In the absence of N-cadherin, beta-catenin levels were reduced, b

In the absence of N-cadherin, beta-catenin levels were reduced, but numbers of excitatory synapses were Linsitinib unchanged, and there was no impact on number or shape of dendrites or spines. However, the composition of synaptic molecules was altered. Levels of GluA1 and its scaffolding protein PSD95 were diminished and the density of immunolabeled puncta was decreased, without effects on other glutamate receptors and their scaffolding proteins. Additionally, loss of N-cadherin at excitatory synapses triggered increases in the density of markers for inhibitory synapses and decreased severity of hippocampal seizures. Finally,

adult mutant mice were profoundly impaired in hippocampal-dependent memory for spatial episodes. These results demonstrate a novel function for the N-cadherin/beta-catenin complex in regulating ionotropic receptor composition of excitatory synapses, an appropriate balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic

proteins and the maintenance of neural circuitry necessary to generate flexible yet persistent cognitive and synaptic function. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Purpose To report a case series of three patients with bilateral uveal effusion syndrome (UES), treated conservatively with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and topical prostaglandin analogues (PAs). Methods Three patients with bilateral UES were treated with the same initial therapy. Topical PA latanoprost 0.005% and acetazolamide 250 mg were administered in order selleck compound to reduce intraocular pressure, improve uveoscleral GSK923295 mw outflow, and facilitate resolution of uveal effusion. Results The chorioretinal detachment resolved within 3 months in two reported patients

while the third one underwent surgery on his left eye. After clinical improvement, further oral therapy with acetazolamide was stopped, while topical prostaglandins were continued for at least the next 3 months. All patients were free from recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion Although the usually recommended UES therapy is partial or full-thickness sclerectomy, our case series showed apparent resolution of chorioretinal detachment in two patients on medical therapy alone. Conservative therapy may be the first step before the standard recommended surgical approach, but further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of reported therapy.”
“The safety and tolerability of vandetanib (ZACTIMA (TM); ZD6474) plus FOLFIRI was investigated in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).\n\nPatients eligible for first- or second-line chemotherapy received once-daily oral doses of vandetanib (100 or 300 mg) plus 14-day treatment cycles of FOLFIRI.\n\nA total of 21 patients received vandetanib 100 mg (n = 11) or 300 mg (n = 10) + FOLFIRI. Combination therapy was well tolerated at both vandetanib dose levels. There were no DLTs in the vandetanib 100 mg cohort and one DLT of hypertension (CTCAE grade 3) in the 300 mg cohort.

Results were compared to 31 adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type I

Results were compared to 31 adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type I patients (DM1) and healthy controls. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that structural muscle changes correlate with age, quantitative muscle force and serum creatine kinase in both disorders. In DM2 all seven examined muscles (right masseter muscle, right and left biceps brachii, right and left forearm flexors, right rectus femoris, and left tibialis anterior muscle) showed increased mean echo selleck kinase inhibitor intensities (p <= 0.001). Atrophy

of the masseter muscle and rectus femoris were both found in 23% of DM2 patients. Muscle thickness was significantly more decreased in the elbow flexors in DM2 compared to DM1. Echo intensity sum score correlated positively with age in DM2 (r = 0.57,

p = 0.001) and negatively with muscle force (r = 0.36, p = 0.048). We conclude that all tested muscles are affected and structurally abnormal in DM2 patients. Proximal arm muscles are more affected in DM2 compared to DM1, which corresponds to clinical findings. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“Genetic variation in natural populations 5-Fluoracil concentration is a prime prerequisite allowing populations to respond to selection, but is under constant threat from forces that tend to reduce it, such as genetic drift and many types of selection. Haldane emphasized the potential importance of parasites as a driving force of genetic diversity. His theory has been taken for granted ever since, but despite numerous studies showing correlations between genetic diversity and parasitism, Haldane’s

hypothesis has rarely been tested experimentally for unambiguous support. We experimentally staged antagonistic coevolution between the host Tribolium castaneum and its natural microsporidian parasite, Nosema whitei, to test for the relative ON-01910 clinical trial importance of two separate evolutionary forces (drift and parasite-induced selection) on the maintenance of genetic variation. Our results demonstrate that coevolution with parasites indeed counteracts drift as coevolving populations had significantly higher levels of heterozygosity and allelic diversity. Genetic drift remained a strong force, strongly reducing genetic variation and increasing genetic differentiation in small populations. To our surprise, differentiation between the evolving populations was smaller when they coevolved with parasites, suggesting parallel balancing selection. Hence, our results experimentally vindicate Haldane’s original hypothesis 60 years after its conception.”
“Bufalin has been shown to induce cancer cell death through apoptotic pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we used the confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) to monitor the spatio-temporal dynamics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Bax translocation and caspase-3 activation during bufalin-induced apoptosis in living human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1) cells.

The signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma was measured at fo

The signal intensity of the hepatic parenchyma was measured at four different regions of interest (ROT) of the liver, avoiding vessels and bile ducts. Standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and

corrected CV were calculated on the histograms at the ROIs. The distributions of CVs calculated from the ROT histogram were examined and statistical analysis was carried out. Results: The CV value was 0.041 +/- 0.009 (mean CV +/- SD) in the NLF group, while that of cirrhotic group was 0.071 +/- 0.020. There were statistically significant differences in the CVs and corrected CV values between the NLF and cirrhotic groups (p smaller than 0.001). The most accurate cut-off value among CVs for distinguishing normal from cirrhotic group was 0.052 (sensitivity 83.8% and specificity 88.5%). There was no statistically significant Integrin inhibitor differences in SD between NLF and cirrhotic groups (p=0.307). Conclusion: The CV of histograms of the hepatobiliary phase on gadoxetate-enhanced MRI may be useful as a quantitative value for determining the presence of liver cirrhosis.”
“To examine the range of selective processes that

potentially operate when poorly binding STI571 Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor influenza viruses adapt to replicate more efficiently in alternative environments, we passaged a virus containing an attenuating mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) receptor binding site in mice and characterized the resulting mutants with respect to the structural locations of mutations selected, the replication

phenotypes of the viruses, and their binding properties on glycan microarrays. The initial attenuated virus had a tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutation at HA1 position 98 (Y98F), located in the receptor binding pocket, but viruses that were selected contained second-site pseudoreversion mutations in various structural locations that revealed a range of molecular mechanisms for modulating receptor binding that go beyond the scope that is generally mapped using receptor specificity mutants. A comparison of ABT-737 manufacturer virus titers in the mouse respiratory tract versus MDCK cells in culture showed that the mutants displayed distinctive replication properties depending on the system, but all were less attenuated in mice than the Y98F virus. An analysis of receptor binding properties confirmed that the initial Y98F virus bound poorly to several different species of erythrocytes, while all mutants reacquired various degrees of hemagglutination activity. Interestingly, both the Y98F virus and pseudoreversion mutants were shown to bind very inefficiently to standard glycan microarrays containing an abundance of binding substrates for most influenza viruses that have been characterized to date, provided by the Consortium for Functional Glycomics.

Results: Better wound stability was found in conjunction with

\n\nResults: Better wound stability was found in conjunction with all profiled trephinations. When using 4 interrupted sutures, wound leakage occurred at a median of 13.0 cm H2O (mean, 12.3 cm H2O) and “zero overlap,” at 19.0 cm H2O (mean, 20.8 cm H2O) and 1-mm overlap, at 32.0 cm H2O (mean, 32.8 cm H2O) and 2-mm overlap, and at 48.5 cm H2O (mean, 49.4 cm H2O) and 3-mm overlap. Comparing zero overlap with the mean values of 1- to 3-mm see more overlaps, wound leakage happened at 13.0 (mean, 12.3) versus 32.0 (mean, 34.3) cm H2O with 4 interrupted sutures, at 57.5 (mean, 58.3) versus 61.0 (mean,

70.8) cm H2O with 8 interrupted sutures, at 31.5 (mean, 32.0) versus >97.0 (mean, 75.5) cm H2O with 1 running and

4 interrupted sutures, and at 34.0 (mean, 32.3) versus 80.0 (mean, 69.9) cm H2O with 1 running suture. The analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant increase in wound stability for all overlaps independently from the size of the overlap.\n\nConclusions: Femtosecond laser-assisted profiles with even small overlaps for penetrating keratoplasty may make selleck kinase inhibitor fewer sutures and earlier suture removal possible because of better wound stability, contributing to earlier visual recovery and helping to prevent wound rupture after trauma. However, further study is required to identify the optimum profile including the various technical parameters.”
“In the present article we describe a facile biosynthetic method for the silver nanoparticles highlighting myconanotechnology and its antimicrobial efficacy. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourior transform infrared (FTIR) Ricolinostat spectroscopy. These methods allow validating the spherical nature of the produced nanoparticles ranging from 30 nm to similar to 90 nm in size. The crystallinity

of the nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD. The probable mechanistic aspect for the mycogenesis of the silver nanoparticles are also evaluated which would facilitate for several industrial applications based on potential antimicrobials.”
“An unconventional reagent, tetraphenylphosphonium bromide, was employed as a phenyl source in the direct transformation of aromatic aldehydes to the corresponding phenyl esters under oxidative N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. The phenyl esters were obtained in moderate yields under mild and organocatalytic conditions.”
“The possibility to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders is strongly limited by the poor access of many therapeutic agent to the target tissues. This is mainly due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by a complex interplay of endothelial cells, astrocyte and pericytes, through which only selected molecules can passively diffuse to reach CNS.

Results:

\n\nResults: mTOR inhibitor Spectral pre-processing to remove precursor peaks and their associated neutral losses prior to protein sequence library searches resulted in a 9.8% increase in peptide identifications at a 1% False Discovery Rate [FDR] compared to previous OMSSA filter. Modifications to the OMSSA noise filter to accommodate various ion-types resulted in a further 4.2% increase in peptide identifications at 1% FDR. Moreover, ETD spectra when searched with charge states obtained from the precursor charge determination algorithm is shown to be

up to 3.5 times faster than the general range search method, with a minor 3.8% increase in sensitivity.\n\nConclusion: Overall, there is an 18.8% increase in peptide identifications at 1% FDR by incorporating the new precursor filter, noise filter and by using the charge determination algorithm, when compared to previous versions of OMSSA.”
“beta-Substitued-meso-tetraphenylporphyrins with 5,10-dioxobenzo[g]- or 5,6-dioxobenzo[h]chromene, pyrano[3,2-c]coumarin and benzopyran moieties and the corresponding Zn(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were studied by

electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). These heterocyclic moieties have well established pharmacological activities and as such the introduction of these motifs into the p-pyrrolic position of the porphyrin macrocycle can alter the properties of the macrocycle and can produce new molecules with dual functions. The free base and Zn(II) complexes

showed, in the ESI-MS spectra, the [M+H](+) ions while the Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes showed the M+center dot ions. The [M+H](+) and M+center dot ions were CBL0137 induced to fragment and the corresponding ESI tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) were analyzed. The main fragmentation mechanism occurs in general via the retro hetero-Diels Alder pathway Screening Library while unexpected fragmentations or rearrangements were observed principally with the Zn(II) complexes. The analysis of the fragmentation pattern of all complexes indicates that the presence or absence of the carbonyl function in the beta-substituent led to the formation of secondary fragments. The differentiation of the isomers 2a and 2b was only possible by comparison of their MS/MS spectra. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The aim of this study was to characterize the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) isoforms in rabbit masticatory muscles compared with those in fast-twitch muscle. It was hypothesized that combined expression of the SERCA isoforms in fast-and slow-twitch muscles accounts for lower Ca-ATPase activity. SERCA was isolated by differential centrifugation, the isoforms were determined by ELISA, and the activity of each isoform was measured using a colorimetric method. Activity was tested for significance by ANOVA, and the distribution of isoforms was assessed using the chi-square test (P smaller than 0.05) and correlated to SERCA activity using Spearman’s rank correlation.

We observed magnet displacement in two female children from the s

We observed magnet displacement in two female children from the same family and in one male child. Age at implantation was 23, 51, and 24 months, respectively. Magnet displacement occurred at 37, 16, and 32 months, respectively after the

initial surgery. The magnets were replaced under general anaesthesia and we did not observe recurrent magnet dislodgement. Measurements indicated that forces required to remove the magnet from its pocket were not greater than those YM155 cost exerted by magnetic toys or the magnet used in the external sender coil. Although magnet displacement is not common after cochlear implantation, it is a major complication in children where subsequent general anaesthesia and surgery are necessary to replace the magnet. Therefore, we propose that pockets for removable magnets of cochlear CBL0137 nmr implants used in children should be redesigned to increase forces to remove the magnet or that removable magnets not be used at all.”
“This study study used off-line repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to examine the roles of the superior parietal lobule (SPL) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in a deductive reasoning task. Subjects performed a categorical syllogistic reasoning task involving congruent, incongruent, and

abstract trials. Twenty four subjects received magnetic stimulation to the SPL region prior to the task. In the other 24 subjects. TMS was administered to the IFG region before the task. Stimulation lasted for 10 PD173074 price min, with an interpulse frequency of 1 Hz. We found that bilateral SPL (Brodmann area (BA) 7) stimulation disrupted performance on abstract and incongruent reasoning. Left IFG (BA 45) stimulation impaired congruent reasoning performance while paradoxically facilitating incongruent reasoning performance. This resulted in the elimination of the belief-bias. In contrast, right IFG stimulation only impaired incongruent reasoning performance, thus enhancing the belief-bias effect. These findings are largely consistent with the dual-process theory of reasoning, which proposes the existence of two different human reasoning systems: a belief-based heuristic

system; and a logic-based analytic system. The present findings suggest that the left language-related IFG (BA 45) may correspond to the heuristic system, while bilateral SPL may underlie the analytic system. The right IFG may play a role in blocking the belief-based heuristic system for solving incongruent reasoning trials. This study could offer an insight about functional roles of distributed brain systems in human deductive reasoning by utilizing the rTMS approach. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Chickpea seeds of Pusa 1053 (Mediterranean) and Pusa 256 (native) were magnetoprimed with 100 mT static magnetic field for 1 h to evaluate the effect of magnetopriming on germination of seeds under saline conditions.

548T -> C had significant effects on growth traits Body lengt

548T -> C had significant effects on growth traits. Body length and body length index were significantly higher in individuals with genotype TT than CC and CT in (P < 0.05). TT individuals also tended to have better performance in other traits, such as body height and chest circumference,

although there were no statistical differences (P > 0.05). This suggests that GHSR is a strong candidate gene that affects growth traits in goats.”
“Background: In addition to physical adaptation and psychosocial adjustment to chronic renal disease, learn more hemodialysis (HD) patients must also adapt to dialysis therapy plan.\n\nObjectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Roy’s adaptation model-based patient education on adaptation of HD patients.\n\nPatients and Methods: This study is a semi-experimental research that was conducted with the participation of all patients with end-stage renal disease referred to the dialysis unit of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of

Yasuj city, 2010. A total of 59 HD patients were randomly allocated to two groups of test and control. Data were collected by a questionnaire based on the Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM). Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were approved. Patient LY2835219 manufacturer education was determined by eight one-hour sessions over eight weeks. At the end of the education plan, the patients were given an educational booklet containing the main points of self-care for HD patients. The effectiveness of education plan was assessed two months after plan completion and data were compared with the pre-education scores. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS software KPT-8602 in vivo (version 16) through descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation, t-test, ANOVA and ANCOVA tests.\n\nResults: The results showed significant differences in the mean scores of physiological and self-concept models between the test and control groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03 respectively). Also a statistical difference (P = 0.04) was observed in the mean scores of the role

function mode of both groups. There was no significant difference in the mean scores of interdependence modes between the two groups.\n\nConclusions: RAM based patient education could improve the patients’ adaptation in physiologic and self-concept modes. In addition to suggesting further research in this area, nurses are recommended to pay more attention in applying RAM in dialysis centers.”
“A newborn presented to genetics with complex skeletal abnormalities, joint contractures, and bilateral corneal clouding with sclerocornea. The patient survived for 8 months before succumbing to respiratory failure. Exome sequencing revealed a compound heterozygous mutation in theB3GALT6gene. Mutations in this gene have been associated with both Ehlers- Danlos syndrome, progeroid type 2 and spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity type 1. These diagnoses encompass the skeletal and joint findings.

Six hundred thirty-eight Caucasian patients under the age of 51 w

Six hundred thirty-eight Caucasian patients under the age of 51 with confirmed primary lung cancer and 1,300 cancer free control individuals, matched by age and sex, were included in this analysis. Seventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms and two deletion polymorphisms were genotyped. No significant association was found for any of the analyzed polymorphisms and overall lung cancer risk. Nonsignificantly decreased risk of lung cancer was observed for carriers of 1 or 2 copies of GSTM1. Subgroup analysis revealed Selleckchem CH5183284 gender- and/or smoking-specific effects of EPHX1 rs2854455 (IV-1464C > T) and rs2234922 (His139Arg),

GSTT1 deletion, GSTP1 rs1695 (Ile105Val), rs947895 (+991C > A) and rs4891 (Ser185Ser) and NQO1 rs1800566 (Pro187Ser) polymorphisms. However, none of the observed effects were confirmed by interaction tests nor were they significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In summary, our study suggested a modifying effect of polymorphisms in EPHX1, GSTP1, GSTT1, GSTM1 and NQO1 genes on the risk of early-onset lung cancer. To confirm these observations and to eliminate possible bias in our analyses, larger studies are warranted.”
“We encountered a case of limited-disease

small cell lung cancer with episodic syncope. The frequency of the syncopal attacks increased with the increase in the tumor size, thus a relationship was suspected to exist between the SCLC and syncope. Syncope was evaluated by history taking, 24-hour ECG monitoring, and coronary angiography. As orthostatic hypotension and cardiac Pevonedistat order disease could be excluded, we finally diagnosed this case as neurally mediated syncope. Serum tests for anti-Hu and anti-Yo antibodies

were negative. A temporary pacemaker was inserted for sick sinus syndrome. This patient showed good response to the chemotherapy. No further syncopal attacks were observed after the second course of chemotherapy. Here, in addition we https://www.selleckchem.com/products/lazertinib-yh25448-gns-1480.html review four cases of SCLC with episodic syncope. Interestingly, in all cases, the tumor was located in the left hilum in close vicinity of the afferent vagal nerve (C-fibers) and mechano-receptor. Therefore, we thought that the mechanism underlying the syncope was mechano-receptor hypersensitivity.”
“Background: Copy number variations (CNVs) and polymorphisms (CNPs) have only recently gained the genetic community’s attention. Conservative estimates have shown that CNVs and CNPs might affect more than 10% of the genome and that they may be at least as important as single nucleotide polymorphisms in assessing human variability. Widely used tools for CNP analysis have been implemented in Birdsuite and PLINK for the purpose of conducting genetic association studies based on the unpartitioned total number of CNP copies provided by the intensities from Affymetrix’s Genome-Wide Human SNP Array.

0 (1)degrees In the crystal,

0 (1)degrees. In the crystal, Selleck Selonsertib molecules are linked into chains propagating along the c axis by intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds and the chains are arranged in layers parallel to (100).”
“South Africa’s rate of tuberculosis (TB) has increased over the last 20 years, to now having the third-highest TB burden in the world. The TB control programme has primarily focused on effective case management of passively presenting TB cases, and progress has been recorded towards international treatment targets. While outcomes for notified TB cases have improved, this strategy failed to contain the TB epidemic. South Africa has the highest per capita annual risk of

TB disease of comparably sized countries globally, and its communities have extremely high TB transmission rates. The rates of TB infection of children and adolescents are now similar to those reported 100 years ago in Europe long before chemotherapy became available. High rates of HIV testing of TB patients in Cape Town allows analysis of TB notification data stratified by age, type of TB and HIV status, and a better understanding of TB epidemiology. TB infection prevalence data from Cape Town communities allow estimation of the prevailing force of TB infection and, together with TB notification and prevalence data, the effective number of secondary infections and case finding proportions can be estimated. This better understanding of the

major Selleckchem SHP099 drivers of the TB epidemic allows reasons to be identified for failure of the present strategy. New control strategies Entinostat can also be identified, that must be accompanied

by novel TB control targets.”
“During recent years, it has been recognized that sub-optimum vitamin D-status, often defined as decrease of PTH concentrations in response to supplementation of vitamin D, is a very widespread finding with potential health effects on a population level. As a consequence, there is a continuously increasing interest in the laboratory-based assessment of the vitamin D status, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D as the most widely used analyte. However; there is a number of challenges in the characterization of the individual vitamin D status that are addressed in this article; they include analytical issues of 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement; interpretation of results; development of guidelines for rational indication for laboratory testing; and evaluation of the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the context of complementary markers of the vitamin D status.”
“Background: Arterial catheters (ACs) and central venous catheters (CVCs) are common in intensive care units (ICUs). Few data describe which patients receive these devices and whether variability in practice exists. Methods: The authors conducted an observational cohort study on adult patients admitted to ICU during 2001-2008 by using Project IMPACT to determine whether AC and CVC use is consistent across U.S. ICUs.

It would be desirable, however, if one radiolabeled analog became

It would be desirable, however, if one radiolabeled analog became the new standard for PET imaging, because the current application of a multitude of analogs implies a fragmented knowledge on the interpretation of the images that are obtained in clinical practice. In our view, the most likely candidates for such a universal PET tracer for SRI are [(68)Ga-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)] octreotate or [(68)Ga-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)] octreotide. Treatment with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is a promising new

tool in the management of patients with inoperable or metastasized neuroendocrine tumors. Symptomatic improvement may occur with all (111)In-, (90)Y-, or (177)Lu-labeled somatostatin selleck screening library analogs that have been used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The results that were obtained with [(90)Y-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)] octreotide and [(177)Lu-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)] octreotate are very encouraging in terms of tumor

regression. Also, if kidney protective agents are used, the side effects of this therapy are few and mild, and the median duration of the therapy response for these radiopharmaceuticals is 30 and 40 months respectively. The patients’ EPZ5676 Epigenetics inhibitor self-assessed quality of life increases significantly after treatment with [(177)Lu-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)]octreotate. Lastly, compared to historical controls, there is a benefit in overall survival of several years from the time of diagnosis in patients treated with [(177)Lu-DOTA(0), Tyr(3)]-octreotate. These data compare favorably with the limited number of alternative treatment approaches. If more widespread use of PRRT can be guaranteed, such therapy may well become the therapy of first choice in patients with metastasized or inoperable GEPNETs.”
“Four natural gums, namely albizia, cissus, irvingia and khaya gums

have been characterized and evaluated IWR-1-endo molecular weight as polymers for the formulation of microbeads for controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium. The natural gums were characterized for their material properties using standard methods. Diclofenac microbeads were prepared by ionotropic gelation using gel blends of the natural gums and sodium alginate at different ratios and zinc chloride solution (10%w/v) as the crosslinking agent. The microbeads were assessed using SEM, swelling characteristics, drug entrapment efficiencies and release properties. Data obtained from in vitro dissolution studies were fitted to various kinetic equations to determine the kinetics and mechanisms of drug release, and the similarity factor, f(2), was used to compare the different formulations. The results showed that the natural gum polymers varied considerably in their material properties. Spherical and discrete microbeads with particle size of 1.48-2.41 mu m were obtained with entrapment efficiencies of 44.0-71.3%w/w.