Release Behaviour of Propranolol HCl from Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets Containing Psyllium Powder in Combination with Hydrophilic Polymers

The objective of this study was to investigate the release behaviour of propranolol hydrochloride from psyllium matrices in the presence hydrophilic polymers. The dissolution test was carried out at pH 1.2 and pH 6.8. Binary mixtures of psyllium and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) used showed that an increase in the percentage of HPMC in the binary mixtures caused a significant decrease in the release rate of propranolol. Psyllium–alginate matrices produced lower drug release as compared to when the alginate was the matrix former alone. When sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (NaCMC) was incorporated into the psyllium, the results showed that matrices containing the ratio of psyllium–NaCMC in the 1:1 ratio are able to slow down the drug release significantly as compared to matrices made from only psyllium or NaCMC as retardant agent suggesting that there could be a synergistic effect between psyllium and NaCMC. The double-layered tablets showed that the psyllium and HPMC in the outer shell of an inner formulation of psyllium alone had the greatest effect of protecting the inner core and thus producing the lowest drug release (DE = 38%, MDT = 93 min). A significant decrease in the value of n in Q = kt ⁿ from 0.70 to 0.51 as the psyllium content was increased from 50 to 150 mg suggests that the presence of psyllium in HPMC matrices affected the release mechanism. Psyllium powder had the ability in the combination with other hydrophilic polymers to produce controlled release profiles. Care and consideration should as such be taken when formulating hydrophilic matrices in different combinations.     

A novel soluble immune-type receptor (SITR) in teleost fish: carp SITR is involved in the nitric oxide-mediated response to a protozoan parasite

Background

The innate immune system relies upon a wide range of germ-line encoded receptors including a large number of immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) receptors. Different Ig-like immune receptor families have been reported in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. Most innate immune receptors of the IgSF are type I transmembrane proteins containing one or more extracellular Ig-like domains and their regulation of effector functions is mediated intracellularly by distinct stimulatory or inhibitory pathways.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Carp SITR was found in a substracted cDNA repertoire from carp macrophages, enriched for genes up-regulated in response to the protozoan parasite Trypanoplasma borreli. Carp SITR is a type I protein with two extracellular Ig domains in a unique organisation of a N-proximal V/C2 (or I-) type and a C-proximal V-type Ig domain, devoid of a transmembrane domain or any intracytoplasmic signalling motif. The carp SITR C-proximal V-type Ig domain, in particular, has a close sequence similarity and conserved structural characteristics to the mammalian CD300 molecules. By generating an anti-SITR antibody we could show that SITR protein expression was restricted to cells of the myeloid lineage. Carp SITR is abundantly expressed in macrophages and is secreted upon in vitro stimulation with the protozoan parasite T. borreli. Secretion of SITR protein during in vivo T. borreli infection suggests a role for this IgSF receptor in the host response to this protozoan parasite. Overexpression of carp SITR in mouse macrophages and knock-down of SITR protein expression in carp macrophages, using morpholino antisense technology, provided evidence for the involvement of carp SITR in the parasite-induced NO production.

Conclusion/Significance

We report the structural and functional characterization of a novel soluble immune-type receptor (SITR) in a teleost fish and propose a role for carp SITR in the NO-mediated response to a protozoan parasite.     

On the parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Anophococcus abaii (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), with description of Metaphycus anophococcusi Lotfalizadeh,n. sp.

The parasitoid community of Anophococcus abaii (Danzig, 1990) – one of the main pests of Haloxylon in Iran – was studied. Four species of Chalcidoidea, belonging to the families Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Pteromalidae, and Signiphoridae, were found. Metaphycus anophococcusi Lotfalizadeh, n. sp. is described in the zebratus species group and compared with closely allied species of Metaphycus.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using a synthetic cry3a gene to enhance resistance against alfalfa weevil

To introduce genetic resistance against alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica), leaves and petiole explants of three commercial alfalfa genotypes, including Km-27, Kk-14 and Syn-18 were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains GV101, LBA4404 and AGL01. All the Agrobacterium strains used harbored the recombinant binary vector pBI121 containing a synthetic cry3a gene under the control of CaMV35S promoter as well as the nptII gene as selectable marker. Transformed explants were cultured on callus-induction medium, and the germinated somatic embryos were then transferred to the regeneration medium. The primary transformants were evaluated by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The results indicated successful integration of the target gene into the genomes of primary transgenic lines. Moreover, the expression of Cry3a protein in the transgenic plants was confirmed by ELISA method. Three transgenic lines, including TL6, TL8 and TL11 showed significantly higher levels of insect resistance against H. postica larvae (mortality rate of 73–90 % after infestation), in comparison with the control plants during the two-year bioassays. All transgenic plants were fertile and no irregular behavior in terms of growth and the morphological traits were observed. Transgenic plants developed during the course of this study are currently being grown in greenhouse and will be crossed with each other for seed production.     

DNA‐binding activity and cytotoxic and cell‐cycle arrest properties of some new coumarin derivatives: a multispectral and computational investigation

Coumarins are the most important class of natural compounds found widely in various plants. Many coumarin derivatives with different biological and pharmacological activities have been synthesized. In this study, the antiapoptotic and cytotoxic effects and DNA‐binding properties of some synthetic coumarin derivatives (4b, 4d, 4f, 4 g (DBP‐g), 4 h and 4j) against K562 cell lines were investigated using different techniques. MTT assay indicated that the DBP‐g compound was more active than other derivatives, with a IC₅₀ value of 55 μM, and therefore this compound was chosen for further investigation. Apoptosis induction was assessed using acridine orange/ethidium bromide double‐staining and cell‐cycle analysis. In addition, in vitro DNA‐binding studies were carried out using ultraviolet–visible light absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as viscosity measurement and molecular modelling studies. In vitro results indicated that DBP‐g interacted with DNA through a groove‐binding mode with a binding constant (K_b) of 1.17 × 10⁴ M^?1. In agreement with other experimental data, molecular docking studies showed that DBP‐g is a minor groove binder. Overall, it can be concluded that DBP‐g could be used as an effective and novel chemotherapeutic agent.     

Adsorption Properties of Tetracycline onto Graphene Oxide: Equilibrium,Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticle is a high potential effective absorbent. Tetracycline (TC) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced, indicated for use against many bacterial infections. In the present research, a systematic study of the adsorption and release process of tetracycline on GO was performed by varying pH, sorption time and temperature. The results of our studies showed that tetracycline strongly loads on the GO surface via π–π interaction and cation–π bonding. Investigation of TC adsorption kinetics showed that the equilibrium was reached within 15 min following the pseudo-second-order model with observed rate constants of k₂ = 0.2742–0.5362 g/mg min (at different temperatures). The sorption data has interpreted by the Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption of 323 mg/g (298 K). The mean energy of adsorption was determined 1.83 kJ/mol (298 K) based on the Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) adsorption isotherm. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° values for the adsorption were estimated which indicated the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the sorption process. The electrochemistry approved an ideal reaction for the adsorption under electrodic process. Simulation of GO and TC was done by LAMMPS. Force studies in z direction showed that tetracycline comes close to GO sheet by C₈ direction. Then it goes far and turns and again comes close from amine group to the GO sheet.     

Isoarnottinin 4'-glucoside, a glycosylated coumarin from Prangos uloptera, with biological activity

Coumarins are a well-known group of natural products distributed in the plant kingdom especially in the family Apiaceae with various biological activities. Isoarnottinin 4'-glucoside is a simple glycosylated coumarin found previously in a few genera of Apiaceae, and its biological activities have not been previously described in details. In the present paper, the compound was isolated from Prangos uloptera (Apiaceae) leaves using HPLC techniques. Antimicrobial, phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities of the compound were evaluated by disk diffusion, lettuce assay and MTT method. Our results indicated that the compound has high antibacterial effect against Erwinia carotovora, a common plant pathogen with MIC value of 100 microg/mL. The compound also exhibited significant phytotoxic activity against lettuce and modest cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell line with IC50 of 0 .84 mg/mL. It could be concluded that isoamottinin 4'-glucoside may play phytoalexin or allelopathic role for plant and may be a candidate for an antibacterial agent or a bioherbicide.     

伊朗西北部 Varzeghan 附近晚中新世一些新化石地点的大哺乳动物(英文)

首次报道了伊朗西北部 Varzeghan 附近发现的大型哺乳动物化石,材料包括三趾马和恐象。根据个体大小和形态特征,将三趾马标本暂时分为一个小至中型类似 Hipparion moldavicum 的种和一个中至大型类似 H. prostylum 或 H. dietrichi 的种。Deinotherium giganteum 也出现于这一地区。依据与其他晚中新世地点哺乳动物化石的对比,这些新化石地点的时代推测为吐洛里期( Turolian) 中期或相当于欧洲哺乳动物带的 MN12。     

Identification of genes associated with kernel size in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] using RNA-Seq

Plant Growth Regulation - Almond is a stone fruit crop belonging to the Rosaceae family, cultivated in the temperate region of the world for its high nutritive valued fruits. In today’s...