Kaempferol-Phospholipid Complex: Formulation, and Evaluation of Improved Solubility, In Vivo Bioavailability, and Antioxidant Potential of Kaempferol

The current work describes the formulation and evaluation of a phospholipid complex of kaempferol toenhance the latter’s aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution rate, in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotectiveactivities, and oral bioavailability. The kaempferol-phospholipid complex was synthesized using a freeze-drying method with the formulation being optimized using a full factorial design (32) approach. The resultsinclude the validation of the mathematical model in order to ascertain the role of specific formulation andprocess variables that contribute favorably to the formulation’s development. The final product wascharacterized and confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and Powder X-rayDiffraction (PXRD) analysis. The aqueous solubility and the in vitro dissolution rate were enhanced comparedto that of pure kaempferol. The in vivo antioxidant properties of the kaempferol-phospholipid complex wereevaluated by measuring its impact on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxicated rats. The optimizedphospholipid complex improved the liver function test parameters to a significant level by restoration of allelevated liver marker enzymes in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The complex also enhanced the in vivo antioxidantpotential by increasing levels of GSH (reduced glutathione), SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase anddecreasing lipid peroxidation, compared to that of pure kaempferol. The final optimized phospholipidcomplex also demonstrated a significant improvement in oral bioavailability demonstrated by improvementsto key pharmacokinetic parameters, compared to that of pure kaempferol

Effectiveness of crossword puzzle as an adjunct tool for active learning and critical thinking in Pharmacology

Background: Modern pedagogic methodologies are being introduced in Medical education and there is a growing evidence of crossword puzzle as an educational tool for active learning, problem solving and critical thinking. The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of crossword puzzle as an adjunct to the conventional lecture for active learning and critical thinking in Pharmacology. This was a parallel group; pre and post assessment, educational intervention study conducted among second year undergraduate medical students.Methods: Second year medical students were randomly selected and assigned to two groups A (Cross word puzzle) and B (control), after an hour conventional lecture on “Drugs for Hypertension” In both the groups, pre- and post-intervention knowledge was assessed using the MCQ test. A self-designed crossword puzzle on the lecture topic was used as an intervention and students were allowed to read textbooks with a crossword puzzle in intervention group A, whereas control group B were allowed to read textbook only. After 45 minutes, the post-intervention assessment was done in both groups with the same set of MCQ and students’ feedback on crossword usefulness was obtained.Results: The average MCQ test score in Group A improved significantly from 6.65±3.4 pre-intervention to 11.26±2.5 post-intervention (p <0.05) with absolute learning gain 30.73 % and relative learning gain 69.32 %. The average test score in Group B also improved significantly from 5.7±2.9 pre-intervention to 9.59±2.5 post-intervention (p <0.05) with absolute learning gain 25.93 % and relative learning gain 68.23%. There was a significant improvement in the MCQ scores in both the groups after intervention. But the post-intervention MCQ scores in group A (crossword puzzle) was higher and statistically significant (P <0.05) in comparison to group B.Conclusions: Cross-word puzzle promotes active self-learning and develops critical thinking among medical students. It could be used as supplementary educational tool in pharmacology to enhance problem-solving skills along with the information provided through traditional teaching lectures or could be used as a micro task

Changing trends in the indications of obstetric hysterectomies in teaching rural hospital

Background: Obstetric hysterectomy (OH) still remains lifesaving procedure. OH still poses a major obstetrical morbidity in the developing world due to lack of human, infrastructural and monetary resources. Irrespective of attempts like good antenatal care and delivery planning in modern obstetrics to prevent major obstetric complications; unfortunately, OH needs to be performed at times even today. The aim of present study was to determine the changes in the indications of obstetric hysterectomy.Methods: A retrospective review based on hospital data of all the patients’ records subjected to OH from January 1994 to September 2001 (Gr. A) and from January 2006 to December 2015 (Gr. B) was done and analyzed for incidence and changing trends in the indications.Results: The incidence of OH during two periods from January 1994 to September 2001 (Group A) and from January 2006 to December 2015 (Group B) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Shri. Bhausaheb Hire Govt. Medical College, Dhule was 3.27/1000 and 0.97/1000 deliveries. Incidence is reduced by more than three folds. In both groups maximum patients were below 30 yrs of age and multipara. The commonest indications for OH in both groups were uterine rupture, uncontrolled Atonic PPH and placental causes. The incidence of uterine rupture as a cause for OH was reduced from 78.16% to 43.24%, while that of Atonic PPH has increased from 16.09% to 28.37% and placental causes has increased from 4.59% to 9.45%. Among the risk factors for OH, the incidence of prolonged or obstructed labour has reduced from 66.66% to 21.62% and that of malpresentations has reduced from 27.58 to 5.4%.Conclusions: There is definite reduction in the incidence of OH, frequency of uterine rupture, obstructed labor and malpresentations in Gr. B due to timely referral, improved infrastructure and transportation facilities

INVESTIGATION OF EFFECT OF PHOSPHOLIPIDS ON PHYSICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PACLITAXEL LIPOSOMES

Objective: Aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of various synthetic grades of phospholipids on paclitaxel liposomes (PTL).Methods: The PTL formulations using various grades of phospholipids were prepared by film hydration method. The prepared PTL formulations were physicochemically characterized by entrapment efficiency (EE, %w/w), vesicular size and particle size distribution. These formulations were also characterized for function parameters such as in vitro release and hemolytic toxicity assay.Results: The synthetic grades of phospholipids significantly influenced PTL formulations. The stoichiometric ratio (1:1) between CH and various synthetic phospholipids was found to be optimized one, from rest of the ratios. The characterization confirmed the formation of PTL. The EE was observed to be high (86.67%) as increasing the ratios between CH and phospholipids but then declined suddenly as further increasing the ratio. The best liposomal formulations showed that the spherical shape was found to be within size ranging from&lt;10 µm, with a higher rate and extent of the release, ~86.22% of paclitaxel from PTL formulation. The results of the hemolytic toxicity study demonstrated that PTL formulations with a ratio (1:1) exhibited a significantly lower hemolytic toxicity (2.70%), compared to all formulations.Conclusion: The result revealed the excellent effect of phospholipids on paclitaxel liposomes. The paclitaxel liposomes prepared with CH: PL90G ratio (1:1) was found to be optimized one. The entrapment efficiency, particle size distribution, in vitro release and hemolytic activity with this ratio shown to be excellent as compared to other ratios

Drug utilization pattern in dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai

Background: Skin diseases are common and cause a huge disease burden globally. Different class of drugs and combinational products are available in dermatology for treatment. Periodic prescription analysis in the form of drug utilization study can improve the quality of prescription and curb the menace of irrational prescribing. Aim and objective of the study were to study the prescribing pattern and drug utilization trends in Dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over a period of three months in dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Navi-Mumbai. A total of 102 adult patients visiting dermatology OPD were included and their prescriptions were analyzed with WHO prescribing indicators and additional indices.Results: Analysis showed that the average number of drugs per prescription was 3.27. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 31.1%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from National Essential drug list (NEDL) was 44.2%. The commonest prescribed drugs were antihistaminics followed by antifungals. Oral tablets were the commonest prescribed dosage form.Conclusions: Antihistaminics and antifungals dominated the prescribing pattern in this study with restraint on polypharmacy, but showed ample scope for improvement to prescribe generic and selection of essential drugs

Proposal for creating a centre for research in solar-terrestrial physics as an interdepartmental activity during IHY at Shivaji University, Kolhapur (16.40°N, 74.15°E)

This note describes teaching and R &amp; D activities presently being carried out in the solar-terrestrial Physics at the Space Science laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. A variety of solar and geophysical ground based experiments are available, which can be operated on a regular basis during IHY, with financial help from the government funding agencies in India. The main purpose of this note is to briefly describe our experimental research facilities of relevance to IHY

Implementation Of Anonymous Vehicle Reporting And Communication System For Wrongly Parked Vehicle

Improper parking can cause several issues and problems, including Reduced Accessibility, Inconvenience for Other Drivers, Public Transportation Disruption, Environmental and Aesthetic Concerns, Public Perception, and Traffic Congestion. Addressing these issues typically calls for a combination of traffic management, public awareness campaigns, law enforcement, smart urban design, and community involvement to preserve the successful and safe usage of public spaces

Incidence of Dyspnea and Assessment of Cardiac and Pulmonary Function in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Receiving Ticagrelor, Clopidogrel, or Placebo in the ONSET/OFFSET Study

ObjectivesWe prospectively assessed cardiac and pulmonary function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with ticagrelor, clopidogrel, or placebo in the ONSET/OFFSET (A Multi-Centre Randomised, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Parallel Group Study of the Onset and Offset of Antiplatelet Effects of AZD6140 Compared With Clopidogrel and Placebo With Aspirin as Background Therapy in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) study.BackgroundTicagrelor reduces cardiovascular events more effectively than clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Dyspnea develops in some patients treated with ticagrelor, and it is not known whether this is associated with changes in cardiac or pulmonary function.MethodsIn all, 123 stable aspirin-treated CAD patients randomly received either ticagrelor (180 mg load, then 90 mg twice daily; n = 57), clopidogrel (600 mg load, then 75 mg daily; n = 54), or placebo (n = 12) for 6 weeks in a double-blind, double-dummy design. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and pulmonary function tests were performed before (baseline) and 6 weeks after drug administration and/or after development of dyspnea.ResultsAfter drug administration, dyspnea was reported by 38.6%, 9.3%, and 8.3% of patients in the ticagrelor, clopidogrel, and placebo groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Most instances were mild and/or lasted <24 h, although 3 patients discontinued ticagrelor because of dyspnea. Eight of 22 and 17 of 22 ticagrelor-treated patients experiencing dyspnea did so within 24 h and 1 week, respectively, after drug administration. In all treatment groups, and in ticagrelor-treated patients with dyspnea, there were no significant changes between baseline and 6 weeks in any of the cardiac or pulmonary function parameters.ConclusionsDyspnea is commonly associated with ticagrelor therapy, but was not associated in this study with any adverse change in cardiac or pulmonary function. (A Multi-Centre Randomised, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Parallel Group Study of the Onset and Offset of Antiplatelet Effects of AZD6140 Compared With Clopidogrel and Placebo With Aspirin as Background Therapy in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease [ONSET/OFFSET]; NCT00528411

Implementation of a Portable Learning Management System (PLMS) without Internet for Skill Development in a rural Educational Institute’s

Skill development initiatives are critical for India's advancement since they reduce unemployment, stimulate economic growth, promote inclusion, and strengthen the country's worldwide competitiveness. By investing in skill development, India can capitalize on its demographic dividend and unleash the potential of its workforce for long-term growth and prosperity. The situation of education in rural India is frequently marked by several problems, particularly when it comes to accessing technology resources such as the internet and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Rural education infrastructure is often less developed than in urban areas, resulting in limited access to new technologies and digital resources. The Present research paper focuses on design and implement portable Learning Management System (PLMS) without internet for skill development in rural education Institutes