Vapor Liquid Equilibria for Ionic Liquid/Ethanol/Water Systems and the Effect of Anion Hydrolysis

The performance of two tetrafluoroborate-based ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers in the dehydration of water/ethanol azeotropic mixtures was evaluated. Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were measured for the systems ethanol/water/1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and ethanol/water /n-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate including the azeotropic region. VLE data for the ethanol/water, ethanol/IL, and water/IL binary mixtures were obtained at 100 kPa. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion was studied for both types of ILs by ¹⁹F NMR analysis. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion does not have much effect on the ethanol/water VLE. The ¹⁹F NMR analysis indicated that hydrolysis occurred at high mole fractions of water.     

Flame versus air atmospheric gliding arc plasma treatment of polypropylene-based automotive bumpers: Physicochemical characterization and investigation of coating properties

In this research, the polypropylene (PP) sheets used for automotive bumper surface were treated using two methods: air atmospheric gliding arc plasma and flame modifications. Atomic force microscopy was applied to study the morphology of surfaces before and after treatment processes. While calculating the surface free energy (SFE), contact angle of the surfaces was measured, and the chemical composition of the PP surface was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface modifications by gliding arc plasma increased the ratio of the oxygen and nitrogen atoms on the surface by 100%, indicating that polar chemical functionalities form on the surface. The surface morphology was highly affected by gliding arc plasma treatments, which triggered an impact on roughness and etching. It was also found that the SFE was drastically increased by certain modifications. Noticeable improvement was also observed in wettability by the gliding arc plasma technique. In the next stage, polyurethane paints were coated on the treated and untreated PP surfaces. Then, we examined the flame and gliding arc plasma treatments' effect on coating properties of PP bumper, adhesion analysis, water immersion resistance, and sulfuric acid resistance. Finally, high-pressure carwash test and gloss analysis were conducted on the treated and untreated coated sheets, respectively.     

HER‐2 aptamer‐targeted Ecoflex® nanoparticles loaded with docetaxel promote breast cancer cells apoptosis and anti‐metastatic effect

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality. Regarding the advantages of polymeric nanoparticles as drug delivery systems with targeting potential, in this study the antitumor mechanism of targeted docetaxel polymeric nanoparticles of Ecoflex^® was exploited. Since the overexpression of HER‐2 receptor in breast cancer cases is associated with poor prognosis and more aggressive disease, the proposed nanoparticles were conjugated to HER‐2 specific aptamer molecules. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Flow‐cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the cellular uptake of nanoparticles loaded with a fluorescent probe. Anti‐migration effects of samples were studied. Annexin IV‐FITC and propidium iodide were implemented to investigate apoptosis induction and cell cycle analysis. Enhanced cytotoxicity compared with free docetaxel was explained considering improved cellular uptake of the nanoparticles and induced apoptosis in a larger portion of cells. Lower relative migration demonstrated enhanced anti‐migration effect of nanoparticles, and cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase using both formulations so the anti‐microtubule mechanism of the drug was not altered. Therefore, this system could offer a potential substitute for the currently marketed docetaxel formulations, which may reduce adverse effects of the drug, while further in vivo and clinical investigations are required.Inspec keywords: cancer, molecular biophysics, drug delivery systems, fluorescence, biomedical materials, drugs, tumours, nanomedicine, proteins, toxicology, biochemistry, nanoparticles, diseases, cell motility, polymersOther keywords: antitumor mechanism, targeted docetaxel polymeric nanoparticles, HER‐2 specific aptamer molecules, MTT assay, flow‐cytometry analysis, annexin IV‐FITC, apoptosis induction, cell cycle, lower relative migration, cancer mortality, drug delivery systems, aggressive disease, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, breast cancer cell apoptosis, antimetastatic effect, HER‐2 aptamer‐targeted Ecoflex nanoparticles, antimigration effect, antimicrotubule mechanism, HER‐2 receptor, fluorescent probe, propidium iodide     

Poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) nanoparticles prepared by electrospraying technique for docetaxel delivery in ovarian cancer induced mice

Objective: Ovarian cancer is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Docetaxel (DTX) is one of the most notable cytotoxic agents for treatment of ovarian cancer. However, its side effects proposed considerable problems to the patients.

Significance: Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (Ecoflex^®), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, were prepared for the first time by the upgradeable electrospraying technique.

Methods: The formulation and procedure variables were optimized using Design Expert software, and effect of each variable on particle size, particle size distribution, drug entrapment efficiency, and drug release of the NPs were evaluated. Then, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, X-ray diffraction pattern, and morphological characteristics of the optimized NPs were evaluated. Finally, in vivo efficacy of the DTX-loaded NPs was evaluated on tumor bearing nude mice.

Results: The optimum condition for production of NPs included voltage of 20?kV, 12?cm distance between electrodes, feeding rate of 1?mL/hr, polymer to drug ratio of 3:1, 1 w/v% of Pluronic-F127 and dichloromethane to dimethyl formamide ratio of 2.7:1. Fluorescent microscopy test showed the NPs were successfully up-taken by ovarian cancer cells. In vitro cytotoxicity test confirmed no cytotoxic effect caused by blank NPs, while cell viability of the DTX loaded NPs was significantly lower than the free DTX (p?p?Conclusion: The Ecoflex^® NPs could potentially provide a suitable alternative for currently available formulations of DTX.     

Trastuzumab‐conjugated nanoparticles composed of poly(butylene adipate‐co ‐butylene terephthalate) prepared by electrospraying technique for targeted delivery of docetaxel

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) is overexpressed in 20–30% of human breast cancers, associated with poor prognosis and tumour aggression. The aim of this study was the production of trastuzumab‐targeted Ecoflex nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with docetaxel and in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxicity and cellular uptake. The NPs were manufactured by electrospraying and characterised regarding size, zeta potential, drug loading, and release behaviour. Then their cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay against an HER‐2‐positive cell line, BT‐474, and an HER‐2‐negative cell line, MDA‐MB‐468. The cellular uptake was studied by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscope. The particle size of NPs was in an appropriate range, with relatively high drug entrapment and acceptable release efficiency. The results showed no cytotoxicity for the polymer, but the significant increment of cytotoxicity was observed by treatment with docetaxel‐loaded NPs in both HER‐2‐positive and HER‐2‐negative cell lines, in comparison with the free drug. The trastuzumab‐targeted NPs also significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against BT‐474 cells, compared with non‐targeted NPs.Inspec keywords: cancer, proteins, biomedical materials, nanofabrication, drug delivery systems, cellular biophysics, biological organs, nanomedicine, toxicology, tumours, nanoparticles, biomedical optical imaging, fluorescence, particle sizeOther keywords: human breast cancers, tumour aggression, trastuzumab‐targeted Ecoflex nanoparticles, cellular uptake, zeta potential drug loading, HER‐2‐positive cell line, HER‐2‐negative cell line, MDA‐MB‐468, particle size, trastuzumab‐conjugated nanoparticles, electrospraying technique, human epidermal growth factor receptor, cytotoxicity, nontargeted nanoparticles, butylene adipate‐co‐butylene terephthalate, trastuzumab‐targeted NP, docetaxel‐loaded NP