Friction characteristics of soil and Teflon , Tetrafluoroethylene resins for use in agricultural machinery

The problem was to investigate the friction characteristics of Teflon and agricultural soils. This study was undertaken with a view to find out whether the friction between Teflon and soil was less than the friction between metal and soil

Formulation and Evaluation of Matrix tablets containing Chitosan Based Polyelectrolyte Complex with Natural Gum for Prolonged Release of Diltiazem HCl

The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate the matrix tablets containing chitosan based polyelectrolyte complex microsphers of natural gum to overcome the problem of dose dumping and  prolonged release of Diltiazem HCl . Microspheres of diltiazem were prepared using emulsion–crosslinking technique. The prepared microsphers were converted into matrix tablets by direct compression method and evaluated. Interaction of drug with polymers was examined by FT-IR spectroscopy, results indicated absence of chemical interactions between drug and the polymer. Differential Scanning Calorimetry studies indicated amorphous dispersion of Diltiazem HCl particles into the polymer matrix. The %encapsulation efficiencies were found between 36.5% and 84.8%. The average particle size of the prepared microspheres ranged from 9.3 to 16.87 μm when observed under optical microscope using stage micrometer. In-vitro dissolution profiles of all formulations were carried in acidic buffer (pH 1.2) for initial two hours, followed by alkaline buffer (pH 7.4) for 10 h. The drug release was found to be dependent on %encapsulation efficiencies and the concentrations of chitosan and xanthan gum used. The drug release pattern was in accordance with Higuchi’s model for diffusion because, it showed the maximum correlation coefficient in most of the formulations. Further the pre-compression and post-compression parameters for the tablet blend and the compressed tablets were found to be well within the compendial limits  and drug release study showed  zero order release up to 12 hours.   Keywords: Microspheres, matrix tablets Diltiazem hydrochloride, Chitosan, Xanthan Gum, polyelectrolyte complex, crosslinking

CLINICAL AND CYTOLOGICAL STUDY ON TURNER SYNDROME

Turner syndrome (TS) is a common chromosomaldisorder. Turner syndrome (TS) also known as Ulrich–Turner syndrome, gonadal dysgenesis and 45, X, is a condition in which a female is partly or completely missing an X chromosome.The main clinical features of TS are Swollen hands and feet,Wide and webbed neck, a combination of the following symptoms may be seen in older females:Absent or incomplete development at puberty, including sparse pubic hair and small breasts broad, flat chest shaped like a shield, drooping eyelids, Turner Syndrome frequently seen  in young infants.Our case of a 10-year-old girl has TS-specific clinical hallmarks,with the symptoms of short stature, wide barred shaped chest drooping eyelids. She visited our hospital because of her neck swelling, pain in on /off condition since one month. In our study we reported both clinically & cytogenetic investigation which shows a patient is suffering from Turner Syndrome. This type of Syndrome is very rare in this region.Keywords:Turner Syndrome,   Short Stature,Chromosome Analysi

Effect of Liquid Jeevamrutha on Growth Yield and Quality of China Aster (Callistephus chinensis [L.] Nees.)

The experiment on “Effect of liquid jeevamrutha on growth yield and quality of China aster (Callistephus chinensis [L.] Nees.)” was carried at Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, K. R. C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi. Among all the treatments, application of liquid jeevamrutha at 1500 liter per hectare at an interval of 7 days (D3F1) was recorded significantly higher plant height (47.98 cm and 58.78 cm at 60 and 90 DAT, respectively), plant spread (N-S) i.e., 17.90 26.35 and 31.31 cm at 60 and 90 DAT, respectively, plant spread (E-W) i.e., 27.10 and 30.35 cm at 60 and 90 DAT, respectively, number of primary branches (7.45 and 10.28 at 60 and 90 DAT, respectively), number of flowers per plant (38.42), flower yield (111.39 g/plant, 5.41 kg/plot and 8.06 t/ha, respectively), flower diameter (5.76 cm), individual flower weight (3.04 g), shelf life (3.43 days) and vase life (8.79 days)  in pooled data

Screening of China Aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.)] Genotypes and F1 Hybrids against Alternaria Leaf Spot Disease

Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler is a threat of China aster cultivation and is capable of causing yield losses in all production regions. The experiment was undertaken to screen genotypes and F1 hybrids which would be helpful in developing Alternaria leaf spot resistance varieties in later years. AAC-1 was found to be resistant against Alternaria leaf spot in both field and control conditions. In natural disease pressure, Arka Kamini, Arka Shashank and Arka Poornima recorded to be moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible to Alternaria leaf spot, respectively. However, in artificially inoculated condition, Arka Kamini showed susceptible reaction. Among F1 hybrids, AAC-1 x Arka Kamini and Arka Kamini x AAC-1 showed moderately resistant reaction; AAC-1 x Arka Poornima, AAC-1 x Arka Shashank, Arka Poornima x AAC-1, Arka Shashank x AAC-1 showed moderately susceptible disease reaction for Alternaria leaf spot

Functional ligands for improving anticancer drug therapy: current status and applications to drug delivery systems

Conventional chemotherapy lacking target selectivity often leads to severe side effects, limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Therefore, drug delivery systems ensuring both selective drug release and efficient intracellular uptake at the target sites are highly demanded in chemotherapy to improve the quality of life of patients with low toxicity. One of the effective approaches for tumor-selective drug delivery is the adoption of functional ligands that can interact with specific receptors overexpressed in malignant cancer cells. Various functional ligands including folic acid, hyaluronic acid, transferrin, peptides, and antibodies, have been extensively explored to develop tumor-selective drug delivery systems. Furthermore, cell-penetrating peptides or ligands for tight junction opening are also actively pursued to improve the intracellular trafficking of anticancer drugs. Sometimes, multiple ligands with different roles are used in combination to enhance the cellular uptake as well as target selectivity of anticancer drugs. In this review, the current status of various functional ligands applicable to improve the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy is overviewed with a focus on their roles, characteristics, and preclinical/clinical applications