Benzothiadiazole-Substituted Aza-BODIPY Dyes: Two-Photon Absorption Enhancement for Improved Optical Limiting Performances in the Short-Wave IR Range

Aza-boron dipyrromethenes (aza-BODIPYs) presenting a benzothiadiazole substitution on upper positions are described. The strong electron-withdrawing effect of the benzothiadiazole moiety permits enhancement of the accepting strength and improves the delocalization of the aza-BODIPY core to attain a significant degree of electronic communication between the lower donating groups and the upper accepting groups. The nature of the intramolecular charge transfer is studied both experimentally and theoretically. Linear spectroscopy highlighted the strongly redshifted absorption and emission of the synthesized molecules with recorded fluorescence spectra over 1000 nm. Nonlinear optical properties were also investigated. Strong enhancement of the two-photon absorption of the substituted dyes compared with the unsubstituted one (up to 4520 GM at 1300 nm) results in an approximately 15-20 % improvement of the optical power limiting performances. These dyes are therefore a good starting point for further improvement of optical power limiting in the short-wave IR range.

Improvement of complex treatment of patients with osteoarthritis combined with hypertension

Actuality: Among the diseases that significantly affect people, osteoarthritis (OA) takes 4th place in women and 8th in men. In both sexes older than 70 years, osteoarthrosis occurs in almost everyone, and in the last decade its prevalence has steadily increased. The social significance of OA is determined by the increase in disability, especially in older age groups, as well as by a sharp decline in the quality of life for this. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the therapy performed 12 months after initiation of treatment in patients with hypertension (GC) on the background of treatment with meloxicam at a dose of 7.5 mg/day and 80 and 160 mg/day. Material and methods: under supervision in an outpatient setting, there were 90 patients on the OA 1–2 stages, in combination with GC 2 degree, 2–3 degrees. The average age of patients with OA was 64.4 ± 7.5 years (the first group), patients with OA in combination with GC – 62.13 ± 8.2 years (second group), patients with OA in combination with GC and gastropathy due to admission NSAIDs (third group) – 64.81 ± 1.3 years. Disease duration in patients of the first group – (9.66 ± 4.7) years, in patients of the second group – (9.4 ± 6.0) years, in patients of the third group – (10.4 ± 5.6) years, respectively, the fourth group of comparison contained practically healthy persons. All patients complained of pain syndrome of varying degrees of severity. Patients in the first group received baseline therapy of meloxicam at a dose of 7.5 mg/day; patients in the second and third groups received meloxicam and antihypertensive drug (at a dose of 80 or 160 mg per day). Duration of treatment was 12 months. Results of the study and their discussion: according to the results, the positive effect of the use of meloxicam has led to a significant decrease in the severity of pain in the first, second and third groups according to the visual analogue scale (VAS): (27.8 %, 29.8 %, 25.4 %, p < 0.05) and the Lequesne index (27.1 % and 30.9 %, 26.4 %, p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The tested scheme of treatment of patients with OA with the use of meloxicam indicates the efficacy and statistically significant reduction of pain syndrome, improvement of the functional state of the musculoskeletal system in patients with OA as well as with OA in combination with GC. 2.Also, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of meloxicam and its positive effect on the clinical course of OA were revealed: joint pain decreased, functional capacity increased, general well-being and quality of life of patients improved. Prospects for further research: We consider it expedient to continue prospective surveillance of patients with the aim of further studying of the effect of meloxicam in patients with a comorbid disease. Conflict of Interest: There is no conflict of interest.

[FEATURES OF YEAST METABOLISM IN THEIR RECIRCULATION PROVIDED ALCOHOL FERMENTATION OF MOLASSES WORT]

The subject of investigation are the peculiarities of yeast metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae M-5 strain in the alcoholic fermentation of molasses wort of increased concentration of dry substances in terms of periodic and continuous fermentation. For periodic alcohol fermentation of wort concentrate having 27 % dry substance content it was established, that 60g /dm³ is the optimal value for inoculate yeast. This results in the maximal accumulation of ethanol in the mature mash (11.5 vol. %), in the deep assimilation of carbohydrates and by the generation of fewer amount of glycerin. By industrial uninterrupted-mode investigations the increase in activity of starting enzymes of glycolysis and strengthening in the capacity of recirculated yeast have been demonstrated. For the first time we show, that this is a consequence of adaptation of yeast to the cultural medium as a result of long-term stay of yeast in it. The increase of the inflow speed of molasses wort into the main fermenter of the battery from 0.43 to 0.57 h⁻¹ improves physiological parameters of recirculated yeast. Also, this reduces the accumulation of secondary products of fermentation (ethers, aldehydes, higher alcohols, glycerin). At the same time, this approach allows to increase the yield of alcohol from the saccharose by 1.84 % and to enhance the productivity with respect to ethanol from 2.3 to 3.8 g/dm³ ×h.

Design and electronic structure of new styryl dye bases: steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic studies

A comprehensive investigation of the electronic structure and fast relaxation processes in the excited states of new styryl base-type derivatives was performed using steady-state, pico-, and femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. Linear photophysical parameters of new compounds, including steady-state absorption, fluorescence, and excitation anisotropy spectra, were obtained in a number of organic solvents at room temperature. A detailed analysis of the fluorescence lifetimes and ultrafast relaxation processes in the electronically excited state of the styryl bases revealed an important role of solvate dynamics and donor-acceptor strength of the molecular structures in the formation of their excited state absorption spectra. Experimental data were in good agreement with quantum chemical calculations at the time dependent density functional theory level, combined with a polarizable continuum model.

One- and two-photon fluorescence anisotropy of selected fluorene derivatives

The steady-state excitation anisotropy spectra of fluorene derivatives were measured in viscous solvents, under the one- and two-photon excitation, over a broad spectral range (UV-Visible). The orientation of their absorption transition moments for the first, S0 --> S1, and second, S0 --> S2, excited states were determined. It was shown experimentally that a decrease in the angle between S0 --> S1 and S0 --> S2 transitions corresponded to an increased value of two-photon absorption (2PA) cross section for these molecules. Two-photon excitation anisotropy was nearly constant over the spectral region investigated (in contrast to one-photon excitation anisotropy spectra) and can be roughly explained by a simple model of 2PA based on the single intermediate state approximation. For comparison, the same trend in two-photon excitation anisotropy was observed for Rhodamine B in glycerol.

[The use of Ukrainian laferon in the combined treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia]

A study was made into the effect of laferon on effectiveness of treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The authors have reached the conclusion that drug tolerance in the patients is fairly good. The number of negative reactions within a few days of the start of laferon therapy did not exceed the level reported from other countries. Small series and short-term follow-up does not allow judgement about effects of the drug on survival but one can say with certainty that the employment of laferon in the treatment programme for CML in different categories of risk permits achieving clinical and hematological compensation on more frequent occasions. The quality of the patients' life gets improved. Chemotherapy was found to lessen the risk for infectious and inflammatory complications.