A Nonclinical Spectroscopic Approach for Diagnosing Covid-19: A Concise Perspective

Journal of Applied Spectroscopy - With the COVID-19 outbreak, many challenges are posed before the scientific world to curb this pandemic. The diagnostic testing, treatment, and vaccine development...     

Synthesis and characterization of dimeric μ-oxidovanadium complexes as the functional model of vanadium bromoperoxidase

Two vanadium (IV) complexes [V^IVO(Haeae-sal)(MeOH)]⁺ ( 1 ) and [V^IVO(Haeae-hyap)(MeOH)]⁺ ( 2 ) were prepared by reacting [VO(acac)₂] with ligands [H₂aeae-sal] ( I ) and [H₂aeae-hyap] ( II ) respectively. Condensation of 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol with salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxyacetophenone produces the ligands ( I ) and ( II ) respectively. Both vanadium complexes 1 and 2 are sensitive towards aerial oxygen in solution and rapidly convert into vanadium(V) dioxido species. Vanadium(V) dioxido species crystalizes as the dimeric form in the solid-state. Single-crystal XRD analysis suggests octahedral geometry around each vanadium center in the solid-state. To access the benefits of heterogeneous catalysis, vanadium(V) dioxido complexes were anchored into the polymeric chain of chloromethylated polystyrene. All the synthesized neat and supported vanadium complexes have been studied by a number of techniques to confirm their structural and functional properties. Bromoperoxidase activity of the synthesized vanadium(V) dioxido complexes 3 and 4 was examined by carrying out oxidative bromination of salicylaldehyde and oxidation of thioanisole. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, 3 shows 94.4% conversion ( TOF value of 2.739 × 10² h⁻¹) and 4 exhibits 79.0% conversion (TOF value of 2.403 × 10² h⁻¹) for the oxidative bromination of salicylaldehyde where 5-bromosalicylaldehyde appears as the major product. Catalysts 3 and 4 also efficiently catalyze the oxidation of thioanisole in the presence of hydrogen peroxide where sulfoxide is observed as the major product. Covalent attachment of neat catalysts 3 and 4 into the polymer chain enhances substrate conversion (%) and their catalytic efficiency increases many folds, both in the oxidative bromination and oxidation of thioether. Polymer supported catalysts 5 displayed 98.8% conversion with a TOF value of 1.127 × 10⁴ h⁻¹ whereas catalyst 6 showed 95.7% conversion with a TOF value of 4.675 × 10³ h⁻¹ for the oxidative bromination of salicylaldehyde. These TOF values are the highest among the supported vanadium catalysts available in the literature for the oxidative bromination of salicylaldehyde.     

Chiral Interlocked Corrole Dimers Directly Linked at Inner Carbon Atoms of Confused Pyrrole Rings

A facile synthetic strategy towards conformationally stable chiral chromophores based on dimeric porphyrinoids has been established. A peculiar class of face-to-face intramolecularly interlocked corrole dimers were formed by the oxidative C−C coupling linked at the inner carbon sites upon simple treatment of copper(II) ions. Their intrinsic electronic structures were modulated by the peripheral corrole ring annulations, which lead to distinct optical properties and redox profiles. The stereogenic carbon centers implemented in the confused corrole skeleton provided a rationale for designing novel chiral materials.     

Crystal structures of four δ‐keto esters and a Cambridge Structural Database analysis of cyano–halogen interactions

The revived interest in halogen bonding as a tool in pharmaceutical cocrystals and drug design has indicated that cyano–halogen interactions could play an important role. The crystal structures of four closely related δ‐keto esters, which differ only in the substitution at a single C atom (by H, OMe, Cl and Br), are compared, namely ethyl 2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₃, (1), ethyl 2‐cyano‐5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₄, (2), ethyl 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₁ClN₂O₃, (3), and the previously published ethyl 5‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)pent‐2‐enoate, C₁₉H₂₁BrN₂O₃, (4) [Maurya, Vasudev & Gupta (2013). RSC Adv. 3 , 12955–12962]. The molecular conformations are very similar, while there are differences in the molecular assemblies. Intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds are found to be the primary interactions in the crystal packing and are present in all four structures. The halogenated derivatives have additional aromatic–aromatic interactions and cyano–halogen interactions, further stabilizing the molecular packing. A database analysis of cyano–halogen interactions using the Cambridge Structural Database [CSD; Groom & Allen (2014). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53 , 662–671] revealed that about 13% of the organic molecular crystals containing both cyano and halogen groups have cyano–halogen interactions in their packing. Three geometric parameters for the C—X...N[triple‐bond]C interaction (X = F, Cl, Br or I), viz. the N...X distance and the C—X...N and C—N...X angles, were analysed. The results indicate that all the short cyano–halogen contacts in the CSD can be classified as halogen bonds, which are directional noncovalent interactions.     

Morphological change of crystalline polymer films by annealing: substrate‐ and heating/cooling‐rate‐dependent surface roughness

We study the morphological change of crystalline polymer films by annealing using atomic force microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. As typical samples, we employ high‐density and low‐density polyethylene films prepared by the cast method. After annealing at 135 °C for 4 h, the surface roughness of polyethylene films by the atomic force microscope significantly increases, and the crystallite size by the X‐ray diffraction also shows some increase, while the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum hardly exhibits any change. This can be well explained as a result of the growth of crystal structure by recrystallization during annealing. More interestingly, we find that the choice of the substrate and also the heating/cooling rates for annealing significantly influences the surface roughness of the films. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comprehensive quantum chemical calculations and molecular docking analysis of uracil mustard by first principle

Uracil mustard belongs to the nitrogen mustard family and is primarily used in anticancer drugs. The research that follows, investigates many quantum chemical features such as the computation of global minimum energies with no negative wavenumber values using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) with Becke three functional and 6-311G (d, p)/6–311++G (d, p) basis sets. All the vibrational modes have been calibrated and justified in comparison to their experimental counterparts. Mustard's polarizability and hyperpolarizability components, Natural Bond Analysis (NBO), electronic properties, Fukui function analysis, various global parameters, Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecule (QTAIM) analysis, ADMET analysis, and docking analysis have all been investigated using the same theory and basis sets, indicating its biochemical significance. The biological activity of the molecule is reported by using PASS software. The Full fitness score and binding affinity parameters are utilized to determine the binding strength with 6cq3 protein. The acidity of the title molecule is calculated in water solvent by polarizable continuum model (PCM) solvent effects (estimated in water). The HOMO, LUMO, and MESP plots are used to explore the nature of binding and surfaces. The Fukui functions are computed using Mulliken atomic charges for neutral atoms, cations, and anions. The Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) of the molecule is computed employing the TD-DFT method.     

Formulation and Optimization of Alkaline Extracted Ispaghula Husk Microscopic Reservoirs of Isoniazid by Box-Behnken Statistical Design

The main objective of the present work was to formulate and optimize a microparticulate sustained release drug delivery system of isoniazid by using a novel, alkaline extracted ispaghula husk as a polymer. Isoniazid microspheres of alkaline extracted ispaghula husk were prepared by emulsification internal ionic gelation method. Results of preliminary trials indicated that the polymer concentration, cross-linking agent and stirring speed had a noticeable effect on size and surface morphology. A four-factor three-level Box-Behnken design was employed to study the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. The particle size and entrapment efficiency varied from 30.75 to 61.78 µm and 62.27% to 85.80% respectively, depending on the polymer concentration, concentration of cross-linker and stirring speed. Optimized microspheres batch based on point prediction tool of design software exhibited 83.43% drug entrapment and 51.53 µm particle size with 97.80% and 96.37% validity, respectively at the following conditions: sodium alginate (3.55% w/v), alkaline extracted ispaghula husk (3.60% w/v), cross-linker concentration (7.82% w/v), and stirring speed (1200 rpm). The optimized formulation showed controlled drug release for more than 12 hours. The drug release followed Higuchi kinetics via a non-Fickian diffusion.     

Minimally deformed anisotropic stars by gravitational decoupling in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity

The European Physical Journal C - Baryon inhomogeneities are generated early in the universe. These inhomogeneities affect the phase transition dynamics of subsequent phase transitions, they also...     

A family of charged compact objects with anisotropic pressure

Utilizing an ansatz developed by Maurya et al. we present a class of exact solutions of the Einstein–Maxwell field equations describing a spherically symmetric compact object. A detailed physical analysis of these solutions in terms of stability, compactness and regularity indicates that these solutions may be used to model strange star candidates. In particular, we model the strange star candidate Her X-1 and show that our solution conforms to observational data to an excellent degree of accuracy. An interesting and novel phenomenon which arises in this model is the fact that the relative difference between the electromagnetic force and the force due to the pressure anisotropy changing sign within the stellar interior. This may be an additional mechanism required for stability against cracking of the stellar object.     

Investigating Two-Photon-Induced Fluorescence in Rhodamine-6G in Presence of Cetyl-Trimethyl-Ammonium-Bromide

We investigate the effect of cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromides (CTAB) concentration on the fluorescence of Rhodamine-6G in water. This spectroscopic study of Rhodamine-6G in presence of CTAB was performed using two-photon-induced-fluorescence at 780 nm wavelength using high repetition rate femtosecond laser pulses. We report an increment of ～10 % in the fluorescence in accordance with ～12 % enhancement in the absorption intensity of the dye molecule around the critical micellar concentration. We discuss the possible mechanism for the enhancement in the two-photon fluorescence intensity and the importance of critical micellar concentration.