The effect of process parameters on a continuous blending process monitored in-line by near-infrared spectroscopy.

The continuous feeding-mixing system ensures the composition uniformity down to the tableting continuous manufacturing line so that a quality end-product is consistently delivered. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables in-line assessment of the blend's critical quality attributes in real-time. In this study, the effect of total feed rate and impeller speed on the continuous blending process monitored in-line by NIRS was examined by principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression.

Application of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the Assessment of Wine Spoilage Indicators: A Feasibility Study.

Wine aroma is one of the most frequently used and explored quality indicators. Typically, its assessment involves estimating the volatile composition of wine or highly trained assessors conducting sensory analysis. However, current methodologies rely on slow, expensive and complicated analytical procedures.

Assessing the differences of two vineyards soils' by NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Soil properties influence greatly the status of vine plants which consequently influences the quality of wine. Therefore, in the context of viticulture management, it is extremely important to assess the physical and chemical parameters of vineyards soils. In this study, the soils of two vineyards were analysed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and established analytical reference procedures.

Flowsheet modelling of a powder continuous feeder-mixer system.

In this study, an integrated flowsheet model of the continuous feeder-mixer system was calibrated, simulated and compared against experimental data. The feeding process was first investigated using two major components (ibuprofen and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)), in a formulation comprised of: 30 wt% of ibuprofen, 67.5 wt% MCC, 2 wt% of sodium starch glycolate and 0.

In Situ Co-Amorphization of Olanzapine in the Matrix and on the Coat of Pellets.

In situ amorphization is a promising approach, considered in the present work, to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of olanzapine, while minimizing the exposure of the amorphous material to the stress conditions applied during conventional processing. The production of pellets by extrusion/spheronization and the coating of inert beads were investigated as novel methods to promote the co-amorphization of olanzapine, a poorly water-soluble drug, and saccharin. Samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and dissolution and stability testing.

Employ of Anthocyanins in Nanocarriers for Nano Delivery: In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Approaches for Chronic Diseases.

Anthocyanins are among the best-known phenolic compounds and possess remarkable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Despite their therapeutic benefits, they are not widely used as health-promoting agents due to their instability, low absorption, and, thus, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism in the human body. Recent research suggests that the application of nanotechnology could increase their solubility and/or bioavailability, and thus their biological potential.

Microencapsulation of selenium by spray-drying as a tool to improve bioaccessibility in food matrix.

Se in the form of sodium selenite was microencapsulated by spray - drying and added to a food matrix (yogurt) to study the potential improvement of its bioaccessibility. Yogurt samples were also supplemented with Se in free salt form. Se-loaded microparticles were successfully prepared by spray-drying with production yields above 70%.

Structural, thermal, vibrational, solubility and DFT studies of a tolbutamide co-amorphous drug delivery system for treatment of diabetes.

Among the strategies for bioavailability improvement of poorly soluble drugs, co-amorphous systems have revealed to have a significant impact in the increase of the aqueous solubility of the drug, and at the same time increasing the amorphous state stability and dissolution rate when compared with the neat drug. Tolbutamide (TBM) is an oral hypoglycemic drug largely used in the treatment of type II Mellitus diabetes. TBM is a class II drug according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, meaning that it has low solubility and higher permeability.

Discoloration of Historical Plastic Objects: New Insight into the Degradation of -Naphthol Pigment Lakes.

Light is a determining factor in the discoloration of plastics, and photodegradation processes can affect the molecular structures of both the polymer and colorants. Limited studies focused on the discoloration of heritage plastics in conservation science. This work investigated the discoloration of red historical polyethylene (PE) objects colored with PR 48:2 and PR 53:1.

A fast SALLE GC-MS/MS multi-analyte method for the determination of 75 food packaging substances in food simulants.

A simple and fast method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 75 plastic food contact material (FCM) in liquid food simulants, at levels of a few ng g. The method employs an optimised salt-assisted liquid-liquid extraction for all EU-regulated ethanol/HO food simulants, in the presence of 10% NaCl (simulants A and C) or 5% NaCl (simulant D1), and dichloromethane as the extracting solvent. Gas chromatography with triple-quad MS operating in multiple reaction monitoring acquisition was used, applying isotope dilution with selected deuterated compounds.

In-depth phenolic characterization of iron gall inks by deconstructing representative Iberian recipes.

Iron-gall ink is one of the most important inks in the history of western civilization. The deep black colour results from Fe complexes with phenolic compounds available in gall extracts. Unfortunately, it induces the degradation of both ink and support over time.

Relationship Between Gymnastic Rhythmic Practice and Body Composition, Physical Performance, and Trace Element Status in Young Girls.

This study evaluates the influence on body development of doing rhythmic gymnastics in girls from 10 to 17 years of age, the results of certain strength and flexibility abilities, and the trace element status (Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Ni). The subjects were divided into three groups: (a) girls who practiced rhythmic gymnastics at a competition level (competition group); (b) girls who practiced this sport at a non-competitive level (training group); and (c) girls who do not practice any sport and with a low level of physical activity (control or sedentary group). Trace element status was determined in hair and urine samples.

Intranasal drug delivery for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition with severe consequences interfering with patient quality of life. It is characterized as a progressive and irreversible brain disorder hampering memory and thinking, affecting the capacity to perform daily tasks leading to physical and cognitive incapacitation. The conventional treatment occurs by the oral route, but it presents relevant drawbacks such as low bioavailability, fast metabolism, limited brain exposure, and undesirable side effects.

Polystyrene Biodegradation by Larvae: Identification of Generated Substances Using a GC-MS Untargeted Screening Method.

A GC-MS method has been applied to screen and evaluate the generation of chemical compounds during the biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) with larvae. Several resulting compounds have been identified, including trimers 2,4,6-triphenyl-1-hexene and 1,3,5-triphenylcyclohexane, the volatiles acetophenone and cumyl alcohol, and 2,4-di-tert butylphenol, a non-intentionally added substance (NIAS) present in the plastic material. The PS monomers styrene and α-methyl styrene were also identified in the extracts.

Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in military units: a systematic review.

Introduction: Norovirus gastroenteritis is one of the most frequent causes of personnel unavailability in military units, being associated with significant morbidity and degradation of their operational effectiveness. The disease is usually mild but can be severe and life-threatening in young and healthy soldiers, who are prone to dehydration due to intensive daily activity. Despite its impact, the full extent of the norovirus gastroenteritis burden in military forces remains unclear.

The application of near infrared spectroscopy to wine analysis: An innovative approach using lyophilization to remove water bands interference.

The implementation of near-infrared spectroscopy as an analytical method for the quantification of major wine parameters is limited due to the aqueous nature of wines. Water molecules contribute to a poor signal-to-noise ratio and to suppress important groups' vibrations frequencies, preventing the quantification of most chemical compounds present. This paper proposes an alternative approach for the quantification of major wine indicators based on near infrared spectroscopy using lyophilized wine samples.

A Front Line on Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide Knowledge: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy as an Accurate and Fast Typing Tool.

Genomics-based population analysis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) motivated a renewed interest on the capsule as an evolutionary and virulence marker of clinically relevant strains. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based approaches have provided great insights into the genetic variability of the capsular locus, but genotypic-biochemical capsular (K)-type correlations are lacking, hindering the establishment of a reliable framework for K-type characterization and typing. To fill this gap, we combined molecular, comparative genomics, and multivariate data analysis tools with biochemical data on the capsular locus to support the usefulness of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a reliable K typing tool.

Identification of 1-Butyl-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (1B-LSD) in Seized Blotter Paper Using an Integrated Workflow of Analytical Techniques and Chemo-Informatics.

The rapid dispersion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) presents challenges to customs services and analytical laboratories, which are involved in their detection and characterization. When the seized material is limited in quantity or of a complex nature, or when the target substance is present in very small amounts, the need to use advanced analytical techniques, efficient workflows and chemo-informatics tools is essential for the complete identification and elucidation of these substances. The current work describes the application of such a workflow in the analysis of a single blotter paper, seized by Swedish customs, that led to the identification of a lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivative, 1-butyl-lysergic acid diethylamide (1B-LSD).

Induced pluripotent stem cells, a giant leap for mankind therapeutic applications.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) technology has propelled the field of stem cells biology, providing new cells to explore the molecular mechanisms of pluripotency, cancer biology and aging. A major advantage of human iPSC, compared to the pluripotent embryonic stem cells, is that they can be generated from virtually any embryonic or adult somatic cell type without destruction of human blastocysts. In addition, iPSC can be generated from somatic cells harvested from normal individuals or patients, and used as a cellular tool to unravel mechanisms of human development and to model diseases in a manner not possible before.

Exogenous WNT5A and WNT11 proteins rescue CITED2 dysfunction in mouse embryonic stem cells and zebrafish morphants.

Mutations and inadequate methylation profiles of CITED2 are associated with human congenital heart disease (CHD). In mouse, Cited2 is necessary for embryogenesis, particularly for heart development, and its depletion in embryonic stem cells (ESC) impairs cardiac differentiation. We have now determined that Cited2 depletion in ESC affects the expression of transcription factors and cardiopoietic genes involved in early mesoderm and cardiac specification.

Simultaneous norovirus outbreak in three Portuguese army bases in the Lisbon region, December 2017.

Introduction: Norovirus outbreaks frequently occur in communities and institutional settings acquiring a particular significance in armed forces where prompt reporting is critical. Here we describe the epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial investigation of a multicentre gastroenteritis outbreak that was detected simultaneously in three Portuguese army units with a common food supplier, Lisbon region, between 5 and 6 December 2017.

Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all soldiers stationed in the three affected army units, and stool specimens were collected from soldiers with acute gastrointestinal illness.

In-Depth Evaluation of Data Collected During a Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process: A Multivariate Statistical Process Monitoring Approach.

The present work presents an in-depth evaluation of continuously collected data during a twin-screw granulation and drying process performed on a continuous manufacturing line. During operation, the continuous line logs 49 univariate process variables, hence generating a large amount of data. Three identical 5-h continuous manufacturing runs were performed.