Identification of Linomide Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Therapeutics using Molecular Docking Studies.

12 analogs bearing a structural similarity to Linomide, a bonafide anticancer agent were synthesized wherein cyclization of substituted dianilides rendered 4-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones that were subjected to a Mannich reaction to yield 4-hydroxy-3-(substituted-1-ylmethyl) quinolin-2(1H)-one analogs. Characterization was performed using IR, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and 13C NMR spectral analysis. Subsequently, in vitro anticancer studies revealed that Compound 4b showed maximum cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 1.539 µM/ml and 1.732 µM/ml against A549 and K562 cell lines respectively. This, however, is lower in comparison with standard Paclitaxel (IC50 values of 0.3 µM/ml for both cell lines). Surprisingly, docking studies at the active site of EGFRK revealed Compound 4b possessed a MolDock Score of -110.2253 that is highly comparable to the standard 4-anilinoquinazoline (MolDock Score of -112.04). Our computational and biological data thus provides an insight on the cytotoxicity of these derivatives and warrants future research that can possibly lead to the development of potent anticancer therapeutics.

Three-dimensional hierarchical ZnCo2O4@C3N4-B nanoflowers as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

ZnCo2O4 has become one of the most widely used anode materials due to its good specific capacity, cost-efficiency, high thermal stability and environmental benignity. However, its poor conductivity and cycle stability have limited its practical application in lithium-ion batteries. To overcome these issues, we constructed a 3D nanoflower composite material (ZnCo2O4@C3N4-B) by combining ZnCo2O4 as a framework and B-doped g-C3N4 (g-C3N4-B) as a new carbon source material via a simple hydrothermal method. ZnCo2O4@C3N4-B exhibited exceptional specific capacitance of 919.76 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 0.2 A g-1 and a long-term capacity retention of 97.8% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1. The high reversible capacity, long cycling life and good rate performance could be attributed to the 3D interconnected architecture and doping of g-C3N4-B. This work provides a simple and general strategy to design high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries to meet the needs of practical applications.

Cu-Doped α-Fe2O3 Microspheres as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

α-Fe2O3 and Cu-doped α-Fe2O3 microspheres were similarly synthesized by solvothermal method. These microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), Cu-doped α-Fe2O3 electrodes exhibit better electrochemical performance (higher specific capacities of 600 mAhg-1 and better cycling performance), compared with pure α-Fe2O3 electrode. Additionally, the effects of different Cu2+-doping contents and reaction times on the morphology and the electrochemical properties were also discussed. Cu-doped α-Fe2O3 proves to be a potential anode material for LIB applications.

Facile Synthesis and Lithium Storage Properties of Zn1-xCoxCO3 Microspheres.

Zn1-xCoxCO3 (ZCCO) microspheres were synthesized by a modified solvothermal method (ball milling-solvothermal combination method) using ZnCl2, CoCl2, and NH4HCO3 as raw materials. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The results showed the introduction of Co and molar ratio of Zn and Co play crucial roles in the morphology and electrochemical performance of the ZCCO. As anode materials for lithium ion battery (LIB), all ZCCO electrodes possess high specific capacities and good cycle performance. The as-obtained Zn0.5Co0.5CO3 electrode exhibits higher discharge capacity (1526 mAh/g) and better rate properties with the reversible capacity of 976 mAh/g after 100 cycles when the molar ratio of Zn/Co is 1:1. Moreover, the present work provides a new and simple approach to the fabrication of novel anode materials (transition metal carbonates) for LIB applications.

Mechanical and water-resistant properties of rice straw fiberboard bonded with chemically-modified soy protein adhesive.

In this work, rice straw and soy protein were used to make fiberboard which may replace wood fiberboard. Soy protein isolates (SPI) were modified by epoxidized oleic acid to improve the soy protein adhesive properties such as adhesion strength and water resistance. The effects of NaOH content, the addition of modified-SPI adhesives and fiberboard density on the mechanical and water-resistant properties of the rice straw fiberboards were investigated. FTIR and XRD results of modified SPI indicated the epoxidized oleic acid and soy protein reacted with each other. FTIR and SEM images of rice straw fibers showed that NaOH solution removed the wax layer through chemical etching. The results of investigating mechanical properties and water absorption illustrate that when the soy protein-based adhesives content and density and the hot pressing temperature and pressure of fiberboard are 12%, 0.8 g cm-3, 140 °C and 6 MPa, respectively, the panels have optimal mechanical and water-resistant performances. Moreover, the panels meet the requirements of chinese medium density fiberboard (MDF) Standard of GB/T 11718-2009. Since biological raw materials are recyclable and biomass, the fiberboard bonded with modified soy protein adhesive has no toxicity and is easily biodegradable. In addition, the rice straw burned to produce haze has been preferably utilized.

A Free-Standing and Self-Healable 2D Supramolecular Material Based on Hydrogen Bonding: A Nanowire Array with Sub-2-nm Resolution.

In many 2D materials reported thus far, the forces confining atoms in a 2D plane are often strong interactions, such as covalent bonding. Herein, the first demonstration that hydrogen (H)-bonding can be utilized to assemble polydiacetylene (a conductive polymer) toward a 2D material, which is stable enough to be free-standing, is shown. The 2D material is well characterized by a large number of techniques (mainly different microscopy techniques). The H-bonding allows splitting of the material into ribbons, which can reassemble, similar to a zipper, leading to the first example of a healable 2D material. Moreover, such technology can easily create 2D, organic, conductive nanowire arrays with sub-2-nm resolution. This material may have potential applications in stretchable electronics and nanowire cross-bar arrays.

High solid content latex: preparation methods and application.

One of the major challenges in emulsion polymerization over the past two decades was how to increase the solid content of latex products. In contrast to the conventional latex, high solid content (HSC) latex has a large volume fraction of dispersed phase, even larger than 70% in weight. Conventional emulsion polymerization, miniemulsion polymerization, self-emulsification polymerization and concentrated emulsion polymerization were all used to prepare HSC latexes, and many good results have been reported in recent years. Meanwhile, many applications of HSC latexes have also been developed. The present review summarized the progresses in the past few years mainly on the preparation methods and application of HSC latexes. Finally, some research directions as well as prospects were also proposed.