Length-weight, length-length relationship of the spiny eel, Macrognathus pancalus (Hamilton 1822) sampled from Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins, India

The freshwater spiny eel, Macrognathus pancalus is an inland water teleost fish commonly known as barred or striped spiny eel found in Asia. The sampling areas were selected which are spatially and geographically different and characterized by different environmental conditions in order to elucidation of ecotype. A total 345 specimens were collected from the sampling sites during January 2008 to December 2010. The weight of M. pancalus in the present study nearly the cube of its length in all cases as the values of regression coefficient ‘b’ were found to be close to 3. The length weight relationship indicated the isometric growth in all the samples of striped spiny eel collected from different environmental condition. The coefficient of regression ‘b’ were more in the riverine population (3.17±0.08) as compared to the populations of a large lake i.e. Beel (2.85±0.13). The coefficient of determination, (r2) in all the cases was highly significant (p< 0.001). The relative condition factor (Kn) were also calculated and the average of condition factor in riverine and beel populations of spiny eel were found to be 0.50±0.09, and 0.47±0.05, respectively. The length-length relationship was highly correlated (r2= 0.99 at P<0.0001) for all the individuals of both habitats. A significant size difference was also noted between the river basin populations of M.pancalus. In the present study the length-weight, length-length relationship of M.pancalus in two different river basins was compared

A Comparative Evaluation of Mono-, Di- and Triglyceride of Medium Chain Fatty Acids by Lipid/Surfactant/Water Phase Diagram, Solubility Determination and Dispersion Testing for Application in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form Development

Purpose To compare physiochemical properties of mono-, diand triglycerides of medium chain fatty acids for development of oral pharmaceutical dosage forms of poorly water-soluble drugs using phase diagrams, drug solubility, and drug dispersion experiments. Methods Phase diagrams were prepared using a monoglyceride (glycerol monocaprylocaprate: Capmul MCM ® EP), a diglyceride (glycerol dicaprylate) and two triglycerides (glycerol tricaprylate

Investigation of thermal and viscoelastic properties of polymers relevant to hot melt extrusion, II: Cellulosic polymers

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the thermal and viscoelastic properties of cellulosic polymers commonly used in hot melt extrusion (HME). Cellulose ethers of different molecular weight (MW) with varied degree of substitution and functional groups were analyzed using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and oscillatory rheometry. The results indicate that glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscoelastic characteristics of polymers strongly depend on their chain length, MW, and degree and type of substitutions in the main chain. In general, an increase in chain length or MW was found to increase Tg as well as the viscosity (HPMC, MW10000 &lt; MW 25000 &lt; MW 150000). Also, substitutions with bulkier groups decrease the Tg and viscosity of the polymer. Most of the cellulosics were found to have high viscosity between their Tg and degradation temperature (Td), and thus cannot be extruded by themselves. The thermal properties in combination with polymer viscosity at different temperature will help formulators determine processability using HME

Investigation of thermal and viscoelastic properties of polymers relevant to hot melt extrusion, I: Polyvinylpyrrolidone and related polymers

Polymers are essential components of melt extruded products. The objective of the paper was to generate physicochemical data on polyvinylpyrrolidone-based polymers and copolymers that are relevant to hot melt extrusion (HME). It also highlights the importance of viscoelastic analysis to predict HME processing conditions. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of polymers were recorded to determine the physical nature of polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to determine their glass transition temperature (Tg) and weight loss due to degradation (Td) respectively. Rheological studies were conducted to quantitate storage modulus (G´), loss modulus (G˝), tan δ and complex viscosity (η) of the polymers at various temperatures. Powder XRD analyses showed that all polymers were amorphous in nature, with distinct single or dual halos. DSC ascertained that the amorphous polymers had single Tg values. The conversion of the polymers from solid to liquid forms with an increase in temperature was established by the tan δ = 1 values. The overall complex viscosity for all polymers decreased with an increase in temperature. The complex viscosity of one of the polymers, Soluplus®, was correlated with torque analysis by HME to establish an extrudable temperature range. The results will help the selection of polyvinylpyrrolidone-based polymers for HME

The future of tableting technology

The availability of a wide array of polymeric excipients, the recent introduction of melt granulation technologies using twin screw extruders, and the interrelationship between excipients and technology will bring major changes in how tablets are formulated and produced in the future. More research is needed to ensure that such innovations are widely applied in the pharmaceutical field

Dyslipidemia and electrolyte metabolism in essential hypertensive North Indians

Background: In the present study we are going to evaluate lipid profile and Electrolytes levels (Sodium, Potassium in Serum & Urine) in Essential Hypertensive and in healthy controls in North Indian Population.Methods: A total of 210 age and sex matched E. hypertensive & healthy controls were included in our study from outpatient department (OPD) of Medicine in King George Medical University, Lucknow, India. First group consist of 110 subjects were known E. hypertensive patients (B.P ≤ 139/89mm of Hg). Another group is control group consist of 100 subjects who were healthy controls (B.P ≤ 120/80mm of Hg) with no history of hypertension. Fasting venous blood sample was collected from all the subjects in plane vacationer and the sample was centrifuged for the estimation of lipid profile & electrolyte i.e. Sodium (N+) & Potassium (K+). Lipid profile was measured with an automated analyzer (Biochem) & Electrolytes was measured using ion-selective electrolyte auto-analyzer in the Clinical lab of biochemistry in KGMU.Results: After analyzing results almost control subjects had normal lipid profile level. In patients of E. hypertension there was a highly significant increase in serum Total Cholesterol (p˂0.0001), LDL-Cholesterol (p˂0.0001) & Triglycerides (p˂0.001). HDL-Cholesterol (p˂0.03) is also significant as compare to controls. Not significant difference was found in serum sodium & potassium level. The Urinary Na+ levels were significantly lower in E. hypertensive patients when compared to controls while Urinary K+ levels were not significant.Conclusion: So we conclude that dyslipidemia is associated with essential hypertension this may due to the genetic predisposition, secondary lifestyles, fatty food consumption, saturated fat, cholesterol in the food increase the blood cholesterol and saturated fat is the main culprit. Essential hypertensive is linked with increased Na+, K+ - ATPase activity and increased renal tubular sodium reabsorption.

Heavy metal accumulation in Trichogaster fasciata (Bloch & Schneider) from the river Ganges and its tributaries: A health concern for fish-consuming populations

176-183Accumulation of metal in fish flesh is increasing because of heavy metal pollution in rivers of India, which poses significant threat to the consumers’ health. Here, we studied the concentrations of heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)] in the muscle tissues of Banded or Striped gourami, Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider collected from the river Ganges and its tributaries in order to assess the risk the consumers are put to. The order of metal accumulation (Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd) was found to be the same in both the fish muscle and the water samples. Significant values of correlation of coefficient (R = 0.9184-0.9612) of length-weight relationship and mean condition factor ranging between 1.876-2.420 g/cm3 of different populations of the fish were recorded. All metal concentration was negatively correlated with the fish size and condition factor except Zn in Ghaghara and Yamuna (P <0.05) and Pb in the Ganges (P <0.05) and Yamuna (P <0.001). Estimated daily intakes by the fish-eating inhabitants were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake value except for that of Zn. The target hazard quotient and health index showed that intake of these heavy metals was quite safe by the fish consuming local populations including both the male and females. This study could be used as an essential piece of information for the management purposes of river Ganga to prevent heavy metal pollution and risk associated with it

Effect of different photoperiods on the growth and survival of juvenile of Indian major carp, Catla catla

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different photoperiods and darkness on the growth and survival of juvenile Catla catla in the laboratory for 90 days. Fishes were divided into four aquaria (10 fish per aquarium), and subjected to different photoperiod regimes of 8 hours light:16 hours dark (8L:16D), 16 hours light:8 hours dark (16L:8D), continuous light (24L:0D) and complete darkness (0L:24D). The maximum and minimum growth was observed in the group subjected to continuous photoperiod and complete darkness, respectively. The mean body weight of these groups was significantly different (p<0.05) from other groups which was observed from day 60. Survival rate was 100 percent in all the aquaria subjected to different photoperiods except one which was under continuous dark, where 30 percent mortality was recorded. Mean final growth rate, specific growth rate and daily feed intake were maximum in the group subjected to continuous photoperiod and their means were significantly different (p<0.05) from other groups of fish of different photoperiod regime. A continuous photoperiod is suggested for better growth and survival of rearing juvenile Indian major carp, C. catla under controlled conditions

Investigation of possible solubility and dissolution advantages of cocrystals, I: Aqueous solubility and dissolution rates of ketoconazole and its cocrystals as functions of pH

Since there are conflicting reports in the literature on solubility and dissolution advantages of cocrystals over free forms, we systematically studied solubility and intrinsic dissolution rates of a weakly basic drug, ketoconazole, and its cocrystals with fumaric acid and succinic acid as functions of pH to determine what advantages cocrystals provide. pH-solubility profiles were determined in two different ways: one by lowering pH of ketoconazole aqueous suspensions using HCl, fumaric acid and succinic acid, and the other by adjusting pH of cocrystal suspensions using respective coformer acids or NaOH. Similar pH-solubility profiles were obtained whether free base or cocrystals were used as starting materials to determine solubility. With the addition of fumaric and succinic acids to aqueous suspensions of free base to lower pH, the maximum solubility (pHmax) was reached at pH ~3.5-4.0, below which the solubility decreased and cocrystals formed. The solubility, however, continued increasing when HCl was added to ketoconazole suspension as no cocrystal or salt was formed. During determination of cocrystal solubility, a conversion to free base was observed when pH was raised above pHmax. Thus, pH-solubility profiles of cocrystals resembled solubility profiles commonly encountered with salts. Above pHmax, both free base and cocrystal had similar solubility under identical pH conditions; the solubility of cocrystal was higher only if the pH differed. In contrast, intrinsic dissolution rates of cocrystals at pH>pHmax under identical bulk pH were much higher than that of free ketoconazole since cocrystals had lower microenvironmental pH at the dissolving surface, where the solubility was high. Thus, cocrystals of basic drugs can potentially provide higher dissolution rates under intestinal pH conditions