Photocatalytic desulfurization of dibenzothiophene using asymmetrical zinc (II) phthalocyanines conjugated to silver-magnetic nanoparticles
- Mgidlana, Sithi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185953 , vital:44451 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2020.119970"
- Description: Asymmetrical Zn(II) phthalocyanines: mono (4-carboxy phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (1), mono (4-amino phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (2), mono (4-propanoic acid phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (3) zinc(II) phthalocyanines are synthesized and covalently linked to mercaptohexanol (mph) or mercaptopropionic acid (mpa) functionalized dimerized silver-magnetic nanoparticles (Ag-M). Complexes 1 and 3 are covalently linked to nanomaterials via ester bond whereas complex 2 is covalently linked to nanoparticles (NPs) via amide bond. The conjugates of complexes 1–3 with NPs gave higher singlet oxygen quantum than the Pcs alone. Electrospun fibers were fabricated from polystyrene (PS) solutions containing complexes 1 to 3 and their conjugates. The functionalized PS fibers were used for the phototransformation of dibenzothiophene. The increase in photocatalytic properties of phthalocyanines was observed in the presence of Ag-M with 3 alone and its conjugate with mph capped silver-magnetic nanoparticles showing the larger catalytic activity towards the transformation of dibenzothiophene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185953 , vital:44451 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2020.119970"
- Description: Asymmetrical Zn(II) phthalocyanines: mono (4-carboxy phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (1), mono (4-amino phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (2), mono (4-propanoic acid phenoxy) tris (phenylazo phenoxy) (3) zinc(II) phthalocyanines are synthesized and covalently linked to mercaptohexanol (mph) or mercaptopropionic acid (mpa) functionalized dimerized silver-magnetic nanoparticles (Ag-M). Complexes 1 and 3 are covalently linked to nanomaterials via ester bond whereas complex 2 is covalently linked to nanoparticles (NPs) via amide bond. The conjugates of complexes 1–3 with NPs gave higher singlet oxygen quantum than the Pcs alone. Electrospun fibers were fabricated from polystyrene (PS) solutions containing complexes 1 to 3 and their conjugates. The functionalized PS fibers were used for the phototransformation of dibenzothiophene. The increase in photocatalytic properties of phthalocyanines was observed in the presence of Ag-M with 3 alone and its conjugate with mph capped silver-magnetic nanoparticles showing the larger catalytic activity towards the transformation of dibenzothiophene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photocatalytic desulfurization of dibenzothiophene using methoxy substituted asymmetrical zinc (II) phthalocyanines conjugated to metal tungstate nanomaterials
- Mgidlana, Sithi, Nwahara, Nnamdi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185760 , vital:44421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115053"
- Description: We report on the syntheses of three asymmetrical zinc(II) phthalocyanine endowed with benzoic acid, phenylpropanoic acid, and phenylacetic acid units: (1), (2), and (3), respectively. Metal tungstate nanoparticles, capped with glutathione were prepared and characterized using analytical techniques. Complexes were covalently linked to nickel tungstate (NiWO4) and bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) through an amide bond. The complexes and the conjugates with nanomaterial were evaluated for singlet oxygen generating ability. Complexes 1–2 and their conjugates generate higher singlet oxygen compared to 3 and its corresponding conjugates. The conjugates show degradation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in fuel with shorter half-lives and greater initial rate values compared to phthalocyanines alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185760 , vital:44421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115053"
- Description: We report on the syntheses of three asymmetrical zinc(II) phthalocyanine endowed with benzoic acid, phenylpropanoic acid, and phenylacetic acid units: (1), (2), and (3), respectively. Metal tungstate nanoparticles, capped with glutathione were prepared and characterized using analytical techniques. Complexes were covalently linked to nickel tungstate (NiWO4) and bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) through an amide bond. The complexes and the conjugates with nanomaterial were evaluated for singlet oxygen generating ability. Complexes 1–2 and their conjugates generate higher singlet oxygen compared to 3 and its corresponding conjugates. The conjugates show degradation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in fuel with shorter half-lives and greater initial rate values compared to phthalocyanines alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photocytotoxicity of heavy-atom-free thiobarbituric acid functionalized pyrene derivatives against MCF-7 cancer cells
- Babu, Balaji, Ali, Thaslima A, Ochappan, Thivagar, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello, Sethuraman, Mathur G
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Ali, Thaslima A , Ochappan, Thivagar , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello , Sethuraman, Mathur G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190556 , vital:45005 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.102102"
- Description: Two thiobarbituric acid-functionalized pyrene derivatives (P1, P2) have been synthesized to explore the photophysical properties and photodynamic activity of dyes of this type. Both compounds exhibit an intense intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band at ca. 470 nm, which is absent in the spectra of the precursor. P1 and P2 exhibit singlet oxygen generation on irradiation with light with moderate singlet oxygen yields of 0.36 and 0.32, respectively, in DMSO. P1 showed better photodynamic activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 18.3 μM under illumination at 455 nm for 60 min with a Thorlabs M455L3 LED (330 mW.cm−2).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Ali, Thaslima A , Ochappan, Thivagar , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello , Sethuraman, Mathur G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190556 , vital:45005 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.102102"
- Description: Two thiobarbituric acid-functionalized pyrene derivatives (P1, P2) have been synthesized to explore the photophysical properties and photodynamic activity of dyes of this type. Both compounds exhibit an intense intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band at ca. 470 nm, which is absent in the spectra of the precursor. P1 and P2 exhibit singlet oxygen generation on irradiation with light with moderate singlet oxygen yields of 0.36 and 0.32, respectively, in DMSO. P1 showed better photodynamic activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 18.3 μM under illumination at 455 nm for 60 min with a Thorlabs M455L3 LED (330 mW.cm−2).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photodynamic activity of 2, 6-dibrominated dimethylaminophenylbuta-1, 3-dienylBODIPY dyes
- Khubeka, Gugu, Babu, Balaji, Prinsloo, Earl, Kobayashi, Nagao, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Khubeka, Gugu , Babu, Balaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Kobayashi, Nagao , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190804 , vital:45030 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424620500509"
- Description: Mono- and disubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes were successfully prepared, and their in vitro photodynamic activities against MCF-7 breast cancer cells were evaluated with a Thorlabs M660L4 660 nm LED (336 J · cm−2)−2). The IC5050 value of the monophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was ca. 2.1 μμM, while that of the diphenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was > 50 μμM. Both dyes exhibited minimal dark toxicity. The results demonstrate that monosubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes merit further in-depth study for use as photosensitizer dyes in photodynamic therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Khubeka, Gugu , Babu, Balaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Kobayashi, Nagao , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190804 , vital:45030 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424620500509"
- Description: Mono- and disubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes were successfully prepared, and their in vitro photodynamic activities against MCF-7 breast cancer cells were evaluated with a Thorlabs M660L4 660 nm LED (336 J · cm−2)−2). The IC5050 value of the monophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was ca. 2.1 μμM, while that of the diphenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY was > 50 μμM. Both dyes exhibited minimal dark toxicity. The results demonstrate that monosubstituted 2,6-dibromo-dimethylaminophenylbuta-1,3-dienylBODIPY dyes merit further in-depth study for use as photosensitizer dyes in photodynamic therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photodynamic activity of Sn (IV) tetrathien-2-ylchlorin against MCF-7 breast cancer cells
- Babu, Balaji, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185920 , vital:44448 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/d0dt03958f"
- Description: A new readily-synthesized Sn(IV) tetraarylchlorin with thien-2-yl substituents (SnC) has been prepared and fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and its photophysical and photochemical properties, such as the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ), fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF), triplet lifetime (τT) and photostability, have been evaluated. SnC has an unusually high ΦΔ value of 0.89 in DMF. Studies on the photodynamic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells exhibited a very low IC50 value of 0.9 μM and high phototoxicity (dark versus light) indices of >27.8 after irradiation with a 660 nm Thorlabs LED (280 mW cm−2). The results demonstrate that Sn(IV) tetraarylchlorins of this type are suitable candidates for further in-depth PDT studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185920 , vital:44448 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/d0dt03958f"
- Description: A new readily-synthesized Sn(IV) tetraarylchlorin with thien-2-yl substituents (SnC) has been prepared and fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and its photophysical and photochemical properties, such as the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ), fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF), triplet lifetime (τT) and photostability, have been evaluated. SnC has an unusually high ΦΔ value of 0.89 in DMF. Studies on the photodynamic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells exhibited a very low IC50 value of 0.9 μM and high phototoxicity (dark versus light) indices of >27.8 after irradiation with a 660 nm Thorlabs LED (280 mW cm−2). The results demonstrate that Sn(IV) tetraarylchlorins of this type are suitable candidates for further in-depth PDT studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photodynamic antimicrobial action of asymmetrical porphyrins functionalized silver-detonation nanodiamonds nanoplatforms for the suppression of Staphylococcus aureus planktonic cells and biofilms
- Openda, Yolande I, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Openda, Yolande I , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190544 , vital:45004 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.628316"
- Description: New asymmetrical porphyrin derivatives containing a p-hydroxyphenyl moiety and p-acetylphenyl moieties along with their functionalized silver-detonation nanodiamonds nanohybrids were characterized and their photophysicochemical properties were established. The study provides evidence that the metalated porphyrin derivatives were red-shifted in absorption wavelength and possessed high singlet oxygen quantum yield comparative to the unmetalated core, thus making them suitable agents for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy. As a result of conjugation to detonation nanodiamonds and silver nanoparticles, these compounds proved to be more effective as they exhibited stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities on the multi-drug resistant S. aureus strain due to synergetic effect, compared to Ps alone. This suggests that the newly prepared nanohybrids could be used as a potential antimicrobial agent in the treatment of biofilms caused by S. aureus strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Openda, Yolande I , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190544 , vital:45004 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.628316"
- Description: New asymmetrical porphyrin derivatives containing a p-hydroxyphenyl moiety and p-acetylphenyl moieties along with their functionalized silver-detonation nanodiamonds nanohybrids were characterized and their photophysicochemical properties were established. The study provides evidence that the metalated porphyrin derivatives were red-shifted in absorption wavelength and possessed high singlet oxygen quantum yield comparative to the unmetalated core, thus making them suitable agents for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy. As a result of conjugation to detonation nanodiamonds and silver nanoparticles, these compounds proved to be more effective as they exhibited stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities on the multi-drug resistant S. aureus strain due to synergetic effect, compared to Ps alone. This suggests that the newly prepared nanohybrids could be used as a potential antimicrobial agent in the treatment of biofilms caused by S. aureus strain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus Aureus with Schiff base substituted Zinc phthalocyanines through conjugation to silver nanoparticles
- Sen, Pinar, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185688 , vital:44415 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130012"
- Description: We present the preparation of Schiff base substituted neutral phthalocyanines derived from aldehyde-substituted phthalocyanine which are conjugated to silver nanoparticles through covalent-like strong interactions. The photophysicochemical properties of the nanoconjugates and the Pcs alone were studied comparatively. The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activities. of prepared photosensitizers was investigated against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus). Unlike Pcs alone, conjugated phthalocyanines to silver nanoparticles showed excellent photodynamic antimicrobial activity with the 100% reduction percentage upon illumination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185688 , vital:44415 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130012"
- Description: We present the preparation of Schiff base substituted neutral phthalocyanines derived from aldehyde-substituted phthalocyanine which are conjugated to silver nanoparticles through covalent-like strong interactions. The photophysicochemical properties of the nanoconjugates and the Pcs alone were studied comparatively. The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activities. of prepared photosensitizers was investigated against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus). Unlike Pcs alone, conjugated phthalocyanines to silver nanoparticles showed excellent photodynamic antimicrobial activity with the 100% reduction percentage upon illumination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photodynamic therapy activities of phthalocyanine-based macromolecular photosensitizers on MCF-7 breast cancer cells
- Ahmetali, Erem, Sen, Pinar, Süer, N Ceren, Nyokong, Tebello, Erin, Tarik, Sener, M Kasim
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Nyokong, Tebello , Erin, Tarik , Sener, M Kasim
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185655 , vital:44407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2021.1934012"
- Description: Poly(oxanorbornene)s with zinc(II) phthalocyanine side chains have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The incorporation of zinc(II) phthalocyanine into cationic polymer has given poly(oxanorbornene)s noteworthy photophysicochemical properties and the capacity to generate singlet oxygen under light irradiation. To investigate photosensitizer’s properties of the newly synthesized polymers P6 and P7: fluorescence (ΦF), singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and triplet (ΦT) quantum yields of polymers have been measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. Singlet oxygen quantum yields of P6 and P7 have been found to be 0.22 and 0.20 in dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Then, photodynamic therapy activities of polymers (P1-P7) against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) have been investigated. The copolymer P5 bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triethyl phosphonium functionalities has showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 10% viable cells at 60 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Nyokong, Tebello , Erin, Tarik , Sener, M Kasim
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185655 , vital:44407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2021.1934012"
- Description: Poly(oxanorbornene)s with zinc(II) phthalocyanine side chains have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The incorporation of zinc(II) phthalocyanine into cationic polymer has given poly(oxanorbornene)s noteworthy photophysicochemical properties and the capacity to generate singlet oxygen under light irradiation. To investigate photosensitizer’s properties of the newly synthesized polymers P6 and P7: fluorescence (ΦF), singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and triplet (ΦT) quantum yields of polymers have been measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. Singlet oxygen quantum yields of P6 and P7 have been found to be 0.22 and 0.20 in dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Then, photodynamic therapy activities of polymers (P1-P7) against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) have been investigated. The copolymer P5 bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triethyl phosphonium functionalities has showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 10% viable cells at 60 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Photophysicochemical behaviour of phenoxy propanoic acid functionalised zinc phthalocyanines when grafted onto iron oxide and silica nanoparticles: Effects in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy
- Dube, Edith, Soy, Rodath, Shumba, Mumyaradzi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Soy, Rodath , Shumba, Mumyaradzi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185465 , vital:44389 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2021.117939"
- Description: This work reports on the covalent linkage of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) functionalised iron oxide (IONPs–APTES) and silica (SiNPs–APTES) nanoparticles with zinc(II) tetra–([3–(4–phenoxy) propanoic acid) phthalocyanine] (1) and zinc(II) mono–([3–(4–phenoxy) propanoic acid) phthalocyanine (2) via an amide bond to form the conjugates, 1–IONPs-APTES, 1–SiNPs–APTES, 2-IONPs-APTES and 2-SiNPs-APTES). The photophysicochemical behaviour of the conjugates was investigated. These were characterized by a decrease in the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, and an increase in the triplet quantum yield and singlet oxygen quantum yield when compared to complex 1 and 2 alone. The conjugates to IONPs-APTES displayed higher ΦT than those of SiNPs-APTES probably due to the heavy atom effect of iron compared to silica and the high loading capacity of the relatively smaller iron oxide NPs, however, there was no significant difference in the ΦΔ values of 2-IONPs-APTES (ΦΔ=0.59) and 2-SiNPs-APTES (ΦΔ=0.58), suggesting that the energy transfer process between the excited triplet state of 2-IONPs-APTES and ground state molecular oxygen was not effective. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) studies showed that linkage of Pcs to NPs improves their photoinactivation capability against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. IONPs-APTES and its conjugates generally displayed the highest log reductions than SiNPs-APTES and its conjugates except for studies after 75 min of irradiation for S. Aureus where the log reductions are the same. 2-IONP-APTES was recovered using a magnet after each photodegradation cycle and its stability after 3 cycles confirmed re-usability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Soy, Rodath , Shumba, Mumyaradzi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185465 , vital:44389 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2021.117939"
- Description: This work reports on the covalent linkage of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) functionalised iron oxide (IONPs–APTES) and silica (SiNPs–APTES) nanoparticles with zinc(II) tetra–([3–(4–phenoxy) propanoic acid) phthalocyanine] (1) and zinc(II) mono–([3–(4–phenoxy) propanoic acid) phthalocyanine (2) via an amide bond to form the conjugates, 1–IONPs-APTES, 1–SiNPs–APTES, 2-IONPs-APTES and 2-SiNPs-APTES). The photophysicochemical behaviour of the conjugates was investigated. These were characterized by a decrease in the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, and an increase in the triplet quantum yield and singlet oxygen quantum yield when compared to complex 1 and 2 alone. The conjugates to IONPs-APTES displayed higher ΦT than those of SiNPs-APTES probably due to the heavy atom effect of iron compared to silica and the high loading capacity of the relatively smaller iron oxide NPs, however, there was no significant difference in the ΦΔ values of 2-IONPs-APTES (ΦΔ=0.59) and 2-SiNPs-APTES (ΦΔ=0.58), suggesting that the energy transfer process between the excited triplet state of 2-IONPs-APTES and ground state molecular oxygen was not effective. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) studies showed that linkage of Pcs to NPs improves their photoinactivation capability against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. IONPs-APTES and its conjugates generally displayed the highest log reductions than SiNPs-APTES and its conjugates except for studies after 75 min of irradiation for S. Aureus where the log reductions are the same. 2-IONP-APTES was recovered using a magnet after each photodegradation cycle and its stability after 3 cycles confirmed re-usability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Population genetics of invasive and native Nymphaea mexicana Zuccarini: Taking the first steps to initiate a biological control programme in South Africa
- Reid, Megan, Naidu, Prinavin, Paterson, Iain D, Mangan, Rosie, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Reid, Megan , Naidu, Prinavin , Paterson, Iain D , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419375 , vital:71638 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2021.103372"
- Description: Nymphaea mexicana Zuccarini (Nympheaceae) (Mexican waterlily) is a rooted floating-leaved aquatic plant native to southern USA and Mexico that has become a problematic invasive alien plant in South Africa. Biological control is considered a desirable management strategy for the plant in South Africa. A good understanding of the genetic structure of invasive populations has been useful in other biological control programmes because taxonomic uncertainty about the target plant can result in natural enemies that are not adapted to the invasive populations being considered as potential agents. For N. mexicana, hybrids exist in the wild and horticultural trade, but identification is difficult, so understanding the genetic structure of populations is required to ensure that potential agents are collected off plants similar to invasive populations in South Africa. ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) analysis was used to determine whether invasive N. mexicana populations from South Africa were genetically similar to native range populations from USA or whether they were hybrids. Results from these analyses were matched with the morphotypes of each population based on petal colour, shape, and size. The genotypes suggested by the ISSR analyses corroborated the presence of both hybrid and pure forms of N. mexicana in South Africa. Populations of N. mexicana in the invaded range that are genetically similar to native range populations are more likely to be suitable for biological control, while other populations are likely to be hybrids formed by crossing of parents from the native range or within the horticultural trade, which may present difficulties for management using biocontrol.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Reid, Megan , Naidu, Prinavin , Paterson, Iain D , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419375 , vital:71638 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2021.103372"
- Description: Nymphaea mexicana Zuccarini (Nympheaceae) (Mexican waterlily) is a rooted floating-leaved aquatic plant native to southern USA and Mexico that has become a problematic invasive alien plant in South Africa. Biological control is considered a desirable management strategy for the plant in South Africa. A good understanding of the genetic structure of invasive populations has been useful in other biological control programmes because taxonomic uncertainty about the target plant can result in natural enemies that are not adapted to the invasive populations being considered as potential agents. For N. mexicana, hybrids exist in the wild and horticultural trade, but identification is difficult, so understanding the genetic structure of populations is required to ensure that potential agents are collected off plants similar to invasive populations in South Africa. ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) analysis was used to determine whether invasive N. mexicana populations from South Africa were genetically similar to native range populations from USA or whether they were hybrids. Results from these analyses were matched with the morphotypes of each population based on petal colour, shape, and size. The genotypes suggested by the ISSR analyses corroborated the presence of both hybrid and pure forms of N. mexicana in South Africa. Populations of N. mexicana in the invaded range that are genetically similar to native range populations are more likely to be suitable for biological control, while other populations are likely to be hybrids formed by crossing of parents from the native range or within the horticultural trade, which may present difficulties for management using biocontrol.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Positively charged styryl pyridine substituted Zn (II) Phthalocyanines for Photodynamic Therapy and Photoantimicrobial Chemotherapy
- Magadla, Aviwe, Babu, Balaji, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190600 , vital:45009 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT01047F"
- Description: Cationic Zn phthalocyanine complexes were synthesized using Knoevenagel reaction starting from a Zn(II) tetrakis(2-formylphenoxy)phthalocyanine (1) to form Zn(II) tetrakis(1-butyl-4-(4-(tetraphenoxy)styryl)pyridin-1-ium) phthalocyanine (2) and Zn(II) tetrakis(4-(4-(tetraphenoxy)styryl)-1-(4-(triphenylphosphonio)butyl)pyridin-1-ium)phthalocyanine (3). The photophysicochemical behaviours of the Pc complexes were assessed. The cationic complexes display high water-solubility and gave moderate singlet oxygen quantum yield in water. The cationic Pcs demonstrate good cellular uptake and photodynamic activity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 and 4.9 μM for 2 and 3, respectively. The cationic Pcs also demonstrate high photoantimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with log reductions of 5.3 and 6.0 for 2 and 3, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190600 , vital:45009 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT01047F"
- Description: Cationic Zn phthalocyanine complexes were synthesized using Knoevenagel reaction starting from a Zn(II) tetrakis(2-formylphenoxy)phthalocyanine (1) to form Zn(II) tetrakis(1-butyl-4-(4-(tetraphenoxy)styryl)pyridin-1-ium) phthalocyanine (2) and Zn(II) tetrakis(4-(4-(tetraphenoxy)styryl)-1-(4-(triphenylphosphonio)butyl)pyridin-1-ium)phthalocyanine (3). The photophysicochemical behaviours of the Pc complexes were assessed. The cationic complexes display high water-solubility and gave moderate singlet oxygen quantum yield in water. The cationic Pcs demonstrate good cellular uptake and photodynamic activity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 and 4.9 μM for 2 and 3, respectively. The cationic Pcs also demonstrate high photoantimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with log reductions of 5.3 and 6.0 for 2 and 3, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Preformulation characterization and identification of excipients for nevirapine loaded niosomes
- Witika, Bwalya A, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Witika, Bwalya A , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183126 , vital:43914 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1691/ph.2021.0137"
- Description: Nevirapine (NVP) is used for the management of HIV/AIDS but must be dosed frequently, exhibits unpredictable bioavailability and a side effect profile that includes hepato- and dermo-toxicity. Niosomes are a colloidal drug delivery system that may be used to overcome the low bioavailability, side effect profile and frequent dosing needed when using conventional drug delivery systems. The compatibility of NVP with sorbitan esters, polysorbate, cholesterol and dihexadecyl phosphate (DCP) was investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD). Screening studies were undertaken to identify potential excipients that would produce niosomes with target critical quality attributes (CQA) viz, a particle size (PS) less than 1000 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) less than 0.500 and an entrapment efficiency greater than 90%. The results revealed that sorbitan esters in combination with cholesterol and 5 μmol DCP produced niosomes with the best CQA and Zeta potential (ZP) less than -30 mV which suggests good stability of the niosomes on storage. Sorbitan esters produced the smallest niosomes of less than 400 nm diameter with a PDI less than 0.400 and an entrapment efficiency of more than 78% without cholesterol. The addition of cholesterol and DCP was essential to form niosomes with target CQA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Witika, Bwalya A , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183126 , vital:43914 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1691/ph.2021.0137"
- Description: Nevirapine (NVP) is used for the management of HIV/AIDS but must be dosed frequently, exhibits unpredictable bioavailability and a side effect profile that includes hepato- and dermo-toxicity. Niosomes are a colloidal drug delivery system that may be used to overcome the low bioavailability, side effect profile and frequent dosing needed when using conventional drug delivery systems. The compatibility of NVP with sorbitan esters, polysorbate, cholesterol and dihexadecyl phosphate (DCP) was investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD). Screening studies were undertaken to identify potential excipients that would produce niosomes with target critical quality attributes (CQA) viz, a particle size (PS) less than 1000 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) less than 0.500 and an entrapment efficiency greater than 90%. The results revealed that sorbitan esters in combination with cholesterol and 5 μmol DCP produced niosomes with the best CQA and Zeta potential (ZP) less than -30 mV which suggests good stability of the niosomes on storage. Sorbitan esters produced the smallest niosomes of less than 400 nm diameter with a PDI less than 0.400 and an entrapment efficiency of more than 78% without cholesterol. The addition of cholesterol and DCP was essential to form niosomes with target CQA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use disorders in South African Xhosa patients with schizophrenia
- Temmingh, Henk, Susser, Ezra, Mall, Sumaya, Campbell, Megan, Sibeko, Goodman, Stein, Dan J
- Authors: Temmingh, Henk , Susser, Ezra , Mall, Sumaya , Campbell, Megan , Sibeko, Goodman , Stein, Dan J
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302509 , vital:58203 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01942-5"
- Description: Purpose: To determine the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) in patients with schizophrenia in a sample from South Africa and compare the clinical and demographic correlates in those with and without co-occurring SUDs. Methods: Patients with schizophrenia were interviewed using the Xhosa version SCID-I for DSM-IV. We used logistic regression to determine the predictors of SUDs. Results: In the total sample of 1420 participants, SUDs occurred in 47.8%, with the most prevalent SUD being cannabis use disorders (39.6%), followed by alcohol (20.5%), methaqualone (6.2%), methamphetamine (4.8%) and other SUDs (cocaine, ecstasy, opioids, 0.6%). Polydrug use occurred in 40%, abuse occurred in 13.5%, and 39.6% had at least one substance dependence diagnosis. Signifcant predictors of any SUD were younger age (41–55 vs. 21–30: OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5–0.9), male sex (OR=8.6, 95% CI=5.1–14.6), inpatient status (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.3–2.1), post-traumatic stress symptoms (OR=4.6, 95% CI=1.6–13.3), legal (OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.0–5.5) and economic problems (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0–2.0). Methamphetamine use disorders occurred signifcantly less often in the Eastern compared to the Western Cape provinces. Inpatient status and higher levels of prior admissions were signifcantly associated with cannabis and methamphetamine use disorders. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were signifcantly associated with alcohol use disorders. Anxiety disorders were associated with other SUDs. Conclusion: SUDs occurred in almost half of the sample. It is important for clinicians to identify the presence of SUDs as their presence is associated with characteristics, such as male sex, younger age, inpatient status, more prior hospitalisations, legal and economic problems, PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Temmingh, Henk , Susser, Ezra , Mall, Sumaya , Campbell, Megan , Sibeko, Goodman , Stein, Dan J
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302509 , vital:58203 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01942-5"
- Description: Purpose: To determine the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) in patients with schizophrenia in a sample from South Africa and compare the clinical and demographic correlates in those with and without co-occurring SUDs. Methods: Patients with schizophrenia were interviewed using the Xhosa version SCID-I for DSM-IV. We used logistic regression to determine the predictors of SUDs. Results: In the total sample of 1420 participants, SUDs occurred in 47.8%, with the most prevalent SUD being cannabis use disorders (39.6%), followed by alcohol (20.5%), methaqualone (6.2%), methamphetamine (4.8%) and other SUDs (cocaine, ecstasy, opioids, 0.6%). Polydrug use occurred in 40%, abuse occurred in 13.5%, and 39.6% had at least one substance dependence diagnosis. Signifcant predictors of any SUD were younger age (41–55 vs. 21–30: OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5–0.9), male sex (OR=8.6, 95% CI=5.1–14.6), inpatient status (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.3–2.1), post-traumatic stress symptoms (OR=4.6, 95% CI=1.6–13.3), legal (OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.0–5.5) and economic problems (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0–2.0). Methamphetamine use disorders occurred signifcantly less often in the Eastern compared to the Western Cape provinces. Inpatient status and higher levels of prior admissions were signifcantly associated with cannabis and methamphetamine use disorders. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were signifcantly associated with alcohol use disorders. Anxiety disorders were associated with other SUDs. Conclusion: SUDs occurred in almost half of the sample. It is important for clinicians to identify the presence of SUDs as their presence is associated with characteristics, such as male sex, younger age, inpatient status, more prior hospitalisations, legal and economic problems, PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Prioritisation of targets for weed biological control I: a review of existing prioritisation schemes and development of a system for South Africa
- Downey, Paul O, Paterson, Iain D, Canavan, Kim N, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Downey, Paul O , Paterson, Iain D , Canavan, Kim N , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417763 , vital:71484 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2021.1918636"
- Description: Biological control is widely utilised for the management of invasive alien plants (IAP). With the ever-increasing number of IAPs, it is important to prioritise targets for biocontrol in order to maximise the use of resources and the chances of success. This paper reviewed 12 previous systems developed to prioritise plant targets for biocontrol. The review underpins the selection of attributes and methodologies for the prioritisation of targets for biocontrol in South Africa. All of the previous systems are purpose-built and context-specific, so a new system is required for the South African setting. Previous prioritisation systems were assessed based on the attributes and methodology adopted. The attributes of previous systems were grouped into three sections, being (1) impact/importance of the target plant, (2) likelihood of achieving success, and (3) investment required. Nineteen attributes from previous systems are included in the new system, while nine were excluded due to a requirement for legislation and/or research, or because they conflicted with objectives of the new system in some way. Two methodological approaches were identified for how systems sourced information, either sourcing information through expert knowledge or the use of available literature and data. This information was then applied through either a quantitative or qualitative scoring method. A quantitative scoring method, with information sourced from available resources, was selected as the most appropriate methodology in the context of the new system for South Africa. This review streamlined the development and testing of the South African Biological Control Target Selection system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Downey, Paul O , Paterson, Iain D , Canavan, Kim N , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417763 , vital:71484 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2021.1918636"
- Description: Biological control is widely utilised for the management of invasive alien plants (IAP). With the ever-increasing number of IAPs, it is important to prioritise targets for biocontrol in order to maximise the use of resources and the chances of success. This paper reviewed 12 previous systems developed to prioritise plant targets for biocontrol. The review underpins the selection of attributes and methodologies for the prioritisation of targets for biocontrol in South Africa. All of the previous systems are purpose-built and context-specific, so a new system is required for the South African setting. Previous prioritisation systems were assessed based on the attributes and methodology adopted. The attributes of previous systems were grouped into three sections, being (1) impact/importance of the target plant, (2) likelihood of achieving success, and (3) investment required. Nineteen attributes from previous systems are included in the new system, while nine were excluded due to a requirement for legislation and/or research, or because they conflicted with objectives of the new system in some way. Two methodological approaches were identified for how systems sourced information, either sourcing information through expert knowledge or the use of available literature and data. This information was then applied through either a quantitative or qualitative scoring method. A quantitative scoring method, with information sourced from available resources, was selected as the most appropriate methodology in the context of the new system for South Africa. This review streamlined the development and testing of the South African Biological Control Target Selection system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Progress and prospects for the biological control of invasive alien grasses Poaceae) in South Africa
- Sutton, Guy F, Bownes, Angela, Visser, Vernon, Mapaura, Anthony, Canavan, Kim N
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Bownes, Angela , Visser, Vernon , Mapaura, Anthony , Canavan, Kim N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414448 , vital:71147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a12"
- Description: Historically, invasive alien grasses have not been considered a major threat in South Africa, and as a result, very few resources are allocated to their management. However, there is an increasing awareness of the severe environmental and socio-economic impacts of invasive grasses and the need for appropriate management options for their control. South Africa has a long history of successfully implementing weed biological control (biocontrol) to manage invasive alien plants, however much like the rest of the world, invasive grasses do not feature prominently as targets for biocontrol. The implementation and early indicators of success of the few grass biocontrol programmes globally and the finding that grasses can be suitable targets, suggests that biocontrol could start to play an important role in managing invasive alien grasses in South Africa. In this paper, we evaluated the prospects for implementing novel grass biocontrol projects over the next ten years against 48 grasses that have been determined to represent the highest risk based on their current environmental and economic impacts. The grasses were ranked in order of priority using the Biological Control Target Selection system. Five grasses were prioritised – Arundo donax L., Cortaderia jubata (Lem.) Stapf, Cortaderia selloana (Schult and Schult) Asch. and Graebn., Nassella trichotoma (Hack. ex Arech.), and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb., based on attributes that make them suitable biocontrol targets. Arundo donax has already been the target of a biocontrol programme in South Africa. We reviewed the progress made towards the biocontrol of this species and discuss how this programme could be developed going forward. Moreover, we outline how biocontrol could be implemented to manage the remaining four high-priority targets. While biocontrol of grasses is not without its challenges (e.g. unresolved taxonomies, conflicts of interest and a lack of supporting legislation), South Africa has an opportunity to learn from existing global research and begin to invest in biocontrol of high-priority species that are in most need of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Progress and prospects for the biological control of invasive alien grasses Poaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Bownes, Angela , Visser, Vernon , Mapaura, Anthony , Canavan, Kim N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414448 , vital:71147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a12"
- Description: Historically, invasive alien grasses have not been considered a major threat in South Africa, and as a result, very few resources are allocated to their management. However, there is an increasing awareness of the severe environmental and socio-economic impacts of invasive grasses and the need for appropriate management options for their control. South Africa has a long history of successfully implementing weed biological control (biocontrol) to manage invasive alien plants, however much like the rest of the world, invasive grasses do not feature prominently as targets for biocontrol. The implementation and early indicators of success of the few grass biocontrol programmes globally and the finding that grasses can be suitable targets, suggests that biocontrol could start to play an important role in managing invasive alien grasses in South Africa. In this paper, we evaluated the prospects for implementing novel grass biocontrol projects over the next ten years against 48 grasses that have been determined to represent the highest risk based on their current environmental and economic impacts. The grasses were ranked in order of priority using the Biological Control Target Selection system. Five grasses were prioritised – Arundo donax L., Cortaderia jubata (Lem.) Stapf, Cortaderia selloana (Schult and Schult) Asch. and Graebn., Nassella trichotoma (Hack. ex Arech.), and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb., based on attributes that make them suitable biocontrol targets. Arundo donax has already been the target of a biocontrol programme in South Africa. We reviewed the progress made towards the biocontrol of this species and discuss how this programme could be developed going forward. Moreover, we outline how biocontrol could be implemented to manage the remaining four high-priority targets. While biocontrol of grasses is not without its challenges (e.g. unresolved taxonomies, conflicts of interest and a lack of supporting legislation), South Africa has an opportunity to learn from existing global research and begin to invest in biocontrol of high-priority species that are in most need of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Promising photodynamic antimicrobial activity of polyimine substituted zinc phthalocyanine and its polycationic derivative when conjugated to nitrogen, sulfur, co-doped graphene quantum dots against Staphylococcus aureus
- Sen, Pinar, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185304 , vital:44363 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102300"
- Description: Antimicrobial resistance is a most important problem facing the treatment of infectious diseases. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is an alternative treatment strategy, considered to be cost-effective and feasible. For this purpose, octa-imine substituted ZnPc (3) have been prepared and conjugated to nitrogen, sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots (N,S-GQDs) through π-π stacking. The photophysical and photochemical properties of Pc alone and and Pc-conjugated to the GQD nanomaterial such as absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence life time, singlet oxygen quantum yields, triplet state quantum yields and exited state lifetimes were investigated in solutions before in vitro cell studies. The PACT activity of prepared structures was investigated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus). Our results suggest that the in the case of conjugation of zinc Pc to N,S-GQDs, photodynamic inactivation increased with the 100 % reduction percentage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185304 , vital:44363 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102300"
- Description: Antimicrobial resistance is a most important problem facing the treatment of infectious diseases. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is an alternative treatment strategy, considered to be cost-effective and feasible. For this purpose, octa-imine substituted ZnPc (3) have been prepared and conjugated to nitrogen, sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots (N,S-GQDs) through π-π stacking. The photophysical and photochemical properties of Pc alone and and Pc-conjugated to the GQD nanomaterial such as absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence life time, singlet oxygen quantum yields, triplet state quantum yields and exited state lifetimes were investigated in solutions before in vitro cell studies. The PACT activity of prepared structures was investigated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus). Our results suggest that the in the case of conjugation of zinc Pc to N,S-GQDs, photodynamic inactivation increased with the 100 % reduction percentage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Prospects for the biological control of Northern Temperate Weeds in South Africa
- Authors: Martin, Grant D
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414478 , vital:71151 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a10"
- Description: The Northern Temperate Weeds programme is a novel biological control (biocontrol) programme started in 2017, with the aim of reducing the impacts of northern temperate weeds that are common, widespread and problematic in the high elevation grasslands of South Africa. As these regions are the most important systems for water security, providing nearly 50% of all water run-off, it is surprising that these species were not targeted for biocontrol previously. Thus far, research has focused on biocontrol feasibility as well as ecological and socio-economic impact studies on several northern temperate weeds, including Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid, Rosa rubiginosa L., Cotoneaster spp., Rubus spp., (all Rosaceae) and Salix spp. (Salicaceae). In addition, research conducted in the USA and Europe on the natural enemies associated with two of these species, Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Gleditsia triacanthos L. (both Fabaceae and native to the USA), have provided South African researchers with the necessary foundation to initiate programmes against these weeds. Research in South Africa is currently focused on pre-release studies on R. pseudoacacia, using the leaf miner Odontota dorsalis Thunberg (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the black locust midge Obolodiplosis robiniae Haldeman (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and on G. triacanthos, using a seed bruchid, Amblycerus robiniae F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Progress with these programmes and potential constraints that may limit success, are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Martin, Grant D
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414478 , vital:71151 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a10"
- Description: The Northern Temperate Weeds programme is a novel biological control (biocontrol) programme started in 2017, with the aim of reducing the impacts of northern temperate weeds that are common, widespread and problematic in the high elevation grasslands of South Africa. As these regions are the most important systems for water security, providing nearly 50% of all water run-off, it is surprising that these species were not targeted for biocontrol previously. Thus far, research has focused on biocontrol feasibility as well as ecological and socio-economic impact studies on several northern temperate weeds, including Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid, Rosa rubiginosa L., Cotoneaster spp., Rubus spp., (all Rosaceae) and Salix spp. (Salicaceae). In addition, research conducted in the USA and Europe on the natural enemies associated with two of these species, Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Gleditsia triacanthos L. (both Fabaceae and native to the USA), have provided South African researchers with the necessary foundation to initiate programmes against these weeds. Research in South Africa is currently focused on pre-release studies on R. pseudoacacia, using the leaf miner Odontota dorsalis Thunberg (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the black locust midge Obolodiplosis robiniae Haldeman (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and on G. triacanthos, using a seed bruchid, Amblycerus robiniae F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Progress with these programmes and potential constraints that may limit success, are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Push-pull type Co (III) corroles
- Niu, Yingjie, Zhu, Weihua, Mack, John, Dubazana, Nadine, Nyokong, Tebello, Fu, Bo, Xu, Haijun, Liang, Xu
- Authors: Niu, Yingjie , Zhu, Weihua , Mack, John , Dubazana, Nadine , Nyokong, Tebello , Fu, Bo , Xu, Haijun , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190826 , vital:45032 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424621500279"
- Description: The rational design and preparation of three A2B type Co(III)triarylcorroles with push- and pull-substituents are reported. The structure-property relationships were identified by comparing their optically spectroscopic and electrochemical properties to trends predicted in DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The results demonstrate that the Co(III)triarylcorroles are highly efficient catalysts for electrocatalyzed hydrogen evolutions (HERs) and oxygen reductions (ORRs), and that their reactivity can be modulated by changing the meso-B-substituent of the Co(III)Corroles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Niu, Yingjie , Zhu, Weihua , Mack, John , Dubazana, Nadine , Nyokong, Tebello , Fu, Bo , Xu, Haijun , Liang, Xu
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190826 , vital:45032 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424621500279"
- Description: The rational design and preparation of three A2B type Co(III)triarylcorroles with push- and pull-substituents are reported. The structure-property relationships were identified by comparing their optically spectroscopic and electrochemical properties to trends predicted in DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The results demonstrate that the Co(III)triarylcorroles are highly efficient catalysts for electrocatalyzed hydrogen evolutions (HERs) and oxygen reductions (ORRs), and that their reactivity can be modulated by changing the meso-B-substituent of the Co(III)Corroles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Pyrosequencing and phenotypic microarray to decipher bacterial community variation in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench rhizosphere
- Kumar, Ashwani, Dubey, Anamika, Malla, Muneer A, Dames, Joanna F
- Authors: Kumar, Ashwani , Dubey, Anamika , Malla, Muneer A , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440417 , vital:73781 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-022-03288-3
- Description: Different cultivation practices and climatic conditions play an important role in governing and modulating soil microbial communities as well as soil health. This study investigated, for the first time, keystone microbial taxa inhabiting the rhizosphere of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under extensive cultivation practices at three different field sites of South Africa (North West-South (ASHSOIL1); Mpumalanga-West – (ASHSOIL2); and Free State-North West – (ASHSOIL3)). Soil analysis of these sites revealed differences in P, K, Mg, and pH. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data revealed that the rhizosphere bacterial microbiome differed significantly both in the structure and composition across the samples. The sequencing data revealed that at the phylum level, the dominant group was Cyanobacteria with a relative abundance of 63.3%, 71.8%, and 81.6% from ASHSOIL1, ASHSOIL2, and ASHSOIL3, respectively. Putative metabolic requirements analyzed by METAGENassist software revealed the ASHSOIL1 sample as the prominent ammonia degrader (21.1%), followed by ASHSOIL3 (17.3%) and ASHSOIL2 (11.1%). The majority of core-microbiome taxa were found to be from Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Functionally, community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) analysis revealed that the metabolic activity of the bacterial community in ASHSOIL3 was the highest, followed by ASHSOIL1 and ASHSOIL2. This study showed that soil pH and nutrient availability and cultivation practices played significant roles in governing the bacterial community composition in the sorghum rhizosphere across the different sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Kumar, Ashwani , Dubey, Anamika , Malla, Muneer A , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440417 , vital:73781 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-022-03288-3
- Description: Different cultivation practices and climatic conditions play an important role in governing and modulating soil microbial communities as well as soil health. This study investigated, for the first time, keystone microbial taxa inhabiting the rhizosphere of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under extensive cultivation practices at three different field sites of South Africa (North West-South (ASHSOIL1); Mpumalanga-West – (ASHSOIL2); and Free State-North West – (ASHSOIL3)). Soil analysis of these sites revealed differences in P, K, Mg, and pH. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data revealed that the rhizosphere bacterial microbiome differed significantly both in the structure and composition across the samples. The sequencing data revealed that at the phylum level, the dominant group was Cyanobacteria with a relative abundance of 63.3%, 71.8%, and 81.6% from ASHSOIL1, ASHSOIL2, and ASHSOIL3, respectively. Putative metabolic requirements analyzed by METAGENassist software revealed the ASHSOIL1 sample as the prominent ammonia degrader (21.1%), followed by ASHSOIL3 (17.3%) and ASHSOIL2 (11.1%). The majority of core-microbiome taxa were found to be from Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Functionally, community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) analysis revealed that the metabolic activity of the bacterial community in ASHSOIL3 was the highest, followed by ASHSOIL1 and ASHSOIL2. This study showed that soil pH and nutrient availability and cultivation practices played significant roles in governing the bacterial community composition in the sorghum rhizosphere across the different sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Quantifying the shift in network usage upon bandwidth upgrade
- Okuthe, J A, Terzoli, Alfredo
- Authors: Okuthe, J A , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431003 , vital:72735 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06374-9_22
- Description: Traffic flow classification is an important enabler in network design, ca-pacity planning, identification of user requirements and possible track-ing of user population growth based on network usage. In this paper, results from the Internet traffic flow characterization in 1 Mbps commu-nity network for a three-week snapshot representing three months of study show that during peak traffic, the network is overwhelmed and service degradation occurs. When the network is upgraded to 10 Mbps the network bandwidth utilization immediately increases dramatically to close in on the new capacity with 20% left unused during peak traffic. The situation gets worse one month later where the network utilization is only 3% away from the maximum capacity. Traffic categorization show that the applications crossing the network are legitimate and accepta-ble. Since 10 Mbps bandwidth is the capacity that is sustainable for the community and supported by existing technology, bandwidth manage-ment is essential to ensure the network remains usable and continues to provide acceptable user experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Okuthe, J A , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431003 , vital:72735 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06374-9_22
- Description: Traffic flow classification is an important enabler in network design, ca-pacity planning, identification of user requirements and possible track-ing of user population growth based on network usage. In this paper, results from the Internet traffic flow characterization in 1 Mbps commu-nity network for a three-week snapshot representing three months of study show that during peak traffic, the network is overwhelmed and service degradation occurs. When the network is upgraded to 10 Mbps the network bandwidth utilization immediately increases dramatically to close in on the new capacity with 20% left unused during peak traffic. The situation gets worse one month later where the network utilization is only 3% away from the maximum capacity. Traffic categorization show that the applications crossing the network are legitimate and accepta-ble. Since 10 Mbps bandwidth is the capacity that is sustainable for the community and supported by existing technology, bandwidth manage-ment is essential to ensure the network remains usable and continues to provide acceptable user experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021