DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BILAYER ABUSE DETERRENT EXTENDED RELEASE TABLET USING VARIOUS MODEL DRUGS FOR OPIOIDS OVERDOSE CRISIS

The objective of present study is to develop bilayer abuse-deterrent extended-release tablets (ADERTs) using various model drugs for opioids overdose crisis. Bilayer ADERTs using various model drugs were fabricated by direct compression; consists of extended-release drug layer and pH modifying layer. To develop extended-release layer, various hydrophilic polymers evaluated for their abuse deterrent potential. Based on significantly higher viscosity at 100RPM and lower syringe-ability data, it was found that HPMC K100M could be used as abuse deterrent polymer. Along HPMC K100M, various diluents were evaluated for their abuse deterrent potential. Tablet formulations prepared with various type of diluents using metformin HCl as model drug. Based on outcomes, MCC KG-1000 was selected as diluent to provide tablets with physical and/or chemical barrier. Bilayer ADERTs were developed to minimize multiple-unit oral abuse using three model drugs based on similar pKa values to that of opioids, i.e., propranolol HCl (pKa 9.45), quinidine sulfate (pKa 8.5), dipyridamole (pKa 6.59). Various alkalizing agents evaluated for their abuse deterrent potential. Bilayer ADERTs using propranolol HCl as model drug were fabricated. Based on outcomes, magnesium hydroxide was selected as alkalizing agent, since it raised pH of dissolving media near to pKa of all model drugs. Additional amount of magnesium hydroxide was incorporated in extended-release layer to minimize drug release in both FaSSGF and FaSSIF upon multiple-unit ingestion evaluated by in-vitro drug release study. Formulated bilayer ADERTs provided similar drug release profiles as compared to conventional extended-release tablets for single-unit ingestion. However, upon ingestion of multiple-unit bilayer ADERTs, fast-dissolving pH modifying layer increases pH in dissolving media, while extended-release layer increases micro-environmental pH within tablets for all model drugs tested. Retarding drug release owing to low solubility of basic drug at higher pH was observed. To minimize intravenous abuse, drug extraction study in various solvents were evaluated. Drug extraction was found to less than 2% for all the model drugs tested due to effect of alkalizing agent. Therefore, application of alkalizing agent has impact on pH-dependent solubility of drug like opioids and demonstrate its useful potential to be incorporated in bilayer ADERTs for opioids overdose crisis

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING IN SITU GEL OF OMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM FOR ORAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: Omeprazole magnesium is indicated for the treatment of erosive esophagitis associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is one of the highly prescribed proton pump inhibitor in the management of peptic ulcer diseases. The therapeutic concentration of a drug in blood can be maintained for a prolonged period of time by administering it in the form of in situ floating gel dosage form. Omeprazole magnesium undergoes degradation at a low pH of the esophagus and stomach; it is therefore given as in situ gel, so, there is minimum contact with acidic pH. Methods: Omeprazole magnesium suspension prepared using various polymers and floating agents in varying concentrations. Several evaluation tests including dissolution test to ensure the release of the drug from formulation by in vitro technique, color and homogeneity, in vitro floating duration, in vitro gelling capacity, drug content determination, pH of the formulation, and floating lag time were studied. Results: All formulations demonstrated good Fourier-transform infrared compliance and no interaction between drug, polymer, and other excipients. The study’s findings show that the formulation F6 showed the best results. Conclusion: The developed formulation was a viable alternative conventional solution by virtue of its ability to enhance bioavailability through its longer gastric residence time and ability to sustain drug release as well as the advantage of floating and pH which minimize the degradation of omeprazole magnesium which is easily degraded by acidic environment

Consumer Buying Behavior at Shopping Malls: Does Gender Matter?

 The development of shopping malls is a major social and global phenomenon that has unearthed a novel facet for customer satisfaction and their consequent or relative buying behavior. The aim of his paper was to explore the gender differences in consumer buying behavior at selected Durban shopping malls. It is an observational cross-sectional study carried out on 700 randomly selected respondents to study buying capacity, buying behavior and shopping experience of male and female consumers at shopping malls in the city of Durban, South Africa. Data was collected through pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire with closed ended questions. The study revealed that there are notable gender differences, which shape shopping behavior among men and women. Time and money spent at the mall was significantly high among female as compared to male consumers. Consequently, the results attributed that personal attributes and shopping mall attractiveness factors played a crucial role in influencing customer shopping behavior amongst the mall shoppers. The study concludes that gender differences are prevalent in the buying behavior of customers at the select shopping malls in Durban, South Africa. Average time spent by female is high as compared to male which also affect their average money spent at shopping mall. Psychological, Social and Cultural factors are highly influencing customers’ buying behavior at shopping malls.&nbsp

Design of a Drug Delivery System through the Gastrointestinal Tract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) afflicts an estimated 5.3 million individuals and is the sixth leading cause of death in America. The drug delivery method of interest is an orally administered sustained-release delivery system that addresses the needs of the associated patient population. By augmenting drug delivery with a higher effective payload per dose compared to current methods, drug efficacy and bioavailability would improve. This will result in a decrease of the overall cost for medication as a greater percentage of the administered drug will be viable. This design addresses the release of AD drug from the drug delivery system at the small intestine. The design specifications are uniqueness and novelty, cost, ease of use, compatibility, toxicity, shelf life, and pH sensitivity. This design features the utilization of a pH sensitive hydrogel composed of PEGDA and PMMA-co-MMA that will encapsulate the drug through the GI tract and respond appropriately to stimuli in the small intestine to release its content in an appropriate manner. This prevents the release of drug in acidic environments like the stomach where it will be degraded. From experimental studies, the hydrogel drug delivery system was found to be effective. Drug release kinetics using fluorescent dyes indicated that the release was greatest in the pH environment that simulated that found in the small intestines whereas the release was the lowest in very acidic pH levels simulating the acidity of the stomach.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1076/thumbnail.jp

Renewable and Non-Conventional Energy Sources and Engineering System

Energy is the gift of nature to man kind in various forms. Energy is the need for all kinds of work done by human being and nature. There are many sources of energy that help to run the various machines invented by man. But as the population and development activities increases, the requirement of the energy (demand) will also increase. If this trend of continuous exploitation of energy sources, continue the sources are going to be exhausted very soon n near future. So we need to look for the alternative of conventional sources of energy and the best alternative of conventional energy sources are the non-conventional energy sources of energy which are also called renewable source of energy. The conventional source of energy are coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc. which are kind of fossil fuel and non-conventional are renewable sources of energy ar in the form of solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, ocean thermal, hydro and Tidal energy. Sun is the main source of energy

Evaluation of p53, HoxD10, and E-Cadherin Status in Breast Cancer and Correlation with Histological Grade and Other Prognostic Factors

Background. Study of tumor molecular characteristics is necessary to understand both the risk of breast cancer recurrence and the response to therapy. Aims. To evaluate p53, HoxD10, and E-cadherin status in breast cancer and to correlate with histological grade and other prognostic factors. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma NOS with 20 cases belonging to each grade and evaluation of p53 was done by IHC and that of HoxD10 and E Cadherin status by PCR and correlation was done with histological grade and other prognostic factors. Result. p53 expression was seen in 71.67% (43/60) of the tumors. HoxD10 gene was downregulated in 46.67% (28/60) of the tumors. p53 overexpression and lower HoxD10 mRNA levels showed statistically significant association higher histological grade of the tumor (P<0.05). CDH1 gene mutation was seen in 60% (15/25) of the tumors. No significant association was found between p53 expression, HoxD10 gene, CDH1 gene mutation, and other prognostic factors. Conclusion. p53 over expression and lower HoxD10 mRNA levels were found to be significantly associated with higher grade tumours. This suggests that p53 and HoxD10 gene play an important tumor suppressor role and the loss of which results in breast cancer progression

Human cellular microRNA hsa-miR-29a interferes with viral nef protein expression and HIV-1 replication

protein expression and HIV-1 replicatio

Event-triggered control for LPV modeling of DC-DC boost converter

This study presents the event-triggered control (ETC) for linear parameter varying (LPV) model of boost converters. We examine the nonlinear dynamics of boost converters in the LPV framework. The proposed controller is duty-ratio-dependent and provides better performance while requiring less computation. Using the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function (PDLF), we demonstrate the stablity analysis of the proposed approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the inter-event time is lower bound by a positive constant, which indicates Zeno behavior free performance. In comparison to earlier time-invariant synthesis techniques, the LPV formulation offers for increased robustness and performance properties. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Why are consumers not reducing their meat consumption in Ireland? Establishing the reasoning for this

In the current dynamic world, the consumer food purchasing behavior is everchanging across different countries and cultures. This have relevant implications in global food product management and marketing strategies around the world. Giving health concerns on the rise, it has become integral to find the factors that contribute towards the meat consumption patterns and behaviours. The research is carried out to determine the meat consumption pattern of the consumers in Ireland and if there is any change in the meat consumption pattern. The research aims to understand the attitude of consumers towards vegan vs animal food products, identify the factors that affect this buying behaviour of the consumers and to come up with marketing strategies to promote sustainable development which inclines customers towards green consumption. A qualitative approach has been adopted in the study, and interviews and focus group discussion has been carried out in this regard. It is concluded that multiple factors contribute towards consumers not reducing their meat consumption in Ireland. Moreover, COVID-19 has also played a significant role in the reduction of meat consumption. Health concerns have impacted the consumption patterns of the consumers as they switch to more organic products. In this regard, this research paper is an attempt to contribute to the practical field of food industry marketing so as to provide a direction to the international food giants while dealing with Irish food cultural and their consumers food purchasing trends