Analysis of Nebivolol hydrochloride and Valsartan in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Method

A simple, accurate and precise high performance thin layer chromatographic method has been developed for the estimation of Valsartan and Nebivolol hydrochloride simultaneously from a tablet dosage form. The method employed silica gel 60 F254 pre-coated plates as stationary phase and a mixture of Ethyl acetate: Methanol: Ammonia (6.5:2.5:0.5 %v/v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric scanning was performed at 280 nm using a Camag TLC scanner 3. Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 800ng/spot-2400ng/spot for Nebivolol hydrochloride and 200ng/spot-1000ng/spot for Valsartan. The Retention factor for Nebivolol hydrochloride is 0.75 ± 0.04 and is 0.27 ± 0.01 for Valsartan . The method was validated as per ICH Guidelines, proving its utility in estimation of Valsartan and Nebivolol hydrochloride in combined dosage form

Model Predictive Control for Autonomous Driving Based on Time Scaled Collision Cone

In this paper, we present a Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework based on path velocity decomposition paradigm for autonomous driving. The optimization underlying the MPC has a two layer structure wherein first, an appropriate path is computed for the vehicle followed by the computation of optimal forward velocity along it. The very nature of the proposed path velocity decomposition allows for seamless compatibility between the two layers of the optimization. A key feature of the proposed work is that it offloads most of the responsibility of collision avoidance to velocity optimization layer for which computationally efficient formulations can be derived. In particular, we extend our previously developed concept of time scaled collision cone (TSCC) constraints and formulate the forward velocity optimization layer as a convex quadratic programming problem. We perform validation on autonomous driving scenarios wherein proposed MPC repeatedly solves both the optimization layers in receding horizon manner to compute lane change, overtaking and merging maneuvers among multiple dynamic obstacles.Comment: 6 page

A study on pregnancy outcome following previous spontaneous abortion: a hospital-based prospective observational comparative study

Background: Majority of spontaneous pregnancy loss occur in early gestation. Early pregnancy loss causes great physical and psychological distress to couples and creates apprehension in achieving future reproductive success. Previous abortions have a definite impact on the successful outcome of future pregnancies.  Hence for such pregnancies careful antenatal care is mandatory. Careful surveillances required in pregnancies preceded by spontaneous abortions, for early detection of possible complications. Methods: This was a prospective observational comparative study conducted on 184 antenatal women (92 patients with previous spontaneous abortion, no full-term delivery, selected as cases while 92 patients with previous full term normal vaginal delivery with no previous abortion selected as control) attending antenatal OPD at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, from October 2020 to May 2022. All women received regular antenatal care and were followed up till delivery for maternal and foetal outcome. Results: For predicting pregnancy outcome following previous spontaneous abortion showed statistically significant in term of obesity, 56.52% patients were obese in cases while in controls only 48.91%. Duration of marriage, in cases is 2.22 years, where as in controls were 4.24 years with significant result. Interpregnancy interval (months) in cases was 10.58±4.19 whereas in controls it was 32.53±14.41 with significant result. Antenatal complications in term of GDM, hypothyroidism, IUGR more in cases than controls. Conclusions: We found that prior spontaneous abortion miscarriage is definitely a risk factor for the next pregnancy, making present pregnancy a high-risk pregnancy

GRAPHENE CONJUGATED USNIC ACID NANO-FORMULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF TOPICAL FUNGAL INFECTION:

Objective: The study aims to investigate the antifungal response of the dug usnic acid with the carrier graphene. Methods: Nano-precipitation method by sonication was adopted to formulate the conjugate. SEM test was performed to check the shape and average size of the conjugate. FTIR test was performed for the chemical interaction between the drug and the carrier. Ointment was prepared by the fusion method and the viscosity test was performed by Brookfield viscometer. Spreadability test was performed by slide method. Animal activity was performed to confirm the antifungal effect of the formulated nano-conjugate. Statistical analysis was done by Anova. Results: SEM study shows that the conjugate is in the nano range and possess a spherical shape. FTIR study shows no interaction between the drug and the carrier. The result of in vitro drug release study shows that the conjugate posses a higher drug release rate as compared to the drug alone. Topical drug administration is more suitable for the treatment of the fungal infection, so the nano-conjugate was incorporated into the ointment by geometric mixing. The viscosity and the spreadability test were performed on the different formulations of the ointment and the suitable one was selected for the topical administration. Anti-fungal study had been performed on the Wistar albino rats for 6 d. Skin culture of rats was performed for the formation of the fungal colonies. Statistical analysis by Anova gives p<0.001. It was found that the normal form of usnic acid, graphene and the nano form both possess anti-fungal activity as 3/6 and 2/6 experimental animals are cured by normal formulation and nano-formulation. Conclusion: The present anti-fungal study revealed that the nano-form of the conjugate possess higher anti-fungal activity than the normal formulation of usnic acid with graphene

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Biofilm Producing Clinical Coagulase Negative Staphylococci From Nepal and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern

Background Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) survive as commensals of skin, anterior nares and external canals of human and were regarded as non-infectious pathogens. However, they are emerging as a major cause of nosocomial infectious due to their ability to form biofilms and high resistance to several classes of antibiotics. This study examines the biofilm forming abilities of 214 clinical CNS isolates using phenotypic and genotypic methods, and determines their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods A total of 214 clinical isolates collected from different clinical samples were identified as CNS and their antibiotic susceptibility determined by CLSI guidelines. The biofilm forming ability of all isolates was determined by three phenotypic methods; Congo red agar (CRA) method, tube adherence method (TM) and tissue culture plate (TCP) method and by genotypic method for the detection of icaAD genes. Results Among all the isolates, S. epidermidis (57.5%) was found the most frequently, followed by S. saprophyticus (18.7%), S. haemolyticus (11.2%), S. hominis (7%), and S. capitis (5.6%). Antibiotic susceptibility pattern demonstrated 91.6% isolates were resistant to penicillin and 66.8% to cefoxitin while 91.1% isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol. Constitutive and inducible clindamycin resistant phenotype as measured by D-test was seen among 28% and 14.5% of isolates respectively. Tissue culture plate method detected biofilm production in 42.1% isolate followed by 31.8% through tube method while 20.1% isolates were found to produce slime in Congo red agar method. The genotypic assay revealed presence of icaA and icaD genes in 19.2% isolates. Conclusion The study shows a high prevalence of biofilm formation and inducible clindamycin resistance in CNS isolates, indicating the importance of in-vitro biofilm production test and D-test in routine laboratory diagnostics. Implementation of efficient diagnostic techniques for detection of biofilm production in clinical samples can help manage staphylococcal infections and minimize risks of treatment failures in hospitals

Biofilm Producing Clinical \u3ci\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/i\u3e Isoates Augmented Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Cases In Tertiary Care Hospitals of Nepal

Staphylococcus aureus, a notorious human pathogen, is a major cause of the community as well as healthcare associated infections. It can cause a diversity of recalcitrant infections mainly due to the acquisition of resistance to multiple drugs, its diverse range of virulence factors, and the ability to produce biofilm in indwelling medical devices. Such biofilm associated chronic infections often lead to increase in morbidity and mortality posing a high socio-economic burden, especially in developing countries. Since biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance function dependent on each other, detection of biofilm expression in clinical isolates would be advantageous in treatment decision. In this premise, we attempt to investigate the biofilm formation and its association with antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates from the patients visiting tertiary health care hospitals in Nepal. Bacterial cells isolated from clinical samples identified as S. aureus were examined for in-vitro biofilm production using both phenotypic and genotypic assays. The S. aureus isolates were also examined for susceptibility patterns of clinically relevant antibiotics as well as inducible clindamycin resistance using standard microbiological techniques and D-test, respectively. Among 161 S. aureus isolates, 131 (81.4%) were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 30 (18.6%) were methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) strains. Although a majority of MRSA strains (69.6%) showed inducible clindamycin resistance, almost all isolates (97% and 94%) were sensitive toward chloramphenicol and tetracycline, respectively. Detection of in vitro production of biofilm revealed the association of biofilm with methicillin as well as inducible clindamycin resistance among the clinical S. aureus isolates

High Level of Persister Frequency In Clinical Staphylococcal Isolates

Staphylococcus aureus is a notorious human pathogen that causes often lethal systemic conditions that are mostly medical device associated biofilm infections. Similarly, coagulase negative staphylococci are emerging as leading pathogen for nosocomial infections owing to their ability to form biofilm on implanted medical equipment. Chronic in nature, these infections are difficult to treat. Such recalcitrance of these infections is caused mainly due to the presence of persister cells, which exhibit transient yet extreme tolerance to antibiotics. Despite tremendous clinical significance, there is lack of studies on persister cells formation among clinical bacterial isolates. Considering the importance of factors influencing persister formation, in this study, we evaluate the association of antibiotic tolerance with biofilm production, antibiotic stress, growth phase, specimen type, and dependency on staphylococcal species. Biofilm formation was detected among 375 clinical staphylococcal isolates by quantitative tissue culture plate method (TCP) and icaAD genes by genotypic method. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method while minimum inhibitory concentration values were obtained by agar dilution method. Persister cells were measured in the susceptible staphylococcal isolates in the presence of clinically relevant antibiotics

Biofilm Producing Clinical \u3ci\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/i\u3e Isoates Augmented Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Cases In Tertiary Care Hospitals of Nepal

Staphylococcus aureus, a notorious human pathogen, is a major cause of the community as well as healthcare associated infections. It can cause a diversity of recalcitrant infections mainly due to the acquisition of resistance to multiple drugs, its diverse range of virulence factors, and the ability to produce biofilm in indwelling medical devices. Such biofilm associated chronic infections often lead to increase in morbidity and mortality posing a high socio-economic burden, especially in developing countries. Since biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance function dependent on each other, detection of biofilm expression in clinical isolates would be advantageous in treatment decision. In this premise, we attempt to investigate the biofilm formation and its association with antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates from the patients visiting tertiary health care hospitals in Nepal. Bacterial cells isolated from clinical samples identified as S. aureus were examined for in-vitro biofilm production using both phenotypic and genotypic assays. The S. aureus isolates were also examined for susceptibility patterns of clinically relevant antibiotics as well as inducible clindamycin resistance using standard microbiological techniques and D-test, respectively. Among 161 S. aureus isolates, 131 (81.4%) were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 30 (18.6%) were methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) strains. Although a majority of MRSA strains (69.6%) showed inducible clindamycin resistance, almost all isolates (97% and 94%) were sensitive toward chloramphenicol and tetracycline, respectively. Detection of in vitro production of biofilm revealed the association of biofilm with methicillin as well as inducible clindamycin resistance among the clinical S. aureus isolates

Antibiotic Sensitivity in Post Cesarean Surgical Site Infection at a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Nepal

Introduction: Post cesarean surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the common complications diagnosed in 2.5%-16% of the cases and is associated with significant increase in maternal morbidity, hospital stay, costs, and psychological stress to the new parents. This study was designed to study the incidence of SSI and the antimicrobial resistance pattern in our hospital. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from July 2015 to December 2015, in which all patients who were admitted with post cesarean SSI or developed SSI during their stay were included.  Wound specimens were collected and susceptibility testing was carried out using disc diffusion technique. Results: The incidence of post cesarean SSI was 6.07% (47/774). Out of the 47 patients who had SSI, 35 (74.75%) had positive swab culture. The most important organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (82.85%) out of which 17 (58.62%) were MRSA strain. The resistance of Staphylococcus to penicillin was 84.6% whereas amikacin was found to be highly sensitive (>96%). Among the MRSA strain, resistance to ciprofloxacin, which is the currently used drug for prophylaxis, was 94%. Resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, and clavulanate was also high. Resistance to vancomycin was also high (53%). Amikacin and chloramphenicol were found to be highly sensitive  (94% and 90% respectively) in the MRSA group. Conclusion: MRSA is the leading cause of post cesarean SSI and is a matter of great concern. Amikacin and chloramphenicol were found to be highly sensitive in this group but unlike other studies, resistance of vancomycin was showing an increasing trend

Phytopharmaceuticals and In-Vitro Antioxidant Potentials of Soyabean Methonolic Extract

Soyabean methanolic extract were used for investigation of phytopharmaceuticals and antioxidant potentials. The extract was analyzed for total phenolic compound, total flavonoid compound, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and DPPH assay. The results depicted that the methonolic extract have broad range of antioxidants present in it. Keywords: phytopharmaceuticals, Soyabean methanolic extract, antioxidan