奈良盆地の基盤構造、水理地質および地下水流動モデル

博士(理学)大阪市立大

Osmotically Regulated Two-Compartment Asymmetric Membrane Capsules for Simultaneous Controlled Release of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

In the present study, asymmetric membrane capsules (AMCs) with two compartments were successfully developed for simultaneous delivery of two poorly water-soluble drugs, Atenolol and Amlodipine Besylate, by using solubility modulation approach. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before dissolution showed presence of outer dense region and inner porous region for the prepared asymmetric membrane and the pore size increased after dissolution for both outer and inner layer. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed no incompatibility between the drug(s) and the excipients used in the study. The developed system was able to control the release of ATN and AMB by increasing the solubility through buffering agents of different strengths (0.25N to 1.0N). As the level of buffering agent was increased, the solubility of drugs also increased inside the asymmetric membrane capsule. The developed system was independent of the agitation intensity of the dissolution fluid but was dependent on the polymer diffusibility and osmotic pressure of the media, which clearly stated that osmotic pumping was the primary mechanism of drug(s) release from AMCs. The results of in-vitro demonstration of effect of membrane thickness on dissolution fluid entering AMCs showed that as the membrane thickness increased the volume of dissolution fluid entering into AMC decreased. The release kinetic studies of different formulations of AMCs showed that formulation code six, which consists of the highest amount of osmotic agents and optimum amount of buffering agents, was the best formulation, and it followed zero order release kinetics (r2=0.9990 for ATN and r2=0.9988 for AMB)

Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death on Autopsy Findings; a Four-Year Report

Introduction: Incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been steadily increasing all over the world. While knowing the cause of SCD is one of the favorites of the physicians involved with these cases, it is very difficult and challenging task for the forensic physician. The present report is a prospective study regarding cause of SCDs on autopsy examination in four-year period, Bangalore, India. Methods: The present prospective study is based on autopsy observations, carried out for four-year period from 2008 to 2011, and analyzed for cause of SCDs. The cases were chosen as per the definition of sudden death and autopsied. The material was divided into natural and unnatural groups. Finally, on histopathology, gross examination, hospital details, circumstantial, and police reports the cause of death was inferred. Results: A total of 2449 autopsy was conducted of which 204 cases were due to SCD. The highest SCDs were reported in 50-60 years age group (62.24%; n-127), followed closely by the age group 60-69 (28.43%; n-58). Male to female ratio was around 10:1. The maximum number of deaths (n=78) was within few hours (6 hours) after the onset of signs and symptoms. In 24 (11.8%) cases major narrowing was noted in both the main coronaries, in 87 (42.6%) cases in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and in 18 (51.5%) cases in the right coronary artery (RCA). The major cardiac pathology resulting in sudden death was coronary artery disease (n-116; 56.86%) and myocardial infarction (n-104; 50.9%). most of the SCDs occurred in the place of residence (n-80; 39.2%) followed closely by death in hospital (n-49; 24.01%). Conclusion: Coronary occlusion was the major contributory cause of sudden death with cardiac origin and the highest number of deaths were reported in the age 50-59 years with male to female ratio of 10:1.

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is an extremely common condition and is responsible for a variety of pathological effects on the kidneys. Drug-induced acute renal failure (ARF) accounted for 20% of all ARF cases. Drugs showed to cause nephrotoxicity exert their toxic effects by one or more common pathogenic mechanisms. Although it is impossible to present all the drugs causing the nephrotoxicity, this article will summarize the mechanism of injury associated with particular common medications, discuss clinical presentations, renal markers, and evaluate strategies that prevent or minimize renal injury. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity tends to be more common among certain patients and in specific clinical situations. Therefore, successful prevention requires knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms of renal injury, patient-related risk factors, drug-related risk factors, and preemptive measures, coupled with vigilance and early intervention. General preventive measures include using alternative non-nephrotoxic drugs whenever possible; correcting risk factors, if possible; assessing baseline renal function before initiation of therapy, followed by adjusting the dosage; monitoring renal function and vital signs during therapy, and avoiding nephrotoxic drug combinations. Surprisingly, little information is available to guide us with respect to avoiding complications in critical illness; therefore, it is necessary to follow the guidelines

Dip Coated ZnO Films for Transparent Window Applications

ZnO is widely used as a functional material because it has a wide and direct band gap, large excitons binding energy, and excellent chemical and thermal stability. ZnO is a semiconductor material which is widely used as transparent electrodes in solar cells, chemical and gas sensors and light emitting diodes, due to its unique electrical and optical properties. Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were deposited on glass substrate by dip coating technique. The effects of sol aging time on the deposition of ZnO films were studied by using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and optical transmission techniques. Thin films of ZnO were prepared on glass substrate and annealed at 300 C, 350 C and 400 C. The increase in sol aging time resulted in a gradual improvement in crystallinity. Effect of sol aging on optical transparency is quite obvious through increased transmission with prolonged sol aging time. Interestingly, 72-168 h sol aging time was found to be optimal to achieve smooth surface morphology, good crystallinity and high optical transmittance which were attributed to an ideal stability of solution. The UV-Vis transmittance spectrum of synthesized sample suggests the optical band gap value of 3.2 eV. Dip coating technique create ZnO films with potential for application as transparent electrodes in optoelectronic devices such as solar cell

Effectiveness of community forest user groups (CFUGs) in responding to the 2015 earthquakes and COVID-19 in Nepal

Natural disasters and pandemics are evolving as major global threats that are posing an enormous challenge to socio-economic and environmental wellbeing. Using a real time analysis of the impressive role played by Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) in Nepal in responding to the 2015 earthquakes (Earthquake-15) and COVID-19, this paper explores the scopes, capacities, institutional strengths and attributes required for community-based institutions such as CFUGs to become effective in managing and responding natural or other disasters. Our findings suggest that being an autonomous and well-recognized community based institution with trusted social capital (trust, connectedness, norms and network) for collective action together with its scope and mandate to democratically manage and mobilize its physical, financial, natural and human assets, CFUGs have become the most effective institution to provide immediate support to disaster affected communities. While most of other agencies including non-governmental organizations spend a lot of time exploring avenues for immediate response to the disasters, CFUGs have immediate access and infrastructure to support millions of people in rural areas. We argue that this contribution needs to be recognized, and CFUGs can provide a valuable institutional framework for the preparedness, response and recovery from disasters and to build resilience in the future

Topical application of substance P promotes wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

a b s t r a c t Substance P (SP) is known to stimulate angiogenesis, fibroblasts proliferation and expressions of cytokines and growth factors involved in wound healing. However, SP level reduces in dermis in diabetics and, hence, it was hypothesized that exogenously applied SP could be helpful in improving wound healing in diabetic rats. Excision skin wound was created on the back of diabetic rats and rats were divided into three groups i.e. (i) saline-, (ii) gel-and (iii) SP-treated. Normal saline, pluronic gel and SP (10 À6 M) in gel were topically applied once daily for 19 days. SP treatment significantly increased the wound closure, levels of interleukin-10, and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta1, heme oxygenase-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, whereas it significantly decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and matrix metalloproteinases-9 in the granulation/healing tissue. The inflammatory cells were present for long time in normal saline-treated group. Histological evaluation revealed better extracellular matrix formation with marked fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition in SP-treated group. Early epithelial layer formation, increased microvessel density and greater growth associated protein-43 positive nerve fibers were also evidenced in SP-treated group. In conclusion, SP treatment markedly accelerated cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats

The impact of different fertiliser management options and cultivars on nitrogen use efficiency and yield for rice cropping in the Indo-Gangetic Plain: two seasons of methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions

This study presents detailed crop and gas flux data from two years of rice production at the experimental farm of the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. In comparing 4 nitrogen (N) fertiliser regimes across 4 rice cultivars (CRD 310, IR-64, MTU 1010, P-44), we have added to growing evidence of the environmental costs of rice production in the region. The study shows that rice cultivar can impact yields of both grain, and total biomass produced in given circumstances, with the CRD 310 cultivar showing consistently high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for total biomass compared with other tested varieties, but not necessarily with the highest grain yield, which was P-44 in this experiment. While NUE of the rice did vary depending on experimental treatments (ranging from 41% to 73%), 73%), this did not translate directly into the reduction of emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Emissions were relatively similar across the different rice cultivars regardless of NUE. Conversely, agronomic practices that reduced total N losses were associated with higher yield. In terms of fertiliser application, the outstanding impact was of the very high methane (CH4) emissions as a result of incorporating farmyard manure (FYM) into rice paddies, which dominated the overall effect on global warming potential. While the use of nitrification and urease inhibiting substances decreased N2O emissions overall, NH3 emissions were relatively unaffected (or slightly higher). Overall, the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions came from reducing irrigation water added to the fields, resulting in higher N2O, but significantly less CH4 emissions, reducing net GHG emission compared with continuous flooding. Overall, genetic differences generated more variation in yield and NUE than agronomic management (excluding controls), whereas agronomy generated larger differences than genetics concerning gaseous losses. This study suggests that a mixed approach needs to be applied when attempting to reduce pollution and global warming potential from rice production and potential pollution swapping and synergies need to be considered. Finding the right balance of rice cultivar, irrigation technique and fertiliser type could significantly reduce emissions, while getting it wrong can result in considerably poorer yields and higher pollution