Absence of Low-Energy Shape Coexistence in

The ^{80}Ge structure was investigated in a high-statistics ß-decay experiment of ^{80}Ga using the GRIFFIN spectrometer at TRIUMF-ISAC through γ, ß-e, e-γ, and γ-γ spectroscopy. No evidence was found for the recently reported 0_{2}^{+} 639-keV level suggested as evidence for low-energy shape coexistence in ^{80}Ge. Large-scale shell model calculations performed in ^{78,80,82}Ge place the 0_{2}^{+} level in ^{80}Ge at 2 MeV. The new experimental evidence combined with shell model predictions indicate that low-energy shape coexistence is not present in ^{80}Ge.

The use of experimental design in the optimization of risperidone biodegradable nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo study.

The aim of this study was optimization of risperidone (model drug) biodegradable nanoparticles utilizing emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Box-Behnken design was adopted to optimize the preparation process. Optimized nanoparticles were characterized for surface morphology using scanning electron microscope. Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with the marketed tablets. Results revealed that the optimized formula showed 297.37 nm, 85.12%, and 59.79% for Y1, Y2, and Y3, respectively. Optimized formula showed significant improved bioavailability compared with marketed tablets. Successful achievement of prolonged risperidone release with improved bioavailability is expected to maximize patients' adherence to their antipsychotic drug therapy and to minimize risk of relapse during maintenance therapy.

Effect of electron beam irradiation on the structural properties of PVA/V(2)O(5) xerogel.

Poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA)/vanadium pentoxide xerogel (VXG) composites were prepared and exposed to different electron beam irradiation doses. Changes in the structural properties, crystallinity degree of composites with increasing irradiation doses and VXG content were subsequently investigated using the Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The crystallinity degree of the PVA matrix was found to decrease markedly due to VXG addition and/or irradiation process.

Kinetic determination of acarbose and miglitol in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations using alkaline potassium permanganate.

A simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method was established for the determination of acarbose and miglitol in bulk and in their pharmaceutical preparations using alkaline potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent. The method involves determination of acarbose and miglitol by kinetic studies of their oxidation at room temperature for a fixed time of 15 minutes for acarbose and 25 minutes for miglitol. The absorbance of the colored manganate ion was measured at 610 nm. Alternatively, the kinetic decrease in the absorbance of permanganate upon addition of the studied drugs at 525 nm was also used. The absorbance concentration plot was rectilinear over the concentration range of 4-20 and 1-10 µg/ml for acarbose and miglitol, respectively. The detection limits were 0.189 and 0.089 µg/ml at 610 nm and 0.081 and 0.179 µg/ml at 525 nm for acarbose and miglitol respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of these drugs in their dosage forms. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained with the reference methods.

A clinical and neurophysiological study of scorpion envenomation in Assiut, Upper Egypt.

Scorpion envenomation (SE) represents an agonizing problem in many countries, especially in rural areas. This clinical and neurophysiological study aimed to determine the relative frequency of scorpion envenomation in the Assiut area, in Upper Egypt. Full clinical evaluation was carried out for all children < or =18 y of age included in the study. Electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG) and motor conduction velocity measurements were carried out for a variable number of children. SE was recorded in 302 cases per year in this area. Of these, 78.5% were < or =18 y of age. SE occurred most commonly during the summer months. Clinical evaluation revealed that SE results in marked autonomic manifestations, principally sinus tachycardia (78.1%), vomiting (70.5%) and hyperthermia (53.2%). It also results in many neuropsychiatric manifestations, such as agitation and restlessness (17.7%) and disturbance of consciousness (8.0%). Electroencephalographic study of 184 cases of SE in paediatric patients aged < or =18 y revealed abnormalities in 77.7%. Study of mean distal latency and motor conduction velocity revealed that patients had a significantly shorter distal latency and a more rapid motor conduction velocity compared with the control group. This was true for both the inflicted limb and the contralateral limb. Most of the complications of SE are due to irritability of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

A novel synthesis of fused pyrazole systems as antimicrobial agents.

The pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives 3 could be prepared by condensing compounds 1 with the 3-aminopyrazolone derivative 2. The pyrazolo[5,2-b]-1,3-oxazine derivative 11 and polyfunctionally substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines 15, 18 were also synthesized. Some of the obtained compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity.

Imaging patterns of neonatal hypoglycemia.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to report the patterns of injury observed in five patients who suffered brain damage consequent to neonatal hypoglycemia. METHODS: The imaging studies and clinical records of five patients with brain damage caused by neonatal hypoglycemia were reviewed retrospectively. Patterns of injury were compared with those described in the literature and those seen in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury. RESULTS: Diffuse cortical and subcortical white matter damage was seen, with the parietal and occipital lobes affected most severely. Globus pallidus injury was present in one patient who had the most severe cortical injury. CONCLUSION: We found a specific pattern of injury that correlates well with the sparse pathologic and imaging reports on neonatal hypoglycemia. We speculate that the patterns of damage are the result of regional hypoperfusion and excitatory toxicity with cell-type-specific injury.

Cesarean section in grandmultiparas.

Grandmultiparity which has been considered to be a factor in maternal and neonatal morbidity [3], is still high in Libya as compared with European countries. A retrospective study of one aspect of this problem concerned the Cesarean section in patients who had delivered 6 or more babies. During the period of January Ist to the end of December 1993, the records of all grandmultiparous women who delivered by a Cesarean section (287 cases) were reviewed at Obstetric Department of University Hospital in Benghazi-Libya. The incidence was 7.9%. The most common indications for the Cesarean section were: fetopelvic disproportion or failure to progress (26.5%), previous Cesarean sections (19.5%), malpresentation (16%), placenta praevia and failed induction for each of them (7%). The perinatal mortality was 17/1000. We conclude that grandmultiparas require Cesarean sections more frequently than nongrandmultiparas, especially primary and emergency Cesarean sections. For such patients an effective family planning program is necessary.

Pathological changes in testes and liver of male albino rats after dermal exposure to DDVP insecticide.

Exposure of male albino rats to DDVP insecticide at sublethal dose of 30 mg/kg/day through dermal painting for a period of 90 days didn't show any intoxication symptoms or mortality. However, cytopathological changes in testicular and liver tissues were evident. There was a positive correlation between the degree of cellular damage and the period of insecticide administration. In general, damages were prominent in rats treated for 30 days or more. Histological examination of testes showed degenerative seminiferous tubules and fewer leydig cells. Hepatic cells were congested, atrophied and showed different stages of necrobiotic changes. This suggests a great care and caution for workers during different phases of DDVP insecticide handling.

Morphological alterations of rat lung bronchiolar epithelium produced by various trialkyl phosphorothioates.

A single oral administration of O, O, S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS-Me), an impurity in widely used organophosphorus insecticides, causes delayed toxicity (delayed death) which is accompanied by morphological changes in the bronchiolar epithelium of rat lungs. A series of simple O,O-dimethyl and O,O-diethyl S-alkyl phosphorothioate esters, which induce delayed toxicity, were examined for their effect on rat bronchiolar epithelium. The structural analogues synthesized and tested include O, O-dimethyl S-ethyl phosphorothioate, O,O-dimethyl S-isopropyl phosphorothioate, O,O,S-triethyl phosphorothioate, and O,O-diethyl S-methyl phosphorothioate. The present investigation demonstrated that these analogues of OOS-Me which cause delayed toxicity produce body weight loss, accompanied by morphological alterations of terminal bronchiolar epithelium, i.e. loss of the apical bulge of non-ciliated Clara cells. Another impurity which produces delayed toxicity, O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate, was also capable of producing similar effects at near the LD50 level.

Toxicological properties of O,O,S-trialkyl phosphorothioates.

The effect of atropine, 2-pyridine aldoxime methiodide (2-PAM), and several O,O,O-trialkylphosphorothioates on poisoning of rats by a series of O,O-dimethyl and O,O-diethyl S-alkyl phosphorothioates was investigated. Atropine and 2-PAM successfully protected rats treated with O,O-diethyl S-n-propyl and S-i-propyl phosphorothioates, while the O,O,O-trialkyl phosphorothioates were effective in protecting rats treated with O,O-dimethyl S-methyl and S-ethyl phosphorothioates. O,O-Dimethyl and O,O-diethyl S-i-propyl phosphorothioates also were examined for in vitro and in vivo inhibition of rat plasma, red blood cell, and brain cholinesterase. Overall, the results indicated that two different mechanisms, cholinergic and noncholinergic, are involved in intoxication by the O,O,S-trialkyl phosphorothioates.