Mesomorphism dependence on lateral substitution of functional groups and their position in series: 4(4′-n-alkoxy benzoyloxy)-3-chloro phenyl azo-2″-methoxy benzenes

Eleven homologues of the title series were synthesized. The methyl-to-pentyl derivatives are nonmesomorphic. The nematic mesophase commences from the sixth member of the series without any smectic phase. An odd–even effect in the nematic–isotropic transition curve is not observed. The nematic mesophase appeared as a threaded or a Schlieren-type texture as observed through a hot-stage polarizing microscope. The nematic–isotropic transition temperatures are between 89°C and 127°C with the mesomorphic range varying from 9°C to 44°C at the hexyl and tetradecyl derivative of the series, respectively. The nematic–isotropic transition curve initially rises and then falls in a normal manner as the series is ascended, but it abnormally rises beyond the 10th homologue. The series is enantiotropic nematic with a middle-ordered melting type. Analytical data support the structures of the molecules. The thermal stability and some other mesomorphic characteristics are compared with structurally similar homologous series. The average nematic–isotropic thermal stability is 105.4°C.     

Multiswitching compound antisynchronization of four chaotic systems

Based on three drive–one response system, in this article, the authors investigate a novel synchronization scheme for a class of chaotic systems. The new scheme, multiswitching compound antisynchronization (MSCoAS), is a notable extension of the earlier multiswitching schemes concerning only one drive–one response system model. The concept of multiswitching synchronization is extended to compound synchronization scheme such that the state variables of three drive systems antisynchronize with different state variables of the response system, simultaneously. The study involving multiswitching of three drive systems and one response system is first of its kind. Various switched modified function projective antisynchronization schemes are obtained as special cases of MSCoAS, for a suitable choice of scaling factors. Using suitable controllers and Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient condition is obtained to achieve MSCoAS between four chaotic systems and the corresponding theoretical proof is given. Numerical simulations are performed using Lorenz system in MATLAB to demonstrate the validity of the presented method.     

Photochemistry of desonide, a non-fluorinated steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

The photochemistry of anti-inflammatory drug desonide (De, 1) was studied in aerobic as well as in anaerobic condition with different irradiation wavelengths (254, 310 nm) in acetonitrile and 2-propanol. All photoproducts obtained were isolated and characterized on the basis of IR, (1)H-, (13)C-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis study. The products were: 11beta,21-dihydroxy-16alpha,17alpha-(1-methylethylidenedioxy)-1,5-cyclopregn-3-ene-2,20-dione 2 (254 nm), 11beta-hydroxy-16alpha,17alpha-(1-methylethylidenedioxy)androsta-1,4-diene-3-one 3 (310 nm/2-propanol), 17beta-hydroperoxy-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha,17alpha-(1-methylethylidenedioxy)androsta-1,4-diene-3-one 4 (310 nm/O(2)/2-propanol). Cyclohexadienone moiety in ring A and keto group at C(17) were found to be deeply modified by UV light therefore, loss of biological activity both during storage and in vivo can not be ruled out.     

Hydroxyapatite coating on stainless steel pre-coated with bovine serum albumin at ambient conditions

A biomimetic process for coating of nanosized hydroxyapatite on stainless steel, which capitalises the dual nature of the protein bovine serum albumin in both metal binding and a strong affinity for calcium ions, has been developed. The novelty of the process lies in pre-conditioning the metallic surface using the above protein prior to its mineralization with hydroxyapatite at ambient conditions. The microporous morphology of these coatings may provide favourable solubility and resorbability as desired by many orthopaedic and orthodontic applications.     

Microwave-assisted preparations of amidrazones and amidoximes

In an operationally straightforward and efficient method, amidrazones and amidoximes are prepared in yields of 65-87% from imidoylbenzotriazoles by microwave heating for 5-20 min with the appropriate hydrazine or hydroxylamine.     

Multimodal approach for diagnosis of bacterial etiology in brain abscess

Background and purpose

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PMRS) has high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of pyogenic brain abscess and the categorization of bacteria. But the metabolite patterns failed to evaluate the etiology of disease when the culture results are sterile. The aim of the present study is to compare the multimodality techniques viz., conventional culture, MR spectroscopy and 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing for rapid diagnosis of etiology in brain abscess and evaluate the PMRS in culture sterile samples and also demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of these techniques.

Methods

Thirty five patients underwent MRI on a 3 T MRI and in-vivo PMRS for the diagnosis and evaluation of various resonances of metabolites such as lipid (LIP), lactate (LAC), acetate (AC), amino acid (AC), succinate (SUC). Pus was collected for identification of etiologic agents by culture and molecular method.

Results

In 35 samples, metabolite patterns were as follows: LIP/LAC/AA, n = 17, LIP/LAC/AA/SUC with or without AC, n = 17 and LIP/LAC/AA/AC, n = 1. Culture showed bacterial growth in 22 samples (18 aerobic/facultative anaerobic, 9 anaerobic) whereas molecular method was detected 26 aerobic/facultative anaerobic, 13 anaerobic, 4 microaerophilic bacteria. Among the 13 sterile samples, molecular method detected 16 microorganisms along with 3 mixed infections and PMRS recognized metabolite patterns as LIP/LAC/AA, n = 5 and LIP/LAC/AA/SUC with or without AC, n = 8. The sensitivity of in-vivo PMRS in sterile samples was 100% and 75%, and specificity was 75% and 100% for aerobic and anaerobic organisms respectively.

Conclusion

Based on metabolite resonances, PMRS can detect slow growing and fastidious organisms and classify them into aerobic and anaerobic bacteria which are difficult to culture by conventional method. It can categorize microorganisms even in culture sterile samples with rational sensitivity and specificity which may allow early choice of targeted therapy.     

Indium(III) catalysed substrate selective hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes

In(OTf)(3) is reported as the first catalyst having the ability to selectively catalyse both Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes under identical reaction conditions depending upon the nature of the thiol employed.     

Photophysical characterization of 1,8 naphthalimide in micelle-diblock copolymer nano-composite: a case of morphological transformation and vesicle formation

This paper reports a morphological transition of the spherical colloidal structures of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyethylene-b-polyethylene glycol (SDS-PE-b-PEG) complex and anionic micelle (SDS) to "rod-shaped" colloidal structures induced by a charge transfer dye, 1,8-naphthalimide (NAPMD) (forms anions in aqueous solution by intermolecular charge transfer). The distinct steady-state results of NAPMD in the above two media point toward the formation of a new microenvironment. SDS and SDS-PE-b-PEG form unilamellar (ULV) and multilamellar vesicles (MLV), respectively, along with the rod-shaped colloidal structures as observed from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. This dye causes a variation in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio and forms a hydrogen bond with the copolymer in the SDS-PE-b-PEG complex and subjected to electrostatic interaction with the SDS micelle in aqueous solution, which causes this morphological transformation. These vesicles show complete encapsulation of a hydrophobic dye in its interior as evident from the TEM images. ULV get ruptured at low pH, pointing toward their lower stability over MLV at low pH value. The formation of these vesicles with complete idea of its mechanism, encapsulation of bioactive molecules and its rupture at lower pH raise hope as a potential nanoscale vehicle for biologically relevant compounds and their release at low pH medium.