Effect of a Nanoclay on the Mechanical,Thermal and Flame Retardant Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Water blown rigid polyurethane foams (PUF) with organoclay/organically modified nanoclay (ONC) were prepared and their properties such as density, mechanical, morphological, insulation, thermal and flame retardant properties were studied. In this investigation, the ONC content was varied from 1 to 10 parts per hundred of polyol (php) by weight. It was observed that the compressive strength of ONC filled PUF increased up to 3 php of ONC loading and then it decreased. Wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies indicated the exfoliated dispersion of ONC in PUF. The thermal conductivity of ONC filled PUF decreases up to 5 php and then increases. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PUF decreases on loading of ONC. The TGA analysis shows that there is slight increase in degradation temperature with increase in ONC loading. The flame retardant properties (LOI and flame spread rate) are improved slightly on addition (3 php) of ONC filled PUF.     

Deciphering the Role of Filamin B Calponin-Homology Domain in Causing the Larsen Syndrome,Boomerang Dysplasia,and Atelosteogenesis Type I Spectrum Disorders via a Computational Approach

Filamins (FLN) are a family of actin-binding proteins involved in regulating the cytoskeleton and signaling phenomenon by developing a network with F-actin and FLN-binding partners. The FLN family comprises three conserved isoforms in mammals: FLNA, FLNB, and FLNC. FLNB is a multidomain monomer protein with domains containing an actin-binding N-terminal domain (ABD 1–242), encompassing two calponin-homology domains (assigned CH1 and CH2). Primary variants in FLNB mostly occur in the domain (CH2) and surrounding the hinge-1 region. The four autosomal dominant disorders that are associated with FLNB variants are Larsen syndrome, atelosteogenesis type I (AOI), atelosteogenesis type III (AOIII), and boomerang dysplasia (BD). Despite the intense clustering of FLNB variants contributing to the LS-AO-BD disorders, the genotype-phenotype correlation is still enigmatic. In silico prediction tools and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) approaches have offered the potential for variant classification and pathogenicity predictions. We retrieved 285 FLNB missense variants from the UniProt, ClinVar, and HGMD databases in the current study. Of these, five and 39 variants were located in the CH1 and CH2 domains, respectively. These variants were subjected to various pathogenicity and stability prediction tools, evolutionary and conservation analyses, and biophysical and physicochemical properties analyses. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) was performed on the three candidate variants in the CH2 domain (W148R, F161C, and L171R) that were predicted to be the most pathogenic. The MDS analysis results showed that these three variants are highly compact compared to the native protein, suggesting that they could affect the protein on the structural and functional levels. The computational approach demonstrates the differences between the FLNB mutants and the wild type in a structural and functional context. Our findings expand our knowledge on the genotype-phenotype correlation in FLNB-related LS-AO-BD disorders on the molecular level, which may pave the way for optimizing drug therapy by integrating precision medicine.     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed aroylation of 3,5-dichloro-2(1H)-pyrazinones

The N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed chemoselective C3-aroylation of 3,5-dichloro-2(1H)-pyrazinones with various aldehydes is reported. We herein describe results of this remarkable mild and efficient procedure.     

Effect of NiO/Ni(OH)2 nanostructures in graphene/CNT nanocomposites on their interfacial charge transport kinetics for high-performance supercapacitors

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Graphene sheet/multiwall carbon nanotube (GMC) and its composites with NiO and Ni(OH)2 are synthesized by microwave-assisted technique for the application...     

A Multi‐action and Multi‐target RuII–PtIV Conjugate Combining Cancer‐Activated Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy to Overcome Drug Resistant Cancers

Pt^II complexes are commonly used to treat cancer. To reduce their side effects and improve their pharmacological properties, Pt^IV complexes are being developed as prodrug candidates that are activated by reduction in cancer cells. Concomitantly, Ru^II polypyridine complexes have gained much attention as photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy due to their attractive characteristics. In this article, a novel Pt^IV–Ru^II conjugate, which combines cancer activated chemotherapy with PDT, is presented. Upon entering the cancer cell, the Pt^IV centre is reduced to Pt^II and the axial ligands including the Ru^II complex and phenylbutyrate are released. As each component has its individual targets, the conjugate exerts a multi‐target and multi‐action effect with (photo‐)cytotoxicity values upon irradiation up to 595 nm in the low nanomolar range in various (drug resistant) 2D monolayer cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumour spheroids.     

Synthesis,scope, <Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>13</Superscript>C spectral assignments of isomeric dibenzofuran carboxaldehydes

Two isomeric dibenzofuran carboxaldehydes, namely 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-1-carbaldehyde (4) and 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-3-carbaldehyde (5), were synthesized. Formylation of 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan (3) with α,α-dichloromethyl methyl ether and tin(IV) chloride gave a mixture of aldehydes 4 and 5 in 95 % yield and in a 35:65 ratio. Their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral signals were not sufficiently resolved in CDCl₃ solution to achieve their complete assignment, but this was possible in DMSO-d ₆ with the help of 2D-NMR techniques: NOESY for ¹H–¹H interactions and HSQC and HMQC experiments for ¹H–¹³C correlations. These aldehydes were used in the synthesis of novel β-phenylethylamines and NBOMe derivatives, which are undergoing biological evaluation.     

Tetrasubstituted 2-imidazolones via Ag(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of propargylic ureas

A one-pot protocol based on a Ag(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of propargylic ureas, derived from secondary propargylamines and isocyanates, was developed for the generation of the 2-imidazolone core.     

TiO2 derived by titanate route from electrospun nanostructures for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

We report the use of highly porous, dense, and anisotropic TiO(2) derived from electrospun TiO(2)-SiO(2) nanostructures through titanate route in dye-sensitized solar cells. The titanate-derived TiO(2) of high surface areas exhibited superior photovoltaic parameters (efficiency > 7%) in comparison to the respective electrospun TiO(2) nanomaterials and commercially available P-25.     

The Growth Factors and Cytokines of Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome May Potentially Aid in Oral Cancer Proliferation

Background: Growth factors and cytokines responsible for the regenerative potential of the dental pulp mesenchymal stem cell secretome (DPMSC-S) are implicated in oral carcinogenesis. The impact and effects of these secretory factors on cancer cells must be understood in order to ensure their safe application in cancer patients. Objective: We aimed to quantify the growth factors and cytokines in DPMSC-S and assess their effect on oral cancer cell proliferation. Materials and methods: DPMSCs were isolated from patients with healthy teeth (n = 5) that were indicated for extraction for orthodontic reasons. The cells were characterized using flow cytometry and conditioned medium (DPMSC-CM) was prepared. DPMSC-CM was subjected to a bead-based array to quantify the growth factors and cytokines that may affect oral carcinogenesis. The effect of DPMSC-CM (20%, 50%, 100%) on the proliferation of oral cancer cells ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AW123516","term_id":"6099046"}}AW123516) was evaluated using a Ki-67-based assay at 48 h. AW13516 cultured in the standard growth medium acted as the control. Results: VEGF, HCF, Ang-2, TGF-α, EPO, SCF, FGF, and PDGF-BB were the growth factors with the highest levels in the DPMSC-CM. The highest measured pro-inflammatory cytokine was TNF-α, followed by CXCL8. The most prevalent anti-inflammatory cytokine in the DPMSC-CM was IL-10, followed by TGF-β1 and IL-4. Concentrations of 50% and 100% DPMSC-CM inhibited Ki-67 expression in AW13516, although the effect was non-significant. Moreover, 20% DPMSC-CM significantly increased Ki-67 expression compared to the control. Conclusions: The increased Ki-67 expression of oral cancer cells in response to 20% DPMSC-CM indicates the potential for cancer progression. Further research is needed to identify their effects on other carcinogenic properties, including apoptosis, stemness, migration, invasion, adhesion, and therapeutic resistance.     

Synthesis,structure stability and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Ag–Ni alloy

Silver–nickel alloy nanoparticles with an average size of 30–40 nm were synthesized by chemically reducing the mixture of silver and nickel salts using sodium borohydride. The structure and the magnetic properties of the alloy samples with different compositions were investigated. The phase stability of the material was analysed after annealing the sample in vacuum at various temperatures. The material exhibits single fcc phase which is stable up to 400 °C and Ni precipitation sets in when the sample is annealed to 500 °C. The thermal analysis using DSC was carried out to confirm the same. The alloy compositions are found to be in close correlation with the metal salt ratios in the precursors. The synthesized samples exhibit weak paramagnetic to ferromagnetic behaviour. The magnetic measurements reveal that by adjusting the precursor ratio, the Ni content in the material can be altered and hence its magnetic properties tailored to suit specific requirements. The formation of Ag–Ni alloy is confirmed by the observed Curie temperature from the magneto thermogram. Annealing the sample helps to produce significant enhancement in the magnetization of the material.