NANO-SPONGE NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM AS CARRIER OF ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE DRUG

Objective: The study was designed to prepare Nano-sponge formulation loaded with nifedipine. Studying parameters which affecting the formulas in addition to pharmacokinetics and toxicity tests. Methods: Nine Nano-sponge formulations were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique. Different ratios of polymer ethylcellulose, CO-polymers β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin in addition to solubilizing agent polyvinyl alcohol were used. Thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), shape and surface morphology, particle size, %production yield, %porosity, % swelling, and % drug entrapment efficiency of Nano-sponge were examined. Release kinetic also studied beside comparison of pharmacokinetic parameters of the optimum choice formula and marketed one in addition to Toxicological consideration. Results: Particle size in the range of 119.1 nm to 529 nm which were increased due to the increase in the concentration of polymer to the drug. Nano-sponge revealed porous, spherical nature. Increased in the drug/polymer molar ratios (1:1 to 1:3) may increase their % production yield ranged from 62.1% to 92.4%. The drug content of different formulations was in the range of 77.9% to 94.7%, and entrapment efficiency was in the range of 82.72 % to 96.63%. Drug released in controlled sustained pattern and followed Higuchi, s diffusion mechanism. Pharmacokinetic parameters of optimized formula showed significant higher maximum plasma drug concentration, area under plasma concentration-time curve, volume of distribution and mean residence time. Nano-sponge loaded drug proved biological safety at low concentrations. Conclusion: Nano-sponge drug delivery system has showed small Nano size, porous with controlled drug release and significant-high plasma drug concentration that improved solubility, drug bioavailability and proved safety

The Mediating Role of Psychological Ownership in the Relationship between Ethical Leadership and Organizational Justice, and the Multiple Forms of Employee performance Behaviors

In recent years, psychological ownership (PO) has been a growing interest for numerous authors and researchers. However, there is a lack of empirical studies regarding causes and consequences of PO, and a mediating role of PO, especially, in Arab countries. To test research model, data collected from three telecommunication companies working in King Saudi Arabia (KSA). Using a sample of five hundred of employees, 276 completed the survey with response rate 55.2%. The current study concluded several results; First, ethical leadership (EL) and organizational justice (OJ) explained 19.3% of the changes in employees’ psychological ownership. Second, both EL and OJ have a direct effect on PO and indirect effect on IRB and OCB. Third, PO plays a partial mediation between both EL and OJ, and the multiple forms of employee performance behaviors (MFEPB): in-role performance behaviors (IRB) and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB). Finally, this study provides a set of managerial implications to improve performance in telecommunication companies. As well the current study provides future research suggestions that can be taken into researchers’ interest in human resource management and organizational behavior. Key Words: Psychological Ownership, Ethical leadership, Organizational Justice, Multiple Forms of Employee performance Behavior, The mediating role

Electro-precipitation of magnetite nanoparticles: an electrochemical study

Nanoparticles of magnetites (Fe3O4) are synthesized with a new process based on electro-precipitation in ethanol medium. A mechanism pathway is proposed consisting of a Fe(OH)3 precipitation followed by the reduction of iron hydroxide to magnetite in the presence of hydroxyl ions which are enerated at the cathode

The Impact of Flipping an Educational Psychology Classroom on Learning at Different Levels of Bloom\u27s Taxonomy

This study examined the effects of the flipped classroom (FC) on overall learning in an undergraduate educational psychology course. Learning in the FC at the different levels of learning in Bloom’s Taxonomy (BT) was also investigated. We predicted that students in the FC would learn more than students in the traditional class and that students in the FC would initially score higher on items assessing lower BT levels (LL), but as they get more FC experiences would score higher on items assessing higher levels of BT (HL). Results indicated that there were no differences in exam scores between the traditional and FC sections. Students in the flipped sections scored higher on LL than on HL items in exam 1, but performed better on HL items than on LL items in exam 2. Implications and limitations of the study, as well as directions for future research, are discussed

Stability-Indicating Micelle-Enhanced Spectrofluorimetric Method For Determination of Tamsulosin Hydrochloride In Dosage Forms.

A rapid, simple and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method is developed for the determination of Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tams.HCl) in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method is based on investigation of the fluorescence spectral behavior of Tams.HCl in a sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micellar system. In aqueous solution of Tris buffer of pH 7±0.2, SDS causes marked enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of Tams.HCl (about +110%). The fluorescence intensity is measured at 328 nm after excitation at 280 nm and the fluorescence-concentration plots are rectilinear over the range 0.1-1.2 µg ml-1, with lower detection limit of 0.027 µg ml-1 and quantification limit of 0.09 µg ml-1. The method is successfully applied to the analysis of the studied drug in its commercial capsules, and the results are in good agreement with those obtained with the official method. The application of the proposed method is extended to stability studies of Tamsulosin hydrochloride after exposure to different forced degradation conditions, such as acidic, alkaline and oxidative conditions, according to ICH guidelines

Dielectric properties of Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ superconductor added with nano-Fe2O3

A series of high-temperature superconducting samples of type Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ, (Cu0.5Tl0.5)-1223, added with nano-Fe2O3 (0.0- 1.0 wt. %) was prepared by a solid-state reaction technique via short time preparation procedure and under ambient pressure. The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) for phase analysis and microstructure examination. The volume fraction results indicated that nano-Fe2O3 addition was significant in enhancing the formation rate of the (Cu0.5Tl0.5)-1223 phase, especially for x ≤ 0.2 wt. % samples. The electrical resistivity of the prepared samples was measured by the conventional four-probe technique from room temperature down to the zero superconducting transition temperature (T0). An increase in the superconducting temperature, Tc, is observed up to x = 0.2 wt. %, followed by a systematic decrease with increasing nano-Fe2O3 addition. The dielectric constants (ε\u27 and ε\u27\u27), dissipation factor (tan Δ) and real ac conductivity (σ\u27ac) were investigated as a function of temperature (113- 293 K) and frequency (102- 106 Hz). The results clarified that all these dielectric parameters show a strong dispersion with temperatures at low and moderate frequency ranges. Moreover, they are strongly dependent on nano-Fe2O3 addition. Furthermore, the high content of nano-Fe2O3 addition (x = 1.0 wt. %) enhanced ε\u27 and reduced tan D of (Cu0.5Tl0.5)-1223 phase, which is a desirable demand for practical applications

Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students of Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt About National DNA Database

Background: DNA database is used to identify individuals based on their specific DNA profiles. In Egypt, a definitive law describing and legalizing DNA related issues is absent; however, the Egyptian courts frequently deal with these issues. The legal authorities strongly suggest the impending need for detailed decrees in this regard that guard the safety of the whole Egyptian community. This paper aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Medical students about Egyptian National DNA Database (END). Methods: Data of this study were collected from 272 participants in the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University using interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: The participants were 136 males and 136 females with mean (SD) age of 27(9) years. Majority of the participants (89.7%) were aware about national database out of their medical textbooks. Personal identification was the most chosen END benefit and database usefulness was the main motivation for them. About 29% suggested to start END with the detected crime scene stains and forensic doctors should freely access END. Conclusion: These collective points of views might be useful in preparing some international and common ethical standards for the development of DNA databases framework

Etude de la réactivité des acétylacétonates métalliques pour l'enrobage de nanoparticules magnétiques de cobalt

Nous avons développé deux méthodes de synthèse de nanoparticules de cobalt en phase liquide : - des bâtonnets de diamètre de 15 nm et de longueur comprise entre 80 et 150 nm; - des nanoparticules sphériques de diamètre 10 nm. Les bâtonnets présentent des propriétés magnétiques anisotropes et sont de bons candidats comme brique de base pour la fabrication d'aimants permanents. Les particules sphériques trouvent des applications dans la spintronique ou dans la biologie. L'enrobage de ces particules de cobalt a plusieurs motivations : -la protection vis-à-vis de l'oxydation ; - la formation d'une barrière isolante pour les applications en nanoélectronique ; - la formation d'une barrière de diffusion empêchant le frittage lors de la mise en forme des bâtonnets ; - la modification de leur propriétés magnétiques (augmentation de l'aimantation et du champ coercitif). Dans ce travail nous avons étudié les potentialités de la décomposition des acétylacétonates de fer, de magnésium et d'aluminium dans des solvants organiques (oleylamine, dibenzylether, polyols) à haute température pour modifier la surface de particules de cobalt. Un alcoxyde d'aluminium précipitant sous forme de nanotubes à été isolé et caractérisé. Les résultats les plus probants ont été obtenus avec le fer et le magnésium. Nous avons mis en évidence la réactivité du cobalt avec les solvants organiques à 300°C qui mène à un enrobage des bâtonnets par une couche de matière carbonée ou à une carburation. En présence d'acétylacétonate de fer cette réactivité est favorable à la formation d'une couche continue de magnétite ou de fer métallique en surface des bâtonnets de cobalt. En présence d'acétylacétonate de magnésium une compétition entre la croissance de MgO et celle d'une couche carbonée a été observée. Ce travail a ouvert des perspectives sur la modification des propriétés magnétiques et la mise en forme des bâtonnets de cobalt dans le contexte de l'élaboration d'aimants permanents originaux.In this work we have developed the synthesis by wet chemistry of two kinds of cobalt nanoparticles: - nanorods with a diameter of 15 nm and aspect ratio comprised between 5 and 10; - spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm, that present potential applications in the field of composite materials and biology, respectively. We have studied the reactivity of these particles in high boiling point solvents in presence of iron, magnesium and aluminium acetylacetonates in order to modify their surface. We have demonstrated, first, that the reactivity of cobalt nanorods in organic solvents at 300°C leads to a carbon shell, as inferred from Raman, TEM and XRD analyses and that this shell is very useful to prevent the particles from agglomeration at high temperature (up to 400°C). Cobalt nanorods coated with a continuous layer either of magnetite or metallic iron were obtained by decomposition of Fe(acac)3 at 300°C in oleylamine in different conditions. In the presence of Mg(acac)2 a competition between a coating with MgO and a carbon layer has been observed. This work has opened perspectives for the use of cobalt nanorods as building blocks for new composite materials with permanent magnets properties. In this study we also have isolated and characterized aluminium alkoxide nanotubes by decomposition of Al(acac)3 in ethylene glycol and showed their interest as precursor for finely divided alumina nanoparticles

Poly(Homopiperazine−Amide) Thin-Film Composite Membrane for Nanofiltration of Heavy Metal Ions

The development of membrane-based technologies for the treatment of wastewater streams and resources containing heavy metal ions is in high demand. Among various technologies, nanofiltration (NF) membranes are attractive choices, and the continuous development of novel materials to improve the state-ofthe- art NF membranes is highly desired. Here, we report on the synthesis of poly(homopiperazine−amide) thin-film composite (HTFC)-NF membranes, using homopiperazine (HP) as a monomer. The surface charge, hydrophilicity, morphology, crosslinking density, water permeation, solute rejection, and antifouling properties of the fabricated NF membranes were evaluated. The fabricated HTFC NF membranes demonstrated water permeability of 7.0 ± 0.3 L/(m2 h bar) and rejected Na2SO4, MgSO4, and NaCl with rejection values of 97.0 ± 0.6, 97.4 ± 0.5, and 23.3 ± 0.6%, respectively. The membranes exhibit high rejection values of 98.1 ± 0.3 and 96.3 ± 0.4% for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions, respectively. The fouling experiment with humic acid followed by cross-flow washing of the membranes indicates that a flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 96.9 ± 0.4% can be obtained

Antibacterial Activity of Lactiplantibacillus Strains Isolated from Commercial Yogurt against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract  Background and Objective: Lactic acid bacteria are well known as beneficial microorganisms and most of them are probiotic distributed widely, especially in fermented dairy products e.g. yogurt. This study aimed to isolate, characterize and assess antimicrobial effects of lactic acid bacteria producing bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances against foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Material and Methods: In the present study, 17 lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from 10 commercial yogurt samples and the antibacterial effects of lactic acid bacterial cell culture, cell-free supernatant and neutralized cell-free supernatant was assessed against standard foodborne pathogenic bacteria of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhimurium using agar well diffusion assay. Although various treatments were used, most of the lactic acid bacterial isolates showed antimicrobial activity against the foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (SY1), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (SY5), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (SY8) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (SY9) showed significantly the best antimicrobial activity against the foodborne pathogens and thus were further identified using 16S rRNA gene molecular method. Results and Conclusion: Results showed that four isolates could produce bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances, which was significantly effective to inhibit growth of the pathogens. Primary screening for antimicrobial activity showed that 10 lactic acid bacterial strains inhibited Escherichia coli. The results revealed that Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was inhibited by six and one lactic acid bacterial isolates. Moreover, results showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was not affected by the isolates or treatment methods. It is concluded that a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance of lactic acid bacterial isolates was effective; hence, it could be used as a natural food additive to prevent foodborne infections and improve the food quality. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest