8 research outputs found
Comparative analysis of co-processed starches prepared by three different methods
Co-processing is currently of interest in the generation of high-functionality excipients for tablet formulation. In the present study, comparative analysis of the powder and tableting properties of three co-processed starches prepared by three different methods was carried out. The co-processed excipients consisting of maize starch (90%), acacia gum (7.5%) and colloidal silicon dioxide (2.5%) were prepared by co-dispersion (SAS-CD), co-fusion (SAS-CF) and co-granulation (SAS-CG). Powder properties of each co-processed excipient were characterized by measuring particle size, flow indices, particle density, dilution potential and lubricant sensitivity ratio. Heckel and Walker models were used to evaluate the compaction behaviour of the three co-processed starches. Tablets were produced with paracetamol as the model drug by direct compression on an eccentric Tablet Press fitted with 12 mm flat-faced punches and compressed at 216 MPa. The tablets were stored at room temperature for 24 h prior to evaluation. The results revealed that co-granulated co-processed excipient (SAS-CG) gave relatively better properties in terms of flow, compressibility, dilution potential, deformation, disintegration, crushing strength and friability. This study has shown that the method of co-processing influences the powder and tableting properties of the co-processed excipient
Comparative analysis of co-processed starches prepared by three different methods
Co-processing is currently of interest in the generation of high-functionality excipients for tablet formulation. In the present study, comparative analysis of the powder and tableting properties of three co-processed starches prepared by three different methods was carried out. The co-processed excipients consisting of maize starch (90%), acacia gum (7.5%) and colloidal silicon dioxide (2.5%) were prepared by co-dispersion (SAS-CD), co-fusion (SAS-CF) and co-granulation (SAS-CG). Powder properties of each co-processed excipient were characterized by measuring particle size, flow indices, particle density, dilution potential and lubricant sensitivity ratio. Heckel and Walker models were used to evaluate the compaction behaviour of the three co-processed starches. Tablets were produced with paracetamol as the model drug by direct compression on an eccentric Tablet Press fitted with 12 mm flat-faced punches and compressed at 216 MPa. The tablets were stored at room temperature for 24 h prior to evaluation. The results revealed that co-granulated co-processed excipient (SAS-CG) gave relatively better properties in terms of flow, compressibility, dilution potential, deformation, disintegration, crushing strength and friability. This study has shown that the method of co-processing influences the powder and tableting properties of the co-processed excipient
Dysregulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Homeostasis and Glucocorticoid-Associated Genes in Umbilical Cord Endothelial Cells of Diet-Induced Obese Pregnant Sheep
Maternal obesity (MO) is associated with offspring cardiometabolic diseases that are hypothesized to be partly mediated by glucocorticoids. Therefore, we aimed to study fetal endothelial glucocorticoid sensitivity in an ovine model of MO. Rambouillet/Columbia ewes were fed either 100% (control) or 150% (MO) National Research Council recommendations from 60 d before mating until near-term (135 days gestation). Sheep umbilical vein and artery endothelial cells (ShUVECs and ShUAECs) were used to study glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and function in vitro. Dexamethasone doseâresponse studies of gene expression, activation of a glucocorticoid response element (GRE)-dependent luciferase reporter vector, and cytosolic/nuclear GR translocation were used to assess GR homeostasis. MO significantly increased basal GR protein levels in both ShUVECs and ShUAECs. Increased GR protein levels did not result in increased dexamethasone sensitivity in the regulation of key endothelial gene expression such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, or intercellular adhesion molecule 1. In ShUVECs, MO increased GRE-dependent transactivation and FKBP prolyl isomerase 5 (FKBP5) expression. ShUAECs showed generalized glucocorticoid resistance in both dietary groups. Finally, we found that ShUVECs were less sensitive to dexamethasone-induced activation of GR than human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These findings suggest that MO-mediated effects in the offspring endothelium could be further mediated by dysregulation of GR homeostasis in humans as compared with sheep
Effects of mucuna seed extract on sperm functional integrities and seminal oxidative stress indices of vitrified goat semen
Effects of mucuna seed extract (MSE) in tris-extenders on sperm functional
integrities and seminal oxidative stress indices of vitrified sperm of West
African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks were investigated. Varying levels (0, 0.25,
0.5, 0.75, 1 g/100 mL of diluent) of MSE in tris-extenders were diluted with
semen specimens. Diluted semen specimens were vitrified and preserved in
liquid nitrogen. The results showed that sperm functional integrities
(acrosome and membrane integrities) in MSE extenders were comparable.
However, seminal oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde [MDA] and acrosin
activity) differed (P<0.05) among the various treatments and the control. The
results revealed that semen vitrified with MSE had reduced (P<0.05) MDA
concentrations compared to the control. Higher (P<0.05) acrosin activities
were recorded in semen vitrified with MSE compared to the control except at
0.25g MSE and optimal values were recorded at 1g MSE. The findings indicated
that MSE in the tris-extenders reduced MDA concentration with congruent
elevated acrosin activity and consequently maintained sperm functional
integrities of vitrified spermatozoa of the WAD goat
Determinants of FirstâEver Stroke Severity in West Africans: Evidence From the SIREN Study
Background Baseline stroke severity is probably partly responsible for poor stroke outcomes in subâSaharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of information on determinants of stroke severity among indigenous Africans. We sought to identify the factors associated with stroke severity among West Africans in the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Networks) study. Methods and Results Stroke was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with brain neuroimaging. Severe stroke was defined as a Stroke Levity Scale score of â€5. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify factors associated with stroke severity at 95% CI and a nominal cutoff of 5% type 1 error. A total of 3660 stroke cases were included. Overall, 50.7%% had severe stroke, including 47.6% of all ischemic strokes and 56.1% of intracerebral hemorrhage. Factors independently associated with severe stroke were meat consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.97 [95% CI, 1.43â2.73]), low vegetable consumption (aOR, 2.45 [95% CI, 1.93â3.12]), and lesion volume, with an aOR of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.03â2.72) for lesion volume of 10 to 30âcm3 and aOR of 3.88 (95% CI, 1.93â7.81) for lesion volume >30âcm3. Severe ischemic stroke was independently associated with total anterior circulation infarction (aOR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.5â6.9]), posterior circulation infarction (aOR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1â4.2]), and partial anterior circulation infarction (aOR, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.2â3.3]) compared with lacunar stroke. Increasing age (aOR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.3â5.2]) and lesion volume >30âcm3 (aOR, 6.2 [95% CI, 2.0â19.3]) were independently associated with severe intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusions Severe stroke is common among indigenous West Africans, where modifiable dietary factors are independently associated with it. These factors could be targeted to reduce the burden of severe stroke