ZnO Nanoparticles of Rubia cordifolia Extract Formulation Developed and Optimized with QbD Application,Considering Ex Vivo Skin Permeation,Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties

The objective of the current research is to develop ZnO-Manjistha extract (ZnO-MJE) nanoparticles (NPs) and to investigate their transdermal delivery as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The optimized formulation was further evaluated based on different parameters. The ZnO-MJE-NPs were prepared by mixing 10 mM ZnSO₄·7H₂O and 0.8% w/v NaOH in distilled water. To the above, a solution of 10 mL MJE (10 mg) in 50 mL of zinc sulfate was added. Box–Behnken design (Design-Expert software 12.0.1.0) was used for the optimization of ZnO-MJE-NP formulations. The ZnO-MJE-NPs were evaluated for their physicochemical characterization, in vitro release activity, ex vivo permeation across rat skin, antimicrobial activity using sterilized agar media, and antioxidant activity by the DPPH free radical method. The optimized ZnO-MJE-NP formulation (F13) showed a particle size of 257.1 ± 0.76 nm, PDI value of 0.289 ± 0.003, and entrapment efficiency of 79 ± 0.33%. Drug release kinetic models showed that the formulation followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model with a drug release of 34.50 ± 2.56 at pH 7.4 in 24 h. In ex vivo studies ZnO-MJE-NPs-opt permeation was 63.26%. The antibacterial activity was found to be enhanced in ZnO-MJE-NPs-opt and antioxidant activity was found to be highest (93.14 ± 4.05%) at 100 µg/mL concentrations. The ZnO-MJE-NPs-opt formulation showed prolonged release of the MJE and intensified permeation. Moreover, the formulation was found to show significantly (p < 0.05) better antimicrobial and antioxidant activity as compared to conventional suspension formulations.     

Correction to: Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Agent

Journal of Cluster Science - The authors claimed that acknowledgement in published article is not same as provided in revised/accepted paper.     

Duality in inexact fractional programming with set-inclusive constraints

This paper extends the fractional programming problem with set-inclusive constraints studied earlier by replacing every coefficient vector in the objective function with a convex set. A dual is formulated, and well-known duality results are established. A numerical example illustrates the dual strategy to obtain the value of the initial problem.The research of the first author was conducted while he was on sabbatical at the Department of Operations Research, Stanford University, Stanford, California. The financial assistance of the International Council for Exchange of Scholars is gratefully acknowledged. The author is grateful to the Department of Operations Research at Stanford for the use of its research facilities.     

Gas chromatographic determination of 1,4-dioxane at low parts-per-million levels in glycols

1,4-Dioxane is a flammable liquid and tends to form explosive peroxides. Its formation in glycols (low parts-per-million levels), which are used as dehumidifying agents in refineries, may take place by condensation. 1,4-Dioxane thus formed gets distilled over with benzene in the refinery process. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and determine the levels of 1,4-dioxane in glycols as well as benzene. Gas chromatography (GC) is probably the best technique for this purpose. GC analysis may be carried out using a flame ionization detector. Results show that 1,4-dioxane can be comfortably determined down to 2 ppm in glycols and benzene.     

Facile one-step synthesis of N-α-Boc-1-alkyl-l-histidines

N-α-Boc-l-Histidine upon direct τ(N-1) ring alkylation with various alkyl halides in the presence of sodium hydride in DMF or CH₃CN easily afforded N-α-Boc-1-alkyl-l-histidines 2a-f. The reaction works equally well in either DMF or CH₃CN as solvent, however, CH₃CN is preferred due to ease of reaction work-up.     

Solid state photodecomposition of alkaline earth tris/malonato/ferrates/III/

Solid state photolysis of alkaline earth tris/malonato/ferrates/III/, i.e., M₃[Fe(CH₂C₂O₄)₃]₂.xH₂O /M=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba/ has been investigated employing Mössbauer, infrared and reflectance spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were irradiated for 400 h using a medium pressure mercury vapour lamp of 250 Watts. Photoreduction led to the formation of M[Fe^II(CH₂C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]. The extent of photoreduction showed the following order: Ca>Sr>Mg>Ba. The results have been compared with those of analogous alkaline earth tris/oxalato/ferrates/III/.     

Designing,antifungal and structure activity relationship studies of Azomethines and β-lactam derivatives of aza heterocyclic amines

The present investigation deals with the synthesis of seven azomethine derivatives 1–7 of aza heterocyclic amines by carrying out condensation reaction of them with veratraldehyde followed by cyclizing the CHN moiety in synthesized azomethines of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole and 4-amino antipyrine to yield β lactam derivatives 8–9. The chemical constituents in the synthesized compounds were confirmed by UV, IR, 1H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. In vitro antifungal activity of all the synthesized products was done against four pathogenic maize fungal strains i.e. Fusarium verticillioides, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, and Dreschlera maydis. It was found that azomethine derivative having 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole ring was as effective as standard carbendazim 50 WP against R. solani and may be considered as promising antifungal agent; therefore further modifications may be done in its structure to get better drug candidate in future.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of DL-methionine bybis(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II) permanganate

Summary The oxidation ofDL-methionine (MT) bybis(2,2-bipyridyl)copper(II) permanganate (BBCP) to the corresponding sulphoxide is first order in BBCP. Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics were observed with respect to MT. The formation constant of the intermediate complex and the rate constant for its decomposition were evaluated. The thermodynamic and activation parameters were also evaluated. The reaction is catalysed by H⁺ but 2,2-bipyridine does not affect the reaction rate. A mechanism is proposed.     

Non-collective oblate states in119Te

High spin states of¹¹⁹Te, populated in¹¹⁰Pd(¹³C, 4n) and¹¹⁰Pd(¹²C, 3n) reactions, have been studied throughγ-ray spectroscopy. The level scheme has been established up to j^π=(55/2^?). Three-quasiparticle states, based onπg ₇ ^2/2 ?vh _11/2 andπg _7/2 d _5/2?vh _11/2 configurations, have been identified. A particularly favoured 39/2^? state is suggested to be the fully aligned [πg ₇ ^2/2 ]₆₊?[vh ₁₁ ^2/3 ]_27/2? yrast non-collective oblate configuration. This assignment is supported by Total Routhian Surface (TRS) calculations which also suggest a similar oblate assignment to states at 21/2^?, 23/2^? and 37/2^?.     

A new band in doubly-odd118I

High spin states in¹¹⁸I, populated through¹⁰⁵Pd(¹⁶O,p2n) and¹⁰⁶Pd(¹⁶O,p3n) reactions, have been investigated through -ray spectroscopy. A new rotational-like structure, showing energy staggering in odd-even spin states, has been identified. This band, probably based on g_7/2 vh_11/2 configuration, exhibits competing noncollective behaviour above I=20 state. Recent assignment of this band to¹¹⁸Cs has been ruled out.