DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINED RELEASE ALOGLIPTIN TABLETS USING A MULTIPARTICULATES SYSTEM MADE OF BENTONITE

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the use of bentonite in the formulation of sustained-release tablets containing alogliptin benzoate after granulation. Methods: Bentonite was used for preparing tablets after granulation. The prepared tablets were tested for their pharmacopeial requirements. Further, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to assess the release pattern of alogliptin from the tablets. Besides, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for evaluating the compatibility the drugs and bentonite. Finally, the release from the tablets was tested using the paddle apparatus. Results: The FTIR and DSC did not show any interaction between the drug and the excipient in contrast to the powder-XRD pattern, which showed a shift for montmorillonite crystal peak. This shift was interpreted by increasing in the spacing of the crystalline structure of montmorillonite. However, the results of pharmacopeial tests showed that the prepared tablets comply with the compendial requirements, In addition, the release profiles of these tablets with aid of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a binder revealed a sustained release of alogliptin. Furthermore, the fitting of release data showed that the release from these tablets followed Fickian diffusion that alogliptin released by diffusion from bentonite gel matrix. Conclusion: Bentonite was successfully used for producing sustained-release tablets of alogliptin. However, maintaining the crystal structure of montmorillonite was essential for building the gel structure of bentonite and releasing the drug in a controlled manner

Investigation of transdermal permeation of atorvastatinloaded microemulsions

Purpose: To develop microemulsions containing atorvastatin for transdermal application, which will improve the bioavailability and reduce the side effects associated with the oral administration of atorvastatin.Methods: Atorvastatin-loaded microemulsions (MEs) were developed using tween 80 as a nonionic surfactant, isopropyl myristate, polyethylene glycol 400 and dimethyl sulfoxide. Their droplets’ size, and rheological properties were estimated, with the diffusion through the rat’s skin being evaluated using Franz diffusion cells. Furthermore, the in vivo transdermal and oral bioavailability, as well as the toxicity of formulation, were assessed in rats.Results: The results showed that the MEs have a droplet size lower than 100 nm and low Newtonian viscosity. In addition, a flux rate of atorvastatin as high as 10.078 μg/cm2.h was achieved after the loading of the MEs. The in vivo transdermal application maintained a steady state concentration of 1.02μg/mL for 48 h, in comparison to a maximum concentration of 7.7 μg/mL after 2.74 h following oral administration at the same dosing level. Moreover, the transdermally treated rats did not elicit skin irritation.Conclusion: The developed atorvastatin MEs for transdermal application delivers the drug to achieve a controlled plasma level, as well as reduce dosing frequency and toxicity in rats when compared to oral administration. Therefore, the formulation has a potential for development for use in humans

TRANSDERMAL OF ATENOLOL VIA MICROEMULSIONS

Objective: Developing novel non-ionic microemulsions (MEs) for transdermal of atenolol as satisfactory alternative drug delivery systems for the oral route. Methods: Seven MEs were developed then checked for encapsulation of atenolol using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-spectroscopy) (), isotropy, droplet sizes, rheological properties and transdermal flux using Franz diffusion cell. Furthermore, two MEs with best flux values were selected for bioavailability evaluation after transdermal application over rat’s skin. Results: The results showed that the MEs complies with colloidal systems properties. Also, the developed MEs were stable throughout the study, ideal viscous systems with droplet sizes below 500 nm and isotropic. Besides, FTIR-spectra could reveal the structure of the MEs and encapsulation of atenolol inside the dispersed phase. Moreover, the flux values of atenolol in MEs through rat’s skin varied with different factors such as atenolol concentration, MEs’s composition, and zetapotential. The highest flux value of the developed systems was 243.5±16.3 µg. cm-2. h-1. Furthermore, the in vivo results showed that using the two tested microemulsions maximum plasma levels of atenolol 5.22±0.43 and 4.06±0.15 mg. ml-1at 8.18 and 3.64 h respectively could be achieved. Conclusion: The developed microemulsions can be promise formulations for transdermal administration of atenolol as alternative for oral tablets

Islamic ceramics of Bosra in South of Syria, VIIe-XVIe centuries : contribution to the study of Islamic ceramics in Bilād al-Shām

Les céramiques présentées dans cette étude ont été découvertes sur le site de Bosra située en Syrie du Sud. Elles sont issues des travaux de dégagement effectués par le Département des Antiquités de Bosra, des travaux de restauration réalisés par l’équipe de l'institut allemand d’archéologie de Damas et des fouilles méthodologiques entreprises par la Mission Archéologique Française en Syrie du Sud. Le corpus est composé de trois assemblages céramiques, non glaçurées à pâte argileuse, glaçurées à pâte argileuse et celles à pâte siliceuse. Il couvre la période s’étalant de l’époque omeyyade du VIle siècle jusqu’à le début de l’époque ottomane du XVIe siècle.The ceramics presented in this study are found on the site of Bosra located in the South of Syria. They are derived from the work release made by the Department of Antiquities of Bosra, the restoration project carried out by the team of the German Institute of Archaeology of Damascus and methodological excavations undertaken by the French Archaeological Mission in southern Syria. The corpus consists of three ceramic assemblages, unglazed pottery, glazed and stonepaste ceramics. It is dated from the Umayyad period of VIle century to the beginning of the Ottoman period of XVIe century

الاتجاهات التربوية والاجتماعية لمعلمات رياض الأطفال نحو التربية الحركية في محافظة درعا

يهدف البحث إلى دراسة اتجاهات المعلمات في مرحلة رياض الأطفال من الناحيتين التربوية والاجتماعية نحو التربية الحركية بما يحقق أهداف التربية الحركية، بالإضافة الى معرفة الفروق بين عينات الدراسة من حيث متغيرات" العمر والخبرة والحالة الاجتماعية" وذلك في الروضات المنتشرة في محافظة درعا. تكونت العينة من (66) معلمة موزعة على (16) روضة في مدينة درعا، حيث صممت استبانات خاصة لهذا الغرض تضمنت (46) بنداً موزعة على اتجاهين، وبعد اختبار الفرضيات أظهرت النتائج اتجاهات ايجابية لدى معلمات رياض الأطفال نحو التربية الحركية من الناحية التربوية.  كما توصلت نتائج البحث إلى وجود فروق ذات دلالة احصائية بالنسبة لاتجاهات المعلمات من الناحية التربوية والاجتماعية تبعاً لمتغير العمر، أما بالنسبة لمتغيري الخبرة والحالة الاجتماعية فقد كانت دالة احصائية بالنسبة لاتجاهات المعلمات التربوية مع عدم وجود فروق معنوية نحو التوجهات الاجتماعية بالنسبة لمعلمات الروضة والتي كانت ايجابية جداً نحو التربية الحركية

Visual health and prevalence of dry eye syndrome among university students in Iraq and Jordan

Dry eye syndrome (DES), is a multifactorial disease that affects the ocular surface and contributes to the ocular symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the general population and university students' health in different ways. The pandemic forced many people including university students around the world to use virtual platforms on their digital devices, such as computers and smartphones, to work from a distance. This study aimed to explore the visual health and prevalence of dry eye syndrome among university students in Iraq and Jordan. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Iraq and Jordan using online questionnaire tool for the duration between November 2021 and January 2022. University students in Jordan and Iraq were invited to participate in this study and formed the study population. No restrictions on study level or field of study were applied. A previously developed and validated questionnaire tools were used in this study (National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire – 25 (VFQ-25) and the Women’s Health Study Questionnaire (WHS), which was developed by Schaumberg et al.). A total of 1,431 university students were involved in this study (1,018 students from Iraq, 71.1%). Around one third the study participants (29.0%) reported that have been diagnosed by a clinician as having dry eye syndrome. Around15.3% of the total study participants reported that they feel their eyes are dry (not wet enough) and 17.3% reported that they feel their eyes are irritated. Based on Women’s Health Study Questionnaire (WHS) criteria, a total of 479 participants (33.4%) are symptomatically diagnosed with DES. Students aged 27–29 years, those at their fifth year of study, and those who wear contact lenses are at higher risk of developing DYS compared to others. Dry eye syndrome is common health problem among university students. Further studies are required to identify other risk factors associated with DES. Future research should focus on identifying strategies that could help reduce the risk of developing DES as a result of the inevitability of long-term use of digital devices among many categories of society, including university students