Biosynthesis and characterisation of nano‐silica as potential system for carrying streptomycin at nano‐scale drug delivery

A growing trend within nanomedicine has been the fabrication of self‐delivering supramolecular nanomedicines containing a high and fixed drug content ensuring eco‐friendly conditions. This study reports on green synthesis of silica nanoparticles (Si‐NPs) using Azadirachta indica leaves extract as an effective chelating agent. X‐ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform‐infra‐red spectroscopic examination were studied. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the average size of particles formed via plant extract as reducing agent without any surfactant is in the range of 100–170 nm while addition of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide were more uniform with 200 nm in size. Streptomycin as model drug was successfully loaded to green synthesised Si‐NPs, sustain release of the drug from this conjugate unit were examined. Prolong release pattern of the adsorbed drug ensure that Si‐NPs have great potential in nano‐drug delivery keeping the environment preferably biocompatible, future cytotoxic studies in this connection is helpful in achieving safe mode for nano‐drug delivery.Inspec keywords: silicon compounds, nanofabrication, nanomedicine, drug delivery systems, nanoparticles, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopyOther keywords: nanosilica, streptomycin, nanoscale drug delivery, nanomedicine, silica nanoparticles, Azadirachta indica leaves extract, X‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, SiO₂      

Interference management for spectral coexistence in a heterogeneous satellite network

With the advent of the fifth generation of mobile radio communication by 2020, there will be many challenges such as increasing service demand with low delay in providing billions of end users called the satellite mobile users. It is expected that terrestrial communication systems will be faced with a dense network having many small cells anywhere and anytime. Therefore, there are some remote regions in the world where terrestrial systems cannot provide any services to end users. Furthermore, because of lack of spectral resources, it is very important that the spectrum is shared between satellite systems and terrestrial equipment by a suitable solution to interference management. In this paper, a heterogeneous satellite network that includes low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and terrestrial equipment is proposed to provide low delay services. In this type of structure, interference management based on transmission power control between LEO satellite systems and mobile users is very important for obtaining high throughput. Moreover, in order to mitigate interference, transmission power control is shown based on noncooperative Stackelberg game under many subgames through pricing‐based algorithm and convex optimization method. Finally, the simulation results show that the performance of this study's system model will be improved through the proposed algorithm.     

An efficient ontology-based topic-specific article recommendation model for best-fit reviewers

Scientometrics - In general peer review is accredited as the vital and utmost cornerstone of the scientific publishing and research developments. Undeniably, the reviewers play a decisive role in...     

Synthesis and characterization of poppy seed oil methyl esters

Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to determine the optimum conditions of the methanolysis of crude poppy seed oil using Na OCH3 as catalyst. The experiments were run according to five levels, four variable central composite rotatable design(CCRD) using RSM. The reaction variables, i.e., molar ratio of methanol/oil(3:1–9:1), catalyst concentration(0.5 wt%–1.25 wt% Na OCH3), reaction temperature(25–65 °C), and reaction time(20–90 min) were studied. We demonstrated that the molar ratio of methanol/oil, catalyst concentration,and reaction temperature were the significant parameters affecting the yield of poppy seed oil methyl esters(PSOMEs). The optimum transesterification reaction conditions, established using the RSM, which offered a89.35% PSOME yield, were found to be 7.5:1 molar ratio of methanol/oil, 0.75% catalyst concentration, 45 °C reaction temperature, and 90 min reaction time. The proposed process provided an average biodiesel yield of more than 85%. A linear correlation was constructed between the observed and predicted values of the yield.The gas chromatography(GC) analyses have shown that PSOMEs contain linoleic-, oleic-, palmitic-, and stearic-acids as main fatty acids. The FTIR spectrum of the PSOMEs was also analyzed to confirm the completion of the transesterification reaction. The fuel properties of the PSOMEs were discussed in light of biodiesel standards(ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214).     

Effect of guar gum on the serum lipid profile of Sprague Dawley rats

The aim of the study was to probe the hypocholesterolemic effect of legumes dietary fiber through “chapaties” a staple diet of the South Asia. Commercial wheat flour (atta) was blended with legumes i.e. lentil, chickpea and guar gum in various combinations to make composite flour for the preparation of chapaties. Maximum dietary fiber (8.85%) was observed in composite flour with 3g/100 g guar gum, which also gave whiter look and puffiness to the end product. Highest percent increase in dietary fiber (35.3%) was in flour with 3g/100 g guar gum followed by guar gum 2g/100 g (24.1%). The diets prepared from three best selected compositions along with control, were fed to male Sprague Dawley rats for 8 weeks. Lowest serum cholesterol (82.46 mg/dl) was observed in rats fed on guar gum 3g/100 g which showed a significant reduction (17.2%) as compared to control. Similarly, in case of LDL and triglycerides, guar gum 3 g/100 g showed highest decline i.e., 29.7% and 28.4% with reference to control, respectively. The present investigation suggests that five chapaties per day prepared from selected compositions provides an extra 5-8 g of dietary fiber that is helpful in lowering cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic individuals.     

Contrived approach to novel antibacterial poly(vinyl acetate-co-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride) and poly(vinyl acetate-co-[vinylbenzyl]trimethylammonium chloride) via RAFT polymerization with multi-characterization

Journal of Polymer Research - The complex and incompletely understood phenomenon of shear-induced crystallization of polymers may be nowadays analysed via the in situ POM-shear stage methodology....     

Synergistic evaluation of AgO2 nanoparticles with ceftriaxone against CTXM and blaSHV genes positive ESBL producing clinical strains of Uro‐pathogenic E. coli

The silver oxide nanoparticles (AgO₂ ‐NPs) were synthesised using silver foil as a new precursor in wet chemical method. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows crystallographic structures of AgO₂ ‐NPs with crystallite size of 35.54 nm well‐matched with standard cubic structure. Scanning electron microscopy analysis clearly shows the random distribution of spherical‐shaped nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis confirmed the purity of the samples as it shows no impurity element. Fourier transforms infra‐red analysis confirmed the formation of AgO₂ ‐NPs with the presence of Ag‐O‐Ag stretching bond. All the techniques also confirmed the loading of ceftriaxone drug on the surface of AgO₂ ‐NPs. This study also described the effect of AgO₂ ‐NPs having synergistic activity with β lactam antibiotic i.e. ceftriaxone against ESBL generating Escherichia coli (E. coli). Among isolated strains of E. coli, 60.0% were found to be ESBL producer. The synergistic activities of AgO₂ ‐NPs with ceftriaxone suggest that these combinations are effective against MDR‐ESBL E. coli strains as evident by increase in zone sizes. The present study observed rise in MDR‐ESBL E. coli with polymorphism of blaCTXM and blaSHV causing UTI infections in Pakistani population. The antibiotic and AgO₂ ‐NPs synergistic effect can be used as an efficient approach to combat uro‐pathogenic infections.Inspec keywords: antibacterial activity, nanofabrication, nanomedicine, drugs, nanoparticles, microorganisms, crystallites, scanning electron microscopy, silver compounds, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra, organic compounds, geneticsOther keywords: synergistic evaluation, clinical strains, silver oxide nanoparticles, silver foil, wet chemical method, X‐ray diffraction analysis, crystallographic structures, standard cubic structure, spherical‐shaped nanoparticles, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, ceftriaxone drug, synergistic activity, ESBL producer, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared analysis, Escherichia coli, blaSHV gene positive ESBL, crystallite size, random distribution, β lactam antibiotics, MDR‐ESBL E. coli strains, polymorphism, blaCTXM, uro‐pathogenic infections, uro‐pathogenic E. coli, AgO₂