Nanoparticles - A review

For the past few decades, there has been a considerable research interest in the area of drug delivery using particulate delivery systems as carriers for small and large molecules. Particulate systems like nanoparticles have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug molecules. They have been used in vivo to protect the drug entity in the systemic circulation, restrict access of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action. Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drug delivery research to increase therapeutic benefit, while minimizing side effects. Here, we review various aspects of nanoparticle formulation, characterization, effect of their characteristics and their applications in delivery of drug molecules and therapeutic genes. Keywords: nanoparticles, drug delivery, targeting, drug release > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 5 (1) 2006: pp. 561-57

Ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and larvicidal response of Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 to Lobophora variegata Lamouroux, 1817 from Tuticorin coast, Gulf of Mannar, India

The objective of the present study was to investigate the mosquito ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and larvicidal efficacy of hexane, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of, Lobophora variegata against malarial vector Anopheles stephensi. Among the five extract tested, the methanol extract was notable, which attained the 100 percent mortality at the concentration of 200.0 ppm and the hatchability rate ranged from 71.3 to 36.3 percent. In laboratory oviposition deterrent test, the extract of L. variegata greatly reduced the number of eggs deposited by gravid An. stephensi. The maximum and significant diminished fecundity in An. stephensi was observed with methanol extract which caused 76.15­–97.69% effective deterrence. Larvicidal response of An. stephensi was more susceptible in methanol extract. The LC50 ­value of methanol extract was 61.63 ppm and the Chi-square value were significant at p<0.05 level. It is concluded, that the extract of L. variegata could be used in control of malarial vector An. stephensi

Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of Green Synthesis CdO Nanoparticles and Its Ag/CdO/P-Si Junction Diode Fabricated Via JNS Pyrolysis Techniqu

CdO nanoparticle is synthesized using green tea extract as solvent by microwave irradiation method. Its crystalline structure is confirmed by the well define peaks of powder XRD study. The surface morphology is analyzed by SEM and TEM spectrograph. The percentage composition of cadmium present in the synthesized material is confirmed by EDS study also presence of various functional groups is analysis using FTIR spectrum. The band gap energy of composed material is calculated with the help of cut off peak of diffused reflectance spectrum of UV study. The thermal conductance of the substance is increasing with increasing the temperature. The good rectifying character of CdO is explained with the help of I-V character study

Record size landing of blackbanded trevally Seriolina nigrofasciata at Veraval

On the 4th of January 2008, two giant sized female blackbanded trevally Seriolina nigrofasciata Ruppell caught by hooks and line were landed at Bhidiya, Veraval (Fig. 1). This is the first report on the landing of black banded trevally at Veraval. The hooks hook no. 6) were suspended at a depth of 80 - 90 m from the trawler having overall length of 14 m and powered with 105 HP engine

r-2,c-6-Bis(4-methoxy­phen­yl)-c-3,t-3-dimethyl­piperidin-4-one

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C21H25NO3, contains two crystallographically independent mol­ecules (A and B). In both mol­ecules, the piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation, with the methoxy­phenyl rings attached equatorially. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings in mol­ecule A is 73.79 (8)°; the corresponding value in mol­ecule B is 77.71 (8)°. The mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In addition, C—H⋯π inter­actions are also found in the crystal structure

On unusual heavy landing of cat fish Tachysurus dussumieri (Valenciennes) at Kasimedu, Madras

An unusual catch of cat fishes was recorded from 'Eda valai' (Bag net) netters. Out of that, 14 t was netted iix a single haul by 'Eda valai' opeiated by a catamaran at a depth of 10-15 m. 'Eda valai' is a traditional boat seine usually operated in shallow coastal areas with an extremely wide rectangular mouth or nearly square, measuring 20 m to catch pelagic shoals

Forecasting Freight Logistic Needs and INDOT Plans

This project focused on forecasting freight logistics needs and developing and analyzing capacity plans for INDOT to consider. The forecast timeframe ranges from the 2020 to 2045; the commodities considered are those used in the FHWA framework. We considered five SSP (Shared Socio-Economic Pathways) scenarios that are in sync with those used by the IPCC (International Protocol for Climate Change). We also use the IPCC forecasts of world GDP and FHWA forecasts to develop county-level freight forecasts by commodity. A survey of industry participants, primarily in manufacturing, suggests that Indiana industries are tied to the rest of the country and the world for supply of inputs as well as for demand markets. Finally, we focus on three different industries—the recreational vehicle (RV) industry in Elkhart County, the furniture industry in Dubois County, and the Honda plant in Decatur County—to illustrate the impact of bill of materials and growth forecasts on forecasted congestion and potential capacity mitigation. Our results suggest that proactive capacity planning can enable INDOT to anticipate and ease congestion and ensure continued economic competitiveness for Indiana industries

IGFBP-3 Inhibits Cytokine-Induced Insulin Resistance and Early Manifestations of Atherosclerosis

Metabolic syndrome is associated with visceral obesity, insulin resistance and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Visceral fat tissue primarily consists of adipocytes that secrete cytokines leading to a state of systemic inflammation in obese conditions. One of the IGF-independent functions of IGFBP-3 is its role as an anti-inflammatory molecule. Our study in obese adolescents show a decrease in total IGFBP-3 levels and increase in proteolyzed IGFBP-3 in circulation when compared to their normal counterparts and establishes a positive correlation between IGFBP-3 proteolysis and adiposity parameters as well as insulin resistance. In human adipocytes, we show that IGFBP-3 inhibits TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity in an IGF-independent manner, thereby restoring the deregulated insulin signaling and negating TNF-α-induced inhibition of glucose uptake. IGFBP-3 further inhibits TNF-α, CRP and high glucose-induced NF-κB activity in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and subsequently suppresses monocyte adhesion to HAEC through the IGFBP-3 receptor. In conclusion, these findings suggest that reduced levels of IGFBP-3 in circulation and reduced expression of IGFBP-3 in macrophages in obesity may result in suppression of its anti-inflammatory functions and therefore IGFBP-3 may present itself as a therapeutic for obesity-induced insulin resistance and for events occurring in the early stages of atherosclerosis

Differential item functioning for items in Berger's HIV Stigma Scale: an analysis of cohorts from the Indian, Swedish, and US contexts

PURPOSE: To examine whether items in Berger's HIV Stigma Scale function differently with persons of different age, gender, and cultural backgrounds. METHODS: Secondary data from cohorts, collected in South India (n = 250), Sweden (n = 193), and the US (n = 603) were reanalyzed to evaluate DIF within, between, and across these cohorts. All participants had answered the revised version of the HIV stigma scale consisting of 32 items forming the subscales Personalized stigma, Disclosure concerns, Concerns about public attitudes, and Negative self-image. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) for these items was assessed using hybrid ordinal regression-IRT technique. When DIF was detected, the cumulative impact of DIF on individual subscale scores was evaluated. RESULTS: DIF was detected for 9 items within, between, or across cohorts, but the DIF was negligible in general. Detected DIF between the Swedish and Indian cohorts had a cumulative salient impact on individual scores for the subscale Disclosure Concerns; Disclosure concerns were overestimated in the Swedish cohort and both over- and underestimated in the Indian cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The items in the 32-item version of the HIV stigma scale did not seem to be particularly prone to present DIF. The DIF between the Indian and Swedish cohort for items in the subscale Disclosure Concerns could, however, result in both type I and type II errors if scores should be compared between the Indian and Swedish cohort

Differential item functioning for items in Berger's HIV Stigma Scale: an analysis of cohorts from the Indian, Swedish, and US contexts

PURPOSE: To examine whether items in Berger's HIV Stigma Scale function differently with persons of different age, gender, and cultural backgrounds. METHODS: Secondary data from cohorts, collected in South India (n = 250), Sweden (n = 193), and the US (n = 603) were reanalyzed to evaluate DIF within, between, and across these cohorts. All participants had answered the revised version of the HIV stigma scale consisting of 32 items forming the subscales Personalized stigma, Disclosure concerns, Concerns about public attitudes, and Negative self-image. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) for these items was assessed using hybrid ordinal regression-IRT technique. When DIF was detected, the cumulative impact of DIF on individual subscale scores was evaluated. RESULTS: DIF was detected for 9 items within, between, or across cohorts, but the DIF was negligible in general. Detected DIF between the Swedish and Indian cohorts had a cumulative salient impact on individual scores for the subscale Disclosure Concerns; Disclosure concerns were overestimated in the Swedish cohort and both over- and underestimated in the Indian cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The items in the 32-item version of the HIV stigma scale did not seem to be particularly prone to present DIF. The DIF between the Indian and Swedish cohort for items in the subscale Disclosure Concerns could, however, result in both type I and type II errors if scores should be compared between the Indian and Swedish cohort