Formulation of Eco-friendly Medicated Chewing Gum to Prevent Motion Sickness

An attempt was made to formulate medicated chewing gum to prevent motion sickness using natural gum base for faster onset of action and easy administration, anywhere and anytime, without access to water. To avoid the discard issue of gum cud, natural gum base of Triticum aestivum (wheat grain) was explored because of its biodegradable and biocompatible nature and easy availability. Prolamin, extracted from wheat, showed good chewing capacity, elasticity, high water retention capacity, antifungal activity, and compatibility with the drug. Formulations were prepared based on a two-factor and three-level factorial design. Amount of calcium carbonate (texturizer) and gum base were selected as independent variables. Elasticity and drug release were considered as the dependent variables. All batches were evaluated for the content uniformity, elasticity study, texture study, in vitro drug release study, and chewiness study. Results revealed that medicated chewing gum containing 80 mg of calcium carbonate and 500 mg of gum base showed good elasticity and more than 90% drug release within 16 min. Thus, this study suggested that both good elasticity and chew ability and abundant availability of wheat grain can act as a potential gum base for medicated chewing gum.KEY WORDS: biodegradable gum, gum base, medicated chewing gum, plasticizer, wheat prolamin     

An Alternative Formulation for a Distributed Delayed Logistic Equation

We study an alternative single species logistic distributed delay differential equation (DDE) with decay-consistent delay in growth. Population oscillation is rarely observed in nature, in contrast to the outcomes of the classical logistic DDE. In the alternative discrete delay model proposed by Arino et al. (J Theor Biol 241(1):109–119, 2006), oscillatory behavior is excluded. This study adapts their idea of the decay-consistent delay and generalizes their model. We establish a threshold for survival and extinction: In the former case, it is confirmed using Lyapunov functionals that the population approaches the delay modified carrying capacity; in the later case the extinction is proved by the fluctuation lemma. We further use adaptive dynamics to conclude that the evolutionary trend is to make the mean delay in growth as short as possible. This confirms Hutchinson’s conjecture (Hutchinson in Ann N Y Acad Sci 50(4):221–246, 1948) and fits biological evidence.     

Statistical Design for Formulation Optimization of Hydrocortisone Butyrate-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles

The aim of this investigation was to develop hydrocortisone butyrate (HB)-loaded poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) with ideal encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, and drug loading (DL) under emulsion solvent evaporation technique utilizing various experimental statistical design modules. Experimental designs were used to investigate specific effects of independent variables during preparation of HB-loaded PLGA NP and corresponding responses in optimizing the formulation. Plackett–Burman design for independent variables was first conducted to prescreen various formulation and process variables during the development of NP. Selected primary variables were further optimized by central composite design. This process leads to an optimum formulation with desired EE, particle size, and DL. Contour plots and response surface curves display visual diagrammatic relationships between the experimental responses and input variables. The concentration of PLGA, drug, and polyvinyl alcohol and sonication time were the critical factors influencing the responses analyzed. Optimized formulation showed EE of 90.6%, particle size of 164.3 nm, and DL of 64.35%. This study demonstrates that statistical experimental design methodology can optimize the formulation and process variables to achieve favorable responses for HB-loaded NP.     

A Microscopic Formulation for the Actin-Driven Motion of Listeria in Curved Paths

Using a generalized Brownian ratchet model that accounts for the interactions of actin filaments with the surface of Listeria mediated by proteins like ActA and Arp2/3, we have developed a microscopic model for the movement of Listeria. Specifically, we show that a net torque can be generated within the comet tail, causing the bacteria to spin about its long axis, which in conjunction with spatially varying polymerization at the surface leads to motions of bacteria in curved paths that include circles, sinusoidal-like curves, translating figure eights, and serpentine shapes, as observed in recent experiments. A key ingredient in our formulation is the coupling between the motion of Listeria and the force-dependent rate of filament growth. For this reason, a numerical scheme was developed to determine the kinematic parameters of motion and stress distribution among filaments in a self-consistent manner. We find that a 5-15% variation in polymerization rates can lead to radii of curvatures of the order of 4-20 μm, measured in experiments. In a similar way, our results also show that most of the observed trajectories can be produced by a very low degree of correlation, <10%, among filament orientations. Since small fluctuations in polymerization rate, as well as filament orientation, can easily be induced by various factors, our findings here provide a reasonable explanation for why Listeria can travel along totally different paths under seemingly identical experimental conditions. Besides trajectories, stress distributions corresponding to different polymerization profiles are also presented. We have found that although some actin filaments generate propelling forces that push the bacteria forward, others can exert forces opposing the movement of Listeria, consistent with recent experimental observations.     

Wistar大白鼠血液白细胞总数的抽样测试与统计分析

本文对１０－２５周龄Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大白鼠随机抽样,各１４０只,眼底静脉丛取血,显微镜计数法测白细胞总数,按统计学原理进行统计分析,并对总体正常值范围估计。     

A New Formulation of the Logistic Growth Equation and Its Application to Leaf Area Growth

A formulation of the logistic growth equation in terms of twodifferential equations is proposed; this permits the asymptoteto depend upon conditions during the growth period such as substratesupply (irradiance) and temperature. The application of themodel to leaf area growth is outlined, and it is shown how observedresponses of mature leaf area to irradiance and temperaturemay be simulated. Logistic, leaf area, model     

Statistical Dynamics of Flowing Red Blood Cells by Morphological Image Processing

Blood is a dense suspension of soft non-Brownian cells of unique importance. Physiological blood flow involves complex interactions of blood cells with each other and with the environment due to the combined effects of varying cell concentration, cell morphology, cell rheology, and confinement. We analyze these interactions using computational morphological image analysis and machine learning algorithms to quantify the non-equilibrium fluctuations of cellular velocities in a minimal, quasi-two-dimensional microfluidic setting that enables high-resolution spatio-temporal measurements of blood cell flow. In particular, we measure the effective hydrodynamic diffusivity of blood cells and analyze its relationship to macroscopic properties such as bulk flow velocity and density. We also use the effective suspension temperature to distinguish the flow of normal red blood cells and pathological sickled red blood cells and suggest that this temperature may help to characterize the propensity for stasis in Virchow''s Triad of blood clotting and thrombosis.     

Single-Molecule Motility: Statistical Analysis and the Effects of Track Length on Quantification of Processive Motion

In vitro, single-molecule motility assays allow for the direct characterization of molecular motor properties including stepping velocity and characteristic run length. Although application of these techniques in vivo is feasible, the challenges involved in sample preparation, as well as the added complexity of the cell and its systems, result in a reduced ability to collect large datasets, as well as difficulty in simultaneous observation of the components of the motility system, namely motor and track. To address these challenges, we have developed simulations to characterize motility datasets as a function of sample size, processive run length of the motor, and distribution of track lengths. We introduce the use of a simple bootstrapping technique that allows for the quantification of measurement uncertainty and a Monte Carlo permutation resampling scheme for the measurement of statistical significance and the estimation of required sample size. In addition, we have found that, despite conventional wisdom, the measured characteristic run length is directly coupled to the characteristic track length that describes the microtubule length distribution. To be able to make comparisons between motility experiments performed on different track populations as well as make measurements of motility when motors and tracks cannot be simultaneously resolved, we have developed a theoretical framework for the determination of the effect that track length has on observed characteristic run lengths. This shows good agreement with in vitro motility experiments on two kinesin constructs walking on microtubule populations of different characteristic track lengths.     

Single-Molecule Motility: Statistical Analysis and the Effects of Track Length on Quantification of Processive Motion

In vitro, single-molecule motility assays allow for the direct characterization of molecular motor properties including stepping velocity and characteristic run length. Although application of these techniques in vivo is feasible, the challenges involved in sample preparation, as well as the added complexity of the cell and its systems, result in a reduced ability to collect large datasets, as well as difficulty in simultaneous observation of the components of the motility system, namely motor and track. To address these challenges, we have developed simulations to characterize motility datasets as a function of sample size, processive run length of the motor, and distribution of track lengths. We introduce the use of a simple bootstrapping technique that allows for the quantification of measurement uncertainty and a Monte Carlo permutation resampling scheme for the measurement of statistical significance and the estimation of required sample size. In addition, we have found that, despite conventional wisdom, the measured characteristic run length is directly coupled to the characteristic track length that describes the microtubule length distribution. To be able to make comparisons between motility experiments performed on different track populations as well as make measurements of motility when motors and tracks cannot be simultaneously resolved, we have developed a theoretical framework for the determination of the effect that track length has on observed characteristic run lengths. This shows good agreement with in vitro motility experiments on two kinesin constructs walking on microtubule populations of different characteristic track lengths.     

Enhanced Bioavailability of Buspirone From Reservoir-Based Transdermal Therapeutic System,Optimization of Formulation Employing Box–Behnken Statistical Design

The purpose of the present study was to develop and optimize reservoir-based transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) for buspirone (BUSP), a low bioavailable drug. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize the TTS. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, d-limonene and propylene glycol were varied as independent variables; cumulative amount permeated across rat abdominal skin in 24 h, flux and lag time were selected as dependent variables. Mathematical equations and response surface plots were used to relate the dependent and independent variables. The statistical validity of polynomials was established, and optimized formulation factors were selected by feasibility and grid search. Validation of the optimization study with seven confirmatory runs indicated high degree of prognostic ability of response surface methodology. BUSP-OPT (optimized formulation) showed a flux 104.6 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹, which could meet target flux. The bioavailability studies in rabbits showed that about 2.65 times improvement (p < 0.05) in bioavailability, after transdermal administration of BUSP-OPT compared to oral solution. The ex vivo–in vivo correlation was found to have biphasic pattern and followed type A correlation. Reservoir-based TTS for BUSP was developed and optimized using Box–Behnken statistical design and could provide an effective treatment in the management of anxiety.     

The Physics of Blood Flow in Capillaries: I. The Nature of the Motion

In many capillaries erythrocytes travel singly, separated by segments of plasma (bolus flow). The peculiar flow pattern, within the plasma, has been studied visually in a model in which air bubbles separated by short columns of liquid flow through a glass tube. Injection of dye reveals an “eddy-like” motion, in that each fluid element repeatedly describes a closed circuit. The possible significance of this “mixing motion” in relation to gaseous equilibration (e.g., in pulmonary capillaries) has been studied in a thermal analogue. A copper tube passed first through a constant temperature bath which brought the fluid to a uniform temperature T₁, and then through a second smaller bath at a lower temperature T₂. From the final temperature T₃ of the fluid, which was collected in a thermally insulated flask, a calculation of the heat transfer was made (i.e., from the flow and the temperature drop (T₁-T₃)). Bolus flow was up to twice as effective in transferring heat as Poiseuille flow (no bubbles in fluid). The theory of modelling was employed in order to apply this thermal data to gaseous equilibration, especially in pulmonary capillaries. It was concluded that gaseous equilibration may be considerably accelerated by bolus flow, though this may be more of a limiting factor in peripheral capillaries than in the pulmonary circulation. The result supports the assumption of complete mixing in plasma made by Roughton and Forster in 1957.     

入口流动条件下血管壁运动的数学模型

根据血管入口流动条件,从血液流动、血管壁运动、血液－血管壁耦合运动３个方面出发,推导出血管生运动的教学模型．通过理论分析与实例计算,进一步明确了模型的物理意义．     

Development of Lapachol Topical Formulation: Anti-inflammatory Study of a Selected Formulation

This study aimed at developing a topical formulation of lapachol, a compound isolated from various Bignoniaceae species and at evaluating its topical anti-inflammatory activity. The influence of the pharmaceutical form and different types of emulsifiers was evaluated by in-vitro release studies. The formulations showing the highest release rate were selected and assessed trough skin permeation and retention experiments. It was observed that the gel formulation provided significantly higher permeation and retained amount (3.9-fold) of lapachol as compared to the gel-cream formulation. Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities of the most promising formulation were also evaluated. Lapachol gel reduced the increase in hind-paw volume induced by carrageenan injection and reduced nociception produced by acetic acid (0.8% in water, i.p.) when used topically. These results suggest that topical delivery of lapachol from gel formulations may be an effective medication for both dermal and subdermal injuries.     

Use of Placket–Burman Statistical Design to Study Effect of Formulation Variables on the Release of Drug from Hot Melt Sustained Release Extrudates

The present paper was focused on exploiting Plackett–Burman design to screen the effect of nine factors—poly (ethylene oxide) molecular weight (X ₁), poly (ethylene oxide) amount (X ₂), ethylcellulose amount (X ₄), drug solubility (X ₅), drug amount (X ₆), sodium chloride amount (X ₇), citric acid amount (X ₈), polyethylene glycol amount (X ₉), and glycerin amount (X ₁₁) on the release of drugs from the extended release extrudates, i.e., release rate and release mechanism. The experiments were carried out according to a nine-factor 12-run statistical model and subjected to an 8-h dissolution study in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The significance of the model was indicated by the ANOVA and the residual analysis. Poly (ethylene oxide) amount, ethylcellulose amount and drug solubility had significant effect on the T90 values whereas poly (ethylene oxide) amount and ethylcellulose amount had significant effect on the n value.     

Cultural Formulation of Psychiatric Diagnosis

Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry -     

Cultural Formulation of Psychiatric Diagnosis

Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry -