Characterization of bioplastics produced by haloarchaeon Haloarcula sp strain NRS20 using cost-effective carbon sources

As good models for developing techniques, Haloarchaea are using as cell factories to produce a considerable concentration of bioplastics, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV). In this study, low-cost carbon sources by Sudan Black staining was applied for screening haloarchaea a hypersaline environment (southern coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). The growth of the selected isolate and PHB-production under different carbon sources, temperature, pH values and NaCl concentrations were investigated. The biopolymer was extracted and quantitatively measured. The biopolymer was qualitatively identified by Fourier-transform infra-red analysis (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The potential Haloarcula sp strain NRS20 (MZ520352) could significantly accumulate PHB under nutrient-limiting conditions using different carbon sources including starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sucrose, glucose and glycerol with 23.83%, 14%, 11%, 12% and 8% of PHB/CDW respectively under 25% NaCl (w/v), pH 7, at 37 °C. The results of FTIR pattern indicated that the significant peak at 1709.22 cm−1 confirmed the presence of the ester carbonyl-group (C=O) which is typical of PHB. HPLC analysis indicated that produced PHB was detected at 7.5 min with intensity exceeding the standard PHB at 8.0 min. Few potential species of haloarchaea were reported for economical PHB-production, here, Haloarcula sp strain NRS20 showed high content of PHB, exhibited a promising PHB-producer using inexpensive sources of carbon.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Thiol-Conjugated Poloxamer and Its Pharmaceutical Applications

The current study was designed to convert the poloxamer (PLX) into thiolated poloxamer (TPLX), followed by its physicochemical, biocompatibilities studies, and applications as a pharmaceutical excipient in the development of tacrolimus (TCM)-containing compressed tablets. Thiolation was accomplished by using thiourea as a thiol donor and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a catalyst in the reaction. Both PLX and TPLX were evaluated for surface morphology based on SEM, the crystalline or amorphous nature of the particles, thiol contents, micromeritics, FTIR, and biocompatibility studies in albino rats. Furthermore, the polymers were used in the development of compressed tablets. Later, they were also characterized for thickness, diameter, hardness, weight variation, swelling index, disintegration time, mucoadhesion, and in vitro drug release. The outcomes of the study showed that the thiolation process was accomplished successfully, which was confirmed by FTIR, where a characteristic peak was noticed at 2695.9968 cm−1 in the FTIR scan of TPLX. Furthermore, the considerable concentration of the thiol constituents (20.625 µg/g of the polymer), which was present on the polymeric backbone, also strengthened the claim of successful thiolation. A mucoadhesion test illustrated the comparatively better mucoadhesion strength of TPLX compared to PLX. The in vitro drug release study exhibited that the TPLX-based formulation showed a more rapid (p < 0.05) release of the drug in 1 h compared to the PLX-based formulation. The in vivo toxicity studies confirmed that both PLX and TPLX were safe when they were administered to the albino rats. Conclusively, the thiolation of PLX made not only the polymer more mucoadhesive but also capable of improving the dissolution profile of TCM.

Pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions: an insight into recent US FDA-approved drugs for prostate cancer

Pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction is a significant safety and efficiency concern as it results in considerable concentration changes. Drug–drug interactions are a substantial concern in anticancer drugs that possess a narrow therapeutic index. These interactions remain as the principal regulatory obstacle that can lead to termination in the preclinical stage, restrictions in the prescription, dosage adjustments or withdrawal of the drugs from the market. Drug metabolizing enzymes or transporters mediate the majority of clinically relevant drug interactions. Cancer diagnosed aged patients use multiple medications and are more prone to significant drug–drug interactions. This review provides detailed information on clinically relevant drug–drug interactions resulting from drug metabolism by enzymes and transporters with a particular emphasis on recent FDA approved antiprostate cancer drugs.

Resources of Nuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. in mid-eastern Poland as a potential source of herbal raw material

The aim of this study was to characterize the phytocoenoses with a share of Nuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. and to evaluate the area of patches of Nupharo-Nymphaeetum albae Tomaszewicz 1977 as well as resources of the yellow water lily that can be used as a source of valuable medicinal raw material. The field investigations were carried out in the summer seasons of 2009–2018, and fifty-eight lakes were included in this study. Nuphar lutea is a very interesting plant species due to considerable concentration of secondary metabolites and their biological activity. Therefore, under conditions of eastern Poland, it can be a valuable raw material for pharmaceutical purposes. The largest Nupharo-Nymphaeetum albae phytocoenoses with N. lutea as the main floristic component are localized especially in retention reservoirs connected with the Wieprz-Krzna Canal and other lakes of a natural character. They are often very shallow basins. Therefore, removal of a biomass, especially in the case of small lakes that overgrow at a very rapid rate, can significantly slow down their shallowing and they will remain and function in the landscape over a longer time. Harvesting the N. lutea leaves can decelerate the process of shallowing of water bodies, especially in the case of retention reservoirs, and may contribute to their better functioning. Collected raw material can be a source of valuable secondary metabolites suitable for the pharmaceutical industry.

Taking the Lead? The Scottish Labour Movement and Spain

The labour movement represented the single most important constituency for pro-Republican activism in Scotland, representing a considerable concentration of financial resources and political influence. Yet it was far from clear how far the structures of Scottish trade unionism were suited for waging a long and sustained solidarity campaign for Spain. Despite the willingness of key local and regional institutions such as Trades Councils to take the lead in organising a Scottish response to the conflict, the increasingly centralised structures of the British labour movement often acted to limit the effectiveness of more local efforts. While innovative and increasingly effective approaches emerged over the course of the Spanish Civil War, culminating in a series of successful foodship campaigns in 1938 and 1939, the Scottish labour movement also faced considerable resistance from anti-communist elements, even in traditionally radical sectors such as mining unions.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Iranian Manufacturing Companies

Despite the considerable concentration on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) among manufacturing organizations, Iranian manufacturing companies are still in the initial stage. Due to significant development in manufacturing industries in Iran, environmental concerns have become the highest concerns for stakeholders. SSCM practices have a straightforward linkage with environmental performance. Consequently, this question was raised that what are the impacts of adopting SSCM practices on environmental performance (EP) in Iranian manufacturing companies? According to the results of this study, the following outcomes have obtained: there is a positive relationship between sustainable purchasing and sustainable logistics and internal environmental management (IEM). On the contrary, sustainable production and sustainable design have not a significant relationship with IEM. In addition, the findings indicate the positive and significant effect of SSCM practices on EP.

Hydrogeochemical aspects elements behavior under development of the Albynskoe gold field, Amur basin

Сomposition of chemical elements in natural waters and rocks of the Albynskoe Gold Field have been studied to elusidate the possible environmental effects of open cast mining. The ore has been found to contain a group of environmentally hazardous elements, which, either because of a considerable concentration in the ore (As, Sb, Mo, W), or because of the high toxicity class (Cd, Be, U) can cause a considerable geochemical load onto the regional ecogeosystem. The natural watercourses in the zone of influence of the field show an excess of the MPC for water bodies used for fishery (MPCfish) in terms of Мо, W, As, as well as high concentrations of Sb and U; the overwhelming majority of the microelements show concentrations below the respective MPCfish or below their detection limits. The analysis of the results of laboratory experiments, simulating the processes of biochemical weathering of ore material by various natural agents, showed that toxic and extremely toxic elements can be leached and dispersed in the zone of influence of deposit

A Review on Sentiment Analysis in Arabic Using Document Level

With the rapid increase of web contents and the spread of social media and microblogs such as Twitter and etc.., the focus on the sentiment analysis (SA) is deeply being studied. The research on Arabic sentiment analysis is progressing very slow in compared to English sentiment analysis. The former has recently attracted a considerable concentration of researchers. In this respect, this paper aims to present a brief review of some major works that have addressed the document-level sentiment analysis in Arabic. This review includes research and studies published during the period of 2011-2017 for different approaches of document-level sentiment analysis.

Chemical Composition of Saline Sources as Suppliers of Minerals for Ruminants

This study aimed to evaluate the mineral composition of solid residues (SR) from desalination waste (DWSR), saline water (SWSR) and aquaculture ponds (APSR), and to discuss the results based on ruminant requirements. Mineral determined were K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na, Cl, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr, from 24 samples, 4 DWSR, 10 SWSR and 10 APSR, with three replicates. Desalination waste solid residue, SWSR and APSR had large variation of minerals. Saline water solid residue and DWSR presented potential to be used as source of Na and Cl, while the APSR can contribute Ca. All examined saline sources were poor in P, Ca and trace minerals except the APSR, showing a considerable concentration of Ca. Some samples of SWSR and APSR presented mineral concentrations that may be potentially toxic to ruminants.

Financial property rights under colonialism: some counterfactual possibilities

This article seeks to explain the lack of the development of contemporaneously ‘modern’ money and credit markets in the 18th to 19th century economy of India. Borrowing from the literature on property rights, it demonstrates that the emergence of ‘modern’, and state-connected money markets was the result of a certain kind of power relationship between rulers and financial capital holders where the two were forced to mutually cooperate; financial systems represented the institutionalization of this mutual cooperation. Specific kinds of ‘colonialism’ represent just one special case of a relationship where the latter did not obtain. The article thus proposes a mechanism though which the spread of European capital could have retarded financial market formation in now-developing areas with otherwise considerable concentration of ‘native’ mercantile capital.