Significant photocytotoxic effect of an iron(III) complex of a Schiff base ligand derived from vitamin B-6 and thiosemicarbazide in visible light

Iron(III)-Schiff base complexes, namely, Fe(tsc-py)(2)](NO3) (1), Fe(tsc-acpy)(2)](NO3) (2) and Fe(tsc-VB6)(2)](NO3) (3), where tsc-py, tsc-acpy and tsc-VB6 are the respective Schiff bases derived from thiosemicarbazide (tsc) and pyridine-2-aldehyde (tsc-py), 2-acetyl pyridine (tsc-acpy) and vitamin B-6 (pyridoxal, tsc-VB6), have been prepared, structurally characterized and their photocytotoxicity studied in cancer HeLa cells. The single crystal X-ray structures of the complexes 1 and 2 show a distorted octahedral geometry formed by the FeN4S2 core. The low-spin and 1 : 1 electrolytic complexes display a broad absorption band in the visible region. Complexes 1 and 2, without any VB6 moiety are not cytotoxic under light or dark conditions. Complex 3 is significantly photocytotoxic under visible light of 400-700 nm giving an IC50 value of 22.5 mu M in HeLa cells with no dark toxicity (IC50 > 100 mu M). The photo-induced cell death is attributable to apoptotic pathways involving photo-assisted generation of intracellular ROS. The observed photocytotoxicity of complex 3 could be the result of its better photosensitizing property combined with its enhanced uptake into cancer cells via a VB6 transporting membrane carrier (VTC) mediated diffusion pathway due to the presence of the VB6 moiety compared to the two non-vitamin B-6 analogues, complexes 1 and 2.

Implication of a sigma-Methane Complex en Route to Elimination of Methane from a Ruthenium Complex: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The five-coordinated 16-electron complex Ru(Me)(dppe)(2)]OTf] (3) undergoes methane elimination at room temperature to afford the ortho-metalated species (dppe){(C6H5)(C6H4)PCH2CH2P(C6H5)(2)}Ru]OTf] (7). Methane elimination, monitored using NMR spectroscopy, revealed no intermediate throughout the reaction. The NOE between Ru-Me protons and ortho phenyl protons and an agostic interaction trans to the methyl group were found in complex 3 by NMR spectroscopy, which form the basis for three plausible pathways for methane elimination and ortho metalation: pathway I (through spatial interaction), pathway II (through oxidative addition and reductive elimination), and pathway III (through agostic interaction). Methane elimination from complex 3 via pathway I was discounted, since it involves interactions through space and not through bonds. Moreover, the calculated energy barrier for the pathway I transition state was quite high (71.3 kcal/mol), which also indicates that this pathway is very unlikely. Furthermore, no spectroscopic evidence for oxidatively added seven-coordinated Ru(IV) species was found and the computed energy barrier of the transition state for pathway II was moderately high (41.1 kcal/mol), which suggests that this cannot be the right pathway for methane elimination and ortho-metalation of complex 3. On the other hand, indirect evidence in the form of chemical reactions point to the most plausible pathway for methane elimination, pathway III, via the intermediacy of a sigma-CH4 complex that could not be found spectroscopically. DFT calculations at several levels on this pathway showed an initial low-barrier rearrangement through TS1 to a square-pyramidal intermediate wherein methyl and agostic C-H are cis to each other. Migration of hydrogen from agostic C-H and elimination of methane proceed through the transition state TS2, which retains a weak metal-H bonding through most parts of the reaction coordinate. Upon comparison of all three pathways, pathway III was found to be the most likely for methane elimination and ortho-metalation of complex 3.

Negative hyperconjugation and red-, blue- or zero-shift in X-Z center dot center dot center dot Y complexes

A generalized explanation is provided for the existence of the red-and blue-shifting nature of X-Z bonds (Z = H, halogens, chalcogens, pnicogens, etc.) in X-Z center dot center dot center dot Y complexes based on computational studies on a selected set of weakly bonded complexes and analysis of existing literature data. The additional electrons and orbitals available on Z in comparison to H make for dramatic differences between the H-bond and the rest of the Z-bonds. The nature of the X-group and its influence on the X-Z bond length in the parent X-Z molecule largely controls the change in the X-Z bond length on X-Z center dot center dot center dot Y bond formation; the Y-group usually influences only the magnitude of the effects controlled by X. The major factors which control the X-Z bond length change are: (a) negative hyperconjugative donation of electron density from X-group to X-Z sigma* antibonding molecular orbital (ABMO) in the parent X-Z, (b) induced negative hyperconjugation from the lone pair of electrons on Z to the antibonding orbitals of the X-group, and (c) charge transfer (CT) from the Y-group to the X-Z sigma* orbital. The exchange repulsion from the Y-group that shifts partial electron density at the X-Z sigma* ABMO back to X leads to blue-shifting and the CT from the Y-group to the sigma* ABMO of X-Z leads to red-shifting. The balance between these two opposing forces decides red-, zero- or blue-shifting. A continuum of behaviour of X-Z bond length variation is inevitable in X-Z center dot center dot center dot Y complexes.

Li2MnO3: a rare red-coloured manganese(IV) oxide exhibiting tunable red-yellow-green emission

An experimental assessment of Li2MnO3 has been conducted, in conjunction with related Mn(IV) oxides, to investigate its red colour and photoluminescence. Optical absorption spectra revealed strong band gap absorption, with a sharp edge at similar to 610 nm and a transparent region between similar to 610 and similar to 650 nm, giving rise to the red colour of this compound. Octahedral Mn(IV) ligand field transitions have been observed in the excitation spectra of Li2MnO3, corresponding both to Mn(IV) at ideal sites and displaced in Li sites in the rock salt-based layered structure of Li2MnO3. Optical excitation at ligand field transition energies produces tunable emission in the red-yellow-green region, rendering Li2MnO3 a unique Mn(IV) oxide. The honeycomb-ordered LiMn6] units in its structure are probably the origin of both the absorption and the photoluminescent properties of Li2MnO3.

Impacts of climate change and management responses in tropical forests depend on complex frugivore-mediated seed dispersal

AimBiodiversity outcomes under global change will be influenced by a range of ecological processes, and these processes are increasingly being considered in models of biodiversity change. However, the level of model complexity required to adequately account for important ecological processes often remains unclear. Here we assess how considering realistically complex frugivore-mediated seed dispersal influences the projected climate change outcomes for plant diversity in the Australian Wet Tropics (all 4313 species). LocationThe Australian Wet Tropics, Queensland, Australia. MethodsWe applied a metacommunity model (M-SET) to project biodiversity outcomes using seed dispersal models that varied in complexity, combined with alternative climate change scenarios and habitat restoration scenarios. ResultsWe found that the complexity of the dispersal model had a larger effect on projected biodiversity outcomes than did dramatically different climate change scenarios. Applying a simple dispersal model that ignored spatial, temporal and taxonomic variation due to frugivore-mediated seed dispersal underestimated the reduction in the area of occurrence of plant species under climate change and overestimated the loss of diversity in fragmented tropical forest remnants. The complexity of the dispersal model also changed the habitat restoration approach identified as the best for promoting persistence of biodiversity under climate change. Main conclusionsThe consideration of complex processes such as frugivore-mediated seed dispersal can make an important difference in how we understand and respond to the influence of climate change on biodiversity.

A rhodamine-based `turn-on' Al3+ ion-selective reporter and the resultant complex as a secondary sensor for F- ion are applicable to living cell staining

A newly designed fluorescent aluminum(III) complex (L'-Al; 2) of a structurally characterized non-fluorescent rhodamine Schiff base (L) has been isolated in pure form and characterized using spectroscopic and physico-chemical methods with theoretical density functional theory (DFT) support. On addition of Al(III) ions to a solution of L in HEPES buffer (1 mM, pH 7.4; EtOH-water, 1 : 3 v/v) at 25 degrees C, the systematic increase in chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) enables the detection of Al(III) ions as low as 60 nM with high selectivity, unaffected by the presence of competitive ions. Interestingly, the Al(III) complex (L'-Al; 2) is specifically able to detect fluoride ions by quenching the fluorescence in the presence of large amounts of other anions in the HEPES buffer (1 mM, pH 7.4) at 25 degrees C. On the basis of our experimental and theoretical findings, the addition of Al3+ ions to a solution of L helps to generate a new fluorescence peak at 590 nm, due to the selective binding of Al3+ ions with L in a 1 : 1 ratio with a binding constant (K) of 8.13 x 10(4) M-1. The Schiff base L shows no cytotoxic effect, and it can therefore be employed for determining the intracellular concentration of Al3+ and F-ions by 2 in living cells using fluorescence microscopy.

Deciphering complex patterns of class-I HLA-peptide cross-reactivity via hierarchical grouping

T-cell responses in humans are initiated by the binding of a peptide antigen to a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule. The peptide-HLA complex then recruits an appropriate T cell, leading to cell-mediated immunity. More than 2000 HLA class-I alleles are known in humans, and they vary only in their peptide-binding grooves. The polymorphism they exhibit enables them to bind a wide range of peptide antigens from diverse sources. HLA molecules and peptides present a complex molecular recognition pattern, as many peptides bind to a given allele and a given peptide can be recognized by many alleles. A powerful grouping scheme that not only provides an insightful classification, but is also capable of dissecting the physicochemical basis of recognition specificity is necessary to address this complexity. We present a hierarchical classification of 2010 class-I alleles by using a systematic divisive clustering method. All-pair distances of alleles were obtained by comparing binding pockets in the structural models. By varying the similarity thresholds, a multilevel classification was obtained, with 7 supergroups, each further subclassifying to yield 72 groups. An independent clustering performed based only on similarities in their epitope pools correlated highly with pocket-based clustering. Physicochemical feature combinations that best explain the basis of clustering are identified. Mutual information calculated for the set of peptide ligands enables identification of binding site residues contributing to peptide specificity. The grouping of HLA molecules achieved here will be useful for rational vaccine design, understanding disease susceptibilities and predicting risk of organ transplants.

An enolato-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complex with a coumarin-assisted precursor: a spectral, magnetic and biological study

A new, phenoxo-bridged Cu-II dinuclear complex Cu-2(L)(2)(DMF)(2)] (1) has been obtained by employing the coumarin-assisted tridentate precursor, H2L, benzoic acid(7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-ylmethylene)-hydrazide]. Complex 1 has been systematically characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence and PR spectrometry. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 shows that the geometry around each copper ion is square pyramidal, comprising two enolato oxygen atoms belonging to different ligands (which assemble the dimer bridging the two metal centers), one imine-N and one phenolic-O atoms of the Schiff base and one oxygen atom from the DMF molecule. The temperature dependent magnetic interpretation agrees with the existence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between the bridging dinuclear Cu(II) ions. Both the ligand and complex 1 exhibit anti-mycobacterial activity and considerable efficacy towards M. tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 and M. tuberculosis H37Ra ATCC 25177 strains. The cytotoxicity study on human adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF7) suggests that the ligand and complex 1 have potential anticancer properties. Molecular docking of H2L with the enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase of M. tuberculosis H37R(v) (PDB ID: 4U0K) is examined and the best docked pose of H2L shows one hydrogen bond with Thr196 (1.99 angstrom).

Differential expression of estrogen receptor alpha in the embryonic adrenal-kidney-gonadal complex of the oviparous lizard, Calotes versicolor (Daud.)

Estrogen signalling is critical for ovarian differentiation in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). To elucidate the involvement of estrogen in this process, adrenal-kidney-gonadal (AKG) expression of estrogen receptor (ER alpha) was studied at female-producing temperature (FPT) in the developing embryos of the lizard, Calotes versicolor which exhibits a distinct pattern of TSD. The eggs of this lizard were incubated at 31.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C (100% FPT). The torso of embryos containing adrenal-kidney-gonadal complex (AKG) was collected during different stages of development and subjected to Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis. The ER alpha, antibody recognized two protein bands with apparent molecular weight similar to 55 and similar to 45 kDa in the total protein extracts of embryonic AKG complex of C. versicolor. The observed results suggest the occurrence of isoforms of ER alpha. The differential expression of two different protein isoforms may reveal their distinct role in cell proliferation during gonadal differentiation. This is the first report to reveal two isoforms of the ER alpha in a reptile during development. Immunohistochemical studies reveal a weak, but specific, cytoplasmic ER alpha immunostaining exclusively in the AKG during late thermo-sensitive period suggesting the responsiveness of AKG to estrogens before gonadal differentiation at FPT. Further, cytoplasmic as well as nuclear expression of ER alpha in the medulla and in oogonia of the cortex (faint activity) at gonadal differentiation stage suggests that the onset of gonadal estrogen activity coincides with sexual differentiation of gonad. Intensity and pattern of the immunoreactions of ER alpha in the medullary region at FPT suggest endogenous production of estrogen which may act in a paracrine fashion to induce neighboring cells into ovarian differentiation pathway. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biodiesel Exhaust Treatment with HFAC Plasma supported by Red Mud: Study on DeNOx and power consumption

The concentration of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in engines which use biodiesel as fuel is higher compared to conventional diesel engine exhaust. In this paper, an attempt has been made to treat this exhaust using a combination of High frequency AC (HFAC) plasma and an industrial waste, Red Mud which shows proclivity towards Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) adsorption. The high frequency AC source in combination with the proposed compact double dielectric plasma reactors is relatively more efficient in converting Nitric Oxide (NO) to NO2. It has been shown that the plasma treated gas enhances the activity of red mud as an adsorbent/catalyst and about 60-72% NOx removal efficiency was observed at a specific energy of 250 J/L. The advantage in this method is the cost effectiveness and abundant availability of the waste red mud in the industry. Further, power estimation studies were carried out using Manley's equation for the two reactors employed in the experiment and a close agreement between experimental and predicted powers was observed. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Microwave spectroscopic and theoretical investigations of the strongly hydrogen bonded hexafluoroisopropanol...water complex

This paper reports microwave spectroscopic and theoretical investigations on the interaction of water with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). The HFIP monomer can exist in two conformations, antiperiplanar (AP) and synclinical (SC). The former is about 5 kJ mol(-1) more stable than the latter. Theoretical calculations predicted three potential minima for the complex, two having AP and one having SC conformations. Though, the binding energy for the HFIP(SC)...H2O turned out to be larger than that for the other two conformers having HFIP in the AP form, the global minimum for the complex in the potential energy hypersurface had HFIP in the AP form. Experimental rotational constants for four isotopologues measured using a pulsed nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, correspond to the global minimum in the potential energy hypersurface. The structural parameters and the internal dynamics of the complex could be determined from the rotational spectra of the four isotopologues. The global minimum has the HFIP(AP) as a hydrogen bond donor forming a strong hydrogen bond with H2O. To characterize the strength of the bonding and to probe the other interactions within the complex, atoms in molecules, non-covalent interaction index and natural bond orbital theoretical analyses have been performed.

High Quality Photometric Reconstruction using a Depth Camera

In this paper we present a depth-guided photometric 3D reconstruction method that works solely with a depth camera like the Kinect. Existing methods that fuse depth with normal estimates use an external RGB camera to obtain photometric information and treat the depth camera as a black box that provides a low quality depth estimate. Our contribution to such methods are two fold. Firstly, instead of using an extra RGB camera, we use the infra-red (IR) camera of the depth camera system itself to directly obtain high resolution photometric information. We believe that ours is the first method to use an IR depth camera system in this manner. Secondly, photometric methods applied to complex objects result in numerous holes in the reconstructed surface due to shadows and self-occlusions. To mitigate this problem, we develop a simple and effective multiview reconstruction approach that fuses depth and normal information from multiple viewpoints to build a complete, consistent and accurate 3D surface representation. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method to generate high quality 3D surface reconstructions for some complex 3D figurines.

Probing complex heterostructures using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES)

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) plays a central role in the investigation of electronic properties as well as compositional analysis of almost every conceivable material. However, a very short inelastic mean free path (IMFP) and the limited photon flux in standard laboratory conditions render this technique very much surface sensitive. Thus, the electronic structure buried below several layers of a heterogeneous sample is not accessible with usual photoemission techniques. An obvious way to overcome this limitation is to use a considerably higher energy photon source, as this increases the IMFP of the photo-ejected electron, thereby making the technique more depth and bulk sensitive. Due to this obvious advantage, Hard X-ray Photo Electron Spectroscopy (HAXPES) is rapidly becoming an extremely powerful tool for chemical, elemental, compositional and electronic characterization of bulk systems, more so with reference to systems characterized by the presence of buried interfaces and other types of chemical heterogeneity. The relevance of such an investigative tool becomes evident when we specifically note the ever-increasing importance of heterostructures and interfaces in the context of a wide range of device applications, spanning electronic, magnetic, optical and energy applications. The interest in this nondestructive, element specific HAXPES technique has grown rapidly in the past few years; we discuss critically its extensive use in the study of depth resolved electronic properties of nanocrystals, multilayer superlattices and buried interfaces, revealing their internal structures. We specifically present a comparative discussion, with examples, on two most commonly used methods to determine internal structures of heterostructured systems using XPS. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ag-doped hydroxyapatite as efficient adsorbent for removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution: Synthesis, kinetic and equilibrium adsorption isotherm analysis

In the present study a versatile and efficient adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for adsorption of Congo red dye in aqueous solution at ambient temperature without adjusting any pH is presented over the Ag modified calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHAp). CaHAp and Ag-doped CaHAp materials were synthesized using facile aqueous precipitation method. The physico-chemical properties of the materials were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy, N-2 physisorption and acidity was determined by n-butylamine titration and pyridine adsorption methods. XRD analysis confirmed all adsorbents exhibit hexagonal CaHAp structure with P6(3)/m space group. TEM analysis confirms the rod like morphology of the adsorbents and the average length of the rods were in the range of 40-45 nm. Pyridine adsorption results indicate increase in number of Lewis acid sites with Ag doping in CaHAp. Adsorption capacity of CaHAp was found increased with Ag content in the adsorbents. Ag (10): CaHAp adsorbent showed superior adsorption performance among all the adsorbents for various concentrations of Congo red (CR) dye in aqueous solutions. The amount of CR dye adsorbed on Ag (10): CaHAp was found to be 49.89-267.81 mg g(-1) for 50-300 ppm in aqueous solution. A good correlation between adsorption capacity and acidity of the adsorbents was observed. The adsorption kinetic data of adsorbents fitted well with pseudo second-order kinetic model with correlation coefficients ranged from 0.998 to 0.999. The equilibrium adsorption data was found to best fit to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estimation of Power Input to Complex Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor Geometries used in NOx Cleaning

Studies were carried out to estimate the power input to Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactors powered by AC high voltage in the context of their application in non-thermal plasma cleaning of exhaust gases. Power input to the reactors was determined both theoretically and experimentally. Four different reactor geometries energized with 50 Hz and 1.5 kHz AC excitation were considered for the study. The theoretically estimated power using Manley's equation was found to agree with the experimental results. Results show that the analytically computed capacitance, without including the electrode edge effects, gives sufficiently good results that are matching with the measured values. For complex geometries where analytical calculation of capacitance is often difficult, a novel method of estimating the reactor capacitance, and hence the power input to the reactor, was introduced in this paper. The predicted results were validated with experiments.