PLA Microparticles for Pulmonary Delivery of AntiTB drugs: Biodistribution study

A dry powder inhalable (DPI) microparticles comprising anti-tuberculosis drugs incorporated in biodegradable polymers was developed for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (P. Muttil _et al_. 2007). Poly L-lactic acid (PLA) microparticles incorporating a high payload of rifabutin and isoniazid were fabricated by spray drying (Buchi 190). Microparticles were composed of PLA and the drugs (rifabutin and isoniazid) at a 2:1:1 weight ratio. Microparticles of desired high encapsulation efficiency and sustained release characteristics were produced having a diameter range of 2-10 µm (Malvern Mastersizer 2000). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was carried out to study drug polymer interaction. The time course of tissue biodistribution following a single inhalation dose of microparticles was evaluated. 
Thirty-two BALB/c mice were divided into groups of four and administered the DPI using an in-house (nose only) apparatus (Kaur _et al_. 2008; Verma _et al_. 2008). A validated HPLC method was used for determination of rifabutin and isoniazid in the lungs (target organ), liver and kidneys (major sites of toxicity) at different time-points after inhalation. A comparison was made with mice receiving free drugs (intravenous) at equivalent doses. Deposition of microparticles in lungs of mice following aerosolization was also evaluated. Pharmacokinetic parameters in different organs were calculated using WinNonlin software version 5.2. Area under the concentration-time curve observed (AUC~obs~), C~max~, half-life (t~½~) and clearance (CL) in lungs following inhalation /intravenous administration were:
*Rifabutin*: AUC~obs~-96h= 1697.39 ±154.67 (187.63 ±23.93) µg/ml^-1^hr^-1^; C~max~ = 33.42±3.80 (4.17±0.31) µg.ml^-1^; t~½~= 78.08±9.42 (34.00 ±3.31) and Cl= 1.16±.22 (0.68 ±0.45) ml.h^-1^.
*Isoniazid*: AUC~obs~-24h= 566.31±123.96 (99.85 ±14.24) µg/ml^-1^hr^-1^; Cmax= 24.02±1.71 (8.16±0.93) µg.ml^-1^; t~½~= 25.88±12.16 (6.45±3.24) h; and Cl= 5.47±1.30 (0.96±0.14) ml.h^-1^.
The relative bioavailability of both drugs incorporated in microparticles was significantly higher compared with free drugs. Peak levels of isoniazid and rifabutin in lungs (target organ) were much higher than those in the liver and kidney of mice in case of inhalation as compared to intravenous administration. Inhalation of microparticles resulted in targeting both drugs to the lungs, with the effect being more pronounced in the case of rifabutin than isoniazid. High and prolonged drug concentrations and increased AUC values (~9-fold and ~6 fold increase of rifabutin and isoniazid in case of lungs) with respect to free drugs were observed. Significant decrease in drug concentration was found in the liver and kidneys. Drug levels were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in organs through out the study after administration of encapsulated drugs. Based on favorable biodistribution kinetics, these microparticles hold great potential in reducing dosing frequency and toxicity of antituberculosis drugs.
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Investigation of surface integrity, material removal rate and wire wear ratio for WEDM of Nimonic 80A alloy using GRA and Taguchi method

AbstractThis paper presents the investigation on surface integrity, material removal rate and wire wear ratio of Nimonic 80A using WEDM process. Taguchi's design of experiments methodology has been used for planning and designing the experiments. All of the input parameters and two factors interactions have been found to be statically significant for their effects on the response of interest. SEM was performed on the machined samples to investigate the effect and microstructure of the samples after machining. A higher pulse-on time setting leads to thicker recast layer. At lower value of pulse-on time and higher value of pulse-off time, the wire deposition on the machined surface is low

Research support services of Panjab University library during lockdown period due to COVID-19: A survey

The study explores the problems and prospects of newly introduced service “RemoteXs” by the A.C. Joshi library for the faculty of Panjab University during the lockdown due to COVID-19. The paper discusses expectations and experiences of users, advantages of new research support services, challenges faced by faculty while accessing literature through RemoteXs service. An online survey was carried out; framed questionnaire was sent to 650 academicians through Whatsapp and e-mail. 148 respondents submitted their views on access and usage of e-resources through RemoteXs service of University Library. Data on most frequently used resources and documents type has been analysed. Some of the problems while accessing e-resources through RemoteXs have also been discussed in the paper. Some of the suggestions and remarks on faculty members have been included in the study to know the user’s perception and requirements

Improved Color Image Segmentation Using Fuzzy Weighting And Edge Preservation

This paper has proposed a new EPS and FELICM approach to improve the accuracy of the color segmentation procedure further. The motivation behind the proposed approach is simple and effective. If segmented area between the FELICM and Principle component analysis is same then it will be added into the final output image. If the segmented area is not same then according to the variance based theory the minimum variance among two segmented outputs will be selected. After this procedure color labeling will be done to color the segmented area in given image. The comparative analysis has shown the significant improvement of the proposed technique over the available one. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15011

Modified Hough Transform for Road Lane Colorization to Prevent Accidents

Lane coloration is becoming popular in real time vehicular ad-hoc network. This research work focus on providing better performance in lane coloration algorithm by using CLAHE to enhance the input image and also by modifying the Hough transform using the dynamic thresholding to detect curve lanes. Main emphasis is to improve the result of lane coloration algorithm when fog, noise or any other factor is present in the images. The methods developed so far are working efficiently and giving good results in case when the straight lane road images are there. But problem is that they fail or not give efficient results when there are curved lane road images. The experiments results for the road images have shown the significant improvement of the proposed technique over the available one. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15010

Udavarta - Review from Ayurvedic Literature

Udavarta (reverse movement of Vata) is one among the most common and surprisingly most neglected and misinterpreted clinical condition. The concept of Udavarta takes various stances - sometimes as a Nidana (etiology), sometimes as an event of Samprapti (pathogenesis) and also as a Vyadhi (disease). But all the three are somehow interrelated. Prolonged table work, excessive consumption of aerated drinks, fast foods have become a part and parcel of present day lifestyle. In other words to say Vegadharana excessive consumption of tea/coffee, Adhyasana, Viruddhasana has become a routine, leading to disturbed Agni either in the form of Mandagni or Vishamagni and Prakupita Apana Vata leads to disease Udavarta. There is no permanent solution has yet in the modern science for such problem. Hence the patient has pinned his hopes on Ayurveda

Charge Transport in Field-Effect Transistors based on Layered Materials and their Heterostructures

In the quest for energy efficiency and device miniaturization, the research in using atomically thin materials for device applications is gaining momentum. The electronic network in layered materials is different from 3D counterparts. It is due to the interlayer couplings and density of states because of their 2D nature. Therefore, understanding the charge transport in layered materials is fundamental to explore the vast opportunities these ultra-thin materials offer. Hence, the challenges targeted in the thesis are: (1) understanding the charge transport in layered materials based on electronic network of quantum and oxide capacitances, (2) studying thickness dependence, ranging from monolayer to bulk, of full range-characteristics of field-effect transistor (FET) based on layered materials, (3) investigating the total interface trap charges to achieve the ultimate subthreshold slope (SS) theoretically possible in FETs, (4) understanding the effect of the channel length on the performance of layered materials, (5) understanding the effect of substrate on performance of the TMDC FETs and studying if the interface of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)/hexagonalboron nitride (h-BN) can have less enough trap charges to observe ambipolar behavior, (6) Exploring optoelectronic properties in 2D heterostructures that includes understanding graphene/WS2 heterostructure and its optoelectronic applications by creating a p-n junction at the interface. The quality of materials and the interface are the issues for observing and extracting clean physics out of these layered materials and heterostructures. In this dissertation, we realized the use of quantum capacitance in layered materials, substrate effects and carrier transport in heterostructure

Awareness campaign among school going girls in Jammu district regarding Menstrual Hygiene

For billions of women and girls worldwide, menstruation is a monthly reality. Yet in many countries, people still face serious challenges when it comes to managing their periods. Myths, stigma and harmful gender norms around menstruation exacerbate the difficulties for girls and women across the world.Menstruation and menstrual practices are still clouded by taboos and socio-cultural restrictions resulting in adolescent girls remaining ignorant of the scientific facts and hygienic health practices, which sometimes result into adverse health outcome. Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females. The onset of menstruation is one of the most important changes occurring among the girls during the adolescent years. The first menstruation (menarche) occurs between 11 and 15 years with a mean of 13 years. There is a need to aware girls about the myths, safe practices and menstrual hygiene