Evaluation of anti-lice topical lotion of ozonated olive oil and comparison of its effect with permethrin shampoo

Background: Pediculosis is an infestation of lice affecting mostly children and spreads by direct contact with the hair of someone infected. Although topical application of a pediculicide such as permethrin shampoo is the most common cure for head lice, the addition of alternative treatments is necessary due to permethrin resistance and some safety concerns, including irritation, burning sensation, tingling, and breathing problems. Recent studies have indicated that ozone, which is an allotropic form of oxygen, may have anti-pediculosis effects. Objective: This study focused on the evaluation of an ozonated olive oil topical lotion for the treatment of pediculosis and the comparison of its effects with permethrin shampoo. Methods: 121 patients with proven head pediculosis were divided into two groups. They were treated with either topical ozonated olive oil lotion or permethrin shampoo for one week. Results: It was shown that the ozonation process enormously improved the physico-chemical properties of olive oil. Specifically, acid and peroxide values increased 60 fold and 200 fold, respectively, while there was a sharp decline for the iodine index (81.8±1.28 to 0 g iodine per 100 g). Additionally, all patients who received the ozonated olive oil lotion were entirely cured after one week of treatment, while those who were treated with permethrin, required to receive more. Statistical analysis of the data also proved this claim. Conclusion: The prepared lotion has shown significant effects in controlling head lice. Thus, it can be prescribed as an effective anti-pediculosis medicine which is biocompatible and has high potential.

Innovative Approaches to Synthesize Novel Graphene Materials

Graphene is an allotropic form of carbon with a single-layer 2D structure. Graphene’s unique physical and electrochemical properties, such as its large surface area, high conductivity, robust mechanical strength, remarkable thermal conductivity, exceptional biocompatibility, and suitability for functionalization, make it a new research frontier for carbon-based nanomaterials. In this review, we summarize the different aspects of graphene, that is, its synthesis via two approaches, namely, top-down and bottom-up approaches, and discuss its new derivatives.

Carbon Nanotubes as Emerging Nanocarriers in Drug Delivery: An Overview

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been frequently acquired as one of the fascinating and advanced nanocarriers for drug delivery and many potential applications due to its unique physicochemical properties. During recent years CNTs have been attracted by many researchers as a drug delivery carrier. CNTs are the third allotropic form of carbon-fullerenes rolled into cylindrical tubes. To be integrated into the biological systems, CNTs can be chemically modified or functionalized with therapeutically active molecules by forming stable covalent bonds or supramolecular assemblies based on noncovalent interactions. Owing to their high carrying capacity, biocompatibility, and specificity to cells, various cancer cells have been explored with CNTs for evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and drug delivery in tumor cells.

Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Fullerenols with Different Number of Hydroxyl Substituents

Fullerenols are nanosized water-soluble polyhydroxylated derivatives of fullerenes, specific allotropic form of carbon, bioactive compounds and perspective pharmaceutical agents. We studied biological effects of a series of fullerenols. Antioxidant activity and toxicity of the fullerenols were compared using bioluminescence assays (cellular and enzymatic); a content of Reactive Oxygen Species in fullerenol solutions was determined using chemiluminescence luminol method. Two groups of fullerenols with different number of hydroxyl substituents were under investigation: (I) С60Оy(OH)x, С60,70Оy(OH)x, where х+у=24–28 and (II) С60,70Оy(OH)x, Fe0,5С60Оy(OH)x, where х+у=40–42. Toxicity of the fullerenols was evaluated using effective concentrations ЕС50. Fullerenol’ antioxidant activity was investigated in model solutions of organic toxicant of oxidative type, 1,4-benzoquinone. Detoxification coefficients were calculated to analyze and compare the antioxidant activity. Higher toxicity and lower antioxidant activity were demonstrated in the solutions of fullerenols with higher number of the oxygen substituents (х+у=40–42). The differences were concerned with fullerenol’ ability to disturb Reactive Oxygen Species balance in aqueous solutions. Toxic effect of the prospective endohedral metal-fullerenol with gadolinium atom involved, Gd@C82Oy(OH)x, where х+у=40–42, was evaluated and explained by a high number of oxygen groups

Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Fullerenols with Different Number of Hydroxyl Substituents

Fullerenols are nanosized water-soluble polyhydroxylated derivatives of fullerenes, specific allotropic form of carbon, bioactive compounds and perspective pharmaceutical agents. We studied biological effects of a series of fullerenols. Antioxidant activity and toxicity of the fullerenols were compared using bioluminescence assays (cellular and enzymatic); a content of Reactive Oxygen Species in fullerenol solutions was determined using chemiluminescence luminol method. Two groups of fullerenols with different number of hydroxyl substituents were under investigation: (I) С60Оy(OH)x, С60,70Оy(OH)x, where х+у=24–28 and (II) С60,70Оy(OH)x, Fe0,5С60Оy(OH)x, where х+у=40–42. Toxicity of the fullerenols was evaluated using effective concentrations ЕС50. Fullerenol’ antioxidant activity was investigated in model solutions of organic toxicant of oxidative type, 1,4-benzoquinone. Detoxification coefficients were calculated to analyze and compare the antioxidant activity. Higher toxicity and lower antioxidant activity were demonstrated in the solutions of fullerenols with higher number of the oxygen substituents (х+у=40–42). The differences were concerned with fullerenol’ ability to disturb Reactive Oxygen Species balance in aqueous solutions. Toxic effect of the prospective endohedral metal-fullerenol with gadolinium atom involved, Gd@C82Oy(OH)x, where х+у=40–42, was evaluated and explained by a high number of oxygen groups

Le nitrate double NaRb2(NO3)3, composé intermédiaire du système binaire isobare NaNO3+ RbNO3: études thermiques et cristallographiques

Crystallographic and thermodynamic investigations of the binary (NaNO3+ RbNO3) phase diagram at atmospheric pressure reveal the existence of an intermediate compound NaRb2(NO3)3(sodium dirubidium trinitrate) previously predicted and now reported experimentally for the first time. According to a DSC analysis, the compound exhibits three allotropic forms. In its low-temperature allotropic form (α form, orthorhombic) there are two Rb (m.. site symmetry) and one Na (m..) independent crystallographic positions and three planar nitrate groups. The bond-valence-sum calculations for all atoms agree well with their oxidation states. The Rb cations are located in the (100) plane atx= ½ with 11 oxygen coordination. The Na ones are in the same plane atx= 0 and are coordinated to eight O atoms from six nitrate groups. The charge-distribution method has been used to evaluate the degree of distortion of the alkali polyhedra.

A Review on CNT Reinforced Aluminium and Magnesium Matrix Composites

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) are one allotropic form of carbon, which have some unique characteristics that make them a suitable reinforcing agent in various types of composites. CNT reinforced composites are gaining more attention in recent days. Reinforcing with CNT leads to increase in strength without considerable increase in weight. Many metal matrix composites (MMCs) with base metals like aluminium, magnesium, copper, nickel etc., and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have been fabricated and experimented with CNT as one of their reinforcing agents and corresponding results have been recorded. This paper reviews a few of these recordings on Al and Mg MMCs and also some future development in this field.