Metal-Based Biologically Active Compounds: Synthesis, Spectral, and Antimicrobial Studies of Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, and Zinc Complexes of Triazole-Derived Schiff Bases

A series of cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc complexes of bidentate Schiff bases derived from the condensation reaction of 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-methyl/ethyl-1,2,4-triazole with 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde were synthesized and tested as antimicrobial agents. The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, magnetic moment measurements, spectroscopic and thermogravimetric techniques. The presence of coordinated water in metal complexes was supported by infrared and thermal gravimetric studies. A square planar geometry was suggested for Cu(II) and octahedral geometry proposed for Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been screened for antibacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus). The metal complexes exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial and antifungal activity as compared to their simple Schiff bases

Biological and Spectral Studies of Newly Synthesized Triazole Schiff Bases and Their Si(IV), Sn(IV) Complexes

The Schiff bases HL1-3 have been prepared by the reaction of 5-bromothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde with 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-methyl/propyl/isopropyl-s-triazole, respectively. Organosilicon(IV) and organotin(IV) complexes of formulae (CH3)2MCl(L1-3), (CH3)2M(L1-3)2 were synthesized from the reaction of (CH3)2MCl2 and the Schiff bases in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratio, where M = Si and Sn. The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been characterized with the aid of various physicochemical techniques like elemental analyses, molar conductance, UV, IR, 1H, 13C, 29Si, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. Based on these studies, the trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral geometries have been proposed for these complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro against some bacteria and fungi

Multimodal nanoparticles for non-invasive bio-imaging

The present teachings provide multimodal nanoparticles that can act simultaneously as contrast agents for one or more of PAT, fluorescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. Exemplary multimodal nanoparticles can have a size between 50-100 nm and can be tunable to large sizes. In various embodiments, these nanoparticles can also be used for therapeutic purposes

Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation with glenoid fracture managed by modified Boytchev procedure: a rare case report

Surgical procedures for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder include using capsuloligamentous or bone blocks to create barriers and active interventions using muscle actions. Fracture of glenoid acts as a barrier for bone block procedures. Boytchev procedure, though outmoded, yet acts as simple and effective procedure in this condition. Here we report a 44 year old male with recurrent anterior dislocation with glenoid fracture treated by Boytchev procedure. The patient is on regular follow up since 3 years with no episode of shoulder dislocation till now with full range of movements. To conclude, Boytchev procedure is technically simple and effective method in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation with fracture of glenoid

Identification of a novel quinoxaline-isoselenourea targeting the STAT3 pathway as a potential melanoma therapeutic

The prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma remains very poor. Constitutive signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation has been correlated to metastasis, poor patient survival, larger tumor size, and acquired resistance against vemurafenib (PLX-4032), suggesting its potential as a molecular target. We recently designed a series of isoseleno- and isothio-urea derivatives of several biologically active heterocyclic scaffolds. The cytotoxic effects of lead isoseleno- and isothio-urea derivatives (compounds 1 and 3) were studied in a panel of five melanoma cell lines, including B-RAFV600E-mutant and wild-type (WT) cells. Compound 1 (IC50 range 0.8–3.8 µM) showed lower IC50 values than compound 3 (IC50 range 8.1–38.7 µM) and the mutant B-RAF specific inhibitor PLX-4032 (IC50 ranging from 0.4 to >50 µM), especially at a short treatment time (24 h). These effects were long-lasting, since melanoma cells did not recover their proliferative potential after 14 days of treatment. In addition, we confirmed that compound 1 induced cell death by apoptosis using Live-and-Dead, Annexin V, and Caspase3/7 apoptosis assays. Furthermore, compound 1 reduced the protein levels of STAT3 and its phosphorylation, as well as decreased the expression of STAT3-regulated genes involved in metastasis and survival, such as survivin and c-myc. Compound 1 also upregulated the cell cycle inhibitor p21. Docking studies further revealed the favorable binding of compound 1 with the SH2 domain of STAT3, suggesting it acts through STAT3 inhibition. Taken together, our results suggest that compound 1 induces apoptosis by means of the inhibition of the STAT3 pathway, non-specifically targeting both B-RAF-mutant and WT melanoma cells, with much higher cytotoxicity than the current therapeutic drug PLX-4032

Sequence Characterisation and Genotyping of Allelic Variants of Beta Casein Gene Establishes Native Cattle of Ladakh to be a Natural Resource for A2 Milk

Bovine milk is regarded as nature's perfect food due to presence of vital nutrients. However some peptides are generated after proteolytic digestion of β-casein that have opioid properties and may increase the risk of chronic diseases. There are 13 genetic variants of bovine beta-casein; out of these A1 and A2 are the most common in dairy cattle breeds. The A1 and A2 variants differ only at position 67, which is histidine in A1 or proline in A2 milk. Earlier published reports have indicated that A1 β casein could be responsible for several health disorders like diabetes, coronary heart disease etc. while A2 β-casein is generally considered safe for human consumption. In the present study, an effort was made to sequence characterize β casein gene and identify allelic distribution of A1A2 alleles in native cattle of Ladakh region adapted to high altitude and low oxygen condition. The data showed 2 non-synonymous variations in coding region, while 5’UTR was completely conserved. The 3’UTR showed 2 more variations in Ladakhi samples. Further, the genotyping in 85 Ladakhi cattle for A1A2 alleles revealed that in Ladakhi cattle, A2 allele is predominantly present as reported for some of the other Indian breeds. The frequency of A2 allele was 0.90 and frequency of A2A2 genotype was found to be 0.79 in Ladakhi cattle. The present data strongly indicate that local cattle of Ladakh with higher frequency of A2 allele and A2A2 genotype is natural resource for A2 milk.  Systematic efforts should be made for long term conservation and genetic improvement of this invaluable genetic resource of Ladakh

Beneficiation of Low Grade Kaolin by High Shear Agitation with Dispersant (HSD) Pre-Treatment for High Yield and Improved Fired Colour

Crude kaolin contains various amounts of discolouring elements such as anatase (TiO2), mica and iron oxide (Fe2O3), which give low brightness and are detrimental in use. In addition, the anatase (titaniferrous) and mica can also contain iron contaminants. Beneficiation of two crude low grade china clays, marked as KY and SR, was attempted through imitating existing industrial practice of levigation and hydrocyclone classification, and through an innovative technique of high shear agitation with dispersant (HSD) pre-treatment. HSD treated clays were subjected to impurity removal by sieving, demagnetizing and coarse/heavy impurity removal by sedimentation under gravity techniques. The results in terms of yield of clay (% on feed basis), grade of clay (kaolinite%) and effect of purified clays on the whiteness of porcelain were compared. It was found that by use of HSD pre-treatment, SR dump clay could be purified to contain 90.7% kaolinite and 0.75% free silica with a striking yield of 62.32% as compared to 88.90% kaolinite, 3.34% free silica and 30.2% only as yield by levigation and hydrocyclone. The KY dump clay was purified to contain 85.51% kaolinite and only 5.57% free silica with 44.3% yield by HSD pre-treatment as compared to 72.29% kaolinite, 16.29% free silica and 30.4% only as the yield by levigation and hydrocyclone classification. The kaolinite enrichment and removal of free silica to a major extent and chromophore impurities (although to a minor extent) in these dump clays after beneficiation rendered them suitable for polished vitrified porcelain tiles application as far as the development of white fired colour in the tiles body is concerned

Kaolin clay beneficiation: Effectiveness of different unit operations involved

Kaolinite is the major mineral phase in clays and it is white burning in a pure state. It is widely used in ceramic industries and in filler grade applications e.g. paints and paper and plastics etc. In our country, due to rapid growth of ceramic industries especially tiles, the demand of good grade kaolin clay is increasing and their reserves fast depleting. However, the low-grade clays or dump clays are available in plenty that may be utilized if upgraded to desired specifications by beneficiation. Impurity mineral identification and their removal are the two important aspects in clay processing. The beneficiation requirements of clay depend on both the specific physicochemical requirements of the processed clay and the characteristic of the crude clay materials available. A number of unit operations are involved in beneficiation of clays viz., size reduction, size separation by levigation, hydrocyclone classification, high intensity magnetic separation, froth flotation, chemical leaching and selective flocculation etc. In view of above a critical review of the clay minerals structure, classification, applications, impurities and their effect, unit operations and national resources of clay etc aspects has been made with a special reference to low grade kaolin clays occurring in Kutch Bhuj region of Gujarat state of India