Noncovalent bifunctional organocatalysts: powerful tools for contiguous quaternary-tertiary stereogenic carbon formation, scope, and origin of enantioselectivity

Relying on the assembly of commercially available catalyst building blocks, highly stereocontrolled quaternary carbon (all carbon substituted) formation has been achieved with unmatched substrate diversity. For example, the in situ assembly of a tricomponent catalyst system allows α-branched aldehyde addition to nitroalkene or maleimide electrophiles (Michael products), while addition to an α-iminoester affords Mannich reaction products. Very good yields are observed and for fifteen of the eighteen examples 96-99?% ee is observed. Using racemic α-branched aldehydes, two contiguous (quaternary-tertiary) stereogenic centers can be formed in high diastereo- and enantiomeric excess (eight examples) via an efficient in situ dynamic kinetic resolution, solving a known shortcoming for maleimide electrophiles in particular. The method is of practical value, requiring only 1.2?equiv of the aldehyde, a 5.0?mol?% loading of each catalyst component, for example, O-tBu-L-threonine (O-tBu-L-Thr), sulfamide, DMAP or O-tBu-L-Thr, KOH, and room temperature reactions. As a highlight, the first demonstration of ethylisovaleraldehyde (7) addition is disclosed, providing the most congested quaternary stereogenic carbon containing succinimide product (8) known to date. Finally, mechanistic insight, via DFT calculations, support a noncovalent assembly of the catalyst components into a bifunctional catalyst, correctly predict two levels of product stereoselectivity, and suggest the origin of the tricomponent catalyst system's exceptionality: an alternative hydrogen bond motif for the donor-acceptor pair than currently suggested for non-assembled catalysts.     

Antioxidant activity of some N-heterocycles derived from 2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene) hydrazinecarbothioamide

Efficient and convenient synthesis of coumarin derivatives was accomplished via reactions of 2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide with some carbon electrophiles, e.g. maleic anhydride, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 1,2-dichloroethane, 3′-nitro-w-bromoacetophenone, N-(4-acetylphenyl)-2-chloroacetamide, ethyl cyanoacetate/3-chlorobenzaldehyde and acetylacetone to construct some N-heterocycles such as thiazolidine, thiazole, pyrimidine and pyrazolone derivatives. The structures of all synthesized products were substantiated from their analytical and spectral data. The antioxidant activities of the synthesized compounds were examined.     

Selective and Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Glutathione,Uric Acid and Penicillamine by a Modified Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode

In this paper, the use of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified by (E)‐3‐((2‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)benzene‐1,2‐diol (DHB) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the determination of glutathione (GSH), uric acid (UA) and penicillamine (PA) is described. Initially, cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox properties of the modified electrode in phosphate buffer. Next, the electrocatalytic oxidation of GSH via EC′ mechanism at the modified electrode was described. At the optimum pH of 7.0, the oxidation of GSH occurs at a potential that is 530 mV less positive than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode. The values of the diffusion coefficient (D=2.5×10^?6 cm² s^?1) and the catalytic rate constant (k=1.7×10³ M^?1 s^?1) were calculated for GSH, using chronoamperometry. Based on differential pulse voltammetry, the oxidation of GSH exhibited a dynamic range between 0.4 and 700.0 µM and a detection limit (3σ) of 70.0 nM. Also, simultaneous determination of GSH, UA and PA was described at the modified electrode. Finally, this method was used for the determination of these substances in synthetic solutions and blood serum samples.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Nanosilica for Zinc Ion Mitigation; Experimental and Computational Investigations

Zinc is an essential trace metal and its concentration above 4ppm reduces the aesthetic value of water. This study explores the possibility of using functionalized nanohybrids as Zn(II) ion scavengers from aqueous solution. Functionalized nanohybrids were synthesized by the attachment of thiosemicarbazide to silica. The material was characterized by TGA, SEM, FTIR, EDX, and BET analysis, which revealed ligand bonding to silica. The functionalized silica was employed as Zn(II) ion extractant in batch experiments and removed about 94.5% of the Zn(II) ions at pH 7, near zero point charge (6.5) in 30 min. Kinetics investigations revealed that zinc adsorption follows an intra particle diffusion mechanism and first-order kinetics (K = 0.1020 min⁻¹). The data were fitted to Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Langmuir models and useful ion exchange parameters were determined. The impact of co-existing ions on Zn(II) ion sequestration was also studied and it was found that the adsorbent can be used for selective removal of zinc with various ions in the matrix. Quantum mechanical investigations revealed that the Zn(II) ion adsorption on ZnBS1 is more favorable, having higher binding energy (BE) (−178.1 kcal/mol) and ∆H (−169.8), and making tridentate complex with the N and S sites of the chelating ligand. The negative ∆G and BE values suggest highly spontaneous Zn(II) adsorption on the modified silica even at low temperatures.     

Characterization of Surfactant-Diblock Copolymer Interactions and Its Thermodynamic Studies

The interaction of nonionic diblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide butylene oxide) (E₆₂B₂₂) with a cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were studied using surface tension, conductivity, and dynamic laser light scattering techniques. Surface tension measurements were used to determine critical micelle concentration and thereby its free energy of adsorption (ΔG_ads), free energy of micellization (ΔG_m), surface excess concentration (Γ), and minimum area per molecule (A). Conductivity measurements were used to determine critical micelle concentration (CMC) critical aggregation concentration (CAC) at different temperatures, enthalpy of micellization (ΔH_m), free energy of micellization and entropy of micellization (ΔS_m). Changes in physicochemical properties of the micellized block copolymer were studied by using dynamic laser light scattering. The effect of surfactant on the size and properties of block copolymer has also been discussed.     

Influence of CdO-doping on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanofibers: Effective visible light photocatalyst for waste water treatment

Among the various nanostructural morphologies, nanofibers have a distinct interest due to the long axial ratio which strongly modifies the photocatalytic activity. In this work, study of the effect of CdO-doping on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanofibers was carried out. Nanofibers composed of the two oxides (ZnO and CdO) were prepared using facile, effective, simple and high yield technique; electrospinning. Typically, a sol–gel consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), cadmium acetate and zinc acetate was electrospun. Calcination of the produced nanofibers in air did not affect the nanofibrous morphology and led to produce ZnO/CdO alloy nanofibers. Interestingly, variation of Zn to Cd ratio in the original electrospun solution did not influence the morphology, so nanofibers having CdO of 39.4, 56.5 and 72.2 wt% could be prepared. Optical properties study indicated that addition of CdO to ZnO decreases the band gap and consequently the introduced nanofibers can be utilized as photocatalyst under a visible light radiation. Moreover, the results indicated that increasing the CdO content causes to increase the solid solubility. Accordingly, the low content CdO nanofibers (39.4 wt%) reveal two band gaps in the PL spectra. Consequently, these nanofibers have the best photocatalytic activity among the prepared samples; the methylene blue dye was completely eliminated within 4.5 h. However, full dye degradation was obtained at relatively longer times when the other formulations were utilized. Beside the simplicity and low cost aspects in the proposed preparation strategy, utilizing the solar radiation as activation energy to initiate the photoreactions might recommend the introduced nanofibers to be exploited as photocatalyts in the field of waste water treatment.     

Valorization of Bone Waste of Saudi Arabia by Synthesizing Hydroxyapatite

At present, hydroxyapatite is being frequently used for diverse biomedical applications as it possesses excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and non-immunogenic characteristics. The aim of the present work was to recycle bone waste for synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to be used as bone extracellular matrix. For this reason, we for the first time utilized bio-waste of cow bones of Albaha city. The residual bones were utilized for the extraction of natural bone precursor hydroxyapatite. A facile scientific technique has been used to synthesize hydroxyapatite nanoparticles through calcinations of wasted cow bones without further supplementation of chemicals/compounds. The obtained hydroxyapatite powder was ascertained using physicochemical techniques such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, and EDX. These analyses clearly show that hydroxyapatite from native cow bone wastes is biologically and physicochemically comparable to standard hydroxyapatite, commonly used for biomedical functions. The cell viability and proliferation over the prepared hydroxyapatite was confirmed with CCk-8 colorimetric assay. The morphology of the cells growing over the nano-hydroxyapatite shows that natural hydroxyapatite promotes cellular attachment and proliferation. Hence, the as-prepared nano-hydroxyapatite can be considered as cost-effective source of bone precursor hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering. Taking into account the projected demand for reliable bone implants, the present research work suggested using environment friendly methods to convert waste of Albaha city into nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Therefore, besides being an initial step towards accomplishment of projected demands of bone implants in Saudi Arabia, our study will also help in reducing the environmental burden by recycling of bone wastes of Albaha city.     

Impacting the Remedial Potential of Nano Delivery-Based Flavonoids for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer persists as a diffuse source of cancer despite persistent detection and treatment. Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, appear to be a productive option in the treatment of breast cancer, because of their capacity to regulate the tumor related functions of class of compounds. Plant polyphenols are flavonoids that appear to exhibit properties which are beneficial for breast cancer therapy. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed on the dynamic effect of plant polyphenols in the prevention of breast cancer. There are also subclasses of flavonoids that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. These can regulate the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which help in cell cycle arrest and suppress the uncontrolled division of cancer cells. Numerous studies have also been performed at the population level, one of which reported a connection between cancer risk and intake of dietary flavonoids. Breast cancer appears to show intertumoral heterogeneity with estrogen receptor positive and negative cells. This review describes breast cancer, its various factors, and the function of flavonoids in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, namely, how flavonoids and their subtypes are used in treatment. This review proposes that cancer risk can be reduced, and that cancer can be even cured by improving dietary intake. A large number of studies also suggested that the intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with reduced breast cancer and paper also includes the role and the use of nanodelivery of flavonoids in the healing of breast cancer. In addition, the therapeutic potential of orally administered phyto-bioactive compounds (PBCs) is narrowed because of poor stability and oral bioavailability of compounds in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and solubility also affects bioavailability. In recent years, creative nanotechnology-based approaches have been advised to enhance the activity of PBCs. Nanotechnology also offers the potential to become aware of disease at earlier stages, such as the detection of hidden or unconcealed metastasis colonies in patients diagnosed with lung, colon, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer. However, nanoformulation-related effects and safety must not be overlooked. This review gives a brief discussion of nanoformulations and the effect of nanotechnology on herbal drugs.     

A conditional least squares approach to PGARCH and PARMA–PGARCH time series estimation

In this Note, a conditional least squares (CLS) estimates for periodic GARCH (PGARCH) models with martingale difference centered squared innovations is developed. The approach is extended to the PARMA–PGARCH models. We establish the strong consistency and the asymptotic normality for our estimate.     

Applications of Cannabis Sativa L. in Food and Its Therapeutic Potential: From a Prohibited Drug to a Nutritional Supplement

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a herbaceous anemophilous plant that belongs to the Cannabinaceae family. The cannabis seed (hemp) has long been utilized as a food source and is commercially important as an edible oil source. In this review, the positive and negative health effects of cannabis, the relationship between cannabis and various diseases, and the use of cannabis in various food products have been discussed. In addition, the scientific literature on the potential use of cannabis and its derivatives as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and chronic degenerative diseases in animals and humans has been reviewed. Cannabis is being developed as a key ingredient in a variety of food items, including bakery, confectionery, beverages, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meat. Hemp seeds are high in readily digestible proteins, lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), insoluble fiber, carbs, and favorable omega-6 PUFA acid to omega-3 PUFA ratio and have high nutritional value. The antioxidants of cannabis, such as polyphenols, help with anxiety, oxidative stress, and the risk of chronic illnesses, including cancer, neurological disorders, digestive problems, and skin diseases. Cannabis has been shown to have negative health impacts on the respiratory system, driving, and psychomotor functions, and the reproductive system. Overall, the purpose of this research is to stimulate more in-depth research on cannabis’s adaptation in various foods and for the treatment of chronic illnesses.