A Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Perspective on the Release of 5-Fluorouracil from Liposomes.

Liposomes, small bilayer phospholipid-containing vesicles, are frequently used to ensure slow drug release for a prolonged and improved therapeutic effect. Nevertheless, current findings on the membrane affinity and permeability of the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are confounding, which leads to a lack of a clear understanding of how lipid composition impacts the distribution of 5-FU within liposomal structures and its delivery. In the current work, we report a comprehensive coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) investigation on the influence of cholesterol (CHOL) and the cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) on the partitioning of 5-FU in 1,2-dipalmitoyl--glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) double-bilayer systems, as well as its in vitro release from liposomes with identical lipid compositions.

Impact of Lipid Composition on Vesicle Protein Adsorption: A BSA Case Study.

Investigating the interaction between liposomes and proteins is of paramount importance in the development of liposomal formulations with real potential for bench-to-bedside transfer. Upon entering the body, proteins are immediately adsorbed on the liposomal surface, changing the nanovehicles' biological identity, which has a significant impact on their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics and ultimately on their therapeutic effect. Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein and thus usually adsorbs immediately on the liposomal surface.

Understanding DNA Epigenetics by Means of Raman/SERS Analysis for Cancer Detection.

This study delves into the intricate interaction between DNA and nanosystems, exploring its potential implications for biomedical applications. The focus lies in understanding the adsorption geometry of DNA when in proximity to plasmonic nanoparticles, utilizing ultrasensitive vibrational spectroscopy techniques. Employing a combined Raman-SERS analysis, we conducted an in-depth examination to clarify the molecular geometry of interactions between DNA and silver nanoparticles.

Engineering the Morphostructural Properties and Drug Loading Degree of Organic-Inorganic Fluorouracil-MgAl LDH Nanohybrids by Rational Control of Hydrothermal Treatment.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) or hydrotalcite-like compounds have attracted great attention for the delivery of anticancer drugs due to their 2D structure, exhibiting a high surface-to-volume ratio and a high chemical versatility. The drug is protected between the layers from which it is slowly released, thus increasing the therapeutic effect and minimizing the side effects associated to nonspecific targeting. This work aimed to design LDHs with Mg and Al (molar ratio of 2/1) in brucite-like layers, which retained fluorouracil (5-FU; 5-FU/Al = 1, molar ratio) in the interlayer gallery as the layers grow during the co-precipitation step of the synthesis.

Erythromycin Formulations-A Journey to Advanced Drug Delivery.

Erythromycin (ERY) is a macrolide compound with a broad antimicrobial spectrum which is currently being used to treat a large number of bacterial infections affecting the skin, respiratory tract, intestines, bones and other systems, proving great value from a clinical point of view. It became popular immediately after its discovery in 1952, due to its therapeutic effect against pathogens resistant to other drugs. Despite this major advantage, ERY exhibits several drawbacks, raising serious clinical challenges.

Liposomal-Based Formulations: A Path from Basic Research to Temozolomide Delivery Inside Glioblastoma Tissue.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with a very difficult therapeutic approach and ultimately frustrating results. Currently, therapeutic success is mainly limited by the high degree of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, the blood brain barrier (BBB), as well as increased drug resistance. Temozolomide (TMZ), a monofunctional alkylating agent, is the first line chemotherapeutic drug for GBM treatment.

Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol in the Presence of a Recyclable Cobalt/SBA-15 Catalyst.

The hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol was performed in the presence of a Co/SBA-15 catalyst. High selectivity (96 %) at a conversion higher than 95 % is reported over this catalytic system. As the conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol occurs over metallic Co sites, the effect of reduction temperature, H2 pressure, and reaction temperature were studied.

Nanosized transition metals in controlled environments of phyllosilicate-mesoporous silica composites as highly thermostable and active catalysts.

Stabilization of transition metals in nano-phyllosilicate phases generated by digestion of mesoporous silica is reported as an efficient route for the formation of highly dispersed metallic nanoparticles with outstanding catalytic activity.

Composition-dependent morphostructural properties of Ni-Cu oxide nanoparticles confined within the channels of ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silica.

NiO and NiO-CuO polycrystalline rodlike nanoparticles were confined and stabilized within the channels of ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silica by a simple and viable approach consisting in incipient wetness impregnation of the calcined support with aqueous solutions of metal nitrates followed by a mild drying step at 25 °C and calcination. As revealed by low- and high-angle XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption, HRTEM/EDXS and H2 TPR analyses, the morphostructural properties of NiO-CuO nanoparticles can be controlled by adjusting their chemical composition, creating the prerequisites to obtain high performance bimetallic catalysts. Experimental evidence by in situ XRD monitoring during the thermoprogrammed reduction indicates that the confined NiO-CuO nanoparticles evolve into thermostable and well-dispersed Ni-Cu heterostructures.

Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds on non-Calcined LDHs. I. Synthesis and Characterization of ZnNiCuAl Hydrotalcite-like Materials.

Several Zn/Ni/Cu/Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) with variable Ni/Cu ratios but constant Zn/Al, as well as M2+/M3+ ratios, were synthesized by coprecipitation method with CO32- as compensating anion. The main goal of the study was to investigate the influence of the catalysts composition, especially Ni/Cu ratio, on the physical and catalytic properties of these materials. The XRD results show that all the LDHs samples are well crystallized and contain only pure phases.