Differentiation of lysozyme activity in the fast, slow and cardiac muscles of chick

Lysosomal activity did not vary in embryonic muscles, whereas adult posterior latissimus dorsi muscles (PLD) of the wing of White Leghorn chicks showed greater activity than adult anterior latissimus dorsi muscles (ALD)​. Cardiac muscle showed very low lysosomal activity, that of embryo as well as of adult exhibiting the same specific activity. These results suggested that lysosomal activity was initially the same in all 3 embryonic muscles but, as the skeletal muscles differentiated into the adult types, they synthesized more active lysozyme than the heart. Among the skeletal muscles, the PLD synthesized more active enzyme than the ALD. Since greater lysozyme activity implied a well-​organized lysosomal activity existing in the muscle, from the standpoint of pathophysiol. significance, it was suggested that the adult skeletal muscles had to synthesize more lysozyme for protection, whereas the embryonic muscles were well-​protected by the lysozyme of the egg albumin

Beam Switching Cylindrical Array Antenna System for Communication

The beam switching cylindrical array, which is a unique system, has been designed and developed to cover 360° in azimuth plane by generating 16 beams with specified elevation coverage.In this design, the concept of fast aperture selection (4 x 4) in microseconds from the total cylindrical array has been realised successfully to meet the requirement of point-to-multipoint communication. The components of the array, viz., radiating elements, powder dividers, switches, etc., are designed in printed circuit type, and hence, objectives of lightweight and ease of reproducibility are achieved. The lightweight of the array makes it accessible for easy mounting at a specified height for achieving longer communication range. Finally, a low-loss radome is incorporated to protect the array from environmental conditions. The various parameters, viz., return loss, gain, and switched-beam radiation patterns were measured over a bandwidth of 300 MHz in L- band and typical measured results are presented in this paper

Skin pharmacokinetics of miltefosine in the treatment of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in South Asia

Introduction: Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) arises as a dermal complication following a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) infection. Current treatment options for PKDL are unsatisfactory, and there is a knowledge gap regarding the distribution of antileishmanial compounds within human skin. The present study investigated the skin distribution of miltefosine in PKDL patients, with the aim to improve the understanding of the pharmacokinetics at the skin target site in PKDL. Methods: Fifty-two PKDL patients underwent treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (20 mg/kg) plus miltefosine (allometric dosing) for 21 days. Plasma concentrations of miltefosine were measured on study days 8, 15, 22 and 30, while a punch skin biopsy was taken on day 22. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to evaluate the distribution of miltefosine into the skin. Results: Following the allometric weight-based dosing regimen, median miltefosine concentrations on day 22 were 43.73 μg/g (IQR: 21.94-60.65 μg/g) in skin and 33.29 μg/mL (IQR: 25.9-42.58 μg/mL) in plasma. The median individual concentration ratio of skin to plasma was 1.19 (IQR: 0.79-1.9). In 87% (45/52) of patients, skin exposure was above the suggested EC90 PK target of 10.6 mg/L associated with in vitro susceptibility. Simulations indicated that the residence time of miltefosine in the skin would be more than 2-fold longer than in plasma, estimated by a mean residence time of 604 versus 266 hours, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides the first accurate measurements of miltefosine penetration into the skin, demonstrating substantial exposure and prolonged retention of miltefosine within the skin. These findings support the use of miltefosine in cutaneous manifestations of leishmaniasis. In combination with parasitological and clinical data, these results are critical for the future optimization of combination therapies with miltefosine in the treatment of PKDL