In vivo imaging of hydrogen peroxide with chemiluminescent nanoparticles

The overproduction of hydrogen peroxide is implicated in the development of numerous diseases and there is currently great interest in developing contrast agents that can image hydrogen peroxide in vivo. In this report, we demonstrate that nanoparticles formulated from peroxalate esters and fluorescent dyes can image hydrogen peroxide in vivo with high specificity and sensitivity. The peroxalate nanoparticles image hydrogen peroxide by undergoing a three-component chemiluminescent reaction between hydrogen peroxide, peroxalate esters and fluorescent dyes. The peroxalate nanoparticles have several attractive properties for in vivo imaging, such as tunable wavelength emission (460-630 nm), nanomolar sensitivity for hydrogen peroxide and excellent specificity for hydrogen peroxide over other reactive oxygen species. The peroxalate nanoparticles were capable of imaging hydrogen peroxide in the peritoneal cavity of mice during a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response. We anticipate numerous applications of peroxalate nanoparticles for in vivo imaging of hydrogen peroxide, given their high specificity and sensitivity and deep-tissue-imaging capability.     

Molecular weight (M n) and functionality effects on CUP formation and stability

The formation of colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles from single polymer strands was investigated as a function of molecular weight. The CUP particle size was correlated with the absolute molecular weight and its distribution. The characteristics of the particles were evaluated with respect to viscosity, acid number, size distribution, and stability. The particle size varied from less than 3 nm to above 8 nm representing polymers with molecular weight in the range of 3000–153,000. Lower molecular weight polymers were found to be unstable. Particle size measurements using dynamic light scattering technique indicated a normal distribution which corresponded to the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer. The statistical distribution of the acid groups in the polymer chains played a significant role in the stability of low molecular weight polymers.     

SPRERI experience on holistic approach to utilize all parts of Jatropha curcas fruit for energy

Freshly harvested Jatropha dried fruit contains about 35–40% shell and 60–65% seed (by weight). The fruits are 2.5 cm long, ovoid, black and have 2–3 halves. It has nearly 400–425 fruits per kg and 1580–1600 seed per kg weight. Weight of 100 seeds is about 63 g. Jatropha shells are available after de-shelling of the Jatropha fruit while Jatropha seed husks are available after decortications of Jatropha seed for oil extraction. Seed contains about 40–42% husk/hull and 58–60% kernels. The kernels have about 50% oil. If the oil is extracted by solvent method the oil recovery is more than 95% but in mechanical expeller the oil recovery is about 85% only. If 100 kg of seed is expelled by expeller it will give about 28–30 kg oil. While lot of emphasis is being given on use of bio-diesel, which is only about 17–18% of the dry fruit, not much attention is being given to utilize other components of fruit for energy purposes.At SPRERI holistic approach has been taken to utilize all components of the Jatropha fruit—shell for combustion, hull/husk for gasification, oil and bio-diesel for running CI engines, cake for production of biogas and spent slurry as manure and it has been found that all components of the Jatropha curcas fruit can be utilized efficiently for energy purposes. This paper gives detailed information on the use of different components of J. curcas fruit for energy purposes.     

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by petals extract of Rosa indica L., its formulation as nail paint and evaluation of antifungal activity against fungi causing onychomycosis

Aim: The authors report the biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) from the petals extract of Rosa indica L. (rose). Its efficacy was evaluated against two dermatophytes: namely: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis which cause onychomycosis. The activity of antibiotics against the tested dermatophytes was enhanced, when evaluated in combination with ZnO‐NPs. Methods and results: The synthesised ZnO‐NPs were preliminary detected by using ultraviolet UV visible spectroscopy, which showed specific absorbance. The ZnO‐NPs were further characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction and Zetasizer. Moreover, nanoparticles containing nail paint (nanopaint) was formulated and its antifungal activity was also assessed against T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. ZnO‐NPs and formulated nanopaint containing ZnO‐NPs, both showed significant antifungal activity. The maximum activity was noted against M. canis and lesser against T. mentagrophytes. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO‐NPs was also determined against the dermatophytes causing onychomycosis infection. Conclusion: ZnO‐NPs can be utilised as a potential antifungal agent for the treatment of onychomycosis after more experimental trials.Inspec keywords: diseases, zinc compounds, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, antibacterial activity, microorganisms, nanomedicine, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, biomedical materials, patient treatmentOther keywords: zinc oxide nanoparticle biosynthesis, Rosa indica L petals extract, nail paint, antifungal activity evaluation, dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, antibiotics activity, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, zetasizer, antifungal agent, onychomycosis treatment     

Gold nanorods mediated controlled release of doxorubicin: nano-needles for efficient drug delivery

Use of cysteamine hydrochloride (Cys-HCl) protected gold nanorods (GNRs) as efficient carrier of widely used anti-cancer drug doxorubicin using folic acid as navigational molecule is presented in this work. GNRs were found to have excellent drug loading capacity of >97 %. A detailed comprehension of in vitro drug release profile under ideal physiological condition was found to obey 1st order kinetics at pH 6.8, 5.3 and 7.2, an ideal milieu for drug delivery to solid tumours.     

Biogenic copper nanoparticles promote the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Environmental pollution and toxicity have been increasing due to the overuse of chemical fertilisers, which has encouraged nanotechnologists to develop eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers. The authors demonstrated the effect of biogenic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). The UV–visible analysis showed absorbance at 615 nm. Nanoparticle tracking and analysis revealed particle concentration of 2.18 × 10⁸ particles/ml, with an average size of 33 nm. Zeta potential was found to be −16.7 mV, which showed stability. X‐ray diffraction pattern depicted the face centred cubic structure of CuNPs; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the capping due to acidic groups, and transmission electron micrograph showed nanoparticles with size 20–30 nm. The effect of CuNPs (20 ppm) on plant growth was studied, for the absorption of CuNPs by plants on photosynthesis, which was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence using Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser. CuNPs treatment showed a remarkable increase in height, root length, fresh and dry weights and performance index of seedlings. The overall growth of plants treated with CuNPs after 4 weeks was recorded. The results revealed that inoculation of CuNPs contribute growth and development of pigeon pea due to growth promoting activity of CuNPs.Inspec keywords: pollution, toxicology, nanotechnology, cropsOther keywords: biogenic copper nanoparticles, pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan L, environmental pollution, toxicity, chemical fertilisers, nanotechnologists, eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers, cash crop, UV‐visible analysis, nanoparticle tracking, zeta potential, X‐ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, acidic groups, transmission electron micrograph, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, fluorescence, Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser, performance index     

Enhanced Dissolution of Ibuprofen Using Solid Dispersion with Polyethylene Glycol 20000

To improve its dissolution, ibuprofen solid dispersions (SDs) were prepared in a relatively easy and simple manner, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluated for solubility and in vitro drug release. Loss of individual surface properties during melting and re-solidification as revealed by SEM micrographs indicated the formation of effective SDs. Absence or shifting toward the lower melting temperature of the drug peak in SDs in DSC study indicated the possibilities of drug–polymer interactions. FTIR spectra showed the presence of drug crystalline in SDs. The effect of improved dissolution on the oral absorption of ibuprofen in rats was also studied. Quicker release of ibuprofen from SDs in rat intestine resulted in a significant increase in AUC and C_max, and a significant decrease in T_max over pure ibuprofen. Preliminary results from this study suggested that the preparation of fast dissolving ibuprofen SDs by low-temperature melting method using polyethylene glycol 20000 as a meltable hydrophilic polymer carrier could be a promising approach to improve solubility, dissolution, and absorption rate of ibuprofen.     

Microwave-irradiated novel mesoporous nickel oxide carbon nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitor application

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The present work accentuates the aspects of electrochemical analysis determined by cyclic voltammeter (CV), especially enhancement in...