Chromene-chromene Schiff base as a fluorescent chemosensor for Th4+ and its application in bioimaging of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The manuscript presents the synthesis of a new di-chromene Schiff base (COM-CH) by combining 7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbohydrazide and 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde, and its characterization using various analytical techniques. The probe COM-CH functional group contains a hard donor atom that selectively complexes with Th4+ ions. This report investigated COM-CH's sensing ability towards Th4+ chromogenic and fluorogenic methods in ACN: H2O (8:2, v/v) with Th4+ ions. The COM-CH-Th4+ complex was excited at 430 nm, resulting in a bright emission band at 475 nm with a 45 nm Stokes shift. The COM-CH probe demonstrated the highest performance at pH 4.0 to 8.0, with a sensitivity of 18.7 nM. The complex formation of COM-CH with Th4+ was investigated using NMR, FTIR spectrometry, and density functional theory calculations. The COM-CH and Th4+ are bound with 2:1 stoichiometry and an association constant of 1.92 × 108 M-2. The probe's performance enabled the analysis of monazite sand and water samples for Th4+ content. The probe successfully detected Th4+ content in Caenorhabditis elegans, marking the first Th4+ detection in animal models.

Multispectroscopic, virtual and in vivo insights into the photoaging defense mediated by the natural food colorant bixin.

An upsurge in early onset of photoaging due to repeated skin exposure to environmental stressors such as UV radiation is a challenge for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical divisions. Current reports indicate severe side effects because of chemical or synthetic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in anti-skin aging cosmeceuticals. We evaluated the adequacy of bixin, a well-known FDA certified food additive, as a scavenger of free radicals and its inhibitory mechanism of action on MMP1, collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase. The anti-skin aging potential of bixin was evaluated by several biotechnological tools in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Molecular docking and simulation dynamics studies gave a virtual insight into the robust binding interaction between bixin and skin aging-related enzymes. Absorbance and fluorescence studies, enzyme inhibition assays, enzyme kinetics and in vitro bioassays of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells highlighted bixin's role as a potent antioxidant and inhibitor of skin aging-related enzymes. Furthermore, in vivo protocols were carried out to study the impact of bixin administration on UVA induced photoaging in C57BL/6 mice skin. Here, we uncover the UVA shielding effect of bixin and its efficacy as a novel anti-photoaging agent. Furthermore, the findings of this study provide a strong foundation to explore the pharmaceutical applications of bixin in several other biochemical pathways linked to MMP1, collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase.

Influence of monomers involved in the fabrication of a novel PES based nanofiltration thin-film composite membrane and its performance in the treatment of common effluent (CETP) textile industrial wastewater.

OBJECTIVE: In this article, monomers (tannic acid (TA) and m- phenylenediamine (MPD)) were used in the fabrication of a novel PES based thin-film composite nanofiltration (TFC-NF) membrane for the treatment of a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) of textile industrial wastewater. MEMBRANE SYNTHESIS: PES support sheets and TFC layers were fabricated via non-solvent induced phase inversion and in-situ interfacial polymerization (IP) process. The ultra-thin active layer was synthesized via the IP process with monomers such as tannic acid (TA) and m- phenylenediamine (MPD). T and M series membranes correspond to (PES/x wt% TA, x = 2, 4, 6) as T1, T2, T3 -TA and (PES/x wt% MPD, x = 2, 4, 6) as M1, M2, M3-MPD respectively. M0 corresponds to PES which is the virgin membrane. RESULTS: The chemical structure, surface morphology, surface roughness and surface properties were explored using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle, respectively. The filtration performance of the thin-film composite nanofiltration (TFC-NF) membranes was investigated by various properties like pure water flux, salt rejection, porosity, mean pore radius and antifouling analysis. CONCLUSION: T1-TA membrane showed better water permeability, high salt rejection and better industrial effluent rejection with 94.4% of TDS that are suitable for industrial reuse and agricultural irrigation. Moreover, for T1-TA membrane, the water flux, porosity, mean pore radius, salt rejection, surface roughness and contact angle of 43.5lm- 2 h - 1, 47.1%, 16.7nm, 72.7%, 11.7nm and 41.48°was achieved respectively that was found to be higher than that of all the other fabricated membranes. Further, the rejection efficiency rate of textile effluent characteristics such as pH, turbidity, TDS, alkalinity, total hardness, BOD and COD were also achieved with maximum deduction in the T1-TA TFC-NF membrane compared to the M0-Virgin PES membrane. From the results, it can be confirmed that the T1-TA membrane significantly reduced the alkalinity, total hardness, BOD and COD rejections of 78%, 77.3%, 58.5% and 67.5% respectively, present in the effluent. Water flux recovery ratio (FRR) was improved from 74.6% for M0-Virgin PES membrane to 94.8% for T1-TA membrane. The modified TFC-NF membranes especially T1-TA, had better anti-fouling property and excellent hydrophilicity than the unmodified M0-Virgin PES membrane. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00624-x.

Spoligotype Diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over Two Decades from Tiruvallur, South India.

Geographically, most tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2018 were reported from India. This TB burden is compounded by MDR-TB and XDR-TB. The strategies for the management and control of TB in the community depend on an understanding of the mode of spread of the different strains of TB isolates in the community. To determine the distribution and trends of M. tb strains over the time period in the community due to treatment, we carried out the present study on changes over two decades. Design/Methods. A total of 1218 M. tb isolates (year: 2001-2018) from Tiruvallur, India, were genotyped by spoligotyping after DNA extraction and subjected to anti-TB drug susceptibility testing for the first-line anti-TB drugs. Results. On analysis with the SpolDB4 database, majority (2001-2003: 53.32% and 2015-2018: 46.3%) of the isolates belonged to East African Indian (EAI) lineage, and the orphans designated in comparison to SpolDB4 stood 33% among 2001-2003 strain collection and 46.3% among 2015-2018 strain collection. 10.2% (2001-2003) and 9.26% (2015 to 2018) of isolates were monoresistant to isoniazid (H). MDR strains were less common among EAI strains (3.2%) compared to non-EAI strains (10.32%). Conclusions. EAI is the most predominant lineage in Tiruvallur, despite the presence of highly transmissible lineages like Beijing for the last two decades. The prevalence of MDR-TB is below the national average of 2-3% among the new TB cases in the last two decades. The reason can be attributed to the well-established nature of the locally circulating strains in this region which are not associated with drug resistance.

An aggregation-induced emission active vitamin B6 cofactor derivative: application in pH sensing and detection of latent fingerprints.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties of an easy-to-prepare and structurally planar Schiff base derivative of the vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal (L) were investigated in DMSO-H2O mixed solvents. Compound L showed weak fluorescence (λem = 425 nm) in pure DMSO, but increasing the fraction of water in DMSO resulted in a significant fluorescence enhancement at 575 nm due to the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR) of L upon aggregation. SEM analyses revealed the formation of hairy micelle-like or needle-shaped self-assemblies/aggregates of L. The DFT calculations were performed to examine the tendency of L to form self-aggregates, and the results indicate the formation of several intramolecular non-covalent interactions that energetically favored the self-aggregation of L. The pH sensing study revealed that the red-emission of aggregates of L between pH 5.9 and 9.0 turned into green emission at the basic pH with the estimated pKa values of 9.39 and 10.22. Further, the aggregates of L were applied for the visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) over a non-porous glass slide.

A light activated CMP conjugated 8-aminoquinoline turn-on fluorescent optode for selective determination of Th4+ in an aqueous environment.

A new dibutyl(2-oxo-2-(quinolin-8-ylamino)ethyl)phosphinate (L) was designed, synthesised and developed as a light activated optode for Th4+ determination. The sensing performance of L was studied in solution and in the polymeric membrane phase using absorbance and emission techniques. The neutral ion carrier L exhibits weak fluorescence at 400 nm in CH3CN : H2O (9 : 1, v/v). Upon complexation of L with Th4+, the emission intensity at 486 nm was increased 100-fold due to chelation induced enhanced fluorescence. The L-Th4+ binding interaction was studied using both Hill's and Job's plots. They indicate the formation of complex species in a 2 : 1 ratio with an estimated binding constant of 2.66 × 104 M-2. Complex formation between L and Th4+ was studied by NMR (1H, 31P), FTIR and LC-MS analyses. In order to synthesize a probe for the sensing of Th4+ in 100% aqueous medium, the optode was prepared by immobilizing L as a neutral ion carrier in a PVC support using dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as a membrane solvent. The best performance of the optode was observed with a membrane composition of PVC : L : NaTPB : DOP in proportions of 35 : 5 : 3 : 57 (%, w/w) in the pH range of 4.0-8.0. The optode can detect Th4+ concentrations down to 1.1 nM with a fast response time of 15 s and the optical response remains unaltered even after 3 months; the optode sensor can be regenerated using Na2EDTA solution. Finally, the optode was used for the quantification of Th4+ in various water samples, monazite sand, and gas mantle samples.

Highly selective CHEF-type chemosensor for lutetium (III) recognition in semi-aqueous media.

A simple phosphoryl quinolone (L) based sensor has been synthesized for the selective recognition of Lu3+ by spectrofluorimetric method. In methanol-water (1:1, v/v), the ligand L exhibits a weak emission peak at 400 nm upon excitation at 280 nm. Upon interaction with various f-metal and other selected metals from s, p, and d-block elements, the fluorescence of L is selectively enhanced in the presence of Lu3+ due to the chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effects. The quantum yield (φ) of L (φ = 0.063) is enhanced to φ = 0.118 upon chelation with Lu3+ ion. From the titration experiment, the limit of detection (LOD) of sensor L to recognize Lu3+ is estimated down to 24.2 nM, which is much lower than the WHO guidelines (76 µM) in drinking water. The formation of host-guest complexation between L and Lu3+ in 2:1 binding stoichiometry is studied by Job's method and the binding constant is estimated by band fit analysis (logKf = 5.1). Further, the coordination behaviour between L and Lu3+ is well supported by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, ESI mass spectral data and the theoretical results.

A new Al3+ selective fluorescent turn-on sensor based on hydrazide-naphthalic anhydride conjugate and its application in live cells imaging.

In this communication, we have developed an optical chemosensor 2-amino N-(6-bromo-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl)benzamide (NAPH) for selective detection of Al3+ by reacting 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalic anhydride with 2-aminobenzohydrazide. In (DMSO:H2O, 1:1, v/v) medium, the selective and specific nature of NAPH towards Al3+ was observed by the quenching along with a blue-shift in the absorption of NAPH at 465 nm that resulted in the distinct colour change from light brown to colourless. The selective complexation that occurred between NAPH and Al3+ was investigated by 1H NMR and DFT methods. Under similar conditions, the weakly fluorescent receptor NAPH showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement at 555 nm in the presence of Al3+ among the other tested metal ions and anions. The NAPH·Al3+ complex formation is reversible upon addition of strong chelating agent EDTA. The receptor NAPH can be applied to detect Al3+ down to 2.9 µM without any interference from other tested metal ions. In addition, the receptor NAPH was successfully applied to detect Al3+ in live HeLa cells.

A biomimetic approach to conjugate vitamin B6 cofactor with the lysozyme cocooned fluorescent AuNCs and its application in turn-on sensing of zinc(II) in environmental and biological samples.

This communication focusses on the synthesis of red fluorescent lysozyme cocooned gold nanoclusters (Lyso-AuNCs) that have been successfully applied for the selective and specific recognition of the vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP). The red fluorescence of Lyso-AuNCs showed remarkable color change to yellow upon conjugation with PLP due to the formation of a Schiff base between the free -NH2 present in the lysozyme and the -CHO group of PLP. The developed PLP conjugated Lyso-AuNCs (PLP_Lyso-AuNCs) was applied for the selective turn-on recognition of Zn2+ ions in aqueous medium. The yellow fluorescence of PLP_Lyso-AuNCs exhibited significant enhancement at 475 nm in the presence of Zn2+ producing bluish-green fluorescence attributed to the complexation-induced aggregation of nanoclusters. The nanoprobe exhibits nanomolar limit of detection for Zn2+ ions (39.2 nM) and the practicality of the nanoprobe was validated in various environmental water samples and biological plasma, urine, and beetroot extract, with fairly good recovery percent. Also, the system was successfully implemented for the intracellular detection and monitoring of Zn2+ in live HeLa cells. Graphical abstract Applications of red emitting lysozyme cocooned gold nanoclusters (Lyso-AuNCs) for the selective recognition of the vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and the conjugated nano-assembly PLP_Lyso-AuNCs for turn-on detection of Zn2+ ions in various environmental and biological samples.

Chemically modified cellulose strips with pyridoxal conjugated red fluorescent gold nanoclusters for nanomolar detection of mercuric ions.

One-pot approach was adopted for the synthesis of highly luminescent near-infrared (NIR)-emitting gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a protecting agent. The vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal was conjugated with the luminescent BSA-AuNCs through the free amines of BSA and then employed for the nanomolar detection of Hg2+ in aqueous medium via selective fluorescence quenching of AuNCs. This nano-assembly was successfully applied for the real sample analysis of Hg2+ in fish, tap water and river water. The study also presents chemically-modified cellulosic paper strips with the pyridoxal conjugated BSA-AuNCs for detecting Hg2+ ion up to 1nM.

Acetate selective fluorescent turn-on sensors derived using vitamin B6 cofactor pyridoxal-5-phosphate.

Two new Schiff base receptors have been synthesized by condensation of pyridoxal-5-phosphate with 2-aminophenol (L(1)) or aniline (L(2)). In DMSO, the receptors showed both chromogenic and 'turn-on' fluorescence responses selectively in the presence of AcO(-) and F(-). However, in mixed DMSO-H2O medium, the receptors showed AcO(-) selective 'turn-on' fluorescence without any interference from other tested anions including F(-). The detection limit for AcO(-) was found to be 7.37 µM and 22.9 µM using the receptors L(1) and L(2), respectively.

Selectivity enhancement of Arsenazo(III) reagent towards heavier lanthanides using polyaminocarboxylic acids: a spectrophotometric study.

A new study has been conducted to quantify lanthanide(III) ions using Arsenazo III-polyaminocarboxylic acid (PACA) system. The study disclosed two different analytically important information: (i) λmax of lanthanide-Arsenazo III complexes for lighter lanthanides like Ce(III) and Nd(III) did not shift from its original position on addition of PACA and (ii) for heavier lanthanides like Dy(III), Tm(III) and Lu(III) a new λmax at 538 nm was observed, while wavelengths at 610 nm and 654 nm were disappeared in presence of ethylenediaminetertracetic acid (EDTA) and trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (DCTA), further the intensity of peak decreased with increase in lanthanide(III) ion concentration. Effect of ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid (EDTA-OH) on Arsenzo(III)-Ln(III) complex is very weak and there is no analytically importance of such interaction. Moreover, this work confirms that Nd(III) and heavy lanthanides can be successfully determined with high accuracy in the working range of concentration of these metal ions.

Novel heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones derivatives as colorimetric and "turn on" fluorescent sensors for fluoride anion sensing employing hydrogen bonding.

Two novel heterocyclic thiosemicarbazone derivatives have been synthesized, and characterized, by means of spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Their chromophoric-fluorogenic response towards anions in competing solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was studied. The receptor shows selective recognition towards fluoride anion. The binding affinity of the receptors with fluoride anion was calculated using UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques.

Mucocele in lower lip as a result of improper use of feeding bottle: a case report.

A rare case of mucocele associated with improper feeding habit has been presented. An eight-month old male child presented with swelling in lower lip which was noticed by his mother a week earlier. A thorough clinical examination and history taking gave a diagnosis of mucocele resulting from improper use of feeding bottle. This case highlights and discusses the history, the clinical along with histologic features, and the clinical management of this lesion. Awareness of such an entity and the functional problems associated with the lesion will help the pediatric dentist to prevent any further complications.

Protective effect of lupeol and lupeol linoleate in hypercholesterolemia associated renal damage.

The association between hypercholesterolemia and kidney damage has been well known for last few decades. The oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are involved in renal injury, which is upregulated in hypercholesterolemic condition. The present study is aimed to evaluate the possible effect of lupeol and its ester derivative, lupeol linoleate in renal damage associated with hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding them with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) comprising normal rat chow supplemented with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid for 30 days. Lupeol and lupeol linoleate were supplemented (50 mg/kg body wt/day) to HCD fed rats during the last 15 days. Increased levels of renal total cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids, along with altered serum biochemical parameters of tissue injury indices and elevated activities of renal marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase) were noted in HCD fed rats. Elevated lipid peroxidation levels coupled with decreased antioxidant status (enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants) were observed in hypercholesterolemic rats, which indicate the onset of oxidative changes in the renal tissue. Renal lysosomal acid hydrolase activities (ACP, beta-Glu, beta-Gal, NAG and Cat-D) and acute phase proteins like C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen were significantly increased in HCD fed rats, which further indicates the heightening of inflammation. In addition, histopathological findings also confirmed the renal damage in hypercholesterolemic condition. Lupeol and lupeol linoleate effectively reverted the above abnormalities and was comparable with that of the control. These observations highlight the protective effect of lupeol and its ester derivative in ameliorating the renal injury associated with hypercholesterolemia.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of TiO(2) nanoparticles and their use as a platform for flavin adenine dinucleotide immobilization and efficient electrocatalysis.

Here, we report the electrochemical synthesis of TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) using the potentiostat method. Synthesized particles have been characterized by using x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the TiO(2) film produced was mainly composed of rutile and that the particles are of a size in the range of 100 ± 50 nm. TiO(2) NPs were used for the modification of a screen printed carbon electrode (SPE). The resulting TiO(2) film coated SPE was used to immobilize flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The flavin enzyme firmly attached onto the metal oxide surface and this modified electrode showed promising electrocatalytic activities towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in physiological conditions. The electrochemistry of FAD confined in the oxide film was investigated. The immobilized FAD displayed a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.42 V in pH 7.0 oxygen-free phosphate buffers at a scan rate of 50 mV s(-1). The FAD in the nanostructured TiO(2) film retained its bioactivity and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic response to the reduction of H(2)O(2), based on which a mediated biosensor for H(2)O(2) was achieved. The linear range for the determination of H(2)O(2) was from 0.15 × 10(-6) to 3.0 × 10(-3) M with the detection limit of 0.1 × 10(-6) M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The stability and repeatability of the biosensor is also discussed.

A study on bioavailability of theophylline in rabbits as influenced by fatty diet.

The influence of fatty diet and standard diet on the bioavailability and plasma half life of conventional theophylline was studied in the rabbit. It was found that standard diet had significantly reduced the extent of oral bioavailability (AUC0-alpha) of theophylline compared to the fasting state. The fatty diet resulted in a significantly increased extent of oral bioavailability (AUC0-alpha and Cmax) and significantly decreased rate of bioavailability (tmax and t1/2a) of theophylline compared to the standard diet group. The plasma half life was unaffected by either standard diet or the fatty diet. Therefore, dietary composition should be actively considered while titrating the dose of theophylline since theophylline is a drug of narrow therapeutic range and requires close monitoring of therapeutic plasma level.