Antimicrobial Activity and Barrier Properties against UV Radiation of Alkaline and Enzymatically Treated Linen Woven Fabrics Coated with Inorganic Hybrid Material.

One of the directions of development in the textiles industry is the search for new technologies for producing modern multifunctional products. New solutions are sought to obtain materials that will protect humans against the harmful effects of the environment, including such factors as the activity of microorganisms and UV radiation. Products made of natural cellulose fibers are often used. In the case of this type of material, it is very important to perform appropriate pretreatment before subsequent technological processes. This treatment has the aim of removing impurities from the surface of the fibers, which results in the improvement of sorption properties and adhesion, leading directly to the better penetration of dyes and chemical modifiers into the structure of the materials. In this work, linen fabrics were subjected to a new, innovative treatment being a combination of bio-pretreatment using laccase from Cerrena unicolor and modification with CuO-SiO2 hybrid oxide microparticles by a dip-coating method. To compare the effect of alkaline or enzymatic pretreatment on the microstructure of the linen woven fabrics, SEM analysis was performed. The new textile products obtained after this combined process exhibit very good antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, as well as very good UV protection properties (ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) > 40). These innovative materials can be used especially for clothing or outdoor textiles for which resistance to microorganisms is required, as well as to protect people who are exposed to long-term, harmful effects of UV radiation.

Cutaneous Reactions to Aluminum.

: Cutaneous exposure to aluminum may occur via contact with metal items, medications, and personal care products. Despite the widespread use of aluminum, allergic contact dermatitis is relatively rare. Sensitization is often incidentally identified during patch testing with aluminum-based chambers. This article presents several cases along with a literature review summarizing prevalence and clinical manifestations of cutaneous reactions to aluminum, recommendations for patch testing, sources of aluminum, and reproducibility of aluminum allergy over time.

Formulation development of sugar free antacid chewable tablets for diabetes induced acidity in patients.

Sugar free chewable tablets are considered to be desired medication for diabetic population having acid reflex problems. The main objective of this study is to develop a patient complaint tablet dosage form which is sugar free, chewable and easy to use. The formulation is designed for hyperglycemic and dysphasic patients along acidity or stomach ulcer. For manufacturing Aluminum Hydroxide (Kyowa Japan), Magnesium Hydroxide (Taurus chemicals India) Simethicone, Povidone (JRS pharma) Sorbitol powder, Magnesium stearate, Dilcalcium phosphate anhydrous, SSG (JRS pharma) and Aspartame were used. The granules formed by wet granulation method and tablets are compressed by rotary compression machine. The pre-formulation studies of granules (Angle of repose, Bulk/Tapped density, Carr's compressibility index and Hausner's ratio), uniformity of content (assay), acid neutralizing capacity, Identification by FTIR spectroscopy all are found within the limits as per USP specifications. All three formulation batches are stable under accelerated and ambient stability conditions for 6 months and 24 months respectively. The formulation development of sugar free oral chewable antacid tablet is pharmaceutically stable and can further analyze for safety and efficacy studies.

Tablet Formulation of a Polymeric Solid Dispersion Containing Amorphous Alkalinized Telmisartan.

To overcome the poor dissolution of telmisartan (TMS) at weak acidic pH, amorphous alkalinized TMS (AAT) was prepared by introducing sodium hydroxide as a selective alkalizer. AAT-containing polymeric solid dispersions were prepared by a solvent evaporation method; these solid dispersions were AAT-PEG, AAT-PVP, AAT-POL, and AAT-SOL for the polymers of PEG 6000, PVP K30, Poloxamer 407, and Soluplus, respectively. The characteristics of the different formulations were observed by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. To compare the supersaturation behavior, a dissolution test was performed at 37 ± 0.5 °C either in 900 ml (plain condition) or 500 ml (limited condition) of pH 6.8-simulated intestinal fluid used as a medium. AAT-SOL exhibited enhanced dissolution, indicating the probability of extended supersaturation in the limited condition. AAT-SOL was further formulated into a tablet by introducing other excipients, Vivapur 105 and Croscarmellose, as a binder and superdisintegrant, respectively, using a direct compression method. The selected AAT-SOL tablet was superior to Micardis (the reference product) in the aspect of supersaturation maintenance during dissolution in the limited condition, suggesting that it is a promising candidate for practical development that can replace the commercial product in the future.

Iron Supplements and Magnesium Peroxide: An Example of a Hazardous Combination in Self-Medication.

The use of self-medication, which includes dietary supplements and over-the-counter drugs, is still on the rise, while safety issues are not well addressed yet. This especially holds for combinations. For example, iron supplements and magnesium peroxide both produce adverse effects via the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This prompted us to investigate the effect of the combination of three different iron supplements with magnesium peroxide on ROS formation. Hydroxyl radical formation by the three iron supplements either combined with magnesium peroxide or alone was determined by performing a deoxyribose assay. Free iron content of iron supplements was determined using ferrozine assay. To determine hydrogen peroxide formation by magnesium peroxide, a ferrous thiocyanate assay was performed. Finally, electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) was performed to confirm the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Our results show that magnesium peroxide induces the formation of hydrogen peroxide. All three iron supplements induced the formation of the extremely reactive hydroxyl radical, although the amount of radicals formed by the different supplements differed. It was shown that combining iron supplements with magnesium peroxide increases radical formation. The formation of hydroxyl radicals after the combination was confirmed with ESR. All three iron supplements contained labile iron and induced the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Additionally, magnesium peroxide in water yields hydrogen peroxide, which is converted into hydroxyl radicals by iron. Hence, iron supplements and magnesium peroxide is a hazardous combination and exemplifies that more attention should be given to combinations of products used in self-medication.

Aluminum and bone: Review of new clinical circumstances associated with Al(3+) deposition in the calcified matrix of bone.

Several decades ago, aluminum encephalopathy associated with osteomalacia has been recognized as the major complication of chronic renal failure in dialyzed patients. Removal of aluminum from the dialysate has led to a disappearance of the disease. However, aluminum deposit occurs in the hydroxyapatite of the bone matrix in some clinical circumstances that are presented in this review. We have encountered aluminum in bone in patients with an increased intestinal permeability (coeliac disease), or in the case of prolonged administration of aluminum anti-acid drugs. A colocalisation of aluminum with iron was also noted in cases of hemochromatosis and sickle cell anemia. Aluminium was also identified in a series of patients with exostosis, a frequent benign bone tumor. Corrosion of prosthetic implants composed of grade V titanium (TA6V is an alloy containing 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium) was also observed in a series of hip or knee revisions. Aluminum can be identified in undecalcified bone matrix stained by solochrome azurine, a highly specific stain allowing the detection of 0.03 atomic %. Colocalization of aluminum and iron does not seem to be the fruit of chance but the cellular and molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Histochemistry is superior to spectroscopic analyses (EDS and WDS in scanning electron microscopy).

Evaluation of antisecretory, gastroprotective and in-vitro antacid capacity of Fumaria indica in rats.

Fumaria indica is used for its anthelmintic, antidyspeptic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, stomachic, tonic properties and claimed to possess various properties for the ailments of blood, skin, gastrointestinal systems and central nervous system. The present study was undertaken to evaluate antisecretory, gastroprotective and in-vitro antacid capacity of ethanol extract from F. indica in rats. Evaluation of F. indica extract as antisecretory was carried out by pyloric ligation induced ulcer model. The gastroprotective effect was carried out by absolute ethanol induced ulcer model. Integrity of gastric mucosa was evaluated by estimation of GSH and gastric mucus level. The in-vitro antacid capacity was evaluated by titration method. Ethanol extract of F. indica at 200 mg kg(-1), orally showed inhibition of secretion in pyloric ligation model. GSH level (1.67 µg mg(-1) protein), gastricwall mucus (240.76 µg g(-1) wet glandular tissue) and percentage protection (77.59%) of ulcer were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in absolute ethanol induced ulcer model. The in-vitro antacid capacity of ethanol extract of F. indica was compared with the standard. Conclusively, it appears that F. indica possess antisecretory (inhibition of acid secretion), gastroprotective (potentiation of defensive factors) and in-vitro antacid activity.

The application of alkaline lysis and pressure cycling technology in the differential extraction of DNA from sperm and epithelial cells recovered from cotton swabs.

This study reports the development of a two-step protocol using pressure cycling technology (PCT) and alkaline lysis for differential extraction of DNA from mixtures of sperm and vaginal epithelial cells recovered from cotton swabs. In controlled experiments, in which equal quantities of sperm and female epithelial cells were added to cotton swabs, 5 min of pressure pulsing in the presence of 0.4 M NaOH resulted in 104 ± 6% recovery of female epithelial DNA present on the swab. Following the pressure treatment, exposing the swabs to a second 5-min alkaline treatment at 95 °C without pressure resulted in the selective recovery of 69 ± 6% of the sperm DNA. The recovery of the vaginal epithelia and sperm DNA was optimized by examining the effect of sodium hydroxide concentration, incubation temperature, and time. Following the alkaline lysis steps, the samples were neutralized with 2 M Tris (pH 7.5) and purified with phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol to permit downstream analysis. The total processing time to remove both fractions from the swab was less than 20 min. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of these fractions obtained from PCT treatment and alkaline lysis generated clean profiles of female epithelial DNA and male sperm DNA for 1:1 mixtures of female and male cells and predominant male profiles for mixtures up to 5:1 female to male cells. By reducing the time and increasing the recovery of DNA from cotton swabs, this new method presents a novel and potentially useful procedure for forensic differential extractions.

In vitro dissolution methodology, mini-Gastrointestinal Simulator (mGIS), predicts better in vivo dissolution of a weak base drug, dasatinib.

USP apparatus I and II are gold standard methodologies for determining the in vitro dissolution profiles of test drugs. However, it is difficult to use in vitro dissolution results to predict in vivo dissolution, particularly the pH-dependent solubility of weak acid and base drugs, because the USP apparatus contains one vessel with a fixed pH for the test drug, limiting insight into in vivo drug dissolution of weak acid and weak base drugs. This discrepancy underscores the need to develop new in vitro dissolution methodology that better predicts in vivo response to assure the therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral drug products. Thus, the development of the in vivo predictive dissolution (IPD) methodology is necessitated. The major goals of in vitro dissolution are to ensure the performance of oral drug products and the support of drug formulation design, including bioequivalence (BE). Orally administered anticancer drugs, such as dasatinib and erlotinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitors), are used to treat various types of cancer. These drugs are weak bases that exhibit pH-dependent and high solubility in the acidic stomach and low solubility in the small intestine (>pH 6.0). Therefore, these drugs supersaturate and/or precipitate when they move from the stomach to the small intestine. Also of importance, gastric acidity for cancer patients may be altered with aging (reduction of gastric fluid secretion) and/or co-administration of acid-reducing agents. These may result in changes to the dissolution profiles of weak base and the reduction of drug absorption and efficacy. In vitro dissolution methodologies that assess the impact of these physiological changes in the GI condition are expected to better predict in vivo dissolution of oral medications for patients and, hence, better assess efficacy, toxicity and safety concerns. The objective of this present study is to determine the initial conditions for a mini-Gastrointestinal Simulator (mGIS) to assess in vivo dissolution of BCS class IIb drugs, dasatinib as a model drug, including the different gastric condition. The maximum dissolution of dasatinib with USP dissolution apparatus II was less than 1% in pH 6.5 SIF, while the one with mGIS (pH 1.2 SGF/pH 6.5 SIF) reached almost 100%. The supersaturation and precipitation of dasatinib were observed in the in vitro dissolution studies with mGIS but not with USP apparatus II. Additionally, dasatinib dissolution with mGIS was reduced to less than 10% when the gastric pH was elevated, suggesting the co-administration of acid reducing agents will decrease the oral bioavailability of dasatinib. Accurate prediction of in vivo drug dissolution would be beneficial for assuring product safety and efficacy for patients. To this end, we have created a new in vitro dissolution system, mGIS, to predict the in vivo dissolution phenomena of a weak base drug, dasatinib. The experimental results when combined with in silico simulation suggest that the mGIS predicted the in vivo dissolution well due to the elevation of gastric pH. Thus, mGIS might be suitable to predict in vivo dissolution of weak basic drugs. This mGIS methodology is expected to significantly advance the prediction of in vivo drug dissolution. It is also expected to assist in optimizing product development and drug formulation design in support of Quality by Design (QbD) initiatives.

Gene expression of human osteoblasts cells on chemically treated surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI.

Surface modifications of titanium alloys are useful methods to enhance the biological stability of intraosseous implants and to promote a well succeeded osseointegration in the early stages of implantation. This work aims to investigate the influence of chemically modified surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (extra-low interstitial) on the gene expression of human osteoblastic (HOb) cells. The surface treatments by acid etching or acid etching plus alkaline treatment were carried out to modify the topography, effective area, contact angle and chemical composition of the samples. The surface morphology was investigated using: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM). Roughness measurements and effective surface area were obtained using the CLSM. Surface composition was analysed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The expression levels of some bone related genes (ALPL, COL1A1, COL3A1, SPP1, RUNX2, and SPARC) were analysed using real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time RT-PCR). The results showed that all the chemical modifications studied in this work influenced the surface morphology, wettability, roughness, effective area and gene expression of human osteoblasts. Acid phosphoric combined to alkaline treatment presented a more accelerated gene expression after 7days while the only phosphoric etching or chloride etching combined to alkaline treatment presented more effective responses after 15days.

In silico modeling of the molecular interactions of antacid medication with the endothelium: novel therapeutic implications in head and neck carcinomas.

Pathological acid reflux is a common event in patients afflicted with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), known to play a role in HNSCC etiology and contribute to complications after surgery or during radiation and chemotherapy. Antacid medications are commonly prescribed in HNSCC patients as part of their cancer treatment, and consist of two classes: histamine 2 receptor antagonist class (H2RA, with cimetidine as its prototypical drug) and proton pump inhibitors class (PPI, with omeprazole as its prototypical drug). Clinical evidence revealed a significant survival benefit of antacid usage in a large cohort of HNSCC patients treated in our Otolaryngology Department, with a median follow-up of over 5 years. Therefore, we postulate that one mechanism by which antacid intake enhances patient survival could involve modulation of tumor cell adhesion to endothelium, critical in the initiation of the metastatic dissemination. This study investigates the potential physical interactions between cimetidine and omeprazole with the endothelial E-selection (E-sel) and its ligand sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)) using a molecular visualization energy-based program (AutoDock). Docking results were further analyzed with the PyMOL program, which allowed for measurements of the distances between the drugs and the closest interacting atoms or residues on E-sel and sLe(x) molecules. Our model predicts that omeprazole displays a stronger interaction with E-sel than cimetidine, as extrapolated from the calculated overall binding energies. However, the shorter distances existing between interacting atoms in the proposed E-sel/cimetidine complex are suggestive of more stable interactions. Neither antacid/E-sel complex overcame the stronger Autodock-calculated sLe(x)/E-sel interaction, suggesting competitive inhibition was not involved. This study provides the first in silico evidence of omeprazole and cimetidine ability to bind to adhesion molecules involved in tumor dissemination, underlining their therapeutic potential in the HNSCC clinical management.

Antacid co-encapsulated polyester nanoparticles for peroral delivery of insulin: development, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and pharmacodynamics.

The in vitro/in vivo characterization of antacid-insulin co-encapsulated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles is presented here. The optimized nanoparticle composition has 1% surfactant (didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide) and 2% antacid (magnesium hydroxide or zinc carbonate) in the size range ~136-143nm with ~81-85% entrapment of insulin at a 4% (w/w) initial load to that of polymer. Molecular characterization using circular dichroism, fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the structural integrity of insulin was maintained during formulation. Furthermore, the encapsulated insulin was well protected under in vitro simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Nanoparticle insulin results in six fold increase in oral bioavailability to that of plain insulin in healthy rats. In diabetic rats, a 120 IU/kg oral dose of insulin nanoparticles achieved an equivalent blood glucose lowering effect to a 20 IU/kg subcutaneous (sc) dose of insulin solution, the nadir in blood glucose concentration occurring 24h and 1h post-administration, respectively. Both sc insulin and oral nanoparticle insulin partially attenuated hyperglycemia-induced inflammation caused by tumor necrosis factor α, but not by interleukin-6 or C-reactive protein; on the other hand, subcutaneous insulin was found to be more effective on lipid profile measured in the form of high density lipoprotein, cholesterol and triglyceride. Successful oral insulin could be beneficial in type II complications.

Technical description of parameters influencing the pH value of suspension absorbent used in flue gas desulfurization systems.

As a result of the large limestone deposits available in Poland, the low cost of reagent acquisition for the largescale technological use and relatively well-documented processes of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technologies based on limestone sorbent slurry, wet scrubbing desulfurization is a method of choice in Poland for flue gas treatment in energy production facilities, including power plants and industrial systems. The efficiency of FGD using the above method depends on several technological and kinetic parameters, particularly on the pH value of the sorbent (i.e., ground limestone suspended in water). Consequently, many studies in Poland and abroad address the impact of various parameters on the pH value of the sorbent suspension, such as the average diameter of sorbent particles (related to the limestone pulverization degree), sorbent quality (in terms of pure calcium carbonate [CaCO3] content of the sorbent material), stoichiometric surfeit of CaCO3 in relation to sulfur dioxide (SO2) absorbed from flue gas circulating in the absorption node, time of absorption slurry retention in the absorber tank, chlorine ion concentration in sorbent slurry, and concentration of dissolved metal salts (Na, K, Mg, Fe, Al, and others). This study discusses the results of laboratory-scale tests conducted to establish the effect of the above parameters on the pH value of limestone slurry circulating in the SO2 absorption node. On the basis of the test results, a correlation equation was postulated to help maintain the desirable pH value at the design phase of the wet FGD process. The postulated equation displays good coincidence between calculated pH values and those obtained using laboratory measurements.

Bismuth binding studies to the human metallothionein using electrospray mass spectrometry.

Bismuth compounds are currently used to treat gastric ailments and to prevent the toxic side effects of cancer treatments. The affinity of bismuth for binding to sulfur compounds has been reported and one such target biomolecule is the cysteine-rich metalloprotein metallothionein. Renal mammalian metallothionein has been shown to be induced by Bi salts, with the Bi(3+) binding to the renal MT. However, the exact metal-to-metallothionein stoichiometric ratios for the 2-domain betaalpha mammalian protein and the individual beta and alpha domain fragments remain unknown. We now report that the maximum metal-to-MT stoichiometries for the individual domain fragments and the entire 2-domain protein are Bi(3)-S(9)-betahMT, Bi(4)-S(11)-alphahMT, and Bi(7)-S(20)-betaalphahMT, respectively. Electrospray mass spectrometry data also unambiguously show the existence of partially metalated Bi-containing MT species during the titration of apo-MT with Bi(3+), which demonstrates that Bi-metalation to MT occurs in a noncooperative manner.

[Pharmacobezoar in a patient operated on for pyloric stenosis]. / Farmacobezoar en un paciente intervenido de estenosis pilórica.

Bezoars are concretions made up of a variety of partially digested materials seen in several portions of the gastrointestinal tract; they may result in gastrointestinal obstruction. Bezoar types described in the scientific literature include bezoars resulting from drugs. Their development is usually associated with some predisposing risk factor. The case of a patient is described, who was admitted to the hospitals Emergency Department because of a clinical event suggesting a gastrointestinal bleeding episode. After admission, endoscopy demonstrated the presence of a bezoar whose components included a great number of Adalat Oros tablets. A review of the drugs that induced bezoar formation is made, and associated risk factors, formation mechanisms, bezoar appearance, and treatments used are all described.

Kinetics of sorptive removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by calcined Mg-Al-CO(3) hydrotalcite.

The sorptive removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by calcined Mg-Al-CO(3) hydrotalcite was investigated in a batch mode. The influence of agitation speed, solution pH, initial chromium concentration, sorbent concentration and temperature has been tested in kinetic runs. Three kinetic models have been evaluated to fit the experimental data: the pseudo-first order, the modified-second order and the Elovich equation. It was shown that the first-order model could best describe the sorption kinetics. A Freundlich isotherm was used to fit equilibrium experiments. Hydrotalcite presents a sorption capacity of approximately 120 mg Cr/g, under the investigated experimental conditions. The calculated activation energy for process studied was around 40 kJ/mol.

Sepiolite as a feasible soil additive for the immobilization of cadmium and zinc.

The sorption behaviour of sepiolite has been studied with respect to cadmium and zinc in order to consider its application to remediate soils polluted with these metals. The Langmuir model was found to describe well the sorption processes offering maximum sorption capacities of 17.1 and 8.13 mg/g for cadmium and zinc, respectively, at pH 6. The sorption capacities are pH dependent undergoing a decrease with H(+) concentration increase. The effect of sepiolite amendment in a highly polluted mining soil has been studied by means of batch extractions and leaching column studies. The soluble amount of both metals as well as their readily-extractable fractions are substantially decreased at any concentration of sepiolite applied to soil (1, 2, 4%), although the highest decrease is obtained at the 4% dose. In this case the soluble fractions of both metals are decreased by 95%. The column studies also show a high reduction in the leaching of cadmium and zinc (69 and 52%, respectively) when a sepiolite dose of 4% is applied.

Interaction of an aluminum-magnesium containing antacid and gastric mucus: possible contribution to the cytoprotective function of antacids.

BACKGROUND: Antacids are generally thought to protect the gastric mucosa from damage primarily by their ability to neutralize hydrochloric acid, but recently other mechanisms of antacid cytoprotection have been suggested. The aim of our study was to determine if the antacid hydrotalcit (Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3 x 4H2O) and its clinical formulations Talcid (suspension and tablet) can influence the acid barrier properties of pig gastric mucus (PGM). METHODS: Viscosities, flow patterns of injected HCl, and permeability to HCl were assayed in solutions of PGM with and without added antacid. RESULTS: Talcid-suspension markedly increased mucin viscosity between pH 2 and 7. In contrast, powdered Talcid-tablet and hydrotalcit noticeably reduced mucin viscosity at pH 5 and below. HCl barely diffused through PGM-Talcid-suspension, whereas the acid was able to quickly penetrate a PGM-Talcid-tablet powder or PGM-hydrotalcit mixture. When injected into a mixture of PGM-Talcid-suspension, HCl travelled in a single distinct channel whereas in both PGM-Talcid-tablet powder or PGM-hydrotalcit mixtures, the acid mixed irregularly throughout. Experiments with antacids alone revealed that Talcid-suspension, but not Talcid-tablet nor hydrotalcit, had barrier properties similar to PGM. CONCLUSION: Talcid-suspension has viscoelastic features similar to gastric mucin and may afford mucosal protection by its ability to maintain or mimic the barrier properties of gastric mucus gel. In contrast, powdered Talcid-tablets and hydrotalcit reduce the barrier function of gastric mucus.

Characterization of antacid compounds containing both aluminum and magnesium. II. Codried powders.

The composition and antacid properties of six samples of codried antacids containing both aluminum and magnesium were determined. Aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate codried gel and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide codried gel were non-homogeneous, as the samples contained combinations of hydrotalcite, amorphous aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxycarbonate, and magnesium carbonate. All samples passed the preliminary antacid test and had high acid neutralizing capacities. However, the rate of acid neutralization varied between samples. In some cases the rate of acid neutralization at a dose of 400 mg was too slow to raise the pH to 3.0 as required by the Rossett-Rice test.