Phospholipid Cyclosporine Prodrugs Targeted at Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Treatment: Design,Synthesis, and in Vitro Validation

Novel phospholipid (PL)-cyclosporine conjugates were prepared and studied as potential prodrugs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our approach relies on phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), which is overexpressed in the inflamed intestinal tissues, as the prodrug activator to potentially release cyclosporine at the site of inflammation. PL-cyclosporine prodrug conjugates with methylene linkers of various lengths between the sn-2 position of the PL and cyclosporine were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activation. Surprisingly, despite previous work indicating that conjugates with six methylene linkers between the lipid and drug would suffer rapid enzymatic hydrolysis, with cyclosporine this was not observed. However, compounds with longer linkers (n=10, 12 methylene units) display complete release of the drug by PLA₂-catalyzed hydrolysis, thus demonstrating the importance and profound impact of structural fine-tuning. This study represents a proof-of-concept for our hypothesis and a first step towards a truly targeted IBD treatment with cyclosporine that could be administered throughout the GI tract.     

Carbon-based TiO2-x heterostructure nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dye molecules

Application of brown titanium dioxide (TiO_2-x) and its modified composite forms in the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants in the environment is a promising way to provide solutions for environmental redemption. Herein, we report the synthesis of effective and stable TiO_2-x nanoparticles with g-C₃N₄, RGO, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a simple hydrothermal method. Among all the as-synthesized samples, excellent photocatalytic degradation activity was observed for RGO-TiO_2-x nanocomposite with high rate constants of 0.075 min^?1_, 0.083 min^?1 and 0.093 min^?1 for methylene blue, rhodamine-B, and rosebengal dyes under UV–Visible light irradiation, respectively. The altered bandgap (1.8 eV) and the large surface area of RGO-TiO_2-x nanocomposite impacts on both absorption of visible light and efficiency of photogenerated charge electron (e^?)/hole (h⁺) pair separation. This resulted in enhanced photocatalytic property of carbon-based TiO_2-x nanocomposites. A systematic study on the influence of different carbon nanostructures on the photocatalytic activity of brown TiO_2-x is carried out.     

Natural rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis)-based quasi-solid electrolyte as a potential candidate for arresting recombination and improving performance in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - We successfully fabricated dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employing a quasi-solid state electrolyte based on pristine insulator natural...     

Tomato Leaf Disease Classification using Multiple Feature Extraction Techniques

In order to further promote the optimization of the rural settlement pattern in the plateau and mountainous multi-ethnic gathering areas, and provide a basis for the protection and development of plateau mountainous ethnic settlements in the new period, the landscape pattern index method and ArcGIS spatial analysis method were used to quantitatively analyze the horizontal and vertical spatial distribution characteristics of rural settlements and their influencing factors in the multi-ethnic gathering area of the plateau and mountainous areas based on the 2017 remote sensing digital image data. The results show that: (1) The overall rural settlements in Longyang District on the horizontal space pattern show a small scale. The Han, Yi, Bai and Dai village settlements are mainly small settlements and small settlements. The Bai people are mainly medium-sized settlements. Their present the characteristics of cluster distribution. The Yi ethnic group has the highest degree of aggregation, and the Dai ethnic group has the lowest degree of aggregation. The spatial distribution and aggregation of different ethnic groups have significant differences in the level of spatial distribution. (2) Affected by geographical conditions on the vertical gradient, the settlements have a normal distribution overall, and the Bai settlements are the most obvious. (3) The spatial distribution characteristics of rural settlements in Longyang District are related to terrain, water system, transportation, and urban built-up areas, but there are certain differences between different ethnic groups. The optimization of the rural settlement pattern in the multi-ethnic gathering areas of the plateau and mountains should be based on different terrain conditions and different national cultures to suit local conditions, ensure ecological security, and promote national unity.

     

A Linear Variable Differential Capacitive Transducer for Sensing Planar Angles

A linear variable differential capacitive transducer for the measurement of planar angles (from 0deg to 360deg) is presented in this paper. The sensor part of the transducer is made of parallel plates of standard and easy-to-fabricate shapes, and the signal-conditioning electronics are realized, employing a couple of simple relaxation oscillators. The output of the transducer is only dictated by a pair of dc reference voltages, and hence, high accuracy and linearity over the entire range (from 0deg to 360deg) are easily obtained by the use of precision dc reference voltages. Detailed analysis indicates that the sensitivity of the transducer is minimal for variations in different parameters. Experimental results obtained on a prototype transducer that has been built and tested establish the efficacy of the proposed transducer. The worst-case error of the prototype transducer is found to be less than 0.1%.     

NH4Zr2V3O12 proton conductor

NH₄Zr₂V₃O₁₂, a new proton conductor, has been synthesized by flux, melt and hydrothermal methods. The crystals were subjected to X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and impedance measurements.     

Influence of Ball Burnishing Process on Equal Channel Angular Pressed Mg-Zn-Si Alloy on the Evolution of Microstructure and Corrosion Properties

Silicon - In the present study, Mg-4Zn-1Si alloy was subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) up to 4 passes at 300 °C, followed by ball burnishing using 0.3 mm...