Biological activity of new amino phospha betaines with C10–C18 alkyl groups

New amino phospha betaines were obtained by quaternization of potassium salt of amino phosphonate and higher alkyl bromides. The structure of isopropyl (N-dodecyl-N,N- dimethylammoniomethyl)phosphonate was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All synthesized compounds demonstrate high antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke Essential Oil from Different Regions of Angola

The purpose of the study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke essential oils (EOs) collected in different regions of Angola. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar wells technique and vapour phase test. Analysis of the oils by GC/MS identified thirty-five components representing 67.5 to 100% of the total oils. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most prevalent compounds, followed by oxygenated monoterpenes. The content of the compounds varied according to the samples. The main components were Limonene, Piperitenone, Neral, Citral, Elemol, p-cymene, Transtagetone, and Artemisia ketone. Only one of the eleven samples contained Verbenone as the majority compound. In the vapour phase test, a single oil was the most effective against all the pathogens studied. The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of components of the selected EOs and inhibition zone diameter values of agar wells technique allowed us to identify a variability between the plants from the two provinces, but also intraspecific variability between sub-groups within a population. Each group of essential oils constituted a chemotype responsible for their bacterial inhibition capacity. The results presented here suggest that Angolan Lippia multiflora Moldenke has antibacterial properties and could be a potential source of antimicrobial agents for the pharmaceutical and food industry.     

Synthesis and biological evaluations of mono‐ and bis‐ferrocene uracil derivatives

Mono‐ ( 3a – 3e and 4a – 4e ) and bis‐ferrocene ( 5a – 5e and 6a – 6e ) conjugated 5‐substituted uracil derivatives that are bridged by 1,2,3‐triazole linker were synthesized. The impact of ferrocene unit and spacer between ferrocene and triazole on radical scavenging potency was observed. Bis‐ferrocenyl uracil derivatives exhibited better antiproliferative activities than their mono‐ferrocenyl analogs. Bis‐ferrocenyl methyl‐ ( 5b ) and halogen‐substituted ( 5e , 6c , and 6d ) uracil derivatives showed pronounced and selective cytostatic activities on colon adenocarcinoma (CaCo‐2) and Burkitt lymphoma (Raji) cells, with higher potency and selectivity than the reference drug 5‐fluorouracil. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CaCo‐2 and Raji cells when treated with compounds 5b , 5e , and 6d was observed. Bis‐ferrocenyl 5‐chlorouracil 6c induced significant disruption in mitochondrial membrane potential that is accompanied by activation of apoptosis in CaCo‐2, Raji, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF‐CEM) cells, while 6d caused mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induction in CaCo‐2 and Raji cells. Potent antiproliferative activity of 6c and 6d could be associated with mitochondrial membrane potential disruption accompanied by apoptosis induction. Our findings highlighted 6c and 6d with potent and selective antiproliferative activity on CaCo‐2, Raji, and CCRF‐CEM cells that may be associated with targeting cancer cell mitochondria, as a molecular target.     

Synthesis and evaluation of the anticancer activity of the water-dispersible complexes of 4-acylaminoisoxazole derivative with biocompatible nanocontainers based on Ca2+ (Mg2+) cross-linked alginate

Water-dispersible complexes of 4-methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide possessing anticancer activity were prepared by its immobilization with biocompatible polymer nanocontainers based on sodium alginate cross-linked with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. It was found that this isoxazole derivative retains its structure during immobilization. Colloidal stable nanocontainers filled with this compound exhibit toxicity toward the colon carcinoma (HCT116) tumor cell line.     

SAPO-34提升铁钒基催化剂抗碱性能研究

采用浸渍法制备Fe-VO_x/SAPO-34和Fe-VO_x/TiO₂脱硝催化剂,探究SAPO-34分子筛与TiO₂两种载体负载铁钒基氧化物催化活性及抗碱性能的差异。借助X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、氨气程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)、氢气程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)、原位红外漫反射(in-situ DRIFTs)等表征手段对催化剂的骨架结构、表面物化性质、氧化还原能力以及对反应气体的吸脱附情况进行分析。结果表明:SAPO-34分子筛内部特定的孔道结构和稳定的骨架,有利于活性组分在载体上均匀分散,降低碱金属对表面活性中心的物理覆盖作用;同时其表面丰富的酸位点能够作为碱金属捕获位,保护催化剂表面的活性中心,保证催化剂的吸附-反应过程能够正常进行,从而使Fe-VO_x/SAPO-34表现出良好的抗碱金属能力。     

Structure of Zinc and Nickel Histidine Complexes in Solution Revealed by Molecular Dynamics and Raman Optical Activity

The histidine residue has an exceptional affinity for metals, but solution structure of its complexes are difficult to study. For zinc and nickel complexes, Raman and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectroscopy methods to investigate the link between spectral shapes and the geometry were used. The spectra were recorded and interpreted on the basis of ionic equilibria, molecular dynamics, ab initio molecular dynamics, and density functional theory. For zwitterionic histidine the dominant tautomer was determined by the decomposition of experimental spectra into calculated subspectra. An octahedral structure was found to prevail for the ZnHis₂ complex in solution, in contrast to a tetrahedral arrangement in the crystal phase. The solution geometry of NiHis₂ is more similar to the octahedral structure found by X-ray. The Raman and ROA structural determinations of metal complexes are dependent on extensive computations, but reveal unique information about the studied systems.     

Research progress of Pt and Pt-based cathode electrocatalysts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been widely used commercially to solve the energy crisis and environmental pollution. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is the rate-determining step in PEMFCs. Platinum (Pt) catalysts are used to accelerate the ORR kinetics. Pt's scarcity, high cost, and instability in an acidic environment at high potentials seriously hinder the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, studies should explore electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity, enhanced stability, and low-Pt loading. This review briefly introduces the research progress on Pt and Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts for PEMFCs, including anticorrosion catalyst supports, Pt, and Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts. Advanced preparation technology and material characterization of Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts are necessary to improve the performance and corresponding reaction mechanisms.     

Hyperbranched Kaustamin as an antibacterial for surface treatment

Hyperbranched Kaustamin as a commercially available cationic flocculant adsorbs on a glass surface with formation of the polymer film. Kaustamin has antimicrobial effect on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, its film on glass keeps integrity and shape after absorption of water from air, which make the polymer appropriate as an antibacterial cover.     

Surface properties and antibacterial testing of a partially alicyclic polyimide film modified by RF plasma and NaOH/AgNO3 treatment

A polyimide containing alicyclic sequences was synthesized by a two steps solution polycondensation reaction and further processed into the film form for antibacterial purposes. The sample surface was activated by RF plasma treatment to ensure the biocide attachment by immersion in by NaOH/AgNO₃ solution. Surface properties of the synthesized polyimide film were analyzed by FTIR, contact angle and atomic force microscopy measurements, before and after the treatments with plasma and silver-based biocide. Antibacterial tests revealed that the pristine sample inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and this behavior is more pronounced after the biocide surface treatment. The differences in the biocidal activity were discussed in terms of sample and bacteria hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions.