Ligand exchange reactions with η6-arene-η5-cyclopentadienyliron cations under thermal or photochemical conditions

Reactions of various η⁶-arene-η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron or substituted cyclopentadienyliron cations with trimethyl, triethyl or triphenyl phosphite under either thermal or photochemical conditions all resulted in the replacement of the arene ligand with three phosphite ligands to give η⁵-tris(trimethyl, triethyl or triphenyl phosphite)-η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron or substituted cyclopentadienyliron cations. The yields of the phosphite complexes were higher from photolysis than from the analogous thermolysis. Photolysis of the η⁶-chlorobenzene-η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron cation (IX) carried out in the presence of a more basic or more electron-rich aromatic ligand resulted in the exchange of the chlorobenzene of IX with the more basic arene, thus providing synthetic routes to cyclopentadienyliron complexes that may be difficult to prepare by other means. New complexes synthesized in this way are the η⁶-2-phenylethyl tosylate-η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron cation and the CpFe⁺ complexes of thiophene, 2-methylthiophene, 3-methylthiophene and 2,5-dimethylthiophene.     

Raman scattering study of the low temperature phase transitions in ammonium nitrate

The phase changes in polycrystalline ammonium nitrate and its fully deuterated analogue have been studied by Raman scattering. The phase V and IV transition was found to be associated with the softening and intensity decrease of a NO₃^? librational mode. The Raman line-width data suggest that the VII to V phase transition involves a change in the degree of orientational order of the ions without incurring a change in lattice structure.     

Exogenous Application of Green Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to Improve the Germination,Physiochemical, and Yield Parameters of Wheat Plants under Salinity Stress

Agriculture is the backbone of every developing country. Among various crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belongs to the family Poaceae and is the most important staple food crop of various countries. Different biotic (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and abiotic stresses (water logging, drought and salinity) adversely affect the qualitative and quantitative attributes of wheat. Among these stresses, salinity stress is a very important limiting factor affecting the morphological, physiological, biochemical attributes and grain yield of wheat. This research work was carried out to evaluate the influence of phytosynthesized TiO₂ NPs on the germination, physiochemical, and yield attributes of wheat varieties in response to salinity. TiO₂ NPs were synthesized using TiO₂ salt and a Buddleja asiatica plant extract as a reducing and capping agent. Various concentrations of TiO₂ nanoparticles (20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/L) and salt solutions (NaCl) (100 and 150 mM) were used. A total of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L improve germination attributes, osmotic and water potential, carotenoid, total phenolic, and flavonoid content, soluble sugar and proteins, proline and amino acid content, superoxide dismutase activity, and reduce malondialdhehyde (MDA) content at both levels of salinity. These two concentrations also improved the yield attributes of wheat varieties at both salinity levels. The best results were observed at 40 mg/L of TiO₂ NPs at both salinity levels. However, the highest concentrations (60 and 80 mg/L) of TiO₂ NPs showed negative effects on germination, physiochemical and yield characteristics and causes stress in both wheat varieties under control irrigation conditions and salinity stress. Therefore, in conclusion, the findings of this research are that the foliar application of TiO₂ NPs can help to improve tolerance against salinity stress in plants.     

Antioxidant and Gastroprotective Activity of Suaeda fruticosa Forssk. Ex J.F.Gmel

Suaeda fruticosa Forssk. Ex J.F.Gmel is traditionally used for inflammatory and digestive disorders, as a carminative, and for diarrhea. This plant is widely distributed in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean region. Aqueous methanolic extract of S. fruticosa (Sf.Cr) was prepared and screened for phytoconstituents through qualitative and GC-MS analysis. Quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents was performed, while antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, and ABTS assays. The gastroprotective activity was assessed in an ethanol-induced ulcer model. Gastric secretory parameters and macroscopic ulcerated lesions were analyzed and scored for ulcer severity. After scoring, histopathology was performed, and gastric mucus contents were determined. Oral pre-treatment of Sf.Cr demonstrated significant gastroprotection. The gastric ulcer severity score and ulcer index were reduced while the %-inhibition of ulcer was increased dose-dependently. The Sf.Cr significantly elevated the pH of gastric juice, while a decrease in total acidity and gastric juice volume was observed. Histopathology demonstrated less oedema and neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa of rats pre-treated with the Sf.Cr in comparison to ethanol-intoxicated animals. Furthermore, the gastric mucus contents were increased as determined by alcian blue binding. Sf.Cr showed marked gastroprotective activity, which can be attributed to antioxidant, antisecretory, and cytoprotective effects.     

New sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of clomipramine-HCl in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations

A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the assay of clomipramine-HCl is described. It has been found that clomipramine-HCl reacts with ammonium molybdate in acetic medium to give blue color product exhibiting maximum absorbance at 712 nm. The reaction is selective for clomipramine-HCl with 1 μg/mL as visual limit of detection. It provides a basis for a sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of clomipramine-HCl. The method obeys Beer’s Law from 0.001 to 0.250 mg/mL. The standard deviation does not exceed 0.005 mg/mL. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of clomipramine-HCl in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations. The quantitative assessment of tolerable amounts of possible interferants was also studied. The results are reproduced within ±1% and are in good agreement with those obtained by the standard procedure.     

A preliminary study on the development and characterisation of enzymatically grafted P(3HB)-ethyl cellulose based novel composites

In the present study, a novel enzyme-based grafting of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] onto the ethyl cellulose (EC) as a backbone polymer was developed under a mild and ecofriendly environment and laccase was used as a grafting tool. The resulting composites were characterised using various instrumental and imaging techniques. The high intensity of the 3,358 cm^?1 band in the FTIR spectra showed an increase of hydrogen–bonding interactions between P(3HB) and EC at that distinct wavelength region. The morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy, which showed the well dispersed P(3HB) in the backbone polymer of EC. X-ray diffraction pattern for P(3HB) showed distinct peaks at 2-theta values of 28°, 32°, 34°, 39°, 46°, 57°, 64°, 78° and 84°. In comparison with those of neat P(3HB), the degree of crystallinity for P(3HB)-g-EC decreased. The tensile strength, elongations at break and Young’s modulus of P(3HB)-g-EC reached the highest levels in comparison to the film prepared with pure P(3HB) only, which was too brittle to measure any of the above said characteristics. Results obtained in the present study suggest P(3HB)-g-EC as a potential candidate for various biotechnological applications, such as tissue engineering and packaging.     

Nephroprotective Effects of Alhagi camelorum against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Alhagi camelorum (AC) is an old plant with a significant therapeutic value throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The overuse of cisplatin (Cis > 50 mg/m²) is associated with observed nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, gastrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and allergic reactions. Remedial measures are needed for the protection of nephrotoxicity against cisplatin. Thus, we investigated the nephroprotective effects of AC plant extract to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. The presence of polyphenols, phenolic compounds, tannins, and saponins was revealed during phytochemical investigation, and a significantly intense antioxidant activity was recorded. There were no toxicological symptoms in the treated rats, and no anatomical, physiological, or histological abnormalities were found compared to the control rats. The results of correcting cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity revealed that the extract has a significant ability to treat kidney damage, with most parameters returning to normal after only three weeks of therapy. It is concluded that co-administration of cisplatin with AC extract showed exceptional nephroprotective effects at a dose of 600 mg/kg for Cis-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Biotechnological Innovations from Ocean: Transpiring Role of Marine Drugs in Management of Chronic Disorders

Marine drugs are abundant in number, comprise of a diverse range of structures with corresponding mechanisms of action, and hold promise for the discovery of new and better treatment approaches for the management of several chronic diseases. There are huge reserves of natural marine biological compounds, as 70 percent of the Earth is covered with oceans, indicating a diversity of chemical entities on the planet. The marine ecosystems are a rich source of bioactive products and have been explored for lead drug molecules that have proven to be novel therapeutic targets. Over the last 70 years, many structurally diverse drug products and their secondary metabolites have been isolated from marine sources. The drugs obtained from marine sources have displayed an exceptional potential in the management of a wide array of diseases, ranging from acute to chronic conditions. A beneficial role of marine drugs in human health has been recently proposed. The current review highlights various marine drugs and their compounds and role in the management of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disorders, which has led to the development of new drug treatment approaches.     

Evolutionarily stable strategies in quantum games

Evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) in classical game theory is a refinement of Nash equilibrium concept. We investigate the consequences when a small group of mutants using quantum strategies try to invade a classical ESS in a population engaged in symmetric bimatrix game of prisoner's dilemma. Secondly we show that in an asymmetric quantum game between two players an ESS pair can be made to appear or disappear by resorting to entangled or unentangled initial states used to play the game even when the strategy pair remains a Nash equilibrium in both forms of the game.