Influence of the organic complex concentration on adsorption of herbicide in organic modified montmorillonite.

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of the organic complex concentration on the adsorption of herbicide (acetochlor) at the surface of the organic modified montmorillonite. In this work, natural montmorillonite from Bogovina (Boljevac municipality, Serbia) was used for organic modification. Cation-exchange capacity of this montmorillonite was determined using a methylene blue method (86 mmol/100 g of clay). Montmorillonite has been modified first with NaCl and then with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-bromide) organic complex. Saturation of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was 50%, 100%, and 150%. Changes in the properties of the inorganic and organic montmorillonite have been examined using the X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and batch equilibrium method. Montmorillonite modified with HDTMA-bromide demonstrated higher uptake of the herbicide, compared to the inorganic montmorillonite. Comparing the values Freundlich coefficients in batch equilibrium method, it can be seen that the adsorption of acetochlor decreased in the series: 0.5 CEC HM > 1 CEC HM > 1.5 CEC HM > NaM.

Amperometric ascorbic acid sensor based on doped ferrites nanoparticles modified glassy carbon paste electrode.

In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor for quantification of ascorbic acid with amperometric detection in physiological conditions was constructed. For this purpose, cobalt and nickel ferrites were synthesized using microwave and ultrasound assistance, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and used for modification of glassy carbon paste electrode (GCPE). It was shown that introducing these nanoparticles to the structure of GCPE led to increasing analytical performance. Co ferrite modified GCPE (CoFeGCPE) showed better characteristics toward ascorbic acid sensing. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained by sensor was calculated to be 0.0270 mg/L, with linear range from 0.1758 to 2.6010 mg/L. This sensor was successfully applied for practical analysis, and the obtained results demonstrated that the proposed procedure could be a promising replacement for the conventional electrode materials and time-consuming and expensive separation methods.

Poloxamer-based curcumin solid dispersions for ex tempore preparation of supersaturated solutions intended for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

Phototoxic effect of curcumin supersaturated solutions toward pathogenic bacteria has already been demonstrated. However, to be useful in the clinical practice, a supersaturated solution needs to be physically and chemically stabile over the relevant time period. Poloxamer-based solid dispersions (SD) intended for ex tempore preparation of a supersaturated solution were designed to simultaneously facilitate dissolution and inhibit precipitation of curcumin in vitro. Due to the transformation of the crystalline compound to an amorphous form, as shown by X-ray powder diffraction, the desired concentration of curcumin could easily be achieved upon hydration of SDs. The efficiency of selected poloxamers (Pluronic® F-127, F-68 and P-123) as the precipitation inhibitors (PIs) and influence of an additional PI (polyethylene glycol 400, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and hyaluronic acid) on the physical stability of the solutions were examined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. HPLC-PDA was employed to evaluate hydrolytic and photolytic stability of curcumin in the SD solutions. At sub-micellar concentrations, Pluronics® F-127 and P-123, but not F-68, delayed curcumin precipitation in aqueous media and protected the compound from hydrolytic degradation up to 24 h. Complete inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis was achieved after exposure to solutions of selected SDs at curcumin concentration ≥1 µM and the light dose of 9.4 J/cm2.

Monoclinic structure and nonstoichiometry of 'KAlSiO4-O1'.

Crystals of KAlSiO4-O1 (potassium aluminium silicate) were synthesized using a flux method and analysed utilizing single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. Both methods confirm that the crystals are nonstoichiometric according to K(1-x)Al(1-x)Si(1+x)O4 with x = 0.04 (1). KAlSiO4-O1 is closely related to the stuffed derivatives of tridymite, although the topology of the Si/Al-ordered framework is different. Six-membered rings of UUDDUD and UUUDDD (U = up and D = down; ratio 2:1) configurations are present in layers parallel to the ab plane. In contrast, the framework of tridymite exhibits UDUDUD rings. The crystals are affected by inversion, pseudo-orthorhombic and pseudo-hexagonal twinning.

Nanocrystal dispersion of DK-I-56-1, a poorly soluble pyrazoloquinolinone positive modulator of α6 GABAA receptors: Formulation approach toward improved in vivo performance.

DK-I-56-1 (7­methoxy­2-(4­methoxy­d3-phenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-one), a recently developed deuterated pyrazoloquinolinone, has been recognized as a lead candidate for treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. During preclinical investigation of poorly water-soluble compounds such as DK-I-56-1, the application of nanotechnology could be advantageous due to improved safety and possibly increased bioavailability of nanosized formulation. DK-I-56-1 nanosuspensions stabilized by polysorbate 80, alone or in combination with poloxamers 188 i.e. 407 or d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, were prepared using a small-scale media milling device. With particle size 208.7-250.6 nm and polydispersity index <0.250, selected nanodiseprsions were stable for three weeks. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies following intraperitoneal administration of three types of formulation in mice indicated high plasma DK-I-56-1 levels after solution (10,228.6 ±â€¯1037.2 ngh/ml) and nanosuspension (6770.4 ±â€¯770.7 ngh/ml) but not suspension administration (966.0 ±â€¯58.1 ngh/ml). However, distribution of DK-I-56-1 after solution was heavily influenced by its composition, and brain availability of nanosuspension was superior to that of solution formulation. In spontaneous locomotor activity test, the expected hyperlocomotor effect was observed after nanosuspension administration, without compromising impact of the vehicle/excipients used. Therefore, nanonization of drug compound assembled with proper selection of stabilizers may seemingly contribute further thorough testing of DK-I-56-1 preclinical efficacy.

Disordered kalsilite KAlSiO4.

The X-ray powder diffraction pattern that corresponds to the disordered state of kalsilite (potassium aluminium orthosilicate), KAlSiO4, is investigated. The directionality of (Al,Si)O4 tetrahedra within single six-membered tetrahedral ring building units (S6R) could not be defined. With equal probability for the directionality of each tetrahedra within one S6R [free apex pointing up (U) or down (D)], an undefined sequence of U and D directionalities is needed to describe the S6R building units. The extinction conditions of disordered kalsilite are also different compared to ordered kalsilite within the space group P63. In disordered kalsilite, h0l and hhl reflections with l = 2n + 1 are systematically absent.

An integrated study of thermal treatment effects on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Zn-ferrite nanoparticles.

The evolution of the magnetic state, crystal structure and microstructure parameters of nanocrystalline zinc-ferrite, tuned by thermal annealing of ∼4 nm nanoparticles, was systematically studied by complementary characterization methods. Structural analysis of neutron and synchrotron x-ray radiation data revealed a mixed cation distribution in the nanoparticle samples, with the degree of inversion systematically decreasing from 0.25 in an as-prepared nanocrystalline sample to a non-inverted spinel structure with a normal cation distribution in the bulk counterpart. The results of DC magnetization and Mössbauer spectroscopy experiments indicated a superparamagnetic relaxation in ∼4 nm nanoparticles, albeit with different freezing temperatures T(f) of 27.5 K and 46 K, respectively. The quadrupole splitting parameter decreases with the annealing temperature due to cation redistribution between the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the spinel structure and the associated defects. DC magnetization measurements indicated the existence of significant interparticle interactions among nanoparticles ('superspins'). Additional confirmation for the presence of interparticle interactions was found from the fit of the T(f)(H) dependence to the AT line, from which a value of the anisotropy constant of K(eff) = 5.6 × 10(5) erg cm(-3) was deduced. Further evidence for strong interparticle interactions was found from AC susceptibility measurements, where the frequency dependence of the freezing temperature T(f)(f) was satisfactory described by both Vogel-Fulcher and dynamic scaling theory, both applicable for interacting systems. The parameters obtained from these fits suggest collective freezing of magnetic moments at T(f).