Transgenic Expression and Functional Characterization of Human Platelet Derived Growth Factor BB (hPDGF-BB) in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Recombinant human platelet derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) is clinically approved for treating diabetic neuropathic ulcers. Plant-based expression systems offer less expensive ways of producing recombinant drugs, which do not require purification for clinical use. From this perspective, rhPDGF-BB is an ideal candidate for expression in plants as it can be applied topically. Here, we report a proof of concept study, in which rhPDGF-BB was expressed in tobacco plants, and its biological activity was tested in vitro. The mature human platelet derived growth factor BB (hPDGF-BB) gene was codon-optimized for tobacco and fused with ER targeting and retention signals, 5′ and 3′ UTRs of arc5-1 gene along with CaMV 35S promoter, and then, transferred by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Gene and protein expression of hPDGF-BB were confirmed by PCR and immunoblot studies. Bioactivity of hPDGF-BB expressed protein was determined by in vitro assays such as proliferation and migration in NIH3T3 cells. Our data reveals that total soluble proteins containing hPDGF-BB from transgenic plants showed a 4.5-fold increase in fibroblast proliferation compared to non-transgenic plants. Furthermore, plant-made rhPDGF-BB induced chemotaxis of treated cells and promoted wound healing in vitro. These results clearly demonstrate that functionally active rhPDGF-BB protein can be produced in plants and might have therapeutic benefits.     

A mild and efficient copper-catalyzed N-arylation of unprotected sulfonimidamides using boronic acids

An efficient and low cost copper catalyzed system for N-arylation of sulfonimidamides has been developed. The reaction proceeds at room temperature under base free conditions. Various N-aryl, N-heteroaryl, and N-cyclopropyl sulfonimidamides were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

Antibacterial cotton fabrics with in situ generated silver and copper bimetallic nanoparticles using red sanders powder extract as reducing agent

Using aqueous extraction of red sanders powder as a reducing agent, silver and copper bimetallic nanoparticles were in situ generated in cotton fabrics. Silver and copper nanoparticles were also generated separately for comparison. The resulted nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCFs) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and antibacterial tests. SEM analysis indicated the generation of more number of nanoparticles when bimetallic source solutions were used. Further, the size range of the generated bimetallic nanoparticles was found to be lower than when individual metal nanoparticles were generated in NCFs. XRD analysis confirmed the in situ generation of silver and copper nanoparticles when equimolar bimetallic salt source solutions were utilized. The NCFs with bimetallic nanoparticles exhibited higher antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and hence can be considered for applications as antibacterial bed and dressing materials.     

rac‐5‐Diphenylacetyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine and rac‐5‐formyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine

rac‐5‐Diphenylacetyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine, C₂₆H₂₇NOS, (I), and rac‐5‐formyl‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepine, C₁₃H₁₇NOS, (II), are both characterized by a planar configuration around the heterocyclic N atom. In contrast with the chair conformation of the parent benzothiazepine, which has no substituents at the heterocyclic N atom, the seven‐membered ring adopts a boat conformation in (I) and a conformation intermediate between boat and twist‐boat in (II). The molecules lack a symmetry plane, indicating distortions from the perfect boat or twist‐boat conformations. The supramolecular architectures are significantly different, depending in (I) on C—H...O interactions and intermolecular S...S contacts, and in (II) on a single aromatic π–π stacking interaction.     

Phase structure and morphology of zinc-iron alloy electrodeposits

Zinc-iron alloy electrodeposits are providing higher corrosion resistance to steel components and also having better mechanical properties when compared to zinc deposits. This is due to the unique phase structure of the alloy formed. This study elucidates the phase structure of the electrodeposited alloy, based on the deposition kinetics and morphological characteristics. Deposition of iron was hindered by charge-transfer process, at low current densities. But zinc deposition was prevailed through diffusion control, only at high current densities. The probability of substitution of iron in hcp lattice along c-axis is more, than a-axis. This is because the linear density along c-axis is lower than a-axis. Intermetallic compounds of variable compositions were identified. Compounds such as FeZn₁₆, FeZn₁₃, Fe₅Zn₇₈ have dominantly “η” phase structure and FeZn₆, Fe₅Zn₂₂, Fe₂Zn₇, Fe₅Zn₂₉, Fe₃Zn₁₃ have “Γ” phase structure.     

Growth aspects,spectral, thermal and hardness studies of rare earth cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate single crystals

Single crystals of pure and cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The cell parameters of the grown crystals were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded and indexed for the structural confirmation. The presence of functional group in the compound has been confirmed by FTIR analysis. UV–vis absorption spectrum has been recorded to determine the cut-off wavelength of the crystal. TGA/DTA studies show thermal stability of the grown crystals. SEM-EDX analysis revealed the incorporation of the impurity (Ce³⁺) into ZTS crystals. The microhardness study reveals that the hardness number (H_v) increases with load for all the grown crystals of this work. From the values of work hardening coefficients, it was concluded that pure and cerium nitrate doped ZTS crystals belong to the category of soft materials. The second harmonic generation of cerium(III)nitrate doped ZTS crystals was confirmed by Kurtz–Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser.     

A fully discrete,kinetic energy consistent finite-volume scheme for compressible flows

A robust, implicit, low-dissipation method suitable for LES/DNS of compressible turbulent flows is discussed. The scheme is designed such that the discrete flux of kinetic energy and its rate of change are consistent with those predicted by the momentum and continuity equations. The resulting spatial fluxes are similar to those derived using the so-called skew-symmetric formulation of the convective terms. Enforcing consistency for the time derivative results in a novel density weighted Crank–Nicolson type scheme. The method is stable without the addition of any explicit dissipation terms at very high Reynolds numbers for flows without shocks. Shock capturing is achieved by switching on a dissipative flux term which tends to zero in smooth regions of the flow. Numerical examples include a one-dimensional shock tube problem, the Taylor–Green problem, simulations of isotropic turbulence, hypersonic flow over a double-cone geometry, and compressible turbulent channel flow.     

Investigation of d-orbital participation in bonding by positron angular correlation

Whether or not ligand perturbation is necessary for d-orbital contraction and consequent participation in bonding has been controversial till now. A study of angular correlation of positron annihilation radiation on organic sulphides and sulphones gives a direct evidence for the conclusion that ligand perturbation is necessary.     

Phosphorus pentasulfide: A mild and versatile Catalyst/Reagent for the preparation of dithiocarboxylic esters

The reaction of carboxylic acids (1) with a variety of thiols or alcohols in the presence of phosphorus pentasulfide (P(4)S(10)) as a catalyst and reagent (20-40 mol %) proceeded effectively to afford the corresponding dithiocarboxylic esters (2) in high yields.     

Synthesis of substituted 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromenes by a three-component reaction as potential antioxidants

A series of alkoxy-substituted 2H-chromenes were synthesized by a one-pot three-component reaction using salicylaldehydes, acetyl acetone and alcohol as reactant and medium with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as catalyst. Simple reaction conditions, short reaction time and overall good yield of products make this synthetic strategy an efficient one to synthesize 2H-chromene molecules. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activities. Among all the new compounds, 5j and 5k showed good inhibition \((70.41\, \pm \, 0.14\) and \(64.71\, \pm \, 1.02\%\)) at 100 \(\upmu \hbox {g/mL}\) concentrations.