Research Title: Investigating the molecular structure of placenta and plasma in pre-eclampsia by infrared microspectroscopy

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 184

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious hypertensive disorder with unclear etiology and lack of reliable diagnostic tests. In this study, IR microspectroscopy was applied to identify molecular changes associated with the pathogenesis of PE in placental tissues and plasma samples from pre-eclamptic women and normotensive matched controls. The obtained spectra were analyzed by multivariate analysis in the spectral ranges of 3050–2800 cm−1 and 1855–1485 cm−1 corresponding to lipid and protein-carbonyl components, respectively. In the lipid region, an increase in CH2/CH3 ratio was noticed and higher level of unsaturation index in placenta was evident. New lipid species emerged as a consequence of oxidative stress. The more intense peak at 1740 cm−1 in PE reflected higher level of LDL and VLDL. In the protein region, a decrease in the α-helix structure associated with gain in β-sheet and β-turn structures was detected. Our results revealed significant conformational changes in the protein secondary structure in PE illustrated by peak shifts and intensity alterations, particularly in amide I component. Variations in lipid order, membrane integrity, fatty acid saturation and plasma lipid profile were also detected in PE. The ROC curve generated from plasma samples yielded AUC values of 98.4% and 99.9% for lipid and protein-carbonyl regions, respectively. The current study shed light on the promising role of IR microspectroscopy as a new analytical tool that can aid in providing better diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiology of PE.

Keywords: Pre-eclampsia; Placenta; Plasma; IR microspectroscopy; Oxidative stress; PCA

Research Title: Legal Bases for Distinguishing Administrative Contracts: A Comparative Study

Author: Moayd Husni Al-Kawaldah, Published Year: 2020

British Journal of Science, Vol. 18 (2)

Faculty: Law

Abstract: Litigation is a constitutional right that upholds the rights of individuals, and the nature of the relationship between individuals and jurisdiction is considered a legal relationship where the competent authority is the judge in this dispute. The significance of this research lies in distinguishing between administrative contracts and other contracts through practical reality and court decisions. It is noticed that many lawyers regard administrative contracts as the competence of the administrative judiciary when a dispute is related to administrative contract and consequently, the court dismisses the case as a form of lack of jurisdiction. In addition, the administrative contract gives the administration legal status that is greater than a contractor, and it also gives the administration broad advantages to attaining the public interest. Therefore, the researcher has sought to address this issue through two major topics, the first topic: The theory of the administrative contract, including the definition of the administrative contract and the emergence of the administrative contract. The second topic: the elements of the administrative contract and the standard that distinguish it from other types of contracts.One the most important findings is that Jordan does not consider that administrative contracts are the prerogative of the administrative judiciary, unlike France, Egypt and Iraq. Considering the research results, the researcher recommended, the necessity of extending the scope of the jurisdiction of the administrative courts like those of French courts and not to segregate any administrative issue or administrative contract from the jurisdiction of the administrative courts. In case of the contractor with the administration and not for the administration itself.

Keywords: Administrative contract, Legal person, public interest, administrative judiciary

Research Title: The Crime of Committing Acts of Indecency Using Social Media

Author: Moayd Husni Al-Kawaldah, Published Year: 2020

British Journal of Science, 18

Faculty: Law

Abstract: The crime of acts of indecency committed by using social media sites is a new type of crime that differs from the traditional crime of acts of indecency, as the major difference includes the specific competence of the major criminal court and the presence of physical contact between the offender and the victim. While the crime of acts of indecency is committed through social media sites with the absence of physical contact between the offender and the victim. This type of crime is usually conducted by publishing images or videos through WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other means of communication which abuse the victim. These social media are considered the means of committing this type of crime, which rise these questions: Is this type of crime subject to the jurisdiction of the High Criminal Court? And since it was committed through an electronic means, what is the law that it is subject to? Is it the penal law or the Cybercrime Law? This research aims to clarify this legal subject in a simple and clear way. The results of the research indicated that the traditional crime of indecent assault “sexual offence” differed from the crimes of indecent assault committed by using the social media in terms of the used means of conducting the offence. The recommendations of the research included adding the following text in the Jordanian Cybercrime Law: The first paragraph " Anyone who intentionally publishes or sends through the information network images or video clips of a male or female and these images violate the honor of the victim, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not less than three years or by a fine of not less than (40.000) four thousand Dinars. The second paragraph includes constituting a judicial body in the High Criminal Court consisting of three judges to pass judgment on crimes of indecent acts.

Keywords: Acts of indecency, social media, cybercrime, physical elements, moral elements.

Research Title: Elucidation of penetration enhancement mechanism of Emu oil using FTIR microspectroscopy at EMIRA laboratory of SESAME synchrotron.

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2017

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 185

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: It has been proposed that Emu oil possesses skin permeation-enhancing effect. This study aimed to address its possible penetration enhancement mechanism(s) using IR microscopy, in accordance with LPP theory. The penetration of Emu oil through the layers of human skin was accomplished by monitoring oil-IR characteristic feature at 3006 cm−1. The unsaturated components of Emu oil accumulated at about 270 μm depth of skin surface. The interaction of Emu oil with lipid and protein constituents of SC was investigated in comparison with a commonly used enhancer, IPM. Inter-sample spectral differences were identified using PCA and linked with possible enhancement mechanisms. Emu oil treatment caused a change in the slope of the right contour ofamide I band of the protein spectral range. This was also clear in the second derivative spectrawhere theemergence of a newshoulder at higher frequencywas evident, suggesting disorganization of keratinα-helix structure. This effect could be a result of disruption of some hydrogen bonds inwhich amide C=O andN-H groups of keratin are involved. The low intensity of the emerged shoulder is also in agreement with formation of weaker hydrogen bonds. IPM did not affect the protein component. No conclusions regarding the effect of penetration enhancers on the SC lipids were obtained. This was due to the overlap of the endogenous (skin) and exogenous (oil) CH stretching and scissoring frequencies. The SC carbonyl stretching peak disappeared as a result of IPM treatment which may reflect some degree of lipid extraction.

Keywords: Emu oil

Research Title: Role of Amorphous State in Drug Delivery

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2018

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: This chapter is dedicated to explain the bases, means, and problems for application of amorphous solid forms in pharmaceutical formulations. Glass transition and related topics, in addition to the pharmaceutical significance of amorphous state, including solubility and functionality enhancement are discussed. Different amorphous form stabilization techniques are also represented. The concept, bases and preparation methods of amorphous solid dispersions are discussed in details. Characterization of amorphicity, using thermal, spectroscopic and microscopic methods among others, is also emphasized. Illustrative examples are included to contextualize the chapter. At the end, some case studies of amorphous preparations are explored to show the practical applicability of amorphous active ingredients.

Keywords: Amorphous, crystalline, glass transition, fragility, molecular mobility, solubility, dissolution, amorphous solid dispersion, solvent-free methods, solvent-based methods, polymeric carriers, thermal analysis, spectroscopic analysis, novobiocin, melt extruded tablets, insulin suspension.

Research Title: Formulation and evaluation of diclofenac controlled release matrix tablets made of HPMC and Poloxamer 188 polymer: An assessment on mechanism of drug release

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2018

Pak. J. Pharm. Sci, 31

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: In this study, hydrophilic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrices with various concentrations of Poloxamer 188 were used in the development of oral controlled release tablets containing diclofenac sodium. Four formulations of hydrophilic matrix tablets containing 16.7% w/w HPMC and 0, 6.7, 16.7 and 25.0% w/w Poloxamer 188, respectively, were developed. Tablets were prepared by direct compression and characterized for diameter, hardness, thickness, weight and uniformity of content. The influence of various blends of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Poloxamer 188 on the in vitro dissolution profile and mechanism of drug release of was investigated. In the four formulations, the rate of drug release decreased with increasing the concentration of Poloxamer 188 at the initial dissolution stages due to the increase in the apparent viscosity of the gel diffusion layer. However, in the late dissolution stages, the rate of drug release increased with increasing Poloxamer 188 concentration due to the increase in wettability and dissolution of the matrix. The kinetic of drug release from the tablets followed non-Fickian mechanism, as predicted by Korsmeyer-Peppas model, which involves diffusion through the gel layer and erosion of the matrix system.

Keywords: Poloxamer 188, iclofenac sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, dissolution rate, controlled release

Research Title: Preparation and Physicochemical Characterization of Atorvastatin Choline Salt and its Potential for Transdermal Permeation

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2020

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) is an anti-hyperlipidemic agent with poor bioavailability. Several approaches were reported to improve the solubility of ATV. In this study ATV was prepared as a choline salt (ATV-C) and a complex of the prepared salt with hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) (ATV-C-CD) hoping to enhance ATV solubility, decrease the partition coefficient and improve its transdermal permeability. The pharmaceutical properties of the products were investigated. The prepared salts were characterized by FTIR, NMR and DSC, UV and HPLC. 2D NMR was successfully employed to unequivocally assign the protons of ATV, which was essential for better understanding of the structure of the formed salt. ATV-C showed higher solubility in phosphate buffer than ATV. Its log Po/phosphate buffer was found to be 1.1 while that for ATV 1.78. This change had an effect on the transdermal permeation where the ATV-C compound achieved a 4 times greater diffusion compared to ATV. Interestingly, ATV-C seemed to cause a tighter fitting of the drug into the HPβCD cavity leading to higher binding constant. However, the ATV-C-CD complex showed a negative effect on transdermal permeation

Keywords: atorvastatin, bioavailability, transdermal, Log P

Research Title: Genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders in 103 Jordanian families

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2020

Clinical Genetics, 97

Faculty: Science

Abstract: We recruited 103 families from Jordan with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and patterns of inheritance mostly suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance. In each family, we investigated at least one affected individual using exome sequencing and an in‐house diagnostic variant interpretation pipeline including a search for copy number variation. This approach led us to identify the likely molecular defect in established disease genes in 37 families. We could identify 25 pathogenic nonsense and 11 missense variants as well as 3 pathogenic CNVs and one repeat expansion. Notably, 11 of the disease‐causal variants occurred de novo. In addition, we prioritized a homozygous frameshift variant in PUS3 in two sisters with intellectual disability. To our knowledge, PUS3 has been postulated only recently as a candidate disease gene for intellectual disability in a single family with three affected siblings. Our findings provide additional evidence to establish loss of PUS3 function as a cause of intellectual disability.

Keywords: exome sequencing, Jordan, neurodevelopmental disorder, PUS3

Research Title: Chapter 6 - Influence of Drug Properties and Routes of Drug Administration on the Design of Controlled Release System, IN Dosage Form Design Considerations Volume i Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research 2018, Pages 179-223

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2018

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: To achieve therapeutic drug concentration is not a major task, rather maintaining that concentration for the desired period is clinically more important and is a demanding area of drug delivery science. However, the design of controlled release formulations requires many factors to be considered such as drug delivery rate, delivery duration, physicochemical properties of the drug, nature of excipients, the route of administration, and the dosing interval etc. The objective of the chapter is to provide a complete understanding of several physicochemical properties of the drug that ultimately influence the performance of drug molecule. The chapter includes various aspects of designing controlled release formulations which includes rationale of design, drug properties (molecular weight, pH, pKa, etc.), pharmacokinetic aspects (absorption, distribution, etc.), pharmacodynamic aspects (dosing interval/frequency, patient condition, etc.), and route of drug administration (oral, transdermal, parenteral, etc.).

Keywords: Drug properties, controlled release, delivery system, routes of administration, patented CRS, pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics, patient compliance

Research Title: Chapter 15 - Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Metal Nanoparticles, IN Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research , Pages 527-612

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The most emerging branch of science during the last decade is nanoscience and nanotechnology. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have a great role in many scientific fields such as medicine, physics, mechanics, pharmaceutics, and others. In the last few years, scientists found great potential in metal NPs synthesis and applications and even used different spectroscopic or microscopic characterization methods. This book chapter covers the concept behind metal NPs, the advantages and role of metal NPs in pharmaceutical systems, and will focus on the synthetic methods for the production of different metal NPs by using physical, chemical, and biological approaches; allied characterization techniques including spectroscopic, microscopic, and physiochemical techniques; and the applications in medical technology of metal NPs including applications in drug, protein, peptide, and gene delivery; tissue engineering; enzymology; surface coating; biosensing devices; diagnostics and theranostics; in addition to many other applications, concluding with metal NPs’ future potential.

Keywords: Metal nanoparticlesgold NPssilver NPsiron NPscopper NPsselenium NPssulfur NPsplatinum NPsbimetallic NPs synthesis approachesnanoparticles characterizationnanoparticles applications