Stable Suspension Research Articles

Nano-Grafted Polymer Suspension Stabilizers for Oil Well Cement: Polymerization Innovation Dominated by Acrylamide and Breakthroughs in High-Temperature Applications

Nano-Grafted Polymer Suspension Stabilizers for Oil Well Cement: Polymerization Innovation Dominated by Acrylamide and Breakthroughs in High-Temperature Applications

Effect of colloidal particle size on physicochemical properties and aggregation behaviors of two alkaline soils

Abstract. Colloidal particles are the most active soil components, and they vary in elemental composition and environmental behaviors with the particle size due to the heterogeneous nature of natural soils. The purposes of the present study are to clarify how particle size affects the physicochemical properties and aggregation kinetics of soil colloids and to further reveal the underlying mechanisms. Soil colloidal fractions, from two alkaline soils – Anthrosol and Calcisol – were subdivided into three ranges: d<2 µm, d<1 µm and d<100 nm. The organic and inorganic carbon contents, clay mineralogy and surface electrochemical properties, including surface functional groups and zeta potentials, were characterized. Through a time-resolved light scattering technique, the aggregation kinetics of soil colloidal fractions were investigated, and their critical coagulation concentrations (CCCs) were determined. With decreasing colloidal particle diameter, the total carbon content, organic carbon, organic functional groups' content and illite content all increased. The zeta potential became less negative, and the charge variability decreased with decreasing particle diameter. The CCC values of Anthrosol and Calcisol colloids followed the descending order of d<100 nm, d<1 µm and d<2 µm. Compared with the course factions (d<1 and d<2 µm), soil nanoparticles were more abundant in organic carbon and more stable clay minerals (d<100 nm); thus they exhibited strongest colloidal suspension stability. The differences in organic matter contents and clay mineralogy are the fundamental reasons for the differences in colloidal suspension stability behind the size effects of Anthrosol and Calcisol colloids. The present study revealed the size effects of two alkaline soil colloids on carbon content, clay minerals, surface properties and suspension stability, emphasizing that soil nanoparticles are prone to be more stably dispersed instead of being aggregated. These findings can provide references for in-depth understanding of the environmental behaviors of the heterogeneous soil organic–mineral complexes.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of palm cellulose to yield nanocrystals with potential roles in lipid and cholesterol digestion and absorption

Abstract Limited research has been conducted to understand the influence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on lipid and cholesterol digestion and absorption. This study aimed to explore and understand the ability of CNCs to modulate these processes. CNCs were obtained from palm-pressed fiber (PPF) via a green enzymatic hydrolysis method, a more environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional, acid hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using the endo-β-D-glucanase derived from Aspergillus sp. The effect of the enzyme concentration (250–1000 U/g) and reaction times (12–72 h) on CNC particle size, morphology, yield and suspension stability were studied. Enzymatic hydrolysis at a concentration 500 U/g and 72 h of incubation successfully produced needle-shaped, shortened, and non-entangled CNCs with an average diameter of 22.76 ± 5.52 nm, length of 342.55 ± 148.69 nm, an aspect ratio of ~ 15, and a crystallinity of 61.45%. Interestingly, the water (22.28 ± 0.85 g/g) and oil (15.08 ± 0.62 g/g) holding capacities of CNCs were four times higher than raw PPF (5.31 ± 0.53 g/g; 3.52 ± 0.32 g/g). The results showed increasing CNCs concentrations decreased lipase activity mobilization, increased cholesterol adsorption capability and retarded bile acid diffusion. 1% of CNCs alone inhibited 54.93% of lipase activity. 1 g of CNCs adsorbed 54.19 ± 10.70 mg of cholesterol and demonstrated a greater bile acid retardation effect than microcrystal cellulose (CNCs: 39.3 ± 10.10%: MCC: 27.05 ± 6.72%). The entrapment of lipase and bile acid by CNCs could affect lipid and cholesterol digestion, potentially benefiting digestion health applications. Furthermore, the presence of CNCs could potentially alleviate hypercholesteremia by adsorbing cholesterol and reducing bile acid diffusion. The results revealed the effectiveness of CNCs extraction from PPF through enzymatic hydrolysis and suggest that CNCs may have health benefits as a functional ingredient for developing of fat- and cholesterol-rich foods with health-promoting properties.

Development of Lentiviral Packaging Cells and Scale Up of Production to Meet the Growing Demand in Cell and Gene Therapy.

Gamma-Retroviral (RVVs) and lentiviral vectors (LVVs) represent indispensable tools in somatic gene therapy, mediating the efficient, stable transfer of therapeutic genes into a variety of human target cells. LVVs, in contrast to RVVs, are capable of stably genetically modifying non-proliferating target cells, making them the superior instrument in cell and gene therapy. To date, the LVV manufacturing process employs human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and derivatives thereof transiently transfected with multiple plasmids encoding the required viral vector components. Alternatively, stable packaging cell lines were developed and engineered to express all vector components in trans. Currently, these cells are mostly cultured in cell stacks, where they grow adherently in 2D layers, limiting the scale-up of vector production. The production of viral vectors using stable suspension cell lines enables larger-scale production and higher yields under controlled conditions. Here, we review the improvements made to enhance vector safety and production yield. Current advancements in the establishment of stable packaging cell lines enabling inducible and constitutive LVV production are summarized and discussed. Manufacturing processes for lentiviral vectors using bioreactors with perfusion systems are required to meet the growing demand in cell and gene therapy and to reduce production and therapy costs.

TEMPO-oxidized cellulose fiber from spent coffee ground: Studying their properties as a function of particle size.

The applicability of cellulose and its derivatives is greatly depends on their attributes such as aspect ratio, morphology, surface chemistry, crystallinity, as well as their thermal and mechanical properties. However, these attributes can alter according to the utilized raw material, size classifications, extraction techniques, or fibrillation methods. Among these, the effect of raw material particle size on cellulose properties has received limited attention in scientific studies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of different particle sizes of spent coffee grounds (SCG) (A: 850-1400μm, B: 500-850μm, C: 355-500μm) on the physicochemical properties of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose (TOC). The freez-dried TOC was characterized in terms of functional groups, morphology, width diameter, crystallinity, carboxyl content, charge density, thermal properties, and re-dispersibility in water. Successful oxidation in all samples was confirmed by the presence of a sodium carboxylate peak in the FTIR spectrum. Higher thermal resistance, carboxyl content, as well as improved physical stability of the re-dispersed suspension were observed in A-TOC sample. Unlike B and C-TOC, A-TOC was favored sample for obtaining fibrillated cellulose with crystallinity of 49.92%. In contrast, production process significantly damaged the crystalline regions in finer particles and reduced the crystallinity of B and C-TOC to values ranging from 35 to 37%. In conclusion, finer SCG particles were highly sensitive to reaction conditions and showed high tendency toward dissolution, which make them unsuitable candidates for fiber fabrication. In terms of SCG, only coarse particles (A: 850-1400μm) were found to be ideal for producing oxidized cellulose fibers.

Separation and preparation of nanoparticles of urban dust for biological studies.

Nanoparticles (NPs) of urban dust pose a potential threat to public health. Nevertheless, this issue remains largely unexplored due to a lack of biological research related to these NPs. This may be attributed to the complexity of the separation, characterization, analysis, and subsequent preparation of NPs of urban dust for biological studies. In the present work, the methodology for the separation and preparation of NPs of urban dust for biological assays has been developed. The isolation of NPs from bulk samples of urban dust has been carried out using coiled tube field-flow fractionation, which allows one to recover a fraction of NPs, which is sufficient for further research. The weight of the recovered fraction of NPs was 0.42 ± 15 mg; the mean size of particles in the fraction was 220 nm. Albumin was employed as a stabilizing agent for NPs, a phosphate buffer solution simulated physiological salt concentrations. The isolated NPs were found to contain microorganisms, and a sterilization procedure was therefore applied. A 5 min UV treatment ensured sterilization of the suspension of NPs. Ultrafiltration was used to pre-concentrate NPs of urban dust required for biological studies; the ultrafiltration procedure did not affect the stability of the NPs suspension. The concentrations of toxic elements like Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb and Bi in the obtained NPs were found to be up to 10 times higher than in the bulk dust samples, indicating a potential health threat. The proposed procedure for the separation and preparation of NPs of urban dust can serve as a reliable basis for further biological studies.

In situ synthesis of degradable polymer prodrug nanoparticles.

The in situ synthesis of degradable polymer prodrug nanoparticles is still a challenge to be met, which would make it possible to remedy both the shortcomings of traditional formulation of preformed polymers (e.g., low nanoparticle concentrations) and those of the physical encapsulation of drugs (e.g., burst release and poor drug loadings). Herein, through the combination of radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) and polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) under appropriate experimental conditions, we report the successful preparation of high-solid content, degradable polymer prodrug nanoparticles, exhibiting multiple drug moieties covalently linked to a degradable vinyl copolymer backbone. Such a rROPISA process relied on the chain extension of a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-based solvophilic block with a mixture of lauryl methacrylate (LMA), cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) and drug-bearing methacrylic esters by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization at 20 wt% solid content. This novel approach was exemplified with two different CKA monomers and two different anticancer drugs, namely paclitaxel and gemcitabine, to demonstrate its versatility. After transferring to water, remarkably stable aqueous suspensions of core-degradable polymer prodrug nanoparticles, 56-225 nm in diameter, with tunable amounts of CKA units (7-26 mol%) and drug loadings of up to 33 wt% were obtained. The incorporation of ester groups in the copolymers was demonstrated by hydrolytic degradation of both the copolymers and the nanoparticles under accelerated conditions. The nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxicity against A549 cells, used as a lung cancer model. Fluorescence labeling of the solvophilic block also enabled effective monitoring of cell internalization by confocal microscopy, with potential for theranostic applications.

Antifungal potential of silver nanoparticles stabilized with the flavonoid naringenin.

Introduction. Fungal infections caused by yeast have increased in recent decades, becoming a major threat to public health.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Antifungal therapy represents a challenging problem because, in addition to presenting many side effects, fungal resistance has been increasing in recent years. As a result, the search for new therapeutic agents has advanced with the use of new technologies such as nanoparticles (NPs).Aim. Synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antifungal potential of naringenin (NAR)-stabilized silver NPs.Methodology. The biosynthesis of NPs was stabilized using the NAR molecule and an aqueous solution of silver nitrate. The characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was performed using different methods, which include UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Antifungal activity was evaluated against clinical isolates of Candida albicans by determining the MIC and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC).Results. The AgNP NAR showed a colloidal appearance with an average size of 14.71 nm and zeta potential measured at -33.3 mV, indicating a highly stable suspension. XRD analysis confirmed the crystal structure. FTIR spectra showed the presence of several functional groups of plant compounds, which play an important role in the coating and bioreduction processes. The antifungal activity against C. albicans showed an MIC of 3.55 µg ml-1 and an MFC of 7.1 µg ml-1. According to the growth kinetic assay in 12 h, there was a reduction of ~50% (<3 log10). Furthermore, AgNP NAR did not show mutagenic potential.Conclusion. The AgNP NAR obtained presented ideal characteristics for biomedical applications, good stability and promising antimicrobial activity.

Designing safer nanohybrids: stability and ecotoxicological assessment of graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle hybrids in embryonic zebrafish

Stabilising graphene oxide with gold nanoparticles: enhancing suspension stability and reducing toxicity in environmental and biological media (schematic prepared using Biorender Software).

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC GOLD NANOPARTICLES USING THE LEAF EXTRACT OF MANGIFERA INDICA

Diabetes has continued to affect the well-being of millions of individuals all over the world. More than seventy percent of Africans have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, with Nigeria among the list of the African countries recording most undiagnosed cases. Biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles using the extracts of plants have continued to gain grounds in the treatment of diabetes. In the present research, a straightforward green method was used to form gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Mangifera indica leaf extract. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to characterize the nanoparticles. Using XRD and SAED, the AuNPs' crystallinity was ascertained. The TEM revealed particles of various morphologies, and the UV-Vis revealed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 539 nm. The stability of the colloidal suspension was implied by the DLS measurement, which revealed a hydrodynamic size of 31.74 nm and a zeta potential of -23.7 mV. With percentage inhibitions that were about equivalent to that of acarbose, the conventional medication, the AuNPs demonstrated strong antidiabetic efficacy against the alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes. The research revealed the potential of Mangifera indica leaf extract-mediated gold nanoparticles in treatment of diabetes.

Geometrically modulated contact forces enable hula hoop levitation

Mechanical systems with moving points of contact-including rolling, sliding, and impacts-are common in engineering applications and everyday experiences. The challenges in analyzing such systems are compounded when an object dynamically explores the complex surface shape of a moving structure, as arises in familiar but poorly understood contexts such as hula hooping. We study this activity as a unique form of mechanical levitation against gravity and identify the conditions required for the stable suspension of an object rolling around a gyrating body. We combine robotic experiments involving hoops twirling on surfaces of various geometries and a model that links the motions and shape to the contact forces generated. The in-plane motions of the hoop involve synchronization to the body gyration that is shown to require damping and sufficiently high launching speed. Further, vertical equilibrium is achieved only for bodies with "hips" or a critical slope of the surface, while stability requires an hourglass shape with a "waist" and whose curvature exceeds a critical value. Analysis of the model reveals dimensionless factors that successfully organize and unify observations across a wide range of geometries and kinematics. By revealing and explaining the mechanics of hula hoop levitation, these results motivate strategies for motion control via geometry-dependent contact forces and for accurately predicting the resulting equilibria and their stability.

High-Throughput Molecular Dynamics Study and Turbidity Analysis on Clustering and Agglomeration of Cellulose Nanocrystals in Suspensions.

The dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in suspensions determines the quality of the CNC-reinforced composites. Before being mixed into the composite matrix, stable suspensions must maintain a well-dispersed state, requiring proper design strategies to prevent agglomeration and precipitation. Considering the volume fraction, aspect ratio, and zeta potential, this paper proposes a coarse-grained model to simulate CNC clustering and an experimental program to observe accelerated precipitation of CNCs. High-throughput molecular dynamics simulations yield a diagram of clustering time plotted against aspect ratio, zeta potential, and volume fraction of CNCs. Turbidity analysis with centrifugation-accelerated tests shows that precipitation occurs only after clustering and agglomeration are completed and that centrifugation rarely accelerates clustering. Clustering of short chains instantly leads to agglomeration, whereas clustering of long chains features delayed agglomeration, which can be triggered by centrifugation. Zeta potential is found to be the most critical factor affecting clustering, agglomeration, and precipitation. The findings provide critical insights into the conditions that favor stable CNC suspensions, which are essential for preparing well-dispersed suspensions and improving the composite material performance.

The regulation mechanism of bacterial metabolites and cells on the bio-calcium carbonate

The mineralization mechanism of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation is vital for its advancement and practical applications. Therefore, this article aims to delve into the influence mechanism of diverse microbial components on the formation of biological calcium carbonate (bio-calcium carbonate) by selecting Bacillus mucilaginosus as the subject of investigation. Initially, the microbial spores and cells are characterized. It is found that after 30 h of cultivation, the bacterial concentration reaches a stable stage, accompanied by a surge in living cells. Moreover, by stripping metabolites from stable bacterial suspension and testing, the Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance results indicate that the metabolic components are mainly proteins. Then, the mineralization is carried out in a simulated solution and the X-ray diffraction results show that the bio-calcium carbonate induced by metabolic components and the cells has significant differences in crystal structure. It is also observed through scanning electron microscopy that the bio-calcium carbonate particles are tightly connected by flocculent material. The fluorescence staining results indicate the presence of organic matter on the bio-calcium carbonate surface, thereby indicating the active involvement of microbial cells and their metabolic processes in the formation of these products.

Enhancing Acyclovir Permeability Using SLS Crosslinked β-Cyclodextrin Nanoparticles

Introduction/Objective: Acyclovir, a BCS class III drug (that has high solubility and low permeability) is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of herpes simplex and varicose zoster. To enhance acyclovir's permeability across the intestinal membrane and to improve its bioavailability the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) nanoparticles of acyclovir were prepared with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a crosslinking agent. Methods: A phase solubility study was performed with varying ratios of acyclovir to β-CD. Three formulations of acyclovir-loaded β-CD nanoparticles were prepared with drug-β-CD ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4. The prepared nanoparticle formulations were characterized for FTIR, dynamic light scattering (particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential) and in vitro permeability studies. Results: Phase solubility study resulted in an "AL type" curve with an association constant (Kc) of 12 M-1 which suggested the formation of a strong complex between acyclovir and β-CD, leading to enhanced solubility of acyclovir with increasing concentrations of β-CD. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the compatibility of acyclovir, β-CD, and SLS in the formulations. Dynamic light scattering analysis demonstrated particle sizes ranging from 152.92 nm to 335.7 nm, with the smallest particles in the 1:4 ratio formulation (152.92 nm), potentially due to higher drug encapsulation. Zeta potential measurements reflected formation of stable nanoparticle suspensions, with the formulation exhibiting a zeta potential of -45.4 mV showcasing optimal stability. In vitro permeation studies revealed that the 1:4 ratio formulation exhibited the highest permeability (84.24 ±1.94 % at the end of 150 min) through the eggshell membrane, implying efficient drug release. This increase in permeability corroborated with its smallest particle size. Conclusion: The study highlights the potential of β-CD nanoparticles (with best performance shown by drug-to-β-CD ratio 1:4) in augmenting acyclovir's delivery, suggesting a promising avenue for improving the drug delivery in viral infections.

SPA14 liposomes combining saponin with fully synthetic TLR4 agonist provide adjuvanticity to hCMV vaccine candidate

In the aim of designing and developing a novel saponin-based adjuvant system, we combined the QS21 saponin with low microgram amounts of the fully synthetic TLR4 agonist, E6020, in cholesterol-containing liposomes. The resulting adjuvant system, termed SPA14, appeared as a long-term stable and homogeneous suspension of mostly unilamellar and a few multilamellar vesicles, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 93 nm, when formulated in citrate buffer at pH 6.0-6.5. When compared in an in vitro human innate immunity construct to AS01B, the QS21/MPL® liposomal adjuvant system of GSK, and with QS21-Liposomes used as benchmarks, SPA14 displayed the strongest immunostimulatory potential based on antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation and cytokine secretion, which was essentially driven by the highly active E6020 agonist in this assay. When tested as an adjuvant in vivo with human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (gB) and pentamer complex (PC) as test antigens, SPA14 was generally well tolerated and as active as AS01B for the induction of long-lasting CMV-neutralizing antibodies in mice and non-human primates (NHPs). Both adjuvants promoted the induction of Th-1 responses based on IgG2c production in mice and IFN-γ production in mice and NHPs, but in mice, a higher level of Th-2 cytokines (IL-5) and higher IgG1 over IgG2c secreting cells ratios were obtained with SPA14 indicating that the adjuvant profile of SPA14 could be less Th-1 biased than that of AS01B. From a developability standpoint, SPA14 could be manufactured by a simple and scalable ethanol injection method, owing to the high solubility in ethanol of all its lipidic components, including E6020. Furthermore, E6020 is a single molecule, well-characterized fully synthetic TLR4 agonist constructed in eight synthetic steps from entirely crystalline starting materials and intermediates via an optimized high-yield synthetic route. Overall, our data suggest that SPA14 is a viable, easy-to-manufacture, potent novel adjuvant system that could be broadly applicable as a ready-to-mix adjuvant in the form of a long-term stable liquid formulation.

Optical and Electrochemical Analysis of Surface‐Enhanced ZnZrO3:Eu3+ Nanostructures for Forensic Applications

AbstractThe surface‐enhanced local crystal structure of a series of ZnZrO3:Eu3+(1 to 5 mol.%) (ZZE) orange–red nanophosphors synthesized using a sol‐gel combustion process is investigated. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) with the Rietveld refinement analysis reveals a monoclinic ZnZrO3:Eu3+ structure with a space group 14. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses reveal the honeycomb alignment of nanoparticles in structure formation. The UV–vis‐diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis‐DRS) analysis reveals strong absorption in the UV region, with an increase in the energy bandgap upon the addition of Eu3+ ions (1 to 5 mol.%). The optimized ZnZrO3:Eu3+(2 mol.%) nanophosphor exhibits high‐intensity orange‐red emission at 615 nm, as revealed by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis confirms the surface‐modified ZnZrO3:Eu3+ (2 mol.%) nanophosphor and hence reveals its electrochemical stability and selectivity to form stable suspensions with liquids or solids. ZnZrO3:Eu3+ (1 to 5 mol.%) exhibits fluorophore (Eu3+) embedded, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, which opens new bioimaging applications. Further, the optimized ZnZrO3:Eu3+ (2 mol.%) nanophosphor investigated for the identification of latent fingerprint patterns (LFP) under visible light indicates its potential as a strong LFP‐revealing material in forensics without alternate light sources or chemical reagents.

Research on toughening of in situ polymerized polyacrylate resin for liquid composite molding

AbstractThermoplastic polyacrylate resin, which can be polymerized in situ, has a broad application prospect. Addressing the issue of poor toughness of polyacrylate resin, a toughening method involving in situ polymerization of polyacrylate resin for liquid composite molding was presented in this paper. KH570‐modified silica nanoparticles were used as reinforcement. The study focused on the surface modification's impact on the dispersion stability of the nanoparticle suspension, the effect of nanoparticles on the reaction, and the mechanical properties of the resin. The results showed that the contact angle between modified‐silica and acrylate resin decreased from 79.3° to 9.96°, and the stability of the suspension was increased by 34.8%. With the increase of silica nanoparticles, the reaction speed of the resin initially decreased and then increased. This was due to the influence of KH570 on the surface of the nanoparticles and the changes in resin viscosity caused by the nanoparticles. The mechanical properties of polymerization products first increased and then decreased. When nanoparticles mass ratio of nanoparticle to resin was 5:100, the elongation at break was increased by 94.9%, the impact strength was increased by 287%. This paper provided some ideas for high‐performance industrial application of high‐performance in situ polymerization of polyacrylate resin.Highlights The thermoplastic polyacrylate resin that can be formed by liquid composite molding. A method for improving the toughness of resin used in liquid composite molding. Nanosilica modified with KH570 interferes with the reaction of acrylate resin. The nanosilica changes the crack propagation path.

Enhanced Stability and In Vitro Biocompatibility of Chitosan-Coated Lipid Vesicles for Indomethacin Delivery.

Lipid vesicles, especially those utilizing biocompatible materials like chitosan (CHIT), hold significant promise for enhancing the stability and release characteristics of drugs such as indomethacin (IND), effectively overcoming the drawbacks associated with conventional drug formulations. This study seeks to develop and characterize novel lipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and CHIT that encapsulate indomethacin (IND-ves), as well as to evaluate their in vitro hemocompatibility. The systems encapsulating IND were prepared using a molecular droplet self-assembly technique, involving the dissolution of lipids, cholesterol, and indomethacin in ethanol, followed by sonication and the gradual incorporation of a CHIT solution to form stable vesicular structures. The vesicles were characterized in terms of size, morphology, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency and the profile release of drug was assessd. In vitro hemocompatibility was evaluated by measuring erythrocyte lysis and quantifying hemolysis rates. The IND-ves exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 85%, with vesicles averaging 317.6 nm in size, and a Zeta potential of 24 mV, indicating good stability in suspension. In vitro release kinetics demonstrated an extended release profile of IND from the vesicles over 8 h, contrasting with the immediate release observed from plain drug solutions. The hemocompatibility assessment revealed that IND-ves exhibited minimal hemolysis, comparable to control groups, indicating good compatibility with erythrocytes. IND-ves provide a promising approach for modified indomethacin delivery, enhancing stability and hemocompatibility. These findings suggest their potential for effective NSAID delivery, with further in vivo studies required to explore clinical applications.

Development of hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) beverages: Roasting effects and safety

AbstractThe aims of this study were to formulate 2% and 3% (w/v) hemp seed beverages and to evaluate chemical composition, colloidal stability, safety, and sensory profiles after roasting the seeds (150 °C, 15 min). Beverages with 2% and 3% roasted hemp seeds evidenced acceptable sensory attributes and nutritious profile, containing 0.6–1% protein, 0.4–0.6% dietary fibre, and 0.5–0.8% lipids –mainly unsaturated fatty acids–, respectively. The roasting treatment significantly increased the phenolic content by 49–55% and the antioxidant capacity by 15%, and improved the sensory attributes of the beverages. Low peroxide levels (&lt;1 meq O2/kg) in roasted hemp seed beverages were detected up to five days in cold storage, with better capacity against oxidation at 2% seed content. The use of 0.03% gellan gum improved the physical stability of suspensions contributing to their overall acceptability. Roasted hemp seed beverages showed no cannabinoid and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. The advantages observed after roasting the seeds on phenolic content, antioxidant activity, sensorial acceptability and safety provided better attributes for the feasibility of beverages formulated with hemp seeds. The results showed a formulation suitable for the development of potential industrial roasted hemp seeds beverages with promising compositional profiles.

Self-Similar Ligand for 2D Zr(IV)-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks: Fluorescent Sensing and Catalysis.

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework sheets, in comparison to the 3D analogues, offer potential advantages for intercalation of guest components between the layers, exfoliation/dispersion into solutions, and processing into thin films. As a versatile platform for leveraging organic functions, the 2D Zr(IV)-carboxylate net here features a dendritic Sierpinski tritopic linker with conjugated alkyne branches and a photoactive triphenylamine core. The 2D solid can be easily dispersed in water and many other solvents, resulting in stable and fluorescent suspension for sensing nitro aromatic compounds and Fe3+ ions with high quenching efficiencies and ultralow limits of detection. Also, the neighboring alkyne units of the coordination solid undergo thermal cyclization (e.g., at 320 °C) to form cross-linked nanographene-like components to afford robust porosity, which substantially takes up PdCl2 (atomic ratio of Zr/Pd, 2.4:1) to afford a heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions─direct in air and without the need for phosphine ligands.