In Vitro Evaluation of Zn–Norfloxacin Complex as a Potent Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Agent, Proposed Model for DNA Binding

A tetrahedral Zn(II) complex with the second generation fluoroquinolone, norfloxacin, was prepared and characterized (NOR–Zn complex, NZC). The antibacterial efficiency of the NZC was tested on two Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria by minimum inhibitory concentration method. The cytotoxic potential of NZC on MDA (human breast adenocarcinoma), Caco-2 (human colon adenocarcinoma), and Hela (human cervix carcinoma) cell lines was studied. The DNA interaction property of the NZC has been investigated using UV–vis, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, as well as cyclic voltammetry methods. Intrinsic binding constant (K _b ), thermodynamic, and other spectroscopic and voltammetric data indicate that the NZC has more affinity for DNA than for norfloxacin and interacted with DNA via two modes: electrostatic and outside hydrogen binding. The proposed DNA binding mode supports the large enhancement in the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of NZC.     

Multi-sensor approach in vessel magnetic wake imaging

Wake is the hydrodynamic footprint of a vessel at sea. The Earth’s magnetic field makes these footprints visible using magnetic sensors. Magnetic wakes induced by the motion of vessels may extend several kilometers and stay up long hours under certain conditions. From remote sensing point of view, in this work physical properties of this magnetic pattern are studied. A mathematical model is derived to simulate the magnetic wakes in a finite depth sea. Estimation of vessel traveling direction using single airborne sensors is reviewed and some problems in this method are remarked. A multi-sensor arrangement of magnetic transducers is proposed to remove these limitations. Estimation of vessel traveling direction with the proposed sensor configuration is performed. Robustness of the proposed method in dealing with Gaussian white noise and various target cutting angles is shown.     

Noise analysis of coaxial Schottky barrier carbon nanotube fets using non equilibrium Green’s function formalism

The effect of noise on the performance of Schottky Barrier Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors (SB-CNTFETs) has been investigated under various bias conditions. In order to calculate the noise power spectral density, the Non-Equilibrium Green’s Function formalism (NEGF) is used to obtain the transmission coefficient and the number of carriers inside the channel. Results are presented in two sections: In the first section the Hooge’s empirical rule is used to investigate the flicker noise properties of SB-CNTFETs with defects in the gate oxide region, while in the second section the thermal and shot noise properties of SB-CNTFETs are studied. Finally, the best bias points in the ON and OFF states have been suggested according to the total noise power spectral density and the device signal to noise ratio.      

Enantioselective copper-catalysed propargylic substitution: synthetic scope study and application in formal total syntheses of (+)-anisomycin and (-)-cytoxazone

A copper catalyst with a chiral pyridine-2,6-bisoxazoline (pybox) ligand was used to convert a variety of propargylic esters with different side chains (R=Ar, Bn, alkyl) into their amine counterparts in very high yields and with good enantioselectivities (up to 90% enantiomeric excess (ee)). Different amine nucleophiles were applied in the reactions and the highest enantioselectivities were obtained for aniline and its analogues. Interestingly, some carbon nucleophiles could also be used and with indoles excellent ee values were obtained (up to 98% ee). The versatility of the propargylic amines obtained was demonstrated by their further elaboration to formal total syntheses of the antibiotic (+)-anisomycin and the cytokine modulator (-)-cytoxazone.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Sulfonamides Containing N-Acyl Moieties Catalyzed by Bismuth(III) Salts Under Both Solvent and Solvent-Free Conditions

Efficient N-acylation of sulfonamides with both readily available carboxylic acid chlorides and anhydrides has been carried out with catalysis by bismuth(III) salts including BiCl₃ and Bi (OTf)₃. The reactions proceed rapidly in both heterogeneous and solvent-free conditions and afforded the corresponding N-acylsulfonamides in good to excellent yields. The mild reaction conditions and low toxicity of bismuth salts make this procedure attractive and in close agreement with the goals of green chemistry. Some of the synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro as antimicrobial agents against representative strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25922, clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus VISA and Enterococcus spp.) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli) and as antifungal agents against Candida albicans (clinically isolated) by both disc diffusion and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) methods. All these bacteria and fungi studied were screened against some antibiotics to compare with our chemicals' zone diameters.     

Phenol-derived chiral phosphine–phosphite ligands in the rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of functionalized olefins

A set of 15 chiral Taddol- and Binol-based phosphine–phosphite ligands were tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of three olefins, methyl 2-hydroxymethyl-acrylate, 1-phenylvinyl acetate, and α-methyl cinnamic acid. The best enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) were observed in the hydrogenation of methyl 2-hydroxymethyl-acrylate using Binol-based ligands. As previously observed in other applications of this class of modular chiral ligand in enantioselective catalysis, the stereochemical outcome of the reactions greatly depended on the substituents at the ligand aryl backbone in the ortho-position to the chiral phosphite unit.     

Fabrication of Polypropylene/Poly (Trimethylene Terephthalate) Blend Fibers with Highly Improved Resiliency and Preserved Mechanical Properties

The main aim of this study was to deal with one of the major drawbacks of polypropylene (PP) fibers, i.e. low resiliency, by incorporating poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) nano-fibrils as a dispersed material into the PP polymer matrix. Thanks to the special helical shape of the PTT polymer backbone, the incorporated nano-fibrils of the PTT polymer strengthened the resiliency of the blend fibers. The presence of 10 and 15?wt% of PTT in the blend fibers led to an approximately 20% increase in the resilience behavior, compared to pure PP fibers, with the mechanical properties of the PP matrix preserved. The development of the fibrillar structures during the different steps of the melt spinning process was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the lowest mean diameter of the nano-fibrils was 64?nm for the hot drawn blend fiber samples consisting of 10?wt% of PTT. In summary, we suggest the optimized blend fiber samples produced in this research will be a promising candidate for a wide range of engineering applications.     

Catecholthioether derivatives: preliminary study of in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

In this research, synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of a series of catecholthioethers having benzoxazole and tetrazole moieties are described. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro against three Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolated), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecium (clinical isolated), and two Gram-negative bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolated) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853 and the yeast Candida albicans in comparison with control drugs. Microbiological results indicated that the synthesized compounds possessed a broad spectrum of activity against the tested microorganisms at MIC values between 4-256 μg/ml. This shows compounds having tetrazole moiety were the most active against Gram-negative strains, whereas compounds having benzoxazole moiety were more active against Gram-positive ones. Also both of them showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans and had lower activity than the compared control drugs (Sulfamethoxazole and Fluconazole). The antioxidant activity was assessed using two methods, including, 1,1-biphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and reducing power assays. Some of the catecholthioether derivatives showed antioxidant activity more than Trolox and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as reference antioxidants.     

A Brief Overview of Potential Treatments for Viral Diseases Using Natural Plant Compounds: The Case of SARS-Cov

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the more general global increase in viral diseases, has led researchers to look to the plant kingdom as a potential source for antiviral compounds. Since ancient times, herbal medicines have been extensively applied in the treatment and prevention of various infectious diseases in different traditional systems. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential antiviral activity of plant compounds as effective and reliable agents against viral infections, especially by viruses from the coronavirus group. Various antiviral mechanisms shown by crude plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds are discussed. The understanding of the action mechanisms of complex plant extract and isolated plant-derived compounds will help pave the way towards the combat of this life-threatening disease. Further, molecular docking studies, in silico analyses of extracted compounds, and future prospects are included. The in vitro production of antiviral chemical compounds from plants using molecular pharming is also considered. Notably, hairy root cultures represent a promising and sustainable way to obtain a range of biologically active compounds that may be applied in the development of novel antiviral agents.