Elemental fingerprint profile of beer samples constructed using 14 elements determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): multivariation analysis and potential application to forensic sample comparison

Determination of elemental fingerprint profile of 40 commercial beer samples was performed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry combined with principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Fourteen trace elements, ⁵¹V, ⁵²Cr, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁷⁵As, ⁸²Se, ⁹⁵Mo, ¹¹¹Cd, ¹¹⁵In, ¹²¹Sb, ¹³³Cs, ²⁰⁸Pb, ²⁰⁹Bi, and ²³⁸U, were monitored. All 40 beer samples are distinguishable by using the proposed method. ROC analysis showed that individual beer samples can be correctly identified via the magnitude of its correlation coefficient with respect to the other beers with low false positive rate. The obtained results suggested that the elemental fingerprint technique is feasible for sample differentiation and comparison.     

Shortest Path Problem on a Network with Imprecise Edge Weight

A network with its arc lengths as imprecise number, instead of a real number, namely, interval number and triangular fuzzy number is considered here. Existing ideas on addition and comparison between two imprecise numbers of same type are introduced. To obtain a fuzzy shortest path from a source vertex to all other vertices, a common algorithm is developed which works well on both types of imprecise numbers under consideration. In the proposed algorithm, a decision-maker is to negotiate with the obtained fuzzy shortest paths according to his/her view only when the means are same but the widths are different of the obtained paths. Otherwise, a fuzzy optimal path is obtained to which the decision-maker always satisfies with different grades of satisfaction. All pairs fuzzy shortest paths can be found by repeated use of the proposed algorithm.     

A multivariate quantification of Box‐Behnken design assisted method development and validation of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and desloratadine simultaneously by reverse‐phase HPLC in in‐house syrup formulation

An innovative high‐performance liquid chromatography assay method was developed and validated for quantification of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and desloratadine simultaneously in monophasic liquid formulation by preparing syrup containing 30 mg/5 mL of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and 1.2 mg/mL of desloratadine. The chromatographic severance was executed by gradient solution A and B. The composition of buffer solution A contained 0.05 M monobasic potassium, then 1 mL triethylamine was added to it and the pH was adjusted to 2.3 with orthophosphoric acid. Methanol was used as solution B. The gradient elution was executed with Kromasil C8 (250 mm × 4.6 mm) column having 1.5 mL/min flow rate and 20 µL injection volume with UV‐estimation at 254 nm for dextromethorphan hydrobromide and DES. The present research was planned according to Box‐Behnken design by utilizing design expert software, using four factors such as column temperature (A), flow rate (B), mobile phase–organic phase (C), and pH (D); correspondingly the selected response variables were resolution between A and B, that is, desloratadine and methyl paraben (Y1), tailing of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (Y2), and tailing of desloratadine (Y3). The parameters such as system suitability, linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and ruggedness were analyzed to validate the developed method in accordance with current regulatory guidelines.     

Investigation of molecular interactions in binary mixture of dimethyl carbonate + N-methylformamide at T = (303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15) K

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Density (ρ) and speed of sound (u) of binary liquid mixtures of dimethyl carbonate and N-methylformamide have been determined at...     

Studies on biochemical markers in cryoinfarction in rats

Cryoinfarction in rats was carried out by placing the cooled probe directly on the midway of left anterior descending coronary artery. This caused damage to the blood vessel, hindering blood flow to the distal part of the left ventricle. Gross pathology showed around 26% infarction at 24 h. Histopathology revealed death of cardiomyocytes with blood vessel congestion at the end of 24 h, inflammatory infiltrate at 48 h, fibrotic scar by 96 h and collagen deposition by 192 h. Acute myocardial infarction biomarkers such as Cardiac Troponin T, Creatine Kinase MB and NT pro BNP were shown to be elevated by 4 h. ECG showed an ST segment elevation by 96 h. This cryoinfarction model was suitable to study changes taking place during acute myocardial infarction in humans.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of O,O′-alkanediyl S-(N-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphates and zinc bis(O,O′-alkanediyl) dithiophosphates

The synthesis of novel dithiophosphate derivatives has been achieved. Two O,O′-alkanediyl S-(N-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphates and two Zinc bis(O,O′-alkanediyl) dithiophosphates are synthesized by an easy and facile chemical synthetic route. Zinc bis[O,O′-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) dithiophosphate] L¹, Zinc bis[O,O′-(2-ethylhexane-1,3-diyl) dithiophosphate] L², O,O′-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) S-(N-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphate L³ and O,O′-(2-ethylhexane-1,3-diyl) S-(N-phthalimidomethyl) dithiophosphate L⁴ are synthesized from the respective ammonium salts. Compounds L¹, L², L³, and L⁴ are characterized by (CHN) elemental analysis, ESI mass, FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR techniques. The crystal structure of ammonium O,O′-(2-methylpentane-2,4-diyl) dithiophosphate is discussed. L¹, L², L³, and L⁴ were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. It was found that the phthalimide derivatives L³ and L⁴ showed much better antifungal potential against some species of fungus. The Zinc dithiophosphates L¹ and L² showed good antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis of pectin-N,N-dimethyl acrylamide hydrogel by gamma radiation and application in drug delivery (in vitro)

The objective of the work is to synthesize pectin-N, N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) hydrogel by gamma radiation without using any initiators and cross-linking agents. Effect of radiation doses on gel fraction and equilibrium swelling as a function of pH were studied, and 5 kGy radiation dose was found to be the optimum dose for hydrogel synthesis. The grafting /crosslinking was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermal properties and surface morphology were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. To study the drug release kinetics, 5-fluorouracil was loaded into the hydrogel and in vitro release was carried out in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The release profile of drug showed that more than 90% of the loaded drugs were released after 4 hours at both gastric fluid and intestinal fluid pH. Drug release data was fitted into zero order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic models. Higuchi model was found to be the best fitted and release exponent ‘n’ value of Korsmeyer-Peppas model indicated the non-Fickian transport.     

In Vivo Assessment of the Ameliorative Impact of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Multiple Sclerosis in Wistar Rats

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to the demyelination of nerve fibers, which is the major cause of non-traumatic disability all around the world. Herbal plants Nepeta hindustana L., Vitex negundo L., and Argemone albiflora L., in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, have shown great potential as neuroprotective agents. The study was aimed to develop a neuroprotective model to study the effectiveness of herbal plants (N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora) against multiple sclerosis. The in vivo neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts isolated from N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced multiple sclerosis Wistar rat model. The rat models were categorized into seven groups including group A as normal, B as LPS induced diseased group, while C, D, E, F, and G were designed as treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation and biochemical markers including stress and inflammatory (MMP-6, MDA, TNF-α, AOPPs, AGEs, NO, IL-17 and IL-2), antioxidant (SOD, GSH, CAT, GPx), DNA damage (Isop-2α, 8OHdG) as well as molecular biomarkers (RAGE, Caspase-8, p38) along with glutamate, homocysteine, acetylcholinesterase, and myelin binding protein (MBP) were investigated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. The different extract treated groups (C, D, E, F, G) displayed a substantial neuroprotective effect regarding remyelination of axonal terminals and oligodendrocytes migration, reduced lymphocytic infiltrations, and reduced necrosis of Purkinje cells. The levels of stress, inflammatory, and DNA damage markers were observed high in the diseased group B, which were reduced after treatments with plant extracts. The antioxidant activity was significantly reduced in diseased induced group B, however, their levels were raised after treatment with plant extract. Group F (a mélange of all the extracts) showed the most significant change among all other treatment groups (C, D, E, G). The communal dose of selected plant extracts regulates neurodegeneration at the cellular level resulting in restoration and remyelination of axonal neurons. Moreover, 400 mg/kg dose of three plants in conjugation (Group F) were found to be more effective in restoring the normal activities of all measured parameters than independent doses (Group C, D, E) and is comparable with standard drug nimodipine (Group G) clinically used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The present study, for the first time, reported the clinical evidence of N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora against multiple sclerosis and concludes that all three plants showed remyelination as well neuroprotective effects which may be used as a potential natural neurotherapeutic agent against multiple sclerosis.