Insulin Solution Stability and Biocompatibility with Materials Used for an Implantable Insulin Delivery Device Using Reverse Phase HPLC Methods

open access articleAbstract: Insulin (Humulin® R IU500) has been delivered from an implantable artificial pancreas in diabetic rats and pigs. The artificial pancreas which was implanted in the peritoneum was fabricated from several biocompatible materials such as polycarbonate, stainless steel, polyurethane, titanium and a polyurethane resin. The device also contains a glucose responsive smart gel which controls the di usion of insulin dependent on the surrounding glucose environment. As the insulin reservoir is refillable and in contact with the device materials, assessing its biocompatibility with these various device component materials was conducted. Insulin can undergo chemical degradation mainly via a deamidation reaction on glutamine and asparagine residues rendering its biological hormone functionality. Two Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) methods were developed and validated for detection of insulin and degradant Asn A21 desamido insulin (method A) and insulin and degradant Asn B3 desamido insulin (method B). Material biocompatibility studies show that stainless steel and titanium are suitable for an implantable insulin delivery device design over a 31-day period. The use of polycarbonate and polyurethane could be considered if the insulin reservoir in the device was only to remain in the device for less than 11 days after which time there is a loss in cresol which acts in a protective capacity for insulin stability

Antenatal diagnosis of alobar holoprosencephaly

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a congenital induction disorder, occurs due to failed segmentation of neural tube and subsequent incomplete separation of the prosencephalon. Because of the defect in the ventral induction, HPE is also associated with multiple facial abnormalities. Mortality correlates with the severity of brain malformation and facial phenotype. Frequent causes of death include respiratory infections, dehydration due to uncontrolled diabetes insipidus, intractable seizures, and brainstem malfunction. This is a case of Alobar holoprosencephaly in the fetus of a 31-year-old G2P1 female, detected on level II obstetric ultrasound at 17 weeks of gestation. The objective of this case report is to discuss the etiology, pathogenesis, prenatal sonographic findings, management and prognosis of HPE which can aid in its early antenatal diagnosis and can help formulate an adequate plan for the parents and fetus

Antenatal diagnosis of omphalocele and spinal dysraphism: a possible OEIS complex

OEIS complex, which comprises of omphalocele, exstrophy bladder, imperforate anus and spinal dysraphism, is a rare disorder. The prognosis depends upon the severity of the structural defects. Survival depends on the extension of the cloacal exstrophy and the neural tube defect. The antenatal diagnosis in early pregnancy is very tough, and a high level of suspicion should be kept for the possibility of its existence, even only if omphalocele and spinal dysraphism are seen on a prenatal sonography. Authors present the case of a 33-year-old, G1P0 female, who on her prenatal routine sonography scan, was found to have a fetus with omphalocele and spinal dysraphism. Despite the repeated attempts to follow her up, she refused and hence the possibility of the presence of other associated malformations could not be ascertained. Considering the difficulty of antenatal diagnosis of OEIS complex and its associated mortality, the objective of this case report is to discuss the vital sonographic findings of OEIS, along with its etiology and prognosis, which can aid in its early detection and subsequently help parents to make a decision regarding the continuation of pregnancy

A case of reversible upper brachial plexopathy following CRT-P implantation

Brachial plexus injury is a challenging field of hand and upper extremity surgery. Presently available microsurgical techniques and functional gains are rewarding in upper plexus injuries. Cardiac electronic devices implantation rate is the required to manage long-term complications. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation is a commoner procedure done for severe ischaemic and non ischaemic cardiomyopathy. A 65-year-old male patient underwent CRT device implantation via utilizing his left subclavian vein with a classical incision over the delto pectoral groove, with right ventricular lead on the inter ventricular septum and left ventricular lead into the posterolateral branch of coronary sinus with RA threshold, impedance and amplitude (P) of 1V and 690ohm and 7.8mv respectively. CRT with adjacent nerve structure is carefully selected for vein puncture to minimize the risk of Brachial plexus injury, i.e. pacing lead induces nerve injury. Peripheral nerve injuries are sparsely reported due to procedural as well as indwelling trans venous pacing leads and isolated posterior cord involvement is a rarer presentation hence is reported

KESESUAIAN KAWASAN UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN EKOWISATA HUTAN MANGROVE KUALA LANGSA

Langsa City is mostly in the form of land and coastal areas, especially the Kuala Langsa area which has the potential to be developed into an ecotourism development area because the mangrove ecosystem is still natural and preserved. This study aims to determine the level of land suitability for the development of mangrove forest ecotourism in Kuala Langsa. Primary data in the form of mangrove density, mangrove thickness, types of mangroves, tides, and biota objects were obtained through observation at 6 observation locations using Purposive sampling and Line transect point methods, while secondary data included geographical conditions, and tidal data obtained through literature studies. Vegetation data were analyzed by calculating plant species density and tourism suitability analyzed using tourism suitability index (IKW). Mangrove species found at the study site included, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris and Xylocarpus granatum. The results showed that the IKW value of 60% included in the S2 category (as appropriate). The limiting factor is the density of mangroves which only have a value of 8 with the S3 conformity category (as conditional). With the limiting factor is the density of mangroves which only have a value of 4 with the suitability category S3 (not suitable). As for suggestions that can be given to the manager of Kuala Langsa mangrove forest Ecotourism so that the existence of Ecotourism can be sustainable is the need for Pentahelix Synergy in the management of the ecotourism

Does the Crude Palm Oil Market Walk Randomly?

Study about the efficiency of the capital market has been extensively conducted, but it is still lack of research on the efficiency of other financial markets such as commodity markets. This study specifically examines market efficiency in a weak form in a commodity market, especially in the crude palm oil (CPO) market. The purpose of this research is to analyze the weak form efficiency of the CPO market. Data used in this research is monthly CPO closing price data in 2010-2017 from Bursa Malaysia Derivative Exchange (BMD). This data was obtained from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). The analysis tool used is Runs Test, following by Unit Root Test and Correlogram as robustness checking. The result of this study shows that the CPO market is being efficient in a weak form. This shows that CPO price walks randomly so that the technical analysis cannot be applied to predict the CPO price. The result of this study suggests to both of CPO traders, and CPO speculators in their transaction on BMD do not rely on technical analysis.JEL Classifications: G14; Q02DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/jkdp.v22i2.202

Problematising international placements as a site of intercultural learning

This paper theorises some of the learning outcomes of a three-year project concerning student learning in international social work placements in Malaysia. The problematic issue of promoting cultural and intercultural competence through such placements is examined, where overlapping hegemonies are discussed in terms of isomorphism of social work models, that of the nation state, together with those relating to professional values and knowledge, and the tyrannies of received ideas. A critical discussion of cultural competence as the rationale for international placements is discussed in terms of the development of the graduating social worker as a self-reflexive practitioner. The development of sustainable international partnerships able to support student placement and the issue of non-symmetrical reciprocation, typical of wide socio-economic differentials across global regions, is additionally discussed