Structurally Simple Osmium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy in the Near Infrared**

Five osmium(II) polypyridyl complexes of the general formula [Os(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)₂ L ]²⁺ were synthesized as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy by varying the nature of the ligand L . Thanks to the pronounced π-extended structure of the ligands and the heavy atom effect provided by the osmium center, these complexes exhibit a high absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region (up to 740 nm), unlike related ruthenium complexes. This led to a promising phototoxicity in vitro against cancer cells cultured as 2D cell layers but also in multicellular tumor spheroids upon irradiation at 740 nm. The complex [Os(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)₂(2,2′-bipyridine)]²⁺ was found to be the most efficient against various cancer cell lines, with high phototoxicity indexes. Experiments on CT26 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice also indicate that the Os^II complexes could significantly reduce tumor growth following 740 nm laser irradiation. The high phototoxicity in the biological window of this structurally simple complex makes it a promising photosensitizer for cancer treatment.     

Intertwining Operators Associated to a Family of Differential-Reflection Operators

Mediterranean Journal of Mathematics - We introduce a family of differential-reflection operators $${\Lambda_{A, \varepsilon}}$$ acting on smooth functions defined on $${{\mathbb R}}$$ . Here, A is...     

Study of allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. crude extracts against germination and seedling growth of weeds and wheat

Allelopathic materials inside a tree can produce positive or negative change in the survival, growth, reproduction and behaviour of other organisms if they escape into the environment. To assess these effects, this work was carried out to evaluate the allelopathic impact of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. on seed germination and seedling growth of two weeds: Sinapis arvensis L. and Phalaris canariensis L.; on one cultivated crop: Triticum durum L. Aqueous; and on ethanolic leaf extracts of E. erythrocorys L. The study was effected using four concentrations (10, 20, 25 and 30 μL/mL) while distilled water was used as a control. The results showed that the E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts had an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth of both studied weeds and wheat. The inhibition rate was increased by the increase in extract concentration. Only ethanolic extracts of E. erythrocorys L. induced a significant inhibition of seed germination of durum wheat. The effect of E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts was more severe on weeds than on durum wheat. These results indicate that the seedling growth, especially radicle elongation, was the more sensitive indicator to evaluate the effects of extracts than was the seed germination.     

Fixed point for set-valued mappings satisfying an implicit relation in partially ordered metric spaces

Let (X,?) be a partially ordered set and d be a complete metric on X. Let F,G be two set-valued mappings on X. We obtained sufficient conditions for the existence of common fixed point of F and G satisfying an implicit relation in partially ordered set X.     

Thermal system identification using fractional models for high temperature levels around different operating points

This work aims at the preparation of an experiment for the thermal modeling of an ARMCO iron sample (iron of the American Rolling Mill COmpany) for small temperature variations around different operating points. Fractional models have proven their efficacy for modeling thermal diffusion around the ambient temperature and for small variations. Due to their compactness, as compared to rational models and to finite element models, they are suitable for modeling such diffusive phenomena. However, for large temperature variations, thermal characteristics such as thermal conductivity and specific heat vary along with the temperature. In this context, the thermal diffusion obeys a nonlinear partial differential equation and cannot be modeled by a single linear model. In this paper, thermal diffusion of the iron sample is modeled around different operating points for temperatures ranging from 400 to 1070?K, which is above the Curie point (In physics and materials science, the Curie temperature (T _C), or Curie point, is the temperature at which a ferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic material becomes paramagnetic.) showing that for a large range of temperature variations, a nonlinear model is required. Identification and validation data are generated by finite element methods using COMSOL Software.     

Tualang Honey: A Decade of Neurological Research

Tualang honey has been shown to protect against neurodegeneration, leading to improved memory/learning as well as mood. In addition, studies have also demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, a substantial part of this research lacks systematization, and there seems to be a tendency to start anew with every study. This review presents a decade of research on Tualang honey with a particular interest in the underlying mechanisms related to its effects on the central nervous system. A total of 28 original articles published between 2011 and 2020 addressing the central nervous system (CNS) effects of Tualang honey were analysed. We identified five main categories, namely nootropic, antinociceptive, stress-relieving, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects of Tualang honey, and proposed the underlying mechanisms. The findings from this review may potentially be beneficial towards developing new therapeutic roles for Tualang honey and help in determining how best to benefit from this brain supplement.     

Mixed Dimensional Nanostructure (UiO-66-Decorated MWCNT) as a Nanofiller in Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Enhanced CO2/CH4 Separation

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with combination of two distinct dimensional nanofillers (such as 1D-3D, 2D-3D, or 3D-3D, etc.) have drawn special attention for gas separation applications due to their concerted effects on gas permeation and mechanical properties. An amine-functionalized 1D multiwalled carbon nanotube (NH₂-MWCNT) with exceptional mechanical strength and rapid gas transport was crosslinked with an amine-functionalized 3D metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH₂) with high CO₂ affinity in a Schiff base reaction. The resultant crosslinked mixed-dimensional nanostructure was used as a nanofiller in a polysulfone (PSf) polymer matrix to explore the underlying synergy between 1D and 3D nanostructures on the gas separation performance of MMMs. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and mapping revealed the homogenous dispersion of UiO-66@MWCNT in the polymer matrix. The MMM containing 5.0 wt. % UiO-66@MWCNT demonstrated a superior permeability 8.3 Barrer as compared to the 4.2 Barrer of pure PSf membrane for CO₂. Moreover, the selectivity (CO₂/CH₄) of this MMM was enhanced to 39.5 from the 28.0 observed for pure PSf under similar conditions of pressure and temperature.     

A tandem ionic liquid-based dispersive microextraction method using in-syringe air-assisted vesicle system for rapid determination of lead and cadmium in artificial sweat extract of facial cosmetic products

In the present study an innovative tandem ionic liquid-based dispersive microextraction method using an in-syringe air-assisted vesicle system was developed to determine the ultra-trace levels of lead (Pb^II) and cadmium (Cd^II) ions in synthetic sweat extract of branded and nonbranded facial cosmetic products. This method is based on injecting 2-amino-3-sulfhydrylpropanoic acid (l -cysteine) (as an eco-friendly chelating agent), hexafluorophosphate ion [PF₆⁻] (as an ion pair agent) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [HMIM] [PF₆] (as an acceptor phase) into the synthetic sweat extract of facial cosmetic products (branded and nonbranded). The acceleration of the dispersion process was carried out by rapid pressure in the syringe through the back-and-forth movement of plunger. The sediment phase was removed following centrifugation, and then hydrophobic complexes of analyte were back-extracted into HNO₃ and finally injected into a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Several factors were systematically optimized. The validity of the methodology was tested by analyzing spiked known standards of both metals in a real sample. The proposed method was applied to the artificial sweat extracts of face makeup products, indicating how much toxic metals from different cosmetics are directly absorbed into skin.