Relative palatability and efficacy of brodifacoum-25D conservation rodenticide pellets for mouse eradication on Midway Atoll

Invasive mice (Mus spp.) can negatively impact island species and ecosystems. Because fewer island rodent eradications have been attempted for mice compared to rats (Rattus spp.), less is known about efficacy and palatability of rodenticide baits for mouse eradications. We performed a series of bait acceptance and efficacy cage trials using a standard formulation of brodifacoum-based rodenticide on wild-caught mice from Sand Island, Midway Atoll, to help inform a proposed eradication there. Mice were offered ad libitum brodifacoum pellets along with various alternative food sources, and a “no choice” treatment group received only bait pellets. Mortality in the no choice trial was 100%; however, when offered alternative foods, mice preferred the alternative diets to the bait, leading to low mortality (40%). Because there was concern that the bittering agent Bitrex® in the formulation may have reduced palatability, we conducted a subsequent trial comparing brodifacoum bait with and without Bitrex. Mortality in the with-Bitrex treatment group was slightly higher, indicating that the bittering agent was not likely responsible for low efficacy. Laboratory trials cannot account for the numerous environmental and behavioral factors that influence bait acceptance nor replicate the true availability of alternative food sources in the environment, so low efficacy results from these trials should be interpreted cautiously and not necessarily as a measure of the likelihood of success or failure of a proposed eradication.

Pre-clinical evaluation of antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against Sars-CoV-2

To address the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, multiple clinical trials in humans were rapidly started, including those involving an oral treatment by nitazoxanide, despite no or limited pre-clinical evidence of antiviral efficacy. In this work, we present a complete pre-clinical evaluation of the antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against SARS-CoV-2. First, we confirmed the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide and tizoxanide (its active metabolite) against SARS-CoV-2. Then, we demonstrated nitazoxanide activity in a reconstructed bronchial human airway epithelium model. In a SARS-CoV-2 virus challenge model in hamsters, oral and intranasal treatment with nitazoxanide failed to impair viral replication in commonly affected organs. We hypothesized that this could be due to insufficient diffusion of the drug into organs of interest. Indeed, our pharmacokinetic study confirmed that concentrations of tizoxanide in organs of interest were always below the in vitro EC50. These preclinical results suggest, if directly applicable to humans, that the standard formulation and dosage of nitazoxanide is not effective in providing antiviral therapy for Covid-19.

On the experiment-friendly formulation of quantum backflow

In its standard formulation, quantum backflow is a classically impossible phenomenon in which a free quantum particle in a positive-momentum state exhibits a negative probability current. Recently, Miller et al. [Quantum 5, 379 (2021)] have put forward a new, "experiment-friendly" formulation of quantum backflow that aims at extending the notion of quantum backflow to situations in which the particle's state may have both positive and negative momenta. Here, we investigate how the experiment-friendly formulation of quantum backflow compares to the standard one when applied to a free particle in a positive-momentum state. We show that the two formulations are not always compatible. We further identify a parametric regime in which the two formulations appear to be in qualitative agreement with one another.

Formulation and Evaluation of Anti-Microbial Foam Hand Wash Spray of Murraya koenigii and Eugenia aromaticam Extract

To prepare formulation of herbal hand wash from the methanolic extracts of leaves of Murraya koenigii (Curry tree) and Eugenia aromaticam (Clove) for anti acne activity. Extract was obtained from the leaves of Murraya koenigii (Curry tree) and buds of Eugenia aromaticam (Clove) by maceration method and formulation was developed by simple mixing of ingredients. Anti-microbial efficacy of the formulated herbal hand wash was performed on different microorganisms using the agar plate method. The results showed that, compared to regular hand wash, prepared herbal hand wash formulations showed a large inhibition region and extract of these plant materials can be used for formulation of hand wash and antimicrobial activity. The zone of inhibition for prepared formulation was found to be more than the standard formulation. For Staphylococcus aureus zone of inhibition was found to be 39 mm, Bacillus substillis 35 mm, and Candida albicans 42 mm which is more than the standard formulation. Extract of leaves of Murraya koenigii (Curry tree) and Eugenia aromaticam (Clove) had shown the best antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus substillis, and Candida albicans respectively.

The Policy Road to Socialism

In the standard formulation, the Marxist theory of the state implies that socialism requires revolution: Reformist social policy generates capital flight and capital flight undermines reform. I show that this mechanism, while plausible, turns out to have little empirical merit. State theory correctly points to an “accumulation” function whereby capitalist states depend on revenue and must therefore worry about the reforms that undermine profitability. But this accumulation function has been overwhelmed, historically, by a more powerful “legitimation” function: Popular social expenditures in rich capitalist democracies tend to grow and only rarely decline, even during the so-called neoliberal period. This article considers both sides of this debate. First, I propose (and predict) a path to socialism by way of mushrooming social policy. And second, I argue that if revolution is the only hope for socialism, then socialism is off the table; the revolution must be betrayed.

Elaboration and sensory evaluation of ice cream flavored cream with whey / Elaboração e avaliação sensorial de gelado aromatizado com soro de leite

Whey is a by-product of the cheese industry, and generates a high cost for its correct disposal, because it is produced in large volume by companies during cheese production. It is necessary to seek alternatives for the addition of this by-product in food, in order to nutritionally improve poorly nutritious foods. The objective of the work is to add whey in an ice cream formulation. The addition of whey to ice cream becomes an option to link these concepts and nutritionally improve a product that is widely consumed in Brazil, especially by children. Thus, three formulations were developed, the standard formulation without the addition of whey, formulation two with 25% and formulation three with 50% addition of whey, respectively. Sensory analysis was also performed to assess consumer preference. The results were positive, and formulation two with the addition of 50% whey was the one with the best acceptability. Thus, it can be stated that whey can be applied to ice cream formulations, becoming an alternative for the optimization of this by-product.

Esfiha with added chayote peel flour

The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensory acceptability of sfiha added to different levels of chayote peel flour (CPF). Also, determine the physical-chemical composition of the standard formulation and that containing the highest CPF content and with acceptance similar to the standard. Five sfiha formulations were developed: F1 (standard, 0% CPF) and the others added 2% (F2), 6% (F3), 9% (F4) and 12% (F5) of CPF. Sixty evaluators aged 7 to 10 years participated in the sensory evaluation. The addition of levels greater than 2% of CPF reduced sensory acceptability (p<0.05) of the sfiha for all attributes and for the overall acceptance and purchase intention, in relation to the standard product. Formulation F2 was the one with the highest CPF content and with acceptance similar to the standard formulation. Higher levels of moisture, ash and dietary fiber and lower levels of carbohydrate and energy were observed for F2 compared to F1. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) for protein and lipid content between the two formulations. It is concluded that an addition level of up to 2% of CPF in sfiha is well accepted by schoolchildren. In addition, the CPF improves the nutritional value of the product, especially with the increase in dietary fiber and mineral matter.

Comparative palatability of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) of Praziquantel (L-PZQ and Rac-PZQ) versus current PZQ tablet in African children: A randomized, single-blind, crossover study

Background Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the only recommended drug for infection and disease caused by the schistosome species that infects humans; however, the current tablet formulation is not suitable for pre-school age children mainly due to its bitterness and the large tablet size. We assessed the palatability of two new orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulations of PZQ. Methodology This randomized, single-blind, crossover, swill-and-spit palatability study (NCT02315352) was carried out at a single school in Tanzania in children aged 6–11 years old, with or without schistosomiasis infection as this was not part of the assessment. Children were stratified according to age group (6–8 years or 9–11 years) and gender, then randomized to receive each formulation in a pre-specified sequence. Over 2 days, the children assessed the palatability of Levo-Praziquantel (L-PZQ) ODT 150 mg and Racemate Praziquantel (Rac-PZQ) ODT 150 mg disintegrated in the mouth without water on the first day, and L-PZQ and Rac-PZQ dispersed in water and the currently available PZQ 600 mg formulation (PZQ-Cesol) crushed and dispersed in water on the second day. The palatability of each formulation was rated using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) incorporating a 5-point hedonic scale, immediately after spitting out the test product (VASt = 0 primary outcome) and after 2–5 minutes (VASt = 2–5). Principal findings In total, 48 children took part in the assessment. Overall, there was no reported difference in the VASt = 0 between the two ODT formulations (p = 0.106) without water. Higher VASt = 0 and VASt = 2–5 scores were reported for L-PZQ ODT compared with Rac-PZQ ODT in older children (p = 0.046 and p = 0.026, respectively). The VASt = 0 and VASt = 2–5 were higher for both ODT formulations compared with the standard formulation (p<0.001 for both time points). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions/Significance The new paediatric-friendly formulations dispersed in water were both found to be more palatable than the existing standard formulation of PZQ. There may be gender and age effects on the assessment of palatability. Further research is needed for assessing efficacy and tolerability of the newly ODTs Praziquantel drug in younger children. Trial registration The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02315352) and in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR201412000959159).

Dermal Penetration Analysis of Curcumin in an ex vivo Porcine Ear Model Using Epifluorescence Microscopy and Digital Image Processing

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Curcumin is a promising drug candidate, but its use for dermal application is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility. Thus, formulations that increase the solubility of curcumin are needed to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of curcumin. Various previous studies address this issue, but a comparison of the efficacy between these formulations remains difficult. The reason for this is a missing standard formulation as benchmark control and an easy-to-use skin penetration model that allows for a fast discrimination between different formulations. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> Thus, the aims of this study were the development of a curcumin standard formulation and a screening tool that allows for a fast discrimination between the dermal penetration efficacies of curcumin from different formulations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Ethanolic curcumin solutions were selected as simple and easy to produce standard formulations, and the ex vivo porcine ear model, coupled with epifluorescence microscopy and subsequent digital image analysis, was utilized to determine the dermal penetration efficacy of curcumin from the different formulations. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Results show that the utilized skin penetration model is a suitable and versatile tool that enables not only a fast determination of the dermal penetration efficacy of curcumin from different formulations but also a detailed and mechanistic information on the fate of chemical compounds after dermal penetration. Ethanolic solutions containing 0.25% curcumin were found to be the most suitable standard formulation. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Results of the study provide a new, effective screening tool for the development of dermal formulations for improved dermal delivery of curcumin.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND FORMULATION OF FINISHING SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCT FOR FLOUR CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS FOR DIETARY PROPHYLACTIC PURPOSES

Совершенствование структуры ассортимента кондитерских изделий направлено на увеличение выработки продукции повышенной пищевой ценности. Исследована возможность замены сливочного масла в рецептуре отделочного кремового полуфабриката для мучных кондитерских изделий сливками животного происхождения для снижения его калорийности. Объектом исследования были образцы сливочного крема «Шарлотт», изготовленного на основе стандартной рецептуры, но с заменой сливочного масла сливками жирностью 33%. Для стабилизации структуры крема добавляли яблочный пектин в количестве 1,5% к массе образца. Оптимизацию показателей сбалансированности состава и органолептических свойств проводили с помощью прикладных математических программ Mathcad 15.0 и Statistica 13.0. На основе полученных данных разработаны технология и рецептуры отделочных кремовых полуфабрикатов с добавлением какао-порошка и без него. Органолептическая оценка показала, что разработанные кремовые полуфабрикаты имеют необходимые показатели качества – пластичную текстуру, устойчивую форму, приятный, без посторонних запахов вкус. Установлено, что калорийность разработанных образцов крема с заменой сливочного масла сливками жирностью 33% на 23% ниже, чем калорийность крема «Шарлотт», приготовленного по традиционной рецептуре. Включение в рецептуру крема яблочного пектина позволяет рекомендовать разработанный отделочный полуфабрикат для производства мучных кондитерских изделий функционального назначения. Improvement the structure of the range of confectionery products is aimed at increasing the production of products of increased nutritional value. The possibility of replacing butter in the formulation for finishing cream semi-finished products for flour confectionery products with animal cream to reduce its caloric content is investigated. Samples of butter cream «Charlott», made on the basis of a standard formulation, but with the replacement of butter with cream with a fat content of 33%, were the object of the study. To stabilize the structure of the cream apple pectin was added in an amount of 1,5% by weight of the sample. Optimization of indicators of balance of composition and organoleptic properties was performed using applied mathematical programs Mathcad 15.0 and Statistica 13.0. Based on the data obtained, the technology and formulations for finishing cream semi-finished products with and without cocoa powder were developed. Organoleptic evaluation showed that the developed cream semi-finished products have the necessary quality indicators – plastic texture, stable shape, pleasant, odorless taste. It is established that the caloric developed cream samples with replacement of butter cream 33% fat is 23% lower than the calorie content of the cream «Charlott», made on the basis of a standard formulation. The inclusion of apple pectin in the cream formulation allows us to recommend the developed finishing semi-finished product for the production of functional flour confectionery products.