DEVELOPMENT OF RIVASTIGMINE LOADED SELF ASSEMBLED NANOSTRUCTURES OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS FOR BRAIN DELIVERY

Objective: Aim of the study is to develop rivastigmine-loaded niosomal in situ gel via the intranasal route to the brain by crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier. For the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, it provides a speedy onset of action, a faster therapeutic effect, avoidance of the first-pass metabolism, and enhanced bioavailability. Methods: Rivastigmine niosomal in situ nasal gel was developed, refined and tested with the goal of delivering the medicine to the brain via the intranasal route Rivastigmine niosomes were formulated by thin-film hydration technique, optimized using (32) factorial design and characterized for its physicochemical parameters. Rivastigmine-loaded niosomes were further incorporated into Carbopal-934P and HPMC-K4M liquid gelling system to form in situ nasal gel. The resulting solution was evaluated for several parameters including, viscosity at pH 5 and pH 6, gelling capacity and gelling time. Results: Optimized best formulation containing span 60 (A) and cholesterol (B) with (1:0.5) ratio identified from the model developed from Design-Expert®12 software, exhibited Entrapment efficiency (76.5±0.23%), particle size (933.4±0.14 nm), in vitro drug release maximum (68.94±0.26%) at 8th hour and further studied for its characteristics by SEM and TEM showed stable vesicles. Polynomial equations of Y1, Y2, and Y3 were conducted and ANOVA results showed a significant impact (p<0.05) on three levels. In vivo perfusion studies using rat model showed, the niosomes developed has good perfusion compared to pure drug with 27.2% of drug absorption in the brain at the end of 3 h. In vitro permeation of Rivastigmine through the dialysis membrane showed that 60.74% w/w drug permeated after 8 h. The formation of stable vesicles was proved by Zeta potential measurements and SEM analysis. Conclusion: Optimized formulation had greater perfusion and was expected to have a good bioavailability compared to conventional other drug delivery systems

Insights into the Fold Organization of TIM Barrel from Interaction Energy Based Structure Networks

There are many well-known examples of proteins with low sequence similarity, adopting the same structural fold. This aspect of sequence-structure relationship has been extensively studied both experimentally and theoretically, however with limited success. Most of the studies consider remote homology or “sequence conservation” as the basis for their understanding. Recently “interaction energy” based network formalism (Protein Energy Networks (PENs)) was developed to understand the determinants of protein structures. In this paper we have used these PENs to investigate the common non-covalent interactions and their collective features which stabilize the TIM barrel fold. We have also developed a method of aligning PENs in order to understand the spatial conservation of interactions in the fold. We have identified key common interactions responsible for the conservation of the TIM fold, despite high sequence dissimilarity. For instance, the central beta barrel of the TIM fold is stabilized by long-range high energy electrostatic interactions and low-energy contiguous vdW interactions in certain families. The other interfaces like the helix-sheet or the helix-helix seem to be devoid of any high energy conserved interactions. Conserved interactions in the loop regions around the catalytic site of the TIM fold have also been identified, pointing out their significance in both structural and functional evolution. Based on these investigations, we have developed a novel network based phylogenetic analysis for remote homologues, which can perform better than sequence based phylogeny. Such an analysis is more meaningful from both structural and functional evolutionary perspective. We believe that the information obtained through the “interaction conservation” viewpoint and the subsequently developed method of structure network alignment, can shed new light in the fields of fold organization and de novo computational protein design

NIOSOMES AS AN EMERGING FORMULATION TOOL FOR DRUG DELIVERY-A REVIEW

Nonionic surfactant based vesicles which are uni/multilamellar in structures are called niosomes. These vesicles contains an aqueous interior surrounded by one or more amphiphilic bilayer membrane forming surfactant which separates them from the bulk solution, and are also called as supramolecular aggregates. Niosomes, being an efficient drug delivery system, investigations are carried out to utilize this system to treat various disorders, to promote improved patient compliance, lesser side effects, reduction in dose, lesser dosage frequency, and higher amount of the drug at the particular site so as to lessen an excessive contact with the whole body. The Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic profile of Niosomal drug delivery system vary for various entrapped drugs. Drugs that are successful in the mitigation or treatment of CNS disorders should cross the BBB to reach the brain, as BBB seems to be an obstacle for a large number of drugs, including CNS active drugs. This article compiles recent techniques for the preparation and characterization of niosomes, the effect of formulation variables on its physicochemical properties and discussed about its effective applications in drug delivery

A Method for Dynamic Characterization and Response Prediction Using Ground Vibration Test(GVT)Data for Unknown Structures.

The Objective Of This Proposed Work Is To Develop A Reliable Method For Dynamic Characterization And Prediction Of Dynamic Response Of Structures Of Known/Unknown Configurations, By Processing The Free Vibration Data Generated Experimentally From The Ground Vibration Tests (GVT)Of The Prototype Vehicles. The Methodology Would Make Use Of The Measured Dynamic Data In Terms Of Mode Shapes, Natural Frequencies, Modal Damping, Point Impedances Etc.And Generate Modal (Scaled) Stiffness And Inertia Information That Will Be Used For Prediction Of Response Characteristics Of The Prototype Structure . With These Objectives, The Present Work Develops The Mathematical Formulation Of The Method, And Demonstrates Its Reliability By Performing The Experiment On A Simple Cantilever Beam To Determine Its Dynamic Characteristics. Results On Scaled Modal Stiffness And Inertia, Generated Through The Method Using Experimental (GVT) Data Show Excellent Agreement With Those Generated By FE And Analytical Models .It Must Be Noted That A Valid Benchmarking Is Performed With The Condition That The Experimental Procedure Is 'Blind' To The Actual Stiffness And Inertia Distributions As Used In FEM Or Analytical Models . Agreement Of The Predicted Response Of The Structure With That From Direct Experiment And Those From The FE And Analytical Models Indicates That This Method Will Be A Promising Tool To Predict The Dynamic And Aeroelastic Characteristics Of Any Prototype Vehicle In The Future. Once The Reliability Of The Method Is Established,It Can Be Extended To Determine The Dynamic And Aeroelastic Characteristics Of All Aircraft For Which Dynamic Characteristics Are Available From A Ground -; Vibration Test (GVT)

Developing markers for Sigatoka leaf spot disease (Mycosphaerella musicola Leach) resistance in banana (Musa spp.)

Sigatoka leaf spot (Mycosphaerella musicola Leach) disease is a limiting factor in banana production in India and other places. Breeding for resistance is the most effective method to control Musa diseases. However, Musa improvement using conventional methods has been hampered due to lack of genetic variability, resulting to biotechnological approaches. In this regard, marker-assisted selection has become a reliable method to improve disease resistance in Musa. The objective of this study was to identify markers that may be linked to Sigatoka leaf spot disease in Musa, using RAPDs and converting such into sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR). Consequently, a total of 102 oligonucleotide OPERON primer pairs were used to screen genomic DNA from two resistant cultivars: Calcutta 4 (Musa acuminate, AA) and Manoranjitham (AAA), and two susceptible cultivars Anaikomban (AA) and Grande Naine (AAA) with only 11 (10.8%) of the primers being polymorphic. Eventually, OPK 01 and OPK 11 primers in Calcutta 4 were eluted, but only OPK 11 was sequenced and cloned using pGEM-2T vector, resulting to a band size of 4.3 KB, and the development of two SCAR markers. A FASTA search in the Musa genome database could not identify corresponding gene sequences that show homology with the sequenced PCR fragment. Finally, the SCAR marker was used to amplify genomic DNA from the segregating population which could not discriminate between resistant and susceptible samples. This may be due to amplification conditions, limited number of primers and most importantly, the absence of tight linkage with the gene of interest. In conclusion, it may be necessary to screen the segregating population with more reliable and reproducible amplified fragment length polymorphism.Key words: Marker-assisted selection, disease resistance, Musa, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic improvement, SCAR

Socio-Economic and Occupational Status of The Fisherman Community in Thoothukudi District

This research study aims to examine the socioeconomic and occupational status of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district, located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, India. The fishing community plays a vital role in the region's economy, contributing to the livelihoods of numerous households and supporting the local fishery industry. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on various aspects of the fisherman community's socioeconomic conditions and occupational dynamics. A representative sample of fishermen and their families residing in different coastal villages within the Thoothukudi district will be selected for data collection. The quantitative phase involves administering structured surveys to collect data on demographic characteristics, education levels, household income, asset ownership, and access to social welfare programs. Additionally, information related to occupational factors such as fishing techniques, equipment, fishing practices, and income generated from fishing activities will be collected. The qualitative phase comprises in-depth interviews with a subset of participants to explore their perceptions, challenges, and aspirations related to their occupation and socio-economic circumstances. The qualitative data will provide a nuanced understanding of the fisherman community's lived experiences, social networks, and community support systems. The collected data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods and qualitative thematic analysis techniques. The findings of this research are expected to shed light on the current socioeconomic and occupational status of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district. The study will also identify key challenges and opportunities faced by the community, including issues related to poverty, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The results of this study can inform policymakers, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations working towards the welfare and development of the fisherman community. By understanding the socio-economic and occupational dynamics, stakeholders can design targeted interventions and policies to enhance the livelihoods, well-being, and sustainable development of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district and similar coastal regions

Human Impact on Marine Life and Ecosystems: An Assessment of Conservation Strategies

Human activities have had a significant impact on marine life and ecosystems, necessitating the implementation of conservation strategies to mitigate further damage. This abstract examines various conservation strategies and their effectiveness in addressing the human impact on marine environments. Industrialization, overfishing, pollution, and climate change have all had serious consequences for marine life. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and marine biodiversity have been degraded to unprecedented levels. To protect marine ecosystems, conservation strategies such as marine protected areas (MPAs), sustainable fishing practises, and pollution control measures have been implemented. MPAs have emerged as powerful tools for safeguarding critical habitats and species. They increase biodiversity, improve fish stocks, and mitigate the effects of human activity. Their success, however, is dependent on proper design, enforcement, and long-term monitoring. Sustainable fishing practices, such as ecosystem-based management and the implementation of fishing quotas, aim to ensure the long-term viability of fish populations while lowering bycatch and habitat destruction. These strategies have shown promise in restoring fish stocks and maintaining ecosystem health. Pollution control measures, such as wastewater treatment and stricter regulations on industrial and shipping activities, have been critical in reducing marine pollution. However, more comprehensive approaches are required to address emerging threats such as microplastics and chemical contaminants. The study's primary goal is to identify the factors that influence the organic product market in India. A sample size of 201 is used for empirical research. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is the sample location. Age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, and monthly income are the independent variables. Biological Data, Environmental Data and Socio-economic Data are the dependent variables. It is possible to conclude that there is a lack of a well-established market for organic products in India, despite the fact that organic products have a high export potential. Finally, conservation strategies are critical for mitigating human impacts on marine life and ecosystems. MPAs, sustainable fishing practises, and pollution control measures can all help restore and protect marine biodiversity. However, ongoing research, adaptive management, and international cooperation are required to develop and refine these strategies to address emerging challenges in marine conservation

Influence of potassium iodate and chitosan iodate complex on growth, yield, quality and iodine uptake in ‘shivam’ hybrid of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

An iodine biofortification experiment was conducted by applying potassium iodate fertilizer in soil and foliar form and chitosan complex forms to investigate the growth, yield, quality and uptake of iodine in shivam hybrid of tomato in Palaviduthi soil series of Coimbatore region. Soil fertilization alone resulted in lower uptake of iodine in fruits because the iodine is susceptible to high volatilization and less phytoavailability and also resulted in less yield and poor quality of fruits. When the chitosan and potassium iodate were applied in combination through foliar form, the quality of the fruits was found to be superior (carotene-1.24 mg 100gm-1 ascorbic acid- 3.56 mg 100gm-1, titrable acidity-0.96%), with higher fruit yield (94.81 t ha-1) and uptake of iodine in fruits (0.99ppm). Potassium iodate alone, either in the form of soil or foliar application, increased the quality of fruits, but it did not prevent the loss of various pigments and acids during ripening and also the loss of iodine through volatilization. But chitosan conserved the losses by reducing the respiration rate and oxygen permeability. Further, chitosan formed an electrostatic interaction with potassium iodate, preventing volatilisation and gradually increasing the bioavailability of iodine from soil to fruits. Hence biofortifying iodine in the form of potassium iodate chitosan complex was preferred for enhancing yield, improving quality and increasing the iodine content in fruits