Surface derivatization strategy for combinatorial analysis of cell response to mixtures of protein domains

We report a robust strategy for conjugating mixtures of two or more protein domains to nonfouling polyurethane surfaces. In our strategy, the carbamate groups of polyurethane are reacted with zirconium alkoxide from the vapor phase to give a surface-bound oxide that serves as a chemical layer that can be used to bond organics to the polymer substrate. A hydroxyalkylphosphonate monolayer was synthesized on this layer, which was then used to covalently bind primary amine groups in protein domains using chloroformate-derived cross-linking. The effectiveness of this synthesis strategy was gauged by using an ELISA to measure competitive, covalent bonding of cell-binding (III(9-10)) and fibronectin-binding (III(1-2)) domains of the cell adhesion protein fibronectin. Cell adhesion, spreading, and fibronectin matrix assembly were examined on surfaces conjugated with single domains, a 1:1 surface mixture of III(1-2) and III(9-10), and a recombinant protein "duplex" containing both domains in one fusion protein. The mixture performed as well as or better than the other surfaces in these assays. Our surface activation strategy is amenable to a wide range of polymer substrates and free amino group-containing protein fragments. As such, this technique may be used to create biologically specific materials through the immobilization of specific protein groups or mixtures thereof on a substrate surface.     

Designing of layered double hydroxide,metal oxides,and borate-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethanes composites

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are widely used in automotive, medical, and marine applications due to their excellent properties such as high tensile strength, flexibility, and durability. However, the presence of isocyanate groups in TPUs increases their flammability and produces toxic gases during combustion, limiting their application. Here, the study aims to modify TPUs to improve their flame-retardant behavior. Various fillers such as metal oxides, Layer double hydroxides (LDH), and borates were synthesized and added into the TPU matrix by using extrusion and compression molding. At a 10% loading of Zinc-Magnesium oxides, a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 25% was achieved, along with no dripping and complete burning cessation within 20 s. Magnesium aluminium LDH exhibited maximum flame retardancy at a 5% loading, with an LOI of 25%, burning cessation within 23 s without dripping, and a V1 rating. Overall, this research aims to develop TPU composites with improved fire safety properties by incorporating various additives. The synthesized additives showed potential for enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant properties of TPU.     

An expeditious synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinozoline-4(1H)-ones using graphene-supported sulfonic acid

Graphene-supported sulfonic acid (Gr@SO₃H) has been prepared by covalent grafting of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane in the matrix of graphene followed by treatment with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Gr@SO₃H has been successfully characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy, CP-MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. Gr@SO₃H served as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of bioactive 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones from anthranilamide and aryl aldehydes in ethanol. Recyclability experiments were executed successfully for six consecutive runs.     

RP-LC Simultaneous Determination of Nebivolol Hydrochloride and Amlodipine Besilate in Bi-Layer Tablets

A simple and rapid LC method was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of nebivolol and amlodipine in a bi-layer tablet formulation. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on (USP L10) Hypersil BDS cyano, 5 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm column with simple mobile phase composition delivered in isocratic mode. The method had requisite accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, robustness and precision to assay nebivolol and amlodipine in pharmaceutical dosage form. Degradation products resulting from the stress studies did not interfere with the detection of nebivolol and amlodipine, these peaks remained pure and thus proved to be stability indicating. The mass balance of the stressed sample was in the range 99.0–100.2% for amlodipine and 99.3–100.3% for nebivolol.     

Water Hyacinth as Carbon Source for the Production of Cellulase by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma reesei</Emphasis>

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic weed common to the subtropic/tropical regions, was utilized as an inexpensive lignocellulosic substrate for production of cellulase by Trichoderma reesei. The effects of process parameters like substrate pretreatment, substrate concentration, initial medium pH, mode of inoculation, and incubation temperature on cellulase production were investigated. Under optimal conditions, a maximal cellulase activity of 0.22 ± 0.04 IU/ml (approximately 73.3 IU/g cellulose) was recorded at the end of 15-day incubation period. Specific activity of the enzyme was 6.25 IU/mg protein. Hydrolysis of 1% substrate (water hyacinth) using crude enzyme dosage of 1.2 IU/g water hyacinth showed 28.7% saccharification in 1 h. The observations in present study indicate that saccharification of cellulose from water hyacinth was significantly higher by laboratory-produced cellulase than the commercial blend.     

Polarization maintaining index-guided photonic crystal fiber sensor for slowly varying pressure measurement

The paper presents an experimental investigation of slowly varying pressure measurement using the polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor. Versatility of the sensor has been proved by analyzing its response for various types of time varying pressure profiles viz. exponentially decaying, sinusoidally varying and linearly increasing pressure. Temporal behavior of the sensor has been fully characterised. Dependence on temperature has been explored and it is found that the sensor is an attractive choice for applications in harsh environments.     

Triboluminescence of a new family of CuI–NHC complexes in crystalline solid and in amorphous polymer films

Triboluminescent compounds that generate emission of light in response to mechanical stimulus are promising targets in the development of “smart materials” and damage sensors. Among triboluminescent metal complexes, rare-earth europium and terbium complexes are most widely used, while there is no systematic data on more readily available and inexpensive Cu complexes. We report a new family of photoluminescent Cu–NHC complexes that show bright triboluminescence (TL) in the crystal state visible in ambient indoor light under air. Moreover, when these complexes are blended into amorphous polymer films even at small concentrations, TL is easily observed. Observation of TL in polymer films overcomes the limitation of using crystals and opens up possibilities for the development of mechanoresponsive coatings and materials based on inexpensive metals such as Cu. Our results may also have implications for the understanding of the TL effect''s origin in polymer films.

Triboluminescent compounds that generate emission of light in response to mechanical stimulus are promising targets in the development of “smart materials” and damage sensors.