Utility of <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis>-acceptor reagents for spectrophotometric determination of sulphonamide drugs via charge-transfer complex formation

A simple, sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric method for the determination of sulphonamides (sulphamethoxazole (SMZ), sulphaguanidine (SGD), sulphaquinoxaline sodium (SQX), sulphametrole (SMR), and sulphadimidine sodium (SDD)) has been developed. The charge-transfer reactions between sulphonamides as n-electron donors and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), and 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranilic acid, p-CLA) as π-acceptors resulting in highly coloured complexes were studied. Experimental conditions for these CT reactions were carefully optimised. Beer’s law is valid over the concentration ranges from 4–280 μg mL⁻¹, 4–260 μg mL⁻¹, 4–200 μg mL⁻¹, and 4–200 μg mL⁻¹ of SMZ, SGD, SQX, and SDD using DDQ reagent, respectively. While the calibration curves are linear in the concentration ranges from 4–180 μg mL⁻¹, 4–80 μg mL⁻¹, 4–60 μg mL⁻¹, 4–180 μg mL⁻¹, and 4–60 μg mL⁻¹ of SMZ, SGD, SQX, SMR, and SDD, respectively, using TCNQ reagent and from 4–380 μg mL⁻¹ and 4–300 μg mL⁻¹ of SQX and SDD, respectively, using p-CLA reagent, respectively. Different analytical parameters, namely molar absorptivity (ε), standard deviation, relative standard deviation, correlation coefficient, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, were calculated. The results obtained by the proposed methods are in good agreement with those obtained by the official method as indicated by the percent recovery values.     

Are the eigenvalues of preconditioned banded symmetric Toeplitz matrices known in almost closed form?

The problem of computing oscillatory integrals with general oscillators is considered. We employ a Filon-type method, where the interpolation basis functions are chosen in such a way that the moments are in terms of elementary functions and the oscillator only. This allows us to evaluate the moments rapidly and easily without needing to engage hypergeometric functions. The proposed basis functions form a Chebyshev set for any oscillator function even if it has some stationary points in the integration interval. This property enables us to employ the Filon-type method without needing any information about the stationary points if any. Interpolation by the proposed basis functions at the Fekete points (which are known as nearly optimal interpolation points), when combined with the idea of splines, leads to a reliable convergent method for computing the oscillatory integrals. Our numerical experiments show that the proposed method is more efficient than the earlier ones with the same advantages.     

Thermalization of Fermionic Quantum Walkers

We consider the discrete time dynamics of an ensemble of fermionic quantum walkers moving on a finite discrete sample, interacting with a reservoir of infinitely many quantum particles on the one dimensional lattice. The reservoir is given by a fermionic quasifree state, with free discrete dynamics given by the shift, whereas the free dynamics of the non-interacting quantum walkers in the sample is defined by means of a unitary matrix. The reservoir and the sample exchange particles at specific sites by a unitary coupling and we study the discrete dynamics of the coupled system defined by the iteration of the free discrete dynamics acting on the unitary coupling, in a variety of situations. In particular, in absence of correlation within the particles of the reservoir and under natural assumptions on the sample’s dynamics, we prove that the one- and two-body reduced density matrices of the sample admit large times limits characterized by the state of the reservoir which are independent of the free dynamics of the quantum walkers and of the coupling strength. Moreover, the corresponding asymptotic density profile in the sample is flat and the correlations of number operators have no structure, a manifestation of thermalization.     

Design and Synthesis of Some New Analgesic Azole Derivatives Containing Tramadol Moiety

Some new triazole, thiadiazole, oxadiazole, thiazole, oxazole, and imidazole derivatives have been synthesized via the reaction of tramadol bearing a hydrazide, hydrazine carbodithioate, and/or acetic acid group with certain reagents. Molecular docking study had been carried out to demonstrate the reactivity of these synthetic compounds for interaction with Cytochrome P450 2D6 ( CYP2D6 ).     

Synthesis of Novel Substituted Tetrahydropyrimidine Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Pharmacological and Antimicrobial Activities

Tetrahydropyrimidine derivative 1 was employed as intermediate compound, which in turn was allowed to react with different electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents to synthesize new polyfunctionalized series of substituted pyrimidine‐2‐thione derivatives. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds have been elucidated by spectroscopic data and elemental analyses. The pharmacological and antimicrobial activities of synthesized products have been evaluated as drug candidates.     

Interaction of a Three-Level Atom and Field in a Squeezed Vacuum State with Added Photons: Quantum Phase and Nonclassical Properties

We present a detail study of the evolution of nonlocal correlations of an interacting quantum system comprising a three-level atom and a field mode initially prepared in a squeezed vacuum state with added photons. We compare the dynamical behavior of the quantum phase and entanglement by varying the number of photons added to the squeezed vacuum state. Furthermore, we examine the influence of the added-photon number and the squeeze parameter on the dynamical behavior of entanglement, quantum phase, and nonclassical properties of the field. Moreover, we explore the link between the quantum phase and the nonlocal correlation. Finally, we introduce an effective method to generate and maintain a high level of entanglement for this quantum system based on precise parameter ranges.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial, antiquorum-sensing and cytotoxic activities of new series of benzothiazole derivatives

New series of benzothiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Compounds 6j and 6o showed the highest activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The antifungal activity of these compounds was also tested against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus293. Compounds 4c, 4g and 6j exhibited the highest activity against C. albicans. In addition, compounds4 a and 6j displayed promising activity against A. fumigatus 293. The same compounds were examined for their antiquorum-sensing activity against Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, whereas compounds4 a, 6j and 6p showed moderate activity. The in vitro cytotoxicity testing of the synthesized compounds was performed against cervical cancer(Hela) and kidney fibroblast cancer(COS-7) cell lines. Results indicated that all tested compounds have IC50 values 50 mmol/L against both cell lines. Molecular properties, toxicities, drug-likeness, and drug score profiles of compounds 4a–c, 5a, 6g,h, 6j, 6l, 6o and7 c,d were also assessed.     

Immunoadjuvant and Humoral Immune Responses of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Lectins upon Systemic and Mucosal Administration in BALB/c Mice

Dietary food components have the ability to affect immune function; following absorption, specifically orally ingested dietary food containing lectins can systemically modulate the immune cells and affect the response to self- and co-administered food antigens. The mannose-binding lectins from garlic (Allium sativum agglutinins; ASAs) were identified as immunodulatory proteins in vitro. The objective of the present study was to assess the immunogenicity and adjuvanticity of garlic agglutinins and to evaluate whether they have adjuvant properties in vivo for a weak antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Garlic lectins (ASA I and ASA II) were administered by intranasal (50 days duration) and intradermal (14 days duration) routes, and the anti-lectin and anti-OVA immune (IgG) responses in the control and test groups of the BALB/c mice were assessed for humoral immunogenicity. Lectins, co-administered with OVA, were examined for lectin-induced anti-OVA IgG response to assess their adjuvant properties. The splenic and thymic indices were evaluated as a measure of immunomodulatory functions. Intradermal administration of ASA I and ASA II had showed a four-fold and two-fold increase in anti-lectin IgG response, respectively, vs. the control on day 14. In the intranasal route, the increases were 3-fold and 2.4-fold for ASA I and ASA II, respectively, on day 50. No decrease in the body weights of animals was noticed; the increases in the spleen and thymus weights, as well as their indices, were significant in the lectin groups. In the adjuvanticity study by intranasal administration, ASA I co-administered with ovalbumin (OVA) induced a remarkable increase in anti-OVA IgG response (~six-fold; p < 0.001) compared to the control, and ASA II induced a four-fold increase vs. the control on day 50. The results indicated that ASA was a potent immunogen which induced mucosal immunogenicity to the antigens that were administered intranasally in BALB/c mice. The observations made of the in vivo study indicate that ASA I has the potential use as an oral and mucosal adjuvant to deliver candidate weak antigens. Further clinical studies in humans are required to confirm its applicability.     

Enhancement of the Protective Activity of Vanillic Acid against Tetrachloro-Carbon (CCl4) Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats by the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)

In the current study, the hepatoprotective activity of vanillic acid, silymarin, and vanillic acid-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity was tested in male rats for four weeks. Thirty male rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). The 1st group was a negative control, the 2nd group was a positive control, the 3rd group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid, the 4th group was treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vanillic acid–AgNPs, and the 5th group was treated with 50 mg/kg b.w. of silymarin. The CCl₄-induced hepatic toxicity in the 2nd group was revealed by the liver function and all other biochemical tests. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, lactate dehydrogenase, and interleukin-6 were elevated, whereas, total protein, antioxidant enzymes, and irisin were decreased compared to the negative control. The hepatic tissues were also injured as a result of the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. Treating the hepatotoxic rats with vanillic acid moderately protected the rats of the 3rd group, whereas treatment with vanillic AgNPs and silymarin in G4 and G5, respectively, greatly protected the rats against the CCl₄ hepatotoxicity, approaching the normal biochemical levels and liver tissue appearance. The biochemical tests were confirmed by the histological investigations of liver tissue.     

The Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles’ Antiviral Activity in Combination with Pelargonium zonale Extract against the Human Corona 229E Virus

Almost one-third of all infectious diseases are caused by viruses, and these diseases account for nearly 20% of all deaths globally. It is becoming increasingly clear that highly contagious viral infections pose a significant threat to global health and economy around the world. The need for innovative, affordable, and safe antiviral therapies is a must. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are novel materials of low toxicity and low cost and are known for their antiviral activity. The genus Pelargonium was previously reported for its antiviral and antimicrobial activity. In this work, Pelargonium zonale leaf extract chemical profile was studied via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was used for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, the antiviral activity of the combination of P. zonale extract and the biosynthesized nanoparticles of ZnO against the human corona 229E virus was investigated. Results revealed that ZnONPs had been biosynthesized with an average particle size of about 5.5 nm and characterized with UV, FTIR, TEM, XRD, and SEM. The antiviral activity showed significant activity and differences among the tested samples in favor of the combination of P. zonale extract and ZnONPs (ZnONPs/Ex). The lowest IC_50, 2.028 µg/mL, and the highest SI, 68.4 of ZnONPs/Ex, assert the highest antiviral activity of the combination against human coronavirus (229E).