Development and evaluation of floating microspheres of curcumin in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Purpose: To prepare and evaluate floating microspheres of curcumin for prolonged gastric residence and to study their effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Floating microsphere were prepared by emulsion-solvent diffusion method, using hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose, chitosan and Eudragit S 100 polymer in varying proportions. Ethanol/dichloromethane blend was used as solvent in a ratio of 1:1. The floating microspheres were evaluated for flow properties, particle size, incorporation efficiency, as well as in-vitro floatability and drug release. The anti-diabetic activity of the floating microspheres of batch FM4 was performed on alloxaninduced diabetic rats.Result: The floating microspheres had particle size, buoyancy, drug entrapment efficiency and yield in the ranges of 255.32 - 365.65 μm, 75.58 - 89.59, 72.6 - 83.5, and 60.46 - 80.02 %, respectively. Maximum drug release after 24 h was 82.62 % for formulation FM4 and 73.879, 58.613 and 46.106 % for formulations FM1, FM2, and FM3 respectively. In-vivo data obtained over a 120-h period indicate that curcumin floating microspheres from batch FM4 showed the better glycemic control than control and a commercial brand of the drug.Conclusion: The developed floating curcumin delivery system seems economical and effective in diabetes management in rats, and enhances the bioavailability of the drug.Keywords: Gastro-retentive, Sustained release, Bioavailability, Curcumin, Floating microspheres, Diabete

In Memoriam: A Memoir for Our Fallen "Heroes"

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or be any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: “When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session—all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience.” It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us. This memorial is intended to commemorate our colleagues who succumbed during the first 4 months

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Eulaliopsis Binate (Short Fiber) Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Composite

Over the last century, polymers have emerged as one of the most important components used in everyday life, epoxy or poly-epoxide being one of the examples of it. Until recently, synthetic filler materials have been the preferred choice for reinforcement of epoxy to improve its mechanical and tribological properties. However, natural fibers are emerging as suitable alternatives to synthetic materials for obvious reasons. Several research efforts have been put to study the effectiveness of natural fiber-based materials on the mechanical behavior of epoxy composites, focusing mainly on fibers and their weight percent within the composites. In the present work, an attempt has been made to prepare and characterize Eulaliopsis binate (short fiber) reinforced epoxy composite for the tribological application. Composites are having 5,10, 20 30 and 40% volume fraction of Eulaliopsis binate were made using hand layup method and were tested on a standard pin on disc wear testing machine and other different mechanical property. The worn surface morphology of the eroded surfaces wear examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

The post spinal surgery syndrome: A review

Post spinal surgery syndrome(PSSS) has always been considered only for the pain it causes. However, many other neurological deficits do happen after lower back surgery. The aim of this review is to look into the various other neurological deficits that could happen after a spinal surgery. Using the keywords, foot drop, cauda equina syndrome, epidural hematoma, nerve and dural injury in spine surgery, the literature was searched. Out of the 189 articles obtained, the most important were analyzed. The problems associated with spine surgery have been published in the literature but are much more than the failed back surgery syndrome and cause more discomfort to the patients. To bring about a more sustained and collective awareness and understanding of these complications following spinal surgery, we encompassed all these complications under the heading of PSSS

In Memoriam: A Memoir for Our Fallen Heroes

Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session-all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience. It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us

Respiratory arrest after posterior fossa decompression in patients with Chiari malformations: An overview

Background: Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) is a structural abnormality in the skull and cerebellum, causing cerebellar tonsils to shift downward. Decompression of the posterior fossa is a common surgical method to relieve symptoms and prevent neurological deterioration. After posterior fossa decompression (PFD), individuals with CM1 were more likely to have respiratory arrest. Here, we present, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of the potential risk factors and causes of respiratory arrest following PFD. Methods: A review of the literature highlighting the risk factors for postoperative respiratory arrest in CM1 patients was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar. Results: Patients with syringomyelia and CM1 are at increased risk for respiratory arrest due to a number of factors, including impaired respiratory mechanics, central respiratory center dysfunction from edema or ischemia, intraoperative brain stem ischemia, and delayed gastric emptying from autonomic dysfunction. Occipitalization of the first cervical vertebra, basilar impression, and fusion of C2-C3 are all risk factors for respiratory arrest. Conclusion: Implications for CM1 patient care and prospects for further investigation of postoperative respiratory arrest's causes and risk factors were discussed

Neuro-navigation: Equipment, Tips, and Tricks on Brain Navigated Surgery

Neuronavigation is a system composed of advanced intraoperative equipment where a virtual link is created between digital images and anatomical structures such that intra-axial lesions are precisely located and removed safely and efficiently. Thus, neuronavigation has enormously increased the success rate of brain and spinal cord surgery compared to the era in which it did not exist. This article takes a look at and emphasizes, as a reminder, the benefits of neuronavigation, equipment used, equipment setup, tips and tricks on preoperative preparation of patients' images, and future perspectives on neuronavigation and equipment, aspects that are very rare in literature. A commonly used neuronavigation system is described, with regard to its parts, setup, instructions, and tips and tricks. This narrative review allows the reader to grasp the main aspects of neuronavigation, the functions of all the aspects, and what to expect during brain surgery. Although training with neuronavigation is a given in most developed parts of the world, in underdeveloped and developing countries the lack of equipment does not allow most neurosurgeons to have a first-hand experience. This article has aimed to ease the learning curve for neurosurgeons that are unfamiliar with neuronavigation

Letter to the editor- involving medical students in Neurosurgery: A transformative experience

No abstract available