A Comparative Study of the Compaction Properties of Binary and Bilayer Tablets of Direct Compression Excipients

Purpose: To comparatively evaluate the tableting properties of binary mixtures and bilayer tablets containing plastic deformation and brittle fracture excipients.Methods: Binary mixture and bilayer tablets of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), ethyl cellulose, anhydrous lactose and dextrate were prepared by direct compression and the effect of compaction pressure on the materials was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). True, bulk and tap densities of excipients were determined. Furthermore, Heckel equation and Carr’s index were used to analyze the compression behaviour of the tablets.Results: The flowability of dextrate, based on Heckel and Carr’s Index data, was superior to that of other powder excipients tested. No significant difference was observed between the tensile strength of binary and bilayer tablets of the same composition. However, the tensile strength of binary and bilayer tablets of different compositions varied significantly (p < 0.001), e.g., the tensile strength of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/ethyl cellulose (EC) tablets (50/50) was 1.77 MPa while that of MCC/dextrate at 50/50 composition was 1.47 MPa.Conclusion: Binary mixture and bilayer tablets show similar behaviour when formulated using excipients of similar deformation properties. However, their behavior changes when excipients with different deformation properties are blended together.Keywords: Binary mixture, Bilayer tablet, Brittle fracture, Plastic deformation, Tensile strength

Reproductive seasonality and maturation of the sergestid shrimp, Acetes japonicus (Decapoda: Sergestidae) in coastal waters of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia

Sex ratio, length at first maturity and spawning season of the sergestid shrimp (Acetes japonicus) were investigated between April 2006 and March 2007 in coastal waters of Klebang Besar, Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia. Klebang Besar waters are one of the main fishing grounds for A. japonicus in the Peninsular Malaysia. The overall annual sex ratio was found to be 1:1.46 (males: females). The spawning season was March to July with peak in May, however there was also some spawning in October to November. The female attained sexual maturity at a minimum size of 17.5 mm total length. The matured and near to spawn stages (II and III) occurred more than 50% in every month except in August. Therefore, it may be inferred that A. japonicus breeds continuously throughout the year in the coastal waters of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia.Key words: Spawning, sex ratio, maturity, Acetes japonicus

Replicating landmine blast loading in cellular <i>in Vitro</i> models

Trauma arising from landmines and improvised explosive devices promotes heterotopic ossification, the formation of extra-skeletal bone in non-osseous tissue. To date, experimental platforms that can replicate the loading parameter space relevant to improvised explosive device and landmine blast wave exposure have not been available to study the effects of such non-physiological mechanical loading on cells. Here, we present the design and calibration of three distinct in vitro experimental loading platforms that allow us to replicate the spectrum of loading conditions recorded in near-field blast wave exposure. We subjected cells in suspension or in a three-dimensional hydrogel to strain rates up to 6000 s-1and pressure levels up to 45 MPa. Our results highlight that cellular activation is regulated in a non-linear fashion - not by a single mechanical parameter, it is the combined action of the applied mechanical pressure, rate of loading and loading impulse, along with the extracellular environment used to convey the pressure waves. Finally, our research indicates that PO MSCs are finely tuned to respond to mechanical stimuli that fall within defined ranges of loading

Yesus Kristus Sebagai Wahyu Terakhir Allah Dalam Konteks Kitab Ibrani 1:1-4

Penelitian ini berusaha menjawab tentang sosok Yesus Kristus yang diyakini orang-orang percaya (Kristen) tentang iman mereka yang meyakini seutuhnya bahwa Yesus Kristus (Sang Logos) itu adalah wahyu terakhir Allah, yang mana sebelumnya di dalam kitab-kitab Perjanjian Lama, Allah telah berbicara kepada umat-Nya lewat perantaraan nabi-nabi-Nya kepada Israel. Dan di zaman akhir inilah, Allah berbicara lewat perantaraan Anak-Nya yang diutus ke dalam dunia untuk menggenapi seluruh kitab Perjanjian Lama. Maksud tujuan Yesus Kristus sebagai sebuah penggenapan dari karya Allah untuk keselamatan umat manusia dari kengerian kekal Di dalam sejarah keselamatan manusia, sejak manusia pertama yang diciptakan TUHAN jatuh ke dalam dosa, manusia seharusnya menerima upahnya yaitu mati kekal karena pelanggaran atau ketidaktaatan Adam dan Hawa saat itu (Kejadian 2:17). Tetapi inisiatif Allahlah yang merencanakan keselamatan bagi manusia hingga saat ini (Kejadian 3:21).  Penggenapan itu dengan mengutus Yesus Kristus yang adalah inkarnasi Allah turun ke dalam dunia, masuk dalam sejarah umat manusia. Yesus Kristus berperan sebagai Juruselamat manusia bahkan dikatakan satu-satunya jalan menuju ke Sorga (Yohanes 4:16). Tidak ada seorangpun, pemuka agama manapun, pendiri agama manapun yang dapat melakukan hal ini. Pribadi kedua dari Allah Trinitas inilah yang menjelma menjadi manusia bernama Yesus Kristus, sesuai dengan yang dikatakan kitab suci sebagai Juruselamat manusia. Yesus Kristus menggenapi semua pemberitaan nabi-nabi dalam keseluruhan kitab Perjanjian Lama, mulai dari kitab Taurat, kitab nabi besar dan nabi kecil, artinya sebagai wahyu terakhir atau pernyataan Allah yang final bagi keselamatan umat manusia. Dikatakan sebagai wahyu terakhir karena nubuatan kitab suci mengatakan demikian, dan dipertegas lagi oleh penulis kitab Ibrani bahwa pada zaman akhir, Allah berbicara kepada manusia lewat perantaraan Anak-Nya (Ibrani 1:2).Penelitian ini berusaha menjawab tentang sosok Yesus Kristus yang diyakini orang-orang percaya (Kristen) tentang iman mereka yang meyakini seutuhnya bahwa Yesus Kristus (Sang Logos) itu adalah wahyu terakhir Allah, yang mana sebelumnya di dalam kitab-kitab Perjanjian Lama, Allah telah berbicara kepada umat-Nya lewat perantaraan nabi-nabi-Nya kepada Israel. Dan di zaman akhir inilah, Allah berbicara lewat perantaraan Anak-Nya yang diutus ke dalam dunia untuk menggenapi seluruh kitab Perjanjian Lama. Maksud tujuan Yesus Kristus sebagai sebuah penggenapan dari karya Allah untuk keselamatan umat manusia dari kengerian kekal Di dalam sejarah keselamatan manusia, sejak manusia pertama yang diciptakan TUHAN jatuh ke dalam dosa, manusia seharusnya menerima upahnya yaitu mati kekal karena pelanggaran atau ketidaktaatan Adam dan Hawa saat itu (Kejadian 2:17). Tetapi inisiatif Allahlah yang merencanakan keselamatan bagi manusia hingga saat ini (Kejadian 3:21).&nbsp; Penggenapan itu dengan mengutus Yesus Kristus yang adalah inkarnasi Allah turun ke dalam dunia, masuk dalam sejarah umat manusia. Yesus Kristus berperan sebagai Juruselamat manusia bahkan dikatakan satu-satunya jalan menuju ke Sorga (Yohanes 4:16). Tidak ada seorangpun, pemuka agama manapun, pendiri agama manapun yang dapat melakukan hal ini. Pribadi kedua dari Allah Trinitas inilah yang menjelma menjadi manusia bernama Yesus Kristus, sesuai dengan yang dikatakan kitab suci sebagai Juruselamat manusia. Yesus Kristus menggenapi semua pemberitaan nabi-nabi dalam keseluruhan kitab Perjanjian Lama, mulai dari kitab Taurat, kitab nabi besar dan nabi kecil, artinya sebagai wahyu terakhir atau pernyataan Allah yang final bagi keselamatan umat manusia. Dikatakan sebagai wahyu terakhir karena nubuatan kitab suci mengatakan demikian, dan dipertegas lagi oleh penulis kitab Ibrani bahwa pada zaman akhir, Allah berbicara kepada manusia lewat perantaraan Anak-Nya (Ibrani 1:2)

Progressive obtundation in a young woman with bilateral corpus striatum infarction: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bilateral ischemic infarction involving the corpus striatum is a rare event which usually results from global cerebral hypoxia, intoxications, and drug abuse.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a 28 year old Caucasian woman who presented with progressive obtundation and later development of severe expressive dysphasia and Parkinsonism after sustaining ischemic stroke of both corpora striata. Hemorrhagic transformation developed on day four of admission.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is a rare case of bilateral basal ganglia infarction with hemorrhagic transformation in a young patient. Our patient's work up did not reveal any cause behind this stroke; however, advanced investigations (such as genetic testing and conventional angiography) were not done. The damage resulted in motor dysphasia and Parkinsonism. Neither dystonia nor other involuntary movements developed, and cognitive function was not assessed because of the language disorder.</p

Evidence for eosinophil and IL-17 mediated inflammation in allergic rhinitis.

Background: The aim was to determine the level of inflammatory cytokines, eosinophil cationic protein and IgE in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Subjects and methods: Blood samples were taken from 88 AR patients and 88 healthy controls (HC). Each sample was analysed for eosinophil counts by flow cytometry, IgE by ECLIA, ECP, IL-17, and IL-33 by using ELISA test. Results: There was no significant difference between AR patients and the control group in age and gender. Levels of eosinophils, IgE, ECP, IL-17, IL-33 and the total symptom scores were significantly higher in AR patients than the HC (P = 0.0001). Serum ECP correlated with IL-17 (P = 0.041, r = 0.42), IL-33 (P = 0.0001, r = 080), and IgE levels (P = 0.017, r = 0.45) in the R patients. There was no correlation between IL-17 and IL-33. There was a correlation between symptom scores and eosinophils (P = 0.026, r = 0.52), and IgE (P = 0.001, r = 0.60) in the patients. No correlation was observed between symptom scores and ECP, IL-17, and IL-33 in the AR patient. Conclusions: Patients with AR have significant higher serum levels of ECP, IL-17, and IL-33 than healthy controls. This indicates that these markers could be used to in order to diagnose AR and to monitor disease. Inhibitory molecules to IL-17 and IL-33 may be considered as novel treatment strategies

Fatal encephalitis associated with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in a child

A 4-year-old girl presented with fever, coughing, and vomiting; followed by unconsciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense changes in the thalami bilaterally, brain stem, cerebellum, and subcortical cortex. Novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified by polymerase chain reaction in patient’s nasopharyngeal swab specimen. We reported a rare case of clinically severe, novel influenza A-associated encephalitis. Novel influenza A should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with seizures and mental status changes, especially during an influenza outbreak

Drugs-related death soon after hospital discharge among drug treatment clients in Scotland:record linkage, validation and investigation of risk factors.

We validate that the 28 days after hospital-discharge are high-risk for drugs-related death (DRD) among drug users in Scotland and investigate key risk-factors for DRDs soon after hospital-discharge. Using data from an anonymous linkage of hospitalisation and death records to the Scottish Drugs Misuse Database (SDMD), including over 98,000 individuals registered for drug treatment during 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2010 with 705,538 person-years, 173,107 hospital-stays, and 2,523 DRDs. Time-at-risk of DRD was categorised as: during hospitalization, within 28 days, 29-90 days, 91 days-1 year, >1 year since most recent hospital discharge versus 'never admitted'. Factors of interest were: having ever injected, misuse of alcohol, length of hospital-stay (0-1 versus 2+ days), and main discharge-diagnosis. We confirm SDMD clients' high DRD-rate soon after hospital-discharge in 2006-2010. DRD-rate in the 28 days after hospital-discharge did not vary by length of hospital-stay but was significantly higher for clients who had ever-injected versus otherwise. Three leading discharge-diagnoses accounted for only 150/290 DRDs in the 28 days after hospital-discharge, but ever-injectors for 222/290. Hospital-discharge remains a period of increased DRD-vulnerability in 2006-2010, as in 1996-2006, especially for those with a history of injecting