A Comparative Study of Biocathodes Based on Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers Modified with Three Different Multicopper Oxidases

14 Single‐ and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes from different sources were characterized in detail, and the characteristics obtained were carefully analyzed. The carbon material with the highest capacitance, and also other superior properties (“Taunit‐M” from “NanoTechCenter”, Russia), was chosen for further modification and fabrication of buckypaper based electrodes. These electrodes were biomodified with plant and fungal laccases, as well as fungal bilirubin oxidase. The designed biocathodes were investigated in simple buffers and also in a complex physiological fluid (human serum). Biocathodes based on immobilized fungal laccase were bioelectrocatalytically inactive in chloride containing media at neutral pH. In spite of the quite high current densities realized using biodevices based on plant laccase and fungal bilirubin oxidase, the limited thermal stability of the enzymes renders the biocathodes inadequate for practical applications in implanted situations.     

One-pot synthesis of 1-substituted-5-alkylselanyl-1H-tetrazoles from isoselenocyanates: unexpected formation of N-alkyl-N-arylcyanamides and (Z)-Se-alkyl-N-cyano-N,N′-diarylisoselenoureas

1-Substituted-5-alkylsulfanyl-1H-tetrazoles are well known class of organic substances with various applications in medicinal chemistry or photographic industry. Their selenium analogues, 1-substituted-5-alkylselanyl-1H-tetrazoles are, however, much less explored because of the lack of suitable methods for their preparation. In this work we investigated the synthesis of 1-alkyl/aryl-5-alkylselanyl-1H-tetrazoles from synthetically available alkyl/arylisoselenocyanates. One-pot reactions of arylisoselenocyanates with sodium azide and alkylating agent led to the target 5-alkylselanyl-1-aryl-1H-tetrazoles but also to interesting side products, namely N-alkyl-N-arylcyanamides and (Z)-Se-alkyl-N-cyano-N,N′-diarylisoselenoureas. Nevertheless, when alkylisoselenocyanates were utilized as the substrates, the reactions led exclusively to the formation of 1-alkyl-5-alkylselanyl-1H-tetrazoles in good yields. This simple one-pot procedure brings new possibilities for the preparation of variously substituted selenium compounds. It also opens the way to further investigations of selenium isosteres of the widely utilized 5-thiotetrazole moiety in biomedical applications.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystal composites based on the porous stretched polyethylene films

Electro-optically active polymer–liquid crystal composites based on ferroelectric liquid crystals and stretched porous polyethylene films were developed. The alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals incorporated into the porous polyethylene films with average porous diameter of around 200 nm was observed and studied. It was shown experimentally that these samples containing ferroelectric liquid crystals are flexible electro-optical films exhibiting a saturation electric field near 2·10⁷ Vm^?1 and a response time of about 30 μs under the action of the saturation field. A simple theoretical model of ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules' complete reorientation in electric fields inside pores of the films has been proposed and confirmed experimentally.     

Reversible Control over Molecular Recognition in Surface‐Bound Photoswitchable Hydrogen‐Bonding Receptors: Towards Read–Write–Erase Molecular Printboards

The synthesis of an anthracene‐bearing photoactive barbituric acid receptor and its subsequent grafting onto azide‐terminated alkanethiol/Au self‐assembled monolayers by using an Cu^I‐catalyzed azide–alkyne reaction is reported. Monolayer characterization using contact‐angle measurements, electrochemistry, and spectroscopic ellipsometry indicate that the monolayer conversion is fast and complete. Irradiation of the receptor leads to photodimerization of the anthracenes, which induces the open‐to‐closed gating of the receptor by blocking access to the binding site. The process is thermally reversible, and polarization‐modulated IR reflection–absorption spectroscopy indicates that photochemical closure and thermal opening of the surface‐bound receptors occur in 70 and 100 % conversion, respectively. Affinity of the open and closed surface‐bound receptor was characterized by using force spectroscopy with a barbituric‐acid‐modified atomic force microscope tip.     

Arginine-hydrolyzing enzymes for electrochemical biosensors

Since l-Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential amino acid for humans, its adequate amount must be consumed in the diet to prevent certain negative consequences related to insufficient synthesis of this amino acid under specific physiological conditions. Arg metabolism results in the production of a biochemically diverse range of such products as urea, some amino acids, creatine, polyamines, nitric oxide, etc. Arg, an important biomarker in clinical diagnostics, is also used for prevention/treatment of different diseases, including cancer and COVID-19. Furthermore, it serves as an indicator of food and beverages quality.A variety of optic and electrochemical methods for Arg determination have already been suggested. The biosensor systems based on the enzymes of Arg metabolism were shown to be the most promising tools for Arg assay. This review focuses on the peculiarities of electrochemical biosensors for Arg assay based on the use of Arg-degrading enzymes and on the analysis of their advantages as compared to other approaches.     

Synthesis and antiherpetic activity of novel purine conjugates with 7,8-difluoro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - A method for the synthesis of novel purine conjugates with 7,8-difluoro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine containing fragments of ω-amino acids with...     

Novel purine conjugates with N-heterocycles: synthesis and anti-influenza activity

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - A number of novel amides were synthesized by coupling of 6-[(9H-purin-6-yl)amino]hexanoic acid to heterocyclic amines. The antiviral activity of the obtained...     

Exploring the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises through the credit crunch

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are major contributors to most western economies. They are often supported by government policies, and in the UK the government encourages banks to lend to them. It is generally believed that the credit crunch has had an impact on the performance of SMEs. This study looks at the impact of the crunch using large samples from 2007 through to 2010. It looks at performance by region, age and industrial sector (SIC code). It then proceeds to explore the modelling of default over the years, with a focus on young businesses. It was found that there is a degree of stability within the models, though the level of default varies across years. Young businesses, as has been found before, are shown to be more vulnerable.     

N‐Alkylacylamides in Thin Films Display Infrared Spectra of 310‐, α‐, and π‐Helices with Visible Static and Dynamic Growth Phases

A peptide model is a physical system containing a CONH group, the simplest being HCONHCH₃, N‐methylformamide (NMF). We have discovered that NMF and N‐methylacetamide (NMA), which form hydrogen‐bonded oligomers in thin films on a planar AgX fiber, display infrared (IR) spectra with peaks like those of polypeptide helices. Structures can be assigned by their amide I maxima near 1672 (3₁₀), 1655 (3₁₀), 1653 (α), 1655 (π), and 1635 cm^?1 (π), which are the first IR data for the π‐helix. Sharp peaks are an outcome of immobilization of polar species on the polar surface of silver halides. We report the first use of expanded thin‐film IR spectroscopy, in which plots of every spectrum over the amide I–II range show pauses or slow stages in the increase or decrease of absorption. These are identified as static phases followed by dynamic phases, with the incremental gain or loss of a helix turn. A general theory can be stated for such processes. Density functional calculations show that the NMA α‐helix pentamer (crystal structure geometry) is transformed into a π‐helix‐like form. For the first time, an entire sequence (3₁₀‐helix, α‐helix, π‐helix, quasiplanar species) of spectra has been recorded for NMA.