Photoinduced Dynamics and Toxicity of a Cancer Drug in Proximity of Inorganic Nanoparticles under Visible Light

Drug sensitization with various inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) has proved to be a promising and an emergent concept in the field of nanomedicine. Rose bengal (RB), a notable photosensitizer, triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species under green‐light irradiation, and consequently, it induces cytotoxicity and cell death. In the present study, the effect of photoinduced dynamics of RB upon complexation with semiconductor zinc oxide NPs is explored. To accomplish this, we successfully synthesized nanohybrids of RB with ZnO NPs with a particle size of 24 nm and optically characterized them. The uniform size and integrity of the particles were confirmed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. UV/Vis absorption and steady‐state fluorescence studies reveal the formation of the nanohybrids. ultrafast picosecond‐resolved fluorescence studies of RB–ZnO nanohybrids demonstrate an efficient electron transfer from the photoexcited drug to the semiconductor NPs. Picosecond‐resolved Förster resonance energy transfer from ZnO NPs to RB unravel the proximity of the drug to the semiconductor at the molecular level. The photoinduced ROS formation was monitored using a dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay, which is a conventional oxidative stress indicator. It is observed that the ROS generation under green light illumination is greater at low concentrations of RB–ZnO nanohybrids compared with free RB. Substantial photodynamic activity of the nanohybrids in bacterial and fungal cell lines validated the in vitro toxicity results. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of the nanohybrids in HeLa cells, which was monitored by MTT assay, is also noteworthy.     

Synthesis and characterization of bio-based epoxy blends from renewable resource based epoxidized soybean oil as reactive diluent

A novel bioresin, epoxidized soybean oil was synthesized by in situ method and was characterized employing FTIR and NMR. The bioresin was blended with epoxy(DGEBA) at different ratios as reactive diluents for improved processibility and toughened nature. The composition with 20 wt% bioresin exhibited improved impact strength to the tune of 60% as compared to virgin epoxy. Fracture toughness parameters critical stress intensity factor(KIC) and critical strain energy release rate(GIC) were evaluated using single edge notch bending test and demonstrated superior enhancement in toughness. Dynamic mechanical, thermal, thermo mechanical and fracture morphological analyses have been studied for bio-based epoxy blends. Curing kinetics has been evaluated through DSC analysis to investigate the effect of bioresin on cross-linking reaction of neat epoxy with triethylenetetramine as curing agent.     

Characterization of nanometer-scale porosity in reservoir carbonate rock by focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy

Sedimentary carbonate rocks are one of the principal porous structures in natural reservoirs of hydrocarbons such as crude oil and natural gas. Efficient hydrocarbon recovery requires an understanding of the carbonate pore structure, but the nature of sedimentary carbonate rock formation and the toughness of the material make proper analysis difficult. In this study, a novel preparation method was used on a dolomitic carbonate sample, and selected regions were then serially sectioned and imaged by focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. The resulting series of images were used to construct detailed three-dimensional representations of the microscopic pore spaces and analyze them quantitatively. We show for the first time the presence of nanometer-scale pores (50-300 nm) inside the solid dolomite matrix. We also show the degree of connectivity of these pores with micron-scale pores (2-5 μm) that were observed to further link with bulk pores outside the matrix.     

Phase transitions and relaxation characteristics of Quantum Magnets and Quantum Glasses

An overview is presented of the phase changes as well as certain relaxation characteristics of model quantum magnets, magnetic glasses and proton glasses. Although the systems considered are quite varied, they are connected by the common themes of tunneling, transverse Ising model, long-ranged interactions and above all, the occurrence of quantum phase transitions. Because the interactions are long-ranged, mean-field theory is eminently suitable for analyzing both the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties. Wherever pertinent, detailed comparisons with experimental data have been presented.     

Protein Renaturation in the Gelatin Film Formation Process

The protein collagen is found in gelatin films in its native (crystalline) phase or in its denaturated (amorphous) phase. The denaturated collagen in gelatin undergoes partial renaturation during the process of film formation from solution at room temperature. It is of particular interest to identify the timescale when the structure of the native collagen is restored in the process of the film formation. The present study demonstrates that using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and calorimetric methods in controlled stages of the film formation, it is possible to follow the renaturation transition of collagen during this process. The signature of the transition from the random coil to the collagen-like partial triple-helix structure is observed through the linewidth parameter of the NMR spectra which is further complemented by a differential scanning calorimetry study.     

Phase ordering dynamics in a gravitational field

We study the dynamics of phase ordering in the presence of an external gravitational field, namely a field that varies linearly with distance in one direction. Starting from microscopic considerations, we motivate reasonable phenomenological models for cases with nonconserved and conserved order parameter. We present detailed numerical results from our model for the case with conserved order parameter.     

Interaction of 2-aminopyrimidine with dichloro-[1-alkyl-2-(naphthylazo) imidazole]palladium(II) complexes : Kinetic and mechanistic studies

Background  

The anticancer properties of cisplatin and palladium(II) complexes stem from the ability of the cis-MCl₂ fragment to bind to DNA bases. However, cisplatin also interacts with non-cancer cells, mainly through bonding molecules containing -SH groups, resulting in nephrotoxicity. This has aroused interest in the design of palladium(II) complexes of improved activity and lower toxicity. The reaction of DNA bases with palladium(II) complexes with chelating N,N^/donors of the cis-MCl₂ configuration constitutes a model system that may help explore the mechanism of cisplatin's anticancer activity. Heterocyclic compounds are found widely in nature and are essential to many biochemical processes. Amongst these naturally occurring compounds, the most thoroughly studied is that of pyrimidine. This was one of the factors that encouraged this study into the kinetics and mechanism of the interaction of 2-aminopyrimidine (2-NH₂-Pym) with dichloro-{1-alkyl-2-(α-naphthylazo)imidazole}palladium(II) [Pd(α-NaiR)Cl₂, 1] and dichloro-{1-alkyl-2-(β-naphthylazo)imidazole}palladium(II) [Pd(β-NaiR)Cl₂, 2] complexes where the alkyl R = Me (a), Et (b), or Bz (c).     

The Power of Kinetic Inertness in Improving Platinum Anticancer Therapy by Circumventing Resistance and Ameliorating Nephrotoxicity

Even in the modern era of precision medicine and immunotherapy, chemotherapy with platinum (Pt) drugs remains among the most commonly prescribed medications against a variety of cancers. Unfortunately, the broad applicability of these blockbuster Pt drugs is severely limited by intrinsic and/or acquired resistance, and high systemic toxicity. Considering the strong interconnection between kinetic lability and undesired shortcomings of clinical Pt drugs, we rationally designed kinetically inert organometallic Pt based anticancer agents with a novel mechanism of action. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays, we demonstrated that the development of a remarkably efficacious but kinetically inert Pt anticancer agent is feasible. Along with exerting promising antitumor efficacy in Pt-sensitive as well as Pt-resistant tumors in vivo, our best candidate has the ability to mitigate the nephrotoxicity issue associated with cisplatin. In addition to demonstrating, for the first time, the power of kinetic inertness in improving the therapeutic benefits of Pt based anticancer therapy, we describe the detailed mechanism of action of our best kinetically inert antitumor agent. This study will certainly pave the way for designing the next generation of anticancer drugs for effective treatment of various cancers.