Ladderenes as Covalently Condensed Acetylene: A DFT Investigation of Gold(I)-Catalyzed Mechanism, Substituent Effects and Energy Storage Potential.

Ladderenes, unique polymers composed of fused cyclobutane rings, exhibit promising properties for energy storage applications, including reversible redox behavior and structural tunability. This density functional theory (DFT) study investigates the formation of ladderenes via gold(I)-catalyzed alkyne-alkene coupling reactions. Our calculations reveal a step-wise chain propagation mechanism where the alkene product of each step reacts with a ligand-gold-alkyne complex, leading to the sequential addition of cyclobutene units.

Recovery and recycling of silica fabric from waste printed circuit boards to develop epoxy composite for electrical and thermal insulation applications.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), a primary component of electronic waste (E-waste), contain silica fabric as a major non-metallic material, which needs to be reutilized for high-performance applications. This study focuses on the separation and recovery of silica fabrics through pyrolysis and their subsequent use in developing silica fabric-epoxy composites (SFR). Extracted silica fabric was characterized through FTIR, XRD, XPS, and SEM for morphology analysis.

Enhancing light harvesting in bilayered dye-sensitized solar cells by tailoring light scattering with electrospun TiO nanofibers.

Dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs) possess promising features such as high performance under low-light conditions, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability in contrast to conventional silicon-based solar cells. Introducing a scattering layer has been reported to be one of the most effective and economical solutions for improving the efficiency of DSCs. In this regard, various one-dimensional nanostructures have been applied to DSCs to enhance its light scattering property and improve electron transport, thereby achieving a better lifetime.

Biocontrol Activity of New Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolates Against Fusaria and Mycotoxins.

As significant fungal pathogens of crops, Fusaria species contaminate various food and feed commodities. Some of the spp. secondary metabolites (e.

Observation of Molecular Complexes in Oligo-Phenylenevinylene (OPV) Organogels by Neutron Diffraction.

In an earlier report, we conjectured that oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) molecules bearing terminal OH groups may form molecular complexes in organogels prepared in benzyl alcohol. This assumption was based on circumstantial evidence only. In this paper, we report on new experimental evidence by means of neutron diffraction that unambiguously demonstrates this conjecture.

Dual-acting β-Aminothiochromones: Design, synthesis, and evaluation as antimicrobial and anti-angiogenic agents.

The quest for novel antimicrobials is critical due to emerging resistance by new microorganism strains. In these circumstances, we designed and synthesized a series of β-aminothiochromones by employing an aziridines ring-opening strategy to discover antimicrobial agents that are effective against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Structures of the compounds [3(a-m) and 3a(a-o)] were well characterized and confirmed by the spectroscopic, analytical and single crystal X-ray analysis.

KRN7000 analogues as biofilm disrupting agents against Streptococcus pyogenes and Proteus mirabilis.

In this study, three KRN7000 analogues with variations in the sugar and glycosidic linkage were synthesised to assess their efficacy in disrupting the biofilms of S. pyogenes and P. mirabilis.

Lyophilized ash gourd ( (Thunb.) Cogn.) juice alleviates diet-induced prediabetes in a rat model.

Prediabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, indicating an increased risk of developing diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of ash gourd (AG), a tropical fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family, on prediabetes, as well as its phytochemical composition. A prediabetic rat model was developed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by administering a high fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks.

Nanochitin: Green nanomaterial for sustainable applications in agriculture and environmental remediation.

The need for a green and sustainable nanomaterial sourced from biomass in the form of nanochitin has raised interest in paving the way towards incorporating biological resources for the production of functional materials. Nanochitin as nanofibers and nanocrystals/whiskers have attractive features like their ability to self-assemble into multidimensional biomaterials while retaining their intrinsic characteristics. Herein, the review discusses chitin's molecular association and hierarchical assemblies and gives an overview of the extraction methods adopted to produce nanochitin.

Bicyclic nucleoside analogues: synthesis of thiazolopyrimidine-based nucleosides a copper-catalysed tandem reaction of 5-iodocytidine with isothiocyanates.

We have devised a copper-catalysed tandem annulation reaction to generate a new class of bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs), namely, amino-substituted thiazolopyrimidine ribonucleosides. The reaction between triacetyl-5-iodo-cytidine and an appropriate organic isothiocyanate in the presence of a Cu salt and ligand resulted in the formation of an amino-substituted thiazolopyrimidine moiety. This reaction was found to be compatible with a range of aliphatic and aromatic isothiocyanates, affording the corresponding products in moderate to good yields.

Functionalization of Indoles with 1,3,5-Triazinanes: Chemistry of Aminomethylation vs the Hofmann-Martius-Type Rearrangement.

We have developed efficacious routes toward the selective synthesis of two classes of compounds such as C-3 amino-methylated indoles and 4-indol-3-yl-methylanilines from the same precursors, namely, indoles and 1,3,5-triazinanes. It is reported that the controlled cleavage of 1,3,5-triazinanes can be effected by heat for the generation of aryl imine motifs, and we observed that the presence of Lewis acid influences the course of these transformations toward different products. The reaction toward indol-3-yl-methylanilines proceeds via a nucleophilic attack of indole to the aryl imine generated from the 1,3,5-triazinanes to form an amino-methylated product which undergoes a Lewis acid mediated Hofmann-Martius-type rearrangement.

Anisotropic Poly(vinylidene fluoride--trifluoroethylene)/MXene Aerogel-Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerator for Efficient Kinetic Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Force Sensing Applications.

Lightweight flexible piezoelectric devices have garnered significant interest over the past few decades due to their applications as energy harvesters and wearable sensors. Among different piezoelectrically active polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers have attracted considerable attention for energy conversion due to their high flexibility, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. However, the orientation of polymer chains for self-poling under mild conditions is still a challenging task.

Silicone Oil-Functionalized Hydrophobic Nano Silica: A Floating Sorbent for Organic Pollutant Removal in Aquatic Systems.

Meso/microporous nano silica modified with macromolecular polymers produces attractive hybrids that repel water and have a hydrophobic surface, making them highly effective for targeting and eliminating organic contaminants in aquatic environments. In this study, nano silica was functionalized with silicone oil, an oligomeric siloxane derivative, to produce a hydrophobic silica nano hybrid characterized by a non-wetting water contact angle of 139°. This hydrophobic hybrid nano silica showed a sustainable floating nature on water even in turbulent streams.

A Comprehensive Appraisal of Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids Isolated From Genus Cyclea for Anticancer Potential.

The pharmaceutical industry and academia are continuously searching for novel and effective anticancer lead compounds to ensure patient safety, provide a cure, and surpass all other obstacles. Given the indeterminate nature of cancer etiology, the importance of drugs capable of targeting multiple pathways cannot be overstated. Among naturally occurring compounds, bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids, such as berberine, tetrandrine, chelidonine, and berbamine, have demonstrated significant anticancer potential by modulating diverse signaling pathways.

Synthesis of 2-hydroxy analogues of castanospermine, 1-epi-castanospermine and their iminooctitols from sugar-derived lactam.

The synthesis of 2-hydroxy analogues of castanospermine from two new iminooctitols via Mitsunobu cyclization is described. The iminooctitols were derived from the dihydroxylation of an allyl alcohol intermediate, obtained by adding vinylmagnesium bromide to the C6-aldehyde of a protected 1-deoxynojirimycin. An orthogonally protected hemiacetal with silyl group at the C6-hydroxy position and remaining as benzyl ethers, synthesized in four steps from d-glucose, served as a building block in the synthesis of the 1-deoxynojirimycin intermediate.

Unveiling the multifaceted bioactivity of copper(II)-Schiff base complexes: a comprehensive study of antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic potentials with DFT insights.

The rise of various diseases demands the development of new agents with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, enzyme-inhibiting, and cytotoxic properties. In this study, heterocyclic Schiff base complexes of Cu(II) featuring a benzo[]thiophene moiety were synthesized and their biological activities evaluated. The complexes were characterized using FT-IR, UV-Vis, and EPR spectroscopy, TG-DTG analysis, magnetic moment measurements, molar conductivity measurements, and elemental analyses.

Distinguishing the Bimodal Interaction of a Squaraine Dye with a Protein by a Functional Group Photodeprotection Strategy.

In this study, we present a protecting group photocleavage method to investigate both covalent and noncovalent interactions between a squaraine dye (PSq) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). This approach allows for the photoinduced activation and deactivation of PSq fluorescence, providing valuable insights into the dual-mode interaction of the dye with the protein.

Pain in rheumatoid arthritis: Emerging role of high mobility group box 1 protein-HMGB1.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where pain, driven by both inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes, is a major concern for patients. This pain can persist even after joint inflammation subsides. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone-DNA binding protein located in the nucleus that plays a key role in processes such as DNA transcription, recombination, and replication.

Physico-chemical characteristics of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment: a short-term study conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

The study presents findings from physico-chemical and elemental analyses of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Samples were taken every 8-10 days over 4 months to account for variability and establish baseline data. The study also examines the influence of dietary patterns and toilet cleaners on faecal sludge properties.