UV-Vis Techniques Research Articles

Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticle as an effective nanocarrier in delivery of 5-Fluorouracil anti-gastric cancer drug

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapy drug that belongs to a class of medications known as antimetabolites and has many applications in cancer therapy, especially in the treatment of gastric cancer. However, high dose of 5-FU in gastric cancer treatment can cause various side effects. Therefore, delivery of this significant drug with a suitable delivery system can significantly improve the safety and efficacy of this drug, leading to better treatment outcomes and improved patient quality of life. Mg-doped ZnO has garnered significant attention in scientific research due to its distinct physicochemical characteristics. This investigation introduces an uncomplicated and economical approach for synthesis of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Then, the nanoparticles were subjected to thorough analysis employing FT-IR, XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, TEM, UV–Vis, EDS, and DLS techniques. Subsequently, the research explored capacity of the created nanostructure to serve as a nanocarrier for 5-Fluorouracil. Findings indicated an approximately 76 % drug loading capacity that is dependent on pH and duration time. The release profile depicted a gradual release under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 39 %), contrasting with a notably accelerated release rate at pH 5.3 (82 %) in 48 h. Furthermore, an in vitro assessment of cellular cytotoxicity performed on AGS gastric cancer cell line to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Results from MTT assay affirmed the potential of this nanoparticle as a promising vehicle for 5-Fluorouracil delivery.

Exploration of the effect of NaCl/urea on aggregation process of imipramine hydrochloride drug and TX-165 mixture: A surface tension and UV–visible study

In this research, mixed micellization analysis of imipramine hydrochloride (IMP), an antidepressant drug with nonionic TX-165 surfactant has been investigated entirely via tensiometry and UV–visible techniques. Influence of distinct solvents of certain concentration (aqueous/50 mmol.kg−1 NaCl/500 mmol.kg−1 urea) was also detected on mixed association behavior of IMP+TX-165 mixtures. As compared to the aqueous system, higher nonideality in IMP+TX-165 in NaCl solution was detected while in the urea system was found less i.e., the interaction between IMP and TX-165 in different solvents was found as follows: NaCl > aqueous > urea. The fraction of TX-165 in mixed micelles (X1m) was found to be higher than IMP caused by the high hydrophobicity of TX-165 than IMP. The attained interaction parameter (βm) for bulk mixed systems was negative in each case depicting the synergism or attractive interaction amid IMP and TX-165. Numerous evaluated thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that IMP+TX-165 mixed micelles formation is viable along with spontaneous and among all employed solvents, spontaneity was found higher in NaCl solvent and lower in urea solvent than aqueous solution. Interaction of IMP with TX-165 was also detected by UV–visible analysis as an increase in absorbance was attained. Overall, results might be helpful in the development of the drug delivery system.

CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTICAL STUDIES OF ION BEAM-IRRADIATED CA/PANI COMPOSITE MATERIALS

In the present research, cellulose acetate (CA) and polyaniline (PANI) were combined to form CA/PANI films using the solution-casting method. This research aims to provide novel optical behavior for irradiated flexible CA/PANI sheets to be utilized in high-performing optical devices. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to effectively produce the CA/PANI samples. The argon fluence of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ions/cm2 have been added to these films. The FTIR and XRD measurements showed that the ion treatment of CA/PANI films altered their functions and crystalline compositions. This indicates that the CA/PANI films were successfully prepared. The optical properties were measured using the UV–Vis technique in a wavelength of 200–1150[Formula: see text]nm. The Tauc relationship was used to estimate the band gap and Urbach energies of both bombarded and untreated films. In response to [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ions/cm2, CA/PANI exhibits a drop in band gap from 4.92[Formula: see text]eV to 4.45, 4.31, and 4.20[Formula: see text]eV, respectively. According to these results, the optical performance of the irradiated CA/PANI composite films was modified to be used in optoelectronics.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Study of New 1H-1-Alkyl-6-methyl-7-nitroso-3-phenylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazoles

The nitrosation of 1H-1-alkyl-6-methyl-3-phenylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazoles leads to new 1H-1-alkyl-6-methyl-7-nitroso-3-phenylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4] triazoles that react in acidic media, giving rise to 1H-1-alkyl-7-hydroxyimino-6-methyl-3-phenylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazolium salts. These compounds were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and 15N-NMR spectroscopic techniques.

Influence of chitosan’s purification methodology on the formation of layer-by-layer films

Concern for the environment for the development of new biodegradable materials has been constant in scientific circles. With this in mind, this work proposes a study on the formation of self-assembled thin films using chitosan (Qt), a biodegradable material. This polyelectrolyte has several purification methodologies, but we did not identify any studies on the effect of these methodologies on film formation. Thus, after the purification process and characterization of the three forms of chitosan purification, films were produced using the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The growth of the films was monitored using the UV-vis technique. Spectroscopy in the Infrared region showed positions in the main bands present in chitosan and sodium nitroprusside (NP) in the formed films. Two semi-reversible processes were found for the QtN/NP and QtAc/NP films, related to the reduction of iron oxide present in the NP. The effect of pH (4.0, 7.0 and 10) on the electrochemical processes indicated that the charge transfer occurs more efficiently at pH 7.0.

High extraction and excellent anti-UV and anti-oxidant proprieties of lignin from Reseda Luteola L. waste by organosolv process

Lignin is an abundant natural biopolymer found in plant cell walls. Lignin can come from tinctorial plants, whose residual biomass after dye extraction was typically discarded as waste. The main objective of this study was to extract lignin from the residual biomass of Reseda luteola L. using an organosolv process and to optimize the extraction conditions. The extracted lignin was characterized, and its potential applications as an antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, and anti-UV agent were investigated. Response surface methodology based on a Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the lignin extraction conditions (organic acid concentration, material-to-liquid ratio, extraction time). The extracted lignin was comprehensively characterized using NMR, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, TGA, DSC, and UV–Vis techniques. The optimal extraction conditions yielded a remarkably high lignin recovery of 62.41 % from the plant waste, which was rarely achieved for non-wood plants in previous works. The extracted lignin exhibited excellent thermal stability and radical scavenging anti-oxidant activity but no significant antimicrobial effects. Treating wool fabrics with lignin nanoparticles substantially enhanced UV protection from the “good” to “excellent” category based on the UPF rating. This sustainable valorization approach converted abundant tinctorial plant waste into high-purity lignin with promising anti-oxidant and UV-blocking properties suitable for various applications.

Influence of molybdenum incorporation on the structural, chemical, and catalytic properties of iron cobaltite and cobalt ferrite catalysts

In this study, molybdenum doped iron cobaltite and cobalt ferrite catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation, and their structural, morphological, and optical, properties were evaluated by XRD, BET, SEM, FTIR, Raman, XPS and UV–VIS techniques. Their catalytic behavior evaluated in the malic acid oxidative decarboxylation reaction underlined the importance of the incorporation of Mo into the structure of iron cobaltite and cobalt ferrite catalysts. The catalysts with the highest molybdenum content forming cobaltite and iron molybdate phases showed better activity, with cobaltite-based catalysts being more active than ferrite-based ones.

Photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde under visible light using BiVO4-TiO2 synthesized via ultrasonic blending.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one of the primary indoor air pollutants, and efficiently eliminating it, especially at low concentrations, remains challenging. In this study, BiVO4-TiO2 catalyst was developed using ultrasonic blending technology for the photocatalytic oxidation of low-level indoor HCHO. The crystal structure, surface morphology, element distribution, and active oxidation species of the catalyst were examined using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, EDS, and ESR techniques. Our results demonstrated that the BiVO4-TiO2 catalyst, prepared by ultrasonic blending, exhibited good oxidation performance and stability. The HCHO concentration reduced from 1.050 to 0.030mg/m3 within 48h, achieving a removal rate of 97.1%. The synergy between BiVO4 and TiO2 enhanced the efficiency of separating photogenerated carriers and minimized the likelihood of recombination between photogenerated electrons and holes. Additionally, this synergy significantly enhanced the presence of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) on the catalyst, resulting in an oxidation performance superior to that of either BiVO4 or TiO2. Our research offers valuable insights for the development of new photocatalysts to address HCHO pollution.

Al/ZnO nanoparticle as an effective nanocarrier in delivery of lenalidomide anti-multiple myeloma cancer drug

ABSTRACT Lenalidomide is a key drug in multiple myeloma. Moreover, Al-ZnO has garnered significant attention due to its distinct physicochemical characteristics. This investigation introduces an economic approach for fabrication and characterization of Al-ZnO nanoparticles by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV-VIS, EDS, and XRD techniques. Subsequently, the research explored capacity of the created nanostructure to serve as a nanocarrier for Lenalidomide. Findings indicated an approximate 71% drug loading capacity that is dependent on pH and duration time. The release profile depicted a gradual release under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 28%), contrasting with a notably accelerated release rate at pH 6.2 (78%) in 48 h. Furthermore, an in vitro assessment of cellular cytotoxicity performed on U266 multiple myeloma cancer cell line to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Al-ZnO nanoparticles. Results from MTT assay affirmed the potential of this nanoparticle as a promising vehicle for Lenalidomide delivery.

Evaluation of Copper Nanoparticle Synthesis by Fusarium oxysporum Antibacterial Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus

The creation of effective, environmentally friendly antimicrobial alternatives is becoming more and more important in light of the development of antibiotic resistance. The objective of the present study was to illustrate the biosynthetic process of copper (II) carbonate nanoparticles, CuCo3 NPs, by using Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate as an antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus. Fusarium oxysporum isolate was diagnosed by PCR. One hundred and sixty specimens of pathogenic bacteria were collected from different sources (wounds, urine, sputum) then the bacterial isolates were diagnosed as Staphylococcus aureus by conventional morphological examination, biochemical tests, and the Vitek-2 system. Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate was prepared by a culture of the fungus on Czapek Dox broth media modified by adding cornmeal and incubated for 14 days with shaking at 27±2°C and filtered in the last stages using a Millipore. The biosynthesis of CuCo3 NPs was done by adding 1g of CuCo3 Cu (OH)2 to 10 ml of Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate. The NPs were diagnosed using modern methods, including UV-VIS, FT-IR, AFM, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques. Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was tested on the produced Cu NPs. The results indicated that the prepared CuCo3 NPs inhibited pathogenic bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus at concentration of 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 mg/ml.

Olive leaf extract green-formulated manganese nanoparticles: Characterization and antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-breast carcinoma properties

Olives are rich in many plant compounds; Antioxidants in olives protect against the occurrence of many cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, various types of cancers and tissue damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidant compounds include oluropine, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleanolic acid, and quercetin. Recent studies have focused on the therapeutic efficacies of manganese nanoparticles mediated by medicinal plants. The study investigated the characteristics of green manganese nanoparticles formulated using olive leaf extract on breast carcinoma cells. The nanoparticles were analyzed using FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and UV–Vis techniques. The formation of manganese nanoparticles was confirmed by observing bands at 219 and 290 nm. The Mn-O vibration can be identified by the peaks observed at 516 and 610 cm−1. The peaks at 72.69, 60, 53.26, 44.97, 40.25, 34.83, and 28.48 corresponding to manganese nanoparticles (444), (440), (510), (420), (400), (222), and (220) diffraction planes, indicate the manganese nanoparticles formation. The MTT assay was employed to evaluate the anti-breast carcinoma effects (on CAMA-1 and MCF-7 cells) as well as the cytotoxicity effects (on HUVEC cell line) of manganese NPs. Results from the DPPH test showed that MnNPs and BHT at doses of 231 and 84 μg/ml were able to eliminate 50 % of radicals. The findings from the MTT experiment indicate that over 3 days, the cancer cells percentage that survived decreased proportionally to the increase in nanoparticle concentration. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that the cancer cells survival rate decreased with the rise in nanoparticle concentration, ultimately reaching a point where no viable cells were observed at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml. The most effective cytotoxicity was observed at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml. The MTT findings indicate that the IC50 values are 173 and 256 µg/ml, representing the concentration of nanoparticles at which half of the CAMA-1 and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells in the culture medium are eradicated. Analysis of the gene expression levels of PIK3, AKT, and mTOR, linked to the mTOR pathway, in addition to Bax, Bcl2, and Caspase-3, demonstrates that copper nanoparticles efficiently control PC14 cell apoptosis and proliferation by regulating the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway. The mTOR pathway could potentially be related to the suppression of the cell cycle and the initiation of apoptosis due to nanoparticles.

Synthesis, characterization, anti-microbial activity studies of salicylic acid and 2-aminopyridine derivatives salts and their Cu(II) complexes

Four salts (1-4) obtained between salicylic acid (H2salic) and 2-amino-Xpyridine {X = (2ap), 3-methyl (2a3mp), 4-methyl (2a4mp) and 5-methyl (2a5mp)} and the Cu(II) complex of H2salic (5) by methods available in the literature and new Cu(II) complexes (6-9) of the salts (1-4) has been prepared. The Cu(II) complexes (6-9) were suggested by elemental analysis, FT-IR, AAS, UV-Vis and magnetic susceptibility techniques. The spectroscopic research results indicated that complexes 6-9 have tetrahedral geometries. Additionally, antimicrobial activities of free ligands (H2salic, 2ap, 2a3mp, 2a4mp and 2a5mp), 1-9 were studied against Candida albicans (F89) yeast, Staphylococcus aureus (NRRL B-767), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 7644), Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) bacteria. The results were comparisoned with the control compounds (Fluconazole, Vancomycin, Cefepime and Levofloxacin). All compounds showed activity against bacteria and yeasts.

Profiling the Interaction between Human Serum Albumin and Clinically Relevant HIV Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors.

Tenofovir (TFV) is the active form of the prodrugs tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), both clinically prescribed as HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The biophysical interactions between these compounds and human serum albumin (HSA), the primary carrier of exogenous compounds in the human bloodstream, have not yet been thoroughly characterized. Thus, the present study reports the interaction profile between HSA and TFV, TDF, and TAF via UV-Vis, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence techniques combined with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and in silico calculations. A spontaneous interaction in the ground state, which does not perturb the microenvironment close to the Trp-214 residue, is classified as weak. In the case of HSA/TFV and HSA/TDF, the binding is both enthalpically and entropically driven, while for HSA/TAF, the binding is only entropically dominated. The binding constant (Ka) and thermodynamic parameters obtained via ITC assays agree with those obtained using steady-state fluorescence quenching measurements, reinforcing the reliability of the data. The small internal cavity known as site I is probably the main binding pocket for TFV due to the low steric volume of the drug. In contrast, most external sites (II and III) can better accommodate TAF due to the high steric volume of this prodrug. The cross-docking approach corroborated experimental drug-displacement assays, indicating that the binding affinity of TFV and TAF might be impacted by the presence of different compounds bound to albumin. Overall, the weak binding capacity of albumin to TFV, TDF, and TAF is one of the main factors for the low residence time of these antiretrovirals in the human bloodstream; however, positive cooperativity for TAF and TDF was detected in the presence of some drugs, which might improve their residence time (pharmacokinetic profile).

DFT, real sample and smartphone studies of fluorescent probe, N-doped carbon quantum dots for sensitive and selective detection of bilirubin

In this investigation, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) were successfully synthesized, showcasing robust fluorescence characteristics and photostability. These NCQDs demonstrated biocompatibility and were utilized as effective sensing agents for bilirubin (BR) detection. Their remarkable Stern-Volmer constant, attributed to exceptional molar absorptivity and photoluminescence quantum yield, rendered them highly proficient in BR sensing. Various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the synthesized NCQDs, providing comprehensive insights into their structural, elemental, chemical composition, particle size, morphology, and optical properties. For sensing purposes, UV–Vis, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques were utilized. The average particle size of the NCQDs was determined to be approximately 4.5 ± 0.3 nm. Notably, the Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) for BR sensing from these quantum dots surpassed previously reported values in the literature. A linear relationship between emission intensity ratio and BR concentration within a range of 1.35–14.20 μM was observed. Accurate quantification of BR was achieved with a high Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) S11 of approximately 7.48 × 105 M-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.86 μM. Leveraging the NCQDs as fluorescent probes, a highly sensitive and selective BR detection method based on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism was established, with emission occurring at 360 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) studies supported FRET as the primary mechanism for fluorescence quenching, indicating electron transfer from NCQDs to BR, as evidenced by the energies of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) of both NCQDs and BR. Real sample analyses of BR levels in human serum yielded a recovery range of 94.8 % to 104.21 %, validating the practical applicability of the method. Furthermore, smartphone-based BR detection using NCQDs achieved an LOD of 11.74 µM.

Polymerization strategy for cellulose nanocrystals-based photonic crystal films with water resisting property

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can form a liquid crystal film with a chiral nematic structure by evaporative-induced self-assembly (EISA). It has attracted much attention as a new class of photonic liquid crystal material because of its intrinsic, unique structural characteristics, and excellent optical properties. However, the CNCs-based photonic crystal films are generally prepared via the physical crosslinking strategy, which present water sensitivity. Here, we developed CNCs-g-PAM photonic crystal film by combining free radical polymerization and EISA. FT-IR, SEM, POM, XRD, TG-DTG, and UV–Vis techniques were employed to characterize the physicochemical properties and microstructure of the as-prepared films. The CNCs-g-PAM films showed a better thermo-stability than CNCs-based film. Also, the mechanical properties were significantly improved, viz., the elongation at break was 9.4 %, and tensile strength reached 18.5 Mpa, which was a much better enhancement than CNCs-based film. More importantly, the CNCs-g-PAM films can resist water dissolution for more than 24 h, which was impossible for the CNCs-based film. The present study provided a promising strategy to prepare CNCs-based photonic crystal film with high flexibility, water resistance, and optical properties for applications such as decoration, light management, and anti-counterfeiting.

Dielectric, ferroelectric, optical and photocatalytic properties of Al and Ag-doped strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) synthesized via facile micro-emulsion approach

Al and Ag-doped Sr1-xAgxFe12-yAlyO19 (x, y = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) nano-materials (NMs) were prepared via a facile microemulsion approach and the effect of doping was appraised based on structural, optical, electrical and catalytic properties. The NMs were characterized by XRD, FTIR and UV-Vis techniques along with ferroelectric and dielectric properties. The NMs structure was hexagonal symmetric with crystallite size in the 23.3–30.2 nm range. The ferroelectric and dielectric properties were affected significantly in response to dopant content. The band-gap (Eg) values of NMs were in the 3.52–2.59 eV range. The photocatalytic efficiency (PCE) of bare strontium hexaferrite (SHF) and Sr1-xAgxFe12-yAlyO19 was evaluated against Methyl Orange (MO) dye (an anionic dye) and Rhodamine B (RhB) dye (a cationic dye) under solar light irradiation. The PCE of SHAF4 was 89%, while it was 52% in the case of SHF whereas for RB, SHF shows 66% and SHAF-4 represents 92% degradation. Pure SHF and SHAF-4 points of zero charge (pHzpc) were found to be 7.09 and 6.9, respectively. The remarkable PCE of the highest doped Sr1-xAgxFe12-yAlyO19 SHAF-4 makes this material a potential photo-catalyst for the removal of toxic dye from wastewater.

Influence of ion beam on the surface characteristics and structural properties of PVA/TiO2 films

This work used the solution-casting preparation method to create flexible polymer composite materials including titanium dioxide (TiO2) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Then, using a wide-beam homemade cold-cathode ion generator, the samples were irradiated with oxygen fluences of 4 × 1016, 8 × 1016 and 12 × 1016 ions/cm2. Using the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, contact angle and X-ray diffraction techniques, the successful production of PVA/titanium dioxide composite films was evaluated. The effects of ion exposure on the optical behavior were determined using the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy technique. The PVA/titanium dioxide dispersion energy was 1.75 eV. It increased to 2.21, 2.66 and 3.12 eV with irradiation of 4 × 1016, 8 × 1016 and 12 × 1016 ions/cm2, respectively. Moreover, the refractive index (n 0) of PVA/titanium dioxide was 1.18, which increased to 1.25, 1.32 and 1.40, respectively. Moreover, the oscillation energy E 0 reduced from 4.24 eV for the PVA/titanium dioxide composite to 3.84, 3.64 and 3.27 eV, respectively. Consequently, PVA/TiO2 films are treated with ions to change their optical and structural properties, which are then used in a variety of optoelectronic applications.

The application of silver nanoparticles green-formulated by Origanum majorana leaf extract as a hydrazine sensor and treatment of human breast cancer by following the P53 and STAT3 signaling pathways

Silver nanoparticles, because of their large absorption surface and small size, are considered to be intelligent magnetic particles. The advancements in nanotechnology have revolutionized cancer treatment, with silver nanoparticles playing a crucial role in this field. In a recent experiment, the effects of Ag nanoparticles formulated from Origanum majorana on breast cancer cells were investigated. It was found that these nanoparticles induce apoptosis through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and P53 signaling pathways. The nanoparticle characterization was conducted using FE-SEM, XRD, and UV–Vis techniques. Furthermore, the Ag nanoparticles exhibited significant antioxidant activity by preventing 50% of DPPH at 183 μg/mL. The MTT assay revealed the anti-breast carcinoma properties of silver NPs on MCF-7, T-47D, and SkBr3 cells. The outcomes demonstrated that as the nanoparticle concentration increased, the cancer cells survival percentage reduced for 3 days. The most effective anticancer effect was observed at 1000 μg/ml. MTT findings indicate that a concentration of nanoparticles at IC50 = 97, 186, and 180 μg/ml effectively targets 50% of MCF-7, T-47D, and SkBr3 breast carcinoma cells. The presence of silver NPs induces cell apoptosis, which is with the Bax markers regulation and the pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-8 upregulation, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 marker is downregulated. Besides, silver NPs inhibit the formation of colonies. Molecular pathway analysis of breast cells treated with silver NPs reveals an increase in p53 expression, while the total and phosphorylated STAT3 expression is inhibited, suggesting that p53 and STAT3 have a notable role in the remedial efficacies of silver NPs on breast carcinoma cells. Additionally, the Ag nanoparticles exhibit high sensitivity in the hydrazine electrochemical detection, a potentially carcinogenic substance, with a detection limit of 0.25 μM. The developed sensor, utilizing Ag nanoparticles, shows great promise for the environmental monitoring of hydrazine due to its excellent catalytic performance and simple preparation process. Based on clinical research, recent silver nanoparticles have emerged as a viable option for breast cancer treatment.

Nanocrystal Structure of Minoxidil: A Safe Stimulator for Hair Growth Factor for C57BL/6 Mice.

Commercial Minoxidil (MXD) is commonly used as a vasodilator agent of hair follicles for providing direct dermal papilla cell proliferation and consequently enhancing the rate of hair growth. The current study attempted to improve the bioactivity and water solubility of MXD by producing nanocrystal structures and investigating the obtained hair growthstimulating activity on C57BL/6 mice. The MXD nanoparticles (MXD-NPs) were prepared through a bead mill and ultrasonic process and characterized by DLS, XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, and Zeta-potential techniques. The cytotoxicity of MXD-NPs was studied on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) by MTT assay. Lastly, we analyzed the comparative hair growth inductive activity of certain MXD-NPs concentrations on C57BL/6 mice. The stabled MXD-NPs (-46 mV, 21.9 nm) caused a significant increase in the hair growth rate of C57BL/6 mice by running a safe site-specific delivery mechanism on the targeted pilosebaceous follicles when compared to MXD. The MXD-NPs-receiving mice exhibited a greater rate of anagen/telogen follicular when compared with MXD-treated types, which verified the improvement of their hair re-growing and follicular-stimulative activities. Therefore, these outcomes confirmed the potential of MXD-NPs for substituting its commercial solution format as a safe and efficient iso-formulation structure.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B under UV Light Catalyzed by Alpha Titanium Phosphate and Metal Modified Titanium Phosphate

Wastewater management is a crucial issue in most emergent nations with ever-growing global industrialization. From textiles to food, mankind uses dyes and pigments which pose a threat to the environment due to organic non-biodegradable dyes contained in wastewater. Rhodamine B (RhB) is a conventional colorant in many industries producing a large amount of dye effluent, thus becoming a serious threat to the environment as well as human health. Additionally, RhB is dangerous even at extremely low quantities, making treatment of the RhB effluent more essential. Even though TiO2 is considered as the best photocatalyst to remove many organic pollutants, acceptable alternatives are needed due to being uneconomical in large-scale usage. Synthesis of titanium bismonohydrogen orthophosphate (α-TiP) can be achieved by refluxing ilmenite with phosphoric acid via a previously reported novel method. Solid state reactions of α-TiP and oxides of Co and Cu at 800° C result in various metal titanium phosphates (M-TiP) with unique colors. XRD, FTIR, and Diffuse reflectance UV-vis techniques were used for characterization of the obtained solids. Bandgap of α-TiP changed with the modification of different transition metal cations lowering bandgap from 4.01eV (α-TiP) to 3.57 eV (Cu-TiP). Aqueous RhB degradation under UV irradiation was used to investigate the photocatalytic abilities of these catalysts. For that 0.2 g sample of catalyst was added to a solution that contained 200 mL of a 5 mg L-1 Rh B which was kept for 15 mins in dark to reach adsorption-desorption equilibrium before exposing the sample to UV irradiation for 3 h. A clear enhancement of photocatalytic activity was observed from using Co- TiP as the catalyst, which only took around 80 min to remove almost all Rh B contained in the sample compared to α-TiP which took close to 3 h to become colorless. It was in alignment with spectrometer results where a clear reduction of intensity can be seen in wavelength at 552 nm. Photocatalytic activities of these catalysts decreased in the following order: Co-TiP>α-TiP>Cu-TiP. The Co-modified TiP showed degradation of 99.5% after 3 h of UV irradiation and pseudo first- order kinetics were followed by the degradation. 
 Keywords: Titanium Phosphate, Photocatalyst, Rhodamine B, Wastewater management