Thermographic imaging as alternative method in allergy diagnosis

Allergen sensitization is being diagnosed by commonly available methods in clinical practice—skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific immunoglobulin E test (sIgE). Recently, a new thermographic (TH) method for the assessment of SPT was developed, and it was demonstrated that the TH measurements of forearm temperature distribution during SPT, supported by a mathematical model, offer a new quantification method of allergen-induced skin reactions. The aim of this study is a comprehensive comparison of the TH method with SPT and sIgE techniques. The studies were performed for a group of 51 patients. The SPT and sIgE examinations were done in a routine way. For TH analyses, set of thermograms of both forearms were acquired after prick and analyzed with the use of developed software. All results were converted into categorized scale for comparison. The collected results indicate high correlation coefficients between methods equal to 0.76–0.99. Sensitivity and accuracy of TH assessment in respect of both SPT and sIgE methods is at good level (0.72–0.93). Acceptable level of specificity 0.60–0.88 was also achieved for most allergic responses. Excellent agreement between SPT and sIgE methods was observed which makes the TH assessment competitive. Due to higher precision and sensitivity of digital infrared technology, possibility of making error in diagnosis is significantly reduced. Additional advantage of the TH method relies on an estimation of the skin reactivity which allows highlighting the hypersensitivity patients and automatic correction of the diagnosis.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel 2-benzimidazolylthioureas: adducts of natural isothiocyanates and 2-amino-1-methylbenzimidazole

Adducts of natural allyl, phenethyl, and benzyl isothiocyanates and 2-amino-1-methylbenzimidazole were synthesized. After optimization of the reaction conditions, the target 2-benzimidazolylthioureas were obtained in reasonable yields. The detailed molecular and crystal structures of these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray methods. Spectral analysis demonstrated that N-(1-methylbenzimidazolyl)-N′-allylthiourea, N-(1-methylbenzimidazolyl)-N′-benzylthiourea, and N-(1-methylbenzimidazolyl)-N′-phenethylthiourea exist in solution in an unprecedented three tautomeric forms, whose structures were corroborated unambiguously.     

Progress in planar electrochromatography

Developments in planar electrochromatography in open (PEC) and closed (PPEC) systems are reviewed. The discussion focuses on progress in chamber construction for planar electrochromatography, separating system performance, equilibration of the PPEC process, separation time and selectivity, and the general advantages, disadvantages and prospects of this separation mode. Presented at the 11th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment, 9–12 September 2007, Torum, Poland.     

Bonding in β-diketiminate boron and its analogues

Bonding analysis in β-diketiminate boron and related systems has been performed. For the optimized geometries (MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ), the post-SCF electron density function has been produced and its topological parameters have been analyzed according to Atoms in Molecules Quantum Theory approach. The B–N bond has characteristics similar to those found for TM–ligand bonding. The symmetric character of the B–N interaction found for the β-diketiminate boron results from the fully π-electron delocalized character of the β-diketiminate moiety. If the π-electron system in NCCCN sequence of bonds is localized, the asymmetric B–N bonding is enforced. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

On a Unique Ergodicity of Some Markov Processes

It is proved that the sufficient condition for the uniqueness of an invariant measure for Markov processes with the strong asymptotic Feller property formulated by Hairer and Mattingly (Ann Math 164(3):993–1032, 2006) entails the existence of at most one invariant measure for e-processes as well. Some application to time-homogeneous Markov processes associated with a nonlinear heat equation driven by an impulsive noise is also given.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of lithium derivatives of diphosphanes R2P–P(SiMe3)Li · 3L, R = Ph, Pr and Pr2N, L = THF or DME

The reactions of R₂P–P(SiMe₃)₂ (R = Ph, ⁱPr and ⁱPr₂N) with BuLi in THF or DME solution lead to ion-contacted lithium derivatives R₂P–P(SiMe₃)Li · 3THF (R = ⁱPr, ⁱPr₂N) with tetrahedrally surrounded Li atoms and to the solvent-separated ionic [Li · 3DME]⁺[Ph₂P–PSiMe₃]⁻ with an octahedrally surrounded Li atom as confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The reaction of BuLi with Ph₂P–P(SiMe₃)₂ is accompanied with a significant side-reaction leading to Ph₂P–PPh₂ and to LiP(SiMe₃)₂.     

Application of DTA/DSC and dilatometry for optimization of Ba–Ce–Y–P–Si–O glass phase for composite protonic conductors based on BaCe<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript>

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of chemical composition on thermal and electrical properties of selected glass from the BaO–CeO₂–Y₂O₃–P₂O₅–SiO₂ system. Properties of the investigated glasses were optimized in terms of glass-BaCe_0.9Y_0.1O₃ composite protonic conductor preparation. Three types of glasses with different P₂O₅/SiO₂ ratio were prepared and investigated. The DSC and XRD measurements indicated limited tendency to crystallization of obtained glasses up to T = 1023 K. The dilatometry measurements led to determination of the thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) and the softening point. It was found that obtained glasses soften in temperature range of 903–923 K, depending on the composition which is advantageous from the viewpoint of further preparation and formation of the composite material. The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy measurements done as a function of temperature and gas atmosphere allowed to determine the activation energy of the electrical conductivity. Observed fluctuations of the activation energy with gas atmosphere suggest the possible role of the protonic defects in total conductivity. Based on the obtained results it can be stated that proposed glass system may be considered as the modifying phase for improvement of BaCe_0.9Y_0.1O₃-based materials.     

Design,synthesis, structure elucidation and in vitro antiviral and antimicrobial evaluation

In this study, we described the synthesis of the derivatives of thiosemicarbazide, dicarboximide, 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione and 4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidine. Two different dicarboxylic acid anhydrides reacted with 4-substituted-3-thiosemicarbazide, and derivatives of thiosemicarbazide and dicarboximide were obtained. Next, cyclization reaction of dicarboximide derivatives in alkaline media was used to prepare 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione. The 4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidine was synthesized by the reaction of dicarboximide with ethyl bromoacetate. All obtained derivatives were analysed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, and for one compound, the X-ray crystallography was done. Antimicrobial, antiviral and in vitro evaluations of cytotoxicity were examined. According to the preliminary antiviral screening, compounds 3 and 4 presented the antiviral activity against HSV-1 and CVB3. Additionally, compound 3 shows selective in vitro toxic effect against human epithelial cells FaDu, without affecting normal animal cell line (Vero). The same derivatives 3 and 4 also displayed a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity against reference microorganisms and indicated both antibacterial and antifungal potential activities.