Viscometric study of poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) and two random copolymers

Effects of the polyanion synthesis conditions and composition on the viscometric behavior of poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (PAMPS) and two random copolymers, poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate-co-methylmethacrylate) (PAMPSMM) and poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate-co-tert-butylacrylamide) (PAMPSTBA), in a wide range of concentrations were reported in this paper. The experimental data obtained in salt-free aqueous solution were plotted in terms of the Fuoss and the Rao equations in order to obtain the intrinsic viscosity values. The C∗ values obtained as the reciprocal of the intrinsic viscosity were compared with the experimentally determined values and with those calculated according to the Odijk theory. An acceptable agreement between C∗ values obtained by different approaches was found for the PAMPS samples with high molar masses (0.83 × 10⁶-1.4 × 10⁶ g/mol). For the same charge density and the same concentration the reduced viscosity values were higher for PAMPSMM comparative with PAMPSTBA indicating a higher chain extension of the former copolymer.     

Interactions of di- and trivalent anionic azo dyes with polycations of integral type

The spectral changes of Crystal Ponceau 6R and Ponceau 4R induced by the interaction with polycations having N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diylammonium chloride units in the main chain were followed. The stoichiometry of the polycation-dye complex related to the dye structure was elaborated by UV-VIS spectrophotometry and viscosimetric measurements. Formation of a tricomponent complex between the polycation/dye complex and poly(sodium acrylate) was also revealed.     

Adsorption of poly(vinyl formamide-co-vinyl amine) onto silica particle surfaces and stability of the formed hybrid materials

In order to produce silica/polyelectrolyte hybrid materials the adsorption of the polyelectrolyte poly(vinyl formamide-co-vinyl amine), P(VFA-co-VAm) was investigated. The adsorption of the P(VFA-co-VAm) from an aqueous solution onto silica surface is strongly influenced by the pH value and ionic strength of the aqueous solution, as well as the concentration of polyelectrolyte. The adsorption of the positively charged P(VFA-co-VAm) molecules on the negatively charged silica particles offers a way to control the surface charge properties of the formed hybrid material. Changes in surface charges during the polyelectrolyte adsorption were studied by potentiometric titration and electrokinetic measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to obtain information about the amount of the adsorbed polyelectrolyte and its chemical structure. The stability of the adsorbed P(VFA-co-VAm) was investigated by extraction experiments and streaming potential measurements. It was shown, that polyelectrolyte layer is instable in an acidic environment. At a low pH value a high number of amino groups are protonated that increases the solubility of the polyelectrolyte chains. The solvatation process is able to overcompensate the attractive electrostatic forces fixing the polyelectrolyte molecules on the substrate material surface. Hence, the polyelectrolyte layer partially undergoes dissolving process.     

Study of Novel Peptides for Antimicrobial Protection in Solution and on Cotton Fabric

Some new N- and C-modified biomolecular peptide analogues of both VV-hemorphin-5 and VV-hemorphin-7 with varied amino acids (Cys, Glu, His), 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid, and niacin (nicotinic acid) were synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis—Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl) chemistry and were characterized in water solutions with different pH using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Basic physicochemical properties related to the elucidation of the peptide structure at physiological pH have been also studied. The results showed that the interaction of peptide compounds with light and electricity preserves the structural and conformational integrity of the compounds in the solutions. Moreover, textile cotton fibers were modified with the new compounds and the binding of the peptides to the surface of the material was proved by FTIR and SEM analysis. Washing the material with an alkaline soap solution did not show a violation of the modified structure of the cotton. Antiviral activity against the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV-S2) and human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV-5), the antimicrobial activity against B. cereus and P. aeruginosa used as model bacterial strains and cytotoxic effect of the peptide derivatives and modified cotton textile material has been evaluated. Antimicrobial tests showed promising activity of the newly synthesized compounds against the used Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds C-V, H-V, AC-V, and AH-V were found slightly more active than NH7C and NCH7. The activity has been retained after the deposition of the compounds on cotton fibers.     

Detection of negative ions in glow discharge mass spectrometry for analysis of solid specimens

A new method is presented for elemental and molecular analysis of halogen-containing samples by glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry, consisting of detection of negative ions from a pulsed RF glow discharge in argon. Analyte signals are mainly extracted from the afterglow regime of the discharge, where the cross section for electron attachment increases. The formation of negative ions from sputtering of metals and metal oxides is compared with that for positive ions. It is shown that the negative ion signals of F^? and TaO₂F^? are enhanced relative to positive ion signals and can be used to study the distribution of a tantalum fluoride layer within the anodized tantala layer. Further, comparison is made with data obtained using glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy, where elemental fluorine can only be detected using a neon plasma. The ionization mechanisms responsible for the formation of negative ions in glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry are briefly discussed.     

Novel synthesis and characterisation of 3,3-dimethyl-5′-(2-benzothiazolyl)-spironaphth(indoline-2,3′-[3H]naphth[2,1-b] [1,4]oxazine) derivatives

Novel modified spirooxazines (SOs) with additional chelating groups were synthesised and the crystal structure of one of these was determined. UV-vis spectroscopic characterization of the photoisomerization of the SO derivatives shows that the photochromic behaviour is altered with Zn²⁺ coordination. In particular, addition of a group as in carboxylic acid 5 to the indole section of the SO increases the lifetime of the merocyanine Zn ²⁺ complex by 20-fold compared to the methylated indole 6.     

Selective amidoalkylation of cyclic enamino ketones with N-acyliminium salts of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines

A series of cyclic enaminoketones were selectively amidoalkylated at the α-carbon in reactions with acyliminium reagents derived from 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines.     

Synthesis of New Modified with Rhodamine B Peptides for Antiviral Protection of Textile Materials

Here we report on the synthesis and characterization of three new N-modified analogues of hemorphin-4 with rhodamine B. Modified with chloroacetyl, chloride cotton fabric has been dyed and color coordinates of the obtained textile materials were determined. Antiviral and virucidal activities of both the peptide-rhodamine B compounds and the dyed textile material were studied. Basic physicochemical properties (acid-base behavior, solvent influence, kinetics) related to the elucidation of structural activity of the new modified peptides based on their steric open/closed ring effect were studied. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that in protic solvent with change in pH of the environment, direct control over the dyeing of textiles can be achieved. Both the new hybrid peptide compounds and the modification of functionalized textile materials with these bioactive hemorphins showed virucidal activity against the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV-S2) and human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV-5) for different time intervals (30 and 60 min) and the most active compound was Rh-3.     

T-2 Toxin—The Most Toxic Trichothecene Mycotoxin: Metabolism,Toxicity, and Decontamination Strategies

Among trichothecenes, T-2 toxin is the most toxic fungal secondary metabolite produced by different Fusarium species. Moreover, T-2 is the most common cause of poisoning that results from the consumption of contaminated cereal-based food and feed reported among humans and animals. The food and feed most contaminated with T-2 toxin is made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, and maize. After exposition or ingestion, T-2 is immediately absorbed from the alimentary tract or through the respiratory mucosal membranes and transported to the liver as a primary organ responsible for toxin''s metabolism. Depending on the age, way of exposure, and dosage, intoxication manifests by vomiting, feed refusal, stomach necrosis, and skin irritation, which is rarely observed in case of mycotoxins intoxication. In order to eliminate T-2 toxin, various decontamination techniques have been found to mitigate the concentration of T-2 toxin in agricultural commodities. However, it is believed that 100% degradation of this toxin could be not possible. In this review, T-2 toxin toxicity, metabolism, and decontamination strategies are presented and discussed.