Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system multi-objective optimization using the genetic algorithm/singular value decomposition method for modelling the discharge coefficient in rectangular sharp-crested side weirs

In the present article, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is employed to model the discharge coefficient in rectangular sharp-crested side weirs. The genetic algorithm (GA) is used for the optimum selection of membership functions, while the singular value decomposition (SVD) method helps in computing the linear parameters of the ANFIS results section (GA/SVD-ANFIS). The effect of each dimensionless parameter on discharge coefficient prediction is examined in five different models to conduct sensitivity analysis by applying the above-mentioned dimensionless parameters. Two different sets of experimental data are utilized to examine the models and obtain the best model. The study results indicate that the model designed through GA/SVD-ANFIS predicts the discharge coefficient with a good level of accuracy (mean absolute percentage error?=?3.362 and root mean square error?=?0.027). Moreover, comparing this method with existing equations and the multi-layer perceptron–artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) indicates that the GA/SVD-ANFIS method has superior performance in simulating the discharge coefficient of side weirs.     

Enhancement of in vitro antitumour activity of epirubicin in HER2+ breast cancer cells using immunoliposome formulation

Epirubicin (EPI) is one of the potent breast cancer (BC) chemotherapeutic agents, but its adverse effects limit its efficacy. Herein, EPI was selected to be loaded in liposomal carrier, which has been targeted by a monoclonal antibody, Herceptin. The preparation process of liposomes was a modified ethanol injection method followed by Herceptin conjugation. The in vitro cell toxicity and cellular uptake of optimum formulation against HER2+ and HER2− cancer cell lines were evaluated. The results showed that the drug loading (DL%) and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of liposome preparation method yielded 30.62% ± 0.49% and 62.39% ± 8.75%, respectively. The average size of naked liposomes (EPI‐Lipo) and immunoliposomes (EPI‐Lipo‐mAb) was 234 ± 9.86 and 257.26 ± 6.25 nm, with a relatively monodisperse distribution, which was confirmed by SEM micrographs. The release kinetic followed Higuchi model for both naked and immunoliposomes. In vitro cytotoxicity study on three different BC cell lines including BT‐20, MDA‐MB‐453 and MCF‐7 demonstrated higher toxicity of EPI in the Herceptin conjugated form (EPI‐Lipo‐mAb) in comparison with the free EPI and EPI‐Lipo in HER2 overexpressing cell line. In addition, the cellular uptake study showed a higher uptake of immunoliposomes by MCF‐7 cells in comparison with naked liposomes. In conclusion, these data show that the targeted delivery of EPI to breast cancer cells can be achieved by EPI‐Lipo‐mAb in vitro, and this strategy could be used for breast cancer therapy with further studies.     

Separation and preconcentration of cadmium ions using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by methyltrioctylammonium chloride

A simple and selective method for the determination of cadmium in water samples by FAAS after solid phase extraction has been developed. The method is based on the sorption of cadmium as CdI(4)(2-) on octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by cationic surfactant of methyltrioctylammonium chloride in the pH range of 1-8. The sorbed cadmium is then eluted with 10ml of 1moll(-1) nitric acid in ethanol and is measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influence of flow rates of eluent and sample solution, iodide concentration and amount of surfactant in retention and elution of cadmium from disks was also investigated. A preconcentration factor of 100 was achieved by passing 1000ml of sample through the membrane disk. The limit of detection (LOD) of cadmium was found to be 0.014ngml(-1). Precision at 2.5mugl(-1) was 1.2% (n=8). The method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in some natural water samples. The accuracy was assessed through recovery experiment, independent analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and analysis of certified reference waters.     

Synthesis and characterization of paclitaxel-imprinted nanoparticles for recognition and controlled release of an anticancer drug

Imprinted nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers have been considered because owing to their cross-linked network, they act as the drug reservoir for controlled release. In this study, selective MIPs nanoparticles of paclitaxel (PTX) were successfully developed for application in the biological molecular recognition and in the design of new anticancer drug delivery systems. The MIPs nanoparticles prepared by miniemulsion polymerization technique using methacrylic acid (MAA) and methyl methacrylate as non-covalent functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as cross-linker agent, azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator, and hexadecane as hydrophobic agent. In order to prepare of MIP nanoparticles, the synthesis conditions and effective parameters, such as: cross-linker agent, different molar ratios of template–functional monomer–cross-linker agent, were investigated. In addition, the effect of different molar ratios of template and monomers on polymers binding and morphology were characterized. Structure and thermal properties of MIPs were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Imprinted nanoparticles showed significant drug loading and encapsulation efficiency, 17.8 and 100 %, respectively. The particle size of MIP nanoparticles varies between 187 and 726 nm, according the SEM images and laser light scattering data. The imprinted nanoparticles showed satisfactory affinity (84 %) to PTX with a binding of 12 times higher than non-imprinted nanoparticles in biological samples when MAA and TRIM were used as functional and cross-linker monomer, respectively. Results from release experiments of MIPs showed a very slow and controlled release of PTX which would be helpful for sustained drug delivery.     

Synthesis of phosphorus doped carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition

Phosphorous-doped carbon nanotubes (PCNTs) was prepared via two-step methodology employing chemical vapor deposition, by using available starting materials and catalyst. First, CNTs was produced from acetylene gas at 750 ºC and then, PCNTs have been prepared with total yield of 44% by recooking of the prepared CNT with Ph₃P at 600 ºC. The product was characterized with FESEM, TEM and EDS analyses, which confirmed its nanotube shape and the presence of phosphorous atom. The high thermal stability of the product was obtained from TGA analysis, showing only 16.5% weight loss up to 890 ºC. The Raman spectrum of the product showed the I_D/I_G ration equal to 0.84. Moreover, the catalytic potency of the product has been examined in ORR electrochemical reaction using CV and LSV diagrams. The results confirmed appropriate catalytic activity and high stability of the product for this process.