Preparation,characterization and biological activity of novel metal-NNNN donor Schiff base complexes

Novel Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of benzil and triethylenetetraamine. The ligand is characterized based on elemental analysis, mass, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. Metal complexes are reported and characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance, and thermal analyses (TG, DTG and DTA). 1:1 [M]:[H₂L] complexes are found from the elemental analyses data having the formulae [M(H₂L)Cl₂]·yH₂O (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II)), [Fe(H₂L)Cl₂]Cl·H₂O, [Th(H₂L)Cl₂]Cl₂·3H₂O and [UO₂(H₂L)](CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O. The metal chelates are found to be non-electrolytes except Fe(III), Th(IV) and UO₂(II) complexes are electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a neutral tetradentate manner with 4Ns donor sites of the two azomethine N and two NH groups. The geometrical structures of these complexes are found to be octahedral. The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied where the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the subsequent steps. The activation thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats–Redfern method. The ligand (H₂L), in comparison to its metal complexes, is screened for its antibacterial activity. The activity data show that the metal complexes have antibacterial activity more than the parent Schiff base ligand and cefepime standard against one or more bacterial species.     

A xanthate-based free radical approach to defucogilvocarcin M

A formal total synthesis of the aglycon of gilvocarcin M is described. The synthesis is based on the construction of the key naphthalene 7 via a free radical addition-cyclization protocol followed by aromatization of the resulting α-tetralone. This highly functionalized aromatic system is coupled to the corresponding acid chloride 6 to afford ester 4, which by treatment with a catalytic amount of palladium (0) produced defucogilvocarcin M (1a).     

Directed Markovnikov hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of alkenes under nickel catalysis

We report a full account of our research on nickel-catalyzed Markovnikov-selective hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of non-conjugated alkenes, which has yielded a toolkit of methods that proceed under mild conditions with alkenyl sulfonamide, ketone, and amide substrates. Regioselectivity is controlled through catalyst coordination to the native Lewis basic functional groups contained within these substrates. To maximize product yield, reaction conditions were fine-tuned for each substrate class, reflecting the different coordination properties of the directing functionality. Detailed kinetic and computational studies shed light on the mechanism of this family of transformations, pointing to transmetalation as the turnover-limiting step.

Native Lewis basic functional groups enable the nickel-catalyzed Markovnikov-selective hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenes with organoboron reagents.     

Surface tension-induced gel fracture. Part 1. Fracture of agar gels

This work involves an experimental investigation of the spreading of liquids on gel layers in the presence of surfactants. Of primary interest is the instability that accompanies the cracking of gels through the deposition and subsequent spreading of a drop of surfactant solution on their surfaces. This instability manifests itself via the shaping of crack-like spreading "arms", in formations that resemble starbursts. The main aim of this study is to elucidate the complex interactions between spreading surfactants and underlying gels and to achieve a fundamental understanding of the mechanism behind the observed phenomenon of the cracking pattern formation. By spreading SDS and Silwet L-77 surfactant solutions on the surfaces of agar gels, the different ways that system parameters such as the surfactant chemistry and concentration and the gel strength can affect the morphology and dynamics of the starburst patterns are explored. The crack propagation dynamics is fitted to a power law by measuring the temporal evolution of the length of the spreading arms that form each one of the observed patterns. The values of the exponent of the power law are within the predicted limits for Marangoni-driven spreading on thick layers. Therefore, Marangoni stresses, induced by surface tension gradients between the spreading surfactant and the underlying gel layer, are identified to be the main driving force behind these phenomena, whereas gravitational forces were also found to play an important role. A mechanism that involves the "unzipping" of the gel in a manner perpendicular to the direction of the largest surface tension gradient is proposed. This mechanism highlights the important role of the width of the arms in the process; it is demonstrated that a cracking pattern is formed only within the experimental conditions that allow S/Δw to be greater than G', where S is the spreading coefficient, Δw is the change in the width of the crack, and G' is the storage modulus of the substrate.     

Nano and micro porous GaN characterization using image processing method

This work reports the fabrication of porous N-GaN structures and their quantitative structural characteristic study based on mathematical morphology analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The evaluation of N-GaN quality is carried out by performing a nondestructive investigation of its micro and nanostructures, which in turn is performed by adapting image analysis techniques to obtain rapid, objective, and quantitative information. The algorithm used in this work was implemented using the MATLAB software. Using the algorithm made obtaining the distribution of maximum, minimum, and average radius of the pores in the N-GaN structures possible. Calculating the area occupied by the pores allowed the porosity of the structures to be obtained. The quantitative results were obtained and related to the fabrication process characteristics, showing their reliability and potential to be used for controlling the pores in the formation process. Thus, this technique can provide a more accurate determination of pore sizes and pore distributions.     

Reflections on Charge State Distributions,Protein Structure,and the Mystical Mechanism of Electrospray Ionization

The connection between charge state distributions, protein structure, and mechanistic details of electrospray are discussed in relation to the emerging field of gas phase structural biology. Comparisons are drawn with the established area of enzymatic catalysis in organic solvents, which shares many similar challenges. Charge solvation emerges as a dominant force in both systems that must be dealt with to enable kinetic trapping of native structures in foreign environments. Potential methods for mediating unfavorable charge solvation effects are discussed and, ironically, do not include partial solvation by water. The importance of timescale in relation to the evolution of protein structure during the process of electrospray ionization is discussed. Finally several prospects for future endeavors are highlighted.     

The effect of β-carotene supplementation on the pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir and its active metabolite M8 in HIV-1-infected patients

β-Carotene supplements are often taken by individuals living with HIV-1. Contradictory results from in vitro studies suggest that β-carotene may inhibit or induce cytochrome P450 enzymes and transporters. The study objective was to investigate the effect of β-carotene on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir and its active metabolite M8 in HIV-1 infected individuals. Twelve hour nelfinavir pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted at baseline and after 28 days of β-carotene supplementation (25,000 IU twice daily). Nelfinavir and M8 concentrations were measured with validated assays. Non-compartmental methods were used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. Geometric mean ratios comparing day 28 to day 1 area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-12 h)), maximum (C(max)) and minimum (C(min)) concentrations of nelfinavir and M8 are presented with 90% confidence intervals. Eleven subjects completed the study and were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in nelfinavir AUC(0-12 h) and C(min) (-10%, +4%) after β-carotene supplementation. The M8 C(min) was increased by 31% while the M8 AUC(0-12 h) and C(max) were unchanged. During the 28 day period, mean CD4+ % and CD4+:CD8+ ratio increased significantly (p < 0.01). β-carotene supplementation increased serum carotene levels but did not cause any clinically significant difference in the nelfinavir and M8 exposure.     

Bioassay-guided antidiabetic study of Phaleria macrocarpa fruit extract

An earlier anti-hyperglycemic study with serial crude extracts of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) fruit indicated methanol extract (ME) as the most effective. In the present investigation, the methanol extract was further fractionated to obtain chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF), n-butanol (NBF) and aqueous (AF) fractions, which were tested for antidiabetic activity. The NBF reduced blood glucose (p < 0.05) 15 min after administration, in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) similar to metformin. Moreover, it lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats by 66.67% (p < 0.05), similar to metformin (51.11%), glibenclamide (66.67%) and insulin (71.43%) after a 12-day treatment, hence considered to be the most active fraction. Further fractionation of NBF yielded sub-fractions I (SFI) and II (SFII), and only SFI lowered blood glucose (p < 0.05), in IPGTT similar to glibenclamide. The ME, NBF, and SFI correspondingly lowered plasma insulin (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited glucose transport across isolated rat jejunum implying an extra-pancreatic mechanism. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenes and tannins, in ME, NBF and SFI, and LC-MS analyses revealed 9.52%, 33.30% and 22.50% mangiferin respectively. PM fruit possesses anti-hyperglycemic effect, exerted probably through extra-pancreatic action. Magniferin, contained therein may be responsible for this reported activity.     

Sequential closure in the space of measures

We show that there is a compact topological space carrying a measure which is not a weak^? limit of finitely supported measures but is in the sequential closure of the set of such measures. We construct compact spaces with measures of arbitrarily high levels of complexity in this sequential hierarchy. It follows that there is a compact space in which the sequential closure cannot be obtained in countably many steps. However, we show that this is not the case for our spaces where the sequential closure is always obtained in countably many steps.