Effect of molecular weight of hydrolyzed gelatin on its binding properties in tablets: A technical note

Conclusion  Hydrolyzed gelatins (Byco-A, Byco-O and Byco-C), when used as binders, yielded soft, uniform granules with good flow properties. As the molecular weight and viscosity of hydrolyzed gelatins increased, the compressibility of granules decreased and their compactability increased. The balance between compressibility and compactability of granules may be achieved by careful monitoring of the molecular weight of hydrolyzed gelatins that can serve as potential binders.     

Developmental failure of hybrid embryos generated by in vitro fertilization of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocyte with bovine spermatozoa

The developmental potential of inter-species hybrid embryos produced by in vitro fertilization of in vitro matured buffalo oocytes with bovine spermatozoa was studied with a view to investigate pre-implantation embryo development and its gross morphology, early embryonic gene expression, and embryonic genome activation. Fertilization events with both buffalo and cattle spermatozoa were almost similar. Overall fertilization rate with cattle spermatozoa was 78.4% was not significantly different from that of buffalo spermatozoa (80.2%). Initial cleavage rate between buffalo and hybrid embryo was also similar, and there was no significant difference in their developmental rate till 8-cell stage (26.0 +/- 4.1 vs. 24.3 +/- 4.8). However, only 5.3% of hybrid embryos developed into blastocyst stage compared to 21.7% in buffalo. mRNA phenotyping of insulin-like growth factor family (Insulin, insulin receptor, IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, IGF-II, and IGF-II receptor) and glucose transporter isoforms (GLUT-I, II, III, IV) in hybrid embryos clearly showed that these molecules were not expressed after 8-cell stage onward. Similarly, as observed in buffalo embryos, incorporation of (35)S-methionine and (3)H-uridine could not be observed in hybrid embryos from 8-cell stage onward. This suggests that the maternal-zygotic genome activation did not occur in hybrid embryos. Differential staining also showed that the blastomere stopped dividing after 8-cell stage. Collectively, these parameters clearly showed that there was developmental failure of hybrid embryos.     

Identification and determination of flavonoids in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench,Polygonaceae) by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and photodiode array ultraviolet detection

An analytical method for flavonoids present in the seed extract of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Polygonaceae), using HPLC and a photodiode array detector and interfaced to an electrospray ionisation mass spectrometer, has been developed. Structural information about the flavonols was obtained from the retention time characteristics, the UV-visible spectra and the mass spectra without the need to isolate the individual compounds. The methanol extract of buckwheat contained principally four flavonol glycosides: rutin, quercetin, kaempferol-3-rutinoside and a trace quantity of a flavonol triglycoside.     

Effect of nimesulide on acetic acid- and leukotriene-induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relapsing inflammation of intestine, which is mediated by release of inflammatory mediators. Both cyclo-oxygenase product prostaglandin (PGE2) and lipo-oxygenase product leukotriene (LTB4), may contribute to the pathogenesis of the inflammatory response. Nimesulide, a preferential COX-2 inhibitor was evaluated for its efficacy against experimental colitis in two different models (acetic acid- and LTB4-induced IBD) in rats. Inflammatory response was induced by intrarectal single administration of acetic acid or LTB4. Nimesulide (9 and 18 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prevented development of inflammatory changes, decreased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and also restored the altered contractility response of the isolated colon segment to KCl. The results suggested the involvement of both cyclo-oxygenase (COX) and lipo-oxygenase-mediated proinflammatory agents in colonic inflammatory process associated with IBD. Further, this study suggests that such therapeutic interventions may be of value in the treatment of IBD.     

Ontogenic and longitudinal activity of Na(+)-nucleoside transporters in the human intestine

The objectives of our study were to identify the types of nucleoside transporters present in the human fetal small intestine and to characterize their developmental activity, longitudinal distribution, and transport kinetics compared with those present in the adult intestine. Nucleoside uptake by intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles was measured by an inhibitor-stop rapid filtration technique. Only the purine-specific (N1; hCNT2) and the pyrimidine-specific (N2; hCNT1) Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transporters were found to be present on the brush-border membranes of the enterocytes along the entire length of the fetal and adult small intestines. The activity of these transporters was higher in the proximal than in the distal small intestine. Both the N1 and N2 transporters found in the fetal intestine shared similar kinetic properties (Michaelis-Menten constant and Na(+)-nucleoside stoichiometry) to those in the adult intestine. During the period of rapid morphogenesis (11-15 wk gestation), no temporal differences were apparent in the activity of the N1 and N2 transporters in the fetal small intestine. These findings have implications for the absorption of drugs from the amniotic fluid by the fetus after maternal drug administration of nucleoside drugs such as the antivirals zidovudine and didanosine.     

Role of liquid membrane phenomenon in biological actions of ACE inhibitors, captopril and lisinopril

The liquid membrane phenomenon in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors namely, captopril and lisinopril has been studied. Hydraulic permeability data have been obtained to demonstrate the existence of the liquid membrane in series with a supporting membrane generated by the ACE inhibitors. Data on the transport of the relevant permeants in presence of the liquid membrane formed by ACE inhibitors indicate that liquid membrane phenomenon is likely to play a significant role in the action of ACE inhibitors.     

Protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of aquaporin-1

The molecular mechanisms for regulating water balance in many tissues are unknown. Like the kidney, the eye contains multiple water channel proteins (aquaporins) that transport water through membranes, including two (AQP1 and AQP4) in the ciliary body, the site of aqueous humor production. Previous results from our laboratory demonstrated that water channel activity of AQP1 was significantly increased by protein kinase A (PKA) activators such as cyclic-AMP (cAMP) and forskolin. The purpose of this study is to determine whether PKA-dependent protein phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of water channel activity of AQP1. Results presented here suggest that catalytic subunit of protein kinase A significantly increased the amount of phosphorylated AQP1 protein. In addition, these results indicated that cAMP-responsive redistribution of AQP1 may be regulated by phosphorylation of AQP1. Moreover, they provide new insights on the molecular mechanisms for regulating water balance in several tissues involving rapid water transport such as ciliary epithelium. In addition, they suggest important potential roles for AQP1 in several clinical disorders involving rapid water transport such as glaucoma.     

Intermediate coronary artery stenosis: evidence-based decisions in interventions to avoid the oculostenotic reflex

The prevalence of intermediate coronary artery stenosis (defined as a diameter stenosis of 40% to 70%) is quite large in patients undergoing PTCA. The coronary angiogram is considered the 'gold standard' for the definition of coronary anatomy, in spite of various limitations associated with its use. In recent years, sensor tipped guidewire based methods of physiologic assessment of stenosis severity, like myocardial fractional flow reserve, and poststenotic coronary flow reserve had established their role in the decision making in catheterization laboratory. The decision making should combine morphologic and physiologic assessment as better evidence based approach in guiding therapy to avoid the 'oculostenotic reflex'.     

Micropropagation studies inCeropegia SPP

Summary The purpose of this study was to developin vitro techniques for conserving wild and endemic species ofCeropegia by mass multiplication for subsequent reintroduction in their natural habitat. Micropropagation involving a combination of axillary bud culture, shoot multiplication, somatic embryogenesis andin vitro tuber formation forCeropegia jainii, a rare plant of the Indian sub continent,C. bulbosa var.bulbosa andC. bulbosa var.lushii, common species, was developed. Nodal explants from all species were cultured on 0.5 MS medium with 8.8 μM (2 mg·l⁻¹) N⁶-benzyl aminopurine (BA) to regenerate the axillary buds. These produced multiple shoots when transferred to multiplication medium consisting of 0.5 MS medium with 2.2 μM (0.5 mg·l⁻¹) BA, or microtubers when transferred to 0.5 MS medium with 22.2 μM (5 mg·l⁻¹) BA and 23.2 μM (5 mg·l⁻¹) kinetin.In vitro flowering occurred inC. jainii and not in the other two varieties when the plants were cultured on multiplication media with spermine at 0.25 μM (50 μg·l⁻¹) as an additive. Shoot pieces produced callus on MS medium with 9.05 μM (2 mg·l⁻¹) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. Regeneration of the calli by somatic embryogenesis was achieved when they were transferred to 0.5 MS medium with 2.2 μM (0.5 mg·l⁻¹) BA. Rooting of the shoots was possible both byin vitro andex vitro means.