Magnetic polymer nanocomposites for environmental and biomedical applications

Hybrid nanomaterials have received voluminous interest due to the combination of unique properties of organic and inorganic component in one material. In this class, magnetic polymer nanocomposites are of particular interest because of the combination of excellent magnetic properties, stability, and good biocompatibility. Organic–inorganic magnetic nanocomposites can be prepared by in situ, ex situ, microwave reflux, co-precipitation, melt blending, and ceramic–glass processing and plasma polymerization techniques. These nanocomposites have been exploited for in vivo imaging, as superparamagnetic or negative contrast agents, drug carriers, heavy metal adsorbents, and magnetically recoverable photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. This review article is mainly focused on fabrication of magnetic polymer nanocomposites and their applications. Different types of magnetic nanoparticles, methods of their synthesis, properties, and applications have also been reviewed briefly. The review also provides detailed insight into various types of magnetic nanocomposites and their synthesis. Diverse applications of magnetic nanocomposites including environmental and biomedical uses have been discussed.     

Bucillamine Inhibits UVB-Induced MAPK Activation and Apoptosis in Human HaCaT Keratinocytes and SKH-1 Hairless Mouse Skin

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is known as a culprit in skin carcinogenesis. We have previously reported that bucillamine (N-[2-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-cysteine), a cysteine derivative with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, protects against UVB-induced p53 activation and inflammatory responses in mouse skin. Since MAPK signaling pathways regulate p53 expression and activation, here we determined bucillamine effect on UVB-mediated MAPK activation in vitro using human skin keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and in vivo using SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. A single low dose of UVB (30 mJ cm⁻²) resulted in increased JNK/MAPK phosphorylation and caspase-3 cleavage in HaCaT cells. However, JNK activation and casaspe-3 cleavage were inhibited by pretreatment of HaCaT cells with physiological doses of bucillamine (25 and 100 µm ). Consistent with these results, bucillamine pretreatment in mice (20 mg kg⁻¹) inhibited JNK/MAPK and ERK/MAPK activation in skin epidermal cells at 6–12 and 24 h, respectively, after UVB exposure. Moreover, bucillamine attenuated UVB-induced Ki-67-positive cells and cleaved caspase-3-positive cells in mouse skin. These findings demonstrate that bucillamine inhibits UVB-induced MAPK signaling, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Together with our previous report, we provide evidence that bucillamine has a photoprotective effect against UV exposure.     

Thermal conductivity of deep eutectic solvents

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - We have reported the thermal conductivities of three deep eutectic solvents (DESs). We have used choline chloride, N,N-diethyl ethanol ammonium...     

Environmentally benign nanomixing by sonication in high-pressure carbon dioxide

Due to the increased use of nanocomposites, mixing at nanoscale has become important. Current mixing techniques can be classified into: (a) dry mixing (mechanical mixing), (b) wet mixing, and (c) simultaneous production of mixed nanoparticles (when possible). Dry mixing is in general not effective in achieving desired mixing at nanoscale, whereas wet mixing suffers from different disadvantages like nanomaterial of interest should be insoluble, has to wet the liquid, and involves additional steps of filtration and drying. This paper examines the use of pressurized carbon dioxide having high density and low viscosity to replace the liquids (e.g., n-hexane, toluene). Ultrasound is applied to the suspension of nanopowders in gaseous and supercritical carbon dioxide where high impact collisions during sonication help mixing and the final mixture is obtained by simple depressurization. The method is tested for binary mixture of alumina/silica, silica/titania, MWNT (multiwalled carbon nanotubes)/silica, and MWNT/titania. The effects of sonication intensity and pressure on the degree of mixing are studied. Comparative study is also done with liquid n-hexane as a mixing media. Quantitative characterization (e.g., mean composition standard deviation, intensity of segregation) of mixing of alumina/silica and silica/titania is done with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and that of MWNT/silica and MWNT/titania is done using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and day-light illumination spectrophotometry. Results show that mixing in carbon dioxide at higher ultrasound amplitudes is as good as in liquid n-hexane, and the final mixed product does not contain any residual media as in the case of liquid n-hexane.     

Kantowski-Sachs cosmological models with anisotropic dark energy

The exact solutions of the Einstein field equations for dark energy in Kantowski-Sachs metric under the assumption on the anisotropy of the fluid are obtained for exponential and power-law volumetric expansions. The isotropy of the fluid, space and expansion are examined.