Effects of various media on micellization, adsorption and thermodynamic behaviour of imipramine hydrochloride and antimicrobial surfactant mixtures

The effect of various media (aqueous, NaCl, urea (U) and thiourea (TU)) on the micellization and adsorption activity of varied mixtures of imipramine hydrochloride (IMP) and benzethonium chloride (BZCl) is investigated via tensiometry. In an aqueous medium, the interactions between IMP and BZCl are also evaluated using UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy. The interaction between components increases with increased mole fraction ( α 1 ) of BZCl in the mixed system (IMP + BZCl). Different parameters, such as micellar and the mixed monolayer component composition, the interaction parameters of the solution and the interface, the activity coefficients of the components in solution and at the interface, and thermodynamic parameters, are computed using different proposed theoretical models (i.e. Clint, Motomura, Rubingh and Rosen). The cmc values obtained for the pure components and mixtures (IMP + BZCl) of all the compositions are found to be less in NaCl than in the aqueous solution while found more in the presence of U or TU. TU is more effective in increasing the cmc of the pure and mixed systems than U. The Gibbs free energy ( Δ G mic ∘ ) values of the studied pure and mixed systems are negative, showing the spontaneous nature of the reaction.

Assessment of FDA-approved drugs against Strongyloides ratti in vitro and in vivo to identify potentially active drugs against strongyloidiasis

Background Infections with Strongyloides stercoralis belong to the most neglected helminth diseases, and research and development (R&D) efforts on novel drugs are inadequate. Methods A commercially available library containing 1600 FDA-approved drugs was tested in vitro against Strongyloides ratti larvae (L3) at 100 µM. Hits (activity > 70%) were then evaluated against S. ratti adult worms at 10 µM. Morantel, prasterone, and levamisole were tested in the S. ratti rat model using dosages of 1–100 mg/kg. Results Seventy-one of the 1600 compounds tested against S. ratti L3 revealed activity above 70%. Of 64 compounds which progressed into the adult screen, seven compounds achieved death of all worms (benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, Gentian violet, methylbenzethonium chloride, morantel citrate, ivermectin, coumaphos), and another eight compounds had activity > 70%. Excluding topical and toxic compounds, three drugs progressed into in vivo studies. Prasterone lacked activity in vivo, while treatment with 100 mg/kg morantel and levamisole cured all rats. The highest in vivo activity was observed with levamisole, yielding a median effective dose (ED50) of 1.1 mg/kg. Conclusions Using a drug repurposing approach, our study identified levamisole as a potential backup drug for strongyloidiasis. Levamisole should be evaluated in exploratory clinical trials. Graphical Abstract

Management of complex wounds treatment with a hydrofiber dressing in a public hospital in Bogota (Colombia)

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of the use of a last generation hydrofiber dressing with silver, for the treatment of complex wounds that are difficult to heal.Materials and research methods. A prospective observational case-follow-up study was carried out, which included patients with acute or chronic wounds that were difficult to heal, treated in the plastic surgery service of a public hospital in Bogota-Colombia, who underwent healing with hydrofiber dressings reinforced, with silver ions, benzethonium chloride and EDTA (Aquacel Agplus®, ConvaTec). The wound was monitored, evaluating infection control, exudate and biofilm, as well as the number of required dressings and the time required for the complete closure of the wound.Research results. A total of 55 patients were included, with a median age of 44 years. In all cases, a follow-up was carried out until the definitive closure of the wound. At the end of the study, it was observed that, in 35 (63.6 %) patients, the wounds evolved to complete closure by second intention in an average of 59.3 days, requiring 12.5 dressings. 20 (36.4 %) patients had adequate wound bed preparation for definitive surgical coverage with grafts, flaps or dermal substitutes, in an average of 31.4 days, requiring 6.5 dressings on average.33 (60.0 %) wounds were infected and adequate infection control was achieved on average with 5 dressings. A decrease in the direct and indirect signs of biofilm was achieved after 6 dressings.Conclusion. The results show that the dressing studied is effective to control exudate, infection and biofilm, as well as to prepare the bed for a definitive surgical coverage.

PSX-B-29 Using ozonized flaxseed oil for treatment of postpartum endometritis

Postpartum endometritis is one of the leading causes of infertility in cattle. The study aims to investigate the possibility of using ozonized flaxseed oil (OFO) for treating postpartum purulent-catarrhal endometritis in cows. Ozone was synthesized by using medical ozone generator and chemically pure oxygen. Linseed oil (400.0 ml) was bubbled with an ozone-oxygen mixture for 4 hours through a ceramic sprayer. An ozone concentration at the outlet was 30 mg/l. The therapeutic efficacy of OFO was studied on cattle of the Kholmogory breed with a productivity of 4800 - 5800 kg of milk per year. Thirty animals with symptoms of postpartum purulent-catarrhal endometritis were divided into two groups (n = 15). All of the subjects were in the second and third lactation periods. Animals from both groups were injected with 2% sinestrol solution on days 1 and 3 of treatment. OFO was used in the experimental group (EG). The cattle of the control group (CG) received a 7.5% solution of benzethonium chloride. Drugs were administered intrauterine at a dose of 50–150 ml (depending on the uterus’s size) using a polystyrene pipette, with an interval of 48–72 hours. Cows were inseminated artificially by the cervical method. The pregnancy was determined on the 30-35th day after insemination by ultrasonography. After 5 months of observation, all animals of the CG were pregnant. The pregnancy rate in the EG was 93,3%. In the groups efficiency of the first insemination was 20% and 47%, respectively. In the EG, one impregnation required 1.8±0.2 inseminations, which is 0.5 less than in the CG (2.3±0.3). The duration from calving to impregnation in cows in the EG was 104.4±6.9, 21.2 days less (P < 0.05) than the control, where the period was 125.6±7.6. Thus, OFO can be effectively used for the treatment of endometritis in cattle.