Graphene as a nanocarrier for tamoxifen induces apoptosis in transformed cancer cell lines of different origins

A cationic amphiphile, cholest-5en-3β-oxyethyl pyridinium bromide (PY(+) -Chol), is able to efficiently disperse exfoliated graphene (GR) in water by the physical adsorption of PY(+) -Chol on the surface of GR to form stable, dark aqueous suspensions at room temperature. The GR-PY(+) -Chol suspension can then be used to solubilize Tamoxifen Citrate (TmC), a breast cancer drug, in water. The resulting TmC-GR-PY(+) -Chol is stable for a long time without any precipitation. Fluorescence emission and UV absorption spectra indicate the existence of noncovalent interactions between TmC, GR, and PY(+) -Chol in these suspensions. Electron microscopy shows the existence of segregated GR sheets and TmC 'ribbons' in the composite suspensions. Atomic force microscopy indicates the presence of 'extended' structures of GR-PY(+) -Chol, which grows wider in the presence of TmC. The slow time-dependent release of TmC is noticed in a reconstituted cell culture medium, a property useful as a drug carrier. TmC-GR-PY(+) -Chol selectively enhanced the cell death (apoptosis) of the transformed cancer cells compared to normal cells. This potency is found to be true for a wide range of transformed cancer cells viz. HeLa, A549, ras oncogene-transformed NIH3T3, HepG2, MDA-MB231, MCF-7, and HEK293T compared to the normal cell HEK293 in vitro. Confocal microscopy confirmed the high efficiency of TmC-GR-PY(+) -Chol in delivering the drug to the cells, compared to the suspensions devoid of GR.     

Preparation and characterization of quercetin and rutin cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

The objective of the present study is to prepare and characterize cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of quercetin and rutin to improve their aqueous solubility and dissolution properties. Inclusion complexes of quercetin and rutin with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and hydroxyl propyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) were prepared by kneading and coevaporation methods. Characterization of inclusion complexes was done by phase solubility analysis and was supported by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. Inclusion complexes exhibited higher rates of dissolution than the corresponding physical mixtures and pure drug. Higher dissolution rates were observed with HP-beta-CD kneaded complexes in comparison to the products with beta-CD.     

Mobile-Based Self-Monitoring for Preventing Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension from Cardiovascular Complication

Currently, there is less attention to the prevention of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension from cardiovascular complication, although it is the significant cause of death for these patients worldwide. To be prevented from this complication, these patients should develop their self-monitoring skills along with their healthcare journey. Consequently, this paper aims to provide an efficient mobile-based self-monitoring that can encourage patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension to improve their health status. The distinctive point of the proposed mobile application is the trend progression module for demonstrating the progression of four health statuses for the patients. This trend progression is modeled with a fuzzy logic-based method. The rules are generated based on clinical data, lifestyle data, and experience of healthcare professionals. There are eleven healthcare professionals involved in this paper. The experiment with one hundred twenty-one patients shows that the proposed mobile application provides 92% trend progression accuracy compared with healthcare professionals’ decisions. The developed mobile application obtains the function satisfaction and performance satisfaction in the “strongly satisfied” level. Besides, the developed mobile application can encourage 85% of patients to improve their health statuses. It can be seen that this paper is a new aspect of encouraging patients to concern more about the improvement of their health statuses anywhere and anytime.

     

BODIPY‐Appended 2‐(2‐Pyridyl)benzimidazole Platinum(II) Catecholates for Mitochondria‐Targeted Photocytotoxicity

Platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(L)(cat)] ( 1 and 2 ), in which H₂cat is catechol and L represents two 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole ligands with 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) pendants, were synthesized to achieve mitochondria‐targeted photocytotoxicity. The complexes showed strong absorptions in the range λ=510–540 nm. Complex 1 exhibited intense emission at λ=525 nm in 1 % DMSO/water solution (fluorescence quantum yield of 0.06). Nanosecond transient absorption spectral features indicated an enhanced population of the triplet excited state in di‐iodinated complex 2 . The generation of singlet oxygen by complex 2 upon exposure to visible light, as evidenced from experiments with 1,3‐diphenylisobenzofuran, is suitable for photodynamic therapy because of the remarkable photosensitizing ability. The complexes resulted in excellent photocytotoxicity in HaCaT cells (half maximal inhibitory concentration IC₅₀≈3 μm , λ=400–700 nm, light dose=10 J cm^?2), but they remained non‐toxic in the dark (IC₅₀>100 μm ). Confocal microscopy images of 1 and Pt estimation from isolated mitochondria showed colocalization of the complexes in the mitochondria. Complex 2 displayed generation of reactive oxygen species induced by visible light, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis.     

Reduction-Triggered Doxorubicin Delivery by Self-Assembled Nanospheres of Lipoylated Caffeine

This study reports a new amphiphilic bioconjugate (CAFF-LA) derived from the lipoylation of a hydroxyethyl derivative of caffeine. In water, CAFF-LA self-assembles into nanospheres with an average size of 155 nm, as evidenced from dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy studies. The nanospheres are stable in serum and could be disintegrated upon exposure to the reducing environment of dithiothreitol (DTT; 10 mM) and glutathione (GSH; 10 mM). These nanospheres easily encapsulate the chemotherapy medication, doxorubicin (DOX), and demonstrate an efficacious transport into doxorubicin-resistant cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, wherein a marked induction in apoptosis and significantly lower IC₅₀ have been observed when compared to that of free drug. The in vitro assessment of cell viability and hemocompatibility present these nanospheres as potentially safe and efficient intracellular reduction stimulus-responsive drug-delivery vehicles.     

Comparative efficacy of pomegranate juice, pomegranate rind powder extract and BHT as antioxidants in cooked chicken patties

A study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice (PJ), rind powder extract (RP) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) in cooked chicken patties during refrigerated storage. Freshly minced chicken meats were assigned to one of the following four treatments: control (meat treated with no antioxidants); 10 mg equivalent PJ phenolics per 100 g meat; 10 mg equivalent RP phenolics per 100 g meat; 10 mg BHT per 100 g meat. The patties formed from the minced meats were grilled for 20 min and stored under aerobically at 4 °C for 15 days. Total phenolic content (as tannic acid equivalent) significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 152 in control to 195 and 224 μg/g in PJ and RP patties. Addition of PJ or RP did not affect any of the sensory attributes. The TBARS values were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 1.272 in control patties to 0.896, 0.763 and 0.203 mg malonaldehyde per kg samples in BHT, PJ and RP patties, respectively. The RP treatment substantially inhibited (P < 0.01) lipid oxidation in cooked chicken patties to a much greater extent than BHT treatment. The PJ or RP at a level of 10 mg equivalent phenolics/100 g meat would be sufficient to protect chicken patties against oxidative rancidity for periods longer than the most commonly used synthetic antioxidant like BHT.     

Effect of hot-boned pork on the quality of hurdle treated pork sausages during ambient temperature (37 ± 1 °C) storage

The study was aimed at evaluating the suitability of hot-boned pork and pork fat for processing shelf-stable pork sausages using hurdle technology and the different hurdles incorporated were low pH, low water activity, dipping in potassium sorbate solution, vacuum-packaging and post-package reheating. Emulsion stability and cooking yield did not Izatnagardiffer significantly among hot- and cold-processed sausages. Despite the same emulsion pH, the sausages from hot-boned pork had significantly higher fat content. Colour and texture profiles of pork sausages were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by hot processing. During storage at ambient temperature (37 ± 1 °C), various physico-chemical characteristics, namely pH, TBARS and tyrosine values, of hot- and cold-processed sausages, did not differ. Hot-processing markedly increased the total plate counts of the sausages, but a significant difference was absent for anaerobic counts between treatments at any particular storage interval. Cold-processed sausages had the higher lactobacillus counts throughout the storage period. Sensory evaluation revealed that hurdle-treated pork sausages from hot-boned pork were equally suitable as those from cold-boned pork up to day 6 at ambient temperature.     

Love, work, and changes in extraversion and neuroticism over time.

The present study examined individual differences in change in extraversion, neuroticism, and work and relationship satisfaction. Of particular interest were the correlations between changes. Data were from the Victorian Quality of Life Panel Study (B. Headey & A. Wearing, 1989, 1992), in which an overall 1,130 individuals participated (ages 16 to 70). Respondents were assessed every 2 years from 1981 to 1989. Four major findings emerged. (a) There were significant individual differences in changes in extraversion and neuroticism. (b) Change was not limited to young adulthood. (c) Development was systematic in that increased work and relationship satisfaction was associated with decreases in neuroticism and increases in extraversion over time; on average, the magnitude of the relation between changes in work and relationship satisfaction and traits was .40. (d) Cross-lagged models indicated traits had a greater influence on role satisfaction; however, marginal support emerged for work satisfaction leading to increased extraversion. Implications of correlated change are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of quality and shelf life of buffalo meat patties stored at refrigeration temperature

Scientific investigation on the quality changes of processed meat products will boost and sustain the meat production and utilization in buffalo abundant countries. A programme was undertaken to compare the quality of buffalo meat patties made from intensively reared young male, semi extensively reared spent male and female groups and stored at refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1 °C). Buffalo meat patties were evaluated for shelf life attributes by analysing the changes in physicochemical, microbiological and sensory attributes. The overall acceptability of patties was better in spent buffalo group than young male group. Increasing storage time resulted in significantly higher pH, TBARS, total aerobic mesophils, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and psychrophilic counts but decreased appearance, flavour, juiciness, tenderness, connective tissue residue and overall acceptability scores of buffalo meat patties. The patties were well acceptable within 20 days in young male group and 25 days in spent buffalo group respectively during refrigerator storage.