Formulation and Evaluation of Chlorzoxazone Floating Microspheres

The aim of the study was to prepare Gastro retentive floating microspheres of chlorzoxazone by solvent evaporation method using ethyl cellulose and HPMCK15 as polymers to provide the drug release in sustained manner and to increase the bioavailability of drug. ❖ The λmax of chlorzoxazone was found to be 282nm using acid buffer pH 1.2 at concentration 10μg/ml. ❖ The chlorzoxazone obey Beer’s law within the concentrations 5-25μg/ml. ❖ The solubility studies of pure drug showed, that the chlorzoxazone was not soluble in water. Sparingly soluble in ethanol, methanol. Soluble in chloroform and ether. ❖ FT-IR studies provided that there was no interaction between the drug and polymers. ❖ Chlorzoxazone floating microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method, by changing polymer concentration, rpm, and surfactant concentration. ❖ Percentage yield of floating microspheres were lied in the range of 51.98% - 81.48%. Formulation F9 has highest percentage yield – 81.48%. ❖ Micromeritic properties of microspheres were evaluated. Angle of repose, Bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index and hausner’s ratio of all formulations was within the acceptable limit. ❖ Particle size of the microspheres was determined by microscopic method, particle size was in the range between 99.9- 399.9μm. ❖ Floating lag time determined using acid buffer pH 1.2; all formulations starts float within 40 seconds. ❖ The % entrapment efficiency of the formulation was lied in the range of 54.42%- 84.47%. Formulation F9 has highest entrapment efficiency with 84.47% this is because of the increasing concentration of polymer. ❖ % buoyancy of the formulation was lied in the range of 50 % - 85 %. Formulation F9 showed better floating ability. ❖ Cumulative % drug release of floating microspheres was found to be 54.27% - 95.79%. Formulation F9 shows 54.27 % of release in 8 hours. ❖ The drug release kinetics of the microspheres was complied with higuchi kinetics model with R2 value 0.977 followed by diffusion drug release mechanism. The ‘n’ value of the korsmeyer peppas was found to be between 0.5 – 1.00 which indicted anomalous non Fickian diffusion i.e. both diffusion and dissolution mediated drug release. CONCLUSION: Gastro retentive floating microspheres of chlorzoxazone were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique, using ethyl cellulose and HPMC K15 in order to retain drug in body for longer period of time to increase bioavailability. Overall results suggest that most variables (polymer concentration, emulsifying agent concentration, type and volume of dispersed phase and stirring speed) had a significant effect on the physical characteristics along with the drug release profile of the formulated floating microspheres. On the basis of data obtained from in-vitro dissolution studies, it can be concluded that formulation F9 was promising formulation suitable for the sustained release of chlorzoxazone for gastro retention purpose that may be giving rise to enhance the bioavailability of the drug. Chlorzoxazone floating drug delivery system promises to be a potential approach for gastric retention used in the treatment of muscular pain by its muscle relaxing property

“Factors influencing the outcome of COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital, Madurai.- a cross-sectional study”

Introduction: COVID19* is a new disease with significant mortality risk. Because of the scarcity of the study on factors associated with the mortality in Tamil Nadu present study was done to determine the factors associated with the outcome of the COVID19 patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital, Madurai. Methodology: 4530 lab confirmed COVID19 patients admitted from March to August 31st, 2020; excluding the non-responders or who gave incomplete information were included in the study. Data retrieved from Case Investigation Forms *filled through telephonic interview. Chi -square test, Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to find out the association between the factors and risk of death(outcome). Results: Out of 4530 COVID19 positive patients 381(8.4%) died and 4149(91.6%) were discharged. Using multivariate logistic regression* following were the factors predicted to be associated with mortality:Age group <17yrs(PR = 4.12),30–44yrs(PR = 2.28),45–59(PR = 3.12),60–69(PR = 4.26) and ≥ 70(PR = 7.05); male gender(PR = 1.26); breathlessness at the time of admission(PR = 7.05); with 1symptom (PR = 2.58), 2symptoms(PR = 3.16) and ≥ 3 symptoms(PR = 2.45); chronic kidney disease(PR = 3.07), malignancy(PR = 2.39); other chronic diseases(PR = 1.89); having only diabetes(PR = 1.58); diabetes with hypertension (PR = 1.70); diabetes with heart disease(PR = 1.94); Hypertension with heart disease(PR = 2.30); diabetes with hypertension and heart disease(PR = 1.58). Survival probability* was more than 90% when patient gets admitted within a week after symptom onset,<80% for between 7 and 10 days and declines thereafter. Conclusion: Early insights into factors associated with COVID-19 deaths have been generated in the context of a global health emergency *which may help the treating physician

Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study

Background & objectives: In view of anecdotal reports of sudden unexplained deaths in India's apparently healthy young adults, linking to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination, we determined the factors associated with such deaths in individuals aged 18-45 years through a multicentric matched case–control study. Methods: This study was conducted through participation of 47 tertiary care hospitals across India. Cases were apparently healthy individuals aged 18-45 years without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly (<24 h of hospitalization or seen apparently healthy 24 h before death) died of unexplained causes during 1st October 2021-31st March 2023. Four controls were included per case matched for age, gender and neighborhood. We interviewed/perused records to collect data on COVID-19 vaccination/infection and post-COVID-19 conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency and binge drinking and vigorous-intensity physical activity two days before death/interviews. We developed regression models considering COVID-19 vaccination ≤42 days before outcome, any vaccine received anytime and vaccine doses to compute an adjusted matched odds ratio (aOR) with 95 per cent confidence interval (CI). Results: Seven hundred twenty nine cases and 2916 controls were included in the analysis. Receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine lowered the odds [aOR (95% CI)] for unexplained sudden death [0.58 (0.37, 0.92)], whereas past COVID-19 hospitalization [3.8 (1.36, 10.61)], family history of sudden death [2.53 (1.52, 4.21)], binge drinking 48 h before death/interview [5.29 (2.57, 10.89)], use of recreational drug/substance [2.92 (1.1, 7.71)] and performing vigorous-intensity physical activity 48 h before death/interview [3.7 (1.36, 10.05)] were positively associated. Two doses lowered the odds of unexplained sudden death [0.51 (0.28, 0.91)], whereas single dose did not. Interpretation & conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviors increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death

Notes for genera – Ascomycota

Knowledge of the relationships and thus the classification of fungi, has developed rapidly with increasingly widespread use of molecular techniques, over the past 10--15 years, and continues to accelerate. Several genera have been found to be polyphyletic, and their generic concepts have subsequently been emended. New names have thus been introduced for species which are phylogenetically distinct from the type species of particular genera. The ending of the separate naming of morphs of the same species in 2011, has also caused changes in fungal generic names. In order to facilitate access to all important changes, it was desirable to compile these in a single document. The present article provides a list of generic names of Ascomycota (approximately 6500 accepted names published to the end of 2016), including those which are lichen-forming. Notes and summaries of the changes since the last edition of `Ainsworth Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi' in 2008 are provided. The notes include the number of accepted species, classification, type species (with location of the type material), culture availability, life-styles, distribution, and selected publications that have appeared since 2008. This work is intended to provide the foundation for updating the ascomycete component of the ``Without prejudice list of generic names of Fungi'' published in 2013, which will be developed into a list of protected generic names. This will be subjected to the XIXth International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen in July 2017 agreeing to a modification in the rules relating to protected lists, and scrutiny by procedures determined by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi (NCF). The previously invalidly published generic names Barriopsis, Collophora (as Collophorina), Cryomyces, Dematiopleospora, Heterospora (as Heterosporicola), Lithophila, Palmomyces (as Palmaria) and Saxomyces are validated, as are two previously invalid family names, Bartaliniaceae and Wiesneriomycetaceae. Four species of Lalaria, which were invalidly published are transferred to Taphrina and validated as new combinations. Catenomycopsis Tibell Constant. is reduced under Chaenothecopsis Vain., while Dichomera Cooke is reduced under Botryosphaeria Ces. De Not. (Art. 59)