A series of 777 pellet gun ocular injuries over a 4-month period in Kashmir

Purpose: To examine the incidence, clinical findings and management of pellet gun–related ocular injuries that occurred during protests in Kashmir region. Methods: This retrospective study included records from 777 patients diagnosed with pellet gun–related ocular injuries admitted to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar, India, between July and November 2016. By reviewing the clinical records, the following data were collected: demographics, clinical information pertaining to the injury, imaging reports including computer tomography and ultrasonography B?scan, management in the emergency setting, and follow?up treatment. Results: Mean age was 22.3 ± 7.2 years and majority patients were male (97.7%). In terms of laterality, 94.3% and 5.7% of the patients sustained monocular and binocular injuries, respectively. In terms of the nature of injury, 76.3% of the eyes had open globe injury while 23.7% of the eyes had closed eye injury. Emergency surgical exploration was performed in 67.7% of closed globe injuries while emergency primary repair was done in 91.1% of open globe injuries. The vast majority of patients (98.7%) who required surgery underwent surgical intervention on the day of admission or the next day. Final best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment was counting fingers or worse in 82.4% of the eyes. Conclusion: Pellet gun–related ocular injuries resulted in significant ocular morbidity, mostly manifesting as open globe injuries. Treatment often required surgical interventions, but despite expeditious management, visual prognosis remained poor for most of the patients.

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of a novel allicin pro-drug tablet / 中国药科大学学报

@#A novel allicin pro-drug tablet containing antacid pellets was developed to realize pH-regulated allicin release and to guarantee allicin yield in stomach environment.Firstly, allicin precursor pellets containing antacid pellet were prepared and artificial gastric juice was used as the medium to determine the yield of the allicin.Then, the total lipid cholesterol (TC), triglyceride cholesterol (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were used as indicators to study the hypolipidemic effect of allicin precursor pellets in rats.The dissolution test showed that in artificial gastric juice, the yield of allicin-containing antacid pellets exceeded 90%.In pharmacodynamic studies, it was found that antacid pellets showed the expected hypolipidemic effect on hyperlipidemia rats compared without antacid pellets.There was a very significant difference in blood lipid levels between the two test groups (P < 0.05).The allicin pro-drug tablets containing antacid pellets can effectively lower blood lipids.

Implante de testosterona para la mujer, evaluación de seguridad y efectividad en esta vía de administración / Testosterone implant for women, evaluation of safety and effectiveness in this route of administration

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: El rol de la testosterona exógena en la función sexual femenina ha sido estudiado durante muchos años, con resultados contradictorios. En el último tiempo se ha promovido el uso de pellets de testosterona como una solución para mejorar la libido femenina, la cognición, la fuerza muscular y los sistemas cardiovascular y óseo, e incluso evitar el envejecimiento. Por ello, revisamos las publicaciones para tratar de responder si esto es una moda o el tratamiento más innovador del último tiempo. MÉTODO: Se analizaron las bases de datos PubMed/Medline, Trip Database, Cochrane, SciELO, Scopus, UpToDate, Ovid, ProQuest, Science Direct y ResearchGate. RESULTADOS: De acuerdo con la evidencia, la mejor testosterona disponible es la transdérmica y debe ser usada solo en el trastorno del deseo sexual hipoactivo (TDSH). Los trabajos que evalúan los pellets de testosterona tienen sesgos metodológicos importantes. Si bien son útiles para mejorar la función sexual femenina, producen concentraciones plasmáticas suprafisiológicas de testosterona, por lo que no se puede establecer su seguridad a largo plazo. Tampoco hay datos suficientes que avalen su uso para mejorar el rendimiento cognitivo y el bienestar general, en el tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares o en la prevención de enfermedad ósea. CONCLUSIONES: La testosterona solo se recomienda en el tratamiento del TDSH por vía transdérmica. No recomendamos el uso de pellets de testosterona para el tratamiento de la disfunción sexual ni como hormona antienvejecimiento, ya que no hay estudios consistentes sobre su seguridad, eficacia y efectos adversos a largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The role of exogenous testosterone in female sexual function has been studied for many years with contradictory results. In recent times, the use of testosterone pellets has been promoted as a solution to improve female libido, cognition, muscle strength, cardiovascular system, bone and even prevent aging. Therefore, we will review the publications in order to answer whether this is a fad or the most innovative treatment of recent times. METHOD: The databases PubMed/Medline, Trip Database, Cochrane, SciELO, Scopus, UpToDate, Ovid, ProQuest, Science Direct and ResearchGate were analyzed. RESULTS: So far, the evidence best testosterone available is transdermal testosterone and that it should be used only in hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Papers evaluating testosterone pellets have significant methodological biases. While they are useful in improving female sexual function, they produce supra-physiological plasma levels of testosterone, so their long-term safety cannot be established. There is also insufficient data to support their use in improving cognitive performance and general well-being, treatment of cardiovascular disease or prevention of bone disease. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone is only recommended for the tratment of HSDD via the transdermal route. We do not recommended the use of testosterone pellets for the treatment of sexual dysfunction or as an anti aging hormone, as there are no consistent studies on its safety, efficacy, and long-term adverse effects.

The proportion of fine particles in pelleted diets does not affect the performance of slow-growing broiler chickens / La proporción de partículas finas en dietas peletizadas no afecta el desempeño del pollo de engorde de lento crecimiento / Proporção de partículas finas em dietas peletizadas não afeta o desempenho de frangos de corte com crescimento lento

Abstract Background: The slow-growing chicken strains have particular nutritional and digestive needs, so they may digest pelleted feeds differently compared to commercial strains. Objective: To evaluate performance, digestibility, serum biochemical profile, digestive morphometry, carcass and cut yields of slow-growing broiler chickens fed pelleted feed with different concentrations of fine particles. Methods: A total of 180 slow-growing broiler chicks (Isa Label strain) aged one day were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (Sex: male or female; Proportion of fine particles: 0, 50, or 100%), with six repetitions of five birds/cage. The birds received water and feed ad libitum during the 28-day experimental period. Results: The proportion of fine particles did not affect the metabolic, digestive or productive variables evaluated. Males showed better overall performance, while females produced better thigh and liver yields. Conclusion: The proportion of fine particles in pelleted feeds did not affect productive or metabolic parameters. Thus, improving pellet quality for slow-growing broilers during the initial rearing phase may not be justified.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los linajes de pollo de crecimiento lento presentan particularidades nutricionales y digestivas; por lo tanto, es posible que aprovechen los alimentos peletizados de manera diferente a los linajes comerciales. Objetivo: evaluar el desempeño, digestibilidad, perfil sérico bioquímico, morfometría digestiva, rendimiento de la carcasa y los cortes de pollos de engorde de crecimiento lento alimentados con raciones peletizadas con diferentes concentraciones de partículas finas. Métodos: Se utilizaron 180 pollitos machos y hembras, de crecimiento lento, de un día de edad, del linaje Isa Label. Los animales se distribuyeron en un diseño completamente aleatorizado y en un esquema factorial 2 x 3 (Sexo: macho y hembras; Proporción de partículas finas en la ración: 0, 50, y 100%) con seis repeticiones de cinco aves/jaula. Las aves recibieron agua y ración ad libitum durante el período de prueba de 28 días. Resultados: la proporción de partículas finas no afectó las variables metabólicas, digestibles y productivas evaluadas. Los machos presentaron mejor desempeño, mientras que las hembras tuvieron mayor rendimiento de muslos e hígado. Conclusión: la proporción de partículas finas en raciones peletizadas no afecta los parámetros productivos y metabólicos. Por lo tanto, probablemente no se justifica mejorar la calidad del pelet para pollos de crecimiento lento en la fase inicial de cría.

Resumo Antecedentes: linhagens de crescimento lento apresentam particularidades nutricionais e digestivas, portanto é possível que aproveitem os alimentos peletizados de maneira diferente das linhagens comerciais. Objetivo: avaliar o desempenho, digestibilidade dos alimentos, o perfil sérico bioquímico, a morfometria digestiva, rendimento de carcaça e cortes de frangos de corte com crescimento lento alimentados com rações peletizadas com diferentes concentrações de partículas finas. Métodos: Foram utilizados 180 pintos de corte, machos e fêmeas de crescimento lento, com um dia de idade, da linhagem Isa Label. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 (Sexo: macho e fêmeas; Proporção de partículas finas na ração: 0, 50, e 100%) com seis repetições de cinco aves/gaiola. As aves receberam água e ração ad libtum durante o período experimental de 28 dias. Resultados: a proporção de partículas finas não afetou as variáveis metabólicas, digestórias e produtivas avaliadas. Os machos apresentaram melhor desempenho, enquanto as fêmeas tiverem maior rendimento de coxas e fígado. Conclusão: a proporção de partículas finas nas rações peletizadas não afetaram os parâmetros produtivos e metabólicos e, portanto, não justifica-se melhorias na qualidade de peletes de rações para frangos de crescimento lento na fase inicial de criação.

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Isolated Flavonoid from Sida cordifolia Leaves Extract

The anti-inflammatory activities of Sida cordifolia leave extract were scientifically stated. However, no report has yet been published about the active component responsible for anti-inflammatory activity of Sida cordifolia leaves extract. It was intended to isolate the flavonoids from the Sida cordifolia leaves extract and investigated its anti-inflammatory efficacy. Petroleum ether and ethanol extract were extracted out from the powdered of leaves. The phytochemical study was done for both extracts. The in vitro antioxidant activity was performed on ethanol extract on different models. The column chromatography was used for the isolation of flavonoid from ethanol extract, and further anti-inflammatory potency of the isolated compound was investigated. The phytochemical study indicates flavonoids and polyphenol were present in ethanol extract. The higher antioxidant activity was observed in ethanol extract from findings of antioxidant study. The isolated flavonoids exhibited Rf value of 0.46 on solvent ratio of chloroform: methanol (1:1), which was similar to standard quercetin. The significant anti-inflammatory activity was found for isolated flavonoid against carrageenan-induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in experimental animals. The findings confirmed that the flavonoid present in the Sida cordifolia demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity.

Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens FZSF02 in the form of pigment pellets

Background: Prodigiosin has been demonstrated to be an important candidate in investigating anticancer drugs and in many other applications in recent years. However, industrial production of prodigiosin has not been achieved. In this study, we found a prodigiosin-producing strain, Serratia marcescens FZSF02, and its fermentation strategies were studied to achieve the maximum yield of prodigiosin. Results: When the culture medium consisted of 16.97 g/L of peanut powder, 16.02 g/L of beef extract, and 11.29 mL/L of olive oil, prodigiosin reached a yield of 13.622 ± 236 mg/L after culturing at 26 °C for 72 h. Furthermore, when 10 mL/L olive oil was added to the fermentation broth at the 24th hour of fermentation, the maximum prodigiosin production of 15,420.9 mg/L was obtained, which was 9.3-fold higher than the initial level before medium optimization. More than 60% of the prodigiosin produced with this optimized fermentation strategy was in the form of pigment pellets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on this phenomenon of pigment pellet formation, which made it much easier to extract prodigiosin at low cost. Prodigiosin was then purified and identified by absorption spectroscopy, HPLC, and LCMS. Purified prodigiosin obtained in this study showed anticancer activity in separate experiments on several human cell cultures: A549, K562, HL60, HepG2, and HCT116. Conclusions: This is a promising strain for producing prodigiosin. The prodigiosin has potential in anticancer medicine studies.

Management and pattern of pellet gun injuries in war conflicted Kashmir Valley, India

AbstractBackground: The pellet gun is a shot gun weapon which is used by law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in conflict zones whenever need arises. Sometimes these minute sized pellets may lead to grave injuries to vital structures of the body which may sometimes led to permanent disability. The objective of this study was to investigations and manages these fatal injuries in war conflicted valley. Methods: The prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Government Medical College Srinagar at the time of civilian unrest in 2016 and onwards when thousands of people were injured with pellets by security agencies. Results: Maximum number (67.1%) of patients had injuries to eyes and face, among the total number of patients 69 (17.2%) of patients had abdominal injuries. CECT abdomen showed pellets in all 69 (100%) of patients, pellets in gut lumen in 48 (69.5%) of patients. In the abdominal group 40 patients underwent laparotomy which showed hemoperitoneum in 49 (71.01%), pneumoperitoneum in 6 (8.69%) of patients. Conclusion: Pellet gun weapon has become a common arsenal to suppress the unarmed civilian agitation which may lead to fatal injuries to vital structures of body, where prognosis remained poor despite of best available treatment.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Gmelina arborea in experimental acute and sub-acute inflammatory models in wistar rats

Background: Inflammation is a complex reaction to various injurious agents such as infections, trauma, foreign bodies, tissue necrosis, physical and chemical agents, that consists of vascular responses, migration and activation of leukocytes and systemic reactions. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are currently the most commonly prescribed drugs for treating pain and inflammation. The traditional NSAIDs usually cause various adverse effects on long term use. Gmelina arborea Linn (Gambhari) belongs to family Verbenaceae. The roots, leaves, flowers, fruits and bark are used for treating different ailments as anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-pyretic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, diuretic and other common disorders.Methods: The study was carried out by using inflammatory models in wistar rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of G. arborea was compared with standard drug aspirin. The study parameters for acute inflammation was assessment of reduction in inflammation & the percentage inhibition of the paw edema. The parameter for the sub-acute inflammation was percentage inhibition of the dry granuloma weight.Results: The low and high dose of G. arborea root extract significantly showed the anti-inflammatory activity when compared to control group. The high dose of G. arborea extract showed comparable results in parameters like reducing inflammation, percentage inhibition of paw edema and dry granuloma weight in acute carrageenan paw edema and sub-acute inflammation cotton pellet granuloma models with standard aspirin treated group.Conclusions: Since G. arborea root extract was having all the qualities required for anti-inflammatory drug. However, no clear inference can be drawn at this stage and hence we consider the work for further extensive research.

Solid dispersion-based pellet for colon delivery of tacrolimus through time- and pH-dependent layer coating: preparation, in vitro and in vivo studies

The intent of the present investigation is to develop and evaluate colon-specific coated tacrolimus solid dispersion pellet (SDP) that retards drug release in the stomach and small intestine but progressively releases in the colon. Tacrolimus-SDP was prepared by extrusion-spheronization technology and optimized by the micromeritic properties including flowability, friability, yields and dissolution rate. Subsequently, the pH-dependent layer (Eudragit L30D55) and time-dependent layer (Eudragit NE30D and L30D55) were coated on the SDP to form tacrolimus colon-specific pellets (CSP) using a fluidized bed coater. Under in vitro gradient pH environment, tacrolimus only released from CSP after changing pH to 6.8 and then quickly released in the phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2. The Cmax of CSP was 195.68 ± 3.14 ng/mL at Tmax 4.5 ± 0.24 h where as in case of SDP, the Cmax was 646.16 ± 8.15 ng/mL at Tmax 0.5 ± 0.03 h, indicating the ability of CSP targeted to colon. The highest area under the curve was achieved 2479.58 ± 183.33 ng·h/mL for SDP, which was 2.27-fold higher than tacrolimus suspension. However, the best biodistribution performance was achieved from CSP. In conclusion, SDP combining of pH- and time-dependent approaches was suitable for targeted delivery of tacrolimus to colon.

Pellet Method of Semen Cryopreservation: Effect of Cryoprotectants, Semen Diluents and Chicken Lines

Abstract The present study evaluated the effect of cryoprotectants, semen diluents and chicken lines during pellet method of semen cryopreservation. Three different experiments were conducted; Experiment 1 - semen was cryopreserved using dimethylformamide (DMF) at 6% and 9% concentrations in two semen diluents (Lake and Ravie diluent and TES/NaCl diluent), Experiment 2 - semen was cryopreserved using dimethylacetamide (DMA) at 6% and 9% with or without sucrose (100mM), Experiment 3- semen from two chicken lines (PD1 and PD6) was cryopreserved using DMA (6% and 9%). Semen was evaluated pre and post cryopreservation for progressive motility, live and abnormal sperm. Semen pellets were stored in cryovials for at least seven days before examination and insemination. Thawed semen was inseminated intravaginaly to study fertility. All the parameters studied were significantly lower (p<0.05) in cryopreserved semen. DMF in Lake and Ravie diluent gave very low fertility and TES/NaCl diluent no fertile eggs. DMA as cryoprotectant gave fertility up to 9.22 %. Addition of sucrose along with DMA produced fertility similar to other cryopreservation treatment groups. No difference in in vitro semen parameters between chicken lines was observed. There is difference in cryopreservation outcome due to semen diluent and type of cryoprotectant.

A clinical trial of treatment of primary insomnia of patients with qi-stagnation constitution by shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing in the treatment of primary insomnia in patients with qi-stagnation constitution. METHODS: A total of 60 primary insomnia outpatients with qi-stagnation constitution were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were given oral Alprazolam tablets once a day, and those in the treatment group given shallow acupuncture of Yintang (EX-HN3), Shangen (inferior to EX-HN3), Anmian (EX-HN16) and bilateral Xingjian (LR2) and bilateral Taichong (LR3), once a day, and combined with pellet-pressing of ear acupoints "Shenmen""Sympathy""Subcortex""Heart" and "Liver" once every other day. Each course of treatment was 10 consecutive days, and both groups were treated for three courses. The sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the emotional status assessed using Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the qi-stagnation state evaluated according to "the Criteria for Classification and Judgement of Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2009)". The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to "the Criteria for Diagnosis and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine"．. RESULTS: Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2 (6.7%) and 6 (20.0%) were cured, 6 (20.0%) and 14 (46.7%) experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 21 (70.0%) and 6 (20.0%) were effective, and 1 (3.3%) and 4 (13.3%) ineffective, with the effective rate being 86.7% and 96.7%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the short-term effect (P>0.05). One month's follow-up showed that, of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2 (6.7%) and 5 (16.7%) were cured, 4(13.3%) and 14 (46.6%) experienced marked improvement, 10 (33.3%) and 6 (20.0%) were effective, and 14(46.7%) and 5(16.7%) ineffective, with the effective rate being 53.3% and 83.3%, respectively. The long-term therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, both PSQI and SDS scores in the two groups, and qi-stagnation score in the treatment group showed a significant reduction in comparison with their own pretreatment (P<0.05), and one-month's follow-up (not the short-term outcome) displayed that the PSQI, SDS and qi-stagnation scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05)．. CONCLUSION: Shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing can significantly improve sleep quality, depression symptoms, and pathological constitution in primary insomnia patients with qi-stagnation constitution, possessing a stable long-term clinical effect.

Effect of otopoint pellet-pressing combined with medication on clinical symptoms of migraine patients and changes of plasma 5-HT and CGRP contents / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term and long-term clinical effects of otopoint pellet-pressing combined with medication in the treatment of patients with migraine without aura and its impact on plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) contents. METHODS: Patients with migraine without aura were randomly divided into medication(control) group(n=48) and otopoint pellet-pressing plus medication (treatment) group(n=49). Patients of the control group were given oral Flunarizine capsules(10 mg/time) twice a day, and those of the treatment group received same dosage of Flunarizine and pellet-pressing of otopoints Nao(Brain), Nie (Temporal), Shenmen(Shenmen), Jiaogan(Sympathy) and Pizhixia(Subcortex), 2 min/point, 3 times a day, simultaneously. The treatment was conducted for 1 month. The short-term and long-term clinical effects were evaluated according to Yang and colleagues' methods, and "Guiding principles for clinical research of new TCM drugs (trial)". The contents of plasma 5-HT and CGRP were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: After one month's treatment, of the 48 and 49 patients in the control and treatment groups, 10(20.83%)and 17(34.69%) were under control, 19(39.59%)and 23(46.94%) experienced marked improvement, 10(20.83%)and 7(14.29%)were effective, 9(18.75%) and 2(4.08%) failed, with the total effective rates being 81.25% and 95.92%, respectively. Six months' follow-up survey showed that of the 48 and 49 patients in the control and treatment groups, 4(8.33%)and 11(22.45%) were under control, 20(41.67%)and 24(48.98%)experienced marked improvement, 11(22.92%)and 9(18.37%)were effective, and 13(27.08%) and 5(10.20%)failed, with the total effective rates being 72.92% and 89.80%, respectively. The number of headache attacks, duration of each attack and the degree of headache were significantly decreased after 1 and 6 months' treatment in both groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). The contents of plasma 5-HT at the time-points of 1 and 6 months were markedly increased (P<0.05), and those of plasma CGRP at the two time points markedly decreased in both groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). The therapeutic effects of the treatment group were obviously superior to those of the control group in lowering the number of headache attacks, duration of each attack and the degree of headache and plasma CGRP content, as well as in increasing plasma 5-HT levels after 1 and 6 months' treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Otopoint pellet-pressing combined with oral administration of Flunarizine can significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with migraine without aura, and possess a stable long-term clinical effect, which may be associated with its effect in increasing plasma 5-HT and decreasing CGRP levels.

Bioadhesive pellets of astragalosides: preparation and adhesive evaluation based on the physical properties of wet mass / 药学学报

Bioadhesive preparation can be attached to specific sites to control drug release rate, increase drug concentration and increase efficacy, which is based on natural or synthetic polymer material. In this paper, based on the physical properties of wet mass, a method for screening adhesion formulation was proposed, which was different from conventional way of screening optimal formulation, and astragalosides loaded bioadhesive pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization method (extrusion speed 30 r·min-1, spheronization speed 808 r·min-1, spheronization time 7.5 min) based on this formulation screening method, small living animal imaging technology and mucin from porcine stomach model were used to evaluate the in vivo and invitro adhesiveness behaviour of the pellets. According to the relationship between the physical properties of wet mass and the formability and adhesiveness of bioadhesive pellets, five key physical properties hardness (Ha), adhesiveness (Ad), springiness (Sp), cohesiveness (Co), chewiness (Ch) were selected as the index of screening optimal formulation, therefore a comprehensive evaluation model was established, which based on principal component analysis, to did digital ranking for these proposed adhesion formulation, the optimal formulation was determined: microcrystalline cellulose: (chitosan∶Carbomer 940 = 2∶1), the adhesive material dosage accounted for 20% of the excipient dosage, and the ratio of drugs to excipients was 1 : 4. All animal experiments have been approved by Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The in vivo and in vitro adhesive evaluation results showed the pellets had a clear advantage in intestinal adhesion over normal pellets, its also proved the scientificity and reliability of the method of screening bioadhesive formulation.

Inferior Assimilation of Algae-based Diets by Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra under Laboratory Condition Expressed by Stable Isotope Mixing Model

Aim: To investigate the dietary preferences of sea cucumber Holothuria scabra fed with algal food sources like Sargassum, Fucus, Spirulina, Ulva in combination with marine pellet under laboratory condition. Carbon stable isotope technique (δ13C) was used to better understand the assimilation of different dietary food sources. Study Design: A microcosm approach was undertaken where 24 experimental aquaria were set up, each having juvenile H. scabra. These aquaria were segregated into four different dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment. (SGP treatment= Sargassum + marine pellet, FCP treatment= Fucus + marine pellet, SPP treatment= Spirulina + marine pellet, ULP treatment= Ulva + marine pellet). Place and Duration of Study: Marine Experimental Ecology Unit (MAREE), Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany, between January and October 2017. Methodology: We included 24 sea cucumber juveniles for conducting the feeding trial. CN contents, C/N ratio and carbon stable isotopes were measured in food sources as well as in H. scabra body wall. The growth of H. scabra was also monitored. Stable isotope mixing model was used to calculate the exact food preference under laboratory condition. Results: The results of carbon stable isotopes (δ13C) of sea cucumber body wall exhibited depleted values that are significantly different (ANOVA, P˂0.05) from all the dietary treatments (SGP, FCP, SPP, ULP) thereby suggesting inferior assimilation of food ingredients. The poor performance of selected food sources (algae and marine pellet) towards the growth of sea cucumber was clearly reflected in the data (ANOVA, P>0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, it is assumed that some additional food source co-existed within the microcosm and could have contributed to their food uptake, probably sediment microbes that require further clarification.

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ramipril in albino rats

Background: Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a product of Renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). Angiotensin?II regulates vascular tone, stimulates the release of pro?inflammatory cytokines, activates nuclear factor?kappa B (NF??B), increases oxidant stress and functions as an inflammatory molecule. Ramipril an ACE inhibitor act by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme, decreases angiotensinogen II activity. Hence the present was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Ramipril.Methods: Eighteen Wistar albino rats weighing around 150-200gms of either sex were randomly selected from central animal facility and divided into three groups. The control group received normal saline 25ml/kg, standard group received Indomethacin 10mg/kg and test group received Ramipril (0.9mg/kg) orally for six days. The animals were subjected to carrageenan induced paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma model.Results: Ramipril significantly decreased the mean paw oedema in carrageenan induced paw oedema when compared to control and in cotton pellet induced granuloma Ramipril decreased the mean granuloma weight when compared to control.Conclusions: Ramipril showed anti-inflammatory activity when given for 6 consecutive days per orally in albino rats in carrageenan induced paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma model.

Morphological Characteristic Regulation of Ligninolytic Enzyme Produced by Trametes polyzona

A newly isolated white rot fungal strain KU-RNW027 was identified as Trametes polyzona, based on an analysis of its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data. Aeration and fungal morphology were important factors which drove strain KU-RNW027 to secrete two different ligninolytic enzymes as manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase. Highest activities of MnP and laccase were obtained in a continuous shaking culture at 8 and 47 times higher, respectively, than under static conditions. Strain KU-RNW027 existed as pellets and free form mycelial clumps in submerged cultivation with the pellet form producing more enzymes. Fungal biomass increased with increasing amounts of pellet inoculum while pellet diameter decreased. Strain KU-RNW027 formed terminal chlamydospore-like structures in cultures inoculated with 0.05 g/L as optimal pellet inoculum which resulted in highest enzyme production. Enzyme production efficiency of T. polyzona KU-RNW027 depended on fungal pellet morphology as size, porosity, and formation of chlamydospore-like structures.

Investigation of Some Parameters Affecting Methyl OrangeRemoval by Fusarium acuminatum

ABSTRACT Dye stuff released to the ecosystem from textile industries cause a serious contamination and become a major environmental problem over the last few decades. As biological decolorization of textile wastewater is an important issue, Fusarium . acuminatum was used to removal of a frequently used textile dye, methyl orange. Live pellet of Fusarium acuminatum was used and decolorization studies performed in various temperatures and pH conditions with different dye concentrations. The highest decolorization rate was observed at 35ᴼC. 60 mg/L was found as the optimum initial dye concentration. In the pH range of 3-4, decolorization rate was approximately 70%. It was seen that Fusarium acuminatum have the great ability of the methyl orange removal. To our knowledge, it took place for the first time in the literature.

Preparation of Amoxicillin Enteric-coated Tablets and Its in Vitro Release Characteristics / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To prepare amoxicillin enteric-coated tablets and study the in vitro release properties. METHODS: The drug-containing pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization process. Taking the cumulative release at 15 min as the response value, the optimization test was performed using the common rotation combination design and the optimal formulation was validated. The drug-containing pellets were coated with Eudragit L30D-55 to prepare enteric-coated pellets. The effects of different coating weight gains on the release characteristics of enteric-coated pellets, different amounts of plasticizer on the release characteristics of enteric-coated pellets and tablets, and different hardness of tablets on the release characteristics of enteric-coated tablets were investigated by single factor method. RESULTS: The optimal formulation of the drug-containing pellets determined by response surface analysis method included 5% of croscarmellose sodium, 1.2% of polyoxyethylene 35 castor oil and 1% hydroxypropyl cellulose. The predictive value of the cumulative release at 15 min was close to the measured value. The coating weight gain of Eudragit L30D-55 should be about 20%, the amount of plasticizer should be 30% of solid content of Eudragit L30D-55, and the hardness of tablets was (130 ± 20) N. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable and reliable to optimize the formulation of drug-containing pellets by response surface analysis method. The enteric-coated tablets have good delayed release effect, and this product has the feasibility of industrial production.

Establishment and preliminary evaluation of multiple drug delivery system of effective components of Angelica sinensis / 药学学报

The multiple drug delivery system of components of traditional Chinese medicine is a system composed of multiple components and multiple units. According to the characteristics of each component, different drug delivery units are designed and combined to achieve the purpose of improving bioavailability and enhancing drug efficacy. In this study, supercritical extracts, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides derived from Angelica sinensis were examined as research objects, and a pellet-based vehicle was applied to construct a multiple drug delivery system for the treatment and chemoprevention of colitis and colorectal cancer. The extrusion-spheronization method was used to prepare pellets of Angelica polysaccharides which should be released in the stomach. The yield in 18-24 mesh and plane critical angle served as the index. The Box-Behnken design and the orthogonal design were used to optimize the formulation and parameters of pellets. According to a previous study, the colon specific pellets loading supercritical extracts and phenolic acid extracts were prepared by the optimized process. These two units of pellets were combined into the multiple drug delivery system of effective components of Angelica sinensis, and the quality evaluation and in vitro release study were conducted. The dynamic observation of pellets in mice was evaluated using small animal in vivo imaging system. The prescription of the Angelica polysaccharides gastric releasing pellets was:microcrystalline cellulose 6.5 g, polysaccharide 3.3 g, silica 0.2 g and 7 mL of 60% ethanol as wetting agent. The process parameters were as follows:extrusion rate at 75 r·min-1, rounding rate at 1 800 r·min-1, and rounding time for 3 min. Both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that the prepared multiple drug delivery system of effective components of Angelica sinensis produced good release properties. The polysaccharide pellets could be rapidly released in the artificial gastric fluid and in the stomach. The colon specific pellets showed good targeting. They released little in the artificial gastric fluid within 2 hours, released less than 20% in the artificial intestinal fluid for 4 hours, and released more than 90% in artificial colon fluid for 6 hours.

Evaluation quality control parameters for standardization of Valmedin pellet and its toxicity / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background@#Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Hops (Humulus lupus) are famous herbs in throughout world. Both medicinal herbs have been used for insomnia in European, Asian traditional medicine for centuries. Valmedin consists from mixed herb extracts of Valerian and Hops. It possess antidepressant, anti-anxiety effect, and improves sleep efficiency. @*Aim @#The aim of this study was to evaluate quality control parameters for standardization of Valmedin pellet and assess toxicity of Valmedin pellet. @*Methods@#In the present study pellets was prepared by extrusion-spheronization technique. The pellet size was determined by sieve analysis using sonic separator. The extract of Valmedin formulation was prepared in pellet (dragee). Valmedin pellet was subjected to analysis for physiochemical parameters, phytochemical studies, heavy metals and quality parameters according to Mongolian pharmacopoeia (2002,). The lethal dose at 50% (LD50) was calculated according to Prozorovskii. In the test chronic toxicity was used two doses of the concentrated extract of Valmedin (0.25; 0.5 g/kg) and assessed parameters (ALT, ALP, AST, bilirubin, total protein, TNFα, IL-6).@*Result@#First of all, the quality of biological active components and physiochemical parameters of individual herbs including Valerian, Hops and Metha L have been fulfill the basic requirements of standardization herbal medicines. Moisture content of Valmedin pellets was 1.6 ±0.01%. Total tannin and valerenic acid content found to be 0.051±0.05, 0.71±0.02% for a pellet. Levels of heavy metals was within the permissible range of standard. </br>In the acute toxicity study, the LD50 value of the concentrated extract from Valmedin was 1.56 g/kg (i.p). No significant changes in body weights of treated animals. In the hematological and biochemical analyses of Valmedin in dose of 250 mg/kg has shown no significant change in the levels of ALT, AST, ALP and levels of RBC and WRC counts in blood serum. Valmedin at dose of 500 mg/kg after chronic injection lower sign levels of ALT, ALP enzymes, and total protein compared with the control group I. It increases significantly levels of AST enzyme, glucose in blood serum. By hematological analyses, Valmedin in dose of 500 mg/kg elicited decrease in the level of hematological parameters such as white blood cells and red blood cells count in whole blood. Likewise, treatment of Valmedin in doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg did not induce any change in the levels of TNF and IL-6 cytokines.@*Conclusion@#Pellets of Valmedin containing Valerian, Hops, and Metha were successfully made achieving degrees of quality, physical stability compatible with the requirements for standardization and formulation.