Immuno-fluorescence based Vi capsular polysaccharide detection for specific recognition of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in clinical samples

Typhoid fever is a life threatening bacterial infection that remains a major global health concern. This continued high burden associated with significant morbidity and mortality rate demands specific and rapid detection technique. This work reports a new sandwich type fluorescence immunoassay format using polymyxin B, a cationic receptor molecule, as a binder agent while anti-Vi antibody served as the capturing agent for specifically detecting Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Anti-Vi IgG antibody raised against Vi–BSA conjugate revealed affinity of 7.779 nM⁻¹ signifying immunodominancy of O-acetyls groups in Vi polysaccharide. The detection limit of the developed assay was around 10¹ cells mL⁻¹ of Vi expressing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi with a correlation coefficient (R²) equal to 0.97. Positive response obtained for all the tested serovar Typhi clinical isolates as well as the pathogen spiked blood samples recommended specificity and accuracy of Vi antigen as a biomarker during typhoid fever. The intra- and inter-assay precision with Vi spiked samples were satisfactory revealing coefficient of variance (CV%) with a mean of 4.05% and 5.97% respectively. This may be the novel attempt and constructive report on the fluorescence based detection of Vi antigen of serovar Typhi in the epidemic as well as pandemic outbreaks.     

Triazole-based chromogenic and non-chromogenic receptors for halides

We designed and synthesized a series of triazole-based receptors for anion recognition. Our studies demonstrated that an amide-linked triazole unit is a promising moiety for anion recognition. We synthesized various chromogenic and non-chromogenic receptors based on this moiety. Receptor 11 binds very strongly (K = 102,750 M⁻¹) to fluoride. Receptor 18 changes color from faint yellow to orange upon binding to fluoride.     

Protective Effect of Withania somnifera and Cardiospermum halicacabum Extracts Against Collagenolytic Degradation of Collagen

The irreversible destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) such as cartilage, tendon, and bone that comprise synovial joints is the hallmark of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis by over-expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-collagenases. We report herein the detailed study on the inhibitory effects of Withania somnifera extract (WSE) and Cardiospermum halicacabum extract (CHE) on Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (ChC) activity against the degradation of the ECM component of bovine Achilles tendon type I collagen by hydroxyproline assay method. Interaction of WSE and CHE with ChC exhibited 71% and 88% inhibition, respectively, to the collagenolytic activity of ChC against collagen degradation, and the inhibition was found to be concentration-dependent. The inhibition kinetics of ChC by both the extracts has been deduced from the extent of hydrolysis of N-[3-(2-furyl) acryloyl]-Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala. Both WSE and CHE are provided competitive and mixed type inhibition on ChC activity, respectively. Circular dichroism studies of ChC on treatment with WSE and CHE revealed changes in the secondary structure of collagenase. These results suggest that the WSE and CHE facilitated collagen stabilization through collagenase inhibition.     

Further studies of intramolecular Michael reactions of nitrosoalkenes for construction of functionalized bridged ring systems

A wide variety of stabilized carbanions have been found to participate as nucleophiles in intramolecular Michael-type conjugate additions to in situ generated nitrosoalkenes to form bridged carbocyclic systems. The vinylnitroso platforms for these cyclizations have been prepared via two key steps involving ring-closing metathesis of vinyl chlorides and regioselective conversion of vinyl chlorides to α-chloroketones with sodium hypochlorite in glacial acetic acid/acetone. An alternative approach to preparation of some cyclization substrates has involved use of more reactive enol ethers as precursors to the requisite α-chloroketones. A sulfonamide anion has also been found to be an effective nucleophile in this type of reaction, leading to formation of a 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: an amorphous molecular material for highly selective carbon dioxide uptake

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), in its amorphous solid state, shows one of the highest CO(2) sorption capacities among known organic porous materials at 298 K and 0.1 and 1 bar. In addition to the highest CO(2) capacity, CB[7] also shows remarkable selectivity of CO(2) over N(2) and CH(4). These properties, along with the existence of readily available precursors, indicate amorphous CB[7] might find applications in recycling CO(2) particularly considering the easy synthesis and potentially low manufacturing costs.     

Gas-induced solid state transformation of an organic lattice: from nonporous to nanoporous

A well-known organic host, tris-o-phenylenedioxycyclotriphosphazene, exists in two polymorphic guest-free forms: the thermodynamic nonporous high-density phase and the kinetic nanoporous low-density phase. Simple pressurization of the high density phase with CO(2) brings a solid-state transformation to the low density phase, resulting in significant expansion of the crystal volume by 23%.     

Progress in adsorption-based CO2 capture by metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently attracted intense research interest because of their permanent porous structures, large surface areas, and potential applications as novel adsorbents. The recent progress in adsorption-based CO(2) capture by MOFs is reviewed and summarized in this critical review. CO(2) adsorption in MOFs has been divided into two sections, adsorption at high pressures and selective adsorption at approximate atmospheric pressures. Keys to CO(2) adsorption in MOFs at high pressures and low pressures are summarized to be pore volumes of MOFs, and heats of adsorption, respectively. Many MOFs have high CO(2) selectivities over N(2) and CH(4). Water effects on CO(2) adsorption in MOFs are presented and compared with benchmark zeolites. In addition, strategies appeared in the literature to enhance CO(2) adsorption capacities and/or selectivities in MOFs have been summarized into three main categories, catenation and interpenetration, chemical bonding enhancement, and electrostatic force involvement. Besides the advantages, two main challenges of using MOFs in CO(2) capture, the cost of synthesis and the stability toward water vapor, have been analyzed and possible solutions and path forward have been proposed to address the two challenges as well (150 references).     

Synthesis, spectral characterization and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel glyoxal, biacetyl and benzil bis-hydrazone macrocyclic Schiff bases and their Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized by the template condensation of glyoxal, biacetyl or benzil bis-hydrazide, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and Co(II), Ni(II) or Cu(II) chloride in a 2:2:2 M ratio in ethanol. These 22-membered macrocyclic complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic, molar conductance, spectral, thermal and fluorescence studies. Elemental analyses suggest the complexes have a 2:1 stoichiometry of the type [M₂LX₂]·nH₂O and [Ni₂LX₂2H₂O]·nH₂O (where M = Co(II) and Cu(II); L = H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³; X = Cl; n = 2). From the spectroscopic and magnetic studies, it has been concluded that the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes display a five coordinated square pyramidal geometry and the Ni(II) complexes have a six coordinated octahedral geometry. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by the MIC method.     

Simple one‐pot conversion of organic compounds by hydrogen peroxide activated by ruthenium(III) chloride: organic conversions by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ruthenium(III)

The aromatic compounds p‐nitrobenzaldehyde, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, naphthalene, toluene, catechol, quinol, aniline and toluidine dissolved in aqueous acetic acid or aqueous medium were oxidized in quantitative to good yields by 50% H₂O₂ in the presence of traces of RuCl₃ (～10^?8 mol; substrate/catalyst ratio 1488:1 to 341 250:1). Conditions for highest yields, in the most economical way, were obtained. Higher catalyst concentrations decrease the yield. Oxidation in aromatic aldehydes is selective at the aldehydic group only. In the case of hydrocarbons, oxidation results in the introduction of a hydroxyl group with >85% (in the case of toluene) selectivity for the ortho position. Formation of low‐molecular‐weight polyaniline was reduced to 10%, along with 90% formation of higher molecular weight polyaniline. In this new, simple and economical method, which is environmentally safe and requires less time, oxo‐centered carboxylate species of ruthenium(III) in acetic acid medium and hydrated ruthenium(III) chloride in aqueous medium probably catalyze the oxidation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical conduction and optical properties of amorphous (Sb2Se3)100−xSnx thin films

The variation of DC electrical conductivity and the optical properties of thermally evaporated a- (Sb₂Se₃)_100−xSn_x thin films with temperature have been studied. It is found that the thermal activation energy decreases, while the optical gap first increases (up to x=1) and then decreases, with the increase in Sn content. These results have been explained by taking into consideration the structural modifications induced by the incorporation of Sn into the parent alloy. The variation in the conductivity prefactor (σ_o) with Sn addition indicates a change in the dominant conduction transport mechanism from extended states to localized states. An experimental correlation between the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor has been observed, indicating the validity of Meyer–Neldel rule in the studied samples.