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Describes a series of computer programs, tutorial and drill, in eight areas of organic chemistry. Using 28 students in the computer assisted instruction (CAI) group and 29 students in the control group over a period of one semester, the authors report no significant differences in their examination results. However, a student attitude questionnaire reveals enthusiasm for the experimental program. (RR)

Iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits are major sources of Cu, contain abundant Fe oxides, and may contain Au, Ag, Co, rare earth elements (REEs), U, and other metals as economically important byproducts in some deposits. They form by hydrothermal processes, but the source of the metals and ore fluid(s) is still debated. We investigated the geochemistry of magnetite from the hydrothermal unit and manto orebodies at the Mina Justa IOCG deposit in Peru to assess the source of the iron oxides and their relationship with the economic Cu mineralization. We identified three types of magnetite: magnetite with inclusions (type I) is only found in the manto, is the richest in trace elements, and crystallized between 459° and 707°C; type Dark (D) has no visible inclusions and formed at around 543°C; and type Bright (B) has no inclusions, has the highest Fe content, and formed at around 443°C. Temperatures were estimated using the Mg content in magnetite. Magnetite samples from Mina Justa yielded an average δ56Fe ± 2σ value of 0.28 ± 0.05‰ (n = 9), an average δ18O ± 2σ value of 2.19 ± 0.45‰ (n = 9), and Δ’17O values that range between –0.075 and –0.047‰. Sulfide separates yielded δ65Cu values that range from –0.32 to –0.09‰. The trace element compositions and textures of magnetite, along with temperature estimations for magnetite crystallization, are consistent with the manto magnetite belonging to an iron oxide-apatite (IOA) style mineralization that was overprinted by a younger, structurally controlled IOCG event that formed the hydrothermal unit orebody. Altogether, the stable isotopic data fingerprint a magmatic-hydrothermal source for the ore fluids carrying the Fe and Cu at Mina Justa and preclude significant input from meteoric water and basinal brines.

Describes general approaches that seem to be necessary in bridging the gap between a strict academic approach to chemistry and the practical aspects of problem solving in pollution abatement control. Presents the EPA role in training in view of graduate training grant phase-out. (Author/GS)

In the present communication, the simultaneous co-immobilization by covalent binding of lipase A from Candida antarctica (CALA) and lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) in glutaraldehyde (GLU) activated chitosan (CHI) was optimized using the Taguchi method. Under optimized conditions (pH 9, 5 mM, 6:1 (protein load/g of support and 1 h), it was possible to reach 80.00 ± 0.01% for the immobilization yield (IY) and 46.01 ± 0.35 U/g for the activity of the derivative (AtD); in this case, load protein and ionic strength were the only statistically significant parameters and, therefore, those that most influenced the immobilization process. Furthermore, at pH 7, CALA-CALB-CHI had a half-life 2–6 times longer than the mixture of CALA and CALB for a temperature range of 50−80 °C. CALA-CALB showed the highest activity at pH 7, whereas CALA-CALB-CHI, except at pH 7, was more active than the soluble lipase mixture in the pH range (5–9), especially at pH 9. CHI, CHI-GLU, and CALA-CALB-CHI were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetry (TGA), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), proving the immobilization of CALA and CALB in chitosan. CALA-CALB-CHI derivative evaluated in the kinetic resolution of halohydrins acetates rac-2-bromo-1-(2-chlorophenyl) ethyl acetate (2a) and rac-2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) ethyl acetate (2b), to produce the corresponding halohydrins 3a-b, which are intermediates in the synthesis of the drugs chlorprelanine (antiarrhythmic) and luliconazol (antifungal), respectively. (S)-bromohydrin 3a was obtained with 79% enantiomeric excess (ee), whereas (S)-chlorohydrin 3b produced with 98% ee, conversion of 46% and E > 200. Additionally, molecular docking was performed to elucidate the hydrolysis interaction reaction between β-halohydrin acetates and lipases CALA-CALB.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) signals quantify the oxygenated (ΔHbMbO(2)) and deoxygenated (ΔHHbMb) heme group concentrations. ΔHHbMb has been preferred to ΔHbMbO(2) in evaluating skeletal muscle oxygen extraction because it is assumed to be less sensitive to blood volume (BV) changes, but uncertainties exist on this assumption. To analyze this assumption, a computational model of oxygen transport and metabolism is used to quantify the effect of O(2) delivery and BV changes on the NIRS signals from a canine model of muscle oxidative metabolism (Sun Y, Ferguson BS, Rogatzki MJ, McDonald JR, Gladden LB. Med Sci Sports Exerc 48: 2013–2020, 2016). The computational analysis accounts for microvascular (ΔHbO(2), ΔHHb) and extravascular (ΔMbO(2), ΔHMb) oxygenated and deoxygenated forms. Simulations predicted muscle oxygen uptake and NIRS signal changes well for blood flows ranging from resting to contracting muscle. Additional NIRS signal simulations were obtained in the absence or presence of BV changes corresponding to a heme groups concentration changes (ΔHbMb = 0–48 µM). Under normal delivery (Q = 1.0 L·kg(−1)·min(−1)) in contracting muscle, capillary oxygen saturation (So(2)) was 62% with capillary ΔHbO(2) and ΔHHb of ± 41 µΜ for ΔHbMb = 0. An increase of BV (ΔHbMb = 24 µΜ) caused a ΔHbO(2) decrease (16µΜ) almost twice as much as the increase observed for ΔHHb (9 µΜ). When So(2) increased to more than 80%, only ΔHbO(2) was significantly affected by BV changes. The analysis indicates that microvascular So(2) is a key factor in determining the sensitivity of ΔHbMbO(2) and deoxygenated ΔHHbMb to BV changes. Contrary to a common assumption, the ΔHHbMb is affected by BV changes in normal contracting muscle and even more in the presence of impaired O(2) delivery. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Deoxygenated is preferred to the oxygenated near-infrared spectroscopy signal in evaluating skeletal muscle oxygen extraction because it is assumed to be insensitive to blood volume changes. The quantitative analysis proposed in this study indicates that even in absence of skin blood flow effects, both NIRS signals in presence of either normal or reduced oxygen delivery are affected by blood volume changes. These changes should be considered to properly quantify muscle oxygen extraction by NIRS methods.

The results of the Rehbinder effect manifestation during testing of superalloys in contact with corrosive media containing Na2SO4 + NaCl are discussed. We present the experimental study of the effect of salts containing chlorine and sulfur on the mechanical properties and long-term strength of single crystal and powder nickel-based superalloys at high temperatures. The practical value of the work is associated with the possible operation of gas turbine parts in conditions of ingress of the particles containing chlorine, sulfur and sodium into the flow path. A simplified (compared to a previously used) procedure of testing wrought alloys for long-term strength in molten salts is developed. A comparative study of the mechanical properties and long-term strength of a single crystal superalloy in the initial state (previously damaged by corrosion of different duration) and being in contact with salts during testing is carried out. Due to the large scatter of experimental data, the method of lower envelopes has been proposed and implemented to determine the guaranteed values of the long-term strength. It is shown that the guaranteed values of the long-term strength at different temperatures and test durations can decrease by 2.5 – 5.0 times in the presence of salts. Metallographic studies of the nature of damage and destruction of samples are carried out. The revealed decrease in the long-term strength of heat-resistant alloys in contact with salts is interpreted as the Rehbinder effect and not as a manifestation of the effect of stress corrosion cracking. A methodology for using the obtained test results with a duration of up to several thousand hours in highly aggressive environments is proposed to predict the long-term strength in relation to long-term operation (tens of thousands of hours) under conditions of relatively low salt loads.

The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is accompanied by extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, oxidative stress, and inflammation progression, as well as hyperactivation of amine oxidases (AOs), which contribute to disease manifestation. The present study aims to elucidate the effect of semicarbazide (SC), an inhibitor of Cu-containing AOs: lysyl oxidase (LOX), semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), diamine oxidase (DAO), on PF induced in rats by bleomycin (BLM). Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, rats of BLM group received BLM (5 mg/kg, intratracheally once), BLM+SC group obtained 0.005% solution of SC (about 50 µg per capita per day) for three weeks starting immediately after BLM injection, and the Control+SC group drank the same solution as BLM+SC group. The content of cross-linked collagen in total bronchi and free radicals in lung, activities of LOX, SSAO, DAO, polyamine oxidase (PAO), Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in lung and blood were measured. BLM injection induced PF that was confirmed histologically and morphometrically as well as by the elevation of the content of cross-linked collagen and free radicals. The activities of LOX and SSAO involved in post-translational modification of ECM and inflammation were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The activities of DAO, and PAO that control polyamine metabolism were also essentially raised. Among antioxidant enzymes, only GPx was activated in the BLM group as compared to control. These changes were absent in the BLM+SC group. SC intake promoted the fact that the histology and morphometric parameters of lung tissue, the content of cross-linked collagen in the bronchi and free radicals in the lung, as well as the activity of the studied enzymes remained at the control level. Our data suggest that SC suppresses the development of BLM-induced PF by inhibiting AOs activities.

The recent emergence of a new cerambycid pest in Eucalyptus plantations in Vietnam is causing concern in the forest sector. This paper confirms the identity of the new pest, assesses the damage caused in the main commercial Eucalyptus clones, and explores preliminary control options for the management of outbreaks. The pest was identified as Batocera lineolata Chevrolat based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 analysis. Clonal plantations of E. urophylla × E. grandis (DH32-29) had the most bole damage; E. urophylla × E. pellita (PNCTIV, U6) had low damage; and E. urophylla × E. pellita (PNCT3) and E. urophylla (PN14) were not damaged by B. lineolata. Thirty days after pesticide treatments (fipronil, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos ethyl mixed with trisiloxane ethoxylate) were applied to the boles of one-year-old DH32-29 trees, damage from B. lineolata was reduced by 73.4 to 77.5%. Applying Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae mixed with Tween 80 were less effective, with damage reduced by 41.3, 31.5 and 30.2%, respectively. It is suggested that clone DH32-29 be replaced with resistant clones PNCT3, PNCTIV or U6 to reduce the risk of wood loss as the pest spreads. Until more effective control strategies can be identified, insecticides provide an option for reducing damage from B. lineolata larvae.

An automated continuous flow system capable of producing protected deoxy-sugar donors from commercial material is described. Four 2,6-dideoxy and two 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy sugars with orthogonal protecting groups were synthesized in 11-32 % overall yields in 74-131.5 minutes of total reaction time. Several of the reactions were able to be concatenated into a continuous process, avoiding the need for chromatographic purification of intermediates. The modular nature of the experimental setup allowed for reaction streams to be split into different lines for the parallel synthesis of multiple donors. Further, the continuous flow processes were fully automated and described through the design of an open-source Python-controlled automation platform.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) activation controls adipose tissue (AT) expansion in animal models. Our objective was twofold: (i) to check whether PAFR signaling is involved in human obesity and (ii) investigate the PAF pathway role in hematopoietic or non-hematopoietic cells to control adipocyte size. MATERIALS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS Clinical parameters and adipose tissue gene expression were evaluated in subjects with obesity. Bone marrow (BM) transplantation from wild-type (WT) or PAFR-/- mice was performed to obtain chimeric PAFR-deficient mice predominantly in hematopoietic or non-hematopoietic-derived cells. A high carbohydrate diet (HC) was used to induce AT remodeling and evaluate in which cell compartment PAFR signaling modulates it. Also, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with PAF to evaluate fat accumulation and the expression of genes related to it. RESULTS PAFR expression in omental AT from humans with obesity was negatively correlated to different corpulence parameters and more expressed in the stromal vascular fraction than adipocytes. Total PAFR-/- increased adiposity compared with WT independent of diet-induced obesity. Differently, WT mice receiving PAFR-/--BM exhibited similar adiposity gain as WT chimeras. PAFR-/- mice receiving WT-BM showed comparable augmentation in adiposity as total PAFR-/- mice, demonstrating that PAFR signaling modulates adipose tissue expansion through non-hematopoietic cells. Indeed, the PAF treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes reduced fat accumulation and expression of adipogenic genes. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, decreased PAFR signaling may favor an AT accumulation in humans and animal models. Importantly, PAFR signaling, mainly in non-hematopoietic cells, especially in adipocytes, appears to play a significant role in regulating diet-induced AT expansion.

The objective: to study the effect of liposomal oxidized dextran (LOD) on remodeling of the extracellular matrix of organs of mice during the period of chronic BCG granulomatosis and effects of LOD on this process depending on the route of administration. Subjects and Methods. The liver and lungs of mice with BCG granulomatosis were studied using different methods of LOD administration (intraperitoneally and by inhalation). The content of glycosaminoglycans, hydroxyproline fraction, the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), hyaluronidases and a2-macroglobulin, and the content of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and -2) were evaluated. Results. The administration of LOD to mice infected with the BCG vaccine suffering from chronic granulomatosis with severe fibrosis (6 months after infection for 3 months) resulted in the aggravation of collagen degradation in the liver. In the lungs, along with increased collagen degradation, decreased collagen synthesis was observed. It was apparently due to suppressed activity of a2-macroglobulin and decreased content of TIMP-1 and -2. In the liver, with intraperitoneal administration of LOD, signs of suppressed fibrogenesis and fibrolysis were observed versus the data obtained for inhalation administration. There were no differences in the content of hydroxyproline fractions in the lungs depending on the method of LOD administration. Thus, administration of LOD to mice led to lower severity of fibrosis while the mechanisms of fibrolysis in the lungs and liver differed.

Organofunctional silanes are compounds that are capable of being adsorbed on the surfaces of inorganic materials and forming surface layers after polymerization, which enhance the adhesive interaction between the surface of the inorganic material and the polymer (binder in filled composites or polymer coating). To understand the nature of the physicochemical processes occurring upon the formation of surface layers on mineral fillers in composite materials and the mechanism of action of organosilanes, an attempt was made to analyze the available information on the interactions between organosilane molecules and the surface of inorganic mineral materials in various media, as well as on the adsorption of organosilanes on the surface of inorganic materials.

Water quality that the population has access to can undergo a series of changes, contaminations and interferences. Poor water quality may be related to several contamination sources and can pose a health risk for the ecosystem and for people. The calcium ion is a determinant of water hardness, and its excess in the human body can result in a series of complications and diseases such as renal and bladder lithiasis. The seeds of the pitombeira (Talisia esculenta) were used to produce phosphoric acid activated carbon (PAC). Adsorption studies were conducted by batch technique, and isothermal and kinetic models were systematically used to evaluate the potential of PAC to remove Ca2+ ions from aqueous media. The adsorbent was characterized using BET surface area (141.6 m2/g), SEM, pHPZC (2.75), Boehm titration, and by content analysis of the moisture and ashes. The time required for the system to equilibrate was only 5 min. According to the kinetics study, the data were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium sorption data fitted well with the Freundlich model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 19.05 mg/g, with 90% of Ca2+ ions removal. Therefore, due to its efficiency and low cost, PAC could be employed as an alternative adsorbent for Ca2+ removal.

Auxins are plant hormones that play a central role in controlling plant growth and development across different environmental conditions. Even at low concentrations, auxins can regulate gene expression through specific transcription factors and proteins that are modulated to environmental responses in the signalling cascade. Auxins are synthesized in tissues with high cell division activity and distributed by specific transmembrane proteins that regulate efflux and influx. This review presents recent advances in understanding the biosynthetic pathways, both dependent and independent of tryptophan, highlighting the intermediate indole compounds (indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetaldoxime, indole-3-pyruvic acid and tryptamine) and the key enzymes for auxin biosynthesis, such as YUCs and TAAs. In relation to the signalling cascade, it has been shown that auxins influence gene expression regulation by the connection between synthesis and distribution. Moreover, the molecular action of the auxin response factors and auxin/indole-3-acetic acid transcription factors with the F-box TIR1/AFB auxin receptors regulates gene expression. In addition, the importance of microRNAs in the auxin signalling pathway and their influence on plant plasticity to environmental fluctuations is also demonstrated. Finally, this review describes the chemical and biological processes involving auxins in plants.

Saxitoxin is a cyanotoxin which is very harmful to human health; the concentration limit in drinking water is only 3 μg/L. Therefore, a simple, fast, sensitive, low-cost, and specific method for its detection, quantification, and monitoring in water bodies is needed to avoid adverse effects on animal and human health. In this work, we developed an electrochemical impedimetric biosensor using a specific aptamer as recognition element for saxitoxin detection. This method allies the superior sensing characteristics of aptamers with the nondestructive, label-free, and easy working principles of the electrochemical impedance technique. The device presented sensitivity for detecting saxitoxin concentrations above 0.3 μg/L, with high selectivity in negative control experiments, demonstrating a promising alternative for water toxin detection.

We extended the two-dimensional B-spline approach recently developed to investigate the influence of a strong electric field on atomic structures and spectra for hydrogen atoms in magnetic fields of white dwarfs. Spectral lines for hydrogen in parallel magnetic and electric fields have been calculated. Wavelengths and oscillator strengths are presented for 14 Balmer α transitions as a function of magnetic and electric fields. The magnetic and electric field strengths involved span a scope, respectively, from around 23.5 to 2350 MG, and from 0 to 108 V/m. Our calculations show that the shift of Balmer-series spectral lines induced by a strong electric field reduces as the magnetic field strength increases. The obtained energy levels, wavelengths, and oscillator strengths are compared to available results in the literature, and excellent agreement was discovered. The spectral data reported in this paper can be applied to interpret the shifts of spectral lines of hydrogen in magnetic white dwarfs due to the presence of electric fields, and to predict additional spectral lines dipole-forbidden in a pure magnetic field.

Unsupported, carbon-containing molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) and bimetallic iron-molybdenum sulfide (FeMoS) catalysts are obtained by in-situ decomposition of (a) ammonium thiomolybdate (ATM), (b) Fe(III)-containing ATM, (c) hexyltrimethylammonium thiomolybdate (HTMATM), and (d) Fe(III)-containing HTMATM, labeled Mo-1, Mo-2, Mo-3 and Mo-4 catalysts. Their activity and selectivity are tested in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT). HDS activity of the novel bimetallic Mo-4 catalyst is nearly two times greater than that of the reference Mo-1 catalyst, with a less favorable selectivity towards hydrogenation products compared to the reference. Surface iron and carbon contents of the catalysts are found to affect their activity as follows; Mo-4 > Mo-3 ≈ Mo-1 > Mo-2.

Movalli, Paola et al., The chemical industry is the leading sector in the EU in terms of added value. However, contaminants pose a major threat and significant costs to the environment and human health. While EU legislation and international conventions aim to reduce this threat, regulators struggle to assess and manage chemical risks, given the vast number of substances involved and the lack of data on exposure and hazards. The European Green Deal sets a ‘zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment’ by 2050 and the EU Chemicals Strategy calls for increased monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Monitoring of contaminants in biota can, inter alia: provide regulators with early warning of bioaccumulation problems with chemicals of emerging concern; trigger risk assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances; enable risk assessment of chemical mixtures in biota; enable risk assessment of mixtures; and enable assessment of the effectiveness of risk management measures and of chemicals regulations overall. A number of these purposes are to be addressed under the recently launched European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals (PARC). Apex predators are of particular value to biomonitoring. Securing sufficient data at European scale implies large-scale, long-term monitoring and a steady supply of large numbers of fresh apex predator tissue samples from across Europe. Natural science collections are very well-placed to supply these. Pan-European monitoring requires effective coordination among field organisations, collections and analytical laboratories for the flow of required specimens, processing and storage of specimens and tissue samples, contaminant analyses delivering pan-European data sets, and provision of specimen and population contextual data. Collections are well-placed to coordinate this. The COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility provides a well-developed model showing how this can work, integrating a European Raptor Biomonitoring Scheme, Specimen Bank and Sampling Programme. Simultaneously, the EU-funded LIFE APEX has demonstrated a range of regulatory applications using cutting-edge analytical techniques. PARC plans to make best use of such sampling and biomonitoring programmes. Collections are poised to play a critical role in supporting PARC objectives and thereby contribute to delivery of the EU’s zero-pollution ambition., This paper was carried out in collaboration between ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (COST Action 16224), and the project ‘LIFE APEX—Systematic use of contaminant data from apex predators and their prey in chemicals management’ (LIFE17 ENV/SK/000355). European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility is supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. LIFE APEX is funded by the LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.

The purpose of this work is to present our latest achievements in the design, synthesis and development of a new catalytic microreactor for the processes of selective and continuous synthesis of substances with added value that are used in fine organic synthesis and pharmaceutical industries. In this advanced device, metal nanoparticles are embedded in mesoporous materials, which are deposited in the form of highly active and selective catalytic films on the walls of capillary microchannels with diameters of 220 and 530 μm. In such microreactor systems, there is no subsequent separation of the catalyst, which facilitates continuous operation. Potentially the most stable coatings are crystalline or amorphous titanium dioxide based metal oxides synthesized by the sol-gel method and containing embedded catalytically active polymetallic nanoparticles. The catalytic properties and operational stability of capillary microreactors were investigated at atmospheric pressure and compared with conventional industrial batch reactors. The developed Pd50Zn50 /TiO2 coating showed a higher activity (1.5 gMBE·gPd–1·s–1) and selectivity (96.7 %) in comparison with the coatings described earlier in the literature and with the industrial Lindlar catalyst, and retained high catalytic performance after 88 hours of reaction.

Considering the importance of tender bamboo shoot and its products as essential culinary items for the ethnic communities of Arunachal Pradesh, present study was undertaken in Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. In this study, we analyzed the concentration of dietary mineral viz. calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium in fresh tender shoots of seven locally available bamboo species and their three processed products. It revealed considerable concentration of the five essential minerals in both fresh and processed products, where their concentration was comparatively high in fresh shoots than that of processed products, irrespective of the species. Contributions of 100 g fresh bamboo shoot and their processed products to Daily Value Requirement (DV%) of the five essential minerals were very impressive (Anonymous 2016). Such contribution for the five essential minerals to DV% was considerably high for both fresh tender shoots and their processed products, which were comparable to other conventional foods. Therefore, in addition to our conventional foods, regular or occasional consumption of fresh and processed bamboo shoots may be very effective to meet the Daily Requirement Value of these five essential minerals.

Introduction. The important role of integrins (IG) in the initiation and development of cancer processes makes these structures convenient targets for the development of immunomodulatory therapeutic drugs that have an effect directly on these molecules. Among the latter, IG β1, α4 and cell adhesion receptor ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) are of particular interest. Immunomodulators are capable of changing the IG activity through non-specific mechanisms, which, however, in some cases can cause a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system and health deterioration. The aim of the study was to determine the effect on the levels of cellular expression and the nature of IG metabolism of the drug sodium deoxyribonucleate with ferrum complex, DNA-Na-Fe, which is having been used in the Russian Federation as an immunomodulatory agent, but whose action has not been studied in details so far. Material and methods. We used 2 variants of the neoplastic CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell line transformed with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) of the Retroviridae family, MT-4 (MT-4/1 and MT-4/2). The indicated variants were characterized by different levels of expression of the protein activation markers CD28 and CD38. After cell culture in the presence of 500 μg/ml DNA-Na-Fe, the expression levels of IG β1 (CD29), α4 (CD49d), and ICAM-1 (CD54) were studied by flow cytometry. Results. The cells of the both lines contained many membrane proteins CD29+ (90.4% ± 4.5) and CD54+ (97.9% ± 1.4), while small percentage of cells contained protein CD49d+ (1.9% ± 1.0). No changes in the expression of the studied proteins were observed in the presence of the drug. Discussion. The levels of IG β1, α4 and ICAM-1 expression may serve as one of the phenotypic characteristics of MT-4 cells. The obtained data are of great importance because the peculiarities of CD4+ T-lymphocytes transformation and their metabolism during HTLV-1 infection have not been sufficiently studied so far. Conclusion. The results of this work may be helpful in determining the pathogenesis of HTLV-1-induced diseases, some types of malignancies, and in searching for new specific pharmacological agents, including molecularly targeted ones. The results of the study will help to expand the existing knowledge on the markers of MT-4 cell line.

The addition of the methyl-7-guanosine (m7G) “cap” on the 5' ends of coding and some non-coding RNAs is essential for their protein coding capacity and biochemical activity, respectively. It was previously considered that capping was a constitutive process that generates a complete cap on all transcripts at steady-state. However, development of new methodologies demonstrated that steady-state capping is a dynamic and regulatable feature of many coding and non-coding RNAs. Indeed, capping status of specific RNAs can flux during differentiation and development, thereby impacting on their protein-coding capacity and activity. Moreover, in some primary cancer specimens, capping can be elevated for transcripts encoding proteins involved in proliferation and survival corresponding to their increased protein levels. Overexpression of one of the capping enzymes (RNMT), the transcription factor MYC or the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E all led to increased levels of steady-state capping of selected transcripts. Additionally, transcripts can be decapped and recapped, allowing these to be sequestered until needed. This review provides a summary of the major advances in enzymatic and affinity-based approaches to quantify m7G capping. Further, we summarize the evidence for regulation of capping. Capping has emerged as a significant regulatory step in RNA metabolism which is poised to impact a myriad of biological processes.

Effects of concentration (2.0, 4.0, 7.0 and 11.0 vol %) and operating temperature (20.0, 40.0 and 60.0°C) on phosphate coatings formed on aluminum (AA1050) surfaces by cathodic electrochemical polarization (0.1, 0.4 and 0.6 A dm–2) in solutions containing ammonium and sodium phosphates, $${\text{MoO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}$$ promoting ions, inorganic activators, buffers, softeners, as well as surfactants, have been studied. The process kinetics, coating elements, related microstructure and the corrosion resistance (in 0.6 M NaCl) have been evaluated by various analyzes such as gravimetric and electrochemical methods, SEM with EDX-analyzes, AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The main elements in phosphate coatings are phosphorus, oxygen, molybdenum, nickel. Assumptions about the probable chemical compounds have been discussed.

The ranges of variation of the rate constant (0.031– 0.153 L·mol–1·s–1), energy of activation (21– 55 kJ/mol), and entropy of activation (88–191 J·mol–1·K–1) for the reaction of benzamide with 3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride in aqueous 1,4-dioxane with a concentration of water of 15–40 wt % have been determined by studying the reaction kinetics in the temperature range 298–313 K. The potential energy surface for the gas-phase reaction of benzamide with 3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride has been simulated at the DFT B3LYP/ 6-311G(d,p) level of theory; the results of quantum chemical simulation suggest bimolecular nucleophilic substitution mechanism of this reaction.

Abstract The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbon isotope composition in the peat of a palsa near Eletsky settlement, Vorkuta urban district, Komi Republic are analyzed. The carbon isotope composition of peat varies from –28.05 to –30.05‰ (average –29.15‰). The total PAH content varies from 11 to 360 ppb, with an average of 63 ppb and a median value of 34 ppb. Heavy compounds, such as benzo(a)anthracene and benzofluoranthenes, are prevalent among PAHs. The presence of PAHs in the peat is determined by three main factors: technogenic impact, wildfires, and biogeochemical soil processes. The prevalence of benzo(a)anthracene in the upper part of the palsa down to the bottom of the active layer suggests an anthropogenic impact (the influence of transport and domestic fuel combustion). The share of benzo(a)anthracene decreases with depth, while the share of benzofluoranthenes increases. Two sharp peaks of PAH content (260 and 360 ppb) are observed; they coincide with a local increase of carbon isotope values, most likely resulting from wildfires. The minimums in PAH content are presumably determined by the biogeochemical factor and the input of polyarenes generated by decomposition of plant residues. Carbon isotope composition of peat mainly reflects the isotope composition of vegetation, the degree of peat moistening, and the influence of pyrogenic factor.

Cellulose-based systems are useful for many applications. However, the issue of self-organization under non-equilibrium conditions, which is ubiquitous in living matter, has scarcely been addressed in cellulose-based materials. Here, we show that quasi-2D preparations of a lyotropic cellulose-based cholesteric mesophase display travelling colourful patterns, which are generated by a chemical reaction-diffusion mechanism being simultaneous with the evaporation of solvents at the boundaries. These patterns involve spatial and temporal variation in the amplitude and sign of the helix´s pitch. We propose a simple model, based on a reaction-diffusion mechanism, which simulates the observed spatiotemporal colour behaviour. Cellulose is a naturally occurring system of interest for its chiral macromolecular structure. Here, colourful structural patterns are observed in a cellulose-based lyotropic cholesteric system, attributed to conformational self-adjustment of the cellulose chain to its environment.

The solubility of phenakite in aluminosilicate melts of various alkalinity was studied experimentally at T = 1000°C and P = 1 kbar in dry conditions and in the presence of 10 wt % H2O. The experiments were carried out on a high gas pressure vessel. The duration of the experiments was five days. The initial material was prefused glass of granite composition with different agpaiticity (1–1.5), as well as natural phenakite. The composition of the samples after the experiments was determined by means of electron probe X-ray spectral analysis, and the beryllium content was determined by laser ablation. It was found that the solubility of phenakite depends on the composition of the aluminosilicate melt, increasing with increasing agpaiticity ((Na + K)/Al). The Be concentrations in dry melts vary within 0.67–1.3 wt %, and in the presence of an aqueous fluid, 1.58–2.28 wt %. The experimental data obtained testify in favor of the concentration of beryllium in residual alkaline water-bearing melts. In this case, the content of beryllium in primary melts can be high enough to form large deposits of beryllium due to its extraction from relatively small magmatic bodies.

Polyurethane hydrogels containing polyethylene glycol as a linear fragment and incomplete β-cyclodextrin nitrate as a cross-linking agent were synthesized. The polyols were cross-linked with 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate. The hydrogel swelling ratio was studied as a function of the content of partially nitrated β-cyclodextrin in the hydrogel, molecular mass of polyethylene glycol, and degree of substitution of hydroxy groups by nitrate groups in incomplete β-cyclodextrin nitrates. As the cyclodextrin nitrate content is increased from 13 to 44 wt %, the swelling ratio relative to the dry substance weight decreases from 9.5 to 2.3. An increase in the molecular mass of polyethylene glycol from 0.4 to 20 kDa leads to an increase in the swelling ratio from 1.6 to 5.1 for weakly cross-linked polyurethane hydrogels and from 1.2 to 2.8 for the thickly cross-linked hydrogels. The ability of the synthesized compounds to absorb Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange, and phenol was studied. Polyurethane hydrogels do not absorb Methylene Blue. The absorption of Methyl Orange and phenol depends both on the content of incomplete β-cyclodextrin nitrate and on the hydrogel swelling ratio. The synthesized polyurethane hydrogels are biologically compatible.