Rhodamine B induces oxidative stress and cervical epithelial cell proliferation in the uterus

Iron oxide nanoflowers encapsulated in thermosensitive fluorescent liposomes for hyperthermia treatment of lung adenocarcinoma

Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) is in the spotlight of nanomedical research for the treatment of cancer employing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their intrinsic capability for heat dissipation under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Herein we focus on the synthesis of iron oxide nanoflowers (Nfs) of different sizes (15 and 35 nm) and coatings (bare, citrate, and Rhodamine B) while comparing their physicochemical and magnetothermal properties. We encapsulated colloidally stable citrate coated Nfs, of both sizes, in thermosensitive liposomes via extrusion, and RhB was loaded in the lipid bilayer. All formulations proved hemocompatible and cytocompatible. We found that 35 nm Nfs, at lower concentrations than 15 nm Nfs, served better as nanoheaters for magnetic hyperthermia applications. In vitro, magnetic hyperthermia results showed promising therapeutic and imaging potential for RhB loaded magnetoliposomes containing 35 nm Nfs against LLC and CULA cell lines of lung adenocarcinoma.

Rhodamine-B dye removal using aliquat-336 modified amberlite XAD-4 resin in fixed-bed columns in series

The present work reports studies on the effective removal of Rhodamine-B (RhB) using Aliquat-336 modified Amberlite XAD-4 resin in the fixed-bed columns in series. The effect of flow rate (Q = 2 to 6 mL·min^-1), bed height (h = 3.5 to 7 cm) and initial RhB dye concentration (C_in = 10 to 20 mg·L^-1) was studied. When a single column was used, 93% RhB dye was removed in 3 h at Q = 2 mL·min^-1, C_in = 10 mg·L^-1, and h = 7 cm. When three columns in series were used, almost 100% dye was removed until 80 h. The maximum breakthrough time (142 h) and saturation time (244 h) were found by keeping Q = 2 mL·min^-1, h = 7 cm of each column and C_in = 10 mg·L^-1. Mathematical modeling of the breakthrough curves was done by using Yoon-Nelson, Clark, Wolborska, and pore diffusion models. The Clark model best fitted the experimental data. The possible interaction mechanism between Aliquat-336 and RhB dye was proposed. The column was regenerated in continuous mode using 1 M HCl solution and maintaining a flow rate of 2 mL·min^-1.

Re-usable self-poled piezoelectric/piezocatalytic films with exceptional energy harvesting and water remediation capability

The need for sustainable technologies to address environmental pollution and energy crisis is paramount. Here we present a novel multifunctional nanocomposite, free standing film by combining piezoelectric molybdenum sulphide (MoS₂) nanoflower with poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, which can harness otherwise wasted mechanical energy for useful energy generation and/or water purification. The unique MoS₂ nanoflower morphology is exploited to render the whole nanocomposite piezo active. A number of features are demonstrated to establish potential practical usage. Firstly, the nanocomposite is piezoelectric and piezocatalytic simultaneously without requiring any poling step (i.e. self-poled). Secondly, the self-poled piezoelectricity is exploited to make a nanogenerator. The nanogenerator produced >80 V under human finger tapping with a remarkable power density, reaching 47.14 mW cm^-3. The nanocomposite film is made by simple solution casting, and the corresponding nanogenerator powers up 25 commercial LEDs by finger tapping. Last but not the least, the developed films show efficient, fast and stable piezocatalytic dye degradation efficiency (>90% within 20 min) against four different toxic and carcinogenic dyes under dark condition. Reusability of at least 10 times is also demonstrated without any loss of catalytic activity. Overall, our nanocomposite has clear potential for use as self-powered sensor and energy harvester, and in water remediation systems. It should potentially also be deployable as a surface mounted film/coating in process engineering, industrial effluent management and healthcare devices systems.

Difluoroboron-Curcumin Doped Starch Film and Digital Image Colorimetry for Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Arsenic

This work presents a novel, simple, rapid, and cost effective method for semi-quantitative analysis of arsenic(III) in water sample. The method was based on the digital image colorimetry (DIC) of difluoroboron-curcumin doped starch film (BF₂-cur-film) and arsenic ion in water. A red BF₂-cur-film (9.4 μm) was fabricated by entrapped difluoroboron-curcumin (BF₂-curcumin, particle size of 60 - 113 nm) in tapioca starch film. When the standard solution of arsenic (1 mL) was added into small plastic tube containing BF₂-cur-film on its inner lid, blue solution (λ_max at 610 nm) was observed instead of orange color in blank solution (λ_max at 495 nm). When BF₂-cur-film was used in conjunction with DIC, a wide linear range of 0 - 10 mg L^-1 with good linearity (R² > 0.99) was obtained from green channel with low detection limit of 0.04 mg L^-1. Moreover, good precision (0.9 - 1.2%RSD, n = 4 days) and accuracy (0.03% relative error) were also achieved.

Poly(ethylene oxide monomethyl ether)- block-poly(propylene succinate) Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization, Enzymatic and Cellular Degradation, Micellar Solubilization of Paclitaxel, and in Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation

Polyester-based nanostructures are widely studied as drug-delivery systems due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. They are already used in the clinic. In this work, we describe a new and simple biodegradable and biocompatible system as the Food and Drug Administration approved polyesters (poly-ε-caprolactone, polylactic acid, and poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)) for the delivery of the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) as a model drug. A hydrophobic polyester, poly(propylene succinate) (PPS), was prepared from a nontoxic alcohol (propylene glycol) and monomer from the Krebs's cycle (succinic acid) in two steps via esterification and melt polycondensation. Furthermore, their amphiphilic block copolyester, poly(ethylene oxide monomethyl ether)- block-poly(propylene succinate) (mPEO- b-PPS), was prepared by three steps via esterification followed by melt polycondensation and the addition of mPEO to the PPS macromolecules. Analysis of the in vitro cellular behavior of the prepared nanoparticle carriers (NPs) (enzymatic degradation, uptake, localization, and fluorescence resonance energy-transfer pair degradation studies) was performed by fluorescence studies. PTX was loaded to the NPs of variable sizes (30, 70, and 150 nm), and their in vitro release was evaluated in different cell models and compared with commercial PTX formulations. The mPEO- b-PPS copolymer analysis displays glass transition temperature < body temperature < melting temperature, lower toxicity (including the toxicity of their degradation products), drug solubilization efficacy, stability against spontaneous hydrolysis during transport in bloodstream, and simultaneous enzymatic degradability after uptake into the cells. The detailed cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo tumor efficacy studies have shown the superior efficacy of the NPs compared with PTX and PTX commercial formulations.