An anti-inflammatory drug (mefenamic acid) incorporated in biodegradable alginate beads: Development and optimization of the process using factorial design

WOS: 000253723100001PubMed ID: 18300095The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate biodegradable alginate beads as a controlled-release system for a water-insoluble drug, mefenamic acid (MA), using 3 x 2 2 factorial design by ionotropic gelation method. Therefore, the mefenamic acid dispersion in a solution of alginate was dropped into the cross-linking CaCl2 solution and a fairly high yield (71-89%) of MA-alginate beads were obtained. Their encapsulation efficiencies were in the range of 79.3-98.99%. The effect of drug:polymer ratio, CaCl2 concentration, and curing time on the time for 50% of the drug to be released (t(50%)), and the drug entrapment efficiency were evaluated with factorial design method. It was found that drug:polymer ratio and interaction of drug:polymer ratio and curing time had an important effect on the drug to be released (t(50%)). The effect of CaCl2 concentration is also important on the drug release. On the other hand, all factors except CaCl2 concentration were effective on the drug entrapment efficiency. The swelling properties of beads were also studied. The release mechanism was described and found to be non-Fickian, Case II, and Super Case II transport for the formulations. This study suggested a new mefenamic acid alginate bead formulation for oral delivery of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which cause gastric irritation

Phylogenetic diversity of barley- and wheat-specific forms of Wheat dwarf virus in Turkey

Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) has caused an epidemic in many cereal production areas of Turkey in recent years. There is no current literature data on this important virus in the country. This study presents the extensive molecular characterization of WDV isolates causing serious problems in the Central Anatolia Region between 2019 and 2020. Of the 51 locations, 44 locations (25 barley + 19 wheat) were found to be infected with WDV and 7 locations (1 barley + 6 wheat) were WDV-negative by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction). To differentiate the wheat- and barley-specific (WDV-W and WDV-B) forms of WDV, PCR tests were also performed. Eleven locations were identified as WDV-W, and 33 locations were identified as WDV-B. Although two Turkish isolates in WDV-B specific form have been reported in previous studies, isolates belonging to WDV-W specific form were identified for the first time by this study. Partial sequences of randomly selected 16 isolates (8 WDV-W and 8 WDV-B) were realized and deposited in GenBank. The phylogenetic tree was generated by the neighbor-joining method, and 16 isolates were clustered as follows: two isolates in WDV-A, six isolates in WDV-B, and eight isolates in WDV-E. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of B and E strains of WDV in Turkey. This is the first comprehensive study presenting both specific form prevalence and the strains of WDV in Turkey

Work-related musculoskeletal problems among pharmaceutical sales representatives in Samsun, Turkey

Objectives: Many studies have been performed about work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) in various groups of professions. However pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) have not been investigated with regard to their musculoskeletal problems related to their works. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) and depression among PSRs; the quality of life in these subjects and to investigate which socio-demographic variables are associated with the presence of complaints, in Turkey

Global Population Structure of Apple Mosaic Virus (ApMV, Genus <i>Ilarvirus</i>)

The gene sequence data for apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in NCBI GenBank were analyzed to determine the phylogeny and population structure of the virus at a global level. The phylogenies of the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) genes, encoded by RNA3, were shown to be identical and consisted of three lineages but did not closely correlate with those of P1 and P2, suggesting the presence of recombinant isolates. Recombination Detection Program (RDP v.4.56) detected significant recombination signal in the P1 region of K75R1 (KY883318) and Apple (HE574162) and the P2 region of Apple (HE574163) and CITH GD (MN822138). Observation on several diversity parameters suggested that the isolates in group 3 had higher divergence among them, compared to isolates in groups 1 and 2. The neutrality tests assigned positive values to P1, indicating that only this region experiencing balanced or contracting selection. Comparisons of the three phylogroups demonstrated high Fixation index (FST) values and confirmed genetic separation and the lack of gene flow among them. Additionally, ±500 bp of partial MP + ‘intergenic region’ + partial CP coding regions of two Turkish isolates from apple and seven from hazelnut were sequenced and determined that their phylogenetic positions fell within group 1 and 3, respectively

Sustained release spherical agglomerates of polymethacrylates containing mefenamic acid: in vitro release, micromeritic properties and histological studies

Mefenamic acid (MA) spherical agglomerates (SAs) were prepared with various polymethacrylates having different permeability characteristics (Eudragit RS 100, Eudragit RL 100 and Eudragit L 100) and also with combination of Eudragit RS 100 and Eudragit L 100 in different ratios. SAs were prepared by spherical crystallization method using ethanol/dichloromethane solvent (crystallization) system. The influence of various formulation factors on the encapsulation efficiency, as in vitro drug release, and micromeritic properties was investigated. Target release profile of MA was also drawn. The yields of preparation and the encapsulation efficiencies were high for all formulations. The shape and surface characteristics of SAs were observed by a scanning electron microscope. The particle sizes are in the range of 0.219 +/- 0.1 to 0.482 +/- 0.25 mm (mean +/- confidence interval t(95%)). In addition, histological studies showed that the administration of MA in SAs containing Eudragit RS/L provided a distinct tissue protection in the stomach and duodenum. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction of powder studies showed that MA particles crystallized in the presence of polymethacrylates did not undergo structural modifications

A comparative histological study of alginate beads as a promising controlled release delivery for mefenamic acid

WOS: 000259813600006PubMed ID: 18720245The new mefenamic acid-alginate bead formulation prepared by ionotropic gelation method using 3 x 2(2) factorial design has shown adequate controlled release properties in vitro. In the present Study, the irritation effects of mefenamic acid (MA), a prominent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drug, were evaluated on rat gastric and duodenal mucosa when suspended in 0.5% (w/v) sodiumcarboxymethyl-cellulose (NaCMC) solution and loaded in alginate beads. Wistar albino rats weighing 200 +/- 50 g were used during in vivo animal studies. In this work, biodegradable controlled release MA beads and free MA were evaluated according to the degree of gastric or duodenal damage following oral administration in rats. The gastric and duodenal mucosa was examined for any haemorrhagic changes. Formulation code A10 showing both Case II transport and zero order drug release and t(50) % value of 5.22 h was chosen for in vivo animal studies. For in vivo trials, free MA (100 mgkg(-1)), blank and MA (100 mgkg(-1)) loaded alginate beads (formulation code A 10) were suspended in 0.5% (w/v) NaCMC solution and each group was given to six rats orally by gavage. NaCMC solution was used as a control in experimental studies. In vivo data showed that the administration of MA in alginate beads prevented the gastric lesions.Ege UniversityEge University; Eczacibasi Pharm Co. Istanbul, TurkeyThis study was supported by a research grant from Ege University. The authors thank Eczacibasi Pharm Co. Istanbul, Turkey, for kindly supplying the mefenamic acid powder

Effect of forced air cooling and modified atmosphere packaging on fruit quality and shelf-life of strawberry cv. Camarosa

Bu çalışmada basınçlı hava ile ön soğutma ve modifıye atmosfer torbalarının Camarosa çilek çeşidinin derim sonrası kalitesi ve fizyolojisine olan etkileri araştırılmıştır. Derimi yapılan çilekler 500 gramlık ambalaj kaplarına yerleştirilmiştir. Ambalajlanan çilekler 0°C'de; (a) hiçbir uygulama yapılmaksızın, (b) basınçlı hava ile ön soğutma yapıldıktan sonra, (c) basınçlı hava ile ön soğutma yapıldıktan sonra modifıye atmosfer torbaları içerisine yerleştirilmiş olarak muhafaza edilmiştir. Bunun yanında raf ömrünü belirlemek amacıyla çilekler 20 °C'lik depolara yerleştirilmiştir. Muhafaza süresince çilekler, meyve eti sertliği, SÇKM, pH, titre edilebilir asit miktarı, renk (hue°) ve ağırlık kayıpları bakımından analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, "Camarosa" çeşidi çileklerinin basınçlı hava ile ön soğutma yapıldıktan sonra modifıye atmosfer torbaları içerisinde 0 °C'de depolanması halinde meyve kalite kriterlerini koruyarak 17 gün muhafaza edilebileceği görülmüştür.Effect of forced-air cooling and modified atmosphere packaging on the postharverst quality and physiology of strawberry cv. Camarosa was investigated. Harvested strawberries were packed in 500g punnets. These punnets were stored at 0°C with treatments; (a) No other application, (b) Forced air precooling, (c) After forced air precooling, packaging in modified atmosphere bags. Beside these, strawberries were stored at 20°C to test shelf-life. Strawberries were analyzed for fruit firmness, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, color (hue°) and weight loss. Results of this study indicates that strawberry cv. Camarosa can be stored for 17 days preserving its quality in combination of forced-air cooling and modified atmosphere packaging

Comprehensive surveillance and population study on plum pox virus in Ankara Province of Turkey

Ankara Province with its sizeable stone fruits outputs and its geographic location in the middle of Turkey might be one of the diversity centers of plum pox virus (PPV) in the country, yet the epidemiological data from there were rather limited. Multi-year extensive surveillance in all 25 districts of Ankara sampled 8131 Prunus spp. plants to be tested against PPV. DAS-ELISA detected 609 PPV positive samples (7.49%), which were all also confirmed by RT-PCR using two primer pairs to amplify P3-6K1-CI and partial NIb-CP regions. The partial genomes of 80 isolates were sequenced, then the sequences were subjected to phylogenetic and population analyses together with 170 isolates which complete genome sequences available in NCBI GenBank. The phylogenetic study showed that 73 new isolates were PPV-T, six isolates were PPV-M, and one isolate was PPV-D. The subsequent population study confirmed the interesting features of PPV with very high genetic diversities at the species level, thus it should be divided into strains that each retained much lower divergence among isolates. The obtained data also could provide new evidence to separate M, and MIs isolates into two distinct strains. Although previous studies suggested that Turkish isolates have been endemic since a long time ago in the country, the results of demographic analyses of the present study indicated that the expansions of Turkey and Ankara populations were recent, driven by relatively new mutations in their genome

Insight into Population Structure and Evolutionary Analysis of the Emerging Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus

A total of 112 symptomatic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and 83 symptomatic pepper (Capsicum spp.) samples were collected in Ankara, Eskişehir, Bartın, and Zonguldak provinces of Turkey during 2020–2021. Six tomatoes and one pepper sample (3.6%) tested positive for tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV, genus Tobamovirus) infection by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR. ToBRFV-positive tomato and pepper plants were removed from greenhouses as soon as possible, and the greenhouses and tools were disinfected completely. Phylogenetic analysis on the complete CP sequences suggested the clustering of 178 GenBank isolates and 7 novel isolates into three groups. A study using DnaSP software showed very low genetic variation among current global ToBRFV isolates. All four ORFs of the virus genome were under strong negative evolutionary constraints, with a ω value range of 0.0869–0.2066. However, three neutrality tests indicated that most populations of the newly identified ToBRFV are currently expanding by assigning statistically significant negative values to them. The very low FST values (0.25 or less) obtained by all comparisons of the isolates from Europe, the Middle East, China, and America concluded that there is no clear genetic separation among currently known isolates from different geographic origins. The divergence time of ToBRFV was estimated to be in the middle of the course of the evolution of 11 tested tobamoviruses. The time to the most recent common ancestors (TMRCAs) of ToBRFV were calculated to be 0.8 and 1.87 with the genetically closest members of Tobamovirus. The results of this study could improve our understanding on the population structure of the emerging ToBRFV