Steroids in Medicinal Chemistry: Literature Review

Background: Steroids are naturally occurring organic compounds with a great variety of different biological functions. They are subdivided into progesterone, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens, depending on their function. Aim: In this literature review, we are introducing the most updated information about steroids in terms of their history, functions, types either according to their occurrence or biological activity, different pathways of synthesis, and uses. Methods: reported methods are mentioned in detail. Results and Discussion: Steroids are the mainstay of therapy for a variety of disorders and knowledge of the clinical implications of steroids is critical.

Optimization of Toluidine Blue Biosorption in Aqueous Solutions Using Polyporus Squamosus Fungi as Absorbent by Response Surface Methodology

Textile wastewater including a large number of dyes and heavy metals can have adverse impacts on human health and surface water. In this work, biosorption Toluidine Blue from aqueous media onto natural Polypourus squamosus fungi as a low-cost biosorbent was investigated. Central Composite Design (CCD) in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was successfully applied to optimize the biosorption condition. Medium parameters affected the biosorption of Toluidine Blue were determined to be initial pH, initial Toluidine Blue (Tb) concentration, temperature, and absorbent dosage. All experiments were carried out in a batch system using 250 mL flasks containing 100 mL of Toluidine Blue solution with a temperature-controlled magnetic stirrer. The Tb concentrations remaining in filtration solutions after biosorption were analyzed using UV-Spectro. With the obtained quadratic model, the optimal conditions for maximum biosorbed Toluidine blue were calculated to be 7, 27.5 mg/L, 35°C and 0.05 g for pH, C°, T (°C) and adsorbent dosage, respectively. Furthermore, most known isotherm models such as Langmuir and Freundlich were computed to find the best-fitted model.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel -Type Zirconium Phosphate-Crystalline Cerium Phosphate/ Polyaniline, Polyindole, Polycarbazole, Polyaniline-co-Polyindole, and Polyaniline-co-Polycarbazole Composites

-Type zirconium phosphate,-Zr(HPO4)2-.1.77H2O (-ZrP), crystalline cerium phosphate, Ce(HPO4)2.1.33 H2O (CePc), and [-Zr(HPO4)2]0.30 [Ce (HPO4)2]0.70 .2H2O composite were prepared and characterized by chemical, XRD, TGA, FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). [-Zr(HPO4)2]0.30[Ce(HPO4)2]0.70/polyaniline, polyindole, polycarbazole, polyaniline-co-polyindole, polyaniline-co-polycarbazole composites were prepared via in-situ chemical oxidation of the monomers aniline, indole , carbazole, and (1:1moler ratio) of co-monomers aniline-indole, aniline- carbazole, respectively, that was promoted by the reduction of part of Ce(IV) ions present in the inorganic matrix. A possible explanation is part of CePc is attacked by the monomers, and the co-monomers, respectively, converted to cerium (III) orthophosphate (CePO4). The resultant novel composites were characterized by elemental (C,H,N) analysis, FT-IR, and (SEM). From elemental (C,H,N) analysis ,the amount of organic materials present in [-Zr(HPO4)2]0.30 [Ce (HPO4)2]0.70/ polyaniline, polyindole, polycarbazole composites were (23.44, 5.24 and 33.02 % in wt. ), respectively. The amount of resultant copolymers were (Pani 5.92, PIn 7.48 % in wt) and (Pani 1.42, PCz 2.48 % in wt ) These composites can be considered as novel conducting inorganic-organic composites, ion exchangers , solid acid catalysts and sensors.

Efficacy of Chitosan as a Coagulant Aid to Alum Precipitation of Congo Red In Wastewater

The use of chitosan prepared from prawn shells as coagulant aid for congo red (CR) dye removal from wastewater was investigated in this study. Characterisation of the prepared chitosan samples showed characteristics similar to commercially available ones. The coagulation – flocculation experiment was carried out using the jar test procedure. Both chitosan and alum were used separately for the dye precipitation and then combined together. The usage of alum alone showed no precipitating effect on the CR dye molecule, while chitosan was able to considerably reduce the concentration of the dye in solution. When chitosan was used as a coagulant aid in the alum precipitation, the amount (%) of dye removed increased greatly. Optimization of the process via study of effect of pH and flocculation time at optimum alum – chitosan combination indicated that pH 4-5 and settling time of 40 min were suitable conditions for maximum decolourisation of CR dye wastewater with about 98% efficiency. Moreover, study of settling characteristics of the sludge produced from the alum-chitosan synergy was better than that produced from either of them alone. Also, occurrence of redispersion and restabilization of the precipitate was not encountered.

Temporal (Monthly) Distribution and Variation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Content in the Water and Sediments from Orashi River, Engenni, Rivers State, Nigeria

The total petroleum hydrocarbons content of the surface water and the sediments from the Orashi River were investigated between December 2019 and June 2020 at two months intervals to find out the level of contamination of the river. The total petroleum hydrocarbons were determined by GC-FID using Agilent 5890N, after following due laboratory procedures of sample pretreatment and clean-up. The results recorded from the surface water were December, 5.844±1.231 mg/L; February, 8.767±2.501 mg/L, April, 16.886±3.157 mg/L and June, 7.271±1.110 mg/L. Variation in concentration showed that April > February > June > December. Results recorded in the sediments were December, 39.8427±13.5 mg/Kg; February, 29.5322±5.301 mg/Kg; April, 50.5040±16.813 mg/Kg and June; 16.6545±3.35 mg/Kg. The variation in concentration showed that April > December > February > June. The variations observed in of total petroleum hydrocarbons content in the river indicated that the contamination source was primarily anthropogenic. It is therefore recommended that effective measures and adequate steps be taken by the government to mitigate the effect that may result from the accumulation of the total petroleum hydrocarbons in the river and on the aquatic inhabitants and man who depends on the river for daily living.

Evaluation of Shell-Derived Calcium Oxide Catalysts for the Production of Biodiesel Esters from Cooking Oils

Due to the high cost of feedstock and catalyst in biodiesel production, the viability of the biodiesel industry has been dependent on government subsidies or tax incentives. In order to reduce the cost of production, food wastes including eggshells and oyster shells have been used to prepare calcium oxide (CaO) catalysts for the transesterification reaction of biodiesel synthesis. The shells were calcined at 1000 °C for 4 hours to obtain CaO powders which were investigated as catalysts for the transesterification of waste cooking oil. The catalysts were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. Reaction parameters such as methanol-to-oil molar ratio, CaO catalyst concentration, and reaction time were evaluated and optimized for the percentage conversion of cooking oil to biodiesel esters. The oyster-based CaO showed better catalytic activity when compared to the eggshell-based CaO under the same set of reaction conditions.

Application of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32 to Control the Microbial Contaminants in Cheese by Addition of Bacterial Extracts or by In Situ Production of Bioactive Metabolites

Microbial spoilage of cheese represents a major concern from both health and economic views. The addition of food preservatives is considered the most applied strategy to ensure food quality and to control microbial contamination. It well established that natural preservatives such as Nisin and Natamycin are of great effectiveness against a wide range of microbial concerns, but the lack of wide spectrum effect induces looking for more efficient alternatives. This research suggests alternative treatments to be evaluated side by side with both Nisin and Natamycin within real cheese models to control microbial contamination during the storage period. To evaluate this, two varieties of cheese were manufactured and inoculated with a set of pathogen and cheese spoiling microorganisms. Talaga cheese batches were separately treated with extract of MRS that previously fermented by Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32, Nisin and Natamycin at Free State and Chitosan Nanoparticles-loaded state to become 6 treatments (T1 – T6) other than the control (C). The same treatments were applied to Karish cheese batches, in addition to inoculation of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32 1% (v/v) in the seventh batch. Upon microbiological analyses, results show that T2; the extract loaded on Chitosan Nanoparticles completely reduced the count of all pathogens and spoiling populations after two weeks of cold storage (2 – 6oC) in Talaga cheese. In the case of Karish cheese, the 7th batch treated with Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32 inoculation had no pathogenic nor spoiler growth after one week of cold storage (2 – 6oC). These results suggest that Lactic acid bacteria especially Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32 can efficiently ensure the safety and quality of cheese if applied in appropriate form.

Some Regularities Inherent in the Balance 2∙f(O) – f(H) Formulated for an Electrolytic System with Symproportionation Reactions Involved

The general properties of the balance f12 = 2∙f(O) – f(H), as the linear combination of elemental balances: f1 = f(H) for H and f2 = f(O) for O, formulated for electrolytic systems, are presented. These properties/regularities are inherently related to linear combination (LC) of f12 with charge (f0) and other elemental/core balances fk = f(Yk) (Yk ≠ H, O), expressed by, where the multipliers dk are involved with oxidation numbers (ONs) of the elements in the system in question. The linear dependence or independence of f12 from f0,f3,…, fK, expressed by LC, provides the general criterion distinguishing between non-redox and redox systems. The f12 is the primary form of Generalized electron balance (GEB), completing the set of K independent balances f0,f12,f3,…,fK needed for the solution of a redox system according to GATES/GEB principles. For the solution of a non-redox system, the set of K–1 independent equations f0,f3,…,fK is required. In this formulation, the terms: ONs, oxidant, reductant, and equivalent mass are derivative/redundant concepts. These properties/regularities of f12 are illustrated here by a redox system where symproportionation reactions occur.

Determination of Proximate Composition and Anti-Nutritional Content of Cassava in Jimma Zone Ethiopia

Cassava is a dominant staple food for many developing countries, particularly, in humid and sub-humid tropics. In this study, the proximate composition and cyanide content of cassava tuber grown in Jimma Zone were investigated. Cassava samples were collected from five selected Woredas (Districts) of the Zone, where the plant usually grows. Nutritional compositions such as crude fat, protein, and fiber as well as cyanide contents were considered in this study. Accordingly, the crude fat, protein, and fiber content of the studied cassava root ranged from1.38-3.06%, 1.32-1.90%, and 1.58-2.96%, respectively. The results of the nutritional composition of analyzed cassava root samples were rich in crude fat, protein, fiber, and carbohydrate. The level of cyanide gives its value compared to the limits set by the World Health Organization was low and it may not cause harmful effect on human health.

Independent Sources of Information-Theoretic Descriptors of Electronic States

The need for resultant measures of the Information-Theoretic (IT) content of molecular electronic wavefunctions, combining the information contributions due to the probability and phase/current distributions, is reemphasized. Complementary measures of the state entropy (disorder) and information (order) contents are reexamined, the continuities of wavefunction components are summarized, and the probability acceleration concept is used to determine the current and information sources. The experimental elimination of the state uncertainties is discussed and limitations in this information-acquirement process imposed by the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle are commented upon.