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  1. Selection of metal oxides in the preparation of rice husk ash (RHA)/CaO sorbent for simultaneous SO2 and NO removal
    Dahlan I, Lee KT, Kamaruddin AH, Mohamed AR
    J Hazard Mater, 2009 Jul 30;166(2-3):1556-9.
    PMID: 19147280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.12.028
    In this work, the removal of SO(2) and NO from simulated flue gas from combustion process was investigated in a fixed-bed reactor using rice husk ash (RHA)/CaO-based sorbent. Various metal precursors were used in order to select the best metal impregnated over RHA/CaO sorbents. The results showed that RHA/CaO sorbents impregnated with CeO(2) had the highest sorption capacity among other impregnated metal oxides for the simultaneous removal of SO(2) and NO. Infrared spectroscopic results indicated the formation of both sulfate (SO(4)(2-)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) species due to the catalytic role played by CeO(2). Apart from that, the catalytic activity of the RHA/CaO/CeO(2) sorbent was found to be closely related to its physical properties (specific surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter).
    Matched MeSH terms: Cerium/chemistry*; Charcoal/chemistry*; Metals/chemistry; Oxides/chemistry*; Calcium Compounds/chemistry*
  2. Determination of quinocide as impurity in primaquine tablets by capillary zone electrophoresis
    Elbashir AA, Saad B, Ali AS, Saleh MI, Aboul-Enein HY
    Biomed Chromatogr, 2009 May;23(5):464-71.
    PMID: 19016231 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1137
    A capillary zone electrophoretic method has been developed and validated for the determination of the impurity quinocide (QC) in the antimalarial drug primaquine (PQ). Different buffer additives such as native cyclodextrins and crown ethers were evaluated. Promising results were obtained when either beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) or 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) were used. Their separation conditions such as type of buffer and its pH, buffer additive concentration, applied voltage capillary temperature and injection time were optimized. The use of 18C6 offers slight advantages over beta-CD such as faster elution times and improved resolution. Nevertheless, migration times of less than 5 min and resolution factors (R(s)) in the range of 2-4 were obtained when both additives were used. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, analytical precision (intra- and inter-day variability) and repeatability. Concentrations of 2.12 and 2.71% (w/w) of QC were found in pharmaceutical preparations of PQ from two different manufacturers. A possible mechanism for the successful separation of the isomers is also discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimalarials/chemistry*; Primaquine/chemistry*; Tablets/chemistry*; Crown Ethers/chemistry; beta-Cyclodextrins/chemistry
  3. Xanthones from Garcinia mangostana (Guttiferae)
    Ee GC, Daud S, Taufiq-Yap YH, Ismail NH, Rahmani M
    Nat Prod Res, 2006 Oct;20(12):1067-73.
    PMID: 17127660
    Studies on the stem of Garcinia mangostana have led to the isolation of one new xanthone mangosharin (1) (2,6-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-xanthone) and six other prenylated xanthones, alpha-mangostin (2), beta-mangostin (3), garcinone D (4), 1,6-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-xanthone (5), mangostanol (6) and 5,9-dihydroxy-8- methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2H,6H-pyrano-[3,2-b]-xanthene-6-one (7). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry (MS) and by comparison with previous studies. All the crude extracts when screened for their larvicidal activities indicated very good toxicity against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. This article reports the isolation and identification of the above compounds as well as bioassay data for the crude extracts. These bioassay data have not been reported before.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Extracts/chemistry; Toxins, Biological/chemistry; Plant Stems/chemistry*; Garcinia/chemistry*; Xanthones/chemistry*
  4. Nutrient removal in a pilot and full scale constructed wetland, Putrajaya city, Malaysia
    Sim CH, Yusoff MK, Shutes B, Ho SC, Mansor M
    J Environ Manage, 2008 Jul;88(2):307-17.
    PMID: 17467147
    Putrajaya Wetlands in Malaysia, a 200ha constructed wetland system consisting of 24 cells, was created in 1997-1998 to treat surface runoff caused by development and agricultural activities from an upstream catchment before entering Putrajaya Lake (400ha). It was designed for stormwater treatment, flood control and amenity use. The water quality improvement performance of a section of the wetland cells is described. The nutrient removal performance was 82.11% for total nitrogen, 70.73% for nitrate-nitrogen and 84.32% for phosphate, respectively, along six wetland cells from Upper North UN6 to UN1 from April to December 2004. Nutrient removal in pilot scale tank systems, simulating a constructed wetland and planted with examples of common species at Putrajaya, the Common Reed Phragmites karka and Tube Sedge Lepironia articulata, and the capacity of these species to retain nutrients in above and below-ground plant biomass and substrate is reported. The uptake of nutrients by the Common Reed and Tube Sedge from the pilot tank system was 42.1% TKN; 28.9% P and 17.4% TKN; 26.1% P, respectively. The nutrient uptake efficiency of the Common Reed was higher in above-ground than in below-ground tissue. The results have implications for plant species selection in the design of constructed wetlands in Malaysia and for optimizing the performance of these systems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ammonia/chemistry; Nitrates/chemistry; Nitrogen/chemistry; Phosphates/chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*
  5. Synthesis and discovery of novel piperidone-grafted mono- and bis-spirooxindole-hexahydropyrrolizines as potent cholinesterase inhibitors
    Kia Y, Osman H, Kumar RS, Murugaiyah V, Basiri A, Perumal S, et al.
    Bioorg Med Chem, 2013 Apr 1;21(7):1696-707.
    PMID: 23454132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.01.066
    Three-component reaction of a series of 1-acryloyl-3,5-bisbenzylidenepiperidin-4-ones with isatin and L-proline in 1:1:1 and 1:2:2 molar ratios in methanol afforded, respectively the piperidone-grafted novel mono- and bisspiro heterocyclic hybrids comprising functionalized piperidine, pyrrolizine and oxindole ring systems in good yields. The in vitro evaluation of cholinesterase enzymes inhibitory activity of these cycloadducts disclosed that monospiripyrrolizines (8a-k), are more active with IC50 ranging from 3.36 to 20.07 μM than either the dipolarophiles (5a-k) or bisspiropyrrolizines (9a-k). The compounds, 8i and 8e with IC50 values of 3.36 and 3.50 μM, respectively showed the maximum inhibition of acethylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylylcholinestrase (BuChE). Molecular modeling simulation, disclosed the binding interactions of the most active compounds to the active site residues of their respective enzymes. The docking results were in accordance with the IC50 values obtained from in vitro cholinesterase assay.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Indoles/chemistry; Piperidones/chemistry*; Pyrroles/chemistry*; Spiro Compounds/chemistry
  6. Identification of the major allergens of Charybdis feriatus (red crab) and its cross-reactivity with Portunus pelagicus (blue crab)
    Misnan R, Murad S, Yadzir ZH, Abdullah N
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2012 Dec;30(4):285-93.
    PMID: 23393908
    Tropomyosin and arginine kinase have been identified as the major allergens in multiple species of crab. Charybdis feriatus is an important commercial crab in this country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Allergens/chemistry; Arginine Kinase/chemistry; Brachyura/chemistry; Tropomyosin/chemistry; Arthropod Proteins/chemistry
  7. Elucidation of Pyranonigrin Biosynthetic Pathway Reveals a Mode of Tetramic Acid, Fused γ-Pyrone, and exo-Methylene Formation
    Yamamoto T, Tsunematsu Y, Noguchi H, Hotta K, Watanabe K
    Org. Lett., 2015 Oct 16;17(20):4992-5.
    PMID: 26414728 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5b02435
    Successful activation of the pyranonigrin biosynthetic gene cluster and gene knockout in Aspergillus niger plus in vivo and in vitro assays led to isolation of six new products, including a spiro cyclobutane-containing dimeric compound, which served as the basis for the proposed comprehensive pyranonigrin biosynthetic pathway. Two redox enzymes are key to forming the characteristic fused γ-pyrone core, and a protease homologue performs the exo-methylene formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alkenes/chemistry*; Aspergillus niger/chemistry; Pyrones/chemistry*; Pyrroles/chemistry; Pyrrolidinones/chemistry*
  8. Metabolite profiling reveals temperature effects on the VOCs and flavonoids of different plant populations
    Goh HH, Khairudin K, Sukiran NA, Normah MN, Baharum SN
    Plant Biol (Stuttg), 2016 Jan;18 Suppl 1:130-9.
    PMID: 26417881 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12403
    Temperature is one of the key factors in limiting the distribution of plants and controlling major metabolic processes. A series of simulated reciprocal transplant experiments were performed to investigate the effect of temperature on plant chemical composition. Polygonum minus of different lowland and highland origin were grown under a controlled environment with different temperature regimes to study the effects on secondary metabolites. We applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify the chemical compounds. A total of 37 volatile organic compounds and 85 flavonoids were detected, with the largest response observed in the compositional changes of aldehydes and terpenes in highland plants under higher temperature treatment. Significantly less anthocyanidin compounds and larger amounts of flavonols were detected under higher temperature treatment. We also studied natural variation in the different plant populations growing under the same environment and identified compounds unique to each population through metabolite fingerprinting. This study shows that the origin of different plant populations influences the effects of temperature on chemical composition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Flavonoids/chemistry; Terpenes/chemistry; Polygonum/chemistry; Flavonols/chemistry; Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry
  9. Fulltext Environmental Synthesis of Few Layers Graphene Sheets Using Ultrasonic Exfoliation with Enhanced Electrical and Thermal Properties
    Noroozi M, Zakaria A, Radiman S, Abdul Wahab Z
    PLoS One, 2016;11(4):e0152699.
    PMID: 27064575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152699
    In this paper, we report how few layers graphene that can be produced in large quantity with low defect ratio from exfoliation of graphite by using a high intensity probe sonication in water containing liquid hand soap and PVP. It was founded that the graphene powder obtained by this simple exfoliation method after the heat treatment had an excellent exfoliation into a single or layered graphene sheets. The UV-visible spectroscopy, FESEM, TEM, X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy was used to analyse the graphene product. The thermal diffusivity of the samples was analysed using a highly accurate thermal-wave cavity photothermal technique. The data obtained showed excellent enhancement in the thermal diffusivity of the graphene dispersion. This well-dispersed graphene was then used to fabricate an electrically conductive polymer-graphene film composite. The results demonstrated that this low cost and environmental friendly technique allowed to the production of high quality layered graphene sheets, improved the thermal and electrical properties. This may find use in the wide range of applications based on graphene.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graphite/chemistry*; Povidone/chemistry; Powders/chemistry; Soaps/chemistry; Water/chemistry
  10. Simultaneous dual syringe electrospinning system using benign solvent to fabricate nanofibrous P(3HB-co-4HB)/collagen peptides construct as potential leave-on wound dressing
    Vigneswari S, Murugaiyah V, Kaur G, Abdul Khalil HPS, Amirul AA
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2016 Sep 01;66:147-155.
    PMID: 27207048 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.03.102
    The main focus of this study is the incorporation of collagen peptides to fabricate P(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] nano-fiber construct to further enhance surface wettability and support cell growth while harbouring desired properties for biodegradable wound dressing. Simultaneous electrospinning of nanofiber P(3HB-co-4HB)/collagen peptides construct was carried out using dual syringe system. The wettability of the constructs increased with the increase in 4HB molar fraction from 20mol% 4HB [53.2°], P(3HB-co-35mol%4HB)[48.9°], P(3HB-co-50mol%4HB)[44.5°] and P(3HB-co-82mol%4HB) [37.7°]. In vitro study carried out using mouse fibroblast cells (L929) grown on nanofiber P(3HB-co-4HB)/collagen peptides construct showed an increase in cell proliferation. In vivo study using animal model (Sprague Dawley rats) showed that nanofibrous P(3HB-co-4HB)/collagen peptides construct had a significant effect on wound contractions with the highest percentage of wound closure of 79%. Hence, P(3HB-co-4HB)/collagen peptides construct suitable for wound dressing have been developed using nano-fabrication technique.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Collagen/chemistry*; Hydroxybutyrates/chemistry*; Polyesters/chemistry*; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  11. Physicomechanical properties of sintered scaffolds formed from porous and protein-loaded poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres for potential use in bone tissue engineering
    Boukari Y, Scurr DJ, Qutachi O, Morris AP, Doughty SW, Rahman CV, et al.
    J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 2015;26(12):796-811.
    PMID: 26065672 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2015.1058696
    An injectable poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) system comprising both porous and protein-loaded microspheres capable of forming porous scaffolds at body temperature was developed for tissue regeneration purposes. Porous and non-porous (lysozyme loaded) PLGA microspheres were formulated to represent 'low molecular weight' 22-34 kDa, 'intermediate molecular weight' (IMW) 53 kDa and 'high molecular weight' 84-109 kDa PLGA microspheres. The respective average size of the microspheres was directly related to the polymer molecular weight. An initial burst release of lysozyme was observed from both microspheres and scaffolds on day 1. In the case of the lysozyme-loaded microspheres, this burst release was inversely related to the polymer molecular weight. Similarly, scaffolds loaded with 1 mg lysozyme/g of scaffold exhibited an inverse release relationship with polymer molecular weight. The burst release was highest amongst IMW scaffolds loaded with 2 and 3 mg/g. Sustained lysozyme release was observed after day 1 over 50 days (microspheres) and 30 days (scaffolds). The compressive strengths of the scaffolds were found to be inversely proportional to PLGA molecular weight at each lysozyme loading. Surface analysis indicated that some of the loaded lysozyme was distributed on the surfaces of the microspheres and thus responsible for the burst release observed. Overall the data demonstrates the potential of the scaffolds for use in tissue regeneration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Carriers/chemistry; Muramidase/chemistry*; Polyglycolic Acid/chemistry*; Lactic Acid/chemistry*; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry*
  12. Start-up, performance and optimization of a compost biofilter treating gas-phase mixture of benzene and toluene
    Rene ER, Kar S, Krishnan J, Pakshirajan K, López ME, Murthy DV, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2015 Aug;190:529-35.
    PMID: 25827361 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.03.049
    The performance of a compost biofilter inoculated with mixed microbial consortium was optimized for treating a gas-phase mixture of benzene and toluene. The biofilter was acclimated to these VOCs for a period of ∼18d. The effects of concentration and flow rate on the removal efficiency (RE) and elimination capacity (EC) were investigated by varying the inlet concentration of benzene (0.12-0.95g/m(3)), toluene (0.14-1.48g/m(3)) and gas-flow rate (0.024-0.072m(3)/h). At comparable loading rates, benzene removal in the mixture was reduced in the range of 6.6-41% in comparison with the individual benzene degradation. Toluene removal in mixture was even more affected as observed from the reductions in REs, ranging from 18.4% to 76%. The results were statistically interpreted by performing an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to elucidate the main and interaction effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/chemistry; Benzene/chemistry; Soil/chemistry*; Toluene/chemistry; Complex Mixtures/chemistry
  13. Fulltext Selective C-arylation of 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene via Suzuki cross coupling reaction and their pharmacological aspects
    Ikram HM, Rasool N, Ahmad G, Chotana GA, Musharraf SG, Zubair M, et al.
    Molecules, 2015 Mar 23;20(3):5202-14.
    PMID: 25806546 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20035202
    The present study reports the synthesis of various new derivatives based on 5-aryl-2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene with moderate-to-good yields via a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. This coupling method involved the reaction of 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene with several arylboronic acids in order to synthesize corresponding thiophene derivatives under controlled and optimal reaction conditions. The different substituents (CH3, OCH3, Cl, F etc.) present on arylboronic acids are found to have significant electronic effects on the overall properties of new products. The synthesized thiophene molecules were studied for their haemolytic, biofilm inhibition and anti-thrombolytic activities, and almost all products showed potentially good properties. The compound 2-bromo-5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-3-hexylthiophenein particular exhibited the highest values for haemolytic and bio-film inhibition activities among all newly synthesized derivatives. In addition, the compound 2-bromo-3-hexyl-5-(4-iodophenyl)thiophene also showed high anti-thrombolytic activity, suggesting the potential medicinal applications of these newly synthesized compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon/chemistry*; Fibrinolytic Agents/chemistry; Palladium/chemistry; Thiophenes/chemistry; Hemolytic Agents/chemistry
  14. Modified enzymes for reactions in organic solvents
    Salleh AB, Basri M, Taib M, Jasmani H, Rahman RN, Rahman MB, et al.
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2002 10 25;102-103(1-6):349-57.
    PMID: 12396136
    Recent studies on biocatalysis in water-organic solvent biphasic systems have shown that many enzymes retain their catalytic activities in the presence of high concentrations of organic solvents. However, not all enzymes are organic solvent tolerant, and most have limited and selective tolerance to particular organic solvents. Protein modification or protein tailoring is an approach to alter the characteristics of enzymes, including solubility in organic solvents. Particular amino acids may play pivotal roles in the catalytic ability of the protein. Attaching soluble modifiers to the protein molecule may alter its conformation and the overall polarity of the molecule. Enzymes, in particular lipases, have been chemically modified by attachment of aldehydes, polyethylene glycols, and imidoesters. These modifications alter the hydrophobicity and conformation of the enzymes, resulting in changes in the microenvironment of the enzymes. By these modifications, newly acquired properties such as enhancement of activity and stability and changes in specificity and solubility in organic solvents are obtained. Modified lipases were found to be more active and stable in organic solvents. The optimum water activity (a(w)) for reaction was also shifted by using modified enzymes. Changes in enantioselective behavior were also observed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Imidoesters/chemistry; Lipase/chemistry*; Organic Chemicals/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry; Water/chemistry
  15. Concentrations of thiocyanate and hypothiocyanite in the saliva of young adults
    Jalil RA
    J Nihon Univ Sch Dent, 1994 Dec;36(4):254-60.
    PMID: 7869127
    The study was conducted to determine thiocyanate (SCN-) and hypothiocyanite (OSCN-) concentrations in resting (RWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) and stimulated parotid saliva (SPS) of 20 healthy young adults aged 21-29 y. Samples of saliva were collected at 12:30, immediately before lunch. Resting saliva was collected by expectoration, and stimulated saliva was collected during the uniform chewing of paraffin wax. Parotid secretion was collected using a modified Carlsson-Crittenden cup (Carlsson et al., Am, J. Physiol., 26, 169-177, 1910). SCN- concentration was determined by the ferric nitrate method (Betts et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 75, 5721-5727, 1953) whilst OSCN- was assayed using 2-mercaptoethanol as a reducing agent (Pruitt et al., Caries Res., 16, 315-323, 1982). In RWS, SWS and SPS, the mean SCN- concentrations (in mM) were 1.48 +/- 0.59(S.D.), 0.90 +/- 0.56(S.D.) and 1.24 +/- 0.65(S.D.) whilst the mean OSCN- concentrations (in microM) were 31.21 +/- 13.54(S.D.), 24.90 +/- 12.61 and 30.19 +/- 23.35(S.D.) in the respective salivas. The presence of OSCN- in the secretion collected from the parotid gland supported previous findings by Tenovuo and Pruitt (Tenovuo et al., J. Oral Path, ol. 13, 573-584, 1984), who suggested an endogenous glandular (eukaryotic) source of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), since parotid saliva from healthy glands is devoid of bacteria and leukocytes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ferric Compounds/chemistry; Mercaptoethanol/chemistry; Nitrates/chemistry; Nitrobenzoates/chemistry; Saliva/chemistry*
  16. Fulltext Preparation of Chitosan-Hexaconazole Nanoparticles as Fungicide Nanodelivery System for Combating Ganoderma Disease in Oil Palm
    Maluin FN, Hussein MZ, Yusof NA, Fakurazi S, Idris AS, Zainol Hilmi NH, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 08;24(13).
    PMID: 31288497 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132498
    Fungicide is used to control fungal disease by destroying and inhibiting the fungus or fungal spores that cause the disease. However, failure to deliver fungicide to the disease region leads to ineffectiveness in the disease control. Hence, in the present study, nanotechnology has enabled the fungicide active agents (hexaconazole) to be encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles with the aim of developing a fungicide nanodelivery system that can transport them more effectively to the target cells (Ganoderma fungus). A pathogenic fungus, Ganoderma boninense (G. boninense), is destructive to oil palm whereby it can cause significant loss to oil palm plantations located in the Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia. In regard to this matter, a series of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with the fungicide, hexaconazole, was prepared using various concentrations of crosslinking agent sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The resulting particle size revealed that the increase of the TPP concentration produced smaller particles. In addition, the in vitro fungicide released at pH 5.5 demonstrated that the fungicide from the nanoparticles was released in a sustainable manner with a prolonged release time up to 86 h. On another note, the in vitro antifungal studies established that smaller particle size leads to lower half maximum effective concentration (EC50) value, which indicates higher antifungal activity against G. boninense.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Polyphosphates/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry*; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  17. Fulltext Enhanced gastrointestinal survivability of recombinant Lactococcus lactis using a double coated mucoadhesive film approach
    Tan EW, Tan KY, Phang LV, Kumar PV, In LLA
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0219912.
    PMID: 31335895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219912
    Vaccine administration via the oral route is preferable to parenteral routes due to ease of administration. To date, most available oral vaccines comprises of live attenuated pathogens as oppose to peptide-based vaccines due to its low bioavailability within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Over the years, probiotic-based peptide delivery vehicles comprising of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis has emerged as an interesting alternative due to its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, a fully sequenced genome, transient gut colonization time, and is an efficient cellular factory for heterologous protein production. However, its survivability through the GI tract is low, thus better delivery approaches are being explored to improve its bioavailability. In this study, we employ the incorporation of a double coated mucoadhesive film consisting of sodium alginate and Lycoat RS 720 film as the inner coat. The formulated film exhibits good mechanical properties of tensile strength and percent elongation for manipulation and handling with an entrapment yield of 93.14±2.74%. The formulated mucoadhesive film is subsequently loaded into gelatin capsules with an outer enteric Eudragit L100-55 coating capable of a pH-dependent breakdown above pH 5.5 to protect against gastric digestion. The final product and unprotected controls were subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestions to assess its survivability. The product demonstrated enhanced protection with an increase of 69.22±0.67% (gastric) and 40.61±8.23% (intestinal) survivability compared to unprotected controls after 6 hours of sequential digestion. This translates to a 3.5 fold increase in overall survivability. Owing to this, the proposed oral delivery system has shown promising potential as a live gastrointestinal vaccine delivery host. Further studies involving in vivo gastrointestinal survivability and mice immunization tests are currently being carried out to assess the efficacy of this novel oral delivery system in comparison to parenteral routes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins/chemistry; Adhesives/chemistry; Alginates/chemistry; Capsules/chemistry; Gelatin/chemistry
  18. Functionalized core/shell nanofibers for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells for vascular tissue engineering
    Ezhilarasu H, Sadiq A, Ratheesh G, Sridhar S, Ramakrishna S, Ab Rahim MH, et al.
    Nanomedicine (Lond), 2019 01;14(2):201-214.
    PMID: 30526272 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0271
    AIM: Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease causing medical problems globally leading to coronary artery bypass surgery. The present study is to fabricate core/shell nanofibers to encapsulate VEGF for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into smooth muscle cells to develop vascular grafts.

    MATERIALS & METHODS: The fabricated core/shell nanofibers contained polycaprolactone/gelatin as the shell, and silk fibroin/VEGF as the core materials.

    RESULTS: The results observed that the core/shell nanofibers interact to differentiate MSCs into smooth muscle cells by the expression of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractile proteins α-actinin, myosin and F-actin.

    CONCLUSION: The functionalized polycaprolactone/gelatin/silk fibroin/VEGF (250 ng) core/shell nanofibers were fabricated for the controlled release of VEGF in a persistent manner for the differentiation of MSCs into smooth muscle cells for vascular tissue engineering.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fibroins/chemistry; Polyesters/chemistry; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/chemistry; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  19. Fulltext Polymeric Microsphere Formulation for Colon Targeted Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil Using Biocompatible Natural Gum Katira
    Karan S, Choudhury H, Chakra BK, Chatterjee TK
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 07 01;20(7):2181-2194.
    PMID: 31350983 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.2181
    Controlled release delivery system of chemotherapeutic agents at the site of colon endorses modern drug-entrapped
    delivery tools, which release the entrappedagents at a controlled rate for anextended period providing patient compliance
    and additional protection from the degradinggastric environment. Thus, the present study was aimed to develop
    and optimize a novel polymeric microsphere of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using natural gum katira to obtain an optimal
    therapeutic response at the colon. Due course of experimentation, in-vivo safety profile of the gum katira in an animal
    model was established. Modified solvent extraction/evaporation technique wasemployed to encapsulate 5-FU in the
    natural polymeric microsphere and was characterized using in-vitro studies to investigate particle size, morphology,
    encapsulation efficiency and release of the drug from developed formulation. Formulated and optimized polymeric
    microsphere of 5-FU using gum katira polymer own optimal physicochemical characteristics with a fine spherical particle
    with size ranged from 210.37±7.50 to 314.45±7.80 μm.Targeted microsphere exhibited good cytotoxicity and also has
    high drug entrapment efficiency, and satisfactory release pattern of the drug within a time frame of 12 h. Finally, we
    foresee that the optimized polymeric gum katiramicrosphere of 5-FU could be a promising micro-carrier for efficient
    colon drug targeting delivery tool with improved chemotherapeutic efficacy against colon cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/chemistry; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Fluorouracil/chemistry; Plant Gums/chemistry*
  20. Potential of using multiscale corn husk fiber as reinforcing filler in cornstarch-based biocomposites
    Ibrahim MIJ, Sapuan SM, Zainudin ES, Zuhri MYM
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Oct 15;139:596-604.
    PMID: 31381916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.015
    In this study, biodegradable composite films were prepared by using thermoplastic cornstarch matrix and corn husk fiber as a reinforcing filler. The composite films were manufactured via a casting technique using different concentrations of husk fiber (0-8%), and fructose as a plasticizer at a fixed amount of 25% for starch weight. The Physical, thermal, morphological, and tensile characteristics of composite films were investigated. The findings indicated that the incorporation of husk fiber, in general, enhanced the performance of the composite films. There was a noticeable reduction in the density and moisture content of the films, and soil burial assessment showed less resistance to biodegradation. The morphological images presented a consistent structure and excellent compatibility between matrix and reinforcement, which reflected on the improved tensile strength and young modulus as well as the crystallinity index. The thermal stability of composite films has also been enhanced, as evidenced by the increased onset decomposition temperature of the reinforced films compared to neat film. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed increasing in intermolecular hydrogen bonding following fiber loading. The composite materials prepared using corn husk residues as reinforcement responded to community demand for agricultural and polymeric waste disposal and added more value to waste management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Cellulose/chemistry; Polymers/chemistry*; Starch/chemistry; Water/chemistry
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