Fabrication of inorganic alumina particles at nanoscale by a pulsed laser ablation technique in liquid and exploring their protein binding,anticancer and antipathogenic activities

The interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems can provide useful information about their therapeutic applications. The aluminum nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized by laser ablation technique and well-characterized by different methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular docking studies were employed to evaluate the effect of Al₂O₃ NPs on the protein structure. Growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of the Al₂O₃ NPs against K562 cancer cells and lymphocyte cells were assessed using [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT), flow cytometry, and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The antipathogenic activity of Al₂O₃ NPs against a diverse range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens was explored through a disk diffusion method. The characterization techniques determined that the Al₂O₃ NPs were successfully synthesized in the nanoscales. Intrinsic, 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and acrylamide fluorescence spectroscopy studies disclosed that Al₂O₃ NPs can partially change the tertiary structure of human serum albumin (HSA), whereas CD spectroscopy investigation depicted that the secondary structure of HSA remained intact. Molecular docking investigation also manifest that the Al₂O₃ nano-clusters preferably bind to electrostatic residues. Al₂O₃ NPs exhibited promising and selective anticancer features through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis induction, and elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio. Furthermore, the Al₂O₃ NP showed a remarkable antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In conclusion, it may be suggested that the synthesized Al₂O₃ NPs can be integrated in the development of anticancer and antipathogenic agents.     

Facile Synthesis of Bio-Antimicrobials with “Smart” Triiodides

Multi-drug resistant pathogens are a rising danger for the future of mankind. Iodine (I₂) is a centuries-old microbicide, but leads to skin discoloration, irritation, and uncontrolled iodine release. Plants rich in phytochemicals have a long history in basic health care. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller (AV) and Salvia officinalis L. (Sage) are effectively utilized against different ailments. Previously, we investigated the antimicrobial activities of smart triiodides and iodinated AV hybrids. In this work, we combined iodine with Sage extracts and pure AV gel with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an encapsulating and stabilizing agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray-Diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the composition of AV-PVP-Sage-I₂. Antimicrobial properties were investigated by disc diffusion method against 10 reference microbial strains in comparison to gentamicin and nystatin. We impregnated surgical sutures with our biohybrid and tested their inhibitory effects. AV-PVP-Sage-I₂ showed excellent to intermediate antimicrobial activity in discs and sutures. The iodine within the polymeric biomaterial AV-PVP-Sage-I₂ and the synergistic action of the two plant extracts enhanced the microbial inhibition. Our compound has potential for use as an antifungal agent, disinfectant and coating material on sutures to prevent surgical site infections.     

On closed timelike and spacelike ruled surfaces

In this study, by using the concepts and results on spherical curves in dual Lorentzian space, we give the criterions for ruled surfaces with non‐lightlike ruling to be closed (periodic). Moreover, we obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions to guarantee that a timelike or a spacelike ruled surface is closed (periodic). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Attractors for the strongly damped wave equation with p‐Laplacian

This paper is concerned with the initial‐boundary value problem for one‐dimensional strongly damped wave equation involving p‐Laplacian. For p > 2 , we establish the existence of weak local attractors for this problem in . Under restriction 2 < p < 4, we prove that the semigroup, generated by the considered problem, possesses a strong global attractor in , and this attractor is a bounded subset of . Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new UPLC approach for the quantitation of ephedrine and guaifenesin in a syrup formulation using multivariate optimization strategy

A new ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method with photodiode array detection was developed for the quantitative analysis of a commercial syrup formulation containing ephedrine (EPH) and guaifenesin (GUA). In the development of UPLC method, experimental chromatographic conditions, flow rate, column temperature, and percentage of 0.1?M H₃PO₄ in mobile phase, were optimized using chemometric multivariate strategy. From the application of a 3³ full factorial design, the optimal chromatographic conditions were obtained as the flow rate of 0.29?mL/min, column temperature of 36.4°C, and 56.9% of 0.1?M H₃PO₄ in the mobile phase. The optimal conditions gave us a good chromatographic separation of the analyzed drugs with short analysis runtime within 3?min. Calibration curves for EPH and GUA in the linear working range of 4–64 and 6–96?µg/mL, respectively, were obtained using peak areas detected at 215?nm. Performance and validity of the optimized UPLC method were estimated by analyzing independent binary mixtures, inter-day and intra-day samples, and standard addition solutions containing EPH and GUA substances. It was concluded that the proposed method was a promising approach for the quantitative determination and routine analysis of a commercial syrup formulation of the titled substances.     

Two-layered Au@Ag Bimetallic Nanocomposites-poly (L-Met) Platform for Highly Sensitive Chlorpheniramine Maleate Detection

The two-layered bimetallic Au@Ag and poly(L-methionine) (Au@Ag/p-L-met) sensor was newly developed for the electrochemical determination of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM). After electropolymerization of L-met, bimetallic surfaces were prepared by electrodeposition of Au@Ag nanoparticles on the p-L-met/PGE. The surface characterization was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensor shows good electrocatalytic activity, high sensitivity, wide linear range (0.87–600.0 μM) and a low detection limit (0.26 μM) by using Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The sensor was used to determine CPM in pharmaceutical samples with satisfactory results.     

Organic and inorganic ion-exchange beads as indicators in redox and precipitation titrations

Resin beads in the Fe(III) or p-dimethylaminobenzylidene-rhodanine form are used as indicators in precipitation titrations with K(3)Fe(CN)(6), and Ag(+). Resin beads with dipheny lamine adsorbed on them can be used as indicators in cerimetric titrations. They have some advantages over conventional indicators.     

Comparative study of titanium(IV)-based exchangers in aqueous and mixed solvent systems

The antimonate, arsenate, tungstate, molybdate and selenite of titanium have been synthesized. Their composition and chemical and thermal stability have been determined. Effects of pH and temperature on ion-exchange capacity have been studied. Titanium antimonate was found to be the most stable. The utility of these ion-exchangers for analytical separations was examined by determining the distribution coefficients for 26 metal ions in some aqueous, non-aqueous and mixed solvent systems. Quantitative separations of HgCd, PbCu and PbZn have been achieved on titanium tungstate columns, and LaBa mixtures have been separated on a titanium arsenate column.     

Lifetime-Based Oxygen Sensing Properties of palladium(II) and platinum(II) <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-tetrakis(4-phenylethynyl)phenylporphyrin

High oxygen permeable [poly(TMSP)] nanofibers incorporating porphyrin macrocycle as luminescence indicators were prepared by electrospinning technique. The porphyrins involves were modified by i) introducing phenylacetylide substituents on the para position of the phenyl moieties and ii) varying the metal centers [Pt(II) or Pd(II)] of the meso-tetrakisphenylporphyrins. A set of nanofibers; (Pt-TPP)NF, (Pd-TPP)NF, (Pt-TPA)NF and (Pd-TPA)NF were obtained to study their structure-activity relationship toward oxygen. The lifetime-based technique was privileged to take advantage of their long-lived phosphorescent properties. A two-fold enhancement was observed for (Pt-TPA)NF and (Pd-TPA)NF compared to (Pt-TPP)NF and (Pd-TPP)NF demonstrating the positive effect of the phenylacetylide moieties on the lifetime. Also, Silver nanoparticles were included in nanofibers to investigate their influence on lifetime-based oxygen sensitivity, showing that the presence of AgNPs only affects (Pd-TPA)NF.