Formulation of Fast-Dissolving Tablets of Promethazine Theoclate

Purpose: To optimize and formulate promethazine theoclate fast-dissolving tablets that offer a suitable approach to the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Method: The solubility of promethazine theoclate was increased by formulating it as a fast-dissolving tablet containing β-cyclodextrin, crospovidone, and camphor, using direct compression method. A 33 full factorial design was used to investigate the combined influence of three independent variables - amounts of camphor, crospovidone and β-cyclodextrin - on disintegration time, friability and drug release after 5 min. Result: The optimization study, involving multiple regression analysis, revealed that optimum amounts of camphor, crospovidone and β-cyclodextrin gave a rapidly disintegrating/dissolving tablet. A checkpoint batch was also prepared to verify the validity of the evolved mathematical model. The optimized tablet should be prepared with an optimum amount of β-cyclodextrin (3.0 mg), camphor (3.29 mg) and crospovidone (2.61 mg) which disintegrated in 30 s, with a friability of 0.60 % and drug release of 89 % in 5 min. Conclusion: The optimized approach aided both the formulation of fast-dissolving theoclate tablets and the understanding of the effect of formulation processing variables on the development of the formulation.Keywords: Fast-dissolving tablet, 33 Factorial design, Promethazine theoclate, Optmization studies

Proline, catalase and root traits as indices of drought resistance in bold grained rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes

The present experiment was carried out with 39 bold grained rice genotypes to study the genetic variability of the traits conferring drought resistance and to screen the drought tolerant rice genotypeswith a view to formulate an efficient breeding programme for time bound genetic enhancement. The field experiment was grown during Sali season of 2007 to estimate the genetic variability of eight quantitative traits; root weight (g), number of primary roots, number of tillers/plant, root length (cm),shoot weight (g), root:shoot ratio by length and root:shoot ratio by weight. The data for the quantitative traits were recorded after 60 days of transplanting. The analysis of variance of eight quantitative traitsrevealed that there was significant genetic variation among the genotypes for the traits conferring drought resistance. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability in broad sense (h2bs) and genetic advance (GA) as percent mean were estimated for all the eight quantitative traits. Small difference between GCV and PCV estimates was observed for shoot length (cm), root length (cm), number of primary roots, shoot weight (g), number of tillers/plantand root:shoot ratio by length suggesting that these characters were little influenced by environment and could be substantially improved through selection breeding program. Out of 39 rice genotypes, 7 genotypes including 2 checks (Ranjit and Monohar Sail) were selected on the basis of morphometric traits for drought resistance. Fifteen day old seedlings of seven selected rice genotypes were subjected to different osmotics of PEG-6000 (0.0, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa) to evaluate the effect of drought stress on proline, protein and antioxidant enzyme catalase. Poline content and catalase activity analyses further suggested that five selected bold grained rice genotypes (excluding two checks) namely Halodhar, George Sail, Kapili Dhan, Karmi Sail and Baodum were potentially drought tolerant

Study of the Decays B0 --> D(*)+D(*)-

The decays B0 --> D*+D*-, B0 --> D*+D- and B0 --> D+D- are studied in 9.7 million Y(4S) --> BBbar decays accumulated with the CLEO detector. We determine Br(B0 --> D*+D*-) = (9.9+4.2-3.3+-1.2)e-4 and limit Br(B0 --> D*+D-) < 6.3e-4 and Br(B0 --> D+D-) < 9.4e-4 at 90% confidence level (CL). We also perform the first angular analysis of the B0 --> D*+D*- decay and determine that the CP-even fraction of the final state is greater than 0.11 at 90% CL. Future measurements of the time dependence of these decays may be useful for the investigation of CP violation in neutral B meson decays.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Improved Measurement of the Pseudoscalar Decay Constant fDsf_{D_{s}}

We present a new determination of the Ds decay constant, f_{Ds} using 5 million continuum charm events obtained with the CLEO II detector. Our value is derived from our new measured ratio of widths for Ds -> mu nu/Ds -> phi pi of 0.173+/- 0.021 +/- 0.031. Taking the branching ratio for Ds -> phi pi as (3.6 +/- 0.9)% from the PDG, we extract f_{Ds} = (280 +/- 17 +/- 25 +/- 34){MeV}. We compare this result with various model calculations.Comment: 23 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING AS STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT USING REGRESSION ANALYSIS

As information technology has advanced, there has been a shift toward relying more and more on online cloud storage and computing services. There is no getting around the fact that recent times have seen a meteoric rise in interest in cloud computing. This technology is used by many different organisations as the central component of their information technology infrastructure. The use of cloud computing results in increased data processing efficiency across a variety of computer and storage systems that are available over the internet. The approaches have advanced as a direct result of the cutting-edge and forward-thinking computer procedures that are the foundation of the internet's core database and network architecture. In the 1990s, a new sort of cutting-edge computing known as grid computing came into being. 2005 saw the birth of two new computing paradigms: cloud computing and utility computing. Consolidating several virtual computing components into a single physical platform is one of the most distinguishing features of cloud computing services and infrastructure. These components include the central processing unit (CPU), the network, storage, and memory. A piece of software known as a hypervisor is responsible for isolating each virtual machine (VM) (used by Virtual box and VMware, for example). Using this strategy, one virtual disc or machine may be prevented from directly accessing the memory and programmes of another inside the same environment. This can be accomplished by using a firewall. Through the use of hardware abstraction, it is feasible to conceal the complexity of operating physical computer systems, while at the same time efficiently boosting the systems' processing capacity. Utilizing virtualization technology in the cloud comes with a number of benefits, including scalability and the capacity to support many tenants (one software programme serving many users at once). These properties are essential to cloud computing because they make sharing and pooling resources possible. Sharing and pooling resources provides a number of benefits, some of which include increased business value, more flexibility, and cost savings. When it comes to the process of moving assets from cloud providers to cloud virtualization users, provisioning is an extremely important step. In order to fulfil the requirements of its clientele, the cloud service provider must create an acceptable number of virtual machines and make available sufficient amounts of resources. This may be accomplished by any one of the following three methods: advanced provisioning, dynamic provisioning, or user self-provisioning. The mechanism by which cloud services and resources are made available, known as dynamic provisioning, faces a number of challenges. These challenges include the correct configuration of virtual machines (VMs) and technological constraints such as disc space, processing power, memory, and network throughput. It's possible that the scalability of virtual machines, the setup of cloud systems, and other aspects of virtualization's deployment might provide some difficulties

The Mitochondrial Ca(2+) Uniporter: Structure, Function, and Pharmacology.

Mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake is crucial for an array of cellular functions while an imbalance can elicit cell death. In this chapter, we briefly reviewed the various modes of mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake and our current understanding of mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis in regards to cell physiology and pathophysiology. Further, this chapter focuses on the molecular identities, intracellular regulators as well as the pharmacology of mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter complex

Measurement of B(/\c->pKpi)

The /\c->pKpi yield has been measured in a sample of two-jet continuum events containing a both an anticharm tag (Dbar) as well as an antiproton (e+e- -> Dbar pbar X), with the antiproton in the hemisphere opposite the Dbar. Under the hypothesis that such selection criteria tag e+e- -> Dbar pbar (/\c) X events, the /\c->pkpi branching fraction can be determined by measuring the pkpi yield in the same hemisphere as the antiprotons in our Dbar pbar X sample. Combining our results from three independent types of anticharm tags, we obtain B(/\c->pKpi)=(5.0+/-0.5+/-1.2)

Search for the Decays B^0 -> D^{(*)+} D^{(*)-}

Using the CLEO-II data set we have searched for the Cabibbo-suppressed decays B^0 -> D^{(*)+} D^{(*)-}. For the decay B^0 -> D^{*+} D^{*-}, we observe one candidate signal event, with an expected background of 0.022 +/- 0.011 events. This yield corresponds to a branching fraction of Br(B^0 -> D^{*+} D^{*-}) = (5.3^{+7.1}_{-3.7}(stat) +/- 1.0(syst)) x 10^{-4} and an upper limit of Br(B^0 -> D^{*+} D^{*-}) D^{*\pm} D^\mp and B^0 -> D^+ D^-, no significant excess of signal above the expected background level is seen, and we calculate the 90% CL upper limits on the branching fractions to be Br(B^0 -> D^{*\pm} D^\mp) D^+ D^-) < 1.2 x 10^{-3}.Comment: 12 page postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Novel insights into the cardio-protective effects of FGF21 in lean and obese rat hearts

Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatic metabolic regulator with pleotropic actions. Its plasma concentrations are increased in obesity and diabetes; states associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore investigated the direct effect of FGF21 on cardio-protection in obese and lean hearts in response to ischemia. Methods and Results: FGF21, FGF21-receptor 1 (FGFR1) and beta-Klotho (βKlotho) were expressed in rodent, human hearts and primary rat cardiomyocytes. Cardiac FGF21 was expressed and secreted (real time RT-PCR/western blot and ELISA) in an autocrine-paracrine manner, in response to obesity and hypoxia, involving FGFR1-βKlotho components. Cardiac-FGF21 expression and secretion were increased in response to global ischemia. In contrast βKlotho was reduced in obese hearts. In isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes, FGF21 activated PI3K/Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt), ERK1/2(extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) pathways. In Langendorff perfused rat [adult male wild-type wistar] hearts, FGF21 administration induced significant cardio-protection and restoration of function following global ischemia. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt, AMPK, ERK1/2 and ROR-α (retinoic-acid receptor alpha) pathway led to significant decrease of FGF21 induced cardio-protection and restoration of cardiac function in response to global ischemia. More importantly, this cardio-protective response induced by FGF21 was reduced in obesity, although the cardiac expression profiles and circulating FGF21 levels were increased. Conclusion: In an ex vivo Langendorff system, we show that FGF21 induced cardiac protection and restoration of cardiac function involving autocrine-paracrine pathways, with reduced effect in obesity. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into FGF21-induced cardiac effects in obesity and ischemia

Health-seeking behaviours of older black women living with non-communicable diseases in an urban township in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Various studies have shown that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially diabetes and hypertension are prevalent among older women living in South African urban areas, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to understand the health-seeking behaviour, healthcare practices and prevalence of traditional herbal medicine (THM) use among older women self-reporting NCDs from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study (PURE). METHOD: A homogenous purposive sampling of PURE participants was used to recruit women who were 50 years or older (n = 250). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the number of NCDs reported by the study sample, health seeking behaviour and practices as well as THM use. Logistic regression was also employed to investigate possible associations between reported conditions and THM use or medical pluralism. RESULTS: Within the study sample, 72 % self-reported an NCD. Of those with self-reported NCDs, 46 % had one, and 54 % had two or more NCDs. Those with NCDs usually visited public clinics (80 %), relied on doctors (90 %) and nurses (85 %) for health information, and mostly used conventional medicine (CM) to manage high blood pressure (81 %). About 30 % of those with NCDs indicated using THM, of whom 29 (53 %) reported practicing medical pluralism. Participants with dental problems (OR: 3.24, 95 % CI: 1.30–8.20), headaches (OR: 2.42, 95 % CI: 1.24–4.94), heart burn (OR: 2.30, 95 % CI: 1.18–4.48) and severe tiredness (OR: 2.05, 95 % CI: 1.08–3.99) were more likely to use THM. Anxiety and allergies increased the likelihood to practise medical pluralism by five and 20 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Self-reported NCD with co-morbidities was prevalent among the participants in the study. Most of the study participants utilized state-owned clinics and hospitals for the management of their chronic conditions. THM use was not very common. However, among those who used THM, medical pluralism was prevalent. Family history was the most common reason for THM use, with many THM patrons utilizing these for treatment of a health condition. Older black women with anxiety and allergies were more likely to practise medical pluralism