Photophysical and nonlinear optical characteristics of pyridyl substituted phthalocyanine-detonation nanodiamond conjugated systems in solution
- Matshitse, Refilwe, Khene, Samson M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187079 , vital:44563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2019.03.013"
- Description: In this study photophysical, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs)-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate systems containing: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyaninato (H2TPPc), 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato zinc(II) (ZnTPPc) and 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato silicon(IV) hydroxide (Si(OH)2TPPc), were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Pcs were non-covalently linked to nanondiamonds (also covalently linked for Si(OH)2TPPc) and investigated using 532 nm laser excitation at 10 ns pulses for their optical limiting properties. Complexes that have higher triplet state absorption also possessed enhanced nonlinear optical behaviour following reverse saturable absorption mechanism. Superior optical performance is observed when the Pcs had a central metal with axial ligands conjugated to DNDs in solution. Nanoconjugate of DNDs-Si(OH)2TPPc and respective Pc in solution gave the highest imaginary third-order susceptibility (Im[X(3)]) and hyperpolarizability (γ) at 2.91 × 10−8 and 3.17 × 10−8 esu and 3.88 × 10−28 and 4.22 × 10−28 esu, respectively, with Ilim value of 0.47 and 0.39 J·cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187079 , vital:44563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2019.03.013"
- Description: In this study photophysical, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs)-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate systems containing: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyaninato (H2TPPc), 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato zinc(II) (ZnTPPc) and 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato silicon(IV) hydroxide (Si(OH)2TPPc), were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Pcs were non-covalently linked to nanondiamonds (also covalently linked for Si(OH)2TPPc) and investigated using 532 nm laser excitation at 10 ns pulses for their optical limiting properties. Complexes that have higher triplet state absorption also possessed enhanced nonlinear optical behaviour following reverse saturable absorption mechanism. Superior optical performance is observed when the Pcs had a central metal with axial ligands conjugated to DNDs in solution. Nanoconjugate of DNDs-Si(OH)2TPPc and respective Pc in solution gave the highest imaginary third-order susceptibility (Im[X(3)]) and hyperpolarizability (γ) at 2.91 × 10−8 and 3.17 × 10−8 esu and 3.88 × 10−28 and 4.22 × 10−28 esu, respectively, with Ilim value of 0.47 and 0.39 J·cm−2.
- Full Text:
Photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy activities of detonated nanodiamonds-BODIPY-phthalocyanines nanoassemblies
- Matshitse, Refilwe, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Managa, Muthumuni, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Managa, Muthumuni , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186981 , vital:44553 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.03.007"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of nanoassemblies of supramolecular hybrids containing detonated nanodiamonds (DNDs) covalently linked to halogenated BODIPY (DNDs-BODIPY) by an amide bond, followed by π–π stacking of 2,9,16,23-tetrakis[4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine (ZnTPPcQ) on the DNDs-BODIPY conjugate, to form nanoassembly represented as ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY. ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY has a higher singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.50 in water. Therefore, the construction of a three component photodynamic therapy agent (ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY) as a single photosentisiser improved singlet quantum yields of the Pc. Zeta potential studies of ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY under various temperatures, concentrations and pH conditions, showed the conjugate is more stable at pHs 2, 4 and 7 and at high concentrations (50 μg/mL) and temperatures (80 °C). ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY showed high photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity with a low MCF-7 cell viability of 21 ± 5% when compared to 31 ± 2%, 30 ± 2% and 28 ± 2% cell viability at the highest tested concentration of 50 μg/mL for DNDs, ZnTPPcQ-DND and DNDs-BODIPY, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Managa, Muthumuni , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186981 , vital:44553 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.03.007"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of nanoassemblies of supramolecular hybrids containing detonated nanodiamonds (DNDs) covalently linked to halogenated BODIPY (DNDs-BODIPY) by an amide bond, followed by π–π stacking of 2,9,16,23-tetrakis[4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine (ZnTPPcQ) on the DNDs-BODIPY conjugate, to form nanoassembly represented as ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY. ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY has a higher singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.50 in water. Therefore, the construction of a three component photodynamic therapy agent (ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY) as a single photosentisiser improved singlet quantum yields of the Pc. Zeta potential studies of ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY under various temperatures, concentrations and pH conditions, showed the conjugate is more stable at pHs 2, 4 and 7 and at high concentrations (50 μg/mL) and temperatures (80 °C). ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY showed high photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity with a low MCF-7 cell viability of 21 ± 5% when compared to 31 ± 2%, 30 ± 2% and 28 ± 2% cell viability at the highest tested concentration of 50 μg/mL for DNDs, ZnTPPcQ-DND and DNDs-BODIPY, respectively.
- Full Text:
Photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of a meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin tetramethyl ester–graphene quantum dot conjugate
- Managa, Muthumuni, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187533 , vital:44669 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ06175K"
- Description: Novel meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin tetramethyl ester metal derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These derivatives were interacted with graphene quantum dots (GDQs). Spectroscopic evidence that was obtained showed that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π–π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were investigated following incorporation. The dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were successfully studied using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell viability for the dark toxicity was more than 90% for all complexes. The PDT activities at the highest concentration of 120 μg ml−1 showed a decrease in cell viability down to 15.2% for the GaClTMPP–GQDs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187533 , vital:44669 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ06175K"
- Description: Novel meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin tetramethyl ester metal derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These derivatives were interacted with graphene quantum dots (GDQs). Spectroscopic evidence that was obtained showed that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π–π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were investigated following incorporation. The dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were successfully studied using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell viability for the dark toxicity was more than 90% for all complexes. The PDT activities at the highest concentration of 120 μg ml−1 showed a decrease in cell viability down to 15.2% for the GaClTMPP–GQDs.
- Full Text:
Photophysicochemical and photodynamic therapy properties of metallophthalocyanines linked to gold speckled silica nanoparticles
- Dube, Edith, Oluwole, David O, Niemuwa, Nwaji, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Niemuwa, Nwaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187472 , vital:44657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.01.019"
- Description: This work reports on the linkage of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24) tetrakis [(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (1) and indium(III) chloride (2) to gold speckled silica (GSS) nanoparticles via gold to sulphur (Au-S) and gold to nitrogen (Au-N) self-assembly to form the conjugates: 1-GSS and 2-GSS. The formed conjugates were characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, and the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) were studied. The conjugates afforded decrease in fluorescence quantum yields with corresponding increase in triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields when compared to phthalocyanines alone. Singlet oxygen is cytotoxic to cancer cells hence it is important for PDT. The in vitro dark toxicity of complex 2 and 2-GSS against MCF–7 cells showed ≥93% viable cells within concentration ranges of 10–160 μg/mL. 2–GSS showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 50% viable cells at 80 μg/mL as compared to 2 and GSS alone which showed > 60% viable cells within 10–160 μg/mL. The observed improvements in the PDT activity of 2-GSS could be attributed to the high singlet oxygen generation of 2-GSS compared to 2 alone in addition to the phototoxicity of GSS.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Niemuwa, Nwaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187472 , vital:44657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.01.019"
- Description: This work reports on the linkage of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24) tetrakis [(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (1) and indium(III) chloride (2) to gold speckled silica (GSS) nanoparticles via gold to sulphur (Au-S) and gold to nitrogen (Au-N) self-assembly to form the conjugates: 1-GSS and 2-GSS. The formed conjugates were characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, and the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) were studied. The conjugates afforded decrease in fluorescence quantum yields with corresponding increase in triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields when compared to phthalocyanines alone. Singlet oxygen is cytotoxic to cancer cells hence it is important for PDT. The in vitro dark toxicity of complex 2 and 2-GSS against MCF–7 cells showed ≥93% viable cells within concentration ranges of 10–160 μg/mL. 2–GSS showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 50% viable cells at 80 μg/mL as compared to 2 and GSS alone which showed > 60% viable cells within 10–160 μg/mL. The observed improvements in the PDT activity of 2-GSS could be attributed to the high singlet oxygen generation of 2-GSS compared to 2 alone in addition to the phototoxicity of GSS.
- Full Text:
Physicochemical and antimicrobial photodynamic chemotherapy (against E. coli) by indium phthalocyanines in the presence of silver–iron bimetallic nanoparticles
- Magadla, Aviwe, Oluwole, David O, Managa, Muthumuni, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187091 , vital:44564 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.01.032"
- Description: In this work, Schiff base indium phthalocyanines: In–Cl tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 1b) and In–Cl tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 2b) are synthesized from tetra amino and tetra phenoxy amino phthalocyanines, respectively. These complexes were further quartenised with 1,3-propanesultone to form zwitterionic complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Silver–iron dimers (Ag–Fe3O4) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were linked to the synthesised complexes. The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes and their conjugates with NPs were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. Complexes 2 and 2b and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Escherichia coli. The zwitter ionic photosensitiser 2 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187091 , vital:44564 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.01.032"
- Description: In this work, Schiff base indium phthalocyanines: In–Cl tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 1b) and In–Cl tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 2b) are synthesized from tetra amino and tetra phenoxy amino phthalocyanines, respectively. These complexes were further quartenised with 1,3-propanesultone to form zwitterionic complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Silver–iron dimers (Ag–Fe3O4) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were linked to the synthesised complexes. The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes and their conjugates with NPs were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. Complexes 2 and 2b and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Escherichia coli. The zwitter ionic photosensitiser 2 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
Physicochemical and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activity of morpholine-substituted phthalocyanines: Effect of point of substitution and central metal
- Sindelo, Azole, Kobayashi, Nagao, Kimura, Mutsumi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187438 , vital:44652 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.01.025"
- Description: In this study, novel metal-free, zinc and indium 1(4),8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetramorpholine (1a, 2a, 3a respectively) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17),23(24)-tetramorpholine (1b, 2b, 3b respectively) phthalocyanines were synthesized and complexes 2 and 3 were quaternized. The photophysical and photochemical properties were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide. The non-peripherally substituted phthalocyanines generated higher singlet oxygen than the peripherally substituted phthalocyanines. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities towards inactivation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albican were evaluated, where all the quaternized Pcs showed total elimination of the micro-organism with log reductions greater than 9. Though the neutral Pcs had log reductions less than 2, for C. albican the percentage reduction was 68.5% for 2b showing the antifungal properties of the morpholine group.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187438 , vital:44652 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.01.025"
- Description: In this study, novel metal-free, zinc and indium 1(4),8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetramorpholine (1a, 2a, 3a respectively) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17),23(24)-tetramorpholine (1b, 2b, 3b respectively) phthalocyanines were synthesized and complexes 2 and 3 were quaternized. The photophysical and photochemical properties were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide. The non-peripherally substituted phthalocyanines generated higher singlet oxygen than the peripherally substituted phthalocyanines. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities towards inactivation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albican were evaluated, where all the quaternized Pcs showed total elimination of the micro-organism with log reductions greater than 9. Though the neutral Pcs had log reductions less than 2, for C. albican the percentage reduction was 68.5% for 2b showing the antifungal properties of the morpholine group.
- Full Text:
Phytochemical, anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal properties of Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) stem bark
- Eze, Fabian I, Siwe-Noundou, Xavier, Osadebe, Patience, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Eze, Fabian I , Siwe-Noundou, Xavier , Osadebe, Patience , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194059 , vital:45419 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111851"
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) is used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders as well as sleeping sickness. Aim of the study: To determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of the extracts of A. vogelii stem bark and identify the phytochemical classes of the fractions responsible for the activities. Materials and methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using the egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema model while the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity was assessed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed on HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. Results: The methanolic extract of A. vogelii stem bark, with 11.2% yield, gave LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The n-hexane fraction of the extract contains steroids, terpenes and fatty acids and yielded non-cytotoxic terpenoidal column fraction with anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 3.0 μg/mL. The ethylacetate fraction at 100 mg/kg dose significantly (p less than 0.05) provoked 37.8, 62.5 and 69.7% inhibition of oedema induced by egg-albumin at the second, fourth and sixth hours respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal activities of A. vogelii are probably due to non-cytotoxic terpenoids and validated the traditional use of A. vogelii in the treatment of inflammation and sleeping sickness.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Eze, Fabian I , Siwe-Noundou, Xavier , Osadebe, Patience , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194059 , vital:45419 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111851"
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) is used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders as well as sleeping sickness. Aim of the study: To determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of the extracts of A. vogelii stem bark and identify the phytochemical classes of the fractions responsible for the activities. Materials and methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using the egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema model while the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity was assessed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed on HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. Results: The methanolic extract of A. vogelii stem bark, with 11.2% yield, gave LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The n-hexane fraction of the extract contains steroids, terpenes and fatty acids and yielded non-cytotoxic terpenoidal column fraction with anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 3.0 μg/mL. The ethylacetate fraction at 100 mg/kg dose significantly (p less than 0.05) provoked 37.8, 62.5 and 69.7% inhibition of oedema induced by egg-albumin at the second, fourth and sixth hours respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal activities of A. vogelii are probably due to non-cytotoxic terpenoids and validated the traditional use of A. vogelii in the treatment of inflammation and sleeping sickness.
- Full Text:
Preparation of NIR absorbing axial substituted tin (iv) porphyrins and their photocytotoxic properties
- Babu, Balaji, Amuhaya, Edith K, Oluwole, David O, Prinsloo, Earl, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Amuhaya, Edith K , Oluwole, David O , Prinsloo, Earl , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234592 , vital:50211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00373D"
- Description: Sn(IV) porphyrins ([Sn(IV)TTP(3PyO)2] (5) and [Sn(IV)TPP(3PyO)2] (6) [tetrathienylporphyrin (TTP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and pyridyloxy (PyO)]) were prepared and characterized and their photocytotoxicity upon irradiation with 625 nm light has been studied. The presence of the 3PyO axial ligands was found to limit the aggregation and enhance the solubility of 5 and 6 in DMF/H2O (1 : 1). The photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the meso-2-thienyl and meso-phenyl-substituted Sn(IV) porphyrins are compared. 5 and 6 were found to be photocytotoxic in MCF-7 cancer cells when irradiated with a Thorlabs M625L3 LED at 625 nm but remained nontoxic in the dark. The PDT activity of Sn(IV) meso-tetra-2-thienylporphyrin 5 was found to be significantly enhanced relative to its analogous tetraphenylporphyrin 6. There is a marked red-shift of the Q00 band of 5 into the therapeutic window due to the meso-2-thienyl rings, and 5 has an unusually high singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.83 in DMF. The results demonstrate that readily synthesized axially ligated Sn(IV) meso-arylporphyrins are potentially suitable for use as singlet oxygen photosensitizers in biomedical applications and merit further in depth investigation in this context.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Amuhaya, Edith K , Oluwole, David O , Prinsloo, Earl , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234592 , vital:50211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00373D"
- Description: Sn(IV) porphyrins ([Sn(IV)TTP(3PyO)2] (5) and [Sn(IV)TPP(3PyO)2] (6) [tetrathienylporphyrin (TTP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and pyridyloxy (PyO)]) were prepared and characterized and their photocytotoxicity upon irradiation with 625 nm light has been studied. The presence of the 3PyO axial ligands was found to limit the aggregation and enhance the solubility of 5 and 6 in DMF/H2O (1 : 1). The photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the meso-2-thienyl and meso-phenyl-substituted Sn(IV) porphyrins are compared. 5 and 6 were found to be photocytotoxic in MCF-7 cancer cells when irradiated with a Thorlabs M625L3 LED at 625 nm but remained nontoxic in the dark. The PDT activity of Sn(IV) meso-tetra-2-thienylporphyrin 5 was found to be significantly enhanced relative to its analogous tetraphenylporphyrin 6. There is a marked red-shift of the Q00 band of 5 into the therapeutic window due to the meso-2-thienyl rings, and 5 has an unusually high singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.83 in DMF. The results demonstrate that readily synthesized axially ligated Sn(IV) meso-arylporphyrins are potentially suitable for use as singlet oxygen photosensitizers in biomedical applications and merit further in depth investigation in this context.
- Full Text:
Privately protected areas provide key opportunities for the regional persistence of large- and medium-sized mammals
- Clements, Hayley S, Kerley, Graham I, Cumming, Graeme S, de Vos, Alta, Cook, Carly N
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , Kerley, Graham I , Cumming, Graeme S , de Vos, Alta , Cook, Carly N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416383 , vital:71344 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13300"
- Description: Biodiversity conservation relies heavily on protected areas (PAs). However, in locations that are desirable for agriculture, industry, or human habitation (e.g., low -land habitats on fertile soils, coastal zones), land is often privately owned and state-owned PAs tend to be under-represented. Despite the potentially disproportionate contribution that privately protected areas (PPAs) could make to representing biodiversity and supporting its persistence across regional PA estates, this contribution is poorly understood.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , Kerley, Graham I , Cumming, Graeme S , de Vos, Alta , Cook, Carly N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416383 , vital:71344 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13300"
- Description: Biodiversity conservation relies heavily on protected areas (PAs). However, in locations that are desirable for agriculture, industry, or human habitation (e.g., low -land habitats on fertile soils, coastal zones), land is often privately owned and state-owned PAs tend to be under-represented. Despite the potentially disproportionate contribution that privately protected areas (PPAs) could make to representing biodiversity and supporting its persistence across regional PA estates, this contribution is poorly understood.
- Full Text:
Psychological knowledge production about abortion: the politics of location and representation
- Macleod, Catriona I, Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J, Chiweshe, Malvern T, du Toit, Ryan
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J , Chiweshe, Malvern T , du Toit, Ryan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443734 , vital:74148 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200208"
- Description: Despite considerable psychology research being conducted on abortion, there has been no study of the history of psychological knowledge production on the topic. The aim of our research was to analyse journal articles published in English language psychology journals using a politics of location and of representation analytical lens.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J , Chiweshe, Malvern T , du Toit, Ryan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443734 , vital:74148 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200208"
- Description: Despite considerable psychology research being conducted on abortion, there has been no study of the history of psychological knowledge production on the topic. The aim of our research was to analyse journal articles published in English language psychology journals using a politics of location and of representation analytical lens.
- Full Text:
Purification and biochemical characterisation of a putative sodium channel agonist secreted from the South African Knobbly sea anemone Bunodosoma capense
- van Losenoord, Wynand, Krause, Jason, Parker-Nance, Shirley, Krause, Rui W M, Stoychey, Stoyan, Frost, Carminita L
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
Quantifying the accuracy of small subnet-equivalent sampling of IPv4 internet background radiation datasets
- Chindipha, Stones, D, Irwin, Barry V W, Herbert, Alan
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones, D , Irwin, Barry V W , Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430271 , vital:72679 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3351108.3351129
- Description: Network telescopes have been used for over a decade to aid in identifying threats by gathering unsolicited network traffic. This Internet Background Radiation (IBR) data has proved to be a significant source of intelligence in combating emerging threats on the Internet at large. Traditionally, operation has required a significant contiguous block of IP addresses. Continued operation of such sensors by researchers and adoption by organisations as part of its operation intelligence is becoming a challenge due to the global shortage of IPv4 addresses. The pressure is on to use allocated IP addresses for operational purposes. Future use of IBR collection methods is likely to be limited to smaller IP address pools, which may not be contiguous. This paper offers a first step towards evaluating the feasibility of such small sensors. An evaluation is conducted of the random sampling of various subnet sized equivalents. The accuracy of observable data is compared against a traditional 'small' IPv4 network telescope using a /24 net-block. Results show that for much of the IBR data, sensors consisting of smaller, non-contiguous blocks of addresses are able to achieve high accuracy rates vs. the base case. While the results obtained given the current nature of IBR, it proves the viability for organisations to utilise free IP addresses within their networks for IBR collection and ultimately the production of Threat intelligence.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones, D , Irwin, Barry V W , Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430271 , vital:72679 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3351108.3351129
- Description: Network telescopes have been used for over a decade to aid in identifying threats by gathering unsolicited network traffic. This Internet Background Radiation (IBR) data has proved to be a significant source of intelligence in combating emerging threats on the Internet at large. Traditionally, operation has required a significant contiguous block of IP addresses. Continued operation of such sensors by researchers and adoption by organisations as part of its operation intelligence is becoming a challenge due to the global shortage of IPv4 addresses. The pressure is on to use allocated IP addresses for operational purposes. Future use of IBR collection methods is likely to be limited to smaller IP address pools, which may not be contiguous. This paper offers a first step towards evaluating the feasibility of such small sensors. An evaluation is conducted of the random sampling of various subnet sized equivalents. The accuracy of observable data is compared against a traditional 'small' IPv4 network telescope using a /24 net-block. Results show that for much of the IBR data, sensors consisting of smaller, non-contiguous blocks of addresses are able to achieve high accuracy rates vs. the base case. While the results obtained given the current nature of IBR, it proves the viability for organisations to utilise free IP addresses within their networks for IBR collection and ultimately the production of Threat intelligence.
- Full Text:
Rebellion and revolution
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305721 , vital:58606 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2019.1574085"
- Description: In this piece I will focus on what I think is a central aspect of Albert Camus’s thinking, embodied in the distinction he makes in The Rebel between rebel and revolutionary. His is a philosophy of rebellion and he thinks that revolutions are a distorted expression of our need to rebel against that which we cannot accept. His views should serve as a counterpoint to those who think that an all-or-nothing approach to social change is desirable (those who, for instance, are too quick to justify murderous campaigns allegedly aimed at justice). And the issue here is not that embodied crudely in the reactionary (or conservative)/radical dichotomy. Rather, it is a defence of the need to rebel within limits, not so much to preserve the old against the threat of the new but, instead, to preserve basic human decency from the dark side of outrage, without dismissing what is crucial about outrage and emancipatory struggles.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305721 , vital:58606 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2019.1574085"
- Description: In this piece I will focus on what I think is a central aspect of Albert Camus’s thinking, embodied in the distinction he makes in The Rebel between rebel and revolutionary. His is a philosophy of rebellion and he thinks that revolutions are a distorted expression of our need to rebel against that which we cannot accept. His views should serve as a counterpoint to those who think that an all-or-nothing approach to social change is desirable (those who, for instance, are too quick to justify murderous campaigns allegedly aimed at justice). And the issue here is not that embodied crudely in the reactionary (or conservative)/radical dichotomy. Rather, it is a defence of the need to rebel within limits, not so much to preserve the old against the threat of the new but, instead, to preserve basic human decency from the dark side of outrage, without dismissing what is crucial about outrage and emancipatory struggles.
- Full Text:
Remedies, repentance and the doctrine of election in South African contract law
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186712 , vital:44527 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1a756528b2"
- Description: One of the main features of South Africa’s law on remedies for breach of contract is the doctrine of election. In cases where a major breach has occurred, or a cancellation clause entitles the aggrieved party to seek cancellation, the aggrieved party has an election either to cancel or to claim performance, and will be held to that binary choice. In Primat Construction CC v Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality the Supreme Court of Appeal recently recognised an exception to the usual election rule, specifically in cases involving repudiation. In terms of the ‘repentance principle’, a party who experiences repudiation may initially seek performance in the hope that the breaching party will repent of their breach; but if it does not, the aggrieved party may then change its mind and seek cancellation. This essay considers the history of the doctrine of election and the path to the recognition of its qualifier, the repentance principle. Thereafter, the essay poses the question whether it remains desirable for the strict doctrine of election to continue to apply in South African law, bearing in mind that a strict election can have an unduly constraining effect on the interests of the non-breaching (or ‘innocent’) party. This analysis is informed by the broader policy considerations behind the recognition of the repentance principle; the fact that other analogous exceptions to the election rule do exist; and the fact that other jurisdictions do not adopt such a strict approach to the aggrieved party’s choice of remedy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186712 , vital:44527 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1a756528b2"
- Description: One of the main features of South Africa’s law on remedies for breach of contract is the doctrine of election. In cases where a major breach has occurred, or a cancellation clause entitles the aggrieved party to seek cancellation, the aggrieved party has an election either to cancel or to claim performance, and will be held to that binary choice. In Primat Construction CC v Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality the Supreme Court of Appeal recently recognised an exception to the usual election rule, specifically in cases involving repudiation. In terms of the ‘repentance principle’, a party who experiences repudiation may initially seek performance in the hope that the breaching party will repent of their breach; but if it does not, the aggrieved party may then change its mind and seek cancellation. This essay considers the history of the doctrine of election and the path to the recognition of its qualifier, the repentance principle. Thereafter, the essay poses the question whether it remains desirable for the strict doctrine of election to continue to apply in South African law, bearing in mind that a strict election can have an unduly constraining effect on the interests of the non-breaching (or ‘innocent’) party. This analysis is informed by the broader policy considerations behind the recognition of the repentance principle; the fact that other analogous exceptions to the election rule do exist; and the fact that other jurisdictions do not adopt such a strict approach to the aggrieved party’s choice of remedy.
- Full Text:
Research for the people, by the people: The political practice of cognitive justice and transformative learning in environmental social movements
- Authors: Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392177 , vital:68728 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205611"
- Description: This paper describes how Changing Practice courses, developed by environmental activists in South Africa and based on social learning practice, have seeded cognitive justice action. For the educator-activists who facilitated these courses, it became apparent that we needed a bold emancipatory pedagogy which included cognitive justice issues. This enabled us and the activist-researcher participants to understand the extent to which local, indigenous, and spiritual knowledge had been excluded from water governance. The paper investigates how participants in the ‘Water and Tradition’ change project, established by the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA, engaged with cognitive justice, to demonstrate how African spiritual practice offers a re-visioning of the natural world. Finally, using the tools of critical realist theory, the paper reviews how VEJA bring about transformative social action through their participation in the Changing Practice course.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392177 , vital:68728 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205611"
- Description: This paper describes how Changing Practice courses, developed by environmental activists in South Africa and based on social learning practice, have seeded cognitive justice action. For the educator-activists who facilitated these courses, it became apparent that we needed a bold emancipatory pedagogy which included cognitive justice issues. This enabled us and the activist-researcher participants to understand the extent to which local, indigenous, and spiritual knowledge had been excluded from water governance. The paper investigates how participants in the ‘Water and Tradition’ change project, established by the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA, engaged with cognitive justice, to demonstrate how African spiritual practice offers a re-visioning of the natural world. Finally, using the tools of critical realist theory, the paper reviews how VEJA bring about transformative social action through their participation in the Changing Practice course.
- Full Text:
Risk assessment to interpret the physiological host range of Hydrellia egeriae, a biocontrol agent for Egeria densa
- Smith, Rosalie, Mangan, Rosie, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Smith, Rosalie , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418053 , vital:71504 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09942-4"
- Description: Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged macrophyte native to South America. It forms part of a new suite of invasive aquatic plants that has benefited from open nutrient-rich freshwater systems following the successful biological control of floating aquatic plants in South Africa. The specificity of the leaf-mining fly, Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) was tested, using traditional laboratory host-specificity testing (i.e., no-choice and paired choice). Only one non-target species, Lagarosiphon major Deeming (Hydrocharitaceae) supported larval development during pair-choice tests. In order to avoid the rejection of a safe and potentially effective agent, continuation (i.e., multiple generations) tests were conducted to measure the ability of the non-target species to nutritionally support a population indefinitely. None of these species could sustain a viable agent population for more than three generations. Laboratory host-specificity tests are limited as they exempt certain insect-host behaviours. To enhance the interpretation of host-specificity results, a risk assessment was conducted using agent preference (i.e., choice tests) and performance (i.e., choice and continuation tests) results. The feeding and reproductive risk that H. egeriae poses to non-target species is below 2%. Based on these findings, permission for its release in South Africa has been obtained.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, Rosalie , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418053 , vital:71504 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09942-4"
- Description: Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged macrophyte native to South America. It forms part of a new suite of invasive aquatic plants that has benefited from open nutrient-rich freshwater systems following the successful biological control of floating aquatic plants in South Africa. The specificity of the leaf-mining fly, Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) was tested, using traditional laboratory host-specificity testing (i.e., no-choice and paired choice). Only one non-target species, Lagarosiphon major Deeming (Hydrocharitaceae) supported larval development during pair-choice tests. In order to avoid the rejection of a safe and potentially effective agent, continuation (i.e., multiple generations) tests were conducted to measure the ability of the non-target species to nutritionally support a population indefinitely. None of these species could sustain a viable agent population for more than three generations. Laboratory host-specificity tests are limited as they exempt certain insect-host behaviours. To enhance the interpretation of host-specificity results, a risk assessment was conducted using agent preference (i.e., choice tests) and performance (i.e., choice and continuation tests) results. The feeding and reproductive risk that H. egeriae poses to non-target species is below 2%. Based on these findings, permission for its release in South Africa has been obtained.
- Full Text:
Short term stability testing of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) dispersions
- Makoni, Pedzisai A, Kasongo, Kasongo W, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Kasongo, Kasongo W , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183492 , vital:44000 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080397"
- Description: The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the first time. Glyceryl monostearate and Transcutol® HP were used as the solid and liquid lipids. Tween® 80 was used to stabilize the lipid nanocarriers. A Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the optimum operating and production conditions viz., 1100 bar for 3 cycles for the solid lipid nanoparticles and 1500 bar for 5 cycles for nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized nanocarriers were predicted to exhibit 10% efavirenz loading with 3% and 4% Tween® 80 for solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, respectively. Characterization of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier formulations in relation to shape, surface morphology, polymorphism, crystallinity and compatibility revealed stable formulations with particle sizes in the nanometer range had been produced. The nanocarriers had excellent efavirenz loading with the encapsulation efficiency >90%. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited biphasic in vitro release patterns with an initial burst release during the initial 0–3 h followed by sustained release over a 24 h period The colloidal systems showed excellent stability in terms of Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency when stored for 8 weeks at 25 °C/60% RH in comparison to when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. The formulations manufactured using the optimized conditions and composition proved to be physically stable as aqueous dispersions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Kasongo, Kasongo W , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183492 , vital:44000 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080397"
- Description: The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the first time. Glyceryl monostearate and Transcutol® HP were used as the solid and liquid lipids. Tween® 80 was used to stabilize the lipid nanocarriers. A Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the optimum operating and production conditions viz., 1100 bar for 3 cycles for the solid lipid nanoparticles and 1500 bar for 5 cycles for nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized nanocarriers were predicted to exhibit 10% efavirenz loading with 3% and 4% Tween® 80 for solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, respectively. Characterization of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier formulations in relation to shape, surface morphology, polymorphism, crystallinity and compatibility revealed stable formulations with particle sizes in the nanometer range had been produced. The nanocarriers had excellent efavirenz loading with the encapsulation efficiency >90%. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited biphasic in vitro release patterns with an initial burst release during the initial 0–3 h followed by sustained release over a 24 h period The colloidal systems showed excellent stability in terms of Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency when stored for 8 weeks at 25 °C/60% RH in comparison to when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. The formulations manufactured using the optimized conditions and composition proved to be physically stable as aqueous dispersions.
- Full Text:
Simulated global increases in atmospheric CO2 alter the tissue composition, but not the growth of some submerged aquatic plant bicarbonate users growing in DIC rich waters
- Hussner, Andreas, Smith, Rosali, Mettler-Altmann, Tabea, Hill, Martin P, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Hussner, Andreas , Smith, Rosali , Mettler-Altmann, Tabea , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419388 , vital:71640 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2018.11.009"
- Description: Current global change scenarios predict an increase in atmospheric CO2 from the current 380 ppm to a value ranging from 540 ppm to 960 ppm by the year 2100. The effects of three air CO2 levels (400, 600 and 800 ppm) on five submerged aquatic plants that utilize HCO3− were studied, using the elevated CO2 Open Top Chamber facility at Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa). Plants grew in water with two different initial dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mM. Overall, the growth rates and biomass allocation to roots were not affected by the initial DIC and air CO2, even though differences between the species were found. Furthermore, no overall effects were found on net photosynthesis, chlorophyll and starch content, even though significant effects of CO2 and DIC were observed in some species. In contrast, with increasing DIC and air CO2 a significant global decline in leaf nitrogen content linked with an increased C:N molar ratio was observed. The results indicate that submerged aquatic HCO3− users will be less affected by atmospheric CO2 increases when growing in DIC rich waters, in comparison to obligate CO2 users growing under CO2 limiting conditions as documented in previous studies. However, the changes found in plant nitrogen illustrate that atmospheric CO2 increases will affect nitrogen absorption by submerged plants, with subsequent ecosystem level effects.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hussner, Andreas , Smith, Rosali , Mettler-Altmann, Tabea , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419388 , vital:71640 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2018.11.009"
- Description: Current global change scenarios predict an increase in atmospheric CO2 from the current 380 ppm to a value ranging from 540 ppm to 960 ppm by the year 2100. The effects of three air CO2 levels (400, 600 and 800 ppm) on five submerged aquatic plants that utilize HCO3− were studied, using the elevated CO2 Open Top Chamber facility at Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa). Plants grew in water with two different initial dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mM. Overall, the growth rates and biomass allocation to roots were not affected by the initial DIC and air CO2, even though differences between the species were found. Furthermore, no overall effects were found on net photosynthesis, chlorophyll and starch content, even though significant effects of CO2 and DIC were observed in some species. In contrast, with increasing DIC and air CO2 a significant global decline in leaf nitrogen content linked with an increased C:N molar ratio was observed. The results indicate that submerged aquatic HCO3− users will be less affected by atmospheric CO2 increases when growing in DIC rich waters, in comparison to obligate CO2 users growing under CO2 limiting conditions as documented in previous studies. However, the changes found in plant nitrogen illustrate that atmospheric CO2 increases will affect nitrogen absorption by submerged plants, with subsequent ecosystem level effects.
- Full Text:
Species succession and the development of a lacustrine fish community in an ephemeral lake
- Peel, Richard A, Hill, Jaclyn M, Taylor, Geraldine C, Tweddle, Denis, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Peel, Richard A , Hill, Jaclyn M , Taylor, Geraldine C , Tweddle, Denis , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444704 , vital:74261 , https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14081
- Description: Here, we present a gillnet survey of Lake Liambezi a 370 km2 shallow ephemeral floodplain lake situated in north‐eastern Namibia, which is fed irregularly by the upper Zambezi and Kwando Rivers during years of high flooding. The lake dried up in 1985 and, with the exception of sporadic minor annual inundation events, remained dry until 2007. We describe the temporal succession of fish species over an 8 year period from initial inundation 2007 to maturation in 2014. The succession of the fish community did not follow the typical pattern of opportunistic strategists during colonisation, to periodic strategists that are eventually succeeded by equilibrium strategists. Instead, the evolution of the fish community was characterised by three distinct phases. The first phase involved the inundation and colonisation of the lake in 2007, followed by its decline until the floods that filled the lake in 2009. During this phase the lake was colonised by fishes from the adjacent upper Zambezi and Chobe River floodplains.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Peel, Richard A , Hill, Jaclyn M , Taylor, Geraldine C , Tweddle, Denis , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444704 , vital:74261 , https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14081
- Description: Here, we present a gillnet survey of Lake Liambezi a 370 km2 shallow ephemeral floodplain lake situated in north‐eastern Namibia, which is fed irregularly by the upper Zambezi and Kwando Rivers during years of high flooding. The lake dried up in 1985 and, with the exception of sporadic minor annual inundation events, remained dry until 2007. We describe the temporal succession of fish species over an 8 year period from initial inundation 2007 to maturation in 2014. The succession of the fish community did not follow the typical pattern of opportunistic strategists during colonisation, to periodic strategists that are eventually succeeded by equilibrium strategists. Instead, the evolution of the fish community was characterised by three distinct phases. The first phase involved the inundation and colonisation of the lake in 2007, followed by its decline until the floods that filled the lake in 2009. During this phase the lake was colonised by fishes from the adjacent upper Zambezi and Chobe River floodplains.
- Full Text:
Spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of alkyl thio substituted binuclear phthalocyanines
- Makinde, Zainab O, Louzada, Marcel S, Britton, Jonathan, Nyokong, Tebello, Khene, Samson M
- Authors: Makinde, Zainab O , Louzada, Marcel S , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello , Khene, Samson M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187485 , vital:44661 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.10.022"
- Description: This work presents the spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of metal free binuclear and monomeric 4- (pentylthio)phthalocyanine and cobalt 4,5-(bipentylthio)phthalocyanine. Second order nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) values for the complexes were determined and compared.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makinde, Zainab O , Louzada, Marcel S , Britton, Jonathan , Nyokong, Tebello , Khene, Samson M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187485 , vital:44661 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.10.022"
- Description: This work presents the spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of metal free binuclear and monomeric 4- (pentylthio)phthalocyanine and cobalt 4,5-(bipentylthio)phthalocyanine. Second order nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) values for the complexes were determined and compared.
- Full Text: