A simple microwave process for the preparation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes for electrocatalytic applications

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Cobalt oxide nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CoOx/CNTs) were prepared by a facile and rapid solid-state synthesis using microwave...     

Chemical Profiles and Pharmacological Properties with in Silico Studies on Elatostema papillosum Wedd

The current study attempted, for the first time, to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the phytochemical components of Elatostema papillosum methanol extract and their biological activities. The present study represents an effort to correlate our previously reported biological activities with a computational study, including molecular docking, and ADME/T (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/toxicity) analyses, to identify the phytochemicals that are potentially responsible for the antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities of this plant. In the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis, a total of 24 compounds were identified, seven of which were documented as being bioactive based on their binding affinities. These seven were subjected to molecular docking studies that were correlated with the pharmacological outcomes. Additionally, the ADME/T properties of these compounds were evaluated to determine their drug-like properties and toxicity levels. The seven selected, isolated compounds displayed favorable binding affinities to potassium channels, human serotonin receptor, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and human peroxiredoxin 5 receptor proteins. Phytol acetate, and terpene compounds identified in E. papillosum displayed strong predictive binding affinities towards the human serotonin receptor. Furthermore, 3-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane showed a significant binding affinity for the KcsA potassium channel. Eicosanal showed the highest predicted binding affinity towards the human peroxiredoxin 5 receptor. All of these findings support the observed in vivo antidepressant and anxiolytic effects and the in vitro antioxidant effects observed for this extract. The identified compounds from E. papillosum showed the lowest binding affinities towards COX-1, COX-2, and NF-κB receptors, which indicated the inconsequential impacts of this extract against the activities of these three proteins. Overall, E. papillosum appears to be bioactive and could represent a potential source for the development of alternative medicines; however, further analytical experiments remain necessary.     

Macrocyclic Cr3+, Mn2+ and Fe3+ complexes of a mimic SOD moiety: Design,structural aspects,DFT, XRD,optical properties and biological activity

A novel SOD-like macrocycle “H₂DPD” and its trivalent chromium, iron and divalent manganese complexes have been isolated and characterized using the conventional tools. The macrocycle was prepared by 2:2 condensation of P-phenylenediamine with 5,5-dimethyl1,3-cyclohexanedione. IR and electronic spectral data suggested that H₂DPD coordinates to the metal ion as N₄ tetradentate donor with two Cl⁻ occupying the remaining two sites of the distorted octahedron. XRD spectrum of Cr³⁺ complex indicated that the complex crystallizes in a face-centered monoclinic structure with lattice parameters: a = 10.9380 Å; b = 12.4870 Å; c = 12.4600 Å, α = γ = 90° and β = 111.430 with space group P 1 21/c 1 (14). The energy gap (E_HOMO-E_LUMO), molecular electrostatic potential map (EPM) of title compounds, bond length, bond angle, as well as global and local reactivity were estimated using DFT method. The E_g values obtained from electronic spectra of Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complexes were found to be 1.284, 1.220 and 1.138 eV, respectively which are in accordance with those evaluated by DFT revealing semiconductor nature. Also, the thermal degradation of all title compounds was carried out and the kinetic parameters were evaluated using Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger equations. Moreover, the compounds have screened for antibacterial as well as superoxide mimic activities. Cr³⁺ complex exhibited the most significant potent activity against all bacterial strains. With respect to SOD-like activity, the macrocycle showed the most remarkable SOD-like activity comparable to the standard drug, ascorbic acid.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, DFT,biological studies and molecular docking of oxovanadium (IV), copper (II) and iron (III) complexes of a new hydrazone derived from heterocyclic hydrazide

A new Schiff base hydrazone (Z)‐2‐(2‐aminothiazol‐4‐yl)‐N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene) acetohydrazide (H₂L) and its chelates [VO (HL)₂]·5H₂O, [Cu (HL)Cl(H₂O)]·2H₂O and [Fe(L)Cl(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O have been isolated and characterized using different physico‐chemical methods, for example infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), thermogravimetric analysis and DTG in the solid state, and ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR and UV in solution. Magnetic and UV–visible measurements proposed that the coordination environments are square pyramidal, tetrahedral and octahedral geometries for oxovanadium (IV), Cu (II) and Fe (III), respectively. The ligand acts as mono‐negative NO towards oxovanadium (IV) and Cu (II) ions, and bi‐negative ONO for Fe (III) ion. The geometries of the ligand and its complexes were performed using Gaussian 9 program with density functional theory. The EPR spectral data of oxovanadium (IV) and Cu (II) chelates confirmed the mentioned geometries. The molecular modeling was done, and illustrated bond lengths, bond angles, molecular electrostatic potential, Mulliken atomic charges and chemical reactivity for the inspected compounds. Theoretical IR and ¹H‐NMR of the free ligand were calculated. Furthermore, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition steps were studied. Docking study of H₂L was applied against the proteins of both bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as the protein of xanthine oxidase as antioxidant agent by Schrödinger suite program utilizing XP glide protocol. Furthermore, antimicrobial, antioxidant and DNA‐binding activities of the compounds have been carried out.     

Divalent manganese,cobalt, copper and cadmium complexes of (Z)‐N‐benzoyl‐N′‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)carbamimidothioic acid: Preparation,characterization, computational and biological studies

In this work, (Z)‐N‐benzoyl‐N′‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)carbamimidothioic acid and its Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) complexes were introduced for the first time. This carbonyl thiourea ligand was prepared by the reaction of 1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐amine with benzoyl isothiocyanate. The structural elucidation of these compounds was performed using elemental analysis and spectral and magnetic measurements. Octahedral structures of all complexes, except Cd(II) complex with a tetrahedral geometry, were confirmed by applying DFT structural optimization. The thermal decomposition behaviour of metal complexes of carbonyl thiourea ligand is discussed. The calculation of kinetic parameters for prepared complexes (E_a, A, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG*) of all thermal degradation stages has been evaluated using two comparable approaches. Antimicrobial and ABTS‐antioxidant studies indicated potent activity of Cd(II) complex compared with the other investigated compounds. The cytotoxic activity of the prepared compounds was investigated in vitro. The results indicated potent activity of Mn(II) complex against both HePG2 (liver carcinoma) and MCF‐7 (breast carcinoma) cancer cells.     

Novel core-corona hybrid nanomaterials based on the conjugation of amphiphilic polymeric diblocks to the surface of multifunctional nanodiamond anchors

The poor aqueous solubility and the physicochemical instability of many marketed drugs and new chemical entities is one of the most challenging issues in pharmaceutical research and development. Polymeric micelles (PMs) are produced by the self-assembly of polymeric amphiphiles and they represent one of the most extensively investigated nanotechnology platforms for encapsulation, delivery and targeting of hydrophobic drugs. However, a main challenge is preventing their disassembly under extreme dilution in the body fluids, which leads to uncontrolled release of the encapsulated cargo. In this work, we developed an amphiphilic nanomaterial that resembles the core-corona architecture of a PM with superior stability in the body fluids. Specifically, we utilized carboxylated nanodiamonds (cNDs) as particulate anchors to covalently link amphiphilic diblock copolymers consisting of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (PEG) as hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, respectively. We confirmed a successful core-corona nanostructure using various characterization techniques. In addition, TEM revealed the presence of a thin polymeric layer. Then, the cell compatibility was evaluated in Caco2 cell monolayers, an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium. Finally, the encapsulation of the hydrophobic anti-helmintic drug nitazoxanide was studied. Cargoes as high as 17.5% w/w were achieved and the sustained release of the cargo according to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model demonstrated in vitro. Overall, preliminary results highlight the potential of this novel approach to extend the applicability of PMs in drug delivery.     

Effect of spin–orbit coupling on spin transport at graphene/transition metal interface

In spite of large spin coherence length in graphene due to small spin–orbit coupling, the created potential barrier and antiferromagnetic coupling at graphene/transition metal (TM) contacts strongly reduce the spin transport behavior in graphene. Keeping these critical issues in mind in the present work, ferromagnetic (Co, Ni) nanosheets are grown on graphene surface to elucidate the nature of interaction at the graphene/ferromagnetic interface to improve the spin transistor characteristics. Temperature dependent magnetoconductance shows unusual behavior exhibiting giant enhancement in magnetoconductance with increasing temperature. A model based on spin–orbit coupling operated at the graphene/TM interface is proposed to explain this anomalous result. We believe that the device performance can be improved remarkably tuning the spin–orbit coupling at the interface of graphene based spin transistor. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Two-dimensional transient dynamic response of orthotropic layered media

In this study, two-dimensional transient dynamic response of orthotropic plane layered media is investigated. The plane multilayered media consist of N different generally orthotropic, homogeneous and linearly elastic layers with different ply angles. In the generally orthotropic layer, representing a ply reinforced by unidirectional fibers with an arbitrary orientation angle, the principal material directions do not coincide with body coordinate axes. The solution is obtained by employing a numerical technique which combines the use of Fourier transform with the method of characteristics. The numerical results are displayed in curves denoting the variations of stress and displacement components with time at different locations. These curves clearly reveal, in wave profiles, the scattering effects caused by the reflections and refractions of waves at the boundaries and at the interfaces of the layers, and also the effects of anisotropy caused by fiber orientation angle. The curves properly predict the sharp variations in the response at the neighborhood of the wave fronts, which shows the power of the numerical technique employed in the study. By suitably adjusting the elastic constants, the results for multilayered media with transversely isotropic layers, or layers with cubic symmetry, or isotropic layers can easily be obtained from the general formulation. Furthermore, solutions for some special cases, including Lamb’s problem for an elastic half-space, are obtained and compared with the available solutions in the literature and very good agreement is found. Preliminary version presented at the Second International Congress on Mechatronics (MECH2K3), Graz, Austria, July 14-17, 2003.     

Comparative analysis of refrigerant performance between LPG and R134a under subtropical climate

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this investigation, a series of experiments were conducted to explore the effects of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mixture of 60% propane and 40%...     

Luminescent amphiphilic nanogels by terpyridine-Zn(II) complexation of polymeric micelles

In this work, we investigated terpyridine (tpy)/Zn(II) complexation for the crosslinking of polymeric micelles of the branched poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer Tetronic® 1107 (T1107) in water and produce physically stable amphiphilic luminescent nanogels. Nanoparticles displayed a size of 235 ± 25 and 318 ± 57 nm before and after Zn(II) crosslinking, respectively, as measured by dynamic light scattering. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the multimicellar nature of the crosslinked nanoparticles. In addition, Zn(II) complexation prevented nanoparticle disassembly after extreme dilution below the critical micellar concentration and reduced the minimum concentration required for the reverse thermal gelation of concentrated aqueous T1107 systems. The cell compatibility and uptake were initially assessed in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Results showed that complexation increases the cell compatibility of the nanoparticles with respect to the non-complexed counterparts. In addition, non-crosslinked nanoparticles accumulated in the cell membrane, while the complexed ones were internalized, as observed by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Then, the antiproliferative activity of the crosslinked nanoparticles was confirmed in the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line Rh30; their inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) being 101 μg/mL (6.7 μM). Finally, the encapsulation and release of the hydrophobic antiretroviral efavirenz was characterized in vitro. Complexation slightly reduced the release kinetics with respect to the pristine nanoparticles. Overall results demonstrate the promise of this simple modification strategy to produce amphiphilic nanogels with a set of advantageous physicochemical, optical, and biological properties.