A VALIDATED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF VILAZODONE HYDROCHLORIDE IN PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

Objective: In the present research work three simple, accurate, precise methods of the UV-visible spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the estimation of Vilazodone HCl in bulk and tablet dosage.Methods: Three methods were used for estimation of Vilazodone HCl using methanol. Method A involves zero order spectroscopy at absorption maximum of 241 nm; Method B involves first order derivative at 246.5 nm and Method C involves second-order derivative at 243.5 nm. The developed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines.Results: The developed methods were found to be linear in the concentration range of 1-5 µg/ml. The mean percentage label claim of Vilazodone HCl was within the acceptable range. The accuracy data showed % recovery and % RSD within the range.Conclusion: The developed methods were found to be accurate and precise. The % RSD values were within limits. These methods can be used for the routine analysis of Vilazodone HCl in bulk and tablet dosage form

What Do We Know? A Bibliometric Analysis of Current Literature on COVID-19 and its Implications

The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the world into chaos by affecting people’s lifestyles and imposing immense pressures on healthcare professionals. Since its outbreak in Wuhan, China, back in December 2019, researchers all across the globe have been working tirelessly to provide reliable insights to understand and combat the virus. As a result, the number of publications related to the novel coronavirus has been increasing rapidly. This study aims to quantify and summarize the progress of SARS-CoV-2 related research from November 2019 onwards to January 2021 by employing a bibliometric analysis and topic modelling approaches. A total of 33,159 research publications, downloaded from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database, were analyzed. The key aspects of our study include identifying important publications, their distribution across countries and organizations, important journals and central authors who have made a significant contribution to the current literature. We have also delineated the major themes addressed in the academic community

Evaluation of amniotic fluid volume and its relation to perinatal outcome

Background: In pregnancy amniotic fluid surrounds the foetus and plays an important role in the development of fetus. From the very beginning of the formation of the extracoelomic cavity amniotic fluid can be detected. To evaluate the predictive value of amniotic fluid index (AFI) (34 weeks. The women’s history, clinical examination recorded, and AFI were measured and the perinatal outcome was compared between two groups, i.e., AFI 5.Results: The cesarean section rate for fetal distress, low birth weight babies, <2.5 kg and meconium staining was higher in patients with oligohydramnios (p=0.012, 0.001, 0.00015 respectively). There was no significant difference in Apgar score at 5 min <7 (p=0.087) and NICU at birth between the two groups.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios has a significant correlation with cesarean section for fetal distress, low birth weight babies and NICU admission

Causes and management of post-partum hemorrhage at tertiary care center, Rajasthan, India

Background: PPH is responsible for 25% of all maternal deaths. In India, PPH incidence in India is 2%-4% following vaginal delivery and 6% following cesarean section. PPH as the important cause of 19.9% of maternal mortality in India. The objectives of the study were to study the incidence, risk factors, cause, morbidity and mortality pattern and management of PPH.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 102 pregnant women selected by convenient sampling and admitted in labour room during the study period who will be deliver by vaginally or by caesarean section. The patient having PPH were divided into two groups: Group I: Patients having primary atonic PPH, Group II: Patients having traumatic PPH.Results: Mean age of participants was 33.6 and 32.9 years, 59.3 and 51.2 have ‘0’ parity, mean BMI 22.8 and 23.9 kg/m2, 34.6% and 17.1 babies were delivered by LSCS, 11.7% and 12.2% have history of PPH in the group of atonic and traumatic respectively. In the group of atonic PPH cases, 77.2%, 15.4%, 4.3% and 3.1% cases managed by the method of ‘Uterotonics +2blood transfusions’, ‘Perineal Tear Repair’ and ‘Surgical Intervention’ respectively. All the traumatic PPH cases (100.0%) were managed by ‘surgical intervention’.Conclusions: A multi-disciplinary approach include medical, mechanical, surgical and radiological is required in severe haemorrhage. Availability of blood and blood products is very crucial. Prediction and assessment of blood loss and timely identification of uterine atony are remaining the cornerstone for prompt and effective management of PPH

Complementary Feeding Patterns and Factors Affecting Timely Introduction in a Tribal Population: A Mixed-Methods Study

Introduction: About 29-60% of tribal children are underweight due to limited healthcare access. The Kols, a tribe in central India, face similar issues and our study will examine their complementary feeding practices. Methodology: A sequential explanatory mixed-method research design was conducted on 218 Kol tribe women in the Manikpur block of Chitrakoot district Uttar Pradesh. In the first phase, the quantitative interview using a semi-structured questionnaire and in the second phase, an in-depth interview of 20 Kol mothers was conducted using an interview guide. Results: About 52.3% of the women were aged between 26- 35 years, and about 83.9% were illiterate. About half of the children (n=116, 53.5%) were introduced to complementary feed at 6-8 months of age. The independent predictors of the timely initiation of complementary feeding were education (AOR: 2.422, p 0.037), age of the mothers (AOR: 1.2106, p 0.047) and the number of children of the mothers (AOR: 2.715 p 0.004) diet diversity was rarely maintained. Conclusion: Complementary feed was introduced timely for half of the tribal women but diet diversity was not maintained. Health education and counselling to utilize locally available food items should be encouraged

Small Peptide Binding Stiffens the Ubiquitin-like Protein SUMO1

AbstractPosttranslational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs), known as SUMOylation, is a key regulatory event in many eukaryotic cellular processes in which SUMOs interact with a large number of target proteins. SUMO binding motifs (SBMs) are small peptides derived from these target proteins that interact noncovalently with SUMOs and induce conformational changes. To determine the effect of SBMs on the mechanical properties of SUMO1 (the first member of the human SUMO family), we performed single-molecule force spectroscopy experiments on SUMO1/SBM complexes. The unfolding force of SUMO1 (at a pulling speed of 400 nm/s) increased from ∼130 pN to ∼170 pN upon binding to SBMs, indicating mechanical stabilization upon complexation. Pulling-speed-dependent experiments and Monte Carlo simulations measured a large decrease in distance to the unfolding transition state for SUMO1 upon SBM binding, which is by far the largest change measured for any ligand binding protein. The stiffness of SUMO1 (measured as a spring constant for the deformation response along the line joining the N- and C-termini) increased upon SBM binding from ∼1 N/m to ∼3.5 N/m. The relatively higher flexibility of ligand-free SUMO1 might play a role in accessing various conformations before binding to a target

Prevalence of female genital tract tuberculosis in suspected cases attending Gynecology OPD at tertiary centre by various diagnostic methods and comparative analysis

Background: The genital tract tuberculosis is one of the most common causes of tubal factor infertility. This study was conducted to compare the results of different diagnostic methods used in screening for female genital tuberculosis in suspected cases attending Gynecology OPD at RMC, Ajmer.Methods: This prospective study was conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology, J. L. N. Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, for studying incidence of genital tuberculosis by various diagnostic methods (viz. AFB smear examination, AFB Lowenstein Jensen culture method, TB-PCR and CBNAAT).Results: Prevalence of genital TB was 5.5% in study population of 200 selected women meting the inclusion criteria. 72% women were in between 20-30 years age group. Oligomenorrhoea (24%) was found to be significant symptom with P value of <0.05. TBPCR and CBNAAT were found to be statistically significant with P value of <0.001 for diagnosing FGTTB.Conclusions: We concluded that genital tuberculosis is paucibacillary disease, TBPCR and CBNAAT appears to be rapid and sensitive diagnostic modality

Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in global sustainable development

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a highly evolved mutually beneficial relationship that exists between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and most of the vascular plants. The majority of the terrestrial plants form association with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This symbiosis confers benefits directly to the host plant’s growth and development through the acquisition of Phosphorus (P) and other mineral nutrients from the soil by the AMF. In addition, their function ranges from stress alleviation to bioremediation in soils polluted with heavy metals. They may also enhance the protection of plants against pathogens and increases the plant diversity. This is achieved by the growth of AMF mycelium within the host root (intra radical) and out into the soil (extra radical) beyond. Proper management of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi has the potential to improve the profitability and sustainability of agricultural systems. In this review article, the discussion is restricted to the mycorrhizal benefits and their role in sustainable development

Association of genetic and epigenetic modification in MTHFR gene with coronary artery disease patients in North Indian population

Background: Methylene tetra hydro folate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism C677T (rs180113) and DNA methylation in promoter region of MTHFR gene may contribute to the development of coronary artery disease however the results have been inconsistent across studies with different populations, so the aim of our study is to explore the association of polymorphism in MTHFR gene and methylation in promoter region with coronary artery disease (CAD) and other risk factor (lipid profile, homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels)  leading to CAD in of north Indian population. Methods: Total 100 CAD patients and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping of rs1801133 SNP (C677T) is done by PCR-RFLP and DNA methylation study in promoter region by methylation specific PCR. Lipid profile analysis by automated chemistry analyzers, serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 was assayed by ELISA. Results: As per our finding the T allele (OR=3.03, 95% CI=1.74-5.27) and hyper methylation in promoter region of MTHFR increases the odds of coronary artery disease, (OR=3.05, 95% CI=1.7-5.6). Study participants with CT and TT genotype had significantly higher homocysteine (Hcy) (p=0.001), lower folic acid level (p=0.0), and HDL levels (p&lt;0.0001) than those with CC genotype. The study subjects with hyper methylated promoter region have a significantly high homocystenemia levels (p=0.001). Conclusions: The TT genotype of the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and hyper methylation in promoter region of MTHFR, is associated with CAD and can be useful in identification of new biomarkers, development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for CAD.