Growth of rGO nanostructures via facile wick and oil flame synthesis for environmental remediation

Lekshmi G. S.,Tamilselvi R.,Prasad Karthika,Bazaka Olha,Levchenko Igor,Bazaka Kateryna,Mohandas Mandhakini 한국탄소학회 2021 Carbon Letters Vol.31 No.4

Oil spills into ocean or coastal waters can result in signifcant damage to the environment via pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Absorbents based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) foams have the capacity to remove minor or major oil spills. However, conventional chemical synthesis of rGO often uses petrochemical precursors, potentially harmful chemicals, and requires special processing conditions that are expensive to maintain. In this work, an alternative cost-efective and environmentally friendly approach suitable for large-scale production of high-quality rGO directly from used cooking sunfower oil is discussed. Thus, produced faky graphene structures are efective in absorbing used commercial sunfower oil and engine oil, via monolayer physisorption in the case of used sunfower and engine oils facilitated by van der Waals forces, π–π stacking and hydrophobic interactions, π-cation (H+) stacking and radical scavenging activities. From adsorption kinetic models, frst-order kinetics provides a better ft for used sunfower oil adsorption (R2=0.9919) and second-order kinetics provides a better ft for engine oil adsorption (R2=0.9823). From intra-particle difusion model, R2 for USO is 0.9788 and EO is 0.9851, which indicates that both used sunfower and engine oils adsorption processes follow an intra-particle difusion mechanism. This study confrms that waste-derived rGO could be used for environmental remediation.

Drug- and Gene-eluting Stents for Preventing Coronary Restenosis

Lekshmi, Kamali Manickavasagam,Che, Hui-Lian,Cho, Chong-Su,Park, In-Kyu Chonnam National University Medical School 2017 CMJ Vol.53 No.1

<P>Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported to be a major cause of death worldwide. Current treatment methods include atherectomy, coronary angioplasty (as a percutaneous coronary intervention), and coronary artery bypass. Among them, the insertion of stents into the coronary artery is one of the commonly used methods for CAD, although the formation of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is a major drawback, demanding improvement in stent technology. Stents can be improved using the delivery of DNA, siRNA, and miRNA rather than anti-inflammatory/anti-thrombotic drugs. In particular, genes that could interfere with the development of plaque around infected regions are conjugated on the stent surface to inhibit neointimal formation. Despite their potential benefits, it is necessary to explore the various properties of gene-eluting stents. Furthermore, multifunctional electronic stents that can be used as a biosensor and deliver drug- or gene-based on physiological condition will be a very promising way to the successful treatment of ISR. In this review, we have discussed the molecular mechanism of restenosis, the use of drug- and gene-eluting stents, and the possible roles that these stents have in the prevention and treatment of coronary restenosis. Further, we have explained how multifunctional electronic stents could be used as a biosensor and deliver drugs based on physiological conditions.</P>

Drug- and Gene-eluting Stents for Preventing Coronary Restenosis

Kamali Manickavasagam Lekshmi,Hui-Lian Che,조정수,박인규 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2017 전남의대학술지 Vol.53 No.1

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported to be a major cause of death worldwide. Current treatment methods include atherectomy, coronary angioplasty (as a percutaneous coronary intervention), and coronary artery bypass. Among them, the insertion of stents into the coronary artery is one of the commonly used methods for CAD, although the formation of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is a major drawback, demanding improvement in stent technology. Stents can be improved using the delivery of DNA, siRNA, and miRNA rather than anti-inflammatory/anti-thrombotic drugs. In particular, genes that could interfere with the development of plaque around infected regions are conjugated on the stent surface to inhibit neointimal formation. Despite their potential benefits, it is necessary to explore the various properties of gene-eluting stents. Furthermore, multifunctional electronic stents that can be used as a biosensor and deliver drug- or gene-based on physiological condition will be a very promising way to the successful treatment of ISR. In this review, we have discussed the molecular mechanism of restenosis, the use of drug- and gene-eluting stents, and the possible roles that these stents have in the prevention and treatment of coronary restenosis. Further, we have explained how multifunctional electronic stents could be used as a biosensor and deliver drugs based on physiological conditions

Assessment of Nicotine Dependence among Smokers in a Selected Rural Population in Kerala, India

Jayakrishnan, R.,Mathew, Aleyamma,Lekshmi, Kamala,Sebastian, Paul,Finne, Patrik,Uutela, Antti Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Objectives: An attempt was made to understand the nicotine dependence of smokers selected for an ongoing smoking cessation intervention programme in rural Kerala, India. Methods: Data were collected from resident males in the age group of 18 to 60 years from 4 randomly allocated community development blocks of rural Thiruvananthapuram district (2 intervention and 2 control groups). Trained accredited social health activist workers were utilised to collect data from all groups through face to face interview. Nicotine dependence among participants was assessed by means of the six-item Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) translated into the local language. The internal consistency of FTND was computed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Criterion validity (concurrent) was assessed by correlations of nicotine dependence scores with age at initiation of smoking and cumulative smoking volume in pack-years. Results: Among the 928 smokers identified, 474 subjects were in the intervention area (mean age = 44.6 years, SD = 9.66 years) and 454 in the control area (mean age = 44.5 years, SD = 10.30 years). The overall FTND score among current daily smokers was 5.04 (SD: 5.05). FTND scores in the control and intervention areas were 4.75 (SD: 2.57) and 4.92 (SD: 2.51) respectively. The FTND scores increased with age and decreased with higher literacy and socioeconomic status. The average FTND score was high among smokers using both bidi and cigarettes (mean 6.10, SD 2.17). Internal consistency analysis yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70 in a subsample of 150 subjects, a moderate result. The association of the scale was strongest, with the number of pack-years smoked (rho = 0.677, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A moderate level of nicotine dependence was observed among smokers in the current study. Tobacco cessation strategies could be made more cost effective and productive if a baseline assessment of nicotine dependence is completed before any intervention.

Menthol to Induce Non-shivering Thermogenesis via TRPM8/PKA Signaling for Treatment of Obesity

Sanders Owen Davis,Rajagopal Jayalekshmi Archa,Rajagopal Lekshmy 대한비만학회 2021 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.30 No.1

Increasing basal energy expenditure via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-dependent non-shivering thermogenesis is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treatment of obesity. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel activation by cold and cold mimetics induces UCP1 transcription and prevents obesity in animals, but the clinical relevance of this relationship remains incompletely understood. A review of TRPM8 channel agonism for treatment of obesity focusing on menthol was undertaken. Adipocyte TRPM8 activation results in Ca2+ influx and protein kinase A (PKA) activation, which induces mitochondrial elongation, mitochondrial localization to lipid droplets, lipolysis, β-oxidation, and UCP1 expression. Ca2+-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species activate UCP1. In animals, TRPM8 agonism increases basal metabolic rate, non-shivering thermogenesis, oxygen consumption, exercise endurance, and fatty acid oxidation and decreases abdominal fat percentage. Menthol prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and liver triacylglycerol accumulation. Hypothalamic TRPM8 activation releases glucagon, which activates PKA and promotes catabolism. TRPM8 polymorphisms are associated with obesity. In humans, oral menthol and other TRPM8 agonists have little effect. However, topical menthol appears to increase core body temperature and metabolic rate. A randomized clinical control trial of topical menthol in obese patients is warranted.

CD44 targeting biocompatible and biodegradable hyaluronic acid cross-linked zein nanogels for curcumin delivery to cancer cells: <i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> evaluation

Seok, Hae-Yong,Sanoj Rejinold, N.,Lekshmi, Kamali Manickavasagam,Cherukula, Kondareddy,Park, In-Kyu,Kim, Yeu-Chun Elsevier 2018 Journal of controlled release Vol.280 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this study, we developed novel hyaluronic acid cross-linked zein nanogels (HA-Zein NGs) to deliver the potential anticancer agent curcumin (CRC), a naturally occurring phytochemical drug in cancer cells. <I>In vitro</I> studies showed that they are highly compatible with the tested cell lines. They showed CD44 specific uptake in CT26 cell line more than by the CD44 receptor pre-inhibited CT26 cells. The CRC encapsulated HA-Zein NGs (HA-Zein-CRC NGs) found to exert a specific toxicity against CT26 sparing healthy normal fibroblast cells <I>in vitro</I>. The apoptotic effects were further confirmed with flow cytometry showing that the HA-Zein-CRC NGs exhibited high anticancer activity against the CT26 cells. The <I>in vivo</I> bio-distribution with a CT26 tumor model showed their high tumor accumulation thereby improved antitumor efficacy with a low dosage of CRC, compared to the previous reports. Thus, the preclinical studies clearly showed that these novel HA-Zein NGs would be highly beneficial in encapsulating hydrophobic drugs with improved pharmacokinetics thereby enhancing the therapeutic outcomes.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Bioreducible branched poly(modified nona-arginine) cell-penetrating peptide as a novel gene delivery platform

Yoo, Jisang,Lee, DaeYong,Gujrati, Vipul,Rejinold, N. Sanoj,Lekshmi, Kamali Manickavasagam,Uthaman, Saji,Jeong, Chanuk,Park, In-Kyu,Jon, Sangyong,Kim, Yeu-Chun Elsevier 2017 Journal of controlled release Vol.246 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used to deliver nucleic acid molecules. Generally, CPPs consisting of short amino acid sequences have a linear structure, resulting in a weak complexation and low transfection efficacy. To overcome these drawbacks, a novel type of CPP is required to enhance the delivery efficacy while maintaining its safe use at the same time.</P> <P>Herein, we report that a bioreducible branched poly-CPP structure capable of responding to reducing conditions attained both outstanding delivery effectiveness and selective gene release in carcinoma cells. Branched structures provide unusually strong electrostatic attraction between DNA and siRNA molecules, thereby improving the transfection capability through a tightly condensed form. We designed a modified type of nona-arginine (mR9) and synthesized a branched-mR9 (B-mR9) using disulfide bonds. A novel B-mR9/pDNA polyplex exhibited redox-cleavability and high transfection efficacy compared to conventional CPPs, with higher cell viability as well. B-mR9/VEGF siRNA polyplex exhibited significant serum stability and high gene-silencing effects <I>in vitro</I>. Furthermore, the B-mR9 polyplex showed outstanding tumor accumulation and inhibition ability <I>in vivo</I>. The results suggest that the bioreducible branched poly CPP has great potential as a gene delivery platform.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate)-b -Poly(L-Lysine) Cationic Hybrid Materials for Non-Viral Gene Delivery in NIH 3T3 Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Rajendrakumar Santhosh Kalash,Saji Uthaman,Renjith P. Johnson,Kamali Manickavasagam Lekshmi,Cherukula Kondareddy,Il Kim,박인규 한국고분자학회 2016 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.41 No.1

Poly(PEGA)-b -poly(L-Lysine)-b -poly(L-histidine) Hybrid Vesicles for Tumoral pH-triggered Intracellular Delivery of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride

Cherukula Kondareddy,Saji Uthaman,Renjith P.Johnson,Santhosh Kalash,Kamali Manickavasagam Lekshmi,Il Kim,박인규 한국고분자학회 2016 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.41 No.1