Sustainable Organic Polymer Solar Cells Using TiO2 Derived From Automobile Paint Sludge

We demonstrate green synthesis of TiO2 nanopartieles (Nps) derived from automobile paint sludge (APG) and its application in the development of sustainable and solution processable polymer solar cells (PSCs). The APG contains TiO2 > 35% of its weight with several surfactants, organic polymers and similar to 2 to 10 % inorganic matter depending on the type of paints used. The TiO2 is generally present as micro sized particles in the APG which on hydrothermal treatment transform into nano sized particles. These organic matter is thermally extracted by a specially designed reaction vessel, where as the inorganic impurities are removed by repeated washing with dilute acids and bases. The TiO2 Nps are characterized by SEM imaging, EDX analysis, powder XRD, TC/DTA and FTIR, spectroscopy techniques. The TiO2 Nps are re-suspended in methanol for application in PSCs as an efficient electron transport layer. The TiO2 layer was spin coated on bulk hetero junction active layer of low band gap donor polymers P3HT with PCBM as electron acceptor. The performance of the TiO2 Nps is analyzed by fabricating devices in ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/TiO2/Al configuration. The present work has implication for ultra low cost and sustainable PSCs with advantage of recycling of a highly hazardous industrial waste

Effect of Borrelia burgdorferi on Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agents of Lyme Disease, is known to able to disseminate and colonize various organs and tissues of its hosts, which is very crucial for its pathogenicity and survival. Recent studies have shown the presence of Borrelial DNA in various kinds of breast cancer tissues which raises the question about whether B. burgdorferi could play a role in tumor development. The first objective of the study was to confirm the presence of B. burgdorferi DNA and investigate the potential presence of antigen in normal and breast cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PCR technology. IHC analysis showed approximately 32% of the breast cancer tissues were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. and approximately 12% were positive for B. burgdorferi s.s., but none of the normal breast tissues were found to be positive for Borrelial antigen. PCR technology further confirmed the presence of Borrelial DNA in breast cancer, but not in normal mammary tissues. Confocal microscopy images confirmed individual spirochetal organism of all the positive cancer tissues as well as biofilm forms in invasive ductal breast carcinoma samples. The second part of the study was designed to assess the effect of Borrelial infection in mammary epithelial cells. The immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy results showed that Borrelia is capable of invading normal epithelial (HC11) and a breast carcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231) within 24 hours, however, the infection rate for the breast carcinoma cells line was significantly higher. While the infection of epithelial cells with B. burgdorferi did not cause any changes in cell proliferation rates, it showed significant effect on the invasion and migration capacity for both normal and breast cancer cells determined by Matrigel Invasion and Wound Healing Assays. For HC11 cells, there was a 16-fold increased rate of invasion and 3-fold increased rate of migration, while the breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, showed a 3-fold increase in invasion and 2-fold increase in migration capacity. In summary, our results suggest that 7 spirochetal organism could play important role in the development of cancer in breast tissues. Further studies, however, are necessary to confirm the causal relationship of borrelial infection and cancer development

In-situ Growth of CdS Nanorods in PTB7 by Solvothermal Process for Hybrid Organic Inorganic Solar Cell applications

We demonstrate a high yielding, green approach using solvothermal, in-situ growth of CdS nanorods (NRs) in a low band gap polymer, poly [[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexy)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl] thieno[3,4-bithiophenediyl]] (PTB7). The use of chloroaniline dithiocarbamate and chloroaniline as ligands to functionalize the Cd (II) ions provides a new path for solubilization of Cd (II) complex in the chlorobenzene solvent. It removes use of volatile and hazardous chemicals such as pyridine as ligand which are conventionally used to enhance solubility of such complexes. It is the first example of solvothermal process used for in-situ growth of CdS NRs in a polymer matrix. This nanocomposite is used to fabricate hybrid-organic-inorganic-solar cells (HOISC) as donor acceptor combination in the bulk hetrojunction (BHJ) geometry. The incorporation of CdS NRs shows significant decrease in the band gap of PTB7 from 1.71 eV to 1.59 eV and the photoluminescence (PL) studies show significant quenching in the PL of PTB7 by the addition of CdS NRs. This suggests that the PTB7:CdS NRs is a potential nanocomposite for the bulk heterojunction active layer in the HOISCs. The HOISCs fabricated using the PTB7:CdS as donor-acceptor combination give power conversion efficiency of the order of 1.16%. This work has implication in the development of green economical and efficient HOISC by using highly controlled synthetic process

Effect of Borrelia burgdorferi Outer Membrane Vesicles on Host Oxidative Stress Response

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical bodies containing proteins and nucleic acids that are released by Gram-negative bacteria, including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. The functional relationship between B. burgdorferi OMVs and host neuron homeostasis is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine how B. burgdorferi OMVs impact the host cell environment. First, an in vitro model was established by co-culturing human BE2C neuroblastoma cells with B. burgdorferi B31. B. burgdorferi was able to invade BE2C cells within 24 h. Despite internalization, BE2C cell viability and levels of apoptosis remained unchanged, but resulted in dramatically increased production of MCP-1 and MCP-2 cytokines. Elevated secretion of MCP-1 has previously been associated with changes in oxidative stress. BE2C cell mitochondrial superoxides were reduced as early as 30 min after exposure to B. burgdorferi and OMVs. To rule out whether BE2C cell antioxidant response is the cause of decline in superoxides, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene expression was assessed. SOD2 expression was reduced upon exposure to B. burgdorferi, suggesting that B. burgdorferi might be responsible for superoxide reduction. These results suggest that B. burgdorferi modulates cell antioxidant defense and immune system reaction in response to the bacterial infection. In summary, these results show that B. burgdorferi OMVs serve to directly counter superoxide production in BE2C neurons, thereby ‘priming’ the host environment to support B. burgdorferi colonization.</jats:p

Effect of dapsone alone and in combination with intracellular antibiotics against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi&amp;nbsp;

Abstract Objective: Lyme disease is a tick-borne, multisystemic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Standard treatments for early Lyme disease include short courses of oral antibiotics but relapses often occur after discontinuation of treatment. Several studies have suggested that ongoing symptoms may be due to a highly antibiotic resistant form of B. burgdorferi called biofilms. Our recent clinical study reported the successful use of an intracellular mycobacterium persister drug used in treating leprosy, diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone), in combination therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease. In this in vitro study, we evaluated the effectiveness of dapsone individually and in combination with cefuroxime and/or other antibiotics with intracellular activity including doxycycline, rifampin, and azithromycin against Borrelia biofilm forms utilizing crystal violet biofilm mass, and dimethyl methylene blue glycosaminoglycan assays combined with Live/Dead fluorescent microscopy analyses. Results: Dapsone, alone or in various combinations with doxycycline, rifampin and azithromycin produced a significant reduction in the mass and protective glycosaminoglycan layer and overall viability of B. burgdorferi biofilm forms. This in vitro study strongly suggests that dapsone combination therapy could represent a novel and effective treatment option against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi.</jats:p

Effect of dapsone alone and in combination with intracellular antibiotics against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi

Abstract Objective Lyme disease is a tick-borne, multisystemic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Standard treatments for early Lyme disease include short courses of oral antibiotics but relapses often occur after discontinuation of treatment. Several studies have suggested that ongoing symptoms may be due to a highly antibiotic resistant form of B. burgdorferi called biofilms. Our recent clinical study reported the successful use of an intracellular mycobacterium persister drug used in treating leprosy, diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone), in combination therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease. In this in vitro study, we evaluated the effectiveness of dapsone individually and in combination with cefuroxime and/or other antibiotics with intracellular activity including doxycycline, rifampin, and azithromycin against Borrelia biofilm forms utilizing crystal violet biofilm mass, and dimethyl methylene blue glycosaminoglycan assays combined with Live/Dead fluorescent microscopy analyses. Results Dapsone, alone or in various combinations with doxycycline, rifampin and azithromycin produced a significant reduction in the mass and protective glycosaminoglycan layer and overall viability of B. burgdorferi biofilm forms. This in vitro study strongly suggests that dapsone combination therapy could represent a novel and effective treatment option against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi. </jats:sec

Effect of dapsone alone and in combination with intracellular antibiotics against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi

Abstract Objective: Lyme disease is a tick-borne, multisystemic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Standard treatments for early Lyme disease include short courses of oral antibiotics but relapses often occur after discontinuation of treatment. Several studies have suggested that ongoing symptoms may be due to a highly antibiotic resistant form of B. burgdorferi called biofilms. Our recent clinical study reported the successful use of an intracellular mycobacterium persister drug used in treating leprosy, diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone), in combination therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease. In this in vitro study, we evaluated the effectiveness of dapsone individually and in combination with cefuroxime and/or other antibiotics with intracellular activity including doxycycline, rifampin, and azithromycin against Borrelia biofilm forms utilizing crystal violet biofilm mass, and dimethyl methylene blue glycosaminoglycan assays combined with Live/Dead fluorescent microscopy analyses. Results: Dapsone, alone or in various combinations with doxycycline, rifampin and azithromycin produced a significant reduction in the mass and protective glycosaminoglycan layer and overall viability of B. burgdorferi biofilm forms. This in vitro study strongly suggests that dapsone combination therapy could represent a novel and effective treatment option against the biofilm form of B. burgdorferi.</jats:p