Polyaniline and polypyrrole: A comparative study of the preparation

Aniline and pyrrole have been oxidized with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous solutions, in the presence of equimolar quantities of hydrochloric acid. The oxidation of pyrrole was faster; the induction period typical of aniline oxidation was absent in the case of pyrrole. As the proportion of oxidant-to-monomer molar concentration increased up to 1.5, the yield increased in both cases. Similarities between the two oxidations are illustrated and discussed. The oxidant-to-monomer molar ratio 1.25 is proposed to be the optimum stoichiometry, in the accordance with the data published in the literature. The conductivities of the polymers prepared were only slightly dependent on the oxidant-to-monomer ratio in the range 0.3-1.5, and were of the order of 10⁰ S cm⁻¹ for polyaniline and ∼10⁻²-10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹ for polypyrrole. Outside this interval, the conductivity of both polymers was reduced. Polyaniline having conductivity ∼10 S cm⁻¹ was produced in solutions of phosphoric acid of various concentrations. On the contrary, the conductivity of polypyrrole was reduced as the concentration of phosphoric acid became higher. The type of protonation is discussed with the help of FTIR spectra by analyzing the ammonium salts obtained after deprotonation. Sulfate or hydrogen sulfate anions produced from peroxydisulfate always constitute a part of the counter-ions.     

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.     

Acrylamide-Derived Ionome,Metabolic, and Cell Cycle Alterations Are Alleviated by Ascorbic Acid in the Fission Yeast

Acrylamide (AA), is a chemical with multiple industrial applications, however, it can be found in foods that are rich in carbohydrates. Due to its genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, AA has been classified as a potential carcinogen. With the use of spectrophotometry, ICP-OES, fluorescence spectroscopy, and microscopy cell growth, metabolic activity, apoptosis, ROS production, MDA formation, CAT and SOD activity, ionome balance, and chromosome segregation were determined in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. AA caused growth and metabolic activity retardation, enhanced ROS and MDA production, and modulated antioxidant enzyme activity. This led to damage to the cell homeostasis due to ionome balance disruption. Moreover, AA-induced oxidative stress caused alterations in the cell cycle regulation resulting in chromosome segregation errors, as 4.07% of cells displayed sister chromatid non-disjunction during mitosis. Ascorbic acid (AsA, Vitamin C), a strong natural antioxidant, was used to alleviate the negative impact of AA. Cell pre-treatment with AsA significantly improved AA impaired growth, and antioxidant capacity, and supported ionome balance maintenance mainly due to the promotion of calcium uptake. Chromosome missegregation was reduced to 1.79% (44% improvement) by AsA pre-incubation. Results of our multiapproach analyses suggest that AA-induced oxidative stress is the major cause of alteration to cell homeostasis and cell cycle regulation.     

A diastereoselective C–C bond formation at C-5 of d-gulose. A convenient approach to (5S)-5-C-alkyl-β-l-lyxo-hexofuranoses

A flexible approach to the stereoselective synthesis of (5S)-5-C-methyl- and (5S)-5-C-ethyl-β-l-lyxo-hexofuranoses 15a, 22 starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose 3 as the source of chirality is described. The corresponding C-5 alkyl groups were introduced via a Wittig olefination followed by Pd/C-mediated hydrogenation of the conformationally restricted alkenes in a highly diastereoselective manner.     

Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots (CdTe) and its Effect on Eisenia fetida and Escherichia coli

Biosynthesis belongs to one of the new possibilities of nanoparticles preparation, whereas its main advantage is biocompatibility. In addition, the ability of obtaining the raw material for such synthesis from the soil environment is beneficial and could be useful for remediation. However, the knowledge of mechanisms that are necessary for the biosynthesis or effect on the bio-synthesizing organisms is still insufficient. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of quantum dots (QDs) not only on a model organism of collembolans, but also on another soil organism—earthworm Eisenia fetida—and in also one widespread microorganism such as Escherichia coli. Primarily, we determined 28EC₅₀ as 72.4 μmol L⁻¹ for CdTe QDs in collembolans. Further, we studied the effect of QDs biosynthesis in E. fetida and E. coli. Using determination of QDs, low-molecular thiols and antioxidant activities, we found differences between both organisms and also between ways how they behave in the presence of Cd and/or Cd and Te. The biosynthesis in earthworms can be considered as its own protective mechanism; however, in E. coli, it is probably a by-product of protective mechanisms.

     

Unsymmetrical Benzotristhiazole: A New Electron‐Withdrawing Core for Octupolar Chromophores

A six‐step synthesis of the unsymmetrical trimethylbenzotristhiazole has been developed. Starting from 2‐methylbenzothiazole following nitration, reduction, acetylation, thionation, and twofold cyclization, the desired trimethylbenzotristhiazole was obtained in good yield. Its condensation with donor‐substituted benzaldehydes presents the way to new octupolar chromophores. The attempt to synthesize such benzotristhiazole from dinitroaniline failed; this procedure afforded a new benzimidazole derivative.     

A new reflector structure for facility thermalizing D–T neutrons

A facility for thermalization of fast neutrons (14.2 MeV) emitted by compact deuterium–tritium (D–T) neutron generators (NGs) for thermal neutron activation analysis is proposed. Its final design is based on Monte Carlo calculations (MCNP5). To maximize the ratio between the thermal neutron flux and the total neutron flux and simultaneously to ensure the highest possible value of the thermal neutron flux at the output surface, the facility should consist of a two-layer reflector [tungsten (W)—the inner part, molybdenum—the outer part], a two-layer multiplier (W followed by lead), a moderator (polyethylene followed by magnesium fluoride) and a collimator (molybdenum and nickel near the output surface). For the D–T NG producing the maximum available neutron yield 10¹⁵ n s^?1, the facility provides the thermal neutron flux 2.0 × 10¹¹ n cm^?2 s ^?1 and a slightly higher fast neutron flux 2.3 × 10¹¹ n cm^?2 s^?1. To improve the ratio of the thermal neutron flux to the fast neutron flux (above 2.7) an addition of a silicon layer to the moderator and especially a proper adjustment and a threefold increase of the multiplier thickness is necessary.     

Sensitive CE-MS method for monitoring of riociguat and desmethylriociguat levels in human serum

Riociguat is novel antihypertensive drug for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. As such, it is still being tested in many clinical and pharmacokinetic trials. Existing methods that determine serum riociguat and desmethylriociguat (DMR) are based solely on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Therefore, we present a novel capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry method (CE-MS) for their determination in human serum as alternative method for ongoing trials. Complete resolution of both analytes was achieved by means of pH optimization of ammonium formate background electrolytes that are fully compatible with ESI/MS detection. Simple liquid-liquid extraction was used as sample pretreatment. The calibration dependence of the method was linear (in the range of 10–1000 ng/mL), with adequate accuracy (90.1–114.9%) and precision (13.4%). LOD and LOQ were arbitrarily set at 10 ng/mL for both analytes. Clinical applicability was validated using serum samples from patients treated with riociguat in pharmacokinetic study and the results corresponded with reference HPLC-MS/MS values. Capillary electrophoresis proved to be sensitive and selective tool for the analysis of riociguat and DMR.     

Calculations of Avrami exponent and applicability of Johnson–Mehl–Avrami model on crystallization in Er:LiY(PO3)4 phosphate glass

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Preparation and thermal properties of Er3+-doped lithium–yttrium meta-phosphate glasses with a nominal composition of Er:LiY(PO3)4 were studied...     

Microwave Assisted Digestion Method for the Determination of Cadmium,Copper, Lead,and Zinc in Biological Materials

Anodic stripping voltammetry is useful instrumental method for trace element determination in biological materials. It is however extremely demanding to the quality of the sample preparation process. The high‐pressure microwave assisted digestion seems to meet its requirements. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry technique was used for determination of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in certified reference materials both of plant and of animal origin to prove the analytical properties of such sample preparation method. The found concentrations have been in satisfactory agreement with the certified values. The elaborated digestion procedure is greatly universal and has required accuracy and precision.