In vitro assessment of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of Saccharin-Tetrazolyl and-Thiadiazolyl derivatives: the simple dependence of the pH value on antimicrobial activity

The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of a series of saccharin-tetrazolyl and -thiadiazolyl analogs were examined. The assessment of the antimicrobial properties of the referred-to molecules was completed through an evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Scrutiny of the MIC and MBC values of the compounds at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 against four Gram-positive strains revealed high values for both the MIC and MBC at pH 4.0 (ranging from 0.98 to 125 µg/mL) and moderate values at pH 7.0 and 9.0, exposing strong antimicrobial activities in an acidic medium. An antioxidant activity analysis of the molecules was performed by using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, which showed high activity for the TSMT (N-(1-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl) amine, 7) derivative (90.29% compared to a butylated hydroxytoluene positive control of 61.96%). Besides, the general toxicity of the saccharin analogs was evaluated in an Artemia salina model, which displayed insignificant toxicity values. In turn, upon an assessment of cell viability, all of the compounds were found to be nontoxic in range concentrations of 0-100 µg/mL in H7PX glioma cells. The tested molecules have inspiring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that represent potential core structures in the design of new drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.Funding Agency Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology UID/QUI/00100/2019 UID/MULTI/04326/2019 -CCMAR Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology SFRH/BPD/99851/2014 IST-ID/115/2018info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antiproliferative Properties of Essential Oils from Hairy and Normal Roots of Leonurus sibiricus

Essential oils obtained from the NR (normal roots) and HR (hairy roots) of the medicinal plant Leonurus sibiricus root were used in this study. The essential oil compositions were detected by GC-MS. Eighty-five components were identified in total. Seventy components were identified for NR essential oil. The major constituents in NR essential oil were β-selinene (9.9%), selina-4,7-diene (9.7%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (7.3%),myli-4(15)-ene (6.4%), and guaia-1(10),11-diene (5.9%). Sixty-seven components were identified in HR essential oil, the main constituents being (E)-β-caryophyllene (22.6%), and germacrene D (19.8%). The essential oils were tested for cytotoxic effect, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Both essential oils showed activity against grade IV glioma cell lines (IC50 = 400 μg/mL), antimicrobial (MIC and MFC values of 2500 to 125 μg/mL), and anti-inflammatory (decreased level of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in LPS-stimulated cells).The essential oils exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in ABTS (EC50 = 98 and 88 μg/mL) assay. This is the first study to examine composition of the essential oils and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results indicate that essential oils form L. sibiricus root may be used in future as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents with potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries

Protection of vehicles against mines

The paper presents the threats posed by mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to vehicles conducting different combat operations. The typical reaction of a pressure impulse after explosion was presented. The parameters of a pressure impulse having an impact on the hull underside were discussed. The graphic impact of the shape of the hull underside on the propagation of pressure wave resulting from the detonation of the explosive was presented. The structural solutions applied now in the world, able to protect the hull underside against mines, IEDs and RPG-rockets were discussed. The soldier protection means in form of seats with safety belts and protective clothing capable of minimising the impact of an explosion on soldiers in a vehicle were mentioned. A concept of a flexible explosive reactive armour being mounted underneath the hull of an armoured vehicle was presented. The structure of protective armour and its assembly to an armoured vehicle as well as the destructive impact of mines and IEDs containing both blasting charge and shaped charge utilising the principle of either the EFP or a shaped charged jet were discussed. Structural analysis on solutions used world-wide in vehicles resistant to mines was performed and their resistance to mine explosion under the hull and under the wheels was given. The idea of a vehicle with increased resistance to various mines, IEDs and RPG-rockets was presented. The vehicle's hull with suspended flexible explosive reactive armour having the rumple zone in the lower part and the RPG-net on sides, which is mounted to hull's movable arms was proposed. The advantages of proposed above structural solutions were discussed

Wpływ wybranych czynników materiałowych i technologicznych na właściwości mechaniczne i mikrostrukturę betonów z proszków reaktywnych (BPR)

The paper deals with the properties and microstructure of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC), which was developed at Cracow University of Technology. The influence of three different curing conditions: water (W), steam (S) and autoclave (A) and also steel fibres content on selected properties of RPC was analyzed. The composite characterized by w/s ratio equal to 0.20 and silica fume to cement ratio 20%, depending on curing conditions and fibres content, obtained compressive strength was in the range from 200 to 315 MPa, while modulus of elasticity determined during compression was about 50 GPa. During three-point bending test load-deflection curves were registered. Base on aforementioned measurements following parameters were calculated: flexural strength, stress at limit of proportionality (LOP), stress at modulus of rapture (MOR), work of fracture (WF), and toughness indices I5, I10 and I20. Both amount of steel fibres and curing conditions influence the deflection of RPC during bending.Artykół dotyczy charakterystyki wybranych właściwośći i mikrostruktury Betonów z Proszków Reaktywowanych (BPR), wytworzonych w Politechnice Krakowskiej. Analizie poddano wpływ trzech warunków dojrzewania: dojrzewanie w wodzie (W), naparzanie niskoprężne (S) oraz autoklawizacja (A), a także zawartości włókien stalowych na wybrane właściwości BPR. Kompozyt charakteryzował się stałym współczynnikiem wodno-spoiwowym 0,20 oraz zawartością pyłu krzemionkowego 20% w stosunku do masy cementu. W zależności od warunków dojrzewania i udziału włókien wytrzymałość na ściskanie wahała się w granicach od 200 do 315 MPa, natomiast moduł sprężystości wyznaczany podczas ściskania wynosił około 50 GPa. Podczas trzypunktowego zginania beleczek RPC rejestrowano zależność siła-ugięcie, na podstawie której wyznaczono następujące parametry: wytrzymałość na rozciąganje przy zginanju, wartość naprężenia w punktach LOP i MOR (opis w tekście), energię zniszczenia WF oraz wartości współczynników toughness indices I5, I10 and I20. Zarówno udział włókien stalowych jak i warunki dojrzewania BPR mają wpływ na odkształcalność kompozytu podczas próby zginania