Preparation and Evaluation of Sulfacetamide Sodium Ocusert for Controlled Drug Delivery

The intent of this research was to formulate and evaluate controlled release ocusert of sulfacetamide sodium for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Ocusert is a sterile preparation having drug as dispersion or as solution in the polymeric base. Prepared Ocuserts were formulated using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose K-15 and Ethyl cellulose as polymers at various concentrations and combinations. Polymeric Films were prepared by mercury casting method using different ratios of polymers. Selected physiochemical properties such as thickness, weight, percentage moisture absorption, and in-vitro release and sterility studies of sulfacetamide sodium ocusert were studied and reported that prepared ocusert resolved the problems of poor bioavailability, frequent dosing and wastage of active ingredient. Keywords: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K-15, ocusert, sulfacetamide sodiu

Incidence of rebleed following 23 gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage due to vascular etiologies

Context: There has been speculation among surgeons on whether the incidence of rebleeds is higher whilst using the small gauge surgery and the concern is probably due to the higher reported incidence of post-operative hypotony in sutureless wounds. Hence, we carried out this study to report the incidence of rebleed following 23 gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) for vitreous hemorrhage (VH) due to vascular etiologies. Aims: The aim of our study was to study the incidence of rebleed following 23 gauge TSV for VH due to vascular etiologies. Settings and Design: Retrospective case series. Materials and Methods: One hundred and nineteen eyes underwent 23-gauge TSV for VH due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 95), retinal vein occlusion (n = 15) and vasculitis (n = 9). Patients were examined post-operatively on day 1, 30, 90, and finally at 180 days. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test and Fisher test. Results: Rebleed was noted in 17 patients of whom 3 had spontaneous clearance while 14 (11.8%) had a non-clearing post-operative vitreous hemorrhage. Of these 14 eyes, re-vitrectomy was performed in 8 eyes while six patients underwent air blood exchange. Conclusions: The incidence of non-clearing VH requiring intervention following 23 gauge TSV is 11.8%. All the eyes had clear media at final follow-up

Preparation, characterization, and biological properties of β-glucans

β-Glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as, interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. β-glucans are found in different species, such as, Rhynchelytrum repens, Lentinus edodes, Grifola frondosa, Tremella mesenterica, Tremella aurantia, Zea may, Agaricus blazei, Phellinus baummi, Saccharomyces cerevisae (yeast), and Agaricus blazei murell (mushroom). Analysis of the fractions reveals the presence of arabinose, glucose, xylose, and traces of rhamnose and galactose. The presence of β-glucan in these fractions is confirmed by hydrolyzing the polymers with endo-β-glucanase from Bacillus subtilis, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the characteristic oligosaccharides produced. The 4 M KOH fractions from different tissues are subjected to gel permeation chromatography on Sepharose 4B, with separation of polysaccharides, with different degrees of polymerization, the highest molecular mass (above 2000 kDa) being found in young leaves. The molecular mass of the leaf blade polymers is similar (250 kDa) to that of the maize coleoptiles β-glucan used for comparison. The 4 M KOH fraction injected into rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes has shown hypoglycemic activity, reducing blood sugar to normal levels for approximately 24 hours. This performance is better than that obtained with pure β-glucan from barley, which decreases blood sugar levels for about four hours. These results suggest that the activity of β-glucans is responsible for the use of this plant extract as a hypoglycemic drug in folk medicine

Dexamethasone implant (0.7 mg) in Indian patients with macular edema: Real-life scenario

Context: Role of Ozurdex in macular edema due to various posterior segment pathologies. AIM: The aim of this study is to report outcome of Ozurdex implant in macular edema (ME) secondary to various posterior segment pathologies. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a single-center, retrospective, interventional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients of ME were treated with one or more Ozurdex implants (0.7 mg). Data collection included demographic details, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), duration of efficacy, and record of adverse events (if any) within 24 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired sample t-test, Stata data analysis, and statistical software, version 12.1, StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA, were used in the study. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen eyes of 104 patients were studied which had a diagnosis of diabetic ME (n = 46), retinal vein occlusion (n = 40), and uveitis (n = 30). The average age of patients (mean ± standard deviation) was 50.2 ± 21.9 years. Baseline mean ± SD (standard deviation) logMAR BCVA, CFT, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were 0.636 ± 0.4, 527.8 ± 210.1 μm, and 15.3 ± 3.8 mmHg, respectively. The reinjection interval was around 12–18 weeks. Ozurdex proved its efficacy in improving mean logMAR visual acuity and reduction of CFT from baseline till 12 weeks' follow-up period (0.414 ± 0.5 and 301.5 ± 278.5, respectively; P 0.05). The most common reported adverse event was significant rise of IOP (>5 mmHg), with a total of 12 cases followed by cataract 9 cases. CONCLUSION: Ozurdex implant leads to a significant improvement in BCVA and CFT values till 12 weeks, followed by a gradual decline for all the pathologies studied together. No new safety concerns were observed with the Ozurdex implant. The duration of efficacy was found to be <24 weeks