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Compounds used in the fashion industry effect the water bodies in the vicinity of textile factories, resulting in the visible coloration of surface water. Fe-doped graphite-based in house prepared electrodes were used in the Fenton--like degradation of Reactive Blue 52 (RB52). The electrodes consisting of high-density graphite in three granulation sizes and three levels of Fe content were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amount of Fe in the electrodes and H2O2 concentration in synthetic textile wastewater were optimized. Additionally, the size of graphite grains was varied to investigate whether it effects the degradation rate. Under only 10 min of electro-Fenton degradation, a system with 10 mmol dm-3 of H2O2 and an electrode made of 7 % of Fe and 70 urn of granulation size of graphite, degraded over 75 % of RB52, and over 99 % after 40 min of treatment. The obtained results indicate that the proposed approach could be beneficial in the field of novel materials for environmental application and that in house prepared carbon could be an excellent replacement for commercially available supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical methods of wastewater treatment are often not suitable for the treatment of pharmaceutical waste. The previous studies have shown that the use of the advanced oxidation procedures (AOP) can lead to a more efficient degradation of various biologically active compounds, which are active pharmaceutical ingredients of applied drugs. The aim of this paper is the application of the plasma technology on the degradation of a two active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs, diazepam and alprazolam) and the finished products (Bensedin® and Ksalol®) using the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor for AOP. We studied the degradation rate of these pharmaceuticals, depending on the number of passes through the reactor. This degradation method was efficient 61 % for diazepam and 95 % alprazolam. We also examined the influence of the pH adjustment between the passes of APIs through the DBD reactor. The degradation rate of APIs and the finished products was monitored by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, using a photodiode array detector. The concentration of the dissolved ozone was determined using the iodometric procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic salts improve the coloration of textiles, which increases the pollution load of dye-house effluent in general. Decolorization of the reactive textile dye C.I. Reactive Black 5 was studied using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in a non-thermal plasma reactor, based on the coaxial water falling film Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD). The initial dye concentration in the solution was 40.0 mg L-1. The effects of the addition of different high concentrations of inorganic salt (NaCl, Na2SO4 and Na2CO3) on the degree of decolorization were studied. The dye solution was recirculated through the DBD reactor with an applied energy density of 45.0-315 kJ L-1. The influence of residence time was investigated after 5 min and 24 h of plasma treatment. Decolorization of the dye was monitored spectrophotometrically. The pH value and the conductivity of the dye solution were measured after each recirculation. The most effective decolorization of over 90% was obtained with the addition of NaCl (50 g L-1) with an applied energy density of 135 kJ L-1 and after a residence time of 24 h of plasma treatment. Decolorization of the solutions containing inorganic salts Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 were lower than for the solution without salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic salts improve the coloration of textiles, which increase pollution load on dyehouse effluent in general. Decolorization of reactive textile dye C.I. Reactive Black 5 was studied using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in a non-thermal plasma reactor, based on coaxial water falling film Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD). Initial dye concentration in the solution was 40.0 mg L-1. The effects of addition of inorganic salt different high concentrations (NaCl, Na2SO4 and Na2CO3) on the degree of decolorization were studied. Recirculation of dye solution through the DBD reactor with applied energy density 45-315 kJ L-1 was used. The influence of residence time was investigated after 5 minutes and 24 hours of plasma treatment. Decolorization of the dyes was monitored by spectrophotometric measurement. Changes of pH values and the conductivity of dye solution after each recirculation were tested. The most effective decolorization of over 90% was obtained with the addition of NaCl (50 g L-1), applied energy density of 135 kJ L-1 and after residence time of 24 hours of plasma treatment. Decolorization of solutions containing inorganic salts Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 were lower than for the solution without salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Decolorization of reactive textile dyes Reactive Black 5, Reactive Blue 52, Reactive Yellow 125 and Reactive Green 15 was studied using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in a non-thermal plasma reactor, based on coaxial water falling film dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). Used initial dye concentrations in the solution were 40.0 and 80.0mg/L. The effects of different initial pH of dye solutions, and addition of homogeneous catalysts (H2O2, Fe2+ and Cu2+) on the decolorization during subsequent recirculation of dye solution through the DBD reactor, i.e. applied energy density (45–315kJ/L) were studied. Influence of residence time was investigated over a period of 24h. Change of pH values and effect of pH adjustments of dye solution after each recirculation on the decolorization was also tested. It was found that the initial pH of dye solutions and pH adjustments of dye solution after each recirculation did not influence the decolorization. The most effective decolorization of 97% was obtained with addition of 10mM H2O2 in a system of 80.0mg/L Reactive Black 5 with applied energy density of 45kJ/L, after residence time of 24h from plasma treatment. Toxicity was evaluated using the brine shrimp Artemia salina as a test organism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this publication we are describing synthesis, binding properties, and receptor docking of 4-halo-6-[2-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-1H-benzimidazoles, a new compounds with potential antipsychotics properties. Affinity towards the dopamine D1-like and D2-like, and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors was evaluated using the radioligand binding assays. All compounds tested had affinity for the D2-like and 5-HT1A receptors, but were inactive towards the D1-like receptor. Halogenated 6-[2-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-1H-benzimidazoles showed higher affinity compared to their nonhalogenated congeners. In silico docking analysis of selected ligands was performed in order to explain the results of binding assays. Our analysis suggests that stabilizing interactions between the halogen atom at the benzimidazole ring and the Ser-122 of the D2-like and Trp-358 of the 5-HT1A receptor. Energy contributions for these interactions were calculated using the ab initio method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nanoparticles of TiO2 are suitable for many catalytic and photocatalytic applications due to their extraordinary properties such as superhydrophobicity, semiconductivity, electron-rich, and environmental compatibility. The main crystalline phases of TiO2, anatase, and rutile possess different crystal structures, crystallinity, crystalline sizes, and specific surface areas, and these characteristics directly affect the catalytic performance of TiO2. In the present study, domestic carbon material enhanced with TiO2 nanoparticles was synthesized and used for the construction of a modified carbon paste electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrodes was investigated depending on the TiO2 crystalline phases in the electrode material. Furthermore, the obtained working electrode was utilized for triclosan detection. Under optimized experimental conditions, the developed electrode showed a submicromolar triclosan detection limit of 0.07 µM and a wide linear range of 0.1 to 15 µM. The relative standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility were lower than 4.1%, and with satisfactory selectivity, the proposed system was successfully applied to triclosan monitoring in groundwater. All these results confirm that the sustainable production of new and domestically prepared materials is of great benefit in the field of electrocatalysis and that the morphology of such produced materials is strongly related to their catalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Propranolol was completely degraded by nonthermal plasma in three feed gases. • In Ar/O 2 atmosphere the lowest specific energy density was achieved – 75 kJ/dm3. • H 2 O 2 was the predominant reactive oxygen species in Ar plasma. • Hydroxyl radical had no effect on degradation in Ar/O 2 mixture. • The abundance of degradation products was theoretically supported. Propranolol, a beta-blocker, is a widely used drug for cardiovascular diseases. A synthetic sample containing propranolol (PRO) solution at native pH was recirculated up to ten times through an original coaxial non-thermal plasma reactor with a water falling film. Different discharge conditions, feed gasses, and power greatly influenced the extent of PRO degradation and the abundance of degradation products. The highest degradation rates were achieved in Ar plasma, either pure or in a mixture with O 2 , with over 70% of PRO degraded after only two passes through the DBD reactor. The full non-thermal plasma treatment was followed by a minimal change of pH value and conductivity. On the other hand, ambient air as the feed gas resulted in 60% of PRO degradation rate after the full treatment and contributed to a major drop in pH value and an increase in the conductivity of the treated solution. The structures of 47 degradation products in all three gases were identified and the degradation pathway is proposed, supported by DFT methodology. Scavenging experiments demonstrated that hydroxyl radical was predominant when plasma was generated using ambient air and Ar, while it had a minimal effect on the degradation in the mixture of Ar and O 2. The desired level of propranolol decomposition was achieved only by the adjustment of the nonchemical parameters of the treatment, such as plasma gas composition and power. These results imply that a non-thermal plasma reactor is a highly effective method for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, with no catalysts added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several isosteric 1,3-dihydro-5-[2-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)ethyl]-2H-benzimidazole-2-thiones were used to investigate the interactions of different ligands with the binding site of the D2 receptor. Due to limitations of the simulation methods, docking analysis failed to show precisely the interactions that influence the binding affinity of the ligands. It is presumed that dispersive forces or more precisely edge-to-face interactions play an important role in the binding process, especially for the lipophilic part of the ligands. In order to confirm this hypothesis, ab initio calculations were applied on a model system in order to find the stabilization energies of potential edge-to-face interactions and then to correlate them with the ligand affinity. The obtained results indicate that there is a significant correlation between the strength of dispersive interactions and ligand affinity. It was shown that for the calculation of stabilization energies of modeled receptor-ligand complexes the Becke "half-and-half" hybrid DFT method can be used, thus speeding up the usually long calculation time and reducing the required computer strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previously described research on docking analysis of a series of isosteric N4-arylpiperazines on a model of 5-HT1A receptor was used earlier to investigate interactions of different ligands with the receptor binding site. Due to the limitations of molecular mechanics (MM) methods, docking analysis failed to give precise results about interactions that influence binding affinity of the ligands, but we presumed that aromatic-aromatic interactions, or edge-to-face, to be more precise, play an important role in the binding process. In order to further elaborate on this hypothesis, ab initio approach was used to calculate possible edge-to-face interactions on a model system and correlate them to ligand affinity. Obtained results indicate that those dispersive interactions can show notable influence on the binding of the ligands to 5-HT1A receptor. Stabilization energies of modeled receptor-ligand complex, calculated using Becke's "half-and-half" hybrid DFT method showed strong correlation with the affinity of investigated ligands towards 5-HT1A receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solutions of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,6-dichlorophenol in bidistilled and water from the river Danube were treated in plasma reactor. In this reactor, based on coaxial dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, plasma is formed over a thin layer of treated water. After one pass through the reactor, starting chlorophenols concentration of 20mg/l was diminished up to 95%. Kinetics of the chlorophenols degradation was monitored by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography method (HPLC). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eight new compounds with halogen atom introduced into the benzimidazole-2-thione dopaminergic pharmacophore of 5-[2-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazole-2-thiones with the arylpiperazine part of the molecule being selected according to known structure-affinity requirements, have been synthesized. All the new compounds were evaluated for the in vitro binding affinity at the dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors by the competitive radioassays, performed on synaptosomal membranes prepared from fresh bovine caudate nuclei and hippocampi. All the new compounds were strong competitors for the binding of the radioligands to the D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, with the most active of them having 34 and 170 time higher affinity than non-halogenated congeners in the D2DA receptor radioassay (compounds 9.1b and 9.2b, respectively). Divergently, these compounds were without significant affinities for the D1 DA receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six newly synthesized heterocyclic (2-nitrophenyl)piperazines, with a specific structure of the heteroaryl group, whichmimics the catechol moiety of dopamine (benzimidazoles and substituted benzimidazoles), were evaluated for their binding affinity to rat dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and α1 receptors. All compounds with a benzimidazole group had a 5-HT2A/D2 receptors binding ratio characteristic for atypical neuroleptics (>1, pKi values). Compound 7c, 4-bromo-6-{2-[4-(2-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}-1H-benzimidazole, expressed higher affinities for all receptor classes than clozapine. Also, it exhibited the best characteristic for atypical neuroleptics and presents a compound with the best profile for further in vivo investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 14 novel arylpiperazines were synthesized, and pharmacologically evaluated by measuring their affinities towards the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) in a [3H]spiperone competition assay. All the herein described compounds consist of a benzimidazole moiety connected to N-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine via linkers of various lengths. Molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the DRD2-arylpiperazine complexes with the objective of exploring the receptor-ligand interactions and properties of the receptor binding site. The recently published crystal structure of DRD2 was used throughout this study. The major finding is that high affinity arylpiperazines must interact with both the orthosteric binding site and the extended binding pocket of DRD2 and therefore should contain a linker of 5 or 6 methylene groups long. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two anionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate – SDS and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate – SDBS) were treated with dielectric barrier discharge. Loss of surfactant activity, decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) as well as lower toxicity of degradation products was determined. Effects of catalysts – hydrogen peroxide and iron (II), on the above mentioned parameters, were determined. Catalysts affected the degradation of SDBS, but in the case of SDS, catalysts had no effect on degradation. Both catalysts induced the decrease of COD and TOC values. Toxicity of the solutions after the plasma treatment was lower in all the systems tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of sixteen novel substituted piperidines and (2-methoxyphenyl) piperazines were synthesized, starting from the key intermediates 1-(2--methoxyphenyl)-4-(piperidin-4-yl)piperazine and 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4--[(piperidin-4-yl)methyl]piperazine. Biological evaluation of the synthesized compounds was illustrated by seven compounds, of which 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-{[1-(2-nitrobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl}piperazine had the highest affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor. For all seven selected compounds, docking analysis was performed in order to establish their structure-to-activity relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we proposed electrochemical behavior and determination of baicalein, main active flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis , using boron doped diamond electrode. In Britton–Robinson buffer solution, pH 2, baicalein provides two single oval shape oxidation peaks at + 0.5 V/Ag–AgCl and a second one at + 0.8 V/Ag–AgCl. For quantification of baicalein square wave voltammetry was used. Under optimized parameters calibration curve was linear over the range 1–95 μM with detection limit of 0.26 μM. After eight successful measurements repeatability was 3.7%. Proposed method was applied for determination of baicalein in real samples with excellent recovery. The influence of the most common interferences, biomolecules presented in urine was investigated. The developed approach could be beneficial in analysis of widely used flavonoid in biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical compounds have been detected frequently in surface and ground water. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) were reported as very efficient for removal of various organic compounds. Nevertheless, due to incomplete degradation, toxic intermediates can induce more severe effects than the parent compound. Therefore, toxicity studies are necessary for the evaluation of possible uses of AOPs. In this study the effectiveness and capacity for environmental application of three different AOPs were estimated. They were applied and evaluated for removal of ibuprofen from water solutions. Therefore, two treatments were performed in a non-thermal plasma reactor with dielectric barrier discharge with and without a homogenous catalyst (Fe 2 + ). The third treatment was the Fenton reaction. The degradation rate of ibuprofen was measured by HPLC-DAD and the main degradation products were identified using LC–MS TOF. Twelve degradation products were identified, and there were differences according to the various treatments applied. Toxicity effects were determined with two bioassays: Vibrio fischeri and Artemia salina . The efficiency of AOPs was demonstrated for all treatments, where after 15 min degradation percentage was over 80% accompanied by opening of the aromatic ring. In the treatment with homogenous catalyst degradation reached 99%. V. fischeri toxicity test has shown greater sensitivity to ibuprofen solution after the Fenton treatment in comparison to A. salina . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-doped TiO2 photocatalysts with different contents of Fe (0.5, 1.6, 3.4 and 6.4 %) were synthesized by a microwave-hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, N2 physisorption at 77 K and UV- -Vis spectrometry. The characterization showed that the Fe ions were highly dispersed in the TiO2 lattice. It was found that all the synthesized catalysts had a mesoporous structure and that Fe-doping increased the BET surface area. The UV-Vis study showed that the absorption spectra were shifted to longer wavelengths (red shift) with increasing dopant concentration. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the decolorization of the textile dye Reactive Blue 52 (RB) in aqueous solutions under sun-like radiation in the presence of H2O2 (a heterogeneous photo-Fenton process). The photocatalyst with 3.4 % Fe was found to be the most efficient in the presence of H2O2. The effect of the initial pH of the dye solution was assessed and dissolution of iron ions was studied as a function of pH value. It was concluded that decolorization was more favorable in acidic pH, and that at pH values >4, the release of Fe ions into the solution was negligible. Photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was investigated under the optimal conditions and it was shown that the catalyst was capable of degrading colorless pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] 5ppm Fe2+/DBD improved degradation efficiency by 50%. [•] 10mM H2O2/DBD improved mineralization efficiency by 37%. [•] Nine degradation products were identified in catalytic DBD treatments. [•] Samples after each degradation are considered as “non toxic”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] TiO2 catalysts co-doped with La and V were synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal process. [•] Changes in the morphology and photocatalytic activity were observed as amount of both dopants were altered. [•] The catalyst with 2% (w/w) La and 0.02% (w/w) V appeared to be the most photoactive. [•] V-La co-doped TiO2 was easily separable by settling down and showed good stability and reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Thirteen products are identified during all degradations for both pesticides. [•] In all degradations same products and mechanism was observed for both pesticides. [•] Dominant mechanism for all degradations starts with attack on the carbonyl group. [•] Only in ozone and DBD degradation one product is formed in radical reaction. [•] Only in Fenton degradation opening of benzene ring occurs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method with densitometric detection was established for the quantification of p-chlorophenol in wastewater. Degradation efficiency of p-chlorophenol was monitored after each treatment of the wastewater samples. Degradation of p-chlorophenol was performed by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), using UV, H2O2/UV, O3/H2O2/UV, O3 and O3/UV. The developed TLC procedure was found to be simple, rapid and precise. The method is characterized by high sensitivity (the limit of detection was 11 ng per band and limit of quantification 35 ng per band), a linear range from 75 to 500 ng per band, r = 0.9965), and high precision, accuracy (mean percentage recovery 98.6 %), and specificity. Additionally, the efficiency of degradation was monitored using HPLC giving comparable results with the reversed phase TLC measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Infrared thermography or thermovision is increasingly applicable in sport and sport rehabilitation. Thermic forms, thermic imprints, temperature and isotherm distribution, temperature gradient change are the terms that are more and more often met in sport medicine and medicine, in general. Case report. We presented two examples of thermovision application: in detection of muscle injury and changes of the feet exposed to low temperature. In the first example the thermovision method was used for analysing heat distribution in an athlete with back muscles injury. With a special original method of local cooling the place and degree of injury was precisely localized and determined, respectively, regardless high environmental temperature. In the second case the thermovision method was for the first time applied in a runner whose feet was exposed to low temperature. Significant hypothermia of the feet was detected by the method and appropriate treatment was performed. Thanks to this the athlete had no harmful consequences. Conclusion. Thermovision is fast and efficient in detecting different kind of injuries, so its increased use in the future can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes in inorganic and organic phosphorus (P) fractions of soil resulting from long-term fertilization (40 years) were investigated. In order to improve understanding of the sink and sources of phosphorus, P-fractions were extracted from soil samples from depths of 0--30 and 30--60 cm with different amounts of monoammonium-phosphate (MAP) and then determined. The studied soil was of the Stagnosol type. Phosphate fertilizer was applied in 26, 39 and 52 kg P ha-1 amounts during a period of 40 years. Samples were subjected to sequential extraction according to a modified Chang and Jackson method and the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure in order to extract different forms of phosphorus. The certified reference material CRM 684 (river sediment extractable phosphorus) was used to confirm the accuracy of the instrument and of both employed methods. Furthermore, the association of phosphorus with substrates was provided by comparison of the results of sequential methods of phosphorus species with the sequential extraction of metals (Fe, Al, Mn and Ca). The results of continuous fertilization during 40 years indicated increases of all forms phosphorus in the soil except of phosphorus bound to calcium and organic phosphorus. Application of higher amounts of P-fertilizer resulted in the dominance of the Al--P fraction in the studied soil, which indicated that this fraction was the most responsible for the migration of phosphorus along the soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second extracellular loop (ecl2) of the dopamine (DA) D2 receptor is an essential part of the binding pocket of dopaminergic ligands. To form a part of the ligand-binding surface, it has to fold down into the transmembrane domain of the DA receptor. The current study describes the modeling of the D2 DA receptor ecl2 and its interactions with arylpiperazine ligands. In order to model the D2 DA receptor ecl2, several arylpiperazine ligands were used to propose a pharmacophore model. D2 DA receptor ecl2 model was built using Accelrys Discovery Studio. To test the proposed model, docking analysis was performed and key amino acid residues were determined. The proposed receptor-- ligand interactions were rationalized and compared with measured binding affinities. It is shown that D2 DA receptor ecl2 significantly participates in the formation of the receptor--ligand complex through aromatic, hydrophobic and polar interaction. Considering them would benefit molecular modeling of Gprotein- coupled receptors (GPCRs) and facilitate the design of novel active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second extracellular loop (ecl2) of dopamine (DA) D2 receptor is an essential part of dopaminergic ligands binding pocket. To form a part of the ligand binding surface it has to fold down into the transmembrane domain of the DA receptor. The current study describes the modeling of the D2 DA receptor ecl2 and its interactions with arylpiperazine ligands. In order to model D2 DA receptor ecl2, the number of arylpiperazine ligands was used to propose pharmacophore model. D2 DA receptor ecl2 model was built using Accelrys Discovery Studio. To test the proposed model, docking analysis was performed and key amino acid residues were determined. Proposed receptor-ligand iteractions were rationalized and compared with measured binding affinity. It is shown that D2 DA receptor ecl2 significantly participates in receptor-ligand complex formation through aromatic, hydrophobic and polar interaction. Taking them in account would benefit GPCR molecular modeling and facilitate the design of novel active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic reduction in drinking water can include treatment by adsorption, switching to alternative water sources, or blending with water that has a lower arsenic concentration. Commercial sorbents MTM, Greensand and BIRM (Clack Corporation) were modified with zirconium and titanium after activation. The modifications were performed with titanium tetrachloride and zirconium tetra-chloride. The modified sorbents were dried at different temperatures. The sorption of arsenate and arsenite dissolved in drinking water (200 µg L-1) onto the sorbents were tested using a batch procedure. After removal of the sorbent, the concentration of arsenic was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). Zirconium-modified BIRM showed the best performance for the removal of both arsenite and arsenate. Modification of the greensand did not affect arsenic sorption ability. Zirconium-modified BIRM diminished the concentration of total As to below 5 µg L-1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: HPLC stability-indicating method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of some water-soluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin-5′-phosphate sodium, pyridoxine hydrochloride, nicotinamide, d(+)-panthenol) and two preservatives (methylparaben and sodium benzoate) in multivitamin syrup preparation. Water-soluble vitamins, preservatives and their degradants were separated on Zorbax SB-Aq (C18) (250mm×4.6mm, 5μm) column at an ambient temperature. Combined isocratic and gradient elution was performed with a mobile phase consisting of 0.0125M hexane-1-sulfonic acid sodium salt in 0.1% (m/v) o-phosphoric acid, pH 2.4–2.5 (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B) at the flow-rate 1mlmin−1. Starting with solvent A an isocratic elution was performed for 15min, then the composition was changed to 85% of A and 15% of B during the next 20min and it was constant for 5min, then the composition was changed to 70% of A and 30% of B during next 15min and it was constant for 5min and finally was changed to 100% of A as at the beginning of the elution. Detection was performed with diode array detector at 210, 230 and 254nm. Multivitamin syrup preparation was subjected to stress testing (forced degradation) in order to demonstrate that degradants from the vitamins, preservatives and/or product excipients do not interfere with the quantification of vitamins and preservatives. Typical validation characteristics: selectivity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of quantification and limit of detection were evaluated for vitamins and preservatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two new series of substituted arylpiperazines with heterocyclic 3-propoxy-benzimidazole or 3-propoxy-benzimidazole-2-thione groups were synthesized and their in vitro binding affinities for the D2, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and α1-adrenergic receptors determined. Among them, only two compounds with phenyl aryl-constituent (8a and 9a) showed 5-HT2A/D2 pK i binding ratios proposed for atypical neuroleptics. As to their behavioral screening on rodents, both compounds exhibited a non-cataleptic action in rats and antagonized d-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice, suggesting their possible atypical antipsychotic potency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A flexible docking of a series of arylpiperazine derivatives with structurally different aryl part to the binding site of a model of human 5-HT1A receptor was exercised. The influence of structure and hydrophobic properties of aryl moiety on binding affinities was discussed and a model for ligand binding in the hydrophobic part of the binding site was proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Six active compounds, among previously synthesized and screened arylpiperazines, were selected and evaluated for the binding affinity to rat dopamine, serotonin and α1 receptors. Two compounds with benztriazole group had a 5-HT2A/D2 binding ratio characteristic for atypical neuroleptics (>1, pKi values). Compound 2, 5-{2-[4-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}1H-benzotriazole, expressed clozapine-like in vitro binding profile at D2, 5-HT2A and α1 receptors and a higher affinity for 5-HT1A receptors than clozapine. Also, it exhibited the noncataleptic behavioural pattern of atypical antipsychotics and antagonized d-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The textile industry is one of the major pollutants of waterbodies with effluents high in biochemical and chemical oxygen demand values, high values of total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and low dissolved oxygen values along with strong color. The existence of a successful method for its decontamination would be beneficial. In this work, we synthesized sponge-like europium oxide (Eu 2 O 3) using a template-directed route from carbon hollow spheres, obtained from glucose as a carbon source. The material synthesis method was done in an aqueous environment, without using any organic solvents. Electrochemical properties of the synthesized material were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrical impedance spectroscopy, while morphological characterization was done using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Eu 2 O 3 were successfully immobilized at the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (Eu 2 O 3 /SPCE) using the drop-casting method. Finally, the prepared electrodes were tested toward the removal of Reactive Blue 52 (RB52) using electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). Important parameters, that is, the supporting electrolyte, its concentration, pH value, and the applied voltage, were optimized for RB52 degradation. The rate of removal was monitored spectrophotometrically and by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). It was found that the proposed approach reaches complete decolorization of the RB52 solution after a 60-min treatment, at pH 5.6 of KCl supporting electrolyte at a concentration of 0.05 M. Under optimal parameters, after 3 h of treatment, total organic carbon (TOC) was lowered by ~40%. The obtained results indicate that the proposed method may find potential application in EAOPs, considering electrode stability, durability, and efficiency and simplicity of the method. [Display omitted] • Sponge-like europium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using hollow carbon spheres as templates. • Microstructure, morphology as well as electrochemical properties of the materials were analyzed. • Europium oxide nanoparticles were tested for the removal of Reactive Blue 52 as a model compound. • RB 52 removal had been optimized in terms of supporting electrolyte, its concentration, pH value, and the applied voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ethanolic wood extracts showed no risk for human health. • There is a potential for reuse of the wood waste in human diet. • Bioavailability of elements was discussed based on their relations with phenolics. This work investigates the release of toxic elements from wood into the experimental spirit models and the safety risks for consumers. The spirit models were prepared as ethanolic extracts using the procedure which reproduces maturation of spirits. Investigation included staves of wood species commonly used in Balkan cooperage: mulberry, Myrobalan plum, black locust, wild cherry, and various oaks. Potassium was the most abundant element, except in the wild cherry extract where calcium was dominant, and the Myrobalan plum extract where phosphorus was the most abundant. The parameters for the health risk assessment, such as hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated for potentially toxic elements and indicated that all wood extracts would be safe for human consumption. Owing to the proven abundance of phenolics in the investigated wood extracts, relations among elements and phenolics were also studied and conclusions were made based on the statistically significant correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]