Nanoparticulation of probucol, a poorly water-soluble drug, using a novel wet-milling process to improve in vitro dissolution and in vivo oral absorption

To improve the dissolution and oral absorption properties of probucol, a novel wet-milling process using the ULTRA APEX MILL was investigated. The particle size of bulk probucol powder was 17.1 μm. However, after wet-milling with dispersing agents such as Gelucire 44/14, Gelucire 50/13, vitamin E-TPGS, and Pluronic F-108, the probucol particle sizes decreased to about 77-176 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis also suggested that the probucol particles were successfully milled into the nanometer range. An in vitro dissolution study showed that the dissolution rates of all nanopowders were several folds higher than those of the corresponding mixed powders. When orally administered to rats, the AUC values of probucol nanopowders treated with Gelucire 44/14 and 50/13, and vitamin E-TPGS were about 3.06-3.54-folds greater than that of the bulk powder. Therefore, through this study, we have developed a new pharmaceutical technique to improve the dissolution rate and oral absorption of probucol using the ULTRA APEX MILL by wet-milling with various dispersing agents.     

Quantitative detection system for maize sample containing combined-trait genetically modified maize

Various countries have established regulations that stipulate the labeling of agricultural commodities, feed, and food products that contain or are made from genetically modified (GM) material or that contain adventitious GM material in amounts that exceed certain threshold levels. While regulations in some countries refer to GM material on a weight per weight (w/w) percentage, the currently applied detection methods do not directly measure the w/w percentage of the GM material. Depending on the particular method and the sample matrix it is applied to, the conversion of analytical results to a w/w percentage is challenging or not possible. The first rapid PCR system for GM maize detection on a single kernel basis has been developed. The equipment for the grinding of individual kernels and a silica membrane-based 96-well DNA extraction kit were both significantly revised and optimized for this particular purpose, respectively. We developed a multiplex real-time PCR method for the rapid quantification of GM DNA sequences in the obtained DNA solutions. In addition, a multiplex qualitative PCR detection method allows for the simultaneous detection of different GM maize traits in each kernel and thereby for identification of individual kernels that contain a combination of two or more GM traits. Especially for grain samples that potentially contain combined-trait GM maize kernels, the proposed methods can deliver informative results in a rapid, precise, and reliable manner.     

New high‐luminance 50‐ and 43‐in. ACPDPs with an improved panel structure

New 50‐ and 43‐in. ACPDPs, which have been developed and commercialized in 2001, show high luminance with improved cell structure and higher Xe‐content gas. The specific features of the cell structure are “T”‐shaped electrodes and waffle‐structured ribs, which are same as those of the previous model. Both the cell structure and gas conditions have been optimized. New green and blue phosphors have also been adopted. As a result, the luminous efficacy has been improved up to 1.8 lm/W by using a black stripe. The peak luminance of the 50‐ and 43‐in. PDPs have reached 900 and 1000 cd/m², respectively, while the power consumption of the 50‐in. PDP has been decreased to 380 W, which is 20% lower than that of our previous 50‐in. PDP.     

Immunohistochemical study of estrogen receptor and estradiol on papillary thyroid carcinoma in young patients

The Winnipeg Rh Laboratory has reviewed its experiences with maternal CW alloimmunization. From September 24, 1956, to March 31, 1992, 12 women with significant CW alloimmunization underwent 18 pregnancies. In 3 (4 pregnancies) the antibody, despite its strength, was 'naturally occurring' (i.e. there was no known exposure to CW-positive red cells). The remaining 9 women (14 pregnancies) had CW-positive husbands. Two had CW-negative babies and a third infant, probably CW negative, was stillborn and macerated at 43 weeks gestation. Eleven babies were CW positive and had hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), with antiglobulin-positive red cells. Five did not require treatment; 2 needed phototherapy only, and 4 (born between 1956 and 1963) required exchange transfusions. No anti-CW screening was carried out until 1977; thereafter it was sporadic, 11 of 51 screening red cells being CW positive in the 39-month period ending March 31st, 1992. From November 1, 1977, to March 31, 1992, 24 women (30 pregnancies, 31 conceptuses) with insignificant anti-CW alloantibodies were identified. Extrapolating these figures to the entire period from September 24, 1956, to March 31, 1992, we estimate that at least 430 women (at least 573 pregnancies) were CW alloimmunized, most of the antibodies being 'naturally occurring'. Only 2% of the conceptuses were CW positive and affected; none were severely affected. Anti-CW is relatively common, occurring in about 1 pregnant Manitoban woman in 1,100. On very rare occasions (11 times in Manitoba in 36 years and 5 months) anti-CW HDN occurs which, although not severe, may end in kernicterus with brain damage or neonatal death unless it is detected promptly and treated appropriately.     

Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with oral etoposide and cisplatin for locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer: radiation therapy oncology group protocol 91-06

PURPOSE: Patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor clinical outcome. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the merit of chemotherapy administered concurrently with hyperfractionated thoracic radiation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with inoperable NSCLC were enrolled onto a multicenter phase II trial of concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Treatment consisted of two cycles of oral etoposide 100 mg/d (50 mg/d if body-surface area [BSA] < 1.70 m2), intravenous cisplatin 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, and hyperfractionated radiation therapy 5 days per week (1.2 Gy twice daily > 6 hours apart; total 69.6 Gy). RESULTS: Seventy-six assessable patients with a Karnofsky performance status > or = 60 and adequate organ function who had received no prior therapy were evaluated for clinical outcome and toxic effects. After a minimum follow-up duration of 21 months, the 1- and 2-year survival rates and the median survival duration were 67%, 35%, and 18.9 months overall; they were 70%, 42%, and 21.1 months for patients with weight loss of < or = 5%. Toxicity was significant; 57% developed grade 4 hematologic toxicity, 53% grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, and 25% grade 3 or 4 lung toxicity. However, only 6.6% of patients had grade 4 or lethal nonhematologic toxicity, which included three treatment-related deaths (two of pneumonitis and one of renal failure). CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with oral etoposide and cisplatin plus hyperfractionated radiation therapy is feasible. The survival outcome from this regimen compares favorably with that of other chemoradiation trials and even of multimodality trials that have included surgery.     

Development of an operant-based taxonomy and observational index of supervisory behavior.

The Operant Supervisory Taxonomy and Index (OSTI), a theory-based taxonomy and observational instrument of supervisory behavior, includes 7 categories of supervisory behavior, the 1st 3 of which are based on the theory of operant conditioning and considered to be related to effective supervision: performance consequences, performance monitors, performance antecedents, one's own performance, work-related, non-work-related, and solitary. Field tests of the OSTI, which consisted of 189 30-min observations of 7 theater managers over a 5-wk period and 440 30-min observations of 20 bank managers over a 12-wk period, showed that the OSTI was feasible, acceptably reliable, and sensitive to differences in behavior among managers. A generalizability theory analysis indicated that 20 30-min observations provided reasonably representative information on a given manager's behavior. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fatty Acid soil detergency performance of poly(sodium α-hydroxyacrylate)

Effects and properties of poly(sodium α-hydroxyacrylate) (PHA) on removal of stearic and oleic acids from cellulosic filter paper under various wash conditions were evaluated and compared with those of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by using differential scanning calorimetry. PHA had a much greater effect on the removal of stearic and oleic acids than SDS under the same washing conditions. PHA produces complexes with fatty acids on filter paper during the washing process, and in DSC these complexes have endothermic peaks at temperatures higher than the melting point of the fatty acids. The complexes are formed at temperatures both below and above the melting point of the fatty acid and are removed completely from filter paper by rinsing. The conditions of temperature, time, and PHA concentration during washing all affected the formation of the complex and the removal of fatty acid. Whether the fatty acid chain was saturated or not did not affect the formation of a complex.     

Formation of Stilbene by Oxidative Coupling of Toluene Over Lead Oxide Modified with Lithium

The oxidative coupling of toluene to bibenzyl and stilbene has been studied over lithium-modified lead oxide under anaerobic conditions. The selectivity for the coupled products can be improved by the addition of lithium metals to lead oxide. In order to understand the effect of the reaction conditions on the selectivity, kinetic studies have also been carried out.