PMMA/ABS/CoCl2 Composites for Pharmaceutical Applications: Thermal, Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, and Antioxidant Studies.

In this study, PMMA/ABS/CoCl2 ternary composite films were fabricated by the solution casting technique. The different weight ratios of cobalt chloride (≤10 wt) were incorporated into the PMMA/ABS blend (80:20). The chemical structure and thermal properties of the synthesized composites were assessed by FT-IR, TGA, and XRD. The biological properties of ternary composites, such as in vitro antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity, were investigated. The enhanced thermal stability and promising antibacterial, selective antibiofilm, and potential antioxidant properties of PMMA/ABS/cobalt chloride composites demonstrated that they can be used for high-quality plastics and in many pharmaceutical applications.

Antimicrobial, selective antibiofilm, and antioxidant properties of plasticized PMMA/PVC and zinc oxide nano filler for biomedical applications.

The PMMA/PVC/ZnO-nanocomposites with zinc oxide nanoparticle (particle size < 50nm) was synthesized by solution casting technique. Morphology of the synthesized nano composites have been investigated by FT-IR and XRD techniques. After characterization, synthesized composites were applied for antibacterial, selective antibiofilm and free radical scavenging screening. Antibacterial studies were measured against different bacterial strains. Antibiofilms activities were studied against those bacterial model pathogenic strains which showed highest and minimum sensitivity as a (~94 and ~88 at 160 µg/ml). Antioxidant activity of synthesized nanocomposites were measured by DPPH and showed scavenging capacity with IC50, 110 to > 200 µg/mL. Thus PMMA/PVC/ZnO nanocomposite showed promising antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity that can be used for biomedical applications.

Therapeutic interventions of remdesivir in diabetic and nondiabetic COVID-19 patients: A prospective observational study conducted on Pakistani population.

We aimed to investigate the interventions of remdesivir in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals who were suffering from a severe infection of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between therapeutic effectiveness of remdesivir and complications of diabetes mellitus by observing the recovery period among diabetic and nondiabetic patients associated with COVID-19 infection. A total of 850 COVID-19 patients were recruited for this study, out of which 48% were diabetic and 52% were nondiabetics. The results of this study indicated that nondiabetic individuals administered with remdesivir recovered from COVID-19 within 10 days showing a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.01), while the diabetic individuals recovered in 15 days. Nondiabetic patients administered with remdesivir exhibited higher chances of clinical improvement at 15th day than those who were associated with diabetes. Remdesivir administration improved the levels of various biochemical parameters, such as C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, d-Dimer, and ferritin both in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. However, a significant improvement (p < 0.01) was seen in the level of biochemical parameters among nondiabetic patients as compared to that of diabetic patients administered with remdesivir treatment. In the end, it was concluded that remdesivir could be considered as a possible therapeutic agent in the treatment of COVID-19 both in diabetic and nondiabetic situations. However, diabetic patients showed a delayed recovery as compared with that of nondiabetic patients, in which the recovery rate was high.

Synthesis, Spectral investigation (¹H, ¹³C) and Anti-microbial Screening of benzophenone imines.

New series of benzophenone imines with general formula Ph2-C=NR; R = Benzyl, 4-Fluorobenzyl, Naphthyl, Phenyl, 4-Nitrophenyl were synthesized by condensation of dichlorodiphenylmethane and different aromatic primary amines (1:1) Those imines were characterized by different physiochemical and spectroscopic techniques like melting point, elemental analysis, FT-IR, multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C). After characterization, imines were subjected to anti-microbial activities. All compounds showed promising activity against different bacterial strains like Escherichia coli, Bacillussubtilis, Pasturellam ultocida and Staphylococcus aureus as well as fungal strains like Alternata alternaria, Ganoderma lucidium, Penicillium notatum and Trichoderma harzianum using Amoxicillin and Flucanazole as a standard drugs respectively.

Acoustical behavior of some amino acids in aqueous disodium citrate solutions over temperature range (298.15-313.15) K.

Sound velocity, U, and density, ρ of some amino acids viz. glycine, methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan were determined in 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mol kg⁻¹ aqueous disodium citrate solutions as a function of concentration at 298-313.15K using DSA 5000M. The experimental data were further used to compute various acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, ß, apparent molar compressibility, ∅(k), partial molar compressibility, ∅(0)k, transfer adiabatic compressibility, Φ(0)(ktr), constant, Sk, and the hydration number, nH. The transfer adiabatic compressibility shows the supremacy of hydrophilic-ionic interactions under hydrophobic-ionic interactions. The above-mentioned parameters are relevant for the efficiency of mediation in pharmacology and can be interpreted in terms of structure-making or structure-breaking ability of these amino acids in the solution.

A review of recent advancements in Actinium-225 labeled compounds and biomolecules for therapeutic purposes.

In nuclear medicine, cancers that cannot be cured or can only be treated partially by traditional techniques like surgery or chemotherapy are killed by ionizing radiation as a form of therapeutic treatment. Actinium-225 is an alpha-emitting radionuclide that is highly encouraging as a therapeutic approach and more promising for targeted alpha therapy (TAT). Actinium-225 is the best candidate for tumor cells treatment and has physical characteristics such as high (LET) linear energy transfer (150 keV per µm), half-life (t1/2 = 9.92d), and short ranges (400-100 µm) which prevent the damage of normal healthy tissues. The introduction of various new radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotopes has significantly assisted the advancement of nuclear medicine. Ac-225 radiopharmaceuticals continuously demonstrate their potential as targeted alpha therapeutics. 225 Ac-labeled radiopharmaceuticals have confirmed their importance in medical and clinical areas by introducing [225 Ac]Ac-PSMA-617, [225 Ac]Ac-DOTATOC, [225 Ac]Ac-DOTA-substance-P, reported significantly improved response in patients with prostate cancer, neuroendocrine, and glioma, respectively. The development of these radiopharmaceuticals required a suitable buffer, incubation time, optimal pH, and reaction temperature. There is a growing need to standardize quality control (QC) testing techniques such as radiochemical purity (RCP). This review aims to summarize the development of the Ac-225 labeled compounds and biomolecules. The current state of their reported resulting clinical applications is also summarized as well.

Eco-friendly acid dyeing of silk and wool fabrics using Acid Violet 49 dye.

The effluent load from textile industries has forced traders and industrialists to use sustainable tools that not only save energy, money, and labor but also make the process cleaner. The purpose of this study is to improve the dyeing of proteinous fabrics using Acid Violet 49 dye under microwave radiation. Aqueous and acidic dye solutions were prepared and treated with MW radiations for up to 10 min. MW treated and untreated dye solutions were used to color treated and untreated fabrics to observe color yield. It has been found that dyeing of irradiated silk at 65 °C for 35 min, using 55 mL of irradiated dye solution containing 1 g/100 mL salt, has given excellent results. Whereas good color characteristics are obtained if irradiated wool fabric is dyed at 85 °C for 55 min, using 55 mL irradiated dye solution using 1 g/100 mL salt. Physicochemical analysis reveals that MW rays have physically modified the fabric without altering its chemistry. ISO standard methods employed for colorfastness show that under optimal conditions, the color developed is fast; statistical analysis shows that the dyeing process has given significant results. It is concluded that MW rays have excellent potential to improve acidic dyeing of proteinous fabric under mild conditions which show that the utilization of MW rays is a cost-, time-, and energy-effective process.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Gelatin Hydrogel Films Loaded with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications.

The current research work presented the synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-gelatin (CMC/GEL) blend and CMC/GEL/ZnO-Nps hydrogel films which were characterized by FT-IR and XRD, and applied to antibacterial and antioxidant activities for food preservation as well as for biomedical applications. ZnO-Nps were incorporated into the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin (GEL) film-forming solution by solution casting followed by sonication. Homogenous mixing of ZnO-Nps with CMC/GEL blend improved thermal stability, mechanical properties, and moisture content of the neat CMC/GEL films. Further, a significant improvement was observed in the antibacterial activity and antioxidant properties of CMC/GEL/ZnO films against two food pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Overall, CMC/GEL/ZnO films are eco-friendly and can be applied in sustainable food packaging materials.

Hydro-thermal synthesis and crystal structure of poly[bis-(µ3-3,4-di-amino-benzoato)manganese], a layered coordination polymer.

The hydro-thermal synthesis and crystal structure of the title two-dimensional coordination polymer, poly[bis-(µ3-3,4-di-amino-benzoato-κ3 N 3,O,O')manganese(II)], [Mn(C7H7N2O2)2] n , are described. The Mn2+ cation (site symmetry ) adopts a tetra-gonally elongated trans-MnN2O4 octa-hedral coordination geometry and the µ3-N,O,O' ligand (bonding from both carboxyl-ate O atoms and the meta-N atom) links the metal ions into infinite (10) layers. The packing is consolidated by intra-layer N-H⋯O and inter-layer N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. The structure of the title compound is compared with other complexes containing the C7H7N2O2 - anion and those of the related M(C8H8NO2)2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) family, where C8H8NO2 - is the 3-amino-4-methyl-benzoate anion.

Gamma and UV radiations induced treatment of anti-cancer methotrexate drug in aqueous medium: Effect of process variables on radiation efficiency evaluated using bioassays.

This studystudy focuses on the effect of radiation treatment and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the toxicity of anticancer methotrexate. For cytotoxicity, different bioassays such as Allium cepa, hemolytic, brine shrimp were employed. The Ames test was used for mutagenicity analysis. The solutions having concentrations 5, 10 and 15 ppm were irradiated with UV radiation exposure time 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min and gamma radiation absorbed doses 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 2, 3 and 4 kGy in combination with with H2O2. There was a clear difference observed for aqueous solution before and after treatment with reference to cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. In Allium cepa test, a 47.07, 44.36 and 38.23% increase in root length (RL), root count (RC) and mitotic index (MI) was observed, respectively, for UV/H2O2 treatment and in the case of gamma/H2O2 treatment, the RL, RC and MI were increased up to 49.39, 52.63 and 52.38%, respectively. Brine shrimp test has shown 85.95 and 91.30% decrease in toxicity using UV/H2O2 and gamma/H2O2 respectively, while hemolytic test has shown 19.21 and 26.32% hemolysis using UV/H2O2 and gamma/H2O2, respectively. The mutagenicity reduced up to 82.3, 86.46 and 89.59% (TA98) and 85.42, 87.5 and 90.63% (TA100) for UV/H2O2 while 89.59, 90.63 and 93.75% (TA98) and 84.38, 89.59 and 92.71% (TA100) for gamma/H2O2. The UV and gamma radiation along with H2O2 based AOPs are promising approaches to detoxify the wastewater which can be extended to real hospital liquid effluent effectively.

Preparation of hydroxyethyl cellulose/halloysite nanotubes graft polylactic acid-based polyurethane bionanocomposites.

2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose graft polylactic acid copolymer (HLAC) was prepared by graft copolymerization of lactic acid (LA) and 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (2-HEC), initiated by dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) catalyst in aqueous media. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)/polyurethane (PU) bionanocomposites were prepared using the HLAC as chain extender in the step-growth polymerization. HNTs were dispersed in HLAC based PU matrix at different weight ratios of 0.30, 0.50, 1.00, and 3.00. Chemical structure and morphology of the graft copolymer and bionanocomposite elastomers were characterized using solid state 1H NMR, ATR-FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX, while thermal degradation behavior was studied by TGA and DSC techniques. Surface morphology of the HNTs reinforced HLAC/PU bio-nanocomposites demonstrated the homogeneous dispersion of HNTs with little wavy rough surface at low contents which turned to be brittle at higher contents due to agglomerated HNTs. It is observed that the lower contents of HNTs were completely exfoliated in the HLAC/PU matrix. Crystalline pattern of the elastomers improved at lower contents of HNTs that enhanced the thermal stability of the bionanocomposites. The mechanical testing suggested that HNTs/HLAC/PU bionanocomposites have higher values of tensile strength and % elongation with only 0.3-0.5 wt% contents of HNTs that suggested the potential applications of elastomers at economic cost.

Utilization of waxy corn starch as an efficient chain extender for the preparation of polyurethane elastomers.

Waxy corn starch modified polyurethane elastomers were synthesized by step growth polymerization reaction between NCO-terminated prepolymer and chain extenders (1,4-butanediol/starch). Isophorone diisocyanates (IPDI) was reacted with hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) to synthesize prepolymer that was reacted with different moles of 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) and starch to produced five samples of polyurethane. These specimens were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy to determine the structural information. However, role of starch as chain extender was examined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Additionally, starch increased the thermal stability of PUs as compared to the conventional chain extender (1,4-BDO). Over all, this work has been designed to develop biodegradable polyurethanes that could be used in biomedical systems.

Synthesis and molecular characterization of chitosan/starch blends based polyurethanes.

Starch/chitosan modified polyurethanes (PUs) were synthesized by step growth polymerization reaction between -NCO terminated prepolymer and chain extenders (1,4-Butanediol/starch/chitosan). Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) was reacted with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) to synthesize prepolymer and was further reacted with different moles ratio of starch/chitosan to produced five samples of polyurethane (PU). These samples were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The surface characterizations of PUs were done by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of PUs was higher when the mixture of both natural materials was used at equal amounts. It is concluded that combination of both starch and chitosan are efficient for the synthesis of PUs.

An unusual coordination polymer containing Cu(+) ions and featuring possible Cu...Cu `cuprophilic' interactions: poly[di-µ-chlorido-(µ4-3,5-diaminobenzoato-κ(4)O:O':N:N')tricopper(I)(3 Cu-Cu)].

Compounds containing copper(I) are of interest for their role in biological processes. The nature of short (< ∼ 3.2 Å) Cu...Cu contacts within these compounds has been debated, being either described as weakly attractive (bonding) `cuprophilic' interactions, or simply as short metal-metal distances constrained by ligand geometry or largely ionic in nature. The title three-dimensional Cu(+)-containing coordination polymer, [Cu3(C7H7N2O2)Cl2]n, was formed from the in situ reduction of CuCl2 in the presence of 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid and KOH under hydrothermal conditions. Its complex crystal structure contains ten distinct Cu(I) atoms, two of which lie on crystallographic inversion centres. The copper coordination geometries include near-linear CuOCl and CuN2, T-shaped CuOCl2 and distorted tetrahedral CuOCl3 groups. Each Cu(I) atom is also associated with two adjacent metal atoms, with Cu...Cu distances varying from 2.7350 (14) to 3.2142 (13) Å; if all these are regarded as `cuprophilic' interactions, then infinite [-101] zigzag chains of Cu(I) atoms occur in the crystal. The structure is consolidated by N-H...Cl hydrogen bonds.

Volumetric and acoustical behaviour of sodium saccharin in aqueous system over temperature range (20.0-45.0)°C.

Densities and ultrasonic velocity values for aqueous solutions of sodium saccharin (SS) has been measured as a function of concentration at 20.0-45.0 °C and atmospheric pressure using DSA-5000 M. The density and ultrasonic velocity values have been further used to calculate apparent molar volume, apparent specific volume, isentropic apparent molar compressibility and compressibility hydration numbers and reported. The values for apparent molar volume obtained at given temperatures showed negative deviations from Debye-Hückel limiting law and used as a direct measure of the ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions. The apparent specific volumes of the solute were calculated and it was found that these values of the investigated solutions lie on the borderline between the values reported for sweet substances. The sweetness response of the sweeteners is then explained in terms of their solution behaviours. Furthermore, the partial molar expansibility, its second derivative, (∂(2)V°/∂T(2)) as Hepler's constant and thermal expansion coefficient have been estimated.

Solution behaviour and sweetness response of D-Mannitol at different temperatures.

The solution properties of d-Mannitol (DM) were studied to explore sweetness response and molecular interactions in aqueous solutions at different temperatures. The density (ρ) and ultrasonic velocity (µ) were measured at 20-45°C using density sound velocity metre (DSA 5000M). The results obtained were used to compute apparent and partial molar volume, apparent specific volumes, partial molar expansibility, apparent molar isentropic compressibility and compressibility hydration number. The partial molar volume (ΦV°) indicates hydrophilic interactions dominating in aqueous solution of DM. The quality of taste has been determined from apparent specific volumes (ASV) data at 20-45°C and 0.04-0.89 mol kg(-1).The apparent molar isentropic compressibility (ΦK(s)) and hydration number (nH) conferred pre-dominance of solute-solvent interactions, whereas partial molar expansibility (ΦE°) and related standards predicted structure making behaviour of DM. This study may provide new insights in elucidation of mechanistic differences between sweeteners and their mode of interactions.

Studies on molecular interactions of some sweeteners in water by volumetric and ultrasonic velocity measurements at T=(20.0-45.0°C).

Densities and ultrasonic velocity values for aqueous solutions of two sweeteners viz., maltose monohydrate and acesulfame-K have been measured as a function of concentration at 20.0-45.0°C and atmospheric pressure. Solutions of acesulfame-K were treated as electrolyte, while maltose was considered as non-electrolyte. The apparent molar and specific volumes, their isentropic apparent molar and specific compressibilities, as well as their compressibility hydration numbers have been calculated and reported. Negative deviations from Debye-Huckel limiting law of apparent molar volume for acesulfame-K was obtained at given temperatures and can be used as a direct measure of the ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions. Furthermore, apparent specific volumes of the solutes were calculated and it was found that these values of the investigated solutes lie on the borderline between the values reported for sweet substances. The partial molar expansibility, its second derivative values, (∂(2)V(0)/∂T(2)) and thermal expansion coefficient have been estimated.

Cyclopalladated and cycloplatinated benzophenone imines: antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant activities, DNA interaction and cathepsin B inhibition.

The antitumor, antibacterial and antioxidant activity, DNA interaction and cathepsin B inhibition of cyclo-ortho-palladated and -platinated compounds [Pd(C,N)]2(µ-X)2 [X=OAc (1), X=Cl (2)] and trans-N,P-[M(C,N)X(PPh3)] [M=Pd, X=OAc (3), M=Pd, X=Cl (4), M=Pt, X=Cl (5)] are discussed [(C,N)=cyclo-ortho-metallated benzophenone imine]. The cytotoxicity of compound 5 has been evaluated towards human breast (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell lines and that of compounds 1-4 towards the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line. These cytotoxicities have been compared with those previously reported for compounds 1-4 towards MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Compound 3 and 4 were approximately four times more active than cisplatin against the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, and compound 5, was approximately four times more potent than cisplatin against the HCT-116 cancer cell line. The antibacterial activity of compounds 1-5 was in between the ranges of activity of the commercial antibiotic compounds cefixime and roxithromycin. Complexes 1-2 and 4-5 presented also antioxidant activity. Compounds 1-5 alter the DNA tertiary structure in a similar way to cisplatin, but at higher concentration, and do not present a high efficiency as cathepsin B inhibitors. Compound 5 has not been previously described, and its preparation, characterization, and X-ray crystal structure are reported.

Preparation of rich handles soft cellulosic fabric using amino silicone based softener, part II: colorfastness properties.

The preparation of amino silicone based softeners with different emulsifiers was carried out and adsorbed onto the surfaces of cotton and blends of cotton/polyester fabrics. The softened fabrics have high surface area, so poorly performance in washing and rubbing fastness. It is obvious from the results of colorfastness to rubbing and washing that some of the samples of the dyed fabric treated with prepared softeners have shown some poor rating as compared to the untreated fabrics. However the other two samples have shown acceptable rubbing fastness results without losing softness and permanent handle. It can be observed that washing of the printed treated fabric remains unaffected almost in all the studied samples. Moreover, the application of the prepared softeners has imparted anti pilling property to the fabric. It can be seen that there is a remarkable increase in weights of treated fabrics as compared to the untreated fabrics.