Redox homeostasis in human renal cells that had been treated with amphotericin B in combination with selected 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives.

Background: The use of amphotericin B (AmB) in the therapy of systemic mycosis is associated with strong side effects, including nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. Therefore, agents that can reduce the toxic effects of AmB while acting synergistically as antifungal agents are currently being sought. 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives are promising compounds that have an antifungal activity and act synergically with AmB.

Modified polymeric biomaterials with antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties.

The modification of the surgical polypropylene mesh and the polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis with cecropin A (small peptide) and puromycin (aminonucleoside) yielded very stable preparations of modified biomaterials. The main emphasis was placed on analyses of their antimicrobial activity and potential immunomodulatory and non-cytotoxic properties towards the CCD841 CoTr model cell line. Cecropin A did not significantly affect the viability or proliferation of the CCD 841 CoTr cells, regardless of its soluble or immobilized form.

The modified activity of prolyl 4 hydroxylases reveals the effect of arabinogalactan proteins on changes in the cell wall during the tomato ripening process.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are proteoglycans with an unusual molecular structure characterised by the presence of a protein part and carbohydrate chains. Their specific properties at different stages of the fruit ripening programme make AGPs unique markers of this process. An important function of AGPs is to co-form an amorphous extracellular matrix in the cell wall-plasma membrane continuum; thus, changes in the structure of these molecules can determine the presence and distribution of other components.

A Study on the Adsorption of Rhodamine B onto Adsorbents Prepared from Low-Carbon Fossils: Kinetic, Isotherm, and Thermodynamic Analyses.

The aim of this study was to obtain a series of activated carbon samples by the chemical activation of low-rank coal. The precursor was impregnated with a NaOH solution. Activated carbons were characterized by determining their textural parameters and content of surface oxygen functional groups and by using an elemental analysis.

The Removal of Arsenic and Its Inorganic Forms from Marine Algae-A Base for Inexpensive and Efficient Fertilizers.

Newly synthesized cerium oxide was successfully obtained by the hard templating route. The optimal As(III) and As(V) adsorption onto the studied adsorbent was reached for the initial pH of 4.0 and a contact time of 10 h.

Synthesis and Bioactive Properties of the Novel Coloured Compound Obtained via the Laccase-Mediated Transformation of 5-Aminosalicylic Acid.

Biocatalysis processes based on oxidoreductases, such as fungal laccase, are important for discovering new organic compounds with broad structures and potential applications. They include bioactive compounds, which can be obtained through laccase-mediated oxidation of organic substrates having hydroxyl and/or amino groups especially, e.g.

A Convenient Strategy for the Voltammetric Direct Determination of Ce(III) in Environmental Waters Using a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode.

A simple and fast stripping voltammetric procedure for trace determination of Ce(III) in environmental water samples has been developed. The procedure of cerium determination in the presence of Alizarin S and acetate buffer was employed as the initial method. The adsorption material, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, was used as a screen-printed electrode modifier ensuring efficient accumulation of the Ce(III)-Alizarin S complex.

Cooperativity of ESPT and Aggregation-Induced Emission Effects-An Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of a 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivative.

(NTBD) was extensively studied through stationary UV-vis absorption and fluorescence measurements in various solvents and solvent mixtures and by first-principles quantum chemical calculations. It was observed that while in polar solvents (e.g.

Selective Removal of Chlorophyll and Isolation of Lutein from Plant Extracts Using Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in plant pigments as readily available nutraceuticals. Photosynthetic pigments, specifically chlorophylls and carotenoids, renowned for their non-toxic antioxidant properties, are increasingly finding applications beyond their health-promoting attributes. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for cost-effective methods of isolation.

Shot Peening Effect on Sliding Wear in 0.9% NaCl of Additively Manufactured 17-4PH Steel.

The growing demand for modern steels showing corrosion and tribological resistance has led to their increased use in the production of medical devices. This study analyzed the effect of shot peening on wear resistance in 0.9% NaCl solution of 17-4PH steel produced by direct laser metal sintering (DMLS) technology.

Mesoporous Carbons and Highly Cross-Linking Polymers for Removal of Cationic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions-Studies on Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics.

This study presents the results of applying the methods of synthesizing mesoporous carbon and mesoporous polymer materials with an extended porous mesostructure as adsorbents for cationic dye molecules. Both types of adsorbents are synthetic materials. The aim of the presented research was the preparation, characterisation, and utilisation of obtained mesoporous adsorbents.

Thermal Characterization of Crosslinked Polymeric Microspheres Bearing Thiol Groups Studied by TG/FTIR/DSC under Non-Oxidative Conditions.

This paper presents the thermal behavior of polymer microspheres based on glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and crosslinking agents benzene-1,4-diylbis(2-methylprop-2-enoate) (1,4DMB) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) before and after functionalization with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The thermal stability of the polymers was determined using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry under non-oxidizing conditions. The evolved gases were detected by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, and the chemical structure of solid residues after preheating was assessed by FTIR/ATR spectroscopy.

Impregnated Polymeric Sorbent for the Removal of Noble Metal Ions from Model Chloride Solutions and the RAM Module.

Nowadays, there is a need for new sources of noble metals due to their dwindling natural resources. This paper presents studies on the sorption of noble metals such as Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III) from model chloride solutions on a newly prepared Amberlite XAD-16-Aliquat 336 sorbent. A "warm impregnation" method without the use of toxic organic solvents was applied to impregnate the polymer matrix.

Evaluation of the Dye Extraction Using Designed Hydrogels for Further Applications towards Water Treatment.

In this work, novel chitosan-silica hydrogels were synthesized and investigated by various complementary techniques. The hydrogels were obtained via the immobilization of chitosan (Ch) on the surface of mesoporous cellular foams (MCFs). The latter silica materials were obtained by a sol-gel process, varying the composition of the reaction mixture (copolymer Pluronic 9400 or Pluronic 10500) and the ageing temperature conditions (80 °C or 100 °C).

Multimodal Spectroscopic Studies to Evaluate the Effect of Nod-Factor-Based Fertilizer on the Maize () Stem.

Maize () is one of the most cultivated plants in the world. Due to the large area, the scale of its production, and the demand to increase the yield, there is a need for new environmentally friendly fertilizers. One group of such candidates is bacteria-produced nodulation (or nod) factors.

Description of immature stages of species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Mecinini) with a focus on diagnostic morphological characters at the species and genus levels.

The mature larvae of the following fourteen species are described and illustrated: (Paykull, 1800), (Gravenhorst, 1807), (Gyllenhal, 1813), (Rosenschoeld, 1838), (Rubsaamen, 1895), (H. Brisout de Barneville, 1862), (Kirsch, 1881), (Panzer, 1796), (Boheman, 1838), (Germar, 1821), (Gyllenhal, 1838), Toševski & Caldara, 2015, (Fabricius, 1792), and (Germar, 1821). The pupae of thirteen of them (except ) were also described.

Innovative Green Alginate-Cellulose Composite for Light Lanthanides: Experimental Design and Comprehensive Studies on Kinetics, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, and Reusability.

Nowadays, there is a great interest in efficient adsorbent development due to the recent demand for lanthanides, which are widely used in high-tech technology. Alginates, owing to their natural occurrence, gel formation capability, and safety, could be promising feasible adsorbents for lanthanide removal. This study proposes the alginate-cellulose composite as an ecological, sustainable adsorbent for light lanthanide sorption.

Exploring the relationship between personality traits and locus of control in early adolescence. Does gender play a role?

The main aim of this study was to analyse associations between the five-factor model personality traits and locus of control of successes and failures based on the theory of social learning and to assess whether gender moderated relationships between these variables in Polish early adolescents. The following instruments were used: the Picture Based Personality Survey for Children and the Locus of Control Questionnaire. A total of 1016 students participated in the study, including 49% boys and 51% girls.

Symbiotic efficiency of Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii strains originating from the subpolar and temperate climate regions.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a forage legume cultivated worldwide. This plant is capable of establishing a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar trifolii strains.

Polymer Network Comprised of Steroidal Rotors as a Promising Storage Material.

The front cover artwork is provided by Dr habil. Izabella Jastrzebska's group from the University of Białystok, Poland. The image shows a polymeric network with molecular rotors (MR) as crosslinks.

Dissolved organic matter influences the indigenous bacterial community and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biodegradation in soils.

In polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated soils, bioremediation is superior to other strategies owing to its low cost and environmental friendliness. However, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and indigenous bacterial communities can affect the efficiency of PAH-degrading bacteria (PDB). This study found that exogenous PDB (C1) including the genera Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Comamonas, decreased the bacterial diversity of Alfisol, Ultisol, Inceptisol, and Mollisol, and DOM enhanced the diffusion of PDB and the bioavailability of PAH.

Attachment of Proteolytic Enzyme Inhibitors to Vascular Prosthesis-An Analysis of Binding and Antimicrobial Properties.

Prosthetic infections are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates, making them still a serious problem for implantology. is one of the most common bacterial pathogens causing prosthetic infections. In response to the increasing rate of bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics, this work proposes a method for combating pathogenic microorganisms by modifying the surfaces of synthetic polymeric biomaterials using proteolytic enzyme inhibitors (serine protease inhibitors-4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride and puromycin).

Special Issue "Third Edition: Advances in Molecular Simulation".

Molecular simulation is one of the fastest growing fields in science [...

Preparation and Characterization of Quartz-Reinforced Hybrid Composites Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resin from Post-Consumer PET Recyclate.

The paper presents the results of research on hybrid composites made of unsaturated polyester resin based on post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate). The polymeric materials were reinforced with quartz flour, which is a common inorganic mineral filler. An environmentally friendly cobalt polymer solution was used to cure the polyester matrix.

Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the World.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential health risks of radioactive elements and heavy metals ingested through the consumption of various types of tea imported to the Polish market (black, green, red, oolong and white). The concentrations [Bq/kg] of radionuclides (K, Cs, Ra, Pb and Th) in tea leaves before and after brewing were measured using γ-ray spectrometry with high-purity germanium (HPGe). The concentrations [mg/kg] of the studied elements (Fe, Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, Mn, Ni, P, V, Cd and Pb) were determined using a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES).