Microparticles containing erlotinib-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with sensitizing mutations in the exons 18–21 of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene show increased kinase activity of EGFR. Hence, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as erlotinib (ETB) have commonly been used as the second line therapeutic option for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC. While the ETB is available as an oral dosage form, the local delivery of this TKI to the diseased cells of the lung may ameliorate its therapeutic impacts. In the current study, we report on the development of ETB-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) based formulation of dry powder inhaler (ETB-SLN DPI). ETB-SLNs were formulated using designated amount of compritol/poloxamer 407. The engineered ETB-SLNs showed sub-100?nm spherical shape with an encapsulation efficiency of 78.21%. MTT assay and DAPI staining revealed that the ETB-SLNs enhanced the cytotoxicity of cargo drug molecules in the human alveolar adenocarcinoma epithelial A549 cells as a model for NSCLC. To attain the ETB-SLN DPI, the ETB-SLNs were efficiently spray dried into microparticles (1–5?μm) along with mannitol. The ETB-SLN DPI powder displayed suitable flowability and aerodynamic traits. The Carr's Index, Hausner ratio and Next Generation Impactor (NGI) analyses confirmed deep inhalation pattern of the formulation. Based on these findings, we propose the ETB-SLN DPI as a promising treatment modality for the NSCLC patients.     

Chemical composition,antioxidative capacity and interactive antimicrobial potency of Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil and antimicrobial agents against selected food‐related microorganisms

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil. The oil was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty‐eight constituents were identified. The oxygenated monoterpenes (78.22%) were the principal compound group. Among them, carvacrol (53.86%) and thymol (19.84%) were the most abundant constituents. The oil exhibited an acceptable antimicrobial activity against most of the tested microorganisms. The checkerboard method was applied to determine fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs) to interpret the synergetic, additive, indifference or antagonistic interactions between essential oil and each of antimicrobials (lysozyme, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole and amphotericin B) against food‐related microorganisms. The synergetic phenomenon (FICI ≤ 0.5) was observed in majority of combinations with the exception of the essential oil and lysozyme. The oil exhibited good 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 28.71 μg mL^?1). Also, the oil had strong antioxidative activity in β‐carotene‐linoleic acid assay relative antioxidant activity (RAA% = 95.45). This study demonstrated that the essential oil has beneficial biological properties and its simultaneous application with standard antimicrobials against food‐related microorganisms result in reduction in inhibitory doses of the antimicrobials in vitro.     

Dry Etching with Nanoparticles: Formation of High Aspect‐Ratio Pores and Channels Using Magnetic Gold Nanoclusters

Methods for generating nanopores in substrates typically involve one or more wet‐etching steps. Here a fundamentally different approach to produce nanopores in sheet substrates under dry, ambient conditions, using nanosecond‐pulsed laser irradiation and magnetic gold nanoclusters (MGNCs) as the etching agents is described. Thermoplastic films (50–75 µm thickness) are coated with MGNCs then exposed to laser pulses with a coaxial magnetic field gradient, resulting in high‐aspect ratio channels with tapered cross sections as characterized by confocal fluorescence tomography. The dry‐etching process is applicable to a wide variety of substrates ranging from fluoropolymers to borosilicate glass, with etch rates in excess of 1 µm s^–1. Finite‐element modeling suggests that the absorption of laser pulses by MGNCs can produce temperature spikes of nearly 1000 °C, which is sufficient for generating photoacoustic responses that can drive particles into the medium, guided by magnetomotive force.     

Characterization of a New Structured Packing by Computational Fluid Dynamics

The novel wire gauze structured packing PACK‐1300Y with high specific surface area was characterized by computational fluid dynamics. The main features of PACK‐1300Y were investigated including the dry and wet pressure drop as well as the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP). Moreover, the flow structure of this packing was described via numerical simulations. To evaluate the amount of HETP and dry and wet pressure drop, 3D computational fluid dynamic modeling with respect to the Eulerian‐Eulerian multiphase approach was applied. The average relative errors were determined between the findings achieved from computational fluid dynamic simulation and experimental findings for mass transfer efficiency and wet and dry pressure drop, respectively.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over vanadium catalyst supported on nano-HZSM-5

Vanadium catalyst supported on nano-HZSM-5 was utilized in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene. The physicochemical properties of the elaborated catalysts were investigated by means of XRD, SEM, FTIR spectra, UV-vis, Raman, NH₃-TPD and H₂-TPR techniques. The effect of vanadium loading (2–10 wt %), temperature (500–600°C) and oxygen to propane ratio (0.5–1.5) on conversion, propylene and ethylene selectivity was studied using full factorial design of experiments. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mathematical relationship of conversion, propylene and ethylene selectivity on three independent variables approximated by a second-order quadratic model. Two-dimensional contour plots were drawn to investigate the effect of independent variables and their interaction on the chosen responses. The function of temperature, oxygen to propane ratio and vanadium content such as acidity and reducibility on the performance of supported vanadium catalysts were discussed.     

Performance and exhaust emission characteristics of a CI engine fueled with diesel-nitrogenated additives

In present work the effects of nitromethane (NM) and nitroethane (NE) as nitrogenated additives on physical properties, combustion performance, and emission of diesel fuel, were studied. Nitrogenated additives have high oxygen content and are considered as oxygenated additives. These additives were blended with diesel fuel, in 1/9 volume ratio. The experimental study was carried out on ECE R-96 8-modes cycle. The result showed that the use of additives reduces viscosity but increases cetane index. In addition, nitrogenated additives increased brake thermal efficiency (BTE) while reduced certain exhaust emissions. Results of AVL SPC 472_MCE97 analysis showed that the addition of NE can reduce the overall smoke value by 44%. The smoke emission decreased at the maximum torque speed (1500 rpm) rather than at the rated power speed (2200 rpm).