The Influence and Compatibility of Vegetable Oils and other Additives on Release of Ketoprofen from Transdermal Films

The vegetable oils used as skin permeation enhancers were selected on the basis of compatibility studies data. A total of eight monolithic systems were prepared by using different concentrations of drug-polymers-permeation enhancers. The permeation parameters, flux, permeability coefficient, enhancement ratio and diffusion rate constants were determined. The maximum flux of 9.08 x 10-2 mg/cm2.h was observed with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose monolithic system containing 30% w/w olive oil. Further improvement of flux was observed, when 30% w/w olive oil was applied directly onto the skin prior to the studies. The release was sustained up to 24 hours with zero-order kinetics and diffusion controlled mechanism. The 30% w/w olive oil formulation showed promising results with in vivo results showing significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (P < 0.01) with no hypersensitivity reactions. Stability studies and scanning electron microscopy studies were also conducted. Keywords: Vegetable oils, flux, ketoprofen, polymersEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 13 (2010) 19-2

Ureteric injuries following laparoscopic hysterectomy: A report of three cases

The laparoscopic approach to uterine disorders requires greater skills and expertise but may be associated with longer operating times, and complications when compared to the abdominal approaches. Of the potential complications during laparoscopic hysterectomies, ureteric injures are of a major concern. We report on three ureteric injuries encountered during total laparoscopic hysterectomy and review the relevant literature

Delivering the promise of Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (FCAC): A case study of the NGO GOAL's response to the Syria conflict

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) has helped to reduce global disaster risk, but there has been a lack of progress in disaster risk reduction (DRR) for people living in fragile and conflict affected contexts (FCAC). Given the mounting evidence that DRR cannot be implemented through conventional approaches in FCAC, serious efforts must be made to understand how to meet SFDRR's goals. This paper offers a case study of international non-governmental organization GOAL's programming that responds to the protracted crisis in Syria, with a critical discussion on SFDRR and how to adapt humanitarian relief and disaster resilience

Experimentally finding dense subgraphs using a time-bin encoded Gaussian boson sampling device

Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS) is a quantum computing concept based on drawing samples from a multimode nonclassical Gaussian state using photon-number resolving detectors. It was initially posed as a near-term approach aiming to achieve quantum advantage, but several applications have been proposed ever since, such as the calculation of graph features or molecular vibronic spectra, among others. For the first time, we use a time-bin encoded interferometer to implement GBS experimentally and extract samples to enhance the search for dense subgraphs in a graph. Our results indicate an improvement over classical methods for subgraphs of sizes three and four in a graph containing ten nodes. In addition, we numerically explore the role of imperfections in the optical circuit and on the performance of the algorithm

Laparoscopic myomectomy in Kenya : A 15 year retrospective review

Objectives: To evaluate the indications,operative techniques, outcomes, limitations and fertility outcomes following laparoscopic myomectomy.Design: Retrospective case analysisSetting: Various Private Hospitals in KenyaSubjects: One thousand and forty three patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomyResults: The main indications for laparoscopic myomectomy in our review were Menorrhagia (52.1%), Primary Infertility (22.6 %), Secondary Infertility (14.3 %), Abdominal pain ( 8.2 % ) and pressure symptoms (2.8 %). The dominant myomas that were removed were intramural ( 45.4 %), subserous (34.6 %) and sub-mucous (19.9 %) of the cases respectively.Conclusions: Laparoscopic Myomectomy can be performed safely and effectively by adequately trained and skilled Surgeons and offers all the advantages of laparoscopic surgery including less haemorrhage, quicker recovery and return to work. The clinical outcomes are good and there were no major complications. The fertility outcomes are comparable to open myomectomy with better outcomes for sub mucous fibroids and deep intra-mural fibroids indenting the uterine cavity

Antioxidative and physiological studies onColocasia esculentum in response to arsenic stress

The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of arsenic on Colocasia esculentum. Rhizomes were grown in pots containing 2.5 kg of garden soil with increasing concentration of arsenic. Arsenic  accumulation was more in shoots compared to roots at higher concentrations. High arsenic concentration  caused reduction in plant growth along with induction of few antioxidants. C. esculentum has a strong  antioxidative and physiological defense mechanism. Under arsenic stress, an increase in catalase, peoxidase,  few non-enzymatic antioxidants and an induction of few stress induced protein were observed, along with  some anatomical changes in roots. The increase in antioxidant stress enzyme activities in response to arsenic  exposure may be taken as evidence for an enhanced detoxification capacity of C. esculentum, a  herbaceous monocot plant, towards reactive oxygen species (and derivatives) that might be generated in the stressed plants.Key words: Arsenic, Colocasia esculentum, antioxidant, metal, root

Informality, violence, and disaster risks: Coproducing inclusive early warning and response systems in urban informal settlements in Honduras

Anticipatory disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an essential human right for the ~1 billion people living in informal settlements who are disproportionately exposed to climate-related hazards due to their high vulnerability. Participatory approaches are recognized as being critical for effective and sustainable disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparation through to response, but research on how to coproduce anticipatory DRR with people living and working in informal settlements is scant. Their exclusion is even more pronounced in challenging contexts, such as those characterized by social-political fragility and violence. As a result, a significant portion of the global population is left behind in best practices tied to global DRR ambitions, with DRR actions working neither with nor for the people most at risk. The signal case of urban informal settlements controlled by territorial gangs in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, illustrates the need for new thinking on how to inclusively mitigate, prepare for, and respond to natural hazard-related disasters. Our research examines the coproduction of early warning systems linked with response capacities for floods and landslides through the case study of the international NGO GOAL's work across the city with a focus on nine urban informal settlements with high levels of territorial gang violence. We explore how GOAL navigated informality and violent conflict to support the early warning and response system as an inclusive social process rather than a technical exercise. We identify four cross-cutting strategies employed by GOAL in support of local vulnerability reduction and capacity building based on a local systems approach. This research breaks new ground in identifying how to bridge the gap between knowledge and action in designing inclusive and sustainable early warning and response systems together with the millions of people around the world affected by the intersection of informality, violence, and disaster risks

Trace-gas metabolic versatility of the facultative methanotroph Methylocella silvestris

The climate-active gas methane is generated both by biological processes and by thermogenic decomposition of fossil organic material, which forms methane and short-chain alkanes, principally ethane, propane and butane1, 2. In addition to natural sources, environments are exposed to anthropogenic inputs of all these gases from oil and gas extraction and distribution. The gases provide carbon and/or energy for a diverse range of microorganisms that can metabolize them in both anoxic3 and oxic zones. Aerobic methanotrophs, which can assimilate methane, have been considered to be entirely distinct from utilizers of short-chain alkanes, and studies of environments exposed to mixtures of methane and multi-carbon alkanes have assumed that disparate groups of microorganisms are responsible for the metabolism of these gases. Here we describe the mechanism by which a single bacterial strain, Methylocella silvestris, can use methane or propane as a carbon and energy source, documenting a methanotroph that can utilize a short-chain alkane as an alternative to methane. Furthermore, during growth on a mixture of these gases, efficient consumption of both gases occurred at the same time. Two soluble di-iron centre monooxygenase (SDIMO) gene clusters were identified and were found to be differentially expressed during bacterial growth on these gases, although both were required for efficient propane utilization. This report of a methanotroph expressing an additional SDIMO that seems to be uniquely involved in short-chain alkane metabolism suggests that such metabolic flexibility may be important in many environments where methane and short-chain alkanes co-occur