Effect of Heat Treatment on Dendritic Segregation and High-Temperature Strength of Single Crystals of Ni3Al-Base Rhenium-Alloyed Intermetallic Alloys

Metal Science and Heat Treatment - The nature of stability of dendritic microsegregation of rhenium in single crystals of intermetallic (γ′ + γ) alloys based on γ′-Ni3Al...     

Comparative Cytotoxicity of Artemisinin and Cisplatin and Their Interactions with Chlorogenic Acids in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

In parts of Africa and Asia, self‐medication with a hot water infusion of Artemisia annua (Artemisia tea) is a common practice for a number of ailments including malaria and cancer. In our earlier work, such an extract showed better potency than artemisinin alone against both chloroquine‐sensitive and ‐resistant parasites. In this study, in vitro tests of the infusion in MCF7 cells showed high IC₅₀ values (>200 μM ). The combination of artemisinin and 3‐caffeoylquinic acid (3CA), two major components in the extract, was strongly antagonistic and gave a near total loss of cytotoxicity for artemisinin. We observed that the interaction of 3CAs with another cytotoxic compound, cisplatin, showed potentiation of activity by 2.5‐fold. The chelation of cellular iron by 3CA is hypothesized as a possible explanation for the loss of artemisinin activity.     

Functional Composite Adsorbents Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks in a Carbon Matrix Applied for Methane Storage

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - In the present work, a method for producing new shaped composite materials by introducing a metal-organic framework structure Cu-BTC110...     

Vapor-Phase Protection of Zinc from Atmospheric Corrosion by Low-Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - The atmospheric corrosion resistance of metals can be reached by the formation of ultrathin protective films on their surface. Over recent...     

Thickness and scratch resistance of adsorbed film formed by triblock symmetrical copolymer solutions

The thickness and scratch resistance of adsorbed films formed on mild steel samples (MS1020), which have been immersed in water copolymer solutions, are reported. The effects of bulk temperature and the copolymer structures, normal, poly(ethylene oxide)_m‐poly(propylene oxide)_n‐poly(ethylene oxide)_m, and reverse, poly(propylene oxide)_n‐poly(ethylene oxide)_m‐poly(propylene oxide)_n, are elucidated. The films' thicknesses are independent of structure but not of temperature. The adsorbed films of above cloud point solutions are thicker than below cloud point. However, nanoscratch experiments carried out to measure the scratch resistance of the films reveal that despite of thicker film formed by above cloud point solutions, it is relatively more prone to being detached than the thinner films of below cloud point solutions. The effect of extreme pressure additive, alkyl phosphate ester (APE), is also investigated suggesting the normal copolymer has comparable scratch resistance with APE when used at below the cloud point. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and compositional analysis of (InGa) (AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots

We investigated metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy grown (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots (QDs) with potential applications in QD-Flash memo...     

Conjugates of Methylene Blue with Cycloalkaneindoles as New Multifunctional Agents for Potential Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disease

The development of multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) would provide effective therapy of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) with complex and nonclear pathogenesis. A promising method to create such potential drugs is combining neuroactive pharmacophoric groups acting on different biotargets involved in the pathogenesis of ND. We developed a synthetic algorithm for the conjugation of indole derivatives and methylene blue (MB), which are pharmacophoric ligands that act on the key stages of pathogenesis. We synthesized hybrid structures and performed a comprehensive screening for a specific set of biotargets participating in the pathogenesis of ND (i.e., cholinesterases, NMDA receptor, mitochondria, and microtubules assembly). The results of the screening study enabled us to find two lead compounds (4h and 4i) which effectively inhibited cholinesterases and bound to the AChE PAS, possessed antioxidant activity, and stimulated the assembly of microtubules. One of them (4i) exhibited activity as a ligand for the ifenprodil-specific site of the NMDA receptor. In addition, this lead compound was able to bypass the inhibition of complex I and prevent calcium-induced mitochondrial depolarization, suggesting a neuroprotective property that was confirmed using a cellular calcium overload model of neurodegeneration. Thus, these new MB-cycloalkaneindole conjugates constitute a promising class of compounds for the development of multitarget neuroprotective drugs which simultaneously act on several targets, thereby providing cognitive stimulating, neuroprotective, and disease-modifying effects.     

Bis(Benzofuran–1,3-N,N-heterocycle)s as Symmetric and Synthetic Drug Leads against Yellow Fever Virus

The yellow fever virus (YFV) is an emerging RNA virus and has caused large outbreaks in Africa and Central and South America. The virus is often transmitted through infected mosquitoes and spreads from area to area because of international travel. Being an acute viral hemorrhagic disease, yellow fever can be prevented by an effective, safe, and reliable vaccine, but not be eliminated. Currently, there is no antiviral drug available for its cure. Thus, two series of novel bis(benzofuran–1,3-imidazolidin-4-one)s and bis(benzofuran–1,3-benzimidazole)s were designed and synthesized for the development of anti-YFV lead candidates. Among 23 new bis-conjugated compounds, 4 of them inhibited YFV strain 17D (Stamaril) on Huh-7 cells in the cytopathic effect reduction assays. These conjugates exhibited the most compelling efficacy and selectivity with an EC₅₀ of <3.54 μM and SI of >15.3. The results are valuable for the development of novel antiviral drug leads against emerging diseases.