Stability and Clifford Regularity with Respect to Star Operations

In the last few years, the concepts of stability and Clifford regularity have been fruitfully extended by using star operations. In this article we deepen the study of star stable and star regular domains and relate these two classes of domains to each other.     

Cocharacters of Bilinear Mappings and Graded Matrices

Let M _k (F) be the algebra of k ×k matrices over a field F of characteristic 0. If G is any group, we endow M _k (F) with the elementary grading induced by the k-tuple (1,...,1,g) where g?∈?G, g ²?≠?1. Then the graded identities of M _k (F) depending only on variables of homogeneous degree g and g ^???1 are obtained by a natural translation of the identities of bilinear mappings (see Bahturin and Drensky, Linear Algebra Appl 369:95–112, 2003). Here we study such identities by means of the representation theory of the symmetric group. We act with two copies of the symmetric group on a space of multilinear graded polynomials of homogeneous degree g and g ^???1 and we find an explicit decomposition of the corresponding graded cocharacter into irreducibles.     

Umt-domains and domains with prüfer integral closure

An integral domain R is said to be a UMT-domain if uppers to zero in R[X) are maximal t-ideals. We show that R is a UMT-domain if and only if its localizations at maximal tdeals have Prüfer integral closure. We also prove that the UMT-property is preserved upon passage to polynomial rings. Finally, we characterize the UMT-property in certian pullback constructions; as an application, we show that a domain has Prüfer integral closure if and only if all its overrings are UMT-domains.     

Molecularly imprinted hydrogels for sustained release of sunitinib in breast cancer therapy

The present work reports on the synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based on methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate for sunitinib delivery. Sunitinib (SUT) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in many cancer diseases. Like the majority of the anticancer drugs, SUT suffers of a low bioavailability, and at the same time, it is characterized by a narrow therapeutic window. In order to reduce drug systemic toxicity, we synthesized a MIP‐based drug delivery system for SUT‐controlled release. MIP was obtained by bulk polymerization through the so‐called noncovalent approach. Rebinding experiments were performed to evaluate the success of the imprinting process and the ability of MIP to bind in a specific and selective fashion the template molecule. Resulting data showed that sunitinib rebinding percentage was 70%, while nonimprinted polymer (NIP) rebinding percentage was 46%. A not significant difference was observed between MIP and NIP in semaxanib binding experiments. Moreover, the drug release profiles were studied for both MIP and NIP. A sustained release was observed from sunitinib‐loaded MIP during 24 hours, reaching 58% after 6 hours and 76% at the end‐point. NIP, on the contrary, released almost 90% of the loaded drug within 6 hours. Furthermore, the drug carrier was tested in vitro against MCF‐7 cells, in which the cytotoxic effect of sunitinib released from MIP reached the maximum after 72 hours, while NIP completed its effect within 48 hours. These results demonstrated that molecularly imprinted polymers are suitable systems for SUT release.     

Variation in essential oil content and composition of Ridolfia segetum Moris based on 30-hour prolonged fractionated extraction procedure

Abstract

A comprehensive study on essential oil samples extracted from Ridolfia segetum Moris (Apiaceae) collected in Tarquinia (Italy) is reported. In this study, a 30-hour, fractionated, steam distillation procedure for essential oil preparation was applied. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry analysis showed monoterpene o-cymene and phenylpropanoid dill-apiol as the major essential oil’s constituents revealing a new chemotype dependent on extraction duration. Great impact of the duration of the distillation process on chemical profile of essential oil was observed; prolonged distillation gives chemically more diverse essential oil samples. Preliminary microbiological evaluations of the essential oils samples revealed some activity, although not high, against Candida albicans.     

On reduction of the drug diflunisal in non-aqueous media

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly - The electrochemical reduction of diflunisal was studied in dimethyl sulfoxide on static mercury drop electrode. Diflunisal yields one irreversible...     

Colloidal Surface Active Maghemite Nanoparticles for Biologically Safe CrVI Remediation: from Core‐Shell Nanostructures to Pilot Plant Development

The present study is aimed at the exploration of achievable improvements for Cr^VI ex situ and in situ water remediation by using novel naked colloidal maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (surface active maghemite nanoparticles, SAMNs). The reliability of SAMNs for Cr^VI binding and removal was demonstrated, and SAMN@Cr^VI complex was characterized, as well as the covalent nature of the absorption was unequivocally proved. SAMNs were structurally and magnetically well conserved after Cr^VI binding. Thus, in consideration of their affinity for Cr^VI, SAMNs were exploited in a biological model system, mimicking a real in situ application. The assay evidenced a progressive reduction of revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain, as maghemite nanoparticles concentration increased, till the complete suppression of Cr^VI mutagen effect. Finally, an automatic modular pilot system for continuous magnetic removal and recovery of Cr^VI from water is proposed. SAMNs, thanks to their colloidal, binding, and catalytic properties, represent a promising tool as a reliable nanomaterial for water remediation by Cr^VI.     

Racemisation in Chemistry and Biology

The two enantiomers of a compound often have profoundly different biological properties and thus their liability to racemisation in aqueous solutions is an important piece of information. The authors reviewed the available data concerning the process of racemisation in vivo, in the presence of biological molecules (e.g., racemase enzymes, serum albumin, cofactors and derivatives) and under purely chemical but aqueous conditions (acid, base and other aqueous systems). Mechanistic studies are described critically in light of reported kinetic data. The types of experimental measurement that can be used to effectively determine rate constants of racemisation in various conditions are discussed and the data they provide is summarised. The proposed origins of enzymatic racemisation are presented and suggest ways to promote the process that are different from processes taking place in bulk water. Experimental and computational studies that provide understanding and quantitative predictions of racemisation risk are also presented.     

Multiplexed therapeutic drug monitoring of antipsychotics in dried plasma spots by LC‐MS/MS

In this work, a convenient method for the therapeutic monitoring of seven common antipsychotic drugs in “dried plasma spot” samples has been developed. It is based on the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry technique, operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode, and a straightforward procedure for the simultaneous extraction of all antipsychotics in a single step, with high extraction yield. The method was fully validated with proper accuracy, precision, selectivity and sensitivity, for all the drugs. Limits of quantification were 0.12, 1.09, 1.46, 1.47, 5.70, 1.32, 1.33 µg/L for haloperidol, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, clozapine, risperidone, and paliperidone, respectively. Accuracy, intra‐ and interday precision values were <10% for all drugs at all concentration levels examined. The method was tested in the analysis of 30 plasma samples from real patients for each drug. The proposed analytical approach, by combining practical and logistical advantages of microsampling with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analytical performance, could offer an ideal strategy for accurate and timely therapeutic drug monitoring of antipsychotic drugs in most clinical settings, even in remote centers and/or in out‐patient settings, bringing so many potential improvements in psychiatric patient care.