Physicochemical Research Articles

Formulation and evaluation of Dorzolamide hydrochloride microsponges loaded in situ gel for ocular administration

Due to the unique structure of the eye, which inhibits the entry of drug molecules into the desired site, the ophthalmic delivery of the drug has been one of the most challenging tasks for a pharmaceutical scientist. For this reason, in this investigation a novel microsponge for an anti-glaucoma drug, Dorzolamide hydrochloride, was formulated as in situ gel for ocular administration with an aim to improve its therapeutic efficacy and reduce the systemic adverse effects. The microsponges were prepared by the quasi emulsion solvent diffusion method and was incorporated into 20% pluronic F-127 which led to consistent in situ gel at 35°C. They were evaluated for physicochemical properties like pH, gelling capacity, gelation time, rheological properties and release profile and ocular irritancy test. The prepared Dorzolamide hydrochloride microsponges showed high entrapment efficiency of 85% and mean particle size of 2 μm with polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.77 which are ideal for ocular delivery. These microsponges is formulated into in situ gel which showed higher therapeutic efficacy compared to free drug in gel. It was found to be non-irritant to the rabbit’s eye. These results confirms that Dorzolamide hydrochloride microsponges in situ gels have promising features, benefits and advantages for a novel ophthalmic drug delivery to treat glaucoma.

Fabrication of innovative multifunctional dye using MXene nanosheets.

The increasing demand for natural and safer alternatives to traditional hair dyes has led to the investigation of nanomaterials as potential candidates for hair coloring applications. MXene nanosheets have emerged as a promising alternative in this context due to their unique optical and electronic properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of Ti3C2Tx (Tx = -O, -OH, -F, etc.) MXene nanosheets as a hair dye. MXene nanosheet-based dyes have been demonstrated to exhibit not only coloring capabilities but also additional properties such as antistatic properties, heat dissipation, and electromagnetic wave shielding. Additionally, surface modification of MXene using collagen reduces the surface roughness of hair and upregulates keratinocyte markers KRT5 and KRT14, demonstrating the potential for tuning its physicochemical and biological properties. This conceptual advancement highlights the potential of MXene nanosheets to go beyond simple cosmetic improvements and provide improved comfort and safety by preventing the presence of hazardous ingredients and solvents while providing versatility.

Characterization of manufacturing material and carbon nanohybrid for renewable energy and storage systems

Scientists are exploring advanced energy alternatives to compete with rising fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions due to population growth and technological advancements. Supercapacitors are highly efficient systems for storing energy due to their specific capacitance and power density, meeting modern energy storage demands. Perovskite and carbon-based materials have emerged as the most effective materials in this respect. In this work, SrSnO3/rGO nanohybrid is chosen as the supercapacitor electrode material for the very first time and a range of characterization techniques are employed to ascertain the structural and textural characteristics of the composite. The physicochemical properties of the SrSnO3 included rGO are shown to have a greater surface area, excellent electrical conductivity and a lower resistance. It is demonstrated that the rGO improved quicker ion diffusion channels for the increased redox performance in the SrSnO3/rGO nanohybrid. Additionally at 1 A/g, the SrSnO3/rGO nanohybrid has an elevated specific capacitance of 1385 F/g along with energy and power density of 66 Wh/kg and 293 W/kg, respectively in a three-electrode system. During the two electrode observations, the revealed Cs of SrSnO3/rGO nanohybrid was 122 F/g at 1 A/g with 66 Wh/kg and 293 W/kg of energy density and power density, respectively. The SrSnO3/rGO nanohybrid has exceptional functionality, as demonstrated by its 65 h stability examination via chronoamperometry and a modest drop in its CV polarization curve area after the 5000th cycle of the CV stability analysis. These evaluated results point to the nanohybrid's promising future.

Modeling specific capacitance of carbon nanotube-based supercapacitor electrodes by machine learning algorithms

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as promising materials for supercapacitors (SCs) due to their unique properties and exceptional electrical conductivity. These cylindrical structures composed of carbon atoms offer several advantages for SC electrode applications. The electrochemical performance of CNT-based electrodes is strongly influenced by factors such as surface area, pore structure, and ID/IG ratio. However, the lack of a credible physical model capable of accurately predicting the performance of SCs based on these physicochemical properties of CNTs poses a challenge. In this study, we propose the utilization of a data-driven approach employing various models including a gradient boosting regression (GBR), Bayesian regression (BR), ridge regression (RR), and stochastic gradient descent (SGD) model to predict the performance of SCs with CNT electrodes based on the microstructural properties of the electrode material and electrochemical operational parameters. The developed GBR model demonstrates its feasibility by achieving a low root mean square error (RMSE) value of approximately 36.31 for the prediction of specific capacitance for test split. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of independent input parameters on a single output parameter, specifically the specific capacitance. This analysis provides insights into the relative importance and impact of various input parameters on the specific capacitance of CNT-based SCs.

Combustion characteristics of refuse-derived fuel pellets having varying plastic compositions.

The plastic fraction of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets influences fuel's physico-chemical, and mechanical properties, which in turn might affect the combustion behavior of RDF. In the present study, the combustion behavior of different plastic fraction-simulated RDF pellets is reported. The simulated pellets were prepared based on the Indian commercial RDF composition. Initially, the plastic content varied from the existing fraction in Indian commercial RDF, i.e., 35% (RDF-1), to a lower plastic content of 5% (RDF-2). Physico-chemical characterization showed that a higher plastic fraction in RDF-1 reduces its pellet density by 25% as compared to RDF-2. The changes in RDF physico-chemical properties due to plastic variation are reflected in the RDF conversion process. Single-particle and packed-bed studies concluded that the lower density for higher plastic RDF-1 leads to lower conversion times (36%), and higher flame front speed (11%), which are desirable conditions for faster conversion. However, packed-bed studies also showed limitations regarding the utilization of high plastic RDF as RDF-1 has a narrow range of operating air mass flux due to the early advent of convective cooling of the bed. Finally, considering the constraints associated with the utilization of high plastic fraction (~ 35%) RDF and to maximize the effective utilization of plastic in RDF, a workable plastic fraction of 15% in RDF was proposed and tested for its combustion properties. RDF with 15% plastic showed faster conversion, higher flame front speed, and a wider range of operating air mass flux before the advent of convective cooling of the bed.

Does the universal adaptive strategy theory apply to natural regeneration in heterogeneous subtropical karst forests?

The universal adaptive strategy theory (UAST) describes how the ecological strategy of plants changes along the succession after disturbance. However, whether it applies to those off-peak successional pathways in extremely heterogeneous forests is uncertain. This study established a series of forest dynamic plots along the natural regeneration in subtropical karst forests, and aimed to verify whether UAST applied to the succession in extremely heterogeneous forests. By measuring the dominant plant functional traits (PFTs) and quantifying the plant ecological strategy spectrum, we found that the PFTs varied significantly along the natural regeneration, as did plant ecological strategies. Further results showed that the C- and S-strategy dominated the community-level ecological strategy spectrum. In addition, the C-strategy gradually increased along the natural regeneration, while the S-strategy exhibited a decreasing trend. The community spatial structure and abiotic factors including soil physicochemical properties and topographic factors jointly drove the ecological strategy spectrum of the plant community, with the community spatial structure playing a more important role. This study provided clear evidence to support Grime’s CSR theory and the UAST, which emphasized the abiotic stress conditions supported the S-strategy plants, while the C-strategy would dominate in relative fertile soil conditions.

Recent advances in the relationships between biofilms and microplastics in natural environments.

Plastic pollution in the form of microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to natural ecosystems, with detrimental ecological, social, and economic impacts. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the existing research on the interaction between microbial biofilms and MPs in natural environments. The review begins by outlining the sources and types of MPs, emphasizing their widespread presence in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. It then discusses the formation and characteristics of microbial biofilms on MPs surfaces, highlighting their role in altering the physicochemical properties of MPs and facilitating processes such as vertical transport, biodegradation, dispersion of microorganisms, and gene transfer. Different methods used to assess these interactions are discussed, including microbiological and physicochemical characterization. Current gaps and challenges in understanding the complex relationships between biofilms and MPs are identified, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these complex interactions and to develop effective mitigation strategies. Innovative solutions, including bioremediation techniques and their combination with other strategies, such as nanotechnology, advanced filtration technologies, and public awareness campaigns, are proposed as promising approaches to address the issue of MPs pollution. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to combating MPs pollution, combining scientific research, technological innovation, and public engagement to safeguard the health and integrity of natural ecosystems.

Properties, structure and mechanism of high-temperature modified steel slag based on solid waste

In this study, a composite modifier (CMCDL) containing coal gasification residue, dicyandiamide waste slag, and lake sediments was used to modify steel slag at high-temperature. Five kind of raw materials was analyzed in physicochemical properties, mineral composition and microstructure, cementitious properties and soundness, and particle size analysis, the same to steel slag after high-temperature modification (SHTM). The new mineral phases were found that tricalcium aluminate (C3A), gehlenite (C2AS), magnetite (Fe3O4), spinels (MgFe2O4), quartz (SiO2), celite (C6AF2) and diopside (CMS2) formed in the SHTM when the mass fraction increase from 10% to 30% in CMCDL. The HTM with CMCDL increases the glass phase and hydrated mineral (C3A, C3S, C2S) and in raw steel slag, promoting the disassembled of RO phase, turning the phase from FeO into MgFe2O4 and Fe3O4. MgFe2O4 and Fe3O4 have similar crystal structures, and they form mixed spinels. When the content of CMCCL (coal gasification residue: dicyandiamide waste slag: lake sediments =7:9:4) is 20%, the temperature is 1250 °C, result showed that the mass fraction of f-CaO in SHTM using CMCCL decreases from 4.81% to 1.86%, with a decrease of 61.3%, the 28-day activity index of SHTM increases up to 17.6% compared with raw steel slag, reaching 86.2%. Therefore, the CMCDL-blended SHTM can be applied harmlessly in cement and concrete, enabling low-energy fine grinding of steel slag.

Simultaneous Quantification of Twelve Compounds from Bamboo/Wood Vinegar by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Bamboo vinegar is a liquid biomass with a huge yield and complex chemical composition. At present, the relative quantification of bamboo vinegar has been investigated in most studies. To analyze twelve compounds from bamboo vinegar simultaneously, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and an external standard method were used to develop an analytical method. In this method, chromatographic separations of all compounds were above 1.5. The linear range was between 0.100 and 10.000 mg/L, and the coefficient of determination (R2) was between 0.9981 and 0.9997, indicating a good linear relationship. The limit of detection (LOD) was between 0.004 and 0.780 mg/L; the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was between 0.016 and 3.120 mg/L; the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of instrument precision and method stability were less than 8%; the recovery rate was between 89.25% and 113.77%, and its RSD was between 0.44% and 5.70%. Using this method, fourteen bamboo vinegars and six wood vinegars were analyzed, and it was found that the content of propionic acid, phenol, and 2-methoxyphenol was higher in most samples. In addition, the differences in physicochemical properties between distilled bamboo vinegar and its original solution after atmospheric distillation were investigated.

Comprehensive analysis of the Spartina alterniflora WD40 gene family reveals the regulatory role of SaTTG1 in plant development

IntroductionThe WD40 gene family, prevalent in eukaryotes, assumes diverse roles in cellular processes. Spartina alterniflora, a halophyte with exceptional salt tolerance, flood tolerance, reproduction, and diffusion ability, offers great potential for industrial applications and crop breeding analysis. The exploration of growth and development-related genes in this species offers immense potential for enhancing crop yield and environmental adaptability, particularly in industrialized plantations. However, the understanding of their role in regulating plant growth and development remains limited.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of WD40 genes in S. alterniflora at the whole-genome level, delving into their characteristics such as physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene architecture, and expression patterns. Additionally, we cloned the TTG1 gene, a gene in plant growth and development across diverse species.ResultsWe identified a total of 582 WD40 proteins in the S. alterniflora genome, exhibiting an uneven distribution across chromosomes. Through phylogenetic analysis, we categorized the 582 SaWD40 proteins into 12 distinct clades. Examining the duplication patterns of SaWD40 genes, we observed a predominant role of segmental duplication in their expansion. A substantial proportion of SaWD40 gene duplication pairs underwent purifying selection through evolution. To explore the functional aspects, we selected SaTTG1, a homolog of Arabidopsis TTG1, for overexpression in Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the SaTTG1 protein localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane, exhibiting transcriptional activation in yeast cells. The overexpression of SaTTG1 in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering and increased seed size.DiscussionThese outcomes significantly contribute to our understanding of WD40 gene functions in halophyte species. The findings not only serve as a valuable foundation for further investigations into WD40 genes in halophyte but also offer insights into the molecular mechanisms governing plant development, offering potential avenues in molecular breeding.

Poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-Grafted Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Micelles Co-Loaded with Quercetin and DNA

The synergistic effect of drug and gene delivery is expected to significantly improve cancer therapy. However, it is still challenging to design suitable nanocarriers that are able to load simultaneously anticancer drugs and nucleic acids due to their different physico-chemical properties. In the present work, an amphiphilic block copolymer comprising a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and a multi-alkyne-functional biodegradable polycarbonate (PC) block was modified with a number of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) side chains applying the highly efficient azide–alkyne “click” chemistry reaction. The resulting cationic amphiphilic copolymer with block and graft architecture (MPEG-b-(PC-g-PDMAEMA)) self-associated in aqueous media into nanosized micelles which were loaded with the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer drug quercetin. The drug-loaded nanoparticles were further used to form micelleplexes in aqueous media through electrostatic interactions with DNA. The obtained nanoaggregates—empty and drug-loaded micelles as well as the micelleplexes intended for simultaneous DNA and drug codelivery—were physico-chemically characterized. Additionally, initial in vitro evaluations were performed, indicating the potential application of the novel polymer nanocarriers as drug delivery systems.

Optimal conditions of ultrasound assisted extraction for potato peel polyphenols and the impact of this by-product on fresh cheese formulation

AbstractThis work proposes the optimisation of the ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) for total phenolic content (TPC) from potato peels (PP). The optimised extract was obtained using ethanol 20% (v/v) for 30 min at 40 °C, and it was found to be rich in total phenolics (45.03 ± 4.16 mg GAE/g DM) and flavonoids (7.52 EQ/g DM) and exerted a good antioxidant effect with IC50s of 125.42 ± 2.78, 87.21 ± 7.72, and 200.77 ± 13.38 μg mL−1 for DPPH, phosphomolybdate, and FRAP, respectively. PP were used for the fresh cheese formulation, and this supplementation did not impact its physicochemical properties; however, the phenol content and antioxidant capacity of formulated cheeses were improved. PP-enriched fresh cheese presented a good acceptability, even better than the control.

Impact of Prebiotic on Viability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D-2 by Encapsulation through Spray Drying and Its Commercialization Potential.

This study investigated the impact of inulin (INL) on viability of L. plantarum D-2 (LPD2) by encapsulation through spray drying (SD) and its commercialization potential to alternative of conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD). LPD2, derived from sea tangle (Saccharina japonica) kimchi, is probiotics exhibiting significant attributes like cholesterol reduction, antioxidant properties, and resilience to acidic and bile environments. To enhance storage viability and stability of LPD2, encapsulation was applied by SD technology. The optimum encapsulation condition with MD was 10% MD concentration (MD10) and inlet temperature (96°C). The optimum concentration ratio of MD and INL was 7:3 (INL3) for alternative of MD with similar encapsulation yield and viability of LPD2. Viability of LPD2 with INL3 exhibited almost 8% higher than that with MD10 after 50 days storage at 25°C. Physicochemical characteristics of the encapsulated LPD2 (ELPD2) with MD10 and INL3 had no significant different between flowability and morphology. But, ELPD2 with INL3 had lower water solubility and higher water absorption resulting in extension of viability of LPD2 compared to that with MD10. The comprehensive study results showed that there was no significant difference in the encapsulation yield and physicochemical properties between ELPD2 with MD10 and INL3, except of water solubility index (WSI) and water absorption index (WAI). INL have the potential to substitute of MD as a commercial wall material with prebiotic functionality to enhance the viability of LPD2 by encapsulation.

Pomegranate Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity Revealed by Metagenomics: Toward Organic Farming, Plant Growth Promotion and Biocontrol?

Food production must undergo systems change to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs). For example, organic farming can be empowered by soil microorganisms with plant growth promotion (PGP) and biocontrol features. In this context, there have been limited studies on pomegranate. We investigated microbial diversity in rhizosphere of the pomegranate "Bhagwa" variety and its potential role in PGP and biocontrol. Both bulk and rhizosphere soil samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Whole metagenome sequencing was conducted using the Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform. Surprisingly, we found that bulk and rhizosphere soil samples had comparable microbial diversity. Metagenome sequencing revealed the abundance of Streptomyces indicus, Bradyrhizobium kalamazoonesis, and Pseudomonas cellulosum in the rhizosphere that are reported here for the first time in agricultural literature. Pathway prediction analysis using KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia for Genes and Genomes) and COG (clusters of orthologous genes) databases identified metabolic pathways associated with biocontrol properties against pathogens. We confirmed the metagenome data in vitro, which demonstrated their PGP potential and antimicrobial properties. For instance, S. indicus produced high concentration of indole-3-acetic acid, a PGP phytohormone, that can stimulate plant growth. In addition, an antimicrobial susceptibility assay suggested that bacterial extracts displayed activity against Xanthomonas, a primary pathogen causing the pomegranate wilt disease. In conclusion, this study suggests that S. indicus, B. kalamazoonesis, and P. cellulosum can potentially be PGP and biocontrol agents that may contribute to increased crop productivity in pomegranate cultivation. These agents and their combinations warrant future research with an eye on SDGs and so as to enable and innovate organic farming and pomegranate agricultural practices.

Multi-Force Bio-Active™ Archwires and Various Contemporary NiTi Multi-Force Archwires: Properties and Characteristics—A Review

The manufacturing of orthodontic archwires made from NiTi alloy has undergone numerous changes from the second half of the last century to modern times. Initially, superelastic-active austenitic NiTi alloys were predominant, followed by thermodynamic-active martensitic NiTi alloys, and, finally, the most recent development was graded thermodynamic alloys. These advancements have been the subject of extensive investigation in numerous studies, as they necessitated a deeper understanding of their properties. Furthermore, it is imperative that we validate the information provided by manufacturers regarding these archwires through independent studies. This review evaluates existing studies on the subject with a specific focus on the Bio-active multi-force NiTi archwire, by examining its mechanical, thermal, and physicochemical properties before and after clinical use. This archwire consists primarily of Ni and Ti, with traces of Fe and Cr, which release graduated, biologically tolerable forces which increase in a front-to-back direction and are affected by the temperature of the environment they are in. The review provides information to practicing orthodontists, facilitating informed decisions regarding the selection and use of Bio-active™ archwires for individual patient treatments.

High-Coverage UHPLC-MS/MS Analysis of 67 Mycotoxins in Plasma for Male Infertility Exposure Studies

Mycotoxins are a class of exogenous metabolites that are major contributors to foodborne diseases and pose a potential threat to human health. However, little attention has been paid to trace mycotoxin co-exposure situations in vivo. To address this, we devised a novel analytical strategy, both highly sensitive and comprehensive, for quantifying 67 mycotoxins in human plasma samples. This method employs isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) for approximately 40% of the analytes and utilizes internal standard quantification for the rest. The mycotoxins were classified into three categories according to their physicochemical properties, facilitating the optimization of extraction and detection parameters to improve analytical performance. The lowest limits of detection and quantitation were 0.001–0.5 μg/L and 0.002–1 μg/L, respectively, the intra-day precision ranged from 1.8% to 11.9% RSD, and the intra-day trueness ranged from 82.7–116.6% for all mycotoxins except Ecl, DH-LYS, PCA, and EnA (66.4–129.8%), showing good analytical performance of the method for biomonitoring. A total of 40 mycotoxins (including 24 emerging mycotoxins) were detected in 184 plasma samples (89 from infertile males and 95 from healthy males) using the proposed method, emphasizing the widespread exposure of humans to both traditional and emerging mycotoxins. The most frequently detected mycotoxins were ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, enniatin B, and citrinin. The incidence of exposure to multiple mycotoxins was significantly higher in infertile males than in healthy subjects, particularly levels of ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, and citrinin, which were significantly increased. It is necessary to carry out more extensive biological monitoring to provide data support for further study of the relationship between mycotoxins and male infertility.

Synergistic photocatalytic activity of metal chalcogenides (MoS2)-Modified Silver silicate (Ag6Si2O7) nanocomposites for dyes degradation

A recent research focus aimed at enhancing photocatalysis efficiency by tackling rapid charge carrier recombination resulted in a significant breakthrough. Through the synthesis of a composite heterostructure comprising Ag6Si2O7/MoS2 using a hydrothermal approach, the creation of the AM-4 composite marked a notable advancement. AM-4 demonstrated remarkable photonic efficiency enhancements, achieving impressive degradation rates of 97.31% for rhodamine B and 98.31% for methylene blue within a mere 45-minute timeframe. Surpassing pure Ag6Si2O7 by 26.65 times in rate constant, the superior performance of AM-4 was supported by a thorough examination of its physicochemical and electrochemical properties, reinforcing a proposed mechanism for its enhanced efficacy. Evaluation of its durability and reusability through XRD, BET, and XPS analyses further confirmed the composite’s exceptional performance. This study deepens our comprehension of the Ag6Si2O7/MoS2 composite and offers valuable insights for advancing high-performance photocatalysis applications.

The Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Biosurfactants: A Review

Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, have emerged as an important class of compounds with a wide range of applications. However, the use of chemical-derived surfactants must be restricted due to their potential adverse impact on the ecosystem and the health of human and other living organisms. In the past few years, there has been a growing inclination towards natural-derived alternatives, particularly microbial surfactants, as substitutes for synthetic or chemical-based counterparts. Microbial biosurfactants are abundantly found in bacterial species, predominantly Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. The chemical structures of biosurfactants involve the complexation of lipids with carbohydrates (glycolipoproteins and glycolipids), peptides (lipopeptides), and phosphates (phospholipids). Lipopeptides, in particular, have been the subject of extensive research due to their versatile properties, including emulsifying, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review provides an update on research progress in the classification of surfactants. Furthermore, it explores various bacterial biosurfactants and their functionalities, along with their advantages over synthetic surfactants. Finally, the potential applications of these biosurfactants in many industries and insights into future research directions are discussed.

Dynamic changes in dissolved organic matter during transport of landfill leachate in porous medium.

The dynamic changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the transport of landfill leachate (LL) in porous medium should be explored, considering the high levels of DOM in the LL of municipal solid waste. Column experiments were carried out at 25°C at a Darcy's flux of 0.29cm/h for 2722h to compare the transport of Cl-, ultraviolet absorbance at 254nm (UV254), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the simulated porous medium by using the CXTFIT2.1 code. Results showed that the convection-dispersion equation (CDE) could describe Cl- transport well. The high levels of λ and D could be highly correlated with the physicochemical properties of the porous medium. The transport of the studied DOM with evident aromatic character could be described appropriately by the CDE model with the first-order reaction assumption, considering the similar variation trends of UV254, COD, and DOC in the effluent during experiments. Specifically, the values of retardation factor (R) were in the following order: DOC > UV254 > COD, whereas the low values of the first-order decay coefficient (k1) for DOC and COD were still higher than that for UV254. High contents of humic-like substances in the DOM with complex toxic components resulted in the natural low removal efficiencies of COD, DOC, and UV254 (≤ 23%), which could be confirmed by the variations of fluorescence index (FI) and humification index (HIX) in the effluent. The results should be helpful in evaluating the environmental risk induced by the LL leakage in a landfill site.

Albendazole oral drug delivery through ASBT-mediated cholic acid derivatives: A win-win for solubility and permeability

This study investigates the transmembrane transport of cholic acids through the primary sodium-dependent cholic acid transporter (ASBT) and explores the synthesis of a series of albendazole cholic acid derivatives (ABZ-CA). These derivatives, incorporating various linker lengths, aim to enhance the solubility and permeability of albendazole (ABZ) simultaneously.We systematically examined the structural and physicochemical properties of ABZ-CA, delving into its transmembrane transport mechanism and assessing its efficacy against Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis). Our investigation demonstrates the successful preparation of ABZ-CA using amino alcohols as linkers. The apparent solubility ranking of ABZ-CAs is as follows: ABZ-C4 > ABZ > ABZ-C8 ≈ ABZ-C1. This ranking reflects a balance between the solubilization effect induced by the amorphous state of ABZ-CA and the hydrophobic effect resulting from increased linker length.Enhanced absorption of ABZ-CAs is observed throughout all segments of the intestine, indicating a mechanism of passive diffusion. Notably, the optimal site for absorption shifts from the jejunum (ABZ) to the ileum (ABZ-CAs), with ASBT inhibitors significantly reducing the efficiency of transmembrane transport of ABZ-CAs in the ileum. This implies a specific mechanism of active transport reliant on ASBT. Our hypothesis is that ABZ-CAs undergo transmembrane transport in the gastrointestinal tract via a dual mechanism involving both passive diffusion and active transport.In pharmacodynamic studies, the inclusion of cholic acids does not affect the anti-E. multilocularis effect. Therefore, we believe that the formulation of ABZ-CAs not only enhances the solubility of ABZ but also increases its permeability, resulting in a synergistic effect. Moreover, this formulation presents a novel approach for enhancing the solubility and gastrointestinal permeability of BCSII and IV drugs during oral administration, consequently improving their oral bioavailability.