Photostability profiles of minoxidil solutions

Philosophical explanations of the phenomenon of akrasia have been used in this article to characterize some of the difficulties involved in successful behavior change. The theory of psychological reversals provides a framework for understanding various types of akratic behavior. In addition, empirical research on the temptations of persons trying to quit smoking has supported hypotheses generated by the theory. The theory suggests that resisting the temptation to engage in akratic behavior is a complex phenomenon. Different strategies are needed in different types of metamotivational states. Reversal theory provides a coherent system for understanding and predicting akratic behavior. It suggests possible interventions that would improve the probability of circumventing akrasia and that would improve behavior change efforts of nurses engaged in health-promotion and disease-prevention activities.     

Effect of Processing Factors on the Qualities of Reserpine Tablets

Reserpine tablets were made by five different processing techniques. The tablets were tested for weight variation, content uniformity, hardness, friability and disintegration. The stability of reserpine in the com-pressed tablets was evaluated at accelerated conditions of 50° and 83% R. H. for a period of 6 months and at room conditions for 18 months. In-vitro availability studies were conducted on the tablets produced by the various techniques. It is shown that the method of preparation of tablets influences their properties in cluding stability and in-vitro availability.     

Effect of Certain Stabilizers on Photobleacing of Riboflavin Solutions

The influence of certain stabilizers on the aerobic photobleaching of buffered riboflavin phosphate solutions exuosed to fluorescent light was investigated. Disodium ethylenediamine (EDTA) demonstrated the greatest stabilizing effect followed by thiourea, methyl paraben, DL-methionine and sodium thiosul fate. The photostabilizing effect of these agents increased as their concentrations increased. Other stabilizers enhanced the photostability of riboflavin solutions with lesser and varying degrees. The pH and buffer species of the solutions appared to infulence the rate of photodegradation of riboflavin solutions in the presence of absence of EDTA.     

Taurine: protective properties against ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and lipid peroxidation during chronic ethanol consumption in rats

Alcohol was administered chronically to female Sprague Dawley rats in a nutritionally adequate totally liquid diet for 28 days. This resulted in hepatic steatosis and lipid peroxidation. Taurine, when co-administered with alcohol, reduced the hepatic steatosis and completely prevented lipid peroxidation. The protective properties of taurine in preventing fatty liver were also demonstrated histologically. Although alcohol was found not to affect the urinary excretion of taurine (a non-invasive marker of liver damage), levels of serum and liver taurine were markedly raised in animals receiving alcohol + taurine compared to animals given taurine alone. The ethanol-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (CYP2E1) was significantly induced by alcohol; the activity was significantly lower than controls and barely detectable in animals fed the liquid alcohol diet containing taurine. In addition, alcohol significantly increased homocysteine excretion into urine throughout the 28 day period of ethanol administration; however, taurine did not prevent this increase. There was evidence of slight cholestasis in animals treated with alcohol and alcohol + taurine, as indicated by raised serum bile acids and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The protective effects of taurine were attributed to the potential of bile acids, especially taurine conjugated bile acids (taurocholic acid) to inhibit the activity of some microsomal enzymes (CYP2E1). These in vivo findings demonstrate for the first time that hepatic steatosis and lipid peroxidation, occurring as a result of chronic alcohol consumption, can be ameliorated by administration of taurine to rats.     

AICAR Protects Vascular Endothelial Cells from Oxidative Injury Induced by the Long-Term Palmitate Excess

Hyperlipidemia manifested by high blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and lipoprotein triglycerides is critical for the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its cardiovascular complications via vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, attempts to assess high FFA effects in endothelial culture often result in early cell apoptosis that poorly recapitulates a much slower pace of vascular deterioration in vivo and does not provide for the longer-term studies of endothelial lipotoxicity in vitro. Here, we report that palmitate (PA), a typical FFA, does not impair, by itself, endothelial barrier and insulin signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), but increases NO release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and protein labeling by malondialdehyde (MDA) hallmarking oxidative stress and increased lipid peroxidation. This PA-induced stress eventually resulted in the loss of cell viability coincident with loss of insulin signaling. Supplementation with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-riboside (AICAR) increased endothelial AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, supported insulin signaling, and prevented the PA-induced increases in NO, ROS, and MDA, thus allowing to maintain HUVEC viability and barrier, and providing the means to study the long-term effects of high FFA levels in endothelial cultures. An upgraded cell-based model reproduces FFA-induced insulin resistance by demonstrating decreased NO production by vascular endothelium.     

Roller furled Genoa and rigid surface wingsail, a flexible practical wind-assist system for commercial vessels

This paper describes the advantages of motor-sailing in contrast to engine driven ships without wind-assist propulsion.

The author believes that there will be a resurgence of ships using engine and sail combinations in new Hi-Tech versions.

The paper explains the functioning of a new wind-assist system and trial results are reported. The results confirm the belief of the author that motor-sailing will come back in modern versions which will not require additional manpower for the handling and maintenance of the sail system.     

Standards related to the design of VDT workstations and their environment

The European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) has traditionally dealt with technical standards for interfaces between technical devices. In ergonomics the interface is between a device and a human being. This is a new task for ECMA and as consequence it was decided to start with recommendations only.

Two radically different approaches could be envisioned: the jury method and the measurement method. Although the first holds several merits ECMA chose the latter method.

The resulting report treats the human characteristics that are of relevance for the task at a VDU workstation, the suitable environment, as well as the equipment itself, i.e. the VDU and its keyboard.

The committee that produced the report is now preparing a standard for VDUs from it.