Oxorhenium(V) complexes with bidentate carbohydrazide Schiff bases: synthesis,characterization and DNA interaction studies

The respective coordination reactions of trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] with N-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]thiophene-2-carbohydrazide (Hchrtc) and N-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylmethylidene]thiophene-2-carbohydrazide (Hbztc) afforded two novel oxorhenium(V) complexes, cis-[ReOCl₂(chrtc)(PPh₃)] (1) and cis-[ReOCl₂(bztc)(PPh₃)] (2). These metal compounds were elucidated spectroscopically and their solid-state structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The redox properties of the metal complexes were probed using cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The DNA interaction capabilities of 1 and 2 were gauged via UV/Vis spectroscopy DNA titrations and gel electrophoresis studies. A correlation is identified between the DNA cleavage observations and the redox potentials of the metal complexes.     

Thermosensitive nanospheres with a gold layer revealed as low-cytotoxic drug vehicles

In this paper, the positive effect of a gold layer on cell viability is demonstrated by examining the results given by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfop henyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and two-color cell fluorescence viability (TCCV) assay. These cytotoxicity tests were performed with human cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cell line) and transformed African green monkey kidney fibroblast cells (Cos-7 cell line). To fabricate the nanostructures as drug vehicles, first, poly(l,l-lactide-co-ethylene glycol) (PLLA-PEG) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-D,D-lactide) (PNIPAAm-PDLA) were synthesized, and then two kinds of thermosensitive nanospheres comprising "shell-in-shell" structures without a gold layer (PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA) and with a gold layer (Au@PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA) were constructed by a modified double-emulsion method (MDEM). Both of them displayed a unique thermosensitive character exhibiting the lower critical solubility temperature (LCST) at 36.7 degrees C which was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The release profiles of entrapped bovine serum albumin (BSA) were monitored at 22 and 37 degrees C, respectively, to reveal the thermal dependence on the release rate. In cell viability tests, both PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA and Au@PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA showed excellent cell viability, and furthermore, Au@PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA, particularly at high doses, exhibited more enhanced cell viability than PLLA-PEG@PNIPAAm-PDLA. This effect is mainly attributed to the gold layer which binds the protein molecules first and consequently facilitates transmembrane uptake of essential nutrients in the cell media, resulting in favorable cell proliferation.     

Calcination temperature-dependent morphology of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles prepared by an electrochemical–thermal method

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable morphologies were synthesized by a hybrid electrochemical–thermal method at different calcination temperatures without the use of any surfactant or template. The NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and N₂ gas adsorption–desorption studies. The FT-IR spectra of ZnO NPs showed a band at 450 cm^?1, a characteristic of ZnO, which remained fairly unchanged at calcination temperatures even above 300 °C, indicating complete conversion of the precursor to ZnO. The products were thermally stable above 300 °C. The ZnO NPs were present in a hexagonal wurtzite phase and the crystallinity of ZnO increased with an increasing calcination temperature. The ZnO NPs calcined at lower temperature were mesoporous in nature. The surface areas of ZnO NPs calcined at 300 and 400 °C were 51.10 and 40.60 m² g^?1, respectively, which are significantly larger than commercial ZnO nanopowder. Surface diffusion has been found to be the key mechanism of sintering during heating from 300 to 700 °C with the activation energy of sintering as 8.33 kJ mol^?1. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs calcined at different temperatures evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight showed strong dependence on the surface area of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs with high surface area showed enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

4-{[(1E)-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)methyl­idene]amino}-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-one

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₇N₃O₂, a strong intramolecular O—H⃛N hydrogen bond [N⃛O 2.607 (3), O—H 0.97 (3) and H⃛N 1.71 (3) Å, and O—H⃛N 153 (2)°] was observed, which leads to a unique phenol–imine tautomerism in the solid state. The C=N imine bond distance and the C—N—C bond angle [1.287 (2) Å and 121.7 (1)°, respectively] indicate the existence of this phenol–imine tautomer. In solution, the phenol–imine tautomer of the title free Schiff base ligand is dominant in both polar and non-polar solvents, as supported by ¹H NMR and UV–visible spectroscopic data.     

Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol

Resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihy- droxystilbene), a natural phytoalexin polyphenol, exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This phytoalexin is well-absorbed and rapidly and extensively metabolized in the body. Inflammation is an adaptive response, which could be triggered by various danger signals, such as invasion by microorganisms or tissue injury. In this review, the anti-inflammatory activity and the mechanism of resveratrol modulates the inflammatory response are examined. Multiple experimental studies that illustrate regulatory mechanisms and the immunomodulatory function of resveratrol both in vivo and in vitro. The data acquired from those studies are discussed.     

Phase-plane analysis of test particle orbits in regular black holes

We investigate phase-plane analysis of general relativistic orbits in a gravitational field of the Reissner–Nordstr?m-type regular black hole spacetime. We employ phase-plane analysis to obtain different phase-plane diagrams of the test particle orbits by varying charge q and dimensionless parameter β, where β contains angular momentum of the test particle. We compute numerical values of radii for the innermost stable orbits and corresponding values of energy required to place the test particle in orbits. Later on, we employ similar analysis on an Ayón–Beato–García(ABG) regular black hole and a comparison regarding key results is also included.     

Numerical investigation and multi-criteria optimization of the thermal–hydraulic characteristics of turbulent flow in conical tubes fitted with twisted tape insert

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The ever-growing interest in developing compact and more effective heat exchangers necessitates the investigation of combined passive solutions....     

Efficient Entrapment of Oxirane Ring Containing Compounds in Thermally Stable Poly(urea-formaldehyde) Polymer Shell Wall

This article aims to address the problems associated with the encapsulation of oxirane ring containing compounds in poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell for application in self-healing composite systems. The main objectives were to produce non-agglomerated, stable microcapsules, and to control the pH drop during the encapsulation via oil-in-water emulsion polymerization. In the modified method; two stage additions of urea and formaldehyde monomers, core to shell ratio, weight percent and combination of two surfactants/emulsifiers were altered to produce the desired product. Analysis was done with optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, particle size analyzer, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pH drop was confirmed by using a common epoxy resin, an epoxy functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (E-PDMS), and epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as cores. The modified oil-in-water emulsion polymerization of PUF was effective in preventing the pH drop during the encapsulation and a product stable for more than 3 months with less agglomeration was produced. The method produced microcapsules having diameters less than 100 μm at lower agitation rates. The modified method is only applicable to epoxy resin and not for compounds like amine hardeners. The use of stable microcapsules in self-healing coatings can lead towards cost reduction implied for repair and maintenance purposes.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Monolithically Fused Wavelength-Independent 1 × 4 Couplers

Abstract

A new method for the fabrication of a monolithic 1 × 4 single-mode fused coupler is described together with details of its performance in terms of coupling ratio, spectral response and polarization sensitivity. The fabricated device exhibits ultra-broadband performance with low polarization dependent loss. The coupling pattern exhibits identical coupling to all interacting fibers, enabling an easy control on fabrication parameters of the device.