Novel ligand decorated theranostic zein nanoparticles coloaded with paclitaxel and carbon quantum dots: formulation and optimization

Aim: The present research focused on development and optimization of ligand decorated theranostic nanocarrier encapsulating paclitaxel and carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Methods: CQDs were prepared by microwave-assisted pyrolysis and were characterized for particle size and fluorescence behavior. Ligand decorated zein nanoparticles, coloaded with paclitaxel and CQDs, were formulated using a one-step nanoprecipitation method and optimized for various process parameters. Results: Particle size for coated and uncoated nanoparticles was 90.16 ± 1.65 and 179.26 ± 3.61 nm, respectively, and entrapment efficiency was >80%. The circular dichroism spectroscopy showed zein retained its secondary structure and release study showed biphasic release behavior. Conclusion: The prepared theranostic nanocarrier showed optimal fluorescence and desired release behavior without altering the secondary structure of zein.</p

Role of socio-cultural capital and country-level affluence in ethical consumerism

So far, most ethical consumerism research has been contained within Western countries, thus limiting our understanding of the concept in emerging markets. Given the call for extending empirical-based knowledge for a better understanding of peculiarities, dynamics and country-level variations (i.e. social, cultural) in the context of ethical consumerism in emerging markets, this research cross-examines the interactive nature of individual- and country-level predictors of ethical consumerism in emerging and developed markets, employing a multilevel approach. At the individual level, we posit that ethical consumerism is motivated by social and cultural capital. In contrast, at the contextual level, we choose country-level afuence as an infuential factor that might impact the relationship between socio-cultural capital and ethical consumerism. The study uses the International Social Survey Programme’s (ISSP) 2014 citizenship module data set (including 34 countries) for investigating individual-level predictors (of social and cultural capital). The GDP per capita data from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Economic Outlook database was used to examine the cross-level interactions between individuallevel predictors and country-level afuence. The fndings suggest that social and cultural capitals positively infuence ethical consumerism in emerging and developed markets. Further, country-level afuence moderates the relationship between socio-cultural capital and ethical consumerism for both markets. However, cultural capital proved to be a stronger predictor of ethical consumerism as country-level afuence increases. The research fndings highlight meaningful cross-country-level interactions that help further understand the basis of ethical consumerism from a global perspective

Additional file 1: of Erythrocyte P2X1 receptor expression is correlated with change in haematocrit in patients admitted to the ICU with blood pathogen-positive sepsis

Patient selection flow chart. Schematic of selection of patients included in the study. (PDF 112 kb

Additional file 2: of Erythrocyte P2X1 receptor expression is correlated with change in haematocrit in patients admitted to the ICU with blood pathogen-positive sepsis

Verification of antibodies. Full immunoblots for the P2X1 and P2X7 antibodies used for flow cytometric detection of the P2 receptors on the erythrocytes, with or without peptide pre-adsorption. The proteins used were isolated plasma membranes for human erythrocytes. (PDF 112 kb

Hydrogenation of Furfural with Nickel Nanoparticles Stabilized on Nitrogen-Rich Carbon Core–Shell and Its Transformations for the Synthesis of γ‑Valerolactone in Aqueous Conditions

In this article, we report the synthesis of nitrogen-rich carbon layer-encapsulated Ni(0) nanoparticles as a core–shell structure (Ni@N/C-g-800) for the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. The nickel nanoparticles were stabilized by the nitrogen-rich graphitic framework, which formed during the agitation of nickel acetate-impregnated cucurbit[6]­uril surface in a reducing atmosphere. Furthermore, the catalyst was characterized using various physicochemical methods such as powder X-ray diffraction, Raman, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, CO₂-temperature-programmed desorption, inductive coupled plasma, and CHN analyses. The nitrogen-rich environment of the solid support with metallic Ni nanoparticles was found to be active and selective for the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural with molecular H₂ in an aqueous medium at 100 °C. To understand the reaction mechanism, the diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform study was performed, which revealed that the CO bond is activated in the presence of a catalyst. In addition, we have extended our methodology toward the synthesis of “levulinic acid” and “γ-valerolactone”, by successive hydrolysis and hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol and levulinic acid, respectively, in an aqueous medium. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalysts used in all of the three consecutive steps help in recovery and recycling of the catalyst and easy separation of products

Supplemenatary Figures 1-5: Fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis secondary to Coxsackie A virus with full myocardial recovery following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.docx

Supplementary Figures 1-5</p

Supplementary Tables 1-2: Fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis secondary to Coxsackie A virus with full myocardial recovery following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.docx

Supplementary Tables 1-2</p

Additional file 1: Figure S1. of BALR-6 regulates cell growth and cell survival in B-lymphoblastic leukemia

BALR-6 locus encodes numerous alternative splice forms. Figure S2. Knockdown and overexpression of full length BALR-6 isoforms in mammalian cell lines. Figure S3. Constitutive expression of BALR-6 in mice periphery. Figure S4. Elevated levels of immature B cell populations in mice with BALR-6 overexpression. Figure S5. SP1 targets in siRNA mediated knockdown cell lines. Figure S6. Confirmation of global differential expression findings seen in initial microarray. (PDF 1.19 mb

Additional file 2: Tables S1. of BALR-6 regulates cell growth and cell survival in B-lymphoblastic leukemia

Primers and RACE sequences for BALR-6. Table S2. Antibodies used for bone marrow transplant flow cytometry analysis, and population gating schematics. Tables S3. Antibodies used for CD34 enrichment of human bone marrow flow cytometry analysis, and population gating schematics. (PDF 125 kb