A thermodynamic study on the binding of magnesium with human growth hormone

The thermodynamic parameters underlying the binding of Mg²⁺ to the hydrophobic core of human growth hormone, hGH, are determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. The interaction between Mg²⁺ and hGH (35 μM) was studied at 27°C in NaCl solution. A new solvation model was used to reproduce the enthalpies of Mg²⁺-hGH interaction over the whole Mg²⁺ concentrations. The solvation parameters recovered from the new salvation model, were correlated to the structural changes of hGH due to the metal ion interaction.     

Pt(II) complexes immobilized on polymer‐modified magnetic carbon nanotubes as a new platinum drug delivery system

We combine nanotechnology and chemical synthesis to create a novel multifunctional platinum drug delivery vehicle based on magnetic carbon nanotubes (multiwall carbon nanotubes/Fe₃O₄@poly(citric acid)/cis‐[(Pt(1,7‐phenanthroline)(DMSO)Cl₂)]‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol) (MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG)) for targeted cancer therapy. MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG was conveniently prepared by conjugating cis‐[Pt(1,7‐phenanthroline)(DMSO)Cl₂] complex to MCNTs/FO@PC‐b‐PEG via strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In comparison with free cisplatin and Pt(II) complex, MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG shows higher solubility in aqueous solution and higher cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer HeLa cells and human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In vitro release experiments revealed that the platinum drug‐loaded delivery system is relatively stable under physiological conditions (pH = 7.4 and 37 °C) but susceptible to acidic environments (pH = 5.6 and 37 °C) which would trigger the release of loaded drugs. Fluorescence microscopy studies revealed that this magnetic nanohybrid system possesses marked cell‐specific targeting in vitro in the presence of an external magnetic field. The results indicated that the prepared superparamagnetic MCNTs/FO@PC/Pt(II)‐b‐PEG nanohybrid system is a promising candidate for inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells.     

The Exterior Degree of a Pair of Finite Groups

The exterior degree of a pair of finite groups (G, N), which is a generalization of the exterior degree of finite groups, is the probability for two elements (g, n) in (G, N) such that g ? n = 1. In the present paper, we state some relations between this concept and the relative commutatively degree, capability and the Schur multiplier of a pair of groups.     

Synthesis of fused hydroxy dihydropyrroles and unexpected dihydropyrazine and dihydroquinoxaline derivatives based on heterocyclic ketene aminals

The one-pot four-component synthesis of highly functionalized fused hydroxyl dihydropyrroles and dihydropyrazines from readily available diamines, 1,1-bis (methylsulfanyl)-2-nitroethene, phenylglyoxal monohydrates, and C-H acids have been developed. This strategy provides an efficient, catalyst-free approach for easy access to various new hydroxyl-dihydropyrrole and dihydropyrazine rings in good to high yields. The products were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR, mass, and X-ray crystal structure analyses.     

1H NMR based metabolic profiling in Crohn's disease by random forest methodology

The present study was designed to search for metabolic biomarkers and their correlation with serum zinc in Crohn's disease patients. Crohn's disease (CD) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and can be difficult to diagnose using the clinical tests. Thus, introduction of a novel diagnostic method would be a major step towards CD treatment. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) was employed for metabolic profiling to find out which metabolites in the serum have meaningful significance in the diagnosis of CD. CD and healthy subjects were correctly classified using random forest methodology. The classification model for the external test set showed a 94% correct classification of CD and healthy subjects. The present study suggests Valine and Isoleucine as differentiating metabolites for CD diagnosis. These metabolites can be used for screening of risky samples at the early stages of CD diagnoses. Moreover, a robust random forest regression model with good prediction outcomes was developed for correlating serum zinc level and metabolite concentrations. The regression model showed the correlation (R²) and root mean square error values of 0.83 and 6.44, respectively. This model suggests valuable clues for understanding the mechanism of zinc deficiency in CD patients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A heuristic method to schedule training programs for Small and Medium Enterprises

During the life period of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in incubators they need some training programs to acquire the required knowledge in order to survive and succeed in the business environment. This paper presents a heuristic method based on an optimization model to schedule these programs at the most suitable times. Based on the proposed heuristic, each training program is implemented in a suitable time by considering the SMEs’ requirements and some other logical constraints. The proposed heuristic is described in detail, and its implementation is demonstrated via a real-life numerical example. The numerical results of the heuristic are compared with other methods.     

Multi-criteria supplier segmentation using a fuzzy preference relations based AHP

One of the strategic activities of a firm is supplier segmentation, whereby a firm creates groups of suppliers to handle them differently. Existing literature provides several typologies of suppliers, each of which uses different dimensions/variables. In this paper, different typologies are combined by distinguishing two overarching dimensions, the capabilities and the willingness of suppliers to cooperate with a particular firm. These dimensions cover almost all the existing supplier segmentation criteria mentioned in existing literature. For each particular situation, these dimensions can be specified using a multi-criteria decision-making method. A methodology is proposed that includes a fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) which uses fuzzy preference relations to incorporate the ambiguities and uncertainties that usually exist in human judgment. The proposed methodology is used to segment the suppliers of a broiler company. The result is a segmentation of suppliers based on two aggregated dimensions. Finally some strategies to handle different segments are discussed and concluding remarks and suggestions for future research are provided.     

A thermodynamic study of nickel ion interaction with bovine carbonic anhydrase II molecule

A thermodynamic study on the interaction of bovine carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) with nickel ions was performed by using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) at 27 °C in Tris buffer solution at pH = 7.5. The enthalpies of Ni²⁺ + CAII interaction are reported and analysed in terms of the new solvation theory. It was indicated that there are three identical and non-cooperative sites for Ni²⁺. The binding of a nickle ion is exothermic with dissociation equilibrium constants of 81.306 and 99.126 μM at 27°C and 37°C, respectively. The binding of nickel ions can cause some changes in the stability of the enzyme at low and high Ni²⁺ concentrations.     

Schiff base complex of palladium immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles: an efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst for CC coupling reactions

A Schiff base complex of palladium anchored on Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and magnetically reusable nanocatalyst is reported for C? C bond formation through Heck and Suzuki reactions. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic efficiency or palladium leaching. The magnetic nanocatalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous MgAl2O4 nanopowders synthesized via a homogenous precipitation method for dry reforming reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Mesoporous MgAl2O4 nanopowders were synthesized via the homogenous precipitation method and employed as a support for Ni catalysts in the dry reforming...