Metal-based anticancer agents: targeting androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate and COX-positive pancreatic cancer cells by phenanthrenequinone semicarbazone and its metal complexes

A planar, polycyclic and aromatic hydrocarbon ligand, namely 9,10-phenanthrenequinone semicarbazone, and its transition metal complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of these compounds against five human cancer cell lines revealed that they were effective against androgen receptor-positive/negative prostate cancer cells as well as COX-positive pancreatic BxPC-3 cancer cell line. The driving force behind such antiproliferative activity seems to be the up-regulated COX expression in these cells, which was amenable for targeting through metal complexation. These structural motifs can, therefore, serve as a starting point for developing novel cytotoxic agents against the growing number of prostate and pancreatic cancers.     

Uranium recovery from UCF liquid waste by nanoporous MCM-41: breakthrough capacity and elution behavior studies

Adsorption and recovery of uranium by nanoporous MCM-41 from aqueous solutions (synthetic solution and uranium conversion facility liquid waste) were investigated by use of a fixed-bed column (1.2 cm diameter and 3.0 cm height). Adsorption was carried out at flow rates 0.2 and 0.5 mL min^?1, which correspond to retention times of 10 and 6 min. The maximum breakthrough capacity for uranium ions was achieved by use of nanoporous MCM-41 at the optimum pH of 3.6 and flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1 (61.95 μg g^?1). The Thomas and Yan models were applied to the experimental data, by use of linear regression, to determine the characteristics of the column for process design. The breakthrough curves calculated from the models were in good agreement with the experimental data. The elution behavior of uranium on nanoporous MCM-41 was studied with different eluents; the results showed that 0.1 M HCl is good eluent for uranium recovery. The regenerated column could be used in a multitude of adsorption–desorption cycles.     

Piperidine–iodine a dual system catalyst for synthesis of coumarin bearing pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives via a one-pot three-component reaction

The synthesis of 3-(4-alkyl-4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one derivatives by a three-component reaction of salicylaldehyde, β-keto esters, and 1-(2-aminophenyl)pyrrole using piperidine–iodine as a dual system catalyst is reported. Good yields, mild reaction conditions, and ease of handling are the main aspects of the method. The structural assignments are supported by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and X-ray crystallography data.     

Extraction of methocarbamol from human plasma with a polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite decorated with magnetic nanoparticles as an adsorbent followed by electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry detection†

In this work, a polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite decorated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was chemically synthesized and applied as a novel adsorbent for the extraction of methocarbamol from human plasma. Electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry was used for the determination of the analyte. The properties of the magnetic‐modified adsorbent were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The effects of experimental parameters on the extraction efficiency of the sorbent were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the linear dynamic range was found to be 2–150 ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.9 ng/mL. The relative standard deviation was 5.3% for three replicate measurements of methocarbamol in plasma sample. The extraction efficiency of the sorbent for the determination of different drugs with various polarities was also compared to that of Fe₃O₄‐polypyrrole and Fe₃O₄‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes sorbents. Finally, the method was used for the determination of methocarbamol in blood samples.     

Preparation of a solid-state ion-selective electrode based on polypyrrole conducting polymer for magnesium ion

In this study, a potentiometric sensor based on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) coated with polypyrrole doped with Titan yellow dye (PPy/TY) was prepared for potentiometric determination of magnesium ion in aqueous solutions. The structural characteristics of magnesium sensor electrode (PGE/PPy/TYMg) were studied using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared along with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Under the optimal conditions, the electrode reveals a good Nernstian behavior with slope of 28.27 ± 0.40 mV per decade over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?5–5.0 × 10^?2 M and a detection limit of 6.28 × 10^?6 M. The potentiometric response of fabricated electrode toward magnesium ion was found to be independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range of 4.5–8.0. The electrode showed fast response time (<10 s) and good shelf lifetime (>2 months). The prepared magnesium sensor electrode can also be used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Mg²⁺ with EDTA with distinguished end point. The electrode revealed good selectivity with respect to many cations including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The introduced magnesium electrode was used for measurement of Mg²⁺ ion in real samples without any serious interferences from other ions.     

The Effect of Calcium Perovskite and Newly Developed Magnetic CaFe2O4/CaTiO3 Perovskite Nanocomposite on Degradation of Toxic Dyes Under UV–Visible Radiation

Journal of Cluster Science - In this research, we used a fast and simple method for synthesis of calcium titanate (CaTiO3) and calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) nanostructures: microwave assisted...     

A new high: Cannabis as a budding source of carbon-based materials for electrochemical power sources

Cannabis sativa L., a low-cost, fast-growing herbaceous plant, is seeing a resurgence in widespread cultivation as a result of new policies and product drive. Its biodegradable and environmentally benign nature coupled with its high specific surface area and three-dimensional hierarchal structure makes it an excellent candidate for use as a biomass-derived carbon material for electrochemical power sources. It is proposed that this ‘wonder crop’ could have an important role in the energy transition by providing high-functioning carbon-based materials for electrochemistry. In this article, all instances of C. sativa usage in batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors are discussed with a focus on highlighting the high capacity, rate capability, capacitance, current density and half-wave potential that can be achieved with its utilisation in the field.     

Oriented Nickel Nanonetworks and Their Submicron Fibres as a Basis for a Transparent Electrically Conductive Coating

The paper demonstrates a technique for applying an oriented nickel network to a glass surface. The method is based on the chemical reduction of nickel salt. The shaping and orientation of the resulting system are carried out using a micellar template of a surfactant and a magnetic field. Submicron nickel fibres are used to impart unity to the plurality of individual-oriented nickel nanonetworks. The result is a single conductive coating on the surface of the glass, which has a transparency in the optical range. Investigations of the structure, chemical composition, morphology and electrical conductivity of the coating were performed.     

Amplified cathodic electrochemiluminescence of luminol based on zinc oxide nanoparticle modified Ni-foam electrode for ultrasensitive detection of amoxicillin

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Here is reported a new feasible and facile method for the determination of amoxicillin by the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method. The ECL signal was...     

Analysis of a “3-(Naphthalen-1-ylimino)indolin-2-one” Compound and Its Antimicrobial Assessment Using Lipid-Based Self-Nanoemulsifying Formulations

In recent years, indole derivatives have acquired conspicuous significance due to their wide spectrum of biological activities—antibacterial, antiviral, and anticonvulsant. This compound is derived from naturally grown plants. Therefore, synthesis of a novel “3-(Naphthalen-1-ylimino)indolin-2-one” compound (2) and its analysis using UPLC systems along with antimicrobial assessment was the aim of the current study. Isatin was used as a parent drug for synthesizing compound (2). Liquid Chromatographic analysis was performed using a C18 BEH column (1.7 μm 2.1 × 50 mm) by UPLC systems. Degradation studies were carried out to see whether acid, base, thermal, and oxidizing agents had any impact on the synthesized molecule in stress conditions (100 °C). A lipid-based self-nanoemulsifying formulation was developed and selectivity, specificity, recovery, accuracy, and precision were measured as part of the UPLC system’s validation process. Antimicrobial studies were conducted using gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The standard samples were run with a concentration range of 5.0–100.0 μg/mL using the isocratic mobile phase comprising of methanol/water (70/30 %v/v) at 234 nm; good linearity (R² = 0.9998) was found. The lower limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of the method were found to be 0.81 μg/mL and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. The coefficients of variation were found to be less than 2%. The antimicrobial study suggests that compound (2) has a substantial growth effect against gram-negative bacteria. It was successfully synthesized and applied to measure the concentrations in lipid-based dosage form, along with potent antimicrobial activities.