Background: Bilastine is a non-sedating, second-generation antihistamine used to treat urticaria and allergic conjunctivitis. Objective: to formulate and test bilastine as a mucoadhesive ophthalmic in situ gel in order to extend its presence at site for longer time and help treat conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. Methods: We prepared formulations using different concentrations of poloxamers (Poloxamer 407 (P407) and Poloxamer 188 (P188)) in combination with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). The prepared formulas were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, sol-gel transition temperature, viscosity, mucoadhesive strength, drug release, and kinetic modeling. Results: The prepared in situ gels were clear and transparent, having a pH ranging from 7.4 to 7.5 and a gelation temperature between 29.5 and 34.7 °C. Increasing the concentrations of P-407 and HPMC increased viscosity, gel strength, and mucoadhesion force, but caused a decrease in gelation temperature and drug release. Formula (F 14) containing P 407/P 188/HPMC as 19/4/0.75% w/v, respectively, exhibited favorable characteristics, including optimal gelation temperature (33°C), drug content (93%), gel strength (40 sec), mucoadhesive force (6125 dyne/cm2), and 91.4% in vitro drug release over 5 hours. Conclusions: The bilastine mucoadhesive in situ gel formulation is presented as a promising ophthalmic formulation for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
The Small Indian Mongoose
In this work, enhancement to the fluorescence characteristics of laser dye solutions hosting highly-pure titanium dioxide nanoparticles as random gain media. This was achieved by coating two opposite sides of the cells containing these media with nanostructured thin films of highly-pure titanium dioxide. Two laser dyes; Rhodamine B and Coumarin 102, were used to prepare solutions in hexanol and methanol, respectively, as hosts for the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles and thin films were prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering technique. The enhancement was observed by the narrowing of fluorescence linewidth as well as by increasing the fluorescence intensity. These parameters were compared to those of the dye only and the dye solution
... Show MoreThis article presents the results of an experimental investigation of using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets to enhance the behavior of reinforced concrete deep beams with large web openings in shear spans. A set of 18 specimens were fabricated and tested up to a failure to evaluate the structural performance in terms of cracking, deformation, and load-carrying capacity. All tested specimens were with 1500-mm length, 500-mm cross-sectional deep, and 150-mm wide. Parameters that studied were opening size, opening location, and the strengthening factor. Two deep beams were implemented as control specimens without opening and without strengthening. Eight deep beams were fabricated with openings but without strengthening, while
... Show MoreThis study aims to identify the level of quality of Islamic banking services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also investigates the importance of the various dimensions of the quality of banking services. The sample of the study included 69 clients of Al Rajhi Bank and Al-Bilad Bank. The study concluded that the overall level quality of services that Islamic banking offer is high. However, their relative importance varies from one dimension to another. The security, confidence and physical aspects are very high which this is a good point. On the other hand, the application aspects do not get the same importance. These aspects include the customer's wishes, helping them to improve the services offered to them,
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