Development and in vitro evaluation of oxytetracycline‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles for oral delivery against anaplasmosis

Poly‐methyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer with remarkable properties and merits are being preferred in various biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, non‐toxicity and cost effectiveness. In this investigation, oxytetracycline‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles were prepared using nano‐precipitation method for the treatment of anaplasmosis. The prepared nanoparticles were characterised using dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mean average diameter of the nanoparticles ranged between 190–240 nm and zeta potential was found to be −19 mV. The drug loading capacity and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles was found varied between 33.7–62.2% and 40.5–60.0%. The in vitro drug release profile exhibited a biphasic phenomenon indicating controlled drug release. The uptake of coumarin‐6(C‐6)‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf 3D7) culture model was studied. The preferential uptake of C‐6‐loaded nanoparticles by the Plasmodium infected erythrocytes in comparison with the uninfected erythrocytes was observed under fluorescence microscopy. These findings suggest that oxytetracycline‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles were found to be an effective oral delivery vehicle and an alternative pharmaceutical formulation in anaplasmosis treatment, too.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, nanomedicine, conducting polymers, microorganisms, cellular biophysics, toxicology, drug delivery systems, light scattering, atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, bloodOther keywords: in vitro evaluation, oxytetracycline‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles, anaplasmosis, polymethyl methacrylate polymer, biocompatibility, toxicity, oxytetracycline‐nanoparticles, nanoprecipitation method, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, AFM, differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, biphasic phenomenon, coumarin‐6(C‐6)‐loaded PMMA nanoparticles, plasmodium falciparum culture model, preferential uptake, plasmodium infected erythrocytes, fluorescence microscopy, oral delivery vehicle, anaplasmosis treatment, size 190 nm to 240 nm     

Investigation of thermoelectric power in indium sesquitelluride(In2Te3) thin films

Polycrystalline and stoichiometric thin films of indium sesquitelluride (In₂Te₃) belonging to the -phase were prepared on glass substrates by flash evaporation technique at a constant temperature of 473 K. The thermoelectric power of these p-type -In₂Te₃ thin films was determined as a function of temperature of the hot end of the films and also of film thickness. It was found that the thermoelectric power is nearly independent of temperature and a possible reason for this behavior has been given. The dependence of the thermoelectric power on the reciprocal thickness of the films has also been discussed on the basis of the size effect theories.     

Cyclopropanation of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters using diazomethane and palladium (II) acetate

Cyclopropanation of methyl esters of 10-undecenoic, oleic, elaidic, erucic,trans-2-docosenoic and a mixture of hydnocarpic and chaulmoogric acids was effected using diazomethane in the presence of palladium (II) acetate as catalyst. The products were isolated by silver ion thin-layer chromatography and characterized by infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometric techniques. Terminally unsaturated, α, β-unsaturated and cyclopentene fatty acid esters were found to be more reactive than elaidate which in turn was more reactive than oleate. The reaction proceeds stereospecifically under milder conditions in a shorter time than with diiodomethane and zinc-copper couple.     

Analysis of steady free convection from an axisymmetric heat-generating body embedded in a semi-infinite porous medium

An analysis is presented for the steady state free convective flow and heat transfer from an axisymmetric heat-generating body that is embedded in a fluid-saturated, semi-infinite, porous medium. The porous medium is assumed to be rigid, homogeneous and isotropic, and be in thermal equilibrium with the fluid. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible, with the density changes contributing only towards the buoyancy forces via the Boussinesq approximation. The governing equations for the fluid consist of the equation of continuity, Darcy's law and the equation of energy. After introducing the stream function concept, the equations governing the stream function and pressure are derived. Using the non-dimensional variables, the non-dimensional equations governing the non-dimensional forms of the temperature, stream function and pressure are dervied and the appropriate boundary conditions are stated. The mathematical formulation contains two parameters; D, the non-dimensional depth of the body from the surface of the porous medium, and a product Raθ_s of Rayleigh number (Ra) and the non-dimensional surface temperature of the body (θ_s). The Galerkin finite element method, with linear, isoparametric, quadrilateral elements, is used to reduce the mathematical formulation into a set of algebraic equations. The expressions to calculate the non-dimensional surface temperature and Nusselt number of the body, and the non-dimensional velocity of the fluid, are derived. A computer code has been developed to solve the algebraic equations, using Gauss elimination procedure, in a banded matrix form. The computer code, in addition to the non-dimensional temperature, stream function and pressure, calculates the isothermal lines, non-dimensional surface temperature of the body, Nusselt number of the body, velocity field and isobars. To demonstrate the application of the code, a spherical heat-generating body is considered as an example. Numerical results are obtained for D = 3 and 6, and Raθ_s = 0.001, 0.1, 1 and 5, and presented.     

New topical medications in the treatment of glaucoma

1. Latanoprost is not preferred for use in inflammatory glaucoma. 2. Brimonidine acts by reducing the aqueous inflow and promotes uveoscleral outflow. 3. Dorzolamide causes a moderate reduction of intraocular pressure, but is relatively safe.     

An approach to the displacement analysis of spatial mechanisms—II : Mechanisms with High Degree Equations

The method of displacement analysis introduced in Part I of the work is shown applied here to 5- and 6-link mechanisms that yield 8th degree input-output equations. The derivation for 6-link 5R-C mechanisms is also indicated, to the extent of showing that extraneous roots are avoided.     

Analysis and Processing of Cleome viscosa Seed and Oil

Seeds from Cleome viscosa plant, a weed widely distributed in India, are brown, small (1500-1600 seeds/g) and gritty with a pointed end. The seeds containing 26% oil yield 18% oil on crushing in an expeller. The oil is dark brown or green but is easily refined to a light-coloured oil. The physical and chemical characteristics of the seed and oil were determined. The fatty acid profile of the oil is palmitic 10.6%, stearic 4.9%, oleic 14.4% and linoleic 68.6%.