Incorporation of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complexes into Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes are compounds of great interest in cancer therapy due to their unique photophysical, photochemical, and biological properties. For effective treatment, they must be able to penetrate tumor cells effectively and selectively. The development of nanoscale carriers capable of delivering Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes has the potential to passively or selectively enhance their cellular uptake in tumor cells. Many different strategies have been explored to incorporate Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes into a variety of nanosized constructs, ranging from organic to inorganic materials. Herein, recent developments in nanomaterials loaded with Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes are highlighted. Their rational design, preparation, and physicochemical properties are described, and their potential applications in cancer therapy are eventually discussed.     

Aging of novel membranes made of PVA and cellulose nanocrystals extracted from Egyptian rice husk manufactured by compression moulding process

Novel membranes consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) originated from Rice Husk (RH), Glutaraldehyde (GLA) and Glycerine (G) were manufactured by the compression moulding process. Rice husk is a new source to isolate pure cellulose nanocrystals via mechanical and chemical treatment. The biodegradability of the membranes has been evaluated using UV accelerated weathering as well as a soil burial test. The morphology of membranes (PVA/RH-CNCs) was characterized by using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The chemical structure of the membranes (PVA/RH-CNCs) was characterised by Fourier-Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the membranes were evaluated using standard techniques. Swelling and weight loss resulting from biodegradation were also evaluated. The results showed that the developed transient membranes can be used as food packaging bags owing to biodegradability (weight loss) under irradiation and during soil burial.     

A study of A2/O process in El-Berka WWTP by replacing the anaerobic selector with UASB and adopting a hybrid system in the oxic zone

ABSTRACT

A multistage system comprising an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) followed by anoxic unit and then oxic activated sludge (AS) with biofilm is studied in El-Berka WWTP, Egypt. Different organic loading wastewaters of chemical oxygen demand (COD) less than 500 mg/L till 3000 mg/L are tested during the study. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) varies for each loading from 7.5 to 10 to 15 h. The UASB reactor accomplishes the removal efficiency of 50%–70% of influent COD. The overall system performs the removal efficiency of 95% of influent COD and NH₄-N. Also, the results are verified by a modified mathematical model.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of some new azobenzenesulfonamide

Abstract

Diazotized sulfadiazine derivative (1) was coupled with some nitrogen heterocyclic namely (thiazolone derivatives 2a–c, thiazole derivatives 4a–c and barbituric acid derivatives 6a,b) to give the corresponding azo compounds 3a–c, 5a–c and 7a,b in good yields. The newly synthesized azo benzene sulfonamide dyes were recorded their UV visible spectra in the region 200–600?nm in four different solvents and discussed the effect of solvents, substituent and effect of acid and base on the absorption values of these dyes.     

Synthesis of a novolac‐based 3‐aminopropylsiloxane resin and its application for the removal of Cu2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater

Novolac resin was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimthoxysilane to obtain phenol‐formaldehyde‐aminopropylsiloxane resin (PF‐APS). Fourier transformation infra‐red spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and pH‐metric titration were used to characterize PF‐APS. Its chemical formula was suggested to be C₁₄H_12.49N_0.1O₂Si_0.1. The resin shows high experimental metal ions uptake capacity within short time of equilibration. The metal capacity was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry to be 0.787 mEq Cu/g. Maximum separation efficiencies of Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions on PF‐APS were at pH 8.0 and time of stirring 60 min; 94.0%, 90.8%, 83.2%, respectively. No significant interference from the background ions Na⁺, Cl^?, and was observed on the separation process. The heavy metal ions were eluted using 0.01 mol L^?1 EDTA at 65°C releasing >94% of the separated metal ions. The method of separation was applied successfully to remove the heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from electroplating wastewater from Dekirnis, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40993.     

Thermosensitive bioadhesive gels for the vaginal delivery of sildenafil citrate: in vitro characterization and clinical evaluation in women using clomiphene citrate for induction of ovulation

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop and characterize in situ thermosensitive gels for the vaginal administration of sildenafil as a potential treatment of endometrial thinning occurring as a result of using clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction in women with type II eugonadotrophic anovulation. While sildenafil has shown promising results in the treatment of infertility in women, the lack of vaginal pharmaceutical preparation and the side effects associated with oral sildenafil limit its clinical effectiveness.

Methods: Sildenafil citrate in situ forming gels were prepared using different grades of Pluronic^® (PF-68 and PF-127). Mucoadhesive polymers as sodium alginate and hydroxyethyl cellulose were added to the gels in different concentrations and the effect on gel properties was studied. The formulations were evaluated in terms of viscosity, gelation temperature (T_sol-gel), mucoadhesion properties, and in vitro drug release characteristics. Selected formulations were evaluated in women with clomiphene citrate failure due to thin endometrium (Clinicaltrial.gov identifier NCT02766725).

Results: The T_sol-gel decreased with increasing PF-127 concentration and it was modulated by addition of PF-68 to be within the acceptable range of 28–37?°C. Increasing Pluronic® concentration increased gel viscosity and mucoadhesive force but decreased drug release rate. Clinical results showed that the in situ sildenafil vaginal gel significantly increased endometrial thickness and uterine blood flow with no reported side effects. Further, these results were achieved at lower frequency and duration of drug administration.

Conclusion: Sildenafil thermosensitive vaginal gels might result in improved potential of pregnancy in anovulatory patients with clomiphene citrate failure due to thin endometrium.     

Preparation of Electrolytic Quasi-Solid-State Nanofibers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

JOM - Nanofibers were prepared from a poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinyl acetate) [P(AN-co-VAC)]/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blend and used as a quasi-solid (QS) electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar...     

Polyaniline/akaganéite nanocomposite for detoxification of noxious Cr(VI) from aquatic environment

In this work, a removal of toxic hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) ion from aqueous solution was investigated and studied using nanocomposite of polyaniline (PANI) and akaganéite nanoparticles (NP). HCl doped PANI, and akaganéite NPs were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and co-precipitation techniques, respectively. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). It was indicated that the formed oxide NPs were consisted of akaganéite as dominant phase plus minor phases of hematite, magnetite, and/or maghemite. HRTEM images of the prepared nanocomposite demonstrated that the phases of oxide NPs embedded in the nanocomposite had the same crystallinity and morphology of pristine oxide NPs. It was found that size of nanocomposite particles has diameter ranged from 8.95 to 16.21 nm. Cr(VI) removals in a wide pH range from 2 to 9 were appropriated for prepared nanocomposite. The nanocomposite has demonstrated high removal percentage of 99.2 % and removal capacity of 17.36 mg/g for 7.0 mg/L Cr(VI) polluted aqueous solution at pH 2.0 for 5-min contact time. The synthesized nanocomposite was applied to remove Cr(VI) from a leather tanning wastewater sample with efficiency of 93.4 %.