Green HPTLC and stability-indicating RP-HPLC for the assay of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and menthol in their lozenges.

Two chromatographic methods were developed for the assay of the FDA approved lozenges containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXT) and menthol (MNT). The first was a green HPTLC method which uses a mobile phase of methanol-ammonia (10:0.1, v/v). The densitometric measurements of the spots which were retained at 0.28±0.01 for DXT and 0.76±0.02 for MNT was done at 210nm. The other method was RP-HPLC method with stability indicating merits at which a mixture of 20mM phosphate buffer pH 3 and acetonitrile as mobile phase in isocratic mode was used. The cited drugs were resolved in RP-HPLC method using isocratic elution using 20mM phosphate buffer: acetonitrile (65:35 v/v) with retention times of 2.21 and 3.47min for MNT and DXT, respectively and quantified using 215nm. Both methods were entirely validated and both methods were successfully able to analyze both drugs in presence of lozenges inactive ingredients. HPLC method had the advantage of being stability indicating at which resolution of the drugs from their forced degradation products was successfully attained. For HPTLC method, both drugs showed reasonable RF values when compared to rapidly eluted MNT in RP-HPLC; also it was more environmentally friendly than RP-HPLC as it used solvents which are less toxic and greener.

Association of interleukin-6 gene promoter polymorphism with acne vulgaris and its severity.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (AV) is an inflammatory disorder with a possible genetic background. Different cytokines and mediators are involved in its pathogenesis. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the interleukin (IL)-6 572 polymorphism in patients with AV and its relation to patient sex and acne severity. METHODS: In total, 30 patients with acne and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The Global Acne Grading System was used to assess acne severity. The IL-6 572 gene promoter polymorphism was assessed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher association of IL-6 572 variants genotypes in patients with acne (93%) compared with the HC group (45%) (P < 0.001), with a higher incidence of the IL-6 572 CC polymorphism in patients with acne. A significant difference (P < 0.001) between C and G alleles in patients vs. HCs was detected. There were no significant associations between the IL-6 572 variant genotypes and either patient sex or AV severity. CONCLUSION: IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism might have a role in AV susceptibility but it is not related to AV severity.

The potential effects of silver and gold nanoparticles as molluscicides and cercaricides on Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis seriously affects human health in tropical regions. Its prevention is more important than treatment, raising the need for effective control methods. Recently, the role of nanomaterials in medical science has been growing. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in vitro and to assess their effects on the infectivity of cercariae in vivo. The in vitro study proved that Ag and Au NPs were effective in killing B. alexandrina snails, with 30 µg/ml Ag and 160 µg/ml Au causing 100% mortality. The LC50 of 9.68 µg/ml for Ag NPs and 133.7 µg/ml for Au NPs prevented snail infection with S. mansoni miracidia. Furthermore, Ag NPs at 50 µg/ml and Au NPs at 100 µg/ml increased the mortality of S. mansoni cercariae in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching 100% mortality after 1 h. The in vivo study found that Ag NPs prevented the occurrence of infection when cercariae were treated before the infection by either the tail immersion (TI) or subcutaneous (SC) route, as proven by parasitological parameters and by the absence of granuloma formation in hepatic tissue. Meanwhile, infection of mice by untreated cercariae followed by treatment with NPs 1 h post-infection (PI) caused a decrease in egg count/g intestine and egg count/g liver in the TI-infected group only. The oogram patterns and granuloma formation results were similar between infection control and the SC-infected group. On the other hand, Au NPs led to a decrease in total worm burden (TWB) in all tested groups, with a decrease in egg count/g intestine and egg count/g liver in TI-infected groups with either pre-treated or post-treated cercariae, in contrast to SC-infected groups. However, the oogram patterns and granuloma formation showed similar results to infection control. Ag and Au NPs have potential as molluscicides and cercaricides in vitro and can prevent or modulate the infectivity of cercariae in vivo.

Evaluation of serum level of Osteocalcin hormone in male infertility.

The suggested concept of "bone as an endocrine organ" had shed the light on the role of osteocalcin, an osteoblast secreted hormone, in regulation of testosterone production. This study aimed to assess the association between the active undercarboxylated form of osteocalcin (ucOC) and semen parameters and hormonal levels in infertile male patients. The study was carried on 34 infertile male patients and 20 fertile healthy control males. Semen analysis and serum level of testosterone, LH and FSH were performed in addition to serum level of ucOC in cases and controls. The results revealed significant differences between cases and controls in all measured semen and hormonal parameters. In addition, significant higher level of ucOC in cases than control group (p = .019). On the other hand, ucOC was not related significantly to any of the measured hormones or semen parameters. There was no significant correlation between ucOC and sperm concentration, total motility, morphology (p = .594, .640, .940 respectively) and similarly between ucOC and testosterone level or LH level (p = .275, .954 respectively). The significant higher level of ucOC in infertile cases cannot be used as a predictor of male reproductive parameters.

Digital image determination of copper in food and water after preconcentration and magnetic tip separation for in-cavity desorption/color development.

A new analytical method for measuring copper in food and water was developed and validated, employing a solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique combined with digital-image-based (DIB) detection. A novel magnetic adsorbent of zinc ferrite/Citrullus colocynthis biochar (ZF@C.BC) was used to preconcentrate copper. A magnetic tip was used to separate the copper-loaded adsorbent from the extraction medium and to dispense it to the DIB plate. In-situ desorption and development of the spot color with iodide-starch reagent were carried out, and a digital image of the developed spots was captured using a smartphone and processed using ImageJ software. The copper adsorption capacity was 91.3 mg g-1. Desorption was effected using a 0.3 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid. The preconcentration factor was 300, the limit of detection was 4.8 µg L-1, the linearity was 16-600 µg L-1 and the sample throughput was 12 h-1. The developed approach was validated by analyzing food and water samples, confirming recoveries ≥ 91 % and 88 %, respectively, with RSD ≤ 8.4 %, n = 3.

Analysis of phonological criteria in Egyptian Arabic speaking children using cochlear implant.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the most common segmental and supra-segmental phonological criteria of the Egyptian Arabic speaking children using CI. This may lead to; better understanding of speech progress and planning individualized therapy programs for these children. METHODS: This study included 43 children using cochlear implant (23 males and 20 females), from the clients of the phoniatric unit of ORL Department Zagazig University, at the period from September 2017 to April 2019. The age ranged between 4 to 10 years old. All children had assessments of their language and speech features (phonological patterns, segmental and supra-segmental) and speech intelligibility, then the results were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The participants of the study exhibited many types of developmental patterns; e.g., Cluster reduction, final consonant deletions, assimilation and substitutions. There were also fewer incidences of non-developmental phonological patterns. The sequence of acquisition of segmental phonological development revealed the following sequence: Bilabial sounds acquired first (oral /b/ before nasal /m/), then lingu-alveolar, then fricatives, then velar and back sounds and lastly laterals and glides. All studied segmental, supra-segmental features and speech intelligibility were correlated with the CI usage period. CONCLUSION: The speech of the Egyptian CI children shows many developmental phonological patterns as well as non-developmental ones. The sequence of phonemic development revealed that anterior sounds precede posterior ones, oral sounds precede nasal ones and stops precede fricatives. Glides and laterals showed very late acquisition. All segmental and supra-segmental disturbances improved gradually with regular use of CI and attending speech therapy plans.

Gynecological efficacy and chemical investigation of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits growing in Egypt.

Flavonoid glycosides, orientin and apigenin 3, 8-di-C-glycosides in addition to, iridoid compound, aucubin were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Vitex agnus-castus fruits. Their structures were identified on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The estrogenic activity of the ethanolic extract in two dose levels 0.6 and 1.2 g kg(-1) per body weight (b.w.) was studied by the vaginal smear, and uterine weight methods for normal and ovariectomized female rats. The extract induced significant increase in the uterine weight of ovariectomized rats at two dose levels comparable to that of control group. The percentages of the total average number of scores were increased significantly too. Significant increases in plasma progesterone and total estrogens levels were shown at the two dose levels when compared to that of control group. On the other side, the extract induced significant reduction in luteinizing and plasma prolactin hormones.

Free volume of an oligomeric epoxy resin and its relation to structural relaxation: evidence from positron lifetime and pressure-volume-temperature experiments.

From positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy analyzed with the new routine LT9.0 and pressure-volume-temperature experiments analyzed employing the equation of state (EOS) Simha-Somcynsky lattice-hole theory (SS EOS) the microstructure of the free volume and its temperature dependence of an oligomeric epoxy resin (ER6, M(n) approximately 1750 g/mol , T(g)=332 K ) of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) have been examined and characterized by the hole free-volume fraction h, the specific free and occupied volumes V(f)=hV and V(occ)=(1-h)V, and the size distribution (mean, , and mean dispersion, sigma(h)) and the mean density N(h)'=V(f)/, of subnanometer-size holes. The results are compared with those from a previous work [G. Dlubek, Phys. Rev. E 73, 031803 (2006)] on a monomeric liquid of the same resin (ER1, M(n) approximately 380 g/mol, T(g)=255 K ). In the glassy state ER6 shows the same hole sizes as ER1 but a higher V(f) and N(h)'. In the liquid V(f), , dV(f)/dT, and dV(f)/dP are smaller for ER6. The reported dielectric alpha relaxation time tau shows certain deviations from the free-volume model which are larger for ER6 than for ER1. This behavior correlates with the SS EOS, which shows that the unit of the SS lattice is more heavy and bulky and therefore the chain is less flexible for ER6 than for ER1. The free-volume fraction h in the liquid can be described by the Schottky equation h proportional to exp(-H(h)/k(B)T) , where H(h)=7.8 - 6.4 kJ/mol is the vacancy formation enthalpy, which opens a different way for the extrapolation of the equilibrium part of the free volume. The extrapolated h decreases gradually below T(g) and becomes zero only when 0 K is reached. This behavior means that no singularity would appear in the relaxation time at temperatures above 0 K. To quantify the degree to which volume and thermal energy govern the structural dynamics, the ratio of the activation enthalpies E(i)=R[(d ln tau/dT(-1))]i, at constant volume V and constant pressure P(E(V)/E(P)), is frequently determined. We present arguments for necessity to substitute E(V) by E(Vf), the activation enthalpy at constant (hole) free volume, and show that E(Vf)/E(P) changes as expected: it increases with increasing free volume, i.e., with increasing temperature, decreasing pressure, and decreasing molecular weight. E(Vf)/E(P) exhibits smaller values than E(V)/E(P), which leads to the general inference that the free volume plays a larger role in dynamics than concluded from E(V)/E(P). The same conclusion is obtained when scaling tau to T(-1)V(f)(-gamma) instead of to T(-1)V(-gamma), where both gamma's are material constants.

Free volume of an epoxy resin and its relation to structural relaxation: evidence from positron lifetime and pressure-volume-temperature experiments.

The microstructure of the free volume and its temperature dependence in the epoxy resin diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) have been examined using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS, 80-350K, 10(-5) Pa) and pressure-volume-temperature (PVT, 293-470 K, 0.1-200MPa) experiments. Employing the Simha-Somcynsky lattice-hole theory (S-S eos), the excess (hole) free volume fraction h and the specific free and occupied volumes, Vf=hV and Vocc=(1-h)V, were estimated. From the PALS spectra analyzed with the new routine LT9.0 the hole size distribution, its mean, , and mean dispersion, sigma h, were calculated. varies from 35 130 A3. From a comparison of with V and Vf, the specific hole number N'h was estimated to be independent of the temperature [Nh(300 K)=N'h/V=0.65 nm-3]. From comparison with reported dielectric and viscosity measurements, we found that the structural relaxation slows down faster than the shrinkage of the hole free volume Vf would predict on the basis of the free volume theory. Our results indicate that the structural relaxation in DGEBA operates via the free-volume mechanism only when liquidlike clusters of cells of the S-S lattice appear which contain a local free volume of approximately 1.5 or more empty S-S cells. The same conclusion follows from the pressure dependency of the structural relaxation and Vf. It is shown that PALS mirrors thermal volume fluctuations on a subnanometer scale via the dispersion in the ortho-positronium lifetimes. Using a fluctuation approach, the temperature dependency of the characteristic length of dynamic heterogeneity, xi, is estimated to vary from xi=1.9 nm at Tg to 1.0 nm at T/Tg>1.2. A model was proposed which relates the spatial structure of the free volume as concluded from PALS to the known mobility pattern of the dynamic glass transition at low (cooperative alpha-relaxation) and high (alpha-relaxation) temperatures. We discuss possible reasons for the differences between the results of our method and the conclusion from dynamic heat capacity.

Determination of ipratropium bromide in vials using kinetic and first-derivative spectrophotometric methods.

Two sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric methods are presented for the determination of ipratropium bromide (IPB). The first method, kinetic method, is based on the alkaline oxidation of IPB with KMnO4. At a fixed time of 20 min, the formed manganate ion is measured at 608 nm. The concentration of IPB is calculated using the regression equation for the fixed-time method, at 20 min. The determination of IPB by fixed-concentration and rate-constant methods is feasible with regression equations obtained, but the fixed-time method was found to be more applicable. The second method uses first-derivative (D1-) spectrophotometry for the determination of IPB at 254-268 nm. The applicability of the proposed methods was examined by analyzing Atrovent unit dose vials and the percentage recoveries were 100.01+/-1.16, 100.02+/-0.97, for kinetic and D1- methods, respectively.

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of nizatidine and ranitidine in pharmaceutical preparations.

A new simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method is described for analysis of nizatidine (I) and ranitidine (II). The method involves the reaction of the drugs with alkaline potassium permanganate, whereby a green color peaking at 610 nm is produced. The reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the rate of change of absorbance of the resulting manganate species at 610 nm. Calibration graphs are linear over the concentration range 0.8-4.0 microg/ml and the precision (% RSD 1.80, 1.53 for I and II, respectively) is quite acceptable. The method is satisfactorily applied for direct analysis of pharmaceutical preparations containing I and II. A proposal of the reaction pathway is postulated.

Determination of cisapride in pharmaceutical preparations using derivative spectrophotometry.

Derivative spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatographic methods (HPLC) were described for the determination of cisapride in pharmaceutical preparations. Spectrophotometrically, cisapride was determined by measuring the 1D-values at 264, 300 nm and 2D-values at 276, 290 and 276-290 nm. Beer's Law was obeyed in the range 2-12 microg ml(-1). The HPLC method depends upon using micropack-Si-10 column at ambient temperature with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-concentrated ammonia (99.25:0.75) at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1). Quantitation was achieved by UV detection at 272 nm using quinine as internal standard. Calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 2-10 microg ml(-1). Both derivative spectrophotometry and HPLC methods showed good linearity, precision and reproducibility. No interference was found from tablet or suspension matrices at the selected derivative wavelengths and chromatographic conditions. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the assay of commercial tablets and suspension. The procedures were rapid, simple and suitable for quality control applications.

Liquid chromatographic determination of flunarizine dihydrochloride in the presence of its degradation product.

A simple, stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the assay of flunarizine dihydrochloride in the presence of its acid-induced degradation product. A Bondapak-C18 column was used with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water (75:25, v/v) containing 0.5% w/v sodium chloride and 0.2% v/v triethanolamine adjusted to pH 6.6 with 30% hydrochloric acid at a flow rate 2 ml min-1. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 254 nm based on peak area or peak height ratios. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the drug in laboratory-prepared mixtures in the presence of its degradation product and in capsules. Moreover, the method was utilized to investigate the kinetics of the degradation process at different temperatures and the apparent first-order rate constant, half-life and activation energy calculated.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of vigabatrin and gabapentin in dosage forms and spiked plasma samples through derivatization with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole.

A highly sensitive and specific method is proposed for the determination of vigabatrin (I) and gabapentin (II) in their dosage forms and spiked human plasma. The method is based on coupling the drugs with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole in borate buffer at pH 7.1 and measuring the resulting fluorescence at 532 nm after excitation at 465 nm. The fluorescence intensity was a linear function of the concentration of the drugs over the ranges of 1.3-6.5 and 1.7-8.5 microg/mL for I and II, respectively. Minimum detectability values were 0.54 microg/mL (4.2 x 10(-6)M) and 0.97 microg/mL (5.7 x 10(-6)M) for I and II, respectively, under the described conditions. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the 2 drugs in their dosage forms, and the percent recoveries +/- standard deviation (SD) were 104.53 +/- 1.2 and 100.00 +/- 1.32 of the label claim for I and II, respectively. The method was further applied to the determination of vigabatrin in spiked plasma samples. The percent recovery +/- SD was 101.58 +/- 2.68. Interference from endogenous alpha-amino acids was overcome through selective complexation with freshly prepared Cu(OH)2. The interference likely to be encountered from co-administered drugs, such as carbamazepine, cimetidine, clonazepam, clopazam, phenobarbital, valproic acid, and lamotrigine, was also studied. A reaction pathway is suggested.

Determination of isothipendyl or dimethothiazine with their sulphoxides using third- and fourth-derivatives spectroscopy on a diode-array spectrophotometer.

Third- and fourth-derivative spectrophotometry (3D + 4D), with a diode-array spectrophotometer, has been used for the assay of mixtures of each of isothipendyl hydrochloride (I) and its sulphoxide (II) or dimethothiazine mesylate (III) and its sulphoxide (IV). The parent compounds have been determined by measuring the 3D at 256 nm, 246-256 nm and 256-264 nm and 4D at 250 nm for (I) and 3D at 255 nm or 283 nm and 4D at 257 nm for (III). The sulphoxides have been assayed by measuring the 3D at 285-290 nm and 4D 285-290 nm for (II) and 3D at 305 nm and 4D at 303-310 nm for (IV). Beer's law is obeyed and the detection limits for the proposed 3D and 4D has been calculated. The recovery of these drugs and their sulphoxides in laboratory-made mixture and dosage forms has been reported.

Vertical transmission of HBsAg in Alexandria.

A total of 735 pregnant women at delivery and their babies were screened for HBsAg to assess the vertical transmission of HB virus infection. The carrier rate among pregnant women was 5%, evidence of intrauterine transmission reached 8.1% and that of perinatal transmission was 33.3% The most important factors affecting the carrier rate in mothers were the social class, parity, injections, dental manipulation and hospitalization. Nevertheless, among the factors increasing the rate of materno-fetal transmission were the presence of "e" Ag, high titer of HBsAg in mothers serum, cord blood antigenaemia, age of the mother, prolonged duration of labour and breast-feeding.

Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis by latex agglutination test.

Forty-three patients admitted to Abassia Fever Hospital suffering from meningitis were studied. They were 27 male and 16 female and divided into 3 age groups, as a control, 4 normal CSF samples were collected. A sterile CSF was collected and examined for pressure, aspect, glucose, protein and cellular content. Although all these tests were helpful in differentiating the type of meningitis, a remarkable overlap between the results were detected. Bacteriological study of CSF showed that bacterial culture was more sensitive than the Gram-stained film in (80% and 72% respectively) (p less than 0.05). However, it is a time consuming and its results greatly affected by prior uses of antibiotics. Also the antigen of N. meningitidis A & C, H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were detected by latex agglutination (L.A.) and gave positive results in 76% of cases. It was less sensitive than the culture method. As a conclusion, L.A. test is a rapid and simple method of diagnosis of bacterial meningitis which give immediate information to the clinician. The sensitivity and specificity of L.A. can be greatly improved by using a higher quality of antibody for all serotypes in the locality.

Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay.

Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 29 patients with tuberculous meningitis, 21 and 7 patients with bacterial and viral meningitis and 5 normal subjects. Pressure, aspect, glucose, protein and cellular content of CSF were studied. Detection of acid fast bacilli in direct film stained by Zeil Neilsen (Z.N.) and fluorochrom (Fl.Ch.) and Culture on Lowenstein Jensen media were done. Then specific immunoglobulin G & M to Mycobacteria were assayed by Immunofluorescence (IF using BCG) and by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant assay (ELISA) using protein-A of M. Tuberculosis. It was found that diagnosis of M. Tuberculosis by CSF culture was more sensitive than by direct CSF film stained with Z.N. or Fl.Ch. stain (positive in 44.8%, 10.3% and 17.2% of cases respectively). It was noticed that the detection of CSF IgG antibodies was more sensitive than IgM antibodies either by IF or ELISA. By comparing ELISA and IF tests for detection of specific anti-mycobacterial immunoglobulin in CSF, it was clear that the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA was more than IF test. A positive result for antimycobacteria IgG antibodies was obtained in 79.3% and 58.6% of cases respectively (p less than 0.05). None of the CSF of normal controls, bacterial and viral meningitis cases gave positive antimycobacteria IgG by ELISA while 9.5% of the CSF of bacterial and 14.3% of aseptic meningitis cases gave positive results with IF. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the described ELISA test, make it useful for early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Salmonella typhi antigen and antibodies.

Enteric fever is considered a major health problem in developing countries. The need for a rapid, accurate and conclusive method for diagnosis is important for adequate and proper treatment. The usefulness and reliability of the ELISA test in detection of S. typhi O antigen and specific IgG and IgM antibodies were assessed using sera obtained from 63 subjects clinically suspected to have enteric fever, 22 febrilenon-enteric subjects and 20 normal subjects. ELISA detection of S. typhi somatic antigen was positive in 75% of subjects with positive clot cultures. IgG and IgM antibodies to S. typhi lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were detected in sera from 83% and 88% of enteric fever subjects, respectively. While anti-LPS IgM was negative in all sera from febrile non-enteric subjects, 9% were positive for anti-LPS-IgG. The use of an ELISA for detection of anti-S. typhi LPS antibody in combination with the Widal test and/or the O antigen detection ELISA would provide a useful (95.8% sensitivity) adjunct to standard culture methods and allow for an earlier and more rapid diagnosis of enteric fever.

Detection of enteropathogens in diarrhoeal diseases among malnourished Egyptian infant and children.

The influence of the Pre-existing malnutrition (PEM) on the severity of diarrhoea as well as the causative organisms was studied on 60 cases. The duration of diarrhoea was prolonged in cases with PEM. The stool purgative rate ranged from 4-15 times/day in PEM infant while it was 3-6 times in well nourished cases (WNC) (P less than 0.05). Also vomiting and dehydration was more marked among PEM cases (52.9% and 32.4% of cases than in WNC cases (31.3% and 12.5% of cases) (P less than 0.05). Rota virus and Candida albicans were the Commonest identified organisms in the stools of the PEM cases, they were detected in 52% and 38.2% of cases respectively while 25% of WNC had rota virus in their stool and non of them had Candida (P less than 0.02). Giardia lamblia was detected in 23.5% and 18.8% of PEM and WNC while 10% of healthy controls had Giardia. Other bacterial enteropathogen were also found less frequently including Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, Pseudomonas and Campylobacter. There was no statistical difference in the incidence between both groups. Multiple infections were detected in 47% and 18.7% of PEM cases and WNC (P less than 0.05) and correlated with the severity of illness.