Sodium Borate Research Articles

Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity in vitro of surface-functionalized drug-loaded spinel ferrite nanoparticles.

In this study, poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PMA)-coated spinel ferrite (MFe2O4, where M = Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed as carriers of the anticancer drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and methotrexate (MTX). Physical characterizations confirmed the formation of pure cubic structures (14–22 nm) with magnetic properties. Drug-loaded NPs exhibited tumor specificity with significantly higher (p < 0.005) drug release in an acidic environment (pH 5.5). The nanoparticles were highly colloidal (zeta potential = −35 to −26 mV) in deionized water, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and sodium borate buffer (SBB). They showed elevated and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro compared to free drug controls. The IC50 values ranged from 0.81 to 3.97 μg/mL for HepG2 and HT144 cells, whereas IC50 values for normal lymphocytes were 10 to 35 times higher (18.35–43.04 µg/mL). Cobalt ferrite (CFO) and zinc ferrite (ZFO) NPs were highly genotoxic (p < 0.05) in cancer cell lines. The nanoparticles caused cytotoxicity via oxidative stress, causing DNA damage and activation of p53-mediated cell cycle arrest (significantly elevated expression, p < 0.005, majorly G1 and G2/M arrest) and apoptosis. Cytotoxicity testing in 3D spheroids showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in spheroid diameter and up to 74 ± 8.9% of cell death after two weeks. In addition, they also inhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) pump activity in both cell lines suggesting effectivity in MDR cancers. Among the tested MFe2O4 NPs, CFO nanocarriers were the most favorable for targeted cancer therapy due to excellent magnetic, colloidal, cytotoxic, and biocompatible aspects. However, detailed mechanistic, in vivo cytotoxicity, and magnetic-field-assisted studies are required to fully exploit these nanocarriers in therapeutic applications.

The radioluminescence investigation of lead sodium borate doped with Sm3+ glass scintillator

The effects of Sm3+-doped lead sodium borate glasses in compositions of (79-x)B2O3: 20Na2O: xPbO: 1Sm2O3 with x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mol% were studied by using the melt-quenching technique. The glass samples were characterized the spectroscopic properties. From the photoluminescence, the emission spectra of glasses showed 4 peaks bands at 563(4G5/2 → 6H5/2), 599(4G5/2 → 6H7/2), 645(4G5/2 → 6H9/2), and 706(4G5/2 → 6H11/2) nm. The maximum intensity was identified at 10 mol% of PbO. Similarly, the radioluminescence spectra (RL) of the glasses were found in 4 emission bands, The strongest emission peak of RL was 597 nm at 5 mol% of PbO. The maximum intensity of PL and RL shows the difference in PbO content due to the difference in interaction mechanisms of host material and activator from UV and X-ray excitation. The absorption spectra revealed the highest emission wavelength at 599 nm. The color coordinate in CIE-1931 was found to locate in the orange region.

Influence of exchanging CeO2 with Cu2O3 on structural matrix, shielding, and linear/nonlinear optical parameters of the cerium-sodium borate glass

This paper discusses how substituting a lanthanide oxide with a transition metal oxide impacts the structural matrix, shielding parameters, and the optical properties of the sodium borate glass. Where a set of glass samples have been prepared using the fast quenching method, where three types of glasses were obtained; i) copper-free/cerium-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), ii) cerium-free/copper-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), and iii) Cerium copper sodium borate glass (three samples). XRD patterns indicated the amorphous nature for the as-prepared samples regardless of the changing amounts of CeO2 and Cu2O3. FTIR-spectral analysis showed that ratio BO3:BO4 reached its lower limit in the sample containing equal CeO2 and Cu2O3 concentrations. At the same time, it has got its upper limit in the cerium-free/copper-rich sample. Optical calculations showed that the same contains equal concentrations of CeO2 and Cu2O3 have the maximum optical bandgaps and the minimum Urbach's energy among the studied samples. On the other hand, gamma-ray spectroscopic measurements associated with XCOM calculations indicated that the highest μm value was obtained for the Copper-free/cerium-rich samples. Based on the experimental μm, other important parameters, such as the half-value layer HVL, were evaluated to investigate the present glass system. The neutron shielding behavior of the studied samples was also evaluated by calculating the fast neutron removal cross-section ΣR, and the results revealed the possibility of using the studied glass samples containing 3% of the CeO2 content in radiation protection applications.

Impact of graphite impurities on the structure and optical properties of the sodium borate oxide glass

Impact of graphite impurities on the structure and optical properties of the sodium borate oxide glass

Tribological performances of ceramic oxide nanoparticle additives in sodium borate melt under steel/steel sliding contacts at high temperatures

The tribological and anti-oxidation performances of Sodium Borate melt with added ceramic oxide nanoadditives (SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, CaCO3) have been studied on stainless steel at 930 °C. Characterizations of wear surfaces in terms of morphology and interfacial chemistry have also been conducted to address the lubrication and antioxidation mechanisms. SiO2 nanoparticle was found to deliver the best anti-oxidation and lubrication performances outperforming other nanoparticles due to its synergistic reactions with sodium borate melt. Intriguingly, SiO2 nanoparticle also inhibits the corrosion attack of sodium toward the oxide/steel surfaces and the boriding effect. Meanwhile, other nanoparticles can only either improve the lubricity or anti-oxidation of sodium borate but fail to limit the corrosion of the oxide scale from sodium. Data availabilityAll data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

Hollow Channel Formation inside Sodium Aluminoborate Glass by Femtosecond Laser Writing and Distilled Water Etching.

Recently, the effect of nanograting formation was demonstrated for binary sodium borate glass with the possibility of data storage with an enhanced level of security. The obvious disadvantage of such glass is poor chemical stability, which limits real applications. In this paper, we show that the introduction of Al2O3 allows preserving the possibility of nanograting formation with a significant increase of chemical resistance and thus to preserve optical memory applications. On the other hand, the possibility of selective etching of laser-written tracks by means of distilled water is revealed, which was not demonstrated for other types of glasses. The dependence of retardance of nanogratings form birefringence on laser writing parameters is established and discussed. Structural features of laser-modified microdomains are studied via Raman spectroscopy which revealed an increase of three-coordinated boron content. A possible mechanism of selective etching is discussed.

​Boron Supplementation to Calcium Inadequate Diet Influences Mineral Content of Serum, Tissue and Antioxidant Status in White Leghorn Layers

Background: Boron (B), a novel micronutrient is known to influence utilization of macrominerals. Present study was conducted in layer birds to study the effect of B supplementation to inadequate calcium (Ca) diet on mineral content in serum, tissue and antioxidant status. Methods: A total of 80 commrcial White Leghorn layers, 25 weeks old with a uniform body weight were randomly assigned to one of the 4 groups of 20 hens in each dietary group viz., Normal calcium (NC), inadequate/low calcium (LC), Normal calcium with 40 ppm B (NCB) and inadequate/low calcium with 40 ppm B (LCB). Dietary level of calcium was maintained at 100 and 90% of the requirement and sodium borate was used as B source. At the end of feeding trial, blood and tissue samples were collected for estimating mineral and biochemical parameters. Result: Boron supplementation did not significantly alter the serum mineral content, serum alkaline phosphatase and total antioxidant activity but significantly (P less than 0.025) increased the superoxide dismutase activity in layers fed inadequate Ca diet. Boron supplementation to both diets significantly (P less than 0.03) increased phosphorus (P) content in bone and muscle, and magnesium (Mg) content in muscle (P less than 0.019). Boron supplementation to Ca inadequate diet significantly (P less than 0.006) enhanced the P and Mg content in liver. Content of B was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in serum, bone and liver of hens supplemented 40 ppm of B. Implication of this study is amelioration of abiotic stress due to inadequate Ca intake with B supplementation. It is concluded that 40 ppm B supplementation positively influenced the Ca, P and Mg utilization and serum SOD activity.

Production of Niobium Carbide Layers on High‐Strength Bainitic Steels by Thermochemical Treatment of Thermoreactive Diffusion Followed by Austempering

The development of third‐generation advanced high‐strength steels aims for the production of low‐alloy steels with a high strength‐to‐weight ratio through innovative heat treatments. Thermochemical treatments that eliminate reheating steps are an excellent alternative for the surface hardening of this type of alloy. Herein, the incorporation of a thermoreactive diffusion (TRD) thermochemical treatment along with austempering treatment to obtain carbide‐coated high‐strength bainitic steels is evaluated. For this purpose, samples of bainitic steels containing ≈1.5 wt% silicon are immersed in an austenitizing bath composed of ferro‐niobium and sodium borate for 2, 4, and 6 h at 1100 °C. Subsequently, they are held isothermally in a 360 °C salt bath for 1 h. After treatment, the samples are characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, dispersive energy spectroscopy, Knoop microhardness, and microadhesive wear tests. Microstructural analysis shows the formation of niobium carbide layers at the surface of a substrate composed of granular and plate bainite, characteristic of austempered high‐silicon steels. These layers show thickness in the range of 4−9 μm, hardness from 2333 to 2599 HK, presenting hardness up to 6 times higher than the substrates, and wear resistance up to 8 times greater.

Effects of the sodium borate additions in NaOH-Na2SiO3 electrolytes on the surface and corrosion properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings on AZ31 Mg alloy

Effects of the sodium borate concentrations in NaOH-Na2SiO3-Na2B4O7 electrolytes on the surface and corrosion properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings on AZ31 Mg alloy were investigated. Characteristics of PEO coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the corrosion resistance of the Mg alloy was remarkably improved via PEO treatment with the 3 g/L of sodium borate content in the electrolyte, resulting from relatively less porous morphology of PEO coating. Thus, the incorporation of sodium borate in the electrolytes can be provided an effective barrier to enhance corrosion resistance of the PEO coating on AZ31 Mg alloy.

Effect of Ag2O addition on structural and optical characteristics of B2O3–Bi2O3–Na2O–Nb2O5 oxide glass

In this work, bismuth-niobium based sodium borate glass was modified by introducing Ag2O additives according to the formula 100 wt% {60 mol% B2O3 + 17.5 mol% Na2O + 17.5 Bi2O3 + 5 mol%Nb2O5} + x wt% Ag2O, where x = 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0. Glass samples were prepared by traditional melt quenching method, and silver oxide was incorporated by weight addition. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the studied materials and that the addition of Ag2O didn’t affect structural phases. Vibrational transitions showed cross-linking between BO3, BO4, and BiO3 structural groups, meanwhile the Na+, NbO6, and BiO6, in addition to the Ag2+ occupy the interstitial spaces. Furthermore, the study shows a transition of Bi2O3 from acting as a glass network modifier BiO6 to a glass network former BiO3. Study of the electronic transitions showed that the optical absorption edge is located around 505 nm. Furthermore, the addition of Ag2O caused a slight decrease in the value of Urbach energy which means an increase in the structural ordering, that may be assigned to the conversion of BO4 to BO3.

Sodium carbonate versus borate buffer for lactase quenching, laboratory work.

A laboratory exercise for undergraduate advanced students of enzymology and biocatalysis is presented. Since enzyme assays can be quenched or continuous, this experiment compares the performance of two quenching agents for lactase, in a continuous setup. Enzymatic activity of β-galactosidase (Aspergillus oryzae) was determined based on the release of 4-nitrophenol from 4-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside using a microplate reader. Sodium carbonate and borate buffer were tested as quenching agents, and experimental control was the unstopped assay. Based on released 4-nitrophenol, enzyme activity, and rate constant k, the students could assess the performance of each termination agent. The experiment promotes disciplinary and transversal competencies, including research-based learning, critical thinking, and introduce the students to high-throughput techniques that are common in the research and development environment.

Development and validation of capillary electrophoresis method for quantification of gangliosides in brain synaptosomes

Gangliosides are sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids of the plasma membrane with diverse biological functions. They are most abundant in neural tissues where their dysregulation has been suggested to be involved in various pathological conditions. Due to their importance, efficient analytical methods are needed to determine individual gangliosides in biological samples. Here we report a capillary electrophoresis method, optimized and validated for the simultaneous quantification of major neural gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b in their underivatized form. The most abundant extraneural monosialogangloside, GM3 can also be separated by this method. Micelles of the highly amphiphilic gangliosides were disrupted with cyclodextrins (CyDs) in the aqueous separation buffer. Among the tested CyDs, the best resolution was observed using 20 mM randomly methylated alpha-CyD in alkaline sodium borate buffer enabling the separation of all studied gangliosides. The method was applied for the quantification of gangliosides in rat cerebral and cerebellar synaptosomes.

Anti-oxidation mechanism and interfacial chemistry of BN@CaCO3-SiO2 microcapsule-added sodium borate melt on the sliding steel surfaces at elevated temperatures

This study reports the chemistry underpinning the superior anti-oxidation and lubrication of the BN@CaCO3-SiO2 microcapsule-added sodium borate melt at 930 °C by surface-interface tailoring. Under static oxidation at 930 °C, sodium borate reacts to the microcapsule’s shell that generates the sodium-calcium borosilicate melt and releases the h-BN nanosheets. Interfacial characterizations reveal a negligible corrosion attack and superior anti-oxidation of the sodium-calcium borosilicate compared to sodium borate (by ~ 86%) which is due to the weak mobility of sodium in the melt network. Under sliding conditions at 930 °C, friction modifies profoundly the interfacial reactivity of the sodium-calcium borosilicate melt toward the oxide surfaces. An intermixing effect and the friction-induced heat accelerates the high-temperature reactions between the melt and the spinel oxides on the sliding surfaces that result in the formation of the plate-like non-layered M-type CaCrxFe12-xO19 hexaferrite. A synergy between the h-BN nanosheets, the grain-refinement of the sliding surfaces, and the intercalation of the M-type hexaferrite at the sliding interfaces contribute to a superior friction reduction (by ~ 70%) compared to sodium borate melt under boundary conditions with high contact pressures. These findings highlight a potential strategy for achieving excellent lubricity, superior anti-oxidation, and reduced corrosion from the melt lubricants at high temperatures.

Influence of the gradual increase of TiO2-impurities on the structural and optical properties of some calcium sodium borate glasses

The influence of the gradual increase of TiO2-impurities on the structural and optical properties of some calcium sodium borate glasses was studied to estimate its possibility to use for optoelectronic applications. Where a set of samples were prepared by the fast cooling method, then XRD, and FTIR were used for the characterization and identification of the internal structures of those samples, which exhibited the short-range order structure of the amorphous solids. The introduction of TiO2 caused BO3 to convert to BO4, increase the bulk density of the samples, increase the number of non-bridging oxygen atoms, increase the optical absorbance, and decrease the volume energy loss function. The optical band gaps for the allowed electronic transitions of the study samples showed an anomalous behavior when the Ti-content increase, where the value of the optical bandgap for direct transition increased while that of indirect transition decreased. UV–vis spectral analysis showed the absence of any absorption peaks, which requires that all Ti-cations should be of tetrahedral coordination and have an empty d-subshell.

Effect of boron-based additives on char agglomeration and boron doped carbon microspheres structure from lignin pyrolysis

To prevent the thermal softening of lignin during the pyrolysis process, the influence of boron-based additives (boric acid, sodium borate and potassium borate) on lignin softening, pyrolysis process were investigated with metal bases (Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2) as comparison, and the influence mechanism of boron based additives was explored in depth. It is found that the boron additives can effectively inhibit the agglomeration of lignin particles. For pyrolysis products, boron additive promoted the carbon-forming reaction of lignin with carbon sequestration more than 70 wt%, and inhibited the release of volatiles, especially for phenolic compounds. It also inhibited the generation of CO2 and CH4, while promoted the release of CO. The boron element in lignin char mainly exists in the form of BCO2 and B2O3 with more hydroxyl groups on the surface. Furthermore, boron-modified lignin chars are spherical with more uniform and smaller particle size compared with metal bases modified lignin chars.

The Structural, Optical and Mechanical Properties of Sodium Borate Glasses

The Structural, Optical and Mechanical Properties of Sodium Borate Glasses

Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule A1 Reduces Myocardial Damage After Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Porcine Model.

Infarct size is a major determinant of outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs), which deliver nanomolar concentrations of carbon monoxide to tissues, have been shown to reduce infarct size in rodents. We evaluated efficacy and safety of CORM-A1 to reduce infarct size in a clinically relevant porcine model of AMI. We induced AMI in Yorkshire White pigs by inflating a coronary angioplasty balloon to completely occlude the left anterior descending artery for 60 minutes, followed by deflation of the balloon to mimic reperfusion. Fifteen minutes after balloon occlusion, animals were given an infusion of 4.27 mM CORM-A1 (n = 7) or sodium borate control (n = 6) over 60 minutes. Infarct size, cardiac biomarkers, ejection fraction, and hepatic and renal function were compared amongst the groups. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to compare inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis between the groups. CORM-A1-treated animals had significant reduction in absolute infarct area (158 ± 16 vs. 510 ± 91 mm2, P < 0.001) and infarct area corrected for area at risk (24.8% ± 2.6% vs. 45.2% ± 4.0%, P < 0.0001). Biochemical markers of myocardial injury also tended to be lower and left ventricular function tended to recover better in the CORM-A1 treated group. There was no evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity with the doses used. The cardioprotective effects of CORM-A1 were associated with a significant reduction in cell proliferation and inflammation. CORM-A1 reduces infarct size and improves left ventricular remodeling and function in a porcine model of reperfused MI by a reduction in inflammation. These potential cardioprotective effects of CORMs warrant further translational investigations.

The photon interactions and build-up factor for gadolinium sodium borate glass: Theoretical and experimental approaches

Gadolinium sodium borate glass in compositions of xGd2O3: 20Na2O:(80-x)B2O3 (where x is 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching technique. The glass samples have been investigated for the physical properties and radiation shielding properties. The glass density and molar volume tended to increase with increasing Gd2O3 concentration. The theoretical values of radiation shielding were computed by WinXCom program in the energy range 0.015 MeV–15 MeV. The experimental values have been measured in energy range 0.223 MeV–0.662 MeV using Compton scattering technique for variation the energy from Cs-137 source. The experimental values are in good agreement with the theoretical values. From the results, the replacement of B2O3 by Gd2O3 helped to increase the mass attenuation coefficients (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff) and effective electron density (Neff). The energy absorption buildup factor coefficients (EABF) and the exposure buildup factor values (EBF) were decreased with the increasing of Gd2O3 at energy below 2 MeV and show the increase with Gd2O3 content at energy higher than 2 MeV. The half value layer (HVL) were decreased with increasing of Gd2O3. All studied glasses were found to be lower HVL values, when compared with the some standard shielding materials. These results reflected to the ability of gadolinium sodium borate glass for radiation shielding material.

Effect of gamma-ray on producing induced colour centres and on positron annihilation lifetime of bismuth-doped zinc sodium borate glasses

Abstract A melt quenching method have been used for preparing a glass composition of the form (70-x)%B2O3-15%ZnO-15%Na2O-x%Bi2O3 (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mol %). The prepared glass was studied by FTIR and Positron annihilation lifetime measurements. FTIR analysis after 80 kGy -irradiation of bismuth-doped glass samples, show the dependence of the number of structural units BO3 and BO4 on the -irradiation dose. FTIR absorption spectra revealed that gamma irradiation produces a degree of a disorder or defects of the glass network which producing colour centres. The objective FTIR spectra were used to estimate the N4 ratio and its dependence on the composition. Positron annihilation lifetime measurements were carried out for all samples before and after 80 kGy -irradiation. Irradiated samples show a colour change, which is most likely due to the formation of colour centres. Such colour changes due to -irradiation allow estimating that the prepared glass samples can be used as a shielding material or as a radiation indicator sensor.

The development of durable ter-copolymer hydrogels for solid surfaces repairing

This study is mainly focused to elaborate the effect of cross-linkers i.e. sodium borate anhydrous, graphene oxide (GO), and N, N´-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) on the adhesive performance of ter-copolymer (2-acrylamide-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid-co-acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels. The synthesis and surface morphology of hydrogels were confirmed by FTIR and SEM analysis respectively. Complete rheological tests were performed to check the adhesive behavior of hydrogels. The results revealed that the interaction between polymer chains plays important role in controlling the adhesive behavior of hydrogels. The same ter-copolymer hydrogel synthesized by using MBA showed enhanced elastic behavior and less adhesiveness compared to GO and borate-based hydrogels. The adhesion strength for hydrogels based on sodium borate anhydrous, GO, and MBA was 9.77 kPa, 2.8374 kPa, and 0.215 kPa respectively, indicating that adhesion follows the decreased order as HBR>HGO>HMB. The higher adhesive nature makes the borate and GO-based hydrogels good candidates, to be used for ceramics joining with metal, to avoid rubber crack propagation, while the less adhesive nature and strong elastic behavior make MBA-based hydrogel the best fit for tissue engineering. The adhesive performance of hydrogels was checked against solid surfaces of plastics, ceramics, glass, steel, and rubber. Both hydrogels (HBR and HGO) showed adherence to solid surfaces for a long time but more prominently towards ceramics.