Formulation and characterization of Solid dispersion of Nisoldipine by Solvent Evaporation Method

The aim of this study is to improve the solubility of poorly water soluble drug Nisoldipine by formulating the solid dispersion with different water soluble carriers. This will improve the dissolution rate of antihypertensive drug, Nisoldipine. For this purpose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) k-25and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 were used as carriers and dispersion was carried out by solvent evaporation technique. Formulations were characterized by particle size analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), drug content determination and dissolution studies. The particle size was found in range of 43.52 - 45.12 ?m. FTIR studies showed the compatibility between drug and polymers. DSC study indicated that the drug was in amorphous form which results in better dissolution of the drug from the solid dispersion as compared to the pure drug and physical mixture. Dissolution studies indicated better release for solid dispersions and solubility was also increased 15 folds than pure drug. This could provide the formulation technology with a potential of increased bioavailability of poorly water soluble drug by increasing its dissolution rate. Keywords: Solid Dispersion, nisoldipine, solvent evaporation, PVP k-25, PEG-400

Development and Evaluation of Sustained Release Microspheres of Repaglinide for Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sustained release dosage form is essential for diabetic patients which is marked by continuous therapy along with high margin of safety, patient compliance and fulfill economical features. Repaglinide is a class of meglitinide, a drug of choice to formulate microspheres by utilizing sodium alginate, olibanum gum and pectin in different ratios by using ionic-gelation method. Excellent results were found in rheological behavior and release studies. Microspheres size and percentage yield was found in the range of 694 ?m to 727 ?m and 73% to 75% respectively. SEM revealed that microspheres were discrete, spherical and free flowing. Entrapment efficiency was variable, ranges from 55% to 75%. Uniform drug release was observed in drug release kinetics, followed Higuchi model with non-fickian release. These microspheres proved to be suitable for oral sustained release of repaglinide. Keywords: Repaglinide, Microsphere, Ionic-gelation method, Olibanum gum, Pecti

Thyroid cytology in Pakistan: An institutional audit of the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance category

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), along with thyroid ultrasound, is an important tool in evaluation of thyroid nodules that helps in further management of these patients in making a decision of surgical intervention vs follow-up. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology category III of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) has risk of malignancy (ROM) ranging from 5% to 15%. The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency of AUS/FLUS in thyroid gland FNACs and the surgical outcomes of these cases.Methods: The integrated laboratory management system retrieved the thyroid FNACs from 2010 to 2018 and subsequent surgical pathology specimens. For the AUS/FLUS cases, data regarding patient demographics, cytology and histological diagnoses were recorded. The results were tabulated as the overall frequency of AUS/FLUS in thyroid FNACs, cytohistological correlation (benign and malignant) and ROM.Results: Over a period of 9 years, 256 (10.9%) cases out of 2342 thyroid FNACs were reported as AUS/FLUS at our institution. Mean age was 43.5 years. The majority (70.3%) of patients were female. Seventy-two of 104 resection specimens (69.2%) were reported as benign and 32 cases (30.7%) had malignant diagnosis. Upper-bound ROM was 30.7% (32 cases with malignant diagnosis out of 104 resection specimens). Lower-bound ROM was calculated as 12.5% (32 cases with malignant diagnosis out of 256 total AUS diagnosis).Conclusion: The AUS/FLUS category of thyroid cytology and associated ROM remain an evolving area. Individual institutions should monitor the frequency and include ROM in the dashboard indicators to remain within the recommended range