Cyclodextrin–poloxamer aggregates as nanocarriers in eye drop formulations: dexamethasone and amphotericin B

In this present study cyclodextrin (CD)–poloxamer aggregates were characterized and developed as ophthalmic drug carriers. The combined effect of γCD/2-hydroxypropyl-γCD (HPγCD) mixtures and poloxamer on solubilization and permeability of two model drugs, dexamethasone (Dex) and amphotericin B (AmB), was investigated. The CD–poloxamer interaction and complex aggregation were examined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), their solubilizing ability by high-performance liquid chromatography, and their particle size determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Formulations containing either 1.5% w/v Dex or 0.15% w/v AmB in eye drop suspensions containing various γCD/HPγCD ratios and poloxamer 407 (P407) were prepared. The solubility of the drugs, surface tension and hemolytic effect of the eye drops and drug permeation from selected formulations were determined. The ¹H-NMR study showed that P407 formed inclusion complex with CDs by inserting its poly(propylene oxide) segment into the CD cavity. P407 and γCD interacted with each other to form nanosized aggregates, and the observed concentration of dissolved γCD and P407 progressively decreased with increasing γCD and P407 concentrations. Including a high proportion of HPγCD improved the drug solubilization and reduced the hemolytic effect. The surface tension of the formulations decreased with increasing P407 concentration. Furthermore, increasing P407 content in the formulations enhanced formation of complex aggregates with consequent slower drug release. It was concluded that the drug/γCD/HPγCD complex was stabilized by P407 through formation of multi-component aggregates. Thus, CD–poloxamer aggregates are self-assembled nanocarriers from which drug delivery characteristics can be adjusted by changing the γCD/HPγCD/P407 ratios.     

Characterization, in vitro release and permeation studies of nicotine transdermal patches prepared from deproteinized natural rubber latex blends

The nicotine transdermal patches (NTPs) are available used for smoking cessation; however, they still should be developed for high efficacy and low cost. In this study, deproteinized natural rubber latex (DNRL) blended with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and dibutylphthalate (DBP) were used as matrix membrane for nicotine (NCT) delivery. Several techniques, i.e., FT-IR, XRD, DSC, and SEM were used to characterize the compatibility of each ingredient in the blended patches. A backing layer was used to protect NCT from volatilization. Five different types of backing layer were evaluated for their effects on in vitro release and skin permeation of NCT from the formulated matrix membranes. The backing layer with highest moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and lowest oxygen transmission (OT) supposed to give higher NCT release and skin permeation due to increasing of skin hydration and its occlusive effect. The kinetic of in vitro release and permeation was demonstrated the monophasic slow release pattern which confirmed by first order and zero order kinetics, respectively. Therefore, the backing layer could be appropriated and used conveniently in the preparation of NTPs.     

Use of fluorochrome-labeled rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probe and tyramide signal amplification to improve sensitivity of fluorescence in situ hybridization

A tyramide signal amplification (TSA) system was used in combination with a conventional fluorochrome-labeled 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probe to increase the sensitivity of fluorescence in situ hybridization. TSA was performed after hybridization resulted in a low fluorescence signal intensity. In contrast to the horseradish peroxidase-tyramide signal amplification (HRP-TSA) system and biotin-tyramide signal amplification (biotin-TSA) system, no additional expensive probe labeling was required. A whole cell hybridization technique was used to compare the fluorescence signal obtained using a monolabeled probe with that obtained using the TSA system. The fluorescence signal of the probe obtained using the TSA system was much higher than that obtained using the monolabeled probe. The technique was successfully applied to the in situ detection of microbial communities in anaerobic sludge. It was demonstrated that TSA resulted in an increased in sensitivity, as the fluorescence signal intensity was much higher than that obtained using a conventional probe.     

Identification and quantification of mineral precipitation in Fe0 filings from a column study

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify mineral phases and determine corrosion rates of granular iron samples from a 2-yr field column study. Similar to other studies, goethite, magnetite, aragonite, and calcite were found to be the major precipitated minerals, with Fe2(OH)2CO3 and green rust as minor phases. Based on TGA-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, Fe0 corrodes at rates of 0.5-6.1 mmol kg(-1) d(-1) in the high NO3- (up to 13.5 mM) groundwater; this rate is significantly higher than previously reported. Porosity reduction was 40.6%-45.1% for the inlet sand/Fe0 interface and 7.4%-25.6% for effluent samples of two test columns. Normalized for treatment volumes, porosity loss values are consistent with studies that use high levels of SO4(2-) but are higher than those using low levels of corrosive species. Aqueous mass balance calculations yield corrosion rates similar to the TGA-MS method, providing an alternative to coring and mineralogical analysis. A severely corroded iron sample from the column simulating a 17-yr treatment throughput showed >75% porosity loss. Extensive porosity loss due to high levels of corrosive species in groundwater will have significant impact on long-term performance of permeable reactive barriers.     

Realistic image synthesis of a deformable living thing based on motion understanding

This paper describes a system that can synthesize realistic sequential images of moving goldfish based on the image understanding result of real goldfish. To analyze and synthesize images in real-time, we have constructed a hardware system that consists of 32 paralell transputers with a high-speed visual-data interface called VIT (Visual Interface for Transpputer Network). The system is very flexible and powerful for various types of image processing because it can be extended according to the required computational cost. In the understanding process, we assume that the target object, a goldfish in this case, deforms its shape pliably in 3-D space and moves only in a two-dimensional direction. A modeling, called the Bone-Structured Solid Modeler, which is suitable for representing deformable objects such as living things, plays an important role in the understanding and synthesis processes of the deformable object. Three types of constraints for motion, namely, static, dynamic, and object, are utilized to verify the estimated pose and orientation of the object. In the motion synthesis process, realistic moving images are synthesized by controlling the model employing the motion understanding result. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the system. The technology discussed in this paper is expected to play a key role in the realization of future visual human interfaces.     

Development of fermented Hericium erinaceus juice with high content of L‐glutamine and L‐glutamic acid

Fermented plant beverages (FPB) with a high content of desirable principle components are served as functional foods from several years. Hericium erinaceus is famous for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic nature. Accordingly, the current study was aimed to produce fermented H. erinaceus juice with a high content of L‐glutamine (Gln) and L‐glutamic acid (GA) through lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented Thai foods. LAB isolates were screened and identified the potent protease‐producing bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (G414/1) that facilitate the production of Gln and GA through protein hydrolysis. Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were adapted for the optimisation of conditions for the increased production of Gln and GA during fermentation of H. erinaceus. We succeeded with an optimum concentration of cofactor (CaCl₂), pH and temperature for improved protease activity and subsequent Gln and GA production. The ability of isolated E. faecalis strain to produce Gln and GA was demonstrated in this study. Further, upstream processes like strain improvement and media optimisation will direct the way to produce enriched H. erinaceus based FPB.     

Multiobjective optimal placement of switches and protective devices in electric power distribution systems using ant colony optimization

This paper presents a multiobjective optimization methodology to optimally place switches and protective devices in electric power distribution networks. Identifying the type and location of them is a combinatorial optimization problem described by a nonlinear and nondifferential function. The multiobjective ant colony optimization (MACO) has been applied to this problem to minimize the total cost while simultaneously minimize two distribution network reliability indices including system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) and system interruption duration index (SAIDI). Actual distribution feeders are used in the tests, and test results have shown that the algorithm can determine the set of optimal nondominated solutions. It allows the utility to obtain the optimal type and location of devices to achieve the best system reliability with the lowest cost.     

Hydrothermal decomposition of yeast cells for production of proteins and amino acids

This study examines hydrothermal decomposition of Baker's yeast cells, used as a model for spent Brewer's yeast waste, into protein and amino acids. The reaction was carried out in a closed batch reactor at various temperatures between 100 and 250 degrees C. The reaction products were separated into water-soluble and solid residue. The results demonstrated that the amount of yeast residue decreased with increasing hydrolysis temperature. After 20 min reaction in water at 250 degrees C, 78% of yeast was decomposed. The highest amount of protein produced was also obtained at this condition and was found to be 0.16 mg/mg dry yeast. The highest amount of amino acids (0.063 mg/mg dry yeast) was found at the lowest temperature tested after 15 min. The hydrolysis product obtained at 200 degrees C was tested as a nutrient source for yeast growth. The growth of yeast cells in the culture medium containing 2 w/v% of this product was comparable to that of the cells grown in the medium containing commercial yeast extract at the same concentration. These results demonstrated the feasibility of using subcritical water to potentially decompose proteinaceous waste such as spent Brewer's yeast while recovering more useful products.     

Evaluation of cross-linked chitosan microparticles containing metronidazole for periodontitis treatment

The aims of this study were to find the optimal formulation for the preparation of metronidazole-loaded chitosan microparticles (MTZ-MPs) via an emulsion cross-linking process, and to compare the in vitro release of MTZ from hydrogels and films containing the drug in forms of MTZ-MPs and raw powders. The effects of emulsifier type and concentration, amount of cross-linking agent, cross-linking time, drug:chitosan ratio, form of drug adding and washing method on the properties of the MTZ-MPs were investigated. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for round and free-flowing MTZ-MPs with a high percentage of entrapped drug and preferable release profile were 1% of Span80 in soybean oil, 5% of glutaraldehyde based on chitosan solution, 30 min of cross-linking time, 1:1 drug:chitosan ratio, drug adding in form of ethanol solution and washing with hexane only. MTZ-MPs prepared from the optimal formulation were incorporated in mucoadhesive hydrogel and film. The release profiles of the drug from hydrogel and film containing MTZ-MPs were in prolong pattern compared with those containing drug powders. However, the hydrogels exhibited higher preferable pattern of release profile than the films. Therefore, the hydrogel containing MTZ-MPs was possible to be further clinically investigated for peridontitis treatment.