PREPARATION OF SALBUTAMOL SULPHATE LOADED LOCUST BEAN GUM-POLYVINYL ALCOHOL COMPOSITE CRYOGEL FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Objective: The key goal of the experimental study involves the preparation of salbutamol sulphate drug-loaded freeze thawed composite cryogels, comprising locust bean gum and polyvinyl alcohol and evaluating them for drug delivery. Methods: The cryogels were formulated using freeze thaw process and characterization was performed using numerous techniques like Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, swelling behaviour and in vitro drug release. Results: FTIR spectra of drug loaded LBG-PVA composite cryogels showed sharp peak at 3437 cm-1 owing to O-H stretching of free hydroxyl groups. DSC thermogram of LBG-PVA composite cryogels displayed a broad endotherm with hump at 190.85 °C. XRD analysis of LBG-PVA composite cryogel indicated characteristic peak at 19.83° (2θ) which suggest that formation of cryogels between two polymers contributes to a decrease in crystallinity. SEM analysis depicted that LBG-PVA composite cryogels were porous in nature as interconnected and irregular pores with thick walls. Swelling study inferred that on increasing the concentration of both polymers the swelling ability of LBG-PVA increased considerably. Results obtained from optimization study suggested that greater concentration of both locust bean gum and polyvinyl alcohol favoured release of salbutamol sulphate in a sustained manner. The experimental findings display in vitro release of salbutamol sulphate as 77.75% over duration of 24 h following Higuchi’s square root release kinetics. Conclusion: The outcomes of the experimental investigation depicted that locust bean gum in combination with polyvinyl alcohol favoured synergistically with release of salbutamol sulphate in a sustained manner

Targeting Phosphopeptide Recognition by the Human BRCA1 Tandem BRCT Domain to Interrupt BRCA1-Dependent Signaling.

Intracellular signals triggered by DNA breakage flow through proteins containing BRCT (BRCA1 C-terminal) domains. This family, comprising 23 conserved phosphopeptide-binding modules in man, is inaccessible to small-molecule chemical inhibitors. Here, we develop Bractoppin, a drug-like inhibitor of phosphopeptide recognition by the human BRCA1 tandem (t)BRCT domain, which selectively inhibits substrate binding with nanomolar potency in vitro. Structure-activity exploration suggests that Bractoppin engages BRCA1 tBRCT residues recognizing pSer in the consensus motif, pSer-Pro-Thr-Phe, plus an abutting hydrophobic pocket that is distinct in structurally related BRCT domains, conferring selectivity. In cells, Bractoppin inhibits substrate recognition detected by Förster resonance energy transfer, and diminishes BRCA1 recruitment to DNA breaks, in turn suppressing damage-induced G2 arrest and assembly of the recombinase, RAD51. But damage-induced MDC1 recruitment, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generation, and TOPBP1 recruitment remain unaffected. Thus, an inhibitor of phosphopeptide recognition selectively interrupts BRCA1 tBRCT-dependent signals evoked by DNA damage

Adolescents Living with HIV: An Indian Profile

Purpose. Although there have been studies on the presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among the adult and even pediatric population, the adolescent population has been neglected. The main objective of this study was to understand and describe the profile of adolescents accessing the Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) at a tertiary healthcare centre in north India. This was a retrospective analysis of the data collected where, in addition to the analysis of the presence of HIV among the target population, a comparative analysis of HIV-positive and negative individuals was also carried out. Methods. Counselors at the ICTC of All India Institute of Medical Sciences recorded responses of the patients, and pre- and posttest counseling was performed appropriately. Also, HIV testing was performed using rapid tests (EIA) and ELISA. Both pre- and posttest counseling was performed for most of the patients. Also, the data collected from 2005 to May, 2011 was then retrospectively analyzed using various statistical tests, such as, Chi-square test and odds ratios. Results. Out of 979, 84 tested HIV positive. Discrimination at multiple levels was observed.The 10–14 years age group was 0.56 times more likely to be HIV positive than 15–19 year old. HIV serostatus was strongly associated with risk behavior (P=0.003) with heterosexual transmission being the most common. Conclusion. These findings highlight the profile of adolescents in India and their equation with HIV on demographic and psychosocial levels

Comparison of Goldmann applanation tonometer, Tono-Pen and noncontact tonometer in children

Background: To evaluate the agreement of Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) with Tono-Pen and noncontact tonometer (NCT) for measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in pediatric age group and to evaluate the correlation between central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP measured with the tonometers used. Materials and Methods: IOP was measured in 200 eyes in a group of Indian children, aged between 8 and 18 years using three different tonometers: NCT, the Tono-Pen and GAT. All IOP readings were made in the office settings by the same examiner. Readings obtained were compared between the instruments and with the CCT for each tonometer. Tonometer inter-method agreement was assessed by the Bland-Altmann method. The relations of CCT with absolute IOP values and inter-tonometer differences were analyzed by linear regression. Results: The mean age was 13.37 ΁ 3.51 years. The mean IOP values recorded with NCT; Tono-Pen and GAT were 14.38, 15.63, and 12.44 mmHg, respectively. Both Tono-Pen and NCT recorded statistically higher IOP values than the GAT (P = 0.00) regardless of the CCT. The percentage increase of IOP measured over GAT was 15.66% for NCT and 25.70% for Tono-Pen which was also statistically significant. A correlation was found between CCT and IOP values obtained with all the three tonometers. Conclusion: IOP measurements on children vary significantly between instruments and correlations are affected by the corneal thickness. Further studies on children are needed to determine which instrument is most appropriate and to derive a normative IOP scale for the growing eye

Occurrence of plant sensitivity among patients of photodermatoses: A control-matched study of 156 cases from New Delhi

Background: Photodermatitis is an abnormal response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The photoallergic contact dermatitis caused by plant allergens is a serious cause of morbidity in India. Airborne contact dermatitis is the classical presentation of plant-induced dermatosis, which may become difficult to differentiate from chronic actinic dermatitis in chronic cases. The rapid growth of parthenium weed in India and its ill effects on the population make it important to detect all cases of parthenium sensitivity, which in some cases might simulate photodermatitis. Aims: This study aims to detect the occurrence of plant sensitivity and photosensitivity in idiopathic-acquired photodermatoses, airborne contact dermatitis and general population taken as controls. Methods: One hundred and fifty six consecutive patients suffering from polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) and airborne contact dermatitis (ABCD) were enrolled in the study over a period of three years (June 2004 to May 2007). An equal number of age and sex matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study as controls. All the patients were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination and histopathological examination for diagnosis. Patch and photopatch testing were perfomed in all the patients and healthy controls for detection of allergic and photoallergic reactions to parthenium, xanthium and chrysanthemum plant antigens and control antigens. Results: Out of 156 patients enrolled in the study, 78 (50%) had CAD, 67 (42.9%) had PMLE and 11 (7.05%) had ABCD. The occurrence of parthenium/xanthium allergy and photoallergy, either to parthenium or both was most commonly found in ABCD (72.7%), followed by CAD (32%). In PMLE 4.5% cases showed photoallergy. Only 1.9% in the control group showed sensitivity to parthenium and xanthium. Conclusion: This study indicates that parthenium (and possibly xanthium) may act as important environmental factors in the initiation and perpetuation of not only ABCD but of CAD as well. Photoexacerbation to UVA at positive parthenium/xanthium sensitivity sites in ABCD and CAD indicates that ABCD with photosensitivity to compositae can lead to CAD

Myelin degradation, axonal changes and expression trajectories of glial cells stimulated by rapid head insult in humans to estimate approximate time elapsed since trauma

Abstract Background Post severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), axonal alterations lead to myelin loss and its degeneration. In the recovery phase, numerous intermingled biochemical pathways involving complex inflammatory reactions cloud the understanding of this yet undiscerned process that also varies with agonal period. In cases with dubious histories, approximating the survival time can be challenging, and expression levels of characteristic markers may aid forensic experts in the same. Methods This exploratory study recruited 100 samples—68 sTBI, 22 non-TBI and 10 age- and sex-matched control samples. Male:female ratio was 87:13. Histochemical staining using H&E was used to characterize myelination pattern, and IHC of GFAP and CD-68 were performed to assess astroglial and microglial reactions with respect to survival time in specific sites. Result Among sTBI, non-TBI and control recruits, sTBI patients depicted significant myelination abnormalities, astroglial proliferation and microglial reaction and varying with survival time. Non-TBI and control samples depicted nearly similar profiles. Conclusion In order to untangle the complex mesh of biochemical responses, nuanced research on individual factors (both pre- and post mortem) with regard to specific site and survival time are warranted. Standardizing experimental data and converting it into empirical data shall aid forensic experts in suggesting approximate agonal period