The classification of differential structures on quantum 2-spheres

Exterior algebras of differential forms on quantum 2-spheresS _qc ² ,q[–1, 1]/{0},c[0, ] (c=0 forq=±1), are classified. In the definition of exterior algebras we assume the invariance w.r.t. the action of the quantumSU(2) group and dimensionality conditions (which imply that we deal with two-dimensional manifolds). The exterior algebras exist only forc=0 and are unique in that case. The corresponding generalized directional derivatives are provided.     

Non-smoothness of event horizons of Robinson-Trautman black holes

It is shown that generic small data Robinson-Trautman space-times cannot beC ¹²³ extended beyond the r=2m Schwarzschild-like event horizon. This implies that an observer living in such a space-time can determine by local measurements whether or not he has crossed the event-horizon of the black-hole.     

Suppression of deleterious effects of free silanols in liquid chromatography by imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids

Silica-based stationary phases are commonly used in liquid chromatography, but their surface acidity causes known problems, especially when separating basic compounds. Deleterious effects of free silanols are not fully removed by standard prevention procedures consisting in adding alkylamines or other amino quenchers to the eluents. We found that ionic liquids of the imidazolium tetrafluoroborate class, added to mobile phases at concentrations of 0.5-1.5% (v/v), blocked silanols and provided excellent thin-layer chromatographic separations of strongly basic drugs which were otherwise not eluted, even with neat acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The silanol suppressing potency of imidazolium tetrafluoroborates was demonstrated to markedly exceed that of the standard mobile phase additives, like triethylamine, dimethyloctylamine and ammonia. The proposed new mobile phase additives were also demonstrated to provide reliable lipophilicity parameters of base drug analytes as determined by gradient mode of high-performance liquid chromatography. By applying the readily available and environmentally friendly imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids, simple and efficient means of improvement of liquid chromatographic analysis of organic bases were elaborated.     

Diastereoselective assembling of 21-C-alkylated nickel(II) complexes of inverted porphyrin on a platinum(II) template

Reaction of 21-C-methyl and 21-C-benzyl nickel(II) complexes of inverted meso-tetratolylporphyrin with platinum(II) dichloride or its bis(benzonitrile) complex yields a chloroplatinum(II) species containing two nickel(II) carbaporphyrinoids in a cis arrangement. One of the carbaporphyrinoids coordinates to the platinum ion with the external nitrogen while the other is bound with the external nitrogen and one ortho-carbon of the adjacent meso-aryl ring. The reaction is highly chemoselective. (1)H and (13)C NMR experiments in solution show the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. Single-crystal X-ray data confirm the presence of the diastereomer with opposite configurations of the Ni(II)-coordinated carbons in the subunits of the dimer. Cyclovoltammetric measurements reveal an anodic shift of the nickel(II) oxidation potentials of dimers with respect to those of the parent monomers and two different reduction couples. Reaction of unsubstituted inverted porphyrin with Pt(PhCN)(2)Cl(2) in chlorobenzene yields a monomeric platinum(II) complex of inverted porphyrin. This complex displays a markedly upfield (195)Pt NMR shift compared to tetraphenylporphyrinatoplatinum(II). Under strongly basic conditions deprotonation of the external nitrogen of inverted porphyrin and both electrochemical and chemical oxidation of platinum(II) center are observed.     

Novel C60 Fullerenol-Gentamicin Conjugate–Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation of Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Properties

This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of novel fullerene derivative composed of C₆₀ fullerenol and standard aminoglycoside antibiotic–gentamicin (C₆₀ fullerenol-gentamicin conjugate). The successful introduction of gentamicin to fullerenol was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which together with thermogravimetric and spectroscopic analysis revealing the formula of the composition as C₆₀(OH)₁₂(GLYMO)₁₁(Gentamicin)_0.8. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that conjugate possessed ability to form agglomerates in water (size around 115 nm), while Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that such agglomerates possessed neutral character. In vitro biological assays indicated that obtained C₆₀ fullerenol-gentamicin conjugate possessed the same antibacterial activity as standard gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, which proves that combination of fullerenol with gentamicin does not cause the loss of antibacterial activity of antibiotic. Moreover, cytotoxicity assessment demonstrated that obtained fullerenol-gentamicin derivative did not decrease viability of normal human fibroblasts (model eukaryotic cells) compared to control fibroblasts. Thus, taking into account all of the results, it can be stated that this research presents effective method to fabricate C₆₀ fullerenol-gentamicin conjugate and proves that such derivative possesses desired antibacterial properties without unfavorable cytotoxic effects towards eukaryotic cells in vitro. These promising preliminary results indicate that obtained C₆₀ fullerenol-gentamicin conjugate could have biomedical potential. It may be presumed that obtained fullerenol may be used as an effective carrier for antibiotic, and developed fullerenol-gentamicin conjugate may be apply locally (i.e., at the wound site). Moreover, in future we will evaluate possibility of its applications in inter alia tissue engineering, namely as a component of wound dressings and implantable biomaterials.     

Biochemical and Molecular Investigation of the Effect of Saponins and Terpenoids Derived from Leaves of Ilex aquifolium on Lipid Metabolism of Obese Zucker Rats

Ilex paraguariensis, the holly tree, is a plant with recognized biological properties, whose aqueous infusions are known as “Yerba mate”, that regulate lipid metabolism, reduce obesity, and improve brain stimulation. In the present study, the effect of standardized saponin and terpenoid fractions of a European taxon, Ilex aquifolium, on blood biochemical parameters in a rat model of metabolic disorder, (fa/fa) Zucker, are presented. The profiles of the volatile fractions of two species and six European varieties of Ilex were investigated. After selecting the best variety, the saponin and terpenoid fractions were isolated and standardized, and animals were fed 10 mg kg⁻¹ b.w. for 8 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in liver adiposity was observed, confirmed by histology and quantitative identification (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses of hepatic lipids. RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression in the aorta revealed that the administration of the terpenoid fraction downregulated LOX-1, suggesting a reduction in atherosclerotic stimuli. In addition, a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in PPARγ for the saponin fraction was observed in the liver. The expression of the ACAT-1 gene in the liver, responsible for the formation of cholesterol esters, increased significantly in the group receiving the terpenoid fraction compared to the control, which was also confirmed by the analysis of individual blood biochemical parameters. The opposite effect was observed for saponins. Taking the above into account, it is shown for the first time that Ilex aquifolium can be a source of compounds that positively influence lipid metabolism.     

Effect of Ion and Binding Site on the Conformation of Chosen Glycosaminoglycans at the Albumin Surface

Albumin is one of the major components of synovial fluid. Due to its negative surface charge, it plays an essential role in many physiological processes, including the ability to form molecular complexes. In addition, glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate are crucial components of synovial fluid involved in the boundary lubrication regime. This study presents the influence of Na+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions on human serum albumin–hyaluronan/chondroitin-6-sulfate interactions examined using molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations. We analyze chosen glycosaminoglycans binding by employing a conformational entropy approach. In addition, several protein–polymer complexes have been studied to check how the binding site and presence of ions influence affinity. The presence of divalent cations contributes to the decrease of conformational entropy near carboxyl and sulfate groups. This observation can indicate the higher affinity between glycosaminoglycans and albumin. Moreover, domains IIIA and IIIB of albumin have the highest affinity as those are two domains that show a positive net charge that allows for binding with negatively charged glycosaminoglycans. Finally, in discussion, we suggest some research path to find particular features that would carry information about the dynamics of the particular type of polymers or ions.     

Comparison of Volatile Profiles of Meads and Related Unifloral Honeys: Traceability Markers

Volatile profiles of unifloral honeys and meads prepared in different ways (boiled-saturated, not boiled-unsaturated) were investigated by headspace solid-phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) and dehydration homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction (DHLLE) followed by GC-FID/MS analyses. The obtained data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the differences between the investigated products. The volatile profiles of honey as well as the boiled and the not boiled meads prepared from it showed significant discrepancies. The meads contained more aliphatic acids and esters but fewer monoterpenes and aliphatic hydrocarbons than the honey. Significant/substantial differences were found between the boiled (more aliphatic alcohols and acids) and the not boiled meads (more aliphatic hydrocarbons and esters). Some compounds related to yeast metabolism, such as tryptophol, may be considered markers of honey fermentation. This research allowed us to identify chemical markers of botanical origin, retained and detectable in the meads: 4-isopropenylcyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylic acid and 4-(1-hydroxy-2-propanyl)cyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylic acid for linden; valeric acid, γ-valerolactone, p-hydroxybenzoic acid for buckwheat; 4-hydroxybenzeneacetic acid, homovanillic acid and trans-coniferyl alcohol for honeydew; and methyl syringate for canola.     

Novel (R)-(+)-limonene-derived ligands: synthesis and application in asymmetric transfer hydrogenations

(R)-(+)-Limonene was transformed into mono-N-tosylated-1,2-diamine derivatives using an N-tosylaziridination procedure followed by sodium azide treatment and reduction on Pd/C. The ligands obtained proved effective in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation protocol on aromatic ketones.     

Luminescent cellulose fibers activated by Eu3+-doped nanoparticles

UV- active cellulose fibers were obtained by dry-wet method spinning an 8?% by weight α-cellulose solution in N-methylomorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) modified by europium-doped gadolinium oxyfluoride Gd₄O₃F₆:Eu³⁺ containing 5?mol (%) of the dopant. Photoluminescent nanoparticles were introduced in the in powder form into a polymer matrix during the process of cellulose dissolution in NMMO. The dependencies of emission intensity on excitation energy and the concentration of Gd₄O₃F₆:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles in the final cellulosic products were examined by photoluminescence spectroscopy (excitation and emission). The fiber structure was studied by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The size and dispersity of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The influence of different concentration particles (in the range from 0.5 to 5?% by weight) on the mechanical properties of the fibers, such as tenacity and elongation at break, were determined.