Cyanuric chloride catalyzed metal-free mild protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines

An environmentally benign, facile and elegant synthetic approach for the convenient access of a series of diverse 2,6-diaryl-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylates via a one-pot, pseudo five-component condensation of ethyl acetoacetate, anilines and aromatic aldehydes under mild reaction conditions has been described. This domino strategy allows rapid cyclization in the presence of 10 mol% of cyanuric chloride as a source of hydrochloric acid to afford the desired target skeletons in excellent yields. The present protocol offers prominent advantages of simple operational procedure, metal-free organocatalyst, practically robust and extensive substrate scope.     

Effect of Inhomogeneity on the Stress in Pipes

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of elastic inhomogeneity on the elastic field in solid circular cylinders, pipes, and also in a solid of infinite extent surrounding an internally pressurized cavity. The motivation for this research stems from recent interest in the use of laser technology and the vapor deposition of thin layers onto the surfaces of pipes. The present analysis extends previous treatments insofar as a more general form for the spatial variation of Young's modulus is used. An estimate for the optimal functional gradient within a pressurized pipe is presented.     

SVR-based prediction of point gas hold-up for bubble column reactor through recurrence quantification analysis of LDA time-series

Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) has emerged as a useful tool for detecting singularities in non-stationary time-series data. In this paper, we use RQA to analyze the velocity–time data acquired using laser doppler anemometry (LDA) signals in a bubble column reactor for Single point and Multipoint point spargers. The recurring dynamical states within the velocity–time-series occurring due to the bubble and the liquid passage at the point of measurement, are quantified by RQA features (namely % Recurrence, % Determinism, % Laminarity and Entropy), which in turn are regressed using support vector regression (SVR) to predict the point gas hold-up values. It has been shown that SVR-based model for the bubble column reactor can be potentially useful for online prediction and monitoring of the point gas hold-up for different sparging conditions.     

Epoxy and hydroxy functional polyolefin macromonomers

Methods for preparing saturated polyolefin oligomers with Si(SINGLE BOND)H, epoxy groups, and with dihydroxy groups have been developed. Anionic polymerization of butadiene, then termination of the chains with chlorodimethylsilane leads to controlled molecular weight oligomers with silane functionality, and wherein the microstructure can be tailored. Hydrogenation of these materials proceeds smoothly using colloidal nickel catalysts to yield the corresponding saturated materials, which are stable to conditions used for melt polyesterifications. Hydrosilation of allyl glycidyl ether with the Si(SINGLE BOND)H end groups produces epoxy functional oligomers, and subsequent hydrolysis of the epoxy rings yields oligomers with a dihydroxy group at one end. Melt copolymerization of the olefin macromers with 1,4-butanediol and 1,4-dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate in the presence of titanium isopropoxide affords poly(ester-g-olefin) graft copolymers. These copolymers are under study as model interfacial agents for polyester/polyolefin blends and as suspension agents for polyester particles in nonpolar media. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Onset of resonance in chaotically driven systems

We investigate the onset of chaotic resonance (CR) behavior by studying the dynamics of chaotically driven bistable systems near the crisis bifurcation point. Our analysis reveals the existence and identification of a characteristic natural frequency associated with the dynamics of the system confirming that classical resonance is responsible for CR. We also classify the different routes via which CR can originate. The ability to manipulate the route to CR can be of importance in developing technological applications.     

Molecular Studies on the Nephroprotective Potential of Celastrus paniculatus against Lead-Acetate-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Experimental Rats: Role of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Chemicals can induce nephrotoxicity, with damage to different segments of the nephron and deterioration of renal function. Nephrotoxicity due to exposure to a toxin such as carbon tetrachloride, sodium oxalate, or heavy metals is the most common cause of kidney injury. The current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Celastrus paniculatus seed extract against lead-acetate-induced nephrotoxicity by evaluating the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): group 1 contained normal animals and served as the control; group 2 received lead acetate (30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day, oral); group 3 received lead acetate and the standard drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 200 mg/kg b.w./day, oral); and group 4 received lead acetate and the ethanolic extract of C. paniculatus seed (EECP; 800 mg/kg b.w./day, oral). Treatment was given for 28 consecutive days. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with SIGMA PLOT 13 using SYSTAT software followed by Newman–Keul’s test for comparison between the groups. EECP ameliorated the adverse changes caused by lead acetate. PI3K and AKT messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were diminished in lead-acetate-treated rats. Treatment with EECP inhibited the occurrence of shrunken cells, the atrophy of glomeruli, and degenerative changes in renal tubules caused by lead acetate. Interestingly, the PI3K and AKT mRNA levels were significantly increased in EECP-treated animals. Our results clearly evidence for the first time that C. paniculatus seed extract inhibits lead-acetate-induced detrimental changes in kidneys by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.     

Novel Triterpenoids from Cassia fistula Stem Bark Depreciates STZ-Induced Detrimental Changes in IRS-1/Akt-Mediated Insulin Signaling Mechanisms in Type-1 Diabetic Rats

Here, we identified the mechanisms of action of antidiabetic activity of novel compounds isolated from Cassia fistula stem bark in STZ-diabetic animals. Novel triterpenoid compounds (C1, C2 and C3) were treated to STZ-administered diabetic animals at a concentration of 20mg/kg body weight orally for 60 days to assess their effects on plasma glucose, plasma insulin/C-peptide, serum lipid markers and the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, glucose oxidation and insulin signaling molecules. Oral administration of novel triterpenoid compounds to STZ-diabetic animals significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the plasma glucose concentration on the 7th, 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th daysin a duration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Plasma insulin (p < 0.0001)/C-peptide (p < 0.0006), tissue glycogen (p < 0.0034), glycogen phosphorylase (p < 0.005), glucose 6-phosphatase (p < 0.0001) and lipid markers were significantly increased (p < 0.0001) in diabetic rats, whereas glucokinase (p < 0.0047), glycogen synthase (p < 0.003), glucose oxidation (p < 0.001), GLUT4 mRNA (p < 0.0463), GLUT4 protein (p < 0.0475) and the insulin-signaling molecules IR mRNA (p < 0.0195), IR protein (p < 0.0001), IRS-1 mRNA (p < 0.0478), p-IRS-1^Tyr612 (p < 0.0185), Akt mRNA (p < 0.0394), p–Akt^Ser473 (p < 0.0162), GLUT4 mRNA (p < 0.0463) and GLUT4 (p < 0.0475) were decreased in the gastrocnemius muscle. In silico analysis of C1–C3 with IRK and PPAR-γ protein coincided with in vivo findings. C1–C3 possessed promising antidiabetic activity by regulating insulin signaling mechanisms and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes.     

Stevioside Attenuates Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle by Facilitating IR/IRS-1/Akt/GLUT 4 Signaling Pathways: An In Vivo and In Silico Approach

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the leading global health burden of this century majorly develops due to obesity and hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in skeletal muscles. Hence, developing novel drugs that ameliorate these pathological events is an immediate priority. The study was designed to analyze the possible role of Stevioside, a characteristic sugar from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) on insulin signaling molecules in gastrocnemius muscle of obesity and hyperglycemia-induced T2DM rats. Adult male Wistar rats rendered diabetic by administration of high fat diet (HFD) and sucrose for 60 days were orally administered with SIT (20 mg/kg/day) for 45 days. Various parameters were estimated including fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes and expression of insulin signaling molecules in diabetic gastrocnemius muscle. Stevioside treatment improved glucose and insulin tolerances in diabetic rats and restored their elevated levels of FBG, serum insulin and lipid profile to normalcy. In diabetic gastrocnemius muscles, Setvioside normalized the altered levels of lipid peroxidase (LPO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radical (OH*), antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx and GSH) and molecules of insulin signaling including insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and Akt mRNA levels. Furthermore, Stevioside enhanced glucose uptake (GU) and oxidation in diabetic muscles by augmenting glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) synthesis very effectively in a similar way to metformin. Results of molecular docking analysis evidenced the higher binding affinity with IRS-1 and GLUT 4. Stevioside effectively inhibits oxidative stress and promotes glucose uptake in diabetic gastrocnemius muscles by activating IR/IRS-1/Akt/GLUT 4 pathway. The results of the in silico investigation matched those of the in vivo study. Hence, Stevioside could be considered as a promising phytomedicine to treat T2DM.     

Rhenium(I)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe for conformational changes of bovine serum albumin

Protein binding properties of fac-rhenium(I) complexes with general structure [Re(CO)₃(N-N)L]PF₆, where N-N = 4,4′-dinanoyl-2,2-bipyridine and L = py-3-COOH (1a) and py-3-CONH₂ (1b) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated at physiological pH (7.4) using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectral study, excited state lifetime measurement and circular dichroism (CD). The results observed from fluorescence spectra reveal the energy transfer from BSA to Re(I) complex, and the distance r between donor (BSA) and acceptor (Re(I) complex) is 3.05 nm and 2.16 nm for 1a and 1b respectively according to Forster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. CD results show that the binding of Re(I) complex could induce the conformational change with the loss of α-helicity.     

Efficient synthesis of novel pyrazole-linked 1,2,4-triazolidine-3-thiones using bismuth on zirconium oxide as a recyclable catalyst in aqueous medium

Molecular Diversity - The Bi2O3 loading on ZrO2 as heterogeneous catalyst was established as an extremely efficient catalyst for the synthesis of a series of novel...