Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SILICA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Silica-based monoliths for rapid peptide screening by capillary liquid chromatography hyphenated with electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Capillary liquid chromatography based on particulate and monolithic stationary phases was used to screen complex peptide libraries by fast gradient elution coupled on-line to electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICRMS). A slightly modified commercial electrospray interface consisting of a fused-silica transfer capillary and low dead volume stainless steel union at which the electrospray voltage was grounded enabled the effluent of all the capillary columns to be directly sprayed into the mass spectrometer. Stable electrospray conditions were generated over a wide range of mobile phase compositions, alleviating the need for a tapered end of the spray capillary, pneumatic assistance or preheated nebulizer gas. Since the identification of complex samples containing numerous isobaric substances is facilitated by chromatographic separation prior to mass spectrometry, stationary phase materials have been employed which offer a fast, efficient elution and, due to the complexity of samples, a high loading capacity. Silica-based monolithic capillary columns combine these three characteristics in a unique manner due to a tailored adjustment of both macro- and mesopore sizes in the highly porous silica structure. As we demonstrate by a comparative study of the silica-based monolithic and packed capillaries for LC/MS analysis of complex peptide libraries, silica monoliths show superior performance over packed beds of small-diameter particles with respect to analysis time and separation efficiency. Libraries with more than 1000 different peptides could be screened in less than 20 min.

Chromatography, Liquid↗
PubMed2006

Organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous silicas: functionalization, pore size, and morphology control.

Topological design of mesoporous silica materials, pore architecture, pore size, and morphology are currently major issues in areas such as catalytic conversion of bulky molecules, adsorption, host-guest chemistry, etc. In this sense, we discuss the pore size-controlled mesostructure, framework functionalization, and morphology control of organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous silicas by which we can improve the applicability of mesoporous materials. First, we explain that the sizes of hexagonal- and cubic-type pores in organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous silicas are well controlled from 24.3 to 98.0 A by the direct micelle-control method using an organosilica precursor and surfactants with different alkyl chain lengths or triblock copolymers as templates and swelling agents incorporated in the formed micelles. Second, we describe that organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous materials with various functional groups form various external morphologies such as rod, cauliflower, film, rope, spheroid, monolith, and fiber shapes. Third, we discuss that transition metals (Ti and Ru) and rare-earth ions (Eu(3+) and Tb(3+)) are used to modify organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous silica materials. Such hybrid mesoporous silica materials are expected to be applied as excellent catalysts for organic reactions, photocatalysis, optical devices, etc.

Fluorescence↗
PubMed1997

Calpain contributes to silica-induced I kappa B-alpha degradation and nuclear factor-kappa B activation.

Both silica and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce a rapid degradation of I kappa B alpha, an intracellular inhibitor of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B transcription factor. In this report, we demonstrate that MG132, a relatively specific proteasome inhibitor, is capable of suppressing LPS-induced I kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappa B activation in mouse macrophage line RAW 264.7 cells, but is unable to influence the same induction produced by silica. In contrast, the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine has little effect on I kappa B alpha degradation induced by either silica or LPS. In fact, chloroquine enhances the signal-induced nuclear expression of NF-kappa B p50/p65 heterodimer by inhibiting the resynthesis of I kappa B alpha. With the use of transient transfection of a plasmid that expresses calpastatin, a natural inhibitor for calpain, the silica-induced degradation of I kappa B alpha and NF-kappa B activation was attenuated. In contrast, no inhibition of LPS-induced I kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappa B activation was observed by the overexpression of calpastatin. This suggests that calpain contributes to silica-induced I kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappa B activation but not to LPS-induced I kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappa B activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in rats: activation of NF-kappa B and its suppression by dexamethasone.

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship of the transcriptional regulatory factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B) to the early inflammatory events involved with silica exposure. Male F-344 rats received an intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of silica (100 mg/kg in a volume of 1 ml/kg) of saline. At 1, 3, 6, and 18 h postinstillation, and the rats were sacrificed and underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for functional analysis of inflammation. Beginning at 1 h postinstillation, the silica-instilled (Si) rats displayed significant increases in neutrophils in BAL fluid compared to the saline controls. BAL cells from the Si group displayed a significant increase in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) compared to the controls. NF-kappa B activation was measurable at 3 h postinstillation, and this activation continued throughout the 18-h time course. Treatment with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) at -3 h prior to silica instillation, at the time of instillation (0 h), and +1.5 h postinstillation resulted in both a reduction in NF-kappa B expression (by 70%) at 3 h postinstillation and corresponding reductions in LDCL, BAL cell count, and BAL neutrophils. These results show that activation of NF-kappa B is associated with silica-induced pulmonary inflammation, and the inhibition of its activation correlates temporally with suppression of inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Adsorption Characteristics of Silica Gels Treated with Fluorinated Silylation Agents

Branched-chain polyfluorosilane (monochlorodimethyl[4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5,5,6,6,7,7,7-heptafluoroheptyl)-bonded silica gels were prepared. The surface properties of the silica gels modified with various organic silanes were evaluated by the adsorption density of polar and nonpolar gases calculated from adsorption isotherms of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and normal butane gases. The polyfluorocarbon-bonded silica gel surface was found to be both hydrophobic and oleophobic in nature, whereas the hydrocarbon-bonded silica gel surface was characterized only as hydrophobic. The trifunctional fluorinated silane provides the silica gel surface with a more hydrophilic nature than the monofunctional silane because of the formation of a denser polymeric coating layer with a larger number of silanols.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of Silica-Containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Oxide Aerogels

Pure and silica-containing Al hydroxide aerogels were prepared by the supercritical drying method. The samples were later calcined, giving rise to alumina and Si-Al mixed oxides. The materials were characterized from the points of view of their bulk and surface structures. The Si-free material before calcination is well-crystallized boehmite that converts to gamma-alumina by calcination. The silica-containing hydroxides are composed of boehmite layers with silicates in the interlayer region. The resulting mixed oxides present silica essentially in the bulk. The surface structure of alumina seems poorly sensitive to silica addition. Surface silanol groups appear only for SiO2 more than 4%. No Bronsted acidity appears. Silica addition allows mixed oxides with higher surface areas to be obtained.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Adsorption Energy Evaluation from Luminescence Spectra of Uranyl Ions (UO22+) Adsorbed on Disperse Silica Surfaces

Luminescent measurements are utilized to evaluate the adsorption energy for hydrated uranyl groups on the disperse silica surface. The position of the UO22+ 0-0 electronic transition and the frequencies of intramolecular vibrations appearing in luminescence spectra were used in that evaluation. The method is based on the dependence of the adsorption bond force constants corresponding to each type of surface sites on the respective perturbation energy of uranyl ions. To calculate the corresponding force constants of adsorption bonds, a vibrational problem is solved. The molecular adsorbate on the silica surface is modeled by means of hypothetical diatomic and triatomic molecules with Cinfinityv and C2v symmetry, in which the UO22+ ion is predominantly fixed on the silica surface through one and two water molecules, respectively. The perturbations of stretching and deformational vibrations of hypothetical molecules by the presence of the substrate are considered. It has been shown that due to a large value of uranium mass the proposed models can be used for the analysis of vibrational spectra of hydrated uranyl groups adsorbed on the silica surface. A comparison of experimental data with theoretical calculations shows one to suggest that hydrated uranyl groups are attached to the surface by means of two water molecules. The adsorption energy for hydrated uranyl groups physically and chemically adsorbed on the silica surface were evaluated. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Acid and Base Catalysts in the Hybrid Silica Sol-Gel Process

Sol-gel silicas were synthesized from the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane and N-beta-aminoethyl-gamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of water and ethanol by using ammonium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid as base or acid catalysts, respectively. The influence of the type of the catalyst employed was studied by comparing the surface areas and pore sizes and volumes for both sol-gel silicas. Nitrogen elemental analysis and 13C and 29Si NMR spectra showed that both silicas present similar chemical compositions and structures. The electron-microscope results demonstrated that the particles are uniformly spherical and well shaped in both cases. The sol-gel silica obtained via basic catalysis presented relatively small spherical particles in comparison to those synthesized by acidic catalysis. The results obtained suggest that acidic catalysis is a better procedure for the synthesis of these organofunctionalized hybrid sol-gel silicas. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Effects of Short-Chain Alcohols and Pyridine on the Hydration Forces between Silica Surfaces.

Forces between fully hydroxalated silica surfaces were measured using an atomic force microscope. The measurements were conducted in Nanopure water and in solutions containing various organic solutes such as methanol, ethanol, trifluoroethanol (TFE), and pyridine. The results obtained in Nanopure water showed a strong short-range repulsive force at distances below 15 nm. This non-DLVO force can be fitted to a double-exponential force law with its longer decay length (D2) of 2.4 nm. On the other hand, the force curve obtained at 15% methanol by volume can be fitted to the DLVO theory perfectly, showing no signs of hydration force. These results suggest that the hydration force originate from the unique water structure in the vicinity of silica, which apparently is seriously disrupted in the presence of methanol. Methanol may adsorb on silica, displacing water molecules from the silanol groups and, thereby, breaking the H-bond network within the hydration sheath around silica. The displacement of water by methanol is thermodynamically possible because the latter is more basic than the former. In 10-20% ethanol solutions, D2 decreases to 1.1-1.2 nm, indicating that ethanol also adsorbs on silica but to a lesser extent than methanol. In TFE and pyridine solutions, the hydration force changes little, suggesting that these solutes cannot readily displace water molecules from silanol groups. The results presented in this communication may have a bearing on the intoxication of humans by alcohols, which may be related to the dehydration of lipid membranes. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Points of Zero Charge and Intrinsic Equilibrium Constants of Silica-Magnetite Composite Oxides.

A series of magnetic adsorbents (silica-magnetite composite oxides) containing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 wt% magnetite were prepared via the sol-gel process, where 0.1-µm-radius magnetite particles were encased in a mesoporous silica matrix. The experimental pHpzc for each of the pure oxides and their mixtures was tested against two applicable models in the literature; neither model explained the observed behavior. One of the models did not account for the heterogeneous nature of the two distinct surfaces present in these silica-magnetite composite oxides, and neither model accounted for the possibility of the silica locally altering the behavior of the magnetite functional groups. The behavior was corroborated independently, however, based on an analysis carried out with the measured surface acidity constants. This work also showed that the total exchange capacity of each of the mixed oxides was dominated by the high surface area of the silica, and that the electrolyte species, Na+ or NO-3, did not completely complex with the surface of the oxides, as expected for weak binding ions. The chemical component of the free energy of adsorption of protons for the acid-base reactions also dominated the solvation and coulombic contributions for each of the pure oxides and their mixtures. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Nitrogen Sorption Studies of Silica Particles Obtained in Emulsion and Microemulsion Media.

The internal surface structures of silica aerogel particles synthesized using different catalysts in emulsion and microemulsion media have been investigated by means of N(2) adsorption and desorption isotherms. Surface fractal dimensions have been computed using different methods: Frankel-Halsey-Hill plots of the adsorption isotherms, the thermodynamic fractal isotherm equation, and a modification of the thermodynamic fractal isotherm equation. Silica aerogels synthesized in emulsion media with an acidic catalyst have a high specific surface area without micropores and show two separate ranges of scales where the surface fractal dimensions are different and constant. Silica aerogels synthesized in emulsion media with a basic catalyst have a moderate specific surface area with a high percentage of micropores and show constant surface fractal dimensions over a larger range. Silica aerogels synthesized in microemulsion media with a basic catalyst have a low specific surface area with a moderate percentage of micropores and show a moderate range of scales over which the surface fractal dimension is constant. Analyses by both the thermodynamic and modified thermodynamic methods give similar ranges of the surface fractal dimensions of the silica particles. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Silver Nitrate/Oligo(ethylene Oxide) Surfactant/Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite Films and Monoliths.

A lyotropic, liquid crystalline (LC) phase of a silver nitrate/oligo(ethylene oxide), water, and acid mixture was used for one-pot synthesis of mesoporous silica materials in which Ag(+) ions are uniformly distributed. We established that the AgNO(3)-to-surfactant mole ratio is very important in a 50 wt% surfactant/water system to preserve the hexagonal LC phase before and after the addition of the silica source. Below a 0.6 AgNO(3)-to-surfactant mole ratio, the mixture is liquid crystalline and serves as a template for silica polymerization. However, between 0.6 and 0.8 AgNO(3)-to-surfactant mole ratios, one must control the composition of the mixture during the polymerization processes. Above a 0.8 mole ratio, Ag(+) ions undergo phase separation from the reaction mixture by complexing with the surfactant molecules. The resulting silica materials obtained from AgNO(3)/surfactant ratios above 0.8 have anisotropy but without a hexagonal mesophase. Here, we establish a AgNO(3) concentration range in which the LC phase is preserved to template the synthesis of mesoporous silica, and we discuss the structural behavior of the mixtures at AgNO(3)/surfactant mole ratios of 0.00-2.00, using POM, PXRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Distribution of macropores in silica particles prepared by using multiple emulsions.

The distribution of macropores in silica particles prepared by the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS in a hexane/water/decyl alcohol (O(1)/W/O(2)) multiple emulsion was investigated. To stabilize the emulsion structure, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was added into the O(2) phase and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added into the water phase. Without HPC, the particles have an irregular shape and hardly have particulate forms. As the concentration of HPC increases, the shape of particles becomes more and more spherical and the size decreases. The size of silica particles was varied from 5 to 1 microm as the concentration of HPC increased from 0.5 to 0.7 wt%. The number and size of the macropores in silica particles were affected by PEG polymer concentration. With the variation in the concentration of PEG, macropores in silica particles were located at the surface of or inside the particles. At high concentrations of PEG, the macropores in particles were located inside the particles, but at low concentrations of PEG the macropores were located at the surfaces of particles. Interestingly, the particles of dimpled surfaces were formed when the molar ratio of water to TEOS (R(w)) was 4.0 and the concentrations of PEG and HPC were 2.0 and 0.7 wt% respectively. The surface areas of dimpled silica particles and completely spherical particles, measured by the BET method, were 409 and 433 m(2)/g respectively.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Class A type II scavenger receptor mediates silica-induced apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary cell line.

Macrophage scavenger receptors are known to bind endotoxins, oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Ox-LDL), and other proteins with clustered negative charges. Recent evidence indicates some particulates may also bind to the scavenger receptor and initiate apoptosis. In this study, chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stabily transfected with the murine class A type II scavenger receptor (SR-A II) were exposed to crystalline silica to examine the role of this receptor in apoptosis. In a 24-h culture, silica (250 microg/ml) induced significant cell injury (necrosis and apoptosis) in transfected cells (MSR II) but not in the control cells (KA-7). This effect was specific to silica, as a control particle titanium dioxide had no cytotoxic effects on the MSR II cells at equal particle mass concentrations. Furthermore, silica-induced apoptosis in the MSR II cells could be eliminated by preincubating the cells with SR-A II antagonists: polyinosinic acid or maleylated bovine serum albumin. This study further supports the hypothesis that the SR-A II is directly involved with silica toxicity and that certain scavenger receptor ligands may have an important role in regulating macrophage apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A case-referent study investigating the relationship between exposure to silica dust and lung cancer.

A case-referent study was carried out to investigate the relationship between lung cancer and exposure to silica dust in an area where a relatively high proportion of the workforce was exposed to silica dust in the past. The cases were 309 lung cancer patients admitted at the Chest Department of the Central Belluno Hospital during the period 1973-1980, while the 309 controls were patients admitted at the same department for diseases other than lung cancer and bronchitis during the same period. Information on exposure to silica and smoking habits were collected from hospital records. The results show an elevated risk, supported by a clear dose-response, due to smoking. Exposure to silica also appears to increase the risk of lung cancer, but only in presence of silicosis. The risk estimates tend to increase both with amount of smoking and duration of exposure to silica, with the magnitude of the risk being, however, much smaller for the latter effect. No clear interaction appears to exist between the two factors. The limitations of the study and the problems in interpreting the results are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Comparative effects of inhaled silica or synthetic graphite dusts on rat alveolar cells.

Alterations in population profiles, morphology, and phagocytic activity of lung cells following in vivo exposure of Fischer 344 rats to a single dose of silica, were compared to similar changes following exposure to synthetic graphite. The effect of silica exposure on alveolar macrophage mycocidal activity was also measured. Acute exposure by inhalation to 100 mg/m3 silica dust produced persistent pulmonary inflammation, as well as long-term changes in pulmonary alveolar macrophages (AM) typical of macrophage activation. Both particles were steadily cleared from the lungs; AM from the silica study, as well as from the 100 and 500 mg/m3 graphite studies, contained ingested particles throughout the entire 3 month experimental period. Lavaged pulmonary cells showed no reduction in viability as a result of exposure to either of the dusts. After silica inhalation, the following changes were observed constantly in bronchopulmonary lavage cell samples: increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), hypersegmented PMN, binucleated AM, increased AM phagocytic indices and capacities, and increased mycocidal activity. Following inhalation of 1-100 mg/m3 synthetic graphite the above-mentioned effects were not seen. Exposure to 500 mg/m3 graphite produced transient inflammation and AM activation for about 24-48 hr.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

Silica-nanoparticle-based interface for the enhanced immobilization and sequence-specific detection of DNA.

A biocompatible and uniform interface based on silica nanoparticles derivatized with amino groups has been constructed for the effective immobilization and sensitive sequence-specific detection of calf thymus DNA. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that a monolayer of silica nanoparticles can be formed on a gold electrode under our experimental conditions using cysteine self-assembly monolayer as binder medium. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the successful immobilization of DNA on silica-nanoparticle-modified gold electrodes. Quantitative results demonstrated that enhanced immobilization of single-strand DNA (ss-DNA) up to 1.6 x 10(-8) mol cm(-2) could be achieved owing to the larger surface area and the special properties of silica nanoparticles. In addition, hybridization experiments demonstrated that the immobilized ss-DNA on silica nanoparticles could specifically interact with complementary DNA in solutions.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Application of a monolithic silica capillary adsorbent for the preconcentration of airborne trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene.

Monolithic silica with a bimodal pore structure was prepared in a fused silica capillary by the sol-gel process and investigated as an adsorbent for the preconcentration of airborne trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. The airborne trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene are adsorbed when they flow through the silica capillary column and can be desorbed by liquid hexane followed by GC/MS analysis. The monolithic silica adsorbent is mechanically stable and no frits or other special structures are needed to retain them in place. In addition, owing to the smaller size of the capillary column, only a small volume of desorption solvent is needed. The present investigation demonstrates the satisfactory applicability of monolithic silica as a capillary adsorbent.

Adsorption↗