Platelet-activating factor does not mediate UVB-induced local immune suppression

The lipid mediator Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and oxidized glycerophosphocholine PAF agonists produced by UVB have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in UVB-mediated systemic immunosuppression. Importantly, employing the ability of distant UVB irradiation to inhibit contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses to the chemical antigen dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to an area of unirradiated murine skin, we and others have demonstrated that UVB-mediated systemic immunosuppression was only observed in PAF-R expressing wild type (WT) mice and not in PAF-R-knockout (Pafr-/-) mice. As it is not known if PAF is involved in UVB-mediated local immunosuppression, these studies compared local UVB on CHS responses in WT versus Pafr-/- mice. We demonstrate that the application of DNFB onto UVB-exposed (locally) area of mouse skin resulted in a similar significant inhibition of subsequent CHS responses in both WT and Pafr-/- mice compared to sham-irradiated control mice. Furthermore, the expression of langerin, a marker for the presence of Langerhans cells was substantially reduced equally in the epidermal ears of UVB-irradiated WT and Pafr-/- mice compared to their respective sham control groups. These findings indicate that the PAF-R is not involved UVB-induced local immunosuppression.     

Assembly of one dimensional inorganic nanostructures into functional 2D and 3D architectures. Synthesis, arrangement and functionality

This review will focus on the synthesis, arrangement, structural assembly, for current and future applications, of 1D nanomaterials (tubes, wires, rods) in 2D and 3D ordered arrangements. The ability to synthesize and arrange one dimensional nanomaterials into ordered 2D or 3D micro or macro sized structures is of utmost importance in developing new devices and applications of these materials. Micro and macro sized architectures based on such 1D nanomaterials (e.g. tubes, wires, rods) provide a platform to integrate nanostructures at a larger and thus manageable scale into high performance electronic devices like field effect transistors, as chemo- and biosensors, catalysts, or in energy material applications. Carbon based, metal oxide and metal based 1D arranged materials as well as hybrid or composite 1D materials of the latter provide a broad materials platform, offering a perspective for new entries into fascinating structures and future applications of such assembled architectures. These architectures allow bridging the gap between 1D nanostructures and the micro and macro world and are the basis for an assembly of 1D materials into higher hierarchy domains. This critical review is intended to provide an interesting starting point to view the current state of the art and show perspectives for future developments in this field. The emphasis is on selected nanomaterials and the possibilities for building three dimensional arrays starting from one dimensional building blocks. Carbon nanotubes, metal oxide nanotubes and nanowires (e.g. ZnO, TiO(2), V(2)O(5), Cu(2)O, NiO, Fe(2)O(3)), silicon and germanium nanowires, and group III-V or II-VI based 1D semiconductor nanostructures like GaS and GaN, pure metals as well as 1D hybrid materials and their higher organized architectures (foremost in 3D) will be focussed. These materials have been the most intensively studied within the last 5-10 years with respect to nano-micro integration aspects and their functional and application oriented properties. The critical review should be interesting for a broader scientific community (chemists, physicists, material scientists) interested in synthetic and functional material aspects of 1D materials as well as their integration into next higher organized architectures.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclo-1,3-diene-tethered nitrile oxides

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclo-1,3-diene- and -1,3,5-triene-tethered nitrile oxides gave tricyclic isoxazolines as a single stereoisomer in most cases. The relative stereochemistry of tricycle-fused isoxazolines resulting from 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclo-1,3-diene-tethered nitrile oxides is cis-cis, whereas from cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene-tethered nitrile oxides the cis-trans isomer predominates.     

Reusable Nano-Zirconia-Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzimidazoles and Their Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities

In this article, a zirconia-based nano-catalyst (Nano-ZrO₂), with intermolecular C-N bond formation for the synthesis of various benzimidazole-fused heterocycles in a concise method is reported. The robustness of this reaction is demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of benzimidazole drugs in a one-pot method. All synthesized materials were characterized using ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, and LC-MS spectroscopy as well as microanalysis data. Furthermore, the synthesis of nano-ZrO₂ was processed using a standard hydrothermal technique in pure form. The crystal structure of nano-ZrO₂ and phase purity were studied, and the crystallite size was calculated from XRD analysis using the Debye–Scherrer equation. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized benzimidazole drugs was evaluated in terms of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and antifungal activity, and the results were satisfactory.     

Computational studies on the structures and energies of the tautomers of 1-amino-3-nitrotriazol-5-one-2-oxide

Molecular orbital calculations at the DFT-B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level were performed for the possible tautomers of 1-amino-3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one-2-oxide. We have examined the substitution effects of amino and nitro groups by comparing calculated geometries, relative energies, and electrostatic potentials of model molecules. The optimized structures, vibrational frequencies, and thermodynamic values for triazol-5-one-N-oxides were obtained in their ground state. The results show 1H, 4H tautomers to be most stable. Detonation velocity and detonation pressure were evaluated by the Kamlet and Jacob equations based on the predicted density and the calculated heat of explosion. Explosive properties appear to be promising compared with those of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (D = 8.75 km/s, P = 34.7 Gpa) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (D = 8.96 km/s, P = 35.96 Gpa), 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (D = 9.20 km/s, P = 42.0 Gpa) and octanitrocubane (D = 9.90 km/s, P = 48.45 GPa). The designed triazol-5-one-N-oxides satisfy the criteria of high energy density materials.     

Feasibility of Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Transdermal Drug Delivery System for Terbutaline Sulphate

A series of terbutaline sulphate drug incorporated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix films were produced by the solvent evaporation method. The effect of xanthan gum and plasticizers (propylene glycol and dibutyl phthalate) on the rate and amount of drug diffusion from PVA membrane across the hydrated cellophane membrane has been evaluated, using an open glass diffusion‐tube. The obtained films were clear, smooth and flexible having sufficient mechanical strength. The mechanical performance of the dry PVA films with xanthan gum and plasticizers were also ascertained. Polyvinyl alcohol‐xanthan gum blends showed a high rate of drug release compared to that of polyvinyl alcohol film alone. Among the two plasticizers employed, propylene glycol showed better permeability. Among different formulations studied, the formulation PVA/xanthan gum/propylene glycol (F7) was found to be an optimized composition for efficient transdermal delivery of the model drug, terbutaline sulphate. The mechanism of drug diffusion has been evaluated using the Peppas model. Stability studies carried out on polymer‐drug formulations revealed that the drug is stable at 40°C and 75% RH for a period of 6 weeks.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Ruthenium(II) Complex for Photovoltaic Cells

We have designed and synthesized a new ruthenium complex, [(5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline)bis(4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid‐2,2′‐bipyridine)]ruthenium(II) by introducing two types of ligands, 5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline and 4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid‐2,2′‐bipyridine. We investigated the electronic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the Ru(II) complex. The short‐circuit current density and overall solar‐to‐electric energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cells made with this Ru(II) complex were found to be 8.9 mA/cm² and 2.1%, respectively. A series of analogous Ru(II) complexes have also been synthesized and investigated to compare the effects of functional groups on various ligands. HOMO‐LUMO energies and molecular orbital surfaces have been investigated using semiempirical quantum chemical methods.     

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Some Novel Thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinolines as a New Class of Antimicrobial Agent

A series of novel substituted thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinolines 4a–e , 5a–e , and 6a–e were prepared from substituted 3-formyl-2-mercapto quinolines 2a–e , on reaction with ethyl acetoacetate, diethyl malonate, and ethyl cyanoacetate 3a–c by microwave irradiation in the presence of piperidine. Synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activities. Among the compounds tested, 7-chloro-2-oxo-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinoline-3-carbonitrile 6d and 7-nitro-2-oxo-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinoline-3-carbonitrile 6e were highly active against S. aureus and M. roseus.     

Self Organization and Redox Behavior of Poly(vinylferrocene)-block-Poly(isobutylene)-block-Poly(vinylferrocene) Triblock Copolymer †

Self organization and redox behavior of a ferrocene containing triblock copolymer, poly(vinylferrocene)-block-poly(isobutylene)-block-poly(vinylferrocene), with narrow molecular weight distribution in solutions and in thin films were investigated. Dynamic light scattering studies of the block copolymer in dilute solutions indicated that the polymer chains aggregated at relatively low concentrations. The aggregations of polymer chains were observed in toluene, as well as in tetrahydrofuran at concentrations as low as 0.014 mg/mL and 0.0045 mg/mL, respectively. Thin films of the copolymer showed reversible single electron redox behavior, similar to that of ferrocene. Morphology and micro-phase separation of the copolymer was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.