A study of German printing inks from the early 20th century

Various coulorful printing inks were developed and widely distributed during the 19th and 20h centuries. However, in comparison to artists' paints from that period, printing inks are not studied in depth. This paper provides a first insight into materials in common German printing inks used at the time to understand the artists' opportunities, predict properties such as light fastness and possible colour alterations. The study is based on literature research and the analysis of two printing ink sample books from the 1920s and 1930s. Complementary analytical techniques were employed to characterise the ink samples, namely Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Twenty modern synthetic organic pigments (SOPs) and several traditional pigments as well as metallic pigments were identified in the catalogues. Linseed oil, semi-drying oils and resins (such as Copal and Dammar) were used as binding media. The results will aid decision-making in preservation and conservation of printed works

Butyrylcholinesterase and diabetes mellitus in the CHE2 C5-and CHE2 C5+ phenotypes Butirilcolinesterase e diabetes melito nos fenótipos CHE2 C5-e CHE2 C5+

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (total and band specific) and diabetes mellitus. Subjects and methods: BChE activities (BChEA, AC 4/5 , AC OF and RC 5 ) were analyzed in 101 type 1 (DM1) and in 145 type 2 (DM2) diabetic patients, in relation to phenotype, weight and incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in these patients. The C 4/5 and C 5 complex were separated from other molecular forms (C OF ) using an acid agar gel. Results: The BChE activity (BChEA) and the absolute activities of C 4/5 (AC 4/5 ) and C OF (AC OF ) showed a high positive correlation coefficient to weight in the CHE2 C5-group, while the relative activity of C 5 complex (RC 5 ) showed a negative correlation to weight. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the positive correlation of the BChE activities to diabetes mellitus and to insulin resistance may depend on the CHE2 locus variability. High values of BChE activities were associated with insulin resistance only in CHE2 C5-diabetic patients, while in CHE2 C5+ diabetic patients, the presence of C 5 complex, especially in a relatively high proportion, leads to less fat storage and better protection against metabolic syndrome. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(1):60-7 Keywords BCHE and CHE2 loci; C 4/5 and C 5 complexes; obesity, insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; serum cholinesterase RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre as atividades (total e banda específica) da butirilcolinesterase (BChE) e diabetes melito. Sujeitos e métodos: As atividades da BChE (BChEA, AC 4/5 , AC OF e RC 5 ) foram analisadas em 101 pacientes diabéticos do tipo 1 (DM1) e 145 do tipo 2 (DM2) em relação aos fenótipos, ao peso e à incidência da síndrome metabólica. Os complexos C 4/5 e C 5 foram separados das outras formas moleculares (C OF ), usando gel de ágar ácido. Resultados: A atividade da BChE (BChEA) e as atividades absolutas de C 4/5 (AC 4/5 ) e de C OF (AC OF ) mostraram altos coeficientes de correlações positivos com peso no grupo de CHE2 C5-, enquanto a atividade relativa do complexo C 5 (RC 5 ) mostrou correlação negativa com o peso. Conclusões: O presente estudo sugere que as correlações positivas das atividades da BChE com diabetes melito e com a resistência à insulina podem depender da variabilidade do loco CHE2. Altos valores nas atividades da BChE estão associados com a resistência à insulina somente nos pacientes diabéticos CHE2 C5-, enquanto nos pacientes diabéticos CHE2 C5+ a presença do complexo C 5 , especialmente em alta proporção relativa, leva a um menor estoque de gordura e à maior proteção contra a síndrome metabólica. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(1):60-7 Descritores Locos BCHE e CHE2; complexos C 4/5 e C 5 ; obesidade, resistência à insulina; síndrome metabólica; colinesterase do sor

Cyclodextrins in drug delivery: An updated review

The purpose of this review is to discuss and summarize some of the interesting findings and applications of cyclodextrins (CDs) and their derivatives in different areas of drug delivery, particularly in protein and peptide drug delivery and gene delivery. The article highlights important CD applications in the design of various novel delivery systems like liposomes, microspheres, microcapsules, and nanoparticles. In addition to their well-known effects on drug solubility and dissolution, bioavailability, safety, and stability, their use as excipients in drug formulation are also discussed in this article. The article also focuses on various factors influencing inclusion complex formation because an understanding of the same is necessary for proper handling of these versatile materials. Some important considerations in selecting CDs in drug formulation such as their commercial availability, regulatory status, and patent status are also summarized. CDs, because of their continuing ability to find several novel applications in drug delivery, are expected to solve many problems associated with the delivery of different novel drugs through different delivery routes