Diazepinoporphyrazines Containing Peripheral Styryl Substituents and Their Promising Nanomolar Photodynamic Activity against Oral Cancer Cells in Liposomal Formulations

The photochemical properties and photodynamic activity of three porphyrazines (Pzs) containing annulated diazepine rings, including novel demetalated porphyrazine‐possessing bis(styryl)diazepine moieties were investigated. The porphyrazines were evaluated in terms of their electronic absorption and emission properties, their tendency to undergo aggregation and photodegradation, as well as their singlet oxygen generation efficiency. The in vitro photodynamic activity of the porphyrazines and their liposomal formulations were examined by using two oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Magnesium(II) tribenzodiazepinoporphyrazine ( 1 ) revealed the highest phototoxic effect in both cell lines used, H413 and HSC‐3. Encapsulation of Pz 1 into L ‐α‐phosphatidyl‐d,l ‐glycerol:1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine liposomes resulted in a nearly threefold increase in photocytotoxicity relative to that of the solution of Pz 1 (IC₅₀ values of 45 and 129 nM , respectively).     

Adenosine and 2′‐Deoxyadenosine Modified with Boron Cluster Pharmacophores as New Classes of Human Blood Platelet Function Modulators

Novel types of adenosine and 2′‐deoxyadenosine derivatives containing boron clusters at positions C2′, N6, or C8 were synthesized. The effect of these modified compounds on platelet function was studied. Modification of adenosine at the C2′ position with a para‐carborane cluster (C₂B₁₀H₁₁) results in efficient inhibition of platelet function, including aggregation, protein secretion, and P‐selectin expression induced by thrombin or ADP. These preliminary findings and the new chemistry proposed form the basis for the development of a new class of adenosine analogues that modulate human blood platelet activities.     

Functionalized tricalcium phosphate and poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) derived composite scaffolds as platforms for the controlled release of diclofenac

Novel bone substitutes such as highly porous ceramic scaffolds can serve as platforms for delivering active molecules. A common problem is to control the release of the drug, therefore, it is beneficial to use a drug-functionalized polymer coating. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate-based porous scaffolds were obtained and coated with diclofenac-functionalized biopolymer – poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) – P(3HO). To the best of our knowledge, studies using P(3HO) as a component in ceramic-polymer based drug delivery system for bone tissue regeneration have not yet been reported. Presented materials were comprehensively investigated by various techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, hydrostatic weighing and compression tests, pH and ionic conductivity measurements, high-performance liquid chromatography and in vitro cytotoxicity studies. The obtained diclofenac-loaded composite was not only characterised by controlled and sustained drug release, but also possessed improved mechanical properties. Moreover, the precipitation of apatite-like forms on its surface was observed after incubation in simulated body fluid, which indicates its bioactive potential. After 24 hours no cytotoxic effect on MC3T3-E1 mouse preosteoblastic cells was confirmed using indirect cytotoxicity studies. Thus, this promising multifunctional composite scaffold can be a promising candidate as an anti-inflammatory drug-delivery system in bone tissue engineering.     

Detection of microbial contamination of packaging for foodstuffs by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method

Detection of microbial contamination of packaging for foodstuffs and of the environment, using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method, is described. Quantitative determination of muramic acid, a chemical marker of bacterial peptidoglycan, has been used for this purpose. Samples of dust collected from packaging material (plastic film in the store‐room), intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, and dust from a laboratory environment were hydrolysed in aqueous hydrochloric acid and next extracted with hexane to remove hydrophobic compounds. The aqueous phase was evaporated, heated in silylation reagent to trimethylsilyl derivatives and analysed by GC–MS. Internal standard (3‐hydroxytridecanoic methyl ester) was added before silylation procedure for quantification purposes. The method described is quick and simple, can be applied to study chemical markers directly without prior culturing, in complex environmental samples (not only of packaging), and should therefore become widely used for measuring bacterial peptidoglycan. The method can be used for the detection of microbial infection in humans, hospitals, infusing fluids, contamination of biochemical and fermentation processes, and for monitoring of air, water, air‐conditioning systems, etc. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Composition of the lipids of lupin seed (Lupinus angustifolius L. var. “uniwhite”)

The total lipids (8.6%) extracted from whole lupin seeds (Lupinus angustifolius L. var. “Uniwhite”) were found to be comprised of triglycerides (71.1%), phospho-lipids (14.9%), free sterols (5.2%), glycolipids (3.5%), sterol and wax esters (0.5%), free alcohols (0.4%), hydrocarbons (0.4%) and unidentified waxy material (4.0%). The main fatty acids in the total lipid extract were linoleic (48.3%), oleic (31.2%), palmitic (7.6%) and linolenic (5.4%). Erucic acid was not present, nor were cyclopropenoid acids. Seed coatings constituted 23.9% of the weight of the whole seeds and contained 1.5% lipids, the main classes of which were triglycerides (38.4%), free sterols (28.0%), phospholipids (9.7%), glycolipids (9.1%) and free alcohols (3.7%). The seed coatings and kernels contained the same fatty acid constituents, but the proportions of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids were markedly different. β-Carotene was present, although at low concentration. When evaluated on its lipid composition, “Uniwhite” lupin seed appears suitable as a supplement for pig, poultry and stock feeding.     

Possibility of hydrogen production during cheese whey fermentation process by different strains of psychrophilic bacteria

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of applying psychrophilic bacteria for hydrogen production in whey biofermentation process. Experiments were conducted in 500-mL anaerobic respirometers at a temperature of 20 °C. The initial organic load of fermentation tanks reached 10 g COD/L. Depending on the experimental variant, analyses were carried out for psychrophilic bacteria isolated from underground water and from demersal lake water that represented Gammaproteobacteria class – Rahnella aquatilis (9 strains) and Firmicutes phylum: Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Trichococcus collinsii and Clostridium algidixylanolyticum. The effectiveness of biogas production was diversified and strain-specific, ranging from 126.48 to 4737.72 mL/g bacterial biomass. The highest concentration of H₂ in biogas, ranging from 65.15% to 69.12% and effectiveness of H₂ production from 1587.47 to 3087.57 mL/g bacterial biomass, were determined for R. aquatilis strains isolated from the demersal lake water. The lowest H₂ concentration in the gaseous metabolites, i.e. 15.46% to 20.70%, was noted for bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes.     

Content of amino acids and the quality of protein in as‐eaten green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) products

The content of amino acids in fresh green spears and in three as‐eaten products was considered, i.e., in fresh asparagus after cooking and in two products obtained from frozen asparagus stored for 12 months at ?20 °C. One of the frozen products was obtained using the traditional method (blanching–freezing–frozen storage) and then cooked. The other was obtained using the modified technology (cooking–freezing–frozen storage); after the storage period the product was defrosted and heated to consumption temperature in a microwave oven. The limiting amino acid of the first order was methionine with cystine, and of the second order leucine. Essential amino acids constituted 40–43% of the total amino acid content. The dominant amino acids were aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The culinary and technological procedures applied brought about a drastic decrease (50–56% in 16 g N) in tyrosine content.     

Effect of different technological and culinary treatments on iron retention,nutritional density and recommended dietary intake in fourteen vegetable species

The present work determined iron content in fourteen species of vegetable prepared for consumption. The experimental material consisted of raw and boiled raw vegetables and two types of frozen product: one traditionally produced (blanching before freezing); the other obtained using the modified method (boiling before freezing), having the characteristics of a ready‐to‐eat convenience product. Nutrient density (ND) and recommended dietary intake (RDI) were established on the basis of iron content. The highest iron content was found in pea seeds (2.03 mg per 100 g fresh weight) and the lowest in root vegetables (0.38–0.60 mg). Iron retention was similar in all pea, broad bean, New Zealand spinach, kale, white cauliflower, celery and red beet products. In the remaining products, the significantly lowest retention was found in the traditionally frozen product (Sample C) and the highest in the ‘convenience’ frozen product (Sample D). The above‐mentioned order also applied to ND and RDI values. Only in the ND of parsnip calculated for women did any value fall below 100%.     

Problem of homogeneity of natural aggregates

Natural aggregates are characterized by considerable variability in their technical properties/sand, silt and clay fractions. The statistical estimation of the homogeneity of domestic natural aggregates was carried out at the Institute of Technology and Organization of Building Production in Warsaw Technical University. Total number of results amounted two thousand. A calculation has been made by EMC “Odra 204” for a program in algoritmic language Algol. Equations derived permit the forecast with 95% probability of the compressive strength of Portland—cement concrete on the basis of the variability of features of the aggregates.     

Heterogeneity of Rapid Sand Filters and Its Effect on Contaminant Transport and Nitrification Performance

Laboratory and full-scale experiments were conducted to investigate the development and effect of heterogeneity caused by filter media nonuniformity, biofilm, particles, precipitates, and gas bubbles in rapid sand filters used for drinking-water treatment. Salt tracer experiments were conducted in laboratory columns and in a waterworks, where a new tracer method for rapid sand filters was developed. Pore-water velocities and dispersivities were estimated by fitting an analytical solution to the measured breakthrough curves. Results of the column experiments showed an increase in average longitudinal dispersivity of more than 33% in the 116?h after the start of filtration with a constant pore-water velocity and a zero-order nitrification rate of 9??mg?N/L/h. The full-scale experiments showed that the rapid sand filter was heterogeneous with pore-water velocities ranging from 2.2 to 3.3??m/h for the same inlet flow. A first-order nitrification reaction with spatially variable pore-water velocity could be interpreted as a zero-order reaction with a constant pore-water velocity. A model demonstrated that filter heterogeneity could result in higher filter outlet ammonium concentrations.