FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING-MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES OF NOVEL NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDE FOR SITE SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF RANITIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Objective: Localization of ranitidine hydrochloride (RH) into the upper part of the intestinal tract is beneficial for better drug bioavailability. Present work described the method of preparation of novel plant polysaccharide based floating microspheres for delivery of the drug into the stomach. Methods: Polysaccharide was extracted from the seeds of plant Tamarindus indica (TI). Extracted polysaccharide was evaluated for some physicochemical parameters. Floating-mucoadhesive microspheres were prepared by using extracted polysaccharide as mucoadhesive excipients while eudragit as a release controlling polymers by using emulsion crosslinking method. Chemical crosslinking was done by using epichlorohydrin. Prepared microspheres were evaluated for their drug-polymer compatibility study by using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Further characterization such as size, surface properties, swelling index, percentage encapsulation, in vitro buoyancy and drug release was performed. Results: FT-IR study confirms the chemical crosslinking of extracted polysaccharide and also drug stability during processing of microspheres. The size of microspheres was in the range of 5.38 to 7.84 µm. SEM images revealed that all batches were of spherical in size and smooth surface. The swelling index showed better swelling in the range of 158-257 percentages. Encapsulation efficiency was found to be decreased by decreasing the concentration of polysaccharide. In vitro buoyancy study possesses that formulation F1 showed better floating ability as compared to the others. Finally, in vitro drug release study revealed that prepared microspheres were able to release the 100% drug within 8-12 h, indicating sustain release behavior. Conclusion: Present study concludes that polysaccharide of TI may be used as excipients for the preparation of floating-mucoadhesive microspheres

An Experimental Models (In-Vivo and In-Vitro) Used for the Study of Antidiabetic agents

Diabetes is divided into two main types, type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes Mellitus) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent diabetes). About 90% worldwide diabetics have type 2 diabetes. They are different in vivo and in vitro methods for screening new diabetes drugs. Mainly in life models uses chemicals like streptozotocin, alloxan, etc. to induce diabetes in vitro methods directly demonstrate its effect on cells responsible for induction of diabetes in humans. In vitro techniques provide more accurate information and possible Mechanisms related to diabetes. Now the latest techniques of the day such as the induction of diabetes by viruses that have also been introduced proves to be a good tool in the evaluation of diabetes drugs. This review can prove it be a good tool for researchers who want to investigate the diabetes it provides a comprehensive resource on the diabetes model under one roof

A Screening Models of (In Vivo And In Vitro) Used for the Study of Hepatoprotective Agents

In order to evaluate hepatoprotective function, both in vitro and in vivo liver or hepatoprotective models have been constructed in the past. These methods examine a drug's potential to prevent or minimize liver damage in test animals. To express their effectiveness and safety in humans, new drugs must first travel through a number of developmental phases, beginning with the identification of their pharmacological characteristics in cellular and animal models. In the medical literature, there are many methods for measuring hepatoprotective efficacy in vivo and in vitro.  Fresh hepatocytes are exposed to hepatotoxin treatment in in vitro models, and the effects of the test chemical on those cells are examined. To elicit liver damage in test animals, dangerous dosages of an identified hepatotoxin are administered in in vivo models. The test material is provided before, after, and simultaneously with the toxin treatment. Hepatitis in Long Evans and other chemical agents are commonly exploited to generate hepatotoxicity in experimental animals for the evaluation of hepatoprotective medications. Cinnamon rats, liver cirrhosis and necrosis, hepatic fibrosis brought on by carbon tetrachloride in rats, liver cirrhosis brought on by galactosamine, inhibition of proline hydroxylation, trans-heptic investigations model in dogs, etc. The many forms of in vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective screening models are explained in this article

Synthesis of electrolytic copper and nickel powders from the copper bleed electrolyte of a copper smelter

The adaptation of certain processes for utilization of secondary resources to produce valuable products is currently given due attention in the metal extraction. Copper bleed solution (CBS) obtained during electropurification of the impure copper anode to produce copper cathode for the purpose of controlling impurity, is one such secondary source which can be treated to produce valuable products. Copper bleed solution generated at Indian Copper Complex (ICC), Ghatsila contains 39.86 g/L Cu, 9.58 g/L Ni, 0.26 g/L Fe, 0.108 g/L Bi, 0.007 g/L As, 0.055 g/L Sb, 198.04 g/L H2S04. The recovery of copper and nickel as high value products such as metal powders from the bleed stream of the copper smelter by pretreatment-solvent extraction (SX) separation-electrowinning (EW) has been attempted to provide an alternative to the conventional process. The purity of the eletrolytic copper and nickel powders so produced was found to be 99.93% and 99.89%, respectively. The compact density of the annealed copper powder was 8.74 g/cc whereas it was 7.72 g/cc for nickel powder. The other properties of the copper and nickel powders such as flow-ability, particle size, etc. were found to be suitable for the P/M applications

Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: Examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective

Background: As India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) community health worker (CHW) programme enters its second decade, we take stock of the research undertaken and whether it examines the health systems interfaces required to sustain the programme at scale. Methods: We systematically searched three databases for articles on ASHAs published between 2005 and 2016. Articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent analysis using an inductive CHW–health systems interface framework. Results: A total of 122 academic articles were identified (56 quantitative, 29 mixed methods, 28 qualitative, and 9 commentary or synthesis); 44 articles reported on special interventions and 78 on the routine ASHA program. Findings on special interventions were overwhelmingly positive, with few negative or mixed results. In contrast, 55% of articles on the routine ASHA programme showed mixed findings and 23% negative, with few indicating overall positive findings, reflecting broader system constraints. Over half the articles had a health system perspective, including almost all those on general ASHA work, but only a third of those with a health condition focus. The most extensively researched health systems topics were ASHA performance, training and capacity-building, with very little research done on programme financing and reporting, ASHA grievance redressal or peer communication. Research tended to be descriptive, with fewer influence, explanatory or exploratory articles, and no predictive or emancipatory studies. Indian institutions and authors led and partnered on most of the research, wrote all the critical commentaries, and published more studies with negative results. Conclusion: Published work on ASHAs highlights a range of small-scale innovations, but also showcases the challenges faced by a programme at massive scale, situated in the broader health system. As the programme continues to evolve, critical comparative research that constructively feeds back into programme reforms is needed, particularly related to governance, intersectoral linkages, ASHA solidarity, and community capacity to provide support and oversight

Efficacy of Various Fungicides and Herbicides for the Management of Wheat Foot Rot Disease

The present research was conducted to investigate and assess the effectiveness of fungicides and herbicides in controlling the foot rot disease caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii in wheat crops. Foot rot of wheat caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. has a major constraint and potential  threat to successful wheat cultivation. Therefore affords were made to screen the different systemic, contact and combination of fungicides and herbicides in vitro condition against Sclerotium rolfsii.  Different fungicides against S. rolfsii were tested in vitro. The efficacy of two systemic fungicides (Tricyclazole 75%W.P. & Carbendazim 50% WP); two non-systemic fungicides (Mancozeb 75%WP & Copper oxychloride 50% WP); one contact fungicides Propineb 70%WP and one combo fungicides (Metalaxyl 8%+Mancozeb 64%) were evaluated at different concentrations (50,150 and 250 ppm) on the development of S. rolfsii on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium using poisoned food technique. Among the six fungicides, Mancozeb was found best at all the concentrations followed by Tricyclazole at higher concentrations which inhibit the growth of S. rolfsii. Another method used for management strategy was herbicide for inhibiting the mycelial growth of S. Rolfsii. In vitro efficacy of selective herbicides viz. (Metribuzin 70% WP & Oxadiargyl 80% WP), systemic herbicide viz. (Pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP & Metsulfuron Methyl 20% WP) and one combo herbicides viz. (Bensulfuron Methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% GR) were tested at their recommended concentrations. Among them metribuzin showed  80.00 % growth inhibition, succeeded by   Pyrazosulfuron ethyl (51.85%) and Bensulfuron methyl + Pretilachlor (45.92%)

Frequency and Temperature Dependence of Dielectric Properties of Pure Poly Vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Thin Films

In this work we have evaluated the dielectric properties of Poly Vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) thin films of thickness ( approximately 20 mu m) as a function of temperature from 40-70 degree C and frequency varying from 500 Hz to 100 kHz respectively for Al-Al and Cu-Cu electrode configuration. The dielectric constant values increases with the increase in temperature. A broad peak is found at around (70 plus or minus 5) degree C. The maximum value of dielectric constant and dielectric losses were attributed to the phase transition of the polymer. The variation in dielectric constant and loss tangent suggest the net effect of some internal field within the polymer along with the external A.C. field

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Not AvailableSorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum graminicola, is a destructive disease, and increasing dependency on chemical fungicides for its control has serious environmental concerns since sorghum is fed to cattle. Thus there is a need to develop effective bio-pesticide for biological control of C. graminicola. Since Trichoderma is a proven biocontrol agent against plant pathogens, exploring the greater diversity that exists in Trichoderma, could be of notable economic significance in terms of disease control. To harness the hidden potential of Trichoderma strains against C. graminicola, a study was undertaken with 20 Trichoderma spp. isolated from 40 rhizospheric soil samples. Dual plate antagonism assay indicated the potential of T3, T4, T6, T15, and T19 isolates of Trichoderma against C. graminicola, with T3 isolate showing maximum (76.47%) mycelial growth inhibition. Molecular characterization based on the sequence analysis of ITS-rRNA and tef-1α genes identified these isolates as Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum. Under the glasshouse condition, biopriming of seed with Trichoderma spp. had significantly decreased the percent disease index to 32.92% and helped improve plant growthpromoting attributes compared to untreated control. Seed biopriming with T3 isolate exhibited higher antioxidant enzyme activities in terms of superoxide dismutase (36.63%), peroxidase (43.59%), and polyphenol oxidaseNot Availabl