Ab initio calculations of electron-spin magnetic moments for Li,Be and B hydrides inX 2∑+ states

Electron-spin magnetic moments, in the form ofg-shifts, have been computed at the ROHF level for theX ²∑⁺ states of LiH⁺, BeH²⁺, LiH^?, BeH and BH⁺. A perturbative approach, complete to second-order in appropriate Breit-Pauli operators, has been used. Retention of two-centre integrals has proven vital. First-order terms are important, especially in describing the negativeg _∥ shifts observed experimentally in²∑⁺ molecules. The relativistic mass correction dominates in first-order, except for LiH^? where the two-electron spin-Zeeman gauge correction supersedes. Second-order terms contribute negatively, and only to the Δg _⊥ component. Along the isoelectronic series LiH^? → BeH → BH⁺, the magnitude of Δg _⊥ increases due to the dependence of spin-orbit coupling on nuclear charge. The relation ofg-shifts to electronic structure and bonding is explored.     

Phenolic Compound Profile by UPLC-MS/MS and Encapsulation with Chitosan of Spondias mombin L. Fruit Peel Extract from Cerrado Hotspot—Brazil

Taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado that has shown important characteristics such as a significant phenolic compound content and biological activities. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity in taperebá peel extract, as well as microencapsulating the extract with chitosan and evaluating the stability of the microparticles. The evaluation of the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by UPLC-MS/MS. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods. The microparticles were obtained by spray drying and were submitted to a stability study under different temperatures. In general, the results showed a significant content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results of UPLC-MS/MS demonstrated a significant content of polyphenols in taperebá peel, highlighting the high content of ellagic acid and quercetin compounds. There was significant retention of phenolic compounds when microencapsulated, demonstrating high retention at all evaluated temperatures. This study is the first to microencapsulate the extract of taperebá peel, in addition to identifying and quantifying some compounds in this fruit.     

Molecular Hybridization Strategy on the Design,Synthesis, and Structural Characterization of Ferrocene-N-acyl Hydrazones as Immunomodulatory Agents

Immunomodulatory agents are widely used for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, but the range of side effects of the available drugs makes necessary the search for new immunomodulatory drugs. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of new ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones derivatives (SintMed(141–156). The evaluated N-acyl hydrazones did not show cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations, presenting CC₅₀ values greater than 50 µM. In addition, all ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones modulated nitrite production in immortalized macrophages, showing inhibition values between 14.4% and 74.2%. By presenting a better activity profile, the ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones SintMed149 and SintMed150 also had their cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect evaluated in cultures of peritoneal macrophages. The molecules were not cytotoxic at any of the concentrations tested in peritoneal macrophages and were able to significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the production of nitrite, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Interestingly, both molecules significantly reduced the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in cultured splenocytes activated with concanavalin A. Moreover, SintMed150 did not show signs of acute toxicity in animals treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg. Finally, we observed that ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazone SintMed150 at 100 mg/kg reduced the migration of neutrophils (44.6%) in an acute peritonitis model and increased animal survival by 20% in an LPS-induced endotoxic shock model. These findings suggest that such compounds have therapeutic potential to be used to treat diseases of inflammatory origin.     

Comparison of Eu(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Eu(acac)<Subscript>3</Subscript> precursors for doping luminescent silica nanoparticles

In this study, we report the comparison between Eu³⁺-doped silica nanoparticles synthesized by Stöber method using Eu(NO₃)₃ or Eu(acac)₃ as precursors. The impact of different europium species on the properties of the final silica nanospheres is investigated in details in terms of size, morphology, reachable doping amount, and luminescence efficiency. Moreover, the results obtained for different thermal treatments are presented and discussed. It is shown that the organic complex modify the silica growing process, leading to bigger and irregular nanoparticles (500–800 nm) with respect to the perfectly spherical ones (400 nm) obtained by the nitrate salt, but their luminescence intensity and lifetime is significantly higher when 800–900 °C annealing is performed.     

Heterocyclic compounds as antiviral drugs: Synthesis,structure–activity relationship and traditional applications

A virus outbreak challenges the economic, medical, and public health infrastructure worldwide. More than one virus capable of triggering diseases have been identified per year since 1972, which requires the development of new ways of treatment and prevention, however, such processes are not rapid and easy. With the pandemic scenario experienced since early 2020, several drugs with well-known purposes have gained prominence, due to speculation of their use in the treatment against the new coronavirus. Among the main drugs studied, the vast majority contain a heterocyclic structure. In this review, we presented the traditional and efficient synthesis of 15 drugs that have been studied for the COVID-19 treatment, containing in their structure heterocycles like indole, quinoline, pyrimidone, tetrahydrofuran, pyrrolidine, triazole, pyridazine, pyrazole, pyrrolopyrimidine, azetidine, pyrrolotriazine, pyrazine, tetrahydropyran, benzofuran, spiroketal, and thiazole. Furthermore, we have shown the original applications, as well as their structure–activity relationship and what is their situation as a drug candidate against COVID-19. Thus, the objective was to consolidate the main synthetic and pharmacological aspects involving clinically developed heterocycles that at some point were presented as promising against SARS-CoV-2.     

Double-imprinted polymer based on cross-linked poly(vinylimidazole–trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) in solid phase extraction for determination of lead from wastewater samples by UV–vis spectrophotometry

The monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in wastewater is increasingly becoming a crucial global issue since they tend to accumulate in food chains and can cause many biological abnormalities. In this work, it was developed a novel lead ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as a second template to be used as adsorbent in solid phase extraction (SPE) for determination of lead from wastewater samples by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The polymer called IIP–SDS was synthesised by a double-imprinting process with lead (template) and SDS (template). IIP–SDS was characterised by infrared spectroscopy Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. IIP–SDS showed good recovery for lead (around 82.0%), while the IIP (only lead as template) was 72.2% and non-IIP was 44.9%. Thus, the double-imprinting process for the preconcentration of Pb²⁺ proved to be a more adequate methodology than IIP with a single template. The optimised parameters of sample preparation were washing solvent (2.0 mL of tetrahydrofuran), type and volume of eluent (5 mL of 1 mol L^?1 hydrochloric acid), sample amount (30 mL of water spiked with 10.0 µg mL^?1), amount of IIP–SDS (400 mg) and sample pH (pH = 4.5). Linearity ranged from 10 to 125 µg L^?1 with r > 0.992. The limit of detection and quantification were 6.3 and 10 µg L^?1, respectively. The precision (relative standard deviation, %) and accuracy (relative error, %) were lower than 15%. Finally, IIP–SDS may be an alternative and effective adsorbent for SPE procedures in monitoring of wastewater samples.     

Recovery and Purity of High Molar Mass Bio-hyaluronic Acid Via Precipitation Strategies Modulated by pH and Sodium Chloride

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The effects of ethanol/broth proportions and the number of steps at varying pH in the presence or absence of sodium chloride (NaCl) were studied as...     

Synergic effect in electrical conductivity using a combination of two fillers in PVDF hybrids composites

The objective of this work was to prepare novel conductive blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with polypyrrole (PPy) and to compare their performance with PVDF/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites and novel PVDF/PPy/MWCNT hybrid systems. All the compositions were prepared by melt mixing using a miniature mixer. The mixtures were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively) and volume electrical resistivity. For the binary PVDF/PPy and PVDF/MWCNT systems, percolation thresholds of 10 and 0.3 wt%, respectively, were found. In the hybrid systems, however, the percolation threshold for each filler was lower than in the binary systems, but the electrical conductivities were always much higher at all concentrations than the conductivities of the binary systems. Therefore, the addition of both fillers had a synergistic effect on the hybrid system conductivity, which was attributed to its morphology: the PPy increased the homogeneity of the MWCNT distribution and decreased the available free volume for the MWCNT; as a result the MWCNT rolled around the PPy particles bridging them through the PVDF matrix, increasing the quantum tunneling effect and thus, the electrical conductivity of the system.