Drop printing of pharmaceuticals: Effect of molecular weight on PEG coated‐naproxen/PEG 3350 solid dispersions

Solid dispersions have been used to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water‐soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). However, the solid‐state phase, compositional uniformity, and scale‐up problems are issues that need to be addressed. To allow for highly controllable products, the drop printing (DP) technique can provide precise dosages and predictable compositional uniformity of APIs in two‐/three‐dimensional structures. DP was used to prepare naproxen (NAP)/polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) solid dispersions with PEG coatings of different molecular weights (MWs). A comparison of moisture‐accelerated crystallization inhibition by different PEG coatings was assessed. Scanning electron microscopy, second harmonic generation microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis were performed to characterize the morphology and quantify the apparent crystallinity of NAP within the solid dispersions. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to measure the water content within each sample. The results suggest that the moisture‐accelerated crystallization inhibition capability of the PEG coatings increased with increasing MW of the PEG coating. Besides, to demonstrate the flexibility of DP technology on manufacturing formulation, multilayer tablets with different PEG serving as barrier layers were also constructed, and their dissolution behavior was examined. By applying DP and appropriate materials, it is possible to design various carrier devices used to control the release dynamics of the API. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 4502–4508, 2015     

The FKBP5 Gene Affects Alcohol Drinking in Knockout Mice and Is Implicated in Alcohol Drinking in Humans

FKBP5 encodes FK506-binding protein 5, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-binding protein implicated in various psychiatric disorders and alcohol withdrawal severity. The purpose of this study is to characterize alcohol preference and related phenotypes in Fkbp5 knockout (KO) mice and to examine the role of FKBP5 in human alcohol consumption. The following experiments were performed to characterize Fkpb5 KO mice. (1) Fkbp5 KO and wild-type (WT) EtOH consumption was tested using a two-bottle choice paradigm; (2) The EtOH elimination rate was measured after intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 2.0 g/kg EtOH; (3) Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured after 3 h limited access of alcohol; (4) Brain region expression of Fkbp5 was identified using LacZ staining; (5) Baseline corticosterone (CORT) was assessed. Additionally, two SNPs, rs1360780 (C/T) and rs3800373 (T/G), were selected to study the association of FKBP5 with alcohol consumption in humans. Participants were college students (n = 1162) from 21–26 years of age with Chinese, Korean or Caucasian ethnicity. The results, compared to WT mice, for KO mice exhibited an increase in alcohol consumption that was not due to differences in taste sensitivity or alcohol metabolism. Higher BAC was found in KO mice after 3 h of EtOH access. Fkbp5 was highly expressed in brain regions involved in the regulation of the stress response, such as the hippocampus, amygdala, dorsal raphe and locus coeruleus. Both genotypes exhibited similar basal levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT). Finally, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FKBP5 were found to be associated with alcohol drinking in humans. These results suggest that the association between FKBP5 and alcohol consumption is conserved in both mice and humans.     

DRYING WOOD: A REVIEW - PART I

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews the technology of wood drying and recent developments in the field. The importance of drying is reviewed first. Then the fundamentals of wood properties as they relate to drying are discussed, including how water is held in wood, how it moves through wood, and how drying stresses that lead to drying defects develop. Traditional drying technology for lumber, veneer, and heavy timbers is then presented. With this background, the discussion moves to recent developments in drying technology that have been implemented commercially, such as high-temperature drying, low-temperature drying, continuously rising temperature drying, vacuum drying, and advances in process control. Finally, a discussion is presented on drying technology of the future. This topic describes processes that offer potential improvements in drying technology, but are still in the research and development stage.     

Hydrogen evolution from corrosion of pure copper

Using a sensitive direct gas analysis technique, an attempt was made to detect hydrogen evolution from copper corroding in neutral oxygen free chloride solutions. No hydrogen was detected at evolution rates 3 orders of magnitude lower than those reported for copper in pure water.     

Aflatoxins in food: occurrence, biosynthesis, effects on organisms, detection, and methods of control

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by species of Aspergilli, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These molds are ubiquitous in nature and grow on a variety of substrates, thereby producing aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are of great concern due to their biochemical and biological effects on living organisms. In this article, the occurrence of aflatoxins, their biosynthesis, factors influencing their production, their effects on living organisms, and methods of detection and control in food are reviewed. Future areas of research involving mathematical modeling of factors influencing aflatoxin production and alternative methods of control, such as modified atmosphere packaging, are also discussed.     

Bioactive proteins and peptides in pulse crops: Pea,chickpea and lentil

Pulse crops are cool season, annually grown legume crops, which are harvested for their seeds. They are invaluable agricultural commodities which are produced and imported by many regions of the world. Pulse seeds are a valuable source of dietary protein, carbohydrates, fiber and an important source of essential vitamins and minerals. Their nutritional characteristics have been associated with a reduction in the incidence of various cancers, HDL cholesterol, type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Pulses also contain protein and non-protein antinutritional factors, which may cause deleterious effects on the host when the seeds or processed seeds are consumed raw. Conversely, recent studies have demonstrated that protein antinutritional compounds such as lectins, protease inhibitors and the non-antinutritional component, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor may have beneficial properties. Lectins have been associated with reducing certain forms of cancer, activating innate defense mechanisms and managing obesity. Protease inhibitors such as trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of certain cancers and demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory properties. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor has been associated with a reduction in hypertension.     

An intervention to reduce kerosene-related burns and poisonings in low-income South African communities.

Objective: Unintentional injury rates in low- and middle-income countries are up to 50 times higher than high-income nations. In South Africa, kerosene (paraffin) is a leading cause of poisoning and burns, particularly in low-income communities where it serves as a primary fuel for light, cooking, and heating. This study tested a community-based intervention to reduce kerosene-related injury risk. The intervention used a train-the-trainers model, whereby expert trainers train local paraprofessionals, who in turn deliver educational materials to community residents. The intervention was theory-driven, pragmatically motivated, and culturally sensitive. Design: Prospective quasi-experimental intervention design with nonequivalent case versus control groups. Main Outcome Measures: Three primary outcome measures were considered: self-reported knowledge of kerosene safety, observed practice of safe kerosene use, and self-reported recognition of risk for kerosene-related injury. Results: ANOVA models suggest a large and significant increase in self-reported kerosene-related knowledge in the intervention community compared to the control community. There were smaller, but statistically significant changes, in kerosene-related safety practices and recognition of kerosene injury risk in the intervention community compared to the control community. Conclusion: The intervention was successful. A train-the-trainers model might be an effective educational tool to reduce kerosene-related injury risk in low-income communities within low- and middle-income countries. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

干血滴分析的自动化处理和未来的发展方向

在过去的几年中,采用干血滴分析用于小分子定量的做法显著增多.在此领域的科学家们正努力寻求着一种与常规处理液体样品效果相同的方法.越来越多的相关技术已被广泛地应用于采样、储存、运输和生物样品的分析刍各个方面.