Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of florfenicol and florfenicol amine in snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) following oral administration.

The present study reports the comparative pharmacokinetic profiles of florfenicol and its metabolite (florfenicol amine, FFA) in Trachinotus blochii under tropical marine conditions (salinity: 35 ± 1.4‰; temperature: 28.8 ± 0.54 °C) following a single in-feed oral administration of the recommended dose (15 mg/Kg). Furthermore, the study investigated the distribution of these two compounds in nine different tissues. The maximum florfenicol concentrations (Cmax) in plasma and tissues were observed within five hours (Tmax), except for bile. The Cmax ranged from 572 to 1954 ng/g or ml and was in the intestine > bile > muscle + skin > liver > gill = heart > plasma > kidney = spleen. The elimination half-life of FFC was significantly slower in the bile (38.25 ± 4.46 h). The AUC tissue/plasma was highest for bile (3.77 ± 0.22), followed by intestine > muscle + skin > heart > liver > kidney = gill = spleen. Tmax and t1/2ß were slower, and Cmax was lower for FFA than florfenicol in all tissues except Cmax of the kidney and bile. FFA t1/2ß was exceptionally slower in the kidney (46.01 ± 8.2 h). Interestingly, reaching an apparent distribution rate of > 0.5 was comparatively faster in the kidney, liver, and gills than in other tissues. The highest apparent metabolic rate was in the kidney (0.95 ± 0.01) and the lowest in plasma (0.41 ± 0.01). The generated data can be applied for formulating efficient therapeutic protocols in T. blochii, a promising mariculture species.

Do extraglomerular microvasculature and mesenchymal interstitial cell proliferation indicate a stable course of lupus nephritis?

Background: Lupus Nephritis (LN) is a major and frequent manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. Renal biopsy has a pivotal role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of the LN. The aim of this study was to count the mesenchymal interstitial cells utilizing CD34 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and morphometric analysis, correlate them with clinical parameters, class, activity, and chronicity indices and see if it can predict the course of the disease. Methods: A total of 32 renal biopsy blocks were analyzed by H&E stain, special stains, and CD34 IHC. Microvasculature density and interstitial stem cells were highlighted by CD34. These were then counted using a previously standardized computerized digital photomicrograph system (Dewinter Optical Inc) and manual count, respectively. Results: Out of the 32 cases, Lupus class 3 comprised of 11 (34.38%) cases, class 4 comprised of 16 (50%) cases, and mixed class 4 + 5 had 5 (15.62%) cases. It was found that CD34 expression in the microvasculature (for both microvascular density and mean vascular lumen diameter) decreased in patients of Lupus Nephritis with higher disease activity (p < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, the number of interstitial stem cells increased with lower disease activity. A statistical significance was found between serum total protein, serum albumin, and serum creatinine among the three groups of LN. Conclusion: Immunohistochemical staining of renal biopsy with CD34 may be used as a surrogate marker of disease activity in Lupus Nephritis patients.

Clinical Profile, Treatment, and Outcome of Patients with Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical profile and outcome of patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in critically ill patients. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted where critically ill adult patients presenting with fever and bicytopenia were evaluated according to the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria for the presence of secondary HLH. The underlying trigger, clinical profile, treatment, and outcome of patients with HLH were analyzed. Results: Of the 76 critically ill patients with fever and bicytopenia, 33 (43%) patients were diagnosed with HLH. The following triggers for HLH were identified: bacterial infections (23%), fungal infections (10%), viral infections (10%), parasitic infections (10%), autoimmune diseases (13%), and malignancy (8%). A total of 78% of the HLH cases received steroids, but the use of steroids was not associated with improvement in mortality. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of HLH in patients presenting with fever and bicytopenia in critically ill adult patients. Infections were identified as the most common trigger of HLH. How to cite this article: Fazal F, Gupta N, Soneja M, Mitra DK, Satpathy G, Panda SK, et al. Clinical Profile, Treatment, and Outcome of Patients with Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(5):564-567.

Increased Fas ligand expression of peripheral B-1 cells correlated with CD4+ T-cell apoptosis in filarial-infected patients.

Cellular hyporesponsiveness observed during helminth infections is attributed to factors such as antigen-presenting cells (APC) dysfunction, increased interleukin-10(IL-10), regulatory T cells and induction of CD4+ T (Th)-cell apoptosis. Increased Fas ligand (FasL) expression on the surface of B-1 cells and induction of apoptosis of Th cells by FasL-expressing B-1 cells due to helminth infection were demonstrated in murine model of helminth infection where as profile of FasL expression, Th-cell apoptosis and correlation between these two populations of cells in clinical filariasis remain unknown. In this study, we have scored the profile of apoptotic Th-cell population and FasL-expressing B-1 cells in different clinical categories of filariasis. The peripheral apoptotic T-helper cells were significantly increased in filarial patients compared to endemic controls. Expression of FasL on the surface of peripheral B-1 cells increased in filarial patients and positively correlated with peripheral apoptotic T-helper cells indicating FasL-expressing B-1 cells may be one of the important mediators of Th-cell apoptosis and immune anergy during filarial pathology.

Origin of the Spin-Orbital Liquid State in a Nearly J=0 Iridate Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9}.

We show using detailed magnetic and thermodynamic studies and theoretical calculations that the ground state of Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9} is a realization of a novel spin-orbital liquid state. Our results reveal that Ba_{3}ZnIr_{2}O_{9} with Ir^{5+} (5d^{4}) ions and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) arrives very close to the elusive J=0 state but each Ir ion still possesses a weak moment. Ab initio density functional calculations indicate that this moment is developed due to superexchange, mediated by a strong intradimer hopping mechanism. While the Ir spins within the structural Ir_{2}O_{9} dimer are expected to form a spin-orbit singlet state (SOS) with no resultant moment, substantial frustration arising from interdimer exchange interactions induce quantum fluctuations in these possible SOS states favoring a spin-orbital liquid phase down to at least 100 mK.

Combined effects of vacuum packaging and mint extract treatment on the biochemical, sensory and microbial changes of chill stored Indian mackerel.

The present study was aimed to investigate the combined effects of vacuum packaging and mint extract treatment on the quality changes of gutted Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) during storage at 0-2 °C for 22 days. Biochemical, total viable count and sensory quality of chill stored mackerel were analysed at periodic intervals. Mint extract treated [dipping in 0.5% (w/v) solution of mint extract for 30 min] and vacuum packed fishes (MEVP) had significantly lower total volatile base nitrogen and trimethyl amine nitrogen compared to those packed under vacuum (CVP) and air (CAP) without mint extract treatment. Nucleotide degradation rate was lower in MEVP followed by CVP and CAP. Vacuum packaging in combination with ME treatment significantly inhibited lipid hydrolysis and lipid oxidation in mackerel as observed from its lower free fatty acid, peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values. Synergistic use of mint extract and vacuum packaging has markedly controlled microbial proliferation in the samples. Based on sensory evaluation, shelf life of Indian mackerel stored at 0-2 °C was determined as 13 days for CAP group, 16 days for CVP group and 21 days for MEVP group, respectively. The present study revealed that combination of vacuum packaging and mint extract treatment can be a promising technology to improve the storage quality of chill stored gutted mackerel.

Formulation, in vitro drug release study and anticancer activity of 5-fluorouracil loaded gellan gum microbeads.

5-Fluorouracil loaded calcium-zinc-gellan and calcium-zinc-gellan-ethyl cellulose microbeads were successfully prepared by simple ionotropic gelation and oil in water ionotropic gelation technique, respectively. Prepared microbeads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and evaluated for particle size, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, drug release and cell cytotoxicity study. Microbeads formed were spherical with rough surface. As concentration of gellan and ethyl cellulose has increased encapsulation efficiency, particle size and sustained drug release effect also increased. The release of 5-fluorouracil from microbeads has followed Hixson Crowell model suggesting the mechanism of drug release as dissolution controlled. Cytotoxicity analysis on HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines indicated that 5-FU loaded gellan gum/gellan in combination with ethyl cellulose microbeads leads to sustained releases of drug and thus delayed apoptosis over a long period of time. The formulation with drug:gellan:ethyl cellulose ratio 2.5:7.5:1 was found to be more effectual in terms of sustained drug release activity in addition to anti-cancer activity.

An economic and sustainable approach to transform aluminosilicate-rich solid waste to functionally graded composite foam for high-temperature applications.

The present study proposes an economical and effective approach for recycling coal overburden and similar solid wastes to fabricate lightweight and high-strength composite foam with industrial applications. Reaction-generated thermo-foaming technique has been used to develop functionally graded mullite-embedded silicate composite foam in a single step. The developed foams with gradient pores exhibit superior thermo-mechanical properties. In situ-growth of mullite phase within the silicate phase results in better mechanical strength of the foam. They possess bulk density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity in the range of 0.31-1.34 g/cm3, 2.97-15.06 MPa and 0.0843-0.2871 W/(m∙K), respectively. Thermal treatment irreversibly transforms the heavy metals present in the solid waste into stable mineral phases, further inhibiting the leaching of heavy metals from the developed foam. The developed foam with tuneable and gradient microstructure is seen as a potential material for thermal insulation and other applications such as refractories, molten metal and hot flue gas filters.

Hepatitis E virus enters liver cells through receptor-dependent clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

We investigated the virus-host interaction for hepatitis E virus (HEV) by performing competitive binding assays using in vitro assembled virus-like particles (VLPs). We used Escherichia coli expressed native capsid protein (pORF2) and its mutants with an attached Gly((5))-Ala (linker) reporter [enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)/firefly luciferase (Fluc)]. Transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking showed near uniform particles of approximately 30-35 nm in diameter for pORF2 VLPs and 60-100 nm for reporter-linked VLPs. Binding of reporter-linked full-length (1-660aa) and N-terminal truncated (Δ1-112aa) pORF2 VLPs to Huh7 cell surfaces was found to be specific with 1.92 ± 0.065 × 10(5) sites per cell. Saturation binding indicated an equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of 121.1 ± 23.83 and 123.8 ± 16.15 nm for pORF2-linker-EGFP and pORF2-linker-Fluc VLPs respectively. A similar binding pattern was observed for Δ1-112aa pORF2-linker-EGFP and Δ1-112aa pORF2-linker-Fluc VLPs with K(d) values of 123.6 ± 10.60 and 135.6 ± 16.19 nm respectively. The affinity (log K(i)) of pORF2 binding on Huh7 cells in the presence of EGFP-tagged and Fluc-tagged pORF2 VLPs was found to be approximately 2.0. However, no VLP formation or binding was observed with refolded C-terminal truncated (Δ458-660aa) pORF2. We investigated HEV internalization using fluorescent VLPs (EGFP-VLPs), which showed vesicle-mediated uptake starting at 5 min post-incubation. The uptake of VLPs could be stopped by inhibitors for clathrin-dependent endocytosis, but not by caveosome inhibitors. No binding and uptake of EGFP-VLPs were observed on non-hepatic cell lines (HeLa and SiHa). These findings suggest that HEV attaches to the host cell via a specific high affinity receptor and enters the cytoplasm by clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of hepatitis E virus infection.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen and the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis all over the world. We describe here an immunohistochemical method for the detection of HEV antigens (pORF2 and pORF3) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissues using monoclonal antibodies raised against two of the virus proteins (pORF2 and pORF3). We analysed their specificity and sensitivity in comparison with serology and nucleic acid detection in cases of acute liver failure (ALF). We used this test on 30 liver biopsies collected post-mortem from the patients of ALF caused by HEV infection. These cases were selected on the basis of positive results for enzyme immunoassay (IgM anti-HEV). Of the 30 cases taken from the archives of the Department of Pathology, the antibodies successfully stained all. However, only 25 serum samples (83.3%) of these were positive for HEV RNA. Fifteen controls used (Five noninfected liver tissues, five HBV- and five hepatitis C virus-infected liver tissues) were all negative. The immunohistochemical assay described here may prove a valuable tool for the detection of HEV infection in biopsy, autopsy and explant liver tissues and can serve as a link along with other available tests to delineate the extent of HEV-associated problem worldwide.

Infantile systemic hyalinosis associated with a putative splice-site mutation in the ANTXR2 gene.

Infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by dermal and subcutaneous fibromatosis, joint contractures and bone deformities. The condition usually presents at birth, resulting in death in infancy. ISH is caused by mutations in the anthrax toxin receptor 2 gene, ANTXR2, also known as CMG2. We report an Indian child with ISH in whom we identified a homozygous acceptor splice site mutation, IVS2-4G>A. In silico analysis of this sequence showed that it changed predicted cryptic splicing, leading to out-of-frame transcripts and little, if any, functional protein. Mutations in the ANTXR2 gene can also cause juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF). Although there are currently no effective treatments for ISH or JHF, identification of pathogenetic mutations in the ANTXR2 gene makes DNA-based prenatal diagnosis feasible for subsequent pregnancies.

Study of cellular immune response against Hepatitis E virus (HEV).

Hepatitis E virus infection (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in the developing world. The immunopathology of HEV infections has not yet been elucidated. The virus is noncytopathic, and therefore, liver injury may be attributed to immune-mediated damage by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Therefore, we studied the nature of immune cells involved in HEV-induced liver damage using immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies taken from patients with HEV-induced acute liver failure and demonstrated a significant infiltration of activated CD8(+) T cells containing granzymes. These findings suggest the possible involvement of cytotoxic T cells in disease pathogenesis during HEV infection.

Synthesis of beta-SiC/SiO2 core-sheath nanowires by CVD technique using Ni as catalyst.

Cubic silicon carbide (beta-SiC)/SiO2 nanowires with uniform and knotted-core structures have been synthesized on nickel-coated Si(111) substrates at 1150 degrees C by using hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) as the source material in a hot wall atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) system. The nanowires consist of a single crystalline beta-SiC core wrapped with an amorphous SiO2 shell. The as-prepared SiC nanowires and the deposited Ni films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results show that the nanowires are random in direction and have diameter ranges from 25 nm to 70 nm. The core of the nanowires has a cubic zinc blend structure and a high density of planar defects is often found. The twin plane defects are suspected to be the main reason for the formation of the knotted-core SiC nanowires. A possible growth mechanism based on vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) by base growth technique is proposed.

Impact of bottom trawling on sediment characteristics--a study along inshore waters off Veraval coast, India.

The present communication is a study on the impact of bottom trawling on the sediment characteristics along Veraval coast, which is the largest trawler port of India. Experimental bottom trawling was conducted from MFV Sagarkripa at five transects of water depths 15-20 m, 21-25 m, 26-30 m, 31-35 m and 36-40 m in commercial trawling grounds. Trawling was conducted for 12 months in a span of 15 months (September 2005-November 2006) excluding the trawl ban period (June to August). The sediment texture was analysed by pipette analysis and organic matter by wet oxidation method. The variations in organic matter and sediment texture were prominent between the stations selected at different depths. The sedimentary organic matter exhibited variations with different water depths and seasons. The organic matter content decreased with depth. Experimental trawling considerably reduced the organic matter content at all depths. Continued and incessant trawling operation can cause even more drastic reductions, where organic matter (OM) content is already very small. The sand proportion showed depth-wise variation; but seasonal and trawling effect was not significant showing highest values at 36-40 m depth. The silt proportion did not exhibit significant depth-wise variation. The seasonal variation of silt was significant whereas trawling effect imparted to silt was not evident. Trawling has no significant effect on clay concentration. But seasonal variation had great influence on the clay distribution and indicated significantly high depth-season interaction. The sediment of the study area was predominant in silt proportion. It was observed that the seasonal/natural variations were more prominent masking the trawling effect on silt.

Enhanced exudation of malate in the rhizosphere due to AtALMT1 overexpression in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) confers increased aluminium tolerance.

Worldwide, 50% of soil is acidic, which induces aluminium (Al) toxicity in plants, as the phyto-availability of Al3+ increases in acidic soil. Plants responds to Al3+ toxicity by exuding organic acids into the rhizosphere. The organic acid responsible for Al3+ stress response varies from species to species, which in the case of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is citrate. In blackgram, an Arabidopsis malate transporter, AtALMT1, was overexpressed with the motive of inducing enhanced exudation of malate. Transgenics were generated using cotyledon node explants through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The putative transgenics were initially screened by AtALMT1-specific genomic DNA PCR, followed by quantitative PCR. Two independent transgenic events were identified and functionally characterized in the T3 generation. The transgenic lines, Line 1 and 2, showed better root growth, relative water content and chlorophyll content under Al3+ stress. Both lines also accounted for less oxidative damage, due to reduced accumulation of ROS molecules. Photosynthetic efficiency, as measured in terms of Fv /Fm , NPQ and Y(II), increased when compared to the wild type (WT). Relative expression of genes (VmSTOP1, VmALS3, VmMATE) responsible for Al3+ stress response in blackgram showed that overexpression of a malate transporter did not have any effect on their expression. Malate exudation increased whereas citrate exudation did not show any divergence from the WT. A pot stress assay found that the transgenics showed better adaptation to acidic soil. This report demonstrates that the overexpression of a malate transporter in a non-malate exuding species improves adaptation to Al3+ toxicity in acidic soil without effecting its stress response mechanism.

Molecular epidemiology, risk factors and hematological evaluation of asymptomatic Theileria annulata infected cattle in Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND: Theileria annulata is a tick-borne apicomplexan parasite that affects bovine and causes severe economic losses. Aims: Our study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of T. annulata infection in asymptomatic carrier cattle in Odisha, India, to study the association of potential risk factors with theileriosis, and to investigate the effect of the parasite infection on hematological parameters in naturally affected animals. METHODS: A total of 226 cattle blood samples were collected from seven districts of Odisha, India. Molecular diagnoses of tropical theileriosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of isolated parasites were performed. Potential risk factors were investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression statistical analysis. Hematological parameters were compared between positive and negative animals. RESULTS: All animals included in our study were clinically normal, however, 54.86% (124/226) of examined animals were positive by PCR for T. annulata. The multivariable logistic regression showed that contact with other cattle from different herds during grazing (P<0.0001; OR: 12.75; 95% CI: 5.21-31.21), previous history of clinical signs (P=0.002; OR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.53-6.31), and frequency of a ectoparasiticides application pre year (P<0.0001; OR: 9.22; 95% CI: 3.03-28.09) were the potential risk factors for the occurrence of tropical theileriosis. Nucleotide sequence identity data demonstrated that T. annulata strain (MN818858) Odisha shared homology of 99.6%, 99.49%, and 99.36% with Uttar Pradesh, India (MF346035), Bahrain (AF214797), and Hyderabad, India (MK034702), respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to gain insight into the molecular epidemiology, risk factors, phylogeny, and hematological analysis of asymptomatic T. annulata infected cattle from India.

Characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae ophthalmic, systemic & commensal isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis & ribotyping.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Streptococcus pneumoniae is common in ocular and systemic infections and is a part of normal nasopharyngeal flora. Very few studies regarding genetic analysis of S. pneumoniae isolates causing eye infections are available. This study was undertaken to do pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and ribotyping of S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from eye infections, systemic infections and nasopharyngeal flora. METHODS: Sixty one well characterized S. pneumoniae isolates (38 from ophthalmic infections, 9 from systemic infections and 14 commensals) were characterized using PFGE of the whole genome after SmaI, restriction enzyme digestion and conventional ribotyping using Escherichia coli rRNA operon as the probe. Phylogenetic tree was drawn using unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA). RESULTS: The 38 S. pneumoniae isolates from eye infections belonging to 15 serotypes were placed in to 11 PFGE types and 15 ribotypes. The 9 systemic isolates (7 seotypes) were distributed in 7 PFGE types and 6 ribotypes. The 14 commensal isolates were placed in 11 serotypes, 5 PFGE types and 6 ribotypes. Most of the PFGE types and ribotypes consisting of ocular isolates also contained systemic and commensal isolates. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Considerable genetic similarity was observed between the isolates from ocular and systemic infections and those colonized in nasopharynx. PFGE analysis could differentiate majority of the isolates according to site of infections. There was a considerable DNA polymorphism within the studied bacterial population.

Clinical relevance of HBV DNA load in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA detection and quantification are now playing an increasing role in the assessment of disease activity and response to therapy. However, viraemia levels which define various stages of HBV infection have not yet been established. AIM: To define viraemia levels which describe various stages of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. METHODS: In a retrospective study, stored sera samples of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infected patients registered at AIIMS liver clinic, from January 1996 to June 2005 were subjected to competitive, quantitative PCR analysis. RESULTS: The median HBV DNA load was lowest among carriers and highest among patients with chronic hepatitis B [0 (0-8) vs. 7 (0-12) log10 copies/ml, respectively; p<0.05]. As compared to chronic hepatitis patients the DNA load was also lower among cirrhotics [7 (0-12) vs. 4.5 (0-8) log10 copies/ml, respectively; p<0.05] and hepatocellular cancer patients [ 7(0-12) vs. 0 (0-8) log10 copies/ml, respectively; p<0.05]. Patients with carriers had a DNA load which was significantly lower than e antigen negative CHB [0 (0-8) vs. 6 (0-10) log10 copies/ml; p<0.05] or e antigen positive CHB [0 (0-8) vs 8 (0-12) log10 copies/ml; p<0.05]. A threshold of 3.5 log10 copies/ml had sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 58% respectively in differentiating carriers from e antigen negative CHB. There was a strong positive correlation of HBV DNA load with inflammatory grade (R=0.334; p=0.0001), fibrosis stage (R=0.276; p=0.001) and ALT levels (R=0.378; p=0.0001). 82% (9/11) of those who lost e antigen had a decline in HBV DNA levels to <5 log10 copies/ml, whereas only 12.5% (1/8) of those who did not lose e antigen had a decline in DNA load below this level. CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA viraemia levels correlate positively with the inflammatory grade, fibrosis stage and ALT levels. Most patients who loose e antigen have a decline in DNA load to below 5 log10 copies/ml. Further prospective studies employing repeated measurements are required to define a threshold to differentiate between HBV carriers and e antigen negative CHB.

Estimating active layer thickness and volumetric water content from ground penetrating radar measurements in Barrow, Alaska.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has emerged as an effective tool for estimating active layer thickness (ALT) and volumetric water content (VWC) within the active layer. In August 2013, we conducted a series of GPR and probing surveys using a 500 MHz antenna and metallic probe around Barrow, Alaska. We collected about 15 km of GPR data and 1.5 km of probing data. Here, we describe the GPR data processing workflow from raw GPR data to the estimated ALT and VWC. We include the corresponding uncertainties for each measured and estimated parameter. The estimated average GPR-derived ALT was 41 cm, with a standard deviation of 9 cm. The average probed ALT was 40 cm, with a standard deviation of 12 cm. The average GPR-derived VWC was 0.65, with a standard deviation of 0.14.

Development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for estimation of atazanavir sulfate in bulk.

A stability-indicating reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of atazanavir sulfate in tablet dosage forms using C18 column Phenomenix (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of 900 mL of HPLC grade methanol and 100 mL of water of HPLC grade. The pH was adjusted to 3.55 with acetic acid. The mobile phase was sonicated for 10 min and filtered through a 0.45 µm membrane filter at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The detection was carried out at 249 nm and retention time of atazanavir sulfate was found to be 8.323 min. Linearity was observed from 10 to 90 µg/mL (coefficient of determination R2 was 0.999) with equation, y=23.427x+37.732. Atazanavir sulfate was subjected to stress conditions including acidic, alkaline, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation, and the results showed that it was more sensitive towards acidic degradation. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines.