Global Controllability for Quasilinear Nonnegative Definite System of ODEs and SDEs

Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications - We consider exact and averaged control problem for a system of quasilinear ODEs and SDEs with a nonnegative definite symmetric matrix of the...     

Calcium binding and transport by coenzyme Q

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the essential components of the mitochondrial electron-transport chain (ETC) with the primary function to transfer electrons along and protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). The concomitant proton gradient across the IMM is essential for the process of oxidative phosphorylation and consequently ATP production. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) monoxygenase enzymes are known to induce structural changes in a variety of compounds and are expressed in the IMM. However, it is unknown if CYP450 interacts with CoQ10 and how such an interaction would affect mitochondrial function. Using voltammetry, UV-vis spectrometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fluorescence microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), we show that both CoQ10 and its analogue CoQ1, when exposed to CYP450 or alkaline media, undergo structural changes through a complex reaction pathway and form quinone structures with distinct properties. Hereby, one or both methoxy groups at positions 2 and 3 on the quinone ring are replaced by hydroxyl groups in a time-dependent manner. In comparison with the native forms, the electrochemically reduced forms of the new hydroxylated CoQs have higher antioxidative potential and are also now able to bind and transport Ca(2+) across artificial biomimetic membranes. Our results open new perspectives on the physiological importance of CoQ10 and its analogues, not only as electron and proton transporters, but also as potential regulators of mitochondrial Ca(2+) and redox homeostasis.     

An Improved HPLC Method for Simultaneous Analysis of Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide with the Aid of a Chemometric Protocol

An experimental design method was used for fast, simple, and accurate high-performance-pressure liquid chromatograpy (HPLC) determination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide in combined dosage forms. This method avoids the disadvantages of the traditional analytical approach, which is time-consuming, involves a large number of runs, and does not allow the determination of multiple interacting parameters. On the basis of preliminary experiments, three independent variables (methanol content, pH value of the mobile phase, and flow rate) were selected as input, and as dependent variables, five responses (retention time of hydrochlorothiazide, retention time of losartan, asymmetry of hydrochlorothiazide peak, asymmetry of losartan peak, and resolution) were chosen. A full 2³ factorial design was used to determine which factors had an effect on the studied response. Afterwards, experimental design was used to optimize these influencing parameters in the previously selected experimental domain. After optimizing the experimental conditions, a separation was conducted on a Zorbax C₈ (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol–acetonitrile–acetate buffer 45:20:35 v/v/v, pH 4.8 with flow rate of 0.82 mL min^?1 and column temperature of 25 °C. The developed method was successfully applied to simultaneous separation of these active drug compounds in their commercial pharmaceutical dosage forms.     

An insight into antimicrobial activity of the freshwater bryozoan Pectinatella magnifica

The antimicrobial activity of five crude extracts of the freshwater bryozoan Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) was evaluated in vitro for the first time. P. magnifica acetone extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) 0.004–0.350 mg/mL and MBC 0.007–0.500 mg/mL), while its methanol extract showed the most promising antifungal activity (MIC 0.03–0.12 mg/mL and MFC 0.06–0.25 mg/mL). Furthermore, at a concentration of 0.25 MIC, the methanol extract reduced biofilm formation of the bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in a considerable extent (59.14%). FTIR spectra of the most active extracts indicate the presence of carbonyl compounds, long-chain alcohols and/or sterols. According to the experimental data obtained, P. magnifica methanol extract may be considered as a good resource of novel natural products with potent antibiofilm activity against the bacterium well known for its resistance.     

Monte Carlo-based QSAR modeling of dimeric pyridinium compounds and drug design of new potent acetylcholine esterase inhibitors for potential therapy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">myasthenia gravis</Emphasis>

The Monte Carlo method was used for QSAR modeling of dimeric pyridinium compounds as acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. QSAR model was developed for a series of 39 dimeric pyridinium compounds. QSAR models were calculated with the representation of the molecular structure by the simplified molecular-input line-entry system. One split into the training and test set have been examined. The statistical quality of the developed model is very good. The calculated model for dimeric pyridinium derivatives had following statistical parameters: r ² = 0.9477 for the training set and r ² = 0.9332 the test set. Structural indicators considered as molecular fragments responsible for the increase and decrease in the inhibition activity have been defined. The computer-aided design of new dimeric pyridinium compounds potential acetylcholine esterase inhibitors with the application of defined structural alerts has been presented.     

Electrochemical biosensors for rapid pathogen detection

Rapid pathogen detection is an emerging issue in clinical, environmental, and food industry sectors. Biosensors can represent a solution to culture-based and molecular methods as they respond to sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity needs. Screen-printed electrodes have been used in association with nanoparticles to increase the signal and improve sensitivity reaching low numbers of the targets. Antibodies, DNA probes, and aptamers are mainly used to functionalize the working electrodes to ensure high specific pathogen detection by the use of voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, amperometry, and conductivity. Electrochemical biosensors can be miniaturized to construct portable devices useful for in situ assays.     

Screen-printed enzymatic glucose biosensor based on a composite made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes and palladium containing particles

A composite material consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and palladium containing particles was synthesized and applied to the preparation of bulk-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (Pd-MWCNT-SPCE) and surface-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (Pd-MWCNT/SPCE). They were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and hydrodynamic chronoamperometry in solution of pH 7.5. Both electrodes were then modified with glucose oxidase (GOx) by drop-coating a solution of GOx and Nafion® on their surface. Glucose can be determined via enzymatically formed H₂O₂. In an alternative approach, gold nanoparticles (5 nm) were incorporated into the biolayer of the electrodes. The resulting electrodes of type GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE and GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE showed acceptable analytical performance at working potentials between ?0.20 V and ?0.50 V in case of hydrodynamic chronoamperometry. Both electrodes can be operated best at a working potential of ?0.40 V vs SCE, with acceptable linearity of the methods in sub mM concentration ranges and with LOQs of 0.14 mM and 0.07 mM for glucose for the GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE and GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE, respectively. Incorporation of gold nanoparticles prolongs the operational lifetime of the electrodes by two weeks. The GOx/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE based method was applied to the determination of glucose in multifloral honey, and the GOx-Au/Pd-MWCNT-SPCE method to the determination of glucose in blood serum. In both cases there was a good agreement with the results obtained by commercially available equipment for determination of glucose.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of a screen printed carbon biosensor based on the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with palladium-containing particles and glucose oxidase. It can be applied to the amperometric determination of glucose in blood serum and multifloral honey

     

Mechanism of the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. Structure of the intermediate potassium phenoxide-CO(2) complex

Our investigation elucidates the structure of the intermediate in the first stage of the carboxylation reaction of potassium phenoxide. Under the reduced pressure of carbon dioxide the complex is not solvated with the CO(2) molecules. Under the conditions of the carboxylation reaction the potassium phenoxide-carbon dioxide complex is solvated with one or two CO(2) molecules. One of the added CO(2) moieties performs an electrophilic attack on the benzene ring, whereas the old CO(2) moiety becomes a molecule of solvent. Our findings are in good accord with the experimental results obtained by the NMR and IR measurements.