A "simplex-centroid mixture design" was used to study the direct-compression properties of binary and ternary mixtures of chitin and two cellulosic direct-compression diluents. Native milled and fractioned (125-250 microm) crustacean chitin of lobster origin was blended with microcrystalline cellulose, MCC (Avicel PH 102) and spray-dried lactose-cellulose, SDLC Cellactose (composed of a spray-dried mixture of alpha-lactose monohydrate 75% and cellulose powder 25%). An instrumented single-punch tablet machine was used for tablet compactions. The flowability of the powder mixtures composed of a high percentage of chitin and SDLC was clearly improved. The fractioned pure chitin powder was easily compressed into tablets by using a magnesium stearate level of 0.1% (w/w) but, as the die lubricant level was 0.5% (w/w), the tablet strength collapsed dramatically. The tablets compressed from the binary mixtures of MCC and SDLC exhibited elevated mechanical strengths (>100 N) independent of the die lubricant level applied. In conclusion, fractioned chitin of crustacean origin can be used as an abundant direct-compression co-diluent with the established cellulosic excipients to modify the mechanical strength and, consequently, the disintegration of the tablets. Chitin of crustacean origin, however, is a lubrication-sensitive material, and this should be taken into account in formulating direct-compression tablets of it.
The urinary steroid profile has been used in clinical endocrinology for the early detection of enzyme deficiencies. In the field of doping, its evaluation in urine samples is used to diagnose the abuse of substances prohibited in sport. This profile is influenced by sex, age, exercise, diet, and ethnicity, among others; laboratories own reference ranges might compensate for ethnic differences among population and inter-laboratory biases. This paper shows the reference ranges obtained in the Antidoping Laboratory of Havana for the following steroid profile parameters: ten androgens (testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 5α-androstan-3α,17β-diol, 5β-androstan-3α,17β-diol, dehydroepiandrosterone, epiandrosterone, 11β-hydroxyandrosterone and 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone), three estrogens (estradiol, estriol and estrone), two pregnanes (pregnanediol and pregnanetriol) and two corticosteroids (cortisol and tetrahydrocortisol). The urine samples (male: n = 2454 and female: n = 1181) and data obtained are representative of population from Latin-American countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Chile. Urine samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and liquid-liquid extraction with an organic solvent in basic conditions. Trimethylsilyl derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Reference ranges were established for each sex, allowing the determination of abnormal profiles as a first diagnostic tool for the detection of the abuse of androgenic anabolic steroids. The comparison with the Caucasian population confirms that the urinary steroid profile is influenced by ethnicity.
La prevalencia de multimorbilidad, presencia simultánea en un individuo de dos o más enfermedades crónicas o discapacidades, aumenta con la edad, lo que hace necesario corregir los hábitos y estilos de vida de la población geriátrica para lograr una vejez activa y satisfactoria. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la presencia de hábitos nocivos a la salud en adultos mayores con multimorbilidad de la provincia de El Oro, Ecuador. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal, en adultos mayores de 65 años, entre septiembre del 2019 y noviembre del 2020. La muestra fue de 398, seleccionando 181 adultos mayores que presentaban multimorbilidad. Se utilizaron los cuestionarios: “Valoración biopsicosocial del adulto mayor desde un enfoque bioético”, y el WHOQOL-BREF, evaluándose los hábitos y estilos de vida perjudiciales. Se empleó estadística descriptiva univariada, bivariada y multivariada. El promedio de enfermedades fue de 2,9±1,2 con un rango entre 2 y 8 enfermedades. El 22,1% presentó más de cuatro enfermedades/incapacidades. Prevaleció la hipertensión arterial. La mayoría de los adultos mayores con multimorbilidad no refirieron consumo de alimentos nocivos a la salud, ni hábitos tóxicos, sin embargo, sí presentaron poca práctica deportiva y actividades recreativas o de ocio. Las mujeres con multimorbilidad presentaron una vida más activa, realizaban más actividades recreativas, sociales, ejercicios, y refirieron una mayor capacidad de realizar las actividades de la vida diaria, y un mayor disfrute de la vida que los hombres. Abstract: The prevalence of multimorbidity, the simultaneous presence in an individual of two or more chronic diseases or disabilities, increases with age, which makes it necessary to correct the habits and lifestyles of the geriatric population to achieve an active and satisfactory old age. The objective of the work was to determine the presence of harmful health habits in older adults with multimorbidity in the province of El Oro, Ecuador. A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out in adults over 65 years of age, between September 2019 and November 2020. The sample was 398, selecting 181 older adults who presented multimorbidity. The following questionnaires were used: "Biopsychosocial assessment of the elderly from a bioethical approach", and the WHOQOL-BREF, evaluating harmful habits and lifestyles. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate descriptive statistics were used. The average number of illnesses was 2.9 ± 1.2 with a range between 2 and 8 illnesses. 22.1% presented more than four illnesses / disabilities. Arterial hypertension prevailed. Most of the older adults with multimorbidity did not refer to the consumption of foods that were harmful to health or toxic habits, however, they did not have enough sports and recreational or leisure activities. Women with multimorbidity had a more active life, carried out more recreational, social and exercise activities, and reported a greater capacity to carry out activities of daily life, and greater enjoyment of life than men.
Context: Smilax purhampuy Ruiz (sarsaparilla) is traditionally used to treat various ailments such as sudorific, diuretic, purifying, hypoglycemic, arthritis, dermatological infections, intestinal, stomach and prostate inflammations, vaginitis and viral diseases. However, the investigations that justify the use of this species are scarce. Aims: To evaluate pharmacognostically and chemically leaves and rhizomes of sarsaparilla, and their antioxidant capacity. Methods: The pharmacognostic analysis of both plant organs was carried out from the determination of their physicochemical parameters, the phytochemical screening, the quantification of phenols and total flavonoids and the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity by three in vitro methods (FRAP, DPPH and ABTS). Results: The leaves and rhizomes of the species showed a similar chemical composition, although some metabolites seem to be found at different concentrations. Although the two organs studied presented antioxidant activity, it was higher in the leaves, which could be associated with the higher content of phenols and flavonoids. Conclusions: The results obtained made it possible to report the quality parameters for the first time and suggest the chemical composition of both organs, showing some differences between them. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity demonstrated the potential of the species to be used as a natural remedy.
El Diltiazem, benzotiazepina antagonista de los canales del calcio, se emplea para el tratamiento de la hipertensión y la obstrucción parcial de las arterias coronarias, conocida como angina de pecho. En el presente trabajo se realizó el estudio comparativo de los parámetros de calidad y de los perfiles de disolución de las tabletas 60 mg comercializadas en Ecuador, frente al Incoril de los laboratorios Bagó. El método de cuantificación del Diltiazem se validó por espectrofotometría UV-VIS. La validación permitió comprobar que el método era específico, sensible y lineal en una concentración de 60 mg con un coeficiente de correlación r2 = 0,990, éste además fue preciso, exacto y reproducible y de conformidad para el análisis del producto. Para los tres lotes estudiados no se presentaron diferencias significativas en los parámetros fisicoquímicos evaluados. Los perfiles de disolución permitieron evidenciar marcadas diferencias en cuanto a la liberación del principio activo en el tiempo máximo de la toma de muestra que fue de 180 min. De los tres lotes genéricos, solo uno cumplió con los factores f1 y f2 de diferencia y similitud y presentó un mejor comportamiento en la velocidad de disolución y el porcentaje de eficiencia.
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