Macrocyclic multicenter complexes of nickel and copper of increasing complexity

Multicenter (bi-, tri-, and tetranuclear) tetraazamacrocyclic complexes were self-assembled from Ni and Cu tetraazamacrocyclic mononuclear units and α,ω-diamines as building blocks. The structures of all compounds studied were proved by spectroscopic methods (ESI MS and NMR spectroscopy). Electrochemical experiments revealed reversible one-electron electrode processes at each of the Ni(2+) and Cu(2+) centers with formation of metal cations in oxidation state +3. Long linkers allow bi- and trinuclear complexes with noninteracting metal centers to be obtained. In the case of the short linkers (e.g. ethylenediamine) higher, trinuclear species are formed as major product. The structures of the bis- and tris-macrocyclic systems were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The tris-macrocyclic systems form cations in the shape of triangles partially filled with counterions and solvent molecules. The cations form positively charged layers, which interact in the crystal lattice with the neighboring negatively charged layers of anions. In solution, the trinuclear complexes exhibit strong host-guest interactions with 9,10-dimethyltriptycene due to complementarity of shape and size of this guest molecule. The association constants were determined by NMR spectroscopy and voltammetry, and very good agreement was obtained. The structural flexibility of the tetranuclear complex with long linkers allows for attractive interactions between the metal-complexing macrocycles that result in folding of the molecule. On the contrary, no folding is possible in the case of short linkers consisting of two CH(2) groups.     

Measurements of activity coefficients at infinite dilution of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons,alcohols, thiophene,tetrahydrofuran, MTBE,and water in ionic liquid [BMIM][SCN] using GLC

The activity coefficients at infinite dilution, ${\gamma }_{13}^{\infty }$ for 32 solutes: alkanes, alken-1-es, alkyn-1-es, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, thiophene, tetrahydrofuran, tert-butyl methyl ether, and water in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate [BMIM][SCN] were determined by gas-liquid chromatography at the temperatures from 298.15 K to 368.15 K. The values of the partial molar excess enthalpies at infinite dilution $\mathrm{\Delta }{H}_1^{E\text{,}\infty }$ were calculated from the experimental ${\gamma }_{13}^{\infty }$ values obtained over the temperature range. The selectivities for the hexane/benzene, cyclohexane/benzene, hexane/thiophene, and other separation problems were calculated from the ${\gamma }_{13}^{\infty }$ and compared to the other ionic liquids, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and sulfolane, taken from the recent literature. This work demonstrates that with chosen ionic liquid it is possible to separate different organic compounds with the highest selectivity, ever published.     

Mapping of protein phosphatase-6 association with its SAPS domain regulatory subunit using a model of helical repeats

Background  

Helical repeat motifs are common among regulatory subunits for type-1 and type-2A protein Ser/Thr phosphatases. Yeast Sit4 is a distinctive type-2A phosphatase that has dedicated regulatory subunits named Sit4-Associated Proteins (SAPS). These subunits are conserved, and three human SAPS-related proteins are known to associate with PP6 phosphatase, the Sit4 human homologue.     

Solubility of hyperbranched polymer,Boltorn W-3000, in alcohols,ethers and hydrocarbons

(Solid/liquid + liquid) phase diagrams at ambient pressure have been determined for the hyperbranched polymer, Boltorn W3000 with alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-hexanol, 1-decanol), or with ethers (tert-butyl methyl ether, tert-butyl ethyl ether), or with hydrocarbons (n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene) by a dynamic method from T = 240 K to the boiling temperature of the solvent. (Solid + liquid) phase equilibria with immiscibility in the liquid phase were detected for B-W3000 with the alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The upper critical solution temperatures, UCSTs, were measured for (B-W3000 + 1-hexanol and 1-decanol) systems. The experimental results of (solid + liquid) phase equilibria have been correlated using NRTL equation.     

Partition coefficients of ketones,phenols, aliphatic and aromatic acids,and esters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-hexane/nitromethane

Liquid-liquid partition is used in sample preparation and in countercurrent and liquid-liquid chromatographic separations. Partition coefficients are widely used in toxicology, environmental, and analytical chemistry. The K _hn determination procedure for the n-hexane/nitromethane system was optimized and partition coefficients for 99 ketones, esters and trimethylsilyl derivatives of phenols, aliphatic and aromatic acids were determined. For 130 compounds, K _hn values were predicted using mathematical relationships between K _hn and other physicochemical and structural parameters.      

Fiber Preparation from Micronized Oat By-Products: Antioxidant Properties and Interactions between Bioactive Compounds

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing oat by-products for fiber preparation. Oat husk (OH) and oat bran (OB) were micronized and used to prepare a novel product rich in fiber and with enhanced antioxidant properties. The basic chemical composition and phenolic acid profile were determined in OH and OB. The antioxidant properties of OH and OB were also analyzed. The type and strength of interactions between the biologically active compounds from their mixtures were characterized by an isobolographic analysis. The analyses showed that the sum of phenolic acids was higher in OH than in OB. Ferulic acid was dominant in both OH and OB; however, its content in OH was over sixfold higher than that in OB. The results also suggested that both OH and OB can be used for preparing fiber with enhanced antioxidant properties. The optimal composition of the preparation, with 60–70% of OH and 30–40% of OB, allows for obtaining a product with 60–70% fiber and enhanced antioxidant activity due to bioactive substances and their synergistic effect. The resulting product can be a valuable additive to various food and dietary supplements.     

LC-ESI-MS/MS Polyphenolic Profile and In Vitro Study of Cosmetic Potential of Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Herb Extracts

The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenolic composition and the biological properties of different Aerva lanata (L). Juss. herb extracts obtained with the use of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), i.e., a green, ecological method, for cosmetic purposes. All samples exhibited high DPPH^• (9.17–119.85 mg TE/g) and ABTS^•+ (9.90–107.58 mg TE/g) scavenging activity. The extracts exhibited considerable anti-lipoxygenase (EC₅₀ between 1.14 mg/mL and 3.73 mg/mL) and anti-xanthine oxidase (EC₅₀ between 1.28 mg/mL and 3.72 mg/mL) activities, moderate chelating activity (EC₅₀ between 1.58 mg/mL and 5.30 mg/mL), and high antioxidant potential in the ORAC assay (0.36–3.84 mM TE/g). Changes in the polyphenol profile of the analysed samples depending on the solvent and temperature used for the extraction were determined with the liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. Twenty-one phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, were detected and quantified. It was shown that tiliroside was one of the main phenolic metabolites in the A. lanata (L.) Juss. herb., which may suggest that this compound may be largely responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts. In addition, the studied extracts exhibited promising skin-related (anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase) activity. This study showed that Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, including tiliroside, and has good skin-related activities. Therefore, the plant may be interesting as a novel source of bioactive agents for cosmetic industries.     

Functional Protein Composition in Femoral Glands of Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis)

Proteins are ubiquitous macromolecules that display a vast repertoire of chemical and enzymatic functions, making them suitable candidates for chemosignals, used in intraspecific communication. Proteins are present in the skin gland secretions of vertebrates but their identity, and especially, their functions, remain largely unknown. Many lizard species possess femoral glands, i.e., epidermal organs primarily involved in the production and secretion of chemosignals, playing a pivotal role in mate choice and intrasexual communication. The lipophilic fraction of femoral glands has been well studied in lizards. In contrast, proteins have been the focus of only a handful of investigations. Here, we identify and describe inter-individual expression patterns and the functionality of proteins present in femoral glands of male sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) by applying mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our results show that the total number of proteins varied substantially among individuals. None of the identified femoral gland proteins could be directly linked to chemical communication in lizards, although this result hinges on protein annotation in databases in which squamate semiochemicals are poorly represented. In contrast to our expectations, the proteins consistently expressed across individuals were related to the immune system, antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism as their main functions, showing that proteins in reptilian epidermal glands may have other functions besides chemical communication. Interestingly, we found expression of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) among the multiple and diverse biological processes enriched in FGs, tentatively supporting a previous hypothesis that MHC was coopted for semiochemical function in sand lizards, specifically in mate recognition. Our study shows that mass spectrometry-based proteomics are a powerful tool for characterizing and deciphering the role of proteins secreted by skin glands in non-model vertebrates.     

Die Löslichkeit der Übergangsphasen des Zinkferrits in Salpetersäure

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Löslichkeit bei 20° C von durch Sinterung eines Gemisches von ZnO mit Fe₂O₃ bei 500° C bis 1100° C erhaltenen Präparaten in 2n-HNO₃ untersucht. Unter 600° gesinterte Präparate geben kein Fe³⁺ an die Lösung ab, dagegen leicht Zn²⁺. Bei Sintertemperaturen von 650 bis 950° C ist die Zinklöslichkeit noch ziemlich groß, aber fallend. Die Fe³⁺-Lösbarkeit wächst stark bei Temperaturen bis 850° C und ist noch bei 900° C erheblich. Oberhalb 950° C Sintertemperatur fällt der Fe³⁺- und der Zn²⁺-Gehalt stark ab. Röntgenographisch wurde der Ferritisierungsprozeß im Bereich von 650 bis 950° C bestätigt. Oberhalb 1000° C tritt ein vollkommen ausgebildetes Zinkferrit auf.

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The solubility of transition phases of zinc ferrites in HNO₃

The solubility in 2n-HNO₃ of the products of baking a mixture of ZnO and Fe₂O₃ between 500° and 1100° C was investigated. From the products of baking up to 600° C, Fe³⁺ does not dissolve, while Zn²⁺ dissolves easily. In products of sintering between 650° to 950° C the solubility of Zn²⁺ is still large, yet decreasing. The content of the solution on Fe³⁺ increases very strongly for temperatures up to 850° C and is appreciable even at 900° C. Above 950°C sintering temperature, the Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ content of the solution drops very strongly. The formation of ferrites in the range of 650° to 950° C was confirmed by X-ray powder methods. Above 1000° C fully developed zinc ferrite is found.

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