Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

The Susceptibility Of Penicillin, Ceftriaxone, And Cefotaxime Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Isolated From Patients With Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases At A Teaching Hospital In Thailand, Jantima Traipattanakul, Sudaluck Thunyaharn, Juthathip Suphanklang, Wichai Santimaleeworagun

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: Pneumococcal disease is a severe invasive infection causing morbidity and death, so the appropriate antimicrobials are greatly important. We aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone against S. pneumoniae. Methods: The clinical isolates were obtained from patients with invasive pneumococcal disease admitted to Phramongkutklao Hospital, Thailand over a period of 10 years between 2006 and 2015. The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of antibiotics including penicillin, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime against S. pneumoniae isolates were determined by E-test. The MIC range, MIC50, and MIC90 (μg/ml) and percentage of susceptible isolates were recorded. Results: Forty …

A Review On Ethnomedicinal And Phytopharmacological Potential Of Traditionally Wild And Endemic Plant Berberis Tinctoria Lesch., Arumugam Vignesh, Ramamoorthy Sivalingam, Subramaniam Selvakumar, Krishnan Vasanth

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction: Berberis tinctoria an evergreen shrub, endemic and predominantly found at a higher altitude of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India. This leaf and fruit are edible, which are also used in homeopathic remedies for countless illnesses. Objectives: B. tinctoria with diverse ethnomedicinal uses was focused in the prevailing study to detailed the phytochemical and pharmacological properties for further imminent research in this species. Materials and methods: Published data in this review were all gathered from the online bibliographical databases: PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and local ethnic community peoples of Kurumba and Toda. Results: B. tinctoria was …

Prevalence, Distribution, Treatment, And Modern Methods For In Vitro Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’S Disease In India: Challenges And Future Prospective, Sopan Nangare, Pravin Patil

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In India, the plethora of evidence indicates that neurodegenerative conditions are a significant public health issue wherein over 4 million Indian peoples have been affected. For the past two decades, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is growing rapidly in India that may due to the significant lack of health-care services and poor knowledge of AD and another form of dementia. Therefore, this in turn to develop ultramodern techniques for the efficient detection of AD biomarkers that helps to the prognosis and diagnosis of AD. Recently, significant progress has been observed in the area of AD that includes prognosis, and …

Gastroprotective Effect Of Phyllanthus Reticulatus Poir. Against Pylorus Ligation-, Ethanol-Induced, And Stress-Induced Ulcer Models In Wistar Rats, Saravanan Jayaram, G. Thamotharan, N. Senthilkumar

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the antiulcer property of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. against pylorus ligation-, ethanol-induced, and stress-induced ulcer models in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Three models – pylorus ligation-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, and swim stress-induced ulcer – were used to induce ulcer in Wistar rats. The animals were treated with 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg p. o of the ethanolic extract of P. reticulatus Poir, to estimate the gastroprotective potential. The effect of P. reticulatus Poir. on pH of the gastric juice, volume of acid secretion, total and free …

Gc-Ms Fingerprints Combined With Chemometric Analysis For The Authentication Of Morus Alba Leaves From Thailand, Malai Satiraphan, Aye Thida, Lawan Sratthaphut, Patcharawan Tanamatayarat, Onoomar Toyama

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction: Morus alba L. is one of the economic plants in Thailand. Several varieties are grown in various parts of the country. Different varieties from different regions may produce dissimilar chemical fingerprints. Objectives: The gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprints of 2 varieties of M. alba leaves from three locations in Thailand, along with tea products will be established. Materials and Methods: The GC-MS chromatograms combined with chemometric analysis were used to analyze the extracts of M. alba leaves and their tea products. Results: A total of 83 compounds comprising terpenes, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids and …

Screening Of Process Variables Using Box–Behnken Design In The Fabrication Of Berberine Hydrochloride-Loaded Transethosomes For Enhanced Transdermal Delivery, Koushlesh Kumar Mishra, Chanchal Deep Kaur

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: The objective of the present work was to develop, optimize, and characterize berberine hydrochloride (BBN-HCl)-loaded transethosomes (TEs) for enhanced transdermal delivery. In this study, screening of formulation and process variables was conducted using Box–Behnken design approach to observe significant and insignificant influence on the TEs. Materials and Methods: The TEs was developed by homogenization technique (hot method). The optimized BBN-HCl-loaded TEs were evaluated for its vesicle size (VS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), loading capacity, and entrapment efficiency. Characterization was done by powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy. Further, in vitro drug …

Population Pharmacokinetics Of Phenytoin In Epileptic Children And Dosage Regimens Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Leena Mekloy, Wanchai Treyaprasert

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: The study aimed at a population pharmacokinetic analysis of phenytoin in epileptic children so as to determine optimal dosage regimen for achieving the therapeutic range. Materials and Methods: A total of 370 blood level concentrations from 225 patients were collected retrospectively from clinical routine therapeutic drug monitoring data. The data were analyzed based on population pharmacokinetics using NONMEM software.A base model was developed to handle covariates, including age, gender, weight, liver function test results, and co-anticonvulsants. The final model was done until the precision of parameters with minimum objective function value achieved. Monte Carlo simulation was utilized to determine …

Chloroquine And Eye Problems At A General Hospital In Western Thailand, Nunthaluxna Sthapornnanon, Chattraporn Chumchit, Supakarn Suksajjee, Sukanya Boonnum, Suphitchaya Neramitwanchai, Chitthathep Chaisaen

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: This study aimed to explore the eye problems after CQ use, to review if the eye examinations were performed during patients were treated with CQ and to identify factors related to those eye problems. Method: Retrospective study was done. Data were collected from both electronic medical records and medical records. Patients who were treated with CQ during May15, 2010- May 31, 2019 at a general hospital in western Thailand were included. Results: There were 123 patients who were treated with CQ. Eye problems were found in 26 patients (21.14 %). Majority of those had blurred vision (13/26; 50.00%). Focus …

Investigation Of Film Thickness Uniformity On Tablets By Handheld Raman Spectrometer, Srisakul Srisuk, Jittima Chatchawalsaisin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the uniformity of film thickness on coated tablets using handheld Raman spectrometer. Methods: Oval-shaped tablets were coated with Opadry® II blue at a pan speed of 8 rpm and spray rates of 8.2 and 10.5 g/min. The coating process was also carried out at the pan speed of 14 rpm and spray rate of 8.2 g/min. Other process parameters, that is, inlet air temperature and atomizing air pressure were kept constant. Twenty coated tablets were taken at 10 min intervals for determination of weight gain. The film deposited on both faces …

Review On Drug Delivery Applications Of Ethosomes: Current Developments And Prospects, Mayuri Shitole, Sopan Nangare, Udaykumar Patil, Namdeo R. Jadhav

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Transdermal drug delivery system networks are primarily affected by poor penetration of therapeutically active compounds. The stratum corneum (SC) is the foremost barrier of the skin, which restricts the permeation of the drug molecule. In this context, to date, numerous approaches have been implemented to overcome the SC barrier limitations. Out of this, few advanced approaches including liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes, and transferosomes are majorly used to boost the permeation of drug and cosmetic agents across the SC barrier. Among these vesicles, ethosomes are stand out as the best substitute for topical drug delivery. In a nutshell, ethosomes are the elastic …

Determination Of Sugars And Amino Acids In Japanese Wine Using Core-Shell Liquid Chromatography Tandem Electrochemical Detection, Kana Yoshimura, Aiko Sano, Ryuichiro Suzuki, Shun-Ichi Mitomo, Yukiko Negishi, Toshiki Mutai, Florencio Arce Jr., Gerard Lee See, Takashi Tanikawa

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In this study, sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and amino acids in plum and yuzu wines were quantified with a new and simple method involving an electrochemical detector (ECD) and core-shell column [S-30/70=St (styrene)/DVB (divinylbenzene)-5TMDAH (tetramethyldiaminohexane)]. Analysis was conducted under the following conditions: A column temperature (40°C), flow rate (0.3 mL/min), injection volume (20 μL), and mobile phase (0.1 mol/L NaOH). Glucose, fructose, and sucrose had retention times of 14.68 min, 16.22 min, and 19.29 min, respectively, when measured using an ECD. When the sugar content was compared among the plum wines, plum wine A had the lowest sugar content. …

Amelioration Of Cadmium Chloride Testicular Toxicity By Plukenetia Conophora Aqueous Leaves Extract In Wistar Rats, Tomilola Olaolu, Tamaratare Ogu, Damilare Rotimi, Charles Nwonuma, Oluwakemi Awakan, Ayotunde Olaolu, Akpor Oghenerobor

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cadmium accumulates in different organ and tissues of the body including the testes, impeding normal metabolism. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Plukenetia conophora leaves extract on antioxidants and testicular function indices of cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-administered Wistar rats. A total of 25 Wistar rats (100–120 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (A-E) and received orally, once daily for 21 d as follows: A (distilled water); B (6.5 mg/kg body weight of CdCl2; C (CdCl2 + 150 mg/kg body weight of extract); D (CdCl2 + 300 mg/kg body weight extract); and E (CdCl2 + 600 mg/kg body weight …

Analytical Method For Simultaneous Estimation Of Ranolazine And Metformin Hydrochloride By Validated Rp-Hplc-Dad Method, Ashok B. Patel, Dhruvanshi A. Gol, Rahul L. Makwana, Amitkumar J. Vyas, Ajay I. Patel, Nilesh K. Patel, Shital D. Faldu, Arvind N. Lumbhani

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: In the present study, a simple, sensitive, rapid, accurate, and precise reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with diode array detection was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of Metformin hydrochloride (MET) and Ranolazine (RANO) in a synthetic mixture. Material and Method: The method was developed using isocratic elution mode on a reversed-phase. Chromatographic separation was performed on ACE CN C18 (250 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 μm) column and a mobile phase consisting of methanol: acetonitrile:ammonium formate (45:45:10% v/v/v) with 10% formic acid to adjust the pH to 6.0, at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Detection and quantification …

Preparation And Characterization Of Curcumin-Loaded Liposomes For Delivery To The Lungs, Safura Binti Mohd Mohari, Kevin M. G. Taylor, Nattika Nimmano

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Curcumin-loaded liposomes comprising dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (72:8:20 mole ratio) were prepared by the thin-film hydration method, followed by probe sonication to achieve a mean diameter (FSI) pre-cooled at 2–8°C for at least 90 min at 15 L/min. Curcumin recovered from the impactor and nebulizer was quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Overall, 2.5% w/w curcumin-loaded liposomes was the optimal formulation based on the maximum encapsulation efficiency of approximately 87% and mean hydrodynamic diameter of 97 nm. This chosen curcumin concentration was effectively aerosolized with a fine particle fraction of 53.25%, and a fine particle dose of 53 …

Phytochemical Screening And Potential Anticonvulsant Activity Of Aqueous Root Extract Of Decalepis Nervosa Wight & Arn., Kuntal Das, M. Saifulla Khan, A. Muthukumar, Sayani Bhattacharyya, M. Usha, S. Venkatesh, James Sounder

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The effect of phytochemicals in the aqueous root extracts of Decalepis nervosa Wight & Arn. (ARDN) (Family: Apocynaceae) was investigated on an anticonvulsant action in laboratory animals (mice). The DN roots were extracted using microwave extraction method with aqueous solvent using two parameters, such as temperature variation and extraction time. The phytochemical screening followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) studies was performed. The pentylenetetrazole and isoniazid models were used with two doses, 250 mg and 500 mg, for the anticonvulsant effects of the ARDN extract. The microwave extraction during 15 min at 60°C temperature revealed the …

Development Of A Notification System For Intravenous-To-Oral Antibiotic Switch Therapy In Pediatric Wards Using Value Stream Mapping, Nissara Srisura, Nusaraporn Kessomboon, Ancharee Leechaipichikul, Thawatchai Khummuang

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: This research developed a notification intravenous-to-oral antibiotic switch therapy system using value stream mapping (VSM) through the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method. Materials and Methods: The action research took place in two target groups: Group 1 included a multidisciplinary team and Group 2 included pneumonia patients admitted to two pediatric wards. The system had two phases: In Phase I, Situation analysis reviewed 400 medical records and In Phase II, a system was developed that used PDSA as follows: Plan: analysis of the methods. Do: The demonstrated process used VSM. Study: A system designed. Act: Comparing each step used VSM. The system …

Complexity Of Implementing Harm Reduction Services In Community Hospitals: A Two-Phase Qualitative Study, Kanittha Nimsakul, Puckwipa Suwannaprom, Siritree Suttajit

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: Regardless of effective harm reduction services (HRS) in Thanyarak Hospital, difficulties exist while implementing them in community hospitals. This study aimed to investigate the complexities of HRS implementation in two community hospitals in Mae Hong Son. Methods: Phase 1, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 participants to investigate the complexity of HRS dissemination. An interview guide was developed from the seven domains of the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability framework, and thematic analysis was used. Phase 2 involved two rounds of a Delphi technique with 17 experts to evaluate the HRS’s complexity level (complex, complicated, and simple). Results: …

Effect Of Chronic Kidney Disease On Warfarin Responsiveness Among Thai Patients, Sasimaporn Yaengkratok, Manat Pongchaidecha, Wichai Santimaleeworagun, Pornwalai Boonmuang

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

This study aims to determine the effect of chronic kidney disease on warfarin response, including initial doses, maintenance doses, time in therapeutic range (TTR), and international normalized ratio (INR) variability. This is a retrospective cohort study at Rajavithi Hospital from 2015 to 2018. A total of 189 patients were included and divided into five groups based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (G1, eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; G2, 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2; G3, 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m2; G4, ≤ 15 mL/min/1.73 m2; and G5, ≤ 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 with dialysis). The median age was 65.00 years, and 60.9% of patients were …

Antibacterial Activity Of Ethanol Extract Of Asam Gelugur (Garcinia Atroviridis) Fruits From Southern Thailand, Atchara Niyomdecha, Chaiyawan Wattanachant, Jessada Rattanawut, Patimaporn Plodpai, Wanwisa Ngampongsai

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: The present study investigated the antibacterial activities of asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis) fruit extracts against two Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli (gi: CP033762.1) and Salmonella enterica (gi: KX355299.1)). Materials and Methods: The powder form of G. atroviridis fresh fruit was extracted with 95% ethanol (2:4 L) (w/v). The mixtures were filtered and evaporated using a rotary evaporator at 50–55°C. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure hydroxycitric acid (HCA) in the extract. The antibacterial assay was determined by disk diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: HPLC analysis measured approximately 495.01 ± …

Modulating Ketamine’S Locomotor Activating And Reinforcing Effects Through Drug Combinations, Tegshjargal Baasansukh

Theses and Dissertations

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. The standard of care for pharmacological treatment of MDD has been monoaminergic antidepressants (MAA). However, MAAs have serious clinical limitations including a relatively slow onset of action and up to 40% of patients failing to respond and being diagnosed as “treatment resistant”. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, was originally approved for use as an injectable anesthetic. In addition, ketamine has been shown to rapidly improve depressive symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression. In 2019, (S)-ketamine was approved as a nasal spray (Spravato®) for patients with MDD and treatment-resistant depression in …

Longitudinal Patterns Of Microplastic Abundance And Potential For Food Web Uptake In The Yakima River, Janell Shah

All Master's Theses

Microplastic (MP) pollutes environments worldwide, but the ecological consequences remain largely unknown. While MP research has historically focused on marine environments, recent work has increasingly investigated rivers as transporters of MP from terrestrial sources to the ocean. Some studies have documented instances of MP consumption in a river food web, but few have investigated multiple consumers at different points along a river continuum. This study enumerated the MP abundance in the water column, biofilm, and four macroinvertebrate families from different functional feeding groups across nine sites spanning 344 kilometers from the headwaters to the mouth of the Yakima River in …

It Permeated Everything: A Lived Experience Of Slow Violence And Toxicological Disaster, Tara Jo Holmberg

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Impacts of disasters on individuals are dependent on numerous factors: local to international political dynamics, socioeconomics, geography, educational background, and outside support among others. Currently, much of disaster research focuses on those of natural origin, acute and large-scale environmental events, emergency management, and the ability of individuals, communities, and societies to prepare for, and recover from, likely known disasters in their region. However, there is a lack of data about individual experiences through ‘invisible’ anthropogenic disasters, especially those that fall under the umbrella of slow environmental violence (Davies, 2019; Rice, 2016). Through critical phenomenological autoethnography, I examine an individual experience …

Occupational Exposure To Wood Dust And The Burden Of Nasopharynx And Sinonasal Cancer In Canada, Amirabbas Mofidi, Emile Tompa, Christina Kalcevich, Christopher Mcleod, Martin Lebeau, Chaojie Song, Joanne Kim, Paul A. Demers

Études primaires

Background: Millions of workers around the world are exposed to wood dust, as a by-product of woodworking. Nasopharynx cancers (NPCs) and sinonasal cancers (SNCs) are two cancers that can be caused by occupational exposure to wood dust, but there is little evidence regarding their burden in Canada. Objective: the aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and economic burden of newly diagnosed cases of NPC and SNC in 2011 in Canada, attributable to occupational exposures to wood dust. Methods: calculating the incidence of cancer attributable to occupational exposure involved three steps of defining relative risk, assessing the prevalence …

Endocrine Disruptors: Challenges And Future Directions In Epidemiologic Research, V. Ho, L. Pelland-St-Pierre, S. Gravel, M. F. Bouchard, M.-A. Verner, F. Labrèche

Études primaires

Public concern about the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on both humans and the environment is growing steadily. Epidemiologic research provides key information towards our understanding of the relationship between environmental exposures like EDCs and human health outcomes. Intended for researchers in disciplines complementary to epidemiology, this paper highlights the importance and challenges of epidemiologic research in order to present the key elements pertaining to the design and interpretation of an epidemiologic study on EDCs.

The conduct of observational studies on EDCs derives from a thoughtful research question, which will help determine the subsequent methodological choices surrounding the careful …

Microbial Contamination And Metabolite Exposure Assessment During Waste And Recyclable Material Collection, Fabiola Salambaga, Loïc Wingert, Isabelle Valois, Nancy Lacombe, François Gouin, Julien Trépanier, Maximilien Debia, Ewelina Soszczyńska, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Marta Dias, Susana Viegas, Liliana Caetano, Carla Viegas, Geneviève Marchand

Études primaires

Waste workers are exposed to bioaerosols when handling, lifting and dumping garbage. Bioaerosol exposure has been linked to health problems such as asthma, airway irritant symptoms, infectious, gastrointestinal and skin diseases, and cancer. Our objective was to characterize the exposure of urban collectors and drivers to inhalable bioaerosols and to measured the cytotoxic effect of air samples in order to evaluate their health risk.

Personal and ambient air sampling were conducted during the summer of 2019. Workers from 12 waste trucks collecting recyclables, organic waste or compost were evaluated. Bacteria and fungi were cultured, molecular biology methods were used to …

The Benefits Of Astaxanthin To Improve Pain Relief In Patients With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: An Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial, Rizaldy Taslim Pinzon, Mary Rose Angelina Budi Harsana

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Treatment of diabetic neuropathy is still carried out by providing symptomatic therapy, which only improves ± 50% of the total symptoms felt by patients, but does not tackle the underlying causes of the disease. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic carotenoid that could be an additional treatment option. We aimed to measure the effectiveness of administering astaxanthin as an additional therapy to improve the impact of pain and discomfort experienced daily by diabetes mellitus patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. We conducted a randomized experimental study with an open label design of 36 patients who had been diagnosed with …

Heavy Metal Contamination And Potential Ecological Risks In Surface Sediments Along Dar Es Salaam Harbour Channel, Benard Mwakisunga, Harishchandra B. Pratap, John F. Machiwa, Flora Stephano

Tanzania Journal of Science

Investigation of heavy metal contamination along Dar es Salaam harbour channel was carried out in order to determine their current concentrations, sources and potential ecological risks to benthic biota. Sampling was carried out from January to May 2019 and samples analysed using ICP-OES and C-H-N-S analyser. Analysis of heavy metal relationships showed that, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Ni, Co, Fe, Cd had strong relationships with each other, while Pb only related to Zn. Principal component analysis partitioned metals into two groups; PC1: Ni, Cr, Fe, Co, As, Cu, Cd, and Zn explaining 73.6% variance and PC2: Pb, Zn, and Cd …

Adipose-Specific Pparα Knockout Mice Have Increased Lipogenesis By Pask–Srebp1 Signaling And A Polarity Shift To Inflammatory Macrophages In White Adipose Tissue, Terry D. Hinds, Jr., Zachary A. Kipp, Mei Xu, Frederique B. Yiannikouris, Andrew J. Morris, Donald F. Stec, Walter Wahli, David E. Stec

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

The nuclear receptor PPARα is associated with reducing adiposity, especially in the liver, where it transactivates genes for β-oxidation. Contrarily, the function of PPARα in extrahepatic tissues is less known. Therefore, we established the first adipose-specific PPARα knockout (Ppara^FatKO) mice to determine the signaling position of PPARα in adipose tissue expansion that occurs during the development of obesity. To assess the function of PPARα in adiposity, female and male mice were placed on a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal chow for 30 weeks. Only the male Ppara^FatKO animals had significantly more adiposity in the inguinal white …

Real-Time Monitoring Of Cell Death Progress Using Capacitance Spectroscopy, Suyang Wu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biologics, including the monoclonal antibody (mAb), has experienced rapid development in the last decade. However, the price of biologics is often prohibitively high because of the low process efficiency. Delaying the inevitable cell death improves the productivity of upstream bioprocessing, whose success relies on monitoring the cell death onset that indicates the timing for preventive actions.

This study proposes to develop a real-time monitoring model that quantifies the dying cell percentage in lab-scale bioreactors using capacitance spectroscopy. The capacitance spectroscopy contains cell death-related information due to various physical properties changes during the cell death process, e.g., cytoplasmic conductivity change. The …

Who Pays To Clean Up What A Dying Industry Leaves Behind?, Audrey Carleton

Capstones

As the birthplace of oil and gas, Pennsylvania is home to the highest number of orphaned abandoned oil and gas wells in the country — an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 dot the Keystone State, all remnants of a dying industry. These wells emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and have, for decades, caused alarm to hundreds of residents, documents obtained in a months-long capstone investigation show. The state is currently plugging 10 to 12 abandoned wells per year, on average, out of hundreds of thousands, in part because it has not collected enough in cleanup funds from producers to fund …