Chondroitinase: A promising therapeutic enzyme.

Even after 20 years of granting orphan status for chondroitinase by US FDA, there is no visible outcome in terms of clinical use. The reasons are many. One of them could be lack of awareness regarding the biological application of the enzyme. The biological activity of chondroitinase is due to its ability to act on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). CSPGs are needed for normal functioning of the body. An increase or decrease in the level of CSPGs results in various pathological conditions. Chondroitinase is useful in conditions where there is an increase in the level of CSPGs, namely spinal cord injury, vitreous attachment and cancer. Over the last decade, various animal studies showed that chondroitinase could be a good drug candidate. Research focusing on developing a suitable carrier system for delivering chondroitinase needs to be carried out so that pharmacological activity observed in vitro and preclinical studies could be translated to clinical use. Further studies on distribution of chondroitinase as well need to be focused so that chondroitinase with desired attributes could be discovered. The present review article discusses about various biological applications of chondroitinase, drug delivery systems to deliver the enzyme and distribution of chondroitinase among microbes.

Recent advances in anaesthesia for intrauterine and foetal surgery.

Advances in prenatal diagnostic techniques have enabled early detection of potentially correctable foetal anomalies. Here, we summarise recent developments in anaesthesia for foetal surgery. Types of foetal surgery include minimally invasive, open mid-gestational and ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures. Foetoscopic surgery avoids hysterotomy, with risk of uterine dehiscence, preserving the possibility of subsequent vaginal delivery. Minimally invasive procedures are performed under local or regional anaesthesia; open or EXIT procedures are usually done under general anaesthesia. Requirements include maintenance of uteroplacental blood flow, and uterine relaxation to prevent placental separation and premature labour. Foetal requirements include monitoring of well-being, providing analgesia and immobility. EXIT procedures require maintenance of placental circulation till the airway is secured, requiring multidisciplinary involvement. Here, the uterine tone must return after baby delivery to prevent major maternal haemorrhage. The anaesthesiologist plays a crucial role in maintaining maternal and foetal homeostasis and optimising surgical conditions.

Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) as a Sentinel Species to Assess Trace Metal Occurrence: A Case Study of Kuwait Waters (Northwestern Arabian Gulf).

Heavy metal pollution can adversely impact marine life, such as crabs, which can accumulate it in different organs and potentially transfer and biomagnify along the food chain in aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to examine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in sediment, water, and crab tissues (gills, hepatopancreas, and carapace) of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus in the coastal areas of Kuwait, northwestern Arabian Gulf. Samples were collected from Shuwaikh Port, Shuaiba Port, and Al-Khiran areas. The accumulation of metals in crabs were higher in the carapace > gill > digestive gland, and the highest metal concentration was found in crabs collected from Shuwaikh > Shuaiba > Al-Khiran. The metal concentrations in the sediments were in the order Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. Zn was the highest metal concentration detected in marine water sampled from the Al-Khiran Area, whereas the lowest metal was Cd sampled in water from the Shuwaikh Area. The results of this study validate the marine crab P. pelagicus as a relevant sentinel and prospective bioindicator for evaluating heavy metal pollution in marine ecosystems.

Waves on Louisiana Continental Shelf Influenced by Atmospheric Fronts.

Ocean-atmospheric dynamical processes influence the wave characteristics, and sea surface temperature (SST). The processes that affect SST in the ocean area included surface heat fluxes, wind, and precipitation. In this study, we analyzed the wave data in response to the cold front passages over Louisiana continental shelf. The data examined in this research is mainly from WAVCIS (Wave-Current-surge Information System), Coastal Ocean Estuarine Dynamics Lab at Louisiana State University and Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). With respect to the wave response to the atmospheric forcing, here we consider: (1) the connection between wave variability and atmospheric frontal passages, and (2) the influence on the SST variations during the processes. The occurrences of wind wave, precipitation, and weather processes have distinct regularities. Atmospheric cold fronts have an important influence on wave formation and associated processes over Louisiana continental shelf.

Comparison of Strategies in Development and Manufacturing of Low Viscosity, Ultra-High Concentration Formulation for IgG1 Antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies requiring higher doses for exerting therapeutic effect but having lower stability, are administered as dilute infusions, or as two (low concentration) injections both resulting in reduced patient compliance. Present research summarizes impact of manufacturing conditions on ultra-high concentration (≥150 mg/mL) IgG1 formulation, which can be administered as one subcutaneous injection. IgG1 was concentrated to ~200 mg/mL using tangential flow filtration (TFF). Alternatively, spray dried (SPD) and spray freeze dried (SFD) IgG1, was reconstituted in 30%v/v propylene glycol to form ultra-high concentration (~200 mg/mL) injectable formulation. Reconstituted, SPD and SFD IgG1 formulations, increased viscosity beyond an acceptable range for subcutaneous injections (<20 cP). Formulations developed by reconstitution of SPD IgG1, demonstrated increase in high and low molecular weight impurities, at accelerated and stressed conditions. Whereas, the stability data suggested reconstituted SFD IgG1 was comparable to control IgG1 formulation concentrated by TFF. Also, formulation of IgG1 diafiltered with proline using TFF, reduce viscosity from ~21.9 cP to ~11 cP at 25 °C and had better stability. Thus, conventional TFF technique stands to be one of the preferred methods for manufacturing of ultra-high concentration IgG1 formulations. Additionally, SFD could be an alternative method for long term storage of IgG1 in a dry powder state.

Photocatalytic degradation of isoproturon herbicide over TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite systems using solar light.

The present investigation covers immobilization of TiO2 using a simple solid state dispersion technique over mesoporous Al-MCM-41 support for the treatment of isoproturon herbicide. Catalysts are characterized by XRD, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), surface area, UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectra (DRS), SEM and TEM. A detailed photocatalytic degradation study of isoproturon under solar light in aqueous suspensions is reported. The 10 wt% TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite system found to be optimum with high degradation activity. The reaction follows pseudo-first order kinetics. The parameters like TiO2 loading over Al-MCM-41, amount of catalyst, concentration of substrate, pH effect, durability of the catalyst, activity comparison of TiO2 and Al-MCM-41 supported system are studied. The mineralization of isoproturon is monitored by TOC. Based on the degradation products detected through LC-MS, a plausible degradation mechanism is proposed. The data indicates that TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite system is an effective photocatalyst for treatment of isoproturon in contaminated water.

Hydroxyapatite-supported Ag-TiO2 as Escherichia coli disinfection photocatalyst.

A series of hydroxyapatite (HAP), 1wt% Ag-TiO(2) (AT1), 1wt% Ag-HAP and 5wt% AT1/HAP composite catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness and mechanical mixing methods. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, SEM and ESCA analyses and their photocatalytic bactericidal activities were measured in suspension using Escherichia coli (E. coli), a water pollutant indicator. The surface analysis revealed that the Ag/Ti ratio is found to be ca. 0.0273 and also it indicated that the titania is present in the form of Ti(4+) and Ag is present as metallic silver. Both the XRD and ESCA analyses confirmed the phase of metallic Ag particles, which played a significant role on the bactericidal activity of the Ag doped TiO(2) catalysts. The FT-IR analysis of HAP revealed that the peak intensity is due to the absorbance of surface PO(4)(3-) group centered at wave number 1030cm(-1) and is drastically decreased upon exposure to UV for 1h. The HAP displayed high amount of bacteria adsorption, ca. 80% during the dark experiments compared to other catalytic systems tested. The cumulative photocatalytic properties of AT1/HAP catalytic system resulted in 100% E. coli bacteria reduction within 2min.

Serum enzymes in thermal injury.

Various metabolic and biological changes follow burn injury. Serum Thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and amylase were measured in 43 patients with thermal injury over the first 10 days of post burn period. No clear correlation between elevated serum enzymes except amylase and the burn size was observed on admission. Mean serum TBARS were significantly increased in the burn patients. Transaminases values increased till 5(th) day then declined on 10(th) day, whereas alkaline phosphatase and amylase activities continued to rise till day 10. It is concluded that functional disturbances occur in liver and pancreas around a week after thermal injury. Monitoring serum ALP and amylase in postburn period has valuable prognostic importance.

Polycaprolactone-based in situ implant containing curcumin-PLGA nanoparticles prepared using the multivariate technique.

Studies on the effect of curcumin/PLGA ratio (CPR), stabilizer (PVA) concentration, homogenization speed, homogenization time, and sonication time on mean particle size (MPS) and percentage drug encapsulation (PDE) were performed using the multivariate technique. MPS and PDE were found to be more dependent on the interaction of sonication time with the other variables. Curcumin was released in a sustained manner from curcumin-PLGA nanoparticles (CPN). CPN improved the survival rate of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice and controlled the EAC-induced change in hematological parameters. Histopathology of vital organs showed that the formulation was safe. Polycaprolactone was used in preparing an in situ implant containing CPN.

In-situ implant containing PCL-curcumin nanoparticles developed using design of experiments.

CONTEXT: Polymeric delivery system is useful in reducing pharmacokinetic limitations viz., poor absorption and rapid elimination associated with clinical use of curcumin. Design of experiment is a precise and cost effective tool useful in analyzing the effect of independent variables and their interaction on the product attributes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of process variables involved in preparation of curcumin-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (CPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present experiment, CPNs were prepared by emulsification solvent evaporation technique. The effect of independent variables on the dependent variable was analyzed using design of experiments. Anticancer activity of CPN was studied using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model. In-situ implant was developed using PLGA as polymer. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The effect of independent variables was studied in two stages. First, the effect of drug-polymer ratio, homogenization speed and surfactant concentration on size was studied using factorial design. The interaction of homogenization speed with homogenization time on mean particle size of CPN was then evaluated using central composite design. In the second stage, the effect of these variables (under the conditions optimized for producing particles <500 nm) on percentage drug encapsulation was evaluated using factorial design. CPN prepared under optimized conditions were able to control the development of EAC in Swiss albino mice and enhanced their survival time. PLGA based in-situ implant containing CPN prepared under optimized conditions showed sustained drug release. CONCLUSION: This implant could be further evaluated for pharmacological activities.

Honey Dressing Accelerates Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Healing.

The management of the donor site after harvesting a skin graft is an important issue, as patients often report more discomfort at the donor site than at the recipient site. There is, however, a plethora of dressings available for the treatment and management of donor sites, yet, there is no widely accepted method established for these partial thickness wounds. Honey has been found to be useful in the treatment of burns and other wounds, split-thickness skin graft donor sites are like partial thickness burn wounds and honey's healing effect on burn wound can also be expected on these types of wounds. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of honey on skin graft donor sites. From 2002 to 2004, 100 patients who have undergone skin grafting for various reasons formed the material of the randomized study divided into two groups of 50 each in honey-treated group and Vaseline gauze-treated group. Graft donor site area ranged from 30 to 48 cm(2), mean 32.6 cm(2). In the group treated with honey, 90 % of the patients had nil or only moderate pain, whereas in the group treated with Vaseline gauze,88 % had nil or mild pain (p > 0.001, not significant). There were no allergic reactions in any of the patients in either group. On opening of the dressing on the 7th day, epithelialization has occurred in 48 patients as compared to 39 in group 2, i.e., donor sites treated with Vaseline gauze (p < 0.05, statistically significant). By the 10th day, all the wounds healed in honey-treated group, whereas 76 % of wounds healed in Vaseline gauze-treated group (p < 0.05). At 1 month follow-up, the results were comparable in both groups, with regard to patient satisfaction. In conclusion, honey-impregnated gauze causes less pain and heals donor sites wounds faster with good cosmetic result.

Strategies for drug delivery to the central nervous system by systemic route.

CONTEXT: Delivery of a drug into the central nervous system (CNS) is considered difficult. Most of the drugs discovered over the past decade are biological, which are high in molecular weight and polar in nature. The delivery of such drugs across the blood-brain barrier presents problems. OBJECTIVE: This review discusses some of the options available to reach the CNS by systemic route. The focus is mainly on the recent developments in systemic delivery of a drug to the CNS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Databases such as Scopus, Google scholar, Science Direct, SciFinder and online journals were referred for preparing this article including 89 references. RESULTS: There are at least nine strategies that could be adopted to achieve the required drug concentration in the CNS. CONCLUSION: The recent developments in drug delivery are very promising to deliver biologicals into the CNS.

CeZSM-5--a designer's catalyst for selective synthesis of octahydroacridine.

High activity of cyclohexanone, formaldehyde and ammonia to form 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroacridine (OHA) is observed over different classes of zeolites and molecular modeling studies confirm the suitability of HZSM-5 catalyst for selective synthesis of OHA.

A novel route for the synthesis of piperazine from N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine over composite photocatalysts.

Semiconductor loaded zeolite composite catalysts (5 wt% TiO2/Hbeta) have been used to photocatalytically synthesize piperazine from N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine with yields up to 59.0 mol%.

Flux of heavy metal accumulation in various organs of the intertidal marine blue crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.) from the Kuwait coast after the Gulf War.

The metal levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, selenium, vanadium, and zinc concentrations were determined in various body organs, viz., hepatopancreas, gills, gonad, gastric stomach, and muscle of the blue crab, Portunus pelagicus (Crustacea: Decapoda) to assess the bioaccumulation of metals associated with petroleum input a decade after the 1991 Gulf War oil spillage. Sample solutions prepared were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High concentrations of Zn and Cu in the muscle and hepatopancreas tissues were a strong indicative of high exposure of P. pelagicus to these metals. However, muscle tissue had been found to accumulate the highest values for all metal speciations analyzed. Copper, zinc, and chromium in samples collected from Station II covering the Kuwait City area were often in excess of those present in Station I and III. Arsenic, lead, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and vanadium were greater in individuals obtained from Station I. A significant correlation was found to exist between Se and V in crab muscle with a surge in Se metal concentration, which was found to be inversely proportional to that of V metal concentration irrespective of the sex of the crab. The difference in patterns of metal occurrence and the significant increase in the Cu and Zn concentrations in various organs of the crab were largely associated with the 1991 Gulf War oil spill. Such results could be used as a baseline for the monitoring of the level of metals in marine organisms of future studies.

Impact of trace metals and nutrients levels on phytoplankton from the Kuwait coast.

The impact of marine pollution was estimated from seven stations of Kuwait coastal waters. The mean concentrations of all trace metals in seawater (0.07-7.04 microg/l) and in phytoplankton (14.90-52.01 microg/g) revealed less phytoplankton abundance in Stations IV VI during the four seasons. However, a relative surge in the phytoplankton abundance, with an increase in the mean concentrations of all trace metals in seawater (0.15-8.94 microg/l) and phytoplankton (22.82-61.25 microg/g), was observed in Station II. A low phytoplankton abundance was noted in Stations I, III, and VII despite low mean concentrations of all the trace metals in seawater (0.11-5.77 microg/l) and phytoplankton (1.40-20 microg/g) during the four seasons. Statistical tests revealed significant difference in Fe, Ni, and Pb between the four seasons in seawater and Fe and Co in phytoplankton. No significant difference in trace metals between locations was observed in seawater and in phytoplankton. The major nutrients in all the four seasons were found in the magnitude of SiO3 > NO3 > PO4 in all the stations, and thus, support the presence of rich diatoms and dinoflagellates than other phytoplankton groups. The seven stations also represented indicator species of oil and industrial waste pollution.

Accumulation of copper, nickel, lead and zinc by snail, Lunella coronatus and pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata from the Kuwait coast before and after the Gulf War oil spill.

This study investigated the contribution of the 1991 oil spill to heavy metal contamination in the marine environment of the Gulf in Kuwait by analyzing moleskin organisms (gastropod snail, Lunella coronatus and bivalve Pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata) for their heavy metal contents before and after the spill. Concentrations of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the soft tissue of both snail and oyster samples from three coastal stations during 1990 and 1994. In the 1990 samples, the metal concentrations in snail and oysters from different sampling stations were between 0.35 and 0.67; 0.11 and 2.29 micrograms/g for Cu, 1.50 and 4.50; 0.47 and 1.33 micrograms/g for Ni, 0.16 and 2.98; 0.44 and 0.69 microgram/g for Pb and 19.94 and 54.79; 247.20 and 1204.40 micrograms/g for Zn, respectively. In the 1994 samples, the metal concentrations were between 11.24 and 55.00; 28.90 and 168.43 micrograms/g for Cu, 15.33 and 16.96; 0.08 and 1.54 micrograms/g for Ni, 0.37 and 0.57 microgram/g; 0.07 and 0.44 microgram/g for Pb and 28.86 and 486.61; 17.75 and 575.00 micrograms/g for Zn respectively. The 1994 samples have significantly higher mean concentrations of Cu, Ni and Zn than the 1990 samples, except Pb in the 1994 samples, which showed a slightly lower mean concentration. The difference in patterns of metal occurrence and the significant increase in the Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations in the 1994 snail and oyster samples were due to a contribution from the 1991 Gulf War oil spill.

Honey-impregnated gauze versus amniotic membrane in the treatment of burns.

A prospective randomized clinical study to compare honey-impregnated gauze with amniotic membrane dressing in partial thickness burns was carried out. Sixty-four patients were studied. Forty of them were treated with honey-impregnated gauze and 24 were treated with amniotic membrane. The burns treated with honey healed earlier as compared to the amniotic membrane (mean 9.4 vs 17.5 days) (P < 0.001). Residual scars were noted in 8 per cent of patients treated with honey-impregnated gauze and in 16.6 per cent of cases treated with amniotic membrane (P < 0.001).

Epidemiology of burns in a district hospital in western India.

In a prospective study, data on 175 patients treated between June 1993 and February 1994 has been analysed. In this series, adolescents and young adults (11-40 years) comprised 79.4 per cent of the patients. Males formed 43 per cent and females 57 per cent of the total burns 92 per cent of the burns occurred at home. 86.8 per cent of the patients belonged to low socioeconomic groups. 47.4 per cent of them were housewives or housemaids. 44.6 per cent of burns occurred during the morning hours from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. 79.4 per cent of the burns were accidental in nature. Flame burns accounted for 92 per cent, scalds for 5.7 per cent of the total. 64.5 per cent of the patients were admitted within 4 h of injury. The overall mortality rate was 56.5 per cent, below 40 per cent surface area burned (%BSAB) it was 6.1 per cent and above 70 per cent it was 100 per cent. Flame burns resulted in maximum deaths (86.1 per cent). 40 per cent of the patients had more than 70 per cent BSAB burns in this series, which accounts for the high mortality.

Honey dressing versus boiled potato peel in the treatment of burns: a prospective randomized study.

Honey dressing was compared with boiled potato peel dressings as a cover for fresh partial-thickness burns in two groups of 50 randomly allocated patients. In the 50 patients treated with honey, 90 per cent of wounds were rendered sterile within 7 days. In the 50 patients treated with boiled potato peel dressings, persistent infection was noted within 7 days. Of the wounds treated with honey, 100 per cent healed within 15 days as against 50 per cent in the wounds treated with boiled potato peel dressings (mean 10.4 vs. 16.2 days).