Interaction of Metal–Dipeptide Complex with Ninhydrin in the Absence and Presence of Conventional CTAB Surfactant

The present work is aimed at studying the interaction between copper-glycyltyrosine [(Cu(II)-Gly-Tyr)]⁺ and ninhydrin in water and in micelles formed by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using spectrophometric measurements at 80°C and pH 5.0. The order of reaction remains the same in the two systems, that is, first- and fractional-order kinetics with respect to [Cu(II)-Gly-Tyr]⁺ and [ninhydrin], respectively, in the excess of ninhydrin over [Cu(II)-Gly-Tyr]⁺. It was observed that the product formed is same in both the media. The reaction is catalyzed by CTAB, and the maximum rate enhancement is about three fold. Quantitative kinetic analysis of k_ψ–[CTAB] data was explained in terms of pseudo-phase of the micelles (assuming the association/incorporation of both the reactants at the micellar surface).     

Novel silver(I)N-heterocyclic carbene complexes bearing 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl group: Synthesis,characterization, and enzyme inhibition properties

Herein, novel silver-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes bearing 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl group were synthesized. Novel Ag(I)NHC complexes were synthesized from the 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl-substituted benzimidazolium salts and silver oxide via in situ deprotonation method. The successful formation of all Ag(I)NHC complexes was proved by using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. In addition, their inhibitory effects have been investigated of these substances on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glycosidase (α-Gly), human carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I), and human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) enzymes. It has been seen that all compounds have a better ability to inhibit compared with existing tried inhibitors. Among these, the best inhibitor against AChE enzyme is 1g (K_i : 9.54 ± 0.98 μM and IC₅₀ : 17.40), and against α-Gly, 1c showed the highest effect (K_i 3.09 ± 0.36 μM and IC₅₀ 7.91). The best inhibitor against hCA I and hCA II enzymes are 1c and 1g compounds. For hCA I and hCA II, IC₅₀ values were calculated as 17.85 and 9.06 μM and K_i values were measured as 5.45 ± 2.02 and 8.99 ± 2.02 μM, respectively.     

The influence of growth temperatures on the characteristics of GaN nanowires

This paper presents the investigation of the properties of GaN nanowires synthesized from Ni-catalyzed chemical vapour deposition method under various growth temperatures. The influence of the growth temperatures on the morphological, structural and optical characteristics of the synthesized GaN nanowires was investigated in this work. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the 950 °C was the optimal growth temperature for synthesizing uniform, straight and smooth morphology of GaN nanowires. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that the synthesized low dimensional GaN structures have the hexagonal wurtzite structure. Ultraviolet and blue emissions were detected from photoluminescence measurements. In addition, phonon replicas with the energy separation of 90 meV have been observed at the lower energy of the blue emission region in photoluminescence spectra.     

Partitioning a non-symmetric measure of association for three-way contingency tables

The Goodman-Kruskal tau index is a popular measure of asymmetry for two-way contingency tables where there is a one-way relationship between the variables. Numerous extensions of this index for multi-way tables have been considered in the statistical literature. These include the Gray-Williams measures, Simonetti's delta index and the Marcotorchino index.This paper looks at the partition of the Marcotorchino index for a three-way contingency table with one, two and three ordered categorical variables. Such a partition makes use of orthogonal polynomials and identifies two-way measures of asymmetry (akin to the Goodman-Kruskal tau index) and three-way measures generalisation. These partitions provide information about the structure of the asymmetric relationship between the categories in terms of location, dispersion and higher order moments.     

Determination of the specific heat using laser flash apparatus

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The main aim of this article was to describe the methodology for the measurement of specific heat using the laser flash apparatus. The obtained values...     

S-PLUS code for simple and multiple correspondence analysis

An exploration of the application of S-PLUS code designed to perform classical correspondence analysis is made in this paper. This code allows for the “classical” analysis to be performed on categorical data consisting of two or more variables. For multi-way contingency tables, correspondence analysis can be performed by considering either the indicator matrix or the Burt matrix. The code also allows the user to incorporate into the analysis confidence circles (to identify categorical responses that deviate from the hypothesis of independence) and for an asymmetrical analysis to be performed. The function includes various warnings and stoppages to help the user properly analyse their data.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of particulate fillers filled epoxy composites for electronic packaging application

Epoxy composites containing particulate fillers‐fused silica, glass powder, and mineral silica were investigated to be used as substrate materials in electronic packaging application. The content of fillers were varied between 0 and 40 vol%. The effects of the fillers on the thermal properties—thermal stability, thermal expansion and dynamic mechanical properties of the epoxy composites were studied, and it was found that fused silica, glass powder, and mineral silica increase the thermal stability and dynamic thermal mechanical properties and reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The lowest CTE value was observed at a fused silica content of 40 vol% for the epoxy composites, which was traced to the effect of its nature of low intrinsic CTE value of the fillers. The mechanical properties of the epoxy composites were determined in both flexural and single‐edge notch (SEN‐T) fracture toughness properties. Highest flexural strength, stiffness, and toughness values were observed at fillers content of 40 vol% for all the filled epoxy composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph showed poor filler–matrix interaction in glass powder filled epoxy composites at 40 vol%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Advances in Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

Biomimetic nanoparticles have recently emerged as a novel drug delivery platform to improve drug biocompatibility and specificity at the desired disease site, especially the tumour microenvironment. Conventional nanoparticles often encounter rapid clearance by the immune system and have poor drug-targeting effects. The rapid development of nanotechnology provides an opportunity to integrate different types of biomaterials onto the surface of nanoparticles, which enables them to mimic the natural biological features and functions of the cells. This mimicry strategy favours the escape of biomimetic nanoparticles from clearance by the immune system and reduces potential toxic side effects. Despite the rapid development in this field, not much has progressed to the clinical stage. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop biomimetic-based nanomedicine to produce a highly specific and effective drug delivery system, especially for malignant tumours, which can be used for clinical purposes. Here, the recent developments for various types of biomimetic nanoparticles are discussed, along with their applications for cancer imaging and treatments.     

Anti-angiogenic activity of Morinda citrifolia extracts and its chemical constituents

Morinda citrifolia L. has been used for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of M. citrifolia fruits and leaves. Anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated in?vivo using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Bioactivity-guided fractionation and isolation were performed to identify the active constituent, and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis was then used to quantify the amount of this active constituent in the active extracts and fraction. The methanol extracts of fruits and leaves of M. citrifolia and the subsequent chloroform fraction of the fruit methanolic extract were found to have potential anti-angiogenic activity and were more potent compared to suramin. Scopoletin was identified as one of the chemical constituents that may be partly responsible for the anti-angiogenic activity of M. citrifolia fruits. The present findings further support the use of M. citrifolia in cancer or other pathological conditions related to angiogenesis.     

Studies on elemental analysis of Chinese traditional herbs by neutron activation technique and their mutagenic effect

Chinese herbs are accepted as an alternative medicine for specific treatment of illness. It is important to know the contents of these herbs that might cause gene mutation. Ten most popular herbs used in Malaysia were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A total of 16 trace and major elements were determined and the concentration of elements varied depending on the origin of the herb. The study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. The mutagenicity test showed that there was no toxic effect due to the heavy metals present in the herbs. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.