Terahertz spectroscopy of the explosive taggant 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane

The terahertz spectrum of the crystalline explosive taggant 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (C(6)H(12)N(2)O(4)) has been investigated as an alternative means of detecting solid-state explosives. The room-temperature spectrum exhibits two broad absorption features centered at 38.3 and 49.2 cm(-1). Once the sample is cooled to liquid-nitrogen temperatures, the resolution of three additional peaks occurs, with absorption maxima now appearing at 40.1, 47.5, 56.6, 63.9, and 73.6 cm(-1). Solid-state density functional theory simulations, both with and without London force dispersion corrections, have been used for the assignment of the experimental cryogenic THz spectrum to specific molecular motions in the crystalline solid. The B3LYP hybrid density functional paired with the 6-311G(2d,2p) basis set provides an excellent reproduction of the experimental data revealing that the THz spectrum arises from a mixture of intramolecular torsional vibrations localized primarily in the nitro groups and intermolecular lattice vibrations composed of rigid molecular rotations.     

Neuroprotective Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitors

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and cognitive impairment. SGLT2 inhibitors (Empagliflozin, Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Ertugliflozin, Sotagliflozin) are newer hypoglycemic agents with many pleiotropic effects. In this review, we discuss their neuroprotective potential. SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are lipid-soluble and reach the brain/serum ratio from 0.3 to 0.5. SGLT receptors are present in the central nervous system (CNS). Flozins are not fully SGLT2-selective and have an affinity for the SGLT1 receptor, which is associated with protection against ischemia/reperfusion brain damage. SGLT2i show an anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effect, including reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, M2 macrophage polarization, JAK2/STAT1 and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, as well as cIMT regression. They also mitigate oxidative stress. SGLT2i improve endothelial function, prevent remodeling and exert a protective effect on the neurovascular unit, blood-brain barrier, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Flozins are also able to inhibit AChE, which contributes to cognitive improvement. Empagliflozin significantly increases the level of cerebral BDNF, which modulates neurotransmission and ensures growth, survival, and plasticity of neurons. Moreover, they may be able to restore the circadian rhythm of mTOR activation, which is quite a novel finding in the field of research on metabolic diseases and cognitive impairment. SGLT2i have a great potential to protect against atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

A Comparison of Edge-plane and Basal-plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes towards Sensitive Determination of the Fungicide Mandipropamid

A sensitive square-wave voltammetry (SWV) method based on basal-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BPPGE) and edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPGE) was developed to determine the concentration of the pesticide mandipropamid (MAN) in spiked river water and grape juice samples. Under optimal experimental conditions, the SWV response of EPPGE and BPPGE was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.7 to 9.0 μmol L⁻¹ and 0.5 to 10.0 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. The method was successfully used to determine MAN in spiked samples with good recovery. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was conducted to understand the mechanism underlying the electrode process of MAN.     

Multi-Class Procedure for Analysis of 50 Antibacterial Compounds in Eggshells Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In this work, for the first time, Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of veterinary antibiotics (cephalosporins, diaminopyrimidines, fluoro(quinolones), lincosamides, macrolides, penicillins, pleuromutilins, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and sulfones) in hen eggshells. The sample preparation method is based on a liquid–liquid extraction with a mixture of metaphosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, EDTA disodium salt dihydrate, and acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was performed on Luna^® Omega Polar C18 10 column in gradient elution mode and quantitated in an 8 min run. Validation such as linearity, selectivity, precision, recovery, matrix effect, limit of quantification (LOQ), and limit of detection (LOD) was found to be within the acceptance criteria of the validation guidelines of the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and EUR 28099 EN. Average recoveries ranged from 81–120%. The calculated LOQ values ranged from 1 to 10 µg/kg, the LOD values ranged from 0.3 to 4.0 µg/kg, depending on analyte. The developed method has been successfully applied to the determination of antibacterial compounds in hen eggshell samples obtained from different sources. The results revealed that enrofloxacin, lincomycin, doxycycline, and oxytetracycline were detected in hen eggshell samples.     

Effect of medium pH on chemical selectivity of oxalic acid biosynthesis by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> W78C in submerged batch cultures with sucrose as a carbon source

The pH of the medium is the key environmental parameter of chemical selectivity of oxalic acid biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger. The activity of the enzyme oxaloacetate hydrolase, which is responsible for decomposition of oxaloacetate to oxalate and acetate inside the cell of the fungus, is highest at pH 6. In the present study, the influence of pH in the range of 3–7 on oxalic acid secretion by A. niger W78C from sucrose was investigated. The highest oxalic acid concentration, 64.3 g dm^?3, was reached in the medium with pH 6. The chemical selectivity of the process was 58.6% because of the presence of citric and gluconic acids in the cultivation broth in the amount of 15.3 and 30.2 g dm^?3, respectively. Both an increase and a decrease of medium pH caused a decrease of oxalic acid concentration. The obtained results confirm that pH 6 of the carbohydrate medium is appropriate for oxalic acid synthesis by A. niger, but the chemical selectivity of the process described in this paper was high in comparison to values reported previously in the literature.     

Polyphenols Content,Antioxidant Properties and Allergenic Potency of Organic and Conventional Blue Honeysuckle Berries

Blue honeysuckle berries are a rich source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of organic and conventional cultivation on the polyphenols, antioxidant and allergenic potency of blue honeysuckle berry cultivars: ‘No 30’, ‘Jolanta’ and ‘Indygo’ in two growing seasons. Identification of individual polyphenols was performed using the HPLC method; the total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The determination of allergic potency was tested by ELISA. In the second year of the study the total polyphenols were significantly higher in organic blue honeysuckle than in the conventional blue honeysuckle. In both growing seasons, the ‘Indygo’ cv. was characterized by the highest concentration of all bioactive compounds 3241.9 mg and 3787.2 mg per 100 g⁻¹ D.W. A strong correlation was found between the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity for organic fruit in both years, as well as for allergenic potency. Contrary to the best bioactive properties was ‘Indigo’ cv., with the highest allergenic potency (108.9 and 139.2 ng g⁻¹ D.W.). The lowest content of specific allergens was found in the ‘No 30’ cv. Since honeysuckle is still a new cultivated plant, information about its allergenic potency is insufficient.     

Surface Properties of Saponin—Chitosan Mixtures

The surface properties of saponin and saponin-chitosan mixtures were analysed as a function of their bulk mixing ratio using vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG), surface tensiometry and dilational rheology measurements. Our experiments show that saponin-chitosan mixtures present some remarkable properties, such as a strong amphiphilicity of the saponin and high dilational viscoelasticity. We believe this points to the presence of chitosan in the adsorption layer, despite its complete lack of surface activity. We explain this phenomenon by electrostatic interactions between the saponin as an anionic surfactant and chitosan as a polycation, leading to surface-active saponin-chitosan complexes and aggregates. Analysing the SFG intensity of the O-H stretching bands from interfacial water molecules, we found that in the case of pH 3.4 for a mixture consisting of 0.1 g/L saponin and 0.001 g/L chitosan, the adsorption layer was electrically neutral. This conclusion from SFG spectra is corroborated by results from surface tensiometry showing a significant reduction in surface tension and effects on the dilational surface elasticity strictly at saponin/chitosan ratios, where SFG spectra indicate zero net charge at the air–water interface.     

Liquid–liquid extraction of uranium(VI) in the system with a membrane contactor

Raising role of the nuclear power industry, including governmental plans for the construction of first nuclear power plant in Poland, creates increasing demand for the uranium-based nuclear fuels. The project implemented by Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology concerns the development of effective methods for uranium extraction from low-grade ores and phosphorites for production of yellow cake—U₃O₈. The Liqui-Cel^® Extra-Flow 2.5 × 8 Membrane Contactor produced by CELGARD LLC (Charlotte, NC) company is the main component of the installation for liquid–liquid extraction applied for processing of post leaching liquors. In the process of membrane extraction the uranyl ions from aqueous phase are transported through the membrane into organic phase. The flow of two phases in the system was arranged in co-current mode. The very important element of the work was a selection of extracting agents appropriate for the membrane process. After preliminary experiments comprising tests of membrane resistivity and determination of extraction efficiency, di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid was found to be most favourable. An important aspect of the work was the adjustment of hydrodynamic conditions in the capillary module. To avoid the membrane wettability by organic solvent and mixing two phases equal pressure drops along the membrane module to minimize the transmembrane pressure, were assumed. Determination of pressure drop along the module was conducted using Bernoulli equation. The integrated process of extraction/re-extraction conducted in continuous mode with application of two contactors was designed.     

Highly accurate radiochemical neutron activation analysis of arsenic in biological materials involving selective isolation of arsenic by hybrid and conventional ion exchange

A highly accurate (definitive) radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) method was developed for the determination of traces of arsenic (As) in biological materials. It consists of the following steps: (a) irradiation in the nuclear reactor; (b) microwave-assisted sample digestion; (c) quantitative and selective radiochemical separation of arsenates on hydrated ferric oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a macroporous cation exchanger, preceded by a conventional strongly acidic cation exchanger column, and (d) gamma-ray spectrometric measurement of ⁷⁶As. The suitability and accuracy of the method was demonstrated by analysing several certified reference materials. The detection limit is 8 ng g^?1. The standard uncertainty in the determination of As in oriental tobacco leaves is around 3.4%. This, together with its compliance with several other formal requirements, makes the method comparable to primary methods based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry.