The isolation of novel pregnane steroids from Miq. and the cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7).

Steroid groups isolated from many plants are known to play a significant role in various biological systems. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze two novel pregnane steroids, pachylenone A (1) and pachylenone B (2), isolated from Miq. The cytotoxicity of the steroids was evaluated against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines with other known steroid compounds, namely 5α-dihydroprogesterone (3), GSD-8 (4), -5α-pregn-l7(20)-en-3,16-dion (5), 20β-hydroxy-5αH-pregnan-3-one (6), 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (7), aglaiasterol B (8), and 2β,3β-dihydroxypregnan-16-one (9).

Synthesis, biological activities, and evaluation molecular docking-dynamics studies of new phenylisoxazole quinoxalin-2-amine hybrids as potential α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors.

New phenylisoxazole quinoxalin-2-amine hybrids 5a-i were successfully synthesised with yields of 53-85% and characterised with various spectroscopy methods. The synthesised hybrids underwent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assays, with acarbose as the positive control. Through the biological study, compound 5h exhibits the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC = 16.

Fabrication and characterisation of novel chitosan-based polymer inclusion membranes and their application in environmental remediation.

Several water and wastewater technologies have been implored for the removal of dyes during wastewater treatments; however; different types have been reportedly found in surface and groundwater systems. Hence, there is a need to investigate other water treatment technologies for the complete remediation of dyes in aquatic environments. In this study, novel chitosan-based polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) were synthesized for the removal of malachite green dye (MG) which is a recalcitrant of great concern in water.

One-step synthesis of M13 phage-based nanoparticles and their fluorescence properties.

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles have been gaining more attention in recent years for their excellent fluorescence properties and simple synthesis routes. Different carbon sources have been reported for fluorescent carbon nanoparticle synthesis but the use of virus particles as a carbon source is scarce. Herein, we report the utilization of M13 bacteriophage particles as the carbon source to synthesize phage-based nanoparticles through facile, one-step microwave heating.

Human IgG1 Fc pH-dependent optimization from a constant pH molecular dynamics simulation analysis.

The binding of IgG Fc with FcRn enables the long circulating half-life of IgG, where the Fc-FcRn complex interacts in a pH-dependent manner. This complex shows stronger interaction at pH ≤ 6.5 and weaker interaction at pH ≥ 7.

Corrosion inhibition on mild steel in 1 M HCl solution by extracts and three of its constituents (alkaloids).

Corrosion inhibition effect of the crude extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol) from the bark of and three alkaloids named -methylisococlaurine 1, -methyllaurotetanine 2 and atherosperminine 3 isolated from the dichloromethane extract (CNDE) were investigated for mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution. An electrochemical impedance study showed that CNDE and 2 reduced the corrosion significantly through a charge transfer mechanism with inhibition efficiency of 91.05% and 88.

A closed-loop electrogenerative recycling process for recovery of silver from a diluted cyanide solution.

A closed-loop process for the complete recovery of silver from a diluted silver cyanide solution has been constructed based on an electrogenerative process. It was shown that the reduction of silver was a mass transport controlled process. Under optimal experimental conditions, 100% of silver was recovered from 500 mg L and 100 mg L silver cyanide solutions by using a reticulated vitreous electrode (RVC) as the cathode.

The more pieces, the better the puzzle: sperm concentration increases gametic compatibility.

The genetic benefits individuals receive from mate choice have been the focus of numerous studies, with several showing support for both intrinsic genetic benefits and compatibility effects on fertilization success and offspring viability. However, the robustness of these effects have rarely been tested across an ecologically relevant environmental gradient. In particular, sperm environment is a crucial factor determining fertilization success in many species, especially those with external fertilization.

Male sex pheromonal components derived from methyl eugenol in the hemolymph of the fruit fly Bactrocera papayae.

Pharmacophagy of methyl eugenol (ME)--a highly potent male attractant, by Bactrocera papayae results in the hydroxylation of ME to sex pheromonal components, 2-ally-4,5-dimethoxyphenol (DMP) and (E)-coniferyl alcohol (CF). These compounds, which are also male attractants, are then sequestered and stored in the rectal gland prior to their release during courtship at dusk. Chemical analyses of the digestive tract (excluding the crop and rectal gland) showed the absence of the sex pheromonal components and their precursor, ME.