Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to compare chloroquine (CQ)-treated and untreated cultured Plasmodium falciparum-infected human red blood cells (iRBCs). The studies were carried out in parallel from the same starting cultures using both spectroscopic techniques, in duplicate. ATR FTIR spectra showed modifications in the heme vibrational bands as well as increases in the CH₂/CH₃ stretching bands in the 3100–2800 cm⁻¹ region of CQ-treated iRBCs consistent with an increase in lipid content. Other changes consisted of secondary structural variations including shifts in the amide I and II modes, along with changes in RNA and carbohydrate bands. Raman microspectroscopy of single red blood cells using 532 nm revealed subtle changes in the positions and intensity of ν₃₇ of the core size region marker band and ν₄ in the pyrrole ring-stretching region between untreated and CQ-treated iRBCs. Similar patterns in the corresponding relations were also observed in the non-fundamental (overtone region) between the control and treated cells. These differences were consistent with higher levels of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) in the treated cells as shown in a Principle Component Analysis (PCA) loadings plot. The results obtained demonstrate that vibrational spectroscopic techniques can provide insight into the effect of quinolines on iRBCs and thus may assist understanding the sensitivity and resistance of new and existing anti-malarial drugs.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials into the indoor air may cause discomfort associated with a perceptible chemical odour and may irritate the upper respiratory tract. Hence, it is vital to control indoor air pollution sources, such as interior finishing materials, including adhesives. The study involved carrying out a series of experimental tests of VOC emissions of 25 adhesives based on the ISO 16000 series standards. The research concerns three groups of construction adhesives with indoor applications, i.e., flooring (10), finishing walls and ceilings (6), and for other applications such as edge-gluing or gluing tiles or mirrors (9) differing in chemical composition. A series of temperature tests were carried out for a representative floor adhesive at selected temperatures: 25 °C, 35 °C and 45 °C. The theoretical correlation approach was adopted to characterise the relationship between the emission rate and temperature of selected chemical compounds.

The article analyzes the impact of measured concentrations of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) emissions determined for four BREEAM certified buildings on the Indoor Air Quality Index (IAQ_index) and the overall Indoor Environment Quality index (IEQ_index). The IEQ_index indicates the percentage of building users who are satisfied from the indoor environment. In existing IEQ models, currently the concentration of CO₂ is mostly used to evaluate the IAQ_index sub-component. Authors point out that it is recommended to use TVOC instead CO₂ at pre-occupant stage where building is mainly polluted by emission from finishing products. The research provides the approach where the component related to the emission of TVOCs is implemented to IEQ model. The first stage of assessment was a test of the volatile organic compounds concentrations in case study buildings. Secondly, the analysis results were assigned into the number of dissatisfied users (PD(_IAQ)) from the theoretical function given by Jokl-Fanger resulting from the Weber-Fechner equation. Finally, the overall IEQ_index was calculated. The IEQ approach proposed in this paper is mainly based on a consideration of EN 15251 and scientifically accepted models.

The activation of lymphocytes occurs when they are exposed to viruses or other foreign antigens. The aim of this work was to verify if Raman spectroscopy can be used to screen the activation of lymphocytes during viral infection. There are distinct peaks that reveal differences between activated and intact cells. The most important marker of the lymphocyte activation process is the prominent 521 cm⁻¹ disulfide band which marks the immunoglobulin formation. The up shift of the S–S mode from the broad band centered at 510 cm⁻¹ of human normal immunoglobulin to a single band at 521 cm⁻¹ of human B cells indicates a selection of the optimal geometry of the disulphide bridges to bind to a foreign antigen. Polarization data is used to detect the structural alteration between domain fragments. Differences in other band intensities may be due to different protein compositions in both the investigated forms. B cell activation causes the change of the intracellular cytoplasm composition due to the secretion of immunoglobulins during the fighting of the infection.

Raman spectra of the blood samples obtained directly from hospitalized malaria patients with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) in the ring-stage were analyzed. Changes observed in the Raman band intensities of the infected patients compared to healthy volunteers are the result of parasite activity inside red blood cells. The obtained spectra were discussed by analyzing differences in particular spectral regions by evaluating changes in the band intensity ratios as well as using PCA analysis. The alterations of erythrocyte membranes caused by parasite penetration are visible by a reduced I₁₁₃₀/I₁₀₇₅ intensity ratio expressing the lowering of the amount of domains arranged in trans conformation. The I₂₉₃₀/I₂₈₅₀ ratio, which is a measure of modifications in structures of membrane proteins and lipids, in infected red blood cells increases, which is caused by malaria protein export to the erythrocyte membrane and expresses the membrane disarrangement. In the pyrrole ring vibration region, the ν₄ band marker of the oxygenated-Hb shows at 1371 cm⁻¹ whereas the ν₄ band at 1353 cm⁻¹ related to the deoxygenated-Hb is observed for malaria patients and is characterized by a higher intensity in infected erythrocytes. The amide I analysis shows the modifications in the secondary structure composition in the infected RBCs. We found that the P. falciparum infection leads to a decrease in the α-helical content and a concurrent increase in undefined (random-coil) structures. It was observed that the Raman spectra changes are also the result of the hemozoin formation process. In the pyrrole ring stretching vibration region, the increase of 1220 cm⁻¹ (deoxyHb) as against 1248 cm⁻¹ (oxyHb) may be considered as a signal of hemozoin formation in the RBCs. Relatively intense band patterns at 1560 cm⁻¹ and also at 1570 cm⁻¹ and 1552 cm⁻¹ may be due to the hemozoin that is formed according to parasite activity. The results of medical diagnostic tests had not presented changes in patient RBC parameters. A significant reduction in WBC count was noticed along with a decrease in neutrophil and platelet count when compared with the control group. Although no change is observed in the overall picture of the erythrocytes, pathological changes are evident in the Raman spectrum.

Many different methods and indicators are commonly used for the assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ). One of them is pollution source control; among the sources, building materials are of special concern. This study presents a source characterization of waterproofing products used mainly in non-industrial buildings. The authors have attempted to fill some research gaps by determining emission factors for waterproofing materials. The work contains a summary of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from dispersion and cementitious liquid-applied water-impermeable products. VOC emissions were determined in a 100-L stainless steel ventilated emission test chamber. Air samples were collected by an active method on Tenax TA^®, while VOCs were analyzed using a TD-GC/MS method. Identified VOCs were also expressed as the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and converted into area-specific emission rates q_A. The results for different groups of identified compounds (alcohols, benzene derivatives, aldehydes, ketones, ethers and esters) were compared. It was found that VOC emissions clearly decreased with time during each experiment, which lasted 28 days. It is further noted that different types of products were characterized by the emission of specific groups of compounds that were not emitted by other types of products. An essential factor in the elimination and minimization of the occurrence of sources of indoor air pollution is the appropriate selection of finishing materials, which should be characterized by as low as possible emission of VOCs. The results presented in this work can lead to practical applications in the selection of low-emission products for certified green buildings.