Design and In-vitro Evaluation of Bilayer Floating Tablet Containing Mucoadhesive Microparticles of Olanzapin e.

Introduction: The purpose of this article was to design a bilayer floating- drug delivery system using mucoadhesive microparticles of olanzapine as a model drug. Methods and Results: Mucoadhesive Microparticles were fabricated with coacervation method by using of mucoadhesive polymers such as sodium bicarbonate, chitosan and ethyl cellulose. The floating layer containing sodium bicarbonate, HPMC, carbapol, PVP and olanzapine mucoadhesive microparticles was compressed and an immediate release layer was added and then both layers were compressed. Floating properties of the tablets, the in vitro drug release, buoyancy lag-time and swelling index were evaluated. The results showed that incorporation of olanzapine mucoadhesive microparticles in floating tablet improved the release kinetic to biphasic so the drug was immediately release in 30 min after floating and lasted more than 8 hours. Also the release of olnzapine was  based on zero order kinetic. This suggested the synergic effect of micro particulate system as well as floating property in long time drug release in gastric fluid. Conclusions: This kind of tablet is suitable for long term delivery of olanzapine in upper gastric parts or segments

First-Principles Study of the Stabilization and Mechanical Properties of Rare-Earth Ferritic Perovskites (RFeO3, R = La, Eu, Gd)

Current research aims to investigate the mechanical properties of rare earth perovskite ferrites (RFeO[subscript 3], R = La, Eu, Gd) utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Using the revised Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof approximation for solids (PBEsol) approximation, the elastic constants, bulk, Young's, and shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, and anisotropic properties are calculated. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) is employed to analyze the stability of chemical bonds in the structures subjected to an external loading. Based on these calculations, Fe-O and R-O bonds can be considered as nearly ionic, which is due to the large difference in electronegativity of R and Fe with O. Additionally, our results reveal that the charge density values of the Fe-O bonds in both structures remain largely outside of the ionic range. Finally, the mechanical response of LaFeO[subscript 3], EuFeO[subscript 3], and GdFeO[subscript 3] compounds to various cubic strains is investigated. The results show that in RFeO[subscript 3] by increasing the radius of the lanthanide atom, the mechanical properties of the material including Young's and bulk modulus increase

Magnetically Recyclable Cufe₂o₄ Nanoparticles as an Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for the Green Synthesis of 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexabenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane as CL-20 Explosive Precursor

<p>Magnetic nanoparticles of copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄ MNPs) have been simply prepared and applied as an efficient recyclable and reusable catalyst for the green synthesis of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexabenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0^5,9.0^3,11]dodecane (HBIW). The structure of the synthesized pure HBIW (recrystallization from ethanol) was confirmed by using various spectral techniques like infrared (IR), ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and some of its physical properties. The prepared catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). In addition, CuFe₂O₄ MNPs could be reused up to seven runs without any significant loss of activity. Finally, the remarkable advantages of this method are the simple experimental procedure, shorter reaction times, simple workup, and green aspects by avoiding toxic catalysts and high yield of product.</p

The Reliability of Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Objective: The aim of this study was to survey the reliability of Intra-rater and Inter-rater with and without video camera assessment in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we validate the Quality of Upper Extremity Skill Test questionnaire. Fifty children with hemiplegia aged 19 to 95 months (mean age 61.31 ± 25.7 month) were enrolled in our study using non random available approach. After obtaining parents’ consent, intra-rater assessment was performed in one session and intera rater assessment with camera after 10 days. Then, the third examiner did the reassessment using film observation of 46 children from 50. Spearman correlation for survey the reliability of intra-rater & inter rater with & without video recording assessment & gross motor function classification system 66 for determined functionality of child were used. Results: Intra-rater correlation was 0.774-0.996, Inter-rater correlation was 0.663-0.998 and correlation for video camera assessment was 0.710-0.974 for the first and third evaluation and 0.652-0.938 for second and third evaluation. P value for sub scales and total score was P<0.01. Conclusion: There is a high correlation in Intra rater and inter rater assessment with and without video recording in Quality of Upper Extremity Skill Test in children with cerebral palsy. So that it can be used as a reliable test to evaluate Quality of Upper Extremity Skills in these children

Prevalence of using baking soda in different types of most commonly consumed breads by Iranian people

Background: Nowadays, in most bakeries in order to accelerate bread production process and reduce work pressure on bakers, harmful chemicals like baking soda are in use. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of using baking soda in different types of most commonly consumed breads by Iranian people. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 234 bakeries in Qom, Iran, during 2017. The proportional stratified sampling method was used to select bakeries and bakers in different districts of Qom. Age, bakery experience, education of bakers and bread's pH were collected by a questionnaire and an electrical pH meter. Results: The results showed that seventy bakeries (29.9%) of Qom were using baking soda in bread. The highest frequent use of baking soda was observed in Taftoon (38.7%) and Lavash bread (31.5%). There was a significant difference between the use of baking soda and demographic variables such as age and literacy level. The attitude and knowledge of bakery employees about the complications of the baking soda were not appropriate. Conclusions: To reduce the use of baking soda and improve their knowledge and attitude, there is a need of strict supervision and monitoring by responsible organisations, especially the Ministry of Health