Separation of radioarsenic from irradiated germanium oxide targets for the production of <Superscript>71</Superscript>As and <Superscript>72</Superscript>As

A method for the separation of no-carrier-added arsenic radionuclides from the bulk amount of proton-irradiated GeO₂ targets as well as from coproduced radiogallium was developed. The radionuclides ⁶⁹Ge and ⁶⁷Ga produced during irradiation of GeO₂ were used as tracers for Ge and Ga in the experiments. After dissolution of the target the ratio of As(III) to As(V) was determined via thin layer chromatography (TLC). The extraction of radioarsenic by different organic solvents from acid solutions containing alkali iodide was studied and optimized. The influence of the concentration of various acids (HCl, HClO₄, HNO₃, HBr, H₂SO₄) as well as of KI was studied using cyclohexane. The optimum separation of radioarsenic was achieved using cyclohexane with 4.75 M HCl and 0.5 M KI and its back-extraction with a 0.1% H₂O₂ solution. The separation leads to high purity radioarsenic containing no radiogallium and <0.001% [⁶⁹Ge]Ge. The overall radiochemical yield is 93 ± 3%. The practical application of the optimized procedure in the production of ⁷¹As and ⁷²As is demonstrated and batch yields achieved were in the range of 75–84% of the theoretical values.     

Towards nanoscale composite particles of dual complexity

The fabrication of heteroaggregates comprising inorganic and organic nanoparticles of different sizes is reported. Control over the assembly of nanoscale functional building units is of great significance to many practical applications. Joining together different spherical nanoparticles in a defined manner allows control over the shape of the composites. If two types of constituents are chosen that differ in size, the surfaces of the composites exhibit two specific radii of curvature, yielding aggregates of dual surface roughness. Moreover, if the constituents consist of different materials, the resulting heteroaggregates feature both compositional and interfacial anisotropy, offering unprecedented perspectives for custom-tailored colloids. This study describes a two-step approach towards such designer particles. At first, amine-modified polystyrene particles with 154 nm diameter were assembled into clusters of well-defined configurations. Onto these, oppositely charged inorganic particles with diameters of only a few nanometres were deposited by direct uptake from solution, resulting in numerous functional entities all over the surface of the polymer clusters. Despite the fact that oppositely charged constituents are brought together, charge reversal by uptake of nanoparticles allows for stable suspensions of heterocomposites. Hence, the possibility to assemble particles into nanoscale heterocomposites with full control over shape, composition, and surface roughness is demonstrated.     

Speciation studies on the complex formation reactions of [Pd(N,N-diethyl-ethylendiamine)(H2O)2]2+ with some bio-relevant ligands and displacement reaction by mercaptoethylamine

Pd(deen)Cl2 and Pd(deen)(CBDCA) complexes, where deen=N,N-diethylethylenediamine and CBDCA=1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The stoichiometry and stability of the complexes formed between various biologically relevant ligands (amino acids, peptides, DNA constituents and dicarboxylic acids) and [Pd(deen)(H2O)2]2+ were investigated at 25 °C and 0.1 M ionic strength. The speciation diagrams of the complexes formed in solutions are evaluated. The mode of coordination of glycylglycine is investigated by spectrophotometric measurements. The equilibrium constants for the displacement of coordinated ligands as inosine, glycine or methionine by mercaptoethylamine are calculated. The results are expected to contribute to the chemistry of antitumour agents.     

Electrochemical behavior of Al2O3/Al composite coated Al electrodes through surface mechanical alloying in alkaline media

The behavior of $A{l}_2{O}_3/Al$ composite coated Al electrodes fabricated by surface mechanical alloying ‘SMA’ was studied. The work was accomplished using Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in alkaline media $2MKOH$ were done at room temperature. Results show hydroxyl ions accumulate on the surface due to Al deformation micro cavities filling with $A{l}_2{O}_3$ until full charge blockage reached. A barrier cover layer development causing an increase of both resistance and capacitance as it becomes more stable and thinner with exposure time increase. Migrating hydroxyl ion inside micro cavity changed its composition from Al₂O₃ to stable tetrahedral $Al{\left(OH\right)}_4^{?}$ aluminate ions. Therefore future benefits could be reached by developing such surfaces having charge accumulation that enables environmental interaction.     

Naturally Available Flavonoid Aglycones as Potential Antiviral Drug Candidates against SARS-CoV-2

Flavonoids are important secondary plant metabolites that have been studied for a long time for their therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases because of their cytokine-modulatory effects. Five flavonoid aglycones were isolated and identified from the hydrolyzed aqueous methanol extracts of Anastatica hierochuntica L., Citrus reticulata Blanco, and Kickxia aegyptiaca (L.) Nabelek. They were identified as taxifolin (1), pectolinarigenin (2), tangeretin (3), gardenin B (4), and hispidulin (5). These structures were elucidated based on chromatographic and spectral analysis. In this study, molecular docking studies were carried out for the isolated and identified compounds against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) compared to the co-crystallized inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (α-ketoamide inhibitor (KI), IC₅₀ = 66.72 µg/mL) as a reference standard. Moreover, in vitro screening against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated. Compounds 2 and 3 showed the highest virus inhibition with IC₅₀ 12.4 and 2.5 µg/mL, respectively. Our findings recommend further advanced in vitro and in vivo studies of the examined isolated flavonoids, especially pectolinarigenin (2), tangeretin (3), and gardenin B (4), either alone or in combination with each other to identify a promising lead to target SARS-CoV-2 effectively. This is the first report of the activity of these compounds against SARS-CoV-2.     

Sol–gel encapsulation of cresol red in presence of surfactants

Cresol Red (CR) pH indicator was encapsulated into silica network using the sol–gel process. Transparent monolithic disks of entrapped CR were obtained in the presence of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or dodecyl dimethyl amino oxide (Genaminox LA,GLA) alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (HY, R = 12–14) and TX-100 surfactants. UV/VIS spectra showed that the encapsulated CR retains its structure in terms of its response to pH. At the neutral conditions it is found that the HY surfactant is considered as proton donor as favor the cationic form of the indicator, while CTAB surfactant favor the neutral, however GLA surfactant, the anionic form of CR is more favored because GLA has a zwitterionic head. The surfactant GLA with TEOS has shifted the equilibrium to the ionized form of CR due to the electrostatic interaction between the surfactant and the CR anion. Therefore their pH range is dependent on the nature of a surfactant used. It is found that the HY surfactant is more efficient as far as loading of CR is concern and it widened the working pH range.     

Ion exchange studies of Arsenazo-III and thorium(IV) from aqueous solutions of Arsenazo-III with AG-2×8, Dowex-50 W×8 and Chelex-100

Iodine-125 from aqueous solutions were sorbed by several naturally occurring minerals such as kaolinite, ferrous oxide and hydrous aluminium oxides. Coagulation-flocculation and column experiments were conducted and compared to determine which method could more effectively and conveniently treat the effluent. At a pH value of 4.5, the mentioned minerals exhibited modest positive charges being able to attract the anions of¹²⁵I. For activities of effluents normally produced by different users, both treatments by coagulation-flocculation and column (mixture of kaolin and soil material) experiments were suitable. However, column methods were more effective, easy to handle, have low capital and maintenance costs for treating the wastes.     

Extraction of strontium from nitric acid solutions by selected crown ethers

The extraction of Sr from nitric acid solutions by the crown ethers, 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6 and DB 18-crown-6 dissolved in chloroform has been investigated. Sr is reasonably well extracted by 18-crown-6 compared to other crown ethers from different nitric acid solutions. The extraction is strongly dependent on the concentration of HNO₃ and nitrate salts. Preliminary studies indicate that¹³⁷Cs is also extracted to a limited extent by 18-crown-6 from nitrate medium. Stripping of Sr was achieved by an aqueous solution of low acidity, the crown ether being regenerated for subsequent extraction.     

Potentiometric studies of binary and ternary complexes of Zn(II) with triethylenetetramine as primary ligand and selected amino acids and DNA units as secondary ligands

The acid-base equilibria of triethylenetetramine. (Trien) and the formation equilibria of binary and ternary complexes of Zn(II) with Trien as primary ligand and some selected arnino acids and DNA units as secondary ligands have been investigated. The results showed the formation of a 11 Zn (Trien)²⁺ complex. At higher pH, the Zn (Trien)²⁺ complex is hydrolysed to give Zn (Trien) (OH)⁺ and Zn(Trien)(OH)₂ complexes. The fraction of the monohydroxo species attains a maximum of 81.3% at pH 10. The stability constantsK _Zn(Trien)A ^Zn(Trien) for the ternary complexes were determined. Histidine coordinates in a histamine-like way. Lysine and ornithine ligate by the two amino groups. Serine and methionine are bound in a glycine-like mode. However, penicillamine, cysteine and glutathione ligate partly like mercaptoethylamine and partly like mercaptopropionic acid. In the case of DNA complexes, inosine is bound through the n₁ atom. However, uracil, undine, thymine and thymidine ligate through the N₃ atom. The relative stabilities of ternary complexes are compared with those of the corresponding binary complexes in terms of logK values. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes are evaluated.     

Binary and ternary complexes of Cd(II) involving triethylenetetramine and selected amino acids and DNA units

The formation equilibria of the binary complex of cadmium(II) with triethylenetetramine (Trien) and of ternary complexes Cd(Trien)L, where L refers to amino acids, DNA constituents and related compounds have been investigated. Cd(II) was found to form a highly stable complex with Trien. The acid-base equilibria of Cd(Trien)²⁺ were characterized. Ternary complexes of amino acids and DNA constituents are formed through stepwise mechanism, whereby Trien binds to Cd(II), followed by interaction with ligand (L), whereas thiol-containing ligands form ternary complexes through a simultaneous mechanism. The formation constants of the complexes were determined at 25 °C and , = 0.1M NaNO₃. The participation of different ligand functional groups in the complex-formation was examined.