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Metal Complexes with Hydroxyflavones: A Study of Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities
Metal chelation to bioactive small molecules is a well-established strategy to enhance the
biological activity of the resulting complexes. Among the widely explored structural motifs,
the combination of prominent metal centers with naturally inspired derivatives has attracted
considerable attention. One such promising platform is the flavone scaffold, derived
from flavonoids and studied since ancient times. Flavones are plant-derived compounds
known for their diverse biological activities and health benefits. They exhibit significant
structural variability, primarily through backbone modifications such as hydroxylation.
Importantly, coordination of metal ions to hydroxylated flavone cores often improves
their natural bioactivities, including anticancer and antimicrobial effects. In this review,
we summarize transition metal complexes incorporating hydroxyflavone (OH–F) ligands
reported over the past 15 years. We provide a concise overview of synthetic approaches
and structural characterization, with a particular emphasis on coordination modes (e.g.,
maltol-type, acetylacetonate-type, catechol-type, and others). Furthermore, we discuss
biological evaluation results, especially anticancer and antimicrobial studies, to highlight
the therapeutic potential of these complexes. Finally, we suggest directions for the future
development of metal-based agents bearing hydroxyflavone moieties through several critical
points in terms of the accuracy, reproducibility, and relevance of biological studies
involving metal-based compounds
Polyurethane composites based on TiO2 nanoparticles: hydrophobicity and swelling behavior
Polyurethane composites (PUCs) based on polycaprolactone (PCL), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), Boltorn® hyperbranched polyester of the second pseudo generation (BH-20) and unmodified or surfacemodified TiO2 nanoparticles with lauryl gallate, were synthesized (Fig. 1). PUCs were prepared by incorporation of different amount (0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%) of unmodified or surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles into a polyurethane network (PU) [1,2]. The hydrophobicity and swelling behavior of pure PU and PUCs were investigated. Water contact angle (WCA) values of PUC samples, prepared with unmodified and modified TiO2 nanoparticles are in the range from 84.4 to 97.9° and from 86.6 to 91.1°, respectively. From the results presented in Fig.1 it can be observed that majority of the synthesized PUCs have WCA lower than WCA of the neat PU (96.7°). Clearly, WCA of examined samples depends on the chemical composition and
roughness of the investigated solid surface [1]. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was applied to describe the kinetics of swelling of the neat PU and prepared PUCs in three different
liquids (water, THF and toluene), and some of the results are shown in Fig. 1. The diffusion mechanism of water through the neat PU and PUC/Ti-0.5 fits the pseudo-Fickian model, while non-Fickian diffusion mechanism describes diffusion of water through all other examined
PUCs. Results obtained by swelling measurements were also applied to calculate diffusion coefficient (D) of water, THF and toluene through the prepared samples. The increase of D values for these solvents can be attributed to the lower crosslinking density of PUCs compared to the neat PU. The obtained D values are the highest for THF because the swelling of samples was the largest in it, which resulted in the creation of greater voids in samples through which THF can pass. The obtained PUCs may potentially be used as protective coatings [1]
Comparative Analysis of Linear Deformations of Conformal Map Projections for the Territory of Republic of Serbia
In this paper we analyzed absolute linear deformations of conformal map projections for geographic area containing the territory of Serbia. The main goal was to determine optimal conformal projection for analyzed area, based on obtained values of linear scale in various projection variations. Four variants of cylindrical, three variants of conic and two variants of planar projections are included in the analysis. All selected projections were or still are in use for the analyzed area. In most of the previous studies deformations were analyzed for an area bounded by two parallels and two meridians, but in this paper we singled out and analyzed projection deformations that occurred within the boundaries of the mapping area. Based on the conducted analyses we concluded which conformal projection would be optimal choice for analyzed geographic territory, as well as for some other similar areas
Role of the local diffusion fields in electrolytic formation of zinc irregular forms from the alkaline electrolyte
The alkaline electrolytes are a component of Zn-air secondary batteries, representing promising
candidate for energy storage with numerous advantages relative to the other battery types, such as Li air, Al-air, and Mg-air. One of the largest challenge in a development of this battery type is a
formation of irregular forms of nanostructured characteristics during the charging process, such as
dendrites, irregular and regular crystal grains of various shape including those having hexagonal
shapes. The formation and growth of all these forms occur in conditions of the diffusion control of
the electrodeposition process, and while a mechanism of formation and growth of dendrites is
relatively well investigated, it is not case with a mechanism of a growth of crystal grains,
especially those with a hexagonal shape. For that reason, this study aims to investigate it
The widening participation and spreading excellence Draft Work Programme 2026–2027
This presentation outlines key opportunities in the 2026–2027 Widening Participation calls, and showcase pathways for ICTM and partners to enhance scientific excellence, innovation potential, and cross‑border cooperation.ICPO Info Day, UB-ICTM, Belgrade, 27/08 202
REFBAR project - MSCA SE
The REFBAR project, building on the outcomes of the Horizon Europe CSA BIOLAWEB, targets the enhancement of the Phytool v4 library to advance environmental biomonitoring research. Funded under the MSCA Staff Exchanges 2024 call, REFBAR unites eight partners across Europe and South America — three from industry and three from academia in Europe, plus two academic collaborators from South America, bringing complementary expertise to accelerate development. This talk outlines the rationale behind the consortium design, the strategic distribution of roles, and how international mobility will strengthen cross‑sectoral collaboration, ultimately boosting innovation and application in biomonitoring technologies.ICPO Info Day, UB-ICTM, Belgrade, 27/08 202
The WIDERA Draft Work Programme 2026–2027
The forthcoming WIDERA Draft Work Programme for 2026–2027 outlines the European Commission’s priorities for fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and interconnected European Research Area. This presentation will summarise upcoming calls across multiple strands, like widening participation, strengthening the ERA, reforming and enhancing R&I systems, and supporting international cooperation. Presentation highlights thematic trends, expected funding instruments, and key eligibility considerations. Participants will gain early insight into strategic opportunities for proposal development, potential synergies with Horizon Europe clusters, and ways to align institutional strengths with EU policy objectives.ICPO Info Day, UB-ICTM, Belgrade, 27/08 202
Comparative analysis of essential oils and hydrolates from aniseed, coriander and fennel fruits
Plants from the Apiaceae family are well-known for their aromatic, nutraceutical, and medicinal
properties [1]. They are often used as spices, dietary and functional food supplements. These
properties are attributed to essential oils (EOs), which possess a distinctive aroma and promising
biological potential [2,3]. However, the chemical composition and biological activity of the
hydrolates (HYs) from these plants remain underexplored. Since some compounds from the EO
are transferred to the HYs, they also display aromatic properties and potential biological activity.
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the volatile compounds from the fruits of aniseed
(Pimpinella anisum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Essential
oils and hydrolates were extracted via steamdistillation under industrial conditions and analysed
using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty-five components, primarily oxygenated
monoterpenes, were identified, highlighting trans-anethole, linalool, and fenchone as major
constituents in the respective EOs. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences between
the EOs and HYs, with the latter exhibiting distinctive compositions, such as higher proportions of
p-anisaldehyde in aniseed and fenchone in fennel. These findings underline the aromatic and
potential biological activities of both EOs and HYs, offering insights into their applications in the
food, fragrance, and therapeutic industries. This comprehensive characterization enhancesthe
understanding of these Apiaceae species and supports the broader utilization of their HYs as
sustainable and functional products in addition to their EOs
Synthesis-Dependent Magnetic Modifications in Starch-Coated CoFe2O4 Monodomain Nanoparticles: Structural, Magnetic and Spectroscopic Study
This study investigates the structural and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by five different synthesis methods: coprecipitation, ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation, coprecipitation coupled with mechanochemical treatment, microemulsion and microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The produced powders were additionally functionalized with starch to improve biocompatibility and colloidal stability. The starch-coating procedure itself by sonication in starch solution, as well as its result, affects the structural and magnetic properties of functionalized nanoparticles. The resulting changes of properties in the process of ligand addition depend significantly on the starting nanoparticles, or rather, on the method of their synthesis. The structural, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the resulting materials were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Taken together, XRD, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy show that starch deposition reduces structural disorder and internal stress, resulting in nanoparticles with a more uniform size distribution. These changes, in turn, affect all magnetic properties—magnetization, coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. Magnetic responses are preserved what is desirable for future biomedical applications. This work emphasizes the importance of surface modification for tailoring the properties of magnetic nanoparticles while maintaining their desired functionality
Kinetic study of Re(VII) removal from aqueous solutions by macroporous magnetic nanocomposite
Rhenium is considered a strategically important metal with expanding industrial applications, leading to growing interest in its efficient extraction from aqueous solutions. In this study, a macroporous magnetic amino-functionalized glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-based nanocomposite was used for Re(VII) ion sorption from aqueous solutions. The sorption was studied under non-competitive conditions by varying contact time and temperature at unadjusted pH. It was shown that sorption capacity increased with the increase of contact time and temperature. The maximum Re(VII) sorption capacity of 57.1 mg/g was attained after 180 min at 343 K. Pseudo-first order (PFO), pseudo-second order (PSO), liquid film diffusivity (LFD), and intra-particle diffusion (IPD) kinetic models were used to study the sorption kinetics. It was noticed that Re(VII) sorption follows a PSO kinetic model. The sorption mechanism was intraparticle diffusion-controlled with an evident influence of liquid film diffusion. These results suggest that mSGT-DETA is a promising sorbent for Re(VII) ions removal from aqueous solutions