Optimization of some parameters of the gas-flow cems detector measurement

The paper presents, in an abbreviated form, the results of some measurements which were carried out with the aim to obtain an efficient and stable performance of a helium gas-flow CEMS detector.     

Magnetic properties and macroscopic heterogeneity of FeCoNbB Hitperms

Nanocrystalline ribbons of Fe_81−xCo_xNb₇B₁₂ (where x ranges from 0 to 40.5 at%) Hitperm alloys have been investigated as to their basic magnetic properties and the influence of the macroscopic heterogeneity. Different crystalline share at surfaces compared with the volume average is observed by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), respectively. This marks the presence of macroscopic heterogeneity in these Hitperms. The heterogeneity is generally more significant in Ar-annealed samples than in the vacuum-annealed ones. The characteristic slant hysteresis loops (hard-ribbon-axis) are seen as a rule with few exceptions. An inspection of hysteresis loop response of resin potted samples shows that the surfaces bi-axially squeeze the ribbon interior in heterogeneous Hitperms when the ribbons cool down after annealing. Certain compositions show macroscopic viscous flow prior to crystallization so the heterogeneity gets another chance to induce anisotropy during annealing. The induction attains 1.5 T but saturates poorly due to the heterogeneity and the ensuing anisotropy. Moreover the heterogeneity appears to hamper the crystallization within the ribbon interior. Unlike Finemets, the density of these Hitperms show no pronounced trend with annealing.     

Influence of aggregation on interaction of lipophilic, water-insoluble azaphthalocyanines with DOPC vesicles

Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles made by extrusion technique (LUVETs) were studied as the delivery system for lipophilic water-insoluble potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Two azaphthalocyanines (AzaPcs) with hydrophobic substituents only and two also possessing two charged amino groups were introduced into the study. All compounds are insoluble in water and form aggregates in PBS with tetrahydrofuran as cosolvent. The size of these aggregates depends on the concentration of AzaPc in solution. AzaPcs with tert-butyl substituents were found to be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of vesicles in the monomeric form even at high concentrations. The stability of LUVETs with incorporated AzaPc was excellent for at least 4 weeks. Therefore, they are suitable for use as a delivery system for these water-insoluble photosensitizers. Very low amount of AzaPc with n-octyl substituents incorporated into LUVETs due to its stronger self-aggregation. Values of binding constants determined for all AzaPcs showed inverse order than expected from their lipophilicities. However, the binding constants followed the order of the strength of aggregation forces. Aggregation of AzaPcs in water medium plays a very important role in the interaction of AzaPcs with LUVETs.     

Novel porphyrin conjugates with a potent photodynamic antitumor effect: differential efficacy of mono- and bis-beta-cyclodextrin derivatives in vitro and in vivo

In the present study we investigated the photosensitizing properties of two novel mono- and bis-cyclodextrin tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin derivatives in several tumor cell lines and in BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted syngeneic mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1. Both studied sensitizers were localized mainly in lysosomes and were found to induce cell death by triggering apoptosis in human leukemic cells HL-60. In 4T1 and other cell lines both apoptotic and necrotic modes of cell death occurred depending on drug and light doses. Mono-cyclodextrin porphyrin derivative P(beta-CD)1 exhibited stronger in vitro phototoxic effect than bis-cyclodextrin derivative P(beta-CD)2. However, in vivo P(beta-CD)2 displayed faster tumor uptake with maximal accumulation 6 h after application, leading to complete and prolonged elimination of subcutaneous tumors within 3 days after irradiation (100 J cm(-2)). In contrast, P(beta-CD)1 uptake was slower (48 h) and the reduction of tumor mass was only transient, reaching the maximum at the 12 h interval when a favorable tumor-to-skin ratio appeared. Thus, P(beta-CD)2 represents a new photosensitizing drug displaying fast and selective tumor uptake, strong antitumor activity and fast elimination from the body.     

Nanocrystalline alloys of Fe-Cu-Nb-Si-B after neutron irradiation

Transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to study changes induced by irradiation of amorphous and nanocrystalline samples. In an as-cast sample neutrons mostly affect the orientation of a net magnetic moment. The average hyperfine field decreases towards higher neutron fluencies. In the case of the nanocrystalline samples a new disordered structure is created in the amorpous remainder corresponding to boride phases as it is shown in the samples isothermally heated from 1 to 8 hours. The structural changes of the amorphous remainder depend on the stage of crystallization and total neutron fluencies.     

Electrochemical generation of mercury cold vapor and its in-situ trapping in gold-covered graphite tube atomizers

The combination of more efficient flow-through electrochemical mercury cold vapor generation with its in-situ trapping in a graphite tube atomizer is described. This coupled technique has been optimized to attain the maximum sensitivity for Hg determination and to minimize the limits of detection and determination. A laboratory constructed thin-layer flow-through cell with a platinum cathode served as the cold vapor generator. Various cathode arrangements with different active surface areas were tested. Automated sampling equipment for the graphite atomizer with an untreated fused silica capillary was used for the introduction of the mercury vapor. The inner surface of the graphite tube was covered with a gold foil placed against the sampling hole.     

Silica-coated manganite and Mn-based ferrite nanoparticles: a comparative study focused on cytotoxicity

Magnetic oxide nanoparticles provide a fascinating tool for biological research and medicine, serving as contrast agents, magnetic carriers, and core materials of theranostic systems. Although the applications rely mostly on iron oxides, more complex oxides such as perovskite manganites may provide a much better magnetic performance. To assess the risk of their potential use, in vitro toxicity of manganite nanoparticles was thoroughly analysed and compared with another prospective system of Mn–Zn ferrite nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles of La_0.63Sr_0.37MnO₃ manganite were prepared by two distinct methods, namely the molten salt synthesis and the traditional sol–gel route, whereas nanoparticles of Mn_0.61Zn_0.42Fe_1.97O₄ ferrite, selected as a comparative material, were synthesized by a new procedure under hydrothermal conditions. Magnetic cores were coated with silica and, moreover, several samples of manganite nanoparticles with different thicknesses of silica shell were prepared. The size-fractionated and purified products were analysed using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, measurement of the zeta-potential dependence on pH, IR spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. The silica-coated products with accurately determined concentration by atomic absorption spectroscopy were subjected to a robust evaluation of their cytotoxicity by four different methods, including detailed analysis of the concentration dependence of toxicity, analysis of apoptosis, and experiments on three different cell lines. The results, comparing two manganese-containing systems, clearly indicated superior properties of the Mn–Zn ferrite, whose silica-coated nanoparticles show very limited toxic effects and thus constitute a promising material for bioapplications.     

Densitometric High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Method for Toxigenity Testing of Alternaria alternata Strains Isolated from Foodstuffs

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Alternaria alternata is an important mycotoxin-producing species that occurs on cereals, sunflower seeds, oilseed rape, tomato,...     

Substituted pyrazinecarboxamides: synthesis and biological evaluation

Condensation of the corresponding chlorides of some substituted pyrazine-2-carboxylic acids (pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, 6-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, 5-tert-butylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid or 5-tert-butyl-6-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid) with various ring-substituted aminothiazoles or anilines yielded a series of amides. The syntheses, analytical and spectroscopic data of thirty newly prepared compounds are presented. Structure-activity relationships between the chemical structures and the anti-mycobacterial, antifungal and photosynthesis-inhibiting activity of the evaluated compounds are discussed. 3,5-Bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl derivatives of substituted pyrazinecarboxylic acid, 16-18, have shown the highest activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv (54-72% inhibition). The highest antifungal effect against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most susceptible fungal strain tested, was found for 5-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N-(4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (8, MIC =31.25 micromol x mL(-1)). The most active inhibitors of oxygen evolution rate in spinach Molecules 2006, 11,243 chloroplasts were the compounds 5-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)- pyrazine-2-carboxamide (27, IC(50) = 41.9 micromol x L(-1)) and 5-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N-(1,3- thiazol-2-yl)-pyrazine-2-carboxamide (4, IC50 = 49.5 micromol x L(-1)).     

Polyhydroxylated sapphyrins: multisite non-metallic catalysts for activated phosphodiester hydrolysis

Enhanced hydrolysis rates for the cleavage of bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP), a model phosphodiester, may be achieved by using appropriately designed ditopic receptors containing the known phosphate-binding nucleus, sapphyrin, attached covalently to suitably oriented polyhydroxyl subunits. Evidence for the interaction between sapphyrin and BNPP comes from solid-state X-ray diffraction analysis of a diprotonated dihydroxylated sapphyrin-BNPP complex and from solution-phase (31)P NMR spectroscopic binding studies. The sapphyrins described in this paper may have a role to play as oligonucleotide cleavage agents.