p-Tertbutylcalix[4]arene nanoemulsion: Preparation, characterization and comparative evaluation of its decontamination efficacy against Technetium-99m, Iodine-131 and Thallium-201

Removal of heavy metals and radionuclides from water using nanomaterials: current scenario and future prospects

There is an increase in concern about the hazardous effects of radioactivity due to the presence of undesirable radioactive substances in our vicinity. Nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) have further raised concerns towards such incidents which have led to contamination of water bodies. Conventional methods of water purification are less efficient in decontamination of radioisotopes. They are usually neither cost-effective nor environmentally friendly. However, nanotechnology can play a vital role in providing practical solutions to this problem. Nano-engineered materials like metal oxides, metallic organic frameworks, and nanoparticle-impregnated membranes have proven to be highly efficient in treating contaminated water. Their unique characteristics such as high adsorption capacity, large specific surface area, high tensile strength, and excellent biocompatibility properties make them useful in the field of water purification. This review explores the present status and future prospects of nanomaterials as the next-generation water purification systems that can play an important role in the removal of heavy metals and radioactive contaminants from aqueous solutions.

Bacterial Cellulose Relieves Diphenoxylate-Induced Constipation in Rats

This study was to probe the effects of bacterial cellulose (BC) on diphenoxylate-induced constipation in rats. Administration with BC at 500 mg/kg of body weight in diphenoxylate-induced constipation rats distinctly improved the carmine propulsion rate (83.5 ± 5.2%), shortened the defecating time of the first red feces (249.0 ± 23.3 min), and increased the weight of carmine red feces within 5 h (2.7 ± 1.3 g). The levels of aquaporins (AQP-2, AQP-3, and AQP-4) and inhibitory neurotransmitters (nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthetase, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and arginine vasopressin) in the BC-treated groups reduced by 31.9-40.0% ( p < 0.01) and 21.1-67.7% ( p < 0.01) compared to those in the constipation group, respectively. However, the secretion of excitability neurotransmitters (substance P and motilin) in the BC-treated groups was increased by 20.0-39.9% ( p < 0.01). The activities of ATPases in the colon of constipation rats were significantly weakened by BC administration ( p < 0.01). Histological morphology of the colon showed that BC supplementation could effectively increase the length of villus cells and the thickness of colonic mucosa and muscle ( p < 0.01). Moreover, BC supplementation could protect colonic smooth muscle cells against apoptosis. All of the findings suggest that BC supplementation effectively relieves constipation in rats and BC would be used as a great promising dietary fiber for alleviating constipation.

Enhanced anti-obesity effects of bacterial cellulose combined with konjac glucomannan in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with bacterial cellulose (BC), konjac glucomannan (KGM) and combined BC/KGM fiber on high-fat (HF)-diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Studies of N-(Benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-chlorobenzenesulphonamide and Its Neodymium(III) and Thallium(III) Complexes

N-(Benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-chlorobenzenesulphonamide (NBTCS) was synthesized by condensation reaction of 4-chlorobenzenesulphonyl chloride and 2-aminobenzothiazole in acetone under reflux. Neodymium(III) and thallium(III) complexes of the ligand were also synthesized. Both ligand and metal complexes were characterized using UV-Vis, IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis and molar conductance measurement. IR studies revealed that the ligand is tridentate and coordinates to the metal ions through nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the sulphonamide group and nitrogen atom attached to benzothiazole ring. The neodymium(III) complex displays a coordination number of eight while thallium(III) complex displays a coordination number of six. The ligand and its complexes were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli strains (E. coli 6 and E. coli 13), Proteus species, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar well diffusion technique. The synthesized compounds were found to be more active against the microorganisms screened relative to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and co-trimoxazole.

Preparation and catalytic applications of nanomaterials: a review

The present review systematically summarizes the synthesis and specific catalytic applications of nanomaterials such as MSN, nanoparticles, LD hydroxides, nanobubbles, quantum dots,etc.