Hepatopancreatic cells of Armadillidium vulgare: an integrated, flow cytometric-based biomarker approach to unravel the soil ecological disturbance.

This study provides evidence of the relationships between the cellular and subcellular conditions of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare hepatopancreatic cells and the degree of ecological disturbance in several Italian sites. Armadillidium vulgare, a commonly used bioindicator, enables the assessment of environmental contamination, due to its capacity to bioaccumulate pollutants, particularly heavy metals. Data from the present study obtained by histological and cytological analyses of hepatopancreatic cells, highlight the novelty to derive from samples collected from several Italian regions and to detect cellular damage, alterations in cellular functions, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals.

Multi-Analytical Approach for the Acid-Base, Thermal and Surface Properties Assessment of Waste Biomasses.

A multi-analytical approach was used to comprehensively characterize the acid-base, thermal, and surface properties of agri-food processing wastes (i.e., original and pre-treated bergamot, grape and olive pomaces).

A New Bis-Urea Based Cage Receptor for Anions: Synthesis, Solid State Structures and Binding Studies.

The synthesis and characterization of a novel bis-urea-based cage receptor for anions (3S,15S)-3,15,20,25-tetramethyl-1,4,6,12,14,17,20,25-octaazatricyclo[15.5.5.

Two bis-maltol-polyamines: Synthesis, characterization and studies of their palladium(II) complexes exploring their potential anticancer activity.

The interest in the antineoplastic and binding properties shown by the bis-maltol polyamine family, particularly Malten and Maltonis, prompted us to study the Pd complexes of these latter from both a biological and metallo-receptor point of view. The Malten-Pd complex can lodge hard species such as Sr in its coordination-driven preorganized pocket, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. UV-Vis and NMR data showed that Malten-Pd forms even at acidic pH and exists in aqueous solution in a wide range of pH.

A combined solid state, solution and DFT study of a dimethyl-cyclen-Pd(II) complex.

A new palladium(II) complex containing the previously synthesized 4,10-bis[(3-hydroxy-4-pyron-2-yl)methyl]-1,7-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ligand maltonis was prepared and characterized both in solution and in the solid state. Hirshfeld surface and energy framework analyses were also performed. Because maltonis already showed antineoplastic activity, the complexation of Pd(II), chosen as an alternative to Pt(II), was investigated to study its possible biological activity.

A New Biphenol-bis(polyazacyclophane) Receptor with Unusual Photophysical Properties Towards Zn.

The new ligand 3,3'-bis(((2-(3,6,9-triaza-1(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane-6-yl)ethyl)amino)methyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-diol (L) has been synthesized and characterized. It contains two pyridinacyclophane macrocycles spaced by a 2,2'-biphenol moiety. The acid-base behaviour of L as well as its binding properties towards Zn ion have been investigated.

A new biphenol-dipicolylamine based ligand and its dinuclear Zn complex as fluorescent sensors for ibuprofen and ketoprofen in aqueous solution.

In this work, the study of the new ligand 3,3'-bis[,-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)aminomethyl]-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl (L) is reported, where a central 2,2'-biphenol (BPH) fluorophore was functionalized at 3,3'-positions with two dipicolylamine (DPA) side arms as receptor units. Following the synthesis and full chemical-physical characterization, the acid-base and Zn-coordination abilities of L were investigated through a combination of potentiometric, UV-Vis, fluorescence, NMR, XRD and DFT measurements. The optical properties of the ligand turned out to be strongly dependent on the pH, being straightforwardly associated with the protonation state of the BPH moiety, whereas its peculiar design allowed to form stable mono and dinuclear Zn complexes.

Fluorescent sensing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen and ketoprofen by dansylated squaramide-based receptors.

Bis-squaramide receptors L1-L4 bearing a dansyl moiety were synthesised and their potential applications as fluorescent probes towards non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen and ketoprofen was investigated. A detailed photophysical characterization in CHCN/DMSO solution (9 : 1 v/v) was conducted and demonstrated that the two macrocyclic receptors L1 and L2 show good sensitivity towards ketoprofen with an ON-OFF fluorescent response, while the two open chain receptors L3 and L4 behave similarly with the three guests considered. DFT theoretical calculations carried out on L2 and L4 as model receptors allowed to propose a possible coordination mode towards the guests.

A New Family of Macrocyclic Polyamino Biphenolic Ligands: Acid-Base Study, Zn(II) Coordination and Glyphosate/AMPA Binding.

In this study, the ligands 23,24-dihydroxy-3,6,9,12-tetraazatricyclo[17.3.1.

A novel 2,6-bis(benzoxazolyl)phenol macrocyclic chemosensor with enhanced fluorophore properties by photoinduced intramolecular proton transfer.

Macrocyclic ligand L, in which a 2,6-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)phenol (bis-HBO) group is incorporated in triethylenetetramine, was designed and synthesized with the aim of creating a chemosensor with high selectivity and specificity for metal cations in an aqueous environment. The availability of several proton acceptors and donors, and amine and phenol hydroxy groups, respectively, affects the keto-enol equilibrium in both the ground and excited states, and the ligand properties show dependence on the pH of the solution. L is fluorescent in the visible range, through an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism.

A Tetranuclear Copper(II)/Calcium(II) Complex as Dual Chemosensor for Colorimetric and Fluorescent Detection of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

The tetranuclear Cu /Ca /Ca2 /Cu complex based on Malten ligand has been investigated as a platform for anion binding. Simple organic carboxylates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been tested, revealing the ability of the platform to bind them. The receiving platform hosts at least two guests in solution although a third anion can be bound, as suggested by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Small molecule-induced epigenomic reprogramming of APL blasts leading to antiviral-like response and c-MYC downregulation.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in which the PML/RARα fusion protein exerts oncogenic activities by recruiting repressive complexes to the promoter of specific target genes. Other epigenetic perturbations, as alterations of histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), have been frequently found in AMLs and are associated with leukemogenesis and leukemia progression. Here, we characterized the epigenomic effects of maltonis, a novel maltol-derived molecule, in APL cells.

Selective Detection of Mg for Sensing Applications in Drinking Water.

A new series of ligands containing the 2-(2-hydroxy-3- naphthyl)-4-methylbenzoxazole (HNBO) fluorophore showed selectivity for Mg ions, without the interference of Ca . The most promising representative L3 resulted the best performing sensor for Mg both in solution and embedded in an all-solid-state optode, especially towards real samples of drinkable water.

A selective fluorescent probe for gadolinium in water based on a Pd-preorganized chromone-receptor.

The synthesis, solution studies, photochemical properties and the X-ray structure of a chromone based fluorescent Pd complex are reported. The ligand contains two chromone units linked as side arms to an ethylenediamine moiety; in the Pd complex the metal ion preorganizes the two hydroxychromone units forming a rigid structure with a negatively charged pocket formed by four oxygen atoms that is able to interact with hard metal cations, such as ions, giving rise to stable bimetallic complexes. Upon interaction with La and Gd, in particular, the emission intensity at 423 nm increases by a factor of 2 and 8, respectively, while the other rare earth ions quench the fluorescence.

Synthesis and biological characterization of a new fluorescent probe for vesicular trafficking based on polyazamacrocycle derivative.

The fluorescent probes represent an important tool in the biological study, in fact characterization of cellular structures and organelles are an important tool-target for understanding the mechanisms regulating most biological processes. Recently, a series of polyamino-macrocycles based on 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane was synthesized, bearing one or two NBD units (AJ2NBD·4HCl) useful as sensors for metal cations and halides able to target and to detect apolar environment, as lipid membranes. In this paper, we firstly illustrate the chemical synthesis of the AJ2NBD probe, its electronic absorption spectra and its behavior regarding pH of the environment.

A Metal-Based Receptor for Selective Coordination and Fluorescent Sensing of Chloride.

A scorpionate Zn complex, constituted by a macrocyclic pyridinophane core attached to a pendant arm containing a fluorescent pyridyl-oxadiazole-phenyl unit (PyPD), has been shown to selectively recognize chloride anions, giving rise to changes in fluorescence emission that are clearly visible under a 365 nm UV lamp. This recognition event has been studied by means of absorption, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy, and it involves the intramolecular displacement of the PyPD unit by chloride anions. Moreover, since the chromophore is not removed from the system after the recognition event, the fluorescence can readily be restored by elimination of the bound chloride anion.

Hetero-Tetranuclear Cu /Ca /Ca /Cu Architectures Based On Malten Ligand: Scaffold for Anion Binding.

The hetero-tetranuclear Cu /Ca /Ca /Cu complex obtained with the N,N'-bis((3-hydroxy-4-pyron-2-yl)methyl)-N,N'-dimethylethylendiamine (Malten) ligand has been studied in solid and solution states as scaffold to bind anions. Three crystal structures showing the same metal ions sequence have been examined; they display a tetracharged complex cation neutralized by four monocharged anions. The anions play two different roles: as coordinated (two ClO , Cl or NO ) or ancillary (two ClO ) guests.

Zn(ii) detection and biological activity of a macrocycle containing a bis(oxadiazole)pyridine derivative as fluorophore.

The synthesis, photochemical properties, biological effects and the X-ray crystal structure of a fluorescent polyamine macrocycle L are reported. L is a polyamine cyclophane macrocycle in which 2,6-bis(5-(2-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine (POXAPy) acts as a fluorescent sensor and the polyamine as a metal ion binding unit. L performs as a PET-mediated chemosensor, with a maximum emission wavelength close to 360 nm.

Playing with Structural Parameters: Synthesis and Characterization of Two New Maltol-Based Ligands with Binding and Antineoplastic Properties.

Two maltol-based ligands, ,'-bis((3-hydroxy-4-pyron-2-yl)methyl)-1,4-piperazine () and ,','-tris((3-hydroxy-4-pyron-2-yl)methyl)--methylethylendiamine (), were synthesized and characterized. and , containing, respectively, two and three maltol units spaced by a diamine fragment, were designed to evaluate how biological and binding features are affected by structural modifications of the parent compound malten. The acid-base behavior and the binding properties towards transition, alkaline-earth (AE) and rare-earth (RE) cations in aqueous solution, studied by potentiometric, UV-Vis and NMR analysis, are reported along with biological studies on DNA and leukemia cells.

Zn and Cu complexes of a fluorescent scorpiand-type oxadiazole azamacrocyclic ligand: crystal structures, solution studies and optical properties.

A ligand comprised of a macrocyclic pyridinophane core having a pendant arm containing a secondary amine group linked through a methylene spacer to a pyridyl-oxadiazole-phenyl (PyPD) fluorescent system has been prepared (L). The crystal structures of [ZnL](ClO) and [CuL](ClO) show that M is coordinated to all the nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic core, the secondary amine of the pendant arm and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine group of the fluorescent moiety, the latter bond being clearly weaker than the one with the pyridine of the macrocycle. Solution studies showed the formation of a highly stable Cu complex with 1 : 1 stoichiometry, whereas with Zn least stable complexes were formed and, given the right conditions, a [ZnL] species was also detected, but it was not possible to isolate this species in the solid state.

Crystal structure of bis-{μ-2,2'-[(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodecane-1,7-di-yl)bis(meth-yl-ene)]bis-(4-oxo-4-pyran-3-olato)}dicobalt-calcium bis-(perchlorate) 1.36-hydrate.

The title compound, [CaCo(CHNO)](ClO)·1.36HO or {Ca[Co(H)]}·2ClO·1.36HO {where is 4,10-bis-[(3-hy-droxy-4-pyron-2-yl)meth-yl]-1,7-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodecane}, is a trinuclear complex whose asymmetric unit comprises a quarter of the {Ca[Co(H)]} trinuclear complex, half of a perchlorate ion and 0.

Crystal structure of the Ba-based Co-containing one-dimensional coordination polymer poly[[aqua{μ-2,2'-[(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodecane-1,7-di-yl)bis(methylidene)]bis-(4-oxo-4-pyran-3-olato)}-perchloratocobaltbarium] perchlorate].

The title compound, {[Ba{Co(H)}(ClO)(HO)]ClO} , 4,10-bis-[(3-hy-droxy-4-pyron-2-yl)meth-yl]-1,7-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodeca-ne, is a one-dimensional coordination polymer. The asymmetric unit consists of a {Ba[Co(H)](ClO)(HO)} cationic fragment and a non-coordinating ClO anion. In the neutral [Co(H)] moiety, the cobalt ion is hexa-coordinated in a trigonal-prismatic fashion by the surrounding NO donor set.

A Biphenol-Based Chemosensor for Zn(II) and Cd(II) Metal Ions: Synthesis, Potentiometric Studies, and Crystal Structures.

We synthesized and characterized the ligand N,N'-bis[(2,2'-dihydroxybiphen-3-yl)methyl]-N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine (L), which contains two biphenol moieties linked as side arms to an N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine scaffold. The ligand is highly soluble in a 50/50 (v/v) water/ethanol mixture and, in its deprotonated form H-2L(2-), is able to coordinate transition-metal ions such as Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pd(II). The crystal structures of [Ni(H-2L)·2n-BuOH], [Ni(H-2L)·2MeOH], [Cd(H-2L)·2DMF], [Cu(H-2L)(DMF)], and [Pd(H-2L)(DMF)] were also determined and described.

Pd and Pt complexes with a thio-aza macrocycle ligand containing an intercalating fragment: Structural and antitumor activity studies.

Two new Pt and Pd complexes of formula [LMCl] (M=Pt, Pd) were synthesized and characterized both in solution and solid state. They were obtained using the thio-aza macrocycle 9,18-dimethyl-12,17dithia-9,18,27,28-tetraaaza-29-oxatetracyclo[24.2.