Effectiveness of cervical length screening by transvaginal sonography and use of progesterone for preventing preterm labour

Background: Incidence of preterm labour is about 6-15 % of pregnancies worldwide. It is major public health problem in terms of loss of life, long term disability, and health care cost both in developing and developed countries. The incidence of preterm births in India is estimated to be 11-14 % which means about 3 to 4 million preterm live births annually. Early identification of at risk pregnant women with timely referral will help to decrease the extreme prematurity rate, thereby reducing morbidity, mortality and will have a profound impact on societal and long-term public healthcare costs. So this study where vaginal progesterone was administered in women with short cervix detected by Transvaginal sonography to prevent preterm labour will be helpful in decreasing cases with preterm delivery and hence improve the perinatal outcome.Methods: It is prospective observational study in which 100 ANC patients who were registered at KEM Hospital a tertiary care centre in Mumbai in India at 16-24 weeks of gestation were studied to determine usefulness of 200 mg vaginal progesterone twice daily till 36 weeks in preventing preterm birth in those having cervical length 25mm or less.Results: Among 100 participants in this study, 48 (48%) were primigravida and 52 (52%) were multigravida. Out of 48% primigravida in the present study, preterm labour is prevented in 75% of women by the use of vaginal progesterone and out of 52% of multigravida, it is prevented in 71.2% of women.Conclusions: The study concluded that use of vaginal progesterone 200 mg in women with cervical length 25 mm or less measured by transvaginal sonography (as a good predictor of preterm labour) has useful effect in preventing preterm labour as well as associated neonatal mortality and morbidity. Neonatal survival is critically dependent on maturity of an infant and progressively increases with gestational age. Each day critically impacts on maturity and survival. Thus prevention and/or effective management of preterm labour will improve neonatal outcome and will have a profound impact on societal and long-term public healthcare costs

Estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride in Bulk and Formulation by UV - Spectroscopic Area Under Curve Method

The current work is carried out for estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride   by using area under curve (AUC) method using UV-visible spectrophotometer. For this purpose the wavelength range 221-241 nm was selected. Distilled water was used as a solvent throughout the work. Linearity was observed in concentration range 5-25 µg/ml (R2= 0.994) for the method. The present method was found to be simple and linear which can be used for routine quality control analysis for spectrophotometric estimation of Metformin hydrochloride in bulk. Keywords: Metformin Hydrochloride, Area under curve, Antidiabetic, λmax

Extraction, Characterization and Evaluation of Okara Mucilage

Mucilage is the thick, gluey substances produced by nearly all plant and some microorganisms. Okra mucilage is extracted from the plant of the malavaceae [A. esculantus]. Which is originally from Egypt, but it also in cropped in southern Asia elsewhere for nutritional purposes. Their use as potential reinforcement in polymer composites requires the understanding of their microstructure and mechanical properties. This work investigates the extraction methods, solubility behavior, TLC, loss on drying, ash value, FTIR spectra, surface tension, organoleptic properties. Extracted mucilage is soluble in warm water while insoluble in organic solvents. This can shows that it safely used in dosage form without causing any adverse effect. Keywords: Okara Mucilage, Pharmaceutical Excipients, Controlled-Release Formulatio

Silver Nanoparticles: Properties, Synthesis, Characterization, Applications and Future Trends

Nanotechnology is an expanding area of research where we use to deal with the materials in Nano-dimension. The conventional procedures for synthesizing metal nanoparticles need to sophisticated and costly instruments or high-priced chemicals. Moreover, the techniques may not be environmentally safe. Therefore “green” technologies for synthesis of nanoparticles are always preferred which is simple, convenient, eco-friendly and cost effective. Green synthesis of nanoparticle is a novel way to synthesis nanoparticles by using biological sources. It is gaining attention due to its cost effective, ecofriendly and large scale production possibilities. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most vital and fascinating nanomaterials among several metallic nanoparticles that are involved in biomedical applications. It has vital importance in nanoscience and naomedicines to treat and prevent vital disease in human beings especially in cancer treatment. In current work we discussed different methods for synthesis of AgNPs like biological, chemical and physical along with its characterization. We have also discussed vital importance of AgNPs to cure life threatnign diseases like cancer along with antidiabetic, antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial alog with its molecular mode of action etc. Finally we conclude by discussing future prospects and possible applications of silver nano particles

Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -9 in Human Placenta during Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery and Caesarean Sectioning in Preterm Pregnancy

Preterm birth is a major public health problem in terms of loss of life, long-term and short term disabilities worldwide. The process of parturition (both term and preterm) involves intensive remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the placenta and fetal membranes by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Our previous studies show reduced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in women delivering preterm. Further omega 3 fatty acids are reported to regulate MMP levels. This study was undertaken to examine the placental levels of MMPs and their association with placental DHA levels in women delivering preterm. The levels of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in 74 women delivering preterm (52 by spontaneous vaginal delivery and 22 by caesarean sectioning) and 75 women delivering at term (59 by spontaneous vaginal delivery and 16 by caesarean sectioning) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and their association with placental DHA was studied. Placental MMP-1 levels were higher (p<0.05) in women delivering preterm (both by spontaneous vaginal delivery and caesarean sectioning) as compared to those delivering at term. In contrast, placental MMP-9 levels in preterm pregnancies was higher (p<0.05) in women with spontaneous vaginal delivery while lower (p<0.05) in women delivering by caesarean sectioning. Low placental DHA was associated with higher placental MMP-9 levels. Our study suggests a differential effect of mode of delivery on the levels of MMPs from placenta. Further this study suggests a negative association of DHA and the levels of MMP-9 in human placenta although the mechanisms need further study

Role of Drug Repurposing in Cancer Treatment and Liposomal Approach of Drug Targeting

Cancer is the leading cause of death, and incidences are increasing significantly and patients suffering from it desperately need a complete cure from it. The science of using an already-invented drug that has been approved by the FDA for a new application is known as “drug repurposing.” Currently, scientists are drawn to drug repositioning science in order to investigate existing drugs for newer therapeutic uses and cancer treatment. Because of their unique ability to target cancer cells, recently repurposed drugs and the liposomal approach are effective in the treatment of cancer. Liposomes are nanovesicles that are drastically flexible, rapidly penetrate deeper layers of cells, and enhance intracellular uptake. More importantly, liposomes are biocompatible, biodegradable; entrap both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. This chapter summarizes various approaches to drug repurposing, as well as drug repurposing methods, advantages and limitations of drug repurposing, and a liposomal approach to using repurposed drugs in cancer targeting. This chapter also summarizes liposomal structure, drug loading, and the mechanism of liposomes in targeted cancer treatment. The lipid-based liposomal approach is emerging as a powerful technique for improving drug solubility, bioavailability, reducing side effects, and improving the therapeutic efficacy of repurposed drugs for cancer treatment

Effectiveness of cervical length screening by transvaginal sonography and use of progesterone for preventing preterm labour

Background: Incidence of preterm labour is about 6-15 % of pregnancies worldwide. It is major public health problem in terms of loss of life, long term disability, and health care cost both in developing and developed countries. The incidence of preterm births in India is estimated to be 11-14 % which means about 3 to 4 million preterm live births annually. Early identification of at risk pregnant women with timely referral will help to decrease the extreme prematurity rate, thereby reducing morbidity, mortality and will have a profound impact on societal and long-term public healthcare costs. So this study where vaginal progesterone was administered in women with short cervix detected by Transvaginal sonography to prevent preterm labour will be helpful in decreasing cases with preterm delivery and hence improve the perinatal outcome. Methods: It is prospective observational study in which 100 ANC patients who were registered at KEM Hospital a tertiary care centre in Mumbai in India at 16-24 weeks of gestation were studied to determine usefulness of 200 mg vaginal progesterone twice daily till 36 weeks in preventing preterm birth in those having cervical length 25mm or less. Results: Among 100 participants in this study, 48 (48%) were primigravida and 52 (52%) were multigravida. Out of 48% primigravida in the present study, preterm labour is prevented in 75% of women by the use of vaginal progesterone and out of 52% of multigravida, it is prevented in 71.2% of women. Conclusions: The study concluded that use of vaginal progesterone 200 mg in women with cervical length 25 mm or less measured by transvaginal sonography (as a good predictor of preterm labour) has useful effect in preventing preterm labour as well as associated neonatal mortality and morbidity. Neonatal survival is critically dependent on maturity of an infant and progressively increases with gestational age. Each day critically impacts on maturity and survival. Thus prevention and/or effective management of preterm labour will improve neonatal outcome and will have a profound impact on societal and long-term public healthcare costs. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2016; 5(8.000): 2813-2818