Ultrasound-assisted three-component synthesis of 3-(5-amino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-enyl)indolin-2-ones in water

Indium(III) chloride was found to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 3-(5-amino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-enyl)indolin-2-ones by one-pot, three-component reaction of dimedone, 1H-pyrazol-5-amines and isatins in water under ultrasonic irradiation. The advantages of this method are the use of a readily available catalyst, easy workup, excellent yields, and the use of water as a solvent that is considered to be relatively environmentally benign.     

Generalized norm preserving maps between subsets of continuous functions

Positivity - Let X and Y be locally compact Hausdorff spaces. In this paper we study surjections $$T: A \longrightarrow B$$ between certain subsets A and B of $$C_0(X)$$ and $$C_0(Y)$$ ,...     

Cobalt-catalyzed isocyanide insertion cyclization to dihydrobenzoimidazotriazins

We have developed an isocyanide insertion reaction for the synthesis of dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazins and imidazol-quinoxaline-5-carboxamides utilizing cobalt catalyst. Cobalt-catalyzed system is inexpensive and more acceptable from industrial point of view.     

Hybrid Interface Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose/N-Doped Porous Reduced Graphene Oxide for On-Demand Electrochemical Release of Imatinib

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - The modern drug delivery research strives to utilize novel materials and fabrication technologies for the preparation of robust drug delivery systems to combat...     

Nanofibrous Tubular Membrane for Blood Hemodialysis

As the most important components of a hemodialysis device, nanofibrous membranes enjoy high interconnected porosity and specific surface area as well as excellect permeability. In this study, a tubular nanofibrous membrane of polysulfone nanofibers was produced via electrospinning method to remove urea and creatinine from urine and blood serums of dialysis patients. Nanofibrous membranes were electrospun at a concentration of 11.5 wt% of polysulfone (PS) and dimethylformamide (DMF)/tetrahydrofuran (THF) with a ratio of 70/30. The effects of the rotational speed of collectors, electrospinning duration, and inner diameter of the tubular nanofibrous membrane on the urea and creatinine removal efficiency of the tubular membrane were investigated through the hemodialysis simulation experiments. It was found that the tubular membrane with an inner diameter of 3 mm elecrospun at shorter duration with lower collecting speed had the highest urea and creatinine removal efficiency. The hemodialysis simulation experiment showed that the urea and creatinine removal efficiency of the tubular membrane with a diameter of 3 mm were 90.4 and 100%, respectively. Also, three patients’ blood serums were tested with the nanofibrous membrane. The results showed that the creatinine and urea removal rates were 93.2 and 90.3%, respectively.     

Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> PAO1 Biofilm Protein Profile After Exposure to <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Butanolic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclamen coum</Emphasis> Extract Alone and in Combination with Ciprofloxacin

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-related infections are the major cause of premature death in cystic fibrosis patients. Strategies to induce biofilm dispersal are of interest, because of their potential in preventing biofilm-related infections. Our previous work demonstrated that n-butanolic Cyclamen coum extract with ciprofloxacin could eliminate 1- and 3-day-old P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. To gain new insights into the role of C. coum extract and its synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin in eliminating P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with mass spectrometry-based protein identification were used. Changes in the bacterial protein expression were analyzed when 3-day-old biofilm cells were exposed to the C. coum extract alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin. Proteins involved in alginate biosynthesis, quorum sensing, adaptation/protection, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism showed a weaker expression in the C. coum extract-ciprofloxacin-treated biofilm cells compared to those in the untreated cells. Interestingly, the proteome of C. coum extract-ciprofloxacin-treated biofilm revealed more resemblance to the planktonic phenotype than to the biofilm phenotype. It appears that saponin extract in combination with ciprofloxacin causes biofilm disruption due to several mechanisms such as motility induction, cell envelope integrity perturbation, stress protein expression reduction, and more importantly, signal transduction perturbation. In conclusion, exposure to a combination of biofilm dispersal such as saponin extract and antimicrobial agents may offer a novel strategy to control preestablished, persistent P. aeruginosa biofilms and biofilm-related infections.     

Polyethylene-based nanocomposite: Structure and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/organofunctionalized Mg-doped fluorapatite hybrid

We report here the production and characterization of polymer nanocomposites (NC)s containing nanoceramics of organofunctionalized Mg-doped fluorapatite (MDFA) in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. First, the MDFA materials were functionalized with N-trimellitylimido-L-leucine modifier through ultrasonic irradiation. The numerous experimental techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to characterize the prepared materials. Thermal analysis of the obtained NCs showed an increase in thermal stability of the NCs when compared to the neat macromolecule.     

Polarizability of the Si<Subscript>60</Subscript>H<Subscript>60</Subscript> Derivatives Containing Epoxide Moieties (Si<Subscript>60</Subscript>H<Subscript>60−2n</Subscript>O<Subscript>n</Subscript> with n up to 30): A DFT Study

We have applied density functional theory calculations to study polarizability of the Si₆₀H₆₀ derivatives with epoxide moieties (Si₆₀H_60?2nO_n with n up to 30). The results show that mean polarizability, α, of oxygen-containing silicon fullerene derivatives is higher than that of Si₆₀H₆₀. The mean polarizabilities of the isomers slightly depend on the positional relationship of the epoxide moieties, and are determined mainly by the number of epoxide moieties. Mean polarizabilities of Si₆₀H_60?2nO_n linearly increase with n, and are characterized by the depression of polarizability. The formula describing the mean polarizability as a function of the number of epoxide groups has been obtained, which may be important for the design of silicon-containing nanostructures with regulated polar parameters.     

Improved antibacterial properties of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy coated with chitosan nanofibers incorporating silver sulfadiazine multiwall carbon nanotubes for bone implants

Bacteria‐caused infection remains an issue in the treatment of bone defects by means of Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants. This study aimed to improve the antibacterial properties of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy by coating with chitosan‐based nanofibers with incorporated silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). AgSD and MWCNTs were prepared at a weight ratio of 1:1 and then added to chitosan at varying concentrations (ie, 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.5 wt.%) to form composites. The obtained composites were ejected in nanofiber form using an electrospinning technique and coated on the surface of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy to improve its antibacterial properties. A microstructural examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the diameter of chitosan nanofiber ejected increased with the concentration of AgSD‐MWCNTs. The incorporation of AgSD‐MWCNTs into the chitosan nanofibers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Examination of the antibacterial activity shows that chitosan nanofibers with AgSD‐MWCNTs can significantly inhibit the growth and infiltration of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Biocompatibility assay and cell morphology observations demonstrate that AgSD‐MWCNTs incorporated into nanofibers are cytocompatible. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential application of electrospun chitosan with AgSD‐MWCNTs as an antibacterial coating on Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants for bone treatment.