Development of a Library of Thiophene-Based Drug-Like Lego Molecules: Evaluation of Their Anion Binding,Transport Properties,and Cytotoxicity

The anion-binding and transport properties of an extensive library of thiophene-based molecules are reported. Seventeen bis-urea positional isomers, with different binding conformations and lipophilicities, have been synthesized by appending α- or β-thiophene or α-, β-, or γ-benzo[b]thiophene moieties to an ortho-phenylenediamine central core, yielding six subsets of positional isomers. Through ¹H NMR, X-ray crystallography, molecular modelling, and anion efflux studies, it is demonstrated that the most active transporters adopt a pre-organized binding conformation capable of promoting the recognition of chloride, using urea and C−H binding groups in a cooperative fashion. Additional large unilamellar vesicle-based assays, carried out under electroneutral and electrogenic conditions, together with N-methyl-d -glucamine chloride assays, have indicated that anion efflux occurs mainly through an H⁺/Cl⁻ symport mechanism. On the other hand, the most efficient anion transporter displays cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines, while having no effects on a cystic fibrosis cell line.     

Antiangiogenic and Antioxidant In Vitro Properties of Hydroethanolic Extract from açaí (Euterpe oleracea) Dietary Powder Supplement

The Euterpe oleracea fruit (açaí) is a promising source of polyphenols with health-promoting properties. To our knowledge, few studies have focused on the influence of açaí phytochemicals on angiogenesis, with a significant impact on cancer. This study aimed at investigating the phytochemical profile of a purple açaí hydroethanolic extract (AHE) obtained from a commercial dietary powder supplement by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and evaluate its in vitro effects on distinct angiogenic steps during vessel growth and on oxidative markers in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). The phenolic profile of AHE revealed the presence of significant levels of anthocyanins, mainly cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, and other flavonoids with promising health effects. The in vitro studies demonstrated that AHE exerts antiangiogenic activity with no cytotoxic effect. The AHE was able to decrease HMEC-1 migration and invasion potential, as well as to inhibit the formation of capillary-like structures. Additionally, AHE increased antioxidant defenses by upregulating superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities, accompanied by a reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species. These data bring new insights into the potential application of angiogenic inhibitors present in AHE on the development of novel therapeutic approaches for angiogenesis-dependent diseases.     

Direct determination of mineral nutrients in soybean leaves under vivo conditions by portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

A portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer furnished with an Rh X-ray tube was evaluated for the determination of macronutrients and micronutrients in soybean leaves (Glycine max L.). XRF instrumental parameters were optimized in a univariate way, and emission intensities were measured for 60 s and under vacuum for macronutrients, and during 180 s, under air, and 305 μm Al/25.4 μm Ti filter, for micronutrients. Fresh and dried leaves were irradiated, and it was possible to identify P, K, Ca, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn Kα emission lines. For comparative purpose, the samples were also microwave assisted, digested and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In general, linear correlations between K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the tested samples and the corresponding portable XRF (pXRF) intensities were obtained. The linear correlation coefficients (R²) ranged from 0.42 to 0.86. In addition, the detection limits were suitable for plant nutrient diagnosis. It is demonstrated that pXRF is a simple and powerful tool for analysis of plant materials.     

Short communication: a simple nanoparticle-based TiO2 memristor device and the role of defect chemistry in its operation

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A simple metal-semiconductor-metal device comprising TiO2 cast from a suspension of Degussa P25 and placed between two metal plates (Al/Al lap shears)...     

Physical–chemical and microstructural study of shells of the Lucina Pectinata species

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Lucina pectinata, popularly called Lambreta, is a delicacy very consumed in Bahian cuisine. The shell is composed of nacreous layers formed by keratin,...     

Inexact Multi-Objective Local Search Proximal Algorithms: Application to Group Dynamic and Distributive Justice Problems

We introduce and examine an inexact multi-objective proximal method with a proximal distance as the perturbation term. Our algorithm utilizes a local search descent process that eventually reaches a weak Pareto optimum of a multi-objective function, whose components are the maxima of continuously differentiable functions. Our algorithm gives a new formulation and resolution of the following important distributive justice problem in the context of group dynamics: In each period, if a group creates a cake, the problem is, for each member, to get a high enough share of this cake; if this is not possible, then it is better to quit, breaking the stability of the group.     

Melt and cold crystallization in a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blend

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Melt and cold crystallization characteristics of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), two biodegradable...     

Correction to: Short communication: a simple nanoparticle-based TiO2 memristor device and the role of defect chemistry in its operation

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The original version of this article contained a mistake.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermal behaviour of heavy lanthanide and yttrium pyruvates in the solid state

Solid-state Ln–L compounds, where Ln stands for heavy trivalent lanthanides or yttrium (III) (Tb–Lu, Y) and where L is pyruvate, have been synthesized. Thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray powder diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and complexometry were used to characterize and to study the thermal behaviour of these compounds. The results led to information about the composition, dehydration, thermal behaviour, ligand denticity of the isolated complexes.