Synthesis of folate targeted theranostic cubosomal platform for co-delivery of bismuth oxide and doxorubicin to melanoma in vitro and in vivo.

Liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) have gained much attention in cancer nanomedicines due to their unique features such as high surface area, storage stability, and sustained-release profile. In the current study, a novel LCNP for co-encapsulation of Bi2O3 and hydrophilic doxorubicin (DOX) was fabricated and functionalized with folic acid (FA) to achieve efficient tumor targeting toward CT-scan imaging and chemotherapy of melanoma in vitro and in vivo. LCNPs Bi2O3 NPs were prepared using glycerol monooleate-pluronic F-127 (GMO/PF127/water). Firstly, GMO/water were homogenized to prepare LC gel. Then, the stabilizer aqueous solution (PF127/Bi2O3/DOX) was added to the prepared LC gel and homogenized using homogenization and ultrasonication. The formulated NPs exhibited superior stability with encapsulation efficiency. High cytotoxicity and cellular internalization of the FA-Bi2O3-DOX-NPs were observed in comparison with Bi2O3-DOX-NPs and the free DOX in folate-receptor (FR) overexpressing cells (B16F10) in vitro. Moreover, ideal tumor suppression with increased survival rate were observed in tumorized mice treated with FA-Bi2O3-DOX-NPs compared to those treated with non-targeted one. On the other hand, the CT-imaging ability of the Bi2O3-DOX-NPs was tested inB16F10 tumor-bearing mice. The obtained data indicated a high potential of the developed targeted theranostic FA-Bi2O3-DOX-NPs for diagnostics and treatment of melanoma.

Performance of iron nano particles and bimetallic Ni/Fe nanoparticles in removal of amoxicillin trihydrate from synthetic wastewater.

In the present study, the degradation of amoxicillin trihydrate (AMT), using synthesized nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and bimetallic Fe and Ni nanoparticles stabilized with chitosan (Cs-Fe/Ni), in water was investigated. A central composite design combined with response surface methodology and optimization was utilized for maximizing the AMT reduction by the nanoparticles-water system. The importance of the various variables and their interactions were analyzed using analysis of variance and t-test. The effects of independent parameters were tested and the results showed that the initial concentration of AMT, pH, and nanoparticles dosage were all significant factors. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy images indicated that chitosan acts as a stabilizer preventing the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Also, chitosan and Ni increased the specific surface area of Cs-Fe/Ni. X-ray diffraction confirmed the existence of Fe(0) in fresh samples and the presence of Fe(II) and Fe(III) after the reaction with AMT. This study demonstrates that the nZVI technology could be a promising approach for antibiotic wastewater treatment.

Investigation of Factors Affecting Aerodynamic Performance of Nebulized Nanoemulsion.

This work aimed to prepare a nanoemulsion preparation containing budesonide and assess its aerodynamic behavior in comparison with suspension of budesonide. In-vitro aerodynamic performance of the corresponding micellar solution (ie. nanoemulsion preparation without oil) was investigated too. Nanoemulsions of almond oil containing budesonide, as a hydrophobic model drug molecule, were prepared and optimized. Then, the effect of variation of surfactant/co-surfactant concentration on the aerodynamic properties of the nebulized aerosol was studied. The results indicated that the most physically stable formulation makes the smallest aerodynamic size. The concentration of co-surfactant was also shown to be critical in determination of aerodynamic size. Furthermore, the optimized sample, with 3% w/w almond oil, 20% w/w Tween 80+Span 80 and 2% w/w ethanol showed a smaller MMAD in comparison with the commercially available suspension and the micellar solution.

The association between 25-dehydroxy vitamin D and lower respiratory infection in children aged less than "5" years in Imam Reza hospital, Bojnurd, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association between vitamin D deficiency and acute respiratory infection in children below age 5 years. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Reza Hospital in Bojnurd, Iran, in June 2013 and comprised 90 children below 5 years of age suffering from respiratory infections. They was selected on the basis of purposive sampling and were then categorised into two equal groups of 'acute' and 'non-acute' respiratory infection. Data collection was done using a questionnaire and serum level of 25-dehydroxycalcciferol was measured. SPSS 11 was used to analyse and interpret the data. RESULTS: In the group of children with respiratory disorders, 9 (42.9%) exhibited vitamin D deficiency. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics such as age, intrauterine age, weight, birth-weight, head circumference, height, gender, living area and respiratory distress (p>0.05 each). Vitamin D deficiency showed no meaningful statistical relation with acute respiratory infections (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More studies with higher sample size and are recommended.