Fabrication of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/paclitaxel (core)/chitosan/zein/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/doxorubicin (shell) nanofibers against MCF-7 breast cancer

In the present study, paclitaxel (PTX), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and doxorubicin (DOX) have been simultaneously doped into the poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL)/chitosan/zein core-shell nanofibers to increase its cytotoxicity for MCF-7 breast cancers killing. The physico-chemical properties of synthesized nanofibers were determined by scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile strength, and degradation rate determinations. The in vitro release studies demonstrated the sustained release of drugs from core-shell nanofibrous scaffold. The cytotoxicity and compatibility of core-shell nanofibers were investigated by their treating with MCF-7 breast cancer cells and L929 normal cells, respectively. PCL/PTX/chitosan/zein/MWCNTs/DOX core-shell nanofibers containing 1 wt% MWCNTs, 100 μg ml⁻¹ DOX and 100 μg ml⁻¹ PTX had a high biocompatibility with a 84% MCF-7 cancer cells killing. The in vivo studies revealed the synergic effects of MWCNTs and anticancer drugs on the tumor inhibition. This method could be considered as a new way for developing of MWCNTs loaded-nanofibers for cancer treatment in future.     

Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drug Loaded Charged PLGA Polymeric Nanoparticles Using Electrostatic Field

Pure positive electrostatic charges (PPECs) show suppressive effect on the proliferation and metabolism of invasive cancer cells without affecting normal tissues. PPECs are used for the delivery of drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (DLNs) capped with negatively charged poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and Poly(vinyl-alcohol) PVA into the tumor site of mouse models. The charged patch is installed on top of the skin in the mouse models' tumor region, and the controlled selective release of the drug is assayed by biochemical, radiological, and histological experiments on both tumorized models and normal rats' livers. It is found that DLNs synthesized by PLGA show great attraction to PPECs due to their stable negative charges, which would not degrade immediately in blood. The burst and drug release after less than 48h of this synthesized DLNs are 10% and 50%, respectively. These compounds can deliver the loaded-drug into the tumor site with the assistance of PPECs, and the targeted-retarded release will take place. Hence, local therapy can be achieved with much lower drug concentration (conventional chemotherapy [2 mg kg⁻¹] versus DLNs-based chemotherapy [0.75 mg kg⁻¹]) with negligible side effects in non-targeted organs. PPECs have many potential clinical applications for advanced-targeted chemotherapy with the lowest discernible side effects.     

Highly Stereoselective Intermolecular Haloetherification and Haloesterification of Allyl Amides

An organocatalytic and highly regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective intermolecular haloetherification and haloesterification reaction of allyl amides is reported. A variety of alkene substituents and substitution patterns are compatible with this chemistry. Notably, electronically unbiased alkene substrates exhibit exquisite regio‐ and diastereoselectivity for the title transformation. We also demonstrate that the same catalytic system can be used in both chlorination and bromination reactions of allyl amides with a variety of nucleophiles with little or no modification.     

The Processing of Pyrolysis Fuel Oil by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Torch

In present paper, an atmospheric-pressure low-temperature plasma treatment of pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO) was investigated in dielectric barrier discharge plasma torch reactor. The effect of the applied voltage and the volume of feedstock, as the main parameters, on the cracking of PFO were studied. By increasing the applied voltage from 10 to 16 kV, the production rate of hydrocarbons containing methane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, propylene, and C₄ rise 18 times. In this case, the production rate of hydrogen increases by approximately 14 times and reaches 7.27 × 10^?3 mol/min for 16 kV. In the feedstock volume investigation, based on limitation of reactor volume, the production rate of hydrocarbons decreased from 0.44 × 10^?3 to 0.15 × 10^?3 mol/min by increasing volume of feedstock from 1 to 5 cc.     

Host–Guest Assembly of a Molecular Reporter with Chiral Cyanohydrins for Assignment of Absolute Stereochemistry

The absolute stereochemistry of cyanohydrins, derived from ketones and aldehydes, is obtained routinely, in a microscale and derivatization‐free manner, upon their complexation with Zn‐MAPOL, a zincated porphyrin host with a binding pocket comprised of a biphenol core. The host–guest complex leads to observable exciton‐coupled circular dichroism (ECCD), the sign of which is easily correlated to the absolute stereochemistry of the bound cyanohydrin. A working model, based on the ECCD signal of cyanohydrins with known configuration, is proposed.