Antigiardial activity of glycoproteins and glycopeptides from Ziziphus honey

Natural honey contains an array of glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycopeptides. Size-exclusion chromatography fractionated Ziziphus honey proteins into five peaks with molecular masses in the range from 10 to >200 kDa. The fractionated proteins exhibited in vitro activities against Giardia lamblia with IC₅₀ values ≤ 25 μg/mL. Results indicated that honey proteins were more active as antiprotozoal agents than metronidazole. This study indicated the potential of honey proteins and peptides as novel antigiardial agents.     

Synthesis and field emission properties of nickel oxide nanoplatelets prepared by simple novel technique

Single crystalline NiO nanoplatelets were successfully synthesized by new facile method at 200 °C. The morphology and microstructure were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD measurement indicated that the prepared sample had typical cubic structures. The SEM investigation confirmed that the product was of the form of nanoplatelets. These nanoplatelets have average width length 250 nm and thickness of 20 nm. The field emission measurements demonstrate that the NiO nanoplatelets show a promising field emission property. The improved field emission is attributed to the local field enhancement factor at the nanoplatelets. The results confirm the importance of the morphology of nanomaterial in field emission.     

Cellulose membranes grafted with vinyl monomers in a homogeneous system

The homogeneous grafting of hydrophilic monomer onto cellulose derivatives was carried out in an aqueous system at 30, 50, 70 and 90 °C during reaction periods of 30 to 180 min. The graft polymer was isolated by ethanol from the reaction mixture, dried, and weigh. The grafted polymer was characterized by IR spectroscopy as well as microscopic sample morphology detected by electron scanning microscopy. The water absorption capacities and grafting values of grafted cellulose derivatives were also determined. The maximum grafting yield was obtained at 30 °C. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Graft copolymerization ofN‐vinyl‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide on cellulose derivatives: synthesis,characterization and study of their biological effect

Graft copolymers of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose with N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide have been synthesized by grafting copolymer of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide onto a mixture of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose by a solution polymerization technique using a redox initiation system. The graft copolymers were characterized by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These graft copolymers have been tested for their biodegradability and biological activity. None of the graft copolymer solutions shows any microbial degradation up to 10 days. The reported results are evidence of the possibility of anti‐fungi effect. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization and Validation of an LC Method for the Determination of Cefdinir in Dosage Form and Human Urine

A simple and reliable liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of cefdinir in human urine and capsule samples. A chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (10 mM, pH 4.5)–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v). Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 285 nm, based on peak area with linear calibration curve at a concentration range of 0.7–39 µg mL⁻¹. This method was successfully applied for the establishment of an urinary excretion pattern after oral dose.

     

Jasminum sambac: A Potential Candidate for Drug Development to Cure Cardiovascular Ailments

Jasminum sambac (L.) is a South Asian folkloric medicinal plant that has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular problems. The current investigation was meticulously organized to explore the pharmacological foundation for the medicinal uses of J. sambac pertaining to cardiovascular ailments and to investigate the core mechanisms. Mechanistic investigation revealed that crude leaf extract of J. sambac produced ex-vivo vasorelaxant effects in endotheliumintact aorta ring preparation and hypotensive effect was recorded via pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Moreover; J. sambac showed cardioprotective effects against adrenaline -induced left ventricular hypertrophy in rabbits observed hemodynamic. CK-MB, LDH, troponin, CRP, ALT, AST, ALP levels were shown to be lower in the myocardial infarction model, as were necrosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell recruitment in comparison to control. J. sambac has shown good antioxidant potential as well as prolonged the noradrenaline induced platelet adhesion. The vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments, which are enabled by activation of muscarinic receptor and/or releasing the nitric oxide and by reducing the adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, justifying its usage in cardiovascular disorders.     

Convenient and Efficient Method for Synthesis of Bis‐Hetaryl Ketones and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activity

Sodium 1‐aryl‐3‐(3‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐3‐oxoprop‐1‐en‐1‐olate was used as precursor for the preparation of some novel derivatives of various fused azolotriazine ring systems via coupling reactions with hetaryldiazonium salts. Hydrazinolysis of the latter products yielded the corresponding pyrazolopyridazine derivatives. The structures of the products were established by their spectral data and elemental analyses. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of some of the new products were also evaluated.     

Finite Difference Analysis of Time-Dependent Viscous Nanofluid Flow Between Parallel Plates

This article computes effect of uniform magnetic field on nanofluid flow filling porous medium inside parallel sheets. Darcy's law is used to characterize porous medium. Flow is caused by stretching of the lower sheet. The governing systems are computed using Finite difference technique. This scheme is used due to its more general and powerful nature to solve nonlinear problems. Results are obtained and discussed graphically. Nusselt number, skin friction, streamlines,velocity and temperature are emphasized.     

Monolithic integration of dual-layer optics into broad-area semiconductor laser diodes

A broad-area semiconductor laser diode with two monolithically integrated optical elements is presented. A 275-nm period detuned second-order diffraction grating on the p-doped side layer is combined with a refractive lens transferred into the GaAs substrate so that outcoupling and beam-shaping functions are decoupled. The high-power device produces a circular spot and demonstrates the potential of dual optics integration in broad-area semiconductor diodes.     

On the organization of large shared Model bases

Central to the Model Management (MM) function is the creation and maintenance of a knowledge-based model repository. The Model Knowledge Base (MKB) provides the basis by which information about models can be shared to facilitate consistent and controlled utilization of existing models for decision making, as well as the development of new models. Various schemes for representing individual models have been proposed in the literature. This paper focuses on how best to structure, control, and administer a large MKB to support organization-wide modeling activities. Guided by a recently proposed systems framework for MM, we describe a number of concepts which are useful for capturing the semantics and structural relationships of models in an MKB. These concepts, and the nature of the MMS functions to be supported, are then used to derive specific information management requirements for model bases. Four major requirements are identified: (1) management of composite model configurations; (2) management of model version histories; (3) support for the model consultation and selection functions of an MMS; and (4) support for multiple logical MKBs (private, group, and public). We argue that traditional record-based approaches to data management appear to fall short of capturing the rich semantics present in an MM environment. The paper proposes an architecture for an MMS, focusing on its major component — the MKB Management Subsystem. An implementation of this architecture is briefly described.