Preparation and Evaluation of Phospholipid-Based Complex of Standardized Centella Extract (SCE) for the Enhanced Delivery of Phytoconstituents

In the present study, a phospholipid-based complex of standardized Centella extract (SCE) was developed with a goal of improving the bioavailability of its phytoconstituents. The SCE-phospholipid complex was prepared by solvent evaporation method and characterized for its physicochemical and functional properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photomicroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) were used to confirm the formation of Centella naturosome (CN). The prepared complex was functionally evaluated by apparent solubility, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo efficacy studies. The prepared CN exhibited a significantly higher (12-fold) aqueous solubility (98.0 ± 1.4 μg/mL), compared to the pure SCE (8.12 ± 0.44 μg/mL), or the physical mixture of SCE and the phospholipid (13.6 ± 0.4 μg/mL). The in vitro dissolution studies revealed a significantly higher efficiency of CN in releasing the SCE (99.2 ± 4.7, % w/w) in comparison to the pure SCE (39.2 ± 2.3, % w/w), or the physical mixture (42.8 ± 2.09, % w/w). The ex vivo permeation studies with the everted intestine method showed that the prepared CN significantly improved the permeation of SCE (82.8 ± 3.7, % w/w), compared to the pure SCE (26.8 ± 2.4, % w/w), or the physical mixture (33.0 ± 2.7, % w/w). The in vivo efficacy studies using the Morris Water Maze test indicated a significant improvement of the spatial learning and memory in aged mice treated with CN. Thus, drug-phospholipid complexation appears to be a promising strategy to improve the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of bioactive phytoconstituents

Landscape genomics and biased FST approaches reveal single nucleotide polymorphisms under selection in goat breeds of North-East Mediterranean

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we compare outlier loci detected using a <it>F<smcaps>ST </smcaps></it>based method with those identified by a recently described method based on spatial analysis (SAM). We tested a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously genotyped in individuals of goat breeds of southern areas of the Mediterranean basin (Italy, Greece and Albania). We evaluate how the SAM method performs with SNPs, which are increasingly employed due to their high number, low cost and easy of scoring.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The combined use of the two outlier detection approaches, never tested before using SNP polymorphisms, resulted in the identification of the same three loci involved in milk and meat quality data by using the two methods, while the <it>F<smcaps>ST </smcaps></it>based method identified 3 more loci as under selection sweep in the breeds examined.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Data appear congruent by using the two methods for <it>F<smcaps>ST </smcaps></it>values exceeding the 99% confidence limits. The methods of <it>F<smcaps>ST </smcaps></it>and SAM can independently detect signatures of selection and therefore can reduce the probability of finding false positives if employed together. The outlier loci identified in this study could indicate adaptive variation in the analysed species, characterized by a large range of climatic conditions in the rearing areas and by a history of intense trade, that implies plasticity in adapting to new environments.</p

Direct inventory taking of underwater objects using a handheld GPS receiver

The paper presents application of the GPS - Thales Mobile Mapper satellite navigation receiver for conducting the direct underwater inventory and location of objects on the bottom of inland water reservoirs. The design description of the measurement set consisting of the manual GPS/GIS receiver, specialist watertight casing with function keys and floating GPS antenna is presented. The possibilities of using the set directly in underwater navigation conducted by a scuba diver on shallow depth were investigated. The results of search for obstacles located earlier using the hydroacoustic methods: the single beam echo sounder (SBES) and sidescan sonar (SSS) were described. The analysis of accuracy of the underwater GPS navigation was also conducted

Creation of digital model of water reservoir bottom surface using single beam echosounder and DGPS system

W artykule przedstawiono analizę wyników uzyskanych z pomiarów hydrograficznych fragmentu jeziora Śniardwy. Badania wykonano z wykorzystaniem technologii pomiarów batymetrycznych. Pomiary przeprowadzono dwukrotnie przy różnym poziomie szczegółowości zbierania surowych danych pomiarowych. Dane wejściowe zostały pozyskane na podstawie sondażu hydroakustycznego z wykorzystaniem jednowiązkowej echosondy hydrograficznej oraz satelitarnego systemu pozycjonowania DGPS. Na podstawie pomiarów opartych na profilach pomiarowych odległych od siebie o 5 oraz 50 m opracowany został Numeryczny Model Terenu (NMT) wybranego fragmentu dna. W pracy zaprezentowano technologię zintegrowanych pomiarów batymetrycznych, zasady opracowania pozyskanych danych i budowy numerycznego modelu terenu.The paper presents results of the experiments carried out on the Lake Sniardwy using satellite integrated technology. Bathymetric survey at the Lake Sniardwy have been conducted with the measurement profiles designed every 50 meters and 5 meters one after another. Raw-data have been collected using integrated Differential GPS, GIS and single frequency digital hydrographic echo sounder to construct a Digital Terrain Model and prepare three dimensional visualizations. The paper presents Integrated Bathymetric System technology, principles of raw-data and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) elaboration

Zastosowanie globalnych nawigacyjnych systemów satelitarnych oraz współczesnych technik hydroakustycznych w bezpiecznej nawigacji śródlądowej

The paper presents description of application of integrated, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and hydroacoustic technologies, for elaboration of actual bathymetric chart and creation of an Inland Interactive Underwater Objects Base (IIUOD). In the paper the description of some integrated bathymetric experiments conducted on Great Mazurian Lakes is presented. A small area of Lake Sniardwy, the largest lake in Poland, has been measured using modern technology with precise satellite positioning and hydrographic techniques. The idea and first results of the implemented base is analyzed and described. The database (IIUOD) is created for visualization of dangerous underwater objects and finally for safety of inland water navigation.Artykuł przedstawia zastosowanie zintegrowanych technik satelitarnego pozycjonowania GNSS i systemu hydroakustycznego do opracowania aktualnych map batymetrycznych oraz utworzenia Interaktywnej Bazy Śródlądowych Przeszkód Podwodnych w celu zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa żeglugi na Szlaku Wielkich Jezior Mazurskich. W artykule opisano eksperymentalne prace pomiarowe wykonane na jeziorze Śniardwy z zastosowaniem satelitarnego pozycjonowania DGPS/EGNOS oraz systemu hydrograficznego. Przedstawiono także koncepcję oraz wyniki utworzenia eksperymentalnej bazy geodanych o przeszkodach podwodnych. Opracowana baza IBŚPP umożliwia wizualizację kształtu dna oraz przeszkód. Pomaga poprawić bezpieczeństwo żeglugi śródlądowej i uprawiania sportów wodnych na Wielkich Jeziorach Mazurskich

Investigation of coastline changes and inshore hydrotechnical objects location using GNSS technology

Many tasks related to aquatic environment studies and monitoring of phenomena require access to current and reliable information on spatial objects. Hydrotechnical infrastructure located in the coastal zone of the lakes is characterised by relative high dynamics of changes. Considering the shape and size those are hard for taking their inventory using the standard photogrammetric or remote sensing techniques. The paper presents the results of research work aimed at automation of the gathering, processing and using the data on the course of the coastal line of lakes and the coastal infrastructure objects. The work was conducted using GNSS satellite measurements on test objects located on Lake Dargin and Lake Kisajno. Additionally, the results of measurements using the ASG-EUPOS system and the prospects for using that system for objects situated in the coastal zone of water reservoirs were presented

Inventory taking of the upper water reservoir in pumped-storage power station in Żydowo using classical land survey methods and integrated hydroacoustic and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)

The article presents the results of land survey and hydrographical works completed on Lake Kamienne - the upper water reservoir of the Pumped-Storage Power Station in Żydowo. The power plant with the capacity of 150 MW built in 1960 uses the difference in water level between Lake Kamienne and Lake Kwiecko of ca. 80 m. The detailed inventory of a part of the coastline was taken using the classical land survey techniques (Total Station), while for the remaining part it was taken using the GPS/EGNOS Thales Mobile Mapper satellite navigation receiver. The bathymetric measurements of the lake were carried out on the bases of GPS/RTK satellite positioning using the Ashtech X-Treme receiver while hydroacoustic sounding was conducted using the Simrad EA501P hydroacoustic system. The article describes the individual stages of the work and methods for raw land survey and hydrographical data processing. Development of the digital bathymetric chart, digital elevation model of the battom and the visualization of Lake Kamienne were the final effects of the work

Elaboration of Digital Bottom Models on the Basis of Single Beam Acoustic Measurements with Different Resolution

The paper presents results of the experiments carried out on the 40 ha part of the Lake Śniardwy using satellite and hydrographic integrated technology. Bathymetric survey at the Lake Śniardwy has been conducted with the measurement profiles designed every 50 meters and 5 meters one after another. The collected data have been elaborated with spatial interpolation method called kriging in order to create Digital Bottom Model. The results of conducted experiments show comparison of two bottom models created on the basis of 50 m and 5 m profiles