eDNA Adsorption onto Microplastics: Impacts of Water Chemistry and Polymer Physiochemical Properties.

Adsorption of biomacromolecules onto polymer surfaces, including microplastics (MPs), occurs in multiple environmental compartments, forming an ecocorona. Environmental DNA (eDNA), genetic material shed from organisms, can adsorb onto MPs which can potentially either (1) promote long-range transport of antibiotic resistant genes or (2) serve to gain insights into the transport pathways and origins of MPs by analyzing DNA sequences on MPs. However, little is known about the capacity of MPs to adsorb eDNA or the factors that influence sorption, such as polymer and water chemistries. Here we investigated the adsorption of extracellular linear DNA onto a variety of model MP fragments composed of three of the most environmentally prevalent polymers (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene) in their pristine and photochemically weathered states. Batch adsorption experiments in a variety of water chemistries were complemented with nonlinear modeling to quantify the rate and extent of eDNA sorption. Ionic strength was shown to strongly impact DNA adsorption by reducing or inhibiting electrostatic repulsion. Polyethylene terephthalate exhibited the highest adsorption capacity when normalizing for MP specific surface area, likely due to the presence of ester groups. Kinetics experiments showed fast adsorption (majority adsorbed under 30 min) before eventually reaching equilibrium after 1-2 h. Overall, we demonstrated that DNA quickly binds to MPs, with pseudo-first- and -second-order models describing adsorption kinetics and the Freundlich model describing adsorption isotherms most accurately. These insights into DNA sorption onto MPs show that there is potential for MPs to act as vectors for genetic material of interest, especially considering that particle-bound DNA typically persists longer in the environment than dissolved DNA.

Catalytic co-combustion of biomass and brown coal in a fluidized bed: Economic and environmental benefits.

The work is devoted to the study of combustion of brown coal, pine sawdust, and their mixtures in a fluidized bed of catalyst at 600-750°Ð¡. It is shown that an increase in the content of sawdust in a mixture with brown coal leads to an increase in the burnout degree of solid fuel from 94.4% to 99.9%, while the emission of greenhouse gases in the form of CO2 CO and NOx is reduced (CO2 from the biomass is not included in the balance). The high content of alkaline earth metal oxides (CaO and MgO) in the mineral part of brown coal, sawdust, and their mixtures eliminates the emission of sulfur oxides and the slagging of heat-exchange surfaces during the combustion in a fluidized bed of catalyst. The optimal temperature, when the highest burnout degree of the above fuels is achieved in the combustion is 750°Ð¡. It is also shown that the increase in temperature and the content of sawdust in the composition of the fuel mixtures has a positive effect on the economic and environmental process indicators.

The role of intraspecific crop-weed hybridization in the evolution of weediness and invasiveness: Cultivated and weedy radish (Raphanus sativus) as a case study.

PREMISE: The phenotype of hybrids between a crop and its wild or weed counterpart is usually intermediate and maladapted compared to that of their parents; however, hybridization has sometimes been associated with increased fitness, potentially leading to enhanced weediness and invasiveness. Since the ecological context and maternal genetic effects may affect hybrid fitness, they could influence the evolutionary outcomes of hybridization. Here, we evaluated the performance of first-generation crop-weed hybrids of Raphanus sativus and their parents in two contrasting ecological conditions. METHODS: Using experimental hybridization and outdoor common garden experiments, we assessed differences in time to flowering, survival to maturity, plant biomass, and reproductive components between bidirectional crop-weed hybrids and their parents in agrestal (wheat cultivation, fertilization, weeding) and ruderal (human-disturbed, uncultivated area) conditions over 2 years. RESULTS: Crop, weeds, and bidirectional hybrids overlapped at least partially during the flowering period, indicating a high probability of gene flow. Hybrids survived to maturity at rates at least as successful as their parents and had higher plant biomass and fecundity, which resulted in higher fitness compared to their parents in both environments, without any differences associated with the direction of the hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: Intraspecific crop-weed hybridization, regardless of the cross direction, has the potential to promote weediness in weedy R. sativus in agrestal and ruderal environments, increasing the chances for introgression of crop alleles into weed populations. This is the first report of intraspecific crop-weed hybridization in R. sativus.

Eco-Corona Formation on Plastics: Adsorption of Dissolved Organic Matter to Pristine and Photochemically Weathered Polymer Surfaces.

Plastic fate in freshwater systems is dependent on particle size, morphology, and physicochemical surface properties (e.g., charge, surface roughness, and hydrophobicity). Environmental aging processes, such as photochemical weathering and eco-corona formation due to dissolved organic matter (DOM) adsorption on plastic surfaces, can alter their physicochemical properties, affecting fate and transport. While plastic aging has been studied from a materials science perspective, its specific implications in environmental contexts remain less understood. Although photochemical weathering and eco-corona formation occur simultaneously in the environment, in this work, we systematically assessed the effects of photochemical weathering on the physicochemical properties of polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene) and how this influences the adsorption of DOMs (Suwannee River humic acid, fulvic acid, and natural organic matter) relative to pristine polymers. Pristine polymers initially had different and distinct physicochemical surface properties, but upon aging, they became more similar in terms of surface properties. Photochemical weathering resulted in a decrease in polymer film thickness, an increase in surface roughness, and hydrophilicity. DOM adlayers on the polymer surfaces resulted in more comparable wettability, effectively masking the initial polymer properties. Collectively, this study explores the physiochemical changes polymers undergo in laboratory studies mimicking environmental conditions. Understanding these changes is the initial step to rationalizing and predicting processes and interactions such as heteroaggregation that dictate the fate of plastics in the environment.

Isolation and Characterization of the First Zobellviridae Family Bacteriophage Infecting Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In order to address the upcoming crisis in the treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, caused by an increasing proportion of resistant isolates, new approaches to antimicrobial therapy must be developed. One approach would be to use (bacterio)phages and/or phage derivatives for therapy. In this study, we present a description of the first K. pneumoniae phage from the Zobellviridae family. The vB_KpnP_Klyazma podovirus, which forms translucent halos around the plaques, was isolated from river water. The phage genome is composed of 82 open reading frames, which are divided into two clusters located on opposite strands. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phage belongs to the Zobellviridae family, although its identity with the closest member of this family was not higher than 5%. The bacteriophage demonstrated lytic activity against all (n = 11) K. pneumoniae strains with the KL20 capsule type, but only the host strain was lysed effectively. The receptor-binding protein of the phage was identified as a polysaccharide depolymerase with a pectate lyase domain. The recombinant depolymerase protein showed concentration-dependent activity against all strains with the KL20 capsule type. The ability of a recombinant depolymerase to cleave bacterial capsular polysaccharides regardless of a phage's ability to successfully infect a particular strain holds promise for the possibility of using depolymerases in antimicrobial therapy, even though they only make bacteria sensitive to environmental factors, rather than killing them directly.

THE PECULIARITIES OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE HEART OF THE CASTRATED RATS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADRENALIN DAMAGE OF HEART.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of oxidation processes and morphological changes in the heart of castrated rats during the development of epinephrine heart damage (EHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods. The study was performed on 120 white male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four series: 1 - control, 2 - castration. For EHD, rats were injected once intraperitoneally with a 0.18% solution of adrenaline hydrotartrate at the rate of 0.5 mg/kg of weight. Castration was performed under anesthesia. The concentration of diene and triene conjugates (DC, TC), Schiff's bases (SB), TBA-active products (TBA-ap), oxidatively modi"ed proteins (OMP), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in the heart. A morphological study of preparations stained with Azantrichrome was carried out. All studies were performed in control, 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after adrenaline injection. RESULTS: Results: In the I series DC and TC increased after 1 day of EHD, fell to control values after 3 days, and then had wave-like character (highest - after 14 days). SB decreased (minimal after 7 days), TBA-ap increase (maximal after 14 days). OMP370 increased after 1 and 3 days, after 7 days they did not differ from the control, after 14 days they were higher than in control, and after 28 days they decreased to the control values. OMP430 and OMP530were greater than the control indicators in all terms, except the last; the maximum was noted after 14 days. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was lower than the control indicators at all times of the study. Castration caused an increase of lipid peroxidation. After 7 days, DC and TC, were lower and SB - higher, than in the I series. Castration caused a decrease in OMP. In EHD all values of OMP, compared to the castrated control rats, were higher at all studed times Castration leads to increase of SOD, and decrase of CAT. All indicators of SOD and CAT exceeded the indicators of animals of the I series at all times of the study. Biochemical changes are consistent with morphological changes. After injection of epinephrine, severe vascular disorders, adventitia edema, perivasal edema, endothelial cell damage, dilatation of hemicapillaries, full blood vessels, stasis, hemorrhages in the surrounding tissues, and sclerosing of the walls of arteries and venules were observed. Cardiomyocytes were swollen, shortening, necrosis was observed, myocytolysis was noted. Edema of the stroma was noted. In the stroma, around the vessels, located cells of connective tissue elements were observed. Indicate more damage to the myocardium in the process of development of EHD in animals of the I series. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Castration of rats causes an increase of lipid peroxidation products and CAT activity in the heart, but a decrease in the content of OMP. Adrenaline injection causes activation of lipid peroxidation and an increase in the content of OMP. During the development of EHD, the activity of antioxidants is significantly higher in II group. Biochemical changes are consistent with morphological, and indicate more damage to the myocardium in the development of EHD in animals of the I series.

Rapid Evolution of Seed Dormancy During Sunflower De-Domestication.

Hybridization between crops and their wild relatives may promote the evolution of de-domesticated (feral) weeds. Wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is typically found in ruderal environments, but crop-wild hybridization may facilitate the evolution of weedy populations. Using 1 crop-specific mitochondrial marker (CMS-PET1) and 14 nuclear SSR markers, we studied the origin and genetic diversity of a recently discovered weedy population of sunflower (named BRW). Then, using a resurrection approach, we tested for rapid evolution of weedy traits (seed dormancy, herbicide resistance, and competitive ability) by sampling weedy and wild populations 10 years apart (2007 and 2017). All the weedy plants present the CMS-PET1 cytotype, confirming their feral origin. At the nuclear markers, BRW showed higher genetic diversity than the cultivated lines and low differentiation with one wild population, suggesting that wild hybridization increased their genetic diversity. We found support for rapid evolution towards higher seed dormancy, but not for higher competitive ability or herbicide resistance. Our results highlight the importance of seed dormancy during the earliest stages of adaptation and show that crop-wild hybrids can evolve quickly in agricultural environments.

Verticillium Wilt Evaluation of Olive Breeding Selections Under Semi-Controlled Conditions.

Genetic resistance is the most recommended measure to control verticillium wilt in olive (VWO), a vascular disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, which has promoted the development of olive breeding programs aimed at obtaining new resistant and highly yielding cultivars in recent years. Screening has been commonly performed under controlled conditions in grow chamber after artificial inoculation during the early stage of breeding programs, but additional evaluation is necessary to confirm previous results as well as to test for additional agronomic traits. During this study, 20 breeding selections initially classified as resistant to the disease have been re-evaluated in artificially infested soils under natural environmental conditions. The maximum disease incidence (52.6%) was reached at 26 months after planting, and the disease intensity index reached the maximum value of 38.5% at 29 months after planting. Nine breeding selections consistently confirmed the previous results regarding resistance to V. dahliae infection; however, contradictory results, compared with those of previous evaluations under controlled conditions in grow chambers, were obtained for the rest of selections tested, thereby underlining the need for long-term experimentation under natural environmental conditions. Additional positive agronomic traits, such as early bearing, were also observed for some of the resistant selections, but plant vigor varied. Some seem highly promising for release as new cultivars when characterization of other important agronomic traits is completed in the future.

Coupling ecological wastewater treatment with the production of livestock feed and irrigation water provides net benefits to human health and the environment: A life cycle assessment.

Ecologically designed wastewater treatment systems (ex., Eco-Machines™) utilize a diverse ecosystem to treat wastewater to the same extent as conventional treatment, but require less energy and chemical inputs. The environmental benefits of Eco-Machines™ can be theoretically maximized by incorporating hyperaccumulating aquatic plants (ex., duckweed) to facilitate nutrient recovery and conversion into protein-rich biomass, which can then be harvested for a range of agricultural and bioenergy applications. Although it has been established that ecological wastewater treatment systems are more cost- and energy-efficient than conventional wastewater treatment systems, a systematic life cycle assessment (LCA) of an Eco-Machine™ coupled with its beneficial by-products has not been conducted. In this study, a series of LCAs were performed on different operational scenarios for a 1000 gallon per day, pilot-scale Eco-Machine™ that, in addition to producing irrigation-quality water, also produces duckweed biomass for aquaculture. The analysis revealed that Eco-Machines™ located in warm climates, which do not require a greenhouse or supplemental heating, use approximately a third of the energy and produce half of the greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional wastewater treatment systems in similar locations, while also providing benefits to human health, ecosystem quality, climate change, and resources. In addition, increasing the growth area for duckweed using vertical farming techniques improves the overall impact of the system. This study suggests that with proper management, ecological wastewater treatment systems that upcycle nutrients and water into beneficial products can provide a net benefit to human health and the environment.

Multimode Robust Lasing in a Dye-Doped Polymer Layer Embedded in a Wedge-Shaped Cholesteric.

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with induced defects are one of the most prominent materials to realize compact, low-threshold and tunable coherent light sources. In this context, the investigation of optical properties of induced defect modes in such CLCs is of great interest. In particular, many studies have been devoted to the spectral control of the defect modes depending on their thickness, optical properties, distribution along the CLC, etc. In this paper, we investigate the lasing possibilities of a dye-doped polymer layer embedded in a wedge-shaped CLC. We show that multimode laser generation is possible due to the observed multiple defect modes in the PBG that enlarges the application range of the system. Furthermore, our simulations based on a Berreman 4 × 4 matrix approach for a wide range of CLC thickness show both periodic and continuous generation of defect modes along particular spectral lines inside the PBG. Such a robust spectral behaviour of induced defect modes is unique, and, to our knowledge, is not observed in similar CLC-based structures.

Elastocapillary adhesion of a soft cap on a rigid sphere.

We study the capillary adhesion of a spherical elastic cap on a rigid sphere of a different radius. Caps of small area accommodate the combination of flexural and in-plane strains induced by the mismatch in curvature, and fully adhere to the sphere. Conversely, wider caps delaminate and exhibit only partial contact. We determine the maximum size of the cap enabling full adhesion and describe its dependence on experimental parameters through a balance of stretching and adhesion energies. Beyond the maximum size, complex adhesion patterns such as blisters, bubbles or star shapes are observed. We rationalize these different states in configuration diagrams where stretching, bending and adhesion energies are compared through two dimensionless parameters.

Bombali Virus in Mops condylurus Bats, Guinea.

In 2018, a previously unknown Ebola virus, Bombali virus, was discovered in Sierra Leone. We describe detection of Bombali virus in Guinea. We found viral RNA in internal organs of 3 Angolan free-tailed bats (Mops condylurus) trapped in the city of N'Zerekore and in a nearby village.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation, Antiferromagnetic Ordering, and Metamagnetism in MnII (H2 dapsc)-FeIII (CN)6 Chain Complex with Highly Anisotropic Fe-CN-Mn Spin Coupling.

Reactions of [Mn(H2 dapsc)Cl2 ]⋅H2 O (dapsc=2,6- diacetylpyridine bis(semicarbazone)) with K3 [Fe(CN)6 ] and (PPh4 )3 [Fe(CN)6 ] lead to the formation of the chain polymeric complex {[Mn(H2 dapsc)][Fe(CN)6 ][K(H2 O)3.5 ]}n ⋅1.5n H2 O (1) and the discrete pentanuclear complex {[Mn(H2 dapsc)]3 [Fe(CN)6 ]2 (H2 O)2 }⋅4 CH3 OH⋅3.4 H2 O (2), respectively. In the crystal structure of 1 the high-spin [MnII (H2 dapsc)]2+ cations and low-spin hexacyanoferrate(III) anions are assembled into alternating heterometallic cyano-bridged chains. The K+ ions are located between the chains and are coordinated by oxygen atoms of the H2 dapsc ligand and water molecules. The magnetic structure of 1 is built from ferrimagnetic chains, which are antiferromagnetically coupled. The complex exhibits metamagnetism and frequency-dependent ac magnetic susceptibility, indicating single-chain magnetic behavior with a Mydosh-parameter φ=0.12 and an effective energy barrier (Ueff /kB ) of 36.0 K with τ0 =2.34×10-11  s for the spin relaxation. Detailed theoretical analysis showed highly anisotropic intra-chain spin coupling between [FeIII (CN)6 ]3- and [MnII (H2 dapsc)]2+ units resulting from orbital degeneracy and unquenched orbital momentum of [FeIII (CN)6 ]3- complexes. The origin of the metamagnetic transition is discussed in terms of strong magnetic anisotropy and weak AF interchain spin coupling.

Collagen fibrillar structures in vocal fold scarring and repair using stem cell therapy: a detailed histological, immunohistochemical and atomic force microscopy study.

Regenerative medicine opens new opportunities in the repair of cicatricial lesions of the vocal folds. Here, we present a thorough morphological study, with the focus on the collagen structures in the mucosa of the vocal folds, dedicated to the effects of stem cells on the vocal folds repair after cicatricial lesions. We used a conventional experimental model of a mature scar of the rabbit vocal folds, which was surgically excised with a simultaneous implantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into the defect. The restoration of the vocal folds was studied 3 months postimplantation of stem cells and 6 months after the first surgery. The collagen structure assessment included histology, immunohistochemistry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies. According to the data of optical microscopy and AFM, as well as to immunohistochemical analysis, MSC implantation into the vocal fold defect leads not only to the general reduction of scarring, normal ratio of collagens type I and type III, but also to a more complete restoration of architecture and ultrastructure of collagen fibres in the mucosa, as compared to the control. The collagen structures in the scar tissue in the vocal folds with implanted MSC are more similar to those in the normal mucosa of the vocal folds than to those of the untreated scars. AFM has proven to be an instrumental technique in the assessment of the ultrastructure restoration in such studies. LAY DESCRIPTION: Regenerative medicine opens new opportunities in the repair of the vocal fold scars. Because collagen is a main component in the vocal fold mucosa responsible for the scar formation and repair, we focus on the collagen structures in the mucosa of the vocal folds, using a thorough morphological study based on histology and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Atomic force microscopy is a scanning microscopic technique which allows revealing the internal structure of a tissue with a resolution up to nanometres. We used a conventional experimental model of a mature scar of the rabbit vocal folds, surgically excised and treated with a mesenchymal stem cells transplant. Our morphological study, primarily AFM, explicitly shows that the collagen structures in the scarred vocal folds almost completely restore after the stem cell treatment. Thus, the modern microscopic methods, and especially AFM are instrumental tools for monitoring the repair of the vocal folds scars.

Photochromic systems with photoinduced emission modulation of colloidal CdSe quantum wells.

A spectroscopic study of photochromic systems containing two-dimensional CdSe nanoparticles (colloidal quantum wells) and photochromic compounds of the thermally relaxing chromene and thermally irreversible diarylethene classes in solutions was carried out. First, the systems were found to exhibit modulation of emission of two-dimensional nanoparticles in accordance with the photochromic transformations of compounds due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the two-dimensional nanoparticles to photoinduced photochromic isomers.

Genome analysis of E. coli isolated from Crohn's disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). The phylogeny of E. coli isolated from Crohn's disease patients (CDEC) was controversial, and while genotyping results suggested heterogeneity, the sequenced strains of E. coli from CD patients were closely related. RESULTS: We performed the shotgun genome sequencing of 28 E. coli isolates from ten CD patients and compared genomes from these isolates with already published genomes of CD strains and other pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. CDEC was shown to belong to A, B1, B2 and D phylogenetic groups. The plasmid and several operons from the reference CD-associated E. coli strain LF82 were demonstrated to be more often present in CDEC genomes belonging to different phylogenetic groups than in genomes of commensal strains. The operons include carbon-source induced invasion GimA island, prophage I, iron uptake operons I and II, capsular assembly pathogenetic island IV and propanediol and galactitol utilization operons. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CDEC are phylogenetically diverse. However, some strains isolated from independent sources possess highly similar chromosome or plasmids. Though no CD-specific genes or functional domains were present in all CD-associated strains, some genes and operons are more often found in the genomes of CDEC than in commensal E. coli. They are principally linked to gut colonization and utilization of propanediol and other sugar alcohols.

Healing Effect of Controlled Anti-Electromigration on Conventional and High-Tc Superconducting Nanowires.

The electromigration process has the potential capability to move atoms one by one when properly controlled. It is therefore an appealing tool to tune the cross section of monoatomic compounds with ultimate resolution or, in the case of polyatomic compounds, to change the stoichiometry with the same atomic precision. As demonstrated here, a combination of electromigration and anti-electromigration can be used to reversibly displace atoms with a high degree of control. This enables a fine adjustment of the superconducting properties of Al weak links, whereas in Nb the diffusion of atoms leads to a more irreversible process. In a superconductor with a complex unit cell (La2-x Cex CuO4 ), the electromigration process acts selectively on the oxygen atoms with no apparent modification of the structure. This allows to adjust the doping of this compound and switch from a superconducting to an insulating state in a nearly reversible fashion. In addition, the conditions needed to replace feedback controlled electromigration by a simpler technique of electropulsing are discussed. These findings have a direct practical application as a method to explore the dependence of the characteristic parameters on the exact oxygen content and pave the way for a reversible control of local properties of nanowires.

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of 1D {[MnIII(CN)6][MnII(dapsc)]}n Coordination Polymers: Origin of Unconventional Single-Chain Magnet Behavior.

Two one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, namely, {[MnII(dapsc)][MnIII(CN)6][K(H2O)2.75(MeOH)0.5]}n·0.5n(H2O) (I) and {[MnII(dapsc)][MnIII(CN)6][K(H2O)2(MeOH)2]}n (II), based on alternating high-spin MnII(dapsc) (dapsc = 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(semicarbazone)) complexes and low-spin orbitally degenerate hexacyanomanganate(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. Static and dynamic magnetic measurements reveal a single-chain magnet (SCM) behavior of I with an energy barrier of Ueff ≈ 40 K. Magnetic properties of I are analyzed in detail in terms of a microscopic theory. It is shown that compound I refers to a peculiar case of SCM that does not fall into the usual Ising and Heisenberg limits due to unconventional character of the MnIII-CN-MnII spin coupling resulting from a nonmagnetic singlet ground state of orbitally degenerate complexes [MnIII(CN)6]3-. The prospects of [MnIII(CN)6]3- complex as magnetically anisotropic molecular building block for engineering molecular magnets are critically analyzed.

Differential pro-apoptotic effects of synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3288, doxorubicin and temozolomide in human glioma U251 cells.

AIM: To compare various pro-apoptotic effects of synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative (Les-3288), doxorubicin (Dox) and temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of human glioma U251 cells to improve treatment outcomes of glioblastoma and avoid anticancer drug resistance. METHODS: The cytotoxic effects of drugs used in human glioma U251 cells were measured by cell viability and proliferation assay (MTT), Trypan blue exclusion test, and Western-blot analysis of the apoptosis-related proteins. In addition, flow cytometry study of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in glioma cells was carried out. Cytomorphological changes in treated cells were monitored by fluorescent microscopy after cell staining with Hoechst 33342 and ethydium bromide. RESULTS: Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Les-3288, Dox, and TMZ was calculated for human glioblastoma U251 cells. The rating of the values of this indicator of cellular vitality was assessed. The results of MTT assay proved the superiority of Les-3288 vs Les-3288>Dox>TMZ, which is in agreement with the results of Trypan blue testing showing Les-3288≈Dox>TMZ. In general, such ranking corresponded to a scale of pro-apoptotic impairments in the morphology of glioma U251 cells and the results of Western-blot analysis of cleaved Caspase 3. Contrary to Dox, Les-3288 and TMZ did not affect significantly ROS levels in the treated cells. CONCLUSION: The effect of the synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3288 is realized via apoptosis mechanisms and does not involve ROS. In comparison with Dox and TMZ, it is more effective in destroying human glioblastoma U251 cells. Les-3288 compound has a potential as an anticancer drug for glioblastoma. Nevertheless, further preclinical studies of the blood-brain barrier are needed.

Single-Ion Magnet Et4N[CoII(hfac)3] with Nonuniaxial Anisotropy: Synthesis, Experimental Characterization, and Theoretical Modeling.

In this article we report the synthesis and structure of the new Co(II) complex Et4N[CoII(hfac)3] (I) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) exhibiting single-ion magnet (SIM) behavior. The performed analysis of the magnetic characteristics based on the complementary experimental techniques such as static and dynamic magnetic measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with the theoretical modeling (parametric Hamiltonian and ab initio calculations) demonstrates that the SIM properties of I arise from the nonuniaxial magnetic anisotropy with strong positive axial and significant rhombic contributions.