DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORAL SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS OF DIDANOSINE

Objectives: In present study, an attempt was made to design sustained-release tablets containing Didanosine using natural gums like Xanthan gum, Guar gum and Karaya gum. Methods: The sustained-release tablets containing Didanosine prepared by using natural gums by wet granulation method. Influence of natural polymer on Didanosine was studied. The prepared tablets were selected for DSC and FTIR studies.Results and Discussions: The tablets were selected for DSC and FTIR studies did not show any chemical interaction between drug and polymer. The prepared formulations were evaluated for Hardness, Thickness, Friability, Weight variation, drug content estimation, Swelling index, in-vitro drug release are within the acceptable standard. In-vitro release profile was check for 8 hrs to evaluate the SR matrix tablet of Didanosine. The optimized tablets were carried out according to ICH guidelines at 40 ± 2º C/ 75 ± 5percent RH for three months. All the prepared tablets were stable at room temperature. The values of pre-compression parameters of prepared granules were evaluated the results were within prescribed limits and indicated good free flowing property. The prepared tablets were subjected to all the quality control tests they were within the official pharmacopoeial limits. Friability is less than 1percent, indicated that tablets had a good mechanical resistance. Weight variation test revealed that the tablets were within the range of pharmacopoeial limit. Thickness, hardness and drug content were within the range of pharmacopoeial limit. The evaluation parameters were within acceptable range for all the formulations. The in-vitro release of Didanosine was conducted for 8 hrs. The optimized formulations WGX3, WGG5 and WGK9 sustained the release up to 8hr. Hence Didanosine along with Xanthan gum, Guar gum and Karaya Gum could be used to prepared sustained released matrix tablets. The in-vitro release obeyed zero order kinetics with mechanism of release was erosion followed by non-fickian diffusion.Conclusion: Among all the formulations WGK9 is the best shows excellent release around 99percent after 8 hrs. The prepared matrix tablets of Didanosine were stable. So, it may be concluded that sustained release matrix tablets would improve the patient compliance and bioavailability may be improved. Keywords:  Didanosine, Xanthan gum, Guar gum and Karaya gum

A New Technique to find the effect of Active Power Loading on Voltage Stability and Algorithm to improve Voltage Stability of Radial and Meshed Power Systems

This paper will analyze the impact of active power on voltage stability of radial and meshed systems and a new algorithm is proposed which would indicate the amount and location at which the active power is to be reduced to improve the voltage stability of entire power system or set of buses that are prone to voltage instability. A new sensitivity matrix named Active Power L-Index sensitivity matrix is been proposed. The proposed approach is simple and easy to be implemented into large power systems. The proposed approach has been applied to several Indian rural distribution networks and IEEE 14-bus test system which demonstrated applicability of the proposed approach. Index Terms- L-index matrix, Jacobian matrix, sensitivity, Active Power L-Index sensitivity matri

Droop reduction in ZnO/GaN Hybrid Light Emitting Diodes

335-338PN junction is the basic building block for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. ZnO shows the n-type behaviour. P-type doping with suitable hole concentration and reduced defects is one of the major challenges in the fabrication of ZnO based devices. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic and Bismuth are some of the potential p-type dopants, but none of them have desired electrical properties to fabricate p-n junction from ZnO. In the present work, we proposed a hybrid n-ZnO/p-GaN hetero-structure, in which n-type ZnO film is placed on Mg doped GaN film. Simulation results revealed that the electroluminescence intensities increases in hybrid LED structure and there is a strong sensitivity towards the layer properties in hybrid structure

Heavy Metal Contamination of Food Crops: Transportation via Food Chain, Human Consumption, Toxicity and Management Strategies

Food security is a major concern that requires sustained advancement both statistically and on the basis of Qualitative assessment. In recent years, antagonistic impacts of unforeseen toxins have impacted the quality of crops and have created a burden on human lives. Heavy metals (e.g., Hg, As, Pb, Cd, and Cr) can affect humans, adding to dreariness and in severe cases even death. It additionally investigates the conceivable geological routes of heavy metals in the surrounding subsystems. The top-to-the-bottom conversation is additionally offered on physiological/atomic movement systems engaged with the take-up of metallic foreign substances inside food crops. At long last, the board procedures are proposed to recapture maintainability in soil–food subsystems. This paper reflects the contamination of the food crops with heavy metals, the way of transport of heavy metal to food crops, degree of toxicity after consumption and the strategies to maintain the problem

SWOG 1815: A phase III randomized trial of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and nab-paclitaxel versus gemcitabine and cisplatin in newly diagnosed, advanced biliary tract cancers

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a dismal prognosis. Gemcitabine-based regimens are the standard of care in advanced disease, but median overall survival (OS) is roughly 12 months. The addition of albumin-bound paclitaxel to gemcitabine and cisplatin (GAP) demonstrated promising efficacy in a 60 patient, single-arm phase II study (Shroff et al, JAMA Oncol 2019), with observed median OS of 19.2 months. Methods: SWOG 1815 is a randomized, open-label, phase III trial comparing GAP to gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC). The study included newly diagnosed advanced BTC patients (pts), randomized 2:1 to GAP vs. GC. GAP included gemcitabine at 800 mg/m2, cisplatin at 25 mg/m2 and albumin-bound paclitaxel at 100 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. GC included standard dosing of gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 and cisplatin at 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. Pts were treated until progression. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with a target hazard ratio of 0.7 with 90% power and a 1-sided alpha of 0.025; randomization was stratified by disease site (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma [CCA] vs gallbladder adenocarcinoma [GBC] vs extrahepatic CCA), disease stage (locally advanced vs metastatic), and Zubrod PS 0 vs 1. Results: Of 441 eligible pts randomized, 55% were female. 67% of patients had intrahepatic CCA, 16% had GBC and 17% had extrahepatic CCA. Most pts had metastases (73%). Median OS with GAP vs. GC was 14 vs. 12.7 mo respectively (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.74-1.19, p=0.58), ORR (confirmed and unconfirmed) 34% vs25% (p=0.11) and median PFS 8.2 vs 6.4 mo (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72-1.16, p=0.47), respectively. Grade 3 and 4 treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) in ≥10% of pts for GAP and GC were anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. GAP had more ≥ grade 3 hematologic AEs compared to the GC arm (60% vs. 45%, p=0.003). Discontinuation due to toxicity was at 24% vs 19% (p=0.26) with GAP vs GC. In exploratory subset analyses, GAP vs GC improved OS in pts with locally advanced disease (medians 19.2 vs 13.7 mo; HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.42- 1.06, p=0.09) and in GBC pts (medians 17.0 vs 9.3 mo; HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.41-1.35, p=0.33). ORR for GAP vs GC in GBC was 50% vs 24% (p=0.09) and for locally advanced disease 28 vs 21% p=0.74. Conclusions: SWOG 1815 did not result in a statistically significant improvement in median OS with GAP vs. GC. The GAP regimen had higher rates of TRAEs without a statistically significant difference in discontinuation rates. Pts with locally advanced disease and GBC may benefit from the use of GAP. Further analyses are ongoing to understand potential benefit of GAP in subsets of BTC pts. Funding: NIH/National Cancer Institute grants CA180888, CA180819, CA180820, CA180821, and CA180868; and in part by Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ (subsidiary of Bristol Myer Squibb)

ELECtric Tibial nerve stimulation to Reduce Incontinence in Care homes: protocol for the ELECTRIC randomised trial

Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent in nursing and residential care homes (CH) and profoundly impacts on residents’ dignity and quality of life. Care homes predominantly use absorbent pads to contain UI rather than actively treat the condition. Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) is a non-invasive, safe, low-cost intervention with demonstrated effectiveness for reducing UI in adults. However, the effectiveness of TPTNS to treat UI in older adults living in care homes is not known. The ELECTRIC Trial aims to establish if a programme of TPTNS is a clinically effective treatment for UI in care home residents and investigate the associated costs and consequences. Methods This is a pragmatic, multicentre, placebo controlled randomised parallel group trial comparing effectiveness of TPTNS (target n=250) with sham stimulation (target n=250) in reducing volume of UI in CH residents. CH residents (men and women) with self- or staff- reported UI of more than once per week are eligible to take part, including those with cognitive impairment. Outcomes will be measured at 6, 12 and 18 weeks post randomisation using the following measures: 24-hour pad weight tests (PWT), post void residual urine (bladder scans), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire (MTSQ) and Dementia Quality of Life (DEMQOL). Economic evaluation based on a bespoke Resource Use Questionnaire will assess the costs of providing a programme of TPTNS. A concurrent process evaluation will investigate fidelity to the intervention and influencing factors and qualitative interviews will explore the experiences of TPTNS from the perspective of CH residents, family members, CH staff and managers. Discussion TPTNS is a non-invasive intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing UI in adults. The ELECTRIC Trial will involve CH staff delivering TPTNS to residents and establish whether TPTNS is more effective than sham stimulation for reducing the volume of UI in CH residents. Should TPTNS be shown to be an effective and acceptable treatment for UI in older adults in CHs, it will provide a safe, low-cost and dignified alternative to the current standard approach of containment and medication. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov. NCT03248362. Registered on 14/08/2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ISRCTN, ISRCTN 98415244. Registered on 25/04/2018. https://www.isrctn.com

X-Ray diffraction studies on molybdena-zirconia catalysts

241-242A series of MoO3-ZrO2 catalysts have been prepared and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction technique in the reduced and unreduced states. XRD results strongly suggest the formation of highly dispersed amorphous phase of Mo-oxide from 1-4 wt% Mo and of crsytalline MoO2, phase from 6-12 wt% Mo loading. These results are correlated with previously reported low temperature oxygen chemisorption measurements

Oxygen Chemisorption & X-Ray Diffraction Studies on Molybdena-Titania Catalysts

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