Improvement of hybridization signals of gold label silver stain gene detection

The factors that influence the colorimetric gene detection of gold label silver stain and improve the detection signals were studied. The influence of amino DNA probes and thiol DNA modified gold nanoparticles was investigated based on a sandwich hybridization system. An increase in amino probe concentration brought about an increase in hybridization signal which reached a threshold corresponding to the saturated concentration of amino probes bounded onto a glass slide surface. Since the steric hindrance effect of nanoparticles was dominant over the influence of a surface area, the bigger gold nanoparticles led to weaker hybridization signals. The hybridization efficiency enhanced significantly with the increase of the thiol DNA modified nanoparticle concentrations. Experimental results showed that 125 μmol/L of the amino DNA probe concentration, 15 nm of the gold nanoparticle diameter, and 4.07 nmol/L of the thiol DNA modified gold nanoparticle concentration were optimal for the detection system. The hybridization signals can be improved remarkably by choosing optimal hybridization conditions.

Characterization of an iron oxy/hydroxide(gossan type) bearing refractory gold and silver ore by diagnostic leaching

A detailed characterization of an iron oxy/hydroxide(gossan type) bearing refractory gold/silver ore was performed with a new diagnostic approach for the development of a pretreatment process prior to cyanide leaching. Gold was observed to be present as native and electrum(6-24 μm in size) and associated with limonite, goethite and lepidocrocite within calcite and quartz matrix. Mineral liberation analysis(MLA) showed that electrum is found as free grains and in association with beudantite, limonite/goethite and quartz. Silver was mainly present as acanthite(Ag2S) and electrum and as inclusions within beudantite phase in the ore. The cyanide leaching tests showed that the extractions of gold and silver from the ore(d80: 50 μm) were limited to 76% and 23%, respectively, over a leaching period of 24 h. Diagnostic leaching tests coupled with the detailed mineralogical analysis of the ore suggest that the refractory gold and silver are mainly associated within iron oxide mineral phases such as limonite/goethite and jarosite-beudantite, which can be decomposed in alkaline solutions. Based on these characterizations, alkaline pretreatment of ore in potassium hydroxide solution was performed prior to cyanidation, which improved significantly the extraction of silver and gold up to 87% Ag and 90% Au. These findings suggest that alkaline leaching can be used as a new diagnostic approach to characterize the refractoriness of iron oxy/hydroxide bearing gold/silver ore and as a pretreatment method to overcome the refractoriness.

Molecular recognition by gold, silver and copper nanoparticles

The intrinsic physical properties of the noble metal nanoparticles,which are highly sensitive to the nature of their local molecular environment,make such systems ideal for the detection of molecular recognition events.The current review describes the state of the art concerning molecular recognition of Noble metal nanoparticles.In the first part the preparation of such nanoparticles is discussed along with methods of capping and stabilization.A brief discussion of the three common methods of functionalization:Electrostatic adsorption;Chemisorption;Affinity-based coordination is given.In the second section a discussion of the optical and electrical properties of nanoparticles is given to aid the reader in understanding the use of such properties in molecular recognition.In the main section the various types of capping agents for molecular recognition;nucleic acid coatings,protein coatings and molecules from the family of supramolecular chemistry are described along with their numerous applications.Emphasis for the nucleic acids is on complementary oligonucleotide and aptamer recognition.For the proteins the recognition properties of antibodies form the core of the section.With respect to the supramolecular systems the cyclodextrins,calix[n]arenes,dendrimers,crown ethers and the cucurbitales are treated in depth.Finally a short section deals with the possible toxicity of the nanoparticles,a concern in public health.

Antibacterial Action and Physicochemical Properties of Stabilized Silver and Gold Nanostructures on the Surface of Disperse Silica

This work is devoted to the synthesis and stabilization of nanosized Ag/SiO2 and Au/SiO2 disperse materials and investigation their morphology, optical and antimicrobial properties. First, Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were produced in colloids via chemical (Ag) or photochemical (Au) reduction of appropriate ions. To prevent the oxidation of Ag NPs in colloid solution, external binary stabilizing agents PVP and SDS were used. Then, Ag and Au NPs (0.01-0.05% wt) were adsorbed from their colloid solutions on high disperse silica surface (Ssp=260m2/g) and samples prepared were dried. Materials obtained were studied by UV-vis, XRD, and TEM methods. Ag and Au NPs adsorbed on silica demonstrated a fair crystallinity in XRD. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band positions inherent to Ag and Au NPs on silica surface as well as the intensities of optical spectra were stable during 7 month and more. Obtained Ag NPs in colloids and Ag/SiO2 composites demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity against a series of the microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurous, and Candida albicans). Au/SiO2 samples did not reveal any bactericide properties relative to the test microorganisms grown. The mechanisms of Ag(Au) NPs interaction with silica surface were analyzed.

Isotope Tracing and Prospecting Assessment of Gold-Silver Deposits in Zhejiang Province

Three different types of gold and silver deposits in Zhejiang Province(Huangshan gold deposit, Zhilingtou gold-silver deposit and Haoshi silver deposit) showmarked differences in lead and strontium isotopic composition, suggesting three differentsources and geneses of these deposits. The Huangshan gold deposit features low initial Srisotope ratios and low μ values or low content of radiogenic Pb and its ore-forming materialscame primarily from the upper mantle; the Zhilingtou gold-silver deposit shows high initial Srisotope ratios and high μ values or high content of radiogenic Pb and the ore-forming materialswere derived mainly from the upper crust; and the Haoshi silver deposit has its Pb and Srisotope ratios between the above two cases with the ore-forming materials stemming from boththe mantle and the crust. The characteristic Pb isotopic composition may serve as an indicatorfor prospecting for different types of ore deposits.

Characterization of refractory behaviour of complex gold/silver ore by diagnostic leaching

The amenability of a refractory ore to the extraction of gold and silver by cyanide leaching was investigated. Diagnostic leaching tests were also performed to shed light on the refractory characteristics of ore. The leaching tests show that the extraction of gold and silver is consistently low, i.e. ≤47% and ≤19.2%, respectively, over a leaching period of 24 h. Even fine grinding (e.g. <38 μm) does not improve the recovery of gold and silver. Diagnostic leaching approach provides information into the cause of the refractoriness of the ore. The findings suggest that the refractoriness is induced by the dissemination and encapsulation of the very fine gold and silver particles largely in the carbonates, oxides and sulfides and, to a small extent, with silicates present in the ore matrix. These findings highlight the practical importance of diagnostic leaching for the understanding of the refractory characteristic of such an ore and for the identification of possible pretreatment options to overcome its refractoriness prior to cyanide leaching.

Recovery of Gold and Silver and Removal of Copper, Zinc and Lead Ions in Pregnant and Barren Cyanide Solutions

Over the past decade the concern about toxic metals in freshwater has increased. Environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act have forced industries that produce metal containing wastewater to treat their wastewater prior to discharge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a novel method for the minimization of heavy metals in the wastewater from the mining industry. A very promising electrochemical treatment technique that does not require chemical additions is electrocoagulation (EC) and sulphide precipitation. The present study has been done for the recovery of gold and silver contained in pregnant solution from the cyanidation process using the electrocoagulation technology with iron electrodes;that is a developed alternative technology for the Merril-Crowe process. The average gold and silver content in pregnant solution was 4.27 and 283 ppm respectively and the recoveries were 92% for gold and 95% for silver, with optimum operating parameters of pH 10, residence time of 20 minutes and addition of sodium chloride of 4 gr/L. The results of precipitation process show that the elimination of lead, zinc, cooper and iron ions from the barren solution was successful, with optimum operating parameters of pH 3 and residence time of 15 minutes, and the recoveries were 99% of these ions. Finally the characterization of the solid products of gold and silver formed during the EC process with Scanning Electronic Microscope was performed. Results suggest that magnetite particles and amorphous iron oxyhydroxides (lepidocrocite) were present.

Use of ferricyanide for gold and silver cyanidation

Low gold and silver leaching kinetics has been commonly observed in traditional gold-silver cyanidation process, especially in heap leaching and in situ leaching operations. The different mineralogy of gold and silver in the ores is suspected to be the main reason, e.g., the occurrence of low solubility acanthite (Ag2S) typically results in low overall silver extraction. Due to the low solubility of oxygen in cyanide solution, the reactivity and availability of oxidant is believed to be the critical limitation for gold and silver dissolution. The use of ferricyanide as the auxiliary oxidant for gold and silver cyanidation has been examined. The rotating disc test results prove the assistant effect of ferricyanide on increasing the dissolution rate of gold and silver. The potential use of ferricyanide in gold/silver cyanidation process is proposed based on the leaching results of actual ores.

Characterization and Antitumor Activity of Chitosan/Poly （Vinyl Alcohol） Blend Doped with Gold and Silver Nanoparticles in Treatment of Prostatic Cancer Model

The application of nanotechnology in various fields of science has earned a great concern over the past decades. The natural products and surface-modified polymers and metallic nanoparticles （NPs） have evolved as promising nanomaterials for targeted prostate cancer treatment. In the present study, Chitosan/poly （vinyl alcohol） （Cs/PVA） blend was synthesized by gamma radiation which could behave a nanoreactor for silver （Ag） and gold （Au） nanoparticle with promising anticancer applications. （Cs/PVA/Ag） and （Cs/PVA/Au） nanocomposites were confirmed by SEM （scanning electron microscope） and TEM （transmission electron microscope） analysis. The swelling properties have been investigated as a function of time and pH. The anti-cancer activity of the prepared nanocomposites was demonstrated in prostatic cancer cell line. It has a significant effect against prostatic cancer. However, metal nanoparticles have shown a good experimental success in the field of nanomedicine especially in cancer treatment, which has always been an area of high concern. The collaboration of biomedical research in the identification and characterization of biomedical strategies using the interesting metal nanocomposite will impact the future nanomedicine greatly.

NON-POLLUTION PROCESS FOR COMPLEX REFRACTORY SILVER-GOLD ORES

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Synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles from leaf of Litchi chinensis and its biological activities

Objective: To synthesize and isolate silver and gold nanoparticles from Litchi chinensis leaf methanolic extract, and to evaluate its comparative biological activities including muscles relaxant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal. Methods: The gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by dissolving methanolic extract in gold chloride and silver nitrate solution separately which were confirmed by colour change and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and pellets were collected through centrifugation. Biological activities of the extract were conducted on BALB/c mice through various standard methods and the data were subjected to One-way ANOVA. Results: The colorless gold chloride solution changed to purple soon after the addition of plant extract, demonstrating that the reaction took place and gold ions were reduced to gold nanoparticles, while colorless silver nitrate solution changed to light and dark brown that was indicative of silver nanoparticles. The muscles relaxant activity showed that silver nanoparticles were more effective than gold nanoparticles and methanolic extract in traction test. The analgesic activity showed that silver and gold nanoparticles showed highest percentage decrease in acetic acid induced writhing at the doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was produced by gold nanoparticles followed by silver nanoparticles, while low activity was observed in methanolic leaf extract. Only the crude methanolic extract showed significant antidiarrheal activity as compared to the standard drug atropine sulphate, while antidiarrheal activities of gold and silver nanoparticles were non-significant. Conclusions: The present work concludes that isolated silver and gold nanoparticles from leaf methanolic extract shows strong muscles relaxant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities while crude methanolic extract possesses good antidiarrheal activity.

Tectonic Dynamic Metallization of Silver-GoldHydrothermal Fluids in Proterozoic GneissTerrene Shear Zones, Suichang, Zhejiang, China

The Suichang mine is the largest silicified vein-type silver-gold mineralization system in Southeast China, whose ore bodies are controlled by shear zones developing in Lower Proterozoic gneiss terrene with initial migmatization, which is covered by Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous volcanic rock system and cut by acidic igneous veins of Jurassic and Cretaceous. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The ore-forming fluid is defined as superhigh tectonic-metamorphic fluid on the base of : 1 (D)-(18O) values 2 fluid inclusions;3 trace elements of pyrite from ores. (2) The shear zone silicified orebod-ies occurred in proterozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous, which have been transforms in part by ore-bearing comb quartz vein of volcanism.

NEW METHOD OF EXTRACTING GOLD AND SILVER FROM HIGH SILVER-GOLD CONCENTRATES

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LEACH OUT GOLD AND SILVER FROM SULFIDE CONCENTRATE CONTAINING COPPER WITH CYANIDE AND AMMONIA SOLUTIONS

A cyanidation leaching process for a sulfide concentrate containing gold and silver with ammonia and other complexes was investigated,and its potential in decrease of cyanide consumption was examined.The equilibria behaviors of copper and other metal ions in the CN-NH,-H_(2)0 system and the CN—NH,—EDTA-HjO system were analyzed by a microcomputer program.Experiments revealed that the leaching yield of gold in ammonia-cyanide solutions was raised from 86%to 99%from addition of EDTA in a certain concentration and its cooperative action with ammonia on the cyanidation of gold.Meanwhile,the leaching yield of silver was significantly increased from about 20%to 55%and the consumption of cyanide was decreased.

Impact of silver sulphides on gold cyanidation with polymetal sulphides

Gold leaching was influenced in association with silver and polymetal sulphide minerals.A packed bed was adopted to single out the galvanic and passivation effects with four sets of minerals:pyrite?silica,chalcopyrite?silica,sphalerite?silica and stibnite?silica.Pyrargyrite enhanced Au recovery to 77.3%and 51.2%under galvanic and passivation effects from pyrite(vs 74.6%and 15.8%).Pyrargyrite in association with sphalerite also enhanced Au recovery to 6.6%and 51.9%(vs 1.6%and 15.6%)under galvanic and passivation effects from sphalerite.Pyrargyrite associated with chalcopyrite retarded gold recovery to 38.0%and 12.1%(vs 57%and 14.1%)under galvanic and passivation effects.Accumulative silver minerals enhanced Au recovery to 90.6%and 81.1%(vs 74.6%and 15.8%)under galvanic and passivation impacts from pyrite.Silver minerals with sphalerite under galvanic and passivation effects enhanced Au recovery to 71.1%and 80.5%(vs 1.6%and 15.6%).Silver minerals associated with chalcopyrite retarded Au recovery to 10.2%and 4.5%under galvanic and passivation impacts(vs 57%and 14.1%).Stibnite retarded Au dissolution with pyrargyrite and accumulative silver minerals.Pyrargyrite and accumulative silver enhanced gold dissolution for free gold and gold associated with pyrite and sphalerite.Gold dissolution was retarded for gold and silver minerals associated with chalcopyrite and stibnite.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bimetallic Gold-Silver Core-Shell Nanoparticles: A Green Approach

Bimetallic gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction in aqueous solution, following a method that was friendly to the environment, allowing us to use this for medicinal purposes. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized, and silver cations were then reduced on the nanoparticles. Using the optical properties of metallic nanoparticles, surface plasmon resonance was determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the values obtained for gold and silver were approximately 520 nm and 400 nm in wavelength, respectively. The absorption peaks of the surface plasmon band show a clear red-shift due to size effect in the case of the silver surface, and a plasmon coupling effect, in the case of gold. To obtain a better understanding of the coating conditions, high resolution transmission electron microscopy was used. The average hydrodynamic size and the size distribution of the synthesized nanoparticles were obtained by dynamic light scattering. The development of this process, which is benign for the environment, opens the possibility for many applications in the areas of renewable energy, medicine and biology.

Survey on an Old ＂Glistening Technology＂ on Gold and Silver Gilt in Chinese Three Gorges Region during Han Dynasty

Three copper wares of Han Dynasty, decorated with golden and silvery pattems in Chongqing Municipal, Three Gorges Region, were analyzed by SEM （scanning electron microscope） and EDAX （energy dispersive X-ray analysis）. The results reveal that mercury was used to melt gold or silver to form amalgam as late as Chinese Han Dynasty. Ancient craftsmen sheared gold foils to attain tiny gold trips that make them easy to melt into liquid mercury. After gilded, artefacts were well polished to show the brilliance of gold. As an important discovery, the silver amalgam was also detected on one copper ware. It is worth noting that silver was mixed with gold in liquid mercury to form silver amalgam which is apt to form amalgam and make silver amalgam layer stick to bronze surface tightly. This successful technology is derived from a prolonged accumulation of Chinese craftsmen on mining and metallurgical handicraft,

Development of Biotechnology for Microbial Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles

Several bacterial strains of Actinomycetes belonging to Streptomyces and Arthrobacter genera for the first time were used to study the biotechnology of synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles. The experimental conditions of gold and silver nanoparticles production by the cells of studied strains in aqueous chloroauric acid （HAuCIq） and in silver nitrate （AgNO3） solutions, respectively, were determined. Concentration and time-dependences of nanoparticle formation were investigated. The complex of optical and analytical methods was used for testing the gold and silver nanoparticles in the bacterial biomass. The TEM （Transmission Electron Microscopy） and XRD （X-ray Diffraction） data in all cases demonstrated the presence of crystals with fcc （face centered cubic） structure. The results obtained show that the Actinomycetes are capable of producing gold and silver nanoparticles of spherical shape extracellularly when exposed to suitable compounds. The particle size distribution shows that the sizes of nanoparticles are in the range of 5 nm to 80 nm. The biomass obtained may be used for industrial as well as medical and pharmaceutical purposes.

GOLD AND SILVER WINGED GODS FROM THE TUBO PERIOD

Ethnic people living on the Tibetan Plateau during the Tubo period have been well-known as not only strong and brave on horses,but they were also an ethnic group enriched with powerful creativity and rich imagination.From Tubo’s cultural art,we can observe a large amount of extremely fine artifacts.For instance,among