Variation of SMSI with the Au:Pd Ratio of Bimetallic Nanoparticles on TiO2(110)

Au/Pd nanoparticles are important in a number of catalytic processes. Here we investigate the formation of Au–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles on TiO 2 (110) and their susceptibility to encapsulation using scanning tunneling microscopy, as well as Auger spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. Sequentially depositing 5 MLE Pd and 1 MLE Au at 298 K followed by annealing to 573 K results in a bimetallic core and Pd shell, with TiO x encapsulation on annealing to ~ 800 K. Further deposition of Au on the pinwheel type TiO x layer results in a template-assisted nucleation of Au nanoclusters, while on the zigzag type TiO x layer no preferential adsorption site of Au was observed. Increasing the Au:Pd ratio to 3 MLE Pd and 2 MLE Au results in nanoparticles that are enriched in Au at their surface, which exhibit a strong resistance towards encapsulation. Hence the degree of encapsulation of the nanoparticles during sintering can be controlled by tuning the Au:Pd ratio

Novel features of the rat model of inflammatory bowel disease based on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acidinduced acute colitis

The 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model in the rat is discussed, focusing on the details of the TNBS instillation and highlighting the advantages and limitations of this model. For determination of the time-dependent action of 50% ethanol and different doses of TNBS, male Wistar rats were treated with 50% ethanol or 10 mg or 30 mg of TNBS dissolved in 50% ethanol. The TNBS-induced inflammation peaked 48-72 h after installation and the colitis caused by 30 mg of TNBS was more severe than that caused by 10 mg of TNBS. To test the effectiveness of sulfasalazine (SASP), male rats were treated with 10 mg of TNBS or with 10 mg of TNBS and SASP, and 72 h later the extent of mucosal damage was determined. Orally administered 50 mg/kg/day SASP proved to reduce the TNBS-induced colonic inflammation in rats significantly. The TNBS-induced colitis model facilitates a better understanding of the immunopathological mechanisms of IBD. Optimization of the dose of TNBS and oral SASP as positive control in TNBS-induced colitis in rats furnishes an appropriate test system for new anti-IBD drugs

Design and Optimization of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Containing Dexamethasone for Ophthalmic Use

The aim of this study was to perform a preformulation study of dexamethasone (DXM)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for ocular use. Lipid screening was applied to find the most suitable solid and liquid lipids and surfactant for the NLC formulation. The visual observation was proved with XRD measurements for the establishment of the soluble state of DXM. Thermoanalytical measurements indicated that the most relevant depression of the crystallinity index could be ensured when using a 7:3 solid lipid:oil ratio. In order to optimize the NLC composition, a 23 full factorial experimental design was used. It was established that each independent factor (lipid, DXM, and surfactant concentration) had a significant effect on the particle size while in the case of entrapment efficiency, the DXM and surfactant concentrations were significant. Lower surfactant and lipid concentrations could be beneficial because the stability and the entrapment efficacy of NLCs were more favorable. The toxicity tests on human cornea cells indicated good ophthalmic tolerability of NLCs. The in vitro drug release study predicted a higher concentration of the solute DXM on the eye surface while the Raman mapping penetration study on the porcine cornea showed a high concentration of nanocarriers in the hydrophylic stroma layer

The Anti-Inflammatory Role of Mannich Curcuminoids; Special Focus on Colitis

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases gradually in Western countries with high need for novel therapeutic interventions. Mannich curcuminoids, C142 or C150 synthetized in our laboratory, have been tested for anti-inflammatory activity in a rat model of TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid) induced colitis. Treatment with C142 or C150 reduced leukocyte infiltration to the submucosa and muscular propria of the inflamed gut. C142 or C150 rescued the loss of body weight and C150 decreased the weight of standard colon preparations proportional with 20% less tissue oedema. Both C142 and C150 curcumin analogues caused 25% decrease in the severity of colonic inflammation and haemorrhagic lesion size. Colonic MPO (myeloperoxidase) enzyme activity as an indicator of intense neutrophil infiltration was 50% decreased either by C142 or C150 Mannich curcuminoids. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) co-treatment with Mannich curcuminoids inhibited NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) activity on a concentration-dependent manner in an NF-κB-driven luciferase expressing reporter cell line. Co-treatment with LPS and curcuminoids, C142 or C150, resulted in NF-κB inhibition with 3.57 μM or 1.6 μM half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values, respectively. C150 exerted a profound inhibition of the expression of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in human PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) upon LPS stimulus. Mannich curcuminoids reported herein possess a powerful anti-inflammatory activity