Morphological,mechanical, and in vitro cytocompatibility analysis of poly(vinyl alcohol)–silica glass hybrid scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica glass hybrid scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze-drying method. In this study, we develop molecular-level-based hybrid scaffolds with possible bioactivity behavior by adding silica sol–gel. The results showed a highly porous structure and a significant improvement in mechanical performance (stiffness) of hybrid scaffolds with an increased content of cellulose nanocrystals followed by the addition of silica-based bioactive glass. In vitro cell study with MC3T3-E1 cells on hybrid scaffolds for 1 and 3 days revealed good cell adhesion and growth. Thus, the obtained hybrid scaffold may be a competitive candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-α-chitin composites reinforced by oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-derived nanocellulose

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-α-chitin composite films reinforced by oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-derived nanocellulose were prepared by casting technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed partial miscibility between chitin and poly(vinyl alcohol) through hydrogen bonding, as supported by differential scanning calorimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile strength of the poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitin films increased with α-chitin content varied from 10 to 30?wt%, which was from 29.06 to 39.27?MPa. With the addition of 1?wt% nanocellulose, a maximum improvement of 57.64 and 50.66% in terms of tensile strength and Young’s modulus was achieved, respectively.     

Discovery of novel inhibitors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania</Emphasis> nucleoside diphosphatase kinase (NDK) based on its structural and functional characterization

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDKs) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the transfer of the γ-phosphate moiety from an NTP donor to an NDP acceptor, crucial for maintaining the cellular level of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs). The inability of trypanosomatids to synthesize purines de novo and their dependence on the salvage pathway makes NDK an attractive target to develop drugs for the diseases they cause. Here we report the discovery of novel inhibitors for Leishmania NDK based on the structural and functional characterization of purified recombinant NDK from Leishmania amazonensis. Recombinant LaNDK possesses auto-phosphorylation, phosphotransferase and kinase activities with Histidine 117 playing an essential role. LaNDK crystals were grown by hanging drop vapour diffusion method in a solution containing 18% PEG-MME 500, 100 mM Bis-Tris propane pH 6.0 and 50 mM MgCl₂. It belongs to the hexagonal space group P6₃22 with unit cell parameters a?=?b?=?115.18, c?=?62.18 Å and α?=?β?=?90°, γ?=?120°. The structure solved by molecular replacement methods was refined to crystallographic R-factor and R_free values of 22.54 and 26.52%, respectively. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation-based virtual screening identified putative binding compounds. Protein inhibition studies of selected hits identified five inhibitors effective at micromolar concentrations. One of the compounds showed ~45% inhibition of Leishmania promastigotes proliferation. Analysis of inhibitor-NDK complexes reveals the mode of their binding, facilitating design of new compounds for optimization of activities as drugs against leishmaniasis.     

Physicochemical studies on bioactive Cr(III) coordination compounds with esters of hydrazine carboxylic acid as hetero donor ligands

Reaction between hydrazine derivative ligands (HrzE) or (HrzB) and chromium salt in 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio yielded monometallic trivalent coordination compounds with general formula [Cr(HrzE)₂X₂]X and [Cr(HrzB)₂X₂]X, where (HrzE) = hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, (HrzB) = hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, and X = Cl^?, Br^? or F^?. Elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic techniques, viz. infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, were applied to illustrate the structure and composition of the coordination compounds. Analytic and conductivity results were consistent with 1:1 electrolytic behavior and the proposed formulas of the coordination compounds. Electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters indicated octahedral geometry surrounding the metal ion in the coordination compounds. The in vitro antimicrobial behavior of the ligands and coordination compounds was screened using four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi) and two fungal strains (Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The results indicated improved activity of the coordination compounds compared with the free ligands against the studied bacteria and fungi.     

Inhibition effect of pomelo peel extract for N80 steel in 3.5% NaCl saturated with CO2 solution

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Pomelo peel extract (PPE) has been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for N80 steel in 3.5% NaCl saturated with CO2 solution using weight loss measurements,...     

Uncatalyzed synthesis of new substituted dihydro-2H-dipyrimido[1,2-a,4,5-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A convenient and new method has been developed for the synthesis of highly substituted dihydro-2H-dipyrimido[1,2-a,4,5-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione derivatives by...     

Synthesis of threo- and erythro-configured trihydroxy open chain lipophilic ketones as possible anti-mycobacterial agents

A series of threo- and erythro-configured open-chain trihydroxy ketones was synthesized starting from l- and d-ascorbic acid respectively as the starting material, through the use of Grignard reactions for the requisite CC bond formations. The lipophilic ketones were screened against Mycobacteriumtuberculosis for anti-proliferative activity. The lipophilic ketones with tetradecyl alkyl side chains were found to be moderately active against cell proliferation.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a tri-armed molecular receptor for recognition of mercury and cyanide toxicants

A tri-armed-pyrene-linked molecular receptor, 5 has been designed, synthesised and evaluated for ionic recognition. It has been observed that the synthesised molecular receptor can recognise mercury and cyanide ions through a change in colour, UV–Vis and fluorescence intensity. The binding stoichiometry of the receptor and these ionic species has been found to be 1:1 through Job’s plots, Benesi–Hildebrand plots and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC).