Molecular interactions of graphene with HIV-Vpr,Nef and Gag proteins: A new approach for treating HIV infections

Graphene draws considerable attention among biomedical researchers because of its unique physical, chemical and biological properties. The wide applications of graphene in the biomedical arena such as diagnostics, drug immobilization and drug delivery were well documented in the literature. However the therapeutic potential of the graphene towards retroviruses and the interactions of the graphene with receptors/proteins are still unexplored. Herein we report the antagonistic molecular interactions of graphene with the three key target proteins of HIV infections namely HIVVpr, Nef and Gag proteins. The docking investigations were performed to find the binding energy of the graphene ligands to the key target proteins of HIV. The high binding affinity of the graphene to these proteins indicates the antagonistic molecular interaction of graphene to the disease targets. The therapeutic potential of graphene was also studied by changing the size and the number of layers of the graphene. The experimental results confirm the good therapeutic potential of the graphene to combat HIV mediated retroviral infections.     

Cathodes Coating Layer with Li-Ion Diffusion Selectivity Employing Interactive Network of Metal-Organic Polyhedras for Li-Ion Batteries (Small 5/2023)

Surface modification of cathodes using Ni-rich coating layers prevents bulk and surface degradation for the stable operation of Li–ion batteries at high voltages. However, insulating and dense inorganic coating layers often impede charge transfer and ion diffusion kinetics. In this study, the fabrication of dual functional coating materials using metal–organic polyhedra (MOP) with 3D networks within microporous units of Li–ion batteries for surface stabilization and facile ion diffusion is proposed. Zr-based MOP is modified by introducing acyl groups as a chemical linkage (MOPAC), and MOPAC layers are homogenously coated by simple spray coating on the cathode. The coating allow the smooth transport of electrons and ions. MOPAC effectively suppress side reactions between the cathode and electrolyte and protect active materials against aggressive fluoride ions by forming a Li–ion selective passivation film. The MOPAC-coated Ni-rich layered cathode exhibited better cycle retention and enhanced kinetic properties than pristine and MOP-coated cathodes. Reduction of undesirable gas evolution on the cathode by MOPAC is also verified. Microporous MOPAC coating can simultaneously stabilize both the bulk and surface of the Ni-rich layered cathode and maintain good electrochemical reaction kinetics for high-performance Li–ion batteries.     

Biodegradable Nanoparticles-Loaded PLGA Microcapsule for the Enhanced Encapsulation Efficiency and Controlled Release of Hydrophilic Drug

Recently, nano- and micro-particulate systems have been widely utilized to deliver pharmaceutical compounds to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), as one of the biodegradable polyesters, has been widely used to fabricate particulate systems because of advantages including controlled and sustained release, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. However, PLGA is known for low encapsulation efficiency (%) and insufficient controlled release of water-soluble drugs. It would result in fluctuation in the plasma levels and unexpected side effects of drugs. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to develop microcapsules loaded with alginate-coated chitosan that can increase the encapsulation efficiency of the hydrophilic drug while exhibiting a controlled and sustained release profile with reduced initial burst release. The encapsulation of nanoparticles in PLGA microcapsules was done by the emulsion solvent evaporation method. The encapsulation of nanoparticles in PLGA microcapsules was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The release profile of hydrophilic drugs can further be altered by the chitosan coating. The chitosan coating onto alginate exhibited a less initial burst release and sustained release of the hydrophilic drug. In addition, the encapsulation of alginate nanoparticles and alginate nanoparticles coated with chitosan in PLGA microcapsules was shown to enhance the encapsulation efficiency of a hydrophilic drug. Based on the results, this delivery system could be a promising platform for the high encapsulation efficiency and sustained release with reduced initial burst release of the hydrophilic drug.     

Preparation of NiCo2O4 microspheres employing hydrothermal approach

In this study, nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo₂O₄) microspheres were prepared by using facile hydrothermal route. The structural confirmation of bimetal oxide formation was acquired by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman studies. The formation of microspheres combined via irregular nanosheets was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Highly oriented NiCo₂O₄ microspheres yielded a high current density (258 mA/g) at 10 mV/s and low overpotential (224 V). The highly active electrode showed efficient electron transportation towards oxygen evolution reaction. Long-term stability over 16 h was achieved by the fabricated high-performance NiCo₂O₄ electrode. It is recommended that NiCo₂O₄ microspheres obtained from 3:1 stoichiometry ratio of Ni and Co would lead to new electrocatalysts that give best performance than expensive catalysts used currently in the water oxidation process.     

Oliogothiophenes end-capped with arylacetylenes for organic thin film transistors

Phenylethynyl, butylphenylethynyl and pentafluorophenylethynyl end-capped terthiophene oligomers (PATTP, BPATTP and FPATTP) have been synthesized and characterized. Their physical, optical and electrochemical properties varied with the end substituents were investigated. DSC results revealed that three compounds were crystalline in the film state and thermally stable by 200 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. The oligothiophenes have exhibited H-aggregation, which was verified by significant blue-shift in UV–vis absorption spectra in the films, indicating a close side-to-side molecular packing. X-ray diffraction measurement on the films has revealed molecular edge-on substrate growth orientation. Top-contact field-effect transistors were demonstrated by spin-coating or ink-jetting the solution of the oligomers. The preliminary results showed that PATTP and BPATTP can serve as p-type carriers with hole-motility as 3 × 10^?4 and 1 × 10^?2 cm²/(V s), respectively, while pentafluorophenylacetylene afforded FPATTP as n-type carriers with electron-motility around 10^?5 cm²/(V s).     

Morphological variations of Mn‐doped ZnO dilute magnetic semiconductors thin films grown by succesive ionic layer by adsorption reaction method

Transparent conducting Mn‐doped ZnO thin films have been prepared by successive ionic layer by adsorption reaction (SILAR) method. The deposition conditions have been optimized based on their structure and on the formation of smoothness, adherence, and stoichiometry. The results of the studies by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), reveal the varieties of structural and morphological modifications feasible with SILAR method. The X‐ray diffraction patterns confirm that the ZnO:Mn has wurtzite structure. The interesting morphological variations with dopant concentration are observed and discussed. The films' quality is comparable with those grown with physical methods and is suitable for spintronic applications. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:751–755, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Wet oxidation of acid brown dye by hydrogen peroxide using heterogeneous catalyst Mn-salen-Y zeolite: a potential catalyst

Catalytic wet hydrogen peroxide oxidation of acid dye has been explored in this study. Manganese(III) complex of N,N'-ethylene bis(salicylidene-aminato) (salenH(2)) has been encapsulated in super cages of zeolite-Y by flexible ligand method. The catalyst has been characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TG/DTA and nitrogen adsorption studies. The effects of various parameters such as pH, catalyst and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the oxidation of dye were studied. The results indicate that after 20 min at 30 degrees C, 0.175 M H(2)O(2) and 3g/L catalyst, about 90% dye removal was obtained. These studies indicate that manganese-salen complex immobilized on zeolite framework can act as a good heterogeneous catalyst for removal of dye from wastewaters.