Abstract In the current study, the solubility and permeability of Osthole-loaded microemulsion were enhanced, which increased bioavailability. In addition, Carbomer 940 was added for prolonged drug delivery. The microemulsion was prepared after the screening of Kukui oil, Labrasol (surfactant), and transcutol-P (co-surfactant). Pseudoternary phase diagrams were employed to find the microemulsion region. Box Behnken Design (BBD) was employed for optimizing microemulsions. Variables were related and compared using mathematical equations and response surface plots (RSP). MEBG was then compared with control gel on the basis of stability studies, drug permeation, skin irritation studies, and anti-inflammatory studies. Microemulsion preparations depicted a pH of 5.27 - 5.80, a conductivity of 139 - 185 μS/cm, a poly-dispersity index of 0.116 - 0.388, a refractive index of 1.330 - 1.427, an average droplet size of 64 - 89 nm, homogeneity, spherical shape, viscosity 52 - 185 cP. Predicted values of Optimized microemulsions showed more reasonable agreement than experimental values. The microemulsion was stable and non-irritating on Rabbit skin. MEBG showed a significant difference from control gel for percent edema inhibition from the standard. The permeation enhancing capability of MEBG using a suitable viscosity fabricates it promising carrier for transdermal delivery of Osthole.

Abstract The present study was designed to prepare to wean food by replacing plant proteins with egg proteins. The weaning foods containing 14, 16 and 18% extruded soy proteins were replaced with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% egg proteins using whole egg powder. Physicochemical analysis of raw material and weaned products, water activity, bulk density, in vitro study for protein digestibility, color analysis, microbiological analysis, and sensorial evaluation. Protein content significantly (p < 0.05) varied from 13.76% to 19.89% for formulated weaning foods with the highest value in T12. Treatment T5 and T11 exhibited minimum water absorption capacity (1.86 mL/g) and maximum (2.63 mL/g), respectively. Treatment T1 exhibited the highest (0.76 mL/g) values of bulk density, while the treatment T7 and T12 had the lowest values (0.69 mL/g). The maximum in vitro digestibility was observed in treatment T15 (83.8%) while the minimum (65.4%) was observed in treatment T1. The sensorial evaluation results for all the treatments are significantly (p < 0.05) varies with an overall acceptable score. Results indicate that the microbial loads also within acceptable limits. The weaning foods composite animal proteins can be a cost-effective and possible tool to overcome malnutrition among children in developing countries.

Abstract The present study conducted to assess nutritional, safety parameters (aflatoxin M1/AFM1 and heavy metals; copper, cadmium and zinc) and fatty-acid composition of tea-whiteners (TWs). Accordingly, TW’s samples composition (moisture, ash, protein, fat and nitrogen free extract) determined using AOAC methods, minerals including Na, K and Ca heavy metals including Cu, Cd and Zn determined via atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The AFM1 measured using thin layer chromatography (TLC) whereas, fatty acids and trans-fat contents were determined using gas chromatography. ANOVA and independent sample t test applied to assess the significant difference. Results indicated that protein and fat contents (%) of liquid TWs were 2.7-5.4 and 4.28-6.48, respectively. Powdered TWs protein and fat (%) were 13.4-17, and 23.06-29.03, respectively. AFM1 was not found in any TW. Cu/Cd and Zn levels (ppm) of liquid TWs were 0.296-2.075, ND-1.206 and 0.009-0.026 respectively. For powdered TWs the readings (ppm) were 0.515-0.632, 0.003-0.005 and 0.010-0.013 respectively. Trans-fats (%) in liquid TWs were 2.90-7.51 and in powdered TWs were 1.29-1.83. In nutshell, TWs had traces of trans fats ranged 1.29-7.51% whereas, liquid TWs contain more trans-fats than powdered TWs. Major fatty acids among liquid and powdered TWs were palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid.

Abstract Presented study focused on the incidence of pesticides: malathion, chlorpyrifos and λ-cyhalothrin and heavy metal, arsenic in the rice samples collected from the three main rice growing areas. 30 samples of brown Super Kernel Basmati rice and Super Basmati rice varieties, irrigated through tube well irrigation were selected. Highly sensitive and selective method of High Performance Liquid Chromatography was used for determination of pesticides. Results of analysis showed the presence of malathion in one sample in concentration of 18.26 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos in two samples in concentration of 3.3 mg/kg and 1.45 mg/kg respectively and λ-cyhalothrin in one sample in concentration of 1.848 mg/kg. Amount of pesticides detected in these samples were exceeding their maximum residual limits thus showed their strong potential to pose significant health risk. The presence of arsenic in rice was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and it was detected in 12 samples out of 30 in range of 0.04-0.28ppm. The detected arsenic concentration of arsenic in all samples was within the permissible limits set by WHO/FAO.

Abstract The purpose of present study was to prepare transdermal therapeutic system that could enhance dissolution of poorly aqueous soluble drug Celecoxib and thus increase its skin permeation. Solubility studies screened triacetin as oil, cremophor RH 40 as surfactant and Polyethylene Glycol 400 as co-surfactant. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to find out microemulsion region. Independent variables (oil, Smix and water) concentration was used at high (+1) and low levels (-1) that would generate 17 different combinations of microemulsions. Microemulsions were characterized, optimized and evaluated. pH, viscosity, conductivities, refractive index, droplet size and poly-dispersity-index was investigated. Prepared microemulsions were oil in water, thermodynamically stable, isotropic, transparent, deflocculated and within narrow range of size. Mathematical equations and response surface plots related the independent and dependent variables. Optimum microemulsion ME6 was further incorporated with carbomer 940 gel base to produce microemulsion based gel. ME6 and its gel showed significant difference (p<0.05) from control gel. Stability studies showed prepared MEBG of celecoxib was stable during storage period. Skin irritation studies found the gel was safe and non-irritating to skin. Anti-inflammatory studies showed significant difference (p<0.05) compared to control gel. Thus, the therapeutic system was successfully developed and optimized using Box Behnken statistical design.

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium causing gastric problems such as, peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori were isolated from the stomach biopsy specimens (n = 100) of gastric patients by performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) against cagA (cytotoxin associated gene A) and ureC (Urease subunit alpha) genes. Furthermore, antibiogram studies of the H. pylori isolates were evaluated against the common antibiotics. The overall detection rate of H. pylori was 71% in biopsy specimens of gastric patients. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed the resistance rate of H. pylori isolates against metronidazole (50%), clarithromycin (28.33%), tetracycline (21.66%), amoxicillin (18.33%), and ciprofloxacin (11.66%). However, the H. pylori isolates were completely resistant to vancomycin, erythromycin and nalidixic acid antibiotics. Clove oil showed a remarkable antimicrobial effect against H. pylori whereas, mild inhibition (10 mm) was observed in case of curcumin extract. Due to increase incident of resistance and high prevalence of H. pylori in gastric patients, natural antimicrobial like clove oil can be explored as an alternative treatment.

Abstract: Let G be a nontrivial connected graph. Then G is called a rainbow connected graph if there exists a coloring c : E(G) → {1, 2, ..., k}, k ∈ N, of the edges of G, such that there is a u − v rainbow path between every two vertices of G, where a path P in G is a rainbow path if no two edges of P are colored the same. The minimum k for which there exists such a k-edge coloring is the rainbow connection number rc(G) of G. If for every pair u, v of distinct vertices, G contains a rainbow u − v geodesic, then G is called strong rainbow connected. The minimum k for which G is strong rainbow-connected is called the strong rainbow connection number src(G) of G. The exact rc and src of the rotationally symmetric graphs are determined.

Abstract: For a graph G the duplication operation of a vertex v by a new edge e = uw results in a new graph G’ such that N (u) = {v, w} and N (w) = {v, u}. The duplication operation of an edge e = uv by a new vertex w results in a new graph G’’ such that N (w) = {u, v}. In this article we have discussed that the properties of a graph, with minimum degree 2 of any vertex, to be super vertex-antimagic total and to be super edge-antimagic total are invariant under the above duplication operations. Also, we have discussed on the existence of the so-called k super vertex-antimagic total vertex modifications and k super edge-antimagic total edge modifications for graphs.

Abstract A zero-sum flow is an assignment of nonzero integers to the edges such that the sum of the values of all edges incident with each vertex is zero, and we call it a zero-sum k-flow if the absolute values of edges are less than k. We recall the zero-sum flow number of G as the least integer k for which G admitting a zero sum k-flow. In this paper we gave complete zero-sum flow and zero sum numbers for Octagonal Grid and Generalized Prism.

Resumen El derrame volátil es definido como la inestabilidad entre mercados. Sucede cuando el precio de la volatilidad cambia en un mercado causando un impacto rezagado en el precio de la volatilidad en otro mercado que se encuentra por encima los efectos locales del mercado. En este estudio los modelos GARCH son utilizados para examinar la posiblidad de transmición de volatilidad entre el índice KSE100( Pakistan) y el índice S&P500 (Estados Unidos). En otras palabras, para examinar la influencia de la volatilidad en otro y vice versa. El modelo EGCARCH también fue aplicado y se observa nuestro intento por analizar la simetría y la persistencia de la volatilidad en el KSE100 y el S&P500, se evidencia con claridad que choques en la volatilidad de ambos tiene un efecto asimetrico y persistente. A partir del estudio se observó que los choques al rendimiento de las acciones en un mercado no se transmiten al otro, en otras palabras, no hay presencia de efecto de derrame entre las dos bolsas de Valores.

Abstract The volatility spillover is defined as the transmission of instability from market to market. It occurs when the volatility price change in one market causes a lagged impact on volatility price in another market above the local effects of market. In this study the garchmodels are used to examine the possibility of volatility transmission between the KSE100 index (Pakistan) and S&P500 index (USA); in other words, to examine how the volatility in one market mayinfluence the other and vice versa. The egarchmodel is also applied and it was observed that our attempt to analyze symmetry and persistence in the KSE100 index and the S&P500 index volatility proved that there is clear evidence that shocks to the volatitlity of the KSE100 and S&P500 indexes have asymmetric and persistent effects. It is observed from the study that the shocks to the stock returns in one market do not transmit to the other; in other words, it appears that there is no spillover effect between the two stock markets.

Resumo O derramamento volátil é definido como a instabilidade entre mercados. Acontece quando o preço da volatilidade muda em um mercado causando um impacto atrasado no preço da volatilidade em outro mercado que se encontra por cima dos efeitos locais do mercado. Neste estudo os modelos GARCH são utilizados para examinar a possibilidade de transmissão de volatilidade entre o índice KSE100 (Paquistão) e o índice S&P500 (Estados Unidos). Em outras palavras, para examinar a influência da volatilidade em outro e vice-versa. O modelo EGCARCH também foi aplicado e se observa nossa tentativa por analisar a simetria e a persistência da volatilidade no KSE100 e o S&P500, se evidencia com claridade que choques na volatilidade de ambos os dois tem um efeito assimétrico e persistente. A partir do estudo se observou que os choques ao rendimento das ações em um mercado não se transmitem ao outro, em outras palavras, não há presença de efeito de derramamento entre as duas bolsas de Valores.

The topological index of a molecular structure correlate certain physicochemical properties such as boiling point and stability of that molecular structure. Recently several topological indices have been introduced and studies have shown their association with certain physical and chemical properties of other molecules. Specifically, Zagreb, Atom-bound connectivity (ABC) and Sanskruti indices have been correlated with extent of branching, enthalpy and entropy of some organic molecules. In this study we have calculated Zagreb, Atom-bound connectivity (ABC) and Sanskruti indices (S) for Copper (I) oxide and Copper (II) oxide CuO. Additionally, from the experimentally available data, we calculated entropy and enthalpy per unit cell for both the oxides and compared with Atom-bound connectivity and Sanskruti indices. It appears that these indices have very poor relation with these physical properties in both oxides of copper and they may need some modifications to show considerable compliance as reported in other organic molecules."

Abstract Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increase plant growth and give protection against insect pests and pathogens. Due to the negative impact of chemical pesticides on environment, alternatives to these chemicals are needed. In this scenario, the biological methods of pest control offer an eco-friendly and an attractive option. In this study, the effect of two plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain 6 and Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K) on aphid population and wheat productivity was evaluated in an aphid susceptible (Pasban-90) and resistant (Inqlab-91) wheat cultivar. The seeds were inoculated with each PGPR strain, separately or the combination of both. The lowest aphid population (2.1 tiller−1), and highest plant height (85.8 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18), grains per spike (44), productive tillers (320 m−2), straw yield (8.6 Mg ha−1), and grain yield (4.8 Mg ha−1) were achieved when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K. The grain yield of both varieties was enhanced by 35.5–38.9% with seed inoculation with both bacterial strains. Thus, the combine use of both PGPR strains viz. Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K offers an attractive option to reduce aphid population tied with better wheat productivity.

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate the effect of bio-organic phosphate either alone or in combination with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria strain (Bacillus MWT-14) on the growth and productivity of two wheat cultivars (Galaxy-2013 and Punjab-2011) along with recommended (150–100 NP kg ha−1) and half dose (75–50 NP kg ha−1) of fertilizers. The combined application of bio-organic phosphate and the phosphorous solubilizing bacteria strain at either fertilizer level significantly improved the growth, yield parameters and productivity of both wheat cultivars compared to non-inoculated control treatments. The cultivar Punjab-2011 produced the higher chlorophyll contents, crop growth rate, and the straw yield at half dose of NP fertilizer; while Galaxy-2013, with the combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria under recommended NP fertilizer dose. Combined over both NP fertilizer levels, the combined use of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria enhanced the grain yield of cultivar Galaxy-2013 by 54.3% and that of cultivar Punjab-2011 by 83.3%. The combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria also increased the population of phosphorous solubilizing bacteria, the soil organic matter and phosphorous contents in the soil. In conclusion, the combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria offers an eco-friendly option to harvest the better wheat yield with low fertilizer input under arid climate.

Molecular descriptors are being widely used in QSAR/QSPR studies in chemistry and drug designing as well as modeling of compounds. Different topological descriptors have been formulated to investigate the physio chemical properties and chemical reactivity of compounds. In this article we gave exact relations for first and second Zagreb index, hyper Zagreb index, multiplicative Zagreb indices as well as first and second Zagreb polynomials for some benzenoid systems.

RESUMOO flurbiprofeno, potente anti-inflamatório não esteroidal, é amplamente utilizado no alívio da dor de pacientes que possuem doenças reumáticas, enxaqueca, dores de garganta e dismenorreia primária. Entretanto, apresenta muitos efeitos gastrointestinais indesejáveis quando administrado por via oral como hemorragia gástrica e úlcera péptica. Esses efeitos foram responsáveis por baixa adesão entre os pacientes, o que resulta no comprometimento do tratamento. As propriedades físico-químicas do flurbiprofeno fazem dele um candidato promissor para a administração transdérmica, que pode eliminar os inconvenientes causados durante a administração oral. Neste sentido, provou-se que as microemulsões aumentam a absorção cutânea de fármacos lipofílicos quando comparadas aos sistemas de liberação convencionais. O objetivo desse estudo foi desenvolver e caracterizar géis bases contendo microemulsões de flurbiprofeno. Diferentes géis bases contendo microemulsão e solução hidroalcoólica de flurbiprofeno foram desenvolvidos e comparados. Os estudos in vitroindicaram que os géis contendo microemulsão apresentaram velocidade de permeação superior ao géis contendo as soluções hidroalcoólicas. Adicionalmente, a formulação de Carbopol -I (microemulsão) apresentou maior capacidade de inibição da inflamação em relação às outras bases. Além disso, o estudo demonstrou que formulação de Carbopol -I (microemulsão) não ocasionou irritações cutâneas. Desta forma, o gel base de Carbopol -I contendo microemulsão de flurbiprofeno apresentou características físico-químicas, desempenho in vitro e in vivo adequados para o desenvolvimento de formulação alternativas de liberação transdérmica.

ABSTRACTFlurbiprofen, a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is widely used for relief of pain in patients suffering from rheumatic diseases, migraine, sore throat and primary dysmenorrheal. However, this drug has many gastrointestinal side effects produced by its oral administration, such as gastric bleeding and peptic ulcer. These effects were responsible for non-compliance among patients, which ultimately results in treatment failure. The physicochemical properties of flurbiprofen, make it a suitable candidate for transdermal drug delivery, which can overcome the drawbacks of oral administration. In this sense, microemulsions have been proved to increase the cutaneous absorption of lipophilic drugs when compared to conventional drug delivery systems. The purpose of this study was to formulate and characterize gel based microemulsions, for topical delivery of flurbiprofen. Different gel bases, containing microemulsion and hydro-alcoholic solution of flurbiprofen, were developed and compared. In vitro study showed that gels containing microemulsion had a higher permeation rate than those containing hydro-alcoholic solutions. Additionally, formulation of Carbopol-I (microemulsion) showed higher percent of inhibition of inflammation than others bases. Further, skin irritation study demonstrated that Carbopol-I was none irritating. Flurbiprofen microemulsion incorporated on Carbopol-I showed physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo characteristics suitable for the development of alternative transdermal delivery formulation.