Oral Delivery of Near-Infrared Quantum Dot Loaded Micelles for Noninvasive Biomedical Imaging

Khatun, Zehedina,Nurunnabi, Md,Cho, Kwang Jae,Lee, Yong-kyu American Chemical Society 2012 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.4 No.8

<P>The purpose of this study is to design, develop, and characterize an optical imaging agent for oral administration. The hydrophobic, nanosized (7 nm), near-infrared (NIR) quantum dots (QDs) have been loaded into deoxycholic acid (DOCA) conjugated low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) micelles. The QD-loaded LMWH-DOCA (Q-LHD) nanoparticles have been characterized by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) which shows the average particle size was 130–220 nm in diameter. The Q-LHD nanoparticles also show the excellent stability in different pH conditions, and the release profile demonstrates the slow release of QDs after 5 days of oral administration. Concfocal laser microscopic scanning images show that the Q-LHD nanoparticles penetrate the cell membrane and are located inside the cell membrane. The real time pharmacokinetics studies show the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination profile of Q-LHD nanoparticles, observed by the Kodak molecular imaging system (KMIS). This study has demonstrated that the orally administered Q-LHD nanoparticles are absorbed in the small intestine through the bile acid transporter and eliminated through the kidneys.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/aamick/2012/aamick.2012.4.issue-8/am301048m/production/images/medium/am-2012-01048m_0010.gif'></P>

Expression Profiling of the CSDP Transcription Factor Gene Family Points to Roles in Organ Development and Abiotic Stress Response in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Khatun, Khadiza,Nath, Ujjal Kumar,Park, Jong-In,Kim, Chang Kil,Nou, Ill Sup,Chung, Mi-Young Springer-Verlag 2018 Plant molecular biology reporter Vol.36 No.2

Evaluation of metal contamination and phytoremediation potential of aquatic macrophytes of East Kolkata Wetlands, India

Khatun, Amina,Pal, Sandipan,Mukherjee, Aloke Kumar,Samanta, Palas,Mondal, Subinoy,Kole, Debraj,Chandra, Priyanka,Ghosh, Apurba Ratan The Korean Society of Environmental Toxicology 2016 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.31 No.-

Objectives The present study analyzes metal contamination in sediment of the East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, which is receiving a huge amount of domestic and industrial wastewater from surrounding areas. The subsequent uptake and accumulation of metals in different macrophytes are also examined in regard to their phytoremediation potential. Methods Metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) were estimated in sediment, water and different parts of the macrophytes Colocasia esculenta and Scirpus articulatus. Results The concentration of metals in sediment were, from highest to lowest, Mn ($205.0{\pm}65.5mg/kg$)>Cu ($29.9{\pm}10.2mg/kg$)>Pb ($22.7{\pm}10.3mg/kg$)>Cd ($3.7{\pm}2.2mg/kg$). The phytoaccumulation tendency of these metals showed similar trends in both native aquatic macrophyte species. The rate of accumulation of metals in roots was higher than in shoots. There were strong positive correlations (p <0.001) between soil organic carbon (OC) percentage and Mn (r =0.771), and sediment OC percentage and Pb (r=0.832). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also showed a positive correlation (p <0.001) with Cu (r=0.721), Mn (r=0.713), and Pb (r=0.788), while correlations between sediment OC percentage and Cu (r=0.628), sediment OC percentage and Cd (r=0.559), and CEC and Cd (r=0.625) were significant at the p <0.05 level. Conclusions Bioaccumulation factor and translocation factors of these two plants revealed that S. articulatus was comparatively more efficient for phytoremediation, whereas phytostabilization potential was higher in C. esculenta.

Oral absorption mechanism and anti-angiogenesis effect of taurocholic acid-linked heparin-docetaxel conjugates

Khatun, Z.,Nurunnabi, M.,Cho, K.J.,Byun, Y.,Bae, Y.H.,Lee, Y.k. Elsevier Science Publishers 2014 Journal of controlled release Vol.177 No.-

Oral delivery is the preferred route to deliver therapeutics via nanoparticles due to ease of administration and patient acceptance. Here, we report on the findings of the absorption pathway of taurocholic acid (TCA)-linked heparin and docetaxel (DTX) conjugate, which we refer to as HDTA. We studied the oral absorption of HDTA using a Caco-2 cell transport system and an animal model. We have also used other absorption enhancers, such as ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), or inhibitors, such as sodium azide, to compare the relative permeability of HDTA conjugates. In vivo comparative studies were conducted using free TCA as a pre-administration and exhibited the maximum absorption site of the organ after oral administration of HDTA conjugates. HDTA was found to be absorbed mainly in the ileum and Caco-2 cell monolayer through passive diffusion and bile acid transporters. High fluorescence intensity of HDTA in mice came from the ileum, and it was eliminated from the body through colon. This novel formulation could be further investigated by clinical trials to find the prospect of oral anti-cancer drug delivery through anti-angiogenic treatment strategies.

A hyaluronic acid nanogel for photo-chemo theranostics of lung cancer with simultaneous light-responsive controlled release of doxorubicin.

Khatun, Zehedina,Nurunnabi, Md,Nafiujjaman, Md,Reeck, Gerald R,Khan, Haseeb A,Cho, Kwang Jae,Lee, Yong-kyu RSC Pub 2015 Nanoscale Vol.7 No.24

<P>The combined delivery of photo-and chemo-therapeutic agents is an emerging strategy to overcome drug resistance in treating cancer, and controlled light-responsive drug release is a proven tactic to produce a continuous therapeutic effect for a prolonged duration. Here, a combination of light-responsive graphene, chemo-agent doxorubicin and pH-sensitive disulfide-bond linked hyaluronic acid form a nanogel (called a graphene-doxorubicin conjugate in a hyaluronic acid nanogel) that exerts an activity with multiple effects: thermo and chemotherapeutic, real-time noninvasive imaging, and light-glutathione-responsive controlled drug release. The nanogel is mono-dispersed with an average diameter of 120 nm as observed by using TEM and a hydrodynamic size analyzer. It has excellent photo-luminescence properties and good stability in buffer and serum solutions. Graphene itself, being photoluminescent, can be considered an optical imaging contrast agent as well as a heat source when excited by laser irradiation. Thus the nanogel shows simultaneous thermo-chemotherapeutic effects on noninvasive optical imaging. We have also found that irradiation enhances the release of doxorubicin in a controlled manner. This release synergizes therapeutic activity of the nanogel in killing tumor cells. Our findings demonstrate that the graphene-doxorubicin conjugate in the hyaluronic acid nanogel is very effective in killing the human lung cancer cell line (A549) with limited toxicity in the non-cancerous cell line (MDCK).</P>

CORRIGENDUM

Khatun, Fahima,Lee, Tae Wha,Shom, Ela Rani,Biswas, Gulshan Ara,Raha, Pronita Rani,Kim, Sue 한국여성건강간호학회 2018 여성건강간호학회지 Vol.24 No.2

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Hydroalkoxymethylation of Activated Alkenes Using α-Silyl Ethers as Alkoxymethyl Radical Equivalents

Khatun, Nilufa,Kim, Myeong Jun,Woo, Sang Kook American Chemical Society 2018 ORGANIC LETTERS Vol.20 No.19

<P>A new neutral silicon-based traceless activation group (TAG) for visible-light photoredox-catalyzed hydroalkoxymethylation of alkenes is presented. This reaction involves in-situ-generated alkoxymethyl radical via single electron oxidation (SET) of α-TMS-substituted ethers, followed by subsequent conjugate addition to activated alkenes. Various functional groups were tolerated both under mild metal and metal-free conditions to provide good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the addition products were transformed to valuable synthetic building blocks, such as carboxylic acids, γ-butyrolactones, and complex aryl alkyl ethers.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Molecular Characterization and Expression Profiling of Tomato GRF Transcription Factor Family Genes in Response to Abiotic Stresses and Phytohormones

Khatun, Khadiza,Robin, Arif Hasan Khan,Park, Jong-In,Nath, Ujjal Kumar,Kim, Chang Kil,Lim, Ki-Byung,Nou, Ill Sup,Chung, Mi-Young MDPI 2017 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.18 No.5

<P>Growth regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that are involved in diverse biological and physiological processes, such as growth, development and stress and hormone responses. However, the roles of GRFs in vegetative and reproductive growth, development and stress responses in tomato (<I>Solanum lycopersicum</I>) have not been extensively explored. In this study, we characterized the 13 <I>SlGRF</I> genes. In silico analysis of protein motif organization, intron–exon distribution, and phylogenetic classification confirmed the presence of GRF proteins in tomato. The tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that most of the <I>SlGRF</I> genes were preferentially expressed in young and growing tissues such as flower buds and meristems, suggesting that <I>SlGRFs</I> are important during growth and development of these tissues. Some of the <I>SlGRF</I> genes were preferentially expressed in fruits at distinct developmental stages suggesting their involvement in fruit development and the ripening process. The strong and differential expression of different <I>SlGRFs</I> under NaCl, drought, heat, cold, abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA) treatment, predict possible functions for these genes in stress responses in addition to their growth regulatory functions. Further, differential expression of <I>SlGRF</I> genes upon gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment indicates their probable function in flower development and stress responses through a gibberellic acid (GA)-mediated pathway. The results of this study provide a basis for further functional analysis and characterization of this important gene family in tomato.</P>

Subfertility Problems Leading to Disposal of Breeding Bulls

Khatun, Marzina,Kaur, Simarjeet,Simarjeet, Simarjeet,Mukhopadhyay, C.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.3

Subfertility problems are encountered frequently in the cattle and buffalo bulls commercially maintained for semen production in dairy farms and under field conditions for natural insemination. Reports are scarce on the incidence of subfertility in breeding bulls, especially in India. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of the male reproductive anomalies leading to disposal of bovine bulls at GADVASU dairy farm, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Data on frequency of various subfertility and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the dairy farm, GADVASU, were collected for 12 yrs (1999 to 2010) and compiled from different record registers. Percentage of bulls that produced freezable semen (out of reserved ones) was less in cattle (25.641%) as compared to that of buffalo (30.4%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive and poor semen quality were the main contributing factors for bull disposal in cattle whereas poor semen freezability was most frequently observed in buffalo bulls. All the male reproductive traits were significantly different (p<0.05) for the periods of birth, except for semen volume, initial motility (IM), age at last semen collection (ALSC) and age at disposal. The ages at first and last semen collection as well as freezing (i.e. AFSC, ALSC and AFSF, ALSF, respectively) and age at disposal (AD) were higher in buffalo. The spermatological parameters and semen production period (SPP) were higher in cattle. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. The results revealed an increasing trend in individual motility (IM) while semen volume, AFSC, AFSF, AD, FSPP, SPP, ALSC and ALSF showed a decreasing, however, not a definite trend, over the periods. The semen donation traits like, AFSF, of the cattle and buffalo bulls could be predicted from the AFSC, using prediction equation derived in the present study.

Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of the <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> species complex in Bangladesh

Khatun, M.F.,Jahan, S.M.H.,Lee, Sukchan,Lee, Kyeong-Yeoll Elsevier 2018 Acta Tropica Vol.187 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P> <I>Bemisia tabaci</I> (Gennadius) is a species complex consisting of at least 40 cryptic species. Although the genetic diversity of <I>B. tabaci</I> has been studied in various regions, little is known about distribution in Bangladesh, which is covered by the Bengal delta, the largest delta on Earth. We conducted an extensive survey throughout the country and determined the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome <I>c</I> oxidase subunit 1 (COI) from 110 individuals. We then examined phylogenetic relationships. The results identified four cryptic species that expressed distinct interspecific variation but low intraspecific variation. Asia I was the most abundant, both Asia II 1 and Asia II 5 were moderately abundant, and Asia II 10 was found only in the central region. COI sequences of each cryptic species were distinctive and differentiated into many haplotypes. Our study provides important information to better understand the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of cryptic species in Bangladesh and nearby countries.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Genetic diversity of <I>Bemisia tabaci</I> was determined in Bangladesh. </LI> <LI> We identified four indigenous cryptic species but not MEAM1 and MED invasive cryptic species. </LI> <LI> Asia I was abundant, both Asia II 1 and Asia II 5 were moderate, and Asia II 10 was found only in the central region. </LI> <LI> Our study provides important information on the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of <I>B. tabaci</I> in Bangladesh. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>