Influence of esomeprazole on the pharmacodynamic activity of thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) in animal models

Drug-drug interaction studies are essential building blocks in drug development. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs: pioglitazone, and rosiglitazone) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists, which have been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes as insulin sensitizers. Esomeprazole, the (S) -isomer of omeprazole, is the first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) developed as a single isomer for the treatment of acid-peptic disease by specific inhibition of H+K+- ATPase in gastric parietal cells. The role of esomeprazole on the pharmacodynamic activity of TZDs is not currently known; however, there is the possibility of drug interaction (DI) leading to decreased activity of TZDs. The study was planned to investigate the safety and effectiveness of TZDs therapy in the presence of esomeprazole in animal models

Influence of esomeprazole on the pharmacodynamic activity of thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) in animal Models

Drug-drug interaction studies are essential building blocks in drug development. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs: pioglitazone, and rosiglitazone) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists, which have been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes as insulin sensitizers. Esomeprazole, the (S) -isomer of omeprazole, is the first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) developed as a single isomer for the treatment of acid-peptic disease by specific inhibition of H+K+- ATPase in gastric parietal cells. The role of esomeprazole on the pharmacodynamic activity of TZDs is not currently known; however, there is the possibility of drug interaction (DI) leading to decreased activity of TZDs. The study was planned to investigate the safety and effectiveness of TZDs therapy in the presence of esomeprazole in animal models

Spent graphite from end-of-life Li-ion batteries as a potential electrode for aluminium ion battery

Graphite is central in almost all commercial Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and possesses attractive physical and chemical properties such as good ionic conductivity and layered graphitic structure. In this communication, we have demonstrated the recycling of graphite from end-of-life LIBs and the re-purposing of the recovered material for positive electrodes in next-generation aluminium-ion-batteries (AIBs). The recovered graphite possesses enlarged interlayer spacing which is shown to effectively boost Al-ion insertion/de-insertion during the charge/discharge processes. Excellent Al-ion storage performance is achieved with the capacity reaching 124 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹. The material retained a capacity of 55 mAh g⁻¹ even after the applied current was increased to 500 mA g⁻¹, showing its capability to deliver high rate performance. The charge/discharge cycling further revealed that the graphite retains 81% of its initial capacity even after 6700 cycles at a high rate of 300 mA g⁻¹. This excellent aluminium ion storage performance makes the recovered graphite a promising positive electrode material, providing a possible solution for the recycling of huge amounts of LIB scrap. At the same time, this material aids the development of alternative sustainable battery technology, as an alternative to LIBs.Hong Duc Pham, Michael Horn, Joseph F.S. Fernando, Rohan Patil, Manisha Phadatare, Dmitri Golberg, Håkan Olin, Deepak P. Duba

The Role of Acetyl Zingerone and Its Derivatives in Inhibiting UV-Induced, Incident, and Delayed Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced carcinogenic DNA photoproducts that lead to UV signature mutations in melanoma. Previously, we discovered that, in addition to their incident formation (iCPDs), UV exposure induces melanin chemiexcitation (MeCh), where UV generates peroxynitrite (ONOO¯), which oxidizes melanin into melanin-carbonyls (MCs) in their excited triplet state. Chronic MeCh and energy transfer by MCs to DNA generates CPDs for several hours after UV exposure ends (dark CPD, dCPDs). We hypothesized that MeCh and the resulting dCPDs can be inhibited using MeCh inhibitors, and MC and ONOO¯ scavengers. Here, we investigated the efficacy of Acetyl Zingerone (AZ), a plant-based phenolic alkanone, and its chemical analogs in inhibiting iCPDs and dCPDs in skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and isogenic pigmented and albino melanocytes. While AZ and its methoxy analog, 3-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-Pentane-2,4-dione (MBPD) completely inhibited the dCPDs, MBPD also inhibited ~50% of iCPDs. This suggests the inhibition of ~80% of total CPDs at any time point post UV exposure by MBPD, which is markedly significant. MBPD downregulated melanin synthesis, which is indispensable for dCPD generation, but this did not occur with AZ. Meanwhile, AZ and MBPD both upregulated the expression of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways genes including Xpa, Xpc, and Mitf. AZ and its analogs were non-toxic to the skin cells and did not act as photosensitizers. We propose that AZ and MBPD represent “next-generation skin care additives” that are safe and effective for use not only in sunscreens but also in other specialized clinical applications owing to their extremely high efficacy in blocking both iCPDs and dCPDs

The Role of Acetyl Zingerone and Its Derivatives in Inhibiting UV-Induced, Incident, and Delayed Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced carcinogenic DNA photoproducts that lead to UV signature mutations in melanoma. Previously, we discovered that, in addition to their incident formation (iCPDs), UV exposure induces melanin chemiexcitation (MeCh), where UV generates peroxynitrite (ONOO−), which oxidizes melanin into melanin-carbonyls (MCs) in their excited triplet state. Chronic MeCh and energy transfer by MCs to DNA generates CPDs for several hours after UV exposure ends (dark CPD, dCPDs). We hypothesized that MeCh and the resulting dCPDs can be inhibited using MeCh inhibitors, and MC and ONOO− scavengers. Here, we investigated the efficacy of Acetyl Zingerone (AZ), a plant-based phenolic alkanone, and its chemical analogs in inhibiting iCPDs and dCPDs in skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and isogenic pigmented and albino melanocytes. While AZ and its methoxy analog, 3-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-Pentane-2,4-dione (MBPD) completely inhibited the dCPDs, MBPD also inhibited ~50% of iCPDs. This suggests the inhibition of ~80% of total CPDs at any time point post UV exposure by MBPD, which is markedly significant. MBPD downregulated melanin synthesis, which is indispensable for dCPD generation, but this did not occur with AZ. Meanwhile, AZ and MBPD both upregulated the expression of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways genes including Xpa, Xpc, and Mitf. AZ and its analogs were non-toxic to the skin cells and did not act as photosensitizers. We propose that AZ and MBPD represent “next-generation skin care additives” that are safe and effective for use not only in sunscreens but also in other specialized clinical applications owing to their extremely high efficacy in blocking both iCPDs and dCPDs

Microwave sintering of nickel ferrite nanoparticles processed via sol-gel method

Magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) was prepared by sol-gel process and calcined in the 2.45 GHz singlemode microwave furnace to synthesize nickel nanopowder. The sol-gel method was used for the processing of the NiFe2O4 powder because of its potential for making fine, pure and homogeneous powders. Sol-gel is a chemical method that has the possibility of synthesizing a reproducible material. Microwave energy is used for the calcining of this powder and the sintering of the NiFe2O 4 samples. Its use for calcination has the advantage of reducing the total processing time and the soak temperature. In addition to the above combination of sol-gel and microwave processing yields to nanoscale particles and a more uniform distribution of their sizes. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer were carried out to investigate structural, elemental, morphological and magnetic aspects of NiFe2O4. The results showed that the mean size and the saturation magnetization of the NiFe 2O4 nanoparticles are about 30 nm and 55.27 emu/g, respectively. This method could be used as an alternative to other chemical methods in order to obtain NiFe2O4 nanoparticles