Core-modified rubyrins with phenanthrene-fused pyrrole rings
- Yuan, Xuemei, Li, Minzhi, Meng, Ting, Mack, John, Soy, Rodah, Nyokong, Tebello, Zhu, Weihua, Xu, Haijun, Liang, Xu
- Authors: Yuan, Xuemei , Li, Minzhi , Meng, Ting , Mack, John , Soy, Rodah , Nyokong, Tebello , Zhu, Weihua , Xu, Haijun , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234568 , vital:50209 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.05.045"
- Description: Three fused-ring-expanded rubyrins with modified macrocyclic core have been synthesized and characterized. A series of spectroscopic, electrochemical measurements and a set of theoretical calculations demonstrate that the core-modification of the inner core of rubyrins has a large influence on the electronic structure. Colorimetric changes are observe that demonstrate that these core-modified rubyrins could be used as selective Hg2+ ion sensors. These properties can be fine-tuned by introducing lipophilic substituents on the meso-aryl rings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Yuan, Xuemei , Li, Minzhi , Meng, Ting , Mack, John , Soy, Rodah , Nyokong, Tebello , Zhu, Weihua , Xu, Haijun , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234568 , vital:50209 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.05.045"
- Description: Three fused-ring-expanded rubyrins with modified macrocyclic core have been synthesized and characterized. A series of spectroscopic, electrochemical measurements and a set of theoretical calculations demonstrate that the core-modification of the inner core of rubyrins has a large influence on the electronic structure. Colorimetric changes are observe that demonstrate that these core-modified rubyrins could be used as selective Hg2+ ion sensors. These properties can be fine-tuned by introducing lipophilic substituents on the meso-aryl rings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effect of doping vs covalent linking of a low symmetry zinc phthalocyanine to silica nanoparticles on singlet oxygen production
- Peteni, Siwaphiwe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Peteni, Siwaphiwe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187873 , vital:44705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2018.06.029"
- Description: Tris[(4-(pyridin-4-ylthio)-2-thio-4-methylthiazol-5-yl)acetic acid phthalocyaninato] zinc (II) (3) was covalently linked to and doped onto SiNPs. An increase in triplet quantum yields for 3-SiNPs (linked) with decreasing lifetimes was observed. For 3-SiNPs (doped) there was a decrease in both the triplet quantum yield and lifetimes when compared to 3 alone. There was an increase in singlet oxygen quantum yields for 3-SiNPs (linked) compared to 3 from 0.67 to 0.80, while there was a decrease for 3-SiNPs (doped) to 0.25.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Peteni, Siwaphiwe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187873 , vital:44705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2018.06.029"
- Description: Tris[(4-(pyridin-4-ylthio)-2-thio-4-methylthiazol-5-yl)acetic acid phthalocyaninato] zinc (II) (3) was covalently linked to and doped onto SiNPs. An increase in triplet quantum yields for 3-SiNPs (linked) with decreasing lifetimes was observed. For 3-SiNPs (doped) there was a decrease in both the triplet quantum yield and lifetimes when compared to 3 alone. There was an increase in singlet oxygen quantum yields for 3-SiNPs (linked) compared to 3 from 0.67 to 0.80, while there was a decrease for 3-SiNPs (doped) to 0.25.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effect of nature of nanoparticles on the photophysicochemical properties of asymmetrically substituted Zn phthalocyanines
- Magadla, Aviwe, Oluwole, David O, Britton, Jonathan, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234539 , vital:50206 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2018.06.043"
- Description: In this work, low symmetry Zn mono caffeic acid tri-tert butyl (1) and Zn monocarboxyphenoxy tri-(tert-butylphenoxyl) (2) phthalocyanines (Pcs) were covalently linked to amino (using glutathione, GSH, or 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, APTES) functionalised nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are represented as: AgNPs-GSH, SiNPs-APTES, Fe3O4-Ag-SiNPs-APTES and Fe3O4-AgNPs-GSH). The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes 1 and 2 and their conjugates with nanoparticles were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. The conjugates of the Pc complexes with the NPs afforded increase in triplet quantum yields with corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yield compared to the Pc complexes alone. The conjugates of 1-AgNPs-GSH, 2-SiNPs-APTES and 2-Fe3O4-Ag-SiNPs-APTES showed higher singlet oxygen quantum yield values as compared to the Pc complexes alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234539 , vital:50206 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2018.06.043"
- Description: In this work, low symmetry Zn mono caffeic acid tri-tert butyl (1) and Zn monocarboxyphenoxy tri-(tert-butylphenoxyl) (2) phthalocyanines (Pcs) were covalently linked to amino (using glutathione, GSH, or 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, APTES) functionalised nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are represented as: AgNPs-GSH, SiNPs-APTES, Fe3O4-Ag-SiNPs-APTES and Fe3O4-AgNPs-GSH). The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes 1 and 2 and their conjugates with nanoparticles were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. The conjugates of the Pc complexes with the NPs afforded increase in triplet quantum yields with corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yield compared to the Pc complexes alone. The conjugates of 1-AgNPs-GSH, 2-SiNPs-APTES and 2-Fe3O4-Ag-SiNPs-APTES showed higher singlet oxygen quantum yield values as compared to the Pc complexes alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effect of number of positive charges on the photophysical and photodynamic therapy activities of quarternary benzothiazole substituted zinc phthalocyanine
- Matshitse, Refilwe, Nwaji, Njemuwa, Mananga, Muthumuni, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Mananga, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187819 , vital:44700 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.08.033"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of quaternary benzothiazole substituted zinc phthalocyanine (2, containing two charges, and 3, containing four charges) are reported in this work. Furthermore, the activity of the synthesized complex was compared to non-quaternary derivative (1). Higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.92 and 0.85, respectively, for quaternized complexes 2 and 3 compared to complex 1 alone. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 showed relatively no dark toxicity against the epithelial breast cancer cells with cell survival of above 90 ± 3%. The quaternary derivatives (2 and 3) showed superior PDT activity with 30% or less of viable cells at concentration of 50.0 μg/mL in comparison to complex 1 alone which further lay credence to the importance of quaternization in the enhancement of PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Mananga, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187819 , vital:44700 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.08.033"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of quaternary benzothiazole substituted zinc phthalocyanine (2, containing two charges, and 3, containing four charges) are reported in this work. Furthermore, the activity of the synthesized complex was compared to non-quaternary derivative (1). Higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.92 and 0.85, respectively, for quaternized complexes 2 and 3 compared to complex 1 alone. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 showed relatively no dark toxicity against the epithelial breast cancer cells with cell survival of above 90 ± 3%. The quaternary derivatives (2 and 3) showed superior PDT activity with 30% or less of viable cells at concentration of 50.0 μg/mL in comparison to complex 1 alone which further lay credence to the importance of quaternization in the enhancement of PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Effects of Pluronic F127 micelles as delivering agents on the vitro dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activity of carboxy and pyrene substituted porphyrins
- Managa, Muthumuni, Britton, Jonathan, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Britton, Jonathan , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234439 , vital:50196 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2018.06.031"
- Description: Metal free, Zn and ClGa containing carboxyphenoxy and phenoxy groups (complexes 1) and pyrene groups (complexes 2) were synthesized and embedded into Pluronic F127 micelles (represented as F127). Dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the embedded porphyrins were successfully studied on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Dark toxicity showed more than 80% cell viability for all complexes. It was found that 1-Zn + F127 showed better photodynamic therapy activity compared to 1-H2 + F127, and 1-ClGa + F127, corresponding to the high partition coefficient for the Zn porphyrin derivatives. The same applies to 2-Zn + F127 compared to 2-H2 + F127, 2-ClGa + F127. 1-ClGa and 1-Zn were also linked to Pluronic F127 silica nanoparticles. PDT activities for embedded 1-ClGa + F127 and 1-Zn + F127 were much higher than when linked to Pluronic silica nanoparticles (PluS NPs), showing the importance of loading of porphyrins into Pluronic F127 as a drug delivering agent rather than linking. PDT studies at the highest concentration of 60 µg/ml showed decrease in cell viability down to 15.9% for 2-Zn + F127. The Kp was determined in biphasic octanol and water system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Britton, Jonathan , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234439 , vital:50196 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2018.06.031"
- Description: Metal free, Zn and ClGa containing carboxyphenoxy and phenoxy groups (complexes 1) and pyrene groups (complexes 2) were synthesized and embedded into Pluronic F127 micelles (represented as F127). Dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the embedded porphyrins were successfully studied on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Dark toxicity showed more than 80% cell viability for all complexes. It was found that 1-Zn + F127 showed better photodynamic therapy activity compared to 1-H2 + F127, and 1-ClGa + F127, corresponding to the high partition coefficient for the Zn porphyrin derivatives. The same applies to 2-Zn + F127 compared to 2-H2 + F127, 2-ClGa + F127. 1-ClGa and 1-Zn were also linked to Pluronic F127 silica nanoparticles. PDT activities for embedded 1-ClGa + F127 and 1-Zn + F127 were much higher than when linked to Pluronic silica nanoparticles (PluS NPs), showing the importance of loading of porphyrins into Pluronic F127 as a drug delivering agent rather than linking. PDT studies at the highest concentration of 60 µg/ml showed decrease in cell viability down to 15.9% for 2-Zn + F127. The Kp was determined in biphasic octanol and water system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Electrocatalytic activity of a push-pull phthalocyanine in the presence of reduced and amino functionalized graphene quantum dots towards the electrooxidation of hydrazine
- Centane, Sixolile, Sekhosana, Kutloana E, Matshitse, Refilwe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile , Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Matshitse, Refilwe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233456 , vital:50092 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.05.005"
- Description: We report on the electrochemical behaviour of reduced graphene quantum dots (rGQDs) compared to amino functionalized graphene quantum dots (NH2GQDs). Reduction of the GQDs entails the elimination of the excessive carboxyl and hydrogen groups on the GQDs surface, thereby reducing the energy band gap. The energy band gap of graphene is directly proportional to the available oxygen atoms. The two GQD types were conjugated to a novel cobalt phthalocyanine (cobalt tris-(tert-butyl phenoxy)-mono-carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine, CoPc) via covalent and nom-covalent interactions. The resulting conjugates were tested towards the electrooxidation of hydrazine. The conjugates are represented as rGQDs(π)CoPc, NH2(π)CoPc, rGQDs@CoPc and NH2GQDs@CoPc. The resulting conjugates were adsorbed onto a glassy carbon electrode using the drop and dry method. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was obtained for rGQDs(π)CoPc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile , Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Matshitse, Refilwe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233456 , vital:50092 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.05.005"
- Description: We report on the electrochemical behaviour of reduced graphene quantum dots (rGQDs) compared to amino functionalized graphene quantum dots (NH2GQDs). Reduction of the GQDs entails the elimination of the excessive carboxyl and hydrogen groups on the GQDs surface, thereby reducing the energy band gap. The energy band gap of graphene is directly proportional to the available oxygen atoms. The two GQD types were conjugated to a novel cobalt phthalocyanine (cobalt tris-(tert-butyl phenoxy)-mono-carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine, CoPc) via covalent and nom-covalent interactions. The resulting conjugates were tested towards the electrooxidation of hydrazine. The conjugates are represented as rGQDs(π)CoPc, NH2(π)CoPc, rGQDs@CoPc and NH2GQDs@CoPc. The resulting conjugates were adsorbed onto a glassy carbon electrode using the drop and dry method. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was obtained for rGQDs(π)CoPc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Enhanced nonlinear optical response of benzothiazole substituted ball-type phthalocyanines in the presence of metallic nanoparticles
- Nwaji, Njemuwa, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188149 , vital:44727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2018.05.052"
- Description: The synthesis of zinc-zinc, gallium-gallium and indium-indium ball-type phthalocyanines (complexes 4, 5 and 6) and the surface assembly of the complexes onto metallic gold and silver nanoparticles are reported in this work. Furthermore, their photophysical and nonlinear optical dynamics were investigated. Decreases in the fluorescence quantum yields with a corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yields of the nanoconjugates in comparison to complexes 4, 5 and 6 alone were observed. The mechanism of strong reverse saturable absorption observed was found to be predominantly dependent on excited state absorption. The optical limiting thresholds range from 0.09 to 0.19 J/cm2. Enhanced triplet parameters and nonlinear optical responses were found when the complexes were conjugated to metallic nanoparticles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188149 , vital:44727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2018.05.052"
- Description: The synthesis of zinc-zinc, gallium-gallium and indium-indium ball-type phthalocyanines (complexes 4, 5 and 6) and the surface assembly of the complexes onto metallic gold and silver nanoparticles are reported in this work. Furthermore, their photophysical and nonlinear optical dynamics were investigated. Decreases in the fluorescence quantum yields with a corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yields of the nanoconjugates in comparison to complexes 4, 5 and 6 alone were observed. The mechanism of strong reverse saturable absorption observed was found to be predominantly dependent on excited state absorption. The optical limiting thresholds range from 0.09 to 0.19 J/cm2. Enhanced triplet parameters and nonlinear optical responses were found when the complexes were conjugated to metallic nanoparticles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluating the efficacy of Hypogeococcus sp. as a biological control agent of the cactaceous weed Cereus jamacaru in South Africa
- Sutton, Guy F, Klein, Hildegard, Paterson, Iain D
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Klein, Hildegard , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423350 , vital:72051 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-9887-3"
- Description: We evaluated the efficacy of Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) as a biological control agent of the cactaceous weed Cereus jamacaru De Candolle (Queen of the Night cactus) in South Africa. This weed has been described as being under complete biological control due to the action of Hypogeococcus sp., although no formal post-release evaluation had been conducted prior to this study. Biological control was associated with significant reductions in fruiting, plant survival and plant densities, while plant population age structures were negatively affected. Weed populations infected by Hypogeococcus sp. were typified by low or non-existent recruitment and are expected to diminish with time. Populations where Hypogeococcus sp. was absent displayed extensive recruitment, and are predicted to expand or self-replace, if left unchecked. These data indicate that Hypogeococcus sp. has a significant negative effect on C. jamacaru at the individual plant and population level, and given sufficient time provides complete biological control over this weed in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Klein, Hildegard , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423350 , vital:72051 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-9887-3"
- Description: We evaluated the efficacy of Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) as a biological control agent of the cactaceous weed Cereus jamacaru De Candolle (Queen of the Night cactus) in South Africa. This weed has been described as being under complete biological control due to the action of Hypogeococcus sp., although no formal post-release evaluation had been conducted prior to this study. Biological control was associated with significant reductions in fruiting, plant survival and plant densities, while plant population age structures were negatively affected. Weed populations infected by Hypogeococcus sp. were typified by low or non-existent recruitment and are expected to diminish with time. Populations where Hypogeococcus sp. was absent displayed extensive recruitment, and are predicted to expand or self-replace, if left unchecked. These data indicate that Hypogeococcus sp. has a significant negative effect on C. jamacaru at the individual plant and population level, and given sufficient time provides complete biological control over this weed in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation of the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of nanoconjugates of zinc phthalocyanine linked to glutathione capped Au and Au3Ag1 nanoparticles
- Oluwole, David O, Manoto, Sello L, Malabi, Rudzani, Maphanga, Charles, Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin, Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Manoto, Sello L , Malabi, Rudzani , Maphanga, Charles , Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin , Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/237886 , vital:50563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.11.019"
- Description: We report on the synthesis of glutathione capped gold (AuNPs–GSH) and gold–silver (Au3Ag1NPs–GSH) nanoparticles and their covalent attachment to Zn monocarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1) via amide bond formation. The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the complex and its nanoconjugates were assessed. The conjugates afforded improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield as well as PDT activity (except for 1-Au3Ag1NPs which afforded decreased activity) in comparison to complex 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Manoto, Sello L , Malabi, Rudzani , Maphanga, Charles , Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin , Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/237886 , vital:50563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.11.019"
- Description: We report on the synthesis of glutathione capped gold (AuNPs–GSH) and gold–silver (Au3Ag1NPs–GSH) nanoparticles and their covalent attachment to Zn monocarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1) via amide bond formation. The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the complex and its nanoconjugates were assessed. The conjugates afforded improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield as well as PDT activity (except for 1-Au3Ag1NPs which afforded decreased activity) in comparison to complex 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring molecular insights into the interaction mechanism of cholesterol derivatives with the Mce4A: A combined spectroscopic and molecular dynamic simulation studies
- Khan, Shagufta, Khan, Faez I, Khan, Parvez, Hasan, Gulam M, Lobb, Kevin A, Islam, Asimul, Ahmad, Faizan, Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Authors: Khan, Shagufta , Khan, Faez I , Khan, Parvez , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Islam, Asimul , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447041 , vital:74579 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.160"
- Description: Mammalian cell entry protein (Mce4A) is a member of MCE-family, and is being considered as a potential drug target of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection because it is required for invasion and latent survival of pathogen by utilizing host's cholesterol. In the present study, we performed molecular docking followed by 100 ns MD simulation studies to understand the mechanism of interaction of Mce4A to the cholesterol derivatives and probucol. The selected ligands, cholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 5-cholesten-3β-ol-7-one and probucol bind to the predicted active site cavity of Mce4A, and complexes remain stable during entire simulation of 100 ns. In silico studies were further validated by fluorescence-binding studies to calculate actual binding affinity and number of binding site(s). The non-toxicity of all ligands was confirmed on human monocytic cell (THP1) by MTT assay. This work provides a deeper insight into the mechanism of interaction of Mce4A to cholesterol derivatives, which may be further exploited to design potential and specific inhibitors to ameliorate the Mycobacterium pathogenesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Khan, Shagufta , Khan, Faez I , Khan, Parvez , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Islam, Asimul , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447041 , vital:74579 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.160"
- Description: Mammalian cell entry protein (Mce4A) is a member of MCE-family, and is being considered as a potential drug target of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection because it is required for invasion and latent survival of pathogen by utilizing host's cholesterol. In the present study, we performed molecular docking followed by 100 ns MD simulation studies to understand the mechanism of interaction of Mce4A to the cholesterol derivatives and probucol. The selected ligands, cholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 5-cholesten-3β-ol-7-one and probucol bind to the predicted active site cavity of Mce4A, and complexes remain stable during entire simulation of 100 ns. In silico studies were further validated by fluorescence-binding studies to calculate actual binding affinity and number of binding site(s). The non-toxicity of all ligands was confirmed on human monocytic cell (THP1) by MTT assay. This work provides a deeper insight into the mechanism of interaction of Mce4A to cholesterol derivatives, which may be further exploited to design potential and specific inhibitors to ameliorate the Mycobacterium pathogenesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Glycosylated zinc phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates for photodynamic therapy
- Dube, Edith, Oluwole, David O, Nwaji, Njemuwa, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234524 , vital:50205 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.05.081"
- Description: In this work, we report on the synthesis of tris-[(2,2,7,7-tetramethyltetrahydro-3aH-bis([1,3]dioxolo)[4,5-b:4′,5′-d]pyran-5-yl)methoxy)-2-(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxyphthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (complex 3) and its linkage to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of different shapes through S-Au/N-Au self-assembly. The conjugates of complex 3 (with both gold nanorods (AuNR) and nanospheres (AuNS)), displayed decreased fluorescence quantum yield with corresponding improved triplet and singlet quantum yields compared to complex 3 alone, however 3-AuNR showed improved properties than 3-AuNS. Complex 3 showed relatively low in vitro dark cytotoxicity against the epithelial breast cancer cells with cell survival ≥ 85% at concentration ≤ 160 μg/mL but afforded reduced photodynamic therapy activity which may be due to aggregation. 3-AuNR afforded superior PDT activity with more than 50% viable cells at concentration ≥ 40 μg/mL in comparison to 3-AuNS with more than 50% viable cells at concentration ≥ 80 μg/mL. The superior activity of 3-AuNR is attributed to the photothermal therapy effect since nanorods absorb more light at 680 nm than nanospheres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234524 , vital:50205 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.05.081"
- Description: In this work, we report on the synthesis of tris-[(2,2,7,7-tetramethyltetrahydro-3aH-bis([1,3]dioxolo)[4,5-b:4′,5′-d]pyran-5-yl)methoxy)-2-(4-benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylphenoxyphthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (complex 3) and its linkage to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of different shapes through S-Au/N-Au self-assembly. The conjugates of complex 3 (with both gold nanorods (AuNR) and nanospheres (AuNS)), displayed decreased fluorescence quantum yield with corresponding improved triplet and singlet quantum yields compared to complex 3 alone, however 3-AuNR showed improved properties than 3-AuNS. Complex 3 showed relatively low in vitro dark cytotoxicity against the epithelial breast cancer cells with cell survival ≥ 85% at concentration ≤ 160 μg/mL but afforded reduced photodynamic therapy activity which may be due to aggregation. 3-AuNR afforded superior PDT activity with more than 50% viable cells at concentration ≥ 40 μg/mL in comparison to 3-AuNS with more than 50% viable cells at concentration ≥ 80 μg/mL. The superior activity of 3-AuNR is attributed to the photothermal therapy effect since nanorods absorb more light at 680 nm than nanospheres.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
How important is green infrastructure in small and medium-sized towns? Lessons from South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Blair, Andrew, De Lacy, Peter, Kaoma, Humphrey, Mugwagwa, Noster, Dalu, Mwazvita, Walton, Wesley
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398321 , vital:69400 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398321 , vital:69400 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
In-situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles on graphene quantum dots-phthalocyanine nanoplatforms: First description of the photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering behaviour
- Nwahara, Nnamdi, Achadu, Ojodomo John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187638 , vital:44682 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.04.011"
- Description: Owing to the need for new low-dimensional molecular assemblies with tailored electronic properties, the current study presents a facile approach for the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-phthalocyanines (Pcs) arrays and the investigation of their photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The GQDs were functionalized with L-glutathione (GSH) (to form GQDs@GSH) in order to assist coupling to the low symmetry Zn tris–(tert–butyl) mono carboxyphenoxy (propionic acid) phthalocyanine (complex 1) to form 1@GQDs. The affinity of gold (Au) to sulphur (S) was exploited for the assembly of the AuNPs onto 1@GQDs platform to form 1@GQDs-AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopic investigations confirmed the formation of monodispersed, spherical Pc/GQDs@GSH/AuNPs hybrids. The nanocomposite displayed high triplet quantum yields, which translated into high singlet oxygen quantum yield as high as 87%. Furthermore, the formed composites demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties with an unprecedented intrinsic maximal enhancement factor of more than 30-fold. These nanostructures also retain more than 90% of their original SERS intensities after a week of storage, displaying superb stability under ambient conditions. These results highlight the remarkable potential of this composite as a unique Raman-based PDT dosimetric agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187638 , vital:44682 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.04.011"
- Description: Owing to the need for new low-dimensional molecular assemblies with tailored electronic properties, the current study presents a facile approach for the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-phthalocyanines (Pcs) arrays and the investigation of their photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The GQDs were functionalized with L-glutathione (GSH) (to form GQDs@GSH) in order to assist coupling to the low symmetry Zn tris–(tert–butyl) mono carboxyphenoxy (propionic acid) phthalocyanine (complex 1) to form 1@GQDs. The affinity of gold (Au) to sulphur (S) was exploited for the assembly of the AuNPs onto 1@GQDs platform to form 1@GQDs-AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopic investigations confirmed the formation of monodispersed, spherical Pc/GQDs@GSH/AuNPs hybrids. The nanocomposite displayed high triplet quantum yields, which translated into high singlet oxygen quantum yield as high as 87%. Furthermore, the formed composites demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties with an unprecedented intrinsic maximal enhancement factor of more than 30-fold. These nanostructures also retain more than 90% of their original SERS intensities after a week of storage, displaying superb stability under ambient conditions. These results highlight the remarkable potential of this composite as a unique Raman-based PDT dosimetric agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
In-situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles on graphene quantum dots-phthalocyanine nanoplatforms: First description of the photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering behaviour
- Nwahara, Nnamdi, Achadu, Ojodomo John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188183 , vital:44730 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.04.011"
- Description: Owing to the need for new low-dimensional molecular assemblies with tailored electronic properties, the current study presents a facile approach for the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-phthalocyanines (Pcs) arrays and the investigation of their photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The GQDs were functionalized with L-glutathione (GSH) (to form GQDs@GSH) in order to assist coupling to the low symmetry Zn tris–(tert–butyl) mono carboxyphenoxy (propionic acid) phthalocyanine (complex 1) to form 1@GQDs. The affinity of gold (Au) to sulphur (S) was exploited for the assembly of the AuNPs onto 1@GQDs platform to form 1@GQDs-AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopic investigations confirmed the formation of monodispersed, spherical Pc/GQDs@GSH/AuNPs hybrids. The nanocomposite displayed high triplet quantum yields, which translated into high singlet oxygen quantum yield as high as 87%. Furthermore, the formed composites demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties with an unprecedented intrinsic maximal enhancement factor of more than 30-fold. These nanostructures also retain more than 90% of their original SERS intensities after a week of storage, displaying superb stability under ambient conditions. These results highlight the remarkable potential of this composite as a unique Raman-based PDT dosimetric agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nwahara, Nnamdi , Achadu, Ojodomo John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188183 , vital:44730 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.04.011"
- Description: Owing to the need for new low-dimensional molecular assemblies with tailored electronic properties, the current study presents a facile approach for the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-phthalocyanines (Pcs) arrays and the investigation of their photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The GQDs were functionalized with L-glutathione (GSH) (to form GQDs@GSH) in order to assist coupling to the low symmetry Zn tris–(tert–butyl) mono carboxyphenoxy (propionic acid) phthalocyanine (complex 1) to form 1@GQDs. The affinity of gold (Au) to sulphur (S) was exploited for the assembly of the AuNPs onto 1@GQDs platform to form 1@GQDs-AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopic investigations confirmed the formation of monodispersed, spherical Pc/GQDs@GSH/AuNPs hybrids. The nanocomposite displayed high triplet quantum yields, which translated into high singlet oxygen quantum yield as high as 87%. Furthermore, the formed composites demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties with an unprecedented intrinsic maximal enhancement factor of more than 30-fold. These nanostructures also retain more than 90% of their original SERS intensities after a week of storage, displaying superb stability under ambient conditions. These results highlight the remarkable potential of this composite as a unique Raman-based PDT dosimetric agent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Incorporation of metal free and Ga 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (4-bromophenyl) porphyrin into Pluronic F127-folic acid micelles
- Managa, Muthumuni, Ngoy, Bucolome P, Mafukidze, Donovan M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bucolome P , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233256 , vital:50073 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2017.09.045"
- Description: ClGa 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (4-bromophenyl) porphyrinato (ClGaTBrPP) and its metal free derivative were successfully synthesized and incorporated into Pluronic F127 polymeric micelles that has been conjugated to folic acid (FA) to form ClGaTBrPP-F127-FA (or H2TBrPP-F127-FA). For comparison, ClGaTBrPP-F127 and H2TBrPP-F127 (without FA) were also formed. The singlet oxygen quantum yield for ClGaTBrPP-F127-FA was higher (ΦΔ = 0.44) than that of H2TBrPP-F127-FA (ΦΔ = 0.37), due to the heavy atom effect of Ga in the former which encourages intersystem crossing to the triplet state. The same applies to ClGaTBrPP-F127 (ΦΔ = 0.47) and H2TBrPP-F127 (ΦΔ = 0.41). Thus, ΦΔ values decreased in the presence of FA, but still high enough for practical application of the nanodrug system. The binding constants Kb were determined to be 1.08 × 104 M−1, 2.51 × 105 M−1, 1.52 × 103 and 2.68 × 103 for H2TBrPP+F127-FA, ClGaTBrPP+F127-FA, ClGaTBrPP-F127 and H2TBrPP-F127, respectively. The Kp values were determined in biphasic octanol and water system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bucolome P , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233256 , vital:50073 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2017.09.045"
- Description: ClGa 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (4-bromophenyl) porphyrinato (ClGaTBrPP) and its metal free derivative were successfully synthesized and incorporated into Pluronic F127 polymeric micelles that has been conjugated to folic acid (FA) to form ClGaTBrPP-F127-FA (or H2TBrPP-F127-FA). For comparison, ClGaTBrPP-F127 and H2TBrPP-F127 (without FA) were also formed. The singlet oxygen quantum yield for ClGaTBrPP-F127-FA was higher (ΦΔ = 0.44) than that of H2TBrPP-F127-FA (ΦΔ = 0.37), due to the heavy atom effect of Ga in the former which encourages intersystem crossing to the triplet state. The same applies to ClGaTBrPP-F127 (ΦΔ = 0.47) and H2TBrPP-F127 (ΦΔ = 0.41). Thus, ΦΔ values decreased in the presence of FA, but still high enough for practical application of the nanodrug system. The binding constants Kb were determined to be 1.08 × 104 M−1, 2.51 × 105 M−1, 1.52 × 103 and 2.68 × 103 for H2TBrPP+F127-FA, ClGaTBrPP+F127-FA, ClGaTBrPP-F127 and H2TBrPP-F127, respectively. The Kp values were determined in biphasic octanol and water system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Influence of land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location on flooding impact in informal settlements in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Dalu, Mwazvita, Shackleton, Charlie M, Dalu, Tatenda
- Authors: Dalu, Mwazvita , Shackleton, Charlie M , Dalu, Tatenda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182089 , vital:43799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.12.009"
- Description: Patterns of land use, household topographical location and state of natural vegetation influence the spatial distribution of flooding impact. Using field observations and GIS mapping techniques, we investigated how landscape factors influenced structural flooding impact in informal settlements. This study was carried out in the informal settlements of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, after the October 2012 floods. Increasing slope significantly raised the probability and level of damage by at least 30% in five of the seven sites, whereas proximity to river and wetlands (more than 100 m) was significant in only two of the sites and at lower levels. Multi-regression analysis highlighted that land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location influenced the impact of flooding on housing structures. We found that the impact on housing structures in informal settlements during the floods were significantly influenced by their proximity to water bodies, slope factor and patterns of land cover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dalu, Mwazvita , Shackleton, Charlie M , Dalu, Tatenda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182089 , vital:43799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.12.009"
- Description: Patterns of land use, household topographical location and state of natural vegetation influence the spatial distribution of flooding impact. Using field observations and GIS mapping techniques, we investigated how landscape factors influenced structural flooding impact in informal settlements. This study was carried out in the informal settlements of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, after the October 2012 floods. Increasing slope significantly raised the probability and level of damage by at least 30% in five of the seven sites, whereas proximity to river and wetlands (more than 100 m) was significant in only two of the sites and at lower levels. Multi-regression analysis highlighted that land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location influenced the impact of flooding on housing structures. We found that the impact on housing structures in informal settlements during the floods were significantly influenced by their proximity to water bodies, slope factor and patterns of land cover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Informal urban fuelwood markets in South Africa in the context of socio-economic change
- Guild, J, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Guild, J , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179779 , vital:43179 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.023"
- Description: In developing countries, fuelwood is important to livelihoods and energy security because it is used for heating, cooking and can provide additional income to households through trade. The global trade in fuelwood is valued between USD 4–26 billion per annum. In South Africa, fuelwood is a widely used domestic energy source; but how that has changed with rapid urbanisation and socio-economic development over the last two decades is unknown. This study examined the presence and nature of urban fuelwood markets in 39 urban areas of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. Data were collected from 170 informal fuelwood sellers regarding the prevalence, structure, characteristics, and changes over time of the informal fuelwood markets. Over 80% of the sampled towns had an informal fuelwood market and there was a positive relationship between the number of sellers and town population size. For most sellers, the fuelwood trade was their primary occupation and the income earned was supplemented by government social grants. Sellers earned, on average, over US$9 per day. These results show that despite rapid urbanisation and socio-economic development, fuelwood remains an important domestic fuel in towns and cities of South Africa, and an income source for the urban poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Guild, J , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179779 , vital:43179 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.023"
- Description: In developing countries, fuelwood is important to livelihoods and energy security because it is used for heating, cooking and can provide additional income to households through trade. The global trade in fuelwood is valued between USD 4–26 billion per annum. In South Africa, fuelwood is a widely used domestic energy source; but how that has changed with rapid urbanisation and socio-economic development over the last two decades is unknown. This study examined the presence and nature of urban fuelwood markets in 39 urban areas of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. Data were collected from 170 informal fuelwood sellers regarding the prevalence, structure, characteristics, and changes over time of the informal fuelwood markets. Over 80% of the sampled towns had an informal fuelwood market and there was a positive relationship between the number of sellers and town population size. For most sellers, the fuelwood trade was their primary occupation and the income earned was supplemented by government social grants. Sellers earned, on average, over US$9 per day. These results show that despite rapid urbanisation and socio-economic development, fuelwood remains an important domestic fuel in towns and cities of South Africa, and an income source for the urban poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Investigation of molecular mechanism of recognition between citral and MARK4: A newer therapeutic approach to attenuate cancer cell progression
- Naz, Farha, Khan, Faez I, Mohammad, Taj, Khan, Parvez, Manzoor, Saaliqa, Hasan, Gulam M, Lobb, Kevin A, Luqman, Suaib, Ahmad, Faizan, Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Authors: Naz, Farha , Khan, Faez I , Mohammad, Taj , Khan, Parvez , Manzoor, Saaliqa , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Luqman, Suaib , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447967 , vital:74687 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.143"
- Description: Microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a member of AMP-activated protein kinase, found to be involved in apoptosis, inflammation and many other regulatory pathways. Since, its aberrant expression is directly associated with the cell cycle and thus cancer. Therefore, MARK4 is being considered as a potential drug target for cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition of MARK4 activity by citral. Docking studies suggested that citral effectively binds to the active site cavity, and complex is stabilized by several interactions. We further performed molecular dynamics simulation of MARK4-citral complex under explicit water condition for 100 ns and observed that binding of citral to MARK4 was quite stable. Fluorescence binding studies suggested that citral strongly binds to MARK4 and thereby inhibits its enzyme activity which was measured by the kinase inhibition assay. We further performed MTT assay and observed that citral inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This work provides a newer insight into the use of citral as novel cancer therapeutics through the MARK4 inhibition. Results may be employed to design novel therapeutic molecule using citral as a scaffold for MARK4 inhibition to fight related diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Naz, Farha , Khan, Faez I , Mohammad, Taj , Khan, Parvez , Manzoor, Saaliqa , Hasan, Gulam M , Lobb, Kevin A , Luqman, Suaib , Ahmad, Faizan , Hassan, M Imtaiyaz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447967 , vital:74687 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.143"
- Description: Microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a member of AMP-activated protein kinase, found to be involved in apoptosis, inflammation and many other regulatory pathways. Since, its aberrant expression is directly associated with the cell cycle and thus cancer. Therefore, MARK4 is being considered as a potential drug target for cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition of MARK4 activity by citral. Docking studies suggested that citral effectively binds to the active site cavity, and complex is stabilized by several interactions. We further performed molecular dynamics simulation of MARK4-citral complex under explicit water condition for 100 ns and observed that binding of citral to MARK4 was quite stable. Fluorescence binding studies suggested that citral strongly binds to MARK4 and thereby inhibits its enzyme activity which was measured by the kinase inhibition assay. We further performed MTT assay and observed that citral inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This work provides a newer insight into the use of citral as novel cancer therapeutics through the MARK4 inhibition. Results may be employed to design novel therapeutic molecule using citral as a scaffold for MARK4 inhibition to fight related diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Low symmetric metallophthalocyanine modified electrode via click chemistry for simultaneous detection of heavy metals
- Fomo, Gertrude, Nwaji, Njemuwa, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Fomo, Gertrude , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187914 , vital:44709 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.02.016"
- Description: Beside different methods and materials used to develop electrochemical sensors, the modification of the electrode using click reaction based on metallophthalocyanine (MPc) compounds are shown to improve the stability and sensitivity of the sensor. This work reported the development of electrochemical sensor for mercury (II), Lead (II), copper (II) and cadmium (II) ions detection based on the synthesized novel low symmetry alkyne terminated cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPc) derivative. Differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) technique was employed for the first time in simultaneous determination of trace levels of the above metal ions using modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via click chemistry. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the anodic peak current is proportional to the concentrations of metal ions over a wide range of 0 to 0.1 mM with nanolevel detection limit of 81.94, 327.71, 55.87 and 347.06 nM and the sensitivity of 866.23 ± 5.48, 215.82 ± 2.16, 1979.48 ± 11.47 and 204.50 ± 1.10 μA/mM for Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The selectivity of the clicked-CoPc modified GCE toward Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) present no interference from these metals ions. The fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibited very good electrochemical properties such as good reproducibility, stability, reusability and is suitable for the detection of heavy metal ions in tap water in our laboratory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fomo, Gertrude , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187914 , vital:44709 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.02.016"
- Description: Beside different methods and materials used to develop electrochemical sensors, the modification of the electrode using click reaction based on metallophthalocyanine (MPc) compounds are shown to improve the stability and sensitivity of the sensor. This work reported the development of electrochemical sensor for mercury (II), Lead (II), copper (II) and cadmium (II) ions detection based on the synthesized novel low symmetry alkyne terminated cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPc) derivative. Differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) technique was employed for the first time in simultaneous determination of trace levels of the above metal ions using modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via click chemistry. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the anodic peak current is proportional to the concentrations of metal ions over a wide range of 0 to 0.1 mM with nanolevel detection limit of 81.94, 327.71, 55.87 and 347.06 nM and the sensitivity of 866.23 ± 5.48, 215.82 ± 2.16, 1979.48 ± 11.47 and 204.50 ± 1.10 μA/mM for Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The selectivity of the clicked-CoPc modified GCE toward Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) present no interference from these metals ions. The fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibited very good electrochemical properties such as good reproducibility, stability, reusability and is suitable for the detection of heavy metal ions in tap water in our laboratory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mechanisms and indicators for assessing the impact of biofuel feedstock production on ecosystem services
- Gasparatos, Alexandros, Romeu-Dalmau, Carla, von Maltitz, Graham P, Johnson, Francis X, Shackleton, Charlie M, Jarzebski, Marcin P, Jumbe, Charles, Ochieng, Caroline, Mudombi, Shakespear, Nyambane, Anne, Willis, Katherine J
- Authors: Gasparatos, Alexandros , Romeu-Dalmau, Carla , von Maltitz, Graham P , Johnson, Francis X , Shackleton, Charlie M , Jarzebski, Marcin P , Jumbe, Charles , Ochieng, Caroline , Mudombi, Shakespear , Nyambane, Anne , Willis, Katherine J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181368 , vital:43727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.01.024"
- Description: Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity loss. There is growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various ecosystem services (e.g., feedstock for fuel, carbon sequestration) and compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services). These effects are context-specific and depend largely on prior land use conditions and feedstock production practices. Changes in the flow of ecosystem services due to the conversion of natural and agricultural areas can have ripple effects on human wellbeing. Despite some recent attempts to apply to biofuel settings concepts and methods rooted in the ecosystem services literature, this is the exception rather than the rule within both the biofuel and the ecosystem services research communities. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. It focuses especially on the feedstock production phase and outlines the main mechanisms through which landscape conversion affects the provisions of ecosystem services. It proposes conceptually coherent indicators to reflect these mechanisms and offers a critical discussion of key issues at the interface of biofuels and ecosystem services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Gasparatos, Alexandros , Romeu-Dalmau, Carla , von Maltitz, Graham P , Johnson, Francis X , Shackleton, Charlie M , Jarzebski, Marcin P , Jumbe, Charles , Ochieng, Caroline , Mudombi, Shakespear , Nyambane, Anne , Willis, Katherine J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181368 , vital:43727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.01.024"
- Description: Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity loss. There is growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various ecosystem services (e.g., feedstock for fuel, carbon sequestration) and compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services). These effects are context-specific and depend largely on prior land use conditions and feedstock production practices. Changes in the flow of ecosystem services due to the conversion of natural and agricultural areas can have ripple effects on human wellbeing. Despite some recent attempts to apply to biofuel settings concepts and methods rooted in the ecosystem services literature, this is the exception rather than the rule within both the biofuel and the ecosystem services research communities. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. It focuses especially on the feedstock production phase and outlines the main mechanisms through which landscape conversion affects the provisions of ecosystem services. It proposes conceptually coherent indicators to reflect these mechanisms and offers a critical discussion of key issues at the interface of biofuels and ecosystem services.
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- Date Issued: 2018