Kinetics of thermochemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials

The results of an experimental study of the acid hydrolysis of hardwood are presented in the form of values for the three parameters, activation energy, power on the acid concentration, and pre-exponen-tial factor, of the first order kinetic constants for each of the following reaction participants: xylan remaining, glucan remaining, xylose formed, and xylose decomposed. These are used as a base for a quantitative theory to predict the temperature, time, and acid concentrations needed for effective pretreatment of the substrate for subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the glucan. This theory is based on the assumption that successful pretreatment requires >90% removal of the xylan, <10% removal of the glucan, and >80% xylose yield. This theory is compared with selected published data.     

Chemical Derivatization and Characterization of Novel Antitrypanosomals for African Trypanosomiasis

The search for novel antitrypanosomals and the investigation into their mode of action remain crucial due to the toxicity and resistance of commercially available antitrypanosomal drugs. In this study, two novel antitrypanosomals, tortodofuordioxamide (compound 2) and tortodofuorpyramide (compound 3), were chemically derived from the natural N-alkylamide tortozanthoxylamide (compound 1) through structural modification. The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed through spectrometric and spectroscopic analysis, and their in vitro efficacy and possible mechanisms of action were, subsequently, investigated in Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), one of the causative species of African trypanosomiasis (AT). The novel compounds 2 and 3 displayed significant antitrypanosomal potencies in terms of half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) and selectivity indices (SI) (compound 1, EC₅₀ = 7.3 μM, SI = 29.5; compound 2, EC₅₀ = 3.2 μM, SI = 91.3; compound 3, EC₅₀ = 4.5 μM, SI = 69.9). Microscopic analysis indicated that at the EC₅₀ values, the compounds resulted in the coiling and clumping of parasite subpopulations without significantly affecting the normal ratio of nuclei to kinetoplasts. In contrast to the animal antitrypanosomal drug diminazene, compounds 1, 2 and 3 exhibited antioxidant absorbance properties comparable to the standard antioxidant Trolox (Trolox, 0.11 A; diminazene, 0.50 A; compound 1, 0.10 A; compound 2, 0.09 A; compound 3, 0.11 A). The analysis of growth kinetics suggested that the compounds exhibited a relatively gradual but consistent growth inhibition of T. brucei at different concentrations. The results suggest that further pharmacological optimization of compounds 2 and 3 may facilitate their development into novel AT chemotherapy.     

Radical-Mediated Photocatalysis for Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion into Value-Added Chemicals and Hydrogen: Facts,Opportunities and Challenges

Photocatalytic biomass conversion into high-value chemicals and fuels is considered one of the hottest ongoing research and industrial topics toward sustainable development. In short, this process can cleave C_β−O/C_α−C_β bonds in lignin to aromatic platform chemicals, and further conversion of the polysaccharides to other platform chemicals and H₂. From the chemistry point of view, the optimization of the unique cooperative interplay of radical oxidation species (which are activated via molecular oxygen species, ROSs) and substrate-derived radical intermediates by appropriate control of their type and/or yield is key to the selective production of desired products. Technically, several challenges have been raised that face successful real-world applications. This review aims to discuss the recently reported mechanistic pathways toward selective biomass conversion through the optimization of ROSs behavior and materials/system design. On top of that, through a SWOT analysis, we critically discussed this technology from both chemistry and technological viewpoints to help the scientists and engineers bridge the gap between lab-scale and large-scale production.     

Spectral amplitude code label switching system for IM,DQPSK and PDM-DQPSK with frequency swept coherent detection

We present and compare the outcome of implicit and explicit labels using intensity modulation (IM), differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), and polarization division multiplexed (PDM-DQPSK). A payload bit rate of 1, 2, and 5 Gb/s is considered for IM implicit labels, while payloads of 40, 80, and 112 Gb/s are considered in DQPSK and PDM-DQPSK explicit labels by stimulating a 4-code 156-Mb/s SAC label. The generated label and payloads are observed by assessing the eye diagram, received optical power (ROP), and optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR).     

Iodination of terminal alkynes using KI/CuSO4 – A facile method with potential for radio-iodination

Herein, we report an efficient new method for the iodination of terminal alkynes using stoichiometric KI and CuSO₄ in a mix of acetonitrile and acetate buffer that holds promise for further development into a method for radio-iodination.     

Copper-free click--a promising tool for pre-targeted PET imaging

The copper-free click (CFC) reaction has been evaluated for its potential application to in vivo pre-targeting for PET imaging. A promising biodistribution profile is demonstrated when employing [(18)F]2-fluoroethylazide ([(18)F]1) and optimisation of the CFC reaction with a series of cyclooctynes shows that reactions proceed efficiently with tantalizing opportunities for application-specific tuning.     

CXCR4‐Targeted and MMP‐Responsive Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI offers high spatial resolution with excellent tissue penetration but it has limited sensitivity and the commonly administered contrast agents lack specificity. In this study, two sets of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized that were designed to selectively undergo copper‐free click conjugation upon sensing of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes, thereby leading to a self‐assembled superparamagnetic nanocluster network with T₂ signal enhancement properties. For this purpose, IONPs with bioorthogonal azide and alkyne surfaces masked by polyethylene glycol (PEG) layers tethered to CXCR4‐targeted peptide ligands were synthesized and characterized. The IONPs were tested in vitro and T₂ signal enhancements of around 160 % were measured when the IONPs were incubated with cells expressing MMP2/9 and CXCR4. Simultaneous systemic administration of the bioorthogonal IONPs in tumor‐bearing mice demonstrated the signal‐enhancing ability of these ‘smart’ self‐assembling nanomaterials.