Novel salted anionic-cationic polymethacrylate polymer blends for sustained release of acidic and basic drugs

Background: Since a unique matrix tablet formulation that independently controls the release of various drug types is in a great demand, the objective of this research was to develop a sustained release matrix tablet as a universal dosage form using a binary mixture of the salt forms of Eudragit polymers rather than their interpolyelectrolyte complexes. Methods: Tablets were prepared by wet granulation and compressed at different compression forces, depending on drug type. Dissolution tests were conducted using USP XXII rotating paddle apparatus at 50 rpm at 37°C in consecutive pH stages. Results: Tablets containing Ibuprofen (IB) as a model acidic drug and Metronidazole (MD) as a model basic drug showed controlled/sustained release behavior. For IB tablets containing 80% Ibuprofen and 5% (w/w) polymeric combination; the time for 50% of the drug release was about 24 hours compared to 8.5 hours for plain tablets containing 80% IB. In case of MD, the drug release extended to about 7 hours for tablets containing 80% MD and 5% (w/w) polymeric combination, compared to about 1 hour for plain tablets containing 80% MD. In terms of extending the release of medications, the dissolution profiles of the tablets containing polymeric salts forms were found to be statistically superior to tablets prepared by direct compression of the polymers in their powdered base forms, and superior to tablets containing the same polymers granulated using isopropyl alcohol. Conclusion: The findings indicated the significance of combining the polymers in their salt forms in controlling the release of various drug types from matrices

A reactive molecular dynamics investigation of nanoparticle interactions in hydrocarbon combustion

The use of energetic nanoparticles to tailor the properties of a base liquid fuel has attracted attention due to the possibility of decreasing fuel consumption and increasing control over the combustion process. In this study, the role of nanomaterials in the consumption of hydrocarbon fuel vapor is investigated using reactive molecular dynamics. Simulations are performed with aluminum and iron nanoparticles inside an n-heptane and oxygen gas mixture. The role of atomic charges on the dynamics of nanoparticle-hydrocarbon interactions is also investigated using different charge equilibration methods. Results show that both nanomaterials act as catalysts and enhance fuel decomposition. The decomposition of fuel molecules is initiated by dehydrogenation at the particle’s surface. This reaction path occurs significantly faster than the oxidation and pyrolysis paths observed for n-heptane in absence of nanoparticles. The oxidation in the presence of aluminum is characterized by more rapid particle heating and fragmentation compared to iron. Metal fragments further enhance the reactivity of the system due to a higher surface area available for reactions. The atomic charge distribution was found to affect the kinetics and reactivity of the system, showing that the non-bonded interactions influence the oxidation process. This study confirms that the use of nanomaterials is beneficial to accelerate the decomposition of fuel and that the combustion behavior of the selected hydrocarbon is strongly dependent on the type of nanomaterial used in combination with the base fuel

Knowledge and Attitude of Saudi Arabian School Teachers with Regards to Emergency Management of Dental Trauma

Injury to both the primary and the permanent dentitions and their supporting structures is one of the most common dental problems seen in children.  School is one of the locations with greatest prevalence of occurrence of traumatic dental injuries.  School teachers play important role in prevention of dental trauma and improving its prognosis. The present study was undertaken to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding emergency management of dental trauma, first aid for avulsed tooth and influence of dental education among school teachers in Abha city. METHODS: The participants were 100 school teachers from Abha city and were interviewed using a questionnaire regarding management of dental trauma.  The completed proformas was collected and the result was statistically analyzed to know the knowledge and attitudes regarding emergency management of dental trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of school staff had little knowledge related to handling of traumatic dental injuries and emergency management of avulsed permanent teeth in school children. Majority of school teachers were eager to have knowledge regarding dental trauma through continues dental education programs and workshops.  First aid training increases knowledge about dental trauma and should be included in the course curriculum of teachers training program

The Influence of Exogenous Hormone on the Flowering and Fruiting of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)

The influence the exogenous hormone on flowering and fruiting of strawberry was conducted at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) station in Cameron Highlands. Factorial experiment with three replications was designed in randomized completed block design (RCBD) where two factors, cultivars and exogenous hormone were used. Two strawberry cultivars, Camarosa and Camaroga cvs., were grown under green house and treated with 0 and 50 ppm of auxin (IBA), gibberellins acid (GA3) or cytokinin (6-BA) either singly or in combination by foliage application. The results showed that, there are significant different between the mean of flowering parameter, percentage of fruit set and average of fruit weight among the two cultivars. The result also showed that the number of the flowers per plant was greatly increased by about 138% comparing with the control plants when treated with 50 ppm GA3. 6-BA and IBA shows an antagonized effect on the role of GA3 in producing the flowers. The percentage of fruits set had increased by about 97.24 % and 81.5 % after treated with IBA and GA3, respectively. Combined application of GA3+6BA had increased the fruit weight by 33.85% compared with the control plants. The result also indicated that these two cultivars of strawberry response differently to the exogenous hormones in the producing flowers and fruits. The first bud of the plant treated with IBA+6-BA formed to flower as compared with the plants treated with GA3. The result obtained from of the present study could be used to control the flowering and fruiting of strawberry. Keywords: Strawberry, exogenous hormone, flowering, fruiting

Porous Inorganic Drug Delivery Systems—a Review

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Innovative methods and materials have been developed to overcome limitations associated with current drug delivery systems. Significant developments have led to the use of a variety of materials (as excipients) such as inorganic and metallic structures, marking a transition from conventional polymers. Inorganic materials, especially those possessing significant porosity, are emerging as good candidates for the delivery of a range of drugs (antibiotics, anticancer and anti-inflammatories), providing several advantages in formulation and engineering (encapsulation of drug in amorphous form, controlled delivery and improved targeting). This review focuses on key selected developments in porous drug delivery systems. The review provides a short broad overview of porous polymeric materials for drug delivery before focusing on porous inorganic materials (e.g. Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA) and Mobil Composition of Matter (MCM)) and their utilisation in drug dosage form development. Methods for their preparation and drug loading thereafter are detailed. Several examples of porous inorganic materials, drugs used and outcomes are discussed providing the reader with an understanding of advances in the field and realistic opportunities

Free-range rearing density for male and female Milanino chickens: carcass yield and qualitative meat traits

SUMMARY The Milanino is a heavy Italian chicken breed and represents an important genetic resource for alternative production systems. In order to support its promotion in the market according to consumer expectations on healthy nutrition and animal welfare, this trial aims to study the slaughter performance and the meat quality in male and female Milanino chickens kept at different rearing density in a separate-sex free-range system. A total of 140 birds (70M:70F) were reared in outdoor pens from 75 to 235 d of life according to the following experimental groups (35 birds/group): M2) males in 2 m2/bird; F2) females in 2 m2/bird; M10) males in 10 m2/bird; F10) females in 10 m2/bird. At 235 d of age, 6 birds per group were slaughtered. Slaughter performance and meat quality were assessed. The Milanino chicken is characterized by high carcass weight and carcass yield among local chicken breeds, and a rearing density of 10 m2/bird is recommended for male birds to obtain heavier carcasses. Milanino meat appears bright and intensely colored, and it is characterized by high protein and low fat contents compared with the standard broiler meat. Total lipids of Milanino meat are characterized by a healthy fatty acid composition, corresponding to a high PUFA/SFA ratio. Milanino breast meat is a good supply of nutraceutical PUFA with a positive low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The ability of the Milanino breed either to synthesize or to transfer to tissue a high quantity of PUFA relevant for human health could be a key factor for its economic valorization

A convenient synthesis of 5-amino-4-(2-benzothiazolyl)pyrazoles

1175-117

An Approach to Achieve Thermal Comfort and Save Energy in Heritage Buildings Using Different Operating Patterns

The effective utilization of natural ventilation in heritage buildings could save a significant rate of electrical energy, as the airflow pattern affects interior comfort conditions; achieving users’ thermal comfort counts as an added value. This study aims to promote an approach in the form of a design strategy for a developed optimal annual operating schedule for heritage buildings, targeting the best operating pattern/s for each month. The study was carried out for a typical heritage building in the central district of Alexandria city (a typical Mediterranean Basin city), Egypt, for improving energy efficiency while achieving users’ thermal comfort. The paper adopted a simulation methodology for conducting energy and thermal comfort analyses using DesignBuilder simulation software. The approach was applied to a south-oriented room of the selected residential heritage building, which is the most affected orientation in the temperate-humid (slightly warmer) climate. The developed operating patterns included closed and opened windows, controlled natural ventilation, and HVAC system for cooling and heating with different temperature setpoints. The results showed that using the developed optimal annual operating schedule can save up to 47% of the total cooling and heating electrical energy annually, while achieving 365 thermally comfortable days a year, including 177 days when only natural ventilation operating patterns are used. The study revealed the importance of considering the optimal operating patterns schedule as an approach to improve the environmental performance of heritage buildings. Also, the optimal annual operating schedule resulted in an adjusted base-case that can be used for evaluating the retrofitting scenarios for south-oriented, energy-efficient heritage buildings in temperate-humid climate.The authors would like to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), and BEEP project for supporting this work