Opportunities for Process Control and Quality Assurance Using Online NIR Analysis to a Continuous Wet Granulation Tableting Line

This paper investigates the application of online near-infrared measurements as a means to measure blend uniformity in a continuous tableting line. Underlying all the monitoring and control methods is the ability to measure key tablet properties online at a rate suitable for control purposes. The use of NIR to determine any deviations in blend uniformity is demonstrated by interpreting the relevant spectral signature allowing quantitative information to be acquired for process monitoring and quality assurance. In addition to demonstrating the functionality of the NIR probe, the practical issues arising in the application are discussed. The composition of the blend was measured using an NIR probe over a range of concentrations and the results were calculated comparing sub unit dose scale of scrutiny of small populations. This was compared with predicted product quality for whole tablets over the whole production period. This technique has demonstrated how data collected online can be used to successfully predict the quality of the whole production run for the purposes of real-time product quality assurance

TSH-CHECK-1 test: diagnostic accuracy and potential application to initiating treatment for hypothyroidism in patients on anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) promotes expression of thyroid hormones which are essential for metabolism, growth, and development. Second-line drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) can cause hypothyroidism by suppressing thyroid hormone synthesis. Therefore, TSH levels are routinely measured in TB patients receiving second-line drugs, and thyroxin treatment is initiated where indicated. However, standard TSH tests are technically demanding for many low-resource settings where TB is prevalent; a simple and inexpensive test is urgently needed

Spatially and genetically distinct African trypanosome virulence variants defined by host interferon-g response

We describe 2 spatially distinct foci of human African trypansomiasis in eastern Uganda. The Tororo and Soroti foci of <i>Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense</i> infection were genetically distinct as characterized by 6 microsatellite and 1 minisatellite polymorphic markers and were characterized by differences in disease progression and host-immune response. In particular, infections with the Tororo genotype exhibited an increased frequency of progression to and severity of the meningoencephalitic stage and higher plasma interferon (IFN)–γ concentration, compared with those with the Soroti genotype. We propose that the magnitude of the systemic IFN-γ response determines the time at which infected individuals develop central nervous system infection and that this is consistent with the recently described role of IFN-γ in facilitating blood-brain barrier transmigration of trypanosomes in an experimental model of infection. The identification of trypanosome isolates with differing disease progression phenotypes provides the first field-based genetic evidence for virulence variants in T. <i>brucei rhodesiense</i>

Dual-scale TiO₂ and SiO₂ particles in combination with a fluoroalkylsilane and polydimethylsiloxane superhydrophobic/superoleophilic coating for efficient solvent–water separation

Surfaces that have unique wettabilities and are simultaneously superhydrophobic with water contact angles > 150°, and superoleophilic with oil contact angles < 5°, are of critical importance in the oil/solvent–water separation field. This work details the facile preparation of highly efficient oil–water separation devices that successfully combine hierarchical surface roughening particles and low surface energy components with porous substrates. Coatings were generated using TiO₂ and hydrophobic-SiO₂ micro/nanoparticle loadings which were then embedded within polydimethylsiloxane, commercially known as Sylgard® 184, and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS) polymer mixtures. The resulting slurries were dip coated onto copper meshes with varying pore diameters (30, 60 and 100 meshes had 595, 250 and 149 μm pore dimensions respectively). Functional testing proved that mesh substrates coated in the lowest Sylgard® 184 : FAS polymer ratio formulations displayed heightened water repellency and retained their superoleophilic properties upon repeat testing. The largest average water contact angle of 145 ± 1°, was recorded on a copper 30 mesh substrate with a coating comprising H-SiO₂ microparticles and TiO₂ nanoparticles in a 1 : 9 polymer mixture of Sylgard® and FAS. The coating's extreme oil affinity was supported by high solvent–water separation efficiencies (≥99%) which withstood numerous testing/washing cycles

Fabrication of robust superhydrophobic surfaces via aerosol-assisted CVD and thermo-triggered healing of superhydrophobicity by recovery of roughness structures

Artificial self-healing superhydrophobic surfaces have become a new research hotspot because of their recoverable non-wetting performance and practical perspective. In this paper, a superhydrophobic surface was fabricated by aerosol-assisted layer-by-layer chemical vapor deposition (AA-LbL-CVD) of epoxy resins and PDMS polymer films. The obtained samples still showed superhydrophobicity even after long-term exposure to different pH solutions and UV light irradiation as well as great mechanical stability against sandpaper abrasion and double-sided tape peeling. Importantly, due to the shape memory effect of the polymer films, the as-prepared samples could recover the previously crushed micro–nano structures upon heat treatment to make the surface superhydrophobic, showing thermo-triggered healing of superhydrophobicity

Inexpensive and non-toxic water repellent coatings comprising SiO2 nanoparticles and long chain fatty acids

Special wettability durable coatings, with average water contact angles exceeding 140°, have been fabricated utilising functionalised hydrophobic-SiO2(H-SiO2) particles embedded in fatty acids. The inexpensive and non-toxic H-SiO2particles imparted delicate lotus leaf inspired hierarchical surface nano-morphologies while the fatty acid modification afforded a suitable drop in surface energy. Comparison studies were carried out to explore the effects of fatty acid chain length and pipette as opposed to spray coating deposition methods on the coatings hydrophobicity. It was determined that the longest chain length fatty acid coatings showed enhanced hydrophobic properties due to their extended hydrophobic alkyl chain. A pipette deposited suspension containing H-SiO2nanoparticles and octadecanoic acid generated a coating with the most favourable average water contact and tilting angles of 142 ± 6° and 16 ± 2° respectively

Bicyclic Boronates as Potent Inhibitors of AmpC, the Class C β-Lactamase from Escherichia coli

Resistance to β-lactam antibacterials, importantly via production of β-lactamases, threatens their widespread use. Bicyclic boronates show promise as clinically useful, dual-action inhibitors of both serine- (SBL) and metallo- (MBL) β-lactamases. In combination with cefepime, the bicyclic boronate taniborbactam is in phase 3 clinical trials for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections. We report kinetic and crystallographic studies on the inhibition of AmpC, the class C β-lactamase from Escherichia coli, by bicyclic boronates, including taniborbactam, with different C-3 side chains. The combined studies reveal that an acylamino side chain is not essential for potent AmpC inhibition by active site binding bicyclic boronates. The tricyclic form of taniborbactam was observed bound to the surface of crystalline AmpC, but not at the active site, where the bicyclic form was observed. Structural comparisons reveal insights into why active site binding of a tricyclic form has been observed with the NDM-1 MBL, but not with other studied β-lactamases. Together with reported studies on the structural basis of inhibition of class A, B and D β-lactamases, our data support the proposal that bicyclic boronates are broad-spectrum β-lactamase inhibitors that work by mimicking a high energy ‘tetrahedral’ intermediate. These results suggest further SAR guided development could improve the breadth of clinically useful β-lactamase inhibition

Understanding Needs, Identifying Opportunities: ICT in the View of Universal Design

This article provides food for thoughts elaborated by peer researchers who, basing on their studies and on current literature on relationships between Universal Design (UD) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), wish to share few key issues related to the challenges offered by the involvement of final users in designing product and services. Referring to approaches from different disciplines, key questions will be highlighted on which a debate could start, focused on the issue of promoting inclusion and how a close relationship among these different areas of knowledge can contribute to bridge the gap between the potential of new technologies and the real and diversified need by persons. Thus, actively contributing toward the empowerment of the community of belonging

The effects of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation using a C8:C10 ratio of 30:70 on cognitive performance in healthy young adults.

PURPOSE: The brain can utilise medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) as an alternative fuel than glucose, and research has shown that MCT ingestion improves cognitive function in diseased and/or elderly individuals. The aim of this study is to determine if these improvements can also be observed in young, healthy adults. Furthermore, we aim to establish the ideal dosage and timeframe necessary for an effect. METHODS: Participants were divided equally into three groups of 10 (Placebo (0g), 12g and 18g MCT/day) and were supplemented for 4 weeks. The supplement had a C8:C10 ratio of 30:70. Participants visited the laboratory once a week for 5 weeks (baseline, test weeks 1-4) to undergo a battery of cognitive tests; Trail Making, Digit Span, Spatial Span, Covert Shift of Attention, and Rapid Visual Information Processing. RESULTS: After 2-3 weeks of supplementation, MCT ingestion enhanced performance in cognitive tasks, including: Trail Making A/B and Digit Span Forwards/Backwards (ps0.05). There were also null results in tasks measuring attention and reaction time (ps>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MCT ingestion improved cognitive performance after 2-3 weeks, with minimal difference between taking 12g and 18g MCT/day groups, suggesting a possible dose-response threshold at 12g MCT/day when supplementing over a short period

Comparison of embedded and added motor imagery training in patients after stroke: Study protocol of a randomised controlled pilot trial using a mixed methods approach

Copyright @ 2009 Schuster et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Background: Two different approaches have been adopted when applying motor imagery (MI) to stroke patients. MI can be conducted either added to conventional physiotherapy or integrated within therapy sessions. The proposed study aims to compare the efficacy of embedded MI to an added MI intervention. Evidence from pilot studies reported in the literature suggests that both approaches can improve performance of a complex motor skill involving whole body movements, however, it remains to be demonstrated, which is the more effective one.Methods/Design: A single blinded, randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-post intervention design will be carried out. The study design includes two experimental groups and a control group (CG). Both experimental groups (EG1, EG2) will receive physical practice of a clinical relevant motor task ('Going down, laying on the floor, and getting up again') over a two week intervention period: EG1 with embedded MI training, EG2 with MI training added after physiotherapy. The CG will receive standard physiotherapy intervention and an additional control intervention not related to MI.The primary study outcome is the time difference to perform the task from pre to post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include level of help needed, stages of motor task completion, degree of motor impairment, balance ability, fear of falling measure, motivation score, and motor imagery ability score. Four data collection points are proposed: twice during baseline phase, once following the intervention period, and once after a two week follow up. A nested qualitative part should add an important insight into patients' experience and attitudes towards MI. Semi-structured interviews of six to ten patients, who participate in the RCT, will be conducted to investigate patients' previous experience with MI and their expectations towards the MI intervention in the study. Patients will be interviewed prior and after the intervention period.Discussion: Results will determine whether embedded MI is superior to added MI. Findings of the semi-structured interviews will help to integrate patient's expectations of MI interventions in the design of research studies to improve practical applicability using MI as an adjunct therapy technique