Defective TiO Nanotube Arrays for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Degradation of Organic Pollutants.

Oxygen vacancies (OVs) are one of the most critical factors that enhance the electrical and catalytic characteristics of metal oxide-based photoelectrodes. In this work, a simple procedure was applied to prepare reduced TiO nanotube arrays (NTAs) (TiO) via a one-step reduction method using NaBH. A series of characterization techniques were used to study the structural, optical, and electronic properties of TiO NTAs.

Speciation and Bio-Imaging of Chromium in Using HPLC Post-column ID-ICP-MS, High Resolution MS and Laser Ablation ICP-MS Techniques.

A new analytical procedure for the speciation of chromium (Cr) in plants by high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) was developed using a strong anion-exchange Mono Q column for the separation of the Cr species. To optimize the analytical procedure, Cr complexes were first synthesized from Cr-nitrate with the addition of an excess of ligand (90°C). Cr-oxalate, Cr-malate, Cr-citrate, Cr-aconitate and Cr-quinate complexes and Cr-nitrate (pH 6.

Unravelling the pathways of air plasma induced aflatoxin B degradation and detoxification.

Aflatoxins are considered to be a critical dietary risk factor for humans, with aflatoxin B (AFB) identified by the WHO as one of the most potent natural group 1 carcinogen. Despite this, more than half of the world's population is chronically exposed, resulting in up to 170,000 annual cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma cancer. Here we report an easily implemented approach using non-equilibrium plasma for targeted degradation of AFB.

Determination and photodegradation of sertraline residues in aqueous environment.

Sertraline is an antidepressant drug that has been frequently reported in the aquatic environment and biota. While the research has mostly dealt with its occurrence and toxicity, there is a lack of information pertaining to its environmental transformation. The present study aimed to fill in these gaps by giving an insight into mechanisms of sertraline phototransformation in surface waters, which was recognized as the main transformation pathway for this contaminant.

An optimised series of substituted N-phenylpyrrolamides as DNA gyrase B inhibitors.

ATP competitive inhibitors of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV have great therapeutic potential, but none of the described synthetic compounds has so far reached the market. To optimise the activities and physicochemical properties of our previously reported N-phenylpyrrolamide inhibitors, we have synthesized an improved, chemically variegated selection of compounds and evaluated them against DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes, and against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The most potent compound displayed IC values of 6.

Profiles of the benzotriazole pollutant transformation products in an urban intergranular aquifer.

Benzotriazoles (BTs) are regarded as contaminants of emerging concern. However, their transformation products (BTTPs) in aquifers remains poorly characterized. The present study is the first detailed report on profiles of the BTTPs in an urban oxic intergranular aquifer related to water type, land use and the aquifer's depth.

Isolation and Determination of Fomentariol: Novel Potential Antidiabetic Drug from Fungal Material.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading world's public health problems. Therefore, it is of a huge interest to develop new antidiabetic drugs. Apart from traditional therapy of diabetes, nowadays, importance is given to natural substances with antidiabetic potential.

The fate of benzotriazole pollutants in an urban oxic intergranular aquifer.

Benzotriazoles (BTs) are considered as Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs); however, information about their fate in aquifers continues to be absent. This was the focus of the present study, which provides the first evidence for relevant BTs' degradation products (BTTPs) in urban aquifers that may impact the groundwater quality. The mechanisms and biotransformation pathways of BTs were investigated in an oxic intergranular medium.

Nickel speciation in cocoa infusions using monolithic chromatography - Post-column ID-ICP-MS and Q-TOF-MS.

Nickel (Ni) is considered to be a potentially harmful element for humans. Its levels in foodstuffs are normally low (below 0.2mgkg), but sensitive individuals may develop allergy to Ni as a result of dietary consumption.

Enrofloxacin degradation in broiler chicken manure under field conditions and its residuals effects to the environment.

The rate of degradation of enrofloxacin in broiler chicken manure has been characterised. Its degradation was investigated in manure excreted by broiler chickens in an intensively reared chicken facility; further, the degradation also followed after transfer of the excreta into the natural environment occurred. The effect of enrofloxacin and its degradation products on cucumber and tomato was also investigated.

Identification and quantification of bleomycin in serum and tumor tissue by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry.

Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic available as a compost of structurally strongly related glycopeptides, which is in vivo found chelated with several metals. Its pharmacotherapy has merely been based on experimental dose - response data, whereas its biodistribution and pharmacokinetics remain fundamentally unknown. This is reasoned by an absence of a specific and sensitive mass spectrometry-based analytical method for its determination in biological tissues.

Nonpeptidic Selective Inhibitors of the Chymotrypsin-Like (β5 i) Subunit of the Immunoproteasome.

Elevated expression of the immunoproteasome has been associated with autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and various types of cancer. Selective inhibitors of the immunoproteasome are not only scarce, but also almost entirely restricted to peptide-based compounds. Herein, we describe nonpeptidic reversible inhibitors that selectively block the chymotrypsin-like (β5i) subunit of the human immunoproteasome in the low micromolar range.

Lipid Metabolites from the Mushroom Meripilus giganteus.

The phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the white rot fungus Meripilus giganteus resulted in the isolation and identification of complex mixtures of free fatty acids (1), monoacylglycerols (2), cerebrosides (3), ergosterol (4) and ergosterol peroxide (5). The structures of the isolated lipid metabolites (1-5) were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant activity of the whole MeOH extract of the fungus was evaluated through in vitro model systems, such as 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion.

Isolation, analysis and structures of phototoxic fagopyrins from buckwheat.

Buckwheat products are commonly used in health foods and food supplements. However, public awareness regarding the presence of photodynamic naphthodianthrones fagopyrins that can cause photosensitization is low. At least two additional compounds with structures similar to that of fagopyrin are known to exist; however, the structures of these compounds have never been determined.

Fluorouracil in the environment: analysis, occurrence, degradation and transformation.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a fluorinated pyrimidine analogue important in the treatment of cancer whose fate in the environment is yet to be fully addressed. Due to its high polarity 5-FU requires challenging sample preparation and therefore we thoroughly investigated different solid phase extraction mechanisms (ion pair, ion exchange, reversed phase), sorbents and derivatisation agents to enable trace-level analysis of 5-FU based on GC-MS/MS in natural and wastewaters. Ion pair and ion exchange retention mechanisms enable the extraction of 5-FU from deionised water, but were inappropriate for complex environmental matrices, where the reversed phase sorbent Isolute ENV+ gave the best extraction efficiencies (53% and 93% for wastewaters and surface waters, respectively).

Steroid toxicity and detoxification in ascomycetous fungi.

In the last couple of decades fungal infections have become a significant clinical problem. A major interest into fungal steroid action has been provoked since research has proven that steroid hormones are toxic to fungi and affect the host/fungus relationship. Steroid hormones were found to differ in their antifungal activity in ascomycetous fungi Hortaea werneckii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae.

Ni speciation in tea infusions by monolithic chromatography--ICP-MS and Q-TOF-MS.

For humans, Ni is not considered to be an essential trace element. Its compounds, at levels present in foodstuffs and drinks, are generally considered to be safe for consumption, but for individuals who already suffer from contact allergy to Ni and may be subject to develop systemic reactions from its dietary ingestion, dietary exposure to Ni must be kept under control. Being the second most popular beverage, tea is a potential source of dietary Ni.

Determination of Zn-citrate in human milk by CIM monolithic chromatography with atomic and mass spectrometry detection.

In human milk zinc (Zn) is bound to proteins and low molecular mass (LMM) ligands. Numerous investigations demonstrated that Zn bioavailability in human milk is for infant much higher than in cow's milk. It was presumed that in the LMM human milk fraction highly bioavailable Zn-citrate prevails.

Environmental occurrence, fate and transformation of benzodiazepines in water treatment.

Benzodiazepine derivatives are prescribed in large quantities globally and are potentially new emerging environmental contaminants. Unfortunately, a dearth of data exists concerning occurrence, persistence and fate in the environment. This paper redresses this by reviewing existing literature, assessing the occurrence of selected benzodiazepine anxiolytics (diazepam, oxazepam and bromazepam) in wastewater influent and effluent and surface water from Slovenia, evaluating their removal during water treatment and identifying the transformation products formed during water treatment.

The response of filamentous fungus Rhizopus nigricans to flavonoids.

The saprophytic fungus Rhizopus nigricans constitutes a serious problem when thriving on gathered crops. The identification of any compounds, especially natural ones, that inhibit fungal growth, may therefore be important. During its life cycle, Rhizopus nigricans encounters many compounds, among them the flavonoids, plant secondary metabolites that are involved in plant defense against pathogenic microorganisms.

Application of complementary mass spectrometric techniques to the identification of ketoprofen phototransformation products.

Ketoprofen (KP) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which during UV irradiation rapidly transforms into benzophenone derivatives. Such transformation products may occur after topical application of KP, which is then exposed to sunlight resulting in a photo-allergic reaction. These reactions are mediated by the benzophenone moiety independently of the amount of allergen.

Discovery of a steroid 11α-hydroxylase from Rhizopus oryzae and its biotechnological application.

To overcome the chemically laborious stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation steps in the pharmaceutical production of corticosteroids and progestogens, certain fungal species, e.g. Rhizopus spp.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Ruthenium(III) Complexes with Histamine.

Novel ruthenium(III) complexes with histamine [RuCl(4)(dmso-S)(histamineH)] . H( (2) )O (1a) and [RuCl(4)(dmso-S)(histamineH)] (1b) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Their crystal structures are similar and show a protonated amino group on the side chain of the ligand which is not very common for a simple heterocyclic derivative such as histamine.

Possible involvement of G-proteins and cAMP in the induction of progesterone hydroxylating enzyme system in the vascular wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum.

Fungi present the ability to hydroxylate steroids. In some filamentous fungi, progesterone induces an enzyme system which converts the compound into a less toxic hydroxylated product. We investigated the progesterone response in the vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, using mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The use of quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the elucidation of diclofenac biotransformation products in wastewater.

The work presented herein discusses the potential of liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QqToF-MS) for the chemical structure elucidation of pharmaceutical degradation products (DPs). The model compound, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac was subjected to microbiological transformation in a laboratory scale pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and its transformation products were detected in the outlet samples. Their chemical structures were elucidated using the principal features of the instrument, i.