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Despite the fact that the Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) leads to high morbidity and mortality (up to 100%), antiviral drugs against PPRV are not available. The aim of this study was to estimate the dose of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) co-administered with zinc (II) ions as an antiviral agent against PPRV. Treatment of PPRV-infectedVero cells with EGCG and zinc sulfate (zinc II) was administered, and antiviral activities against PPRV in infected Vero cells was evaluated by determination of virus yields, expressed as logTCID50/mL. Cytotoxicity was determined using the tetrazolium-based MTS test. Zinc sulfate at 1.1 mg/mL and EGCG at 25 μM showed low potentiated and potentiated antiviral activities against PPRV, respectively. These agents caused significant inhibition of PPRV in Vero cells (p

Background and Aim: Paracetamol (PCM) ingestion is one of the most frequent global causes of toxicity. Salvadora persica L. is a plant that among many other effects exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. In this study, we investigated the possible protective effect of S. persica aqueous extract in the PCM overdose-induced liver and kidney injury and hematological changes in a mice model. Materials and Methods: Mice were given PCM with and without S. persica pretreatment. Blood cell counts and liver and kidney function biomarkers were measured. Liver and kidney samples were histologically examined. Results: A single overdose of PCM caused significant elevations of alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphate, bilirubin, urea, uric acid, and creatinine compared with the control group. In addition, PCM toxicity significantly lowered red blood cell count but insignificantly increased both white blood cell and platelet counts in comparison to the control mice. Pretreatment with S. persica significantly prevented PCM-induced changes in hepatic and renal biomarkers. S. persica also caused marked reversal of hematological changes. Histologically, the liver and kidney showed inflammation and necrosis after PCM treatment, which were significantly reduced in mice pretreated with S. persica. Conclusion: Taken together, S. persica significantly inhibited PCM-induced renal, hepatic, and hematological toxicity, pointing to its possible use in the treatment of liver and renal disorders.

Background and Aim: Despite the availability of antidiabetic drugs, they are not free from associated adverse side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of oral administration of seeds from two medicinal plants: (1) Milk thistle and (2) fenugreek. Materials and Methods: Plant seeds were washed in distilled water and ground with a coffee grinder. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in 20 male albino rats. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Group 1 (n=10), diabetic rats fed with 0.5 g/kg milk thistle and 2 g/kg fenugreek seeds per day and (2) Group 2 (n=10), diabetic rats fed standard rodent food for 4 weeks. Results: Oral administration of milk thistle and fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvement in body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, this ameliorative effect was significantly elevated with respect to blood glucose (155.00±9.70 mg/ dL vs. 427.50±5.70 mg/dL; p

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase. We investigated the effects of Subcutaneous (SC) glucose administration on the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GKS-3) isomers (α and β) genes in the cerebral cortex of mice with the aim of determining the possible mechanism(s) involved in mitochondrial dysfunction induced by hyperglycemia. Adult male BALB/c mice were treated with 12 gm/kg glucose solution SC once daily for 3 days. Ultrastructure study, histopathological analysis, and Real-time PCR investigations were carried out on the cerebral cortex from glucose treated mice and from vehicle-treated control animals. We observed significant ultrastructural damage of mitochondria in the cerebral cortex of mice received high doses of glucose. Histopathological alterations in the cortex of these animals were also detected. A significant increased of GSK-3α gene expression and decreased expressions of GKS-3β gene in high glucose treated animals were noticed. The hyperglycemia-induced ultrastructural changes may occur via modulation of gene expression of GSK-3 isomers, and we hypothesize this as an early etiopathological factor in hyperglycemia-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). It considered the first study describing "modulation of expression of GSK-3 isomer genes" as a possible mechanism of hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background Currently, the management of SARS-CoV-2 varies with no definitive clinical guidelines, as scientific evidence across the globe differs in therapeutic options. This study intended to provide some clarity to the insufficient data based on the role of monotherapy with tocilizumab (TCZ) and combination therapy with remdesivir (RDV) and TCZ among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in El Paso, Texas. We evaluated the use of each therapy in the presence of steroids as the standard of care. Methods One hundred and fifty-four SARS-CoV-2-infected patients from four different medical centers in El Paso, Texas, were screened, with 113 eligible for this longitudinal comparative observational study (February 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020). Group 1 (80 patients) received TCZ in the first 24 hours following admission, then methylprednisolone for the next 72 hours and group 2 (33 patients) were given TCZ as detailed in the single therapy group, plus RDV within the first 24 hours. Mann Whitney U test assessed median differences in laboratory biomarkers and Bivariate Logistic Regression assessed the odds of risk. An observation is considered statistically significant when P-value is ≤0.05. Results Patients in group 1 had a statistically significant lower odds for ventilation use than group 2 (OR=0.34, 95%CI=0.12-0.95, p=0.034), although no statistically significant difference in mortality outcomes was observed across groups (OR=0.43, 95%CI:0.13-1.39, p=0.269). Conclusions We concluded that the use of TCZ in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in El Paso, with or without RDV, reported no mortality benefit. However, some minimal/non-use of ventilation benefit was observed in group 1. Nonetheless, a randomized controlled trial study is recommended to ultimately determine the combination role of TCZ and RDV among this highly vulnerable group of patients.

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated to worse outcome. There is a great need for a non-invasive diagnostic modality to detect and evaluate the severity of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). 99mTc-PulmoBind is a novel imaging agent that binds to the adrenomedullin (AM) receptor on the pulmonary microvascular endothelium. SPECT imaging employing the endothelial cell tracer 99mTc-PulmoBind was used to assess PVD associated with lung fibrosis. Methods Rats with selective right lung bleomycin-induced fibrosis were compared to control rats. SPECT imaging was performed after three weeks with 99mTc-PulmoBind and 99mTc-macroaggregates of albumin (MAA). PH and right ventricular (RV) function were assessed by echocardiography. Lung perfusion was evaluated by fluorescent microangiography. Lung AM receptor expression was measured by qPCR and by immunohistology. Relevance to human IPF was explored by measuring AM receptor expression in lung biopsies from IPF patients and healthy controls. Results The bleomycin group developed preferential right lung fibrosis with remodeling and reduced perfusion as assessed with fluorescent microangiography. These rats developed PH with RV hypertrophy and dysfunction. 99mTc-PulmoBind uptake was selectively reduced by 50% in the right lung and associated with reduced AM receptor expression, PH and RV hypertrophy. AM receptor was co-expressed with the endothelial cell protein CD31 in alveolar capillaries, and markedly reduced after bleomycin. Quantitative dynamic analysis of 99mTc-PulmoBind uptake in comparison to 99mTc-MAA revealed that the latter distributed only according to flow, with about 60% increased left lung uptake while left lung uptake of 99mTc-PulmoBind was not affected. Lung from human IPF patients showed important reduction in AM receptor expression closely associated with CD31. Conclusions SPECT imaging with 99mTc-PulmoBind detects PVD and its severity in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Reduced AM receptor expression in human IPF supports further clinical development of this imaging approach.

Avian influenza (AI) has become a disease of great importance for human and animal health. Beside adverse side effects, there is resistance mutation for about all the conventional drugs that target viral proteins. This study aimed to evaluate antiviral activity of silver nanoparticles combined with epigallocatechingallate (EGCG-AgNPs) and co-administered with zinc sulphate (Zn+2) as alternative treatment strategy to control AI H9N2. EGCG conjugated silver nanoparticles (EGCG-AgNPs) were synthesized. Virus propagation was performed using embryonated Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) hen's eggs. Viral EID50 titers were determined before and after treatments. The antiviral activity was determined as Log virucidal reduction. A commercial tetrazolium MTS assay kit was used to determine cytotoxicity. Results showed that 50 μM EGCG was the most significant concentration reduced the logEID50/mL of AI H9N2. Co-treatment with zinc sulphate (1.3 mg/mL) increased the EGCG antiviral effect. The most effective antiviral activity was obtained when combined EGCG-AgNPs with zinc sulphate with the greatest virucidal log reduction. No cytotoxic effect in Vero cells was observed among all of these forms at concentrations of interest used in this study. In conclusion, the topical application of EGCG-AgNPs/ZnSO4 demands additional antiviral strategies against H9N2 AI. This combination may prevent virus transmission, inhibit virus replication within neighboring cells and inhibit microbial resistance by making microbial adaptability very difficult.

Background: This study investigates the inclusion complex of curcumin (CMN) enhance the solubility, which can be utilized for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) greater to free CMN. Methods: CMN solid dispersion (SD) prepared by a hot melt method using CMN with several carriers of poloxamers (P-407 and P-188), gelucire 50/13 (GLR) and mannitol (MNT). Prior, molecular modelling and phase solubility studieswere performed with drug and carriers. The SD characterized by in vitrodrug release, SEM and functionalize dyeing test. Additionally, the cytotoxicity and image of apoptosisresolved to utilize the colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines. Results: The result showed that CMN-P-407 inclusion complex produced significant properties towards solubility (318 ± 14.46 fold) and dissolution (91 ± 0.431% at 30 min). Similarly, these data fit with insilico model. The IC50 value for inclusion complex found to be 74 and 52 µM/mL, while that for free CMN ranged from 146 and 116 µM/mL on the SW480 and Caco-2 cells respectively. Apoptosis study described that the cells are undergoing cell death by apoptosis and the small number of necrosis. Conclusion: The profound efficiency of CMN-P-407 SD indicated its potential application for CRC treatment by showing a higher capability of inhibiting cell growth compared to that of free CMN.

The aim of current study was to identify human phase I metabolites of omeprazole using mass spectrometry. An in-vitro assay was performed to generate metabolites by human liver enzymes. Fragmentation pathway of omeprazole was studied for the structure elucidation of metabolite by MS/MS and MS3 method using previously detected fragments. The base peak of omeprazole with m/z 198 was used for a precursor ion scan to detect possible metabolites containing m/z 198 as a fragment. Additional metabolites should be detected by the loss of a typical neutral group using m/z 148 for the offset of a neutral loss scan. The detected precursor ions (m/z 316, 330, 332, 346, 362) were analyzed by enhanced product ion scan in order to receive a mass spectrum for the comparison with the fragmentation of omeprazole. The three reactions (oxidation, reduction of the Sulphur and demethylation) were observed as phase I reactions.

Endothelial dysfunction is a core pathophysiologic process in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We developed PulmoBind (PB), a novel imaging biomarker of the pulmonary vascular endothelium. 99mTechnetium (99mTc)-labelled PB binds to adrenomedullin receptors (AM1) densely expressed in the endothelium of alveolar capillaries. We evaluated the effect of sildenafil on AM1 receptors activity using 99mTc-PB. PAH was induced in rats using the Sugen/hypoxia model and after 3 weeks, animals were allocated to sildenafil (25 or 100 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. 99mTc-PB uptake kinetics was assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography. PAH caused right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy that was decreased by low and high sildenafil doses. Sildenafil low and high dose also improved RV function measured from the tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion. Mean integrated pulmonary uptake of 99mTc-PB was reduced in PAH (508% · min ± 37, p 1 receptor components were reduced in PAH and also unaffected by sildenafil. In experimental angio-proliferative PAH, sildenafil improves RV dysfunction and remodeling, but does not modify pulmonary vascular endothelium dysfunction assessed by the adrenomedullin receptor ligand 99mTc-PB.

Background Allograft rejection that occurs after renal transplants is identified by surveillance biopsies or by abnormal laboratory and/or hemodynamic data. The latter are insensitive markers of rejection that may not appear until significant histologic damage has already occurred. Therefore, a sensitive and specific non-invasive method of detecting early rejection of transplanted solid organs is needed. Method A single canine renal allograft was implanted followed by bilateral nephrectomy. Bipolar pacing electrodes were implanted at each end of the transplanted kidney. A second set of electrodes was implanted in the liver, which served as a non-rejecting normal organ. Electrodes were connected to an implantable sensor placed in the subcutaneous tissue. Electrical tissue impedance levels were telemetrically downloaded daily. The clinical status of the transplanted organ was monitored by following the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, urine output, and clinical appearance. After tissue impedance levels had stabilized, all immunosuppressants were abruptly discontinued. Clinical signs of rejection were then observed after a few days. Results Rejection was accompanied by changes in electrical impedance of the implanted organ. These changes, when observed, occurred 1–5 days before clinical signs of rejection appeared. Conclusion Analyses of these data suggest that development of a minimally-invasive high-confidence sensor of early rejection of solid organ transplants is feasible.

The electron donor properties of the anti-thyroid drug carbimazole towards the soft Lewis acid I2 and the hard hydrogen-bond donor 4-fluorophenol are studied. Diiodine forms only a sulfur coordinated charge-transfer complex with carbimazole (formation constant ca. 1400 dm3 mol–1 in CCl4), while 4-fluorophenol forms both sulfur and carbonyl hydrogen-bonded complexes (formation constants respectively ca. 21 and 5 dm3 mol–1 in CCl4). The lesser hard basicity of carbimazole, and probably also propylthiouracil, compared to methimazole might validate the inactivation of thyroid peroxidase by means of a competitive coordination of these drugs to the ferric site of the enzyme.

The dipole moments of carbimazole and methimazole are respectively 4.30 D (in benzene) and 5.43 D (in dioxane). The 4.30 D value and the solvent variation of the two carbonyl bands of carbimazole in the IR spectrum are consistent with a Z⇌E conformational equilibrium. Polar solvents stabilize the more polar Z conformer and, whereas carbimazole exists about 90% in the E form in heptane and CCl4, it is almost entirely in the Z form in water. In CCl4 the energy difference between the Z and E isomers, determined from the ratio of the intensities of the two carbonyl bands, is found to be 9.6 kJ mol–1, and is in good agreement with 6-31G** calculations.

The ingestion of drug products with alcohol can have an adverse effect on drug levels in a patient's blood. The Food and Drug Agency (FDA) issued an alert in 2005 after hydromorphone was withdrawn from the market after clinical trials showed ingestion with alcohol to potentially result in lethal drug peak plasma concentrations. The potential impact of alcohol on extended release (ER) tablet matrices and the need to develop ER matrices robust to alcohol effects has then been of interest. This study investigated the compaction properties of polyols and their effect on drug release. Polyols (erythritol, xylitol, mannitol and maltitol) with increasing hydroxyl groups were used as diluents for HPMC matrices containing theophylline. Release profiles were determined in pH 1.2 and 6.8 dissolution media with hydro-alcoholic concentrations of 5-40%. Increases in the polyols' hydroxyl groups brought about an increase in tablet strength and a decrease in the drug release rates. This is likely due to stronger bond formation with increasing hydroxyls. The impact of alcohol on drug release was studied further for maltitol formulations. Maltitol was resilient to the presence of ethanol (5-40% v/v) at pH 1.2 (f2= 57-74) but not at pH 6.8 (f2= 36-48). Drug release was not different above 5% alcohol concentration at pH 6.8. The results of this in vitro study suggest that ethanol concentrations as high as 40% do not substantially alter the drug release properties of theophylline from maltitol matrix tablets. However, care and consideration should be given to the choice of polyol or mixture of polyols in obtaining a desired drug release profile. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Objective : All the conserved regions of HIV gp120 have at least some partial homology with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I or class II. One functional similarity is the ability of gp120 and HLA class II to bind CD4. Given the close association between HIV-induced disease and the amount of immune activation and anergy, features closely associated with chronic allogenic stimulation, we asked whether gp120 shared any other properties of HLA, in this case the ability to bind peptides. Design : T-cell epitope peptides known to bind to soluble HLA class I or class II were photolabelled and made radioactive. Cross-linking of modified peptides to soluble HLA class I, II and gp120 was activated by ultraviolet light and analysed by sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results : A signal peptide binding to HLA class I and a haemagglutinin peptide that binds to HLA class II were found to bind soluble gp120 specifically ; binding and cross-linking could be competed out with excess of the unmodified peptides but not unrelated control peptides. Molecular modelling of gp120 suggests shared anchor sites for peptides binding to both HLA and gp120 soluble molecules. Conclusions : The ability to bind these two peptides suggests that gp120 has a peptide-binding site of broad specificity, which if functional in vivo, could compete with normal peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and/or class II peptides, as well as aberrantly stimulate the T-cell receptor (by virtue of its potential to be mistaken for an allogenic MHC/peptide complex), resulting in immune activation, anergy and apoptosis in susceptible hosts.

The photocatalytic degradation of two nitrogenous organic compounds, methylamine CH3NH2 and dimethylamine (CH3)2NH, used in pharmaceutical and chemical industries was investigated in the presence of UV-irradiated TiO2 aqueous suspensions. Different parameters were studied: adsorption under dark and UV-A conditions, photolysis, kinetics of degradation, and chemical pathway of methylamine (MA) and dimethylamine (DMA) degradation. The percentage of covered OH in the dark was equal for different concentrations of MA and DMA. The adsorption isotherms of these two amine compounds MA and DMA follow the Langmuir model. The photocatalytic oxidation kinetics of MA and DMA are described by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model with a first order kinetics for concentrations below 0.5 mmol L−1, and then reach a plateau. For both MA and DMA, the coverage rates of the TiO2 surface in the dark and under illuminated conditions were different. The nitrogen atoms were decomposed mainly to ammonium (NH4+). Nitrite (NO2−) was also formed but was rapidly oxidized to nitrate (NO3−). MA was detected as an intermediate product during the degradation of DMA. Formic acid (HCOOH), and two other products not identified were detected. These non-identified products do not correspond to formamide. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis shows the presence of final slightly mineralised intermediate compounds.

The new diiodine basicity scale pK(BI2) is quasi-orthogonal to most known Lewis basicity scales (hydrogen-bond, dative-bond and cation basicity scales). The diiodine basicity falls in the sequence N>P approximate to Se>S>I approximate to O> Br>Cl>F for the iodine-bond acceptor atomic site and SbO approximate to NO approximate to AsO> SeO>PO>SO>C=O>O−(-) >SO2 or PS >> S−(-)>C=S >> N=C=S for the functionality of oxygen or sulfur bases. Substituent effects are quantified through linear free energy relationships, which allow the calculation of individual complexation constants for each site of polybases and thus the classification of aromatic ethers as carbon pi bases and of aromatic amines, thioethers and selenoethers as N, S and Se bases, respectively. The pK(BI2) values of nBu(3)N(+) -N-C N, 2-aminopyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline reveal a superbasic nitrile, a hydrogen-bond-assisted iodine bond and a two-centre iodine bond, respectively. The diiodine basicity scale is a general inorganic but family-dependent organic halogen-bond basicity scale because organic halogen-bond donors such as IC N and ICF3 have a stronger electrostatic character than I-2. The family independence can be restored by the addition of an electrostatic parameter, either the experimental pK(BHX) hydrogen-bond basicity scale or the computed minimum electrostatic potential.

Bioresponsive polymers may effectively be utilized to enhance the circulation time and stability of biologically active proteins and peptides, while reducing their immunogenicity and toxicity. Recently, dextrin-epidermal growth factor (EGF) conjugates, which make use of the Polymer-masked UnMasked Protein Therapy (PUMPT) concept, have been developed and shown potential as modulators of impaired wound healing. This study investigated the potential of PUMPT using hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates to mask activity and enhance protein stability, while allowing restoration of biological activity following triggered degradation. HA fragments (Mw similar to 90,000 g/mol), obtained by acid hydrolysis of Rooster comb HA, were conjugated to trypsin as a model enzyme or to EGF as a model growth factor. Conjugates contained 2.45 and 0.98% (w/w) trypsin or EGF, respectively, and contained

Radon, radioactive natural gas resulting from the disintegration of Uranium and Thorium, is present in subsoil water as well as the air and building materials. Though it is present at weak concentrations, its inhalation increases to the exposure of the man to the radiation. The radon concentration varies with space, climatic conditions, etc… This paper focuses on modelling effect of the temperature on the diffusion and the advection of the radon gas in a habitat during different times of the day. The model is based on Navier‐Stokes, energy and concentration equations. The results show that: 1) Temperature accelerate the radon transfer especially when a vertical thermal gradient is applied to the opposite walls, 2) Recirculation zones appear against the wall. These zones should be removed to eliminate the stagnant ones and 3) Varying the dose of the source in time doesn’t affect the diffusion‐convection behaviour of radon but eliminates the recirculation zones

Two new sterically demanding bis(imino)bipyridine ligands, 6,6'-{(2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3))N=R}(2)C(10)H(6)N(2) (R = H (L1), Me (L2)), have been prepared in high yield by the condensation reaction of 2,6-diisopropylaniline with 6,6'-(O=R)(2)C(10)H(6)N(2) (R = H, Me). Palladium(0)-mediated cross coupling of 2-(Bu(3)Sn)-6-{C(Me)OCH(2)CH(2)O}C(5)H(3)N with 2-Br-6-{C(Me)OCH(2)CH(2)O}C(5)H(3)N, followed by an acid-mediated deprotection, has been employed as an efficient route to the precursor 6,6'-bis(acetyl)-2,2'-bipyridine. Reaction of aldimino L1 with two equivalents of MX(2) [MX(2) = ZnCl(2), NiCl(2) or (DME)NiBr(2)] in n-BuOH at elevated temperature gives the five-coordinate mononuclear complexes [(L1)MX(2)] (M = Zn, X = Cl 1; M = Ni, X = Cl 2a; M = Ni, X = Br 2b) as the sole products, in which one imine group is bound and the other uncoordinated (endo-exo). In the case of diamagnetic 1, VT (1)H NMR spectroscopy reveals a fast exchange process operating between the two possible forms of the endo-exo isomer which is likely to proceed via an exo-exo intermediate (DeltaH(double dagger)(interconversion) = 35.6 +/- 1.5 kJ mol(-1), DeltaG(double dagger)(298) = 47.4 +/- 3.3 kJ mol(-1)). In contrast, treatment of ketimino L2 with MCl(2) (MCl(2) = ZnCl(2) or NiCl(2)) affords bimetallic [(L2)Zn(2)Cl(4)] (4) and the six-coordinate monometallic species [(L2)NiCl(2)] (5), respectively; in 4, L2 adopts a bis(bidentate) bonding mode (endo-endo) while in 5 it acts as tetradentate ligand (endo-endo). Prolonged standing of 1 in chlorinated solvents results in partial hydrolysis and the formation of the 6-imino-6'-formyl-2,2'-bipyridine zinc complex, [(6-{(2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3))N=Me)-6'-(CH=)C(10)H(6)N(2))ZnCl(2)] (3) (endo-imine, exo-formyl). Single crystal X-ray structures are reported for L1,1 , 2a, 3, 4 and 5.

The objective of this work was to understand the product variability due to size and other characteristics of the SNEDDS by utilizing near infrared (NIR) and chemometric analysis, as well as several other well-known procedures. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the efficient self-emulsification region using CyA solutions in sweet orange oil (oily phase), Emulphor EL-620 (surfactant), and Capmul MCM-C8 (cosurfactant). The formulated SNEDDS were characterized by droplet size, turbidity, zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Drug release studies were performed by dissolution in conjunction with turbidimetry. Permeability studies were performed in a Franz diffusion cell assembly. The results indicated an optimum surfactant to cosurfactant ratio of 2:1. Above this ratio, the resultant nanoemulsions had a particle size of 10 nm and turbidity of 10 nephlometric units (NTU). All the prepared systems were positively charged. The FTIR spectra and the DSC thermograms obtained showed no incompatibility between the SNEDDS ingredients. Turbidity time profiles revealed three distinctive regions: lag phase, plateau, and pseudolinear phase. Emulsification rate was obtained from the corrected slope of the pseudolinear phase of the profile. Permeability data indicated that the product variability is more with smaller droplet size. The size of the droplets showed good correlation with NIR spectral data by partial least square (PLS) regression plots. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the ability to understand the impact of nanodroplets size on the SNEDDS variability by different product analyzing tools.

In situ hybridization is a method for detecting specific nucleic acid sequences within individual cells. This technique permits visualization of viral nucleic acid or gene expression in individual cells within their histologic context. In situ hybridization is based on the complementary binding of a labeled nucleic acid probe to complementary sequences in cells or tissue sections, followed by visualization of target sequences within the cells. It has been used widely for the detection of viral nucleic acid sequences within individual cells. This review will define the technical approaches of in situ hybridization and its current application to detect viral nucleic acids within formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples, with special reference to the Epstein-Barr virus.

Ludwigia genus belongs to family Onagraceae, is an edible medicinal plant and is also used as a vegetable by the local people in Southwestern China. Some species of this plant, has been used as a traditional treatment for edema, nephritis, and hypertension. Phytochemical study of the CH 2 Cl 2 : MeOH (1:1) extract of the aerial parts of Ludwigia stolonifera afforded a megastigmane glycoside named, roseoside. The structure was determined by comprehensive NMR studies including DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC and MS.

The thermodynamic hydrogen-bond basicity scale pKHB(logarithm of the formation constant of 4-flouorophenol–base complexes in CCl4) has been determined for 18 thiocarbonyl bases, mainly thioamides and thioureas, and correlated to a spectroscopic basicity scale, the v(OH) frequency shifts of methanol hydrogen bonded to the same bases. We confirm that the major site for hydrogen bonding is the sulfur atom and that the thiocarbonyl bases are always weaker than the corresponding carbonyl bases on the pKHB scale. Iminology strongly increases hydrogen-bond basicity and the thiourea iminologue Me2NC(Me)NCSNMe2 is the most basic thiorcarbonyl base presently known. The apparently high basicity of secondary cyclic thioamides and thioureas is discussed.

A direct fluorimetric method for determining Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions is described. The nonfluorescent reagent 2-(α-pyridyl)-thioquinaldinamide (PTQA) and Cr(VI) interact to produce an intensely fluorescent species [λex(max) 360 nm; λem(max) 500 nm] showing constant and maximum fluorescence intensity in slightly acidic media (0.18N–1.08N H2SO4). The fluorescence attains its maximum value within 5 min and remains unchanged for 24 h. The system obeys Beer's law from 2 ng/ml to 0.8 μg/ml of Cr(VI). Over sixty cations, anions and complexing agents are without any effect on the fluorimetric determination of 0.1 μg/ml of Cr(VI). The method has been tested with synthetic mixtures, steels, solutions containing both Cr(III) and Cr(VI), and environmental samples.

Human alpha 2-macroglobulin is a tetrameric plasma inhibitor of proteinases. Its dissociation by Cd2+ gives functional dimers. Electron microscopy of negatively stained dimers shows their round-ended cylindrical shape with furrows delimiting 3 main stain-excluding domains. Image processing of electron micrographs shows the existence of 2 main orientations of the dimers on the carbon support film. The dimer is composed of 2 curved monomers linked in a central domain, and related by a 90 degree rotation. Taking into account the known primary structure of alpha 2-macroglobulin and the linkage of the 2 constitutive monomers by 2 disulfide bonds, the molecular organization of the dimer is discussed, extended to the tetrameric molecule and compared to the published models of human alpha 2-macroglobulin.