Oxygen plasma treatment of sisal fibers and polypropylene: Effects on mechanical properties of composites

Polypropylene powder and sisal fibers were oxygen plasma treated, and the mechanical properties of their composites were tested. Two main effects were investigated: the incorporation of oxygen polar groups in the polypropylene surface and the surface degradation and chain scission of both polypropylene and sisal fibers. Prior to these treatments, three reactor configurations were tested to investigate the best condition for both effects to occur in PP film. Results showed that polypropylene-cellulose adhesion forces are about an order of magnitude higher for PP film treatments at 13.56 MHz than at 40 kHz owing to much higher chain scission at lower frequencies, although it probably also occurs at high frequency and high power. Polypropylene powder treated with oxygen plasma in optimum conditions for polar group incorporation did not result in improvement in any composite mechanical property, probably owing to the polymer melting. Sisal fibers and PP powder treated In conditions of surface degradation did not improve flexural or tensile properties but resulted in higher impact resistance, comparable to the improvement obtained with the addition of compatibilizer.

Porosity measurement of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms by gamma-ray transmission

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A Validated Stability-Indicating LC Method for Orbifloxacin in the Presence of Degradation Products

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Broiler breeder trace mineral nutrition and feeding practices on embryo progeny development

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CELULOSE FIBROSA DO BAGACO DA CANA-DE-ACUCAR - AVALIACAO DA ACAO AGLUTINANTE/DESAGREGANTE EM COMPRIMIDOS CONTENDO FARMACO HIDROSSOLUVEL

In this work, a fibrous cellulose obtained from the sugar cane bagasse was analysed about its binder/disintegrating action and about its interference degree in the dissolution rate ('in vitro') of active principles, when incorporated in a compact system that has a water-soluble drug. It was used as reference drug the Lithium Carbonate, considering its solubility in water and it difficulties in the compressibility and flow rate. That cellulose was evaluated in a comparative study, involving another fibrous cellulose generally used in the tablet obtainment (Microcel 3E-200). After the experiment in methodologies of dry granulation and wet granulation, it was concluded that the analysed celluloses presents adequate binder/disintegrating efficience and they are equivalents in these aspect.

EFICACIA E TOLERABILIDADE DA ASSOCIACAO CAPTOPRIL + HIDROCLOROTIAZIDA NO TRATAMENTO DA HIPERTENSAO ARTERIAL LEVE A MODERADA. ESTUDO MULTICENTRICO

Purpose. To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of captopril 50 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily in mild to moderate primary hypertension. Methods. Out-patients (n = 471) with mild to moderate hypertension, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 95-115 mmHg, with 15 days of washout, were included to the treatment initially with half tablet of the association of captopril 50 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg once daily, for 30 days. After this period, patients with DBP > 90 mmHg had the dosage duplicated, while the others had the same dosage for 60 days more. Evaluation was performed 15 days before and then every month during active drug. Results. Twenty six patients were withdrawn, 13 (2,7%) by adverse effects and 13 by protocol violation. At the end of the wash-out period, the blood pressure (BP), 162 ± 16/103 ± 6 mmHg decreased significantly at the 30th day to 146 ± 14/92 ± 8 mmHg (p < 0,001 vs 0th day); 139 ± 12/86 ± 7 mmHg at the 60th day, (p < 0,001 vs 30th day), and further to 136 ± 11/84 ± 5 mmHg (p < 0,001 vs day 0) till the end of the 90th day. Antihypertensive efficay (DBP ≤ 90 mmHg and decreased for the DBP ≥ 10 mmHg) was obtained in 82% of the patients. There was no difference in BP control considering race, hypertension level, previous antihypertensive treatment and obesity. Cough (4%) was the main adverse event. Conclusion. Captopril + hydrochlorothiazide was effective and safe in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. The favorable response was observed in 82% of the patients independently of race, hypertensive level, previous antihypertensive treatment and obesity. Low incidence of side effects was reported, with no difference from others reported in the literature.

Efeitos do tipo de ração inicial sobre a morfologia intestinal e digestibiliade dos nutrientes em leitões

Thirty piglets, weaned at an average age of 28 days, were used in experiment one. After weaning, 24 animals were transferred to the nursery in groups of two to each pen and fed simple or semi-complex diets ad libitum. On weaning day (day 0), six pigs were slaughtered. On days 7 and 21 post-weaning, one animal from each nursery pen was slaughtered to study mucosal thickness (MTD and MTJ) and villi heights (VHD and VHJ) in the duodenum and jejunum. The average values observed for MTD, VHD, MTJ, and VHJ were not influenced by type of diet. MTD, MTJ, and VHJ increased from days 7 to 21 post-weaning. Polynomial regression spanning days 0, 7, and 21 showed a linear effect for MTJ and a quadratic effect for VHD and VHJ. In experiment two, 16 piglets weaned at an average age of 28 days were used in two metabolic trials carried out during two periods of the initial phase (days 5 to 14 and days 19 to 28 postweaning), to determine the nutritional value of simple and semi-complex diets. There were no differences among treatments in apparent digestibility of crude protein and dry matter and the values for digestible or metabolizable energy of the diets. It was concluded that composition of the starter diet did not influence the intestinal morphology of piglets, the digestibilities of dry matter and crude protein, or the digestible and metabolizable energy contents of the diets.

Avaliacao preliminar da utilizacao do residuo industrial de man dioca (manihot esculenta granz) como excipiente em comprimidos: Caracteristicas fisicas e de compressao

The applicability of a residue of manioc (Manihot esculenta Granz) from industrial processing as a direct compression excipient was investigated in comparison with microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® PH 101). Physical characteristics of the powders like bulk and tap densities, particle size, flow properties (flow rate, index of compressibility and angle of repose) and agglutination were evaluated. The residue had poor performance as excipient for direct compression. However, it showed better disintegration properties than Avicel. The possibility of its use as disintegrant agent will be confirmed on future studies.

Effects of metaraminol bitartrate on intraocular pressure in dogs under halothane anesthesia

The effects of metaraminol bitartrate on intraocular pressure (IOP) were studied in dogs anesthetized with halothane. Forty-five healthy, adult, mixed-breed dogs, of both sexes, were divided into three groups of 15 dogs each (GI, GII and GIII) and maintained under general anesthesia with halothane after tranquilization with levomepromazine and induction with thiopental. Saline (0.9%) was administered intravenously (IV) to GI through continuous infusion, at a velocity of 0.125 mL kg -1 min -1. GII and GIII received metaraminol 0.004% IV, at a dose of 5 μg kg -1 min -1, at 0.125 mL kg -1 min -1 and at a dose of 2 μg kg -1 min -1, at 0.06 mL kg -1 min -1, respectively. IOP was measured by applanation tonometry (Tono-Pen) before and during anesthesia. Results showed that IOP decreased in GI, increased in GII, and remained at basal levels in GIII. Continuous infusion of metaraminol at 2 μg kg min -1 maintained IOP at pretest levels, while infusion at 5 μg kg -1 min -1 produced an elevation of IOP.

Evaluation of intraocular and partial CO2 pressure in dogs anesthetized with propofol

The effects of propofol on intraocular pressure (IOP) and end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were studied because an elevation in the latter may alter IOP. Twenty dogs were divided into two groups (G1 and G2). G1 dogs were induced with 10 mg/kg (IV) of propofol followed by a 0.4 mg/kg/min continuous infusion of the same agent diluted in a 0.2% dextrose solution for 1 h. G(CAPS) 2 dogs served as the control group, where only dextrose solution was administered, under the same time intervals as in G1. Applanation tonometry (Tono-Pen) was used to determine IOP and ETCO2 as a method to determine partial CO2 pressure. Measurements were taken every 15 min for 1 h, with M1 occurring immediately before IV administration. IOP and ETCO2 were not statistically significant in either groups. Based on the results, it may be concluded that propofol does not alter IOP and ETCO2.

Performance characteristics of bioassay, UV-spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of sparfloxacin in tablets

The microbiological bioassay, the UV-spectrophotometry and the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for assaying sparfloxacin in tablets were compared. The accuracy, repeatability, and precision of each method was assessed and precise. All methods were reliable within acceptable limits for antibiotic pharmaceutical preparations being accurate and precise. The microbiological bioassay and HPLC are more specific than UV-spectrophotometric analysis. However, the microbiological bioassay requires 20 h to get results, and HPLC is the most expensive analysis. The application of each method as a routine analysis should be investigated considering cost, simplicity, equipment, solvents, speed, and application to large or small workloads.

Analise citotoxica de esparfloxacino e seus produtos de degradaçao em células mononucleares humanas

Sparfloxacin, a difluorquinolone derivative, is a potent antibacterial agent active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistant S. aureus, Legionella spp, Mycoplasma spp; Chlamydia spp. and Mycobacteria. A drawback of fluorquinolones is their photoreactivity. Sparfloxacin has been studied in terms of therapeutic activities. However, few reports about analytical methods of sparfloxacin are available in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine cytotoxic effects, using sparfloxacin reference substance (SPAX-SR), sparfloxacin tablets (SPAX-COMP) and sparfloxacin tablets submitted UV light during 36 hours (SPAX-COMP.36) solution, and two isolated products (7 and 9) of SPAX-SR submitted UV-C light, in concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, 125 and 250 μg/mL by in vitro mononuclear humane culture cells. The results, statistically analyzed by Teste de Tukey, showed SPAX, SPAX-COMP and SPAX-COMP.36 solutions could reduce the cells number in these conditions. These results could not be observed for products 7 or 9. These results can suggest that isolated product can be less cytotoxic than SPAX-SR, is method can also be used to identified products degradation of sparfloxacin in stability study. However, the low activity achieved with sparfloxacin submitted to UV-light is a source of concern and requires further investigation about its photodegradation mechanism.

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens under moderately high ambient temperatures and relative humidities

Cobb male broiler chicks (1,000) on new litter were used to evaluate effects of dietary electrolyte balance [DEB; Na+K-Cl, milliequivalents (mEq) per kilogram] under tropical summer conditions. Corn-soybean meal-based mash diets had salt (NaCl) alone or in combination with one or more supplements: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). A completely randomized design, with five starter and grower feed treatments (control: 145, then 130 mEq/kg; or 0, 120, 240, or 360 mEq/kg throughout) and four replicate pens (1.5 x 3.2 m) per treatment (50 chicks per pen), was used. Diets were analyzed for Na, K, and Cl for confirmation. There were no significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatments on mortality or processing parameters. Water intake increased linearly with increasing DEB, giving higher litter moistures and lower rectal temperatures. Blood HCO3 and pH increased with the highest DEB (360 mEq/kg) causing respiratory alkalosis. The DEB of 240 mEg/kg gave best weight gain and feed conversion ratio, and ideal DEB predicted by regression analyses were 186 and 197 mEq/kg from 0 to 21 d of age and 236 and 207 mEq/kg of feed from 0 to 42 d, respectively. These DEB corresponded to estimated (interpolated) values in predicted optimal 186 to 197 mEq/kg starter of Na 0.38 to 0.40% and Cl 0.405 to 0.39% (K = 0.52%), in 207 to 236 mEq/kg starter, Na 0.409 to 0.445% and Cl 0.326 to 0.372% Cl (K = 0.52%), and in grower Na 0.41 to 0.445%, Cl 0.315 to 0.267% (K = 0.47%).