Potential magnetic drug targeting with magnetite nanoparticles in cancer treatment by enhancer-modifier natural herb and loaded drug.

In the present study, we prepared magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) loaded with natural Moringa oleifera (M. olf) herb and Epilim (Ep) drug to evaluate the anti-cancerous activity against brain cancer cells. All the samples were prepared via co-precipitation approach modified with different concentrations of M. olf and Ep drug at room temperature. The MNPs loaded with drug and natural herb were studied in terms of crystal structure, morphology, colloidal stability, size distribution, and magnetic properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images exhibited the morphologies of samples with spherical shape as well as the particles size of 9 nm for MNPs and up to 23 nm for its composites. The results of vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) indicated the magnetization saturation (Ms) of 42.510 emu/g for MNPs. This value reduced to 16-35 emu/g upon loading MNPs with different concentrations of M. olf and Ep. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the chemical interaction between the Ep, M.olf and MNPs. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed the largest surface area for MNPs (422.61 m2/g) which gradually reduced on addition of M. olf and Ep indicating the successful loading. The zeta potential measurements indicated that the MNPs and MNPs loaded with M. olf and Ep are negatively charged and can be dispersed in the suspension. Furthermore, U87 human glioblastoma cell line was used for the in vitro cellular studies to determine the efficacy of synthesized MNPs against cancer cells. The results confirmed the anti-proliferative activity of the MNPs loaded with M. olf and Ep.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gases.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies are utmost need of the modern era. CCUS technologies adoption is compulsory to keep global warming below 1.5 °C. Mineral carbonation (MC) is considered one of the safest and most viable methods to sequester anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2). MC is an exothermic reaction and occur naturally in the subsurface because of fluid-rock interactions with serpentinite. In serpentine carbonation, CO2 reacts with magnesium to produce carbonates. This article covers CO2 mitigation technologies especially mineral carbonation, mineral carbonation by natural and industrial materials, mineral carbonation feedstock availability in Pakistan, detailed characterization of serpentine from Skardu serpentinite belt, geo sequestration, oceanic sequestration, CO2 to urea and CO2 to methanol and other chemicals. Advantages, disadvantages, and suitability of these technologies is discussed. These technologies are utmost necessary for Pakistan as recent climate change induced flooding devastated one third of Pakistan affecting millions of families. Hence, Pakistan must store CO2 through various CCUS technologies.

Developments in mineral carbonation for Carbon sequestration.

Mineral technology has attracted significant attention in recent decades. Mineral carbonation technology is being used for permanent sequestration of CO2 (greenhouse gas). Temperature programmed desorption studies showed interaction of CO2 with Mg indicating possibility of using natural feedstocks for mineral carbonation. Soaking is effective to increase yields of heat-activated materials. This review covers the latest developments in mineral carbonation technology. In this review, development in carbonation of natural minerals, effect of soaking on raw and heat-activated dunite, increasing reactivity of minerals, thermal activation, carbonations of waste materials, increasing efficiency of carbonation process and pilot plants on mineral carbonation are discussed. Developments in carbonation processes (single-stage carbonation, two-stage carbonation, acid dissolution, ph swing process) and pre-process and concurrent grinding are elaborated. This review also highlights future research required in mineral carbonation technology.

Chitosan/Poly Vinyl Alcohol/Graphene Oxide Based pH-Responsive Composite Hydrogel Films: Drug Release, Anti-Microbial and Cell Viability Studies.

The composite hydrogels were produced using the solution casting method due to the non-toxic and biocompatible nature of chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The best composition was chosen and crosslinked with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), after which different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) were added to develop composite hydrogels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle was used to analyze the hydrogels. The samples were also evaluated for swelling abilities in various mediums. The drug release profile was studied in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a pH of 7.4. To predict the mechanism of drug release, the data were fitted into kinetic models. Finally, antibacterial activity and cell viability data were obtained. FTIR studies revealed the successful synthesis of CS/PVA hydrogels and GO/CS/PVA in hydrogel composite. SEM showed no phase separation of the polymers, whereas AFM showed a decrease in surface roughness with an increase in GO content. 100 µL of crosslinker was the critical concentration at which the sample displayed excellent swelling and preserved its structure. Both the crosslinked and composite hydrogel showed good swelling. The most acceptable mechanism of drug release is diffusion-controlled, and it obeys Fick's law of diffusion for drug released. The best fitting of the zero-order, Hixson-Crowell and Higuchi models supported our assumption. The GO/CS/PVA hydrogel composite showed better antibacterial and cell viability behaviors. They can be better biomaterials in biomedical applications.