Amphiphilic drug interactions with model cellular membranes are influenced by lipid chain-melting temperature

Small-molecule amphiphilic species such as many drug molecules frequently exhibit low-to-negligible aqueous solubility, and generally have no identified transport proteins assisting their distribution, yet are able to rapidly penetrate significant distances into patient tissue and even cross the blood–brain barrier. Previous work has identified a mechanism of translocation driven by acid-catalysed lipid hydrolysis of biological membranes, a process which is catalysed by the presence of cationic amphiphilic drug molecules. In this study, the interactions of raclopride, a model amphiphilic drug, were investigated with mixtures of biologically relevant lipids across a range of compositions, revealing the influence of the chain-melting temperature of the lipids upon the rate of acyl hydrolysis.     

Effect of clay content, homogenization RPM, pH, and ultrasonication on mechanical and barrier properties of fish gelatin/montmorillonite nanocomposite films

The effect of clay content, homogenization RPM, and pH on the mechanical and barrier properties of fish gelatin/nanoclay composite films was investigated. The addition of 5% nanoclay (w/w) increased the tensile strength from 30.31 ± 2.37 MPa to 40.71 ± 3.30 MPa. The 9 g clay/100 g gelatin film exhibited the largest improvements in oxygen and water barrier properties. Oxygen permeability decreased from 402.8 × 10⁻⁶ ± 0.7 × 10⁻⁶ g m/m² day atm to 114.4 × 10⁻⁶ ± 16.2 × 10⁻⁶ g m/m² day atm and the water vapor permeability decreased from 31.2 × 10⁻³ ± 1.6 × 10⁻³ ng m/m² s Pa to 8.1 × 10⁻³ ± 0.1 × 10⁻³ ng m/m² s Pa. The XRD and TEM observation suggested that the ultrasonication treatment (30 min at 40% output) resulted in exfoliation of the silicates.     

Enhanced biodiversity and pollination in UK agroforestry systems

Monoculture farming systems have had serious environmental impacts such as loss of biodiversity and pollinator decline. The authors explain how temperate agroforestry systems show potential in being able to deliver multiple environmental benefits.     

Antiepileptic drug therapy and sexual function in men with epilepsy

PURPOSE: To study the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on sex hormone levels and sexual activity in a group of men attending a hospital-based epilepsy clinic. METHODS: One hundred eighteen men being treated with AED therapy, 32 with epilepsy but not receiving AEDs, and 34 controls were recruited. All subjects were aged 18-65 years. Blood (20 ml) was removed for hormone assays, after which each subject completed a validated questionnaire [Sexuality Experience Scores (Frenken and Vennix, 1981)] aimed at exploring the individuals' sexual activity and attitudes to sexual morality. RESULTS: Men taking carbamazepine (CBZ) only had significantly higher mean sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels than the control group. The CBZ group also had a significantly lower mean DHEAS concentration than the control, untreated, and sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy groups. The phenytoin monotherapy group (PHT) had a significantly higher mean SHBG than both the control and untreated groups, and had a significantly higher mean total testosterone (TT) value than the control untreated, CBZ, and VPA groups, and a significantly lower mean DHEAS than the controls, untreated, and VPA groups. Men receiving more than one AED had significantly higher mean SHBG concentrations compared with control, untreated, and VPA groups. In addition, the polytherapy group's mean TT was significantly higher than the control and VPA groups, although its mean DHEAS concentration was lower than the control, untreated, and VPA groups. There were no significant differences between the study groups in mean FT, Budrostenedione (AND), or estradiol levels. But the CBZ, PHT, and polytherapy groups had significantly lower mean free and rogen index (FAI) than the controls. The CBZ group had a lower mean FAI than the VPA group. The polytherapy group had a lower FAI than the untreated group. Sexuality Experience Scores (SES) showed that those men receiving AEDs embraced a stricter sexual morality than the controls and untreated, and expressed greater satisfaction with their marriages than the control and untreated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Seizure type did not affect SES scores. Multiple regression showed men who had received further education were less accepting of strict sexual morality.