02740nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010100041210006900142260000800211520202500219100002702244700003402271700001702305700002302322700003202345700003202377700002602409856012302435 2024 eng d00aInvestigation of cathinone analogs targeting human dopamine transporter using molecular modeling0 aInvestigation of cathinone analogs targeting human dopamine tran cMAY3 a

In a step towards understanding the structure–property relationship among Synthetic Cathinones (SCs), a combined methodology based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), Administration, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) predictions, docking and molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to correlate physicochemical descriptors of various SCs to their biological activity. The results from DFT and molecular docking studies correlate well with each other explaining the biological activity trends of the studied SCs. Quantum mechanical descriptors viz. polarizability, electron affinity, ionization potential, chemical hardness, electronegativity, molecular electrostatic potential, and ion interaction studies unravel the distinguishingly reactive nature of Group D (pyrrolidine substituted) and Group E (methylenedioxy and pyrrolidine substituted) compounds. According to ADMET analysis, Group D and Group E molecules have a higher probability of permeating through the blood–brain barrier. Molecular docking results indicate that Phe76, Ala77, Asp79, Val152, Tyr156, Phe320, and Phe326 constitute the binding pocket residues of hDAT in which the most active ligands MDPV, MDPBP, and MDPPP are bound. Finally, to validate the derived quantum chemical descriptors and docking results, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are performed with homology-modelled hDAT (human dopamine transporter). The MD simulation results revealed that the majority of SCs remain stable within the hDAT protein’s active sites via non-bonded interactions after 100 ns long simulations. The findings from DFT, ADMET analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation studies complement each other suggesting that pyrrolidine-substituted SCs (Group D and E), specifically, MPBP and PVN are proven potent SCs along with MDPV, validating various experimental observations.

1 aShivankar, Bhavana, R.1 aBhandare, Vishwambhar, Vishnu1 aJoshi, Krati1 aS., Patil., Vishal1 aDhotare, Priyanka, Shrikant1 aSonawane, Kailas, Dasharath1 aKrishnamurty, Sailaja uhttp://library.ncl.res.in/content/investigation-cathinone-analogs-targeting-human-dopamine-transporter-using-molecular01913nas a2200229 4500008004100000022001400041245012900055210006900184260000900253300001100262490000800273520114500281653000901426653001901435653000801454653000801462653000801470100002701478700002501505700002601530856012701556 2025 eng d a0360-319900aIn silico designing of electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction: a focus on titanium metal-based diboride monolayers0 aIn silico designing of electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution r cJUN  a91-1000 v1333 a

Enhancing the efficiency of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) using chemically modified electrocatalytic titanium diboride surfaces with transition metal-based Single Atom Catalysts (SACs) is illustrated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) based methods employing solvent effects. With higher surface concentrations of nonmetal boron rather than titanium metal, these highly conductive, extremely hard, chemically, and thermally stable electrocatalysts are more cost-effective and superior to their MBene analogs. A systematic analysis of these transition metal-based SACs from the 3d, 4d, and 5d groups embedded in TiB2 monolayer for its HER activity reveals the reduction in limiting potential. As the most effective SAC for improved HER, Zn@TiB2 SAC has a limiting potential of 0.08 eV in acidic and 0.21 eV in alkaline media. The higher exchange current density of Zn@TiB2 (5.74 x 10-5 A cm-2), which exceeds most previously reported electrocatalysts, indicates exceptional HER performance. This work shows that transition metal boride electrocatalysts are economically viable for HER and pave a path for experimentalists.

10aAIMD10aD -band center10aDFT10aHER10aSAC1 aShivankar, Bhavana, R.1 aVerma, Tushar, Singh1 aKrishnamurty, Sailaja uhttp://library.ncl.res.in/content/silico-designing-electrocatalysts-hydrogen-evolution-reaction-focus-titanium-metal-based