pollutants on school children and found that there were only a handful of studies on this topic. Therefore, the main focus of this research is on an analysis of the chemical composition of airborne particles, as well as source apportionment and the quantification of ambient concentrations of organic pollutants in the vicinity of schools, as a part of “Ultrafine Particles from Traffic Emissions on Children’s Health” (UPTECH) project. The aim of the present study was to find out the concentrations of different Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in both outdoor and indoor locations from six different schools in Brisbane.

Studies on self-assembly hydrothermal fabrication and thermal stability of Chromium oxyhydroxide nanomaterials synthesised from Chromium oxide colloids

Chromium oxyhydroxide nanomaterials with narrow size-distribution were synthesised through a simple hydrothermal method. Experimental conditions, such as reaction duration and pH values of the precipitation process and hydrothermal treatment played important roles in determining the nature of the final product chromium oxyhydroxide nanomaterials. The effect of these synthesis parameters were studied with the assistance of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. This research has developed a controllable synthesis of Chromium oxyhydroxide nanomaterials from Chromium oxide colloids.

Structural characterisation and environmental application of organoclays for the removal of phenolic compounds

Modified montmorillonite was prepared at different surfactant (HDTMA) loadings through ion exchange. The conformational arrangement of the loaded surfactants within the interlayer space of MMT was obtained by computational modelling. The conformational change of surfactant molecules enhance the visual understanding of the results obtained from characterization methods such as XRD and surface analysis of the organoclays. Batch experiments were carried out for the adsorption of p-chlorophenol (PCP) and different conditions (pH and temperature) were used in order to determine the optimum sorption. For comparison purpose, the experiments were repeated under the same conditions for p-nitrophenol (PNP). Langmuir and Freundlich equations were applied to the adsorption isotherm of PCP and PNP. The Freundlich isotherm model was found to be the best fit for both of the phenolic compounds. This involved multilayer adsorptions in the adsorption process. In particular, the binding affinity value of PNP was higher than that of PCP and this is attributable to their hydrophobicities. The adsorption of the phenolic compounds by organoclays intercalated with highly loaded surfactants was markedly improved possibly due to the fact that the intercalated surfactant molecules within the interlayer space contribute to the partition phases, which result in greater adsorption of the organic pollutants.

Proton-transfer compounds with 4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (sulfamethazine): the structures and hydrogen-bonding in the salts with 5-nitrosalicylic acid and picric acid

The structures of the anhydrous proton-transfer compounds of the sulfa drug sulfamethazine with 5-nitrosalicylic acid and picric acid, namely 2-(4-aminobenzenesulfonamido)-4,6-dimethylpyrimidinium 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzoate, C12H15N4O2S(+)·C7H4NO4(-), (I), and 2-(4-aminobenzenesulfonamido)-4,6-dimethylpyrimidinium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate, C12H15N4O2S(+)·C6H2N3O7(-), (II), respectively, have been determined. In the asymmetric unit of (I), there are two independent but conformationally similar cation-anion heterodimer pairs which are formed through duplex intermolecular N(+)-H...Ocarboxylate and N-H...Ocarboxylate hydrogen-bond pairs, giving a cyclic motif [graph set R2(2)(8)]. These heterodimers form separate and different non-associated substructures through aniline N-H...O hydrogen bonds, one one-dimensional, involving carboxylate O-atom acceptors, the other two-dimensional, involving both carboxylate and hydroxy O-atom acceptors. The overall two-dimensional structure is stabilized by π-π interactions between the pyrimidinium ring and the 5-nitrosalicylate ring in both heterodimers [minimum ring-centroid separation = 3.4580 (8) Å]. For picrate (II), the cation-anion interaction involves a slightly asymmetric chelating N-H...O R2(1)(6) hydrogen-bonding association with the phenolate O atom, together with peripheral conjoint R1(2)(6) interactions between the same N-H groups and O atoms of the ortho-related nitro groups. An inter-unit amine N-H...Osulfone hydrogen bond gives one-dimensional chains which extend along a and inter-associate through π-π interactions between the pyrimidinium rings [centroid-centroid separation = 3.4752 (9) Å]. The two structures reported here now bring to a total of four the crystallographically characterized examples of proton-transfer salts of sulfamethazine with strong organic acids.

Preparation and characterization of TiO2/acid leached serpentinite tailings composites and their photocatalytic reduction of Chromium(VI)

Composite TiO2/acid leached serpentine tailings (AST) were synthesized through the hydrolysis–deposition method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energydispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface area measurement (BET). The XRD analysis showed that TiO2 coated on the surface of acid leached serpentine tailings was mixed crystal phases of rutile and anatase, the grain size of which is 10–30 nm. SEM, TEM, and EDS analysis exhibited that nano-TiO2 particles were deposited on the surface and internal cavities of acid leaching serpentine tailings. The XPS and FT-IR analysis demonstrated that the coating process of TiO2 on AST was a physical adsorption process. The large specific surface area, porous structure, and plentiful surface hydroxyl group of TiO2/AST composite resulted in the high adsorption capacity of Cr(VI). The experimental results demonstrated that initial concentration of Cr(VI), the amount of the catalyst, and pH greatly influenced the removal efficiency of Cr(VI). The removal kinetics of Cr(VI) at a relative low initial concentration was fitted well with Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics model with R2 value of about unity. The asprepared composites exhibited strong adsorption and photocatalytic capacity for the removal of Cr(VI), and the possible photocatalytic reduction mechanism was studied. The photodecomposition of Cr(VI) was as high as 95% within 2 h, and the reusability of the photocatalysis was proven.

Isolation of bioactive compounds that relate to the anti-platelet activity of Cymbopogon ambiguus

Infusions and decoctions of Cymbopogon ambiguus have been used traditionally in Australia for the treatment of headache, chest infections and muscle cramps. The aim of the present study was to screen and identify bioactive compounds from C. ambiguus that could explain this plant's anti-headache activity. A dichloromethane extract of C. ambiguus was identified as having activity in adenosine-diphosphate-induced human platelet aggregation and serotonin-release inhibition bioassays. Subsequent fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of four phenylpropenoids, eugenol, elemicin, Eugenol methylether and trans-isoelemicin. While both Eugenol and elemicin exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of ADP-induced human platelet serotonin release, only eugenol displayed potent inhibitory activity with an IC(50) value of 46.6 microM, in comparison to aspirin, with an IC(50) value of 46.1 microM. These findings provide evidence to support the therapeutic efficacy of C. ambiguus in the non-conventional treatment of Headache and Inflammatory conditions.

Fabrication of metal-nanoparticle-modified semiconducting copper--and silver--TCNQ materials as substrates for the reduction of chromium (VI) using thiosulfate ions at ambient temperature

The formation of readily recoverable and reusable organic semiconducting Cu- and AgTCNQ (TCNQ=7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) microstructures decorated with Pt and Pd metallic nanoparticles is described for the effective reduction of CrVI ions in aqueous solution at room temperature using both formic acid and an environmentally friendly thiosulfate reductant. The M-TCNQ (M=metal) materials were formed by electrocrystallisation onto a glassy carbon surface followed by galvanic replacement in the presence of H2PtCl6 or PdCl2 to form the composite material. It was found that loading of the surface with nanoparticles could easily be controlled by changing the metal salt concentration. Significantly, the M-TCNQ substrates facilitated the formation of well-isolated metal nanoparticles on their surfaces under appropriate galvanic replacement conditions. The semiconductor–metal nanoparticle combination was also found to be critical to the catalyst performance, wherein the best-performing material was CuTCNQ modified by well-isolated Pt nanoparticles with both formic acid and thiosulfate ions as the reductant.

Proton-transfer and non-transfer compounds of the multi-purpose drug dapsone [4-(4-Aminophenylsulfonyl)aniline] with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid and 5-nitroisophthalic acid

The structures of the compounds from the reaction of the drug dapsone [4-(4-aminophenylsulfonyl)aniline] with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, the salt hydrate [4-(4-aminohenylsulfonyl)anilinium 2-carboxy-4,6-dinitrophenolate monohydrate] (1) and the 1:1 adduct with 5-nitroisophthalic acid [4-(4-aminophenylsulfonyl)aniline 5-nitrobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid] (2) have been determined. Crystals of 1 are triclinic, space group P-1, with unit cell dimensions a = 8.2043(3), b = 11.4000(6), c = 11.8261(6)Å, α = 110.891(5), β = 91.927(3), γ = 98.590(4)deg. and Z = 4. Compound 2 is orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, with unit cell dimensions a = 20.2662(6), b = 12.7161(4), c = 15.9423(5)Å and Z = 8. In 1, intermolecular analinium N-H…O and water O-H…O and O-H…N hydrogen-bonding interactions with sulfone, carboxyl, phenolate and nitro O-atom and aniline N-atom acceptors give a two-dimensional layered structure. With 2, the intermolecular interactions involve both aniline N-H…O and carboxylic acid O-H…O and O-H…N hydrogen bonds to sulfone, carboxyl, nitro and aniline acceptors, giving a three-dimensional network structure. In both structures π--π aromatic ring associations are present.

Chemotherapeutic compounds targeting the DNA double-strand break repair pathways : the good, the bad, and the promising

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is a critical cellular mechanism that exists to ensure genomic stability. DNA DSBs are the most deleterious type of insult to a cell’s genetic material and can lead to genomic instability, apoptosis, or senescence. Incorrectly repaired DNA DSBs have the potential to produce chromosomal translocations and genomic instability, potentially leading to cancer. The prevalence of DNA DSBs in cancer due to unregulated growth and errors in repair opens up a potential therapeutic window in the treatment of cancers. The cellular response to DNA DSBs is comprised of two pathways to ensure DNA breaks are repaired: homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. Identifying chemotherapeutic compounds targeting proteins involved in these DNA repair pathways has shown promise as a cancer therapy for patients, either as a monotherapy or in combination with genotoxic drugs. From the beginning, there have been a number of chemotherapeutic compounds that have yielded successful responses in the clinic, a number that have failed (CGK-733 and iniparib), and a number of promising targets for future studies identified. This review looks in detail at how the cell responds to these DNA DSBs and investigates the chemotherapeutic avenues that have been and are currently being explored to target this repair process.

Interactions of iodoperfluorobenzene compounds with gold nanoparticles

Understanding the interactions of small molecules with gold nanoparticles is important for controlling their surface chemistry and, hence, how they can be used in specific applications. The interaction of iodoperfluorobenzene compounds with gold nanoparticles was investigated by UV-Vis difference spectroscopy, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and Synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results from UV-Vis difference spectroscopy demonstrated that iodoperfluorobenzene compounds undergo charge transfer complexation with gold nanoparticles. SERS of the small molecule–gold nanoparticle adducts provided further evidence for formation of charge transfer complexes, while Synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided evidence of the binding mechanism. Demonstration of interactions of iodoperfluorobenzene compounds with gold nanoparticles further expands the molecular toolbox that is available for functionalising gold nanoparticles and has significant potential for expanding the scope for generation of hybrid halogen bonded materials.

A staining protocol for identifying secondary compounds in Myrtaceae

• Premise of the study: Here we propose a staining protocol using TBO and Ruthenium red in order to reliably identify secondary compounds in the leaves of some species of Myrtaceae. • Methods and results: Leaves of 10 species representing 10 different genera of Myrtaceae were processed and stained using five different combinations of Ruthenium red and TBO. Optimal staining conditions were determined as 1 min of Ruthenium red (0.05% aqueous) and 45 sec of TBO (0.1% aqueous). Secondary compounds clearly identified under this treatment include mucilage in mesophyll, polyphenols in cuticle, lignin in fibers and xylem, tannins and carboxylated polysaccharides in epidermis and pectic substances in primary cell walls. • Conclusions: Potential applications of this protocol include systematic, phytochemical and ecological investigations in Myrtaceae. It might be applicable to other plant families rich in secondary compounds and could be used as preliminary screening method for extraction of these elements.

Evaluation of the efficacy of radiation-modifying compounds using γH2AX as a molecular marker of DNA double-strand breaks

Radiation therapy is a widely used therapeutic approach for cancer. To improve the efficacy of radiotherapy there is an intense interest in combining this modality with two broad classes of compounds, radiosensitizers and radioprotectors. These either enhance tumour-killing efficacy or mitigate damage to surrounding non-malignant tissue, respectively. Radiation exposure often results in the formation of DNA double-strand breaks, which are marked by the induction of H2AX phosphorylation to generate γH2AX. In addition to its essential role in DDR signalling and coordination of double-strand break repair, the ability to visualize and quantitate γH2AX foci using immunofluorescence microscopy techniques enables it to be exploited as an indicator of therapeutic efficacy in a range of cell types and tissues. This review will explore the emerging applicability of γH2AX as a marker for monitoring the effectiveness of radiation-modifying compounds.