Effect of the Winemaking Practices and Aging on Phenolic Content of Smederevka and Chardonnay Wines

Changes of the polyphenolic content, including total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and total flavan-3-ols (TF_3-ols) determined by spectrophotometric methods, have been studied in Macedonian white wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv, Smederevka and Chardonnay, obtained under different vinifications and analyzed during 16 months of aging in bottles. Winemaking treatments for both varieties included an addition of two doses of SO₂ (50 and 100 mg/L) and two commercial yeasts for fermentation, Vinalco and Levuline, both Saccharomyces cerevisiae species, in order to study the influence of SO₂ and yeasts on the phenolic content of the wines. Comparing the two varieties, Chardonnay wines contained higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols, probably as a result of the cultivar differences. Sulfur dioxide protected the phenolic oxidation, resulting in higher phenolic content in the wines with higher SO₂ dose, while the yeast did not show significant influence on the total phenolics. During aging, the TP, TF, and TF_3-ols in the wines from both varieties decreased significantly up to the second month of storage and remained stable till the sixth month. The Student–Newman–Keuls test has been applied to ascertain possible significant differences between the studied wines, and a principal component analysis has been employed, showing separation and grouping of the wines according to the cultivar and time of aging.     

Synergy in Cystic Fibrosis Therapies: Targeting SLC26A9

SLC26A9, a constitutively active Cl⁻ transporter, has gained interest over the past years as a relevant disease modifier in several respiratory disorders including Cystic Fibrosis (CF), asthma, and non-CF bronchiectasis. SLC26A9 contributes to epithelial Cl⁻ secretion, thus preventing mucus obstruction under inflammatory conditions. Additionally, SLC26A9 was identified as a CF gene modifier, and its polymorphisms were shown to correlate with the response to drugs modulating CFTR, the defective protein in CF. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between SLC26A9 and CFTR, and its role in CF pathogenesis. Our data show that SLC26A9 expression contributes to enhanced CFTR expression and function. While knocking-down SLC26A9 in human bronchial cells leads to lower wt- and F508del-CFTR expression, function, and response to CFTR correctors, the opposite occurs upon its overexpression, highlighting SLC26A9 relevance for CF. Accordingly, F508del-CFTR rescue by the most efficient correctors available is further enhanced by increasing SLC26A9 expression. Interestingly, SLC26A9 overexpression does not increase the PM expression of non-F508del CFTR traffic mutants, namely those unresponsive to corrector drugs. Altogether, our data indicate that SLC26A9 stabilizes CFTR at the ER level and that the efficacy of CFTR modulator drugs may be further enhanced by increasing its expression.     

Use of dynamic electronic speckle pattern interferometry with the Hilbert transform method to investigate thermal expansion of a joint material

A dynamic electronic speckle pattern interferometry method is applied to investigate thermal expansion of a joint material (ceramic-stainless steel) as a practical industrial object. The speckle interference signal is considered in the temporal domain and the phase is analyzed by the Hilbert transform method. Errors caused by the bias and modulation variations over the phase values are first examined by numerical simulation. Two experiments are performed with in-plane and out-of-plane sensitive systems to study the 3D deformation field thoroughly. The deformation field showed clearly the difference between the thermal expansions of the stainless steel and ceramic. It was also revealed that the boundary of materials and its vicinity suffer very large thermal strain due to the significantly large difference in the linear coefficient of thermal expansions.     

Manipulating Kondo temperature via single molecule switching

Two conformations of isolated single TBrPP-Co molecules on a Cu(111) surface are switched by applying +2.2 V voltage pulses from a scanning tunneling microscope tip at 4.6 K. The TBrPP-Co has a spin-active cobalt atom caged at its center, and the interaction between the spin of this cobalt atom and free electrons from the Cu(111) substrate can cause a Kondo resonance. Tunneling spectroscopy data reveal that switching from the saddle to a planar molecular conformation enhances spin-electron coupling, which increases the associated Kondo temperature from 130 to 170 K. This result demonstrates that the Kondo temperature can be manipulated just by changing molecular conformation without altering chemical composition of the molecule.     

A simple chemical method for deposition of electrochromic potassium manganese oxide hydrate thin films

A new chemical method for fast deposition of electrochromically active thin films of birnessite-type potassium manganese oxide (K_0.27MnO₂·xH₂O) has been developed. The chemical deposition has been performed at room temperature by a reaction of aqueous solutions of potassium permanganate and manganese(II) chloride. The prepared thin films have thickness from 50 to 250 nm depending on the number of the deposition cycles. The composition and the structure of the K-birnessite films are studied by XRD, IR spectroscopy and TG/DTA analyses. Electrochemical studies using four different electrolytes such as aqueous K₂SO₄, Li₂SO₄, KNO₃, and LiClO₄ in PC have been performed. The electrochromic activity has been explored by cyclic voltammetry and VIS spectrometry. The best electrochromic properties are obtained using aqueous KNO₃, where the difference in the transmittance at 400 nm between the bleached and colored state is 40% for both as-deposited and annealed films. The obtained data allow the prepared K-birnessite thin films in aqueous KNO₃ electrolyte to be proposed as a promising system for electrochromic applications.     

Characteristics of Zinc Corrosion and Formation of Conversion Films on the Zinc Surface in Acidic Solutions of Cr(III) Compounds

The influence of the components of an acidic solution: Cr(III) nitrate-malonic acid-Co(II) salt and treatment conditions on zinc dissolution and formation of Chromate films as well as on their decorative and protective properties have been studied using the analytical, XPS, structural and accelerated corrosion test methods. An organic acid is the main component, which has an essential influence on zinc dissolution and formation of Chromate films as well as their decorative and protective properties. The influence of organic acid is directly related with the state of the Cr³⁺ ions in chromating solution. When the Cr³⁺ ions are in the form of hexaaquaions, the organic acid increases the quantities of the zinc dissolved and the Cr(III) deposited on the zinc surface (especially at 60°C). It also predetermines the formation of a thick, porous Chromate film with large cracks at 60°C. Its decorative and protective properties are rather poor. When Cr³⁺ ions are in the form of a complex with organic acid, the quantities of the zinc dissolved and the Cr(III) deposited on the zinc surface significantly decrease and thinner Chromate films with an even surface, good decorative appearance and high corrosion resistance are formed Decorative blue-bright Cr(VI)-free films with a slight iridescent tint, obtained in solution, containing Cr(III) nitrate (0.2), malonic acid (0.3) and Co(II) nitrate (0.02) mol dm^?3, at p H 1.6-2.0 at room temperature over 30–60 s, possess corrosion resistance (192–240 h in a salt spray chamber) similar to that of iridescent Chromate films, obtained in acidic Cr(VI) solution.     

Discovery of novel non-cyclam polynitrogenated CXCR4 coreceptor inhibitors

HIV cell fusion and entry have been validated as targets for therapeutic intervention against infection. Bicyclams were the first low-molecular-weight compounds to show specific interaction with CXCR4. The most potent bicyclam was AMD3100, in which the two cyclam moieties are tethered by a 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene) bridge. It was withdrawn from clinical trials owing to its lack of oral bioavailability and cardiotoxicity. We have designed a combinatorial library of non-cyclam polynitrogenated compounds by preserving the main features of AMD3100. At least two nitrogen atoms on each side of the p-phenylene moiety, one in the benzylic position and the other(s) in the heterocyclic system were maintained, and the distances between them were similar to the nitrogen atom distances in cyclam. A selection of diverse compounds from this library were prepared, and their in vitro activity was tested in cell cultures against HIV strains. This led to the identification of novel potent CXCR4 coreceptor inhibitors without cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations.     

Possibilities of using the ultrasonic wave transmission method to estimate initial setting time of cement paste

In this paper, the applicability of the ultrasonic wave transmission method to estimate the initial setting time of an arbitrary cement paste is discussed. Ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements were fully automated and measured continuously. The Vicat Needle Test was used in order to determine the initial setting time of cement pastes. Different cement pastes were prepared in order to check the influence of the water/cement ratio, type of cement, curing temperature, cement fineness, and some clinker compositions, on the relationship between the initial setting time and ultrasonic pulse velocity. It was found that the initial setting time of an arbitrary cement paste can be estimated very accurately by the time the first inflection point appears on the ultrasonic pulse velocity curve. Moreover, it can be estimated quite accurately by the time the ultrasonic pulse velocity reaches a fixed value, close to the value of the ultrasonic pulse velocity in water.     

Application of a Novel Small-Scale Sample Cleanup Procedure Prior to MALDI-TOF-MS for Rapid Pigment Fingerprinting of Red Wines

This study evaluates the anthocyanin and derived pigment composition of Vitis vinifera red wines of Vranec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon produced in 2006, 2007, and 2008 vintages from the Tikve? wine region in the Republic of Macedonia. Their profile was established using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technique. A total of 22 anthocyanins and derived pigments have been identified in the samples including 10 anthocyanins, 1 ethyl-bridged flavanol–anthocyanin adduct, and 11 pyranoanthocyanins. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis was performed after solid-phase extraction of the wines by using, for the first time, the Zip-Tip® C18 stationary phase, introducing a novel small-scale sample cleanup procedure prior to the rapid MALDI-TOF-MS fingerprinting of wine samples. 2′,4′,6′-Trihydroxyacetophenone (dissolved in acetonitrile/water 1:1, v/v) was used as a matrix. The qualitative screening of anthocyanins and derived pigments with MALDI-TOF-MS confirmed the presence of glucoside, acetylglucoside, and p-coumaroylglucoside derivatives of anthocyanins in the wine samples. Furthermore, pyranoanthocyanins formed by reactions of anthocyanins with pyruvic acid and acetaldehyde, as well as flavanol–pyranoanthocyanins and ethyl-bridged flavan-3-ol-anthocyanin adduct pigments have been detected in the samples.