Although conventional chemotherapy has been successful to some extent, the main drawbacks of chemotherapy are its poor bioavailability, high-dose requirements, adverse side effects, low therapeutic indices, development of multiple drug resistance, and non-specific targeting. The main aim in the development of drug delivery vehicles is to successfully address these delivery-related problems and carry drugs to the desired sites of therapeutic action while reducing adverse side effects. In this review, we will discuss the different types of materials used as delivery vehicles for chemotherapeutic agents and their structural characteristics that improve the therapeutic efficacy of their drugs and will describe recent scientific advances in the area of chemotherapy, emphasizing challenges in cancer treatments.

Zollo et al. report that mutations in PRUNE1, a phosphoesterase superfamily molecule, underlie primary microcephaly and profound global developmental delay in four unrelated families from Oman, India, Iran and Italy. The study highlights a potential role for prune during microtubule polymerization, suggesting that prune syndrome may be a tubulinopathy.

The disposal of non-degradable plastics is augmented exponentially as a result of poor recycling efficacy. The development of biodegradable plastics has become indispensable in last two decades because of its origin from renewable resources. The potential interest in biodegradable plastics involves eco-friendly obliteration via microbial action which transform into carbon dioxide and water resulting pollution free natural system. Even though its lucrative interest lies in multiple areas, some of the properties such as brittleness, poor thermal, mechanical and low gas barrier properties restrict their practical uses. Incorporation of nanoparticle in polymer matrix or by making nanocomposites overcomes the shortcomings of the biodegradable polymers. For further improving the aforementioned properties, several approaches have been utilized especially incorporation of nanoparticle in polymer matrix to prepare nanocomposites. One of the great advantages of nanoparticles is to tune the rate of biodegradation (both increase and decrease as compared to the rate of pure polymer) depending upon the need. Thus, chemical, physical and biological properties of the biodegradable polymers can be modified and controlled for sustainable application in medical and other areas. This review considers the major concerns about the type of biodegradable polyesters and their nanocomposites, great details about mechanism of biodegradation, factors influencing the biodegradation and their applications in biomedical and packaging industries.

BackgroundUnhealthy eating and lack of exercise during adolescence culminated into earlier onset and increasing burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) worldwide. Among urban Indian adolescents, prevalence of these risk factors of CVD seemed to be high, but data regarding their pattern and predictors was limited. To address this dearth of information, a survey was conducted among urban adolescent school-students in Kolkata, a highly populated metro city in eastern India.MethodsDuring January–June, 2014, 1755 students of 9th-grade were recruited through cluster (schools) random sampling. Informed consents from parents and assents from adolescents were collected. Information on socio-demographics, CVD-related knowledge and perception along with eating and exercise patterns were collected with an internally validated structured questionnaire. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed in SAS-9.3.2.ResultsAmong 1652 participants (response rate = 94.1%), about 44% had poor overall knowledge about CVD, 24% perceived themselves as overweight and 60% considered their general health as good. Only 18% perceived their future CVD-risk and 29% were engaged in regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise. While 55% skipped meals regularly, 90% frequently consumed street-foods and 54% demonstrated overall poor eating habits.Males were more likely to engage in moderate-to-vigorous exercise [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.40(95% confidence interval = 2.55–4.54)] while students of higher SES were less likely [AOR = 0.59(0.37–0.94)]. Males and those having good CVD-related knowledge were more likely to exercise at least 1 h/day [AOR = 7.77(4.61–13.07) and 2.90(1.46–5.78) respectively].Those who perceived their future CVD-risk, skipped meals more [2.04(1.28–3.25)] while Males skipped them less [AOR = 0.62(0.42–0.93)]. Subjects from middle class ate street-foods less frequently [AOR = 0.45(0.24–0.85)]. Relatively older students and those belonging to higher SES were less likely to demonstrate good eating habits [AOR = 0.70(0.56–0.89) and 0.23(0.11–0.47) respectively]. A large knowledge-practice gap was evident as students with good CVD-related knowledge were less likely to have good eating habits [AOR = 0.55(0.32–0.94)].ConclusionsCVD-related knowledge as well as eating and exercise habits were quite poor among adolescent school-students of Kolkata. Additionally, there was a large knowledge-practice gap. Multi-component educational interventions targeting behavioral betterment seemed necessary for these adolescents to improve their CVD-related knowledge, along with appropriate translation of knowledge into exercise and eating practices to minimize future risk of CVDs.

Saroglitazar is a potential therapeutic option in type 2 diabetic patients with high TG levels, not controlled by statins, for comprehensive control of lipid and glycemic parameters with acceptable safety profile.

A hole conducting layer for quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSS) as a function of redox behavior has been reported. Polyurethanes, comprising hard and soft segments, have been functionalized for its use in solar cell application. Functionalization has been confirmed through NMR and FTIR studies. The functionalization of hard segment results in incorporation of ionic moieties which enhances its electrical conductivity, electrochemical and optical properties and displays a crucial role as a hole transport materials for QDSS cells due to proper work function and reduces energy barrier at the interface of active layer and counter electrode leading to reversible charge transport without decomposition. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dot has been synthesized using capping agent and the size (4 nm) and shape (spherical) has been confirmed through various techniques, including TEM, AFM, SEM, and DLS. Energy diagram of whole system has been revealed by measuring HOMO–LUMO and VB–CB energy gap through cyclic voltammetry and UV–vis spectrophotometry. The proper energy level alignment with electron transport layer and electron collecting layer provides suitability to transport hole for continuous harvesting of light. Solar cell device has been fabricated using successful layered design of functionalized polyurethane. The incorporation of a thin polyaniline (PANi) layer helps reducing the electron transport toward reverse direction (cathode) by adjusting the LUMO energy gap of polymer gel electrolyte and confirms re-excitation of dropped electron toward quantum dots (photoanode) through quenching under continuous illumination. The device with structure FTO/TiO2/CdS/PANi/PGE/Pt exhibits a photocurrent density of (J sc ∼ 2.20 mA/cm2), open circuit voltage V oc of 0.60 V, fill factor of 0.78 and photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.25% using functionalized polyurethane.

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