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     

Chemical Ecology of the host searching behavior in an Egg Parasitoid: are Common Chemical Cues exploited to locate hosts in Taxonomically Distant Plant Species?

Parasitoids are known to exploit volatile cues emitted by plants after herbivore attack to locate their hosts. Feeding and oviposition of a polyphagous herbivore can induce the emission of odor blends that differ among distant plant species, and parasitoids have evolved an incredible ability to discriminate them and locate their hosts relying on olfactive cues. We evaluated the host searching behavior of the egg parasitoid Cosmocomoidea annulicornis (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in response to odors emitted by two taxonomically distant host plants, citrus and Johnson grass, after infestation by the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis. Olfactory response of female parasitoids toward plants with no herbivore damage and plants with feeding damage, oviposition damage, and parasitized eggs was tested in a Y-tube olfactometer. In addition, volatiles released by the two host plant species constitutively and under herbivore attack were characterized. Females of C. annulicornis were able to detect and significantly preferred plants with host eggs, irrespectively of plant species. However, wasps were unable to discriminate between plants with healthy eggs and those with eggs previously parasitized by conspecifics. Analysis of plant volatiles induced after sharpshooter attack showed only two common volatiles between the two plant species, indole and β-caryophyllene. Our results suggest that this parasitoid wasp uses common chemical cues released by many different plants after herbivory at long range and, once on the plant, other more specific chemical cues could trigger the final decision to oviposit.

     

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)     

Periodical Literature in Urban Studies and Planning: Contents in full

Geographic information systems have finally arrived in state and local governments and, with them, an extraordinary opportunity for planning. Many groups with differing agendas are competing to define this new technology, what it will do, and who will use it. It is by no means certain that planners will do well in this competition. This article mines the literature on technological innovation and concludes that planners must understand GIS as a socially constructed technology, including not just hardware and software but also the practices, laws, organizational arrangements, and knowledge that are necessary for its use. The article recommends a strategic approach to GIS implementation that involves both human and technical systems.