Substrate moisture,particle size and temperature preferences of trap‐building larvae of sympatric antlions and wormlions from the rainforest of Borneo

1. Larvae of antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) and wormlions (Diptera: Vermileonidae) display a convergently evolved sit‐and‐wait hunting strategy of building pitfall traps in sandy areas. This study investigated a sympatric population of antlions and wormlions in the lowland rainforest of Borneo for substrate moisture, particle size and temperature preferences. It was hypothesised that these animals would show different preferences regarding these microhabitat traits. 2. The results showed that antlions had a higher aversion to moisture compared with wormlions, but that wormlions had a higher preference for small‐particle sand. Furthermore, thermal preferences in antlions and wormlions were significantly different, with antlions choosing higher temperatures. 3. The detected differences between antlions and wormlions might contribute to their niche partitioning in the mixed Bornean population and thus facilitate coexistence of these animals. It is possible that the hotter and dryer microhabitat edges are preferred by antlions.     

Loci controlling lymphocyte production of interferon γ after alloantigen stimulation in vitro and their co-localization with genes controlling lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and tumor susceptibility

Low infiltration of lymphocytes into cancers is associated with poor prognosis, but the reasons why some patients exhibit a low and others a high infiltration of tumors are unknown. Previously we mapped four loci (Lynf1–Lynf4) controlling lymphocyte infiltration of mouse lung tumors. These loci do not encode any of the molecules that are involved in traffic of lymphocytes. Here we report a genetic relationship between these loci and the control of production of IFNγ in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). We found that IFNγ production by lymphocytes of O20/A mice is lower than by lymphocytes of OcB-9/Dem mice (both H2 ^pz ) stimulated in MLC by irradiated splenocytes of C57BL/10SnPh (H2 ^b ) or BALB/cHeA (H2 ^d ) mice, or by ConA. IFNγ production in MLCs of individual (O20 × OcB-9)F₂ mice stimulated by irradiated C57BL/10 splenocytes and genotyped for microsatellite markers revealed four IFNγ-controlling loci (Cypr4-Cypr7), each of which is closely linked with one of the four Lynf loci and with a cluster of susceptibility genes for different tumors. This suggests that inherited differences in certain lymphocyte responses may modify their propensity to infiltrate tumors and their capacity to affect tumor growth.     

Coffee production in southern Saudi Arabian highlands: Current status and water conservation

Work aimed at assessing status and introducing water conservation regimes for coffee production in southern Saudi Arabian highlands. Data on farm locations, altitudes, areas, practices, irrigation, tree density, and annual coffee production were analyzed. Field experiment using chlorophyll fluorescence and different irrigation regimes was conducted to examine effects of reducing irrigation frequency on photosynthesis. Results indicated that Coffea arabica L. is commonly grown at altitudes of 1300–1400 m. Plants grown at 4–6 Trees m^?2 using 100 kg ha^?1 mineral fertilizer produce an average of 3 t ha^?1. High frequency 2-day-intervals irrigation regime practiced by farmers during the dry season presents ecological challenge to limited local artesian water resources. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence under 14-day-intervals irrigation regime initiated water stress that markedly inhibited Photosystem II efficiency and quantum yield and increased non-photochemical energy dissipation. Applying a 7-day-intervals irrigation regime induced less inhibitory effects on Photosystem II. Results also indicated that shifting from 2-day-intervals irrigation regime to 7-day-intervals regime improves coffee agroecology and directs coffee production towards sustainability.     

Inactivation of coliphage MS-2 and poliovirus by copper, silver, and chlorine.

The efficacy of electrolytically generated copper and silver ions (400 and 40 micrograms/L, respectively) was evaluated separately and in combination with free chlorine (0.2 and 0.3 mg/L) for the inactivation of coliphage MS-2 and poliovirus type 1 in water at pH 7.3. The inactivation rate was calculated as log10 reduction/min: k = -(log10 Ct/C0)/t. The inactivation of both viruses was at least 100 times slower in water containing 400 and 40 micrograms/L copper and silver, respectively (k = 0.023 and 0.0006 for MS-2 and poliovirus, respectively), compared with water containing 0.3 mg/L free chlorine (k = 4.88 and 0.036). Significant increases in the inactivation rates of both viruses were observed in test systems containing 400 and 40 micrograms/L copper and silver, respectively, with 0.3 mg/L free chlorine when compared with the water systems containing either metals or free chlorine alone. Poliovirus was approximately 10 times more resistant to the disinfectants than coliphage MS-2. This observation suggests either a synergistic or an additive effect between the metals and chlorine for inactivation of enteric viruses. Use of copper and silver ions in water systems currently used in swimming pools and spas may provide an alternative to high levels of chlorination.     

Disinfection of bacteria in water systems by using electrolytically generated copper:silver and reduced levels of free chlorine

As an alternative disinfectant to chlorination, electrolytically generated copper:silver (400 and 40 micrograms/L copper and silver, respectively) with and without free chlorine (0.3 mg/L) was evaluated over a period of 4 weeks in indoor and outdoor water systems (100 L tap water with natural body flora and urine). Numbers of total coliform, pseudomonas, and staphylococci were all less than drinking water standards in systems treated with copper:silver and free chlorine and systems treated with free chlorine alone (1.0 mg/L). No significant differences (p less than or equal to 0.05) in bacterial numbers were observed between systems with copper:silver and free chlorine and those with free chlorine alone. Overall, free-chlorine treatments (0.3 or 1.0 mg/L) showed significantly lower heterotrophic plate numbers than those without free chlorine. When challenged with a natural Staphylococcus sp. isolate, water with copper:silver and free chlorine had a 2.4 log10 reduction in bacterial numbers within 2 min, while free chlorine alone or copper:silver alone showed 1.5 and 0.03 log10 reductions, respectively. Addition of copper:silver to water systems may allow the concentration of free chlorine to be reduced while still providing comparable sanitary quality of the water.     

Sulphur mineralization and adsorption in soils

Summary Studies were conducted to determine the comparative sulphur mineralizing capacity of selected Malaysian and Iowan soils and to determine the amounts of available and adsorbed sulphate in a number of Malaysian soils. Results of the mineralization study indicated that more sulphur mineralised from Malaysian soils although their average contents of total sulphur were lower compared to Iowan Soils. For both sets of soils, significant correlations between contents of organic carbon and total sulphur existed indicating that most of the sulphur was in organic combination. Phosphate solution consistently extracted higher quantities of sulphate in comparison to chloride solution in the Malaysian surface soils implying that a portion of the sulphate existed in adsorbed form. Adsorption of sulphate in soils was found to be dependent on concentration of sulphate added and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of Rosuvastatin calcium with guggulipid extract in rats

Background & objectivesRosuvastatin calcium (RC) is a potent and competitive synthetic inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase used for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Guggulipid obtained from Commiphora mukul is used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, rheumatism, and obesity. The present study evaluates the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between RC and the standardized guggulipid extract in rats.Materials and methodsThe guggulipid extract was standardized for the presence of guggulsterones. The pharmacokinetic interaction was determined after a single dose administration of RC alone or in combination with the guggulipid extract or after multiple-dose administration of RC alone or RC along with the guggulipid extract for 14 days. To determine the pharmacodynamic interaction, RC and guggulipid extract were administered to hyperlipidemic rats for 14 days. The level of significance was determined using unpaired student’s t-test, one way ANOVA, the post-ANOVA Tukey test.ResultsStandardization of guggulipid extract showed it contains 7.5%w/w of guggulsterones. Guggulipid extract increased the bioavailability of RC in both single-dose and multiple-dose studies. Guggulipid extract reduced the rate of absorption (Ka) of RC but showed an increase in maximum serum concentration (Cmax). An in-vitro study using isolated rat intestine revealed that guggulipid extract decreased the rate of absorption of RC in the intestinal lumen. The hypolipidemic activity of RC was augmented by the guggulipid extract in hyperlipidemic rats.Interpretation & conclusionTherefore it is concluded that guggulipid extract increases the bioavailability of RC by delaying its Ka and augments its hypolipidemic action. However, it is recommended that a combination of RC with guggulipid extract should be used only after an adverse effect(s) of this combination are determined.     

Physicomechanical Characterization and Optimization of EDTA–mPEG and Avicel®–EDTA–mPEG In Situ Melt Dispersion Mini-Pellets

The purpose of this study was to develop a physicomechanically customizable oral metal chelatory in situ hot melt dispersion mini-pellet entity which could be utilized within a binary drug delivery system. Avicel^® RC/CL type R-591 was included within the in situ hot melt dispersion mini-pellet formulations to determine the physicomechanical effect this compound would have on the mini-pellet formulations. The physicomechanical properties of the hot melt in situ mini-pellet formulations were mathematically fitting to regression curves. Physicomechanical adjustment of the in situ hot melt dispersion mini-pellet formulations could be mathematically predicted with the derived regression curve equations. The addition of Avicel^® RC/CL type R-591 increased the physicomechanical properties such as matrix hardness and increased total disintegration of the in situ hot melt dispersion mini-pellet formulations. The utilization of a physicomechanically customizable oral metal chelatory in situ hot melt dispersion mini-pellet entity within a binary drug delivery system would to achieve a synergistically enhance the activity of a drug-carrying entity or a permeation enhancing entity within a single drug delivery unit. The experimental results indicated that weights of the pellets that achieved optimal hardness ranged between 35 and 45 mg. The melt–dispersion formulations disintegrated within shorter time periods and maintained higher ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) concentrations whereas melt–dispersion formulations which included Avicel^® had superior physicomechanical properties. Disintegration times ranged between 1,000 s for melt–dispersions containing EDTA and methyloxy polyethylene glycol 2000 (mPEG) only, to >6,000 s for melt–dispersions comprising EDTA, mPEG, and Avicel^®.     

A Review of Polymeric Refabrication Techniques to Modify Polymer Properties for Biomedical and Drug Delivery Applications

Polymers are extensively used in the pharmaceutical and medical field because of their unique and phenomenal properties that they display. They are capable of demonstrating drug delivery properties that are smart and novel, such properties that are not achievable by employing the conventional excipients. Appropriately, polymeric refabrication remains at the forefront of process technology development in an endeavor to produce more useful pharmaceutical and medical products because of the multitudes of smart properties that can be attained through the alteration of polymers. Small alterations to a polymer by either addition, subtraction, self-reaction, or cross reaction with other entities have the capability of generating polymers with properties that are at the level to enable the creation of novel pharmaceutical and medical products. Properties such as stimuli-responsiveness, site targeting, and chronotherapeutics are no longer figures of imaginations but have become a reality through utilizing processes of polymer refabrication. This article has sought to review the different techniques that have been employed in polymeric refabrication to produce superior products in the pharmaceutical and medical disciplines. Techniques such as grafting, blending, interpenetrating polymers networks, and synthesis of polymer complexes will be viewed from a pharmaceutical and medical perspective along with their synthetic process required to attain these products. In addition to this, each process will be evaluated according to its salient features, impeding features, and the role they play in improving current medical devices and procedures.