Bio-copper nanoparticle-based superhydrophobic membranes for sustainable oil/water separation

The effective separation of oil and water presents a significant global challenge due to the growing prevalence of industrial oily wastewater. In this investigation, a superhydrophobic (SP) coating based on bio-copper (Cu) was successfully created using the grape seed extract and applied onto a textile fabric (TF) to create a highly efficient membrane for oil-water (O-W) separation. The characteristics of the resulting bio-Cu nanoparticles, including surface area, morphology, and composition, were examined. The developed SP TF (STF) membrane, based on bio-Cu, underwent extensive analysis of its wettability, morphology, surface composition, oil absorption capacity, O-W separation performance, flux rate, mechanical stability, and chemical stability. The STF membrane exhibited excellent SP properties, with a high-water contact angle of 156° and a low water sliding angle of 2°, indicating its exceptional ability to repel water. Furthermore, the membrane demonstrated a remarkable oil absorption capacity, separation efficiency, and the flux rate toward three different oils (diesel, corn oil, and kerosene). It displayed good mechanical and chemical stability, with the ability to withstand abrasion and immersion in solutions of different pH values for varying exposure times. These findings highlight the potential of the bio-Cu-based STF membrane as an effective and durable solution for O-W separation applications.

Sustainable synthesis of superhydrophobic textile filters for oil/water separation using biomass waste-derived Bio-Ag nanoparticles

Separation of oil and water has become a daunting task at a global scale due to the frequent presence of industrial oily wastewater. This study describes the synthesis of a Bio-Ag nanoparticle and its utilization in fabricating superhydrophobic (SH) films on textile fibers for separating oil-water mixture. The Bio-Ag nanoparticles were prepared from grape seed extract. The study examined various aspects of the synthesized SH textile fiber, including its morphology, wettability, surface composition, chemical stability, mechanical stability, oil absorption capacity, oil-water separation performance, and flux rate. The results indicate that the developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has excellent SH properties, with a low water sliding angle of 1° and a high water contact angles of 159°. The SH textile filter exhibited good separation efficiency, oil absorption capacity, and flux rate toward silicone oil, toluene, and petroleum ether. The SH textile filter also demonstrated satisfactory chemical and mechanical stability. The developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has the potential to be an efficient material for oil-water separation applications.

Hepatoprotective effects of linalool against liver ischemia-reperfusion: the role of Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 and TLR4/RAGE/NFκB pathways

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (H I/R) injury arises due to a temporary obstruction followed by the re-establishment of blood supply to the liver. Linalool (LIN), a main volatile constituent of essential oils in numerous aromatic plant species, exhibited various medicinal and pharmacological actions. This study investigated the protective effect of LIN on the status of H I/R, with the study of the possible mechanisms. In addition, linalool's antagonistic effects were tested against several metabolic targets using in silico molecular docking technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were allocated into five groups. Sham and LIN + Sham groups in which animals were administered either vehicle (1% CMC) or LIN (200 mg/kg/day) orally for two weeks. H I/R group in which rats were administered 1% CMC for two weeks and then experienced hepatic ischemia for 60 min followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. LIN 100 + H I/R and LIN 200 + H I/R groups in which rats were pretreated with LIN (100, 200 mg/kg/day) respectively for two weeks, then subjected to H I/R.

RESULTS

H I/R-induced injury resulted in impaired liver function and activated Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 and HMGB1/TLR4/RAGE/NFкB pathways with subsequent oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. LIN pretreatment alleviated I/R-induced impairment in liver function, promoted Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1, and mitigated the HMGB1/TLR4/RAGE/NFкB pathway. LIN pre-administration deterred adhesion molecule, neutrophils infiltration, RAGE, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

LIN demonstrated hepato-protective effects against H I/R via instigation Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 and mitigating the HMGB1/TLR4/RAGE/NFкB pathways with subsequent deterring oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Fabrication of biochar-based superhydrophobic coating on steel substrate and its UV resistance, anti-scaling, and corrosion resistance performance

In this study, we report an eco-friendly and facile process for the synthesis of biochar, BC, and a cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Co-BC, using rice straw biomass. We constructed two superhydrophobic coatings on steel substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel-modified biochar, Ni@BC, and nickel modified by cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Ni@Co-BC, then, these coatings were soaked in an ethanolic stearic acid solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the stearic acid-grafted Ni@BC coating, Ni@BC@SA, and the stearic acid-grafted Ni@Co-BC composite, Ni@Co-BC@SA, were well grafted on the steel surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the superhydrophobic coatings have nanoscale features. Atomic force microscopy results showed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coat had higher roughness than Ni@BC@SA, resulting in higher superhydrophobicity. The water contact angles for Ni@BC@SA and Ni@Co-BC@SA coatings were 161° and 165°, respectively, while the values of water sliding angles for both coatings were 3.0° and 1.0°, respectively. Quantitative estimation of the scale inhibition efficiency revealed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating exhibited greater efficiency compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. Additionally, the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating demonstrated improved corrosion resistance, UV resistance, mechanical abrasion resistance, and chemical stability compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. These results highlight the superior performance of the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating and its potential as a highly effective and durable superhydrophobic coating for steel substrates.

Studying the actions of sage and thymoquinone combination on metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet in rats

OBJECTIVE

High-fat diet is one of the most imperative risk factors for cardiovascular disorders. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the active pharmacological components of Nigella sativa (black cumin). Salvia officinalis L. (sage) has been demonstrated to have diverse pharmacological actions. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of sage and TQ combination on hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, blood pressure, and lipid profile in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar male rats were divided into five groups; normal diet (ND) and HFD, in which rats were fed with a normal diet or HFD for 10 weeks, respectively. In HFD + sage group, animals were administered sage essential oil (0.052 ml/kg) orally along with HFD. In HFD + TQ group, rats were administered TQ (50 mg/kg) orally with HFD. In HF + sage + TQ group, animals received sage + TQ along with HFD. Blood glucose (BGL) and Fast serum insulin (FSI) levels, oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure, liver function tests, plasma, and hepatic oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione content, and lipid profile were measured.

RESULTS

Sage and TQ combination decreased the final body weight, weight gain, BGL, FSI, and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The combination also lowered systolic and diastolic arterial pressures and liver function enzymes. The combination deterred lipid peroxidation, advanced protein oxidation product, and nitric oxide amplification, as well as restoring the superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and glutathione content in plasma and hepatic tissue. Sage and TQ combination reduced the plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and amplified high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study verified that sage essential oil, together with TQ exhibited hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant actions and thus could be a valuable addition to diabetes management.

Construction of superhydrophobic graphene-based coating on steel substrate and its ultraviolet durability and corrosion resistance properties

For the first time, a facile and environmentally friendly approach for producing high-quality graphene from the biomass of banana leaves is described in this paper. Two rough coats of Ni-graphene, Ni@G, and Ni-graphene doped with chromium, Ni@Cr-G, were created on steel substrates by electrostatic deposition. These coatings were then submerged in an ethanolic solution of myristic acid, MA, to produce a superhydrophobic, SHP, surface. The Raman spectra demonstrated that the generated graphene was of high quality. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy findings confirm the modification of the Ni@G coating by MA, Ni@G@MA, and the modification of the Ni@Cr-G composite with MA, Ni@Cr-G@MA. The results of the scanning electron microscope revealed that the created SHP coatings have nanoscale features. The wettability results showed that the water contact angle values for Ni@G@MA and Ni@Cr-G@MA coatings are 158° and 168°, while the water sliding angle values for both coatings are 4.0 ^o and 1.0°, respectively. The atomic force microscopy results show that both Ni@G and Ni@Cr-G coatings increase the roughness of the steel. The chemical and mechanical stability of the Ni@Cr-G@MA coating was higher than those of the Ni@G@MA coating. The coated steel by Ni@Cr-G@MA exhibits UV stability up to 110 h, while the SHP-coated steel by Ni@G@MA exhibits UV stability for 60 h. The potentiodynamic polarization results show that the value of the corrosion current density for bare steel is 13 times that of steel coated with Ni@G@MA, and 21 times that of coated steel with Ni@Cr-G@MA. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, results show that the charge transfer resistance for steel coated with Ni@G@MA is 38 times that of bare steel, while steel coated with Ni@Cr-G@MA is 57 times that of bare steel. Potentiodynamic polarization and EIS results show that the SHP Ni@Cr-G@MA film exhibits higher corrosion resistance than Ni@G@MA film.

β-caryophyllene ameliorates hepatic ischemia reperfusion-induced injury: the involvement of Keap1/Nrf2/HO 1/NQO 1 and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (H I/R) injury is a frequent clinical event during which the leading contributing players are inflammation and oxidative stress responses. β-caryophyllene (BCP), a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, is an essential oil component of different plant species and edibles. This study aims to identify whether BCP pretreatment could avert H I/R injury with inspections of the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals were devised into five groups; Sham and BCP + Sham; the animals were administered saline or BCP (200 mg/kg, orally) respectively; H I/R group, the animals were administered saline orally for 14 days before induction of H I/R; BCP100 and BCP200, the animals were administered BCP (100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively) for 14 days, followed by induction of H I/R.

RESULTS

H I/R showed markedly increased ALT, AST, MDA, and lowered antioxidant enzyme activities, while the Nrf2/HO1/NQO1 pathway components were significantly augmented. The TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 elements were deterred, and subsequently, escalations in the inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), adhesion molecule ICAM-1, neutrophils infiltration (MPO), and apoptotic markers were observed. Pretreatment with BCP amplified the antioxidant enzyme activities and Keap1/Nrf2/HO1/NQO1 pathway components. BCP pretreatment lowered TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway elements, which mitigated inflammatory mediators, ICAM-1, MPO, and apoptotic markers.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effect of BCP against hepatic I/R induced injury might be accomplished via mitigation of oxidative stress by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO1/NQO1 pathway and inhibition of the inflammatory process via manipulating the TLR4/ NF-κB/ NLRP3, reflected by inflammatory markers, neutrophils recruitment, and adhesion molecules reduction. BCP might be a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating hepatic I/R-induced injury.

Eco-friendly method for construction of superhydrophobic graphene-based coating on copper substrate and its corrosion resistance performance

In this work, Ni and Ni-graphene, Ni-G, films were electrodeposited on copper substrate by potentiostatic deposition. To achieve superhydrophobicity, myristic acid, MA, was used to modify the surface of the electrodeposited coatings. The manufactured Ni film modified with myristic acid, Ni-MA, and the Ni-G film modified with myristic acid, Ni-G-MA, show excellent superhydrophobic, SHP, properties with a water contact angle of 159° and 162°, respectively. The surface morphology of the prepared SHP films was investigated using a Scanning Electron Microscope, and the results revealed micro-nano structures in both Ni-MA and Ni-G-MA films. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer data showed that the Ni-MA and Ni-G-MA films were successfully grafted on the copper metal. The Ni-G-MA film possessed higher chemical stability and mechanical abrasion resistance than Ni-MA. The Ni-MA and Ni-G-MA films exhibit long-term durability in the outdoor environment for more than four months. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results demonstrated that the SHP films on the copper substrate exhibit remarkable corrosion resistance in 0.5 M NaCl.

Fabrication of a biological metal-organic framework based superhydrophobic textile fabric for efficient oil/water separation

In response to the industry's difficulty in properly separating oily wastewater discharge, researchers are investigating enhanced oil/water separation materials. In this work, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly superhydrophobic textile fabric was fabricated for effective oil-water mixture and emulsion separation. A biological metal-organic framework consisting of copper as a core metal and aspartic acid as a linker (Cu-Asp MOF) was used to improve the surface roughness of the pristine textile fabric, and stearic acid was used to lower its surface energy. The thermal gravimetric analysis investigated the prepared Cu-Asp MOF's thermal stability. X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy studied the crystal orientation and chemical composition of the Cu-Asp MOF, Cu-Asp MOF@SA, pristine textile fabric, and superhydrophobic textile fabric, respectively. The surface morphology of the pristine and modified textile fabric was studied by scanning electron microscope. The wettability results showed that the prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric has a water contact angle of 158° ± 1.3 and water sliding angle of 2° ± 0.2°. The prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric showed excellent oil-water mixture and emulsion separation performance, oil absorption capacity, chemical stability, mechanical abrasion resistance, and a high flux rate. These outstanding characteristics of the prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric greatly increase the possibility for practical applications.

Fabrication of eco-friendly graphene-based superhydrophobic coating on steel substrate and its corrosion resistance, chemical and mechanical stability

Superhydrophobic coatings were successfully fabricated on steel substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition of Ni and Ni-graphene, Ni-G, coatings followed by immersion in an ethanolic solution of stearic acid, SA. Rice straw, an environmentally friendly biomass resource, was used to synthesize high-quality graphene. The Raman spectra proved the high quality of the produced graphene. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR, results showed that the Ni coating grafted with stearic acid, Ni-SA, and the Ni-G composite grafted with stearic acid, Ni-G-SA, were successfully deposited on the steel substrate. The scanning electron microscope, SEM, results showed that the prepared superhydrophobic coatings exhibit micro-nano structures. The wettability results revealed that the values of contact angles, CAs, for Ni-SA and Ni-G-SA coatings are 155.7° and 161.4°, while the values of sliding angles, SAs, for both coatings are 4.0° and 1.0°, respectively. The corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical abrasion resistance of the Ni-G-SA coating were found to be greater than those of the Ni-SA coating.

Corrosion performance of a steel surface modified by a robust graphene-based superhydrophobic film with hierarchical roughness

Potentiostatic deposition of cobalt film and cobalt-graphene, Co-G, composite, followed by modification with low surface energy stearic acid (SA), was used to fabricate superhydrophobic films on a steel substrate successfully. A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the surface morphology of the prepared superhydrophobic cobalt film modified by stearic acid, Co-SA, and the cobalt-graphene film modified by stearic acid, Co-G-SA. The findings show that both the fabricated films have micro-nanostructures. The Co-G-SA film shows a higher roughness due to the network structures of graphene and so exhibits higher superhydrophobicity. The Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, FTIR, results confirm the formation of Co-SA and Co-G-SA films on the steel surface. The wettability of the prepared films shows that they exhibit superhydrophobicity, where the Co-SA and Co-G-SA films have contact angles of 155° and 158°, respectively. The Potentiodynamic polarization results show that the value of the corrosion current density for steel coated with Co-SA (0.7094 µA) is lower than that of bare steel (0.1457 mA), while the coated steel with Co-G-SA film has the lowest value (0.1732 µA). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, results show that the charge transfer resistance for steel coated with Co-SA is 38 times that of bare steel, while steel coated with Co-SA is 57 times that of bare steel. Potentiodynamic polarization and EIS results show that the prepared Co-G-SA film superhydrophobic films exhibit higher corrosion resistance. Co-G-SA film has higher mechanical stability (maintains superhydrophobicity until 900 abrasion cycles), chemical stability (has superhydrophobicity in the pH range 1–13), and long-term stability (retains superhydrophobicity after 30 days in a 0.5 M NaCl solution) in 0.5 M NaCl solution.

Potential genetic biomarker of Saudi Arabian patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. We implemented a comprehensive literature review regarding CRC genetics studies to offer a perception into the genes associated with CRC recognized in Saudi patients. Definite genetic variants in ABCB1, ADIPOQ, CTNNB1, SFRP3, LRP6, CYP19A1, PARP-1, TDG genes exhibited significant protection against CRC development in Saudi population. Whereas, other gene mutations in ABCB1, ABCC1, CASR, IL-17F, NOTCH1, NOTCH4, PRNCR1, TDG, TLR2, TLR4, TLR-9, TSLP, TSLPR and TNF-α genes showed irrelevant correlation with CRC risk in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, specific mutations in ABCC1, ADIPOQ, CYP1A1, KIR, IL-17A, MMP2, NOTCH3, PRNCR1, RETN, TDG, TLR2, BRAF, PARP-1, TLR4, TLR-9, TNF-α, TSLP and XRCC1 genes demonstrated a substantial augmented CRC risk development in Saudi patients. Furthermore, ATR, ATM, BMI1, CCAT1, Chk1, Chk2, COX-2, FoxM1, FSCN1, Ki67, MALAT1, miR-29, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-182-5, PANDAR, PIK3CA, TIGAR over-expression revealed a robust association with CRC in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Moreover, gene alterations in APC, EGFR, FBXW7, TP53, PTEN, K-ras genes were concomitant in CRC. As well as, lower expression of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM and MUTYH genes were recognized in LS patients and future CRC Saudi patients. These gene mutations may be used as diagnostic and/or prognostic genetic markers in CRC Saudi patients and could offer a potential therapeutic target for CRC management.

Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Nickel Films on Steel Surface With High Corrosion Resistance, Mechanical and Chemical Stability

Superhydrophobic films were successfully grafted on a steel substrate using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel followed by treatment with myristic acid (MA) as a low surface energy material. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the surface topography of the prepared superhydrophobic films. The results revealed that the prepared Ni films modified by myristic acid have micro-nano structures. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that the steel substrate was coated with nickel film modified with myristic acid. Three different nickel films were prepared: the Ni-MA (I) deposited from pure nickel sulfate bath (1.0 M NiSO4), Ni-MA (II) deposited from pure nickel chloride bath (1.0 M NiCl2. 6H2O), and the third Ni-MA (III) film deposited from Watts bath (0.2 M NiCl2. 6H2O and 0.8M NiSO4). The superhydrophobic Ni-MA (I) film has the highest corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical abrasion resistance, while Ni-MA (II) film has the lowest properties.

Identification of epilepsy concomitant candidate genes recognized in Saudi epileptic patients

Saudi Genome program is a revolutionary nationwide transformation initiative of Saudi Vision 2030. The program goals are to recognize and reduce the incidence of genetic diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Accordingly, the program will establish the foundation for personalized and genomic medicine in the KSA. Epilepsy has a high prevalence in KSA reaching around 6.54 of 1000 individuals with a subsequent massive financial burden. One of the main risk factors for this high prevalence and associated with increased risk of epilepsy development is consanguinity marriage, which is traditional in KSA. In this review, we executed a comprehensive state-of-art literature review regarding epilepsy genetics to offer a perception into the genes associated with epilepsy recognized in Saudi epileptic patients. Several genes' mutations were incorporated in this review including AFG3L2, ASPM, ATN1, ATP1A2, BMP5, CCDC88A, C12orf57, DNAJA1, EML1, ERLIN2, FRRS1L, GABRG3, NRXN3, MDH1, KCNJ10, KCNMA1, KCNT1, KIAA0226, OPHN1, PCCA, PCCB, PEX, PGAP2, PI4K2A, PODXL, PRICKLE1, PNKP, RELN, SCN2A, SCN1B, SLC2A1, SLC19A3, SLC25, SIAH1, SYNJ1, SZT2, TBCK, TMX2, TSC1, TSC2, TSEN, WDR45B, WWOX, UBR, UGDH, and YIF1B. For each of these genes, we tried to explain a little about the gene associated proteins and their roles in epilepsy development.

Subchronic administration of mitoxantrone and the influence of enzyme inhibitors on its induced cardiotoxicity in mice: role of NRF-2/CYP2E1

OBJECTIVE

Mitoxantrone (MTX)- induced cardiotoxicity is a clinical concern that is limiting its use. The aim of this paper, therefore, was to investigate the subchronic administration of MTX plus nonspecific/specific inhibitors of CYP450/2E1, to assess the extent of oxidative-induced injury by measuring levels of oxidative cardiac and injury biomarkers in mice and to evaluate the effects of CYP2E1 on caspase 3 activity and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF-2).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice (n = 32) were divided into four treatment groups of eight: control, MTX, MTX + 4-methlypyrazole (4MP) and MTX + disulfiram (Disf). After 6 weeks of treatments, blood and heart samples were collected.

RESULTS

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis of MTX-treated plasma samples revealed several metabolites with different retention times. Cardiac antioxidant enzymes and creatine kinase (CK) levels were not significantly different among the groups. However, cardiac troponin and caspase 3 activity were significantly raised, with increased CYP2E1 expressions and reduced NRF-2 expression. Tissue damage was observed in all the treatment groups, including MTX, leading to the conclusion that MTX-induced cardiotoxicity was mediated by CYP2E1 activity, which initiated caspase 3 production, and decreased NRF-2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, agents that inhibit CPY2E1 expression might attenuate MTX-induced cardiotoxicity by increasing NRF-2 expression.

POS1054 UPADACITINIB PHARMACOKINETICS AND EXPOSURE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS FOR EFFICACY AND SAFETY IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS – ANALYSES OF THE PHASE 3 SELECT-PsA STUDIES

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral, reversible, JAK inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The efficacy and safety profile of UPA in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been established in the SELECT-PsA program which includes two global Phase 3 studies.

Objectives:

These analyses characterize UPA pharmacokinetics and exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety endpoints using data from the SELECT-PsA studies.

Methods:

The SELECT-PsA program enrolled patients with prior inadequate response (IR) or intolerance to ≥1 non-bDMARD1 (N=1705) and prior IR or intolerance to ≥1 bDMARD2 (N=642). Data from both trials was integrated for patients receiving placebo (PBO), UPA 15mg once daily (QD) and UPA 30mg QD; adalimumab data was excluded from this analysis. UPA pharmacokinetics were characterized in PsA patients using Bayesian population pharmacokinetics analyses and utilizing prior information from analyses in healthy subjects and RA patients. Exposure-response analyses were conducted using logistic regression to characterize the relationships between upadacitinib average plasma concentration during a dosing interval (Cavg) and the percentage of patients achieving ACR20/50/70 at Weeks 12 and 24, static Investigator Global Assessment of psoriasis (sIGA) of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) and at least a 2-point improvement from baseline, and PASI75 at Weeks 16 and 24 or experiencing selected clinically relevant safety events through week 24.

Results:

Analyses were conducted using data from 1694 subjects (for pharmacokinetics) and 1916 subjects (for exposure-response analyses). UPA model-estimated plasma exposures in subjects with PsA who received 15mg and 30mg QD doses were comparable to previously estimated exposures in subjects with RA. Body weight and methotrexate use had no clinically relevant effects on UPA exposures. There was a statistically significant relationship between UPA Cavg and the percentage of subjects who achieved Week 12 ACR50/70, Week 16 sIGA 0/1, and Week 24 sIGA 0/1 (Figure 1). No statistically significant exposure-response relationship was observed for Week 12 ACR20, Week 16 PASI75, or Week 24 ACR20/50/70 or PASI75, indicating that the 15mg QD exposures are approximately at the plateau of response for these endpoints. No statistically significant relationships were observed between upadacitinib Cavg and the percentage of subjects experiencing pneumonia, herpes zoster, hemoglobin < 8 g/dL, Grade ≥3 lymphopenia, Grade ≥3 neutropenia. There was a shallow but statistically significant exposure-response relationships with the occurrence of serious infections and decrease in hemoglobin from baseline (>2 g/dL and >2 g/dL in combination with hemoglobin < lower limit for normal).

Figure 1.

Observed and Model Predicted Efficacy Responses at Week 12 (for ACR50/70) or at Weeks 16 and Week 24 (for sIGA 0/1) Versus Upadacitinib Plasma Exposures

Conclusion:

Exposure-response analyses demonstrated that plasma exposures associated with UPA 15 mg QD achieves robust efficacy in subjects with PsA with limited effects on the evaluated safety endpoints. UPA plasma exposures associated with UPA 15 and 30mg QD are predicted to provide similar ACR responses by week 24 while a small additional efficacy benefit with UPA 30mg is predicted for the achievement sIGA 0/1.

References:

[1]van Vollenhoven R, et al. Monotherapy with Upadacitinib in MTX-naïve Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results at 48 Weeks from the SELECT-EARLY Study. 2019 EULAR; THU0197

[2]Fleischmann R, et al. Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib or Adalimumab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results at 48 weeks from the SELECT-COMPARE Study. 2019 EULAR; FRI0147

Disclosure of Interests:

Elena Muensterman Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Benjamin Engelhardt Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Sathej Gopalakrishnan Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Mohamed-Eslam Mohamed Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie.

Fabrication of durable superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric for highly efficient oil/water separation

In the present work, dopamine is self-polymerized on cotton fabric by a simple deep-coating method and followed by modification with an ethanolic solution of palmitic acid: a superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric was obtained. The as-prepared cotton fabric exhibits a superhydrophobic character with a water contact angle of 157^o. The absorption capacity of as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric in n-hexane, petroleum ether, and silicone oil was determined. The results show that silicone oil has the highest absorption capacity while n-hexane has the lowest value. The absorption capacity is nearly constant even after ten cycles, indicating the efficient recyclability of the as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric for oil separation. The as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric shows excellent separation efficiency, high flux rate, and excellent chemical and mechanical stability.

SAT0160 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF UPADACITINIB IN PATIENTS FROM CHINA, BRAZIL, AND SOUTH KOREA WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WHO HAVE HAD INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO CONVENTIONAL SYNTHETIC DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA), an oral, selective JAK-1 inhibitor was effective in global ph 3 trials in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response (IR)/intolerance to csDMARDs and bDMARDs.

Objectives:

This Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study assessed the efficacy and safety of UPA in combination with csDMARDs in csDMARD-IR patients with RA from China, Brazil, and South Korea.

Methods:

Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive UPA 15 mg once daily (QD) or PBO in combination with csDMARDs. The primary endpoint was ACR20 response at Week 12, using non-responder imputation.

Results:

338 patients were randomized, and 310 (91.7%) completed Week 12. At Week 12, statistically significantly more patients receiving UPA vs PBO achieved the primary endpoint of ACR20 (71.6% vs 31.4%, p<0.001). UPA also demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all ranked secondary endpoints vs PBO at Week 12 (Table 1), including mean change in DAS28(CRP), HAQ-DI, and SF-36 PCS, and patients achieving DAS28(CRP) ≤3.2, DAS28(CRP) <2.6, and CDAI ≤10. Greater responses were also seen with UPA vs PBO for other key secondary endpoints including ACR50 and ACR70. Onset of UPA action was rapid with more patients on UPA achieving ACR20 by Week 1 (25.4% vs 5.9%, p<0.001). The frequency of AEs (61.5% vs 49.1%) and serious AEs (7.1% vs 3.0%) was higher with UPA vs PBO. The frequency of AEs of special interest was generally similar between UPA and PBO, with the exception of herpes zoster (1.8% vs 0.6%), hepatic disorders (9.5% vs 7.1%), neutropenia (3.0% vs 0%), and elevated creatine phosphokinase (1.8% vs 0.6%), which were higher with UPA. One case of breast cancer (on Day 1 of study) and one VTE (pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in a patient with history of deep vein thrombosis) were reported with UPA treatment.

Table 1.

Efficacy endpoints at Week 12

EndpointaUPA 15 mg QD (n=169)PBO(n=169)Primary endpointACR20, %71.6***31.4Secondary endpointsΔ DAS28(CRP)-2.56***-0.95Δ HAQ-DI-0.62***-0.18Δ SF-36 PCS8.93c***3.36dDAS28(CRP) ≤3.2, %46.2***13.6DAS28(CRP) <2.6, %29.6***5.3CDAI ≤10, %35.5***11.2ACR50, %b40.8***8.3ACR70, %b21.3***3.6ACR20 at Week 1, %b25.4***5.9

***p<0.001 vs PBO

aNRI for binary endpoints; ANCOVA with multiple imputation for DAS28(CRP) and HAQ-DI; mixed model repeated measures for other continuous endpoints

bUnranked secondary endpoint.cn=143.dn=149

Conclusion:

Efficacy of UPA was demonstrated in this csDMARD-IR population from China, Brazil, and South Korea. The safety of UPA was comparable with the global Phase 3 program.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Xiaofeng Zeng Consultant of: MSD Pharmaceuticals, Dongbao Zhao: None declared, Sebastiao Radominski: None declared, MAURO KEISERMAN Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Abbott, Actelion, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Janssen and has received clinical trial honoraria from Pfizer, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogen Idec Inc, Celltrion Inc., Eli Lilly, Human Genome Sciences, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, UCB Inc., Chang-Keun Lee: None declared, Sebastian Meerwein Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Jeffrey Enejosa Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Yunxia Sui Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Mohamed-Eslam Mohamed Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Won Park: None declared

Plant germination and production of callus from the yellow hornpoppy (Glaucium flavum): the first stage of micropropagation

The yellow hornpoppy, Glaucium flavum Cr. (Fam. Papaveraceae) is a perennial herb, distributed in the Mediterranean region, including Egypt. The plant contains many benzyl isoquinoline alkaloids from the aporphine type such as glaucine, isoboldine, 1-chelidonine, 1-norchelidonine and 3-O-methylarterenol, making it to display various medicinal activities including antitussive, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, analgesic, antipyretic, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects. The plant is now rare and endangered in the Egyptian flora due to urban sprawl. The present study looks into Glaucium flavum seeds' in vitro germination as well as the ability of the explants taken from the growing seedlings to form stable callus lines in order to enable micropropagation as a way to save the rare plant. The study also scans the production of different medicinally valuable alkaloids, particularly glaucine, in produced callus.

First Report of Garlic common latent virus Infecting Garlic in Sudan

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important vegetable field crops in Sudan, cultivated on an area of more than 6,000 ha with a total yield of 27,000 t in 2010 (faostat.fao.org). As part of a project which started in 2010 to improve the garlic production in Sudan, samples from local varieties showing severe mosaic and/or mottling were collected in winter 2011 from the main production areas in River Nile State, Northern State, and Darfur State. The plant material used for garlic production came from Sudan and was not imported. Because no reliable data were available on which viruses occur in garlic in Sudan, specific tests were initially omitted. In order to get an overview of the viruses present, dsRNA was prepared of a mixed leaf sample (12 leaves of different samples). This resulted in a high molecular weight dsRNA of approximately 9 kbp that served as template for a random RT-PCR followed by cloning and sequencing (3). Three identical clones originating from one PCR product covering the C-terminal part of the coat protein to the N-terminal part of the nucleic acid binding protein showed the highest sequence similarity to Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV). The nucleotide sequence identities of the 554-bp insert range from 85% to an isolate from India (Accession No. FJ154841) up to 97% to a GarCLV isolate from The Netherlands (AB004804), identifying the virus as a Sudanese isolate of GarCLV, one of the most common garlic infecting viruses. GarCLV belongs to the genus Carlavirus (1) and has previously been reported from Asia, Europe, and South America ( http://sdb.im.ac.cn/vide/descr352.htm ). In order to confirm these results, a double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA was performed with six individual garlic samples in which five samples showed a clear reaction with a GarCLV specific antiserum (AS-0230, DSMZ, Germany). The occurrence of GarCLV could be further confirmed for the ELISA positive samples by a specific RT-PCR using the primers published by Majumder and Baranwal (2). Fragments of the expected size were obtained for all five samples. In addition, one of the positive samples was examined by electron microscopy (Dr. K. Richert-Pöggeler, JKI Braunschweig); filamentous flexous particles typical for carlaviruses could be observed. The random RT-PCR sequence obtained in this study has been submitted to GenBank (KC013030). To our knowledge, this is the first report of GarCLV in garlic in Sudan and Africa. The impact of GarCLV on garlic production in Sudan needs to be evaluated, but the awareness of the occurrence of the virus and the availability of a reliable diagnostic tool will help to select virus-free propagation material. This will form the basis for a sustainable garlic production. References: (1) A. M. Q. King et al. Virus Taxonomy 924, 2012. (2) S. Majumder and V. K. Baranwal. Plant Dis. 93:106, 2009. (3) W. Menzel et al. Arch. Virol. 154:1343, 2009.

Spectrophotometric determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in pharmaceutical preparation

A spectrophotometric procedure for the simultaneous determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in some pharmaceutical preparations has been developed. As the absorption bands of amoxycillin (274 and 227 nm) and clavulanic acid (270 nm) overlap, both Vierordt's method and derivative spectrophotometry have been investigated and evaluated. The first-derivative spectrophotometric method was found to be more accurate, direct and reproducible.

First Report of Shallot virus X in Onion in Sudan

Onion (Alium cepa L.) is among the most important vegetable field crops in Sudan. During a disease survey in crops (cvs. Kamleen Yellow and Abu-freua) conducted in 2010, samples showing mild mottling symptoms were collected from Shambat Research Station Farm, Khartoum North, Sudan. A CF-11 cellulose chromatography dsRNA preparation (4) of a mixed onion leaf sample of five plants (20 g) resulted, apart from smaller dsRNAs up to 3 kbp, in a high molecular weight dsRNA of approximately 9 kbp. This dsRNA was used as a template for a random reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR followed by cloning (4) and sequencing of two randomly selected clones by the ABI BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit. Comparison with sequences available at GenBank revealed high identities to Shallot virus X (ShVX). ShVX is the type member of the genus Allexivirus (Alphaflexiviridae). One sequence obtained showed 84% nt and 98% aa sequence identity (genome position 414 to 1,285 of Accession No. M97264) to the replicase, whereas the other sequence partially covered the ORF4 and coat protein (CP) coding region (7,127 to 7,998). This sequence showed 80% nt (entire sequence) and 80/89% aa sequence identity to the ORF4 encoded protein/coat protein of a Russian ShVX isolate, respectively. ShVX was first reported in shallot in Russia (2) and subsequently in the Netherlands, Germany, India (3), and New Zealand (1). To confirm the presence of ShVX in Sudan, 32 symptomatic leaf samples were collected in 2011 from different onion fields in Khartoum North, with a similar disease incidence compared to 2010. Thirty-one of these onion samples reacted positively in a double antibody sandwich-ELISA with a ShVX-specific antiserum (DSMZ AS-1042). Total RNA was extracted from five ShVX-ELISA positive onion samples using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Two primer pairs were also designed on the basis of sequences obtained in the random RT-PCR approach, targeting a 659-bp fragment of the coat protein region (ShVX-CPs 5'GTTGAATGTGGCGAGCGCAA3' and ShVX-CPas 5'AGTGCAGAAGCCTTCCACA3') or a 686-bp fragment of the replicase (ShVX-Rs 5'ATGTACTTCGGTACGGCATCA3' and ShVX-R-as 5'TAATCGAATGAGGTCGGCCA3'). Fragments of the expected sizes were obtained for all positive samples. One RT-PCR product of each primer pair was directly sequenced, showing high sequence identities to those previously obtained (>98%). The random RT-PCR sequences obtained in this study were submitted to GenBank (JQ751056 and JQ751057). On the basis of the nucleotide sequences obtained with the dsRNA template, ShVX specific RT-PCR, and ELISA, the presence of ShVX in Sudan was confirmed in two consecutive years. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ShVX in Sudan and Africa, indicating this virus is more widespread than previously reported. The presence of ShVX also suggests the presence of its only known vector, the mite Aceria tulipae. The virus may have been introduced to Sudan by infected onion sets. Even if the impact of ShVX on onion production has not been determined, its identification and the availability of a diagnostic antiserum may be helpful to select virus-free propagation material in order to achieve sustainable onion production in Sudan. References: (1) Z. Egusquiza et al. New Disease Reports 18:29, 2008. (2) K. V. Kanyuka et al. J. Gen. Virol. 73:2553, 1992. (3) S. Majumder et al. New Disease Reports 15:52, 2007. (4) W. Menzel et al. Arch. Virol. 154:1343, 2009.

Teaching of major communicable diseases in Sudanese medical schools: a critical look

This descriptive, cross-sectional study of Sudanese medical schools aimed to describe and analyse the proportion of their curricula currently allocated for teaching of communicable diseases and to assess the teaching methods and student assessment tools. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from heads of departments and students in 20 of the 27 medical faculties and from ministry of health staff at federal and state levels. Curriculum designs ranged from traditional to innovative, community-oriented programmes. Problems regarding student evaluations were identified. Major limitations included shortages of staff, reference materials and teaching aids. Poor knowledge of students about different aspects of diseases endemic in Sudan was found. Recommendations include curriculum development, staff recruitment and training, and improvement of teaching and training of students.

Reinvestigation of a new type of aerobic benzoate metabolism in the proteobacterium Azoarcus evansii

The aerobic metabolism of benzoate in the proteobacterium Azoarcus evansii was reinvestigated. The known pathways leading to catechol or protocatechuate do not operate in this bacterium. The presumed degradation via 3-hydroxybenzoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and gentisate could not be confirmed. The first committed step is the activation of benzoate to benzoyl-CoA by a specifically induced benzoate-CoA ligase (AMP forming). This enzyme was purified and shown to differ from an isoenzyme catalyzing the same reaction under anaerobic conditions. The second step postulated involves the hydroxylation of benzoyl-CoA to a so far unknown product by a novel benzoyl-CoA oxygenase, presumably a multicomponent enzyme system. An iron-sulfur flavoprotein, which may be a component of this system, was purified and characterized. The homodimeric enzyme had a native molecular mass of 98 kDa as determined by gel filtration and contained 0.72 mol flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), 10.4 to 18.4 mol of Fe, and 13.3 to 17.9 mol of acid-labile sulfur per mol of native protein, depending on the method of protein determination. This benzoate-induced enzyme catalyzed a benzoyl-CoA-, FAD-, and O2-dependent NADPH oxidation surprisingly without hydroxylation of the aromatic ring; however, H2O2 was formed. The gene (boxA, for benzoate oxidation) coding for this protein was cloned and sequenced. It coded for a protein of 46 kDa with two amino acid consensus sequences for two [4Fe-4S] centers at the N terminus. The deduced amino acid sequence showed homology with subunits of ferredoxin-NADP reductase, nitric oxide synthase, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, and phenol hydroxylase. Upstream of the boxA gene, another gene, boxB, encoding a protein of 55 kDa was found. The boxB gene exhibited homology to open reading frames in various other bacteria which code for components of a putative aerobic phenylacetyl-CoA oxidizing system. The boxB gene product was one of at least five proteins induced when A. evansii was grown on benzoate.

Differential induction of enzymes involved in anaerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica

Differential induction of enzymes involved in anaerobic metabolism of aromatic substrates was studied in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica. This metabolism is divided into (1) peripheral reactions transforming the aromatic growth substrates to the common intermediate benzoyl-CoA, (2) the central benzoyl-CoA pathway comprising ring-reduction of benzoyl-CoA and subsequent beta-oxidation to 3-hydroxypimelyl-CoA, and (3) the pathway of beta-oxidation of 3-hydroxypimelyl-CoA to three acetyl-CoA and CO2. Regulation was studied by three methods. 1. Determination of protein patterns of cells grown on different substrates. This revealed several strongly substrate-induced polypeptides that were missing in cells grown on benzoate or other intermediates of the respective metabolic pathways. 2. Measurement of activities of known enzymes involved in this metabolism in cells grown on different substrates. The enzyme pattern found is consistent with the regulatory pattern deduced from simultaneous adaptation of cells to utilisation of other aromatic substrates. 3. Immunological detection of catabolic enzymes in cells grown on different substrates. Benzoate-CoA ligase and 4-hydroxybenzoate-CoA ligase were detected only in cells yielding the respective enzyme activity. However, presence of the subunits of benzoyl-CoA reductase and 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA reductase was also recorded in some cell batches lacking enzyme activity. This possibly indicates an additional level of regulation on protein level for these two reductases.

Anaerobic metabolism of L-phenylalanine via benzoyl-CoA in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica

The anaerobic metabolism of phenylalanine was studied in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica, a member of the beta-subclass of the Proteobacteria. Phenylalanine was completely oxidized and served as the sole source of cell carbon. Evidence is presented that degradation proceeds via benzoyl-CoA as the central aromatic intermediate; the aromatic ring-reducing enzyme benzoyl-CoA reductase was present in cells grown on phenylalanine. Intermediates in phenylalanine oxidation to benzoyl-CoA were phenylpyruvate, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetate, phenylacetyl-CoA, and phenylglyoxylate. The required enzymes were detected in extracts of cells grown with phenylalanine and nitrate. Oxidation of phenylalanine to benzoyl-CoA was catalyzed by phenylalanine transaminase, phenylpyruvate decarboxylase, phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD+), phenylacetate-CoA ligase (AMP-forming), enzyme(s) oxidizing phenylacetyl-CoA to phenylglyoxylate with nitrate, and phenylglyoxylate:acceptor oxidoreductase. The capacity for phenylalanine oxidation to phenylacetate was induced during growth with phenylalanine. Evidence is provided that alpha-oxidation of phenylacetyl-CoA is catalyzed by a membrane-bound enzyme. This is the first report on the complete anaerobic degradation of an aromatic amino acid and the regulation of this process.

Akabane virus: serological survey of antibodies in livestock in the Sudan

An investigation was conducted to assess the prevalence of Akabane virus antibodies in domestic ruminants from different ecological zones of Sudan. Neutralizing antibodies were demonstrated in sheep, goats and cattle sampled between 1979 and 1980 from El Obeid, Nyala, Kassala, Jonglei and Sennar. The highest prevalence was in Jonglei where 27% of six sheep, 36% of eleven goats and 47% of 90 cattle had antibodies to the virus. Although antibodies were demonstrated in 8% of 79 dams and 15% of 70 dams of two sentinel calf herds in Central Sudan at Shambat and Um Benein, respectively, none of their sentinel calves sampled between 1981 and 1983 had antibodies. Antibodies were subsequently detected in 8 (14%) out of 57 calves from Shambat and 5 (12%) out 40 from Um Benein of the random samples collected during 1985 from 1-3 year old calves. The implications of these results are discussed.

Liquid chromatographic determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in pharmaceutical preparations

A liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of amoxycillin and potassium clavulanate in tablet and suspension preparations is presented. The method specifies reversed phase column and a buffered mobile phase (CH3OH + KH2PO4-buffer pH 6 + H2O, 15:1:84) isocratically at a rate of 1.0 ml min-1, with detection at 235 nm. The suitability of the chromatographic system developed is tested using replicate injections of the sample and standard preparations. The observed relative standard deviations (RSDs) were within 2%. Recovery experiments conducted utilizing the proposed method gives results of 101.5% +/- 1.72 (n = 6) and 101.22% +/- 1.93 (n = 6) for amoxycillin in tablets and powder for oral administration, respectively. Similarly, recovery experiments for clavulanic acid gave results of 100.33 +/- 1.90 (n = 6) and 99.61 +/- 1.32 (n = 6) in the tablets and suspension powder, respectively. Comparison of the proposed method with the USP method proved it to be satisfactory. The statistical F- and t-tests observed, indicated that there were no significant differences between the two methods regarding precision and accuracy.

Water contamination and esophageal cancer at Gassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Between January 1980 and December 1982, 183 patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the esophagus who were referred to a tertiary referral hospital were studied. Thirty-two (17%) patients were referred from Gassim Region at the north central part of Saudi Arabia. In contrast, only 5% of total cancer patient referrals were from this area. A case-control study showed a significant regional difference within Saudi Arabia and the most referrals from Gassim area. A prospective case-control study showed persistently high numbers of referrals from that region during 1983-1987. When patients from Gassim Region were compared with those referred from other locations, no statistical differences were noted between the two groups except for the source of drinking water. Water analysis from Gassim area showed a high solid content with elevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and to a lesser extent, chromium iron, cadmium, and cobalt. Traces of petroleum oil were found in five of six water samples from Gassim during 1983, compared with 3 of 49 samples from other areas. Mutagenicity tests on water specimens form Gassim Region indicated the presence of possible carcinogens. It is being suggested that the high prevalence of esophageal cancer in this region may be related to contamination of water by impurities such as petroleum oils. Malnutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency, as well as other factors may have promoted such malignancies.

Differential pulse polarographic assay of tolmetin sodium capsules

Differential pulse polarography (DPP) is proposed as a direct method for the quantitation of tolmetin sodium in a capsule formulation (Tolectin--200 mg as the sodium dihydrate salt). Classical direct-current (DC) polarography has been employed to investigate the nature of the reduction occurring at the surface of the dropping mercury electrode (DME) using acetate buffer of pH 5.0 as the supporting electrolyte. The mean value of the results obtained by DPP expressed as a percentage of the stated amount, and the standard deviation, were found to be 99.87 +/- 0.43. The standard addition procedure used to assess the accuracy of the proposed method gave a mean percentage recovery of the total drug of 100.15 +/- 0.75%.

First-derivative UV spectrophotometric assay of domperidone

Domperidone in pure form and in a number of pharmaceutical formulations (Motilium) has been determined in 0.5-N sulphuric acid by employing first-derivative at 294 nm and zero-order at 284 nm spectrophotometric modes. The results obtained by utilizing the first derivative procedure were 99.98 +/- 0.47, 101.70 +/- 0.53, 101.70 +/- 0.53 and 101.15 +/- 1.23 for the tablets, oral suspension, drops and suppositories respectively. In a similar way the results obtained for the zero order technique were 105.38 +/- 1.01, 101.70 +/- 2.57, 108.56 +/- 1.16 and 102.23 +/- 3.37 in the order. The standard addition method was adopted to evaluate the accuracy of the first derivative spectrophotometric mode.

Colorimetric methods for the assay of nomifensine maleate

Two colorimetric methods are reported for the assay of nomifensine maleate. The methods are based on coupling between the diazotised form of nomifensine maleate and (i) N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylene diamine dihydrochloride (Bratton-Marshall reagent) and (ii) p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS). The optimum conditions for the reactions were investigated. The coupled products exhibit maximum absorbance at 470 and 435 nm for the Bratton-Marshall and PAS reagents, respectively. With PAS, a linear relationship has been established between absorbance (Amax) and concentration of nomefensine maleate over the range 2-12 micrograms ml-1. Similarly, with the Bratton-Marshall reagent, a linear relationship exists in the concentration range 2-16 micrograms ml-1. The calculated mean percent recoveries for nomifensine maleate in the commercial capsules (Merital 25 mg) respectively. Similarly, for the added recoveries, the percentage obtained were 99.01 +/- 0.46 and 100.03 +/- 1.03, respectively.

Spectrophotometric determination of tolmetin sodium in capsule dosage form

Two different U.V. spectrophotometric modes, zero-order and first derivative, have been applied for the quantitation of tolmetin sodium (Tolectin 200 mg) in bulk form and in its pharmaceutical formulation. Direct U.V.-measurement of aqueous solution of the drug at 325 nm exhibits significant linearity at the concentration range 0.1-1.5 mg% with a coefficient of variation (C.V.) 0.34%. The first derivative (d'A) spectrophotometric measurements at 342 nm yield results with a C.V. 0.29%. Drug assay of the capsule gives percent contents of 100.42 +/- 0.34 and 100.28 +/- 029 by adopting zero-order and d'A spectrophotometry respectively. The reproducibility and accuracy the two proposed methods have been assessed by employing standard additions technique. Accordingly the percent recoveries obtained were 99.60 +/- 0.22 and 100.16 +/- 026 for the zero order and the d'A-spectrophotometry respectively.

Analysis of genome segments from six different isolates of bluetongue virus using RNA-RNA hybridisation: a generalised coding assignment for bluetongue viruses

Nucleic acid probes prepared directly from bluetongue virus (BTV) genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) have been used to identify the functionally equivalent genome segments from six distinct isolates of BTV after their separation in both agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems. Variations in the rate, and in one case the order, of migration of the equivalent genome segments from different viruses was detected in the polyacrylamide gel system. However, the genomic dsRNA profiles of eleven BTV isolates were found to be identical when analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Functionally equivalent genome segments from the six viruses that were analysed were found to migrate in identical relative positions in this gel system. From these data we propose a modified version of the protein coding assignments published for BTV 1 South Africa (Mertens et al., 1984) in which the identification of the genome segments would be based upon their order of migration in the agarose rather than the polyacrylamide gel system. The modified coding assignments, unlike the original assignments, would be applicable to all of those viruses analysed and appear likely to be valid for all normal BTV isolates.

Fluorometric and spectrophotometric determination of pirbuterol hydrochloride in authentic and dosage forms

Pirbuterol hydrochloride has been assayed in alkaline medium by using a fluorometric method to measure fluorescence intensity at 372 nm with excitation at 310 nm and by the delta A method at 242 nm. The linearity ranges are 0.5-4 micrograms/mL and 10-50 micrograms/mL, respectively. An authentic pirbuterol HCl sample was analyzed by nonaqueous potentiometric titration using 0.1N perchloric acid, and the results were compared with those for fluorometric and delta A methods. The mean percent recoveries for the authentic sample were 98.72 +/- 1.13 and 99.24 +/- 0.85, respectively. When applied to commercial capsules containing 10 mg and 15 mg each, the fluorometric method gave mean percent recoveries of 101.11 +/- 1.05 and 98.12 +/- 0.93; the delta A method gave mean percent recoveries of 100.57 +/- 0.83 and 97.80 +/- 0.75, respectively.

Rapid differential pulse polarographic determination of tiaprofenic acid

Tiaprofenic acid (Surgam) has been determined directly by using differential pulse polarography (DPP) and pH 5.5 acetate buffer as a supporting electrolyte. The differential pulse polarogram was obtained under constant amplitude pulses of 50 mV superimposed on a linearly increasing dc ramp. Peak current was measured at the peak potential of -0.990 V vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Under the experimental conditions used, a linear relationship between peak current and concentration was established over the range 0.5-5.0 micrograms/mL. Mean percentage recoveries for tiaprofenic acid in authentic and tablet forms were 100.27 +/- 2.25 and 99.45 +/- 1.44, respectively. The results obtained by the DPP method were compared with those of the spectrophotometric method used by the manufacturer for the analysis of tiaprofenic acid and its tablet form.

Spectrofluorometric determination of pindolol and its dosage form

A new direct, simple, and sensitive spectrofluorometric method is described for the assay of pindolol and its tablets at room temperature, using ethanol (96% v/v) as solvent. The drug exhibits intrinsic fluorescence. Working wavelengths are 263 nm for excitation and 305 nm for emission. The calibration curve is linear in the range 1.0 X 10(-7) to 1.5 X 10(-6)M pindolol.

Polarographic determination of butorphanol tartrate

A new indirect polarographic method is proposed for the determination of butorphanol tartrate in the injectable solution form (Stadol). Direct-current polarography and differential pulse polarography (DPP) were applied for the study of authentic butorphanol and its injectable solution form in alkaline medium after nitration with 1 M potassium nitrite in presence of 1 M hydrochloric acid. The standard addition method was employed for the evaluation of the results and the mean percentage found for the injectable solution form was 99.2 +/- 1.0.