Physico-chemical changes taking place in gamma irradiated bovine globulins studied by thermal analysis

Structural transformations induced in gamma and alpha globulins under influence of gamma irradiation using doses of 2.5 and 24 kGy were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG, DTG). Thermal decomposition of the globulins irradiated in water suspensions occurs at higher temperatures, in comparison to the reference non-irradiated samples. This was related to formation of covalent linkages in the irradiated proteins, apart to chemical changes induced in amino-acids. Essential modification of thermal decomposition was detected already after irradiation with a dose of 2.5 kGy performed for water suspensions. Irradiation of solid native proteins induces decrease in decomposition temperature and gives evidence of proteins degradation.     

Does Maternal Treatment with Zidovudine Affect Changes in Mandibles of Newborns? Laser Induced Fluorescence Study

The influence of antiretroviral drug zidovudine treatment during pregnancy on mandible development in newborn rats was studied. The fluorescence of mandibles from 7-, 14- and 28-days old individuals was measured by means of fiber-optical fluorescence analyzer with 407 nm laser excitation. Obtained results revealed disturbing effect of maternal zidovudine administration on mandible fluorescence intensity which should decrease with bone development. Small changes in fluorescence of porphyrin forms are maintaining in the first month of newborns life while the changes observed in 440–585 nm range disappear.     

Structural studies on aryl‐substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogues. Part I. Analysis of high‐resolution 1H, 13C NMR and 13C CP MAS spectra combined with GIAO‐DFT calculations

A series of aryl‐substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogues in CDCl₃ solution and in the solid state were studied by the use of high‐resolution ¹H and ¹³C as well as ¹³C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP MAS) NMR spectra in combination with gauge including atomic orbitals‐density functional theory (GIAO‐DFT) calculations performed at the B3PW91/6–311 + + G(d,p) level of theory using the B3PW91/6‐311 + + G(d,p)‐optimized geometries. The analysis of the ¹³C NMR spectra in solution was done by using the Incredible Natural Abundance DoublE QUAntum Transfer Experiment (INADEQUATE) technique, whereas trends observed in the ¹³C shielding constants, calculated for the compounds studied, were a great help in assigning most of the signals in the ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra. It was established on the basis of the experimental and theoretical NMR data that both groups of compounds exist in the form of Z‐s‐Z‐s‐E isomers in CDCl₃ solution as well as in the solid state, with the NH hydrogen atom involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. This conclusion is in agreement with the fact that some of the compounds studied reveal liquid‐crystalline properties. Three‐bond H, H and C, H coupling constants measured in solution played a crucial role in the structure elucidation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of carbon sorbents for the concentration and separation of metal ions.

Solid-phase extraction is an attractive approach in the preparation of many kinds of samples prior to analysis; highly selective sorbents are desirable for this purpose. The objective of this review is to provide updated information about carbon-based sorbents, their interaction modes and potential application for the concentration and separation of metal ions from environmental samples prior to their determination. New selective phases such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes are described. Selected examples illustrate the potential of these sorbents.     

Photophysical properties and photocytotoxicity of novel phthalocyanines - potentially useful for their application in photodynamic therapy

Two novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines bearing non-peripheral ester-alkyloxy substituents (Pc-4 and Pc-5) were synthesized, by a two-step procedure starting from 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone. Both sensitizers show promising photophysical properties, including solvatochromic study, qualitative evaluation of emission, aggregation behavior and singlet oxygen generation. It was proven that the photodynamic activity of the compounds studied depends on the molecular oxygen level. Comparison of the quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation as well as the oxidation rate constants using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofurane before and after deaeration proved the photodynamic effect of Pc-4 and Pc-5 to be governed by the photosensitization mechanism II. Changes in the quantities of the compounds exposed to irradiation were also estimated. Upon their exposure to light the changes in intensity of the Q band were monitored. The photodecomposition of Pc-4 and Pc-5 in DMSO or DMF solutions was found to proceed according to the first order kinetic reaction in two stages.The photosensitizing effect of Pc-4 in HSC-3 cells was significantly lower than that of ZnPc. Pc-4 was ineffective at 0.1 μM, while a low, approx. 15% photocytotoxicity was observed at 5 μM, at a distance of 5 and 10 cm. The efficacy of Pc-4 in photokilling of cultured cells is affected by hydrophobicity and the aggregation status of the photosensitizer.