Evaluation of binder and disintegrant properties of starch derived from Xanthosoma sagittifolium in metronidazole tablets

The aim of the study was to formulate metronidazole tablets using starch from Xanthosoma sagittifolium as binder and disintegrant in metronidazole tablets. Metronidazole tablets were produced by wet granulation method using X. sagittifolium starch as binder at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w, and as disintegrant (5% w/w). The micromeritic properties of the granules were determined using the direct and indirect methods. The necessary official and non official tests were performed on the tablets to include uniformity of tablets weight, content of active ingredient, disintegration test, hardness, friability tests and in vitro drug release. Also, the phytochemical constituents of the starch were determined. The results show that the granules had a good flow and values obtained were within the specified limits for the production of good quality tablets. Deviations obtained from the tablet weight uniformity test were significantly (p< 0.05) below 5%. Tablets disintegration time ranged from 3.00 ± 0.08 min to 14.00 ± 0.10 min for M1 and M4 tablets formulated with 5 and 20% of X. sagittifolium starch respectively. The tablets hardness ranged from 7.20 ± 1.25 to 8.55 ± 1.17 kgf. In vitro release showed that M1 tablets had T25, T50 and T90 % at 5, 13 and 23 min respectively, while M4 tablets had T25, T50 and T90 % at 8, 18 min and were unable to release 90% of metronidazole at 30 min. Phytochemical analysis showed that the starch contained alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrate and steroids. Therefore, starch from X. sagittifolium could be used to formulate metronidazole tablets for improved oral bioavailability of metronidazole.Keywords: Xanthosoma sagittifolium starch, tablets binder and disintegrant, metronidazoleAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 3064-307

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CRYPTOLEPIS SANGUINOLENTA ROOT TABLETS

Objectives: To study were to formulate the ethanolic extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta root into tablets and to evaluate the effect of different binders and binder concentration on the properties of tablets. Materials and method: The phytochemistry of ethanolic extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta was evaluated. The tablets were formulated by wet granulation using gelatin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) as binders at concentrations of 2 %, 4 %, 6 % and 8 %w/w. The tablets were evaluated using the necessary official and unofficial tests. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, proteins, carbohydrate, resins, reducing sugars and glycosides. Tannins, saponins, flavonoids and acidic compounds were absent.  The tablets passed the uniformity of weight test and deviations obtained complied with BP specifications. Tablets disintegration time ranged from 8.00 ± 0.10 to 13.50 ± 0.21 min for tablets formulated with 2 and 4 % gelatin and 10.00 ± 0.17 to 31.00 ± 0.27 min for tablets formulated with 2 and 8 % SCMC. C. sanguinolenta tablets formulated gelatin significantly showed higher hardness values than SCMC (p < 0.05). Tablets showed friability of approximately ≤ 1 %. Conclusion: Therefore, gelatin showed good properties for formulating Cryptolepis sanguinolenta normal release tablets than SCMC.Â

A massive multiphase plume of gas in Abell 2390's brightest cluster galaxy

We present new ALMA CO(2-1) observations tracing $2.2 \times 10^{10}$ M$_{\odot}$ of molecular gas in Abell 2390's brightest cluster galaxy, where half the gas is located in a one-sided plume extending 15 kpc out from the galaxy centre. This molecular gas has a smooth and positive velocity gradient, and is receding 250 km/s faster at its farthest point than at the galaxy centre. To constrain the plume's origin, we analyse our new observations alongside existing X-ray, optical and radio data. We consider the possibility that the plume is jet-driven with lifting aided by jet inflated X-ray bubbles. Alternatively, it may have formed following a gravitational disturbance. In this case, the plume may either be a trail of gas stripped from the main galaxy by ram pressure, or more recently cooled and infalling gas. The galaxy's star formation and gas cooling rate suggest the lifespan of its molecular gas may be low compared with the plume's age -- which would favour a recently cooled plume. Molecular gas in close proximity to the active galactic nucleus is also indicated by 250 km/s wide CO(2-1) absorption against the radio core, as well as previously detected CO(1-0) and HI absorption. This absorption is optically thick and has a line of sight velocity towards the galaxy centre of 200 km/s. We discuss simple models to explain its origin.Comment: Submitted to MNRA

Does absorption against AGN reveal supermassive black hole accretion?

Galaxies often contain large reservoirs of molecular gas that shape their evolution. This can be through cooling of the gas - which leads to star formation, or accretion on to the central supermassive black hole - which fuels active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity and produces powerful feedback. Molecular gas has been detected in early-type galaxies on scales of just a few tens to hundreds of solar masses by searching for absorption against their compact radio cores. Using this technique, ALMA has found absorption in several brightest cluster galaxies, some of which show molecular gas moving towards their galaxy's core at hundreds of km s-1. In this paper, we constrain the location of this absorbing gas by comparing each galaxy's molecular emission and absorption. In four galaxies, the absorption properties are consistent with chance alignments between the continuum and a fraction of the molecular clouds visible in emission. In four others, the properties of the absorption are inconsistent with this scenario. In these systems, the absorption is likely produced by a separate population of molecular clouds in close proximity to the galaxy core and with high inward velocities and velocity dispersions. We thus deduce the existence of two types of absorber, caused by chance alignments between the radio core and: (i) a fraction of the molecular clouds visible in emission, and (ii) molecular clouds close to the AGN, in the process of accretion. We also present the first ALMA observations of molecular emission in S555, Abell 2390, RXC J1350.3+0940, and RXC J1603.6+1553 - with the latter three having Mmol > 1010 Mθ

Biochemical, rheological and hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) evaluation of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical applications

Purpose: To evaluate the rheological, biochemical, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible use as a nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical material. Methods: Snail mucin was extracted with acetone and water, lyophilized and the biochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of the extracts were studied using standard methods. The rheological properties of the extracts (1, 2, 4 and 8 % w/v) and their emulsion-based preparations were evaluated. Other physicochemical properties and HLB values of the preparations were also determined. Results: Snail mucin extracts contained protein (84 %), fats (2.91 %) and carbohydrate (1.2 %) and showed significant nutraceutical composition (p < 0.05). Ash content of 4.21 and 4.12 % was obtained for water and acetone extracts, respectively. Moisture content was < 9 % for both the aqueous and nonaqueous mucin extracts. Potassium, calcium and phosphorus were present in high quantities in the extracts while iron, copper and zinc were in trace amounts (< 4 %). Mucin dispersions exhibited viscosity in the range of 0.89 to 0.93 cp. Water sorption and dry weight were higher in the acetone extract than in the aqueous extract. The HLB values, which ranged from 7 to 15, were within the acceptable values for material for nanobiopharmaceutical application, except that the acetone extract. Conclusion: Snail mucin exhibits good nutraceutical properties and also possesses good properties that render it a potential excipient for use in the formulation of drug delivery system

Two distinct molecular cloud populations detected in massive galaxies

We present new ALMA observations of CO, CN, CS, HCN and HCO$^{+}$ absorption seen against the bright and compact radio continuum sources of eight massive galaxies. Combined with archival observations, they reveal two distinct populations of molecular clouds, which we identify by combining CO emission and absorption profiles to unambiguously reveal each cloud's direction of motion and likely location. In galaxy disks, we see clouds with low velocity dispersions, low line of sight velocities and a lack of any systemic inflow or outflow. In galactic cores, we find high velocity dispersion clouds inflowing at up to 550 km/s. This provides observational evidence in favour of cold accretion onto galactic centres, which likely contributes to the fuelling of active galactic nuclei. We also see a wide range in the CO(2-1)/CO(1-0) ratios of the absorption lines. This is likely the combined effect of hierarchical substructure within the molecular clouds and continuum sources which vary in size with frequency.Comment: Submitted to MNRA

Managing alternative sports: new organisational spaces for the diffusion of Italian parkour

The article explores the encounter between parkour as an unstructured and culturally innovative practice, challenging both physical as well as organisational spaces, and UISP (Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti / Sport for All Italian Union) as a sport promotion body open to organisational and cultural experimentation. Drawing on a multi-method qualitative approach (analysis of documentary material, interviews and focus groups), we look at the role of UISP in the diffusion and legitimation of parkour within the Italian context, investigating the interplay between the cultural and organisational logics of both this new practice itself on the one hand, and the organisations that are trying to accommodate it on the other. The incorporation in a sport-for-all organisation like UISP provides traceurs with a safe and legitimised space, which is however ‘loose’ enough to maintain the fluidity of the practice. Nonetheless, by enabling the coexistence of different and competing definitions and uses of parkour, this fluid organisational space reproduces tensions among traceurs and weakens their voice in UISP’s decision-making processes

Straighten your back! Self-correction posture and postural balance in 'non rehabilitative instructed' multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUD: Patients with MS, regardless of the complexity of the activity or sensory conditions, commonly present a significant postural control deficit compared to healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which postural self-correction strategies are adopted by patients with Multiple Sclerosis versus a group of healthy-subjects and how self-correction can influence the control of postural balance. METHODS: A case-control prospective observational study was conducted. Person with Multiple Sclerosis and a group of healthy volunteers were enrolled. Patients included were instructed with vocal commands, to reach a self-correction posture, and they were compared to healthy subjects. Clinical assessments including Balance, Stabilometry and Postural evaluation of the spine were performed. RESULTS: Sixty patients (30: control-group; 30: treatment-group) were enrolled. In the treatment group, the analysis reported a significant statistical difference between path length and center of pressure speed in self-correction posture with closed-eyes (p=0,049; 0,047) and an improvement in C7 and L3 levels in self-correction posture (p<0,01-C7; p<0,01-L3). There are significant statistical differences about path length between the two groups in all examined conditions (p=0,0001). At sagittal plane evaluation, results show an increase of all measurements in both posture (C7-neutral posture p=0,0001; L3-neutral posture p=0,0001; C7-self-correction posture p=0,0001; L3-self-correction posture p=0,0001). CONCLUSION: Further study should investigate dynamic situations and different Multiple Sclerosis forms to complete balance analysis and to establish a correct rehabilitative program with self-correction exercise as powerful focus

X-Ray Cavity Dynamics and Their Role in the Gas Precipitation in Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) Selected Clusters

We study active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback in nearby (z < 0.35) galaxy clusters from the Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich sample using Chandra observations. This nearly unbiased mass-selected sample includes both relaxed and disturbed clusters and may reflect the entire AGN feedback cycle. We find that relaxed clusters better follow the one-to-one relation of cavity power versus cooling luminosity, while disturbed clusters display higher cavity power for a given cooling luminosity, likely reflecting a difference in cooling and feedback efficiency. Disturbed clusters are also found to contain asymmetric cavities when compared to relaxed clusters, hinting toward the influence of the intracluster medium (ICM) "weather"on the distribution and morphology of the cavities. Disturbed clusters do not have fewer cavities than relaxed clusters, suggesting that cavities are difficult to disrupt. Thus, multiple cavities are a natural outcome of recurrent AGN outbursts. As in previous studies, we confirm that clusters with short central cooling times, t cool, and low central entropy values, K 0, contain warm ionized (10,000 K) or cold molecular (<100 K) gas, consistent with ICM cooling and a precipitation/chaotic cold accretion scenario. We analyzed archival Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer observations that are available for 18 clusters. In 11/18 of the cases, the projected optical line emission filaments appear to be located beneath or around the cavity rims, indicating that AGN feedback plays an important role in forming the warm filaments by likely enhancing turbulence or uplift. In the remaining cases (7/18), the clusters either lack cavities or their association of filaments with cavities is vague, suggesting alternative turbulence-driven mechanisms (sloshing/mergers) or physical time delays are involved