In silico methods in stability testing of hydrocortisone, powder for injections: Multiple regression analysis versus dynamic neural network

This article presents the possibility of using of multiple regression analysis (MRA) and dynamic neural network (DNN) for prediction of stability of Hydrocortisone 100 mg (in a form of hydrocortisone sodium succinate) freeze-dried powder for injection packed into a dual chamber container. Degradation products of hydrocortisone sodium succinate: free hydrocortisone and related substances (impurities A, B, C, D and E; unspecified impurities and total impurities) were followed during stress and formal stability studies. All data obtained during stability studies were used for in silico modeling; multiple regression models and dynamic neural networks as well, in order to compare predicted and observed results. High values of coefficient of determination (0.950.99) were gained using MRA and DNN, so both methods are powerful tools for in silico stability studies, but superiority of DNN over mathematical modeling of degradation was also confirmed

UV-densitometric determination of maprotiline, desipramine and moclobemide in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Maprotiline, desipramine and moclobemide are widely used in the treatment of depression. The content of these antidepressants in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulations were determined by TLC and in situ densitometry using a Camag scanner In order to achieve the best condition, mathematical statistical model factorial design was chosen. The partition coefficients, calculated by applying commercial drug design software, were correlated with chromatographic behaviour of these substances. After separation on Silica gel GF(254) using propano-lethanol-ammonium solution (25%) (8:2:0.3 v/v/v) as the mobile phase, the chromatographic zones corresponding to the spots were scanned at 254 nm. Analysing Maprotilin(R) tablets, Pertofran(R) dragees and Auromid(R) film tablets examined the applicability of the method for samples and dosage forms

A modified RP-HPLC method for the determination of the pKa values of synthesized β-hydroxy-β-arylalkanoic acids

The pKa values of twelve β-hydroxy-β-arylalkanoic acids and ibuprofen were determined using a modified RP-HPLC method. The stationary phase was octadecyl modified (C-18) silica gel, and the mobile phases were mixtures of methanol and one of ten different buffers (60:40 volume ratio). The mean retention time of each compound was plotted against the pH of each of the ten used mobile phases. The inflection point of the obtained sigmoidal curve represents the s w pKa of a compound. Using s w pKa in previously established equations for the specific methanol/buffer mixture, the w w pKa values (in pure water) were calculated. The obtained w w pKa values for the synthesized compounds were in a range from 3.40 to 3.74, and the w w pKa for ibuprofen was 4.27. The Predicted pKa values for this type of compounds in the MarvinSketch 5.11.5. Program were in poor correlation with the experimental results, while in ACD/ /I-Labs pKa values were calculated as a wide range. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 172041

Risk factors for thrombosis in Serbian children

Venous and arterial thromboses are increasingly encountered in the pediatric population. We present results of a case-control study of inherited and acquired risk factors for thrombosis in 129 pediatric patients from the first day of life to 18 years. The aims of study were to determine the importance of thrombophilic risk factors and comorbidity as a cause of thrombosis in children. Single thrombophilic risk factor was found in 24.4% (n=21), whereas combined thrombophilic factors were found in 15.1% (n=13) patients. A total of 87.2% of the children had recognized thrombophilic risk factors for thrombosis and/or additional comorbid risk factors. The single independent risk factors for thrombosis were mutation of factor V Leiden (P=0.021), lupus anticoagulant antibodies (P=0.028), and comorbidity (P=0.000). Mutation of factor V Leiden [odds ratio (OR), 6.2 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.1-38.1, P=0.048] was found to be a risk factor for venous thrombosis. Lupus anticoagulant antibodies were related to both venous (P=0.008) and arterial thrombosis (P=0.016). The frequency of inherited thrombophilic factors were the same in neonates and adolescents (23%). The prothrombotic gene mutations were present in 18.6% (n=8) of asymptomatic children. Our study confirms that thrombosis in children is a multifactorial disorder, and associated most with the underlying medical disease (comorbidity) for vein thrombosis [OR, 18.6 (95% CI 3.7-93.4), P=0.000] and for arterial thrombosis [OR, 10.5 (95% CI 2.2-49.9) P=0.003]. Inherited thrombophilic disorders contributed to the development of thrombosis in children

National records of 3000 European bee and hoverfly species: A contribution to pollinator conservation

Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystems globally, ensuring the seed production of most flowering plants. They are threatened by global changes and knowledge of their distribution at the national and continental levels is needed to implement efficient conservation actions, but this knowledge is still fragmented and/or difficult to access. As a step forward, we provide an updated list of around 3000 European bee and hoverfly species, reflecting their current distributional status at the national level (in the form of present, absent, regionally extinct, possibly extinct or non-native). This work was attainable by incorporating both published and unpublished data, as well as knowledge from a large set of taxonomists and ecologists in both groups. After providing the first National species lists for bees and hoverflies for many countries, we examine the current distributional patterns of these species and designate the countries with highest levels of species richness. We also show that many species are recorded in a single European country, highlighting the importance of articulating European and national conservation strategies. Finally, we discuss how the data provided here can be combined with future trait and Red List data to implement research that will further advance pollinator conservation