Passive Biomimetic Prosthesis

Advancement in prosthetic technology provides the prosthesis more natural function and cosmesis to the amputee limb. But in most of the cases due to some limitations of the patient, the most appropriate prosthetic solution is not possible. Custom made silicone prosthesis with some passive function plays the major role to rehabilitate those patients. The cosmetic prosthesis mimics the natural colour and texture of the normal body. Nowaday the cosmetic prosthesis becomes the foremost choice of the amputee individuals

Formulation and evaluation of raloxifene hydrochloride tabletswith improved dissolution profile

The objective of this research activity was to formulate and evaluate Raloxifene Hydrochloride (RLX HCl) tablets (BCS class II drug) with enhanced aqueous solubility thereby achieving a formulation with improved dissolution characteristics. Tablets were prepared by incorporating excipients such as disintegrant, solubilizer, wetting agent and evaluated for various pre compression and post compression parameters. Also assay and in-vitro dissolution studies were performed. Formula RLX HCl 27 containing disintegrant Ac-di-sol (15 mg-intragranular and 5 mg- extragranular) and solubilizerDimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO- 10 mg) was selected as the best optimised formula.Optimised formula was scaled up and stability studies were carried out according to the stability protocol. The results indicated that the formulation was stable and had improved dissolution profile as compared to marketed tablet

Compression Strength of Saline Water Exposed Epoxy System Containing Red Mud Particles

Polymers materials by themselves have found extensive use in non critical products. Such products are used in advanced engineering applications when reinforced with stronger materials. Among the reinforcements, the fibrous variety, whether continuous or discontinuous, occupies a key position. Hence, many inorganic fiber reinforced polymer system have made their entry at various application levels. Because of their large aspect ratio, they yield components, which have anisotropy when the reinforcements are aligned. In order to secure isentropic properties in composites, reinforcements with near spherical shapes have been tried e.g., glass micro spheres are known as micro balloons. Such man made reinforcements, through yield attractive mechanical properties, are expensive. Hence, a search for cheaper reinforcements is a key subject that needs the attention of material scientists. One such inexpensive filler to fit the slot is red mud. Being a by product of alumina plants, its disposal causes considerable environmental problems. Hence, there is need to tap this inexpensive material for possible use with other system including the polymer based ones. The present study looks at how this pozzolanic red mud, when introduced into a thermoset, responds the exposure to an aqueous medium like laboratory prepared saline water. The results show that when the red mud content in the system is large, the absorption levels are high. The results further revealed that the unexposed samples generally record an increasing strength value with red mud content

Impact of Mgnrega on Status of Tribal Women in Odisha: A Case Study of Rajgangpur Block of Sundergarh District

Abstract It is quite widely known that most o

Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Prosthetic and Orthotic Rehabilitation

Technological integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the Prosthetic and Orthotic industry and in the field of assistive technology has become boon for the Persons with Disabilities. The concept of neural network has been used by the leading manufacturers of rehabilitation aids for simulating various anatomical and biomechanical functions of the lost parts of the human body. The involvement of human interaction with various agents’ i.e. electronic circuitry, software, robotics, etc. has made a revolutionary impact in the rehabilitation field to develop devices like Bionic leg, mind or thought control prosthesis and exoskeletons. Application of Artificial Intelligence and robotics technology has a huge impact in achieving independent mobility and enhances the quality of life in Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

MICRONEEDLE TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY: APPLICATIONS AND COMBINATION WITH OTHER ENHANCING TECHNIQUES

Transdermal delivery system has been extensively employed over the years owing to its advantages over the conventional delivery systems. However, the stratum corneum hinders the penetration of substances through the skin. Microneedle technology is the latest advancement and has gained tremendous attention in transdermal delivery system, overcoming the obstacles of transdermal delivery system and providing advantages over the conventional delivery systems. Numerous studies have been carried out for exploring microneedles. This review article covers the types of microneedles, mechanism of action of microneedles, methodology of drug delivery via microneedles while mainly focusing on the applications of microneedles and their combination with other enhancing techniques in transdermal delivery of drug and other molecules. Keywords: Transdermal delivery, Microneedles, Stratum corneum, Iontophoresis, Electroporation, Sonophoresis, Vibratory actuation, Immunologicals, Biopharmaceuticals, Phlebotomy, Diagnosis

Orthotic and Prosthetic Management in Brachial Plexus Injury: Recent Trends

The brachial plexus is a network of intertwined nerve that controls movement and sensation in arm and hand. Any injury to the brachial plexus can result in partial or complete damage of arm and hand. The surgery is a common indicative procedure in brachial plexus injury in case of non-spontaneous recovery. The loss of function of hand due to injury can be replaced by using body powered or externally powered devices. Recent development in treatment protocol of prosthetic and orthotic science using artificial intelligence helps in rehabilitating the persons with brachial plexus injury to regain his confidence and perform daily activities. Combination of advancement in surgical procedure along with artificially intelligent devices opens a new array to rehabilitate the person with brachial plexus injury

EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CYANOTIS CRISTATA LEAVES APPLIED TOPICALLY ON WOUND HEALING IN WISTAR RATS

  Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Cyanotis cristata leaves when applied topically on healing of wound in Wistar rats.Methods: C. cristata leaves were evaluated for its effect on healing of wound in three models, namely, incision, excision, and burn wound. Each model included five groups, each consisting of 6 rats. The five groups were as follows: Group I rats (control and ointment base), Group II rats (standard and silver sulfadiazine), and Group III, Group IV, Group V (treated with C. cristata extract ointment of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, respectively). Variables evaluated included breaking strength in incision wound while it was contraction rate and epithelialization in excision and burn wound. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test was used to analyze data.Result: In incision wound, breaking strength in test group was significantly increased (p<0.001) as compared to control. In excision and burn wound of test group, time to epithelialization and contraction rate was significantly decreased (p<0.001). The granulation tissue from excision and burn wound showed increased collagen and less inflammatory cells in test groups in comparison to the control.Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of leaves of C. cristata, when applied topically, enhanced wound strength and accelerated healing of incision, excision, and burn wounds in rats

Anticonvulsant activity of gap-junctional blocker carbenoxolone in albino rats

Background: Gap junctions (GJs) are clusters of channels that connect the interiors of adjoining neurons and mediate electrical/electrotonic coupling by transfer of ions and small molecules. Electrotonic coupling between principal neurons via GJs is increasingly recognized as one of the mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the abnormal neuronal synchrony that occurs during seizures. Carbenoxolone the succinyl ester of glycyrrhetinic acid obtained from liquorice has been shown to have the property of blocking gap junctional intercellular communication. The objectives were to study if carbenoxolone has in-vivo anticonvulsive activity in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) seizure models and to probe the functional role of GJs in seizures.Methods: Carbenoxolone was tested for anticonvulsive effect in albino rats subjected to seizures by the PTZ and MES at three doses 100 m/kg, 200 m/kg, 300 m/kg. In the PTZ model parameters observed were seizure protection, seizure latency and seizure duration. In the MES model parameters observed were seizure protection and seizure duration.Results: The results showed that the carbenoxolone has anticonvulsant activity in both PTZ and MES induced seizures with better protection in the PTZ induced seizures. In the PTZ model carbenoxolone produced a statistically significant increase in seizure latency, decrease in seizure duration and seizure protection. In the MES model carbenoxolone produced a statistically significant decrease in seizure duration.Conclusions: Carbenoxolone has in-vivo anticonvulsive effect and could be useful in both petitmal (absence) seizures and grand mal (generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy) seizures. The protective effect of carbenoxolone could be due to blockade of GJ channels that mediate electro tonic coupling and thereby prevent the neural synchronization that is characteristic of seizures. The study also supports the view that GJs have a functional role in the electrophysiology of seizures and GJ blockers have potential as a new class of antiepileptic drugs

Impact of generic alendronate cost on the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening and treatment

Introduction: Since alendronate became available in generic form in the Unites States in 2008, its price has been decreasing. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of alendronate cost on the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening and treatment in postmenopausal women. Methods: Microsimulation cost-effectiveness model of osteoporosis screening and treatment for U.S. women age 65 and older. We assumed screening initiation at age 65 with central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and alendronate treatment for individuals with osteoporosis; with a comparator of "no screening" and treatment only after fracture occurrence. We evaluated annual alendronate costs of $20 through$800; outcome measures included fractures; nursing home admission; medication adverse events; death; costs; quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs); and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in 2010 U.S. dollars per QALY gained. A lifetime time horizon was used, and direct costs were included. Base-case and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Base-case analysis results showed that at annual alendronate costs of $200 or less, osteoporosis screening followed by treatment was cost-saving, resulting in lower total costs than no screening as well as more QALYs (10.6 additional quality-adjusted life-days). When assuming alendronate costs of$400 through $800, screening and treatment resulted in greater lifetime costs than no screening but was highly cost-effective, with ICERs ranging from$714 per QALY gained through $13,902 per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses revealed that the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening followed by alendronate treatment was robust to joint input parameter estimate variation at a willingness-to-pay threshold of$50,000/QALY at all alendronate costs evaluated. Conclusions: Osteoporosis screening followed by alendronate treatment is effective and highly cost-effective for postmenopausal women across a range of alendronate costs, and may be cost-saving at annual alendronate costs of $200 or less. © 2012 Nayak et al