New 2,2-difluoro-1,3,2(2H)oxazaborines and merocyanines derived from them

Synthetic methods have been developed to prepare oxazaborines, the azaanalogues of 2,2-difluoro-1,3,2(2H)dioxaborines, which can form merocyanine dyes. The first oxazaborine merocyanines with the isomeric position of the coordinating nitrogen atom have also been obtained. Comparing the spectral properties of donor-acceptor dioxa- and oxazaborine dyes, it is seen that substitution of the 3-O atom by the NH group in the chelate ring has a slight effect on absorption and fluorescence band positions but causes the intensity redistribution between the 0-0 and 0-1 vibronic absorption peaks and thus induces a change in the absorption band shape due to the enhanced solvation of oxazaborines. Substitution of the 1-O ring atom by the NPh group leads to a bathochromic shift and a manifold increase in the fluorescence quantum yield for the corresponding boron chelate dyes.     

Molecular rotors image intracellular viscosity

This review describes a new method for quantitative measurement and spatial imaging of microviscosity within individual domains of live cells. The method is based on fluorescence detection from small synthetic molecules termed 'molecular rotors', which are characterised by a strong response of fluorescence lifetimes or spectra to the viscosity of their immediate environment. We have demonstrated that the quantitative determination of viscosity is possible using lifetime-based molecular rotors and ratiometric molecular rotors. The ratiometric imaging of viscosity benefits from a very fast signal acquisition. We have illustrated this advantage by monitoring changes in intracellular viscosity during photodynamic therapy, which is a clinically utilised modality for the treatment of neoplastic disease.     

Fruits and vegetables intake and characteristics associated among adolescents from Southern Brazil

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion to animal/human cells for infection establishment involves adhesive proteins, including its galactose- and fucose-binding lectins PA-IL (LecA) and PA-IIL (LecB). The lectin binding to the target-cell receptors may be blocked by compatible glycans that compete with those of the receptors, functioning as anti-adhesion glycodecoys. The anti-adhesion treatment is of the utmost importance for abrogating devastating antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa infections in immunodeficient and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This strategy functions in nature in protecting embryos and neonates. We have shown that PA-IL, PA-IIL, and also CV-IIL (a PA-IIL homolog produced in the related pathogen Chromobacterium violaceum) are highly useful for revealing natural glycodecoys that surround embryos in diverse avian eggs and are supplied to neonates in milks and royal jelly. In the present study, these lectins were used as probes to search for seed embryo-protecting glycodecoys.

Methods

The lectin-blocking glycodecoy activities were shown by the hemagglutination-inhibition test. Lectin-binding glycoproteins were detected by Western blotting with peroxidase-labeled lectins.

Results

The present work reports the finding - by using PA-IL, PA-IIL, and CV-IIL - of rich glycodecoy activities of low (< 10 KDa) and high MW (> 10 kDa) compounds (including glycoproteins) in extracts of cashew, cocoa, coffee, pumpkin, and tomato seeds, resembling those of avian egg whites, mammal milks, and royal jelly.

Conclusions

Edible seed extracts possess lectin-blocking glycodecoys that might protect their embryos from infections and also might be useful for hampering human and animal infections.     

Model of a polymer chain twisted inside a statistical segment. Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in chloroform solutions

A set of hydrodynamic methods in extremely dilute solutions (determination of intrinsic viscosity [η ], translational diffusion D and flotation in a centrifugal field s ) was used in the studies of conformational properties, dimensions and equilibrium rigidity of individual molecules of a series of samples of poly(3‐hexylthiophene). Absolute molecular masses M _sD were determined. The Mark–Kuhn–Houwink equations for the range of M _sD from 2240 to 15 300 g mol^?1 are given. For the first time, an analysis of conformational properties and equilibrium flexibility of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) molecules was carried out using the model of a statistical segment containing a twisted polymer chain. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of green extraction process to produce antioxidant-rich extracts from purple coneflower

The present study was conducted to develop subcritical water extraction (SWE) of Echinacea purpurea flowers. The influence of temperature and extraction time on quality of extracts considering total phenols content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant capacity and extraction yield, was determined. Optimized extraction parameters for maximised investigated responses were as follows: 147.56 °C and 8.43 min. The experimental values agreed with the values predicted, thus indicating the adequacy of central composite experimental design for modelling the SWE of bioactive compounds from E. purpurea. Results of the study also highlighted the potential application of E. purpurea subcritical water extracts as a source of valuable bioactive compounds.     

Yellow–green organic light-emitting diode based on tris(2-methyl-8-quinolinolate) scandium

Efficient yellow–green electroluminescence emission at λ_max = 530 nm with CIE coordinates x = 0.3913, y = 0.4947 was obtained with organic light-emitting devices based on tris(2-methyl-8-quinolinolate) scandium (1). The device with the configuration of indium tin oxide/N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine/1/Yb exhibits current efficiency of 3.1 cd/A and power efficiency of 1.8 lm/W at a luminance of 100 cd/m². The DFT calculations demonstrate that structural changes of the scandium complex 1 influence the electroluminescence spectrum, the better agreement with experimental data being achieved when monodentate ligands are taken into consideration.     

I2-doped and pyrrole ring-iodinated semi-conducting oligomers of N-vinyl-3-alkyl-2-phenylpyrroles

I₂-doped and pyrrole ring-iodinated semi-conducting oligomers of N-vinyl-3-alkyl-2-phenylpyrroles have been synthesized by free-radical polymerization of the above monomers (AIBN, 2–5 wt%, 60–80 °C) and further exposure of the oligomers obtained to I₂ vapor. The parent oligomers exhibit paramagnetic and fluorescent properties and stable up to 300–370 °C.     

Influence of Processing Parameters on the Sintering and Electrical Properties of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-Based Ceramics

Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-based ceramics have been prepared by two different processing methods: conventional (PZN-C) and reaction-sintering (PZN-RS). The conventionally prepared PZN-based ceramics densified at lower temperatures (950°C) than the reaction-sintered samples (1100°C), but the perovskite/pyrochlore ratio was always higher in PZN-RS. The presence of a substantial amount of pyrochlore phase in PZN-C ceramics caused a decrease in the electrical properties. The maximum dielectric constant values in PZN-C ceramics were 10%–15% lower than those of PZN-RS, despite a similar average grain size, 7 ± 0.2 μm. The temperature of the maximum of the dielectric constant ( T _max) was lower than that expected from the mixing rule because of the possible formation of Ba–Nb clusters. The higher chemical homogeneity in PZN-RS ceramics is the main reason for the higher dielectric constant, T _max and electromechanical response, as well as for the lower difference between T _max and the depolarization temperature ( T _d) and the lower diffusiveness parameter (δ).     

Electropolymerization of N‐hydroxyethylcarbazole on carbon fiber microelectrodes

N‐Hydroxyethylcarbazole (EtOHCz) was electropolymerized on carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs). The polyEtOHCz‐modified CFME was characterized with FTIR‐ATR, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polymer/CFME electrode exhibited the capacitive behavior and also good stability up to 2.0 V. The presence of hydoxylic group of the monomer seems to be an advantage on polymerization because of the unpaired electrons of oxygen, which would make ease at first stage for the adsorbtion on carbon fiber. The estimated value of the low‐frequency redox capacitance (C_LF) was found to increase with increasing dc potential. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009