bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceuticals through Bulk and Mesoporous g-C3N4/TiO2 Systems
Authors: Chávez-Villanueva Jonathan , Hernández-Uresti Diana , Vázquez Alejandro , Obregón Sergio
Published: January 2021

Background:

In recent years, pharmaceutical pollutants have emerged as a growing threat
to the environment. To mitigate this situation, heterogeneous photocatalysis has been considered a
promising advanced oxidation technology, where TiO2-based systems have exhibited outstanding efficiency
in the degradation of organic compounds.

Objective:

In this work, we have studied the photocatalytic performance of the coupled g-C3N4/TiO2
system in the degradation of the pharmaceuticals tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and ibuprofen. Moreover,
the effect of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was examined through the study of two different
samples, a bulk g-C3N4 prepared from the direct calcination of melamine and a mesoporous g-C3N4
synthesized through a nanocasting process using SBA-15 silica as hard template.

Methods:

The hybrid photocatalysts were prepared by forced hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide using
two g-C3N4 samples, a bulk material and a mesoporous one. The samples were characterized by
X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier-Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements.
The photocatalytic activity was examined through the degradation of tetracycline, ciprofloxacin,
and ibuprofen under simulated solar irradiation.

Results:

The textural properties of g-C3N4 play a preponderant role in the photoactivity of the g-
C3N4/TiO2 system. In this sense, high dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles could be obtained using a
mesoporous g-C3N4 sample. All hybrid photocatalysts exhibit higher degradation rates than the pristine
materials, including bare TiO2. In this regard, the samples with 1 wt.% g-C3N4 attained the highest
photocatalytic performance in the degradation of tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and ibuprofen.

Conclusion:

The coupling of TiO2 with graphitic carbon nitride leads to the formation of hybrid photocatalysts
with outstanding photoactive properties in the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants. In
this way, the g-C3N4/TiO2 samples can be considered as excellent photocatalysts for the degradation
of organic pollutants.
Nanotechnology Advancements in the Diagnosis and Prevention of COVID-19: Past and Future
Authors: Corrie Leander , Gundaram Raghunandan , Kukatil Latha
Published: January 2021

:

Since the start of the decade, the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic has
disrupted the world's healthcare system. Scientists have been engaged to bring about a therapeutic
agent to help combat the dreaded disease. Many researchers have shown antivirals such as Remdesivir
and Favipiravir to be effective in the treatment; however, these drugs have a short half-life.
Hence, the need for a drug delivery system that could prolong or alter their effect by increasing the
potency of antivirals or vaccines has been proposed. Nanotechnology has always been at the forefront
of developing and diagnosing diseases. The idea of which can be borrowed to treat the novel
coronavirus. The applicability needs to be vast as the disease has spread, and a fast, reliable, effective
therapeutic and diagnostic procedure is the need of the hour. Emphasis on nanotechnology usage
through the intranasal and pulmonary route has been given and various applications have also
been discussed in this review.
Dynamic inverse piezo-effect problem for a long piezoceramic thermoelastic cylinder
Authors: Kalmova M. A.
Published: January 2021

Objective. The objective of this work is to solve an unrelated dynamic problem of thermoelectroelasticity for a long hollow piezoceramic cylinder under the action of an electric load on its surfaces in the form of a potential difference.

Methods. The mathematical formulation of the considered problem of thermoelectroelasticity includes a system of non-selfadjoint differential equations. At the first stage, the authors consider the associated inverse piezoelectric effect problem without taking into account the influence of the temperature field, and at the next stage, study the hyperbolic heat conduction problem (Lord–Shulman theory) for a given (defined) electroelastic field.

Result. A new closed solution to the dynamic inverse piezoelectric effect problem for a long piezoceramic thermoelastic cylinder is constructed. The case of the action of a dynamic electric load in the form of a potential difference on its front surfaces is considered. The ambient temperature and the law of convection heat transfer (3-kind boundary condition) are set. The calculated relations obtained using the generalized method of finite integral transformations allow determining the stress-strain state and thermoelectric fields induced in a piezoceramic element under an arbitrary electrical external influence.

Conclusion. The constructed solution allows determining the stress-strain state and electric field in a piezoceramic cylinder, as well as analyzing the effect of the induced temperature field on the electroelastic state of the system under consideration using the hyperbolic Lord–Shulman theory of thermal conductivity. Analysis of the numerical results allows concluding that there are insignificant energy losses associated with heating the electroelastic system. The developed calculation algorithm is used in the design of non-resonant and resonant piezoelectric measuring devices.
The new normal: Chronicle of the University of Groningen Library in times of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Platzer Bert , Brouwers Marjan
Published: January 2021

At the end of February 2020, the University of Groningen Library (UB) celebrated its 405th anniversary with an open day, lectures, guided tours, theatre performances, musical performances and an interactive anniversary lunch for UB staff members. The bustling UB City Centre that welcomes thousands of students every day became a festival ground and was once again the ‘place to be’ at the University of Groningen (UG). No wonder it was unreal to walk through the empty and quiet building three weeks later. Our slogan ‘University of Groningen Library – where the Shhh happens’ suddenly took on a completely different meaning. The UB did not close during the ‘intelligent lockdown’, and it was anything but quiet behind the scenes: the UB still offered its services to UG students and staff members during the COVID-19 crisis. Even when the Cabinet announced on 3 November that some additional measures were being taken on top of the partial lockdown, the UB remained open. While all public libraries, museums and theatres had to close their doors. This chronicle describes the adjustments to our services in the period from March to October 2020: our experiences and considerations and the preparations to reopen the reading rooms with measures that changed almost every week. The authors Bert Platzer and Marjan Brouwers interviewed dozens of employees – on behalf of all University Library staff members – about their experiences over the past few months. The result: The New Normal. Chronicle of the University of Groningen Library in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. As director, I find it remarkable how UB staff members responded to this new norm. Thanks to their dedication, flexibility and inventiveness, it was possible to maintain the services of the University Library – to the delight of our users. I would like to express my gratitude, respect and admiration to all University Library staff members. I dedicate this book to them, about a period which is now part of the 405-year history of the University of Groningen Library. Marjolein Nieboer Director of the University of Groningen Library
Boogaloo, Baby!: They Made It Great
Authors: Rehn Jensen , Poerio Giana , Diaz Jacob
Published: January 2021

Vol 2. No. 1 (2020)

With contributions by Brianna E. Jenkins.

This issue of SourceLab introduces readers to the history of boogaloo, a Latin dance and musical movement.

This publication is part of the digital documentary edition series SourceLab, based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Our Editorial Board conducts rigorous peer-review of every edition.
Tribological Behaviour of Sputter Coated ZnO Thin Films
Authors:   Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (MIME) Department, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA, Jayatissa Ahalaptiya H , Ahmed Omer , Manu Bodhi R , Schroeder Adam M
Published: January 2021

The tribological properties of ZnO thin film coated on an aluminium work piece by RF magnetron sputtering were studied as a function of deposition power, substrate coating temperature, heat treatment and rotation speed. The variation in the coefficient of friction of ZnO films produced under various levels of coating parameters and conditions were experimentally determined using a pin-on-disk tribometer. The results showed that with change in deposition conditions and heat treatment, there are significant microstructural changes in ZnO films, which affect the coefficient of friction. The hardness of the prepared films was also tested using a Vickers Hardness testing machine. There was a consistent and considerable decrease in the friction coefficient of the aluminium working piece after ZnO coating. It is found that the ZnO can be used as a low friction coating material for components working under oxidative and high temperature environments.
Effectiveness of Interactive Tools in Online Health Care Communities: Social Exchange Theory Perspective
Authors: Ren Dixuan , Ma Baolong
Published: January 2021

Background

Although the COVID-19 pandemic will have a negative effect on China’s economy in the short term, it also represents a major opportunity for internet-based medical treatment in the medium and long term. Compared with normal times, internet-based medical platforms including the Haodf website were visited by 1.11 billion people, the number of new registered users of all platforms increased by 10, and the number of new users’ daily consultations increased by 9 during the pandemic. The continuous participation of physicians is a major factor in the success of the platform, and economic return is an important reason for physicians to provide internet-based services. However, no study has provided the effectiveness of interactive tools in online health care communities to influence physicians’ returns.

Objective

The effect of internet-based effort on the benefits and effectiveness of interactive effort tools in internet-based health care areas remains unclear. Thus, the goals of this study are to examine the effect of doctors’ internet-based service quality on their economic returns during COVID-19 social restrictions, to examine the effect of mutual help groups on doctors’ economic returns during COVID-19 social restrictions, and to explore the moderating effect of disease privacy on doctors’ efforts and economic returns during COVID-19 social restrictions.

Methods

On the basis of the social exchange theory, this study establishes an internet-based effort exchange model for doctors. We used a crawler to download information automatically from Haodf website. From March 5 to 7, 2020, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, cross-sectional information of 2530 doctors were collected.

Results

Hierarchical linear regression showed that disease privacy (β=.481; P<.001), reputation (β=.584; P<.001), and service quality (β=.560; P<.001) had a significant positive effect on the economic returns of the physicians. The influence of mutual help groups on earnings increases with an increase in the degree of disease privacy (β=.189; P<.001), indicating that mutual help groups have a stronger effect on earnings when patients ask questions about diseases regarding which they desire privacy.

Conclusions

For platform operators, the results of this study can help the platform understand how to improve doctors’ economic returns, especially regarding helping a specific doctor group improve its income to retain good doctors. For physicians on the platform, this study will help doctors spend their limited energy and time on tools that can improve internet-based consultation incomes. Patients who receive internet-based health care services extract information about a doctor based on the doctor’s internet-based efforts to understand the doctor’s level of professionalism and personality to choose the doctor they like the most. The data used in this study may be biased or not representative of all medical platforms, as they were collected from a single website.
A Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence in Kidney Transplant Recipients: An Exploratory Analysis of the Fidelity of the TAKE IT Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Yoon Esther S , Hur Scott , Curtis Laura M , Wynia Aiden H , Zheng Pauline , Nair Sumi S , Bailey Stacy C , Serper Marina , Reese Peter P , Ladner Daniela P , Wolf Michael S
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Inadequate adherence to prescribed immunosuppressive medication regimens among kidney transplant recipients is common, yet interventions are needed to support patients in sustaining adequate adherence to prescribed regimens and achieving optimal transplant outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the preliminary fidelity of a transplant center-based, multifaceted adherence monitoring strategy known as TAKE IT.

METHODS

The TAKE IT strategy includes: (1) routine, online, monthly patient self-report adherence assessments; (2) care alerts directed to nurses; (3) quarterly reports monitoring tacrolimus values and adherence trends; (4) support tools tailored to specific adherence concerns. A 2-arm, patient-randomized trial is underway at two large transplant centers (N=449). To evaluate the initial fidelity of TAKE IT, we investigated patient uptake of monthly adherence assessments during the course of a 3-month period, whether any disparities emerged, and the nature of any reported adherence concerns.

RESULTS

Among 202 patients randomized and exposed to TAKE IT for 3-months or more, 81% (164/202) completed an adherence assessment, 73% (148/202) completed at least two, and 57% (116/202) completed all monthly assessments. Overall, 50% (82/164) of kidney transplant recipients reported at least one adherence concern over the 3-month assessment period. The most common barriers were classified as regimen-related (eg, regimen complexity), cognitive (eg, forgetfulness), and medical (eg, side effects). Higher-income participants were more likely to complete all surveys compared to lower-income participants (P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

TAKE IT demonstrated 81% (164/202) completion of an adherence assessment, 73% (148/202) completion of at least two, and 57% (116/202) completion of all monthly assessments during this brief, initial observation period. Among those that did respond to the online assessments, the majority demonstrated sustained engagement. Additional monitoring modalities could also be offered to meet patient preferences to ensure all patients’ medication use can be properly monitored.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03104868; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03104868
A thematic cluster analysis of parents’ online discussions about fussy eating (Preprint)
Authors: Markides Brittany , Laws Rachel , Hesketh Kylie , Maddison Ralph , Denney-Wilson Elizabeth , Campbell Karen J
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Food fussiness is common in toddlerhood. Fussiness is associated with nonresponsive parent feeding practices, such as persuasive and instrumental feeding. Such feeding practices may reinforce fussy eating behaviors and are associated with poorer dietary intake and suboptimal growth trajectories. Parent feeding practices are known to cluster; however, no previous research has examined how feeding practices cluster in parents of fussy eaters.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored how feeding practices and factors known to influence these clustered among parents who perceived their toddler to be a fussy eater.

METHODS

Data were collected from parent discussions of fussy eating on an online parenting forum on the social media site, Reddit (80,366 posts). Latent Dirichlet Allocation was used to identify discussions of fussy eating. Relevant posts (1,542) made by users who identified as a parent of a fussy eater (n=630) underwent qualitative coding and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five clusters of parents were identified, ranging in size from 53 to 189 users. These were primarily characterized by parents’ degree of concern and feeding practices: 1) High Concern, Nonresponsive; 2) Concerned, Nonresponsive; 3) Low Concern, Responsive; 4) Low Concern, Mixed Strategies; 5) Low Concern, Indulgent. Parents who used responsive practices tended to be less concerned for fussy eating, have greater trust in their child’s ability to self-regulate hunger, have longer-term feeding goals, and exhibit a greater ability for personal self-regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors related to parent feeding practices may cluster among parents who perceive their toddler to be a fussy eater. Future research should examine these constructs to identify how they may relate to each other and to parents’ feeding practices in order to learn how they could be leveraged in parent feeding interventions.
ANTHOCYANIN FROM BAUHINIA PURPUREA FLOWER: EXTRACTION, COLOR CHARACTERISTICS AND STABILITY
Authors: Marpaung Abdullah Muzi , Djani Darinda Pusha , Rahmawati Della
Published: January 2021

The determination of the best temperature (45, 60, and 75°C ) and time (30, 75, and 120 minutes) to extract the anthocyanins from Bauhinia purpurea (BP) flower powder was studied.  The anthocyanin was extracted using 40 ml of 1 N HCl/g powder with continuous shaking. Based on the total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), the best extraction temperature and time were 45°C and 30 minutes, respectively. The BP extract exhibited relatively high red color intensity (CI) at pH ≤ 3 and almost colorless at pH 4 – 6. Meanwhile, at pH ≥ 7,  the color was unsuitable for food applications due to the high browning index. Hence, the best performance of BP extract was at pH 3. At this pH, the stability of BP extract was relatively high with the t 1/2 of CI and TMA at 30°C was 70.30 and 72.89 days, respectively. Nevertheless, the extract was sensitive to heat as represented by the high activation energy (Ea). The Ea of CI and TMA was 64.50 kJ.mol-1 and 90.19 kJ.mol-1, respectively. The study showed the potential of BP extract as a red food colorant at pH 3 processed by relatively mild heat treatment.
HURDLE TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND RECENT APPLICATIONS IN FOODS
Authors: Abdullahi Nura , Dandago Munir Abba
Published: January 2021

The application of hurdle technology in food preservation is progressing. The technology is becoming more acceptable among researchers in the field of food preservation due to its effectiveness at mild levels. The effects of conventional preservation techniques are minimized by hurdle technology through a smart combination of preservatives at less severe levels. Considerable advancement in the application of hurdle technology is realized in both developed and developing nations. Nutritional and sensory qualities were protected through the smart use of combined preservation. The safety and stability of foods were ensured using this technology, and many perishable foods are now ambient stable. This article reviewed the principles of hurdle technology and reported the recent applications of the technology in the preservation of foods from plant and animal origins.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN TROPONIN I LEVEL WITH CORRECTED THROMBOLYSIS IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION FRAME COUNT IN PATIENTS WHOSE UNDERWENT PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A SINGLE CENTER STUDY
Authors: SYAFRI MASRUL , DARWIN ERYATI , YERIZEL ETI , HARDISMAN
Published: January 2021

Objective: There were studies reported about the correlation between troponin I with scale of myocardial infarction (MI) area. However, the effect of revascularization into the coronary flow has not been reported. We aim to determine the correlation between high sensitivity troponin I and the successfulness of revascularization primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients. The successfulness of revascularization was assessed by calculating Corrected thrombolysis in MI frame count (CTFC).

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis including all consecutive patients undergoing PPCI over 1-year period from December 2018 to 2019 at the Integrated Heart Service Installation Dr. M. Djamil Padang Hospital, West Sumatra. Exclusion criteria included patients with incomplete medical record data, incomplete coronary angiography data, prior MI, and prior PCI and coronary artery bypass graft. Patients were put into two groups with normal (CTFC <30) and high (CTFC ≥30) to define the baseline characteristics.

Results: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing primary PCI. Ninety-six patients underwent PPCI between December 2018 and 2019 were enrolled. For the baseline characteristic, patient was divided into two groups with normal CTFC (<30) and high (CTFC ≥30). There was negative weak correlation between troponin I level and CTFC with Spearman’s correlation value was 0.371 and correlation coefficient −0.092.

Conclusion: Troponin I level at first presentation before revascularization did not have a significant correlation with coronary flow result after revascularization in STEMI patients.
AN UPDATE ON BIO-POTENTIATION OF DRUGS USING NATURAL OPTIONS
Authors: SAXENA VASUNDHARA , SINGH AYUSHI
Published: January 2021

The objective of this review is to put a light on the benefits of bio-enhancers and their role in developing a proper drug delivery system having improved therapeutic action and least drawbacks. As medical science is developing fast and there is a considerable increase in the development of new drugs with many therapeutic activities, but having lots of side effects, less in vivo action, or are very costly. These drawbacks create an enormous demand for use of bio-enhancers to reduce the dose required of the active ingredients and provide a suitable condition for their actions. There are vast nature-derived bio-enhancers originated from plants or other natural sources, used to a great extent as they show high activity and have very little or no adverse effects. Bio-enhancers increase bioavailability in various ways such as by increasing drug absorption, decreasing drug metabolism, and by other methods, which helps the drug having low bioavailability but the good therapeutic potential to show its effect fast. The concept of bio-enhancers developing increasingly in modern medicine but in reality, was there and well explained in Ayurveda texts with various herbal drugs such as piperine, quercetin, genistein, naringin and some non-herbal compounds such as cow urine distillate, and Capmul. Along with these nature-derived bio-enhancers and the new techniques such as liposomes, nanoparticles, transferosomes, and ethosomes resulted in the successful modification of suitable dosage forms. The concept of bioenhancers and their application is a great tool which can lead to a excellent development of medical science.
BRIDELIA SCANDENS WILD. A NEW SOURCE FOR PODOPHYLLOTOXIN PRODUCTION IN VITRO BY FEEDING CONIFERYL ALCOHOL
Authors: S RAVIKUMAR , V KRISHNA , S AJITH
Published: January 2021

Objective: In the present study, a new method for the production of anticancerous compound podophyllotoxin (PTOX) was developed for Bridelia scandens Wild. by feeding coniferyl alcohol.

Methods: The production of anticancerous compound PTOX through leaf explant derived calli of B. scandens. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 0.5 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) induced luxuriant mass of callus growth. Suspension culture was initiated by sterile MS media fortified with 0.1–1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1–1.0 mg/l 2,4-D. and growth product was analyzed by the high-pressure liquid chromatography method.

Results: Phytochemical analysis of the B. scandens leaf and leaf calli showed the presence of PTOX at the concentrations of 0.69 and 1.81, respectively. The callus cell suspension was established with the same callogenic media also it is augmented with 10–70 mg/l of coniferyl alcohol to elicit the biosynthesis of PTOX. Successive cultures of the calli suspension yielded stable production of PTOX of 3.91 mg/g dry cell weight at 50 mg/l coniferyl alcohol in the media. The biosynthesis of PTOX was ideal when plant cells were cultivated in the dark with an agitation speed of 100 rpm.

Conclusion: The growth and production of PTOX were found to be better with glucose than with sucrose as the medium carbon source. The harvesting of the secondary metabolite from the in vitro grown leaf calli of B. scandens is a better way to stop the exploitation of medicinal plants.
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: IMRAN MOHD , MISHRA ANURADHA , USMANI AFREEN , EQBAL ASIF
Published: January 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder due to gradual loss of dopaminergic nerves in the substantia nigra in the midbrain which leads to motor symptoms: For instance, gait dysfunction, involuntary tremor, rigidity, and progressive postural instability. PD has no cure and available current treatment is only symptomatic. At present, the main treatment of PD relies on Levodopa that slowing down the disease development to some level but can lead to several side effects. The literature confirms the available models of Parkinsonism that is chemical-induced, that is, by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinsonism furthermore transgenic models linked to monogenic alterations in SNCA, LRRK2, UCH-L1, PRKN, and PINK1 genes. In this review article, we conclude that the presently available neurotoxic models of PD that offer a platform for neuroprotective drug discovery.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL OIL-BASED ITRACONAZOLE CREAM FOR FUNGAL INFECTION
Authors: KUMAR INDER , THAKUR BHUMIKA , SHARMA ANKITA , THAKUR REENA
Published: January 2021

Objective: The current study was to formulate and to evaluate itraconazole herbal oil-based cream for fungal infection.

Methods: Six herbal oils were used for the formulation of itraconazole creams, namely, mustard oil (MO), olive oil (OO), wheat germ oil (WGO), jojoba oil (JO), tea tree oil (TTO), and combined oil (CO). Creams were formulated by the trituration method. Each herbal oils containing three different formulations of different concentrations of oils.

Results: All the prepared formulation was evaluated successfully. Out of all the formulations from each herbal oils the best two formulations were finalized, that is, MO2 and CO2 which show the greater in vitro diffusion rate among all. Formulation MO2 shows 55.45±0.10% and CO2 showed 59.43±1.18% within 480 min, respectively. Optimized formulations were also compared with the marketed formulation, which results in formulation CO2 as the best formulation among all.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that herbal oil-based cream proved better alternate than oral preparation and improve patient compliance, ease of administration, local bioavailability, and better proves for fungal infected patients.
FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT OF ORAL FAST-DISSOLVING FILMS OF RUPATADINE FUMARATE
Authors: ROY ABHIBRATA , AREES REEGAN , BLR MADHAVI
Published: January 2021

Objective: Rupatadine fumarate (RF) is an anti-allergic drug indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. It has low oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility and extensive hepatic first pass metabolism. In the present work, oral fast-dissolving films (OFDF) have been formulated and evaluated to facilitate dissolution in the oral cavity itself.

Methods: Pullulan and HPMC (5, 15 cps) were employed as film formers and six formulations were tried. The physicochemical compatibility between drug and the polymers was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. RF-beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) inclusion complex was initially prepared and evaluated. The inclusion complex was incorporated into the film. OFDF were formulated and prepared by solvent casting method. The film size for one dose was 2 × 2 cm. The films were evaluated for various film parameters including disintegration time and drug release.

Results: Preliminary film studies indicated % of film former solution to be between 3 and 5% for good appearance, mechanical strength, and quick disintegration. Solubility enhancement of RF is almost 40-fold from its BCD inclusion complex. Drug content in the films ranged between 83 and 90%. The pH ranged between 6 and 7 for all the formulations. All OFDF of RF disintegrated within one minute. With higher viscosity grade of HPMC, disintegration was comparatively slower and so was the drug release. Pullulan based films also showed desirable properties. F3 had disintegration time was 28 s and % drug release was 92% in 180 s.

Conclusion: OFDF of RF could be formulated employing pullulan and HPMC low viscosity grades by solvent casting method. F3 containing HPMC E5 at 37% by weight of dry film showed desirable film properties. Stability studies indicated that there was no significant change in the films with respect to physicochemical properties and in vitro release.
COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON ANTIDIABETIC, ANALGESIC, AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF AMARANTHUS GANGETICUS L. AND ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS L.
Authors: MOHAIMENUL MD. , DUTTA KATHY , FERDIOUSI NOWRIN , NATH ROY DEBENDRA
Published: January 2021

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate and compare antidiabetic, analgesic, and cytotoxic properties of Lal shak (Amaranthus gangeticus L.) and Chanchi shak (Alternanthera sessilis L.). We carried out this work to explore the medicinal uses of very common and cheap leafy plant vegetables among the people of all classes.

Methods: The antidiabetic activity was evaluated and compared by studying the effect of ethanolic extract of A. gangeticus (EEAG) and ethanolic extract of A. sessilis (EEAS) against blood glucose level of alloxan-induced diabetic mice in every 6 h for 24 h. To evaluate and compare analgesic and cytotoxic activity, different tests such as acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay test had been performed.

Results: The mice were treated with both plants extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight in case of antidiabetic activity test. Blood glucose level was examined and found that there was a significant reduction of blood glucose level with EEAG (p<0.05) and EEAS (p<0.001) in comparison with their respective diabetic control group. Although both plant extracts reduced the blood glucose level, the glucose reducing effect was higher in EEAS. Both the plants showed significant (p<0.05) peripheral analgesic activity in treated mice but no significant central analgesic activity. EEAG showed higher peripheral analgesic activity than EEAS. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, both the plants showed higher LC50 value thus cytotoxicity occurs at very higher dose and safe to administer.

Conclusion: In this study, both the plants showed sufficient antidiabetic property and higher LC50 value, thus administration of leafy vegetable Lal shak and Chanchi shak may be useful for diabetic people. Chanchi shak may be more helpful for diabetic people than Lal shak.
EVALUATION OF ANXIOLYTIC POTENTIAL OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS OF TAMARINDUS INDICA FLOWERS
Authors: VUYYALA BALAKRISHNA , KUMAR D SENTHIL , LAKSHMI THAKKALAPALLY
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was designed to gauge the antianxiety activity of varied extracts, namely, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol of the flowers of Tamarindus indica using elevated plus maze (EPM) model in albino mice.

Methods: Coarsely powdered tamarind was powdered and subjected to exhaustive Soxhlet extraction using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Solvents were recovered from all extracts using a rotary vacuum evaporator under reduced pressure. Albino mice have ministered orally with different doses of the extracts (i.e., 200 and 400 mg/kg) and behavior was observed on the EPM. The standard (positive control) employed in the study Diazepam (2 mg/kg, P.O).

Results: Results indicate that the methanol extract of T. indica flowers showed maximum and significant dose-dependent effect at 200 and 400 mg/kg on EPM, the results were just like the standard antianxiety agent diazepam (2 mg/kg). Locomotor activity evaluated with two different doses of T. indica (200 and 400 mg/kg) using actophotometer. The results were shown to be decreased in a dose dependent model compared to control.

Conclusion: The methanol extract shows that the presence of polyphenols could be liable for the anxiolytic potential of T. indica. Hence, this plant could also be used as a useful antianxiety agent.
IN SILICO MOLECULAR PROPERTIES PREDICTION OF COMPOUNDS FROM CARICA PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT
Authors: NARA ABHIGNA , BL KUDAGI , KR SUBASH , RAYAM SRIHARSHA
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to analyze the scientific rationale and possible pharmacokinetic properties of certain biologically active compounds from Carica papaya leaf extract in silico.

Methods: This study was investigated on web-based tools PUBCHEM to extract the chemical structure followed by authentication and validation with chemical formula. The 2-dimensional structures are further converted to 3-dimensional (3D) structure with CHEMSKETCH software, the derived 3D structures are then screened for molecular properties and druglikeness score followed by absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity through admetSAR software. The reports are analyzed and predicted for possible drug like compound in leaf extract of papaya.

Results: The results obtained indicate that the compounds screened papain, chymopapain, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid had the druglikeness score −0.93, −0.05, + 0.93, and +0.74, respectively. On acute toxicity prediction, quercetin belonged to Class II and other compounds belonged to Class III.

Conclusion: The study confirms the among the compounds screened for in silico druglikeness and adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profile quercetin a flavonoid can be possibly developed as effective anti-dengue compound.
AN ANALYSIS OF CASES OF DRUG-INDUCED LIVER INJURY REPORTED TO AN ADVERSE DRUG REACTION MONITORING CENTER
Authors: SUBRAMANIAM BALA , SHAH MEGHA , DESAI CHETNA , PANCHAL JIGAR , SHAH SAMIDH
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a frequent cause of liver injury and acute liver failure .We aimed to analyze the cases of DILI reported over a period of 8 years to the adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring center (AMC) at our institution.

Methods: This observational retrospective study was conducted at the ADR monitoring center of a tertiary care hospital. Cases reported to the AMC, Pharmacovigilance Programme of India during the year 2011–2018 were analyzed as per the criteria used to analyze the ADRs.

Results: A total of 5448 ADRs were reported during the study period, of which 105 (2%) were suspected to be DILI. The mean age of the patients with DILI was 39.26 years. Men (66.66%) were more commonly affected than women (33.34%). The most common drug groups causing DILI were antiretroviral (ART) (42.85%) and antitubercular (ATT) (40%). Most common single drug responsible for DILI was isoniazid (44.44%) followed by atazanavir (28%) and pyrazinamide (22.22%). Increase in serum bilirubin was the most common DILI (64.75%). About 79% of cases had a possible causality and 21% of cases had probable causal association with the suspected drugs. Majority of the ADRs (83%) were not preventable and mild in severity (21%). All ADR forms were complete in accordance with National Coordinating Center scale.

Conclusion: DILI is commonly observed in patients taking ART and ATT drugs for more than a month. Regular monitoring and assessment in these patients may help in preventing DILI and manage these ADRs.
ALTERATION TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA AND MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9 EXPRESSION IN CANDIDA KERATITIS WITH AND WITHOUT STEROID ADMINISTRATION
Authors: VITRESIA HAVRIZA , JAMSARI JAMSARI , T GONDHOWIHARDJO , EKA PUTRA ANDANI
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the severity level of keratitis, inflammatory response, and clinical feature of fungal keratitis associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression, with and without steroid administration.

Methods: The mice corneas were inoculated with 108 CFU Candida albicans (CA), divided into two groups, one group with steroid administration and other group without steroid, and uninoculated cornea is used as the control. The mice eyes were observed for the development of keratitis and assess the clinical score to categorize severity level of the keratitis. After 7 days, they were enucleated for analysis of TNF-α and MMP-9 expression with immunohistochemistry and histopathologic examination.

Results: Results show that the group inoculated with Candida and steroid has more moderate and severe level of keratitis compared to the group inoculated with Candida only. The final clinical score in the group of CA injected with steroid was 5–12 with mean 8.89 (2.67). The histopathological examination confirmed the presence of prominent inflammatory response in steroid group. The mean of TNF-α expression in Candida keratitis with and without steroid injections is 50.1 (8.09) and 31.7 (6.89) consecutively, compared to 16.8 (1.58) of control group. The mean of MMP-9 expression in Candida keratitis with steroid injection is higher than Candida keratitis group without steroid injection and control group, which are 46.6 (4.3), 37.8 (4.96), and 17.2 (1.73), respectively. This difference is statistically significant.

Conclusion: Administration of steroids to Candida keratitis has negative effect to corneal tissue, resulting in more severe inflammatory response associated with increased TNF-α and MMP-9 expressions.
A NOVEL VALIDATED HEADSPACE GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS QUANTIFICATION OF THREE ORGANIC VOLATILE IMPURITIES IN ENROFLOXACIN PURE AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORMS
Authors: KISHORE J KRISHNA , RAO K PRASADA
Published: January 2021

Objective: This article describes a novel, simple, and rapid gas chromatographic method for quantification of three organic volatile impurities (OVIs) present in enrofloxacin and its pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Methods: As stationary phase using ZB-624 30 m×0.53 mm, 3.0 μ column with flame ionized detector at 250°C. The injector temperature is maintained at 180°C. The nitrogen gas was used as a carrier gas with a flow rate of 4.0 mL/min. The method involved a thermal gradient elution. The total run time is 21.14 min.

Results: The retention time of three OVIs taken individually and in spiked standard solutions were determined. The retention times are 2.30 min for methanol, 7.07 min for 1-butanol, and 8.48 min for toluene, respectively. The % relative standard deviation for six injections should be not more than 10%. The % recovery ranges from 85 to 115%. The correlation coefficient (r2) for linearity is not <0.99. The limit of quantification was found to be 260 ppm for methanol, 101 ppm for 1-butanol, and 56 ppm for toluene. Furthermore, verified precision, ruggedness, robustness, solution stability, and pharmaceutical analysis.

Conclusion: All the obtained results are found within the acceptable limits. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the quantification of OVIs present in enrofloxacin pure and its pharmaceutical dosage forms.
NOVEL VALIDATED REVERSED-PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF GLUCOSAMINE, DIACEREIN, AND METHYL SULFONYL METHANE IN MICRO SAMPLE RAT PLASMA AND ITS APPLICATION TO PHARMACOKINETIC AND DISSOLUTION STUDIES
Authors: BHAVANI PODILI , PRASADA RAO KAMMELA , MOHAN SEELAM
Published: January 2021

Objective: The main objective of this research is to develop and validate a simple, specific, precise, sensitive, cost-effective, and rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous quantification of glucosamine (GLU), diacerein (DIA) and methyl sulfonyl methane in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms, and micro-sample of rat plasma using ultraviolet (UV) detection, to perform the studies of drug dissolution from tablets.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used for pharmacokinetic study after intravenous administration of the drug samples at dose 5 mg/kg. The drug samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction technique using acetonitrile, which also acted as a deproteinization agent. The separation of the analyte was carried out on a phenomena C18 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.1 % orthophosphoric acid:acetonitrile (80:20 v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, and separation has been monitored by a UV detector, at detection of the wavelength of 285 nm.

Results: This method was proven to be linear over a concentration range of 30–450 μg/ml for GLU, 2–30 μg/ml for DIA, and 10–150 μg/ml for methyl sulfonyl methane with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The retention time of GLU, DIA, and methyl sulfonyl methane were 2.89, 6.32, and 9.87 min, respectively. Recovery of the drugs was found to be in the range of 98.0–102.0%. Validation results were found to be satisfactory and the method applicable for bulk and formulation analysis. Hence, it was evident that the proposed method was said to be a suitable one for the regular analysis and quality control of pharmaceutical preparations which contain these active drugs either individually or in combination.

Conclusion: The validation results were in good agreement with acceptable limits. Relative standard deviation values which are less than 2.0% are indicating the accuracy and precision of this method. The usefulness of the method is that the common chromatographic conditions have been adopted for assay, dissolution, and pharmacokinetic studies. This developed method showed reliable, precise, and accurate results under optimized conditions.
REVIEW ON GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM
Authors: J BHANDWALKAR MANDAR , S DUBAL PRASAD , K.TUPE AKASH , N MANDRUPKAR SUPRIYA
Published: January 2021

In recent years, gastroretentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) has gained researcher’s interest in the field of oral drug delivery. Various GRDDS approaches can be utilized to retain the dosage forms in the stomach and to release the drug slowly for an extended period of time. GRDDS can be used to prolong the residence time of delivery system in the stomach. This results in targeting of drug release at a specific site for the systemic or local effects. GRDDS can be used to overcome challenges associated with conventional oral dosage forms and to release the drug at a specific absorption site to improve bioavailability of particular drug substance. The challenges include fast gastric emptying of the dosage form which results in the poor bioavailability of the drug. Prolongation of the retention of drugs in stomach those having low solubility at high intestinal pH improves the solubility of drugs. GRDDS has proved to be effective in systemic actions as well as in local actions to treat gastric or duodenal ulcers. Local activity in the upper part of the small intestine can be obtained by improving the residence time of delivery system in the stomach. The system is useful for drugs which are unstable in the intestine or having a low solubility/permeability in the small intestine. Various GRDDS approaches include high density (sinking) systems, low-density (floating systems), mucoadhesive, expandable, unfoldable, superporous hydrogel systems, and magnetic systems.
THE VASCULAR RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIPLATELET RESISTANCE IN ISCHEMIC STROKE PATIENTS
Authors: TASLIM PINZON RIZALDY , MARCHELLIA WIJAYA BULAN
Published: January 2021

Objectives: This research is to measure the prevalence rate of antiplatelet resistance in ischemic stroke patients and measure the vascular risk factors associated with antiplatelet resistance in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods and Subjects: This was a cross-sectional study with the number of respondents in this study amounted to 155 patients who all had ischemic stroke disease at Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta Indonesia used stroke registry to complete the data of the risk factors. VerifyNow method is used to measure the responsiveness of antiplatelet therapy.

Results: Among the 155 patients with ischemic stroke, 45 were women (29%), 110 were men (71%), and the elderly (age more than 60 years old) in 81 patients. In total 155 patients with ischemic stroke, 106 of them have hypertensive, with diabetes are 19 patients, dyslipidemia is 90 patients, and ischemic heart disease in 13 patients. The prevalence of antiplatelet resistance in risk factors, for age more than 60 years, is 21 patients (25%, RR=1.06, *p=0.96), in diabetes is 7 patients (36%, RR=1.17, **p=0.74), dyslipidemia is 19 patients (21%, RR=0.68, ***p=0.24), and ischemic heart disease is four patients (30%). Among 127 patients, 22% (28 patients) had aspirin resistance, while from 42 patients, 26.2% (11 patients) were resistant to clopidogrel.

Conclusion: Antiplatelet resistance is common in ischemic stroke patients. One of five patients treated with antiplatelet showed non-responsiveness. Vascular risk factors do not increase the risk of antiplatelet resistance in ischemic stroke patients.
MICROBIAL ENZYMATIC REDUCTION OF IRON NANOPARTICLES FOR THE CONTROL OF HUMAN PATHOGENS, STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS, AND SALMONELLA TYPHI
Authors: C MUNUSAMY , K CHANDHIRASEKAR , M PREMKUMAR
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to synthesis, characterize, and evaluation of antimicrobial potential of iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) using Serratia marcescens.

Methods: Fe NPs were fabricated by microbial enzyme using ferric chloride as an agent of reduction and stabilization. Fe NPs formation and their elemental nature were confirmed by ultraviolet (UV)-absorption spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The morphology of Fe NPs was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Functional groups of biomolecules associated with Fe NPs were inferred from characteristic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy peaks. The antibacterial activity is determined by the disc diffusion method.

Results: Synthesized Fe NPs exhibited characteristic UV-absorption spectrum peaks at 263nm. FTIR spectroscopy peaks of Fe NPs, 3411.66, 1629.16, 1039.63, and 601.90 cm−1 corresponds to carbonyl, disulfides, and ethers groups. SEM study demonstrated that the average size was from 200nm with interparticle distances. The crystalline nature of Fe NPs was confirmed from the X-ray diffraction peaks analysis. The intense diffraction peaks due to Fe NPs at 16.32, 22.56, 35.54, 41.08, 52.36, 61.42, 66.42, 78.1, and 85.08. Corresponding to the 110, 150, 200, 430, 550, and 950 facets of the face-centered cubic crystal structure conformed to the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards: 89-3722 of iron. Antimicrobial activity of Fe NPs against tested Gram-positive and negative bacterial strains showed significant inhibitory zones.

Conclusion: The inhibitory zones obtained in the present study reveal that the Fe NPs can act as a good antibacterial agent.