Introduction: Methadone hydrochloride (MDN) is an effective pharmacological substitution treatment for opioids dependence, adopted in different countries as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programmes. However, MDN can exacerbate the addiction problem if it is abused and injected intravenously, and the frequent visits to the MMT centres can reduce patient compliance. The overall aim of this study is to develop a novel extended-release capsule of MDN using the sol-gel silica (SGS) technique that has the potential to counteract medication-tampering techniques and associated health risks and reduce the frequent visits to MMT centres. Methods: For MDN recrystallisation, a closed container method (CCM) and hot-stage method (HSM) were conducted, and MDN crystals were characterised using the polarised light microscope (PLM). MDN crystal thickness was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy (CM) to establish a relationship between MDN crystals thickness and their birefringence colours using the Michel-Levy Birefringence Colour Chart. The experimental series was continued to produce novel silica-based MDN formulations A and B capsules by adding MDN powder at the end and beginning of the SGS process, respectively. The silica-based MDN formulations were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), SEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), PLM and mean grey value (MGV) analyses. The in vitro release studies (n=3) for the silica-based MDN formulations and pure MDN capsules were conducted in a phosphate buffer solution (pH= 7.2) for 7 days. Stability studies were conducted for 1 month by keeping the silica-based MDN capsules under 25°C and 57% RH. Results: The optimal method to produce large numbers of MDN crystals was the CCM, and MDN crystals were characterised as diamond shaped with an intrinsic angle of 62o. The SEM surpassed the CM in measuring MDN crystal thickness, and Mann-Whitney U Test showed statistically significant differences between SEM and confocal thickness measurements (U= 1283, p < 0.05) as the SEM exhibited thinner diamond crystals (6.62 ± 2.9 µm) than the CM measurements (9.6 ± 4.6µm). According to the Michel-Levey birefringence colour chart (using the SEM mean thickness of MDN crystals and their retardation value of 428 nm), most of MDN crystals demonstrated a yellow colour. The FT-IR, SEM, DSC, MGV and PLM analyses of both silica-based MDN formulations revealed that MDN was successfully incorporated inside the silica network producing amorphous material (with no appearance of the melting peak of pure MDN at 233.4°C) with evidence of no physical or chemical interaction between sol-gel silica and MDN. However, the TGA analysis revealed a significantly greater amount of MDN was loaded inside the silica-based MDN formulation B compared to A (t = 2.80, p = 0.009, n=6), as 28.3 ± 0.6 mg of MDN was loaded in the former while 25.6 ± 0.7 mg in the latter. In addition, the silica-based MDN formulation B released 10% more MDN after 7 days than formulation A, and both formulations were stable when stored for 1 month under 57% RH and 25°C. Conclusion: The novel combined use of SEM and PLM techniques shows a potential for the identification of MDN in forensic science as it established a range of birefringence colours of MDN crystals. Moreover, the new silica-based MDN formulation B can help to deter MDN abuse and increase patient adherence to MMT due to its potential to sustain MDN release and reduce the frequent visits to MDN treatment centres.
(32)
(22)
In this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsor
... Show More
(32)
(27)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disorder that is associated with the imbalance of trace elements which are involved in many functions especially enzyme activities. Changes in the levels of serum elements probably can create some complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous experimental and clinical studies report that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis and development of (T2DM). However, the exact mechanism of oxidative stress could contribute to and accelerate the development of (T2DM).
The aim of this study contained the following sections: firstly, to determine some biochemical parameters in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) like lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdeh
... Show More
(4)
Multi-belled piles are piles with enlarged ends; these piles have one or further bells at the lower third part of the pile. These piles are suitable for many soils with problems such as softening clay, the variation of groundwater table, expansive soils, black cotton soil, and loose sand. The current study reviewed the behavior of belled piles in multi-layer soils subjected to axial compression and pullout loading. The review covered the experimental and theoretical works on belled piles in multi-layered soils. These piles were subjected to static and dynamic loadings in compression and pullout cases. Most theoretical results focused on software such as PLAXIS 3D. The axial load applied on the piles comes from the upper
... Show More
(5)
Some genetic factors are not only involved in some autoimmune diseases but also interfere with their treatment, Such as Crohn's disease (CD), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriasis (PS). Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is a most important pro-inflammatory cytokine, which has been recognized as a main factor that participates in the pathogenesis and development of autoimmune disorders. Therefore, TNF could be a prospective target for treating these disorders, and many anti-TNF were developed to treat these disorders. Although the high efficacy of many anti-TNF biologic medications, the Patients' clinical responses to the autoimmune treatment showed significant heterogeneity. Two types of TNF receptor (TNFR); 1 an
... Show More
(4)
(5)
Microsporum canis is considered one of the filamentous fungi that cause surface fungal contagion in the humans and animals. The present study aimed to diagnose M. canis via the molecular method and differentiating its local Iraqi isolates from global isolates. Microscopic examination showed 55 specimens with M. canis from 130 specimens collected from children aged between 4-10 years suspected of dermatophytes who attended Medical City Laboratories and Baghdad Hospital in Baghdad city from 1/12/2022 to 1/3/2023. The results showed that the frequency of M. canis infections was 55/130 (42.31%). The results demonstrated significant differences in the animals' contact (p <0.0001), lesions (0.03) and habitation area (p =0.002). Whilst
... Show More
(2)
(2)
All the prepared metal complexes of Pt (IV), Au(III), Rh (III), Co (II) and V(IV) with new ligand sodium [5-(p-nitro phenyl)-/4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-dithiocarbamato hydrazide] (TRZ.DTC) have been synthesized and characterized in solid state by using flame atomic absorption, elemental analysis C.H.N.S, FT-IR ,UV-Vis Spectroscopy, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The nature of the complexes formed in ethanolic solution has been studied following the molar ratio method also was studied stability constant and found to be stable in molar ratio1:1 of VL (IV) and CoL(II) while Pt(IV), Au(III) and Rh(III) complexes stable in molar ratio 1:2 as well as the molar absorptivity for these complexes were calculated. From the prev
... Show More
The aim of the current research is to study the effect of adding green tea to the edible film prepared from the whey protein isolate on the effectiveness of microorganisms and evaluating the of antimicrobial effectiveness of these films on Iraqi soft cheese packaging during the nine days of storage as an alternative to commercial packaging. At the beginning of the study, the minimum inhibitory concentration was measured by calculate the diameter of the zone of inhibition on growth of the bacteria and it's included the group of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa) and the group of Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus spp) and a yeast (Candida Albican). Where the diameter of t
... Show MoreBiological activity of the carotenoids which are produced fromchemically-mutaed local isolate of Rhodotorula mucilaginosawas studied. The results showed variation of inhibition activity of caritenoids against different types of pathogenic bacteria include, Staph aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and Salmo. typh., the number declined from 2×107cell/ml to 2×104, 5×104, 2×105, 9×105 cell/ml respectively after 24hour. The produced carotenoids from alocal mutant Rhodotorula mucilaginosa revealed an antioxidant activity as free radical removal of 85.6%. Carotinoides revealed a highest stability in petroleum ether solvent for 30 days at room temperature. It found that the pigment was more stability in sesame oil compared with sun flower and coc
... Show MorePolitical Discourse Analysis is an important linguistic study approach used by politicians to gain people support. The present paper sheds light on the figures of speech of emphasis in the televised debate between the two presidential elections candidates, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen and the distinctive effect they add to the political discourse to win general public support as well as the presidential elections.
The present paper provides a rudimentary definition and an analysis of the terms “discourse” and “political discourse” and traces the significant role played by politically directed televised Media and internet to support political pa
... Show More