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Leishmaniases are a spectrum of poverty-linked neglected parasitic diseases that are endemic in 88 countries around the globe and affect millions of people every year. Currently available chemotherapeutic options are inadequate due to side effects, high cost, prolonged treatment, and parasite resistance. Thus, there is an existing need to develop new potent and safer leishmanicidal drugs. Considering the folkloric antiulcer and leishmanicidal use of the genus Berberis and its alkaloids, 5 reported alkaloids, namely berberine (1), palmatine (2), columbamine (3), 8-trichloromethyldihydroberberine (4), and jatrorrhizine (5), were isolated from the roots of Berberis glaucocarpa using classical (column and preparative chromatography) and modern isolation techniques (Sephadex LH-20). Their structures were elucidated and established from 1D and 2D spectroscopic data. The isolated alkaloids displayed excellent antileishmanial potential with IC50 values ranging from 1.50 to 2.56 µM: 1 (1.50 ±0.53 µM), 2 (2.31 ±0.37 µM), 3 (2.56 ±0.48 µM), 4 (1.40 ±0.90 µM), 5 (2.44 ±1.34 µM). While the IC50 value for the standard drug (Amphotericin-B) was found to be 1.08 ±0.95 µM. All of the isolated alkaloids displayed excellent antileishmanial potential as well as minimal cytotoxicity against THP-1 monocytic cells. Molecular docking analysis has revealed Leishmania N-myristoyl transferase, methionyl-tRNA synthetase, pteridine reductase 1, oligopeptidase B, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase to be potential protein targets for the alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polystyrene is an efficient thermoplastic having fine processability, chemical inertness, and mechanical performance. Technological advances have led to several industrial appliances of polystyrene-based materials ranging from insulation to electromagnetic interference shielding. In this state-of-the-art review, primarily structure and properties of carbon nanotube and polymer/carbon nanotube composite have been discussed. Carbon nanotube is considered as a brilliant filler for polymers. Therefore, a comprehensive discussion regarding high-performance polystyrene/carbon nanotube composite is presented. Main focus of review is the significance of electromagnetic interference shielding phenomenon in polystyrene/carbon nanotube composite. Owing to advantageous properties, these composite have potential to replace traditional shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a comprehensive review is presented regarding structure, synthesis, and properties of nanofillers such as graphene oxide, nanobifiller of graphene oxide, and their polymeric nanocomposite. The information about hybrid properties and synthesis of graphene oxide–carbon nanotube, graphene oxide–montmorillonite, and graphene oxide–nanodiamond is presented. Use of nanobifiller in polymer/graphene oxide–carbon nanotube, polymer/graphene oxide–montmorillonite, and polymer/graphene oxide–nanodiamond composites was summarized. Area of polymer and graphene oxide-based nanobifiller composites is less studied in literature. Therefore, nanobifiller technology limitations and research challenges must be focused. Polymer/graphene oxide nanobifiller composites have a wide range of unexplored potential in technological areas such as automobile, aerospace, energy, and medical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient protocol is reported for the synthesis of chiral β-seleno amines via the ring-opening reaction of aziridines. Under neutral conditions, employing a stable phenyl selenolate specie (PhSeZnBr) and (BMIM)BF4 as solvent, β-seleno amines were obtained in good to excellent yields. Reuse of the ionic liquid was also possible, and four runs were performed with no decrease in the yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]