Copper tolerance of trichoderma species

Some Trichoderma strains can persist in ecosystems with high concentrations of heavy metals. The aim of this research was to examine the variability of Trichoderma strains isolated from different ecosystems, based on their morphological properties and restriction analysis of ITS fragments. The fungal growth was tested on potato dextrose agar, amended with Cu(II) concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 10 mmol/l, in order to identify copper-resistant strains. The results indicate that some isolated strains of Trichoderma sp. show tolerance to higher copper concentrations. Further research to examine the ability of copper bioaccumulation by tolerant Trichoderma strains is needed

Gis techology in regional recognition of the distribution pattern of multifloral honey: the chemical traits in Serbia

GIS is a computer-based system to input, store, manipulate, analyze and output spatially referenced data. There is a huge range application of GIS that generally sets out to fulfill: mapping, measurement, monitoring, modeling and management. In this study, GIS technology was used for the regional recognition of origin and distribution patterns of multifloral honey chemical traits in Serbia. This included organizing and analyzing the spatial and attributive data of 164 honey samples collected from different regions of Serbia during the harvesting season of 2009. Multifloral honey was characterized in regards to mineral composition, sugar content and basic physicochemical properties. The kriging method of Geostatistical Analyst was used for interpolation to predict values of a sampled variable over the whole territory of Serbi

Chromatographic and computational screening of anisotropic lipophilicity and pharmacokinetics of newly synthesized 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimides

The present study is focused on a series of newly synthesized 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimide derivatives, as potential anticonvulsants. The retention behavior of eleven succinimide derivatives was determined by using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and reversed phase high performance thin layer chromatography (RP-HPTLC). The estimated retention behavior was correlated with partition (logP) and distribution coefficients (logD). These high correlations pointed out that the determined retention parameters (logK(0) and R-M(0)) can be considered chromatographic (anisotropic) lipophilicity of the studied succinimide derivatives. The structural properties, which dominantly affect the chromatographic lipophilicity, were determined as well. The significant correlations between the chromatographic lipophilicity and plasma protein binding (PPB), Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells permeability, volume of distribution (Vd) and absorption constant (Ka) indicate the strong influence of lipophilicity on pharmacokinetics of 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimide derivatives. These derivatives have also been tested applying Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (CMC) drug-like rules which confirmed their drug-like properties. Besides, their blood-brain penetration (BBB) ability has been estimated applying the set of Clark's rules and by using Pre-ADMET software. Regarding toxicity, it was predicted that only one compound from the set might have toxic effects by blocking the hERG potassium channel. The present study reveals which molecular features in the structure of novel succinimide derivatives could be crucial for their lipophilicity, and consequently for their pharmacokinetic properties. The results indicate that the newly synthesized series of succinimide derivatives should be further considered in design of novel anticonvulsants

The socio-economic impact timeline in Serbia for persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Assessing the socio-economic impact of dangerous chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as a specific segment, includes analysis of their impacts on human health, on the environment and on local economic development. Abundant evidence of these effects of dangerous chemicals throughout the world is provided by published research. According to WHO, these chemicals cause around 4.9 million deaths (8.3%) and 86 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (5.7%) globally; according to very conservative estimates, 20% of cancer deaths are the consequence of the cancerous effects of chemicals in the work place. Their impact on economic development is manifested primarily through reduced productivity of society due to health impairment of both the population and natural resources. Specific research, the results of which are presented in this article, has been focused on the impact of POPs on human health. This impact is presented in very general terms through estimation of the monetized cost effects for treating those diseases and cancers assumed to be caused by POPs in Serbia. The cost estimation based on available data amounts to approximately (sic) 68 million for a 5-year period

Chromatographic and computational screening of anisotropic lipophilicity and pharmacokinetics of newly synthesized 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimides

The present study is focused on a series of newly synthesized 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimide derivatives, as potential anticonvulsants. The retention behavior of eleven succinimide derivatives was determined by using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and reversed phase high performance thin layer chromatography (RP-HPTLC). The estimated retention behavior was correlated with partition (logP) and distribution coefficients (logD). These high correlations pointed out that the determined retention parameters (logK(0) and R-M(0)) can be considered chromatographic (anisotropic) lipophilicity of the studied succinimide derivatives. The structural properties, which dominantly affect the chromatographic lipophilicity, were determined as well. The significant correlations between the chromatographic lipophilicity and plasma protein binding (PPB), Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells permeability, volume of distribution (Vd) and absorption constant (Ka) indicate the strong influence of lipophilicity on pharmacokinetics of 1-aryl-3-ethyl-3-methylsuccinimide derivatives. These derivatives have also been tested applying Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (CMC) drug-like rules which confirmed their drug-like properties. Besides, their blood-brain penetration (BBB) ability has been estimated applying the set of Clark's rules and by using Pre-ADMET software. Regarding toxicity, it was predicted that only one compound from the set might have toxic effects by blocking the hERG potassium channel. The present study reveals which molecular features in the structure of novel succinimide derivatives could be crucial for their lipophilicity, and consequently for their pharmacokinetic properties. The results indicate that the newly synthesized series of succinimide derivatives should be further considered in design of novel anticonvulsants

Evaluation of in silico pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro cytotoxic activity of selected newly synthesized N-succinimide derivatives

Design of a new drug entity is usually preceded by analysis of quantitative structure activity (properties) relationships, QSA(P)R. Six newly synthesized succinimide derivatives have been determined for (i) in silico physico-chemical descriptors, pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictors, (ii) in vitro biological activity on four different carcinoma cell lines and on normal fetal lung cells and (iii) lipophilicity on liquid chromatography. All compounds observed were predicted for good permeability and solubility, good oral absorption rate and moderate volume of distribution as well as for modest blood brain permeation, followed by acceptable observed toxicity. In silico determined lipophilicity, permeability through jejunum and aqueous solubility were correlated with experimentally obtained lipophilic constants (by use of high pressure liquid chromatography) and linear correlations were obtained. Absorption rate and volume of distribution were predicted by chromatographic lipophilicity measurements while permeation through blood bran barrier was predicted dominantly by molecular size defined with molecular weight. Five compounds have demonstrated antiproliferative activity toward cervix carcinoma HeLa cell lines; three were cytotoxic against breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, while one inhibited proliferation of colon carcinoma HT 29 cell lines. Only one compound was cytotoxic toward normal cell lines, while other compounds were proven as safe. Antiproliferative potential against HeLa cells was described as exponential function of lipophilicity. Based on obtained results, lead compounds were selected

Evaluation of in silico pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro cytotoxic activity of selected newly synthesized N-succinimide derivatives

Design of a new drug entity is usually preceded by analysis of quantitative structure activity (properties) relationships, QSA(P)R. Six newly synthesized succinimide derivatives have been determined for (i) in silico physico-chemical descriptors, pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictors, (ii) in vitro biological activity on four different carcinoma cell lines and on normal fetal lung cells and (iii) lipophilicity on liquid chromatography. All compounds observed were predicted for good permeability and solubility, good oral absorption rate and moderate volume of distribution as well as for modest blood brain permeation, followed by acceptable observed toxicity. In silico determined lipophilicity, permeability through jejunum and aqueous solubility were correlated with experimentally obtained lipophilic constants (by use of high pressure liquid chromatography) and linear correlations were obtained. Absorption rate and volume of distribution were predicted by chromatographic lipophilicity measurements while permeation through blood bran barrier was predicted dominantly by molecular size defined with molecular weight. Five compounds have demonstrated antiproliferative activity toward cervix carcinoma HeLa cell lines; three were cytotoxic against breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, while one inhibited proliferation of colon carcinoma HT 29 cell lines. Only one compound was cytotoxic toward normal cell lines, while other compounds were proven as safe. Antiproliferative potential against HeLa cells was described as exponential function of lipophilicity. Based on obtained results, lead compounds were selected

Butterfly scales as bionic templates for complex ordered nanophotonic materials: A pathway to biomimetic plasmonics

In this paper we propose a possible use of butterfly scales as templates for ordered 2D or 3D nanophotonic materials, with complexity not easily reproducible by conventional micro/nanofabrication methods. Functionalization through laminar nanocompositing is utilized to impart novel properties to the biological scaffold. An extremely wide variability of butterfly scale forms, shapes, sizes and fine structures is observed in nature, many of them already possessing peculiar optical properties. Their nanophotonic functionalization ensures a large choice of forms and functions, including enhanced light localization, light and plasmon waveguiding and general metamaterial behavior, to mention a few. We show that one is able to achieve a combination of plasmonics and bionics, resulting in functionalities seldom if ever met in nature. As an illustration we have analyzed the photonic properties of the nanostructured scales on the wings of Purple Emperor butterflies Apatura ilia, Apatura iris and Sasakia charonda. Their intricate nanometer-sized structures produce remarkable ultraviolet-blue iridescence, spectrally and directionally narrow. We present our analysis of their plasmonic/nanophotonic functionalization including preliminary calculations and initial experimental results. As a simple example, we used radiofrequent sputtering to produce nanoaperture-based plasmonic structures at a fraction of the cost and necessary engineering efforts compared to the conventional top-down methods. We conclude that the described pathway to biomimetic plasmonics offers potentials for significant expansion of the nanophotonic and nanoplasmonic material toolbox