Comparison of normal saline versus Lactated Ringer's solution for fluid resuscitation in patients with mild acute pancreatitis,A randomized controlled trial

Background/Objectives

Aggressive fluid resuscitation is recommended for initial management of acute pancreatitis. However, there are few studies which focus on types of fluid therapy.

Transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes using cellulose filter paper-supported Pd/C by filtration as well as sealed methods

A reductive filter paper for selective nitro reduction has been prepared by modification of a pristine cellulose filter paper by Pd/C nanoparticles, as a portable catalyst. The reaction was performed in two different set-ups including (i) filtration and (ii) sealed systems, in the presence of ammonium formate and ex situ generated hydrogen gas reducing agents, respectively. In the sealed system in the presence of H₂ gas, the halogenated nitroarenes were completely reduced, while in the filtration system, different derivatives of the nitroarenes were selectively reduced to aryl amines. In both systems, the reduction of nitroarenes to aryl amines was performed with high efficiency and selectivity, comparable to a heterogeneous system. Reaction parameters were comprehensively designed using Design Expert software and then studied. The properties of the catalytic filter paper were studied in detail from the points of view of swellability, shrinkage, reusability, and stability against acidic, alkaline, and oxidative reagents.

A novel and efficient catalytic filtration has been developed for the selective reduction of nitro compounds on a Pd/C-doped cellulose filter paper.     

Methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan for novel effective gene carriers

The objective of this study was to investigate the transfection efficiency of quaternized N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan, TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS, using the plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C2) on human hepatoma cell lines (Huh7 cells), in comparison to quaternized chitosan (TM(43)-CS) and chitosan (CS). Factors affecting the transfection efficiency, such as the carrier/DNA weight ratio, the pH of the culture medium, and the presence of serum, have been investigated. The results revealed that TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS was able to condense with pDNA. As illustrated by the agarose gel electrophoresis, the complete complexes of TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS/DNA were formed at a weight ratio of above 0.5, whereas those of TM(43)-CS/DNA and CS/DNA were formed at a ratio of above 1. TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS showed superior transfection efficiency to TM(43)-CS and CS at all weight ratios tested. Higher transfection efficiency and gene expression were observed when the carrier/DNA weight ratios increased. The highest transfection efficiency was found at a weight ratio of 8. The results indicated that the improved gene transfection was due to the hydrophobic group (N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) substitution on CS, which promoted the interaction and condensation with DNA, as well as N-quaternization, which increased the CS water solubility. During cytotoxicity studies, it was found that high concentrations of TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS and TM(43)-CS could decrease the Huh7 cell viability. In conclusion, this novel CS derivative, TM(47)-Bz(42)-CS, shows promising potential as a gene carrier by efficient DNA condensation and a mediated higher level of gene transfection in Huh7 cells.     

Physicochemical properties of lipid emulsions formulated with high-load all-trans-retinoic acid

The objective of this study was to formulate high loading with good stability of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) lipid emulsion. Lipid emulsions loaded with ATRA were composed of lecithin, medium chain triglyceride and poloxamer-188 or polysorbate-80. The formulation factors in a particular type and amount of oil, emulsifier, and co-emulsifier on the physicochemical properties (i.e., particle size, size distribution, droplets surface charge, pH, percentage yield, drug release, and stability of lipid emulsions) were studied. The particle size of ATRA-loaded lipid emulsions was in the nano-size range of 124.4-378.2 nm with the narrow polydispersity index of 0.04-0.09, which decreased as the amount of co-emulsifiers was increased. The amount of ATRA released from lipid emulsions was operated using a dialysis bag. The receptor medium was ethanol:polysorbate-80:water (10:15:75), adjusted to pH 8.5. ATRA release kinetics in this study were found to follow zero-order kinetics. As the concentration of co-emulsifiers increased, the flux of ATRA released from the lipid emulsions increased. In stability studies, the higher the amount of co-emulsifiers added, the lower the crystallization of ATRA was found. The percentage yield of ATRA was retained at about 70-90% and 60-72% after storage for 60 days at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively. These results show a successful incorporation of ATRA into lipid emulsions with high loading capacity and good stability.     

Effect of Pin Shape on Thermal History of Aluminum-Steel Friction Stir Welded Joint: Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling and Validation

This article studied the effects of pin angle on heat generation and temperature distribution during friction stir welding (FSW) of AA1100 aluminum alloy and St-14 low carbon steel. A validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was implemented to simulate the FSW process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed in order to investigate internal materials’ flow. Simulation results revealed that the mechanical work on the joint line increased with the pin angle and larger stir zone forms. The simulation results show that in the angled pin tool, more than 26% of the total heat is produced by the pin. Meanwhile, in other cases, the total heat produced by the pin was near 15% of the total generated heat. The thermo-mechanical cycle in the steel zone increased, and consequently, mechanical interlock between base metals increased. The simulation output demonstrated that the frictional heat generation with a tool without a pin angle is higher than an angled pin. The calculation result also shows that the maximum heat was generated on the steel side.     

Catalytic filtration: efficient C-C cross-coupling using Pd(II)-salen complex-embedded cellulose filter paper as a portable catalyst

A new approach has been developed for environmentally friendly C-C cross-coupling reactions using bi-functional Pd(ii)-salen complex-embedded cellulose filter paper (FP@Si-Pd^II-Salen-[IM]OH). A Pd(ii)-salen complex bearing imidazolium [OH]⁻moieties was covalently embedded into a plain filter paper, then used as an efficient portable catalyst for the Heck, Suzuki, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions under environmentally friendly conditions via the filtration method. The catalytic filter paper properties were studied by EDX, XPS, TGA, ATR, XRD, and FESEM analyses. The reactions were catalyzed during reactants'' filtration over the catalytic filter paper. The modified filter paper was set up over a funnel and the reactants were passed through the catalytic filter paper several times. The effect of reaction parameters including loading of Pd(ii)-salen complex, temperature, solvent, and contact time were carefully studied and also the optimal model of conditions was presented by the design expert software. High to excellent yields were obtained for all C–C coupling types with 5 to 8 filtration times. Under optimal conditions, all coupling reactions showed high selectivity and efficiency. Another advantage of the modified filter paper was its stability and reusability for several times with preservation of catalytic activity and swellability.

A new platform has been developed for environmentally friendly C–C cross-coupling reactions via filtration of reactants through a portable Pd^(II)-salen complex-embedded filter paper.     

Validation of Rome II criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders by factor analysis of symptoms in Asian patient sample

BACKGROUND: It has been unclear as to whether the Rome II criteria could be applied to patients in the Asia region with functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine if symptoms of Asian patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders formed groups which corresponded to the Rome II diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A modified English version of Talley's bowel disease questionnaire was developed in collaboration with various research teams in accordance with the Rome II criteria. This instrument was translated into the local languages of the following nine Asian regions: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. From September to December 2001, newly enrolled outpatients attending 14 GI or medical clinics in these regions were invited to complete the questionnaire. From these respondents, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders fulfilling the '12 weeks out of 12 months' criteria were separated for further analysis. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to identify symptom clusters or factors. These factors were compared with the existing classification of functional GI diseases derived from the Rome II criteria. RESULTS: Factor analysis of symptoms from 1012 functional GI patients supported the Rome II classification of the following groups of functional GI disorders: diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, functional dyspepsia, functional abdominal pain syndrome, functional heartburn, and functional vomiting. Functional diarrhea was combined with functional anorectal disorders, and globus merged with functional dysphagia into one factor. Some of the functional dyspepsia, abdominal bloating and belching symptoms were loaded into one factor. CONCLUSIONS: Factor analysis of symptoms from a sample of Asian patients with functional GI disorders partially supported the use of the Rome II classification.     

Amino and nitro derivatives of 5,7-dimethoxyflavone from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kaempferia parviflora</Emphasis> and cytotoxicity against KB cell line

Structural modification of 5,7-dimethoxyflavone isolated from Kaempferia parviflora furnished two nitro and seven amino derivatives. Among these, six new (3, 5–6, 8–10) and three known (2, 4, 7) flavonoid derivatives were synthesized. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against KB cell line using colorimetric method. Compounds 6 and 8 exhibited strong cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 6.80 and 5.84 μg/mL, respectively.