Analysis of hypersaline waters from Cojocna balneary resorts (Romania) using Raman spectroscopy techniques

Surface waters from hypersaline lakes of Cojocna Balneary Resort, Transylvania, Romania have been investigated in raw form, using Raman spectroscopy techniques. These lakes are usually exposed to high touristic influx mainly in summer months, due to their balneotherapeutic benefits. Therefore, chemical composition of waters and its variability is of high interest. Here we present spectroscopic characteristics of the lakes, obtained by Raman scattering techniques, probing several water samples collected in two consecutive years. Among the two lakes, Torok Lake showed 1.449 times higher sulfate concentration than the Great Lake in 2016 and 0.737 in 2017 respectively, according to the calculated ratio of the Raman band of sulfate at 979 cm-1 relative to water band. Chemical changes associated with the presence of different plankton species and their density fluctuations were reflected in changes in resonance Raman scattering signal of carotenoids during Artemia salina crustaceans blooming population in August, compared to July, in both years. Interestingly, the bloom appeared alternatively in two consecutive years and it is apparently correlated to lower sulfate level, as revealed by spectral data only. Raman data indicated the dynamic cycles in chemical composition of salt lakes. Such changes are certainly suitable for constant monitoring purpose of the balneotherapeutic salt water bodies via Raman spectroscopy. Both FT-Raman and dispersive Raman are suitable for this purpose. Fast analysis, without additional separation steps and chemicals consumption may provide information on the sulfate level and carotenoids. The results could be attractive for monitoring studies, or informative, for touristic purpose or aquaria hobby cultivars

Classification of cancer cell lines using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and statistical analysis

Over the past decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF MS) has been established as a valuable platform for microbial identification, and it is also frequently applied in biology and clinical studies to identify new markers expressed in pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of using this approach for the classification of cancer cell lines as a quantifiable method for the proteomic profiling of cellular organelles. Intact protein extracts isolated from different tumor cell lines (human and murine) were analyzed using MALDI‑TOF MS and the obtained mass lists were processed using principle component analysis (PCA) within Bruker Biotyper® software. Furthermore, reference spectra were created for each cell line and were used for classification. Based on the intact protein profiles, we were able to differentiate and classify six cancer cell lines: two murine melanoma (B16‑F0 and B164A5), one human melanoma (A375), two human breast carcinoma (MCF7 and MDA‑MB‑231) and one human liver carcinoma (HepG2). The cell lines were classified according to cancer type and the species they originated from, as well as by their metastatic potential, offering the possibility to differentiate non‑invasive from invasive cells. The obtained results pave the way for developing a broad‑based strategy for the identification and classification of cancer cell

Synthesis of the diaryl ether cores common to chrysophaentins A, E, and F

The synthesis of the diaryl ether subunits of the marine natural products chrysophaentin A, E and F is described. These natural prodcuts feature tetrasubstituted benzene rings with complex substitution patterns. The central strategy involves an S(N)Ar reaction between a complex phenol and a polysubstituted fluoronitrobenzene. Subseqent attempts to construct the unusual E-chloroalkene linkage through several different approaches are also disclosed