Control of a photoswitching chelator by metal ions: DFT,NBO, and QTAIM analysis

Ability of aroylhydrazones to change conformation upon interaction with light makes them promising candidates for molecular switches. Isomerization can be controlled through complexation with selected metal ions which bind with different affinity. N′‐[1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethyliden]iso‐nicotinoylhydrazide (HAPI) is an example of a dual‐wavelenght photoswitching molecule, whose complexation with metal ions was recently experimentally investigated (Franks et al. J. Inorg. Chem. 2014, 53, 1397). In this contribution, complexes between HAPI and K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions were investigated using Density Functional Theory, Natural Bond Order analysis, and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules. The most important parameters that determine complex stability are found to be ion radius and charge transferred from ligands to the ion: smaller ion radii and larger CT values characterize formation of more stable complexes. Our results explain experimentally observed effect of different metal ions on photoisomerization through determination of metal ion affinity (MIA): photoisomerization is inhibited if MIA exceeds 100 kcal/mol; for MIA between 50 and 100 kcal/mol excess of metal ions prevents isomerization, whereas in case of MIA below 50 kcal/mol metal ions have no influence on light–HAPI interaction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Confocal Microscopy of the Mycotoxin Citrinin in Condensed Phase and Hydrogel Films

The emission spectra, quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes of citrinin in organic solvents and hydrogel films have been determined. Citrinin shows complex fluorescence decays due to the presence of two tautomers in solution and interconversion from excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) process. The fluorescence decay times associated with the two tautomers have values near 1 and 5 ns depending on the medium. In hydrogel films of agarose and alginate, fluorescence imaging showed that citrinin is not homogeneously dispersed and highly emissive micrometer spots may be formed. Fluorescence spectrum and decay analysis are used to recognize the presence of citrinin in hydrogel films using confocal fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy.     

Concentration landscape generators for shear free dynamic chemical stimulation

In this paper we first introduce a novel fabrication process, which allows for easy integration of thin track-etched nanoporous membranes, within 2D or 3D microchannel networks. In these networks, soluble chemical compounds can diffuse out of the channels through well-defined and spatially organized microfabricated porous openings. Interestingly, multiple micron-scale porous areas can be integrated in the same device and each of these areas can be connected to a different microfluidic channel and reservoir. We then present and characterize several membrane-based microdevices and their use for the generation of stable diffusible concentration gradients and complex dynamic chemical landscapes under shear free conditions. We also demonstrate how a simple flow-focusing geometry can be used to generate "on-demand" concentration profiles. In turn, these devices should provide an ideal experimental framework for high throughput cell-based assays: long term high-resolution video microscopy experiments can be performed, under multiple spatially and temporally controlled chemical conditions, with simple protocols and in a cell-friendly environment.     

Formation of membranes based on polyacrylonitrile and butadiene-acrylonitrile elastomer in the presence of copper ions

The presented study provides a possibility to create ultrafiltration (UF), polyacrylonitrile(PAN)/butadiene-acrylonitrile elastomer (BNR)/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) membranes. Influence of different concentrations of the elastomer on the formation of a more porous structure was studied and compared with that observed using membranes made of polyacrylonitrile. Specific influence of copper ions in a solution of polymers on the formation of an asymmetric selective layer was also monitored. The study was conducted to prepare membranes with high efficiency in emulsion and colloidal systems separation.     

Measurement of the 85Rb(γ, n)84mRb cross-section in the energy range 10-19 MeV with bremsstrahlung photons

We study the charmonium 2S states ??? and ??? _c , and the bottomonium 2S states ???? and ??? _b , using the light-front quark model and the 2S state wave function of harmonic oscillator as the approximation of the 2S quarkonium wave function. The decay constants, transition form factors and masses of these mesons are calculated and compared with experimental data. Predictions of quantities such as Br(???????? _c ) are made. The 2S wave function may help us learn more about the structure of these heavy quarkonia.     

Efficient γ-amino-proline-derived cell penetrating peptide-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle conjugates via aniline-catalyzed oxime chemistry as bimodal imaging nanoagents

Aniline-catalyzed oxime chemistry was employed to conjugate a γ-amino-proline-derived cell penetrating peptide to superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Internalization of the novel nanoconjugate into HeLa cells was found to be remarkably higher compared to the analogous TAT-SPION conjugate.     

Hydrophilic/hydrophobic features of TiO2 nanoparticles as a function of crystal phase, surface area and coating, in relation to their potential toxicity in peripheral nervous system

The hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of a variety of commercial TiO(2) nanoparticles (NP), to be employed as inorganic filters in sunscreen lotions, were investigated both as such (dry powders) and dispersed in aqueous media. Water uptake and the related interaction energy have been determined by means of adsorption microcalorimetry of H(2)O vapor, whereas dispersion features in aqueous solutions were investigated by dynamic light scattering and electrokinetic measurements (zeta potential). The optimized dispersions in cell culture medium were employed to assess the possible in vitro neuro-toxicological effect on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells upon exposure to TiO(2)-NP, as a function of crystal phase, surface area and coating. All investigated materials, with the only exception of the uncoated rutile, were found to induce apoptosis on DRG cells; the inorganic/organic surface coating was found not to protect against the TiO(2)-induced apoptosis. The risk profile for DRG cells, which varies for the uncoated samples in the same sequence as the photo-catalytic activity of the different polymorphs: anatase-rutile>anatase>rutile, was found not to be correlated with the surface hydrophilicity of the uncoated/coated specimens. Aggregates/agglomerates hydrodynamic diameter was comprised in the ~200-400 nm range, compatible with the internalization within DRG cells.     

Localization and Propagation in Random Lattices

We analyze the motion of a particle on random lattices. Scatterers of two different types are independently distributed among the vertices of such a lattice. A particle hops from a vertex to one of its neighboring vertices. The choice of neighbor is completely determined by the type of scatterer at the current vertex. It is shown that on Poisson and vectorizable random triangular lattices the particle will either propagate along some unbounded strip or be trapped inside a closed strip. We also characterize the structure of a localization zone contained within a closed strip. Another result shows that for a general class of random lattices the orbit of a particle will be bounded with probability one.     

Assessment of Chemical Composition and Anti-Penicillium Activity of Vapours of Essential Oils from Abies Alba and Two Melaleuca Species in Food Model Systems

The possibilities of the practical utilization of essential oils (EOs) from various plant species in the food industry have attracted the attention of the scientific community. Following our previous studies, the antifungal activities of three further commercial EOs, Melaleuca armillaris subsp. armillaris (rosalina; REO), Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli; NEO), and Abies alba (fir; FEO), were evaluated in the present research in respect to their chemical profiles, over four different concentrations, 62.5 μL/L, 125 μL/L, 250 μL/L, and 500 μL/L. The findings revealed that the major compounds of REO, NEO, and FEO were linalool (47.5%), 1,8-cineole (40.8%), and α-pinene (25.2%), respectively. In vitro antifungal determinations showed that the inhibition zones of a Penicillium spp. mycelial growth ranged from no inhibitory effectiveness (00.00 ± 00.00 mm) to 16.00 ± 1.00 mm, indicating a very strong antifungal activity which was detected against P. citrinum after the highest REO concentration exposure. Furthermore, the in situ antifungal efficacy of all EOs investigated was shown to be dose-dependent. In this sense, we have found that the highest concentration (500 µL/L) of REO, NEO, and FEO significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the growth of all Penicillium strains inoculated on the bread, carrot, and potato models. These results indicate that the investigated EOs may be promising innovative agents in order to extend the shelf life of different types of food products, such as bread, carrot and potato.