Search results for "sponge"
showing 10 items of 296 documents
Original Approach to Synthesize TiO2/ZnO Hybrid Nanosponges Used as Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Applications
2021
[EN] In the present work, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges have been synthesized for the first time. First, TiO2 nanosponges were obtained by anodization under hydrodynamic conditions in a glycerol/water/NH4F electrolyte. Next, in order to achieve the anatase phase of TiO2 and improve its photocatalytic behaviour, the samples were annealed at 450 degrees C for 1 h. Once the TiO2 nanosponges were synthesized, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were obtained by electrodeposition of ZnO on TiO2 nanosponges using different temperatures, times, and concentrations of zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)(2)). TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were used as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting tests. The results indi…
Common genetic denominators for Ca++-based skeleton in Metazoa: role of osteoclast-stimulating factor and of carbonic anhydrase in a calcareous spong…
2012
Calcium-based matrices serve predominantly as inorganic, hard skeletal systems in Metazoa from calcareous sponges [phylum Porifera; class Calcarea] to proto- and deuterostomian multicellular animals. The calcareous sponges form their skeletal elements, the spicules, from amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). Treatment of spicules from Sycon raphanus with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) results in the disintegration of the ACC in those skeletal elements. Until now a distinct protein/enzyme involved in ACC metabolism could not been identified in those animals. We applied the technique of phage display combinatorial libraries to identify oligopeptides that bind to NaOCl-treated spicules: those oligop…
Contribution of sponge genes to unravel the genome of the hypothetical ancestor of Metazoa (Urmetazoa)
2001
Recently the term Urmetazoa, as the hypothetical metazoan ancestor, was introduced to highlight the finding that all metazoan phyla including the Porifera (sponges) are derived from one common ancestor. Sponges as the evolutionarily oldest, still extant phylum, are provided with a complex network of structural and functional molecules. Analyses of sponge genomes from Demospongiae (Suberites domuncula and Geodia cydonium), Calcarea (Sycon raphanus) and Hexactinellida (Aphrocallistes vastus) have contributed also to the reconstruction of the evolutionary position of Metazoa with respect to Fungi. Furthermore, these analyses have provided evidence that the characteristic evolutionary novelties…
Studies on puupehenone-metabolites of a Dysidea sp.: structure and biological activity
2007
[EN] Puupchenone (1) and a series of its congeners (2-6) have been isolated from a Dysidea sponge. The unprecedented 20-acetoxyhater-unnadienone (2) exhibiting a five-membered contracted ring, has been characterized. In addition, stereochemical assignment of two previously reported acetone adducts of puupehenone (5 and 6) has been made. Finally, the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as antibacterial and antifungal activities of all compounds has been evaluated. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Nanosponges for the protection and release of the natural phenolic antioxidants quercetin, curcumin and phenethyl caffeate
2020
The inclusion of polyphenols into nanoporous materials may significantly improve their application as radical trapping agents for therapeutic purposes. In the present work, nanosponges based on hypercross- linked cyclodextrins and calixarenes (NS1–NS3) were used as carriers of three natural phenolic antioxidants: quercetin (Que), curcumin (Cur) and phenethyl caffeate (Phec). Good w/w loadings, namely 7.3% for the Que–NS1 composite, 17.3% for Cur–NS2 and 12.9% for Phec–NS3, were achieved. The release kinetics and the inhibition rate constants (kinh) of the reaction with alkylperoxyl radicals (ROO.) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solutions at pH 7.4 were studied and indicated better antioxidant ac…
On the role of D-glucuronic acid in the aggregation of cells from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium.
1979
Abstract The aggregation receptor (AR) from the marine sponge GEODIA CYDONIUM was analyzed with respect to its monosaccharide composition. Three major sugars ( D -galactose, D -glucose and D -glucuronic acid) accounted for about 85 % of the total carbohydrate. Negative results with different lectins directed against D -galactosyl, N -acetyl- D -galactosaminyl and N -acetyl- D -glucosaminyl groups, respectively, showed that these sugars are serologically unreactive in AR. Positive serological reactions were obtained with CONCANAVALIN A and LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS agglutinin. AR also reacted strongly with the basic polymer poly- L -lysine. Reaggregation experiments performed on the basis of these …
Porifera a reference phylum for evolution and bioprospecting: the power of marine genomics
2005
The term Urmetazoa, as the hypothetical metazoan ancestor, was introduced to highlight the finding that all metazoan phyla including the Porifera [sponges] derived from one common ancestor. Analyses of sponge genomes, from Demospongiae, Calcarea and Hexactinellida have permitted the reconstruction of the evolutionary trail from Fungi to Metazoa. This has provided evidence that the characteristic evolutionary novelties of Metazoa existing in Porifera share high sequence similarities and in some aspects also functional similarities to related polypeptides found in other metazoan phyla. It is surprising that the genome of Porifera is large and comprises substantially more genes than Protostomi…
Matrix-mediated canal formation in primmorphs from the sponge Suberites domuncula involves the expression of a CD36 receptor-ligand system.
2004
Sponges (Porifera), represent the phylogenetically oldest metazoan phylum still extant today. Recently, molecular biological studies provided compelling evidence that these animals share basic receptor/ligand systems, especially those involved in bodyplan formation and in immune recognition, with the higher metazoan phyla. An in vitro cell/organ-like culture system, the primmorphs, has been established that consists of proliferating and differentiating cells, but no canals of the aquiferous system. We show that after the transfer of primmorphs from the demosponge Suberites domuncula to a homologous matrix (galectin), canal-like structures are formed in these 3D-cell aggregates. In parallel …
Apoptosis in marine sponges: a biomarker for environmental stress (cadmium and bacteria)
1998
The marine demosponge Suberites domuncula is abundantly present on muddy sand bottoms, both in the open sea and in harbors. In the present study it is shown that exposure of S. domuncula to cadmium (CdCl2) in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 5.0 g ml−1 for up to 5 d results in apoptotic fragmentation of DNA. Kinetics experiments revealed that after 24 h a significant increase of DNA fragmentation already occurred. Besides cadmium a second stimulus was identified to also cause apoptosis in this species, namely exposure to heat-treated Escherichia coli. In order to support the finding that both cadmium and E. coli induce apoptosis in the sponge, expression of the apoptotic gene MA-3 was st…
Flexible minerals: self-assembled calcite spicules with extreme bending strength.
2013
Flexi-Fibers Glass or metal fibers can show incredible flexibility. Natalio et al. (p. 1298 ; see the Perspective by Sethmann ) used the protein silicatein-α, which is responsible for the biomineralization of silicates in sponges, to guide the formation of spicules made of calcite. These synthetic spicules could be bent to a high degree because of their inherent elasticity, whilst retaining the ability to guide light.