Facile regiospecific syntheses of N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐l‐histidines

Two diverse methodologies describe the first synthesis of suitably protected N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐Lhistidine derivatives. Synthesis of suitably protected N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐L‐histidines 7‐9 containing different alkyl groups at the N‐α and N‐1(τ) positions was achieved in four steps starting from L‐histidine methyl ester. Whereas, in the one‐step alternate route N‐α‐Boc‐L‐histidine methyl ester upon direct and simultaneous N‐α and N‐1(τ) alkylation with various alkyl halides in the presence of sodium hydride in DMF easily afforded N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐L‐histidines 14 containing identical alkyl group at the N‐α and N‐1(τ) positions in high yields. Both procedures allowed facile entry to methyl and other higher alkyl groups at the N‐α‐position of the histidine ring     

Choline Chloride Assisted Synthesis of N and Metal Codoped TiO2 and their Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

A few nanocrystalline N,metal codoped TiO₂ (metal = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) have been synthesized by a simple sol–gel method using choline chloride which is biodegradable, low cost, nontoxic ionic salt both as a structure directing agent and source of nitrogen. The prepared samples were well characterized by XRD, HRTEM, FTIR, DRS, EDX, XPS and BET techniques. The photocatalytic activity of all synthesized N, metal codoped TiO₂ has been carried out for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye under visible light irradiation and among them, N, Fe codoped TiO₂ was found to be the best for the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye. The effect of incorporated metals on the photocatalytic activity of the various modified TiO₂ has been discussed in detail based on the mechanism involved in the degradation of dye and their physico‐chemical properties which includes surface area, particle size, defect sites, phase, band gap and electron–hole recombination effect.     

Neuroprotective Potential of Chrysin: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential for Neurological Disorders

Chrysin, a herbal bioactive molecule, exerts a plethora of pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer. A growing body of evidence has highlighted the emerging role of chrysin in a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors. Based on the results of recent pre-clinical studies and evidence from studies in humans, this review is focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of chrysin in different neurological diseases. In addition, the potential challenges, and opportunities of chrysin’s inclusion in the neurotherapeutics repertoire are critically discussed.     

Fiber Bragg grating interrogator using edge filtering technique with microbend loss error mitigation

This paper presents an edge filtering technique based interrogator for fiber Bragg grating sensors with microbend attenuation compensation system. The interrogator uses reference fiber along with the fiber in which the grating is inscribed to mitigate the effect of microbend attenuation in determining the Bragg wavelength of the sensor.     

Investigating ligand-receptor interactions at bilayer surface using electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer

We investigate interactions between receptors and ligands at bilayer surface of polydiacetylene (PDA) liposomal nanoparticles using changes in electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). We study the effect of mode of linkage (covalent versus noncovalent) between the receptor and liposome bilayer. We also examine the effect of size-dependent interactions between liposome and analyte through electronic absorption and FRET responses. Glucose (receptor) molecules were either covalently or noncovalently attached at the bilayer of nanoparticles, and they provided selectivity for molecular interactions between glucose and glycoprotein ligands of E. coli. These interactions induced stress on conjugated PDA chain which resulted in changes (blue to red) in the absorption spectrum of PDA. The changes in electronic absorbance also led to changes in FRET efficiency between conjugated PDA chains (acceptor) and fluorophores (Sulphorhodamine-101) (donor) attached to the bilayer surface. Interestingly, we did not find significant differences in UV-vis and FRET responses for covalently and noncovalently bound glucose to liposomes following their interactions with E. coli. We attributed these results to close proximity of glucose receptor molecules to the liposome bilayer surface such that induced stress were similar in both the cases. We also found that PDA emission from direct excitation mechanism was ～2-10 times larger than that of the FRET-based response. These differences in emission signals were attributed to three major reasons: nonspecific interactions between E. coli and liposomes, size differences between analyte and liposomes, and a much higher PDA concentration with respect to sulforhodamine (SR-101). We have proposed a model to explain our experimental observations. Our fundamental studies reported here will help in enhancing our knowledge regarding interactions involved between soft particles at molecular levels.     

Stimulated Raman backward scattering of a laser beam in a magnetized plasma

Stimulated Raman scattering of a laser beam is investigated in the plasma with strong self generated magnetic field. The magnetized plasma supports various localized radial and azimuthal modes of lower hybrid frequencies. The density fluctuations due to lower hybrid modes couple with the oscillating velocity due to the pump, and drive the scattered wave. Equations describing the Raman process are derived and effects of various modes are studied on the growth rate analytically. Self generated magnetic field has a strong localization effect on the Raman process and growth rate is maximum for radial eigen mode number q = 0 and azimuthal eigen mode number l = 3. The frequency shift has signatures of self generated magnetic field and could serve as a diagnostic.     

Bioassay-guided antidiabetic study of Phaleria macrocarpa fruit extract

An earlier anti-hyperglycemic study with serial crude extracts of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) fruit indicated methanol extract (ME) as the most effective. In the present investigation, the methanol extract was further fractionated to obtain chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF), n-butanol (NBF) and aqueous (AF) fractions, which were tested for antidiabetic activity. The NBF reduced blood glucose (p < 0.05) 15 min after administration, in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) similar to metformin. Moreover, it lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats by 66.67% (p < 0.05), similar to metformin (51.11%), glibenclamide (66.67%) and insulin (71.43%) after a 12-day treatment, hence considered to be the most active fraction. Further fractionation of NBF yielded sub-fractions I (SFI) and II (SFII), and only SFI lowered blood glucose (p < 0.05), in IPGTT similar to glibenclamide. The ME, NBF, and SFI correspondingly lowered plasma insulin (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited glucose transport across isolated rat jejunum implying an extra-pancreatic mechanism. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenes and tannins, in ME, NBF and SFI, and LC-MS analyses revealed 9.52%, 33.30% and 22.50% mangiferin respectively. PM fruit possesses anti-hyperglycemic effect, exerted probably through extra-pancreatic action. Magniferin, contained therein may be responsible for this reported activity.     

Protection Strategies Enable Selective Conversion of Biomass

Selective and economic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass components to bio‐based fuels and chemicals is the major goal of biorefineries, but low yields and selectivity for fuel precursors such as sugars, furanics, and lignin‐derived monomers pose significant disadvantages in process economics. In this Minireview we summarize the existing protection strategies used in biomass chemocatalytic conversion processes and focus the discussions on the mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities of each strategy. We introduce a concept of using analogous methods to manipulate biomass catalytic conversion pathways during the upgrading of carbohydrates to fuels and chemicals. This Minireview may provide new insights into the development of selective biorefining processes from a different perspective, expanding the options for selective conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals.