In Vivo Assimilation of CuS, Iron Oxide and Iron Oxide@CuS Nanoparticles in Mice: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study

Nanoparticles (NPs) are at the leading edge of nanomedicine, and determining their biosafety remains a mandatory precondition for biomedical applications. Herein, we explore the bioassimilation of copper sulfide NPs reported as powerful photo-responsive anticancer therapeutic agents. The nanoparticles investigated present a hollow shell morphology, that can be left empty (CuS NPs) or be filled with an iron oxide flower-like core (iron oxide@CuS NPs), and are compared with the iron oxide nanoparticles only (iron oxide NPs). CuS, iron oxide@CuS and iron oxide NPs were injected in 6-week-old mice, at doses coherent with an antitumoral treatment. Cu and Fe were quantified in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs over 6 months, including the control animals, thus providing endogenous Cu and Fe levels in the first months after animal birth. After intravenous NPs administration, 77.0 ± 3.9% of the mass of Cu injected, and 78.6 ± 3.8% of the mass of Fe, were detected in the liver. In the spleen, we found 3.3 ± 0.6% of the injected Cu and 3.8 ± 0.6% for the Fe. No negative impact was observed on organ weight, nor on Cu or Fe homeostasis in the long term. The mass of the two metals returned to the control values within three months, a result that was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and histology images. This bioassimilation with no negative impact comforts the possible translation of these nanomaterials into clinical practice.

About the identity of Granulina pusaterii Smriglio & Mariottini, 2003 (Volutoidea: Granulinidae) from the Tunisian Plateau

On the ground of an extensive study of topotypes and of the shell morphology documented in comparable Mediterranean populations, Granulina pusaterii Smriglio & Mariottini, 2003 described from the Tunisian Plateau is proved to belong to the natural variability of G. melitensis Smriglio, Mariottini & Rufini, 1998 and it is proposed as junior synonym name of the latter.

BaGdF5 Nanophosphors Doped with Different Concentrations of Eu3+ for Application in X-ray Photodynamic Therapy

X-ray photodynamic therapy (XPDT) has been recently considered as an efficient alternative to conventional radiotherapy of malignant tissues. Nanocomposites for XPDT typically consist of two components—a nanophosphor which re-emits X-rays into visible light that in turn is absorbed by the second component, a photosensitizer, for further generation of reactive oxygen species. In this study, BaGdF5 nanophosphors doped with different Eu:Gd ratios in the range from 0.01 to 0.50 were synthesized by the microwave route. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the average size of nanophosphors was ~12 nm. Furthermore, different coatings with amorphous SiO2 and citrates were systematically studied. Micro-CT imaging demonstrated superior X-ray attenuation and sufficient contrast in the liver and the spleen after intravenous injection of citric acid-coated nanoparticles. In case of the SiO2 surface, post-treatment core–shell morphology was verified via TEM and the possibility of tunable shell size was reported. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis revealed mesoporous SiO2 formation characterized by the slit-shaped type of pores that should be accessible for methylene blue photosensitizer molecules. It was shown that SiO2 coating subsequently facilitates methylene blue conjugation and results in the formation of the BaGdF5: 10% Eu3+@SiO2@MB nanocomposite as a promising candidate for application in XPDT.

The fingernail clams (Bivalvia: Veneroida: Sphaeriidae) of Morocco: Diversity, distribution and conservation status

In Morocco, many uncertainties surround the current diversity and distribution of the bivalve family Sphaeriidae. Such information, including taxonomy and conservation status, are vital for further studies to improve the knowledge of this family in Morocco and represents the first step towards the development of a national conservation plan for all freshwater bivalves. Between 2016 and 2019, several investigations were carried out to assess the diversity and distribution of Sphaeriidae in the different basins of Morocco, covering different types of habitat (lakes, springs, rivers and small ponds). The identification of specimens and their morpho-ecological features was based on morphological and morphometric analyses. The data on the general distribution of the collected species allowed the evaluation of their conservation status as well. The shell morphology and morphometric analyses revealed the existence of five species belonging to the genus Pisidium [P. casertanum (Poli, 1791), P. (cf.) personatum Malm, 1855, P. subtruncatum Malm, 1855, P. amnicum (O. F. Müller, 1774) and Pisidium sp.] and one species to the genus of Musculium [M. lacustre (O. F. Müller, 1774)]. Sphaeriidae were found in all Moroccan basins, except Bouregreg and Sakia El Hamra-Oued Eddahab Basins. The results showed that Sebou Basin was the species richest with the occurrence of the five species, while Loukkos and Sous-Massa Basins had the lowest-species richness with one species only. The conservation status of sphaeriids in Morocco was evaluated for the first time and resulted in P. (cf.) personatum and P. subtruncatum being proposed as Least Concern and Vulnerable, respectively, while the status of Regionally Extinct is suggested for both species P. amnicum and M. lacustre. First evaluation of the diversity and species richness of the family Sphaeriidae in Morocco with an assignment of an updated conservation status of the recorded species.

Enhanced magnetic performance in exchange coupled CoFe2O4 - LaFeO3 nanocomposites

Nanocomposite oxide system of (x)CoFe2O4 - (100-x)LaFeO3 with different weight percent of core-shell structured CoFe2O4 (x = 0,20,40,50,80,100) and LaFeO3 were fabricated, via a two-step sol-gel wet-chemical synthesis technique. The phase formation of the composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and the structural parameters of both the phases were attained from the Rietveld refinement results of XRD patterns. The elemental composition and microstructure of the resulting nanocomposites were examined by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) technique, respectively. The detailed magnetometry studies at 300 K and 5 K reveal that the inter-and intra-phase magnetic interactions affect the saturation magnetization (MS), remanence magnetization (MR) and coercivity (HC) values of this bi-magnetic system. The remarkable feature of “pinched magnetic hysteresis loop” was evidenced in the [(50) CoFe2O4 - (50)LaFeO3] composite, leading to a lesser magnetic loss factor and better magnetic performance of this sample. The report depicts an improved interfacial exchange coupling at 5 K, for the nanocomposites of core-shell morphology and offers an understanding or explanation of improved magnetic performance for the (50)CoFe2O4 - (50)LaFeO3 nanocomposite and opens up an important way to design new multiferroic applications in low magnetic fields.

Silica covered stannic oxide nanoparticles - an easily prepared robust substrate for optical sensors

This paper describes a facile way to prepare a photophysically inert sensor substrate. Stannic oxide encapsulated silica nanoparticles with average diameters between 30 and 70 nm have been prepared by one-pot reverse-phase emulsion methodology. The constituents and core/shell morphology of the nanoparticles were demonstrated by electron microscopic technology, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to provide additional constitutional and structural information. It has been shown that nanoparticles prepared by this method are optically clear in suspension. After anchoring optical indicators, this nanoparticle can be utilized as a sensor module both in biology and other analytical areas.

Biodiversity of Bivalves in South Bintan Waters, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia

Bivalves is the second most diverse group of molluscs after gastropods, they are also one of the most important members in marine ecosystems. Their taxonomic classifications are based on their morphology which tend to represent adaptation responses to ecology. The samples of bivalves examined in this study were taken in the South Bintan waters by Marine Geological Research and Development Center, Bandung. Identification of the bivalves shell samples was with the aid of a microscope and NIS-Elements software and identified using an identification book. There were 34 species of bivalves found in South Bintan Waters belong to 14 families. The highest abundance was in Station 1 the location close to the overflow of the river and a harbor (1162.5 ind.m-2) and the lowest was in Station 10 the location Station 10 the location close to a small island which is usually used as a tourist spot (62.5 ind.m-2). Their diversity and eveness index were included in the medium category with H’ value of 0.58-4.12 and e value of 0.11-0.89 respectively. There was species dominance in Station 3 (Liralucina lyngei of Lucinidae) and 10 (Cardites bicolor of Carditidae) but not in other stations. Both species was the most frequent species. Bivalves in South Bintan waters showed many different morphologies which represented their adaptation. The bivalve shells found were of different morphology. There are several forms of bivalve shell morphology that have shape round like species Chama japonica, triangular like species Gemma gemma, fragile like species Dendostrea rosacea. The shell decorations found in the bintan Bivalves samples are Spinose, Commarginally, Commarginally and radially ribbed. The hinge teeth are heteroodont, isodont, and schizodont.

Choosing an Effective Compatibilizer for a Virgin HDPE Rich-HDPE/PP Model Blend

The most widely used commodity polymers in the rigid packaging industry are polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). For example, blow molding grade of HDPE as a bottle and injection molding grade of PP as a cap are often used to produce detergent bottles. Therefore, the recycled HDPE bottles from post-consumer waste include PP as a contaminant originated from PP bottle caps. To simulate mechanical recycling of bottle waste, the mechanical properties of HDPE-rich-HDPE/PP virgin model blend were studied. For compatibilization, ethylene-based olefin block copolymer, propylene-based olefin block copolymer, ethylene propylene random copolymer, and styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer were chosen as potential compatibilizer candidates. Contact angle measurements, morphological analysis, adhesion tests of compatibilizer candidates to polymer blend components and the tensile as well as tensile impact properties of the ternary blends were studied. It was found that the ethylene-based olefin block copolymer was the most effective compatibilizer resulting in a return of mechanical properties to those of neat vHDPE due to its ability to encapsulate dispersed vPP particles in a vHDPE matrix (core-shell morphology) and the best adhesion to polymer blend components.