Quantification of Ochratoxin A in 90 spice and herb samples using the ELISA method.

This study addressed the challenge of accurately detecting mycotoxins in herbs and spices, which have gained popularity as alternative medicines but pose health risks due to potential contamination. We used a competitive direct ELISA kit (Art No. 8610), Veratox for Ochratoxin, to quantify Ochratoxin A in the herb and spice samples. The samples were first prepared using solid-liquid extraction with 70% methanol. The resulting filtrate was then subjected to ELISA analysis. The results of the analysis were then further analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). In this study, PCA was used to classify the concentration levels of Ochratoxin A based on various factors, such as the packaging type, country of origin, shelf life, and sample weight. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values indicate the lowest amount of Ochratoxin A that can be detected and quantified, respectively, with high accuracy and precision. The range of the LOD and LOQ values (0.43-0.58 µg/kg and 1.45-1.95 µg/kg, respectively) suggests that the method used was capable of detecting and quantifying Ochratoxin A in the herb and spice samples at different concentrations with a high degree of accuracy and precision. These results suggest that while most of the samples (73.33%) were below the maximum residue limit (MRL) for Ochratoxin A, a significant number of samples (26.67%) had concentrations of Ochratoxin A that were higher than the MRL. This highlights the importance of monitoring Ochratoxin A in herb and spice samples and ensuring the products are safe for consumption.

Diabetes mellitus-related hospital admissions and prescriptions of antidiabetic agents in England and Wales: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Around 6.5% of the population in the United Kingdom has been diagnosed with diabetes. It is associated with several long-term consequences and higher hospitalization rates. AIM: To examine the profile of hospital admissions related to diabetes mellitus and the prescription rates of antidiabetic medications in England and Wales. METHOD: This is an ecological study that was conducted for the period between April 1999 and April 2020 using publicly available hospitalisation data in England and Wales. Hospital admission data for patients of all ages was extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales. The difference between admission rates in 1999 and 2020, as well as the difference between diabetes mellitus medication prescription rates in 2004 and 2020, were assessed using the Pearson Chi-squared test. A Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to examine the trend in hospital admissions. RESULTS: A total of 1,757,892 diabetes mellitus hospital admissions were recorded in England and Wales during the duration of the study. The hospital admission rate for diabetes mellitus increased by 15.2%. This increase was concomitant with an increase in the antidiabetic medication prescribing rate of 105.9% between 2004 and 2020. Males and those in the age group of 15-59 years had a higher rate of hospital admission. The most common causes of admissions were type 1 diabetes mellitus related complications, which accounted for 47.1% of all admissions. CONCLUSION: This research gives an in-depth overview of the hospitalization profile in England and Wales during the previous two decades. In England and Wales, people with all types of diabetes and related problems have been hospitalized at a high rate over the past 20 years. Male gender and middle age were significant determinants in influencing admission rates. Diabetes mellitus type 1 complications were the leading cause of hospitalizations. We advocate establishing preventative and educational campaigns to promote the best standards of care for individuals with diabetes in order to lower the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Dermal and Transdermal Macromolecule Delivery Using Enhancer Molecules and Colloidal Carrier Systems - Part 2: Percutaneous Administration of Heparin.

INTRODUCTION: Heparin is a commonly used anti-coagulant administered either by intravenous or subcutaneous injection for a systemic effect or topically for the treatment of peripheral vascular disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to formulate heparin in non-ionic colloidal carrier systems (CCSs) having enhanced percutaneous absorption for systemic and topical administration. METHODS: Five CCSs were developed and characterized for their rheological properties, droplet size, and drug loading. The percutaneous absorption of heparin was evaluated in vitro using Franz diffusion cells with rats' skin and with the aid of a developed high-pressure chromatography method. Furthermore, the efficacy of two developed heparin CCSs was tested percutaneously in rats by measuring the response against the time in comparison to subcutaneous administration. RESULTS: The rheograms and droplet size measurements showed that the developed drug delivery systems have Newtonian properties with a droplet size between 109 and 460 nm. As much as 500 mg of heparin could be loaded in around 5 mL of CCS. Furthermore, using Franz diffusion cells, a diffusion rate of 19.216 ± 2.01 USP U/cm2.h could be achieved for heparin-loaded CCSs. Moreover, the estimated percutaneous in vivo relative bioavailability in comparison to subcutaneous administration could reflect that at least more than 50% of the drug passed through the skin. CONCLUSION: The developed novel non-toxic CCSs containing heparin can be good candidates for percutaneous administration as alternative delivery systems for subcutaneous and intravenous invasive administration.

Development and Optimization of a New Chemoenzymatic Approach for the Synthesis of Peracetylated Lactosamine (Intermediate for the Synthesis of Pharmacologically Active Compounds) Monitored by RP- HPLC Method.

Purpose: To describe a chemoenzymatic approach joining an enzymatic regioselective hydrolysis of peracetylated N-acetyl-α-D-glucosamine (A) with a mild controlled acyl relocation which resulted 2-acetamido-2 deoxy-1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranose (1B). Methods: Immobilization of lipase on decaoctyl (DSEOD) and octyl-agarose (OSCL) was carried out as reported by the work of Bastida et al. The newly developed RP-HPLC method for examining the enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out isocratically utilizing a HPLC system. Results: The new approach resulted the target compound (B) in 95% yield after purification utilizing flash column chromatography. Candida rugosa-lipase immobilized ondecaoctyl-sepabeads was the best catalyst in terms of activity and region-selectivity in the hydrolysis of substrate (A), delivering the deacetylation at C6 position (98% general yield). Also, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid-chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for controlling the region-selective hydrolysis of peracetylated N-acetyl-α-D-glucosamine (A) with a mild monitored acyl movement which led to 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranose (1B) has additionally been developed. The developed RP-HPLC method was utilized as fingerprints to follow the hydrolysis of substrate (A) and to determine its purity and additionally yield. Furthermore, the acquired compound (B) was further purified by flash chromatography. Compound (B) was further characterized utilizing 1HNMR and mass spectrometry. Conclusion: An efficient chemoenzymatic procedure to optimize the preparation of peracetylated lactosamine B containing acetyl ester as extraordinary protecting group is presented. Compound B is a significant intermediate for the synthesis of pharmacologically active compound (e.g. complex oligosaccharides for biochemical, biophysical, or biological examinations). Besides, reaction monitoring utilizing HPLC proposes more exact information than spectroscopic methods.