A Simple HPLC Bioanalytical Method for the Determination of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride in Rat Plasma: Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

Purpose: To develop a simple, accurate, and precise high performance chromatography (HPLC) method with spectrophotometric detection for the determination of doxorubicin hydrochloride in rat plasma.Methods: Doxorubicin hydrochloride and daunorubicin hydrochloride (internal standard, IS) were separated on a C18 reversed-phase HPLC column. Following protein precipitation extraction, chromatographic separation was accomplished with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: water at ratio of 30:70 (pH 3.0), and the drug was detected at 233 nm using a UV detector at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and ambient temperature.Results: Linearity was obtained over the range 1.0 . 50.0 µg/ml for doxorubicin hydrochloride with lower limit of quantitation of 1.0 µg/ml. For each level of quality control samples, inter- and intra-day precision (% CV) was < 9.6 and 5.1 %, respectively. Stability of doxorubicin hydrochloride in plasma was within the acceptance limit (} 15 %) with no evidence of degradation during sample processing and 30 days storage in a deep freezer at -70 } 5 ‹C. Absolutes extraction recovery of drug from plasma was. 86 %.Conclusion: The method is highly selective and rugged for the  determination of doxorubicin hydrochloride in rat plasma and should be suitable for conducting pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.Keywords: Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Validation, pharmacokinetics, rat plasma

Temperature Effect on Forming of Self-Reinforced Polypropylene Based Lightweight Metal Composite Structure

This study investigates the effects of blank temperature on the strain of self-reinforced polypropylene based lightweigh Metal Composite Structure(MCS). Comparisons between MCS and monolithic aluminium revealed that MCS shows a more uniform strain distribution over the punch face of the laminate and reduction in the required work to form stamping operation. Moreover MCS gives a 30% weight reduction compared to monolithic aluminium. The experimental results obtained in the present study shows MCS systems have the potential to be adapted to high volume production technique of stamp forming. A significant finding from this work is that these material systems exhibit forming characteristics that are comparable and sometimes superior to metal forming

Investigation On Antidiarrhoeal Activity Of Aristolochia Indica Linn. Root Extracts In Mice

Background: The present study aimed at investigating the effect of ethanolic extract (EtAI), and aqueous extract (AqAI) of Aristolochia indica  Linn roots on castor oil-induced diarrhoea and study on small intestinal transit. Phytochemical analysis of extracts was performed as per standard procedure.Materials and Methods: The oral toxicity study using Swiss albino mice was performed in accordance with OECD guidelines. The EtAI and AqAI extracts of Aristolochia indica Linn were studied for antidiarrhoeal property using castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model and charcoalinduced gastrointestinal motility test in Swiss albino mice.Results: Among the tested doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, the extracts reduced the frequency and severity of diarrhoea in test animals throughout the study period. At the same doses, the extract delayed the intestinal transit of charcoal meal in test animals as compared to the control and the results were statistically significant.Conclusion: Experimental findings showed that ethanol extract of Aristolochia indica Linn root possess significant antidiarrheal activity and may be a potent source of anti-diarrhoeal drug in future.Key words: Antidiarrheal activity, Aristolochia indica Linn, ethanol extract, small intestinal transi

Role of Tc-99m MDP bone scan in evaluation of osteoid osteoma at varied locations

Background: Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor; diagnosed using x-ray and Computer Tomography (CT). It shows a nidus and cortical thickening. When the nidus is not well visualised especially in uncommon locations; Bone Scan (BS) can be performed for evaluation of osteoid osteoma.Methods: A retrospective observational study was done where 21 subjects presenting with suspicion of osteoid osteoma underwent BS using 10-20mCi (370 to 740MBq) of Technetium-99m Pertechnetate with perfusion, delayed cortical and Single Photon Emission Tomography/Computer Tomography (SPECT/CT). Increased perfusion and delayed focal cortical uptake was assessed on BS to locate osteoid osteoma. Response evaluation to Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was also performed using BS.Results: Osteoid osteoma was detected in femur (8), spine (3), forearm bones (2), humerus (2), tibia (2), fibula in one and iliac bone in one patient using BS. BS detected more lesions (18) than CT scan where nidus as confirmatory sign was seen in 13 lesions. The McNemar test showed no significant difference (p=0.22) in the detection of osteoid osteoma using CT and BS in common location of femur. However there was significant difference noted between BS and CT in uncommon site (p=0.023). 3/8 patients showed persistent increased cortical activity after RFA ablation on BS.Conclusions: BS was more useful for confirmation of diagnosis of Osteoid osteoma for lesions in uncommon sites. BS also helped to assess response to RFA ablation therapy. SPECT/CT improved interpretation of BS to locate the osteoid osteoma

Mycobacterial lipoarabinomannans modulate cytokine production in human T helper cells by interfering with raft/microdomain signalling

Abstract.: Lipoarabinomannans (LAMs) are major lipoglycans of the mycobacterial envelope and constitute immunodominant epitopes of mycobacteria. In this paper, we show that mannose-capped (ManLAM) and non-mannose- capped (PILAM) mycobacterial lipoglycans insert into T helper cell rafts without apparent binding to known receptors. T helper cells modified by the insertion of PILAM responded to CD3 cross-linking by decreasing type 1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and increasing type 2 (IL-4 and IL-5) cytokine production. Modification by the mannose-capped ManLAMs had similar, but more limited effects on T helper cell cytokine production. When incorporated into isolated rafts, PILAMs modulated membrane-associated kinases in a dose-dependent manner, inducing increased phosphorylation of Src kinases and Cbp/PAG in Th1 rafts, while decreasing phosphorylation of the same proteins in Th2 rafts. Mycobacterial lipoglycans thus modify the signalling machineries of rafts/microdomains in T helper cells, a modification of the membrane organization that eventually leads to an overall enhancement of type 2 and inhibition of type 1 cytokine productio

The Determinants of Low Fertility in India

Using a conceptual framework focusing on factors that enhance or reduce fertility relative to desired family size (see Bongaarts 2001), we study fertility variation across time (1992–2006) and space (states) in India. Our empirical analyses use data from three waves of the Indian National Family Health Surveys. We find that this framework can account for a substantial portion of the variation in the TFR across the states and over time. Our estimates focus attention on the critical components of contemporary Indian fertility, especially desired family size, unwanted fertility, son preference, and fertility postponement

Microinjection of rat growth-hormone gene into zebrafish egg and production of transgenic zebrafish

A plasmid containing rat growth-hormone gene was microinjected into fertilized zebrafish eggs prior to first cleavage; survival of the embryos one day after the injection averaged 46% Genomic DNA extracted from presumotive transgenic fish was analysed by slot-blot and Southern-blot hybridization using labelled plasmid as probe. Patterns of hybridization indicated genomic, extrachromosomal, as well as mosaic integration. The concentration of persisting extrachromosomal DNA progressively decreased in F1 and F2 generations. The growth rate of transgenic fish was higher in F0 and F1 generations, but lower in F2, which may be due to translent expression of extrachromosomal DNA carrying the growth-hormone gene in F0 and F1 generations

Medication Compliance of Patients Attending a Pain Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

Pain is a public health problem with profound physical, emotional, and societal costs. Conventional oral analgaesics are usually the first treatment, which is cost-effective and relatively safe. However, medication noncompliance is a serious healthcare concern. Medication noncompliance has remained a significant challenge despite considerable efforts to improve patient compliance. Therefore, a study was done to assess medication compliance at a Pain Clinic in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The study period was from December 2019 to January 2020. A total of 180 patients participated in the study. The study showed that pain clinic patients’ medication compliance was 65%. With the improvement of medication compliance, the quality of life of patients with pain can be improved