PHARMACOTECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MULTILAYERED TABLETS: AN UPDATED INDUSTRIAL REVIEW WITH EMPHASIS ON BILAYER TABLETS

Fixed-dose combination formulations are multilayered platforms designed for solving complex medication regimens and overcoming polypharmacy problems especially in chronic diseases with geriatric patients. Multilayered tablets are considered promising avenues to combine different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for a synergic therapeutic effect, or different formulations of the same API in order to achieve a specific drug release profile. Besides, multilayered tablets can extensively help in avoiding possible interactions between different drugs, as well as optimizing each formulation individually in terms of pharmacokinetics and manufacturability. This review article discusses the most suitable materials used in the manufacturing of multilayered tablets, describes novel approaches to manufacturing improvement and process parameters, the influence of process parameters on layer adhesion, and the characterization tests of multilayered tablets

Effect of process parameters on the dynamic behavior of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for electric vehicle applications

This paper presents a dynamic mathematical model for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane “PEM” fuel cell systems to be used for electric vehicle applications. The performance of the fuel cell, depending on the developed model and taking the double layer charging effect into account, is investigated with different process parameters to evaluate their effect on the unit behavior. Thus, it will be easy to develop suitable controllers to regulate the unit operation, which encourages the use of fuel cells especially with electric vehicles applications. The steady-state performance of the fuel cell is verified using a comparison with datasheet data and curves provided by the manufacturer. The results and conclusions introduced in this paper provide a base for further investigation of fuel cells-driven dc motors for electric vehicle

Association of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, severity with electrocardiographic findings, and carotid artery atherosclerosis

Aim The aim was to detect specific ECG changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as well as to study atherosclerotic changes of the carotid arteries as an indicator of cardiovascular system risk factors and to correlate findings with disease activity and severity parameters to elucidate possible associations between these variables. Patients and methods This study included 30 RA patients, 30 age-matched and sex-matched systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers as control groups. The patients were subjected to clinical examination, assessment of disease activity score-28 (DAS28), functional disability Health Assessment Questionnaire, and laboratory and radiological assessments. ECG and measurement of the carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) by carotid ultrasound scan was also done. Results Ten (33.3%) RA patients had ECG abnormalities, with ST or T-wave abnormality being the most common abnormality present. RA patients had the highest frequencies of ECG abnormalities. Most ECG changes occurred in RA patients using steroids (90%). ST or T-wave abnormality in RA occurred more in patients with a higher swollen joint count, higher DAS28, and a higher patients’ global health assessment. RA patients had the highest mean. The mean CIMT was significantly higher in RA patients with ECG abnormalities. There were significant positive correlations of average CIMT with DAS28, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Simple Erosion Narrowing Score. There were significant positive correlations of mean CIMT with the level of triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a highly significant correlation between mean CIMT and C-reactive protein. CIMT at a cut-off point of 0.75 mm can predict ECG abnormalities with high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion ECG changes were present in 33.3% of RA patients. Increased CIMT was observed in RA patients and correlated well with disease activity and severity parameters

Interactive Impacts of Beneficial Microbes and Si-Zn Nanocomposite on Growth and Productivity of Soybean Subjected to Water Deficit under Salt-Affected Soil Conditions

Water stress or soil salinity is considered the major environmental factor affecting plant growth. When both challenges are present, the soil becomes infertile, limiting plant productivity. In this work a field experiment was conducted during the summer 2019 and 2020 seasons to evaluate whether plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs) and nanoparticles (Si-ZnNPs) have the potential to maintain soybean growth, productivity, and seed quality under different watering intervals (every 11 (IW0), 15 (IW1) and 19 (IW2) days) in salt-affected soil. The most extended watering intervals (IW1 and IW2) caused significant increases in Na+ content, and oxidative damage indicators (malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL%)), which led to significant reductions in soybean relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance, leaf K+, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein. Subsequently reduced the vegetative growth (root length, nodules dry weight, and total leaves area) and seeds yield. However, there was an enhancement in the antioxidants defense system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant). The individual application of PGPMs or Si-ZnNPs significantly improved leaf K+ content, photosynthetic pigments, RWC, stomatal conductance, total soluble sugars (TSS), CAT, POD, SOD, number of pods plant−1, and seed yield through decreasing the leaf Na+ content, MDA, and EL%. The combined application of PGPMs and Si-ZnNPs minimized the adverse impact of water stress and soil salinity by maximizing the root length, heavier nodules dry weight, leaves area, TSS and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which resulted in higher soybean growth and productivity, which suggests their use under harsh growing conditions

The isotherm and kinetic studies of the biosorption of heavy metals by non-living cells of Chlorella vulgaris

In general, the biosorption of heavy metals by various types of non-living organisms appears to be a very effective, low-cost and innovative method for their removal from aquatic environments. The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models during the biosorbent activity of non-living Chlorella to the removal of Cd, Cu and Pb. Dead cells of Chlorella vulgaris were used to remove these heavy metals from aqueous solution in experimental conditions, i.e. under various condition of pH, biosorbent dosage and contact time. Afterwards, the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models and the sorption kinetic (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models, and intraparticle diffusion) were applied to the experimental data to check the effectiveness of the removal process. The removal of heavy metals on C. vulgaris following the order of Pb+2 > Cu+2 > Cd+2 was confirmed by the maximum biosorption capacities (qmax), the Langmuir constant (b), separation factor (RL) and Freundlich intensity parameter (1/n) values. The equilibrium data were well fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model and it suggested that such kinetics is the most effective. The present results confirmed highly efficient biosorbent activity of C. vulgaris in the removal of heavy metals, especially Cd, Cu and Pb, from aqueous solution. The environmentally friendly origin indicates that non-living cells of C. vulgaris could find many broad-scale, cost-effective and alternative applications

The isotherm and kinetic studies of the biosorption of heavy metals by non-living cells of Chlorella vulgaris

In general, the biosorption of heavy metals by various types of non-living organisms appears to be a very effective, low-cost and innovative method for their removal from aquatic environments. The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models during the biosorbent activity of non-living Chlorella to the removal of Cd, Cu and Pb. Dead cells of Chlorella vulgaris were used to remove these heavy metals from aqueous solution in experimental conditions, i.e. under various condition of pH, biosorbent dosage and contact time. Afterwards, the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models and the sorption kinetic (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models, and intraparticle diffusion) were applied to the experimental data to check the effectiveness of the removal process. The removal of heavy metals on C. vulgaris following the order of Pb+2 > Cu+2 > Cd+2 was confirmed by the maximum biosorption capacities (qmax), the Langmuir constant (b), separation factor (RL) and Freundlich intensity parameter (1/n) values. The equilibrium data were well fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model and it suggested that such kinetics is the most effective. The present results confirmed highly efficient biosorbent activity of C. vulgaris in the removal of heavy metals, especially Cd, Cu and Pb, from aqueous solution. The environmentally friendly origin indicates that non-living cells of C. vulgaris could find many broad-scale, cost-effective and alternative applications

The Integrated Amendment of Sodic-Saline Soils Using Biochar and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhances Maize (Zea mays L.) Resilience to Water Salinity

The utilization of low-quality water or slightly saline water in sodic-saline soil is a major global conundrum that severely impacts agricultural productivity and sustainability, particularly in arid and semiarid regions with limited freshwater resources. Herein, we proposed an integrated amendment strategy for sodic-saline soil using biochar and/or plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; Azotobacter chroococcum SARS 10 and Pseudomonas koreensis MG209738) to alleviate the adverse impacts of saline water on the growth, physiology, and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.), as well as the soil properties and nutrient uptake during two successive seasons (2018 and 2019). Our field experiments revealed that the combined application of PGPR and biochar (PGPR + biochar) significantly improved the soil ecosystem and physicochemical properties and K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents but reduced the soil exchangeable sodium percentage and Na+ content. Likewise, it significantly increased the activity of soil urease (158.14 ± 2.37 and 165.51 ± 3.05 mg NH4+ g−1 dry soil d−1) and dehydrogenase (117.89 ± 1.86 and 121.44 ± 1.00 mg TPF g−1 dry soil d−1) in 2018 and 2019, respectively, upon irrigation with saline water compared with non-treated control. PGPR + biochar supplementation mitigated the hazardous impacts of saline water on maize plants grown in sodic-saline soil better than biochar or PGPR individually (PGPR + biochar > biochar > PGPR). The highest values of leaf area index, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble sugar (TSS), relative water content, K+ and K+/Na+ of maize plants corresponded to PGPR + biochar treatment. These findings could be guidelines for cultivating not only maize but other cereal crops particularly in salt-affected soil and sodic-saline soil

Isolation and Biochemical Identification of Pathogenic Burkholderia Cepacia from Human Sources and Related Reactivity to Different Antibiotics

The aim of the present work is to isolate and identify Burkholderia species from different chest hospitalized patients .throat swap and sputum samples were considered. Reactivity of isolates to different antibiotics was considered using both Double Disc Synergy Test and Combined ESBL Test. Data revealed that 21/200 [10.5%] isolated from cystic fibrosis patients; samples were positive as Burkholderia isolation was more prevalent from sputum samples [55%] than throat swapping [45%]. Among the 21 bacterial isolates; 2/21(9.5%) children, 8/21(38.09%) females and 11/21(52.38%) males. The No of isolate was location related; El Sadr hospital [41%], Abbassia Chest hospital [24%], AlMattaria teaching hospital [21%] and health institute hospital [14%]. Also, isolation was gender related as male was more susceptible more than the other genders for infection by Burkholderia cepacia recording the highest value [52%] followed by female [38%] and children [10%]. Combined infection was recorded. Burkholderia cepacia was sensitive to Amikacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, while it were resistant to; Paromomycin, Spectinomycin, Fosfomycin, Cefixime, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Cefazolin. The most active antibiotic was Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid with mean diameter of inhibition zone 38.50 mm

Phylogenetic Identification of Burkholderia Cepacia Isolates from Human Chest Infection from Different Hospitals

The genus Burkholderia includes three closely related microbial species that highlight diverse evolutionary adaptation to different niches and hosts. Burkholderia mallei are a soliped-specific pathogen that only occasionally infects humans. Burkholderia pseudomallei are a free-living soil microbe and the causative agent of the subtropical human disease melioidosis. The species that presently constitute the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) have multiple roles; they include soil and water saprophytes, rhizosphere parasites, bioremediators, plant growth promoters and plant, animal and human pathogens. Members of the Bcc are particularly associated with lifethreatening respiratory infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), and are the most potentially virulent, transmissible and inherently resistant microbes to have emerged as cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens in recent decades(1;2). Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a diverse group of 17 closely related species of the β-proteobacteria subdivision and widely distributed in natural and man-made inhabitats. In spite of advances in treatment and prevention, bacterial pathogens still pose a major threat on public health worldwide. To understand how pathogenic bacteria interact with their hosts to produce clinical disease is a fundamental issuePhylogenetic analysis of Burkholderia cepacia was achieved based on the variation of β-Lactamases production and antibacterial reactivity to different antibiotics. Sub inhibitory concentrations of augmentin down-regulates the production and/or release of exoprotein and this effect increase with increasing of the tested concentration. ESBLs was detected using double disc synergy test and combined ESBL test. Effect of reactivity of B.cepacia spp was influenced by antibiotic where Amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid showed the highest inhibitory effect and in turn clear zone dimension. Also, TEM-1 and SHV-1 genes electrophoretic pattern detected by both PFGE and RAPD. Different isolates showed a similarity to standard B.cepacia ranging from 94-95 %. Data recorded revealed the β-Lactamases genes showed a variable protein bands pattern revealing reactivity to antibiotics