Cellular Target of a Rhodium Metalloinsertor is the DNA Base Pair Mismatch

Defects in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) are commonly found in various cancers, especially in colorectal cancers. Despite the high prevalence of MMR-deficient cancers, mismatch-targeted therapeutics are limited and diagnostic tools are indirect. Here, we examine the cytotoxic properties of a rhodium metalloinsertor, [Rh(phen)(chrysi)(PPO)]²⁺ ( RhPPO ) in 27 diverse colorectal cancer cell lines. Despite the low frequency of genomic mismatches and the non-covalent nature of the RhPPO -DNA lesion, RhPPO is on average five times more potent than cisplatin. Importantly, the biological target and profile for RhPPO differs from that of cisplatin. A fluorescent metalloinsertor, RhCy3 , was used to demonstrate that the cellular target of RhPPO is the DNA mismatch. RhCy3 represents a direct probe for MMR-deficiency and correlates directly with the cytotoxicity of RhPPO across different cell lines. Overall, our studies clearly indicate that RhPPO and RhCy3 are promising anticancer and diagnostic probes for MMR-deficient cancers, respectively.     

The Chemical Composition of Oils and Cakes of Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) and Other Underutilized Traditional Oil Trees from Western Zambia

Currently, the negative effects of unified and intensive agriculture are of growing concern. To mitigate them, the possibilities of using local but nowadays underused crop for food production should be more thoroughly investigated and promoted. The soybean is the major crop cultivated for vegetable oil production in Zambia, while the oil production from local oil-bearing plants is neglected. The chemical composition of oils and cakes of a three traditional oil plant used by descendants of the Lozi people for cooking were investigated. Parinari curatellifolia and Schinziophyton rautanenii oils were chiefly composed of α-eleostearic (28.58–55.96%), linoleic (9.78–40.18%), and oleic acid (15.26–24.07%), whereas Ochna serrulata contained mainly palmitic (35.62–37.31%), oleic (37.31–46.80%), and linoleic acid (10.61–18.66%); the oil yield was high (39–71%). S. rautanenii and O. serrulata oils were rich in γ-tocopherol (3236.18 μg/g, 361.11 μg/g, respectively). The O. serrulata oil also had a very distinctive aroma predominantly composed of p-cymene (52.26%), m-xylene (9.63%), γ-terpinene (9.07%), o-xylene (7.97), and limonene (7.23%). The cakes remaining after oil extraction are a good source of essential minerals, being rich in N, P, S, K, Ca, and Mg. These plants have the potential to be introduced for use in the food, technical, or pharmaceutical industries.     

Existence results and gap functions for the generalized equilibrium problem with composed functions

In this paper we provide first existence results for solutions of the generalized equilibrium problem with composed functions (GEPC) under generalized convexity assumptions. Then we construct by employing some tools specific to the theory of conjugate duality two gap functions for (GEPC). The importance of these gap functions is to be seen in the fact that they equivalently characterize the solutions of an equilibrium problem. We also prove that for some particular instances of (GEPC) the gap functions we introduce here become among others the celebrated Auslender’s and Giannessi’s gap functions.     

Electrospray: More than just an ionization source

Electrospraying (ES) is a potential-driven process of liquid atomization, which is employed in the field of analytical chemistry, particularly as an ionization technique for mass spectrometric analyses of biomolecules. In this review, we demonstrate the extraordinary versatility of the electrospray by overviewing the specifics and advanced applications of ES-based processing of low molecular mass compounds, biomolecules, polymers, nanoparticles, and cells. Thus, under suitable experimental conditions, ES can be used as a powerful tool for highly controlled deposition of homogeneous films or various patterns, which may sometimes even be organized into 3D structures. We also emphasize its capacity to produce composite materials including encapsulation systems and polymeric fibers. Further, we present several other, less common ES-based applications. This review provides an insight into the remarkable potential of ES, which can be very useful in the designing of innovative and unique strategies.     

NMR of casein hydration and activity in solutions with ions

Oxygen-17 NMR studies of caseins isolated from fresh milk of several species were carried out in concentrated electrolyte solutions as a function of both protein and electrolyte concentration. Molecular dynamics simulations of ion and water binding to caseins are compared with the experimental observations by 0–17 NMR of caseins in solutions with ions. Protein activities are also determined by utilizing Wyman's theory of linked functions with a detailed model of ion binding to casein.     

Tensile failure of micro-concrete: from mechanical tests to FE meso-model with the help of X-ray tomography

In this work, concrete is studied at meso-scale (aggregates, macro-pores and mortar matrix), where the local failure mechanisms are known to drive the macroscopic behaviour of the material. In order to highlight the impact of the mechanical and morphological properties of each phase (along with their interfaces), micro-concrete specimens are prepared with rather small dimensions compared to the size of the heterogeneities. X-ray tomography is used to reliably obtain the morphology of the heterogeneous meso-structure, which is then given as an input to a 3D FE meso-model with enhanced discontinuities. A uniaxial tensile numerical simulation is performed as a first application. To validate the numerical model, a uniaxial tensile test of the same micro-concrete specimen is performed inside the X-ray scanner and the in-situ evolution of the micro-structure is followed. Thus, both a direct validation of the model and a valuable insight of the 3D fracture mechanisms while the load progresses are obtained. After identification of the numerical parameters, comparison of experimental and numerical results reveals the capability of the meso-model to reproduce the actual material response (in terms of macroscopic strength, Young’s modulus and fracture patterns), with the explicit representation of the meso-scale heterogeneities being its key feature. To further challenge the meso-model, a new morphology coming from an X-ray scan of another characteristic micro-concrete specimen is introduced and its macroscopic behaviour is computed without a priori numerical identification. Starting from an X-ray scan in meso-scale, it is shown that the 3D meso-model is capable to predict the macroscopic behaviour and the failure patterns of the material.

     

Dichotomic Decision Optimization for the Design of HVDC Superconducting Links

Superconducting links are an innovative solution for bulk power transmission, distinguished by their compact dimensions, high efficiency and small environmental footprint. As with any new technology field, there is a large amount of design possibilities for such links, each of them having a profound impact on the system configuration. For instance, changing the material can imply a change in the working temperature from 20 to 70 K and has consequences on the maximum link length. This article presents the dichotomic decision possibilities for the optimized design of a high-power superconducting link, focusing on some of the key components of the cable system. The complex design optimization process is exemplified using the European project Best Paths, in which the first 3-gigawatt-class superconducting cable system was designed, optimized, manufactured, and successfully tested.     

Optimality Conditions for Weakly ϵ-Efficient Solutions of Vector Optimization Problems with Applications

The aim of this article is to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a feasible point to be a weakly ?-efficient solution of a vector optimization problem with cone constraints under generalized convexity notions and a weak constraint qualification. Our results permit to recover earlier established theorems.     

A New Voltammetric Approach for Electrochemical Determination of Lamotrigine in Pharmaceutical Samples

A new linear sweep voltammetric method for quantitative lamotrigine (LMT) determination based on an electrochemically pre-treated pencil graphite electrode (PGE*) is presented. Response characteristics of the PGE* toward the mentioned compound were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The quantitative determination of LMT revealed a wide linear range of 2.5 ⋅ 10⁻⁵–1.0 ⋅ 10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 1.94 ⋅ 10⁻⁵ M. The method was used successfully for LMT determination in a pharmaceutical formulation.