Physicochemical characterization of polyoxyethylene (POE)-based nonionic surfactants in single and mixed micellar environments for anticancer drug solubilization enhancement.

This work reports the nanoscale micellar formation in single and mixed surfactant systems by combining an amphiphilic graft copolymer, Soluplus® (primary surfactant), blended with other polyoxyethylene (POE)-based nonionic surfactants such as Kolliphor® HS15, Kolliphor® EL, Tween-80, TPGS®, and Pluronics® P123 in an aqueous solution environment. The solution behaviour of these surfactants as a single system were analyzed in a wide range of surfactant concentrations and temperatures. Rheological measurements revealed distinct solution behaviour in the case of Soluplus®, ranging from low-viscosity () and fluid-like behavior at ≤20% w/v to a highly viscous state at ≥90% w/v, where the loss modulus ('') exceeded the storage modulus (').

Genetic Variants and Alteration in Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 (TCF7L2) mRNA Level in Ischemic Stroke Patients Among Bengali and Gujarati Population from India.

Diabetes and Hyperlipidemia are major risk factors for stroke across the world population. TCF7L2, a key regulator of the WNT signaling pathway shows genetic association with these metabolic disorders in ethnicity dependant manner. However, its role in stroke pathogenesis (if any) is not well characterized.

Surfactant-driven modifications in protein structure.

The interaction between proteins and surfactants has gained significant research interest due to its extensive applications across various fields, including the food industry, cosmetics, and medicine. Surfactants are known to unfold the proteins, where there are extensive models describing the basic mechanism of such unfolding and the resultant structure formed across micro-to-macro length scales. These models grounded on extensive experimental and simulation studies aim to predict the interaction dynamics based on several physicochemical parameters, such as surfactant properties (, ionic character and tail length), protein characteristics (, charge and isoelectric point), and solution conditions (, pH, ionic strength, and temperature).

Redefining Liver Fibrosis Risk Assessment in Indians with Type 2 Diabetes: New FIB-4 Score Cutoff for Optimizing Sequential Assessment with Transient Elastography.

Introduction: Liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is strongly related to hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes. Clinically Significant Liver Fibrosis (CSLF) screening using FIB-4 score is mandated in all T2D patients. The existing FIB-4 cutoff of 1.

Self-Associated Engineering in P123 Micelles Rationalizing the Role of Other Pluronics with Varying Hydrophilicity as a Mixed System.

This study explores the atomic-level interactions of different poly(ethylene oxide) (EO)-poly(propylene oxide) (PO)-based block copolymers (BCPs), commercially known as Pluronics, with varying hydrophilicity that influences the solution behavior within Pluronic P123 micelles as a mixed system. The critical insights into the thermoresponsiveness of P123 in the presence of different Pluronics with increasing %EO content (L61, L62, L64, and F68) is hypothesized to modulate the hydrophobic interactions, leading to distinct solution textures such as clear solution (sol), blue point (BP), and cloud point (CP). The solution relative viscosity (η) and rheological analysis will depict the dynamic flow behavior and expose the viscoelastic properties of the blended system.

Electric field-induced control of protein crystal morphology.

In a previous study (D. Ray, ., , 2024, , 8108-8113), we found that an alternating electric field considerably affects the location of the crystallization boundary and the liquid-liquid phase separation line as well as crystallization kinetics in lysozyme solutions containing sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN).

Supramolecular Gelation Based on Native Amino Acid Tyrosine and Its Charge-Transfer Complex Formation.

Self-assembly of amino acids and short-peptide derivatives attracted significant curiosity worldwide due to their unique self-assembly process and wide variety of applications. Amino acid is considered one of the important synthons in supramolecular chemistry. Self-assembly processes and applications of unfunctionalized native amino acids have been less reported in the literature.

Prevalence of Clinically Significant Liver Fibrosis as Measured by Transient Elastography due to Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Indian Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: There is high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and available evidence suggests higher prevalence of NASH and advanced stages of fibrosis among T2D. Data regarding prevalence of clinically significant liver fibrosis (CSLF) in individuals with T2D is scarce. We investigated the prevalence of transient elastography (TE)-proven CSLF among patients of T2D attending a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care center.

Additive-anchored thermoresponsive nanoscale self-assembly generation in normal and reverse Tetronics®.

Self-assembly of ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO)-based star-shaped block copolymers (BCPs) in the presence of different kinds of additives is investigated in an aqueous solution environment. Commercially available four-armed BCPs, namely Tetronics® (normal: T904 with EO as the terminal end block; and reverse: T90R4 with PO as the terminal end block), each with 40%EO, are used. The effect of various additives such as electrolytes (NaCl and NaSO), nonelectrolyte polyols (glucose and sorbitol), and ionic surfactants ( anionic-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and zwitterionic dodecyldimethylammonium propane sulfonate (CPS)) on these BCPs is examined to observe their influence on micellization behaviour.

Mixed Pluronic/lecithin micelles formulation for oral bioavailability of candesartan cilexetil drug: characterization and pharmacokinetic investigations.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a mixed polymeric micelle formulation incorporating candesartan cilexetil (CAND) drug to enhance its oral bioavailability for the better treatment of hypertension.

Methods: A Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize the CAND-incorporated mixed polymeric micelles formulation (CAND-PFLC) consisting of Pluronics (P123 and F68) and lecithin (LC). The optimized CAND-PFLC micelles formulation was characterized for size, shape, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (%EE).

Molecular insights into the aggregation and solubilizing behavior of biocompatible amphiphiles Gelucire® 48/16 and Tetronics® 1304 in aqueous media.

A comparative analysis of the micellar and solubilizing properties of two polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based amphiphilic biocompatible excipients: Gelucire® 48/16 (Ge 48/16) and Tetronics® 1304 (T1304), in the presence and absence of salt, was conducted. As there is a dearth of research in this area, the study aims to shed light on the behavior of these two nonionic surfactants and their potential as nanocarriers for solubilizing pharmaceuticals. Various techniques such as cloud point (CP), dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV spectrophotometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were employed.

Nucleation-Growth Versus Spinodal Decomposition in Fe-Cr Alloys: An Experimental Verification by Atom Probe Tomography and Small Angle Neutron Scattering.

Identifying the operative mode of phase separation [spinodal decomposition (SD) or nucleation-growth (NG)] remains an extremely important area of research. The present work examines this critically in the Fe-Cr system using atom probe tomography (APT) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and establishes the framework to distinguish the two different modes of α' phase separation in thermally aged Fe-35 at% Cr and Fe-20 at% Cr alloys. Independent APT analysis determines the mode of phase separation on the basis of (i) the presence/absence of periodic chemical fluctuation through radial distribution function analysis and (ii) interphase interface characteristics (diffuse/sharp).

Salt induced micellization conduct in PEO-PPO-PEO-based block copolymers: a thermo-responsive approach.

The nanoscale self-assembly behavior in ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO)-based block copolymers (BCPs) commercially available as Pluronics®: L44 (PEO-PPO-PEO) and F77 (PEO-PPO-PEO) is put forth in aqueous solution and in the presence of sodium salts NaCl and NaSO. The moderate hydrophilicity of L44 is attributed to its low molecular weight PPO segment, while the high percentage of PEO content in F77 contributes to its extreme hydrophilicity. The impact of sodium salts (NaCl and NaSO) on the self-assembly is investigated to understand their influence and role in micellization, by employing various physicochemical techniques such as phase behavior conduct, calorimetry, tensiometry, scattering, and spectral analysis.

Multiple Carbon Morphologies Derived from Polyion Complex-Based Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymers as Templates and Phenol as a Carbon Precursor.

This study demonstrates the multiple carbon morphology forming abilities of two dissimilar polyion complex (PIC)-based double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBC) along with three different phenol concentrations when subjecting the blend in aqueous media via a hydrothermal-assisted carbonization strategy. The morphological transition from worm-like to spherical along with granular is found for the blend of oppositely charged poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-conjugated poly(amino acid) block copolymers, PEG-poly(l-lysine) (PEG-PLys) and PEG-poly(glutamic acid) (PEG-PGlu), along with three different concentrations of phenol. In contrast, after mixing the combination of PEG-PLys and PEG-poly(aspartic acid) (PEG-PAsp) separately with three different phenol contents, elliptical to irregular to spherical structural transition occurred.

A prospective hospital-based study on C-reactive protein as a response predictor of antidepressant treatment in drug naïve patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant that is implicated in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD), due to its role in the execution of various important neurological events, including neurogenesis, mediation of neural plasticity, and synaptic transmission.

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the level of CRP to remission rates after antidepressant therapy.

Methods: Fifty patients of first episode MDD with no past history of antidepressant exposure and other medical comorbidity were recruited after obtaining consent for Escitalopram therapy.

Structural Changes in Liposomal Vesicles in Association with Sodium Taurodeoxycholate.

Liposomes composed of soy lecithin (SL) have been studied widely for drug delivery applications. The stability and elasticity of liposomal vesicles are improved by incorporating additives, including edge activators. In this study, we report the effect of sodium taurodeoxycholate (STDC, a bile salt) upon the microstructural characteristics of SL vesicles.

Rationalizing the Design of Pluronics-Surfactant Mixed Micelles through Molecular Simulations and Experiments.

Aqueous systems comprising polymers and surfactants are technologically important complex fluids with tunable features dependent on the chemical nature of each constituent, overall composition in mixed systems, and solution conditions. The phase behavior and self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers can be changed drastically in the presence of conventional ionic surfactants and need to be clearly understood. Here, the self-aggregation dynamics of a triblock copolymer (Pluronics L81, EOPOEO) in the presence of three cationic surfactants (with a 12C long alkyl chain but with different structural features), viz.

Application of Drug Aggregation to Solubilize Antimicrobial Compound and Enhancing its Bioavailability.

With the progress and advancement in discovery of novel antimicrobial drugs, efficient solubility plays an important component for a drug to express its out-turn effectively. A biocompatible neutral/non-ionic surfactant, Triton X-100 (Tx-100), was successfully employed to solubilize an antibiotic drug, sulfamethazine (SMZ), through micellization process. The association process of Tx-100 toward SMZ was confirmed through the characteristic spectral change in absorption and emission spectroscopy.

Pectin self-assembly and its disruption by water: insights into plant cell wall mechanics.

Plant cell walls undergo multiple cycles of dehydration and rehydration during their life. Calcium crosslinked low methoxy pectin is a major constituent of plant cell walls. Understanding the dehydration-rehydration behavior of pectin gels may shed light on the water transport and mechanics of plant cells.

Glucose-induced self-assembly and phase separation in hydrophilic triblock copolymers and the governing mechanism.

Poly(ethylene oxide, EO)-poly(propylene oxide, PO)-poly(ethylene oxide, EO)-based triblock copolymers (BCPs) with 80% hydrophilicity stay molecularly dissolved as Gaussian chains at ambient temperature, even at fairly high concentrations (>5 %w/v). This study presents the plausible micellization behaviour of such very-hydrophilic Pluronics® - F38, F68, F88, F98, and F108 - incited upon the addition of glucose at low concentrations and temperatures. The outcomes obtained from phase behaviour and scattering studies are described.

Multimodal Applications of Zinc Gallate-Based Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment: Tumor Margining, Diagnosis, and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

On the basis of the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) modality, we have designed and synthesized a zinc gallate (ZnGaO)-based nanoformulation for developing an innovative theranostic approach for cancer treatment. Initially, the (ZnGaCrO or ZnGaO:(0.5%)Cr persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) embedded on silica matrix were synthesized.

Micellar assembly leading to structural growth/transition in normal and reverse Tetronics® in single and mixed solution environment.

This study scrutinizes the self-association of ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO)-based star-shaped block copolymers as normal Tetronic® (T904) and reverse Tetronic® R (T90R4) with varying molecular characteristics and different hydrophilic-hydrophobic ratios in an aqueous solution environment. These thermo-responsive solutions appear clear, transparent or bluish up to 10%w/v, which anticipated the probable transition of unimers to spherical or ellipsoidal micelles which is complemented by scattering experiments. In a single-solution environment, 10%w/v T904 formed star-shaped micelles at ambient temperature and exhibited a micellar growth/transition with temperature ageing.

Heme Protein Binding of Sulfonamide Compounds: A Correlation Study by Spectroscopic, Calorimetric, and Computational Methods.

Protein-ligand interaction studies are useful to determine the molecular mechanism of the binding phenomenon, leading to the establishment of the structure-function relationship. Here, we report the binding of well-known antibiotic sulfonamide drugs (sulfamethazine, SMZ; and sulfadiazine, SDZ) with heme protein myoglobin (Mb) using spectroscopic, calorimetric, ζ potential, and computational methods. Formation of a 1:1 complex between the ligand and Mb through well-defined equilibrium was observed.

Tuning of silica nanoparticle-lysozyme protein complexes in the presence of the SDS surfactant.

The structures of the complexes of anionic silica nanoparticle (size ∼ 16 nm)-lysozyme (cationic) protein, tuned by the addition of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), have been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The unique advantage of contrast variation SANS has been used to probe the role of individual components in binary and ternary systems. The cationic lysozyme protein (at pH ∼ 7) adsorbs on the anionic silica nanoparticles and forms mass fractal aggregates due to the strong attractive interaction, whereas similarly charged SDS does not interact physically with silica nanoparticles.