Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Controlled Release Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets of Ketorolac Tromethamine Using Factorial Design

Controlled release matrix tablets of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) were prepared by direct compression technique using cellulose derivatives as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in different concentrations (10–20%). The effect of polymer type and concentration was investigated on drug release by 2³ factorial design. For the quality control of matrix tablets, weight deviation, hardness, friability, diameter–height ratio, content uniformity of KT, and in vitro dissolution technique were performed. UV Spectrophotometric method was used to detection of KT in matrix tablets. This method was validated. Dissolution profiles of the formulations were plotted and evaluated kinetically. An increase in polymer content resulted with a slow release rate of drug as was expected. According to the dissolution results, tablets prepared with HPMC + HEC + CMC (F1 and F8) were found to be the most suitable formulation for KT. About 99.27% KT was released from F8 in 7 h.     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic and antibacterial surface on cotton fabric by doped silica-based sols with nanoparticles of copper

The study discussed the synthesis of silica sol using the sol-gel method, doped with two different amounts of Cu nanoparticles. Cotton fabric samples were impregnated by the prepared sols and then dried and cured. To block hydroxyl groups, some samples were also treated with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The average particle size of colloidal silica nanoparticles were measured by the particle size analyzer. The morphology, roughness, and hydrophobic properties of the surface fabricated on cotton samples were analyzed and compared via the scanning electron microscopy, the transmission electron microscopy, the scanning probe microscopy, with static water contact angle (SWC), and water shedding angle measurements. Furthermore, the antibacterial efficiency of samples was quantitatively evaluated using AATCC 100 method. The addition of 0.5% (wt/wt) Cu into silica sol caused the silica nanoparticles to agglomerate in more grape-like clusters on cotton fabrics. Such fabricated surface revealed the highest value of SWC (155° for a 10-μl droplet) due to air trapping capability of its inclined structure. However, the presence of higher amounts of Cu nanoparticles (2% wt/wt) in silica sol resulted in the most slippery smooth surface on cotton fabrics. All fabricated surfaces containing Cu nanoparticles showed the perfect antibacterial activity against both of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.     

Application of polymeric nanofibers in medical designs,part II: Neural and cardiovascular tissues

Nanotechnology has wide applications in many fields, especially in the biological sciences and medicine. Nanomaterials are applied as potential materials for treatment and diagnosis. Nanofibers mimic the porous topography of natural extracellular matrix, are advantageous for tissue regeneration and also for sustained release of encapsulated drug or growth factor. The author summarizes the currently available applications of nanofibers in two soft tissues of nerve and cardiovascular tissues. Shown in the graphic are Schwann cells seeded on different nanofibers under scanning electron microscope.     

Current Approaches in Improving Hemocompatibility of Polymeric Membranes for Biomedical Application

Suitable membranes for blood‐contacting medical applications need to be resistant in confrontation with blood proteins and cells, while possessing high blood compatibility and permeability at the same time. Herein, an overview of the recent advances and strategies that have been used to enhance the hemocompatibility of polymeric membranes is provided. The review focuses on two modification strategies: (i) physical modifications and (ii) chemical modifications. It also highlights the current progress in the design of hemocompatible‐functionalized membranes for biomedical applications. Subsequently, the commonly applied biocompatibility tests are also discussed and finally the future perspectives of the application of polymeric membranes in the biomedical field are presented.

     

A study on siro,solo, compact,and conventional ring-spun yarns. Part III: modeling fiber migration using modular adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

The importance of fiber migration in spun yarns as a means of securing cohesion and strength has been emphasized in the literature. However, analyzing migration behavior of fibers is a time-consuming and tedious task. A three-stage hybrid model was developed to estimate yarn migratory properties based on some physical and mechanical properties of spun yarns. Achieving the objectives of this research, general physical, mechanical, and structural properties of spun yarns together with existing standards were thoroughly studied. At the first stage, using stepwise regression analysis, key variables were selected. At the second stage, data-set was clustered into subpopulations by means of K-means in order to decrease effects of noise, rebate complexity of the patterns, and develop a modular model. At the third stage, using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, the target value was predicted. Finally, evaluation of the proposed model was carried out by applying it on the test set.     

Effects of Different Boron Compounds on the Corrosion Resistance of Andalusite-Based Low-Cement Castables in Contact with Molten Al Alloy

Interfacial reactions between Al alloy and andalusite low-cement castables (LCCs) containing 5 wt pct B₂O₃, B₄C, and BN were analyzed at 1123 K and 1433 K (850 °C and 1160 °C) using the Alcoa cup test. The results showed that the addition of boron-containing materials led to the formation of aluminoborate (9Al₂O₃.2B₂O₃) and glassy phase containing boron in the prefiring temperature (1373 K [1100 °C]), which consequently improved the corrosion resistance of the refractories. The high heat of formation of the aluminoborate phase (which increased its stability to reactions with molten Al alloy) and the low solubility of boron in molten Al were the major factors that contributed to the improvement in the corrosion resistance of B-doped samples.     

Dry reforming of methane over nano-Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst: Effect of carburization conditions on excess carbon deposition

In this study, temperature-programmed carburization (TPC) has been used to prepare Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ catalyst for carbon dioxide reforming of methane. Also, the effect of carburization conditions has been examined on excess carbon formation over the prepared catalysts. Minimum excess carbon of 0.51 wt% was obtained in a flow of 12.5 vol% CH₄/H₂ gas mixture, final carburization temperature of 750°C, and Mo loading of 12.5 wt%. This catalyst exhibited better initial activity due to lower excess carbon and higher carbide dispersion compared with other examined catalysts. However, the results of time on stream performance in the dry reforming of methane (DRM) revealed an increase in durability with an increase in Mo loading.     

Decreased corneal sensation as an initial feature of Acanthamoeba keratitis

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex keratitis is the most common misdiagnosis in patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is increasing in frequency and is associated with daily wear soft contact lenses. Both entities usually present as unilateral keratitis. The manifestations of superficial Acanthamoeba keratitis (i.e., unilaterality, dendriform appearance, positive response to antivirals, and decreased corneal sensation) increase the opportunity for misdiagnosis as herpes simplex keratitis. The authors have encountered six patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis in whom the correct diagnosis was delayed from 2 weeks to 3 months. METHODS: All six patients underwent testing with the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer and extensive pharmacologic treatment for herpes simplex keratitis. Corneal scrapings were taken between 2 and 6 weeks after the initial examination. RESULTS: In all six patients, corneal sensation was decreased significantly. Drug therapy was ineffective. Cultures were positive for Acanthamoeba. Five of six patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased corneal sensation has contributed to the misdiagnosis of Acanthamoeba as herpes simplex keratitis. Misdiagnosis results in delayed treatment and worse outcome. The authors found that significantly decreased corneal sensation is a frequent finding in early Acanthamoeba keratitis. Therefore, physicians should consider Acanthamoeba keratitis as an alternative diagnosis in patients with presumed herpes simplex keratitis with decreased corneal sensation.     

Quantitation of limonin in Iranian orange juice concentrates using high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric methods

Bitterness is a major problem in the citrus industry worldwide, and is mostly due to the presence of limonoid compounds, especially limonin. In this study, the limonin content of orange juice concentrates from three active factories in west Mazandaran province, after reconstitution, was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methods. With HPLC, employing acetonitrile/water (v/v) (32:68) with a flow rate of 0.9 ml/min at =207 nm, the limonin content was in the range 11.7–23.3 g/ml with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 18.5±3.6 g/ml. Spectrophotometric measurement of limonin at 503 nm with Burnham reagent gave a range of 9.9–21.8 g/ml with a mean ± SD of 17.16±4.1 g/ml. The correlation coefficients of the detector linear response for the limonin standard (0–50 g/ml) for HPLC and spectrophotometry were 0.995 and 0.989, respectively. The percentages of limonin recovery with and without sample addition were 101.02–111.40 and 93.0–100.8, respectively, for HPLC. The percentages of limonin recovery for the spectrophotometric method resulted in 95.6–101.8 for limonin-added samples. The precision factors for the two assay methods were ±2.10% and ±1.69, respectively. The correlation coefficient of the two methods was 0.84. Sensory evaluation of the reconstituted samples from the view point of bitterness confirmed 85% of the results of the analytical methods. This study recommends spectrophotometric analysis as a useful and suitable method for quantitation of limonin in the quality control laboratories of orange juice plants.     

Cross‐linking gold nanoparticles aggregation method based on localised surface plasmon resonance for quantitative detection of miR‐155

MiR‐155 plays a critical role in the formation of cancers and other diseases. In this study, the authors aimed to design and fabricate a biosensor based on cross‐linking gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) aggregation for the detection and quantification of miR‐155. Also, they intended to compare this method with SYBR Green real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primers for real‐time PCR, and two thiolated capture probes for biosensor, complementary with miR‐155, were designed. Citrate capped AuNPs (18.7 ± 3.6 nm) were synthesised and thiolated capture probes immobilised to AuNPs. The various concentrations of synthetic miR‐155 were measured by this biosensor and real‐time PCR method. Colorimetric changes were studied, and the calibration curves were plotted. Results showed the detection limit of 10 nM for the fabricated biosensor and real‐time PCR. Also, eye detection using colour showed the weaker detection limit (1 µM), for this biosensor. MiR‐133b as the non‐complementary target could not cause a change in both colour and UV–visible spectrum. The increase in hydrodynamic diameter and negative zeta potential of AuNPs after the addition of probes verified the biosensor accurately fabricated. This fabricated biosensor could detect miR‐155 simpler and faster than previous methods.Inspec keywords: RNA, molecular biophysics, biochemistry, cancer, nanoparticles, gold, aggregation, surface plasmon resonance, molecular configurations, nanosensors, enzymes, calibration, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, eye, hydrodynamics, electrokinetic effects, biosensors, nanofabricationOther keywords: cross‐linking gold nanoparticles aggregation method, localised surface plasmon resonance, quantitative detection, cancers, diseases, biosensor, miR‐155 detection, miR‐155 quantification, SYBR green real‐time polymerase chain reaction, thiolated capture probes, citrate capped AuNPs, synthetic miR‐155, real‐time PCR method, colorimetric changes, calibration curves, eye detection, colour, detection limit, MiR‐133b, noncomplementary target, UV‐visible spectrum, hydrodynamic diameter, negative zeta potential, Au