FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES OF DIMETHYL FUMARATE USING BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN

Objective: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a methyl ester of fumaric acid. It has been approved by USFDA recently for the treatment of an autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of present study was to synthesize and optimize chitosan loaded nanoparticles of DMF by box-behnken design (BBD), to provide a better drug delivery system for the management and treatment of MS. Methods: Polyelectrolyte complex coacervation technique was used to prepare Chitosan (CS) loaded DMF nanoparticles and box behnken design using 3 factors and 3 levels were selected for optimization of the formulation. Effect of three independent factors that is, polymer CS concentration, polymer dextran sulfate (DS) concentration and the amount of drug were studied on two dependent responses that is particle size and % drug entrapment efficiency. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate the significant differences between the independent variables. Results: The optimized batch showed the highest % drug entrapment (65.36) and an average particle size (355 nm). Zeta potential value was optimum to maintain the stability of the formulation. In vitro drug release behavior followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model which showed the initial release of 21.7±1.3% with prolonged drug release of 69.5±0.8% from optimized CS nanoparticle up to 24 h. The % cumulative drug release (% CDR) of optimized nanoparticles was 84%. Conclusion: The optimized nanoparticles of DMF with improved properties could be a promising formulation for the treatment and management of MS

Post-Covid Era: Predictive Aspect of Psychological Condition Due to Sudden Pandemic

Covid-19 has impacted the lives of people in various aspects positive as well as negative. It has an impact on different areas of life, including the economy, industries, global markets, agriculture, human health, etc. The virus caused disruptions to daily life and restrictions on activities in many communities during its multiple outbreaks. Hope for a potential end to the pandemic emerged with the stepping up of vaccination campaigns. However, the continual appearance of mutant strains and vaccine hesitancy has been problems both nationally and internationally. People's normal activities, routines, and livelihoods have been disrupted by self-isolation and quarantine, potentially leading to an increase in loneliness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, excessive alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal activity. The psychological aspects of the post-covid-19 era are the effect of covid-19 on CNS, and physiological and psychological diseases caused due to covid-19. The article explains Post Trauma Stress Disorder as a psychological scar, Social evils arising due to covid-19, and predictive reasons for the increase in mental illness Keywords- Covid-19, Pandemic, Mental Health, Post Trauma Stress Disorder,  Depression, Anxiet

Challenges in understanding the variability of the cryosphere in the Himalaya and its impact on regional water resources

Authors are grateful to UKIERI and DST for supporting us financially through UKIERI-DST Partnership Development Workshops. RR would like to thank the funding agency Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), Government of India for the project titled Estimating Mass balance of glaciers in the Bhaga Basin, Western Himalaya using GPR and Remote Sensing methods (Grant Ref. No: MoES/PAMC/H&C/107/2018-PC-II dated 27.07.2019).The Himalaya plays a vital role in regulating the freshwater availability for nearly a billion people living in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra River basins. Due to climate change and constantly evolving human-hydrosphere interactions, including land use/cover changes, groundwater extraction, reservoir or dam construction, water availability has undergone significant change, and is expected to change further in the future. Therefore, understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of the hydrological cycle over the Himalaya and its river basins has been one of the most critical exercises toward ensuring regional water security. However, due to the lack of extensive in-situ measurements, complex hydro-climatic environment, and limited collaborative efforts, large gaps in our understanding exist. Moreover, there are several significant issues with available studies, such as lack of consistent hydro-meteorological datasets, very few attempts at integrating different data types, limited spatiotemporal sampling of hydro-meteorological measurements, lack of open access to in-situ datasets, poorly accounted anthropogenic climate feedbacks, and limited understanding of the hydro-meteorological drivers over the region. These factors result in large uncertainties in our estimates of current and future water availability over the Himalaya, which constraints the development of sustainable water management strategies for its river catchments hampering our preparedness for the current and future changes in hydro-climate. To address these issues, a partnership development workshop entitled “Water sEcurity assessment in rIvers oriGinating from Himalaya (WEIGH),” was conducted between the 07th and 11th September 2020. Based on the intense discussions and deliberations among the participants, the most important and urgent research questions were identified. This white paper synthesizes the current understanding, highlights, and the most significant research gaps and research priorities for studying water availability in the Himalaya.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Proceedings of the International Conference on Frontiers in Desalination, Energy, Environment and Material Sciences for Sustainable Development

This proceeding contains articles on the various ideas of the academic community presented at the International Conference on Frontiers in Desalination, Energy, Environment and Material Sciences for Sustainable Development (FEEMSSD-2023) & Annual Congress of InDA (InDACON-2023) jointly organized by the Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology Gorakhpur, KIPM-College of Engineering and Technology Gida Gorakhpur, and Indian Desalination Association, India on 16th-17th March 2023.  FEEMSSD-2023 & InDACON-2023 focuses on addressing issues and concerns related to sustainability in all domains of Energy, Environment, Desalination, and Material Science and attempts to present the research and innovative outputs in a global platform. The conference aims to bring together leading academicians, researchers, technocrats, practitioners, and students to exchange and share their experiences and research outputs in Energy, Environment, Desalination, and Material Science.  Conference Title: International Conference on Frontiers in Desalination, Energy, Environment and Material Sciences for Sustainable Development & Annual Congress of InDAConference Acronyms: FEEMSSD-2023 & InDACON-2023Conference Date: 16th-17th March 2023Conference Location: Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, GorakhpurConference Organizers: Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology Gorakhpur, KIPM-College of Engineering and Technology Gida Gorakhpur, and Indian Desalination Association, Indi