Fungal Growth Inhibition of Regenerated Cellulose Nanofibrous Membranes Containing Quillaja Saponin

Antifungal properties were introduced in nonwoven regenerated cellulose (RC) nanofibrous membrane using Quillaja saponin. To generate cellulose membranes, deacetylation of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibrous membranes was performed using 0.05 M NaOH and ethanol for membranes both loaded and unloaded with Quillaja saponin. Chemical and physical properties of nonwoven CA and RC nanofibrous membrane were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile properties. Our results showed that saponin doping did not affect the morphology of the resulting fibers and that the membrane structure was maintained during deacetylation. The antifungal properties of saponin-loaded fabric were determined at 0 and 24 h against two household fungi, Penicillium roguefortii and Aspergillus ochraceus, and compared with control samples. Our findings show that after 24 h the saponin-loaded fabrics had spores kill of 80.4% and 53.6% for P. roguefortii and A. ochraceus, respectively. Fabric containing Quillaja saponin has potential for household applications and could be evaluated further for medical applications.     

Mechanism of inhibition of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutagenicity and DNA binding by ellagic acid

Ellagic acid (EA) is a dilactone derivative of shikimic acid, which is found in a variety of soft fruits and vegetables. EA inhibits mutagenesis and carcinogenesis induced by benzo[a]pyrene and its bay-region dihydrodiol epoxide derivative by preventing their covalent binding to DNA. EA at concentrations of 100, 250, 500 and 1000 nmol/plate inhibited the mutagenicity of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (400 nmol/plate) in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 by 3, 13, 45 and 60%, respectively. A study of inhibition of 3H-MNU-mediated DNA methylation by EA showed that it inhibited only the formation of O6-methylguanine, while attack at the N7 and N3 positions of guanine and adenine, respectively, was not altered. This inhibition was observed only in double-stranded DNA. Ultraviolet and equilibrium dialysis studies show that EA has a definite affinity for DNA, but that an intercalating process is not involved.     

Self-nanoemulsifying granules of ezetimibe: Design, optimization and evaluation

Self-nanoemulsifying granules (SNGs) were formulated with the objective of enhancing the bioavailability of the ezetimibe. Various modified oils, surfactant and cosurfactant mixtures were used and composition of self-nanoemulsifying system (SNS) was optimized. SNS diluted and resultant emulsion was characterized for mean globule size and stability. The self-nanoemulsifying systems were formulated into free flowing self-nanoemulsifying granules using varying proportions of hydrophilic colloidal silicon dioxide as an adsorbing agent. Self-nanoemulsifying granules were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, differential scanning calorimetry, dissolution profile and for in vivo performance in rats. X-ray diffraction studies indicated loss of crystallinity and/or solubilisation of ezetimibe in the self-nanoemulsifying granules. It was supported by SEM studies, which did not show evidence of precipitation of the drug on the surface of the carrier. Dissolution studies revealed remarkable increase in dissolution of the drug as compared to plain drug. In vivo evaluation in rats showed significant decrease in the total cholesterol levels as compared to positive control. The SNGs filled into hard gelatin capsules showed two to threefold increase in the dissolution rate as compared to plain drug filled capsules signifying its potential in improved delivery of lipophilic drugs.     

Near infrared transillumination imaging of breast cancer with vasoactive inhalation contrast

Inhalation of vasoactive gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen can provide strong changes in tissue hemodynamics. In this report, we present a preliminary clinical study aimed at assessing the feasibility of inhalation-based contrast with near infrared continuous wave transillumination for breast imaging. We describe a method for fitting the transient absorbance that provides the wavelength dependence of the optical pathlength as parametrized by tissue oxygenation and scatter power as well as the differential changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. We also present a principal component analysis data reduction technique to assess the dynamic response from the tissue that uses coercion to provide single temporal eigenvalues associated with both oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin changes.     

Localized rifampicin albumin microspheres

Rifampicin bearing albumin microspheres were prepared. The process variables which could affect the physical characteristics and in vitro release of the drug from the microspheres were optimized. Changes in the original size of the microspheres, namely swelling on exposure to buffer solution pH 7.2 and serum, were monitored. In vivo distribution studies on prepared microspheres revealed that 62 per cent of the drug could be localized in the lungs by controlling microsphere size. Hence, rifampicin bearing albumin microspheres can behave as a reservoir to build up higher local drug concentrations.     

Human carcinoma cells express receptors for distinct domains of thrombospondin.

Thrombospondin (TSP), an adhesive glycoprotein, is incorporated into the extracellular matrix, mediates cell attachment and spreading, chemotaxis, haptotaxis, and may participate in the directed movement of cells in metastasis. Evidence from several model systems suggests that these functions may be mediated by different domains within the TSP molecule. Radioligand binding assays on 11B squamous carcinoma cells with 125I-Radioligand binding assays on 11B squamous carcinoma cells with 125I-TSP demonstrated the presence of 1.2 x 10(6) sites/cell with an apparent Kd of 74 nM. Binding studies using TSP fragments demonstrated that both the NH2 terminal heparin-binding domain (HBD) and the COOH terminal fragment with a molecular weight of 140,000 (140K) retained the ability to bind 11B cells in a time-dependent, dose-dependent, saturable, and specific manner. The HBD bound to 11B cells with an apparent Kd of 1.2 microM at 1.4 x 10(6) sites/cell. Binding of 140K to cells demonstrated half-maximal binding at 36 nM and a Bmax of 1.9 x 10(5) sites/cell. The binding of 140K also showed a high degree of positive cooperativity with a Hill slope of +3.5, suggesting that binding one 140K molecule to cells leads to increased binding of additional 140K molecules. In addition, the HBD and 140K showed no cross-competition in binding assays. Therefore, it appears likely that these distinct TSP domains bind to separate sites on the cell surface. Neither vitronectin or the peptide RGDS were able to inhibit the binding of TSP or 140K to 11B cells. Based on these data, there appears to be more than one distinct receptor on 11B cells for TSP; one receptor class which mediates the binding of the HBD and a second receptor class which mediates the binding of the Mr 140,000 fragment.     

Meta‐analysis: levamisole improves the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in dialysis patients

Background Patients undergoing maintenance dialysis often fail to mount protective antibodies to hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) following vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Some authors have suggested that levamisole improves immune response to HBV vaccine in dialysis population. However, consistent information on this issue does not exist. Aim To evaluate efficacy and safety of levamisole as adjuvant to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine in dialysis patients by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta‐analysis of clinical trials. Methods We used the random‐effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. Only trials comparing the seroresponse rate in study subjects (levamisole plus HBV vaccine) vs. controls (HBV vaccine alone) were included. The end point of interest was the rate of patients showing seroprotective anti‐hepatitis B titres at completion of HBV vaccine schedule in study vs. control groups. Results We identified four studies involving 328 unique patients on regular dialysis. Only prospective, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. Pooling of study results showed a significant increase in response rates among study (levamisole plus HBV vaccine) vs. control (HBV vaccine alone) patients; the pooled Odds Ratio was 2.432 (95% Confidence Intervals, 1.34; 4.403), P = 0.002. No study heterogeneity was found. These results did not change in various subgroups of interest. Conclusions Our meta‐analysis showed that levamisole significantly improves immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in dialysis population. The limited number of patients precluded more conclusions.     

Preparation and performance evaluation of plain proliposomal systems for cytoprotection

Plain liposomal systems composed of soyabean lecithin, cholesterol and stearylamine were formulated using various approaches. The prepared products were characterized and evaluated for their cytoprotective performance against the necrotizing NSAID's (i.e. aspirin and phenylbutazone). Liposomes derived from proliposomes (effervescent granules based) demonstrated the best cytoprotective activity and physical and stability characteristics. This system was shown to be superior. An increased availability of regular and small sized liposome born phospholipids to the damaged mucosal systems accounted for its better and enhanced performance.