Synthesis of castor oil/PEG as textile softener.

New castor oil/polyethylene glycol (CAO/PEG) hybrids were synthesized by reacting of CAO with PEG 300, 600, 1000, 2000 or 4000, in presence of ammonium per sulfate (APS) as an initiator. The optimum conditions to synthesis such hybrids are: PEG/CAO weight ratio, 35%; APS/PEG weight ratio, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C; and reaction time, 60 min. Only the hybrids based on PEG 1000 and 2000 formed oil in water stable emulsions. Treating cotton fabric samples with easy care finishing formulation containing 40 g/L of the synthesized hybrids emulsions results in an enhancement in softness, tensile strength, whiteness index, and stiffness along with a reduction in nitrogen content, wrinkle recovery angle, and wettability properties of treated fabric, compared to that sample finished in absence of that emulsions. The chemical structure of the synthesized CAO/PEG1000 hybrid was confirmed via the FTIR and 1HNMRanalysis whereas the TEM analysis showed that the particles size of that hybrid emulsion is in the range of 27-105 nm. Moreover, such hybrid emulsion treated fabric surface was characterized via SEM and EDX analysis. Furthermore, treating dyed samples with the nominated hybrid emulsion improves the color strength of that samples but keeps the washing fastness, wet rubbing fastness as well as alkaline perspiration fastness of the dyed/finished samples unchanged. The wet rubbing fastness and alkaline perspiration fastness of all the dyed/finished samples were enhanced while the light fastness of such samples decreased.

Efficacy of Vonoprazan vs. Pantoprazole or Non-acid Suppression in Prevention of Post-variceal Ligation Ulcer Bleeding in Portal Hypertension: A Multi-arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Up-to-date data about the role of acid suppression therapy e.g. proton-pump inhibitors; to reduce post-endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) ulcer-bleeding are conflicting. Vonoprazan; a recently introduced potassium-competitor acid blocker, has not been studied to prevent post-EVL ulcer/bleeding. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of vonoprazan vs. pantoprazole or non-acid suppression to prevent post-EVL ulcer/bleeding in portal hypertension patients. Material and methods: We enrolled 275 portal hypertension patients undergoing EVL in a three-arm randomized, single-blind, controlled study. A clinico-laboratory baseline evaluation was performed. Following EVL, patients were randomly and equally assigned to receive vonoprazan 20mg once daily, pantoprazole 40 mg once daily, or no acid suppression therapy. Post-EVL ulcer bleeding, ulcer dimensions, odynophagia as well as vonoprazan safety were evaluated after 2 weeks of EVL. Results: Post-EVL ulcer bleeding occurred among 2.15% of vonoprazan, 8.7% of pantoprazole, and 14.2% of the non-acid suppression groups (P < 0.001). Post-ligation ulcer frequency and dimensions were higher among non-acid suppression and pantoprazole groups vs. vonoprazan (P < 0.05). Chest pain and odynophagia were encountered among 73.6% and 54.9% of the non-acid suppression group vs. 39.6% and 45.1% in pantoprazole, and 17.2% and 21.5% in vonoprazan groups, respectively (P < 0.05). There were no vonoprazan-related adverse events. Non-use of vonoprazan was the strongest independent predictor for post-EVL bleeding. Conclusion: Short course of vonoprazan 20 mg/day is safe and superior to pantoprazole 40 mg/day in the reduction of post-EVL ulcer dimensions at 2 weeks post-EVL, and prevention of ulcer-related bleeding. Acid suppression is superior to no acid suppression to prevent post-EVL complications.

Improving Stability of Flaxseed Oil by Rice Bran Oil as Source of γ-Oryzanol.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Rice bran oil (RBO) and flaxseed oil (FSO) are vegetable oils that play an important role in human nutrition. RBO is very rich in γ-oryzanol, which is extracted from the inner husk and seed of the rice. γ-oryzanol is a mixture of natural antioxidant compounds in the RBO. Therefore, the current study aimed at the possibility of using rice bran oil (RBO) to improve the oxidative stability of virgin flaxseed oil (FSO) without synthetic antioxidants. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Rice bran oil (RBO) has been added into FSO at 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm compared with FSO containing 200 ppm BHT as synthetic antioxidants. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that the use of RBO leads to an increase in the ability to resist against oxidation and it increases with the increase in the amount of RBO addition in the FSO samples, which recorded 7.36, 8.50 and 10.15 hrs for FSRB1, FSRB2 and FSRB3, respectively, while FSBHT (FSO sample contain BHT) recorded 8.40 hrs. <b>Conclusion:</b> The research recommended the addition of RBO as a source of γ-oryzanol to various foods increases the oxidative stability, increases the nutritional and health value of the food.

Chemical and Sensory Evaluation of Balady Bread Supplemented with Watermelon Rinds Flour and its Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effect in Male Albina Rats.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Watermelon is a good source of minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers. It has been considered a health benefits effect due to the high amount of antioxidants and phytonutrients such as phenolics, flavonoids, phytosterols and other medicinal compounds which decrease the risk of cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer. This research was carried out to study the effect of wheat flour (WF) supplemented with different levels of watermelon rinds flour (WRF) on the chemical and organoleptic properties of balady bread. Furthermore, the effect of prepared bread on reducing blood lipids of hyperlipidemic rats. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Wheat flour (WF) has been supplemented with different levels (5, 10, 15 and 20%) of watermelon rinds flour (WRF). The chemical and organoleptic properties of balady bread and the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of prepared bread on hyperlipidemic rats were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> The results indicated that incorporation of WRF in balady bread wheat flour increased the fibre, ash and minerals content of prepared bread. While carbohydrates content and energy value were decreased by increasing the WRF substitution levels. Organoleptic evaluation tests showed that up to 15% of WF could be replaced with WRF in balady bread and still more acceptable bread compared with control bread samples. In addition, rats fed on a hyperlipidemic diet containing balady bread fortified with WRF showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (V-LDL) level by increasing the amounts of simultaneous supplementation with WRF 5-15% in the formulated balady bread compared to control samples. <b>Conclusion:</b> The research recommended that the 15% replacement of WRF gave good quality properties and lead to reducing body weight and serum lipid profile of hyperlipidemic rats.

Efficacy of Lactoferrin with Standard Triple Therapy or Sequential Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Bovine lactoferrin addition to regimens of Helicobacter pylori treatment has been tried, with conflicting results. AIM: To assess the effect of bovine lactoferrin in addition to the anti-H. pylori treatment. METHODS: We enrolled 400 H. pylori-infected patients who were randomized into 4 equal groups: (A): proton-pump-based triple therapy (PpTT) for 2 weeks, (B): sequential therapy for 2 weeks, (C): proton-pump-based triple therapy plus bovine lactoferrin for 2 weeks, and (D): sequential therapy plus bovine lactoferrin for 2 weeks. RESULTS: In the per-protocol analysis, the success in groups A, B, C, and D were 70.3%, 82.8%, 85.6%, and 94.5%, respectively (P < .001). The treatment success rate for the sequential therapy plus bovine lactoferrin regimen was significantly higher than that with sequential therapy alone (94.5% vs. 82.8%, P = .013). The same applied for proton-pump-based triple therapy (85.6% vs. 70.3%, P = .014). The addition of bovine lactoferrin and the presence of endoscopic corpus gastritis were independent predictors for successful eradication of H. pylori. CONCLUSION: Bovine lactoferrin could hasten the effectiveness of the proton-pump-based triple therapy or sequential therapy for H. pylori eradication.

Hepatic injury induced by radio frequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices in Wistar rats.

In this study, the impact of standard 2.45 GHz radio frequency source (averaged whole-body specific absorption rate 0.01 W kg-1 24 h-1 daily for 40 consecutive days) on the liver of Wistar female rats was investigated. The rats were randomly divided into control and Wi-Fi-exposed groups. At the end of the exposure, liver samples were dissected from rats. Rats' livers were inspected through the evaluation of some oxidative stress parameters and the evaluation of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels as well as through the molecular investigation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Histopathological examination in addition to ultrastructure examination was also performed. The present data revealed that Wi-Fi exposure leads to severe oxidative stress in the rat liver. Furthermore, Wi-Fi exposure resulted in deleterious effects in the liver function and alters its molecular structure. Moreover, severe histological and ultrastructural alterations are reported in the hepatic tissues points to hepatotoxic effects induced by Wi-Fi exposure. In conclusion, care must be taken when using Wi-Fi emitting devices due to their severe impact on the liver. Public awareness of the need to decrease exposure time and increase the distance from Wi-Fi exposure sources must be raised wherever possible.

Liver stiffness as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma behavior in patients with hepatitis C related liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Risk stratification and prognostication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) help to improve patient outcome. Herein we investigated the role of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the prediction of HCC behavior. METHODS: Totally 121 naïve patients with HCC were included. HCC radiological evaluation and staging were done. LSM was measured using virtual touch quantification. Patients were divided into early to intermediate HCC (BCLC-0, A and B) and late HCC (BCLCC and D). HCC was treated according to the BCLC stage. HCC recurrence-free interval was estimated. RESULTS: The mean LSM inside the tumor was significantly lower than the peri-tumoral area and the cirrhotic non-cancerous liver parts (P < 0.001). In late HCCs stage, the mean LSM inside the tumor and in the peri-tumoral tissue was lower than the corresponding values in the early to intermediate HCCs stage (P < 0.001). LSM inside the tumor and in the peri-tumoral tissue negatively correlated with serum AFP, tumor vascular invasion, and stage (P < 0.05). The recurrence-free interval was directly correlated to LSM inside the tumor and inversely to LSM in cirrhotic non tumorous liver part. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence-free interval was significantly longer in patients with LSM inside the tumor of ≥1.25 m/s compared to those with LSM inside the tumor of <1.25 m/s. CONCLUSIONS: LSM can serve as a potential non-invasive predictor for HCC clinical behavior and the recurrence-free interval following loco-regional treatments.

Grafting of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone onto κ-carrageenan for silver nanoparticles synthesis.

A water soluble, non-gel, poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)/κ-carrageenan (PVP/KC) hybrid was synthesized by graft copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) onto κ-carrageenan in an aqueous medium using ammonium persulphate (APS) as an initiator. Factors affecting the polymerization reaction such as ammonium persulfate concentration, reaction temperature and time, liquor to KC ratio (LR) and KC to VP molar ratio were studied. The results obtained revealed that the optimum reaction polymerization conditions to prepare that hybrid with a total conversion of 93.9% are: [VP], 0.1799 mol/L; VP/KC molar ratio, 50%; [APS], 0.0105 mol/l; LR, 15 l/k; reaction temperature, 90 °C and reaction time, 75 min. Moreover, the grafted KC of that hybrid was characterized via investigating its FTIR analysis. Furthermore, the potential application of such hybrid as a route for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using AgNO3 as a precursor was investigated. The synthesized Ag NPs are characterized using the ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) as well as transmission electron microscope (TEM). The UV-vis showed a band at 435 nm that confirms the presence of Ag NPs. The TEM image shows that such nanoparticles have a spherical structure with an average size ranging from 3 -18 nm.

National water, food, and trade modeling framework: The case of Egypt.

This paper introduces a modeling framework for the analysis of real and virtual water flows at national scale. The framework has two components: (1) a national water model that simulates agricultural, industrial and municipal water uses, and available water and land resources; and (2) an international virtual water trade model that captures national virtual water exports and imports related to trade in crops and animal products. This National Water, Food & Trade (NWFT) modeling framework is applied to Egypt, a water-poor country and the world's largest importer of wheat. Egypt's food and water gaps and the country's food (virtual water) imports are estimated over a baseline period (1986-2013) and projected up to 2050 based on four scenarios. Egypt's food and water gaps are growing rapidly as a result of steep population growth and limited water resources. The NWFT modeling framework shows the nexus of the population dynamics, water uses for different sectors, and their compounding effects on Egypt's food gap and water self-sufficiency. The sensitivity analysis reveals that for solving Egypt's water and food problem non-water-based solutions like educational, health, and awareness programs aimed at lowering population growth will be an essential addition to the traditional water resources development solution. Both the national and the global models project similar trends of Egypt's food gap. The NWFT modeling framework can be easily adapted to other nations and regions.

A non-woven fabric wound dressing containing layer - by - layer deposited hyaluronic acid and chitosan.

Novel wound dressings composed of non-woven cotton (NWC) fabric and multilayer of hyaluronan (HA) and chitosan were built using layer-by-layer assembly technique. Factors affecting the building up of that dressings such as HA concentration, number of coating layers and nitrogen content of the NWC fabric quaternized form were studied. Meanwhile, some physico-chemical properties of such dressings were investigated. Moreover, to enhance the antibacterial properties of the aforementioned dressings, Silver nano-particles (Ag NPs) were prepared and incorporated as a functional additive in the final HA layer of such dressings. Factors affecting the building up of that dressings such as HA concentration, number of coating layers and nitrogen content of the NWC fabric quaternized form were studied. The results obtained showed that: i) increasing of HA concentration from 0.25 to 1.0% is accompanied by a gradual reduction in the swelling properties and an improvement in the gel fractionas as well as antibacterial properties of treated fabric along with a decreasing in extents of stiffness, air permeability and the relative water vapor permeability of treated fabric, ii) increasing of steeping time of coated samples results in an improvement in percent swelling of these samples. TEM image of the prepared Ag-NPs depicts that the particle size of that nano-particles was <13nm. Furthermore, the prepared dressing surface was characterized via scanning electron microscope. The EDX of Ag NPs loaded dressings confirmed the presence of Ag NPs onto such dressings with Ag - content of 0.24% (w/w). The thermogravimetric analysis assured that the prepared dressings based on quaternized NWC fabric have higher thermal stability than the un-quaternized form.

Phylogenetic patterns of Haemonchus contortus and related trichostrongylid nematodes isolated from Egyptian sheep.

Haemonchus contortus is a major parasite of small ruminants and its blood-feeding behaviour causes effects ranging from mild anaemia to death. Knowledge of the genetic variation within and among H. contortus populations can provide the foundation for understanding transmission patterns and aid in the control of haemonchosis. Adult male H. contortus were collected from three geographical regions in Egypt. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. The population genetic diversity and sequence variations were determined. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed one genotype (ITS2) in all worms, without genetic differentiation. The similarity in population genetic diversity and genetic patterns observed among the three geographical regions could be attributed to possible movement between the sites. This is the first study of genetic variation in H. contortus in Egypt. The present results could have implications for the rapid characterization of H. contortus and other trichostrongyloid nematodes, and evaluation of the epidemiology of H. contortus in Egypt.

Molecular Cloning, Biochemical Characterization, and Antitumor Properties of a Novel L-Asparaginase from Synechococcus elongatus PCC6803.

L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1), which catalyzes the deamidation of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, has been widely used as a key therapeutic tool in the treatment of tumors. The current commercially available L-asparaginases, produced from bacteria, have signs of toxicity and hypersensitivity reactions during the course of tumor therapy. Therefore, searching for L-asparaginases with unique biochemical properties and fewer adverse effects was the objective of this work. In this study, cyanobacterial strain Synechococcus elongatus PCC6803 was found as a novel source of L-asparaginase. The L-asparaginase gene coding sequence (gi:939195038) was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3), and the recombinant protein (Se.ASPII) was purified by affinity chromatography. The enzyme has high affinity towards L-asparagine and shows very weak affinity towards L-glutamine. The enzymatic properties of the recombinant enzyme were investigated, and the kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax) were measured. The pH and temperature dependence profiles of the novel enzyme were analyzed. The work was extended to measure the antitumor properties of the novel enzyme against different human tumor cell lines.

Single-Readout High-Density Memristor Crossbar.

High-density memristor-crossbar architecture is a very promising technology for future computing systems. The simplicity of the gateless-crossbar structure is both its principal advantage and the source of undesired sneak-paths of current. This parasitic current could consume an enormous amount of energy and ruin the readout process. We introduce new adaptive-threshold readout techniques that utilize the locality and hierarchy properties of the computer-memory system to address the sneak-paths problem. The proposed methods require a single memory access per pixel for an array readout. Besides, the memristive crossbar consumes an order of magnitude less power than state-of-the-art readout techniques.

Giardia duodenalis assemblages in Egyptian children with diarrhea.

Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common cause of parasitic diarrhea worldwide. Genetic studies revealed that at least eight assemblages (A-H) exist. Of these assemblages, A and B are found primarily in human beings and occasionally in animals. The association between clinical symptoms and G. duodenalis assemblages is controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the assemblages of G. duodenalis prevalent among Egyptian children with diarrhea. Therefore, 96 positive stool samples for Giardia by light microscopy were subjected to multilocus genotyping targeting the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), ß-giardin (bg), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Amplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were then purified, sequenced, and aligned with reference strains to determine the assemblages of the Giardia isolates. Out of the 96 microscopically positive stool samples for Giardia, 77 (80 %) were successfully amplified and sequenced at least at one locus. Of these, 21 (27.3 %) were shown to be assemblage A, 54 (70.1 %) assemblage B, while discordant sequence typing results were observed in 2 (2.6 %) samples. AII was the predominant subassemblage of assemblage A, while it was generally difficult to further classify assemblage B. It was concluded that infection with assemblage B was more common than that with assemblage A. No associations between epidemiological information and assemblage were detected, except with age. Although infections with assemblage B were more frequently associated with abdominal pain and acute diarrhea than with assemblage A, the difference was not statistically significant.

Chemopreventive effects of combination of honokiol and magnolol with α-santalol on skin cancer developments.

α-Santalol is active component of sandalwood oil and has been shown to have chemopreventive effects against chemically and UVB-induced skin cancer development in mice. α-Santalol is also shown to have skin permeation enhancing effects. Honokiol and magnolol isolated from Magnolia officinalis bark extract have also been shown to have chemopreventive effects against chemically and UVB-induced skin cancer in mice. This study was conducted to investigate the combination effects of α-santalol, honokiol and magnolol to study any additive/synergistic effects to lower the doses required for chemoprevention. Pretreatment of combinations of α-santalol with honokiol and magnolol significantly decreased tumor multiplicity upto 75% than control, α-santalol, honokiol and magnolol alone in SKH-1 mice. Combination of α-santalol with honokiol and magnolol also decreased cell viability, proliferation, and enhanced apotosis in comparison to α-santalol, honokiol and magnolol alone in Human epidrmoid carcinoma A431 cells. Overall, the results of present study indicated combinations of α-santalol with honokiol and magnolol could provide chemoprevention of skin cancer at lower doses than given alone.

Enhancing some functional properties of viscose fabric.

To enhance the functional properties of viscose fabrics, Tinosan(®) CEL (TC), Ag, and TiO(2) nano-particles were incorporated as functional additives in different easy care finishing formulations alone and in admixtures. Results indicated that padding viscose fabrics in finishing bath containing 10 g/l TC and 60 g/l dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) enhances some performance as well as antibacterial properties of the treated fabrics. Moreover, incorporation of Ag or TiO(2) nano-particles in the DMDHEU or DMDHEU/TC finishing baths enhances the functional properties of the treated samples such as antibacterial properties, UV-blocking properties, and/or self cleaning performance. Incorporation of poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) in the aforementioned finishing formulations enhances these functional properties along with durability to wash. On the other hand, incorporation of Silicon(®)-SLH softener in finishing baths along with TC affects the performance and antibacterial properties of the treated fabrics.

Stable neurocutaneous melanosis in a ten-year-old boy with controlled partial-complex seizures. A case report.

Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) is a rare neuroectodermal dysplasia that includes both central nervous system (CNS) and integumentary melanocytic abnormalities. NCM can present with varied clinical and imaging findings, classically presenting with large melanocytic nevi involving the posterior axial trunk region. We describe a case with predominant small non-scalp and non posterior axial-trunk nevi, which nevertheless demonstrated typical CNS imaging findings. Our case clinically presented with epilepsy that was controlled by medical treatment. The patient also demonstrated motor developmental delay, and an otherwise stable course.

Poly(acrylic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) adduct for attaining multifunctional cellulosic fabrics.

Aqueous polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA) along with polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) at AA/PEG-600 mass ratio 3/1 using ammonium persulfate as initiator under proper conditions results in formation of PAA/PEG-600 adduct. The structure of the adduct was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. The potential applications of the prepared adduct in: sizing, durable hand building of cotton cellulose, as well as in functional finishing of cellulose containing fabrics, i.e. cotton, viscose and cotton/polyester, with Ag- or TiO2-nanoparticles were investigated. The modified substrates using the prepared adduct showed a remarkable improvement in their sizing, hand building and/or functional properties, i.e. antibacterial, anti-UV, and self cleaning, in addition to durability to wash. TEM images of the prepared nano-particles, SEM images of the untreated and treated substrates, as well as EDX spectra to analyze the surface elemental compositions were examined. The tentative mechanisms were also suggested.

Isolation and identification of citrus psorosis virus Egyptian isolate (CPsV-EG).

Citrus psorosis ophiovirus (CPsV), is considered to be of the most serious and deter mental virus pathogen's citrus species trees in Egypt. CPsV-EG was isolated from infected citrus grapefruit (C. paradisi Macf.) at Agric. Res. Centre (ARC). The grapefruit which used for CPsV-EG isolate was found to be free from CTV, CEVd and Spiroplasma citri where as gave -ve results with DTBIA, tissue print hybridization and Diene's stain respectively. CPsV-EG was detected on the basis of biological indexing by graft inoculation which gave oak leaf pattern (OLP) on Dweet tangor and serological assay by DAS-ELISA using Mab specific CPsV. CPsV-EG was reacted with variable responses on 16 host plants belonging to 6 families. Only 8 host plants are susceptible and showed visible external symptoms which appeared as local, systemic and local followed by systemic infections. CPsV-EG isolate was transmitted from infected citrus to citrus by syringe and grafting and herbaceous plants by forefinger inoculation and syringe. The woody indicators and rootstocks were differed in response to CPsV-EG isolate which appeared as no-response, response, sensitivity and hypersensitivity. The serological characters represented as the antigenic determinants of CPsV-EG isolate related to monoclonal antibodies specific CPsV strain where as appeared precipitation reaction by DAS-ELISA and DTBIA. The partial fragment of RNA3 (coat protein gene) of CPsV-EG (-1140bp and -571bp) was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from grapefruit tissues using two sets primers specific CPsV (CPV3 and CPV4) and (PS66 and PS65) respectively. The virus under study was identified as CPsV-EG isolate according to biological, serological and molecular characters.

Crosslinking of alginic acid/chitosan matrices using polycarboxylic acids and their utilization for sodium diclofenac release.

Three different ratios of alginic acid/chitosan matrices of ratios 3/1, 1/1 and 1/2, respectively, were crosslinked in their dry state using citric acid (CA)/sodium hypophosphite (SHP) at different conditions controlling the crosslinking process such as citric acid concentration, citric acid/sodium hypophosphite molar ratio as well as time and temperature of reaction. Results indicate that such matrices were crosslinked efficiently on curing at 180°C for 9min in presence of CA/SHP ratio 1 and the citric acid concentration of 0.6 based on the weight of any matrices. The crosslinked matrices were characterized by investigating their swelling properties, FT-IR and thermalgravimetric analysis. Furthermore, such crosslinked matrices were tested as drug release for sodium diclofenac.