Polymeric emulsion and crosslink-mediated synthesis of super-stable nanoparticles as sustained-release anti-tuberculosis drug carriers

This study focused on evaluating four emulsion-based processing strategies for polymeric nanoparticle synthesis to explicate the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation and the influence on achieving sustained-release of two anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were formulated with and without sorbitan mono-oleate as a stabilizer using emulsion-solvent-surfactant-evaporation (ESSE) and emulsion-solvent-evaporation (ESE) approaches. An alginate solution gelled by ionic crosslinking with calcium chloride was employed to prepare alginate hydrogel nanoparticles via reverse-emulsion-cationic-gelification (RECG) and reverse-emulsion-surfactant-cationic-gelification (RESCG) approaches. In vitro drug release analysis was performed. The size, zeta potential and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed. Molecular mechanics energy relationships (MMER) were employed to explore the spatial disposition of alginate and PLGA with respect to the emulsifying profile of sorbitan monooleate and to corroborate the experimental findings. Results revealed that particle size of the PLGA nanoparticles was influenced by the stabilizer concentration. Nanoparticles synthesized by the ESSE approach had smaller sizes of 240±8.7 nm and 195.5±5.4 nm for rifampicin- and isoniazid-loaded nanoparticles, respectively. This was a substantial size reduction from nanoparticles generated by the ESE approach (>1000 nm). The RESCG approach produced stable and higher nanoparticle yields with desirable size (277±1.0 nm; 289±1.2 nm), a low polydispersity index (27.1±0.3 mV; 28.5±0.5 mV) and drug entrapment efficiency of 73% and 75% for isoniazid and rifampicin, respectively. Drug release from the ESSE and RESCG synthesized nanoparticles displayed desirable release of the two anti-TB drugs with sustained zero-order kinetics over a period of 8h. MMER supported the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation with a sphericalized interlaced network configuration.     

A rapid and convergent synthesis of the integrastatin core

The tetracyclic core of the integrastatin natural products has been prepared in a convergent and rapid manner. Our strategy relies upon a palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization to form the central [3.3.1]-dioxabicycle of the natural product core. Overall, the core has been completed in only 4 linear steps from known compounds.     

A rapid and simple route for the synthesis of lead and palladium nanoparticles in tetrazolium based ionic liquid

In the present work, we report a novel method for the synthesis of palladium and lead nanoparticles by the reduction method in tetrazolium ring based ionic liquid. Palladium and lead nanoparticles so-prepared were well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction measurements (pXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quasi elastic light scattering (QELS) techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) analysis revealed all relevant Bragg's reflection for crystal structure of palladium and lead. Powder X-ray diffraction plots also revealed no oxidized material of palladium and lead nanoparticles. TEM showed nearly uniform distribution of the particles in methanol and confirmed by QELS. Typical applications of palladium nanoparticles include in vitro use and sensor design applications. Palladium nanoparticles is also ideal for spin coating, self-assembly and monolayer formation. Palladium nanoparticles can also be considered as potential new catalysts.     

Single‐Cell Investigations of Silver Nanoparticle–Bacteria Interactions

Interaction of bacteria with citrate‐reduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of size 25 nm ± 8.5 nm is studied using Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with plasmon resonance imaging of single bacterial cells. Distribution of isolated nanoparticles (NPs) inside Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922; E. coli) is observed by hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a function of incubation time. Time‐dependent degradation of bacterial DNA upon incubation of AgNPs with E. coli is proven by Raman spectroscopic studies. While attachment of NPs is evident in HSI, molecular changes are evident from the surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of adsorbed DNA and its fragments. Distinct enhancement of DNA features is observed upon interaction of AgNPs and the number of such distinct features increases with incubation time, reaches a maximum, and decreases afterwards. This systematic interaction of DNA with the NPs system and its gradual chemical evolution is proven by investigating isolated plasmid DNA. A comparative Raman study with silver ions has shown that DNA features are observable only when bacteria are incubated with AgNPs. Energetics of interaction examined with microcalorimetry suggests the exothermicity of ?1.547 × 10¹⁰ cal mol^?1 for the NP–bacteria system. Specific interaction of AgNPs with exocyclic nitrogen present in the bases, adenine, guanine, and cytosine, leads to the changes in DNA.     

Centrifugal distortion analysis of the millimeter-wave spectrum of 2-fluorobenzonitrile and ab initio DFT calculations

The ground state (ν = 0) rotational spectrum of 2-fluorobenzonitrile has been reinvestigated in the frequency range 40.0-99.0 GHz. The millimeter-wave spectrometer used is a source-modulated system combined with a free space glass cell. Millimeter-wave radiation has been produced using a Gunn diode and frequency doubler combination. High J and K₋₁ (J ? 49 and K₋₁ ? 18) transitions have been measured and accurate rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined. Finally, the experimental values were compared with the corresponding values calculated at the HF/DFT-B3PW91/6-31g(d,p) level of theory. A very good agreement has been found.     

Information patterns and Nash equilibria in extensive games — II

In Part I of this paper we introduced extensive games with a non-atomic continuum of players. It was shown that the Nash plays (outcomes) are invariant of the information patterns on the game, provided that no player's unilateral change in moves can be observed by others. This led to an enormous reduction in the Nash plays of the these games, as exemplified in the anti-folk theorem. Our concern in this sequel is to develop a finite version of these results.     

Oxide films of copper prepared by the oxidation of copper sulphide films

Copper sulphide films prepared by reactive evaporation, when heated in air at 500 K, oxidized to Cu₂O after a series of intermediate chemical transitions. Golden yellow coloured Cu₂O films showed a large absorption before the fundamental absorption edge. The optical band gap was found to be (2.29±0.02)eV. When these Cu₂O films were further heated they got converted to CuO and the optical band gap was found to be (2.17±0.02)eV.