Genetic diversity and population structure of leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros speoris (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Indian subcontinent

Genetic variation and population structure of the leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros speoris were estimated using 16S rRNA sequence and microsatellite analysis. Twenty seven distinct mitochondrial haplotypes were identified from 186 individuals, sampled from eleven populations. FST test revealed significant variations between populations in the overall pairwise estimation (FST = 0.710; p < 0.001). In addition, haplotype network and analysis of molecular variation analysis (AMOVA) consistently suggest the prevalence of genetic structure in the sampled populations. However, the mtDNA data was not significantly different in few closely located urban populations, but significant difference has been observed with the use of microsatellite data. The Bayesian clustering analysis identified eight clusters among the populations; the clustering pattern also corresponded to the haplotype networks. Overall, the present study suggests a "macrogeographic genetic isolation-by-distance" and possibility of gene flow among closely located populations

Development of self-repair nano-rod scaffold materials for implantation of osteosarcoma affected bone tissue

Osteosarcoma is the most widely recognized fatal bone disease in children and young adults. The osteosarcoma affected places of bone implant materials lose their activity after a period of time due to the possibility of regenerating sarcoma cells. Hence, the complete recovery of this disease is very challenging. Subsequently, new helpful methodologies, including natural antioxidant loaded bone implant materials, are effectively used to treat osteosarcoma cells. In this regard, nano-hydroxyapatite reinforced with a xylitol based poly(xylitol sebacate) PXS co-polymer together with a capsaicin loaded scaffold was investigated on osteosarcoma cells. The physicochemical properties of the scaffold were evaluated by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and XRD (X-ray diffraction). The in vitro release and antioxidant activity of the capsaicin loaded nHAP/PXS/CAP scaffold were evaluated by UV-Visible spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity against the Saos-2 cancer line and cell viability in the osteoblast cell MG63 are reported. Eventually, the composite enlarges the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Saos-2 cells

Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery in Folate-Overexpressed Breast Cancer Cells Using Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres

Abstract: Nanoparticle-based drug delivery reveals the safety and effectiveness and avoids premature drug release from the nanocarrier. These nanoparticles improve the bioavailability and stability of the drug against chemical and enzymatic degradation and facilitate targeted drug delivery. Herein, targeted folic acid-conjugated oxidized mesoporous carbon nanospheres (Ox-MPCNPs) were successfully fabricated and developed as antitumoral doxorubicin delivery for targeted breast cancer therapy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed that the doxorubicin was successfully bound on the Ox-MPCNP through hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the synthesized doxorubicin-loaded Ox-MPCNP is semi-crystalline. The surface morphology of the synthesized doxorubicin-loaded Ox-MPCNP (DOX/Ox-MPCNP-Cys-PAsp-FA) was studied by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, which demonstrates a sphere-shaped morphology. The cytotoxic effects of DOX/Ox-MPCNP-Cys-PAsp-FA were studied in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using the CytoTox96 assay kit. The study confirmed the cytotoxic effects of the synthesized nanospheres in vitro. Moreover, DOX/Ox-MPCNP-Cys-PAsp-FA-treated cells displayed efficient cell apoptosis and cell death in flow cytometry analysis. The mitochondrial fragmentation and nucleus damages were further confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Thus, the approach used to construct the DOX/Ox-MPCNP-Cys-PAsp-FA carrier provides excellent opportunities for the targeted treatment of breast cancer

Zn2+ cross-linked sodium alginate-g-allylamine-mannose polymeric carrier of rifampicin for macrophage targeting tuberculosis nanotherapy

Our aim was to evaluate the capacity of polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) to selectively deliver an antituberculosis drug (rifampicin; RF) to alveolar macrophages. Anionic biodegradable copolymer sodium alginate-g-allylamine-mannose (SA-g-AA-M) was synthesized by atom transfer free radical polymerization and direct coupling of the respective conjugates. The fabrication of RF-loaded Zn2+ ion-cross-linked SA-g-AA-M PNPs was conducted by an O/W emulsion method followed by ionotropic gelation. The structural nature of the RF-loaded SA-g-AA-M PNPs was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to illustrate the shape and morphology of the nanoparticles. The PNPs were observed as uniform spheres in the nanometer range (<300 nm), with a low polydispersity index, and excellent performance in terms of drug encapsulation and release ability. The PNPs also showed strong antimicrobial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Cytotoxicity evaluation in VERO cells by an MTT assay suggested that the PNPs have good biocompatibility. Alveolar macrophage targeting was evaluated via cellular uptake by A549 cells. The cellular uptake results revealed that the Zn2+ concentration of the PNPs increases the intracellular concentration of RF and enhances its antitubercular efficiency. Overall, the results suggest that PNPs could lead to the development of a possible mannose-containing carrier for a macrophage-targeting drug delivery system

Ionic conduction and dielectric properties of yttrium doped LiZr2(PO4)3 obtained by a Pechini-type polymerizable complex route

We report on the ion transport properties of Li1+xZr2-xYx(PO4)3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) NASICON type nanocrystalline compounds prepared through a Pechini-type polymerizable complex method. Structural properties were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction. Impedance spectroscopy was utilised to investigate the lithium ion transport properties. Y3+doped LiZr2(PO4)3 compounds showed stabilized rhombohedral structure with enhanced total ionic conductivity at 30 °C from 2.87 × 10−7 S cm−1 to 0.65 × 10−5 S cm−1 for x=0.05 to 0.20 respectively. The activation energies of Li1+xZr2-xYx(PO4)3 show a decreasing trend from 0.45 eV to 0.35 eV with increasing x from 0.05 to 0.20. The total conductivity of these compounds is thermally activated, with activation energies and pre-exponential factors following the Meyer-Neldel rule. The tanδ peak position shifts to the high-frequency side with increasing yttrium content. Scaling in AC conductivity spectra shows that the electrical relaxation mechanisms are independent of temperature