Acyclovir-Loaded Chitosan Microspheres for Gastroretention: Development and Evaluation

Mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres of acyclovir were prepared to prolong the gastric residence time using simple emulsification phase separation technique. The particle morphology of drug-loaded formulations was measured by SEM and the particle size distribution was determined using an optical microscope. The release profile of acyclovir from microspheres was examined in simulated gastric fluid (SGF pH 1.2). The particles were found to be discreet and spherical with the maximum particles of an average size (31.62 ± 4.64). The entrapment efficiency was found to be in the range of 40.24 to 67.29%. The concentration of the glutaraldehyde (25%v/v) as a cross-linker 2 ml and drug polymer ratio of 1:2 caused an increase in the entrapment efficiency and the extent of drug release. The optimized chitosan microspheres were found to possess good bioadhesion (79.89 ± 1.01%). The gamma-scintigraphy study showed the gastric residence time of more than 6 hours which revealed that optimized formulation could be a good choice for gastroretentive systems.     

[Sn(TPP)(BF4)2]: An efficient and reusable catalyst for chemoselective trimethylsilylation of alcohols and phenols with hexamethyldisilazane

Tin(IV)tetraphenylporphyrinato tetrafluoroborate, [Sn^IV(TPP)(BF₄)₂], was used as an efficient catalyst for trimethylsilylation of alcohols and phenols with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). High-valent [Sn^IV(TPP)(BF₄)₂] catalyzes trimethylsilylation of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as phenols, and the corresponding TMS-ethers were obtained in high yields and short reaction times at room temperature. While, under the same reaction conditions [Sn^IV(TPP)Cl₂] is less efficient to catalyze these reactions. One important feature of this catalyst is its ability in the chemoselective silylation of primary alcohols in the presence of secondary and tertiary alcohols and phenols. The catalyst was reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity.     

Size Reduction of Bulk Alumina for Mass Production of Fluorescent Nanoalumina by Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Humicola</Emphasis> sp.

In recent years, nanomaterials have made their way into hundreds of biomedical, life-sciences and technological applications. One such nanomaterial of extreme importance is nanoalumina (Al₂O₃ nanoparticles). This nanomaterial is an epitome of diversity with applications exhibited in the fields of catalysis, cosmetics, theranostics, energy generation, biosensors, drug-delivery, tumor-regression, etc. However, problems persist in terms of biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, reproducibility and mass-production of nanoalumina by the presently existent physical, chemical and biological methodologies. Herein, we for the first time are presenting a top-down biofabrication method by which size reduction of commercial bulk alumina/aluminum oxide (5 µm) into nanoalumina (5–25 nm) is carried out by a thermophilic fungus Humicola sp. within 96 h of reaction at just 50 °C. The so-formed nanoalumina is highly stable, water dispersible, fluorescent and natural protein capped; characterization engaged standard techniques. These nanoparticles exhibit anti-bacterial properties against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis strain and may serve as broad spectrum bactericidal agents. We believe that our novel top-down approach may be extensively used in the facile, inexpensive, eco-friendly and reliable fabrication of abundant quantities of nanomaterials of different chemical compositions, sizes and shapes with better control and predictability over the properties as derived from their substrates. The mechanistic aspect of said protocol is underway.     

A new confinement potential in spherical quantum dots: Modified Gaussian potential

A new confinement potential for spherical quantum dots, called the modified Gaussian potential (MGP), is studied. In the present work, the following problems are investigated within the effective-mass approximation: (i) the one-electron energy spectra, (ii) wave functions, (iii) the problem of existence of a bound electron state, and (iv) the binding energy of center and off-center hydrogenic donor impurities. For zero angular momentum (l=0)$(l=0)$, the new confinement potential is sufficiently flexible to obtain analytically the spectral energy and wave functions. The results obtained from the present work show that (i) the new potential is suitable for predicting the spectral energy and wave functions, and (ii) the geometrical sizes of the quantum dot play the important roles on the energy levels, wave functions, the binding energy, and the existence of a bound electron state.     

Ginsenoside Rb1 Mitigates Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endometritis through TLR4-Mediated NF-κB Pathway

Endometritis is the inflammatory response of the endometrial lining of the uterus and is associated with low conception rates, early embryonic mortality, and prolonged inter-calving intervals, and thus poses huge economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GnRb1) is a natural compound obtained from the roots of Panax ginseng, having several pharmacological and biological properties. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of GnRb1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged endometritis through the TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway has not yet been researched. This study was planned to evaluate the mechanisms of how GnRb1 rescues LPS-induced endometritis. In the present research, histopathological findings revealed that GnRb1 ameliorated LPS-triggered uterine injury. The ELISA and RT-qPCR assay findings indicated that GnRb1 suppressed the expression level of pro-inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and boosted the level of anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine. Furthermore, the molecular study suggested that GnRb1 attenuated TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling. The results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of GnRb1 in the mouse model of LPS-triggered endometritis via the inhibition of the TLR4-associated NF-κB pathway. Taken together, this study provides a baseline for the protective effect of GnRb1 to treat endometritis in both humans and animals.     

Interaction properties of the periodic and step-like solutions of the double-Sine-Gordon equation

The periodic and step-like solutions of the double-Sine-Gordon equation are investigated, with different initial conditions and for various values of the potential parameter epsilon. We plot energy and force diagrams, as functions of the inter-soliton distance for such solutions. This allows us to consider our system as an interacting many-body system in 1+1 dimension. We therefore plot state diagrams (pressure vs. average density) for step-like as well as periodic solutions. Step-like solutions are shown to behave similarly to their counterparts in the Sine-Gordon system. However, periodic solutions show a fundamentally different behavior as the parameter epsilon is increased. We show that two distinct phases of periodic solutions exist which exhibit manifestly different behavior. Response functions for these phases are shown to behave differently, joining at an apparent phase transition point.     

Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion in a MOF with Acceptor-Filled Channels

Photon upconversion has enjoyed increased interest in the last years due to its high potential for solar-energy harvesting and bioimaging. A challenge for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) processes is to realize these features in solid materials without undesired phase segregation and detrimental dye aggregation. To achieve this, we combine a palladium porphyrin sensitizer and a 9,10-diphenylanthracene annihilator within a crystalline mesoporous metal–organic framework using an inverted design. In this modular TTA system, the framework walls constitute the fixed sensitizer, while caprylic acid coats the channels providing a solventlike environment for the mobile annihilator in the channels. The resulting solid material shows green-to-blue delayed upconverted emission with a luminescence lifetime of 373±5 μs, a threshold value of 329 mW cm⁻² and a triplet–triplet energy transfer efficiency of 82 %. The versatile design allows straightforward changing of the acceptor amount and type.     

LiSn2(PO4)3-based polymer-in-ceramic composite electrolyte with high ionic conductivity for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, fabrication and electrochemical behavior of polymer-in-ceramic composite electrolytes based on lithium-ion conducting triclinic LiSn2(PO4)3...