Gold(III) ions sorption on sulfur-containing polymeric sorbent based on 2,2‘-thiobisethanol dimethacrylate

ABSTRACT

Studies of gold(III) ions sorption from hydrochloric acid solutions on 2,2‘-thiobisethanol dimethacrylate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer were performed. The correlation between the concentration of HCl (0.0001–4 M) and sorption efficiency (370–140 mg g^?1) was observed. The kinetics of sorption and the parameters of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for the studied systems were determined. The use of 0.8 M thiourea in 3 M HCl as eluent assured the high recovery degree of sorbed ions. It can, therefore, be concluded that newly synthesized sulfur-containing sorbent can be used in the recovery and concentration of gold(III) ions.     

Electrochemical and spectral properties of meta-linked 1,3,5-tris(aryl)benzenes and 2,4,6-tris(aryl)-1-phenoles, and their polymers

We present electrochemical and spectral properties of symmetric monomers 1,3,5-tris(aryl)benzenes and 2,4,6-tris(aryl)-1-phenols and their polymers. These compounds contain thienyl, furyl or EDOT moieties attached to central benzene or phenol ring at the meta-position, synthesized by a Stille cross-coupling procedure. All monomers are electroactive and undergo electropolymerization creating thin films on an electrode surface. Polymers with meta-linkages were obtained by electrochemical oxidation. Detailed cyclic voltammetry and in situ UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry show that polymers with hydroxy groups exhibit higher conductivity and better stability than with benzene core. Interesting and different behavior occurs for 2,4,6-tris(2-thienyl)-1-phenol, for which the characteristic, sharp, redox peak is observed.     

Removal of organic matter by coagulation enhanced with adsorption on PAC

The removal of humic acids and phenol from model solution by coagulation and adsorption on powdered activated carbon (PAC) was investigated. A PAX XL-69 polyaluminum chloride was applied as a coagulant. The adsorption of humic acids and phenol on activated carbon for single- and bi- component solutions was studied. It was found that coagulation without PAC addition was less effective than the adsorption-coagulation integrated system. Coagulation enhanced with adsorption on activated carbon was more effective when coagulation was preceded by adsorption than when the two processes were carried out simultaneously. The best results were obtained at pH 7. Phenol and color were removed pletely, UV₂₅₄ absorbance was reduced by about 99% and COD-Mn was reduced by 81-89%.     

CCL18 Expression Is Higher in a Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumor than in the Peritumoral Area and Causes the Migration of Tumor Cells Sensitized by Hypoxia

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. For this reason, researchers worldwide study the impact of the tumor microenvironment in GBM, such as the effect of chemokines. In the present study, we focus on the role of the chemokine CCL18 and its receptors in the GBM tumor. We measured the expression of CCL18, CCR8 and PITPNM3 in the GMB tumor from patients (16 men and 12 women) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the effect of CCL18 on the proliferation and migration of GBM cells, experiments were performed using U-87 MG cells. The results showed that CCL18 expression was higher in the GBM tumor than in the peritumoral area. The women had a decreased expression of PITPNM3 receptor in the GBM tumor, while in the men a lower expression of CCR8 was observed. The hypoxia-mimetic agent, cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), increased the expression of CCL18 and PITPNM3 and thereby sensitized U-87 MG cells to CCL18, which did not affect the proliferation of U-87 MG cells but increased the migration of the test cells. The results indicate that GBM cells migrate from hypoxic areas, which may be important in understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis.     

Vermiculite Filler Modified with Casein,Chitosan, and Potato Protein as a Flame Retardant for Polyurethane Foams

In this study, polyurethane (PU) composite foams were modified with 2 wt.% of vermiculite fillers, which were themselves modified with casein, chitosan, and potato protein. The impact of the fillers on selected properties of the obtained composites, including their rheological (foaming behavior, dynamic viscosity), thermal (temperature of thermal decomposition stages), flame-retardant (e.g., limiting oxygen index, ignition time, heat peak release), and mechanical properties (toughness, compressive strength (parallel and perpendicular), flexural strength) were investigated. Among all the modified polyurethane composites, the greatest improvement was noticed in the PU foams filled with vermiculite modified with casein and chitosan. For example, after the addition of modified vermiculite fillers, the foams’ compressive strength was enhanced by ~6–18%, their flexural strength by ~2–10%, and their toughness by ~1–5%. Most importantly, the polyurethane composites filled with vermiculite filler and modified vermiculite fillers exhibited improved flame resistance characteristics (the value of total smoke release was reduced by ~34%, the value of peak heat release was reduced by ~25%).     

Monocarbonyl Analogs of Curcumin Based on the Pseudopelletierine Scaffold: Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and other biological properties. However, its application as an effective drug is problematic due to its poor oral bioavailability, solubility in water, and poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this work is to synthesize monocarbonyl analogs of CUR based on the 9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[3.2.1]nonan-3-one (pseudopelletierine, granatanone) scaffold to improve its bioavailability. Granatane is a homologue of tropane, whose structure is present in numerous naturally occurring alkaloids, e.g., l-cocaine and l-scopolamine. In this study, ten new pseudopelletierine-derived monocarbonyl analogs of CUR were successfully synthesized and characterized by spectral methods and X-ray crystallography. Additionally, in vitro test of the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of the synthesized compounds were performed.     

Recent Insight into the Genetic Basis,Clinical Features,and Diagnostic Methods for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of rare, inherited, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders that affect children and adults. They are traditionally grouped together, based on shared clinical symptoms and pathological ground. To date, 13 autosomal recessive gene variants, as well as one autosomal dominant gene variant, of NCL have been described. These genes encode a variety of proteins, whose functions have not been fully defined; most are lysosomal enzymes, transmembrane proteins of the lysosome, or other organelles. Common symptoms of NCLs include the progressive loss of vision, mental and motor deterioration, epileptic seizures, premature death, and, in rare adult-onset cases, dementia. Depending on the mutation, these symptoms can vary, with respect to the severity and onset of symptoms by age. Currently, all forms of NCL are fatal, and no curative treatments are available. Herein, we provide an overview to summarize the current knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, genetics, and clinical manifestation of these conditions, as well as the approach to diagnosis.     

Growth modes of epitaxial copper films on c-sapphire

Usually copper grows on c-sapphire with orientation Cu(111)Al₂O₃(0001) with Cu[2 ] along Al₂O₃[2 0]. In the present work an additional orientation is described. To understand this orientation, a microscopic model of roughness of the substrate crystal is proposed and verified.     

Metabolic and Cellular Compartments of Acetyl-CoA in the Healthy and Diseased Brain

The human brain is characterised by the most diverse morphological, metabolic and functional structure among all body tissues. This is due to the existence of diverse neurons secreting various neurotransmitters and mutually modulating their own activity through thousands of pre- and postsynaptic interconnections in each neuron. Astroglial, microglial and oligodendroglial cells and neurons reciprocally regulate the metabolism of key energy substrates, thereby exerting several neuroprotective, neurotoxic and regulatory effects on neuronal viability and neurotransmitter functions. Maintenance of the pool of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA derived from glycolytic glucose metabolism is a key factor for neuronal survival. Thus, acetyl-CoA is regarded as a direct energy precursor through the TCA cycle and respiratory chain, thereby affecting brain cell viability. It is also used for hundreds of acetylation reactions, including N-acetyl aspartate synthesis in neuronal mitochondria, acetylcholine synthesis in cholinergic neurons, as well as divergent acetylations of several proteins, peptides, histones and low-molecular-weight species in all cellular compartments. Therefore, acetyl-CoA should be considered as the central point of metabolism maintaining equilibrium between anabolic and catabolic pathways in the brain. This review presents data supporting this thesis.     

Protein Abundance of Drug Transporters in Human Hepatitis C Livers

Transmembrane drug transport in hepatocytes is one of the major determinants of drug pharmacokinetics. In the present study, ABC transporters (P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, MRP3, MRP4, BCRP, and BSEP) and SLC transporters (MCT1, NTCP, OAT2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, OCT1, and OCT3) were quantified for protein abundance (LC-MS/MS) and mRNA levels (qRT-PCR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected liver samples from the Child–Pugh class A (n = 30), B (n = 21), and C (n = 7) patients. Protein levels of BSEP, MRP3, MCT1, OAT2, OATP1B3, and OCT3 were not significantly affected by HCV infection. P-gp, MRP1, BCRP, and OATP1B3 protein abundances were upregulated, whereas those of MRP2, MRP4, NTCP, OATP2B1, and OCT1 were downregulated in all HCV samples. The observed changes started to be seen in the Child–Pugh class A livers, i.e., upregulation of P-gp and MRP1 and downregulation of MRP2, MRP4, BCRP, and OATP1B3. In the case of NTCP, OATP2B1, and OCT1, a decrease in the protein levels was observed in the class B livers. In the class C livers, no other changes were noted than those in the class A and B patients. The results of the study demonstrate that drug transporter protein abundances are affected by the functional state of the liver in hepatitis C patients.