Synthesis and evaluation of ciprofloxacin-loaded carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is currently employed as a tool to fight more efficiently against human pathogens. Nanoparticles can be prepared from a variety of materials such as protein, biodegradable polymers and synthetic polymers. Tamarindus indica Linn. or tamarind is one of the most important biodegradable polymer. In the present study, chemically modified polymer of tamarind ‘carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide’ (CMTKP) is used for the synthesis of nanoparticulate formulation. Antibacterial activity of CMTKP was analysed which was then enhanced by incorporating a flouroquinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin to it. Ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles were synthesised via ionotropic gelation technique. Nanosuspension so formed was lyophilised by addition of a cryoprotectant. Nanoparticles obtained were characterised for its particle size, morphology and stability. Interaction studies were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Antibacterial activities of ciprofloxacin, CMTKP and ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles were tested against two Gram negative and positive bacteria. The antibacterial assay results revealed greatest zone of inhibition by ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles in Micrococcus luteus. Toxicity analysis of the prepared formulation was carried out on vero cell lines via resazurin assay which revealed its minimum toxicity.     

Spatial distribution of manganese in enamel and coronal dentine of human primary teeth

Emerging evidence indicates that excessive exposure to manganese (Mn) during the prenatal period and early childhood may result in neurodevelopmental deficits. However, accurate exposure biomarkers are not well established, limiting our understanding of exposure-response relationships over these susceptible periods of development. Naturally shed deciduous teeth are potentially a useful biomarker of environmental exposure to Mn. However, the uptake and distribution of Mn in human teeth has not been studied in detail.Mn distribution was measured at high resolution (~ 20 μm) in eight human primary teeth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. A bio-imaging methodology was applied to construct detailed elemental maps of three incisors, and bone meal (NIST SRM 1486) was used to validate the analyses.The distribution of Mn in enamel and coronal dentine showed a distinct and reproducible pattern. In enamel, the ⁵⁵Mn:⁴³Ca ratio was highest at the outer edge of enamel (range = 0.57 to 4.74) for approximately 20-40 μm but was substantially lower in deeper layers (range = 0.005 to 0.013). The highest levels of Mn were observed in dentine immediately adjacent the pulpal margin (⁵⁵Mn:⁴³Ca range = 2.27 to 6.95). Importantly, a clearly demarcated high Mn zone was observed in dentine at the incisal end of the teeth. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy to visualize the neonatal line, this region was identified as being in the prenatally formed dentine.The high-resolution map of the spatial distribution of Mn in human primary teeth highlighted specific reproducible patterns of Mn distribution in enamel and coronal dentine.     

Influenza virus hemagglutinin stimulates the protein kinase C activity of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) incubated with influenza virus, A/USSR/90/77 (H1N1) or its hemagglutinin produced a significant increase in their PKC activity when compared with untreated PMNL. The activated kinase translocated from cytosol to cellular membrane. The calcium-dependent enzyme activity was inhibited by a specific inhibitor suggesting that alpha and/or beta isoforms of PKC were involved.     

EFFECTS OF AXIAL PRESSURE DROP ON THE LENGTH-AVERAGED PERMEATE FLUX IN CROSSFLOW MICROFILTRATION

A hydrodynamic model is presented which predicts the dependence of the steady-state, length-averaged permeate flux on the longitudinal pressure drop during crossflow microfiltration in both flat slit and tubular channels. The integral approach described by Romero and Davis (1988) has been extended to predict the axial variation of the transmembrane pressure drop along with that of permeate flux and cake layer thickness. The mechanism of shear-induced diffusion is employed in the analysis, which is restricted to particles with diameters of approximately 0.5-20μm (Davis, 1992), but the procedures may be extended to other particle transport mechanisms. The model predictions have been compared to the corresponding values calculated using a constant transmembrane pressure drop set equal to the arithmetic mean of those at the channel entrance and exit. The simulation results show the axial pressure drop to have the most significant effect on the average, steady-state permeate flux predictions for long, tubular channels with small critical lengths, operating under membrane resistance limited conditions and low transmembrane pressures. Neglecting the axial pressure drop, under typical operating conditions, results in as much as a 50% overestimation of the length-averaged, steady-state permeate flux.     

An augmented Lagrangian optimization method for contact analysis problems, 1: formulation and algorithm

A review of existing augmented Lagrangian methods (ALM) for contact analysis problems reveals that they have not been implemented with automatic penalty updates as intended in their original development. Therefore, although the methods are an improvement over the penalty methods, solution with them still depends on the user-specified penalty values for the contact constraints. To overcome this drawback, an ALM is developed and discussed for contact analysis problems that automatically update the user-specified penalty values to obtain the final appropriate values. Further, to solve the frictional contact analysis problem accurately, a two-phase formulation is proposed. Solution of the Phase 1 problem removes penetration of the contacting nodes and brings them exactly to their initial contact points. In addition, a new contact constraint is introduced which allows determination of the precise friction force at the contacting nodes. Phase 2 of the formulation checks the friction conditions and solves the friction problem to bring the structure to an equilibrium state. Phases 1 and 2 are then combined to provide a general algorithm for multi-node frictional contact problems. The two-phase procedure also removes dependence of the contact solution on the number of load steps for the elastostatic problem. Numerical evaluation of the formulation and the algorithm is presented in Part 2 of the paper.     

Compositional variation in β‐carotene content,carbohydrate and antioxidant enzymes in selected banana cultivars

Banana is one of the most important tropical fruits, and India ranks first in its world production. Banana cultivars rich in provitamin A carotenoids may offer a potential food source for alleviating vitamin A deficiency, particularly in developing countries. With a view to exploit banana peels as a source of valuable components, in the present study, proximate composition, carotenoids, beta‐carotene and some anti‐oxidative enzymes as well as carbohydrate content of selected Indian banana varieties were determined. Karpooravalli cultivar of banana showed the maximum accumulation of carotenoid content in the non‐edible (68 μg g^?1 d.w.) portion of banana, while being the second highest in beta‐carotene content (143.12 μg per 100 g). However, Red Banana ranked highest in total carotenoid contents for pulp (4 μg g^?1 d.w.) and beta‐carotene was estimated to be the highest in the case of peels (241.91 μg per 100 g) and in pulp (117.2 μg per 100 g). Karpooravalli cultivar of banana is also rich in carbohydrate content in terms of total starch (1786.0 μg g^?1 d.w. in peels and 544.85 μg g^?1 d.w. in pulp) and sugars (53.53 μg g^?1 d.w. in peels and 39.05 μg g^?1 d.w. in pulp). The catalase enzyme activity in these peels ranged from 5.66 to 35.57 nmol min^?1 mg^?1 proteins and was found at a higher level in cultivar Poovan, while the ascorbate peroxidase showed the range of 2.25 to 6.22 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 proteins. The peels of cultivars Red Banana and Karpooravalli are rich source of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids (beta‐carotene), anti‐oxidative enzymes and carbohydrate contents.     

Web-log-driven business activity monitoring

Business process transformation defines a new level of business optimization that manifests as a range of industry-specific initiatives that bring processes, people, and information together to optimize efficiency. This new optimization level is possible because the Web has assumed the role of a common infrastructure. To examine how BPT can optimize an organization's processes, we describe a corporate initiative that was developed within IBM's supply chain organization to transform the import compliance process that supports the company's global logistics. The initiative sought to give IBM greater awareness of regulatory compliance exceptions - information critical to the corporation and its importing partners.     

Cytomorphologic panorama of cysticercosis on fine needle aspiration. A review of 298 cases

Definitive identification of detached hooklets, scolex and fragments of the spiral wall of Cysticercus cellulosae on fine needle aspiration smears was documented. A critical review of aspirates from 200 diagnosed and 98 suspected lesions of soft tissue and intramuscular cysticercosis was done. Characteristic fragments of bladder wall cytomorphologically corresponding to viable or partially necrotic lesions were seen in 203 cases. Identification of fragments of an invaginated larva (i.e., hooklets, scolex or spiral wall) established the diagnosis in 33 of the suspected lesions. Cytomorphologically all these cases were from either necrotic or calcified lesions. In necrotic lesions with eosinophils, a careful search for fragments of the invaginated portion of the larva should be made.