Ionic Liquids as Designer Solvents for the Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

Size and shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanostructures has received significant interest in materials research, as metal nanoparticles are likely to have a considerable impact upon the fields of catalysis, sensing, photonics, optoelectronics and biology, due to their unique size- and shape-tunable physico-chemical properties (Hao et al., 2004; Burda et al., 2005; Shukla et al., 2005; Lu et al., 2009; Sardar et al., 2009). With significant developments in this field, the current focus is predominantly on synthesis of ultra-fine (sub-10 nm) metal nanoparticles with narrow size distribution that remain stable in reaction media, tuning the shape of metal nanostructures, to understand the metal nanoparticles shape-guiding mechanisms, and to understand their structure-property correlation (Lu et al., 2009). To prepare metal nanoparticles (colloids), the most commonly employed approach is the bottom-up wet-chemistry approach. In this approach, typically in the presence of a capping/stabilizing agent, metal ions are controllably reduced, wherein individual metal atoms combine to form metal nanoparticles stabilized by capping agents. Although in few instances reducing agents themselves act as stabilizers, capping agents are generally considered essential to minimize the surface free energy of metal nanoparticles, which would otherwise aggregate in the absence of these capping agents. In most of the well established wet-chemistry routes of metal nanoparticles synthesis, aqueous or organic solvents are generally employed, while the use of ionic liquids (ILs) for synthesis of metal nanoparticles is a relatively recent phenomenon

Tennis elbow brace and wrist cock-up splint in the management of tennis elbow: a comparative study

Background: The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy of a wrist splint with a forearm counterforce strap brace in the management of tennis elbow.Methods: This prospective study was conducted between January and December 2018 comprising of 75 patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis managed conservatively with splints. Patients were randomized into three treatment groups, group 1 received tennis elbow forearm brace, group 2 received wrist extension splint, group 3 received both tennis elbow forearm brace and wrist extension splint. The patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were calculated at 0, 3 and 6 weeks of the treatment.Results: Mean difference of pre-treatment and post-treatment PRTEE score was significant in all three groups and was maximum for group 3 patients (32.42) followed by group 2 patients (27.04) followed by group 1 patients (20.06). Pre-treatment and post-treatment VAS score difference was maximum for group 3 patients.Conclusions: Significant symptomatic relief can be achieved in patients with tennis elbow by using either tennis elbow forearm brace or wrist extension splint or both. Provided proper patient selection and compliance, wrist extension splint achieves better symptomatic relief and functional outcome as compared to tennis elbow brace

Definitive chemoradiation in non metastatic squamous cell carcinoma anal canal: a single institution experience

Background: To analyze the oncological outcomes in anal canal squamous cell carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A single centre retrospective hospital based study with sample size of 51 patients of anal canal Squamous cell carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with mitomycin @10mg/m2 and 5FU based. Disease free survival (DFS), Colostomy free survival (CFS) and Overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Among 51 eligible patients, after a median follow up of 46 months (range 10-68 months). The 3year Disease free survival (DFS) was 73.9%. 3patients developed locoregional recurrence while 1patient developed distant metastasis. At 3 years Overall survival (OS) rate was 77%. Out of 44 patients 6 patients lost to follow up while 2 patients died due to progressive disease and 2 due to non cancer causes. 3year Colostomy free survival (CFS) rate was 59%. Total 18 out of 44 patients underwent colostomy. No grade 3 or 4 late toxicities occurred after completion of treatment. Conclusion: This study concluded that definitive chemoradiotherapy achieves good local control, overall survival and colostomy free survival with acceptable toxicity and can be recommended as standard treatment in patients with carcinoma anal canal

Peptide grafted and self-assembled poly(γ-glutamic acid)-phenylalanine nanoparticles targeting camptothecin to glioma

Aim: To synthesize cRGDfK peptide conjugated poly(γ-glutamic acid)-phenylalanine nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic efficacy of camptothecin (CPT) against glioblastoma multiforme. Methods: Peptide-conjugated, drug-loaded nanoparticles (cRGDfK-conjugated camptothecin-loaded PGA-PA nanoparticles [RCPN]) were prepared and physico-chemically characterized using different techniques. Nanoparticles were evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity, cellular uptake, induction of apoptosis and wound healing cell migration against U87MG human glioblastoma cells. Results: RCPN, with a particle size of \u3c 100 nm and 65% CPT encapsulation efficiency, exhibited a dose-and time-dependent cytotoxicity to glioblastoma cells. Compared with native CPT or unconjugated nanoparticles, RCPN induced apoptosis, increased reactive oxygen species generation and inhibited U87MG cell migration. Conclusion: cRGDfK-mediated and amphiphilic copolymer-based nanomedicines represent a new approach for improved delivery of anticancer drugs to and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Functional outcome of non-vascularized fibula in gap non union

Background: Gap non-union is one of the most perplexing problems facing the orthopedic surgeon today. Fibula is the preferred site of non-vascularized bone graft due to its easy accessibility to surgical resection and minimal donor site complications.Methods: The study comprised 11 patients of gap non-union between 13 to 80 years (mean=34.9 years). The fibular graft was harvested from the mid shaft and cortico-cancellous bone graft taken from the iliac crest was applied at both ends of the fibular graft to aid in union.Results: The average bone gap was 7 cm (4-13 cm). 64% of the patients achieved bone union after the first procedure, of the remaining 4 patients, 1 patient showed union after secondary cortico-cancellous bone grafting, while two are planned for the same. The remaining one patient has only completed 16 weeks follow-up at present and is not showing signs of union at present. Functional range of motion was achieved in both the proximal and distal joints in all cases.Conclusions: Non-vascularized fibular bone grafting is a simple and effective treatment option which does not require any special skill, has a very low complication rate and has very high patient compliance

The toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to three freshwater invertebrates with different life strategies: Hydra vulgaris, Daphnia carinata, and Paratya australiensis

The toxicity of manufactured nanoparticles varies greatly depending on the test species in consideration and estimates of toxicity may also be confounded by test media in which the organisms are cultured. For a more comprehensive toxicity evaluation, species at different trophic levels or with life strategies, tested in different media should be included. In this study, we examined the toxicity of tyrosine-coated silver nanonparticles (tyr-AgNP) to three Australian freshwater invertebrates: Hydra vulgaris, Daphnia carinata, and Paratya australiensis. Tyr-AgNPs were synthesized, characterized and their behavior was examined in different media used for acute toxicity tests. Additionally, the sensitivity of tested organisms to tyr-AgNPs was compared to ionic silver (Ag+). Based on the LC50 values of both tyr-AgNPs and Ag+ions at different time points, D. carinata was found to be the most sensitive species followed by P. australiensis and H. vulgaris. NP stability studies revealed that tyr-AgNPs were least stable in hydra medium followed by daphnid and shrimp media. This study demonstrates that significant differences in NP toxicity to aquatic organisms exist and the test media and the life strategy of the species play a key role in these differences. Therefore, it is recommended that a multispecies approach is used in predictive risk assessment of NPs and to ensure protection of native species from possible toxic effects from NPs released into aquatic systems. Also recommended is to carefully investigate the fate and behavior of NPs in different media in assessing NP toxicity and emphasize the need to use native species in developing relevant regulatory frameworks

Cationic Amino Acids Specific Biomimetic Silicification in Ionic Liquid: A Quest to Understand the Formation of 3-D Structures in Diatoms

The intricate, hierarchical, highly reproducible, and exquisite biosilica structures formed by diatoms have generated great interest to understand biosilicification processes in nature. This curiosity is driven by the quest of researchers to understand nature's complexity, which might enable reproducing these elegant natural diatomaceous structures in our laboratories via biomimetics, which is currently beyond the capabilities of material scientists. To this end, significant understanding of the biomolecules involved in biosilicification has been gained, wherein cationic peptides and proteins are found to play a key role in the formation of these exquisite structures. Although biochemical factors responsible for silica formation in diatoms have been studied for decades, the challenge to mimic biosilica structures similar to those synthesized by diatoms in their natural habitats has not hitherto been successful. This has led to an increasingly interesting debate that physico-chemical environment surrounding diatoms might play an additional critical role towards the control of diatom morphologies. The current study demonstrates this proof of concept by using cationic amino acids as catalyst/template/scaffold towards attaining diatom-like silica morphologies under biomimetic conditions in ionic liquids

The Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) to Three Freshwater Invertebrates With Different Life Strategies: Hydra vulgaris, Daphnia carinata, and Paratya australiensis

The toxicity of manufactured nanoparticles varies greatly depending on the test species in consideration and estimates of toxicity may also be confounded by test media in which the organisms are cultured. For a more comprehensive toxicity evaluation, species at different trophic levels or with life strategies, tested in different media should be included. In this study, we examined the toxicity of tyrosine-coated silver nanonparticles (tyr-AgNP) to three Australian freshwater invertebrates: Hydra vulgaris, Daphnia carinata, and Paratya australiensis. Tyr-AgNPs were synthesized, characterized and their behavior was examined in different media used for acute toxicity tests. Additionally, the sensitivity of tested organisms to tyr-AgNPs was compared to ionic silver (Ag+). Based on the LC50 values of both tyr-AgNPs and Ag+ ions at different time points, D. carinata was found to be the most sensitive species followed by P. australiensis and H. vulgaris. NP stability studies revealed that tyr-AgNPs were least stable in hydra medium followed by daphnid and shrimp media. This study demonstrates that significant differences in NP toxicity to aquatic organisms exist and the test media and the life strategy of the species play a key role in these differences. Therefore, it is recommended that a multispecies approach is used in predictive risk assessment of NPs and to ensure protection of native species from possible toxic effects from NPs released into aquatic systems. Also recommended is to carefully investigate the fate and behavior of NPs in different media in assessing NP toxicity and emphasize the need to use native species in developing relevant regulatory frameworks

Novel Automated Blood Separations Validate Whole Cell Biomarkers

Progress in clinical trials in infectious disease, autoimmunity, and cancer is stymied by a dearth of successful whole cell biomarkers for peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Successful biomarkers could help to track drug effects at early time points in clinical trials to prevent costly trial failures late in development. One major obstacle is the inaccuracy of Ficoll density centrifugation, the decades-old method of separating PBLs from the abundant red blood cells (RBCs) of fresh blood samples.To replace the Ficoll method, we developed and studied a novel blood-based magnetic separation method. The magnetic method strikingly surpassed Ficoll in viability, purity and yield of PBLs. To reduce labor, we developed an automated platform and compared two magnet configurations for cell separations. These more accurate and labor-saving magnet configurations allowed the lymphocytes to be tested in bioassays for rare antigen-specific T cells. The automated method succeeded at identifying 79% of patients with the rare PBLs of interest as compared with Ficoll's uniform failure. We validated improved upfront blood processing and show accurate detection of rare antigen-specific lymphocytes.Improving, automating and standardizing lymphocyte detections from whole blood may facilitate development of new cell-based biomarkers for human diseases. Improved upfront blood processes may lead to broad improvements in monitoring early trial outcome measurements in human clinical trials