DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF POTENTIAL DEGRADATION PRODUCTS OF DIFLUPREDNATE IN OPHTHALMIC EMULSION

Objective: The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a simple, robust, precise and accurate RP-HPLC (reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography) method for the quantitative determination of potential degradation products of Difluprednate (DIFL) in the ophthalmic emulsion.Methods: Chromatographic separation was achieved on the YMC pack ODS-AQ (150× 4.6) mm, 3μm column with a mobile phase containing a gradient mixture of mobile phase A (0.02M Ammonium formate buffer pH 4.5 adjusted with formic acid) and Acetonitrile as mobile phase B, at flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and with UV detection at 240 nm.Results: The peak retention time of DIFL was found at about 17.2 min, the RRT of degradation product-1 (DP-1), degradation product-2 (DP-2), and degradation product-3 (DP-3), were found to be about 0.49, 0.65 and 0.79 respectively (calculated with respect to Difluprednate). Stress testing was performed in accordance with an ICH (international council for harmonisation) guideline Q1A (R2) [1]. The method was validated as per ICH guideline Q2 (R1)[2]. The calibration curve was found to be linear in the concentration range of 0.1 to 0.75 µg/ml for Difluprednate, DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3. The LOD (Limit of detection) was found to be 0.1µg/ml and LOQ (Limit of quantification) of 0.15µg/ml for Difluprednate, DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 respectively. The recovery from LOQ to 150% was within 90-110%. The forced degradation data confirms the stability indicating the nature of the method.Conclusion: A simple, robust, precise and accurate RP-HPLC method for the quantitative determination of potential degradation products of Difluprednate in the ophthalmic emulsion was developed and validated.Â

Autopsy findings in sudden death in adults: a study of 150 cases

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) defines sudden death as “deaths within 24 hours from the onset of the symptoms”. It is also defined as death, which is sudden, unexpected, clinically unexplained. Aims of the study was to classify underlying causes of sudden death, to find out risk factors, associated diseases and triggers of sudden deaths in the autopsy specimens received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, South Gujarat.Methods: A review of autopsies of sudden deaths performed between January 2018 to August 2018 in age group 15-45 years at Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, South Gujarat were done.Results: A total of 150 cases were studied for sudden deaths during the study. The age ranged from 15 to 45 years. Maximum deaths occurred in the age group between 35-45 years. Males (n=120) were affected more than females (n=30). The cause of deaths in 84 cases (56%) were attributed to cardiac causes and the remaining cases (44%) were due to noncardiac causes like pulmonary diseases (17.3%) followed by hepatobiliary diseases (5.4%), cerebrovascular (2%) and others like suicide by ingestion of poisoning, hanging and asphyxia (9.3%). Major cardiac cause for sudden deaths was Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (95.2%).Conclusions: Sudden deaths were common in young adults and most are attributed to a cardiac cause. This study highlights the serious health concern in our society and a necessity to create awareness among the population at risk so that sudden deaths can be averted and life expectancy can be improved

Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Fatigue Analysis During Manual Lifting Tasks in Farming Activities

Introduction: Farming is a physically demanding occupation that puts farmers at risk of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly when frequently performing activities like heavy lifting, which strains the lower back muscles. The present study aimed to assess the ergonomic risk and fatigue during manual lifting tasks pertaining to farming activities. Methods: A study was performed on 20 farmers to analyze the ergonomic risks associated with load lifting through the estimation of the Recommended Weight Limit and Lifting Index using the revised NIOSH lifting equation. The low back compression forces of the participants were estimated using the 3DSSPP software. Surface electromyography was employed to analyze the onset of muscle fatigue during the lifting activity. Results: The results of the study showed a 111.12% increase in the recommended weight limit, a 52.77% reduction in lifting index, and a 28.15% reduction in the low back compression forces for the redesigned lifting technique. The average low-back compression force for the redesigned technique was observed to be well below the back compression design limit of 770 lb. A reduction in the slope of the RMS voltage regression line by 60% and a reduction of 50.23% in the peak spectral power of the sEMG signal, accompanied by a shift in the peak spectral power towards higher frequency region indicated delayed onset of fatigue for the redesigned technique. Conclusion: The outcomes of the study indicated that the ergonomic redesign of the lifting task could significantly reduce the lifting index and alleviate the spinal compression forces well within the back-compression design limit. The redesign was also found to delay the onset of fatigue in the erector spinae muscles

An Appraisal of the Current Scenario in Vaccine Research for COVID-19

The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has drawn global attention, affecting millions, disrupting economies and healthcare modalities. With its high infection rate, COVID-19 has caused a colossal health crisis worldwide. While information on the comprehensive nature of this infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2, still remains obscure, ongoing genomic studies have been successful in identifying its genomic sequence and the presenting antigen. These may serve as promising, potential therapeutic targets in the effective management of COVID-19. In an attempt to establish herd immunity, massive efforts have been directed and driven toward developing vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. This review, in this direction, is aimed at providing the current scenario and future perspectives in the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

A Study on Knowledge, Attitude & Practice Regarding Mosquito Borne Diseases in an Urban Area of Bhavnagar

Abstract : Introduction: Objective: Method

Challenges and opportunities for implementing integrated mental health care: a district level situation analysis from five low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how to tailor implementation of mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to the diverse settings encountered within and between countries. In this paper we compare the baseline context, challenges and opportunities in districts in five LMICs (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda) participating in the PRogramme for Improving Mental health carE (PRIME). The purpose was to inform development and implementation of a comprehensive district plan to integrate mental health into primary care. METHODS: A situation analysis tool was developed for the study, drawing on existing tools and expert consensus. Cross-sectional information obtained was largely in the public domain in all five districts. RESULTS: The PRIME study districts face substantial contextual and health system challenges many of which are common across sites. Reliable information on existing treatment coverage for mental disorders was unavailable. Particularly in the low-income countries, many health service organisational requirements for mental health care were absent, including specialist mental health professionals to support the service and reliable supplies of medication. Across all sites, community mental health literacy was low and there were no models of multi-sectoral working or collaborations with traditional or religious healers. Nonetheless health system opportunities were apparent. In each district there was potential to apply existing models of care for tuberculosis and HIV or non-communicable disorders, which have established mechanisms for detection of drop-out from care, outreach and adherence support. The extensive networks of community-based health workers and volunteers in most districts provide further opportunities to expand mental health care. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of baseline health system preparedness across sites underlines that interventions at the levels of health care organisation, health facility and community will all be essential for sustainable delivery of quality mental health care integrated into primary care