A benzopyran derivative substituted at position 3

In (E)‐3‐{[(di­phenoxy­phospho­ryl)­methyl­hydrazono]­methyl}‐4H‐1‐benzo­pyran‐4‐one, C₂₃H₁₉N₂O₅P, the benzo­pyran–methyl­hydrazone moiety is planar and the two phenoxy phenyl rings are inclined at angles of 21.29 (6) and 89.33 (5)°. Weak C—H?O and C—H?N intramolecular interactions exert some influence on the planarity and orientation of that moiety.     

(N,N-diethylamino)alkoxy derivatives of phenanthrolines asDNA binding agents

The interaction of the tricyclic angular azaaromatic system having positive charged side chains withDNA, influence of molecular structure of the ligand on the mode of noncovalent binding, and stability of the complex formed were established. Several (N,N-diethylamino)alkoxy derivatives of 1,7-, 1,8-, 1,10- and 4,7-phenanthroline in the protonated form were used as ligand. The electronic and steric factors were shown as responsible for the electrostatic and intercalative interactions of the ligand withDNA. The syntheses of (N,N-diethylamino)alkoxy derivatives from parent phenanthrolines were elaborated.

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(N,N-Diethylamino)alkoxy-phenanthrolinverbindungen als DNA Bindungsagentien

Zusammenfassung Die Wechselwirkung von trizyklischen, azaaromatischen Systemen mit positiver Ladung an Seitenketten mitDNA, der Einfluß der molekularen Struktur des Liganden bei nonkovalenter Bindung und die Stabilität des gebildeten Komplexes wurde bestimmt. Als Liganden wurden mehrere (N,N-diethylamino)alkoxy-Verbindungen von 1,7-, 1,8-, 1,10- und 4,7-Phenanthrolin in protonierter Form benutzt. Es wurde gezeigt, daß die elektronischen und sterischen Faktoren für elektrostatische und intercalative Wechselwirkungen des Ligand undDNA verantwortlich sind. Es wurden Synthesen von (N,N-diethylamino)alkoxy-phenanthrolinen aus entsprechenden Chlorverbindungen ausgearbeitet.

     

Electrochemical and spectral properties of some tantalocene derivatives with one pentamethylated cyclopentadienyl ligand: Cp*(Cp-R)TaCl2 , R = H, SiMe3 or (CH2)3NC4H4

Three tantalocene dichloride complexes, Cp*(Cp-R)Ta(IV)Cl₂, with one pentamethylated cyclopentadienyl ligand, Cp* = η⁵–C₅Me₅, Me = CH₃, and one monosubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand, Cp-R, Cp = η⁵–C₅H₅, R = H, SiMe₃ or (CH₂)₃NC₄H₄, have been studied in acetonitrile solutions with cyclic voltammetry in the ranges of the Ta(IV) oxidation to Ta(V) or of its reduction to Ta(III). The former transition is reversible, while the latter one gives an irreversible wave due to the dissociation of the reduced complex with the loss of one chloride ligand. The redox transformation from the initial state of complex Cp*CpSiMe₃TaCl₂ to its oxidized state, Cp*CpSiMe₃TaCl₂ ⁺, and back was monitored by spectroelectrochemical measurements in a thin-layer acetonitrile solution. Kinetic data for the evolution of the UV-visible spectrum of the system in the course of the double potential step experiment were treated on the basis of two theoretical models as the reactant diffusion across the solution layer without or with taking into account ohmic losses. The values of the diffusion coefficients of the complex in its initial and oxidized (cationic) states have been estimated. It was demonstrated that this complex in each of two oxidation states, Ta(IV) or Ta(V), is represented by a single molecular form. An attempt to deposit a conducting polymer film by oxidation of the tantalocene complex containing a pyrrole group attached to the Cp ring, Cp*Cp(CH₂)₃PyTaCl₂, led to a thin insulating layer at the electrode surface because of an inhibiting effect of chloride anions.

Multidisciplinary Studies of Folk Medicine “Five Thieves’ Oil” (Olejek Pięciu Złodziei) Components

To meet the growing interest in natural antibacterial agents, we evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of the folk medicine known as “five thieves’ oil” (Polish name: olejek pięciu złodziei). Five thieves’ oil consists of a mixture of five oils: rosemary, lemon, clove, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. In this study, we performed gas chromatography, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopic analysis, as well as L-a-b color tests, contact angle determination, and surface tension determination. To verify its antibacterial activity, the metabolic activity and changes in cell membrane permeability of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were studied. As a result, it was found that among the constituent oils, the oils of clove and cinnamon were the least volatile and, at the same time, had the strongest antibacterial activity. However, a mix of all the oils also showed comparable activity, which was even more pronounced for the oils after 4 weeks of aging. This effect can be linked to the high content of terpene derivatives such as eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, which can cause changes in bacterial membrane permeability, affecting cell activity and survival. This study is the first to characterize the constituents of the popular folk medicine five thieves’ oil, confirming and explaining its strong antibacterial activity, thus constituting a significant contribution to contemporary health education.     

Polymorphism and Conformational Equilibrium of Nitro-Acetophenone in Solid State and under Matrix Conditions

Conformational and polymorphic states in the nitro-derivative of o-hydroxy acetophenone have been studied by experimental and theoretical methods. The potential energy curves for the rotation of the nitro group and isomerization of the hydroxyl group have been calculated by density functional theory (DFT) to estimate the barriers of the conformational changes. Two polymorphic forms of the studied compound were obtained by the slow and fast evaporation of polar and non-polar solutions, respectively. Both of the polymorphs were investigated by Infrared-Red (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, Incoherent Inelastic Neutron Scattering (IINS), X-ray diffraction, nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy (NQR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and density functional theory (DFT) methods. In one of the polymorphs, the existence of a phase transition was shown. The position of the nitro group and its impact on the crystal cell of the studied compound were analyzed. The conformational equilibrium determined by the reorientation of the hydroxyl group was observed under argon matrix isolation. An analysis of vibrational spectra was achieved for the interpretation of conformational equilibrium. The infrared spectra were measured in a wide temperature range to reveal the spectral bands that were the most sensitive to the phase transition and conformational equilibrium. The results showed the interrelations between intramolecular processes and macroscopic phenomena in the studied compound.     

Vibrational Spectra of Zeolite Y as a Function of Ion Exchange

Zeolite Y is one of the earliest known and most widely used synthetic zeolites. Many experimental investigations verify the valuable ion exchange capability of this zeolite. In this study, we assessed the effects of ion exchange on its vibrational spectra. We applied classical lattice dynamics methods for IR and Raman intensity calculations. Computed spectra of optimized zeolite Y structures with different cations were compared with experimental data. The spectra obtained in this study are in agreement with previous experimental and computational studies on zeolites from the faujasite group.     

Molecular and Cellular Effects of Chemical Chaperone—TUDCA on ER-Stressed NHAC-kn Human Articular Chondrocytes Cultured in Normoxic and Hypoxic Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered one of the most common arthritic diseases characterized by progressive degradation and abnormal remodeling of articular cartilage. Potential therapeutics for OA aim at restoring proper chondrocyte functioning and inhibiting apoptosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) showed anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activity in many models of various diseases, acting mainly via alleviation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, little is known about cytoprotective effects of TUDCA on chondrocyte cells. The present study was designed to evaluate potential effects of TUDCA on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tunicamycin (TNC)-stimulated NHAC-kn chondrocytes cultured in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Our results showed that TUDCA alleviated ER stress in TNC-treated chondrocytes, as demonstrated by reduced CHOP expression; however, it was not effective enough to prevent apoptosis of NHAC-kn cells in either normoxia nor hypoxia. However, co-treatment with TUDCA alleviated inflammatory response induced by IL-1β, as shown by down regulation of Il-1β, Il-6, Il-8 and Cox2, and increased the expression of antioxidant enzyme Sod2. Additionally, TUDCA enhanced Col IIα expression in IL-1β- and TNC-stimulated cells, but only in normoxic conditions. Altogether, these results suggest that although TUDCA may display chondoprotective potential in ER-stressed cells, further analyses are still necessary to fully confirm its possible recommendation as potential candidate in OA therapy.     

Arterial Blood Pressure Variability and Other Vascular Factors Contribution to the Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease

Dementia is one of the most disabling non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Unlike in Alzheimer’s disease, the vascular pathology in PD is less documented. Due to the uncertain role of commonly investigated metabolic or vascular factors, e.g., hypertension or diabetes, other factors corresponding to PD dementia have been proposed. Associated dysautonomia and dopaminergic treatment seem to have an impact on diurnal blood pressure (BP) variability, which may presumably contribute to white matter hyperintensities (WMH) development and cognitive decline. We aim to review possible vascular and metabolic factors: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), as well as the dopaminergic treatment, in the etiopathogenesis of PD dementia. Additionally, we focus on the role of polymorphisms within the genes for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), apolipoprotein E (APOE), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, and their contribution to cognitive decline in PD. Determining vascular risk factors and their contribution to the cognitive impairment in PD may result in screening, as well as preventive measures.     

A noncommutative version of the John-Nirenberg theorem

We prove a noncommutative version of the John-Nirenberg theorem for nontracial filtrations of von Neumann algebras. As an application, we obtain an analogue of the classical large deviation inequality for elements of the associated space.

     

Tissue sample preparations for preclinical research determined by molecular imaging mass spectrometry using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - imaging mass spectrometry is an alternative tool, which can be implemented in order to obtain and visualize the “omic” signature of tissue samples. Its application to clinical study enables simultaneous imaging-based morphological observations and mass spectrometry analysis. Application of fully informative material like tissue allows obtaining the complex and unique profile of analyzed samples. This knowledge leads to diagnosing disease, studying the mechanism of cancer development, selecting the potential biomarkers as well as correlating obtained images with prognosis. Nevertheless, it is worth noticing that this method is found to be objective but the result of the analysis is mainly influenced by the sample preparation protocol, including the collection of biological material, its preservation, and processing. However, the application of this approach requires a special sample preparation procedure. The main goal of the study is to present the current knowledge on the clinical application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with imaging mass spectrometry in cancer research, with particular emphasis on the sample preparation step. For this purpose, several protocols based on cryosections and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue were compiled and compared, taking into account the measured metabolites of potential diagnostic importance for a given type of cancer.