Preparation and evaluation of Ibuprofen solid dispersion systems with kollidon particles using a pulse combustion dryer system

Solid dispersions (SDs) of ibuprofen (IBU) were prepared with four carriers: Kollidon 25, Kollidon 30, Kollidon VA64, and Kollidon CL, using a newly developed pulse combustion dryer system, HYPULCON. Physicochemical properties of the SDs obtained were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transformation IR spectroscopy (FT-IR). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) showed that the crystal diffraction peaks of IBU in SDs disappeared completely, and in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves, the endothermic peaks of IBU in SDs were not observed. Fourier transformation IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) proved that interactions between the drug and carrier existed. These findings demonstrated that IBU changed to an amorphous form in the SDs with the four carriers using the pulse combustion dryer system. The dissolution property of IBU in the SDs was markedly enhanced. The dissolution test showed that after 5 min of dissolution, the concentrations of IBU in the SDs with Kollidon CL as the carrier was 43.81 mug/ml, corresponding to 13.0 times that of pure IBU. So, it is demonstrated that the pulse combustion dryer system is very useful for preparing SDs of IBU with Kollidon of different grades as carriers.     

Repeatability and reproducibility of germicide tests: a literature review

The results of a quantitative antimicrobial assay can be summarized by the log reduction value. For an assay to be proposed as a standard method, it is usually necessary to conduct a collaborative study to demonstrate that the repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations (SDs) of the log reduction values are sufficiently small. It is not clear, however, precisely how small those SDs should be. This paper describes the results of a literature review conducted to determine the range of repeatability and reproducibility SDs for standard quantitative antimicrobial assays. The underlying premise is that, for an assay to have been accepted as a standard method, its repeatability and reproducibility SDs must have been sufficiently small. This premise implies that the repeatability and reproducibility SDs of standard assays establish de facto guidelines for acceptability. The survey comprised papers where the SDs could be extracted directly or where they could be calculated from accessible data. Papers describing suspension tests as well as hard surface tests were included. For the standard antimicrobial assays reviewed, repeatability SDs ranged from 0.25 to 1.21 and the reproducibility SDs ranged from 0.31 to 1.54.     

Enhancement of solubility, dissolution and bioavailability of ibuprofen in solid dispersion systems

To improve its solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability; Ibuprofen-polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) solid dispersions (SDs) with different drug loadings were prepared, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and evaluated for solubility, in-vitro release, and oral bioavailability of ibuprofen in rats. Loss of individual surface properties during melting and solidification as revealed by SEM micrographs indicated the formation of effective SDs. Absence or shifting towards the lower melting temperature of the drug peak in SDs and physical mixtures in DSC study indicated the possibilities of drug-polymer interactions. Quicker release of ibuprofen from SDs in rat intestine resulted in a significant increase in AUC and C(max), and a significant decrease in T(max) over pure ibuprofen. Preliminary results of this study suggested that the preparation of ibuprofen SDs using PEG 8000 as a meltable hydrophilic polymer carrier could be a promising approach to improve solubility, dissolution and bioavailability of ibuprofen.     

Preparation and evaluation of solid dispersions of nitrendipine prepared with fine silica particles using the melt-mixing method

Solid dispersions (SD) of nitrendipine (NTD), a poorly water-soluble drug, were prepared using the melt-mixing method with hydrophilic silica particles (Aerosil and Sylysia) with different particle size and specific surface areas as carriers. Powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry evaluation showed that NTD in the SDs treated with the melt-mixing method was dispersed in the amorphous state. FT-IR spectroscopy obtained with the SDs indicated the presence of hydrogen bonding between the secondary amine groups of NTD and silanol groups of silica particles. The dissolution property of NTD in the SDs was remarkably improved regardless of the grade of silica. At the end of the dissolution test (60 min) the concentrations of NTD for the SDs with Aerosil 200 and Sylysia 350 were 8.88 and 10.09 microg/ml, corresponding to 28 and 31 times that of the original NTD crystals, respectively. The specific surface area and the adsorbed water amount of the SDs were also significantly improved. The rapid dissolution rate from the SDs was attributed to the amorphization of drug, improved specific surface area and wettability than the original drug crystals. In the stability test, powder X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that amorphous NTD in the SD with Aerosil 200 was stable for at least 1 month under the humid conditions (40 degrees C/75% RH).     

Methods for obtaining solid dispersions of drugs and their properties

The possibility of improving the solubility of drugs by obtaining solid dispersions (SDs) with polymers is demonstrated. The solubility of these SDs is dependent both on the nature of drug and polymer and on the conditions of their preparation. IR spectroscopy of the obtained SDs and the analysis of results found in literature indicate that inclusion complexes are formed within them.

     

Rapid screening and quantification of sulfonate derivatives in white peony root by UHPLC–MS–MS

A rapid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC–MS–MS) method has been developed for rapid screening and quantitative analysis of sulfonate derivatives (SDs) in commercial white peony root. Separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus-C18 column by gradient elution with acetonitrile–0.1% (v/v) formic acid as the mobile phase. In-source fragmentation was used to generate the characteristic fragment ion at m/z 259 and to screen for nine SDs. Detection of these SDs was further performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to improve sensitivity and to quantify the two SDs paeoniflorin sulfonate and benzoylpaeoniflorin sulfonate. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and matrix effects. Nine commercial white peony root samples were examined by use of this method, which revealed great variety in the paeoniflorin sulfonate and benzoylpaeoniflorin sulfonate content.     

Use of the co-grinding method to enhance the dissolution behavior of a poorly water-soluble drug: generation of solvent-free drug-polymer solid dispersions

The solid dispersion (SD) technique is the most effective method for improving the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. In the present work, SDs of the Ca2+ channel blocker dipfluzine (DF) with polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) and poloxamer 188 (PLXM) were prepared by the powder solid co-grinding method under a solvent-free condition. The properties of all SDs and physical mixtures were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, dissolution test, and particles size determination. Eutectic compounds were produced between the DF and PLXM matrix during the co-grinding process, whereas glass suspension formed in the SDs with PVP carrier. Hydrogen bond formation was not observed between DF and carriers and DF was microcrystalline state in the PVP and PLXM matrices. The solubility of DF in different concentration of carriers at 25, 31, and 37°C was investigated; the values obtained were used to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of interaction between DF and carriers. The Gibbs free energy (ΔrGθ) values were negative, indicating the spontaneous nature of dispersing DF into the carriers. Moreover, entropy is the drive force when DF disperses into the matrix of PVP, while, enthalpy-driven dispersing encounters in the PLXM carrier. All the SDs of DF/carriers showed a considerably higher dissolution rate than pure DF and the corresponding physical mixtures. The cumulative dissolution rate at 10?min of the SD with a 1?:?3 DF/carrier ratio increased 5.1-fold for PVP and 5.5-fold for PLXM.     

The influence of different evaluation techniques on the results of interlaboratory comparisons

The influence of different evaluation techniques on the results of an interlaboratory comparison for the determination of nutrients in ground- and surface water was investigated. The outlier-test procedure was found to influence the interlaboratory standard deviations (SDs), but not the averages. It was shown that even small differences in the numbers of outliers detected can change the SD severely. Comparing the outlier-test procedures of Hampel, Grubbs and Graf-Henning, it was found that Hampel's test detected the most outliers, thus generally resulting in smaller SDs between interlaboratory comparisons. The Graf-Henning test detected the fewest outliers and its application resulted in the highest SDs of the three test procedures investigated. The comparison of different summarising indices, namely the rescaled sum of z-scores, average of absolute z-scores and average deviation showed no comparability. Possibilities to improve the comparability of interlaboratory comparisons and to minimise misunderstandings are suggested.     

Solubility and Permeability Enhancement of Oleanolic Acid by Solid Dispersion in Poloxamers and γ-CD

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in the Oleaceae family, and it represents 3.5% of the dry weight of olive leaves. OA has many pharmacological activities, such as hepatoprotection, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, and anti-microbic activities. Its therapeutic application is limited by its poor water solubility, bioavailability, and permeability. In this study, solid dispersions (SDs) were developed to overcome these OA limitations. Solubility studies were conducted to evaluate different hydrophilic polymers, drug-to-polymer ratios, and preparation methods. Poloxamer 188, Poloxamer 407, and γ-CD exhibited the highest increases in terms of OA solubility, regardless of the method of preparation. Binary systems were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRPD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, pure compounds and SDs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to observe both the morphology and the particle surface. In vitro dissolution studies were performed for P407, P188, and γ-CD SDs. Preparation using the solvent evaporation method (SEM) produced the highest increase in the dissolution profiles of all three polymers with respect to the OA solution. Finally, the effect of SDs on OA permeability was evaluated with an in vitro parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). The formulation improved passive permeation across the simulated barrier due to OA increased solubility. The dissolution and PAMPA results indicate that the amorphization of OA by SD preparation could be a useful method to enhance its oral absorption, and it is also applicable on an industrial scale.     

Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic determination and identification of aldrin, dieldrin, and DDTs in eggs

A method for the routine monitoring of residual aldrin, dieldrin, pp'-DDT, op'-DDT, pp'-DDE, and pp'-DDD in eggs by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photo-diode array (PDA) detector is described. The lipids extracted from a whole egg are cleaned by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) ISOLUTE NH2 column with a diethyl ether-hexane (5:95, v/v) eluent. The HPLC separation is carried out using a normal-phase (LiChrosorb NH2) column, a heptane-hexane eluent (97:3, v/v), and a PDA detector. The average recoveries from fortified target compounds (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 microg/g, respectively) are > or = 83%, with standard deviations (SDs) between 2 and 5%. The interassay variabilities and their SDs are < or = 4.8% and < or =0.7%, with intra-assay variabilities of 2.1-3.3%. The limits of determination for these compounds range from 0.04 to 0.08 microg/g.     

Morphology of spinodal decompositions in liquid crystal-colloid mixtures

We study the morphology of spinodal decompositions (SDs) in mixtures of a liquid crystal and a colloidal particle by solving time-dependent Landau-Ginzburg equations for a conserved order parameter (concentration) and two nonconserved order parameters (orientation and crystallization). We numerically examine the coupling between concentration, nematic ordering, and crystalline ordering in two dimensional fluid mixtures, coexisting a nematic and a crystalline phase. On increasing the concentration of colloidal particles, we have three different SDs: a nematic order-induced SD, a phase-separation-induced SD (PSD), and a crystalline-order-induced SD (CSD). In NSD, the phase ordering can lead to fibrillar and cellular networks of the minority colloidal-particle-rich phase in early stages. In the PSD, we find a bicontinuous network structure consisting of a nematic phase rich in liquid crystal and a crystalline phase rich in colloidal particles. In the CSD, nematic droplets can be formed in a crystalline matrix. Asymmetric mixtures of a liquid crystal and a colloidal particle lead to rich varieties of morphologies.     

Functional fluorescent microspheres

Novel functional microspheres encapsulated with tris(8-hydroxyquinolinolato) aluminum were synthesized by dispersion polymerization. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrical conductance titration. The average diameter and size distributions (SDs) of these microspheres were determined by laser diffraction size analysis. The microspheres show good fluorescence.     

Improvement of the dissolution rate of nitrendipine using a new pulse combustion drying method

Solid dispersions (SDs) of nitrendipine (NTD), a poorly water-soluble drug, were prepared with the Hypulcon pulse combustion dryer system, and the physicochemical properties of particles were investigated and compared with those of particles prepared with a spray dryer. The SD particles prepared with Hypulcon using Aerosil and Tween 80 as carriers showed improved properties over those prepared with a conventional spray dryer, such as smaller particle size, tighter particle size distribution, and no agglomeration. Powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry evaluation showed that the drug in the NTD-Aerosil SD prepared with 5% (v/v) Tween 80 solution was dispersed in an amorphous state. Fourier transformation IR spectroscopy indicated the presence of hydrogen bonds between NTD and Aerosil. Aerosil had greater ability to improve the dissolution of NTD than Sylysia and other polymers. The highest drug supersaturation concentration was maintained continuously during the dissolution test of the NTD-Aerosil SD prepared with 5% (v/v) Tween 80 solution using Hypulcon. The good hydrophilicity and dispersibility of Aerosil, solubilization of Tween 80, and actions of shock waves and ultrasonic waves might account for the amorphization of NTD and improved dissolution rate of SDs. Pulse combustion drying with low drying costs and high thermal efficiency is a promising method for the preparation of SD particles with improved properties without using organic solvent.     

三通道气相色谱法测定炼厂气组成

炼厂气是炼油工艺产生的各种气体的混合物,采用四阀六柱将炼厂气分离分解为3部分,以双TCD+FID检测器3通道气相色谱法快速分析炼厂气.FID通道用于分析烃类,一个TCD通道分析永久性气体和硫化物,另一个TCD通道分析氢气,采用面积归一化法定量计算分析结果.用该法测定了3种标准气体,测定值与标准值基本一致,测定结果的相对标准偏差小于8％.该法适用于测定包括液化气、烟气、裂解气等组分相近的样品组成.     

Statistical evaluation of mobility curves of univalent weak acids

This paper brings a new rigorous and complete statistical approach to the data processing of the mobility curves of univalent weak acids. It is based on a fundamental equation for the mobility curve, on applying the mathematical principle of the best fit, derivation of the related nonlinear equation and finding the mathematical solution of it which gives the best estimates of the mobility curve parameters. The mathematical procedure presented here does not impose any limitations upon the numerical data used, i.e., the experimental values of mobilities and pH may be real numbers (positive, negative, zero). Further, rigorous explicit statistical formulas are derived for SDs of effective mobility, dissociation constant, and ionic mobility of fully ionized anion in question.     

组蛋白翻译后修饰无标定量方法可靠性的比较

组蛋白翻译后修饰是一种表观遗传学修饰,参与调控细胞的新陈代谢等重要生理过程。蛋白质组学发展迅速,使监控组蛋白翻译后修饰的动态变化成为可能。目前主要有3种无标定量方法（谱图计数法、峰面积积分法和信号强度法）,但何种定量方法更可靠尚未见系统性的详细报道。在稳定同位素标记细胞培养技术（SILAC）基础上,对去乙酰化酶抑制剂（SAHA）调控细胞乙酰化修饰水平的定量数据进行对比,比较3种无标定量方法对组蛋白翻译后修饰进行的定量分析,利用定量结果的标准差（SD）评估定量的可靠性,最终发现基于峰面积积分法定量的结果可靠性最高。该研究对难以进行同位素标记实验的样本分析,尤其对临床样本、大样本的组蛋白修饰谱分析具有重要参考意义。     

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–poloxamer-188 solid dispersions prepared by hot melt extrusion

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)/poloxamer-188 blends were used as appropriate carriers for the preparation of solid dispersions by hot melt extrusion using aripiprazole (ARIP) as a poor water-soluble model drug. The physical state of ARIP in solid dispersions and its dissolution characteristics were tested for different drug contents and various PVP-to-poloxamer ratios. From TG analysis it was found that all materials were stable at the tested extrusion temperature conditions (110–120 °C) while amorphous drug dispersions were prepared in all cases, due to the miscibility of the polymer matrix with ARIP drug. Furthermore, hydrogen bonds were identified between ARIP (>N–H) and PVP (>C=O) using FT-IR analysis. Finally, ARIP dissolution rate from SDs was pH dependant and increased as the drug content decreased.     

Statistical data processing of mobility curves of univalent weak bases

This paper brings a new rigorous and complete statistical approach to the data processing of the mobility curves of univalent weak bases. This approach is based on application of the least square method to the equation of the related mobility curve. Thus, an equation for the best fit is derived and its mathematical solution is found. The solution brings best estimates of the mobility curve parameters, i.e., dissociation constant K and ionic mobility of the protonated base U. Further, explicit formulas have been derived for the calculation of related statistical parameters, i.e., SDs of effective mobility s(u), of the dissociation constant s(K), and of ionic mobility of protonated base s(U). The mathematical functions used in the above approach do not impose any limitations on the data used, i.e., the mobility and pH values used may be real numbers (positive, negative, zero).     

Isolation and simultaneous determination of two benzofurans in Radix Eupatorii Chinensis

A silica gel column chromatography method is established for the isolation and purification of euparin and 12,13-dihydroxyeuparin from Radix Eupatorii Chinensis. For the first time, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is developed to determine simultaneously two benzofurans with UV absorptions at 240 nm. The analysis is performed on a Diamonsil C?? column with a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile and aqueous phosphoric acid (0.2%, v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL min?1. All calibration curves reveal good linearity (r2 > 0.9998) within the tested concentration ranges. The relative standard deviations for intra-day and inter-day are less than 2.0% and the recoveries range from 98.32% to 103.68% with relative SDs less than 2.0%. This method is successfully applied to quantitate two benzofurans in Radix Eupatorii Chinensis. Therefore, the new HPLC method is proven to be reliable and suitable for the quality control of Radix Eupatorii Chinensis.     

WEFTA interlaboratory comparison on total lipid determination in fishery products using the Smedes method

Lipid determination by the Smedes method was tested in an interlaboratory trial performed by nine laboratories from seven countries belonging to the West European Fish Technologists Association Analytical Methods Working Group. Five samples of fish and fishery products with different lipid contents, including two blind duplicates, were distributed among the participants. All laboratories applied a slightly modified Smedes method, which included extraction of lipids by cyclohexane and isopropanol, transfer of lipids to the cyclohexane phase by addition of water, phase separation by centrifugation, and gravimetric lipid determination. The results indicate that the RSD for reproducibility (RSD(R)) was between 4.11 and 6.31% for samples with moderate (7%) and high (14%) lipid content, depending on the sample. Larger SDs among the laboratories were obtained for a cod sample with low lipid content of 0.5%. The method is judged to be suitable as a routine method for lipid determination in fish and fishery products.