Mechanism of oxidation of selenium(IV) by cobalt(III) in perchloric acid — a kinetic study

Summary The kinetics of Co^III oxidation of Se^IV have been studied in aqueous HClO₄. The order with respect to Co^m is two the order with respect to Se^IV is one at low concentrations; two at high concentrations. The latter variation is attributed to the greater reactivity of the Se^IV dimier A mechanism involving complexation between oxidant and substrate is proposed. [CoOH]²⁺ is presumed to be the reactive Co^III species and H₂SeO₃ and HSeO ₃ ^– to be those of Se^IV. At 25° C, E_a, H and S for the monomeric path are 125.6±4.0 kJ mol^–1, 122.1±3.8 kJ mol^–1 and 206±12 JK^–1 mol^–1 respectively and those for the dimeric path are 88.6±3.6 kJ mol^–1, 85.9±3.4 kJ mol^–1 and 62.6±11.3 JK^–1 mol^–1 respectively.     

Improved oxygen reduction cathodes using polyoxometalate cocatalysts

We report on the influence of a series of transition-metal-substituted Wells-Dawson (P2W17MnO62(12-n)-; M = WVI, FeII, CoII, RuII) and Keggin (PW12O40(3-) and PCoW11O39(5-) anions on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at Au, Pd, and Pt. Wells-Dawson POMs adsorbed on Au lead to large positive shifts of the ORR potential. The magnitude of the shift depends on the transition metal and is explained using a simple thermodynamic model. The best cathode performance was achieved using a PCoW11O39(5-) cocatalyst and a Pt cathode. The +54 mV positive shift in the ORR potential that we observed is comparable to the performance of the best-known bimetallic catalysts.     

The synthesis and reactivity of some indenyl and bis-indenyl ruthenium carbonyl complexes

The reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] (1), with indene in refluxing xylene affords [{(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CO)₂}₂] (2), in high yield. An analogous reaction of 1 with 2-phenylindene affords the expected dinuclear complex [{(η⁵-C₉H₆Ph)Ru(CO)₂}₂] (5), and a heptaruthenium cluster [(C₉H₄Ph)Ru₇(μ-H)(μ-CO)₂(CO)₁₆] (6). The indenyl ligand in compound 6 exhibits a novel bonding mode in which the benzenoid ring is μ₄,η¹:η¹:η²:η² bound to the cluster. Refluxing 1 with bis-indenyl methane affords the dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₄{μ-(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂CH₂}] (7), which reacts with iodine via Ru-Ru bond cleavage to give [Ru₂I₂(CO)₄{(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂CH₂}] (8).     

An electrical stimulation data based model to predict the healing period of fractured limb

ABSTRACT

In this work, diagnosing of reunion of human tibia fracture across limbs using a simple mathematical model is demonstrated. At present in practice, the fracture reunion is predicted using repeated radiographs. Frequent exposure to such radiation causes harmful health effects in patients. Hence, as an alternative, modelling technique using electrical data recorded across patients stimulated with DC electric voltage of range 0.1–1V is proposed. Various model structures, namely P1D and P1DZ models were tried. An error analysis was performed and it was observed that the measured data fitted P1DZ model with an error less than 5%. Model parameters namely process gain and time constant were observed. When the model parameter process gain becomes constant, the time constant reduces significantly indicating the healing of fracture. Reunion was also confirmed with simultaneously taken radiographs. The fact that human bone is a biological semi-conductor therefore exhibits electrical properties and bone does behave like a capacitor is proved by empirical methods in our study is the novelty of the work.     

Multiple Responses Optimization and Modeling of Lipase Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodotorula mucilaginosa</Emphasis> MTCC-8737 Using Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology was employed to optimize culture medium for production of lipase with Rhodotorula sp. MTCC 8737. In the first step, a Plackett–Burman design was used to evaluate the effects of different inducers qualitatively. Of all the seven inducers tested, soybean oil showed significant influence on the lipase production. Further, response surface studies were conducted to quantitatively optimize by considering linear, interactive, and quadratic effects of test variables. A novel approach was proposed to optimize the lipase production system by optimizing the responses in terms of yield kinetics rather than optimizing the direct responses like lipase titer and biomass growth. The coefficient of determination (R ²) calculated for Y _P/S (0.769), Y _P/X (0.799), and Y _X/S (0.847) indicated that the statistical model could explain 76.9%, 79.99%, and 84.7% of variability in the response.     

Synthesis,Biological Activity of Pyrimidine Linked with Morpholinophenyl Derivatives

A new series of 5‐fluoro‐N⁴‐(3‐(4‐substitutedbenzylamino)phenyl)‐N²‐(4‐morpholinophenyl)pyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine derivatives ( 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d , 7e , 7f , 7g , 7h , 7i , 7j ) are prepared from using an intermediate compound 5‐fluoro‐N⁴‐(3‐(aminophenyl)‐N²‐(4‐morpholinophenyl)pyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine ( 5 ). The structures of the newly synthesized products are established from their spectral ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, ¹⁹F‐NMR, ESI‐MS, and analytical data. Here we report the synthesized compounds and larvicidal activity. All the compounds are screened for their significant larvicidal activity against third instar larvae at 24, 48, and 78‐h time exposure, and values were compared with standard drug Malathion. The Compounds 7i , 7a , 7c , 7f , and 7j exhibited significant activity. However the compounds 7b , 7e , 7d , and 7h showed excellent activity when compared to the above compounds and to standard drug malathion too because of the presence of mild electron withdrawing groups such as trifluoro, fluorine, hydroxy, nitro, and methoxy derivatives which are attached to the benzyl ring.     

2-methylpyridinium 5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-6-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate: Synthesis,crystal structure,and biological evaluation

The titled complex is synthesized from the ethanolic solutions of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 2-thiobarbituric acid, and 2-methylpyridine and characterized by spectral and elemental analyses. The single crystal X-ray diffraction results for the complex are compatible with the spectral observations. The titled complex exhibits anticonvulsant activity and reduces all phases of convulsion even at a low dosage. Acute toxicity studies of the complex are performed to understand the safer dose concentration for clinical trials.     

Anti-Microbial,Anti-Oxidant,and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Traditionally-Used Medicinal Herbs: A Comparative Analyses of Pharmacology,and Phytoconstituents of Regional Halophytic Plants’ Diaspora

Halophytes are the category of plants growing under harsh conditions of super-salinity, and are wide-spread in the coastal Mediterranean climatic conditions and desert oasis. They are adept at surviving through maintaining excessive production of enzymatic, and non-enzymatic secondary metabolites, especially phenolics and flavonoids that primarily work as anti-oxidants and phytoalexins. Five major halophyte species growing in the kingdom’s Qassim’s high-salted desert regions were investigated for confirming their traditionally used biological activity of sugar-control and anti-infectious properties. In this context, the comparative presence of phenolics, and flavonoids together with anti-microbial, anti-oxidants, and the anti-diabetic potentials of the plants’ extracts were investigated through the α-amylase inhibition method. The highest concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids were detected in Salsola imbricata (360 mg/g of the extract as Gallic-Acid-Equivalents/GAE, and 70.5 mg/g of the extract as Rutin-Equivalents/RE). In contrast, the lowest concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids were detected in Salsola cyclophylla (126.6 mg/g GAE, and 20.5 mg/g RE). The halophytes were found rich in trace elements, a factor for water-retention in high-salinity plants, wherein iron and zinc elements were found comparatively in higher concentrations in Aeluropus lagopoides (4113 µg/kg, and 40.1 µg/kg, respectively), while the copper was detected in higher concentration (11.1 µg/kg) in S. imbricata, analyzed through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometric (ICP-OES) analysis. The anti-oxidant potentials and α-amylase enzyme inhibition-based anti-diabetic activity of S. imbricata was significantly higher than the other halophytes under study, wherein S. cyclophylla exhibited the lowest level of α-amylase inhibition. The maximum DPPH radicals’ (52.47 mg/mL), and α-amylase inhibitions (IC₅₀ 22.98 µg/mL) were detected in A. lagopoides. The anti-microbial activity against the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was strongly exhibited by Zygophyllum simplex (33 mm Inhibition Zone-Diameter, 50 µg/mL Minimum-Inhibitory-Concentration), while Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans growths were moderately inhibited by Tamarix aphylla. The current findings exhibited significant differences among the locally distributed halophytic plants species with regards to their bioactivity levels, anti-oxidant potentials, and the presence of trace elements. The ongoing data corroborated the plants’ traditional uses in infections and diabetic conditions. The enhanced local distribution of the plants’ diaspora and higher density of occurrence of these plants species in this region, in comparison to their normal climatic condition’s counterparts, seemed to be affected by humans’ use of the species as part of the traditional and alternative medicine over a period of long time.     

Multitargeting by curcumin as revealed by molecular interaction studies

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the active ingredient in turmeric (Curcuma longa), is a highly pleiotropic molecule with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, chemopreventive, chemosensitization, and radiosensitization activities. The pleiotropic activities attributed to curcumin come from its complex molecular structure and chemistry, as well as its ability to influence multiple signaling molecules. Curcumin has been shown to bind by multiple forces directly to numerous signaling molecules, such as inflammatory molecules, cell survival proteins, protein kinases, protein reductases, histone acetyltransferase, histone deacetylase, glyoxalase I, xanthine oxidase, proteasome, HIV1 integrase, HIV1 protease, sarco (endo) plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase, DNA methyltransferases 1, FtsZ protofilaments, carrier proteins, and metal ions. Curcumin can also bind directly to DNA and RNA. Owing to its β-diketone moiety, curcumin undergoes keto-enol tautomerism that has been reported as a favorable state for direct binding. The functional groups on curcumin found suitable for interaction with other macromolecules include the α, β-unsaturated β-diketone moiety, carbonyl and enolic groups of the β-diketone moiety, methoxy and phenolic hydroxyl groups, and the phenyl rings. Various biophysical tools have been used to monitor direct interaction of curcumin with other proteins, including absorption, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, competitive ligand binding, Forster type fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), radiolabeling, site-directed mutagenesis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), immunoprecipitation, phage display biopanning, electron microscopy, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) displacement, and co-localization. Molecular docking, the most commonly employed computational tool for calculating binding affinities and predicting binding sites, has also been used to further characterize curcumin's binding sites. Furthermore, the ability of curcumin to bind directly to carrier proteins improves its solubility and bioavailability. In this review, we focus on how curcumin directly targets signaling molecules, as well as the different forces that bind the curcumin-protein complex and how this interaction affects the biological properties of proteins. We will also discuss various analogues of curcumin designed to bind selective targets with increased affinity.