Concepts in surface alloying of metals

Surface alloying is widely used method in industries to improve the surface properties of metals/alloys. Significance of the various surface engineering techniques to improve the properties of engineering components in various applications, for example, automobile industries, has grown substantially over the many years. The current paper is focused on the fundamental scientific aspects of the surface alloying of metals. Widely used surface alloying elements involved are interstitial elements such as nitrogen, carbon, and substitutional element, chromium. This topic is interdisciplinary in nature and various science and engineering streams can work together for the further development in this topic. This paper has attempted to cover the essential concepts of surface alloying along with some of the interesting results in this research area

Concepts in surface alloying of metals

Surface alloying is widely used method in industries to improve the surface properties of metals/alloys. Significance of the various surface engineering techniques to improve the properties of engineering components in various applications, for example, automobile industries, has grown substantially over the many years. The current paper is focused on the fundamental scientific aspects of the surface alloying of metals. Widely used surface alloying elements involved are interstitial elements such as nitrogen, carbon, and substitutional element, chromium. This topic is interdisciplinary in nature and various science and engineering streams can work together for the further development in this topic. This paper has attempted to cover the essential concepts of surface alloying along with some of the interesting results in this research area

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROEMULSION CONTAINING NEEM SEED OIL

Objective: The objective of the present study was to formulate Microemulsion containing seed oil. Neem seed (Azadirachtaindica) oil was extracted from its seeds by the soxhlet apparatus. Acetone is used as a solvent. PEG 400 and Carbopol 940p was select as surfactant, co-surfactant and hydrogel thickening agent. Microemulsions were characterized for pH, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro drug transport study and in vivo antibacterial activity and shows satisfactory results. Antibacterial activity of formulation against E. coli Shows at a concentration of 3%. The neem seed oil microemulsion has the potential for antibacterial activity. Methods: A ratio of surfactant and cosurfactant i.e, S/CoSchoosen and corresponding mixture was made. The mixture was mixed with oil. Each mixture was mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer until homogenous dispersion/solution was obtained. Double distilled water was used in this formulations as to prevent the incorporation of surface active impurities. The mixture was titrated with water and ambient temperature with constant stirring at the endpoint where the mixture become clouded, the quantity of aquous phase added. The percentage of three different pseudo-phases incorporated were calculated.  Results: Solubility studies in various solvents reveals that the oil is insoluble in distilled water and ethanol. Soluble in methanol. Conclusion: It was observed that the microemulsion having multilamellar nature. Batches with carbopol shows better homogenous distribution. The stability of microemulsion prepared with carbopol 71 was gretter than with xanthan gum. The in vitro study of microemulsion was performed and Batch (F7) is optimized batch which shows highest drug release

Massive Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumothorax and Pneumoscrotum: Diagnostic Dilemma on Autopsy

Background: Subcutaneous emphysema is when gas or air in the layer under the skin. It literally means trapped air in the tissues beneath skin. It has characteristic crackling feel to touch, a sensation that has been described as similar to touching to Rice Krispies; this sensations under skin is called as subcutaneous crepitation.Case Report: A 50-years old male sustained injuries allegedly as a result of vehicular accident and was taken to a nearby private hospital. He was intubated there and then referred to a tertiary care hospital. He succumbed to death during transportation and was declared as brought dead on arrival. His body was brought for autopsy.Conclusion: There was massive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumoscrotum. Their origin created a dilemma on autopsy due to various reasons. It is discussed in detail and tried to track the origin

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF LIPOSOMAL GEL CONTAINING EXTRACT OF PIPRINE

Objective: The objective of present research work is to develop Liposomes as a carrier system for 70% Hydroalcoholic extract, its incorporation in to gel formulations and to characterize the prepared and develop Liposomal gel formulation. There are many reports revealing the pharmacological potential of Piper Nigrum. Methods: Cholestrol in various weight ratios were dissolved in 10 ml of Methanol: Chloroform (1:1) ratio used as a solvent. The extract solution was taken in a 500 ml round bottom flask. The flask was rotated in rotary flash evaporator at 40 rpm for 20 min in the thermostatically controlled water bath at 40 °C under vacuum 240 mmHg. The solvent was slowly removed by this process, and a very thin film of dry lipids was formed on the flask. The dry lipid film was slowly hydrated with 10 ml of Saline Phosphate Buffer pH 7.4 containing Insulin Drug. The flask was once again rotated at the same speed as before and at room temperature for 2 hr. The liposomal was left to overnight at 4°C, full lipid hydration. Results: This study was done for herbal formulations used for topical delivery of therapeutic agents at the time of injury to accelerate skin repair in the shortest time possible, with minimal pain. Plant Piper Nigrum. Family Piperaceac is extensively used. Conclusion: The present study revealed liposomal gel as an efficient carrier for herbal extract. Keywords: Piperine, Gel, Herbal extract, Liposomes, Liposomal gel

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CRACK CREAM FROM PLANT EXTRACTS

Objective: The main aim of our research was to develop an anti-cracked heels cream formulation consisting of Hedychium Spicatum, Aloe barbadensis, Azadirachta indica for the treatment of cracked heels. Methods: An anti-cracked heels cream formulation consisting of Hedychium Spicatum, Aloe barbadensis, Azadirachta indica extracts was prepared. Microbiological studies were performed the safety of materials used in the formulation. Results: The developed cream consisting of Hedychium Spicatum, Aloe barbadensis, Azadirachta indica was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of cracked heels. Conclusion: It can be concluded that herbal creams without side effects having anti-inflammatory property can be used as the provision of a barrier to protect the skin

Optimization and pharmacodynamic evaluation of solid dispersion of gliclazide for dissolution rate enhancement

The present study utilizes approach of solid dispersions (SDs) to improve dissolution rate of Gliclazide (GLZ); a poorly water soluble anti-diabetic drug. Formulations were prepared by solvent evaporation and melt dispersion techniques using poloxamer as hydrophilic carriers. SDs and physical mixtures (PM) were characterized by thin layer chomatography, FTIR spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffractometry, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. TLC was used to identify any possibility of degradation during preparation and optimize melting temperature for melt dispersion batches, which was supported by FTIR and DSC, showing absence of chemical interaction between the drug and carrier. XRD showed that GLZ was converted to amorphous form. Enhancement in dissolution was found more prominent with melt dispersions compared to solvent evaporation and physical mixtures. In vivo pharmacodynamic bioavailability study was performed for 28 days on alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats. Blood glucose levels were evidently lowered and controlled by SD compared to GLZ alone.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

TREATMENT OF MOUTH ULCER BY CURCUMIN LOADED THERMOREVERSIBLE MUCOADHESIVE GEL: A TECHNICAL NOTE

Objective: Mouth ulcer is one of the commonest disorders caused due to a variety of etiological factors. Although many formulations like solution, suspension and ointments are commercially available, no therapy can be said completely useful for the treatment of mouth ulcers. The efficacy of the therapy can be improved by the approach of bio adhesion. The phenomenon of sol to gel conversion can be useful due to its ease of administration compared to gel formulations. Curcumin is known to have wound healing, anti-carcinogenic and anti-bacterial activities can be effective in treatment of mouth ulcers.Methods: Hence, the present study was aimed to formulate Thermo reversible Mucoadhesive Gel (TMG) containing Curcumin for treatment of mouth ulcer. Formulations were prepared by using Pluronic F68 and Pluronic F127 as thermo reversible agent along with carbomers and Xanthan gum as bioadhesive polymers. The formulations were characterized for gelation temperature, pH, gel strength, spreadability, in vitro muco adhesion and in vitro drug release.Results: Increase in the concentration of mucoadhesive agent enhanced the mucoadhesive force significantly. All batches were found to be satisfactory results for gelation temperature, Gel strength, Muco adhesion studies, Spreadability, gelling capacity, In-vitro drug release etc. The formulations delivered drug for about 4 h.Conclusion: The obtained results show that the residence time as well as the contact area of curcumin at the ulcer can be enhanced along with a sustained release. It can be concluded that TMG of Curcumin can be ideal candidate for mouth ulcer.Â

Recombinant human adenovirus-p53 therapy for the treatment of oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review

Background and Objectives: Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world and oral leukoplakia is an oral potentially malignant disorder that could develop into oral cancer. This systematic review focusses on randomized clinical trials for recombinant adenovirus p-53 (rAD-p53) therapy for the treatment of oral leukoplakia and cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched for research articles on various databases such as Pubmed/Medline, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infra-structure), Springerlink, cochrane andWeb of sciences from 2003 to 2020. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were used for the search. Inclusion criteria included original research, randomized clinical trials and articles only in English language. Exclusion criteria were any articles that were not research articles, not randomized trials, non-human studies, etc. The articles were further graded on the Jadad scale. Results: 578 articles were assessed from various databases; only 3 articles were found to be appropriate for this review. Thus, meta-analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity and lack of data. In the three studies, whether rAD-p53 was used as a standalone therapy or with other therapies, there was a beneficial effect of the therapy. Furthermore, there were no serious adverse events and the only adverse events reported were fever, pain at the local injection site, flu-like symptoms and lowered WBC count. Conclusions: Thus, we can conclude that this therapy has a potential for beneficial therapeutic effects and further clinical trials with more patients need to be performed to get better understanding of the effect of rAD-p53 therapy, which probably will pave the way to its approval in other parts of the world

A quick guide for student-driven community genome annotation

High quality gene models are necessary to expand the molecular and genetic tools available for a target organism, but these are available for only a handful of model organisms that have undergone extensive curation and experimental validation over the course of many years. The majority of gene models present in biological databases today have been identified in draft genome assemblies using automated annotation pipelines that are frequently based on orthologs from distantly related model organisms. Manual curation is time consuming and often requires substantial expertise, but is instrumental in improving gene model structure and identification. Manual annotation may seem to be a daunting and cost-prohibitive task for small research communities but involving undergraduates in community genome annotation consortiums can be mutually beneficial for both education and improved genomic resources. We outline a workflow for efficient manual annotation driven by a team of primarily undergraduate annotators. This model can be scaled to large teams and includes quality control processes through incremental evaluation. Moreover, it gives students an opportunity to increase their understanding of genome biology and to participate in scientific research in collaboration with peers and senior researchers at multiple institutions