Volume 2 (2019) – issue 2

OJC-Vol. 2 (2019), Issue 2, pp. 33 – 42 Open Access Full-Text PDF

Abstract: In this work, we present a newly three antimicrobial chitosan, 2-benzoxazinyl benzoic acid (BBA) and novel biopolymer of Chitosan-spiroquinazolinone (SQC) via coupling of chitosan with benzoxazinyl benzoic acid, for promoting the antimicrobial activity of inherent chitosan. Modification in the chemical structure of the synthesized product SQC was confirmed using FT-IR and UV analysis. The antimicrobial activities of Chitosan, and BBA compounds were expressively increased more than chitosan-spiroquinazolinone SQC. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compound SQC was supposed at \(50\mu g/ml\) against tested microorganisms except for B.cereus and C.albicans. The highest concentration of Chitosan would prevent the growth of Gram-+ve upto 99%. However, compound BBA recorded the maximum inhibition percentage versus Gram-+ve approximately 82%. The findings emphasized that the developed Chitosan-Spiroquinazolinone SQC may be blocker for antimicrobial activity to pure chitosan and BBA i.e, stop reaction if possible for actions of antimicrobial treatments.

OJC-Vol. 2 (2019), Issue 2, pp. 22 – 32 Open Access Full-Text PDF

Abstract: Glaucoma is a second leading cause of blindness worldwide and stands on fourth position among the cause of blindness. Two main types of Glaucoma, primary congenital Glaucoma (PCG) and primary open angle Glaucoma (POAG). Primary open angle Glaucoma is further classified in to primary juvenile open angle Glaucoma JOAG (age of onset 3-35 years) and adult onset open angle Glaucoma (after the age of 35 years). Myocilin (MYOC) gene plays a major role in the development of adult primary open angle Glaucoma (POAG). Mutations in Myocilin (MYOC) gene are well documented to cause Adult Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Currently, very few data is available on the contribution of Myocilin (MYOC) gene in POAG in Pakistani population. In present study, fifty seven sporadic cases of autosomal recessive samples of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) were collected from different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Sequencing was performed to check the contribution of (MYOC) gene and to identify the common mutations present in Pakistani population. Sequencing results revealed previously reported one heterozygous synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism SNP and a variant in intronic exonic boundary of exon 2. Findings of this study revealed that contribution of (MYOC) gene is high. Therefore, there is need to enroll more patients and families to identify the pathogenic mutations in (MYOC) gene to report actual frequency of this gene and its mutations in our population. Mutations identified in this gene may be helpful at clinical level to diagnose the disease at early stages.

OJC-Vol. 2 (2019), Issue 2, pp. 15 – 21 Open Access Full-Text PDF

Abstract: We explore the possibility of using an iron-based anodic material (\(\alpha\)-hematite) synthesized with a hierarchical 3D urchin-like morphology, as an OER catalyst. The electrodes are prepared by pulsed laser deposition followed by thermal annealing leading to the hierarchical 3D urchin-like morphology. The effect of the deposition parameter on the catalyst phase and morphology are investigated by microRaman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, while the electrode metrics are determined by voltammetric methods and Tafel analysis. We observe that the material is highly electroactive towards the OER, with performance in-line with that of noble-metal based state-of-the-art catalysts.

OJC-Vol. 2 (2019), Issue 2, pp. 9 – 14 Open Access Full-Text PDF

Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, commonly referred as NMR spectroscopy, is a widely used technique for determining the structure of organic compounds and metallorganic complexes. The NMR characterization process can be done automatically by specific tools integrated into the main NMR dedicated software, however it is commonly subjected to user’s interpretation therefore it still remains a manual process. In relationship with the number of signals to interpret and the complexity of the spectrum, the user usually spends between ten minutes and one hour to manually generate an NMR report, which can be clearly affected by typos or format mismatches. Here we report an Excel sheet-based NMR data reporting tool which, thanks to ad hoc macros, generates as output a formatted NMR report, ready to be directly pasted into any manuscript. ASpin tool leaves to the users the full possibility to interpret the spectrum in this way they can gain more experience in the interpretation process, without giving up the time saving.

OJC-Vol. 2 (2019), Issue 2, pp. 1 – 8 Open Access Full-Text PDF

Abstract: Metals play predominant prefaces regarding most of industrial components such as the crude oil refining industry although corrosion performed some banes. In the current research it was expected to investigate to compare the effect of corrosive properties of two different crude oils on the rates of corrosion in seven different types of ferrous metals. The contents of sulfur, mercaptans, organic acids, salt in both crude oils and chemical compositions of ferrous metals were determined by standard methods and instruments. A batch of similar sized metal coupons was prepared and immersed in both crude oils separately. The corrosion rate of each metal coupon was determined by the weight loss method in order to after 15, 30 and 45 days while observing the corroded metal surfaces by the optical microscope. The decayed concentrations of copper and ferrous in each crude oil sample were tested and the both initial and final hardness of each metal coupon were tested. According to the results there were observed lower corrosion rates from stainless steels, relatively higher impact from salts on the corrosion, formation corrosion compounds, corrosion cracks, pitting corrosion on metal surfaces and there were observed a slight reduction of hardness in each metal coupon eventually.