Conjugation with the Carrier Helped to Reveal acidification-Induced Structural Shift in the Peptide from Phospholipase Domain of Parvovirus B19.

Spectroscopic studies on domains and peptides of large proteins are complicated because of the tendency of short peptides to form oligomers in aquatic buffers, but conjugation of a peptide with a carrier protein may be helpful. In this study we approved that a fragment of SK30 peptide from phospholipase A2 domain of VP1 Parvovirus B19 capsid protein (residues: 144-159; 164; 171-183; sequence: SAVDSAARIHDFRYSQLAKLGINPYTHWTVADEELLKNIK) turns from random coil to alpha helix in the acidic medium only in case if it had been conjugated with BSA (through additional N-terminal Cys residue, turning it into CSK31 peptide, and SMCC linker) according to CD-spectroscopy results. In contrast, unconjugated SK30 peptide does not undergo such shift because it forms stable oligomers connected by intermolecular antiparallel beta sheet, according to IR-spectroscopy, CD-spectroscopy, blue native gel electrophoresis and centrifugal ultrafiltration, as, probably, the whole isolated phospholipase domain of VP1 protein does.

Encapsulation of three different types of polyphenols in casein using a customized pH-driven method: Preparation and characterization.

Phenolic compounds represent natural compounds endowed with diverse biological functionalities. However, their inherent limitations, characterized by poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability, limit their broader applications. Encapsulation delivery systems are emerging as a remedy, able to ameliorate these limitations by enhancing the stability and solubility of phenolic compounds.

High-strength gypsum binder with improved water-resistance coefficient derived from industrial wastes.

The article presents the possibility of increasing the water resistance of gypsum binders (GBs) obtained based on synthetic gypsum by introducing additives derived from industrial wastes. Regularities were obtained for the influence of the type and amount of additives on the water/gypsum ratio (W/G), strength indicators and water resistance of high-strength GB. The introduction of a single-component additive to improve water resistance does not have a significant effect.

Development of a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit for detecting canine coronavirus and parvovirus through double labeling.

Objective: Canine enteric coronavirus (CCV) and canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) are the main pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis in dogs, and both single and mixed infections are common. This study aimed to establish a double-labeling time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) to test and distinguish CCV and CPV-2 diseases.

Methods: A sandwich double-labeling TRFIA method was established and optimized using europium(III) (Eu)/samarium(III) (Sm) chelates.

Development and Validation of a Method to Quantify Flavonoids in Leaves of Lithospermum officinale (Boraginaceae).

The common gromwell Lithospermum officinale L. is a valuable medicinal plant that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. A method to quantify flavonoids in L.

Structural Shifts of the Parvovirus B19 Capsid Receptor-binding Domain: A Peptide Study.

Background: Binding appropriate cellular receptors is a crucial step of a lifecycle for any virus. Structure of receptor-binding domain for a viral surface protein has to be determined before the start of future drug design projects.

Objectives: Investigation of pH-induced changes in the secondary structure for a capsid peptide with loss of function mutation can shed some light on the mechanism of entrance.

Role of New Chiral Additives on Physical-Chemical Properties of the Nematic Liquid Crystal Matrix.

We have synthesized and studied three new chiral substances as additives to a nematic liquid crystal. The difference in the optical activity and chemical structure of additive molecules results in the appearance of the chiral nematic phase and the change in both the compatibility of the mixture components and temperature range of the liquid crystal phase. The role of additives with fundamentally different structures and optical activities is shown.

Breathable Films with Self-Cleaning and Antibacterial Surfaces Based on TiO-Functionalized PET Membranes.

A promising approach that uses the sol-gel method to manufacture new breathable active films with self-cleaning and antibacterial surfaces is based on the PET membranes obtained via ion track technology with a pore density of 10 cm and a pore diameter of about 500 ± 15 nm, coated with a layer of TiO anatase, with a thickness of up to 80 nm. The formation of the photocatalytically active TiO anatase phase was confirmed using Raman analysis. Coating the PET membrane with a layer of TiO increased the hydrophobicity of the system (CA increased from 64.

Novel Mesogenic Vinyl Ketone Monomers and Their Based Polymers.

In the present research, we have synthesized new vinyl ketone monomers with mesogenic substituents, namely, 8-(3'-chloro-4'-pentyl-[1,1'-biphenyl-4-oxy)oct-1-en-3-one () and 8-[2'-chloro-4‴-octyl-[1,1':4',1″:4″,1‴-quaterphenyl-4-oxy]oct-1-en-3-one (). The comparison of , , and previously synthesized 8-((4″-(()-4-butylcyclohexyl)-2'-chloro-[1,1',4',1″-terphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)oct-1-en-3-one () has revealed that all of them are able to form crystals, while their ability to exhibit liquid crystalline behavior depends on the number of phenyl substituents attached to the para-position of the phenoxy group and is observed for and only. All of the monomers are able to achieve self-polymerization upon heating and free radical polymerization in bulk or in solution under the action of the common radical initiator AIBN.

Approaches for filtrate utilization from synthetic gypsum production.

Waste recycling and industrial wastewater treatment have always been of interest. A green approach was developed for the filtrate of synthetic gypsum production from water treatment coagulation sediments and spent sulfuric acid. Due to the high concentration of iron sulfate, concentrated filtrate showed good coagulation results, which were 5% lower than pure iron sulfate.

Low-temperature method for desiliconization of polymetallic slags by ammonium bifluoride solution.

Throughout the period of operation of non-ferrous metal deposits, a significant amount of waste has been accumulated. The accumulated waste contains valuable metals in concentrations that allow considering them as valuable raw materials. However, it is worth noticing the presence of problems that previously did not allow for more complete extraction of the target components.

The role of terphenyl-containing carboxylic acid in the oligomerization of aryl vinyl ketone.

The molecular structure of 8-((4''-((1,4)-4-butylcyclohexyl)-2'-chloro-[1,1',4',1''-terphenyl]-4-yl)oxy)oct-1--3-one (TERPh-VK) and 6-((4''-((1,4)-4-butylcyclohexyl)-2'-chloro-[1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-4-yl)oxy) hexanoic acid (TERPh-COOH) is analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. Vinyl ketone isolated from solution forms a thermodynamically unstable conformation due to probable peculiarities of the crystal structure formation. The heating of this substance above 100 °C results in the - transformation with the simultaneous opening of the vinyl double bond.

How should we manage a strong Eurasian Beaver population? A comparison of population trends in Poland and Belarus.

The Eurasian beaver is currently found in at least 32 European countries, with many of these populations being established in the 1960s. In most European countries, the beaver is under protection, however, when the population is strong, the beaver becomes a game species. In Poland, the beaver is partially protected despite the species having a strong population.

A Micropowered Chemoresistive Sensor Based on a Thin Alumina Nanoporous Membrane and SnBiMoO Nanocomposite.

This work presents and discusses the design of an efficient gas sensor, as well as the technological process of its fabrication. The optimal dimensions of the different sensor elements including their deformation were determined considering the geometric modeling and the calculated moduli of the elasticity and thermal conductivity coefficients. Multicomponent SnBiMoO thin films were prepared by ionic layering on an anodic alumina membrane and were used as gas-sensitive layers in the sensor design.

Ionic liquids in conducting nanoslits: how important is the range of the screened electrostatic interactions?

Analytical models for capacitive energy storage in nanopores attract growing interest as they can provide in-depth analytical insights into charging mechanisms. So far, such approaches have been limited to models with nearest-neighbor interactions. This assumption is seemingly justified due to a strong screening of inter-ionic interactions in narrow conducting pores.

Equilibrium Between Dimeric and Monomeric Forms of Human Epidermal Growth Factor is Shifted Towards Dimers in a Solution.

An interplay between monomeric and dimeric forms of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) affecting its interaction with EGF receptor (EGFR) is poorly understood. While EGF dimeric structure was resolved at pH 8.1, the possibility of EGF dimerization under physiological conditions is still unclear.

Mechanical performance and Taguchi optimization of kenaf fiber/cement-paperboard composite for interior application.

Demand for particleboards keeps increasing and as such more trees are fell for its production, engendering deforestation. For the purpose of reducing falling of trees, this study, focused on recycling of waste paper in the development of paperboard as alternative to particleboards used for furniture and interior household applications. Kenaf fiber (KF) was blended at varying proportions of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt.

Layered Oxygen-Deficient Double Perovskites as Promising Cathode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Development of new functional materials with improved characteristics for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) is one of the most important tasks of modern materials science. High electrocatalytic activity in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), chemical and thermomechanical compatibility with solid electrolytes, as well as stability at elevated temperatures are the most important requirements for cathode materials utilized in SOFCs. Layered oxygen-deficient double perovskites possess the complex of the above-mentioned properties, being one of the most promising cathode materials operating at intermediate temperatures.

Effect of TiO Concentration on Microstructure and Properties of Composite Cu-Sn-TiO Coatings Obtained by Electrodeposition.

In this work, Cu-Sn-TiO composite coatings were electrochemically obtained from a sulfate bath containing 0-10 g/L of TiO nanoparticles. The effect of TiO particles on kinetics of cathodic electrodeposition has been studied by linear sweep voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. As compared to the Cu-Sn alloy, the Cu-Sn-TiO composite coatings show rougher surfaces with TiO agglomerates embedded in the metal matrix.

Spatially Ordered Matrix of Nanostructured Tin-Tungsten Oxides Nanocomposites Formed by Ionic Layer Deposition for Gas Sensing.

The process of layer-by-layer ionic deposition of tin-tungsten oxide films on smooth silicon substrates and nanoporous anodic alumina matrices has been studied. To achieve the film deposition, solutions containing cationic SnF or SnCl and anionic NaWO or (NH)O·WO precursors have been used. The effect of the solution compositions on the films deposition rates, morphology, composition, and properties was investigated.

Anodic Electrodeposition of Chitosan-AgNP Composites Using In Situ Coordination with Copper Ions.

Chitosan is an attractive material for biomedical applications. A novel approach for the anodic electrodeposition of chitosan-AgNP composites using in situ coordination with copper ions is proposed in this work. The surface and cross-section morphology of the obtained coating with varying concentrations of AgNPs were evaluated by SEM, and surface functional groups were analyzed with FT-IR spectroscopy.

Ultrasonic-assisted electrodeposition of Cu-Sn-TiO nanocomposite coatings with enhanced antibacterial activity.

Copper-based coatings are known for their high antibacterial activity. In this study, nanocomposite Cu-Sn-TiO coatings were obtained by electrodeposition from an oxalic acid bath additionally containing 4 g/dm TiO with mechanical and ultrasonic agitation. Ultrasound treatment was performed at 26 kHz frequency and 32 W/dm power.

Adsorption time scales of cluster-forming systems.

A microscopic model of adsorption in cluster forming systems with competing interaction is considered. The adsorption process is described by the master equation and modelled by a kinetic Monte Carlo method. The evolution of the particle concentration and interaction energy during the adsorption of particles on a plane triangular lattice is investigated.

Superionic Liquids in Conducting Nanoslits: Insights from Theory and Simulations.

Mapping the theory of charging supercapacitors with nanostructured electrodes on known lattice models of statistical physics is an interesting task, aimed at revealing generic features of capacitive energy storage in such systems. The main advantage of this approach is the possibility to obtain analytical solutions that allow new physical insights to be more easily developed. But how general the predictions of such theories could be? How sensitive are they to the choice of the lattice? Herein, we address these questions in relation to our previous description of such systems using the Bethe-lattice approach and Monte Carlo simulations.

Pigments from spent Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd electrolytes from electroplating industry.

One of the problems of electroplating industry is the periodic discharge of concentrated spent electrolytes together with rinsing wastewater. This leads to irreversible loss of valuable components, as well as to the risk of heavy metal ions entering the environment, which have toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. The paper presents research on the processing of spent electrolytes from electroplating industry of zinc, nickel, copper, and cadmium plating, collected over 3 years.