Depolymerization of bagasse by Ruminococcus albus in the production of eco-friendly fuel

Ethanol production by fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass-derived sugars involves a fairly ancient art and an ever-evolving science. Production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is not avant-garde, and wood ethanol plants have been in existence since at least 1915. Most current ethanol production relies on starch- and sugarbased crops as the substrate; however, limitations of these materials and competing value for human and animal feeds is renewing interest in lignocellulose  conversion.Lignocellulosic biomass contains carbohydrate fractions that can be converted into ethanol. In order to convert these fractions, the cellulose and hemicelluloses must ultimately be converted or hydrolysed into monosaccharides; it is the hydrolysis that has historically proven to be problematic. Biologically mediated processes are promising for energy conversion, in particular for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into  fuels. The objective of the present study is to optimise cellulosic ethanol production from bagasse by using Ruminococcus albus isolated from rumen of herbivores animals. The processing and utilization of the  lignocellulosic substrate is complex, differing in many aspects from crop-based ethanol production. Since the scientific dogma states that the breakdown or depolymerisation of lignocellulose can be achieved only by chemical or by enzymatic approach; in the present study we isolated Ruminococcus albus from rumen animals which was depolymerise cellulose and hemicellulose as well as to tolerate stress conditions. Optimum temperature, pH and substrate concentration for depolymerization were 390C, 8.8 and 3.5% respectively for Ruminococcus albus. For the feed  stock of concentration 3.5%, ethanol yield of 19.8g/l was obtained

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PACLITAXEL LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES AS A COLLOIDAL DRUG CARRIER

Objective: This study was aimed to design and characterize Paclitaxel-loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) to achieve site specificity,reduce toxicity and sustained release pattern. Methods: Paclitaxel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were fabricated by microemulsion followed by probe sonication technique using stearic acid as lipid and stabilized of the mixture of surfactants. In this study, 32 full factorial design was employed for optimizing the concentration of lipid as stearic acid and surfactant (soya lecithin) for the nanoparticles. The optimization was done by studying the dependent variable of particle size and % entrapment efficiency. Results: The results showed that the paclitaxel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles prepared with the concentration of 33.31 % stearic acid and 500 mg of soya lecithin were optimum characteristic than other formulations. They showed the average particles size 149±4.10 nm and PDI 250±2.04. The zeta potential, % EE and % drug loading capacity was found to be respectively-29.7, 93.38±1.90 and 0.81±0.01. The optimized batch of Paclitaxel SLNs exhibited spherical shape with smooth surface analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. In vitro study showed sustained release profile and was found to follow Higuchi Kinetics Equation. Conclusion: The SLNs of paclitaxel m et al. l the requirements of a colloidal drug delivery system. They had a particle size in nanosize; their size distribution was narrow and all the particles were in a spherical shape

USE OF WATER QUALITY INDEX TO DETERMINE SUITABILITY AND EASONAL DISSIMILARITY OF WATER BODIES IN HASSAN, KARNATAKA, INDIA

ABSTRACT To assess spatial and sequential contamination of selected water bodies using Water Quality Index (WQI) has been calculated for Channarayapatna (SC 1 and SC 2 ), Bagur (SB 1 and SB 2 ), Janivara (SJ 1 and SJ 2 ) and Anekere (SA 1 and SA 2 ) at Channarayapatna taluk during pre-monsoon season and monsoon season. Water quality parameters were selected as per the WHO guidelines. Fourteen water quality physico-chemical parameters were estimated as per the standard methods and procedures. Drinking water at almost all the sites was found to be highly contaminated, except a few sites, where it was found moderately contaminated for both the seasons during the year 2011. In general, to some extent water quality showed deterioration after the onset of monsoon. The rural village activity produces a serious and negative effect on the water quality, this is due sewage discharge from the villages. Water Quality Index (WQI) was also calculated to know the overall quality of water samples. The results show that the water quality index is observed in the range of 75-98 and expected in the range of 75-98 which shows marginally water quality for drinking purposes. The water quality index is calculated by indicator (100-point scale) shows that this water can be used for drinking purpose after purification treatment. Results show that quality for irrigation purpose is quite good. It was found that some effective measures are urgently required for water quality management in this region

Preparation and Characterization of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Cisplatin

Cisplatin (Cis diaminedichloro platinum) was the first platinum drug to be used as an anticancer drug, and it is widely used in the treatment of testicular, head, neck, ovarian and lung cancer. The use of Cisplatin is limited due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance and severe side effects such as chronic neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The colloidal carriers such as emulsion, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles have been extensively studied to overcome above limitations. The solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), amongst other colloidal carriers, were found to be an ideal carrier for lipophillic drug for better stability and release retardation. Cisplatin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles was prepared by microemulsion technique. Stearic acid was used as lipid. The other excipients were used as DPPG, Soya lecithin and Poloxamer P407  and acidic buffer  PH4. Also used Probe sonication for 10 min at 79 Amplitude. Cisplatin SLNs Batch C13 showed particle size of 119.23±1.52 nm, Zeta potential of -37.33±2.47 mV, % Entrapment efficiency of  90.2 ± 2.1 %., % Drug loading capacity of 1.62 ± 1.34 %., The TEM study of optimized Cisplatin SLN illustrated the spherical shape of nanoparticles. Total release amount of Cisplatin was 82.62± 2.04 % after 48 hrs. The formulation performed kinetics study followed Peppas plot equation The SLNs of Cisplatin met all the requirements of a colloidal drug delivery system. They had particle size in nanosize; their size distribution was narrow and all the particles were in spherical shape and stable. Keywords: Cisplatin, Solid Lipid nanoparticles, zeta potential, Particle size, Transmission electron Microscopy

Self-nano Emulsifying Formulations: An Encouraging Approach for Bioavailability Enhancement and Future Perspective

Currently lipid-based formulations are playing a vital and promising role in improving the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Lipid based formulations mainly consist of a drug dissolved in lipids such as triglycerides, glycerides, oils and surface active agent. Self nanoemulsifying formulations (SNEF) are isotropic mixtures of lipids/oils, surfactants and co-surfactants. On mild agitation followed by dilution in aqueous media, such as GI fluids, SNEF can form fine oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsions. Present chapter summarizes different types of lipid formulations with special emphasis on SNEF, availability of dosage forms, different components with natural surfactants from medicinal plants, mechanism of SNEF, recent advancements in oral drug delivery, solid SNEDDS, patents on SNEF and future prospects. SNEF emerging as powerful technique to improve solubility and commercialization of solid SNEF is the future novel drug delivery to improve bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs

Role of Drug Repurposing in Cancer Treatment and Liposomal Approach of Drug Targeting

Cancer is the leading cause of death, and incidences are increasing significantly and patients suffering from it desperately need a complete cure from it. The science of using an already-invented drug that has been approved by the FDA for a new application is known as “drug repurposing.” Currently, scientists are drawn to drug repositioning science in order to investigate existing drugs for newer therapeutic uses and cancer treatment. Because of their unique ability to target cancer cells, recently repurposed drugs and the liposomal approach are effective in the treatment of cancer. Liposomes are nanovesicles that are drastically flexible, rapidly penetrate deeper layers of cells, and enhance intracellular uptake. More importantly, liposomes are biocompatible, biodegradable; entrap both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. This chapter summarizes various approaches to drug repurposing, as well as drug repurposing methods, advantages and limitations of drug repurposing, and a liposomal approach to using repurposed drugs in cancer targeting. This chapter also summarizes liposomal structure, drug loading, and the mechanism of liposomes in targeted cancer treatment. The lipid-based liposomal approach is emerging as a powerful technique for improving drug solubility, bioavailability, reducing side effects, and improving the therapeutic efficacy of repurposed drugs for cancer treatment

FLASH Irradiation Results in Reduced Severe Skin Toxicity Compared to Conventional-Dose-Rate Irradiation

Radiation therapy, along with surgery and chemotherapy, is one of the main treatments for cancer. While radiotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of localized tumors, its main limitation is its toxicity to normal tissue. Previous preclinical studies have reported that ultra-high dose-rate (FLASH) irradiation results in reduced toxicity to normal tissues while controlling tumor growth to a similar extent relative to conventional-dose-rate (CONV) irradiation. To our knowledge this is the first report of a dose-response study in mice comparing the effect of FLASH irradiation vs. CONV irradiation on skin toxicity. We found that FLASH irradiation results in both a lower incidence and lower severity of skin ulceration than CONV irradiation 8 weeks after single-fraction hemithoracic irradiation at high doses (30 and 40 Gy). Survival was also higher after FLASH hemithoracic irradiation (median survival >180 days at doses of 30 and 40 Gy) compared to CONV irradiation (median survival 100 and 52 days at 30 and 40 Gy, respectively). No ulceration was observed at doses 20 Gy or below in either FLASH or CONV. These results suggest a shifting of the dose-response curve for radiation-induced skin ulceration to the right for FLASH, compared to CONV irradiation, suggesting the potential for an enhanced therapeutic index for radiation therapy of cancer

A pH‐Triggered Polymer Degradation or Drug Delivery System by Light‐Mediated Cis / Trans Isomerization of o ‐Hydroxy Cinnamates

A new methodology for the pH-triggered degradation of polymers or for the release of drugs under visible light irradiation based on the cyclization of ortho-hydroxy-cinnamates (oHC) to coumarins is described. The key oHC structural motif can be readily incorporated into the rational design of novel photocleavable polymers via click chemistry. This main-chain moiety undergoes a fast photocleavage when irradiated with 455 nm light provided that a suitable base is added. A series of polyethylene glycol-alt-ortho-hydroxy cinnamate (polyethylene glycol (PEG)n-alt-oHC)-based polymers are synthesized and the time-dependent visible-light initiated cleavage of the photoactive monomer and polymer is investigated in solution by a variety of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The photo-degradation behavior of the water-soluble poly(PEG2000-alt-oHC) is investigated within a broad pH range (pH = 2.1–11.8), demonstrating fast degradation at pH 11.8, while the stability of the polymer is greatly enhanced at pH 2.1. Moreover, the neat polymer shows long-term stability under daylight conditions, thus allowing its storage without special precautions. In addition, two water-soluble PEG-based drug-carrier molecules (mPEG2000-oHC-benzhydrol/phenol) are synthesized and used for drug delivery studies, monitoring the process by UV–vis spectroscopy in an ON/OFF intermittent manner

Abdominal FLASH irradiation reduces radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity for the treatment of ovarian cancer in mice

Radiation therapy is the most effective cytotoxic therapy for localized tumors. However, normal tissue toxicity limits the radiation dose and the curative potential of radiation therapy when treating larger target volumes. In particular, the highly radiosensitive intestine limits the use of radiation for patients with intra-abdominal tumors. In metastatic ovarian cancer, total abdominal irradiation (TAI) was used as an effective postsurgical adjuvant therapy in the management of abdominal metastases. However, TAI fell out of favor due to high toxicity of the intestine. Here we utilized an innovative preclinical irradiation platform to compare the safety and efficacy of TAI ultra-high dose rate FLASH irradiation to conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation in mice. We demonstrate that single high dose TAI-FLASH produced less mortality from gastrointestinal syndrome, spared gut function and epithelial integrity, and spared cell death in crypt base columnar cells compared to TAI-CONV irradiation. Importantly, TAI-FLASH and TAI-CONV irradiation had similar efficacy in reducing tumor burden while improving intestinal function in a preclinical model of ovarian cancer metastasis. These findings suggest that FLASH irradiation may be an effective strategy to enhance the therapeutic index of abdominal radiotherapy, with potential application to metastatic ovarian cancer