POSTPARTUM CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN RURAL BAREILLY

Background: Contraception is an important intervention to reduce burden of unwanted pregnancy and promote healthy living among women. Objectives: To find out the postpartum contraceptive usage and identify the different variables which affect the postpartum contraception among the rural females of Bareilly district. Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out in randomly selected villages of Bhojipura Block of Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. All women who had delivered within last one year were interviewed by house to house survey to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use by structured questionnaire. A total of 123 women participated in the study. Chi- square test was used to analyze data. Results: Only 13.8% mothers adopted postpartum contraception. Lack of knowledge (32.5%) and young infant being breastfed (28.5%) were the common reasons of not using any contraceptive method. Contraceptive use was higher amongst females aged less than 30 years and those belonging to middle socioeconomic class and nuclear families. The significant influence of the women’ educational status on utilization of family planning methods was observed (p<0.05). Conclusions: Low percent of postpartum contraceptive use indicates the need for improving awareness among the study population

Heterosis as Investigated in Terms of Polyploidy and Genetic Diversity Using Designed Brassica juncea Amphiploid and Its Progenitor Diploid Species

Fixed heterosis resulting from favorable interactions between the genes on their homoeologous genomes in an allopolyploid is considered analogous to classical heterosis accruing from interactions between homologous chromosomes in heterozygous plants of a diploid species. It has been hypothesized that fixed heterosis may be one of the causes of low classical heterosis in allopolyploids. We used Indian mustard (Brassica juncea, 2n = 36; AABB) as a model system to analyze this hypothesis due to ease of its resynthesis from its diploid progenitors, B. rapa (2n = 20; AA) and B. nigra (2n = 16; BB). Both forms of heterosis were investigated in terms of ploidy level, gene action and genetic diversity. To facilitate this, eleven B. juncea genotypes were resynthesized by hybridizing ten near inbred lines of B. rapa and nine of B. nigra. Three half diallel combinations involving resynthesized B. juncea (11×11) and the corresponding progenitor genotypes of B. rapa (10×10) and B. nigra (9×9) were evaluated. Genetic diversity was estimated based on DNA polymorphism generated by SSR primers. Heterosis and genetic diversity in parental diploid species appeared not to predict heterosis and genetic diversity at alloploid level. There was also no association between combining ability, genetic diversity and heterosis across ploidy. Though a large proportion (0.47) of combinations showed positive values, the average fixed heterosis was low for seed yield but high for biomass yield. The genetic diversity was a significant contributor to fixed heterosis for biomass yield, due possibly to adaptive advantage it may confer on de novo alloploids during evolution. Good general/specific combiners at diploid level did not necessarily produce good general/specific combiners at amphiploid level. It was also concluded that polyploidy impacts classical heterosis indirectly due to the negative association between fixed heterosis and classical heterosis

Nitrous oxide abuse presenting as functional vitamin B12 deficiency

Introduction: Nitrous oxide is used in anesthesia, dental and obstetrical practices. The gas is also inhaled recreationally because of its ability to induce euphoria and reduce anxiety. There have been several reports of disabling neurological consequences due to prolonged nitrous oxide use, resulting in functional inactivation of vitamin B12. Common neurological presentations of nitrous oxide toxicity include paresthesias and gait disturbance. Case Description: A 24-year-old female presented with 4 days of ascending lower extremity weakness and paresthesias in a stocking-glove distribution. Symptoms began in bilateral feet and progressed to the trunk, and she sustained a fall at home secondary to gait instability as well as leg weakness. Patient reported huffing nitrous oxide from “whippet” canisters every other weekend during the previous 9 months. On physical exam she was noted to have instability in gait, symmetrical loss of flexor and extensor strength in lower extremities, absent ankle reflexes and absent proprioception in the toes. CT head was negative and labs were mostly unremarkable except for WBC count 11.9 K/mcL (4.2-11) and magnesium level 1.6 md/dL (1.7-2.4). Neurology recommended high dose methylprednisolone for suspicion of transverse myelitis. MRI of brain and cervical/thoracic spine showed no abnormalities and patient underwent lumbar puncture with negative CSF culture, cell count, MS panel, and meningitis/encephalitis panel. Subsequent lab studies were notable for negative ANA, serum vitamin D 21.2 ng/mL (30-100), vitamin B12 242 pg/mL (211-911), and methylmalonic acid 25,626 nmol/L (79-376). Treatment with high dose intramuscular cyanocobalamin injections was initiated, and her ambulation gradually improved over the next several days. Discussion: Patients with nitrous oxide-induced neurological dysfunction may have normal vitamin B12 levels. In these situations, a functional deficiency can be diagnosed by measuring methlymalonic acid and homocysteine (substrates of reactions catalyzed by vitamin B12). Nitrous oxide is believed to inactivate and deplete vitamin B12, and high dose replacement has been shown to improve neurological symptoms

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;letter-spacing:-.1pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB">Physicochemical and chromatographic evaluation of <i>Shivakshar Pachan Churna</i></span>

609-613<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">In the present study, an attempt was made to formulate in-house ‘Shivakshar Pachan Churna’, (IN) which was compared with some marketed preparations. (R, Z and V) The study included determination of various physicochemical and phytochemical evaluations which was followed by Chromatographic evaluations (TLC and HPTLC) of the formulations. Further, the study included standardization of these formulations by developing a simple, precise and accurate High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method using Ferulic acid (99%) as chemical marker. Chromatographic analysis was performed on silica gel 60 F254 precoated TLC plates using Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (14:8: 0.15 v/v/v) for Ferulic acid as mobile phase. The Rf values of Ferulic acid was the basis of confirmation of this marker. The total peak areas of standard marker and corresponding formulations were compared and their contents were estimated in all the formulations. From the results, we observed that, all the physicochemical properties were found to be within the prescribed pharmacopoeial limits. The results also demonstrated that, <span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:hi;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"="">marketed formulations Z and V had a lowest concentration of Ferulic acid, while laboratory prepared formulations contained more concentration. <span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:hi"="">In conclusion, the analytical method developed herein for standardization of ‘<span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;="" mso-bidi-language:hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Shivakshar Pachan Churna’ will be helpful in obtaining a quality control profile of this formulation.</span

KETOCONAZOLE LADEN MICROEMULSION BASED GEL FORMULATION AGAINST SKIN FUNGAL INFECTION

Objective: The present research was aimed to develop ketoconazole (KT) loaded microemulsion based gel formulation for effective topical delivery through enhanced drug solubility, improved skin permeation and reduced side effects overcoming drawbacks of conventional dosage forms. Methods: For selection of oil, surfactant and co-surfactant mixture (Smix) ratio, the phase titration method was used and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were prepared. D-optimal mixture design was employed to optimize the microemulsion system taking oil, Smix and water as independent variables and particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, % transmittance and cumulative % drug release as response variables. Finally, topical gel formulation of KT loaded microemulsion was developed and evaluated for physico-chemical properties, rheological properties, in-vitro drug release kinetics and ex-vivo drug permeation. Results: The optimized microemulsion was found to be a transparent formulation with 19.7 nm particle size, 0.268 polydispersity index, -0.2 mV zeta potential, 97.83% transmittance and 85.85% cumulative drug release at 24 h. The developed gel of optimized microemulsion possessed pH 6.20, viscosity 2178 cps, spreadability 18.634 g.cm2/sec, adhesiveness 45.989 N/mm2, and cohesiveness -85.583. The in-vitro drug release was found to be 69.08 % (at 24 h) showing sustained release and Higuchi kinetic profile. The developed gel exhibited 1.84 fold higher drug permeation flux as compared to marketed product. Conclusion: The developed gel formulation possessed all desired quality attributes and physico-chemical properties. The in-vitro and ex-vivo study data proved it’s suitability as better alternative to conventional products in effective treatment of skin fungal infections

POSTPARTUM CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN RURAL BAREILLY

Background: Contraception is an important intervention to reduce burden of unwanted pregnancy and promote healthy living among women. Objectives: To find out the postpartum contraceptive usage and identify the different variables which affect the postpartum contraception among the rural females of Bareilly district. Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out in randomly selected villages of Bhojipura Block of Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. All women who had delivered within last one year were interviewed by house to house survey to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use by structured questionnaire. A total of 123 women participated in the study. Chi- square test was used to analyze data. Results: Only 13.8% mothers adopted postpartum contraception. Lack of knowledge (32.5%) and young infant being breastfed (28.5%) were the common reasons of not using any contraceptive method. Contraceptive use was higher amongst females aged less than 30 years and those belonging to middle socioeconomic class and nuclear families. The significant influence of the women’ educational status on utilization of family planning methods was observed (p<0.05). Conclusions: Low percent of postpartum contraceptive use indicates the need for improving awareness among the study population