Purpose: Lipoparticles are the core-shell type lipid-polymer hybrid systems comprising polymeric nanoparticle core enveloped by single or multiple pegylated lipid layers (shell), thereby melding the biomimetic properties of long-circulating vesicles as well as the mechanical advantages of the nanoparticles. The present study was aimed at the development of such an integrated system, combining the photodynamic and chemotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of multidrug-resistant cancers. Methods: For this rationale, two different sized Pirarubicin (THP) loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique, whereas liposomes containing Temoporfin (mTHPC) were prepared by lipid film hydration method. Physicochemical and morphological characterizations were done using dynamic light scattering, laser doppler anemometry, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The quantitative assessment of cell damage was determined using MTT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay. The biocompatibility of the nanoformulations was evaluated with serum stability testing, haemocompatibility as well as acute in vivo toxicity using female albino (BALB/c) mice. Results and Conclusion: The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the formulations was found between 108.80 ± 2.10 to 405.70 ± 10.00 nm with the zeta (ζ) potential ranging from − 12.70 ± 1.20 to 5.90 ± 1.10 mV. Based on the physicochemical evaluations, the selected THP nanoparticles were coated with mTHPC liposomes to produce lipid-coated nanoparticles (LCNPs). A significant (p< 0.001) cytotoxicity synergism was evident in LCNPs when irradiated at 652 nm, using an LED device. No incidence of genotoxicity was observed as seen with the comet assay. The LCNPs decreased the generalized in vivo toxicity as compared to the free drugs and was evident from the serum biochemical profile, visceral body index, liver function tests as well as renal function tests. The histopathological examinations of the vital organs revealed no significant evidence of toxicity suggesting the safety and efficacy of our lipid-polymer hybrid system.

Artemisia vulgaris hydrogel (AVH) was acetylated (AAVH) and characterized by FTIR, CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric analysis. Flynn–Waal–Ozawa model was used to investigate thermal degradation kinetics. Energy of activation (Ea) values of first and major thermal degradation steps were found to be 128.14 and 116.85 kJmol⁻¹ for AVH and AAVH, respectively. Thermodynamic triplet, order of degradation reaction, integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) and comprehensive index of intrinsic thermal stability (ITS) were also taken into account. In vitro caffeine release from AVH-based matrix tablets indicates potential of AVH for the development of oral delivery systems for sustained drug release.

The present investigations were designed to determine the impact of picking dates on seed germination, 100 seed weight and various fiber parameters. Two genotypes FH-113 and FH-114 were evaluated under early and normal sowing. Nine and six pickings were taken under early and normal conditions, respectively. The results revealed significant variation in both the years for fiber traits but for seed germination, the results were non-significant and for seed weight remained significant under both sowing times, respectively. For picking time the estimates were significant under both sowing times thus exhibiting the major role of picking time in this experiment. For germination percentage, the results were variable for both the genotypes. For genotype FH-113, germination remained above 60% during 1st pick and for 5th, 6^th, and 7th pick, the germination rates were higher and nearing almost 70%. For 2nd genotype, the germination remained below 50% from pick-1 to pick-4 and above 50% in pick 5 and 8 but for all other pickings the values remained in the range 45–50%. Under normal sowing both genotypes exhibited germination percentage near 60% at 1st pick but for 2nd and 3rd pick, the germination rate remained between 45% and 50%. Regarding correlation studies among the studied traits germination % had positive and highly significant correlation with 100 seed weight under both sowing times. Fiber fineness and strength had strong and highly significant correlation with fiber maturity under both conditions. The results from this study revealed that pickings during favorable conditions produce better quality and germination.

Bakelite or polyoxybenzylmethyleneglycolanhydride is the world’s first fully synthetic plastic. This research work reports on thermal degradation profile of Bakelite using isoconversional thermal analysis as per the recommendation of International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ICTAC). For this purpose, thermal degradation of Bakelite was recorded on a SDT Q600 thermal analyzer at heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C/min in the range between 20 to 1000 °C. We observed that the degradation of Bakelite occurred in three steps but the first and third steps are insignificant with respect to mass loss and kinetics. The initial and final degradation temperatures (Tdi, Tdf) of Bakelite were recorded between 205-228 °C and 378-427 °C, respectively at different heating rates. The mass loss associated with this phase was calculated about 59 %. The Tdm values were found to be 283-325 °C. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger models were applied on the data to find the kinetic parameters such as activation energy (Ea) and order of reaction (n). The Ea value was found to be 102.73 and 104.31 kJ/mol as per FWO and Kissinger models while order of reaction was 1.09. Thermodynamic parameters were also found and the value of ∆H, ∆S and ∆G were found 97.89 kJ/mol, -141.60 kJ/K and 180.46 kJ/mol, receptively. This study explains that Bakelite is a thermally stable compound.