Synthesis of renewable heterogeneous acid catalyst from oil palm empty fruit bunch for glycerol-free biodiesel production.

Interest in biodiesel research has escalated over the years due to dwindling fossil fuel reserves. The implementation of a carbon-based solid acid catalyst in biodiesel production eradicates the separation problems associated with homogeneous catalysis. However, its application in the glycerol-free interesterification process for biodiesel production is still rarely being studied in the literature.

Identification of 5-Methoxy-2-(Diformylmethylidene)-3,3-Dimethylindole as an Anti-Influenza A Virus Agent.

Influenza virus is estimated to cause 3-5 million severe complications and about 250-500 thousand deaths per year. Different kinds of anti-influenza virus drugs have been developed. However, the emergence of drug resistant strains has presented a big challenge for efficient antiviral therapy.

JMJD8 is a positive regulator of TNF-induced NF-κB signaling.

TNF-induced signaling mediates pleiotropic biological consequences including inflammation, immunity, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Misregulation of TNF signaling has been attributed as a major cause of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. Jumonji domain-containing protein 8 (JMJD8) belongs to the JmjC family.

A cell-based screening system for anti-influenza A virus agents.

Emerging of drug resistant influenza A virus (IAV) has been a big challenge for anti-IAV therapy. In this study, we describe a relatively easy and safe cell-based screening system for anti-IAV replication inhibitors using a non-replicative strain of IAV. A nickel (II) complex of polyhydroxybenzaldehyde N4-thiosemicarbazone (NiPT5) was recently found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro.

Nickel(II) complex of polyhydroxybenzaldehyde N4-thiosemicarbazone exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB transactivation.

Background: The biological properties of thiosemicarbazone have been widely reported. The incorporation of some transition metals such as Fe, Ni and Cu to thiosemicarbazone complexes is known to enhance its biological effects. In this study, we incorporated nickel(II) ions into thiosemicarbazone with N4-substitution groups H3L (H; H3L1, CH3; H3L2, C6H5; H3L3 and C2H5; H3L4) and examined its potential anti-inflammatory activity.