DRUG DISCOVERY: AN APPRAISAL

The process of drug discovery and development has undergone radical changes over the years. Introduction of several novel technologies in genomics, proteomics and other omics areas have enabled drug target identification and validation more specific. In silico virtual screening and other computational chemistry methods like QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) and QSPR (Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship) have enabled the emergence of new drugs with minimal toxicity and higher efficacy in this post-genomics era. Moreover, initiative like Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) is playing a promising role in accelerating the pace of drug discovery process. Better understanding of these methods and initiatives by researchers will kindle interest towards adopting it. Hence, by this review, we intend to present a comprehensive view of overall transition and modernization of the drug discovery process and it's impacts on the scientific community.Â

AN ASSESSMENT ON BUCCAL MUCOADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Buccal drug delivery system (BDDS) has won a variety of exposure and traction as it possesses plenty of advantages and benefits as evaluate to different mucosal drug delivery systems. Buccal path for systemic drug delivery, the use of mucoadhesive polymers twill significantly increase the efficacy of many tablets, has been of outstanding interest over the previous couple of decades. This article affords a precise of BDDS mechanisms, consisting of a composition of the oral mucosa, delivery mechanism, numerous forms of BDDS, formulation, assessment and application of BDDS. Additionally, this text affords a precis over the patents, advertised products and destiny factors of BDDS. In this evaluation article, we've got tried to assemble the maximum significant reports (1988 to 2021) of formulation, assessment, application, patents of BDDS. This review will help pharmaceutical researchers to clarify the potential of BDDS to overcome the various existing drug delivery dispute like the efficiency of absorption, permeability and bioavailability of drugs

RECENT UPDATE ON ORAL FILMS: A BENCH TO MARKET POTENTIAL

Oral films are gaining a lot of attention as a substitute approach to the conventional dosage form. Over the past few years, many of the pharmaceutical scientists throughout the world are focusing their research on oral films, trying to see the sights of oral films as a novel drug delivery system. The oral films are convenient to swallow for geriatric and pediatric patients, are self-administrable, used for systemic and local action and rapid release of a drug, which makes it an excellent system of drug delivery. This review article mainly discusses the manufacturing aspects of films and their characterization, applications and the constraints in the development of oral films along with highlights of market potential

A questionnaire based study to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among exam going second year undergraduate medical students in a South Indian teaching hospital

Background: Pharmacovigilance not only helps in the early detection of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) but also facilitates the identification of both, risk factors and the underlying mechanism. To increase the reporting rate, it is essential to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals regarding ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance, especially during undergraduate and postgraduate education. The objective of this study was to assess the KAP about pharmacovigilance among exam-going second-year undergraduate medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 150 exam-going second-year undergraduate students from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore from April 2022 to June 2022. A validated questionnaire consisting of 22 questions divided into 3 sections; knowledge, attitude, and practice was used. Statistical analysis of data was done using an MS excel spreadsheet.Results: Out of the 150 participants 133 had good knowledge about ADR and pharmacovigilance. Majority of the students agreed that reporting of ADRs is necessary (95.3%), mandatory (95.3%), and should be included in pharmacology practicals (94.7%). Only 29.3% of the students had witnessed an ADR and none of the participants had ever reported an ADR indicating poor practice among the undergraduate students.Conclusions: Students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance. Practice regarding pharmacovigilance was found to be poor, indicating the need for training the undergraduate students in ADR reporting by including ADR recognition and reporting as a part of clinical posting curriculum

Evaluation of new insecticide molecules for their effectiveness in the management of sugarcane early shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus (Snellen)

An experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V.C farm, Mandya (Karnataka), India during 2015, to assess the chemical control of sugarcane early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus). Nine insecticides namely, Fipronil 0.3G, Chlorantraniliprole 0.4G, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Spinosad 45SC, Flubendiamide 39.35SC, Cartap hydrochloride 4G, Phorate 10G, Carbofuran 3G, Chlorpyriphos 20EC, and compared with untreated (Check plot)using randomized block design with three replications. Significant differences were noticed among the treatments. Chlorantraniliprole 0.4G recorded lowest cumulative incidence (2.79 %) and highest per cent reduction over the control (85.78 %) which was followed by Cartap hydrochloride 4G (5.37% and 72.65%), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (5.95% and 75.62%), Flubendiamide 39.35SC (6.64% and 66.19%) and Fipronil 0.3G (6.83% and 65.22%) were found significantly superior in reducing the cumulative incidence of C. infuscatellus.In Co 86032 Cartap hydrochloride 4G was found to be the best insecticide in getting a highest cost benefit ratio (1:12.39). Other insecticides such as Fipronil 0.3G (1:8.84), Chlorantraniliprole 0.4G (1:6.96), Flubendiamide 39.35SC (1:5.42) and Spinosad 45SC (1:4.16) have also recorded better cost benefit ratio. Since Cartap hydrochloride 4G does not have crop label so we can recommend Fipronil 0.3G or Chlorantraniliprole 0.4G for the management of sugarcane early shoot borer

Mutation of interfacial residues disrupts subunit folding and particle assembly of Physalis mottle tymovirus

Virus-like particles (VLPs) serve as excellent model systems to identify the pathways of virus assembly. To gain insights into the assembly mechanisms of the Physalis mottle tymovirus (PhMV), six interfacial residues, identified based on the crystal structure of the native and recombinant capsids, were targeted for mutagenesis. The Q37E, Y67A, R68Q, D83A, I123A, and S145A mutants of the PhMV recombinant coat protein (rCP) expressed in Escherichia coli were soluble. However, except for the S145A mutant, which assembled into VLPs similar to that of wild type rCP capsids, all the other mutants failed to assemble into VLPs. Furthermore, the purified Q37E, Y67A, R68Q, D83A, and I123A rCP mutants existed essentially as partially folded monomers as revealed by sucrose density gradient analysis, circular dichroism, fluorescence, thermal, and urea denaturation studies. The rCP mutants locked into such conformations probably lack the structural signals/features that would allow them to assemble into capsids. Thus, the mutation of residues involved in inter-subunit interactions in PhMV disrupts both subunit folding and particle assembly

Stress Distribution on Bridge Abutment due to Live Loads

Stress distribution on the bridge abutment plays a key role in the design of bridge abutments. Lateral stress on the abutment will be due to backfill and live loads (wheel loads). Lateral stress due to backfill can be determined by classical earth pressure theories that are well documented in the literature. However, the effect of lateral stress distribution due to live loads/wheel loads are typically assumed as an equivalent uniformly distributed load of additional height of surcharge of backfill over the surface of the backfill. IRC recommendation of 1.2m height of surcharge is based on engineering judgment and experience. This study aims to predict the lateral stress on bridge abutment more closely to the actual values. A model was developed using finite element package PLAXIS and the lateral stress distribution on abutment for various lanes are obtained. In the present study, abutment-soil system was modeled considering two cases- (a) two-layered system with a granular base layer/approach slab resting on the embankment fill material, and (b) three-layered system with an approach slab over the granular base layer resting on the embankment fill material. The equivalent height of surcharge is proposed for various moduli ratio of the pavement layers and for different lane widths (corresponding to one, two, three, four and five lanes). It is determined that the equivalent height of surcharge for case(a) two-layered system is in the range of 0.7m-1.3m and for case(b) three-layered system with an approach slab is in the range of 0.5m-0.9m

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with tubal rupture

Heterotopic pregnancy is the coexistence of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and extrauterine gestation. It is a rare and dangerous life-threatening condition that is difficult to diagnose and easily missed. The incidence in the general population is estimated to be 1 in 30,000. We report a case of a 24-year-old multigravida who was seen in the emergency department with a diagnosis of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A careful ultrasound assessment led to the diagnosis of a heterotopic pregnancy despite lack of any notable risk factors. Immediate surgical intervention with supportive measures resulted in a successful outcome. An obstetrician should keep in mind the occurrence of a heterotopic pregnancy while dealing with pregnant females. It also demonstrates that early diagnosis is essential in order to salvage the intrauterine pregnancy and avoid maternal morbidity and mortality