Two-photon absorption and energy band structure of orthorhombic Hg2Cl2 crystals

Dependence of two-photon absorption (TPA) rate on the state of polarization of a laser beam is investigated in the low-temperature orthorhombic modification of Hg₂Cl₂ crystals. Theoretical calculations of the dependence of TPA rate on the direction of polarization vector of the beam are performed for centrosymmetric points, Y, Z, T, R andS of the Brillouin zone. The domain structure of real crystals is taken into consideration and it is shown that periodicity of the polarization dependence may indicate whether TPA is due to transitions either at, Y, Z, T orR, S points. The polarization dependence of TPA cannot, however, distinguish between points inside these two groups. Comparison of theory with a low-temperature (T 8·5 K) experimental curve of polarization dependence is discussed. It is shown that the experiment can be explained in main features by a model of noninteracting oriented linear dipoles. Further, on the basis of TPA measurements, a simple energy band structure of Hg₂Cl₂ is proposed regarding Hg₂Cl₂ crystal as a linear chain of molecules.The authors express thanks to Dr. . Barta for supplying the Hg₂Cl₂ crystals, Dr. Z. Bryknar for critical comments and Dr. B. Velický for stimulating discussion. We thank also Dr. V. Kohlová for assistance during measurement.     

Anion-sealed single-molecule capsules

A new approach to anion recognition utilizing electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions has been demonstrated by placement of the whole ion-pair in a molecular capsule.     

Innovative Freeze-Dried Snacks with Sodium Alginate and Fruit Pomace (Only Apple or Only Chokeberry) Obtained within the Framework of Sustainable Production

The aim of the work has been to develop freeze-dried fruit snacks in the form of bars with the use of by-products derived from fruit processing. In effect 14 product designs of fruit gels based on: apple pulp, apple juice, water, sodium alginate and only apple or only chokeberry pomace were prepared. The snacks were freeze-dried. The dry matter content, water activity, structure, colour, mechanical properties, as well as organoleptic evaluation were determined. Freeze-dried bares were obtained according to sustainability production which in this case was relied on application of fruit pomace. The freeze-drying process ensures the microbiological safety of the product without the need to use chemical preservatives. Freeze-dried samples obtained low water activity in the range of 0.099–0.159. The increase in pomace concentration (3–9%) boosted the dry matter content to above 98%, and decreased the brightness of the freeze-dried bars about 6 to 10 units. Mechanical properties varied depending on the product design. With the increase in the amount of pomace, the shear force increased at 23% to 41%. Based on the results, the best variant, that has the most delicate structure and the best organoleptic properties, has proven to contain 1% sodium alginate and 2% pomace.     

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Viburnum opulus Bark and Flower Extracts on Digestion of Potato Starch and Carbohydrate Hydrolases Activity

One of the effective treatments for diabetes is to reduce and delay the absorption of glucose by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the digestive tract. Currently, there is a great interest in natural inhibitors from various part of plants. In the present study, the phenolic compounds composition of V. opulus bark and flower, and their inhibitory effects on in vitro potato starch digestion as well as on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, have been studied. Bark and flower phenolic extracts reduced the amount of glucose released from potato starch during tree-stage simulated digestion, with IC₅₀ value equal to 87.77 µg/mL and 148.87 µg/mL, respectively. Phenolic bark extract showed 34.9% and 38.4% more potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, but the activity of plant extracts was lower than that of acarbose. Chlorogenic acid (27.26% of total phenolics) and (+)-catechin (30.48% of total phenolics) were the most prominent phenolics in the flower and bark extracts, respectively. Procyanidins may be responsible for the strongest V. opulus bark inhibitory activity against α-amylase, while (+)-catechin relative to α-glucosidase. This preliminary study provides the basis of further examination of the suitability of V. opulus bark compounds as components of nutraceuticals and functional foods with antidiabetic activity.     

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Extracts Exert Cytotoxicity in Two Selected Melanoma Cell Lines—A Factorial Analysis of Time-Dependent Alterations in Values Obtained with SRB and MTT Assays

Despite the fact that phytochemicals of Cornaceae species have long been discussed as possible auxiliary agents in contemporary treatment, the insights on their properties remain relatively scarce. This study focuses on Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry), the extracts of which are reported to exert a pleiotropic effect shown in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This study aimed to explore the cytotoxic effect of extracts from fruits of red (Cornus mas L. ‘Podolski’) and yellow (Cornus mas L. ‘Yantarnyi’ and ‘Flava’) Cornelian cherries on two melanoma cell lines (A375 and MeWo). The extracts were characterized in the context of the concentration of bioactive compounds of antioxidative properties. Cytotoxicity was investigated with the use of the following two assays: SRB and MTT. An additional, alternative protocol for the SRB assay was used in this study so as to account for possible bias. Cytotoxicity was assessed as a difference in the whole time series of cell viability, instead of analyzing differences in raw values (often found in the literature). Both extracts from Cornus mas L. induced cytotoxicity in both A375 and MeWo cell lines, although the response of these cells was different. Moreover, based on this study, there is no evidence for claiming a different magnitude of cytotoxicity between these two extracts.     

Acid–Base Equilibrium and Self-Association in Relation to High Antitumor Activity of Selected Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Established by Extensive Chemometric Analysis

Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) represent a novel class of anticancer agents previously synthesized by our group. Our recent studies have demonstrated their high antitumor potential against multiple cancer cell lines and human tumor xenografts in nude mice. At the cellular level, these compounds affected 3D cancer spheroid growth and their cellular uptake was selectively modulated by quantum dots. UAs were shown to undergo metabolic transformations in vitro and in tumor cells. However, the physicochemical properties of UAs, which could possibly affect their interactions with molecular targets, remain unknown. Therefore, we selected four highly active UAs for the assessment of physicochemical parameters under various pH conditions. We determined the compounds’ pK_a dissociation constants as well as their potential to self-associate. Both parameters were determined by detailed and complex chemometric analysis of UV-Vis spectra supported by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that general molecular properties of UAs in aqueous media, including their protonation state, self-association ratio, and solubility, are strongly pH-dependent, particularly in the physiological pH range of 6 to 8. In conclusion, we describe the detailed physicochemical characteristics of UAs, which might contribute to their selectivity towards tumour cells as opposed to their effect on normal cells.     

Low-Molecular Pyrazine-Based DNA Binders: Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties

Pyrazine and its derivatives are a large group of compounds that exhibit broad biological activity, the changes of which can be easily detected by a substituent effect or a change in the functional group. The present studies combined theoretical research with the density functional theory (DFT) approach (B3LYP/6-311+G**) and experimental (potentiometric and spectrophotometric) analysis for a thorough understanding of the structure of chlorohydrazinopyrazine, its physicochemical and cytotoxic properties, and the site and nature of interaction with DNA. The obtained results indicated that 2-chloro-3-hydrazinopyrazine (2Cl3HP) displayed the highest affinity to DNA. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the compound did not exhibit toxicity toward human dermal keratinocytes, which supported the potential application of 2Cl3HP in clinical use. The study also attempted to establish the possible equilibria occurring in the aqueous solution and, using both theoretical and experimental methods, clearly showed the hydrophilic nature of the compound. The experimental and theoretical results of the study confirmed the quality of the compound, as well as the appropriateness of the selected set of methods for similar research.     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of s-Tetrazine Derivatives Conjugated with the 4H-1,2,4-Triazole Ring

New derivatives obtained by the combination of unique 1,2,4,5-tetrazine and 4H-1,2,4-triazole rings have great application potential in many fields. Therefore, two synthetic few-step methodologies, which make use of commercially available 4-cyanobenzoic acid (method A) and ethyl diazoacetate (method B), were applied to produce two groups of the aforementioned heterocyclic conjugates. In both cases, the target compounds were obtained in various combinations, by introducing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents into the terminal rings, together with aromatic or aliphatic substituents on the triazole nitrogen atom. Synthesis of such designed systems made it possible to analyze the influence of individual elements of the structure on the reaction course, as well as the absorption and emission properties. The structure of all products was confirmed by conventional spectroscopic methods, and their luminescent properties were also determined.     

Formation of Carcinogens in Processed Meat and Its Measurement with the Usage of Artificial Digestion—A Review

Meat is a rich source of various nutrients. However, it needs processing before consumption, what in turn generates formation of carcinogenic compounds, i.a., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitrosamines (NOCs), and the most mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). It was widely found that many factors affect the content of carcinogens in processed meat. However, it has recently been discovered that after digestion free HAAs are released, which are not detectable before enzymatic treatment. It was established that the highest percentage of carcinogens is released in the small intestine and that its amount can be increased up to 6.6-fold. The change in free HAAs content in analyzed samples was dependent on many factors such as meat type, doneness, particle size of meat, and the enzyme concentration used for digestion. In turn, introduction of bacteria naturally occurring in the human digestive tract into the model significantly decreases total amount of HAAs. Contrary, the addition of food ingredients rich in polyphenols, fiber, and water (pepper powder, onions, apples) increases free HAAs’ release up to 56.06%. Results suggests that in vitro digestion should be an integral step of sample preparation. Artificial digestion introduced before chromatographic analysis will allow to estimate accurately the content of carcinogens in processed meat.     

Tropaeolin OO as a Chemical Sensor for a Trace Amount of Pd(II) Ions Determination

The selective determination of metals in waste solutions is a very important aspect of the industry and environmental protection. Knowledge of the contents and composition of the waste can contribute to design an efficient process separation and recovery of valuable metals. The problematic issue is primarily the correct determination of metals with similar properties such as palladium and platinum. Thus this paper focuses on the development of a selective method that enables Pd(II) determination in the presence of Pt(IV) ions using the azo-dye tropaeolin OO (TR). For this purpose, the process of the metalorganic complex formation and Pd(II) ions determination were studied by using UV–Vis spectrophotometry under different conditions: solvents (water and B-R buffer), pH (2.09–6.09), temperature (20–60 °C), anions and cations concentrations. The formed metalorganic complex between Pd and tropaeolin OO allows for distinguishing Pd(II) ions from both platinum complexes, i.e. Pt(II), Pt(IV). Moreover, the proposed method can be applied to solutions containing both chloride and chlorate ions. The obtained characteristic spectrum with two maxima allows the determination of palladium even in the presence of other cations (Na, K, Mg, Zn, Co, Ni, Al) and changed concentrations of Pt(IV) ions. Furthermore, the developed spectrophotometric method for the Pd(II) ions determination using tropaeolin OO is characterized by high selectivity towards palladium ions.