Active Ingredient

Scilla maderensis Menezes (Hyacinthaceae) is endemic to the Portuguese Archipelago of Madeira. The taxonomic proximity between Scilla L. and Urginea Steinh. genus, and also the knowledge that bulbs of Urginea maritima (L.) Baker (Scilla maritima L.) contain cardiac glycosides of the bufadienolide type, led us to a phytochemical and pharmacological study of S. maderensis. Extracts obtained from the bulbs were screened by TLC and tested in the isolated frog heart preparation. The TLC screening revealed spots with colours and R f values similar to those obtained for proscillaridin and scillaren A. In the frog heart preparation the extracts showed a positive inotropic effect and toxic doses induced the arrest of the heartbeat in systole. We can conclude that the bulbs of S. maderensis contain substances exerting pharmacological effects on the heart.

Outdoor mesocosms (experimental drainage ditches) were treated repeatedly with linuron at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.5, 5, 15, and 50 g/L. After each of three treatments (with 4-week intervals), the systems were kept static for 1 week. Subsequently, they were flushed with nonpolluted surface water with a residence time of 5 d until the next treatment. Species composition and abundance of macrophytes, periphyton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates were examined at prefixed time intervals. During the treatment periods, significant decreases in oxygen concentration and pH were observed, whereas the systems recovered during the flushing periods. The effects of the pulsed treatments on the structural endpoints (biota) were rarely significant and consistently were difficult to interpret. We conclude that under these experimental conditions, pulsed treatment with linuron causes only minor and negligible effects on the abundance of organisms in mesocosms, even when maximum permissible concentrations are exceeded by about 80 times. Risk assessment based on the more sensitive physiologic and functional endpoints suggested that the safety factor of 0.1 times the acute EC50 of the most sensitive standard alga (Scenedesmus acutus), as adopted in the Uniform Principles of the European Union, is sufficient to protect the community of the mesocosms in an exposure regime that was realistic for Dutch drainage ditches, using a photosynthesis inhibitor as the benchmark compound.

With growing concerns over multidrug resistance microorganisms, particularly strains of bacteria and fungi, evolving to become resistant to the antimicrobial agents used against them, the identification of new molecular targets becomes paramount for novel treatment options. Recently, the use of new treatments containing multiple active ingredients has been shown to increase the effectiveness of existing molecules for some infections, often with these added compounds enabling the transport of a toxic molecule into the infecting species. Flavonoids are among the most abundant plant secondary metabolites and have been shown to have natural abilities as microbial deterrents and anti-infection agents in plants. Combining these ideas we first sought to investigate the potency of natural flavonoids in the presence of efflux pump inhibitors to limit Escherichia coli growth. Then we used the natural flavonoid scaffold to synthesize non-natural flavanone molecules and further evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy on Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Of those screened, we identified the synthetic molecule 4chloro-flavanone as the most potent antimicrobial compound with a MIC value of 70 mg/mL in E. coli when combined with the inhibitor Phe-Arg-ß-naphthylamide, and MICs of 30 mg/mL in S. cerevesiae and 30 mg/mL in C. neoformans when used alone. Through this study we have demonstrated that combinatorial synthesis of non-natural flavonones can identify novel antimicrobial agents with activity against bacteria and fungi but with minimal toxicity to human cells.

Pesticides are currently used inside hives, against the honeybee parasite Varroa destructor, producing unwanted contamination effects. To assess the distribution and fate of one of these pesticides (coumaphos), two experimental hives were treated with Perizin (the commercial product containing the active ingredient coumaphos). Samples of honey, wax, pollen, adult bees and larvae taken before treatment and up to 104 days afterwards, showed diffuse contamination. Wood hedges and wax bridges, where the pesticide solution was applied, were analysed as well. A mass balance was calculated, yielding a recovered amount of around 60% just after treatment and 38% 1 month later. Directly contaminated surfaces and wax contained the highest amount of residues. Wax and honey contained different amounts (10, and 0.1% respectively) but both retained residues for long time. Bees ingest most of the product just after treatment, then rapidly eliminate it by metabolism, advection and deposition processes. On the basis of analytical results, a simple model (level I of the fugacity model) was applied to the hive system for different pesticides (coumaphos, malathion, fluvalinate and bromopropylate). Predicted concentrations in wax and honey were compared with those measured, indicating the good predictive capability of this approach.

Background: Substances with performance enhancing properties appear on a continuum, ranging from prohibited performance enhancing drugs (PED) through dietary supplements to functional foods (FF). Anti-doping messages designed to dissuade athletes from using PEDs have been typically based on moralising sport competition and/or employing scare campaigns with focus on the negative consequences. Campaigns offering comparable and acceptable alternatives are nonexistent, nor are athletes helped in finding these for themselves. It is timely that social marketing strategies for anti-doping prevention and intervention incorporate media messages that complement the existing approaches by promoting comparable and acceptable alternatives to doping. To facilitate this process, the aim of this study was to ascertain whether a single exposure knowledge-based information intervention led to increased knowledge and subsequently result in changes in beliefs and automatic associations regarding performance enhancements. Methods: In a repeated measure design, 115 male recreational gym users were recruited and provided with a brief information pamphlet on nitrite/nitrate and erythropoietin as a comparison. Measures of knowledge, beliefs and automatic associations were taken before and after the intervention with at least 24 hours between the two assessments. The psychological tests included explicit measures of beliefs and cognitive attitudes toward FF and PED using a self-reported questionnaire and computerised assessments of automatic associations using the modified and shortened version of the Implicit Association Test. Results: The information based intervention significantly increased knowledge (p < 0.001), changed explicit beliefs in specific FF (p < 0.001) and shifted the automatic association of FF with health to performance (p < 0.001). Explicitly expressed beliefs and automatic associations appear to be independent. Conclusion: Evidence was found that even a single exposure to a persuasive positive message can lead to belief change and can create new or alter existing associations -but only in the specific domain. Interventions to change outcome expectations in a positive way could be a rewarding avenue for anti-doping. Effective social marketing campaigns for drug free sport should follow appropriate market segmentation and use targeted messages via promoting the natural form as opposed to the purified form of the main active ingredient.

Computational neuroscience integrate-and-fire attractor network models can be used to understand the factors that alter the stability of cortical networks in the face of noise caused for example by neuronal spiking times. A reduction of the firing rates of cortical neurons caused for example by reduced NMDA receptor function (present in schizophrenia) can lead to instability of the high firing rate attractor states that normally implement short-term memory and attention, contributing to the cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Reduced cortical inhibition caused by a reduction of GABA neurotransmission (present in schizophrenia) can lead to instability of the spontaneous firing states of cortical networks, leading to a noise-induced jump to a high firing rate attractor state even in the absence of external inputs, contributing to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. We consider how effects occurring at the time of late adolescence including synaptic pruning, decreases in grey matter volume, and changes in GABAmediated inhibition and dopamine may contribute to the onset in some individuals of schizophrenia at this time.

Brazil is blessed with a great biodiversity, which constitutes one of the most important sources of biologically active compounds, even if it has been largely underexplored. As is the case of the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, the Brazilian marine fauna remains practically unexplored in the search for new biologically active natural products. Considering that marine organisms have been shown to be one of the most promising sources of new bioactive compounds for the treatment of different human diseases, the 8000 km of the Brazilian coastline represents a great potential for finding new pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. This review presents the status of marine natural products chemistry in Brazil, including results reported by different research groups with emphasis on the isolation, structure elucidation, and evaluation of biological activities of natural products isolated from sponges, ascidians, octocorals, and Opistobranch mollusks. A brief overview of the first Brazilian program on the isolation of marine bacteria and fungi, directed toward the production of biologically active compounds, is also discussed. The current multidisciplinary collaborative program under development at the Universidade de Sã o Paulo proposes to establish a new paradigm toward the management of the Brazilian marine biodiversity, integrating research on the species diversity, ecology, taxonomy, and biogeography of marine invertebrates and microorganisms. This program also includes a broad screening program of Brazilian marine bioresources, to search for active compounds that may be of interest for the development of new drug leads.

Solubilization of hydrophobic drugs at the molecular level as inclusion complexes inside cyclodextrins (CDs) offers a good alternative for improving their stability, solubility and bioavailability, and for preventing against their possible toxicity or controlling secondary effects. Therefore CDs are widely used as solubilizing excipients. However since dissociation takes place too readily upon dilution, inclusion complexes inside simple water-soluble CD appears ineffective for drug delivery applications. Chemical modifications of CDs allow them to self-organize as larger assemblies useful for resolving this lability issue. Depending on the position, the number and the nature of these groups, amphiphilic CDs can form assemblies such as vesicles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanospheres, liquid crystals, or micellar systems. This review deals with the synthesis of amphiphilic cyclodextrins leading to supramolecular assemblies and the physical properties of these assemblies. From the fir...

During 2005 growing season, field experiments were conducted in two commercial raspberry fields to compare effectiveness of some fungicides and biofungicides in Botrytis cinerea control. The experiments consisted of four fungicide and two biofungicide treatments and untreated control, in randomized block design with four replicates per treatment. The fungicides: fenhxamid, vinclozolin, benomyl, and pyrimethanil were applied twice. The biofungicides Polyversum

This research contrasts two different conceptions, fields and pathways, of individual information behavior in context. These different approaches imply different relationships between actors and their information environments and, thus, encapsulate different views of the relationship between individual actions and contexts. We discuss these different theoretical views, then empirically compare and contrast them. The operationalization of these conceptions is based on different analytic treatments of the same raw data: a battery of three questions based on respondentÕs unaided recall of the sources they would consult for information on inherited cancers, a particularly rich information seeking problem. These operationalizations are then analyzed in a nomological network of related concepts drawn from an omnibus survey of 882 adults. The results indicated four clusters for fields and 16 different pathways, indicating increased fragmentation of information environments, with different underlying logics and active ingredients, although the use of the Internet appears to be an emerging common theme. The analysis of the nomological network suggests that both approaches may have applications for particular problems. In the implications, we compare and contrast these approaches, discussing their significance for future methodological, analytical, and theoretical developments.

There exists the possibility that non-target livestock may receive trace exposure to medications in feed due to residue carryover from previous production runs of medicated feeds at feed mills. We have developed a method by which ADI-Derived Drug Carryover Levels (ADCLs) can be established. It is a practical approach compared to the "zero" levels of residue carryover that may be expected or required by regulatory authorities. The methodology involves application of various safety/uncertainty factors to concentrations of active ingredients (a.i.) already approved for use in medicated feeds for target species. The starting point for each a.i., to be consistent, and to represent the highest possible carryover, is the highest approved concentration for any target animal species, recognizing that this is an approved level based on established ADI and agency review of supporting safety data speciWc to each a.i. (Hence, these guidance values are characterized to be 'ADI-derived'.) Safety factors are then applied to account for: (a) interspecies extrapolation, (b) diVerences in the body weights of target and non-target species (i.e., smaller animals receive higher exposures on a body weight basis for a given dietary concentration), (c) a.i. with clear contraindications for use in certain non-target species (i.e., a priori knowledge of non-target species sensitivity), and (d) withdrawal times (i.e., for a.i. that require a washout period prior to slaughter there is potential exposure to non-target species through other feeds not requiring a washout period). The values of the safety/uncertainty factors range from 1 to 3, 1 to 3.17, 1 to 10, and 1 to 10, for each of conditions (a), (b), (c), and (d), respectively. The "proposed safety factor" to apply to the approved concentration in medicated feed is calculated as the product of the values for each of (a) through (d). The Wnal safety factor is the greater of the proposed safety factor or a default minimum safety factor of 30. ADCLs were calculated for several a.i. and compared to limits of quantitation available for detection of carryover residues in animal feeds. This methodology may be used in its present or modiWed form in any jurisdiction in which mediated feeds are approved. As a start, this approach has been applied to several example products approved and in use in Canada.

Hypoglycemic effect of Gentiana olivieri Griseb. (Gentianaceae) flowering herbs on oral administration were studied using in vivo models in normal, glucose-hyperglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Through in vivo bioassay-guided fractionation processes isoorientin, a known C-glycosylflavone, was isolated from the ethylacetate fraction by silica gel column chromatography as the main active ingredient from the plant. Isoorientin exhibited significant hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects at 15 mg/kg b.w.dose. Isoorientin concentration of the extracts and fractions were determined by HPLC in order to establish a correlation between the hypoglycaemic activity.

Over the past several years, great advances have been made on development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) for plant actives and extracts. The variety of novel herbal formulations like polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, phytosomes, nanoemulsions, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes has been reported using bioactive and plant extracts. The novel formulations are reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, protection from toxicity, enhancement of pharmacological activity, enhancement of stability, improved tissue macrophages distribution, sustained delivery, and protection from physical and chemical degradation. The present review highlights the current status of the development of novel herbal formulations and summarizes their method of preparation, type of active ingredients, size, entrapment efficiency, route of administration, biological activity and applications of novel formulations.The novel formulations reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts.

Over the past several years, great advances have been made on development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) for plant actives and extracts. The variety of novel herbal formulations like polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, phytosomes, nanoemulsions, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes has been reported using bioactive and plant extracts. The novel formulations are reported to have remarkable advantages over conventional formulations of plant actives and extracts which include enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, protection from toxicity, enhancement of pharmacological activity, enhancement of stability, improved tissue macrophages distribution, sustained delivery, and protection from physical and chemical degradation. The present review highlights the current status of the development of novel herbal formulations and summarizes their method of preparation, type of active ingredients, size, entrapment efficiency, route of administration, biological activity and applications of novel formulations.

This work describes a novel carrier for enhanced skin delivery, the ethosomal system, which is composed of phospholipid, ethanol and water. Ethosomal systems were much more efficient at delivering a fluorescent probe to the skin in terms of quantity and depth, than either liposomes or hydroalcoholic solution. The ethosomal system dramatically enhanced the skin permeation of minoxidil in vitro compared with either ethanolic or hydroethanolic solution or phospholipid ethanolic micellar solution of minoxidil. In addition, the transdermal delivery of testosterone from an ethosomal patch was greater both in vitro and in vivo than from commercially available patches. Skin permeation of ethosomal components, ethanol and phospholipid, was demonstrated in diffusion-cell experiments. Ethosomal systems composed of soy phosphatidylcholine 2%, 31 ethanol 30% and water were shown by electron microscopy to contain multilamellar vesicles. P-NMR studies confirmed the bilayer configuration of the lipids. Calorimetry and fluorescence measurements suggested that the vesicular bilayers are flexible, having a relatively low T and fluorescence anisotropy compared with liposomes obtained in the absence of ethanol. m Dynamic light scattering measurements indicated that ethanol imparted a negative charge to the vesicles. The average vesicle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering, was modulated by altering the ethosome composition. Experiments using fluorescent probes and ultracentrifugation showed that the ethosomes had a high entrapment capacity for molecules of various lyophilicities.

Hypericum perforatum L. is a spontaneous perennial herbaceous plant, widely distributed in Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, and North America. The dried flowers or dried aerial parts are used to prepare the drug Hyperici Herba or St. John's Wort. Nowadays this drug is largely used as a natural antidepressant; hypericin and hypericin-like substances are considered the main active ingredients. In this work the hypericin and pseudohypericin content of hydroalcoholic extracts both of Hyperici Herba and of Hypericum perforatum L. dried flowers were measured by two techniques, TLCdensitometry with fluorescence detection and reversed-phase HPLC-DAD (diode-array detection). The quantitative data obtained by applying these techniques were compared and the identification of the main flavonoid constituents was performed by HPLC-DAD for characterization of the extracts. The quantitative data obtained by use of the two techniques were in good agreement and statistical analysis of the findings was indicative of the equivalence of the techniques.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of behavioral and cognitive treatment approaches in the management of pathological gambling disorders. Disappointingly, the literature to date contains only one controlled outcome study in which two differing behavioral techniques were compared. Although research in general has focussed on identifying the nature of cognitive distortions in gambling, findings from these studies have not been systematically translated into treatment programs. It is concluded that methodological limitations including small sample size, absence of control groups, multiple concurrent interventions and poorly defined outcome criteria preclude conclusive statements to be drawn regarding the active ingredient of either behavioral or cognitive strategies. The program offered within the Impulse Disorders Research Centre is outlined.

OVP security pigment, the active ingredient in OVI security ink, is an assembly of high performance microscopic filters. The market acceptance of these filters has led them to become perhaps the most widely distributed interference devices on the planet. Recently, interference devices have been developed that provide the security industry with features beyond proven overt protection. New products are being

Mimosa, Mimosa pigra L., was first reported in Sri Lanka in 1997. The species is mainly confined to the central and northwestern provinces of Sri Lanka. The plant has colonised along the river banks of the Mahaweli River, which is the main supplier of irrigation water to the agriculture-dominant dry zone of the country. Use of river sand for construction work was identified as a major method of seed dispersal, apart from seeds being transported with river water flow. GPS technology is currently being used for monitoring the extent of spread of this species. Mimosa seeds were 100% viable after four years of storage at room temperature (28±2°C) and also at 8°C. The onset of flowers was first observed at 12-14 weeks after planting. The initial growth of the weed was slow, but the height increased at a rate of 2.4-2.6 cm day-1 during the first 8-12 weeks. From 12 weeks, the stem dry weight of mimosa increased at a more rapid rate than the root dry weight. The relative growth rate (RGR) increased until onset of flowers and then decreased. The soil seed-bank density within the canopy diameter of the naturally grown mimosa plants varied from 2,336 to 46,410 seeds m-2. Glyphosate at the dosage of 1.44 kg active ingredient ha-1 effectively controlled mimosa seedlings less than six months old, when applied three times repeatedly at four-month intervals on the same set of seedlings. Mimosa seeds did not germinate in the presence of one-month old Panicum maximum Jacq. at a population density of 16 plants m-2. Awareness programs conducted for the communities in the infested areas have resulted in several community participatory activities to eradicate small patches of mimosa from the Central Province.

Building on self-determination theory, this study presents a model of intrinsic motivation and engagement as "active ingredients" in garden-based education. The model was used to create reliable and valid measures of key constructs, and to guide the empirical exploration of motivational processes in garden-based learning. Teacher-and student-reports of garden engagement, administered to 310 middle school students, demonstrated multidimensional structures, good measurement properties, convergent validity, and the expected correlations with self-perceptions in the garden, garden learning, achievement, and engagement in science and school. Exploratory path analyses, calculated using multiple regression, provided initial support for the self-determination model of motivation: students' perceived autonomy, competence, and intrinsic motivation uniquely predicted their engagement in the garden, which in turn, predicted learning in the gardens and achievement in school.

Burst release as well as sustained release has been reported for SLN suspensions. For dermal application, both features are of interest. Burst release can be useful to improve the penetration of a drug. Sustained release becomes important with active ingredients that are irritating at high concentrations or to supply the skin over a prolonged period of time with a drug. Glyceryl behenate SLN were loaded with vitamin A and the release profiles were studied. Franz diffusion cells were used to assess the release kinetic over a period of 24 h. Within the first 6 h retinol SLN displayed controlled release. After longer periods (12-24 h) the release rate increased and even exceeded the release rate of comparable nanoemulsions. Pure SLN dispersions are characterised by low viscosity. In contrast to membranous vesicles, SLN can also be stably incorporated in convenient topical dosage forms like hydrogels or creams. In the Franz diffusion cell these preparations showed a controlled release over 12-18 h. Similar to SLN dispersions an increase in release rate over a 24-h period was found. A good correlation between polymorphic transitions and increased drug release was observed in this study. Sustained release was often related to the metastable b9 polymorph. Drug expulsion is explained by a reduction of amorphous regions in the carrier lattice due to a b9→b polymorphic transition. This transformation can be controlled with surfactant mixtures or, in the case i of the hydrogel and oil / water cream, with humectants or gelling agents. Thus, the release rate for the topical route of application is adjustable.

Party pills were initially marketed as 'herbal highs' due to the structural similarity to piperidine , which is a constituent of the piperine alkaloid ) of the black pepper (Piper nigrum) plant. However, piperazine is a non-herbal synthetic chemical. Piperazine derivatives are constituents of a variety of Abstract N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) is the active ingredient in recreational 'party' or 'p.e.p.' pills, which are used to provide a stimulant, euphoric effect akin to that of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy'). BZP predominantly affects dopamine neurotransmission in a similar fashion to known 'drugs of abuse', such as methamphetamine and cocaine, which strongly suggests BZP has abuse liability. BZP is illegal in many countries including the United States of America and Australia, yet it remains legal in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. There has been little research, to date, on the neurological consequences of high dose or chronic exposure of BZP. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the information currently available on BZP and suggest a need for further research into the mechanisms of action, long-term effects and potentially addictive properties of BZP.

Surgical hand disinfection (with an alcohol-based hand rub) and surgical handwash (with an antiseptic-based liquid soap) are accepted measures to reduce the risk for surgical site infections. The new European Standards allow a comparison of their antimicrobial efficacy. The bactericidal activity of surgical hand rubs [Sterillium and Softaman, (active ingredient ¼ alcohols)] and handwashes [Derman plus (triclosan), Hibiscrub (chlorhexidine) and Betadine (PVP -iodine)] was tested according to the prEN 12054 suspension test using Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus hirae, and to prEN 12791 for the effect on resident skin flora in comparison with 1-propanol, 60% (v/v). All five products achieved a reduction of test bacteria within 3 min of . 10 5 -fold so fulfilling prEN 12054. However, only Hibiscrub, Sterillium and Softa Man met the requirements of prEN 12791, giving a mean reduction of resident micro-organisms (immediate and sustained effect) which was not significantly lower than the reference alcohol (P . 0.1; Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). Sterillium was significantly more effective than the reference alcohol (immediate and sustained affect). Products for surgical hand disinfection may have equal antimicrobial activity in suspension tests but show large differences under practical conditions. Healthcare workers should not rely on results from suspension tests when deciding on a product for surgical hand disinfection.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) introduced in 1991 represent an alternative carrier system to traditional colloidal carriers, such as emulsions, liposomes and polymeric micro-and nanoparticles. SLN combine advantages of the traditional systems but avoid some of their major disadvantages. This paper reviews the present state of the art regarding production techniques for SLN, drug incorporation, loading capacity and drug release, especially focusing on drug release mechanisms. Relevant issues for the introduction of SLN to the pharmaceutical market, such as status of excipients, toxicity/tolerability aspects and sterilization and long-term stability including industrial large scale production are also discussed. The potential of SLN to be exploited for the different administration routes is highlighted. References of the most relevant literature published by various research groups around the world are provided. q

The pharmacological effects of the action of nicotine on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have been implicated in many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and tobacco dependence. Brain imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) for each nAChR subtype provides biological information on subtypespecific function and pathological change. While PET studies for the α4β2 nAChR have progressed, the development of PET for α7 nAChR has been hampered due to the lack of suitable radioligands. It is, therefore, important to develop α7 nAChR-selective PET tracers for in vivo imaging studies to better understand the role of α7 nAChR in specific CNS disorders. Furthermore, positron emitter labeled drug that targets α7 nAChR can also contribute to drug development by providing information on in vivo pharmacokinetics.

Extrapolating from B. L. broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the authors hypothesized that positive emotions are active ingredients within trait resilience. U.S. college students (18 men and 28 women) were tested in early 2001 and again in the weeks following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mediational analyses showed that positive emotions experienced in the wake of the attacks-gratitude, interest, love, and so forth-fully accounted for the relations between (a) precrisis resilience and later development of depressive symptoms and (b) precrisis resilience and postcrisis growth in psychological resources. Findings suggest that positive emotions in the aftermath of crises buffer resilient people against depression and fuel thriving, consistent with the broaden-and-build theory. Discussion touches on implications for coping.

Crystallizations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, particularly those that posses multiple polymorphic forms, are among the most critical and least understood pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Many process and product failures can be traced to a poor understanding and control of crystallization processes. The Food and Drug Administration's process analytical technology (PAT) initiative is a collaborative effort with industry to introduce new and efficient manufacturing technologies into the pharmaceutical industry. PAT's are systems for design, analysis, and control of manufacturing processes. They aim to assure high quality through timely measurements of critical quality and performance attributes of raw materials, in-process materials, and final products. Implementation of PAT involves scientifically based process design and optimization, appropriate sensor technologies, statistical and information tools (chemometrics), and feedback process control strategies working together to produce quality products. This review introduces the concept of PAT and discusses its application to crystallization processes through review of several case studies. A variety of in situ analytical methods combined with chemometric tools for analysis of multivariate process information provide a basis for future improvements in modeling, simulation, and control of crystallization processes. D

Cosmeceuticals, derived from the words 'cosmetic and pharmaceutical', have drug-like benefits and contain active ingredients such as vitamins, phytochemicals, enzymes, antioxidants, and essential oils. Cosmeceuticals have attracted increased attention because of their beneficial effects on human health. Bioactive substances derived from marine organisms have diverse functional roles as a secondary metabolite and these properties can be applied to the developments of novel pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Recently, extensive studies have been conducted on the general aspects of the chemical structures, physical and biochemical properties, and biotechnological applications of bioactive substances derived from marine organisms. In this review, we have discussed recent progresses in the biotechnological applications of bioactive substances from marine organisms as cosmeceuticals. © KSBB = hÉóïçêÇëW=ÅçëãÉÅÉìíáÅ~äëI=ã~êáåÉ=çêÖ~åáëãëI=~åíáçñáÇ~åíëI=~äÖ~ÉI=ÅÜáíáåI=ÅÜáíçë~å= = = = =

Deflazacort (DFZ) is an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. The aim of this study was to investigate and to identify the main degradation product of DFZ, and to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of both DFZ and its major degradation product (namely DDP1). DFZ was subjected to alkaline and acid degradation. In 0.1 N NaOH, DFZ was immediately degraded and 99.0% of product DDP1 was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC method was ideal to separate the primary and other minor degradation products and was carried out using C 18 column, mobile phase consisting of water: acetonitrile: (60:40, v/v) with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 244 nm. DDP1 was isolated and identified as 21-hydroxy deflazacort (21-OH-DFZ) by NMR, IR and LCMS. The in vivo pharmacological assays showed that both DFZ as 21-OH-DFZ are active in in vivo and in vitro inflammatory models, but 21-OH-DFZ is more potent than DFZ.

The acute and sublethal toxicity of emamectin benzoate to non-target planktonic marine copepods was determined. Emamectin benzoate is the active ingredient in SliceR, an in-feed pesticide formulation used to control parasitic sea lice in salmon aquaculture. The comparative sensitivity of three life stages (nauplii, copepodites, adults) of four common marine copepods (Acartia clausi, Pseudocalanus elongatus, Temora longicornis and Oithona similis) was assessed in 48-h exposures followed by a recovery period in toxicant-free sea water. The calanoid copepods responded similarly to emamectin benzoate and EC50 values were significantly lower than those for the cyclopoid O. similis. Nauplii and copepodite 48-h EC50 values were generally lower than those for the adults. EC50 values ranged from 0.12 Ag/l (P. elongatus nauplii) to 232 Ag/l (O. similis adults). The primary toxic effect, immobilisation, was generally irreversible. A 7-day sublethal test with adult A. clausi females measured a significant reduction in egg production at higher concentrations. The noobserved-effect-concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) values were 0.05 and 0.158 Ag/l, respectively. Concentrations causing toxicity to planktonic copepods were considerably higher than Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC) in the vicinity of treated salmon farms and suggest that the use of emamectin benzoate for lice control is unlikely to adversely affect planktonic copepods. D

The kinetics of photolysis of ascorbic acid in cream formulations on UV irradiation has been studied using a specific spectrophotometric method with a reproducibility of ±5%. The apparent first-order rate constants (k obs) for the photolysis of ascorbic acid in creams have been determined. The photoproducts formed in the cream formulations include dehydroascorbic acid and 2,3-diketogulonic acid. The photolysis of ascorbic acid appears to be affected by the concentration of active ingredient, pH, and viscosity of the medium and formulation characteristics. The study indicates that the ionized state and redox potentials of ascorbic acid are important factors in the photostability of the vitamin in cream formulations. The viscosity of the humectant present in the creams appears to influence the photostability of ascorbic acid. The results show that the physical stability of the creams is an important factor in the stabilization of the vitamin. In the cream formulations stored in the dark, ascorbic acid undergoes aerobic oxidation and the degradation is affected by similar factors as indicated in the photolysis reactions. The rate of oxidative degradation in the dark is about seventy times slower than that observed in the presence of light.

Organic compounds of phosphorus have been developed for a range of applications in clinical dentistry. These include dentine bonding agents, restorative materials and therapeutic agents, such as active ingredients in anticaries mouthwashes. A characteristic feature of all of these applications is the good bonding of the phosphorus compound to the tooth. This review highlights the progress that has been made to date in preparing functional and durable organophosphorus bonding agents and cements, and includes coverage of recent synthetic work aimed at preparing improved organophosphorus molecules for this application. The review concludes that this remains a promising field of chemistry to explore in the search for improved, clinically useful dental materials.

The potential food applications of water-in-oil-in-water (W 1 /O/W 2 ) double emulsions are great, including the encapsulation of flavours or active ingredients. However, the stability of these emulsions restricts their applications in food systems. Sodium caseinate (NaCN)-maltodextrin (Md40 or Md100) conjugates were investigated for their potential to improve the stability of W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsions compared to NaCN. NaCN-Md40 and NaCN-Md100 conjugates were prepared by a Maillard-type reaction by dry heat treatment of mixtures of NaCN-Md40 or NaCN-Md100 at 60°C and 79% relative humidity for 4 days. Water-in-oil-in-water (W 1 /O/W 2 ) double emulsions with NaCN, NaCN-Md40 or NaCN-Md100 as outer aqueous phase containing emulsifier were prepared using a two-step emulsification process. General emulsion stability was characterised by determining the droplet size distribution, viscosity characteristics and by confocal microscopy of the W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsions on formation and after their storage under accelerated shelf life testing conditions at 45°C for up to 7 days. Inner phase encapsulation and stability were characterised by monitoring the level of entrapped Vitamin B 12 in the inner aqueous phase on formation of the double emulsions and after storage at 45°C for up to 7 days. Conjugate stabilized emulsions were more generally stable than NaCN stabilized emulsions. In comparison to NaCN stabilized emulsions, conjugate stabilized emulsions showed improved Vitamin B 12 encapsulation efficiency in the inner aqueous phase on emulsion formation and improved encapsulation stability following storage of the emulsions.

The ICH guideline on photostability (ICH Topic Q1B) was published in November 1996 and has been implemented in all three regions (US, EU, and Japan). The guideline describes a useful basic protocol for testing of new drug substances and associated drug products for manufacturing, storage, and distribution, but it does not cover the photostability of drugs under conditions of patient use. The pharmaceutical industry now has considerable experience in designing and carrying out photostability studies within the context of this guideline, and issues have been identified that would benefit from the revision process. The purpose of this commentary is to accomplish the following: (i) highlight issues proposed for consideration in the ICH revision process, (ii) offer a rationale for why these issues may compromise the design of a testing protocol and/or the results of the testing program, and (iii) provide recommendations for clarification of the guideline. ß

Recent research shows that the belief that the world is fair to the self (BJW-self) is associated with indices of psychological health, whereas the belief that the world is fair to others (BJW-others) is associated with harsh social attitudes (Bègue and Bastounis, 2003). However research has not ruled out the possibility that third factors are responsible for these patterns of correlation. In the present research, 233 psychology undergraduates completed measures of BJW-self, BJW-others, attitudes to the poor, life satisfaction, locus of control, self esteem, and socially desirable responding. Results showed that BJW-self is uniquely related to psychological health, BJW-others is uniquely related to harsh attitudes to the poor, and that these relationships are not attributable to the influence of third causes. Results provide strong support for the distinction between perceived justice for the self and for others, and suggest that perceptions of justice are indeed the “active ingredient” responsible for their ability to predict psychological and social outcomes.

Hydrazine hydrate is now produced worldwide by an ecofriendly process using ammonia and hydrogen peroxide as reactants, with methylethylketone (MEK) and acetamide being other active ingredients. Ketazine is an intermediate product during the formation of which, phase separation occurs between an upper organic layer enriched in ketazine and lower aqueous phase containing substantial amounts of acetamide (30 wt.%) and methylethylketone (5%) which have to be recycled in the form of a concentrated solution after partial removal of water (60%). The membrane based pervaporation (PV) technique has been successfully applied using the chemically compatible and highly hydrophilic chitosan membrane to dehydrate the highly alkaline aqueous layer. The effect of operating parameters such as feed composition and barrier thickness on membrane performance with respect to acetamide separation and water flux has been evaluated. High degree of acetamide separation was achieved along with reasonably good water flux and MEK separation.

The photostabilities of a random set of commercially available sunscreen lotions and their active ingredients are examined spectroscopically subsequent to simulated sunlight UV exposure. Loss of filtering efficacy can occur because of possible photochemical modifications of the sunscreen active agents. Changes in absorption of UVA/ UVB sunlight by agents in sunscreen lotions also leads to a reduction of the expected photoprotection of human skin and DNA against the harmful UV radiation. The active ingredients were investigated in aqueous media and in organic solvents of various polarities (methanol, acetonitrile, and n-hexane) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The UV absorption features are affected by the nature of the solvents with properties closely related to oil-in-water (o/w) or water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions actually used in sunscreen formulations, and by the presence of molecular oxygen. The photostabilities of two combined chemical ingredients (oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate) and the combination oxybenzone/titanium dioxide were also explored. In the latter case, oxybenzone undergoes significant photodegradation in the presence of the physical filter TiO 2 .

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides with a hydrophilic outer surface and a somewhat lipophilic central cavity. Cyclodextrins are able to form water-soluble inclusion complexes with many lipophilic water-insoluble drugs. In aqueous solutions drug molecules located in the central cavity are in a dynamic equilibrium with free drug molecules. Furthermore, lipophilic molecules in the aqueous complexation media will compete with each other for a space in the cavity. Due to their size and hydrophilicity only insignificant amounts of cyclodextrins and drug/cyclodextrin complexes are able to penetrate into lipophilic biological barriers, such as intact skin. In general, cyclodextrins enhance topical drug delivery by increasing the drug availability at the barrier surface. At the surface the drug molecules partition from the cyclodextrin cavity into the lipophilic barrier. Thus, drug delivery from aqueous cyclodextrin solutions is both diffusion controlled and membrane controlled. It appears that cyclodextrins can only enhance topical drug delivery in the presence of water.