Highly selective recovery of Ni(II) in neutral and acidic media using a novel Ni(II)-ion imprinted polymer

In this work, an original ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was synthetized for the highly selective removal of Ni(II) ions in neutral and acidic media. First a novel functional monomer (AMP-MMA) was synthetized through the amidation of 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine (AMP) with methacryloylchloride. Following Ni(II)/AMP-MMA complex formation study, the Ni(II)-IIP was produced via inverse suspension polymerization (DMSO in mineral oil) and characterized with solid state ¹³C CPMAS NMR, FT-IR, SEM and nitrogen adsorption/desorption experiments. The Ni(II)-IIP was then used in solid-phase extraction of Ni(II) exploring a wide range of pH (from neutral to strongly acidic solution), several initial concentrations of Ni(II) (from 0.02 to 1 g/L), and the presence of competitive ions (Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), and Mg(II)). The maximum Ni(II) adsorption capacity at pH 2 and pH 7 reached values of 138.9 mg/g and 169.5 mg/g, that are among the best reported in literature. The selectivity coefficients toward Cd(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Mg(II) and Cu(II) are also very high, with values up to 38.6, 32.9, 25.2, 23.1 and 15.0, respectively. The Ni(II)-IIP showed good reusability of up to 5 cycles both with acidic and basic Ni(II) eluents.

Outcomes in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery-a nationwide analysis

Introduction

Patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) have a unique pathophysiological profile that increases their chances of having adverse events in the postoperative period following surgical procedures. Owing to the rarity of the disease, few studies are available for assessing readmission risk in HOCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures.

Purpose

Our study aimed to assess 30-day readmission rates and causes for readmissions among HOCM patients who had undergone noncardiac surgeries in hospitals across the United States (US).

Methods

We used appropriate International Classification of Diseases Code, 10th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes to identify patients who had been admitted for non-cardiac surgeries between January 2016 and December 2019 based on data from the National Readmissions Database (NRD). The NRD is a publicly available all-payer in-patient database sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, containing discharge data from approximately 18 million discharges each year, accounting for 61.8% of the total US resident population. Patients were subdivided into two sub-groups based on the presence or absence of HOCM. 30-day readmission rates and causes of readmissions were compared between both groups. STATA version 17 (College Station,TX: StataCorp LLC) was used for statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 5,497,134 patients out of whom 2,089 had HOCM were identified and included for analysis. Patients with HOCM had statistically significant higher rates of readmissions for central nervous system related complications such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, unspecified iatrogenic cardiac complications, acute kidney injury, sepsis in addition to higher rates of post op respiratory failure, acute myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during the index admission when compared to the other subgroup.

Conclusion

Our study, despite being retrospective in nature, is one of the largest to date assessing readmission risk in HOCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries. Similar to previous studies, HOCM patients have higher rates of readmissions and MACCE in the 30-day period following noncardiac surgical procedures. In light of these findings, shared medical decision making and appropriate counseling regarding complications in the postoperative period will be necessary for HOCM patients who undergo noncardiac surgical procedures.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Environmental sustainability assessment of wooden furniture produced in Pakistan

Life cycle assessment was carried out for a conventional wooden furniture set produced in Mardan division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan during 2018-19. Primary data regarding inputs and outputs were collected through questionnaire surveys from 100 conventional wooden furniture set manufacturers, 50 in district Mardan and 50 in district Swabi. In the present study, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment approach was applied for a functional unit of one conventional wooden furniture set. Production weighted average data were modelled in the environmental impacts modelling software i.e., SimaPro v.8.5. The results showed that textile used in sofa set, wood preservative for polishing and preventing insects attack and petrol used in generator had the highest contribution to all the environmental impact categories evaluated. Total cumulative energy demand for wooden furniture set manufactured was 30,005 MJ with most of the energy acquired from non-renewable fossil fuel resources.

Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission

When a heavy atomic nucleus splits (fission), the resulting fragments are observed to emerge spinning¹; this phenomenon has been a mystery in nuclear physics for over 40 years^2,3. The internal generation of typically six or seven units of angular momentum in each fragment is particularly puzzling for systems that start with zero, or almost zero, spin. There are currently no experimental observations that enable decisive discrimination between the many competing theories for the mechanism that generates the angular momentum^4-12. Nevertheless, the consensus is that excitation of collective vibrational modes generates the intrinsic spin before the nucleus splits (pre-scission). Here we show that there is no significant correlation between the spins of the fragment partners, which leads us to conclude that angular momentum in fission is actually generated after the nucleus splits (post-scission). We present comprehensive data showing that the average spin is strongly mass-dependent, varying in saw-tooth distributions. We observe no notable dependence of fragment spin on the mass or charge of the partner nucleus, confirming the uncorrelated post-scission nature of the spin mechanism. To explain these observations, we propose that the collective motion of nucleons in the ruptured neck of the fissioning system generates two independent torques, analogous to the snapping of an elastic band. A parameterization based on occupation of angular momentum states according to statistical theory describes the full range of experimental data well. This insight into the role of spin in nuclear fission is not only important for the fundamental understanding and theoretical description of fission, but also has consequences for the γ-ray heating problem in nuclear reactors^13,14, for the study of the structure of neutron-rich isotopes^15,16, and for the synthesis and stability of super-heavy elements^17,18.

Bone mineral density, kidney function, weight gain and insulin resistance in women who switch from TDF/FTC/NNRTI to ABC/3TC/DTG

OBJECTIVES

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). We evaluated changes in BMD in women who switched from TDF, emtricitabine and a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (TDF/FTC/NNRTI) to abacavir, lamivudine and dolutegravir (ABC/3TC/DTG).

METHODS

We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which women aged ≥40 years were randomized 1:2 to continue TDF/FTC/NNRTI or switch to ABC/3TC/DTG. The primary endpoint was change in total hip BMD measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at week 48. Secondary endpoints were changes in BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and markers of bone turnover and kidney function up to week 48. We conducted exploratory analyses of weight gain, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Primary and secondary endpoints were analysed by linear regression, with multiple imputation for missing time points.

RESULTS

In all, 91 women [mean age = 50.4 (standard deviation [SD] = 6.6) years, median CD4 cell count = 600 (interquartile range: 479-800) cells/µL] were randomized. Women who switched to ABC/3TC/DTG maintained viral suppression and experienced improvements in total hip BMD (mean adjusted difference = 1%, P = 0.027) and lumbar spine BMD (3%, P = 0.002), with no change in specific markers of bone turnover or renal tubular function. Although participants in the ABC/3TC/DTG arm gained more weight (1.8 kg, P = 0.046), the switch strategy was not associated with reduced insulin sensitivity or new-onset metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching from TDF/FTC/NNRTI to ABC/3TC/DTG resulted in improved BMD. Although weight gain was common in women who switched from TDF/FTC/NNRTI to ABC/3TC/DTG, we did not detect adverse effects on glucose homeostasis. Larger studies need to confirm these findings.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate slopes on tenofovir alafenamide

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to analyse and compare estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slopes during exposure to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in individuals who initiated TAF, regardless of prior regimen, before October 2016.

METHODS

An observational cohort study was conducted at 11 clinics in the UK and Ireland. Mixed effects models with random intercept and time terms fitted were used to generate and compare eGFR slopes while participants were exposed to TDF and TAF, with adjustment for age, eGFR at TDF/TAF initiation, gender, ethnicity, and time-updated CD4 cell count and HIV RNA measurements.

RESULTS

Data were available for 357 subjects (median age 50 years; 80% male; 82% white/other ethnicity; 51% men who have sex with men; median nadir CD4 count 216 cells/µL). The median duration of exposure to TAF was 2.0 (interquartile range 1.6, 2.3) years. At TAF initiation, the median CD4 count was 557 cells/µL, the median eGFR was 80 mL/min/1.73 m², and 86% had suppressed HIV infection. The mean adjusted eGFR slope during TDF and TAF exposure was -2.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.24, -1.92] and 1.18 (95% CI 0.20, 1.52) mL/min/1.73 m²/year, respectively (P < 0.001). Individuals who experienced rapid eGFR decline (> 3 or 5 mL/min/1.73 m²/year) while receiving TDF experienced significant eGFR recovery while on TAF (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvement in eGFR slope was observed in patients who switched from TDF- to TAF-containing antiretroviral regimens. These data provide further support for the renal safety of TAF, and for switching those who experience progressive worsening of renal function from TDF to TAF.

Preliminary report of COVID-19 testing: experience of the clinical microbiology laboratory Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia first reported SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020. From March to April, clinical microbiology laboratory Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta received 4617 specimens with 12.6% positivity rate and 22% asymptomatic case. The result of this study could give an early picture of Indonesia’s COVID 19 outbreak situation.

A multi-biomarker disease activity score can predict sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Reliable assessment of remission is important for the optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In this study, we used the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) test to explore the role of biomarkers in predicting point remission and sustained remission.

Methods

RA patients on > 6 months stable therapy in stable low disease activity (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) were assessed every 3 months for 1 year. Baseline, intermittent (IR) and sustained (SR) remission were defined by DAS28-ESR, DAS28-CRP, simple disease activity index (SDAI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and ACR/EULAR Boolean criteria. Patients not fulfilling any remission criteria at baseline were classified as ‘low disease activity state’ (LDAS). Patients not fulfilling any remission criteria over 1 year were classified as ‘persistent disease activity’ (PDA). MBDA score was measured at baseline/3/6 months. The baseline MBDA score, the 6-month time-integrated MBDA score and MBDA biomarkers were used for analyses. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) assessed the ability of the MBDA score to discriminate between remission and non-remission. Biomarkers were analysed at baseline using the Mann-Whitney test and over time using the Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test.

Results

Of 148 patients, 27% were in the LDAS, 65% DAS28-ESR remission, 51% DAS28-CRP remission, 40% SDAI remission, 43% CDAI remission and 25% ACR/EULAR Boolean remission at baseline. Over 1 year, 9% of patients were classified as PDA. IR and SR were achieved in 42%/47% by DAS28-ESR, 46%/29% by DAS28-CRP, 45%/20% by SDAI, 44%/21% by CDAI and 35%/9% by ACR/EULAR Boolean criteria, respectively. By all remission criteria, baseline MBDA score discriminated baseline remission (AUROCs 0.68–0.75) and IR/SR (AUROCs 0.65–0.74). The 6-month time-integrated MBDA score discriminated IR/SR (AUROCs 0.65–0.79). Baseline MBDA score and concentrations of IL-6, leptin, SAA and CRP were significantly lower in all baseline remission criteria groups vs LDAS. They and the 6-month time-integrated values were lower among patients who achieved IR/SR vs PDA over 1 year.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the MBDA score and its biomarkers IL-6, leptin, SAA and CRP differentiated between small differences in disease activity (i.e. between low disease activity and remission states). They were also predictors of remission over 1 year.

Impact of tapering targeted therapies (bDMARDs or JAKis) on the risk of serious infections and adverse events of special interest in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis: a systematic analysis of the literature and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the impact of tapering targeted therapies (bDMARDs or JAKis) on the risk of serious infections and severe adverse events (SAEs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in remission or low disease activity (LDA) state.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A meta-analysis based on a systematic review of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, until August 2019, as well as relevant databases of international conferences, was used to evaluate the risk difference (RD) at 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of incidence density of serious infections, SAEs, malignancies, cardiovascular adverse events (CV AEs), or deaths after tapering (dose reduction or spacing) compared to continuation of targeted therapies.

RESULTS

Of the 1957 studies initially identified, 13 controlled trials (9 RA and 4 SpA trials) were included in the meta-analysis. 1174 patient-years were studied in the tapering group (TG) versus 1086 in the usual care group (UC). There were 1.7/100 patient-year (p-y) serious infections in TG versus 2.6/100 p-y in UC (RD (95% CI) 0.01 (0.00 to 0.02), p = 0.13) and 7.4/100 p-y SAEs in TG versus 6.7/100 p-y in UC (RD 0.00 (- 0.02 to 0.02), p = 0.82). The risk of malignancies, CV AEs, or deaths did not differ between the tapering and the usual care groups. Subgroup analysis (RA and SpA) detected no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

We could not show significant impact of tapering bDMARD or JAKi over continuation concerning the risk of serious infections, SAEs, malignancies, CV AEs, or deaths in RA and SpA patients in remission or LDA state.

Titrimetric Determination of Some Penicillins Using 2-Iodoxybenzoate

A simple semlmlcro titrimetric assay procedure Is described for determination of 6 semisynthetic penicillins, namely: ampiclllin, amoxicillin, benzylpenlclllin, epiclllln, hetaclllin, and phenoxymethylpenlcillln In addition to penicillamine. The method Involves the use of 2-lodoxybenzoate as a standard solution, whereby a known, excess volume Is added to the penicillins in acid medium and, after the specified time, the residual reagent is iodometrically determined. The molar ratio of the reaction Is assessed and a possible pathway for the mechanism of the reaction is suggested and confirmed through thin-layer chromatography (TLC) study of the reaction products. The proposed method is then applied to determination of the studied compounds In their dosage forms. Results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by official methods.

Early safety of tenofovir alafenamide in patients with a history of tubulopathy on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) on kidney and bone biomarkers in patients who developed proximal renal tubulopathy (PRT) while receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

METHODS

Individuals with a history of TDF-associated PRT and currently suppressed HIV infection on a tenofovir-sparing regimen were randomized 1:1 to continue current antiretroviral therapy or initiate emtricitabine (F)/TAF with discontinuation of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) as appropriate. Renal and bone biomarkers were analysed at baseline, week 4 and week 12. The primary outcome was the mean difference between study arms in urine retinol-binding protein:creatinine ratio (RBPCR) change from baseline to week 12. Data were analysed using linear regression, with robust standard errors (primary outcome), and repeated measures mixed effects models (secondary outcomes). The trial was registered under European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database 2016-003345-29.

RESULTS

We randomized 31 individuals [mean age 52.4 (standard deviation 0.3) years; 97% male; 90% white); all completed the study. At 12 weeks, there was no difference in change in RBPCR (β 19.6; 95% confidence interval -35.3, 74.5; P = 0.47), and no difference in change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (based on creatinine or cystatin C), albuminuria, proteinuria, renal phosphate or urea handling, (fasting) urine osmolality, parathyroid hormone and bone turnover markers in the control versus the F/TAF exposed groups. No cases of PRT were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In people with a history of proximal renal tubulopathy while on TDF, 12-week exposure to TAF did not adversely affect renal tubular function. These data support continued evaluation of the long-term safety of TAF in this group of patients.

Eight-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy with surgical stripping of the great saphenous vein

BACKGROUND

This was an 8-year follow-up of an RCT comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) with high ligation and surgical stripping (HL/S) of the great saphenous vein (GSV).

METHODS

Patients were randomized to UGFS or HL/S of the GSV. The primary outcome was the recurrence of symptomatic GSV reflux. Secondary outcomes were patterns of reflux according to recurrent varices after surgery, Clinical Etiologic Anatomic Pathophysiologic (CEAP) classification, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and EuroQol Five Dimensions (EQ-5D™) quality-of-life scores.

RESULTS

Of 430 patients originally randomized (230 UGFS, 200 HL/S), 227 (52·8 per cent; 123 UGFS, 103 HL/S) were available for analysis after 8 years. The proportion of patients free from symptomatic GSV reflux at 8 years was lower after UGFS than HL/S (55·1 versus 72·1 per cent; P = 0·024). The rate of absence of GSV reflux, irrespective of venous symptoms, at 8 years was 33·1 and 49·7 per cent respectively (P = 0·009). More saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) failure (65·8 versus 41·7 per cent; P = 0·001) and recurrent reflux in the above-knee GSV (72·5 versus 20·4 per cent; P = 0·001) was evident in the UGFS group. The VCSS was worse than preoperative scores in both groups after 8 years; CEAP classification and EQ-5D® scores were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Surgical stripping had a technically better outcome in terms of recurrence of GSV and SFJ reflux than UGFS in the long term. Long-term follow-up suggests significant clinical progression of venous disease measured by VCSS in both groups, but less after surgery. Registration number: NCT02304146 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

The frequency of remission and low disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and their ability to identify people with low disability and normal quality of life

OBJECTIVE

Treat-to-target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommends targeting remission, with low disease activity (LDA) being an alternative goal. When deciding to target remission or LDA, important considerations are the likelihood of attaining them, and their impacts on function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We have addressed this by studying: (a) the frequency of remission and LDA/remission; (b) DAS28-ESR trends after remission; (c) ability of remission vs. LDA to identify patients with normal function (HAQ ≤ 0.5) and HRQoL (EQ-5D ≥ the normal population).

METHODS

We studied 571 patients in two clinical trials, and 1693 patients in a 10-year routine care cohort. We assessed the frequency and sustainability of remission and LDA/remission, variability in DAS28-ESR after remission, and sensitivity/specificity of remission and LDA/remission at identifying patients with low disability levels and normal HRQoL using Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Point remission and remission/LDA were common (achieved by 35-58% and 49-74% of patients, respectively), but were rarely sustained (sustained remission and remission/LDA achieved by 5-9% and 9-16% of patients, respectively). Following attaining remission, DAS28-ESR levels varied substantially. Despite this, of those patients attaining point remission, the majority (53-61%) were in remission at study end-points. Whilst remission was highly specific at identifying patients with low disability (85-91%) it lacked sensitivity (51-57%); similar findings were seen for normal HRQoL (specificity 78-86%; sensitivity 52-59%). The optimal DAS28-cut-off to identify individuals with low disability and normal HRQoL was around the LDA threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support both the treat-to-target goals. Attaining remission is highly specific for attaining low disability and normal HRQoL, although many patients with more active disease also have good function and HRQoL. Attaining a DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2 has a better balance of specificity and sensitivity for attaining these outcomes, with the benefit of being more readily achievable. Although sustaining these targets over time is rare, even attaining them on a one-off basis leads to better function and HRQoL outcomes for patients.

Pseudospin Symmetry and Microscopic Origin of Shape Coexistence in the ^{78}Ni Region: A Hint from Lifetime Measurements

Lifetime measurements of excited states of the light N=52 isotones ^{88}Kr, ^{86}Se, and ^{84}Ge have been performed, using the recoil distance Doppler shift method and VAMOS and AGATA spectrometers for particle identification and gamma spectroscopy, respectively. The reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities B(E2;2^{+}→0^{+}) and B(E2;4^{+}→2^{+}) were obtained for the first time for the hard-to-reach ^{84}Ge. While the B(E2;2^{+}→0^{+}) values of ^{88}Kr, ^{86}Se saturate the maximum quadrupole collectivity offered by the natural valence (3s, 2d, 1g_{7/2}, 1h_{11/2}) space of an inert ^{78}Ni core, the value obtained for ^{84}Ge largely exceeds it, suggesting that shape coexistence phenomena, previously reported at N≲49, extend beyond N=50. The onset of collectivity at Z=32 is understood as due to a pseudo-SU(3) organization of the proton single-particle sequence reflecting a clear manifestation of pseudospin symmetry. It is realized that the latter provides actually reliable guidance for understanding the observed proton and neutron single particle structure in the whole medium-mass region, from Ni to Sn, pointing towards the important role of the isovector-vector ρ field in shell-structure evolution.

Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Areca catechu, Boesenbergia rotunda, Piper betle and Orthosiphon aristatus for Potential Skin Anti-aging Properties

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for various applications including skin care. In this study, Areca catechu, Boesenbergia rotunda, Piper betle and Orthosiphon aristatus were tested for antioxidant and anti-aging properties. These plant extracts were subjected to 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2ʹ-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity analyses. The extracts were then assessed for collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase inhibition and subjected to toxicity study in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Lastly, bioactive compounds in these plant extracts were identified using high performance liquid chromatography. We found that Piper betle and Areca catechu possessed high total flavonoid and phenolic contents. These two extracts showed the best IC₅₀ values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and also demonstrated the highest elastase and collagenase inhibition when compared to the other two plant extracts. These crude plants extracts were also non-toxic to normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Our HPLC results identified several potential bioactive compounds in these plant extracts that could be crucial in mediating the observed effects. Based on our results, these plant extracts especially Piper betle and Areca catechu extracts possess significant antioxidant and anti-aging properties and could be utilized in the development of safe and cost-effective anti-aging treatments.

New spectrophotometric/chemometric assisted methods for the simultaneous determination of imatinib, gemifloxacin, nalbuphine and naproxen in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine

In this paper, novel univariate and multivariate regression methods along with model-updating technique were developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of quaternary mixture of imatinib (IMB), gemifloxacin (GMI), nalbuphine (NLP) and naproxen (NAP). The univariate method is extended derivative ratio (EDR) which depends on measuring every drug in the quaternary mixture by using a ternary mixture of the other three drugs as divisor. Peak amplitudes were measured at 294nm, 250nm, 283nm and 239nm within linear concentration ranges of 4.0-17.0, 3.0-15.0, 4.0-80.0 and 1.0-6.0μgmL^-1 for IMB, GMI, NLP and NAB, respectively. Multivariate methods adopted are partial least squares (PLS) in original and derivative mode. These models were constructed for simultaneous determination of the studied drugs in the ranges of 4.0-8.0, 3.0-11.0, 10.0-18.0 and 1.0-3.0μgmL^-1 for IMB, GMI, NLP and NAB, respectively, by using eighteen mixtures as a calibration set and seven mixtures as a validation set. The root mean square error of predication (RMSEP) were 0.09 and 0.06 for IMB, 0.14 and 0.13 for GMI, 0.07 and 0.02 for NLP and 0.64 and 0.27 for NAP by PLS in original and derivative mode, respectively. Both models were successfully applied for analysis of IMB, GMI, NLP and NAP in their dosage forms. Updated PLS in derivative mode and EDR were applied for determination of the studied drugs in spiked human urine. The obtained results were statistically compared with those obtained by the reported methods giving a conclusion that there is no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision.

Analytical method development and validation of spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric determination of some antimicrobial drugs in their pharmaceuticals

In this study, three novel, sensitive, simple and validated spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods have been proposed for estimation of some important antimicrobial drugs. The first two methods have been proposed for estimation of two important third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics namely, cefixime and cefdinir. Both methods were based on condensation of the primary amino group of the studied drugs with acetyl acetone and formaldehyde in acidic medium. The resulting products were measured by spectrophotometric (Method I) and spectrofluorimetric (Method II) tools. Regarding method I, the absorbance was measured at 315nm and 403nm with linearity ranges of 5.0-140.0 and 10.0-100.0μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. Meanwhile in method II, the produced fluorophore was measured at λ_em 488nm or 491nm after excitation at λ_ex 410nm with linearity ranges of 0.20-10.0 and 0.20-36.0μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. On the other hand, method III was devoted to estimate nifuroxazide spectrofluorimetrically depending on formation of highly fluorescent product upon reduction of the studied drug with Zinc powder in acidic medium. Measurement of the fluorescent product was carried out at λ_em 335nm following excitation at λ_ex 255nm with linearity range of 0.05 to 1.6μg/mL. The developed methods were subjected to detailed validation procedure, moreover they were used for the estimation of the concerned drugs in their pharmaceuticals. It was found that there is a good agreement between the obtained results and those obtained by the reported methods.

Simultaneous Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Ebastine with Two Sympathomimetic Drugs Using a Monolithic Column

Ebastine (EBS) has been assayed in its laboratory-prepared co-formulated tablets with either pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSU) or phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHR) using isocratic reversed-phase chromatography. Separation was conducted using a 50 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., Chromolith® SpeedROD RP-18 end-capped column at ambient temperature. A mobile phase composed of water:acetonitrile in a ratio of 25:75 having a pH of 3.2, has been utilized at 1 mL/min with UV detection at 254 nm for both EBS and PSU and 274 nm for PHR which in turn increased the sensitivity of the proposed method significantly. Symmetric well-separated peaks resulted in a short chromatographic run; <5 min. The proposed method was subjected to detailed validation procedures and proved to be highly sensitive as shown from limit of quantification values which were 4.7, 39.4 and 10.2 μg/mL for EBS, PSU and PHR, respectively. The proposed method was used to analyze EBS in its laboratory-prepared co-formulated tablets; the obtained results were comparable to those resulting from the reference method.

Impact of intensive treatment and remission on health-related quality of life in early and established rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

To establish if using intensive treatment to reduce synovitis and attain remission in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves all aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

A secondary analysis of two randomised clinical trials (CARDERA and TACIT) was undertaken. CARDERA randomised 467 patients with early active RA to different disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) regimens, including high-dose tapering corticosteroids. TACIT randomised 205 established patients with active RA to combination DMARDs (cDMARDs) or tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFis). Short-Form 36 (SF-36) measured HRQoL across eight domains, generating physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. Linear regression evaluated 6-month intensive treatment impacts. Mean SF-36 scores, stratified by end point disease activity category, were compared with age/gender-matched population scores.

Results

In CARDERA, intensive corticosteroid treatment gave significantly greater improvements in PCS but not MCS scores relative to placebo. In TACIT, all eight SF-36 domains had improvements from baseline exceeding minimal clinically important differences with cDMARDs and TNFis. Significantly greater improvements with TNFi relative to cDMARDs were reported in PCS only (p=0.034), after adjusting for covariates. Remission provided the best SF-36 profiles, but scores in physical functioning, role physical and general health in both trials remained below normative values. Patient global assessment of disease activity had a greater association with HRQoL than other disease activity score (DAS28) components.

Conclusions

Intensive corticosteroid treatment in early RA improves physical but not mental health, relative to placebo. In established RA, cDMARDs and TNFi provide similar improvements in HRQoL. As remission optimises but fails to normalise HRQoL, a focus on treatment strategies targeting HRQoL is required.

Trial registration numbers

CARDERA was registered as ISRCTN 32484878. TACIT was registered as ISRCTN 37438295; pre-results.

First Evidence of Shape Coexistence in the ^{78}Ni Region: Intruder 0_{2}^{+} State in ^{80}Ge

The N=48 ^{80}Ge nucleus is studied by means of β-delayed electron-conversion spectroscopy at ALTO. The radioactive ^{80}Ga beam is produced through the isotope separation on line photofission technique and collected on a movable tape for the measurement of γ and e^{-} emission following β decay. An electric monopole E0 transition, which points to a 639(1) keV intruder 0_{2}^{+} state, is observed for the first time. This new state is lower than the 2_{1}^{+} level in ^{80}Ge, and provides evidence of shape coexistence close to one of the most neutron-rich doubly magic nuclei discovered so far, ^{78}Ni. This result is compared with theoretical estimates, helping to explain the role of monopole and quadrupole forces in the weakening of the N=50 gap at Z=32. The evolution of intruder 0_{2}^{+} states towards ^{78}Ni is discussed.

UPLC-MS/MS assay of 21-aminosteroid (lazaroid U74389G) for application in pharmacokinetic study

Lazaroids are potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, a member of the lazaroid family, U-74389G (LAZ) has been shown to have specific radio-protective and anti-proliferative effects. However, there is no quantitative analytical method developed for measuring the therapeutic levels of LAZ for the aforementioned effects. This article highlights the development and validation of a sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of LAZ, and its subsequent application in pharmacokinetic studies in rats with the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1.95 ng/mL. LAZ and internal standard diadzein (IS) were separated using ACQUITY UPLC(®) BEH C18 column. Gradient elution was used at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min with mobile phases consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic in acetonitrile. LAZ (m/z 612→260) and IS (m/z 255→199) were detected by electrospray ionization (ESI) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in a positive mode on QTRAP(®) 5500 System. The UPLC-MS/MS method was validated as per the US FDA Guidelines for Bio-analytical Validation. LAZ was extracted from rat plasma (100 μL) using protein precipitation by acetonitrile with mean recovery and matrix factor in range of 47.7-56.1%, and 85.6-89.4%, respectively. The calibration curve for LAZ was linear in the range of 1.95-250 ng/mL. The inter-day and intra-day accuracy and precision values for LLOQ, low, medium, high and very high concentration QC samples were within ±15%. LAZ was tested under different storage conditions, for short-term bench-top stability (1h and 3h at 25°C), long-term stability (1 month at -80°C), freeze-thaw cycle stability (1 cycle and 3 cycles) and stability of processed samples in auto-sampler (24h at 10°C) with stability values within ±15% range of nominal concentrations. The validated UPLC-MS/MS method was further applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats after a single intravenous dose of LAZ at 5 mg/kg.

In vivo study and thermodynamic investigation of two lanthanum complexes, La(dpp)3 and La(XT), for the treatment of bone resorption disorders

Bone density diseases such as osteoporosis affect a significant number of people worldwide. Lanthanide ions are functional mimics of calcium ions, able to substitute for Ca2+ in the bone mineral component, hydroxyapatite (HAP). Bone undergoes a continuous remodelling cycle and lanthanides can affect this cycle, exerting a positive influence on bone mineral. We have been engaged in efforts to find new lanthanide containing complexes as active agents for treatment of these diseases and have identified two lead compounds, 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethylpyridin-4(1H)-one (Hdpp) and a phosphinate-EDTA derivative, bis[[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-methyl]phosphinate (H5XT). In this paper, we report in vivo data for the first time for the two lead compounds. The pharmacokinetics of La(dpp)3 suggest the complex is rapidly cleared from plasma. We demonstrate that La3+ accumulates in the bone following IV dose of either La(dpp)3 or La(XT) and we have investigated the influence of each chelating ligand on the incorporation of La3+ into HAP using ITC and HAP-binding studies.

Antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome: description of population and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the SF-36

Objective

Antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome (APS) affects mainly women 15 to 50 years of age and is responsible for approximately 20% of strokes in people <40 years. Little is known about the psychological burden of this long-term condition. We investigated HRQoL in APS.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 270 members of the Hughes Syndrome Foundation worldwide. Data included HRQoL (SF-36), demographics, and APS-related self-reported major issues. Response rate was 60%.

Results

T-tests indicated significantly worse mean scores for seven of the eight domains of the SF-36 in secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) compared to primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), e.g. bodily pain t(263) = 6.10 p < 0.001 except for mental health t(267) = 1.95 p = 0.053. PAPS appeared to be associated with poorer HRQoL in most mental health domains but overall better physical domains compared to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) alone. SAPS appeared to have a more adverse impact on HRQoL compared to PAPS and SLE. Major issues identified: pain and fatigue, lack of health care professional/public awareness, and medication unpredictability.

Conclusion

HRQoL in PAPS appears to be generally better than SLE and SAPS in physical domains, but poorer in mental domains. APS patients might need more social support in terms of information and awareness of the condition to improve their coping strategies.

Development of automated image stitching system for radiographic images

Standard X-ray images using conventional screen-film technique have a limited field of view that is insufficient to show the full bone structure of large hands on a single frame. To produce images containing the whole hand structure, digitized images from the X-ray films can be assembled using image stitching. This paper presents a new medical image stitching method that utilizes minimum average correlation energy filters to identify and merge pairs of hand X-ray medical images. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated in the experiments involving two databases which contain a total of 40 pairs of overlapping and non-overlapping hand images. The experimental results are compared with that of the normalized cross-correlation (NCC) method. It is found that the proposed method outperforms the NCC method in classifying and merging the overlapping and non-overlapping medical images. The efficacy of the proposed method is further indicated by its average execution time, which is about five times shorter than that of the other method.