Modafinil Cocrystals for Altered Physicochemical Properties

The present investigation was designed to prepare and characterize BCS class II drug modafinil cocrystals for its solubility enhancement and other properties. Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) was used for prediction of cocrystal formation. Coformers/excipients namely boric acid, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, and tartaric acid were used in the preparation of cocrystals by liquid assisted grinding method with 1:1 molar ratio of drug and coformer. The prepared cocrystals were subjected to characterization by performing melting point determination, solubility analysis at its saturation point, and drug release by in vitro method. Furthermore, characterization was also done by Fourier Transform IR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, PXRD and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The formation of modafinil cocrystals by using cinnamic acid and salicylic acid and the formation of modafinil complexes with boric acid and tartaric acid were confirmed by collectively assessing the results. Moreover, a drastic improvement in the solubility revealed the importance of preparing pharmaceutically useful cocrystals of marketed active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). However, the increased dissolution rates were seen with cocrystals but not with the complexes. Thus solid state manipulation technique can be used to improve the physicochemical properties of an API using HSP as a successful tool for the prediction of cocrystal formation among the partners.

Redox resetting of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells by cisplatin-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers

Aim: To sensitize cisplatin (Cis)-resistant ovarian cancer cells toward Cis using Cis-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (CisNLCs). Materials & methods: CisNLCs were synthesized and characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform IR and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Sensitivity of PA-1 and CaOV3 cells to Cis and its biotoxicity were assessed. Further, expression of the Cis-resistance markers GSTPi and ATP7B, and apoptotic markers Bax, Bcl2 and Cas9 were quantified by real-time PCR. Results: The size of synthesized CisNLCs was approximately 179.3 ± 2.32 nm and surface charge was -33.9 ± 1.47 mV. IC50 was 210 μg/ml in PA-1 and 500 μg/ml in CaOV3. CisNLCs modulated reactive oxygen species levels in CaOV3 cells. Reduced GSTPi and decreased Cis efflux via ATP7B sequestration caused Cis to accumulate in cytoplasm, thereby augmenting apoptosis in cells. Conclusion: CisNLCs sensitize CaOV3 by redox resetting, indicating their immense therapeutic potential.

Preparation and Properties of CA/γ-Poly(glutamic acid)/ZnO Electrospun Membranes

Cellulose acetate (CA) fibrous membranes blended with poly-(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and ZnO were produced via electrospinning. The performance of the obtained composite membrane was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, tensile test, water contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis. The corn plant height, leaf area and SPAD (soil and plant analyzer development) were compared with plants covered with CA/γ-PGA and CA/γ-PGA/ZnO fibrous membranes at room temperature. Simultaneously, the water absorption and degradation rate were also studied. The results obtained indicate the potential use of these fibrous membranes for mulching film applications. The fibrous membranes could also find potential use as a material for food packing, facial mask and as antimicrobial films for wound dressing.

Identification and characterization of Staphylococcus spp. and their susceptibility to insect apolipophorin III

Aim: This study investigated the effect of an insect antimicrobial protein, apolipophorin III (apoLp-III), against two newly isolated, identified and characterized clinical strains of Staphylococcus spp. Materials & methods: Both strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolic and phenotypic profiling. The antibacterial activity of apoLp-III was tested using a colony counting assay. ApoLp-III interaction with bacterial cell surface was analyzed by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. Results: Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus capitis were identified. ApoLp-III exerted a dose-dependent bactericidal effect on the tested strains. The differences in the Staphylococcus spp. surface components may contribute to the various sensitivities of these strains to apoLp-III. Conclusion: ApoLp-III may provide a baseline for development of antibacterial preparations against Staphylococcus spp. involved in dermatological problems.

Dietary inclusion of Antarctic krill meal during the finishing feed period improves health and fillet quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

There is an urgent need to find alternative feed resources that can further substitute fishmeal in Atlantic salmon diets without compromising health and food quality, in particular during the finishing feeding period when the feed demand is highest and flesh quality effects are most significant. This study investigates efficacy of substituting a isoprotein (35 %) and isolipid (35 %) low fishmeal diet (FM, 15 %) with Antarctic krill meal (KM, 12 %) during 3 months with growing finishing 2·3 kg salmon (quadruplicate sea cages/diet). Final body weight (3·9 (se 0·04) kg) was similar in the dietary groups, but the KM group had more voluminous body shape, leaner hearts and improved fillet integrity, firmness and colour. Ectopic epithelial cells and focal Ca deposits in intestine were only detected in the FM group. Transcriptome profiling by microarray of livers showed dietary effects on several immune genes, and a panel of structural genes were up-regulated in the KM group, including cadherin and connexin. Up-regulation of genes encoding myosin heavy chain proteins was the main finding in skeletal muscle. Morphology examination by scanning electron microscopy and secondary structure by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy revealed more ordered and stable collagen architecture of the KM group. NEFA composition of skeletal muscle indicated altered metabolism of n-3, n-6 and SFA of the KM group. The results demonstrated that improved health and meat quality in Atlantic salmon fed krill meal were associated with up-regulation of immune genes, proteins defining muscle properties and genes involved in cell contacts and adhesion, altered fatty acid metabolism and fat deposition, and improved gut health and collagen structure.

One-pot combustion synthesis of nickel oxide and hematite: From simple coordination compounds to high purity metal oxide nanoparticles

This work is the first report of a very simple and fast one-pot synthesis of nickel oxide (NiO) and hematite (?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of transition metal aqua complexes with camphor sulfonate anions. Obtained nanopowders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform IR analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the formation of high purity NiO and ?-Fe2O3 crystal phases. In the case of ?-Fe2O3, about five times larger average crystallite size was obtained. Fourier transform IR spectra of synthesized materials showed characteristic peaks for NiO and ?-Fe2O3 nanostructures. To visualize the morphology and the chemical composition of the final products Scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were performed. The thermogravimetric analysis was done for a better understanding of the general thermal behavior of precursor compounds. This easy-to-perform and fast preparation method opens a broad range of obtained materials? usage, particularly due to its economic viability

Results of 13c nmr and ftir spectroscopy of kerogen of the upper devonian domanik of the Timan-Pechorian basin

A kerogen samples set from organic carbon rich rocks of the Middle Frasnian Early Famennian age (Domanikites) of the Timan-Pechora basin, was characterized by the Rock-Eval pyrolysis data, solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. Additionally, the spectral characteristics of kerogen isolated from rocks artificially maturated in an autoclave in the presence of water were investigated. In general, the direction of transformation of the kerogen structure with a natural or artificial maturation coincides. For kerogen, subjected to artificial maturation, is characterized by an increase in the concentration of terminal methyl groups in relation to the methylene units. Artificial maturation of kerogen leads to a more rapid rearrangement of aromatic clusters with the accumulation of bridgehead and protonated carbon as compared with natural maturation.

Crystal structure and pale-yellow emitting properties of K3Gd1–x Dy x B6O12 solid solutions

A new potassium dysprosium polyborate, K3DyB6O12, has been prepared via the high-temperature molten salt method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework composed of isolated bicyclic [B5O10]5− groups and Dy3+ and K+ ions. The Fourier transform IR (FT–IR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectra were investigated. A series of K3Gd1–x Dy x B6O12 phosphors was prepared and their photoluminescence properties were studied. The K3Gd1–x Dy x B6O12 phosphors exhibit a strong yellow emission band at 577 nm (the 4F9/2→6H13/2 transition of Dy3+) under UV excitation of 275 nm (the 8S7/2→6I J transition of Gd3+), suggesting the occurrence of the energy transfer Gd3+→Dy3+. The optimized doping concentration of the Dy3+ ion was 8 mol%. We may expect that K3Gd1–x Dy x B6O12 is a promising pale-yellow emission phosphor for visual displays or solid-state lighting.