Physiochemical Properties Research Articles

GC–MS, 1H and 13C NMR, and physiochemical properties of oils of Dacryodes Edulis and Persea Americana

A comparative investigation was carried out on the seed oils of P. americana and D. edulis for their physiochemical properties and spectroscopic properties. Oils were extracted from the respective powdered seeds using Soxhlet extraction technique giving 18.63% and 45.49% yields for P. americana and D. edulis, respectively. The seed oils were subjected to physiochemical analysis using standard protocols as prescribed by the American Oil Chemist Society (AOCS) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The fatty acid content was determined using Gas Chromatography, Proton (1H) and Carbon-13 (13C) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. The results indicates that linoleic acid is the most unsaturated fatty acid, while stearic acid is the most saturated fatty acid in both oils. Unsaturated fatty acid peaks for olefinic H were observed at 5.34 and 5.31 ppm for P. americana and at 5.43 and 5.32 ppm for D. edulis oils in 1H-NMR. For 13C-NMR, the presence of C with triple bond attached to an alkyl group was observed at 85 ppm for the P. americana, while similar peak was observed for D. edulis at 128.21 to 130.1 ppm. The chemical characterization of the oils gave iodine values of 51.86 mgI2/g for P. americana oil and 48.72 mgI2/g for D. edulis oil. Similarly, acid values of 3.45 mg KOH/kg and 5.76 mg KOH/kg were obtained for P. americana and D. edulis seed oils respectively. The physiochemical and spectroscopic results obtained showed that P. americana and D. edulis seed oils have the potential for use in a number of industrial applications.

Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from Peels of Selected Fruits

Pectin, a polysaccharide is one of the possible products produced from fruit wastes and it finds its usefulness in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this study was to extract and characterize pectin from banana, orange, mango, watermelon, and pineapple waste peels. The peels of the fruits were collected, dried, and ground into fine powder. Pectin was extracted from the dried powdered peels using a cold extraction method and physiochemical properties and structural analysis via FT-IR spectroscopy were determined. Bananas gave the highest yield of pectin while pineapple gave the lowest. The colour derived from pectin extracted ranged from light to dark brown and in appearance was flakish and powdery. The pectins were found to be HMP i.e. high methoxyl pectins based on their acetyl values. Structural analysis from the Fourier transforms (FT-IR) gave almost the same peaks and functional groups. Conclusively, the pectin extracted from these fruit wastes showed promise as good sources for the pharmaceutical and gelling industries.

Discovery of a Novel Co-crystal of Chrysin and Oroxylin a with Anticancer Properties from Leaves of Oroxylum indicum.

As the number of new cancer cases increases every year, there is a necessity to develop new drugs for the treatment of different types of cancers. Plants' resources are considered to be huge reservoirs for therapeutic agents in nature. Among all the medicinal plants, Oroxylum indicum is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in India, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Combinatorial drug treatment, on the other hand, is favored over single drug treatment in order to target multiple biomolecular moieties that help in the growth and development of cancer. Therefore, combinatorial drug treatment using a co-crystal of multiple drugs gives researchers an idea of the development of a new type of drug for targeting multiple targets. In this study, a new co-crystal of chrysin and oroxylin A was isolated from the leaves of O. indicum, and its anticancer properties were studied in cervical cancer cells HeLa. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying new anticancer compounds from the leaves of Oroxylum indicum and studying the anticancer properties of the isolated compound. In this study, we elucidated the structure of a new co-crystal compound, which was isolated from the leaf extract of Oroxylum indicum. The apoptosis induction mechanism of the newly discovered co-crystal in HeLa cells was also studied. A crystal compound from the chloroform extract of leaves of Oroxylum Indicum was isolated by solvent fractionation and chromatographic methods involving HPLC. The molecular structure of the isolated crystal was elucidated by Single Crystal-XRD, FT-IR analysis, and further determined by LC-MS. The antiproliferative activity was carried out using an MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy, and the mechanism of apoptosis was determined using Western blotting techniques. The novel co-crystal consists of two active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a 1:1 ratio, i.e., oroxylin A and chrysin. The isolated new co-crystal induced death in HeLa cells with a very low IC50 value of 8.49μM. It induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells by activation of Caspase-3 through inhibition of ERKs and activation of p38 of MAPK cell signalling pathway. This study presents the first report on the discovery of a naturally occurring co-crystal of chrysin and oroxylin A and the involvement of ERKs and p38 of MAPK pathways in the induction of apoptosis in HeLa cells by the co-crystal. Our study sheds light on the development of a co-crystal of chrysin and oroxylin A in a specific ratio of 1:1 for combination therapy of the two APIs. The purified co-crystal was found to be more efficient compared to the compounds present individually. Further analysis of the physiochemical properties and molecular mechanisms of the isolated co-crystal in different cancer cells is warranted for its application in therapeutics.

Evaluation of different plant extracts as a postharvest management strategy for enhancement of shelf life in Tomato fruit

Tomatoes are the most commercialized vegetable due their high nutritional content and health-promoting properties. However, tomatoes have a short shelf life; edible coatings have evolved as an effective approach to enhance its shelf life. Edible coatings are thin layers applied onto the surface of fruits and vegetables to improve their physiochemical properties. Different natural extract such as neem leaf extract, lemongrass leaf extract, ginger extract, garlic extract, aloevera gel and distilled water along with control were used as edible coating on shelf life and quality of tomatoes under room temperature. Data was collected on many traits i.e., tomato weight loss, fruit pH, fruit color, total soluble salts (TSS), firmness and total phenolics contents. The treated tomatoes showed significantly minimum weight loss, good appearance, color, firmness and high total phenolics contents. So, these natural and environmental friendly edible coating could be considered a potential postharvest treatment to delay ripening and to conserve the quality of harvested tomatoes. Data was analyzed using LSD test at 5% probability level.

Hydrogen driven HCCI engine combustion and performance indices: a numerical investigation

ABSTRACT Interest in hydrogen-powered engines is growing due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease reliance on fossil fuels. This research examines how the start of combustion (SOC) impacts the performance of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines using hydrogen exclusively. Using numerical simulations with a 0D multi-zone HCCI model, the study investigates parameters such as compression ratio (CR), equivalence ratio (ER), and intake charge temperature (ICT) to assess their influence on engine performance. The results uncover hydrogen’s unique combustion behaviour, characterised by its physiochemical properties and low-temperature combustion. The study identifies an optimal ER range of 0.1 to 0.3, with various ICTs and it is playing a pivotal role in promoting auto-ignition and accelerating combustion. However, an ER of 0.4 and ICT of 393 K produces relatively higher indicated thermal efficiency, which is affected by knocking due to a higher rate of pressure rise, constraining the ER range. Additionally, the research explores the potential of charge dilution to expand the ER range in HCCI mode. These insights provide valuable guidance for enhancing the operation of hydrogen-fuelled HCCI engines, facilitating the transition to cleaner and more efficient propulsion systems in transportation.

Zero-valent Transition Metal Intercalation into 2D Materials: Electronic Structure Modulation and Applications.

With state-of-the-art modulation of the electronic structure, novel physiochemical properties are anticipated for two-dimensional (2D) materials for a wide variety of potential applications. Due to the presence of charge transfer from transition metal guests and 2D material hosts, intercalation of zero-valent transition metal atoms into the van-der Waals gap of 2D materials are ideal approach to tuning the electronic structure of 2D materials. In this paper, several electronic structure and activity investigations of zero-valent transition metal intercalations of 2D materials, as well as the general concepts behind the experimental exploration, were introduced. Specifically, the transition metal intercalation render 2D materials novel physicochemical properties with potential applications ranges from electrocatalysis, small molecule identification to spintronics. Based on the works and concepts introduced in this paper, several challenges and opportunities related to this field were proposed from our perspective.

Interdigitated Gear-Shaped Screen-Printed Electrode Using G-PANI Ink for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine

In this research, a novel interdigitated gear-shaped, graphene-based electrochemical biosensor was developed for the detection of dopamine (DA). The sensor’s innovative design improves the active surface area by 94.52% and 57% compared to commercially available Metrohm DropSens 110 screen-printed sensors and printed circular sensors, respectively. The screen-printed electrode was fabricated using laser processing and modified with graphene polyaniline conductive ink (G-PANI) to enhance its electrochemical properties. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize the physiochemical properties of the sensor. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for several body functions, was detected within a linear range of 0.1–100 µM, with a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.043 µM (coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.98) in phosphate-buffer saline (PBS) with ferri/ferrocyanide as the redox probe. The performance of the sensor was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Chronoamperometry, demonstrating high sensitivity and selectivity. The interdigitated gear-shaped design exhibited excellent repeatability, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.2% (n = 4) and reproducibility, with an RSD of 2.3% (n = 4). In addition to detecting dopamine in human serum, the sensor effectively distinguished dopamine in a ternary mixture containing uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA). Overall, this novel sensor design offers a reliable, disposable, and cost-effective solution for dopamine detection, with potential applications in medical diagnostics and neurological research.

Smart agriculture: utilizing machine learning and deep learning for drought stress identification in crops

Plant stress reduction research has advanced significantly with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning. This is a significant step toward sustainable agriculture. Innovative insights into the physiological responses of plants mostly crops to drought stress have been revealed through the use of complex algorithms like gradient boosting, support vector machines (SVM), recurrent neural network (RNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM), combined with a thorough examination of the TYRKC and RBR-E3 domains in stress-associated signaling proteins across a range of crop species. Modern resources were used in this study, including the UniProt protein database for crop physiochemical properties associated with specific signaling domains and the SMART database for signaling protein domains. These insights were then applied to deep learning and machine learning techniques after careful data processing. The rigorous metric evaluations and ablation analysis that typified the study’s approach highlighted the algorithms’ effectiveness and dependability in recognizing and classifying stress events. Notably, the accuracy of SVM was 82%, while gradient boosting and RNN showed 96%, and 94%, respectively and LSTM obtained an astounding 97% accuracy. The study observed these successes but also highlights the ongoing obstacles to AI adoption in agriculture, emphasizing the need for creative thinking and interdisciplinary cooperation. In addition to its scholarly value, the collected data has significant implications for improving resource efficiency, directing precision agricultural methods, and supporting global food security programs. Notably, the gradient boosting and LSTM algorithm outperformed the others with an exceptional accuracy of 96% and 97%, demonstrating their potential for accurate stress categorization. This work highlights the revolutionary potential of AI to completely disrupt the agricultural industry while simultaneously advancing our understanding of plant stress responses.

Influence of Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) as Cover Crop on Soil Water Dynamics in Fragipan Soils of Southern Illinois, USA

Fragipans are dense subsurface soil layers that severely restrict root penetration and water movement. The presence of shallow fragipan horizons limits row crop production. We hypothesized that the roots of cover crop might improve soil physiochemical properties and biological activity, facilitating drainage and increasing effective soil depth for greater long-term soil water storage. To evaluate annual ryegrass as one component of a cover crop (CC) mix for promoting the characteristics and distribution of soil water, on-farm studies were conducted at Marion and Springerton in southern Illinois, USA. Soil samples were collected at 15 cm increments to 60 cm (Marion) and 90 cm (Springerton) depths during the fall of 2022. Both sites had low total soil carbon and nitrogen contents and acidic soil pH (≤6.4). A soil water retention curve was fitted using the van Genuchten equation. At Springerton, the CC treatment increased saturated (thetaS) and residual (thetaR) soil water contents above those of the no cover crop (NCC) at the 60–75 cm and 75–90 cm depths. Changes in volumetric soil water content were measured using a multi-depth soil water sensor for the Springerton site during late July to early August of the soybean growing phase of 2022; NCC had higher soil water than CC within the 0–15 cm depth, but CC had higher soil water than NCC at the 30–45 cm depth. These findings indicate that cover crop mix has the potential to improve soil water movement for soils with restrictive subsoil horizon, possibly through reducing the soil hydraulic gradient between the surface and restrictive subsurface soil layers.

Bacterial community present in the earthworm’s gut and its role in soil biology and health

Earthworms are known as ecological engineers due to their significant role in enhancing soil health and productivity. Various factors such as temperature, moisture, acidity, pH, sunlight and the availability of organic matter influence their presence in soil. Earthworms exhibit diverse feeding and burrowing behaviors, which lead to crucial ecological processes within terrestrial ecosystems. Their interactions with soil result in the colonization of their gut and surrounding soil by diverse bacterial communities, including key species such as Escherichia coli, Streptomyces, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. These bacteria aid in the digestion of organic and inorganic matter, thereby altering soil physio-chemical properties and enhancing nutrient mineralization, which promotes plant growth. Additionally, earthworms influence nutrient cycling by modifying microbial soil populations and the bacterial communities in their gut and adjacent soil contribute to phytoremediation. This review delves into the types of bacterial populations found in the earthworm’s gut and surrounding soil, elucidating their specific roles and contributions to the terrestrial ecosystem. By understanding these complex interactions, we can better appreciate the vital role earthworms and their associated bacterial communities play in soil biology. This knowledge is essential for developing sustainable agricultural practices and improving soil management strategies, ultimately contributing to healthier and more productive ecosystems.

A covalent organic frameworks based sensor for adsorptive stripping voltammetric detection of nanomolar dopamine in living mouse brain

Dopamine (DA) is a type of neurotransmitter playing key roles in brain functions, but detection of DA in the brain is challenging because of its nanomolar concentration. Herein we report a strategy using the covalent organic frameworks (COF) modified electrode for highly sensitive and selective detection of DA in the living mouse brain. The unique physiochemical properties and space-confinement effect of ultrasmall nanochannels of COF can regulate the molecular conformation and electrochemical oxidation of DA. In particular, the electrochemically active oxidation intermediates can be stabilized and accumulated in the nanochannels, thus allowing the detection of nanomolar DA by adsorptive stripping analysis with the limit of detection improved by ∼103 fold in comparison with the conventional cyclic voltammetry. Additionally, thanks to the remarkable difference in adsorption energies of other structurally similar neurotransmitters, the COF modified electrode also displays an excellent selectivity to DA. Finally, the modified electrode was combined with microdialysis to successfully quantify DA in the normal and Parkinson’s disease model mice brain. We believe that COF with tunable selectivity will offer enormous promise for detection of different neurotransmitters.

Enhancement of Corn Seed Germination in Calcareous Soil: Combined Effect of Biochar and Calcium Carbonate

Calcareous soil is reported to reduce seed germination performance due to its soil properties, like low moisture content, weak soil structure, and nutrient leaching. Biochar could enhance soil properties by modifying the physiochemical properties of the soil, which aids in accelerating seed germination and plant growth. Due to biochar's alkaline properties, it is rarely recommended for use on calcareous soil, which is naturally alkaline. Nevertheless, the water-holding capacity of biochar still has the potential to improve seed germination and thus could be suitable for working as a soil nourisher in calcareous soil. Till now, the effect of biochar on calcareous soil is lacking information. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of biochar and calcareous soil on corn seed germination performance. Calcium carbonate of different rates (0, 10, 25% w/w) was mixed in a mixed soil with an initial pH of 6.8 to form the calcareous soil. Then biochar of different rates (0, 5, 10% w/w) was applied to the calcareous soil. After a week, the corn seed was sown, and seed germination performance was evaluated. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). This study showed that the combination of calcareous soil at 0% and biochar at 10% gave the best seed germination, which supports the idea that biochar nourishes typical soil, as reported in many studies. However, this study also showed the potential of biochar in appropriate amounts to amend alkaline soil. The calcareous soil with the highest calcium carbonate rate (25%) has been shown to reduce seed germination significantly. However, the combined effects of calcium carbonate at 25% and biochar at 5% have significantly increased seed germination. However, the combined effect of calcareous soil at 25% and biochar at 10% portrayed the weakest seed germination. This suggests that 5% of BC is the appropriate amount to amend calcareous soil.

Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Hydrocortisone-Type Corticosteroids

The hydrocortisone-type corticosteroid (HTC) group includes valuable active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) such as hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate, cortisone acetate, tixocortol pivalate, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and prednisone. Unfortunately, those APIs are characterized by low solubility, which hampers their application and reduces their therapeutic efficacy. The low polarity of HTC molecules allows them to form inclusion complexes with various cyclodextrins (CDs); however, as shown in this review, the type of applied CDs has a major impact on the final properties of the formed complex. HTC–CD complexes have been routinely used for over 40 years to achieve various aims. Most frequently, CDs have been utilized as HTC solubilizers and absorption enhancers in pharmaceutical formulations, as well as for separation and analysis by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. This article reviews the studies describing the synthesis as well as the biological, physiochemical, and structural properties of the inclusion complexes formed between HTC and various cyclodextrins.

Relationship between soil structure and hydrological properties of the active layer in the permafrost region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau based on fractal theory

Soil structure and hydrological properties influence ecosystem stability and hydrological cycles. Fractal theory has been widely used in the quantitative analysis of soil particle-size distribution (PSD), aggregate and pore distribution, and evaluation of soil degradation, desertification, and wind erosion. However, the complex relationships between soil physiochemical properties and soil hydrological processes based on fractal theory have not been thoroughly investigated. This study focused on the correlation among soil structure, physicochemical properties, and hydrological properties in the active layers of various soil types and vegetation coverages in the permafrost region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) using the principles of fractal theory. The results showed that the fractal dimension of soil PSD (DPSD) in the active layer of the QTP was predominantly within the range of 2.13–2.70, which is notably smaller than the fractal dimension of the soil water retention curve (DWRC: 2.72–2.93). With decreased vegetation coverage, the alpine soil particles exhibit gradual fineness, increasing the DPSD. Soil physicochemical properties were affected by the interactions among internal factors and the external environment, such as geographical locations, slope orientations, vegetation coverages, and soil freeze–thaw cycles. The results of correlation analysis indicated that the fractal dimension of PSD and the soil water retention curve (WRC) were significantly correlated with soil textural, physicochemical, and hydraulic properties, particularly in clay, silt, and very fine sand content. Finally, a fractal model of WRC in the permafrost region was established based on DPSD and WRC parameters of the Gardner and van Genuchten models. The study provides an improved perspective for revealing the transport process and influencing mechanism of soil water and salt in the active layer of the QTP and a more accurate prediction of soil physiochemical and hydrological properties for climate warming and wetting.

The effect of concentration of cinnamon extract and storage time on physicochemical, microbial and sensory attributes of avocado juice

Avocado juice usage is a global challenge due to microbial and lipid oxidation, leading to the use of synthetic preservatives to prolong shelf life and maintain quality. Concerns about the negative health impacts of chemical additives are leading consumers to shift towards natural preservatives like cinnamon powder in avocado juice production. The study investigates the impact of cinnamon extract concentration ratio and storage time on avocado juice's quality, shelf life, physiochemical, antimicrobial, and sensory properties. Avocado juice was produced at different ratios of cinnamon extract (C0 = 0, C1 = 1, C2 = 2, and C3 = 3 %) and stored for 0, 4, 8, and 12 h. The study found that increasing cinnamon extract concentration enhances sensory properties of avocado juice and decreases physiochemical properties except pH value. However, as the storage time increased, the physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties of avocado decreased. The study found high microbial load and less preferred sensory attributes of avocado juice with low cinnamon extract percentage and long storage time. Cinnamon extract, with its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, has potential as a natural preservative for avocado juice, potentially extending shelf life and preserving juice quality. Governments, food policy makers, and cafeteria owners should use cinnamon extract to prolong avocado juice shelf life.

Effects of sweet potato starch on the physicochemical properties and edible qualities of instant fresh rice noodles.

Instant fresh rice noodles (IFRNs) on the market suffer from issues such as undesirable gel hardness and poor extensibility after high-temperature sterilization and rehydration, significantly compromising their mechanical properties and overall edibility. This research aimed to improve the quality of IFRNs by incorporating sweet potato starch (SPS) into rice flour. The physiochemical properties and multi-scale structural properties of the IFRNs with SPS were then characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, texture profile analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. Adding SPS significantly decreased the enthalpy changes, and long- and short-range ordered structures, while increasing the crystalline layer thickness and forming a more regular and ordered network structure in IFRNs. Furthermore, the addition of 30 % SPS greatly improved the IFRN tensile properties and edibility. Compared to the control IFRNs, the tensile strain and gel springiness were increased from 63.93 % and 0.86 to 170.38 % and 0.92, respectively. The tensile stress, gel hardness, and chewing hardness were decreased from 174.47 Pa, 1283.52 g, and 273.27 g to 113.03 Pa, 871.42 g, and 90.30 g, respectively. Therefore, the addition of SPS is a simple, convenient, and low-cost method for producing high-quality IFRNs.

Induction of antiherbivore defense responses in poplars using a methyl jasmonate and mesoporous silica nanoparticle complex.

Poplar in China has long been plagued by the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea. Enhancing plant immunity using chemical elicitors is an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. The phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can stimulate the chemical defenses of poplars against herbivores but has been shown to have limited efficacy in practice. Here, we studied the effects of a MeJA and mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) complex (MeJA@MSN) regarding the induction of poplar resistance to H. cunea, which may provide strategies for the effective use of MeJA. The silicon-based phytohormone complex (MeJA@MSNs) exhibited excellent biological and physiochemical properties, such as excellent biocompatibility and plant tissue transportability. The changes in metabolites in poplar leaves induced by MeJA, MSNs, and MeJA@MSNs were investigated by metabolic analysis. MeJA@MSNs led to highly potent induced resistance along with elevated salicylaldehyde content, which increased with the dose administered. The salicylaldehyde metabolite showed a strong antifeedant effect on H. cunea larvae at a dosage of 1 μg, with the 50% lethal dose being 20.4 μg/mg. Furthermore, transcriptional analysis showed that MeJA@MSNs upregulated key genes in biosynthetic pathways more than MeJA and MSNs. Our results show that MeJA and MSNs interact positively in poplar, leading to salicylaldehyde accumulation and increased induced resistance to H. cunea, providing new insights into the underlying resistance mechanisms induced by MeJA@MSNs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Obicetrapib exhibits favorable physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties compared to previous cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors: An integrated summary of results from non-human primate studies and clinical trials.

Anacetrapib, a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor previously under development, exhibited an usually extended terminal half-life and large food effect and accumulated in adipose tissue. Other CETP inhibitors have not shown such effects. Obicetrapib, a potent selective CETP inhibitor, is undergoing Phase III clinical development. Dedicated assessments were conducted in pre-clinical and Phase I and II clinical studies of obicetrapib to examine the pharmacokinetic issues observed with anacetrapib. After 9 months of dosing up to 50 mg/kg/day in cynomolgus monkeys, obicetrapib was completely eliminated from systemic circulation and not detected in adipose tissue after a 13-week recovery period. In healthy humans receiving 1-25 mg of obicetrapib, the mean terminal half-life of obicetrapib was 148, 131, and 121 h at 5, 10, and 25 mg, respectively, and food increased plasma levels by ~1.6-fold with a 10 mg dose. At the end of treatment in Phase II trials, mean plasma levels of obicetrapib ranged from 194.5 ng/mL with 2.5 mg to 506.3 ng/mL with 10 mg. Plasma levels of obicetrapib decreased by 92.2% and 98.5% at four and 15 weeks post-treatment, respectively. Obicetrapib shows no clinically relevant accumulation, is minimally affected by food, and has a mean terminal half-life of 131 h for the 10 mg dose. These data support once daily, chronic dosing of obicetrapib in Phase III trials for dyslipidemia management.

A Critical Appraisal of Functionalized 2-Dimensional Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications.

The development of an efficient and innovative drug delivery system is essential to improve the pharmacological parameters of the medicinal compound or drug. The technique or manner used to improve the pharmacological parameters plays a crucial role in the delivery system. In the current scenario, various drug delivery systems are available where nanotechnology has firmly established itself in the field of drug delivery. One of the most prevalent elements is carbon with its allotropic modifications such as graphene-based nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, carbon dots, and carbon fullerenes, these nanomaterials offer notable physiochemical and biochemical properties for the delivery applications due to their smaller size, surface area, and ability to interact with the cells or tissues. The exceptional physicochemical properties of carbon-based 2D nanomaterials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, make them attractive candidates for drug delivery systems. These nanomaterials offer a large surface area, high drug loading capacity, and tunable surface chemistry, enabling efficient encapsulation, controlled release, and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. These properties of the nanomaterials can be exploited for drug delivery applications, like assisting the target delivery of drugs and aiding combination molecular imaging. This review emphasizes on the recent patents on 2D carbon-based nanomaterial and their role in drug delivery systems. Carbon-based 2D nanomaterials present a wealth of opportunities for advanced drug delivery systems. Their exceptional properties and versatility offers great potential in improving therapeutic efficacy, minimizing side effects, and enabling personalized medicine and the recent patents on 2D nanomaterial.

Finely controlled bioceramic granules and sonoporation for osteogenic bone defect repair and reconstruction

Osteoporotic fractures caused by imbalance in bone homeostasis like chemotherapy, loss of ovarian function，glucocorticoid use and aging require special surgical procedure to treat and restore anatomical function. However, due to escalating bone weakness and impairment, it remains a clinical challenge to treat these types of fracture defects through conventional means. Herein, we fabricated a novel calcium silicate‑strontium (CS-Sr35) bioceramic granules with high biological properties and combined it with ultrasound aided sonoporation (sono) in augmenting osteoporotic critical-sized bone defect. The use of sonoporation mediated by microbubble was to influence efficient response for tissue permeability and delivery of bioactive ions from the bioceramic scaffold. The graded robust granule with adjustable microstructure exhibited physiochemical and biointegration properties favorable for ion release in vitro and osteogenic related activities in vivo. Herein, we compared the treatment of bone defect repair using (i) no scaffold (ii) CS-Sr35 only and (iii) CS-Sr35 + sono. The gradual bone repair process was elucidated by X-ray, histology and micro-CT analyses. Overall, our results showed that the CS-Sr35 + sono exhibited a tailored biodissolution behavior with complete defect repair and reconstruction. Meanwhile, the group with only CS-Sr35 granules had less osteoblastic healing while the blank group showed inadequate critical-sized defect repair throughout the study. Our study suggests that, the synergistic technique of combining bioceramic granule with sonoporation significantly optimizes osteogenic activity and biomineralization ability of the bioceramic granule for new bone growth in osteoporotic pathology and also this tailored technique provides versatile approach for improving the biological effect for next generation reconstruction and repair of diseased bone defect.