Heavy hydrocarbon main injector technology program

The Heavy Hydrocarbon Main Injector Program was an analytical, design, and test program to demonstrate an injection concept applicable to an Isolated Combustion Compartment of a full-scale, high pressure, LOX/RP-1 engine. Several injector patterns were tested in a 3.4-in. combustor. Based on these results, features of the most promising injector design were incorporated into a 5.7-in. injector which was then hot-fire tested. In turn, a preliminary design of a 5-compartment 2D combustor was based on this pattern. Also the additional subscale injector testing and analysis was performed with an emphasis on improving analytical techniques and acoustic cavity design methodology. Several of the existing 3.5-in. diameter injectors were hot-fire tested with and without acoustic cavities for spontaneous and dynamic stability characteristics

Effect of Global Warming Scenarios on Carotenoid Pigments Gracilaria changii

The phenomenon of global warming is an increase in the earth's temperature due to the greenhouse effect where 50% of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is one of the ingredients needed for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is carried out by plants that have chloroplasts. Plants in the waters are Seaweed. Gracilaria changii is a type of red seaweed (Rhodophyceae). The dominant pigment from Gracilaria changii is carotenoids. Carotenoid serves as a light energy absorbent for photosynthesis and serves to protect chlorophyll from light damage. Seeing the important role of carotenoids in Gracilaria changii so that this study aims to determine the effect of increasing temperature and carbon dioxide on carotenoid pigments. Research on the scenario of global warming in this region was first carried out on a laboratory scale, many previous studies were carried out in the cultivation area. This study was conducted for 40 days, seaweed that has been cleaned is put into an aquarium and given an injection of CO2. We were exposed to present-day control seawater (400 ppm pCO2 ) and seawater treated with CO2 to simulate ocean conditions predicted for the next 50–100 years (700 ppm, 1000 ppm, and 1300 ppm) and temperature treatment (30 oC, 32 oC, 34 oC). The research design applied in this study is a Completely Randomized Design consisting of nine treatments with three replications. Data analysis used is Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) continued by Post hoc Test. The results obtained from this study there were significant differences (

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ГАЛОНАЛА И БЕНЗОНАЛА В ТАБЛЕТИРОВАННЫХ ФОРМАХ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ МЕТОДОМ ИНВЕРСИОННОЙ ВОЛЬТАМПЕРОМЕТРИИ

A possibility of applying the stripping voltammetry method for the determination of benzylated derivatives of phenobarbital (benzonal and halonal) in tableted forms of medicinal drugs was shown. The regularities of the physicochemical behavior of the barbiturates on the glassy carbon electrode depending on the pH of the solution were studied, and the following accumulation parameters with an analytical value were estimated: the range of variation in the accumulation potential and the accumulation time as well as the voltammetric mode. It was established that the character of the dependence of the magnitude of the electroreduction currents of the barbiturates studied had an adsorption character. The following working conditions were established: the background electrolyte was 0.1 M solutions of Na2SO3 or 0.1 M NaH2PO4, the accumulation potential was -0.6 V, the accumulation time was 30 s, the cathode differential-impulse sweep of the potentials was at the speed of 50 mV / s. A possible interfering effect of auxiliary substances of tableted forms on the voltammetric signal of halonal and benzonal was investigated: under the conditions of real contents of auxiliary and basic components of the tableted form the error in determining the halonal (benzonal) was 3-5% and did not exceed the error of the method. The methods of analysis of tableted forms of medicinal drugs for the content of halonal and benzonal by the method of differential-pulse voltammetry had been developed. The verification of the correctness of the developed algorithm was carried out by the " introduced-found" method. The analysis time of one sample, considering the sample preparation, did not exceed 15 minutes. The detection limit Cmin = 0.33 mg/l, limit of determination Сlim = 1.32 mg/l, and the range of determined concentrations - 2-200 mg/l were determined. The calculation of the basic metrological indices was carried out including the computation of indices of correctness, intralaboratory precision and repeatability.Keywords: Halonal, benzonal, barbituric acid, stripping voltammetry, glassy carbon electrode, dosage form, method of determination(Russian) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2018.22.2.011O.L. Mezentseva, G.B. Slepchenko, V.D. Filiminov, E.V. Miheeva, G.A. ArbitTomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin av., 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russian FederationПоказана возможность применения метода инверсионной вольтамперометрии для определения бензоилированных производных фенобарбитала (бензонал и галонал) в таблетированных формах лекарственных препаратов.  Изучены закономерности физико-химического поведения определяемых барбитуратов на стеклоуглеродном электроде в зависимости от рН раствора и оценены параметры накопления, имеющие аналитическое значение: диапазон изменения потенциала накопления и времени накопления, режим полярографирования. Найдено, что характер зависимости величины токов электровосстановления изучаемых барбитуратов носит адсорбционный характер. Установлены рабочие условия измерений: фоновый электролит – 0.1 М растворы Na2SO3 или 0.1 М NaH2PO4, потенциал накопления – -0.6 В, время накопления 30 с, катодная дифференциально-импульсная развертка потенциалов, со скоростью 50 мВ/с. Проведено исследование возможного мешающего влияния вспомогательных веществ таблетированных форм на вольтамперометрический сигнал галонала и бензонала: в условиях реальных содержаний вспомогательных и основных компонентов таблетированной формы, погрешность определения галонала (бензонала) составляет 3-5 % и не превышает погрешности метода. Разработаны методики анализа таблетированных форм лекарственных препаратов на содержание галонала и бензонала методом дифференциально-импульсной вольтамперометрии.  Проверка правильности разработанного алгоритма методики проведена методом «введено-найдено». Время анализа одной пробы с учетом пробоподготовки не превышает 15 минут. Определены: предел обнаружения Сmin = 0.33 мг/л, предел определения Сlim = 1.32 мг/л, диапазон определяемых концентраций – 2-200 мг/л; проведен расчет основных метрологических показателей: показатель правильности, внутрилабораторной прецизионности, повторяемости.   Ключевые слова: Галонал, бензонал, барбитуровая кислота, инверсионная вольтамперометрия, стеклоуглеродный электрод, лекарственная форма, методика определенияDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2018.22.2.01

Lumbar spinal stenosis treatment with aperius perclid interspinous system

The purpose of this study is to report clinical outcome and imaging changes of percutaneous Aperius stand-alone implant in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic intermittent claudication, which did not respond to conservative treatment.Between January 2008 and July 2010, 37 patients (20 males and 17 females) with mean age of 64.3 years underwent surgery for the onset of claudicatio spinalis with Aperius PercLID interspinous device (Medtronic). In all patients, the diagnosis was: foraminal stenosis, in one case (2.7 \%) it was associated to a degenerative anterior listhesis (I grade), in three cases (8.1 \%) it was associated to an intraforaminal disc herniation. The mean follow-up was of 18 months (range 2-35 months). The patients were evaluated through the Oswestry disability index, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), VAS scales. In all cases were obtained preoperative and in postoperative radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging.The VAS score decreased significantly after surgery: the patients presented a mean VAS of seven preoperatively and two postoperatively (p < 0.001). The ZCQ score significantly decreased postoperatively, with an average reduction of 21.89 \% (p < 0.001). The ODI score as well showed a significant reduction postoperatively of an average 26.09 \% (p < 0.001).Despite of the brief follow up, the preliminary results are encouraging, showing a significantly decrease of the disability parameters, a marked improvement of the function with the vanishing of the claudicatio spinalis and the following increase of the free interval during the walk. Aperius PercLID system seems to offer an alternative to the traditional decompression surgery

Bile acid: a potential inducer of colon cancer stem cells

Background: Although the unconjugated secondary bile acids, specifically deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), are considered to be risk factors for colorectal cancer, the precise mechanism(s) by which they regulate carcinogenesis is poorly understood. We hypothesize that the cytotoxic bile acids may promote stemness in colonic epithelial cells leading to generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that play a role in the development and progression of colon cancer. Methods: Normal human colonic epithelial cells (HCoEpiC) were used to study bile acid DCA/LCA-mediated induction of CSCs. The expression of CSC markers was measured by real-time qPCR. Flow cytometry was used to isolate CSCs. T-cell factor/lymphoid-enhancing factor (TCF/LEF) luciferase assay was employed to examine the transcriptional activity of β-catenin. Downregulation of muscarinic 3 receptor (M3R) was achieved through transfection of corresponding siRNA. Results: We found DCA/LCA to induce CSCs in normal human colonic epithelial cells, as evidenced by the increased proportion of CSCs, elevated levels of several CSC markers, as well as a number of epithelial– mesenchymal transition markers together with increased colonosphere formation, drug exclusion, ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression, and induction of M3R, p-EGFR, matrix metallopeptidases, and c-Myc. Inhibition of M3R signaling greatly suppressed DCA/LCA induction of the CSC marker ALDHA1 and also c-Myc mRNA expression as well as transcriptional activation of TCF/LEF. Conclusions: Our results suggest that bile acids, specifically DCA and LCA, induce cancer stemness in colonic epithelial cells by modulating M3R and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and thus could be considered promoters of colon cancer

Responsiveness of the Acne-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (Acne-QoL) to treatment for acne vulgaris in placebo-controlled clinical trials

The Acne-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (Acne-QoL) was developed to measure the impact of facial acne across four dimensions of patient quality of life. The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the responsiveness of this instrument. Secondarily, this study provided an opportunity to extend the developer's psychometric validation. The Acne-QoL was utilized in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Estrostep ® (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol) in the treatment of facial acne; a total of 296 Estrostep ® and 295 placebo patients were evaluated. The Acne-QoL was completed at the beginning, middle (cycle 3), and end (cycle 6) of the 6-month treatment period. The responsiveness of the Acne-QoL was demonstrated through its ability to detect both small (baseline to mid-study) and moderate (baseline to study end) treatment advantages for Estrostep ® patients. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the subscale structure, and internal consistency estimates were excellent. Convergent and discriminant validity were supported by correlations between Acne-QoL scores and clinical measures that were both in the direction and relative magnitude hypothesized. Finally, item response theory analyses confirmed that each item is highly related to its subscale's latent construct and that each subscale is sensitive across a broad range of the underlying continuum. The results of this evaluation confirm that the Acne-QoL is responsive, internally consistent, and valid.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43563/1/11136_2004_Article_5089801.pd

Oral Insulin

Oral insulin is an exciting area of research and development in the field of diabetology. This brief review covers the various approaches used in the development of oral insulin, and highlights some of the recent data related to novel oral insulin preparation

Determination of halonal and benzonal in tableted forms of medicinal drugs using the stripping voltammetry

A possibility of applying the stripping voltammetry method for the determination of benzylated derivatives of phenobarbital (benzonal and halonal) in tableted forms of medicinal drugs was shown. The regularities of the physicochemical behavior of the barbiturates on the glassy carbon electrode depending on the pH of the solution were studied, and the following accumulation parameters with an analytical value were estimated: the range of variation in the accumulation potential and the accumulation time as well as the voltammetric mode. It was established that the character of the dependence of the magnitude of the electroreduction currents of the barbiturates studied had an adsorption character. The following working conditions were established: the background electrolyte was 0.1 M solutions of Na2SO3 or 0.1 M NaH2PO4, the accumulation potential was -0.6 V, the accumulation time was 30 s, the cathode differential-impulse sweep of the potentials was at the speed of 50 mV / s. A possible interfering effect of auxiliary substances of tableted forms on the voltammetric signal of halonal and benzonal was investigated: under the conditions of real contents of auxiliary and basic components of the tableted form the error in determining the halonal (benzonal) was 3-5% and did not exceed the error of the method. The methods of analysis of tableted forms of medicinal drugs for the content of halonal and benzonal by the method of differential-pulse voltammetry had been developed. The verification of the correctness of the developed algorithm was carried out by the " introduced-found" method. The analysis time of one sample, considering the sample preparation, did not exceed 15 minutes. The detection limit Cmin = 0.33 mg/l, limit of determination Сlim = 1.32 mg/l, and the range of determined concentrations - 2-200 mg/l were determined. The calculation of the basic metrological indices was carried out including the computation of indices of correctness, intralaboratory precision and repeatability.Показана возможность применения метода инверсионной вольтамперометрии для определения бензоилированных производных фенобарбитала (бензонал и галонал) в таблетированных формах лекарственных препаратов. Изучены закономерности физико-химического поведения определяемых барбитуратов на стеклоуглеродном электроде в зависимости от рН раствора и оценены параметры накопления, имеющие аналитическое значение: диапазон изменения потенциала накопления и времени накопления, режим полярографирования. Найдено, что характер зависимости величины токов электровосстановления изучаемых барбитуратов носит адсорбционный характер. Установлены рабочие условия измерений: фоновый электролит - 0.1 М растворы Na2SO3 или 0.1 М NaH2PO4, потенциал накопления - -0.6 В, время накопления 30 с, катодная дифференциально-импульсная развертка потенциалов, со скоростью 50 мВ/с. Проведено исследование возможного мешающего влияния вспомогательных веществ таблетированных форм на вольтамперометрический сигнал галонала и бензонала: в условиях реальных содержаний вспомогательных и основных компонентов таблетированной формы, погрешность определения галонала (бензонала) составляет 3-5 % и не превышает погрешности метода. Разработаны методики анализа таблетированных форм лекарственных препаратов на содержание галонала и бензонала методом дифференциально-импульсной вольтамперометрии. Проверка правильности разработанного алгоритма методики проведена методом «введено-найдено». Время анализа одной пробы с учетом пробоподготовки не превышает 15 минут. Определены: предел обнаружения С min = 0.33 мг/л, предел определения С lim = 1.32 мг/л, диапазон определяемых концентраций - 2-200 мг/л; проведен расчет основных метрологических показателей: показатель правильности, внутрилабораторной прецизионности, повторяемости

The role of retreatment in the management of recurrent/progressive brain metastases: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline

QUESTION: What evidence is available regarding the use of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), surgical resection or chemotherapy for the treatment of recurrent/progressive brain metastases? TARGET POPULATION: This recommendation applies to adults with recurrent/progressive brain metastases who have previously been treated with WBRT, surgical resection and/or radiosurgery. Recurrent/progressive brain metastases are defined as metastases that recur/progress anywhere in the brain (original and/or non-original sites) after initial therapy. RECOMMENDATION: Level 3 Since there is insufficient evidence to make definitive treatment recommendations in patients with recurrent/progressive brain metastases, treatment should be individualized based on a patient\u27s functional status, extent of disease, volume/number of metastases, recurrence or progression at original versus non-original site, previous treatment and type of primary cancer, and enrollment in clinical trials is encouraged. In this context, the following can be recommended depending on a patient\u27s specific condition: no further treatment (supportive care), re-irradiation (either WBRT and/or SRS), surgical excision or, to a lesser extent, chemotherapy. Question If WBRT is used in the setting of recurrent/progressive brain metastases, what impact does tumor histopathology have on treatment outcomes? No studies were identified that met the eligibility criteria for this question

Efaproxiral red blood cell concentration predicts efficacy in patients with brain metastases

Efaproxiral (Efaproxyn™, RSR13), a synthetic allosteric modifier of haemoglobin (Hb), decreases Hb-oxygen (O2) binding affinity and enhances oxygenation of hypoxic tumours during radiation therapy. This analysis evaluated the Phase 3, Radiation Enhancing Allosteric Compound for Hypoxic Brain Metastases; RT-009 (REACH) study efficacy results in relation to efaproxiral exposure (efaproxiral red blood cell concentration (E-RBC) and number of doses). Recursive partitioning analysis Class I or II patients with brain metastases from solid tumours received standard whole-brain radiation therapy (3 Gy/fraction × 10 days), plus supplemental O2 (4 l/min), either with efaproxiral (75 or 100 mg/kg daily) or without (control). Efaproxiral red blood cell concentrations were linearly extrapolated to all efaproxiral doses received. Three patient populations were analysed: (1) all eligible, (2) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as primary cancer, and (3) breast cancer primary. Efficacy endpoints were survival and response rate. Brain metastases patients achieving sufficient E-RBC (⩾483 μg/ml) and receiving at least seven of 10 efaproxiral doses were most likely to experience survival and response benefits. Patients with breast cancer primary tumours generally achieved the target efaproxiral exposure and therefore gained greater benefit from efaproxiral treatment than NSCLC patients. This analysis defined the efaproxiral concentration-dependence in survival and response rate improvement, and provided a clearer understanding of efaproxiral dosing requirements