Estimate and needs of the transgender adult population: the SPoT study

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing interest in transgender health research, to date little is known about the size of the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population.

METHODS

A web-based questionnaire survey was developed, including a collection of socio-demographic characteristics and disseminated online through social media. Gender incongruence was evaluated by using a 2-item approach assessing gender recorded at birth and gender identity. The primary objective of the present population-based study was to estimate the proportion of TGD people across ages among a large sample of people who answered a web-based survey. The secondary endpoints were to identify gender-affirming needs and possible barriers to healthcare access.

RESULTS

A total of 19,572 individuals participated in the survey, of whom 7.7% reported a gender identity different from the sex recorded at birth. A significantly higher proportion of TGD people was observed in the youngest group of participants compared with older ones. Among TGD people who participated in the study, 58.4% were nonbinary, and 49.1% experienced discrimination in accessing health care services. Nonbinary TGD participants reported both the need for legal name and gender change, along with hormonal and surgical interventions less frequently compared to binary persons.

CONCLUSIONS

Being TGD is not a marginal condition In Italy. A large proportion of TGD persons may not need medical and surgical treatments. TGD people often experience barriers to healthcare access relating to gender identity.

Optimal effective concentration combinations (OPECCs) for binary application of membrane-targeting antiseptics and TMPyP-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

The widespread occurrence of multi-resistant bacteria is a health problem of global dimension. Infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens are difficult to treat and often associated with high mortality. Therefore, new treatment strategies are of interest, such as the use of differently acting antibacterial concepts. One of these new concepts is the use of antiseptics in combination with the antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Currently, no method has yet been established as a standard procedure for investigating combined effects and evaluating them in a generally valid and unambiguous manner. The focus of this study was on how cationic antiseptics benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) behave in a combined application with aPDT using the photosensitizer TMPyP. For this purpose, BAC and CHX were applied in combination with the aPDT using TMPyP in non-lethal concentrations to the three bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. The results of the combination experiments with sublethal concentrations of BAC or CHX with the aPDT showed that the binary application had a lethal effect. Irrespective of the bacteria, the reduction in concentrations in OPECC, compared to individual concentrations, was more than 50% for TMPyP, 23-40% for BAC, and 18-43% for CHX. Furthermore, the optimal effective concentration combinations (OPECCs) could be determined. The latter showed that the combined application allowed the reduction of both concentrations compared to the single application.

High-Pressure Fabrication of Binary Organic Solar Cells with High Molecular Weight D18 Yields Record 19.65 % Efficiency

In this work, inspired by the principles of a pressure cooker, we utilized a high-pressure method to address the processing challenges associated with high molecular weight polymers. Through this approach, we successfully dissolved high molecular weight D18 in chloroform at 100 °C within a pressure-tight vial. The increased steam pressure raised the boiling point and dissolving capacity of chloroform, enabling the creation of a hybrid film with superior properties, including more ordered molecular arrangement, increased crystallinity, extended exciton diffusion length, and improved phase morphology. Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on D18 : L8-BO prepared using this high-pressure method achieved an outstanding power conversion efficiency of 19.65 %, setting a new record for binary devices to date. Furthermore, this high-pressure method was successfully applied to fabricate OSCs based on other common systems, leading to significant enhancements in device performance. In summary, this research introduces a universal method for processing high molecular weight D18 materials, ultimately resulting in the highest performance reported for binary organic solar cells.

The practice of exclusive breastfeeding by region in Indonesia

OBJECTIVE

Exclusive breastfeeding has important benefits for both children and mothers. However, the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding is still not evenly distributed among regions, including in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by region in Indonesia and its influencing factors.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This study used secondary data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey 2017. The total sample was 1621 respondents, which consisted of mothers whose last child was under six months old and was still alive; the mothers did not have twins and lived with their child. Data were analyzed by using Quantum GIS and binary logistic regression statistical tests.

RESULTS

This study shows that 51.6% of respondents gave exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia. The highest proportion was in the Nusa Tenggara region (72.3%), whereas the lowest was in Kalimantan province (37.5%). Mothers who lived in the regions of Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Java-Bali, and Sumatra had a higher chance of exclusive breastfeeding compared to those in the Kalimantan region. The factors associated with the exclusive breastfeeding vary widely across all regions, and the child's age is the only common factor associated with the exclusive breastfeeding in all regions, except Kalimantan.

CONCLUSION

This study shows wide variation in regional proportions and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia. Therefore, appropriate policies and strategies are needed to increase equitable exclusive breastfeeding practices across all regions in Indonesia.

Visual detection of binary, ternary and quaternary protein interactions in fission yeast using a Pil1 co-tethering assay

Protein-protein interactions are vital for executing nearly all cellular processes. To facilitate the detection of protein-protein interactions in living cells of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, here we present an efficient and convenient method termed the Pil1 co-tethering assay. In its basic form, we tether a bait protein to mCherry-tagged Pil1, which forms cortical filamentary structures, and examine whether a GFP-tagged prey protein colocalizes with the bait. We demonstrate that this assay is capable of detecting pairwise protein-protein interactions of cytosolic proteins and nuclear proteins. Furthermore, we show that this assay can be used for detecting not only binary protein-protein interactions, but also ternary and quaternary protein-protein interactions. Using this assay, we systematically characterized the protein-protein interactions in the Atg1 complex and in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns3K) complexes and found that Atg38 is incorporated into the PtdIns3K complex I via an Atg38-Vps34 interaction. Our data show that this assay is a useful and versatile tool and should be added to the routine toolbox of fission yeast researchers. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Coordinated binding of a two-component insecticidal protein from Alcaligenes faecalis to western corn rootworm midgut tissue

AfIP-1A/1B is a two-component insecticidal protein identified from the soil bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis that has high activity against western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). Previous results revealed that AfIP-1A/1B is cross-resistant to the binary protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 (also known as Gpp34Ab1/Tpp35Ab1; Crickmore et al., 2020), which was attributed to shared binding sites in WCR gut tissue (Yalpani et al., 2017). To better understand the interaction of AfIP-1A/1B with its receptor, we have systematically evaluated the binding of these proteins with WCR brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). Our findings show that AfIP-1A binds directly to BBMVs, while AfIP-1B does not; AfIP-1B binding only occurred in the presence of AfIP-1A which was accompanied by the presence of stable, high molecular weight oligomers of AfIP-1B observed on denaturing protein gels. Additionally, we show that AfIP-1A/1B forms pores in artificial lipid membranes. Finally, binding of AfIP-1A/1B was found to be reduced in BBMVs from Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1-resistant WCR where Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 binding was also reduced. The reduced binding of both proteins is consistent with recognition of a shared receptor that has been altered in the resistant strain. The coordination of AfIP-1B binding by AfIP-1A, the similar structures between AfIP-1A and Cry34Ab1, along with their shared binding sites and cross-resistance, suggest a similar role for AfIP1A and Cry34Ab1 in receptor recognition and docking site for their cognate partners, AfIP-1B and Cry35Ab1, respectively.

Development of standardized method for the quantification of azo dyes by UV-Vis in binary mixtures

The azo dyes, Yellow 5 (Y5), Red 2 (R2) and Blue 1 (B1), quantified in solutions and in mixtures of binary dyes, were studied by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy. In this work was used a CIE algorithm developed in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). The CIE algorithm is based on the tristimulus chromaticity diagram, as an alternative to the shielding effect that arises in dye mixtures, and it can also be applied to complex quantification methods such as HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). The results obtained through of the algorithm, showed a higher accuracy from 97 to 99% in relation with similar UV-Vis quantification methods. In contrast, linear methods only managed to reach an accuracy from 78 to 98%. Additionally, the algorithm yielded significant similar values to the UHPLC reference method. The results showed that the method CIE algorithm was accessible and reliable to quantify binary mixtures of the dyes used which suggests the possibility to apply this method on other dyes, within the limits of quantification obtained in this study (0.076-24.56 mg/L) and the pH values from 2 to 10.

The investigation of binary and ternary sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with asiaticoside in solution and in solid state

Asiaticoside (AS) is poorly water-soluble compound that can lead to low the bioavailability. The aims of this study were to determine the cyclodextrin (CD) solubilization of AS and characterize binary AS/CD and ternary AS/CD/polymer complexes in solution- and solid-state. Thermal stability of AS through heating process was determined and found that It could withstand by heating through sonication method. Phase-solubility profiles showed that β-cyclodextrin (βCD) exhibited the greatest solubilizing effect but sulfobutylether-βCD (SBEβCD) was selected for further investigations due to its relatively high complexation efficiency (CE) value. The effect of polymers that were poloxamer 407 (P407) and chitosan (CS) on CD solubilization were investigated. It was found that the increment of CE was resulted from the formation of ternary complexes or complex aggregates with confirmed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) data indicated that the cyclohexane moiety of AS was totally inserted into the hydrophobic inner cavity of SBEβCD in the presence or absence of polymer. The molecular modeling study displayed the binding orientation of such complex which correlated to ¹H NMR result. The solid state characterized by Fourier transform infra-red, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction demonstrated the formation of binary AS/SBEβCD and ternary AS/SBEβCD/polymer inclusion complexes. The enhancement of AS dissolution was achieved in both binary and ternary complexes. The permeation study showed that ternary AS/SBEβCD/CS nanoparticles exhibited a promising controlled drug release nanocarrier.

A method to visualize a complete sensitivity analysis for loss to follow-up in clinical trials

Loss to follow-up occurs in randomized controlled trials. Missing data methods, including multiple imputation (MI), can be used but often rely upon untestable assumptions. Sensitivity analysis can quantify violations of these assumptions. Since an adequate sensitivity analysis requires evaluation of multiple scenarios, presenting this information in an easily interpretable manner is challenging.

We propose to graphically represent a thorough sensitivity analysis displaying all possible outcomes for loss to follow-up in randomized controlled trial data relating a completely observed binary exposure to a binary outcome. We describe plausible results under different missingness mechanisms using data from the EAGeR Trial (n = 1228) on low-dose aspirin versus placebo on pregnancy and live birth, in which 140 participants had early withdrawal. For the effect of aspirin on live birth, sensitivity analysis risk ratios (RR) for all potential outcome scenarios ranged from 0.88 to 1.34, applicable to any possible missingness mechanism. MI produced RR = 1.10; 95% confidence interval: (0.98, 1.22). RRs from individual imputations ranged from 1.04 to 1.16, the range of results that could have been observed if data were missing at random. Under this mechanism, the conclusions about the efficacy of low-dose aspirin could have been sensitive to the missing outcome data. Rather than limiting sensitivity analysis for loss to follow-up to a few scenarios that can be presented tabularly, results of a complete sensitivity analysis can be presented in a single plot, which should be implemented in all studies with missing outcome data to convey certainty or uncertainty, confidence or caution.

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Loss to follow-up can cause selection bias in randomized controlled trials.

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Sensitivity analysis is often limited to a few scenarios presented tabularly.

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A complete sensitivity analysis is demonstrated for binary exposure and outcomes.

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All possible and probable outcomes can be graphically displayed in a single plot.

Single and binary ion sorption equilibria of monovalent and divalent ions in commercial ion exchange membranes

The co-ion and counter-ion sorption of monovalent (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and NO₃^-) and divalent ions (Ca²⁺ and SO₄^2-) in commercial Neosepta ion exchange membranes were systemically studied in both single and binary salt systems. The new generation of Neosepta cation exchange membrane (CSE) showed a significant difference in water uptake and co-ion sorption compared to the earlier generation (CMX). Use of the Manning model confirmed that there were significant differences between these membranes, with the estimated value of the Manning parameter changing from 1.0 ± 0.1 for CMX to 2.8 ± 0.5 for CSE. There were fewer differences between the two Neosepta anion exchange membranes, AMX and ASE. In single salt solutions, potassium sorbed most strongly into the cation exchange membranes, but in binary salt mixtures, calcium dominated due to Donnan exclusion at low concentrations. While these trends were expected, the sorption behaviour in the anion exchange membranes was more complex. The water uptake of both AMX and ASE was shown to be the greatest in Na₂SO₄ solutions. This strong water uptake was reflected in strong sorption of sulphate ions in a single salt solution. Conversely, in a binary salt mixture with NaCl, sulphate sorption fell significantly at higher concentrations. This was possibly caused by ion pairing within the solution, as well as the strongly hydrophobic nature of styrene in the charged polymer. Water uptake was lowest in NaNO₃ solutions, even though sorption of the nitrate ion was comparable to that of chloride in these single salt solutions. In the binary mixture, nitrate was absorbed more strongly than chloride. These results could be due to the low surface charge density of this ion allowing it to bond more strongly with the hydrophobic polymeric backbone at the exclusion of water and other ions.

Life satisfaction and mental health among transgender students in Norway

BACKGROUND

Social attitudes to transgender persons and other gender minorities vary around the world, and in many cultures, prejudices and social stigma are common. Consequently, transgender persons face challenges related to discrimination and negative attitudes among the public. The purpose of this study was to compare life satisfaction, loneliness, mental health, and suicidal behavior among transgender students with cisgender students' experiences in a nationwide sample of Norwegian students pursuing higher education.

METHODS

In total,50,054 full-time Norwegian students completed an online questionnaire (response rate 30.8%), of whom 15,399 were cisgender males, 34,437 cisgender females, 28 individuals who reported being binary transgender (12 transwomen and 16 transmen), and 69 individuals non-binary transgender persons. The measures included questions concerning gender identity, life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale), loneliness (The Three-Item Loneliness Scale), mental health problems (Hopkins Symptoms Check List), mental disorders, and suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and self-harm. Chi-square tests, Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences between gender identities.

RESULTS

Transgender students reported significantly more psychosocial burdens on all measures. There were no significant differences in any of the measures between the binary and non-binary transgender students.

CONCLUSION

The findings call for increased awareness about welfare and health for transgender students in Norway. Higher education institutions need to consider measures at various levels to establish a learning environment that is more inclusive for gender minorities.

Re-formulating Gehan's design as a flexible two-stage single-arm trial

BACKGROUND

Gehan's two-stage design was historically the design of choice for phase II oncology trials. One of the reasons it is less frequently used today is that it does not allow for a formal test of treatment efficacy, and therefore does not control conventional type-I and type-II error-rates.

METHODS

We describe how recently developed methodology for flexible two-stage single-arm trials can be used to incorporate the hypothesis test commonly associated with phase II trials in to Gehan's design. We additionally detail how this hypothesis test can be optimised in order to maximise its power, and describe how the second stage sample sizes can be chosen to more readily provide the operating characteristics that were originally envisioned by Gehan. Finally, we contrast our modified Gehan designs to Simon's designs, based on two examples motivated by real clinical trials.

RESULTS

Gehan's original designs are often greatly under- or over-powered when compared to type-II error-rates typically used in phase II. However, we demonstrate that the control parameters of his design can be chosen to resolve this problem. With this, though, the modified Gehan designs have operating characteristics similar to the more familiar Simon designs.

CONCLUSIONS

The trial design settings in which Gehan's design will be preferable over Simon's designs are likely limited. Provided the second stage sample sizes are chosen carefully, however, one scenario of potential utility is when the trial's primary goal is to ascertain the treatment response rate to a certain precision.

Poly (lactic acid) blends: Processing, properties and applications

Poly (lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA) is a commercial biobased, biodegradable, biocompatible, compostable and non-toxic polymer that has competitive material and processing costs and desirable mechanical properties. Thereby, it can be considered favorably for biomedical applications and as the most promising substitute for petroleum-based polymers in a wide range of commodity and engineering applications. However, PLA has some significant shortcomings such as low melt strength, slow crystallization rate, poor processability, high brittleness, low toughness, and low service temperature, which limit its applications. To overcome these limitations, blending PLA with other polymers is an inexpensive approach that could also tailor the final properties of PLA-based products. During the last two decades, researchers investigated the synthesis, processing, properties, and development of various PLA-based blend systems including miscible blends of poly l-lactide (PLLA) and poly d-lactide (PDLA), which generate stereocomplex crystals, binary immiscible/miscible blends of PLA with other thermoplastics, multifunctional ternary blends using a third polymer or fillers such as nanoparticles, as well as PLA-based blend foam systems. This article reviews all these investigations and compares the syntheses/processing-morphology-properties interrelationships in PLA-based blends developed so far for various applications.

Locally optimal designs for some binary dose-response models

In this paper, we consider the problem of seeking locally optimal designs for nonlinear dose-response models with binary outcomes. Applying the theory of Tchebycheff Systems and other algebraic tools, we show that the locally D-, A-, and c-optimal designs for three binary dose-response models are minimally supported in finite, closed design intervals. The methods to obtain such designs are presented along with examples. The efficiencies of these designs are also discussed.

Composite edible films and coatings from food-grade biopolymers

The development of edible films and coatings from food-grade biopolymers has advanced significantly during the past decade. The current state-of-the-art lies in the formulation of composite edible films and coatings from such biomolecules. Composite films and coatings refer to systems where multiple biopolymers have been combined to achieve beneficial properties. Carbohydrate, protein, and lipids have been preferred for developing such systems. Binary films and coatings have been prepared from multiple combinations including protein-protein, carbohydrate-carbohydrate and protein-carbohydrate. Similarly, ternary films and coatings have been prepared from protein-protein-carbohydrate combinations. In addition, several active ingredients including antimicrobial compounds have been loaded to these systems for the preparation of functional films and coatings. Therefore, the goal of this manuscript is to review the multitude of composite systems that are currently available for food packaging purposes. In addition, we discuss the application of composite coatings to fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and seafood as model food systems.

Single, simultaneous and consecutive biosorption of Cr(VI) and Orange II onto chemically modified masau stones

Novel and low cost chemically modified masau stone (CMMS) was investigated for its biosorption of an anionic azo dye, Orange II (OII), and toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous systems: individually, simultaneously and consecutively. XPS and FTIR analyses indicated the introduction of quaternary-Nitrogen to the CMMS surface after activation with epichlorohydrin (etherifying agent) and diethylenetriamine (crosslinking agent). The effects of pH, contact time and initial concentration (C_o), and loading order on mechanisms of biosorption/reduction of OII and Cr(VI) onto CMMS were examined in detail. Several analytical techniques were employed to characterise the physio-chemical properties of the CMMS and determine the biosorption mechanisms. The pseudo second order and redox models were able to adequately predict the kinetics of biosorption. The Langmuir maximum OII biosorption capacity (q_max) was calculated as 136.8 mg/g for the dye onto the Cr(VI)-loaded CMMS consecutive system at C_o = 100 mg/dm³. The q_max for the Cr(VI) system was found to be 87.32 mg/g at the same C_o max. This reveals that the biosorption of OII and Cr(VI) mainly takes place via two different mechanisms i.e. hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction for the dye, and biosorption-coupled reduction for Cr(VI).

Instrumental variable methods for a binary outcome were used to informatively address noncompliance in a randomized trial in surgery

Objectives

Randomization can be used as an instrumental variable (IV) to account for unmeasured confounding when seeking to assess the impact of noncompliance with treatment allocation in a randomized trial. We present and compare different methods to calculate the treatment effect on a binary outcome as a rate ratio in a randomized surgical trial.

Study Design and Setting

The effectiveness of peeling versus not peeling the internal limiting membrane of the retina as part of the surgery for a full thickness macular hole. We compared the IV-based estimates (nonparametric causal bound and two-stage residual inclusion approach [2SRI]) with standard treatment effect measures (intention to treat, per protocol and treatment received [TR]). Compliance was defined in two ways (initial and up to the time point of interest). Poisson regression was used for the model-based approaches with robust standard errors to calculate the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Results were similar for 1-month macular hole status across methods. For 3- and 6-month macular hole status, nonparametric causal bounds provided a narrower range of uncertainty than other methods, though still had substantial imprecision. For 3-month macular hole status, the TR estimate was substantially different from the other point estimates.

Conclusion

Nonparametric causal bound approaches are a useful addition to an IV estimation approach, which tend to have large levels of uncertainty. Methods which allow RRs to be calculated when addressing noncompliance in randomized trials exist and may be superior to standard estimates. Further research is needed to explore the properties of different IV methods in a broad range of randomized controlled trial scenarios.

A binary representation of the genetic code

This article introduces a novel binary representation of the canonical genetic code based on both the structural similarities of the nucleotides, as well as the physicochemical properties of the encoded amino acids. Each of the four mRNA bases is assigned a unique 2-bit identifier, so that the 64 triplet codons are each indexed by a 6-bit label. The ordering of the bits reflects the hierarchical organization manifested by the DNA replication/repair and tRNA translation systems. In this system, transition and transversion mutations are naturally expressed as binary operations, and the severities of the different point mutations can be analyzed. Using a principal component analysis, it is shown that the physicochemical properties of amino acids related to protein folding also correlate with certain bit positions of their respective labels. Thus, the likelihood for a point mutation to be conservative, and less likely to cause a change in protein functionality, can be estimated.

Experimental design and modeling of ultrasound assisted simultaneous adsorption of cationic dyes onto ZnS: Mn-NPs-AC from binary mixture

The manganese impregnated zinc sulfide nanoparticles deposited on activated carbon (ZnS: Mn-NPs-AC) which fully was synthesized and characterized successfully applied for simultaneous removal of malachite green and methylene blue in binary situation. The effects of variables such as pH (2.0-10.0), sonication time (1-5min), adsorbent mass (0.005-0.025g) and MB and MG concentration (4-20mgL(-1)) on their removal efficiency was studied dy central composite design (CCD) to correlate dyes removal percentage to above mention variables that guides amongst the maximum influence was seen by changing the sonication time and adsorbent mass. Sonication time, adsorbent mass and pH in despite of dyes concentrations has positive relation with removal percentage. Multiple regression analysis of the experimental results is associated with 3-D response surface and contour plots that guide setting condition at pH of 7.0, 3min sonication time, 0.025g Mn: ZnS-NPs-AC and 15mgL(-1) of MB and MG lead to achievement of removal efficiencies of 99.87% and 98.56% for MG and MB, respectively. The pseudo-second-order model as best choice efficiency describe the dyes adsorption behavior, while MG and MB maximum adsorption capacity according to Langmuir was 202.43 and 191.57mgg(-1).

Influence of the cooling rate and the blend ratio on the physical stability of co-amorphous naproxen/indomethacin

Co-amorphization represents a promising approach to increase the physical stability and dissolution rate of amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) as an alternative to polymer glass solutions. For amorphous and co-amorphous systems, it is reported that the preparation method and the blend ratio play major roles with regard to the resulting physical stability. Therefore, in the present study, co-amorphous naproxen-indomethacin (NAP/IND) was prepared by melt-quenching at three different cooling rates and at ten different NAP/IND blend ratios. The samples were analyzed using XRPD and FTIR, both directly after preparation and during storage to investigate their physical stabilities. All cooling methods led to fully amorphous samples, but with significantly different physical stabilities. Samples prepared by fast cooling had a higher degree of crystallinity after 300d of storage than samples prepared by intermediate cooling and slow cooling. Intermediate cooling was subsequently used to prepare co-amorphous NAP/IND at different blend ratios. In a previous study, it was postulated that the equimolar (0.5:0.5) co-amorphous blend of NAP/IND is most stable. However, in the present study the physically most stable blend was found for a NAP/IND ratio of 0.6:0.4, which also represents the eutectic composition of the crystalline NAP/γ-IND system. This indicates that the eutectic point may be of major importance for the stability of binary co-amorphous systems. Slight deviations from the optimal naproxen molar fraction led to significant recrystallization during storage. Either naproxen or γ-indomethacin recrystallized until a naproxen molar fraction of about 0.6 in the residual co-amorphous phase was reached again. In conclusion, the physical stability of co-amorphous NAP/IND may be significantly improved, if suitable preparation conditions and the optimal phase composition are chosen.

A novel pure component contribution algorithm (PCCA) for extracting components' contribution from severely overlapped signals; an application to UV-spectrophotometric data

A novel, simple and accurate algorithm capable of extracting the contribution of each component from a mixture signal where the components are completely overlapped was developed. It is based on the development of a coded function which eliminates the signal of interfering components using mean centering as a processing tool; finally the pure contribution of each component is extracted. The algorithm allows the determination of each component as a single one. It was validated by the use of simulated data set of three overlapped signals and tested against simulated random noise. Two fit values were developed and calculated for optimization, one to test that that the absorptivity values of the extracted spectra are within the confidence limits of the slope and the other is the correlation between the pure and extracted spectra. It has been successfully applied to real UV data of binary mixture of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol and ternary mixture of Amiloride hydrochloride, Atenolol and Hydrochlorothiazide in tablets and capsules, respectively. The results were compared to previously reported separation method and no significant difference was found regarding both accuracy and precision.