Comparison of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block versus erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia after percutaneous nephrolithotomy - A randomised, double-blind, controlled study.

Background and Aims: Paravertebral block (PVB) is the regional anaesthesia of choice for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is also effective for the same. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and ease of performing PVB or ESPB for PCNL surgery. Methods: This study was conducted in 60 patients undergoing PCNL, who were randomised to Group P (n = 30; received ultrasound-guided [USG] PVB) and Group E (n = 30; received USG ESPB) after general anaesthesia. Blocks were administered at T10 level on the side of the surgery using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. The trachea was extubated at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was analgesia duration, and secondary outcomes were postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, ease of block performance, time taken to perform the block and complications between the two groups. Continuous variables were compared using an independent sample t-test, and categorical variables were analysed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: Demographic variables were comparable in both groups. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) time of first rescue analgesia in Group P and Group E were 16.6 (20.4)(95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.02-20.32) h and 16.3 (21.8) (95% CI: 8.17-24.51) h, respectively (P = 0.95). The postoperative pain scores and number of doses of analgesics used were comparable between the groups (P > 0.05). The time taken to perform PVB was much longer compared to the time taken to perform ESPB (P = 0.01). Conclusion: USG PVB and ESPB were equally effective for postoperative analgesia for PCNL surgery.

Fluorescence quenching based detection of nitroaromatics using luminescent triphenylamine carboxylic acids.

Detection of nitroaromatics employing greener techniques has been one of the most active research fields in chemistry. A series of triphenylamine (TPA) functionalized carboxylic acids were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques including single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The interaction of carboxylic acid-decorated TPAs with nitroaromatic compounds was photophysically explored using absorption and emission spectroscopy. Stern-Volmer plot accounts for the appreciable quenching constant of the TPA-acids. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to study the new compounds' frontier molecular orbital energy levels and the possible interactions with picrate anion and revealed an unusual charge transfer interaction between acids and picrate anion. The contact mode detection shows the TPA-acids can be used as dip-strip sensors for picric acid detection.

TiO2 Decorated Graphene as a Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Silver Ions.

In this report, a new design is proposed for the detection of silver ions using Graphene Oxide-Titanium oxide (GO/TiO2) composite. The GO was synthesized by modified Hummers method and the composite is synthesized by chemical reflux method. The surface morphology of the composite was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and it is clearly observed that TiO2 spheres are adsorbed on the surface of GO in a disordered manner. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results confirm the presence of TiO2 on GO. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show the reduced recombination of charge carriers in the (GO/TiO2) composite. The resulting composite selectively detects silver ions over other potentially competing metal ions with no notable interference monitored by fluorescence.

A dual analyte fluorescent chemosensor based on a furan-pyrene conjugate for Al3+ & HSO3.

A simple chalcone based dual analyte fluorescent probe FPC for Al3+ and HSO3- ions was developed. FPC detects both the analytes through a "turn off-on" approach and by the PET and ICT mechanism. FPC showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Al3+ and HSO3- ions detection over other interfering and competing metal ions. In addition, the LOD of FPC for sensing Al3+ and HSO3- ions was found to be 1.60×10-7M and 0.17×10-6M respectively. An electrochemical desalination technique was employed for the complete removal of Al3+ ions from the environmental water samples by using the probe FPC.

Supramolecular Macrocyclic Pd(II) and Pt(II) Squares and Rectangles with Aryldithiolate Ligands and their Excellent Catalytic Activity in Suzuki C-C Coupling Reaction.

Addition of 1,4-benezenedithiol and 4,4'-biphenyldithiol to M(OTf)2 (M = cis-[Pt(PEt3)2](2+) or cis-[Pd(dppe)](2+)) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) gave self-assembled tetranuclear complexes [M2{S(C6H4)nS}]2(OTf)4 (n = 1, 2). The same reaction with 1,4-benezenedimethanethiol yielded octanuclear supramolecular coordination complexes (SCC) [M2{SCH2C6H4CH2S}]4(OTf)8. These complexes were characterized by NMR, mass, and UV-vis spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, as well as density functional theory studies and represent the first examples of SCCs constructed by thiolate groups and square-planar metal ions. The rectangular shape of tetranuclear complexes and square shape of octanuclear complex are confirmed by single-crystal structures and computational studies. The palladium complexes showed excellent catalytic activity in Suzuki C-C cross-coupling reactions with high turnover numbers (2 × 10(7)), even with low catalyst loading.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of Schiff base-platinum(II) complexes.

The platinum complexes of Schiff base ligands derived from 4-aminoantipyrine and a few substituted aldehydes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass, (1)H NMR, IR, electronic spectra, molar conductance, and powder XRD. The structure of one of the ligands L5 was confirmed by a single crystal XRD analysis. The Schiff base ligand crystallized in the triclinic, space group P-1 with a=7.032(2)Ǻ, b=9.479(3)Ǻ, c=12.425(4)Ǻ, α=101.636(3)°, ß=99.633(3)°, γ=94.040(3)°, V=795.0(4)Ǻ(3), Z=2, F(000)=352, Dc=1.405 mg/m(3), µ=0.099 mm(-1), R=0.0378, and wR=0.0967. The spectral results show that the Schiff base ligand acts as a bidentate donor coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen atoms. The geometrical structures of these complexes are found to be square planar. Antimicrobial studies indicate that these complexes exhibit better activity than the ligand. The anticancer activities of the complexes have also been studied towards human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), Colon Cancer Cells (HCT116) and Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells (A431) and it was found that the [Pt(L3)Cl2] complex is more active.

DMSO containing ruthenium(ii) hydrazone complexes: in vitro evaluation of biomolecular interaction and anticancer activity.

Synthesis, spectral, electrochemical and single crystal X-ray diffraction data of a new series of DMSO containing bivalent ruthenium hydrazone complexes are presented. XRD data of two of the new complexes revealed an octahedral coordination around the ruthenium ion satisfied by NOS2Cl2 atoms. Electrochemical studies showed the metal centred, quasi-reversible, one-electron redox behaviour of the new complexes. The binding of these complexes with biomolecules such as calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein investigated by different spectrophotometric methods revealed an intercalative mode of interaction. The in vitro cytotoxicity of these complexes evaluated by the MTT assay on a panel of cancer and normal cell lines indicated that the above complexes are more toxic to cancer cells with a few micromolar concentrations as the IC50 value, but are significantly less toxic to normal cell lines. The observed variations in the binding interactions and cytotoxicity of the complexes were attributed to the nature of the hydrazide moiety of the hydrazones that influences their biological activities.

Molecular structure investigation of organic cocrystals of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione with aryloxyacetic acid: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Two organic cocrystals namely, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione:2-naphthoxyacetic acid [(phendione)(2-naa)] (1) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione:2-formylphenoxyacetic acid [(phendione)(2-fpaa)] (2) were synthesized and studied by single crystal XRD, FT-IR, NMR, thermogravimetric, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular properties of cocrystals were studied using density functional theory (DFT), basis set B3LYP/6-31G(d,p). Both cocrystals are stabilized through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (OH⋯N). The total electron density and molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of the cocrystals were constructed by NBO analysis using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method to display the electrostatic potential (electron+nuclei) distribution. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO was measured for both cocrystals.

Binuclear copper complexes: synthesis, X-ray structure and interaction study with nucleotide/protein by in vitro biochemical and electrochemical analysis.

Two new, binuclear copper(II) hydrazone complexes have been synthesized and characterized by various physico-chemical techniques including single crystal X-ray diffraction. Interaction of these complexes with nucleotide and protein were analyzed by in vitro biochemical and electrochemical analysis. Both the complexes exhibited intercalative mode of binding with DNA. Further, gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave the supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA to nicked circular DNA form. Cytotoxicity of the complexes performed against a panel of cancer cell lines and a normal cell line proved that these complexes are potentially cytotoxic against the cancerous cell lines, particularly with IC50 as low as 0.7 µM against HeLa cell line.

In situ Bronsted-Lowry acid catalyzed syntheses, characterization, single crystal XRD, electronic spectral-, DPPH radical scavenging-, and DNA protection studies of aryl-3,3'-bis(indolyl)methanes.

A series of novel aryl-3,3'-bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) were synthesized using indole and formylphenoxyaliphatic acid(s) in water in the absence of any catalyst. The formylphenoxyaliphatic acid behaves as an in situ Bronsted-Lowry acid catalyst in water. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectra of the compounds were recorded in selected solvents. The gas phase geometry optimization of the compounds were achieved using DFT calculations at B3LYP/3-21G((*)) level of theory. The electronic properties, such as HOMO-LUMO energies were calculated using the above method based on the optimized structure. Compounds have better DPPH radical scavenging activity and reduction of oxidative damage of DNA.

Syntheses of Pd(II)/Pt(II) complexes with non-chelating 4-pyridylselenolate ligand ranging from mononuclear to macrocyclic structures and their utility as catalysts in Suzuki C-C coupling reaction.

Treatment of Na2PdCl4 or [MCl2(PhCN)2] with bis(4-pyridyl)diselenide yielded an insoluble product of composition [MCl2(4,4'-(C5H4N)2Se2)]n (1). The reactions of Na2PdCl4 with one and two eq. of Na(4-SeC5H4N) afforded insoluble products [PdCl(4-SeC5H4N)]n (2) and [Pd(4-SeC5H4N)2]n (3), respectively. On treatment with PPh3, 2 and 3 gave trans-[PdCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PPh3)2] (4a) and trans-[Pd(4-SeC5H4N)2(PPh3)2] (5a), respectively. The oxidative addition of bis(4-pyridyl)diselenide to Pt(PPh3)4 exclusively yielded trans-[Pt(4-SeC5H4N)2(PPh3)2] (5b). The treatment of two eq. of Na(4-SeC5H4N) with cis-[PtX2(PR3)2] afforded 5b (X = Cl) and trans-[Pt(4-SeC5H4N)2(PEt3)2] (5c) (X = Cl or CF3SO3). The reactions of cis-[MCl2(P∩P)] and [M2Cl2(µ-Cl)2(PR3)2] with two eq. of Na(4-SeC5H4N) exclusively yielded cis-[M(4-SeC5H4N)2(P∩P)] (M/P∩P = Pd/dppe (6a), Pt/dppm (6b) and Pt/dppp (6c)) and [MCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PR3)]n (7), respectively. The complex trans-[PtCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PEt3)2] (4b) was isolated from the redistribution reaction between 5c and cis-[PtCl2(PEt3)2]. The complex [PdCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PPh3)]n (7b) exists in bi- and tri-nuclear forms, whereas [MCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PEt3)]n (7a, 7c) and [PtCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PMe2Ph)]n (7d) retain their trinuclear structure in solution. Molecular structures of 4a, 4b, 5a, 5c, 6a, 6c, 7a, 7b and 7c were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The complexes trans-[PdCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PPh3)2] and [PdCl(4-SeC5H4N)(PPh3)]n can act as catalysts for Suzuki C­C cross coupling reaction.

An efficient one pot syntheses of aryl-3,3'-bis(indolyl)methanes and studies on their spectral characteristics, DPPH radical scavenging-, antimicrobial-, cytotoxicity-, and antituberculosis activity.

An efficient one-pot syntheses of aryl-3,3'-bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) from indole/2-methylindole and formylphenoxyaliphatic acid(s) is described. Esterification of carboxylic acid and aromatic electrophilic substitution reactions are achieved simultaneous in the presence of potash alum as a catalyst. This catalyst could be recovered and reused without substantial loss in its catalytic activity and the methodology could be applied on a range of closely related substrates. The solvation characteristics in ground and excited states of the compounds by monitoring the absorbance and fluorescence band maxima have been studied. The fluorescence studies in protic and aprotic solvents were rationalized on the basis of solute-solvent interaction and substituents effect on these photophysical processes analyzed. The compounds prepared showed efficient antimicrobial effect against human pathogens, cytotoxicity against A431 cell line, and DPPH radical scavenging effect. Single crystal XRD studies have been carried out for a few compounds synthesized in this work.

Synthesis and characterization of non-centrosymmetric TeSeO4.

The synthesis, crystal structure, and characterization of a non-centrosymmetric oxide, TeSeO4, are reported. The material was synthesized by combining TeO2 and SeO2 in a quartz tube and heating at 370 degrees C. TeSeO4 has a three-dimensional structure containing [SeO(3/2)](+) cations linked to [TeO(5/2)](-) anions. Both the Se(4+) and the Te(4+) atoms are in asymmetric environments owing to their nonbonded electron pair. The material is SHG active, with a SHG intensity of 400 times SiO(2). Crystal data: monoclinic, space group Ia (No. 9, cell choice 3), with a = 4.3568(8) A, b = 12.465(3) A, c = 6.7176(15) A, beta = 90.825(4) degrees, and Z = 4.