Gas chromatographic study of the urinary codeine-to-morphine ratios in controlled codeine consumption and in mass screening for opiate drugs

The urinary codeine-to-morphine ratios in fifteen volunteers administered codeine tablets at intervals were studied by gas chromatography (GC) and compared with one month's GC results for enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT)-screened urine specimens in a mass-screening programme for abuse of opiate drugs, particularly heroin. It appears that when M less than 2 and C/M greater than 0 or when M greater than 2 and C/M greater than 0.5, where C and M are codeine and morphine concentrations in micrograms per 10 ml of urine, codeine consumption has to be presumed.     

Ageratum conyzoides L. and Its Secondary Metabolites in the Management of Different Fungal Pathogens

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Family—Asteraceae) is an annual aromatic invasive herb, mainly distributed over the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It owns a reputed history of indigenous remedial uses, including as a wound dressing, an antimicrobial, and mouthwash as well as in treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, etc. In this review, the core idea is to present the antifungal potential of the selected medicinal plant and its secondary metabolites against different fungal pathogens. Additionally, toxicological studies (safety profile) conducted on the amazing plant A. conyzoides L. are discussed for the possible clinical development of this medicinal herb. Articles available from 2000 to 2020 were reviewed in detail to exhibit recent appraisals of the antifungal properties of A. conyzoides. Efforts were aimed at delivering evidences for the medicinal application of A. conyzoides by using globally recognized scientific search engines and databases so that an efficient approach for filling the lacunae in the research and development of antifungal drugs can be adopted. After analyzing the literature, it can be reported that the selected medicinal plant effectively suppressed the growth of numerous fungal species, such as Aspergillus, Alternaria, Candida, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Pythium, owing to the presence of various secondary metabolites, particularly chromenes, terpenoids, flavonoids and coumarins. The possible mechanism of action of different secondary metabolites of the plant against fungal pathogens is also discussed briefly. However, it was found that only a few studies have been performed to demonstrate the plant’s dosage and safety profile in humans. Considered all together, A. conyzoides extract and its constituents may act as a promising biosource for the development of effective antifungal formulations for clinical use. However, in order to establish safety and efficacy, additional scientific research is required to explore chronic toxicological effects of ageratum, to determine the probability of interactions when used with different herbs, and to identify safe dosage. The particulars presented here not only bridge this gap but also furnish future research strategies for the investigators in microbiology, ethno-pharmacology, and drug discovery.     

A Jeffrey-fluid model of blood flow in tubes with stenosis

In this paper, we discuss the two-layered Jeffrey-fluid model with mild stenosis in narrow tubes. The blood flow in narrow arteries is treated as a two-fluid model with the suspension of erythrocytes, leukocytes, etc., as a Jeffrey fluid, which is a non-Newtonian fluid, in the core region and plasma, a Newtonian fluid, in the peripheral region. An analytical solution has been obtained for the velocity in the core and peripheral region, volume flow rate, resistance to flow, and wall-shear stress. The effect of Jeffrey-fluid parameters, like the height of stenosis, viscosity, etc., on volume flow rate, resistance to flow (impedance), and wall-shear stress has been discussed graphically. Through the present study, it is found that the wall-shear stress and resistance to flow increases with the increase in height of stenosis and decreases with the increase in the ratio of relaxation time. It is also found that the velocity decreases with an increase in stenosis height in both the core and the peripheral region. A previous result has been also verified.     

Statistical Optimization for Succinic Acid Production from E. Coli in a Cost-Effective Medium

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for optimization of medium components and cultural parameters in cost effective cane molasses based medium for attaining high yield of succinic acid. The important factors obtained by “one-variable-at-a-time-approach” (cane molasses, corn steep liquor, sodium carbonate, and inoculum density) were further optimized by RSM. The optimum values of the parameters obtained through RSM (cane molasses 12.5%, corn steep liquor 7.5%, and sodium carbonate 25 mM) led to almost double yield of succinic acid (15.2 g/l in 36 h) as against “one-variable-at-a-time-approach” (7.1 g/l in 36 h) in 500-ml anaerobic bottles containing 300-ml cane molasses based medium. Subsequently, in 10-l bioreactor succinic acid production from Escherichia coli was further improved to 26.2 g/l in 30 h under conditions optimized through RSM. This fermentation-derived succinic acid will definitely help in replacing existing environmentally hazardous and cost-intensive chemical methods for the production of succinic acid.     

Die gas-chromatographische Abtrennung und Bestimmung der Milchs?ure

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Zum Nachweis von Nanogrammengen Resochin

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Einen Beitrag zur gaschromatographischen Analyse des ?les von Monarda punctata L

Ohne Zusammenfassung