Synthesis of Silica-Coated Magnetic Hydroxyapatite Composites for Drug Delivery Applications.

We have prepared a core-shell magnetic silica-coated hydroxyapatite, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@HAp composite materials for pH-responsive drug delivery applications. Captopril (Cap) and ibuprofen (Ibu) were chosen as model hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, respectively. The drugs were encapsulated into the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@HAp composite via electrostatic interactions with existing amine and carboxylic acid groups during calcium phosphate shell formation.

Correction: Prussian blue decorated mesoporous silica hybrid nanocarriers for photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal combination therapy.

Correction for 'Prussian blue decorated mesoporous silica hybrid nanocarriers for photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal combination therapy' by Madhappan Santha Moorthy et al., J. Mater.

Prussian blue decorated mesoporous silica hybrid nanocarriers for photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal combination therapy.

The fabrication of nanotherapeutic systems capable of stimuli-responsive drug delivery and photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) is considered significant for chemo-photothermal therapy applications in cancer therapy. In the present study, the Prussian blue nanoflake (PBNF) decorated mesoporous silica hybrid nanoparticle (PB@MSH-EDA NPs) is reported for PAI-guided chemo-photothermal therapy applications. The amine group enriched mesoporous silica channels can be used to encapsulate an anticancer drug for chemotherapy, and the surface decorated PBNFs can convert a near-infrared (NIR) laser (808 nm) into heat for photothermal therapy and can also be used for PAI applications.

Synthesis of surface capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-stimuli responsive drug delivery applications.

Mesoporous silica-based drug delivery carriers mostly require appropriate surface modifications to improve their drug delivery efficiency and to reduce their adverse side effects. In the present work, we have synthesised mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their surface was covered by using capping units such as tetrathio-maleimide (TTM) a "host-guest" complexation mechanism for pH-responsive drug delivery applications. The surface-functionalised melamine (Mela) groups on the outer surface of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles act as "hosts" and the surface capped TTM units act as "guests" during the surface capping of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles the "host-guest" complexation approach.

Assessment of bacterial community composition in response to uranium levels in sediment samples of sacred Cauvery River.

Global industrialization is a major cause of effluent discharge from industries up to alarming concentrations. Especially, uranium concentrations in water bodies are of great concern, as its radioactivity significantly affects the persistent diversity of microbiota. Recently, continuous application of pesticides in the agricultural lands and accumulation of quartz that enter the Cauvery River has significantly increased the concentration of uranium (U) and other heavy metals.

Cytotoxic effect of fucoidan extracted from Sargassum cinereum on colon cancer cell line HCT-15.

The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity against HCT-15 of fucoidan from Sargassum cinereum. Purification of fucoidan was done by DEAE cellulose and dialysis. Physicochemical characterization of fucoidan was analysed by calorimetric assay, FT-IR, HPLC and NMR.