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Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin Jun 2017This study was carried out in order to find a reliable method for the fast detection of adulterated herbal food supplements with sexual enhancement claims. As some...
This study was carried out in order to find a reliable method for the fast detection of adulterated herbal food supplements with sexual enhancement claims. As some herbal products are advertised as "all natural", their "efficiency" is often increased by addition of active pharmaceutical ingredients such as PDE-5 inhibitors, which can be a real health threat for the consumer. Adulterants, potentially present in 50 herbal food supplements with sexual improvement claims, were detected using 2 spectroscopic methods - Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared - known for reliability, reproductibility, and an easy sample preparation. GC-MS technique was used to confirm the potential adulterants spectra. About 22% (11 out of 50 samples) of herbal food supplements with sexual enhancement claims analyzed by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods proved to be "enriched" with active pharmaceutical compounds such as: sildenafil and two of its analogues, tadalafil and phenolphthalein. The occurence of phenolphthalein could be the reason for the non-relevant results obtained by FTIR method in some samples. 91% of the adulterated herbal food supplements were originating from China. The results of this screening highlighted the necessity for an accurate analysis of all alleged herbal aphrodisiacs on the Romanian market. This is a first such a screening analysis carried out on herbal food supplements with sexual enhancement claims.
PubMed: 28761827
DOI: 10.15171/apb.2017.030 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2015Challenges exist for the study of time dependent sorption processes for heterogeneous systems, especially in the case of dispersed nanomaterials in solvents or solutions...
Challenges exist for the study of time dependent sorption processes for heterogeneous systems, especially in the case of dispersed nanomaterials in solvents or solutions because they are not well suited to conventional batch kinetic experiments. In this study, a comparison of batch versus a one-pot setup in two variable configurations was evaluated for the study of uptake kinetics in heterogeneous (solid/solution) systems: (i) conventional batch method; (ii) one-pot system with dispersed adsorbent in solution with a semi-permeable barrier (filter paper or dialysis tubing) for sampling; and (iii) one-pot system with an adsorbent confined in a semi-permeable barrier (dialysis tubing or filter paper barrier) with sampling. The sorbent systems evaluated herein include several cyclodextrin-based polyurethane materials with two types of phenolic dyes: -nitrophenol and phenolphthalein. The one-pot kinetics method with (Method ii) or (Method iii) sampling described herein offers significant advantages for the study of heterogeneous sorption kinetics of highly dispersed sorbent materials with particles sizes across a range of dimensions from the micron to nanometer scale. The method described herein will contribute positively to the development of advanced studies for heterogeneous sorption processes where an assessment of the relative uptake properties is required at different experimental conditions. The results of this study will be advantageous for the study of nanomaterials with significant benefits over batch kinetic studies for a wide range of heterogeneous sorption processes.
PubMed: 28347046
DOI: 10.3390/nano5020969 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2019Seed companies are looking for promising, quick and effective alternatives to determine the physiological quality of seeds. The objective of the current work was to...
Seed companies are looking for promising, quick and effective alternatives to determine the physiological quality of seeds. The objective of the current work was to study the efficiency of the exudate - phenolphthalein pH test to evaluate the seeds of two lots of Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz var. ferrea. The statistical design for the the exudate - phenolphthalein pH test was completely randomized with four replicates of 50 seeds in a factorial design (2 x 5), two seed lots and five soaking periods (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes), respectively, using two constant temperatures (25 and 30°C). The percentage of viability and germination of the seeds did not differ in the temperatures of 25 and 30°C and in the soaking periods by the exudate - phenolphthalein pH test. Thus, it is recommended that the test be conducted for at least 30 minutes in distilled and deionized water at the constant temperature of 25 or 30°C to evaluate the vigor of the Libidibia ferrea.
Topics: Caesalpinia; Germination; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Phenolphthalein; Quality Control; Seeds; Temperature
PubMed: 31644643
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920180734 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019Silica-supported metallic species have emerged as valuable green-chemistry catalysts because their high efficiency enables a wide range of applications, even at...
Silica-supported metallic species have emerged as valuable green-chemistry catalysts because their high efficiency enables a wide range of applications, even at industrial scales. As a consequence, the preparation of these systems needs to be finely controlled in order to achieve the desired activity. The present work presents a detailed investigation of an ultrasound-promoted synthetic protocol for the grafting of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) onto silica. Truly, ultrasound irradiation has emerged as a fast technique for promoting efficient derivatization of a silica surface with organic moieties at low temperature. Three different β-CD silica-grafted derivatives have been obtained, and the ability of β-CD to direct and bind Cu when CD is bonded to silica has been studied. A detailed characterization has been performed using TGA, phenolphthalein titration, FT-IR, diffuse reflectance (DR), DR UV-Vis, as well as the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) of the β-CD silica-grafted systems and the relative Cu-supported catalysts. Spectroscopic characterization monitored the different steps of the reaction, highlighting qualitative differences in the properties of amino-derivatized precursors and final products. In order to ensure that the Cu-β-CD silica catalyst is efficient and robust, its applicability in Cu(II)-catalyzed alkyne azide reactions in the absence of a reducing agent has been explored. The presence of β-CD and an amino spacer has been shown to be crucial for the reactivity of Cu(II), when supported.
Topics: Catalysis; Copper; Cyclodextrins; Molecular Structure; Silicon Dioxide; Spectrum Analysis; Thermogravimetry
PubMed: 31284697
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132490 -
Biomicrofluidics Mar 2015This article describes a fabrication process for the generation of a leak proof paper based microfluidic device and a new design strategy for convenient incorporation of...
This article describes a fabrication process for the generation of a leak proof paper based microfluidic device and a new design strategy for convenient incorporation of externally prepared test zones. Briefly, a negative photolithographic method was used to prepare the device with a partial photoresist layer on the rear of the device to block the leakage of sample. Microscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy data validated the formation of the photoresist layer. The partial layer of photoresist on the device channel limits sample volume to 7 ± 0.2 μl as compared to devices without the partial photoresist layer which requires a larger sample volume of 10 ± 0.1 μl. The design prototype with a customized external test zone exploits the channel protrusions on the UV exposed photoresist treated paper to bridge the externally applied test zone to the sample and absorbent zones. The partially laminated device with an external test zone has a comparatively low wicking speed of 1.8 ± 0.9 mm/min compared to the completely laminated device with an inbuilt test zone (3.3 ± 1.2 mm/min) which extends the reaction time between the analyte and reagents. The efficacy of the prepared device was studied with colorimetric assays for the non-specific detection of protein by tetrabromophenol blue, acid/base with phenolphthalein indicator, and specific detection of proteins using the HRP-DAB chemistry. The prepared device has the potential for leak proof detection of analyte, requires low sample volume, involves reduced cost of production (∼$0.03, excluding reagent and lamination cost), and enables the integration of customized test zones.
PubMed: 25945146
DOI: 10.1063/1.4918641 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Oct 2020In the present study, supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes (SPEC) based on a cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan derivative and carrageenan were prepared and evaluated for...
In the present study, supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes (SPEC) based on a cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan derivative and carrageenan were prepared and evaluated for controlled drug release. Samples were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and ζ-potential measurements, which confirmed the formation of the polymeric complex. The phenolphthalein test confirmed the presence and availability of inclusion sites from the attached βCD. Silver sulfadiazine was used as the model drug and the association with the SPEC was studied by FTIR and computational molecular modeling, using a semi-empirical method. DRS and TEM analyses have shown that Ag ions from the drug were reduced to form metallic silver nanostructures. In vitro tests have shown a clear bacterial activity toward Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus durans/hirae and Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Finally, this work shows that βCD-chitosan/carrageenan supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes hold an expressive potential to be applied as a polymer-based system for controlled drug release.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Carrageenan; Chitosan; Computational Biology; Cyclodextrins; Drug Liberation; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Ions; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanostructures; Polyelectrolytes; Silver; Silver Sulfadiazine
PubMed: 32718656
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116592 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Nov 2022We hypothesized that posterior osteotomy prior to ACR (Anterior column realignment) through P-A-P surgical sequence would permit a greater correction for deformity...
Surgical sequence in anterior column realignment with posterior osteotomy is important for degree of adult spinal deformity correction: advantages and indications for posterior to anterior sequence.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesized that posterior osteotomy prior to ACR (Anterior column realignment) through P-A-P surgical sequence would permit a greater correction for deformity corrective surgery than the traditional A-P sequence without posterior osteotomy. This study aimed to determine the impact of the P-A-P sequence on the restoration of lumbar lordosis (LL) compared to the A-P sequence in deformity corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients and to identify the characteristics of patients who require this sequence. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2019, 260 ASD patients who had undergone combined corrective surgery were reviewed retrospectively. This study included 178 patients who underwent posterior osteotomy before the ACR (P-A group) and 82 patients who underwent the A-P sequence (A-P group). Sagittal spinopelvic parameters were determined from pre- and postoperative whole-spine radiographs and compared between the groups. To find better indications for the P-A-P sequence, we conducted additional analysis on postoperative outcomes of patients in the A-P group. RESULTS: The P-A group showed a significantly higher change in LL (53.7° vs. 44.3°, p < 0.001), C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA: 197.4 mm vs. 146.1 mm, p = 0.021), segmental lordosis (SL) L2/3 (16.2° vs. 14.4°, p = 0.043), SL L3/4 (16.2° vs. 13.8°, p = 0.004), and SL L4/5 (15.1° vs. 11.3°, p = 0.001) compared to the A-P group. At the final follow-up, pelvic incidence (PI) minus LL mismatch (PI - LL mismatch) was significantly higher in the A-P group (13.4° vs. 2.9°, p < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 75 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.151; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.414-3.272; p < 0.001), severe osteoporosis (OR = 2.824; 95% CI, 1.481-5.381; p = 0.002), rigid lumbar curve with dynamic changes in LL < 10° (OR = 5.150; 95% CI, 2.296-11.548; p < 0.001), and severe facet joint osteoarthritis (OR = 4.513; 95% CI, 1.958-10.402; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for PI - LL mismatch ≥ 10° after A-P surgery.
CONCLUSION
P-A-P sequence for deformity corrective surgery in ASD offers greater LL correction than the A-P sequence. Indications for the procedure include patients aged ≥ 75 years, severe osteoporosis, rigid lumbar curve with dynamic change in LL < 10°, or more than four facet joints of Pathria grade 3 in the lumbar region.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Humans; Lordosis; Retrospective Studies; Osteotomy; Spine; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Osteoporosis; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 36419151
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05915-4 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... 2016In the United States, all food products have to be regulated to inform the consumers of the ingredients contained within. Some ingredients are not included on the label...
Analysis of trace amounts of adulterants found in powders/supplements utilizing Raman spectroscopy coupled to direct analyte-probed nanoextraction-nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry.
In the United States, all food products have to be regulated to inform the consumers of the ingredients contained within. Some ingredients are not included on the label and yet are still found in the products. Presented is a Raman imaging technique for rapid, nondestructive, and spatially relevant localization of adulterants in powders. Raman spectroscopy followed by direct analyte-probed nanoextraction coupled to nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry allows rapid determination of the presence of each adulterant, leading to positive identifications such as melamine. The location and identification of these trace particles can then be extracted using a nanomanipulator. The nanomanipulation technique uses a solvent filled capillary tip which can be positioned on the particle of interest. Direct mass spectrometric analysis nanospray of the particulate of interest eliminates time consuming chromatographic techniques prior to mass spectrometry analysis. This coupled technique combines rapid Raman spectroscopy techniques with direct mass spectrometry to confirm the presence of an adulterant. This technique was applied to an FDA supplied test sample, in which sibutramine, phenolphthalein, and melamine were confirmed to be present.
PubMed: 27482293
DOI: 10.1039/C6AY00828C -
Heliyon May 2024Alternative fuels can be produced from both non-edible feedstocks and edible crops. The higher production costs and contaminating nature of vegetable biofuels, which...
Evaluating the effect of diethyl ether and moringa oleifera antioxidant additives on the performance and emission characteristics of jatropha biodiesel-diesel blended fuel on CI engine - An experimental investigation.
Alternative fuels can be produced from both non-edible feedstocks and edible crops. The higher production costs and contaminating nature of vegetable biofuels, which cause engine component failure, make it conceivable to encourage the synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible sources. One of the most widely utilized alternative fuels is Jatropha biofuel, which has performance levels comparable to diesel fuels and can be used with CI (Compression Ignition) engines without any modifications. However when it comes to oxidative stability properties that impact shelf life and commercialization, the majority of biodiesels-including Jatropha-are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to enhance the oxidative stability and other physicochemical parameters, such performance and emission characteristics, of Jatropha biodiesel with diesel blends by adding additives like DEE (diethyl ether) and MA (moringa oleifera antioxidant). The seeds of jatropha and moringa were harvested by hand and then mechanically extracted with a screw press. A conical flask containing the precisely weighed amount of oil is filled with 50 mL of neutral alcohol. The combination is then heated for an hour using a water condenser over a bath. Using phenolphthalein indicator, the contents are titrated with KOH solution after cooling. Weight of oil taken (w)/volume of KOH used (mL) × normality of KOH is the formula used to determine the acidity value of jatropha oil. It is therefore below the minimum level set by ASTM D 675, which is 2.5 mg KOH/g. Methanol was used in the transesterification process to produce biodiesel, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a catalyst. Then, using 5 % DEE and 10 % MA additives, the physicochemical properties of jatropha biodiesel-such as density, kinematics viscosity, calorific value, and oxidative stability-were characterized. The percentage of improvement of the biodiesel's mentioned properties with these additives was 0.68 %, 2.8 %, 0.73 %, and 33.8 %, respectively. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of B40MA10DEE05D45 increased by 8.52 % whereas the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of B50MA10DEE05D35, which is Made up of 44 % diesel, 50 % jatropha biodiesel, 5 % DEE, and 10 % MA fuels, declined by 5.14 %. As a result of these additions, the blended fuel's CO, HC, and NOx emissions were reduced by 3.51 %, 2.25 %, and 8.64 %, respectively. Therefore, a 20 % blend of Jatropha biodiesel and diesel containing antioxidants from Moringa can be used in compression ignition engines without the need for engine modifications and with high oxidation stability.
PubMed: 38831843
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31436 -
BMC Geriatrics Mar 2024Aging is associated with changes in the musculoskeletal system, including increased susceptibility to spine malalignments. Utilizing corrective exercises with a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Aging is associated with changes in the musculoskeletal system, including increased susceptibility to spine malalignments. Utilizing corrective exercises with a therapeutic emphasis can be beneficial in the elderly with thoracic spine hyperkyphosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the effects of six weeks of telerehabilitation-based respiratory and corrective exercises on quality of life, disability, thoracic kyphosis, craniovertebral angle, shoulder angle, cranial angle, and chest expansion in the elderly with thoracic spine hyperkyphosis.
METHODS
In this clinical trial, a total of 40 participants aged 60 and above with thoracic hyperkyphosis were randomly divided into the control (N = 20) and experimental (N = 20) groups. The experimental group performed the corrective exercises for six weeks (3 sessions per week). The control group performed general stretching exercises during the same time period. We measured the outcomes of quality of life, disability, thoracic kyphosis, craniovertebral angle, shoulder angle, cranial angle, and lung expansion before and after the intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to analyze the data. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
Quality of life (P < 0.001, Effect Size (ES): 0.44), chest expansion (P < 0.001, ES: 0.56), thoracic kyphosis angle (P < 0.001, ES: 0.31), craniovertebral (P < 0.001, ES: 0.33), cranial (P < 0.001, ES: 0.38), and shoulder (P = 0.005, ES: 0.20) angles were significantly improved in the experimental group as compared with controls. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of physical ability (P = 0.251, ES: 0.04).
CONCLUSION
It is therefore recommended that online corrective exercises be used in the rehabilitation protocol to improve the quality of life, posture, chest expansion, and disability in the elderly with thoracic kyphosis.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Telerehabilitation; Quality of Life; Exercise Therapy; Exercise; Kyphosis; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; Phenolphthalein
PubMed: 38448857
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04779-8