Agricultural soils are a main source of nitrous oxide (N2O), potent greenhouse gas and the dominant ozone-depleting substance emitted to atmosphere. The only known sink N2O in soil is microbial reduction N2. Carbon (C) availability key factor determining community composition soil. However, its role shaping structure reducing communities unexplored. In this study, microcosm experiment was set u...

Janus-faced viscoelastic gelling agents—possessing both elastic and viscous characteristics—provide materials with unique features including strengthening ability under stress a liquid-like character lower viscosities relaxed conditions. The mentioned multifunctional is manifested in several body fluids such as human tears, synovial liquids, skin tissues mucins, endowing the special physical re...

This investigation describes the formulation and characterization of rheologically structured vehicles (RSVs) designed for improved drug delivery to the vagina. Interactive, multicomponent, polymeric platforms were manufactured containing hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC, 5% w/w) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 4% w/w), Pluronic (PL, 0 or 10% w/w), and either polycarbophil (PC, 3% w/w) or poly(methylvinyl...

The impedance of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C(4)D) in capillary electrophoresis (CE) was measured by an impedance analysis method. The influence of solution conductivity and capillary dimension on impedance parameters was investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, 86-99.9% of the total impedance of a C(4)D is composed by its imaginary part from the capi...

In complement to an effective vaccine, development of potent anti-HIV microbicides remains an important priority. We have previously shown that the miniCD4 M48U1, a functional mimetic of sCD4 presented on a 27 amino-acid stable scaffold, inhibits a broad range of HIV-1 isolates at sub-nanomolar concentrations in cellular models. Here, we report that M48U1 inhibits efficiently HIV-1(Ba-L) in hum...

This study was done to assess the influence of the topical application of two different desensitizing agents on dentin permeability and dentinal tubule occlusion. Twenty-one rats provided 84 teeth: 36 for the in vitro and 48 for the in vivo investigation. The following agents were tested: Group 1, 2% potassium nitrate plus 2% sodium fluoride gel; Group 2, 5% sodium fluoride varnish; Group 3, 3%...

The continued spread of HIV underscores the need to interrupt transmission. One attractive strategy, in the absence of an effective vaccine, is a topical microbicide, but the need for application around the time of sexual intercourse leads to poor patient compliance. Intravaginal (IVAG) application of CD4 aptamer-siRNA chimeras (CD4-AsiCs) targeting the HIV coreceptor CCR5, gag, and vif protect...

We describe a simplified electroimmunoassay for quantification of human apolipoproteins A-I and B on prepared plates. A solution of agarose at 55 degrees C, containing hydroxyethylcellulose and antibodies, is poured onto a plastic film and allowed to gel. Wells are punched in the gels and the plates are dried for storage. Before use, they are rehydrated and buffered. We use succinylated Sudan B...

Native horse mucus is characterized with micro- and macrorheology and compared to hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) gel as a model. Both systems show comparable viscoelastic properties on the microscale and for the HEC the macrorheology is in good agreement with the microrheology. For the mucus, the viscoelastic moduli on the macroscale are several orders of magnitude larger than on the microscale. L...

Enalapril maleate is used in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. It shows low bioavailability due to high hepatic first pass metabolism. Hence the present work was undertaken to formulate mucoadhesive buccal films of enalapril maleate with an objective to improve therapeutic efficacy, patient compliance and the bioavailability. In the present study ten formulations of mucoadhesiv...