Development of Poly(ethylene glycol) Based Amphiphilic Copolymers for Controlled Release Delivery of Carbofuran

The formation of micelles in a solvent that is selective for one of the blocks is one of the most important and useful properties of block copolymers. We had synthesized copolymers of polyethylene glycol and various dimethyl esters, which self assemble into nano micellar aggregates in aqueous media. In the present work, we have utilized these nano micelles for the encapsulation of carbofuran, [2,3–dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate], a systemic insecticide-nematicide, for the development of controlled release formulation.     

Amino Acid and Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Based Self-Organizing Polymeric Systems: Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis and Characterization

A chemo/regio selective enzymatic methodology has been designed to synthesize amphiphilic copolymers based on amino acid diesters and poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG]. The condensation polymerization was catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme 435) under solvent-less conditions. The synthesized polymers 3a–c were derivatized with long chain acid chlorides by chemical acylation to get the amphiphilic polymers 4a–c. The physical properties of the synthesized amphiphilic polymers viz: aggregation number, critical micelle concentration (CMC), radius of gyration (R_g), hydrodynamic radius (R_h) and particle size distribution were studied by static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS) techniques. The polymers were found to be promising in drug delivery applications.     

Design of a Hybrid Fiber-Optic Network Using 3-D Optical Code Sequences

We present the design of a 3-dimensional (3-D) noncoherent optical hybrid network. We also report the design of a new family of 3-D codes for fiber optic hybrid networks. We show that the hybrid network allows for shorter bit times and a higher number of users, given a set chip rate, compared to previously conceived networks. These newly designed hybrid single-pulse-per-row (HSPR) codes have very low autocorrelation side-lobes and very small cross-correlation peaks. We compare the performance of our hybrid model using our codes with the Optical Orthogonal Codes (OOCs) and Temporal/Spatial (T/S) codes and show that the new network can support a greater number of users and higher data rates than those using OOCs and T/S codes.     

A Facile Enantioselective Alkynylation of Chromones

The first catalytic enantioselective alkynylation of chromones is reported. In this process, chromones are silylated to form silyloxybenzopyrylium ions that lead to silyl enol ethers after Cu‐catalyzed alkyne addition using StackPhos as a ligand. The outcome of the reaction is impacted by distal ligand substituents with differing electronic character and it was found that successful reactions could be achieved with different ligand congeners by using different solvents. This sequence enables access to different products by protonation or further functionalization, thus increasing complexity in a divergent manner. The transformation is high yielding over a broad scope to provide a variety of useful chromanones in high enantioselectivity.     

A Rationally Designed Bimetallic Platinum (II)-Ferrocene Antitumor Agent Induces Non-Apoptotic Cell Death and Exerts in Vivo Efficacy

Despite phenomenal clinical success, the efficacy of platinum anticancer drugs is often compromised due to inherent and acquired drug resistant phenotypes in cancers. To circumvent this issue, we designed two heterobimetallic platinum (II)-ferrocene hybrids that display multi-pronged anticancer action. In cancer cells, our best compound, 2 , platinates DNA, produces reactive oxygen species, and has nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum as potential targets. The multi-modal mechanism of action of these hybrid agents lead to non-apoptotic cell death induction which enables circumventing apoptosis resistance and significant improvement in platinum cross resistance profile. Finally, in addition to describing detail mechanistic insights, we also assessed its stability in plasma and demonstrate anticancer efficacy in an in vivo A2780 xenograft model. Strikingly, compared to oxaliplatin, our compound displays better tolerability, safety profile and efficacy in vivo.     

Molecular Interactions of Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug Dolonex in Aqueous Solutions of L-Alanine/L-Valine at Different Temperatures: Viscometric Approach

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - The viscosities of aqueous solutions of L-alanine and L-valine with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug dolonex (0.020, 0.040, 0.060 mol kg–1) have...     

A simple internal charge transfer probe offering dual optical detection of Co (II) via color and fluorescence modulations

A newly designed internal charge transfer chemosensor, DIPZON exhibits Co²⁺ selective optical responses, which include 112 nm red shift in absorption and a dramatic 37-fold enhancement in the fluorescence output in the buffer CH₃OH/H₂O (1:1 v/v) system. By contrast, the optical responses were not as sensitive with several other biologically relevant metal ions examined with the binding interactions following the sequence Co²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ >> Ba²⁺ ≈ Ca²⁺ ≈ Mg²⁺ ≈ K⁺ ≈ Na⁺ ≈ Li⁺.     

Non-ionic surfactant catalyzed synthesis of Betti base in water

We have developed an efficient non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of Betti base from secondary amine, aromatic aldehydes, and β-naphthol using Mannich-type reaction in water. Lewis and Brønsted acid catalysts, ionic and non-ionic surfactant have been screened for the reaction. Non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) gave the best results and the reaction proceeds through the imine formation, which is stabilized by colloidal dispersion and undergoes nucleophilic addition to afford the corresponding N,N-dialkylated Betti base in excellent yields.     

Health risks associated with the exposure to uranium and heavy metals through potable groundwater in Uttarakhand state of India

The present work aims to assess health risks associated with the exposure to uranium and heavy metals via potable groundwater in Uttarakhand state of India. For this purpose, potable groundwater samples were collected from the area and analyzed using LED fluorimetry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the exposure to uranium in majority of locations were observed below the safe limits suggested by WHO and USEPA. The levels of heavy metals present in potable groundwater were found well below the permissible limits recommended by WHO. An inter-comparison exercise between the results obtained with LED fluorimetry and ICPMS techniques was performed for the assurance of reliability and accuracy of results. The results were found in good agreement with each other.