Formulation and in vitro evaluation of mucoadhesive controlled release matrix tablets of flurbiprofen using response surface methodology

The objective of the current study was to formulate mucoadhesive controlled release matrix tablets of flurbiprofen and to optimize its drug release profile and bioadhesion using response surface methodology. Tablets were prepared via a direct compression technique and evaluated for in vitro dissolution parameters and bioadhesive strength. A central composite design for two factors at five levels each was employed for the study. Carbopol 934 and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were taken as independent variables. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies were performed to observe the stability of the drug during direct compression and to check for a drug-polymer interaction. Various kinetic models were applied to evaluate drug release from the polymers. Contour and response surface plots were also drawn to portray the relationship between the independent and response variables. Mucoadhesive tablets of flurbiprofen exhibited non-Fickian drug release kinetics extending towards zero-order, with some formulations (F3, F8, and F9) reaching super case II transport, as the value of the release rate exponent (n) varied between 0.584 and 1.104. Polynomial mathematical models, generated for various response variables, were found to be statistically significant (PO objetivo do presente estudo foi formular comprimidos mucoadesivos de flurbiprofeno, de liberação controlada, e otimizar o perfil da liberação do fármaco e a bioadesão, utilizando a metodologia de superfície de resposta. Prepararam-se os comprimidos via técnica de compressão direta, que foram avaliados in vitro quanto aos parâmetros de dissolução e da força bioadesiva. Planejamento com componente central para dois fatores em cinco níveis cada foi empregado para esse estudo. Carbopol 934 e carboximetilcelulose sódica foram tomados como variáveis independentes. Efetuaram-se estudos de espectroscopia por transformada de Fourier (FTIR) para observar a estabilidade do fármaco durante a compressão direta e para avaliar a interação a fármaco-polímero. Aplicaram-se vários métodos cinéticos para avaliar a liberação do fármaco dos polímeros. Gráficos de superfície de contorno e de resposta foram efetuados para retratar a relação entre as variáveis dependentes e a resposta. Os comprimidos mucoadesivos de flurbiprofeno apresentaram cinética de liberação não-fickiana, estendendo para ordem zero, para algumas formulações (F3, F8 e F9), alcançando transporte super caso II, à medida que o valor do expoente (n) de taxa de liberação variou entre 0,584 e 1,104. Modelos matemáticos polinomiais, gerados por diversas variáveis de resposta, foram estatisticamente, significativos (

Potential use of natural silk for bio-dental applications

AbstractObjectivesSilks are protein polymers that are spun into fibres by silkworms and spiders under ambient conditions. Silk has been used as a biomaterial in a variety of biological applications for many years, whereas there are few applications in dentistry. The aim of this study was to explore the potential properties of natural silk for dental applications by determining the structure and features that make natural silk a biocompatible candidate.MethodsWe conducted a literature search through the recognized databases of medline, ISI web of science, SCOPUS, and EBASE to elucidate the natural properties of silk, its processing for biomedical applications and its use in dental applications.ResultsSilk has excellent natural properties, such as strength, resistance to light, temperature and humidity and biocompatibility. Once silk has been dissolved, it can be used to produce a variety of materials, such as films, gels, fibres, nanofibres, granules, foams, spheres and electrospun mats, on a micro or nano scale. Applications in dentistry include biomineralization, tissue engineering for scaffold applications and drug delivery.ConclusionsThere has been renewed research on silk-based materials for various biomedical applications, including dentistry

Characterization of doxorubicin nanoparticles prepared by ionic gelation

Purpose: To prepare and characterise doxorubicin nanopatrticles and study their drug delivery in breast cancer.Methods: Doxorubicin nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method using sodium alginate as polymer. The formulations were optimized by cross-linking CaCl2 with sodium alginate at different concentrations. Zeta sizer Nano ZS (UK) was used to determine the mean particle size distribution of the nanoparticle preparations. The shape and external morphologies of the nanoparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Drug release was determined and kinetic release analysis was applied to determine the mechanism of drug release.Results: Entrapment efficiency and mean particle size values were correlated. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the nanoparticles were spherical with little irregularity but without cracks. Doxorubicin release from the sodium alginate nanoparticles followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model which suggest that drug release from the nanoparticles was by diffusion and dissociation from the natural polymer matrix.Conclusion: The doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles showed concentration-dependent increases in entrapment efficiency. The nanoparticles displayed anticancer properties in breast cancer cell line, thus indicating its potential fo chemotherapeutic application.Keywords: Doxorubicin, Ionic gelation, Nanoparticles, Sodium alginate, Drug release mechanism, Anticance

The role of financial constraints in business environment : evidence from business group affiliated and non-affiliated firms in Pakistan

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Cash Flows, Growth Opportunities, Firm Size, Firm Age, Firm Performance, Investment, Financial constraints and Leverage between the B.G AFs and NAFs of Pakistan. Current study consists of the balanced panel data containing 86 B.G AFs vs. 90 NAFs of the Pakistan. This study covers the yearly data period from 2007 to 2017. The findings showed that the cash flows are positively correlated with the return on assets, investments, financial constraints, while leverage is negatively correlated with the financial constraints. The positive correlation between cash flows and return on asset is higher for the B.G AFs, which means the B.G AFs are more profitable than the NAFs. The correlation of cash flows with the investment and financial constraints is positive but lower for the B.G AFs, showing that AFs investment is less sensitive and less financially constrained than NAFs. The inverse correlation between leverage and financial constraints shows that the B.G AFs have easy access to the financial sources. The positive and higher correlation of growth opportunities with cash flows and return on assets shows that the AFs growth is higher than NAFs

A comparative bioavailability study of aceclofenac products in healthy human subjects

This study was conducted to compare the bioavailability of two branded formulations of aceclofenac and to evaluate their pharmacokinetic behavior. For bioequivalence study of two formulations of aceclofenac; drug A and drug B were administered to 18 healthy human volunteers using a two-treatment, two-way cross over study design in a randomized fashion. For the determination of aceclofenac plasma concentration, validated HPLC method with UV-visible detector, 20 µl injecting loop and C18 analytical column were used. The lower limit of detection is 0.0195µg/ml and quantitation range is 0.039, 0.078, 0.156, 0.312, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20µg/ml. Different pharmacokinetic parameter were determined including Tmax, T1/2, Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-?, vd, ke for two formulations of aceclofenac in plasma. After log-transformation of plasma data for bioequivalence Cmax, AUC0-t and AUCt-? were tested. The Cmax values of 7.69 ± 0.14221µg/ml and 6.82 ± 0.13411µg/ml were attained in 3.14 ± 0.0801 h and 2.94 ± 0.1878 h for drug A and Drug B, respectively. AUC0-t was 45332.79 ± 2096.770µg.h/ml and 43842.56 ± 1046.954µg.h/ml, respectively. AUC0-? was 45329.97±2138.871µg.h/ml and 43589.97 ± 1039.78 µg.h/ml for drug A and Drug B, respectively. The t1/2 values were found to be 3.14 ± 0.080 h and 3.01 ± 0.024 h for drug A and Drug B

Design of Multiplexers for IoT-Based Applications Using Stub-Loaded Coupled-Line Resonators

This paper presents the design of microstrip-based multiplexers using stub-loaded coupled-line resonators. The proposed multiplexers consist of a diplexer and a triplexer, meticulously engineered to operate at specific frequency bands relevant to IoT systems: 2.55 GHz, 3.94 GHz, and 5.75 GHz. To enhance isolation and selectivity between the two passband regions, the diplexer incorporates five transmission poles (TPs) within its design. Similarly, the triplexer filter employs seven transmission poles to attain the desired performance across all three passbands. A comprehensive comparison was conducted against previously reported designs, considering crucial parameters such as size, insertion loss, return loss, and isolation between the two frequency bands. The fabrication of the diplexer and triplexer was carried out on a compact Rogers Duroid 5880 substrate. The experimental results demonstrate an exceptional performance, with the diplexer exhibiting a low insertion loss of 0.3 dB at 2.55 GHz and 0.4 dB at 3.94 GHz. The triplexer exhibits an insertion loss of 0.3 dB at 2.55 GHz, 0.37 dB at 3.94 GHz, and 0.2 dB at 5.75 GHz. The measured performance of the fabricated diplexer and triplexer aligns well with the simulated results, validating their effectiveness in meeting the desired specifications.publishedVersio

Comparison of Alveolar Osteitis (AO) occurrence after impacted mandibular third molar removal with and without post-extraction socket irrigation

Objective: We wanted to see whether impacted third mandibular molar extractions resulted in Alveolar Osteitis if post-extraction socket irrigation was used or not. Methodology: A randomized control experiment on 70 patients study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 at Islamabad Dental Hospital's OMFS department. Patients presenting with the mandibular third molars fulfilling the inclusion criteria had their teeth extracted with and without socket irrigation using the computer lottery method. In cases of dry socket, clinical diagnosis was made between the 3rd, 5th, and 7th postoperative days. Results: 70 patients/sockets were evaluated with 35 having been irrigated and 35 non-irrigated. The age range was 16-50years with a mean of 29.49 and most patients were between the 16-35 age group. There were 48.6% males and 51.4% females. Dry Socket was evaluated on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th day between groups (A=irrigation, B=Non-irrigation). On the 3rd postop day, 14 (40%) patients in group A and 15(42.9%) patients were diagnosed as dry Sockets. A similar number of patients in both groups (20%) exhibited symptoms of dry socket on the fifth and seventh postoperative days, as did 5 (14.3 %) in group A, 3 (8.6 %) in group B, and 1(2.9 %t) in group A, all on the fifth postoperative day. Conclusion: On the third, fifth, and seventh postoperative days, there was no significant difference in the result of Alveolar Osteitis between the groups

The Prevalence, Severity and the Contributive Organizational Factors of Burnout Syndrome among Pakistani Physiotherapists

Background: This is fast age where many underlying health issues go unaddressed in race of progress such as Burnout. This state of mental illness due to chronic stress that may be comprised of emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment and depersonalization. This is thought to be associated with occupation and organizational parameters. This can put physiotherapist compromised health, social and family life, dealing with patients and low performance at work. Objective: To determine burnout level and its severity among physical therapists and associated organizational factors Material and method: Cross sectional survey was conducted in sample of convenience comprising 120 physiotherapists. The participants were of both gender and age above 25 years. The data was collected by using Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale and data analysis was executed using SPSS version 20. Continuous variables including age, total scores were analyzed for mean and standard deviation, while frequency percentages were calculated against categorical variables. Results: Results of the study demonstrated that mean+SD score for emotional exhaustion was 16.55+ 5.07, mean+SD score for personal accomplishment was 44.73+1.54 and mean+SD score for depersonalization was 0.75+0.93. Conclusion: The study concluded that physiotherapists demonstrated mild to moderate level of burnout. Burnout symptoms apparently found significantly associated with high working hours, private sector, female gender and less physical activity.           &nbsp

Comparison of One vs. Two Burr Hole Craniostomy in Chronic Subdural Hematoma Recurrence

Introduction/Objective:  Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is most frequent neurosurgical conditions. To find the recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma in patients who underwent one vs. two burr craniostomy. Material And Methods:  A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Neurosurgery department, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. In the current study, a total of 76 (38 in each group) patients were observed. ASA-I, ASA-II, ASA III patients, symptomatic radiologically proven Chronic subdural hematoma. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 38 patients each. randomization with blocks. Group A was treated with intraoperative epidural methylprednisolone while Group B was treated with normal saline only. Clinical information was recorded on a pre-designed proforma. Results:  Mean age was 54 years in group A, and 56 years in group B. In group A, 74% were male and 26% of patients were female. In Group B, 76% were male and 24% were female. The group A, 5% of patients had recurrence while in Group B, 13% of patients had a recurrence. There existed a significant difference between effectiveness and not-effectiveness of one/two burr hole craniostomy among patients who were less than 40 years. Conclusion:  The recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma is higher in patients undergoing two burr hole craniostomy as compared to one burr craniostomy