Preparation of hippurate-zinc layered hydroxide nanohybrid and its synergistic effect with tamoxifen on HepG2 cell lines

Samer Hasan Hussein Al Ali1, Mothanna Al-Qubaisi2, Mohd Zobir Hussein1,3, Zulkarnain Zainal1, Muhammad Nazrul Hakim41Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science; 2Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science; 3Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology; 4Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaBackground: A new simple preparation method for a hippurate-intercalated zinc-layered hydroxide (ZLH) nanohybrid has been established, which does not need an anion-exchange procedure to intercalate the hippurate anion into ZLH interlayers.Methods: The hippuric acid nanohybrid (HAN) was prepared by direct reaction of an aqueous suspension of zinc oxide with a solution of hippuric acid via a one-step method.Results: The basal spacing of the nanohybrid was 21.3 Å, indicating that the hippurate anion was successfully intercalated into the interlayer space of ZLH, and arranged in a monolayer fashion with the carboxylate group pointing toward the ZLH inorganic interlayers. A Fourier transform infrared study confirmed the formation of the nanohybrid, while thermogravimetry and differential thermogravimetry analyses showed that the thermal stability of the nanohybrid was markedly enhanced. The loading of hippurate in the nanohybrid was estimated to be about 38.7% (w/w), and the release of hippurate from the nanohybrid was of a controlled manner, and therefore the resulting material was suitable for use as a controlled-release formulation. HAN has synergistic properties with tamoxifen toward a HepG2 cell line, with an IC50 value of 0.35 compared with hippurate. In the antiproliferative assay, the ratio of viable cells account for cells treated by the combination tamoxifen with HAN to untreated cells was sharply reduced from 66% to 13% after 24 and 72 hours, respectively.Conclusion: The release of hippuric acid anions from HAN occurred in a controlled manner, and the resulting material is suitable for a controlled-release formulation.Keywords: hippuric acid, nanohybrids, zinc oxide, zinc-layered hydroxide, synergistic effec

Knowledge Management And Organizational Performance: A Research On Systematic Literature

Studies that investigate the KM and organizational performance are few. The purpose of this study is to review the literature and review the articles related to the effect of knowledge management (KM) on organizational performance. A systematic literature review was conducted, and three screenings were performed to refine the articles. Article were extracted from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). A total of 29 articles were considered to meet the selection criteria was reviewed, analyzed, and important information was extracted. A frequency analysis was conducted on these articles. The findings indicated that majority of the articles were extracted from WoS and published between 2015-2017 in Malaysia and Taiwan. The reviewed studies were conducted on manufacturing and technological industries using quantitative method. Sample size in most studies is less than 200 and data was analyzed using first generation of data analysis. Findings were discussed, and it was recommended for future studies to increase the sample size and use more frequently structural equation modeling

Innovation: The Key Factor Of Competitiveness For Chinese SMES

Purpose-This study aims to present an overview of SMEs’ innovation in China, to identify the main problems, and provide practical suggestions. Design/methodology/approach-The research of this paper is based on the collection and evaluation of existing literature and survey reports. Findings-This study presents the general situation and characteristics of SMEs’ innovation in China, and concludes the main reason that hinders Chinese SMEs’ innovation is the lack of human resources, capital, innovation culture and information. Practical implications-This study suggests that, in addition to improving resources and environment, SMEs can also try to adopt micro-innovation to promote innovation activities. These suggestions are practical and can help SMEs maintain competitiveness. Originality/ value-This study provides an overview of Chinese SMEs’ innovation, which can be the basis for future research in this area

The development of SMEs in China: Opportunities and Challenges

Purpose-The purpose of this study is to propose a framework of Chinese SMEs’ development in recent years, and to present the opportunities and challenges for SMEs. Design/methodology/approach-The research of this paper is based on the collection and evaluation of existing literature, year- books, and government disclosures. Previous literature is mainly collected from Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc. Findings-This study finds that, SMEs have experienced rapid development, financial crisis and stable growth period since 2001. Escalation of consumption structure, globaliza- tion, and cross-border e-commerce platforms have provided new opportuni- ties for SMEs. However, financing constraints, squeezed profit margins and innovation difficulties have become the most prominent challenges facing by SMEs. Originality/value-This study presents a development overview of Chinese SMEs, and emphasizes the opportunities and challenges. The result of this study can provide a basis for future research and policy formulation

Hippuric acid nanocomposite enhances doxorubicin and oxaliplatin-induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB231, MCF-7 and Caco2 cell lines.

Background: The aim of the current study is to design a new nanocomposite for inducing cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and oxaliplatin toward MDA-MB231, MCF-7, and Caco2 cell lines. A hippuric acid (HA) zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) nanocomposite was synthesized under an aqueous environment using HA and zinc oxide (ZnO) as the precursors. Methods: The hippuric acid nanocomposite (HAN) was prepared by the direct reaction of a HA solution with an aqueous suspension of ZnO. Results: The basal spacing of the nanocomposite was 21.3 Å, which is average of four harmonics at 2θ = 8.32°, 12.50°, 16.68°, and 20.84°. This result indicates that the hippurate anion was successfully intercalated into the interlayer space of ZLH. The combinations of HAN with chemotherapy (drugs) has inhibited the cell growth of the MDA-MB231, MCF-7, and Caco2 cancer cells when compared to drugs alone. An IC50 value for the combination of HAN with doxorubicin toward MCF-7 is 0.19 ± 0.15 µg/mL and toward MDA-MB231 is 0.13 ± 0.10 µg/mL. Similarly, the IC50 for the combination of HAN with oxaliplatin toward Caco2 is 0.24 ± 0.11 µg/mL. In the antiproliferative results, the equal combination of HAN (0.5 µg/mL) with doxorubicin (0.5 µg/mL) has reduced the cell proliferation in MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 231 cells into 37.3% and 17.6%, respectively after 24 hours. Similarly, the antiproliferation percentage for equal combination HAN with oxaliplatin (5.00 µg/mL) toward Caco2 is 72.7% after 24 hours. Conclusion: The resulting combination HAN with drugs has exhibited higher inhibition in cells growth in all cancer cell line

Social Network Sites And Innovation Capabilities In The Uae Hotel Industry. Reliability And Normality Test

The integration of information technology through social network sites in business operating and management has been recognized as one of the most resource for the development of innovation capabilities. It plays a significant role in knowledge sharing and transform which are the seeds of innovation development. The service sector is now the main domain where IT plays is extensively integrated in operation and management functions. However, the literature still lacks of clear understanding about the concept of SNSs and the innovation capabilities in hotel industry which affect the effectively use IT in their businesses. Therefore, this study aims to model SNSs and innovation capabilities. The reliability test through Cronbach alpha as well as normality tests were used

Arginine–chitosan- and arginine–polyethylene glycol-conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles: preparation, cytotoxicity and controlled-release

Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be used in targeted drug delivery systems for localized cancer treatment. MNPs coated with biocompatible polymers are useful for delivering anticancer drugs. Iron oxide MNPs were synthesized via co-precipitation method then coated with either chitosan (CS) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form CS–MNPs and PEG–MNPs, respectively. Arginine (Arg) was loaded onto both coated nanoparticles to form Arg–CS–MNP and Arg–PEG–MNP nanocomposites. The X-ray diffraction results for the MNPs and the Arg–CS–MNP and Arg–PEG–MNPs nanocomposites indicated that the iron oxide contained pure magnetite. The amount of CS and PEG bound to the MNPs were estimated via thermogravimetric analysis and confirmed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Arg loading was estimated using UV–vis measurements, which yielded values of 5.5% and 11% for the Arg–CS–MNP and Arg–PEG–MNP nanocomposites, respectively. The release profile of Arg from the nanocomposites followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The cytotoxic effects of the MNPs, Arg–CS–MNPs, and Arg–PEG–MNPs were evaluated in human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa), mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (3T3) and breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). The results indicate that the MNPs, Arg–CS–MNPs, and Arg–PEG–MNPs do not exhibit cytotoxicity toward 3T3 and HeLa cells. However, treatment of the MCF-7 cells with the Arg–CS–MNP and Arg–PEG–MNP nanocomposites reduced the cancer cell viability with IC50 values of 48.6 and 42.6 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the MNPs and free Arg did not affect the viability of the MCF-7 cells

The Moderation Role Of Transformational Leadership Between Human Capital And Organizational Innovation In Abu Dhabi Government

Transformational leadership with human capital, and innovation are key success factors for modern organizations. Effective leadership style that encourages innovation among human resources will add competitve advantage to the organization. The aim of this study is to examine the moderation role of transformational leadership between human capital and organizational innovation. To achieve this aim, this study adopted quantitative and a survey by collecting data from employees of public sector in Abu Dhabi. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyses the quantitative data. The result of this study shows transformational leadership moderates the association between human capital and organizational innovation. This study is one of the first, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge to test moderation tole of transformation leadership in UAE. Therefore, the author recommends the leaders in public organizations in UAE to focus on the factors associated with human capital in particular knowledge, skill, and attitude of employees in order to improve the level of innovation in their organization. The outcome of this study revealed that, the vision of transformation leader is very important to achieve competitive advantage for organizations in UAE through encouraging human capital towards innovation in work and business. Thus, it is highly recommended to assign transformational leaders in UAE organizations to enhance innovation within workplace as one of the main characteristics of transformation leaders is supporting human capital towards innovation

Development of a controlled-release anti-parkinsonian nanodelivery system using levodopa as the active agent.

A new layered organic-inorganic nanocomposite material with an anti-parkinsonian active compound, L-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine (levodopa), intercalated into the inorganic interlayers of a Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized using a direct coprecipitation method. The resulting nanocomposite was composed of the organic moiety, levodopa, sandwiched between Zn/Al-LDH inorganic interlayers. The basal spacing of the resulting nano-composite was 10.9 Å. The estimated loading of levodopa in the nanocomposite was approximately 16% (w/w). A Fourier transform infrared study showed that the absorption bands of the nanocomposite were characteristic of both levodopa and Zn/Al-LDH, which further confirmed intercalation, and that the intercalated organic moiety in the nanocomposite was more thermally stable than free levodopa. The resulting nanocomposite showed sustained-release properties, so can be used in a controlled-release formulation. Cytotoxicity analysis using an MTT assay also showed increased cell viability of 3T3 cells exposed to the newly synthesized nanocomposite compared with those exposed to pure levodopa after 72 hours of exposure