Adsorption and Corrosion Inhibition Behavior of Schiff Base-Based Cationic Gemini Surfactant on Mild Steel in Formic Acid

The adsorption and corrosion inhibition behavior of synthesized Schiff base-based cationic gemini surfactant bis[p-(N,N,N-tetradecyldimethylammonium bromide)benzylidene]thiourea (14-S-14) on mild steel in 20% formic acid in the temperature range of 30°C to 60°C was evaluated using weight loss measurements, solvent analysis of iron ions and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The synthesized inhibitor was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and thin layer chromatography (TLC). The surface morphology of the corroded mild steel specimen was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermodynamic/kinetic parameters were calculated to elaborate the adsorption and corrosion inhibition mechanism of the inhibitor. The inhibition efficiency of the compound was found to vary with inhibitor concentration, immersion time, and temperature. The adsorption of the compound on the steel surface was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm.      

Malformin-A1 (MA1) Sensitizes Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer Cells to Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis

High-grade epithelial ovarian cancer is a fatal disease in women frequently associated with drug resistance and poor outcomes. We previously demonstrated that a marine-derived compound MalforminA1 (MA1) was cytotoxic for the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of MA1 on human ovarian cancer cells. The potential cytotoxicity of MA1was tested on cisplatin-sensitive (A2780S) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780CP) ovarian cancer cell lines using AlamarBlue assay, Hoechst dye, flow cytometry, Western blot, and RT-qPCR. MA1 had higher cytotoxic activity on A2780S (IC50 = 0.23 µM) and A2780CP (IC50 = 0.34 µM) cell lines when compared to cisplatin (IC50 = 31.4 µM and 76.9 µM, respectively). Flow cytometry analysis confirmed the cytotoxic effect of MA1. The synergistic effect of the two drugs was obvious, since only 13% of A2780S and 7% of A2780CP cells remained alive after 24 h of treatment with both MA1 and cisplatin. Moreover, we examined the expression of bcl2, p53, caspase3/9 genes at RNA and protein levels using RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively, to figure out the cell death mechanism induced by MA1. A significant down-regulation in bcl2 and p53 genes was observed in treated cells compared to non-treated cells (p < 0.05), suggesting that MA1 may not follow the canonical pathway to induce apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. MalforminA1 showed promising anticancer activity by inducing cytotoxicity in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cancer cell lines. Interestingly, a synergistic effect was observed when MA1 was combined with cisplatin, leading to it overcoming its resistance to cisplatin.     

Octadecylamine as chemical modifier for tuned hydrophobicity of surface modified cellulose: toward organophilic cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose - A novel, environmentally friendly and simple method for chemical functionalization of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to produce organophilic cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-ODA) is herein...     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns

Single-walled nanohorns (SWNHs) have been prepared by sub-merged arc discharge of graphite electrodes in liquid nitrogen. The samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen and boron doped SWNHs have been prepared by the sub-merged arc discharge method using melamine and elemental boron as precursors. Intensification of Raman D-band and stiffening of G-band has been observed in the doped samples. The electrical resistance of the SWNHs varies in opposite directions with nitrogen and boron doping. Functionalization of SWNHs through amidation has been carried out for solubilizing them in non-polar solvents. Water-soluble SWNHs have been produced by acid treatment and non-covalent functionalization with a coronene salt. SWNHs have been decorated with nanoparticles of Au, Ag and Pt. Interaction of electron donor (tetrathiafulvalene, TTF) and acceptor molecules (tetracyanoethylene, TCNE) with SWNHs has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Progressive softening and stiffening of Raman G-band has been observed respectively with increase in the concentration of TTF and TCNE.     

Synthesis and biological studies of complexes of 2- amino-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>(2-aminobenzoyl) benzohydrazide with Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)

The present work is concerned with the synthesis and coordination compounds of 2-amino-N(2-aminobezoyl) benzohydrazide (ABH). The ligand was synthesized by the reaction of methylanthranilate and hydrazine in 2:1 molar ratio. It can be viewed as a modified form of hydrazide. The ligand was characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and infrared studies. The ligand has got -NH₂ moeity, the site for chelation. The complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) chlorides and bromides were prepared. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, conductance, and magnetic susceptibility studies. Infrared spectra studies confirmed the formation of complexes, while elemental studies suggested the complexation of [M(ABH)X₂] (where X = Cl⁻ or Br⁻) composition.     

Encapsulation and characterization of flurbiprofen loaded poly(є-caprolactone)–poly(vinylpyrrolidone) blend micropheres by solvent evaporation method

Flurbiprofen loaded PCL/PVP blend microspheres were prepared by o/w solvent evaporation method using various concentrations of gelatin as emulsifying agent. Microsphere recovery decreased with a decrease in the concentration of the emulsifier in the dispersion. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of microspheres increased with decrease in concentration of emulsifying agent. Hydration rate, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of microspheres increased with increase in concentration of PVP. Rheological properties showed free flowing nature of microspheres. SEM (Scanning electron microscope) revealed microspheres were discrete, spherical and became porous with decrease in concentration of emulsifying agent but smooth with higher concentration of emulsifying agent. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectra of pure and encapsulated flurbiprofen in all formulation showed no significant difference in characteristic peaks, suggesting stability of flurbiprofen during encapsulation process. X-RD (X-ray powder diffractometry) of pure flurbiprofen shows sharp peaks, which decreases on encapsulation, indicating dispersion at molecular level and hence decrease in the crystallinity of drug in microspheres. Microspheres showed an enteric nature at pH 1.2 and a sustained release pattern at pH 6.8. Rapid drug release was observed in microspheres with higher concentration of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), PVP acts as channeling agent. Formulation with low concentration of emulsifying agent also showed a fast release due to porous structure. Drug release kinetics followed zero order at pH 1.2 while at pH 6.8 Higuchi model was best fitted and was found non fickian.     

Effect of quantization and positron concentration on shielding potentials in electron-positron-ion plasma

The kinetic theory of plasma has been employed to compute the test-charge potential distributions accounting for quantization effects in magnetized electron-positron-ion (EPI) plasmas. In this regard, the degenerate positrons and electrons are assumed to follow the Fermi-Dirac distribution, while inertial ions are modelled by Maxwellian velocity distribution. By solving the Fourier-transformed Vlasov–Poisson equations, a modified dielectric function and electrostatic potential is obtained. By imposing various constraints on the test-charge speed, the potential profile has been analysed in terms of Debye–Hückel (DH), far-field (FF), and wake-field (WF) potentials. It has been found that the amplitude of DH and FF potentials increases by the inclusion of quantization effects, and it becomes the opposite for the WF potential profile. Furthermore, the variation of positron concentration significantly affects the DH, FF, and WF potentials. The present findings are important to understand the shielding phenomenon in degenerate multi-species plasmas.