FORMULATION OPTIMIZATION OF PROMETHAZINE THEOCLATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE PELLETS BY USING EXTRUSION-SPHERONIZATION TECHNIQUE

Objective: Promethazine theoclate is a BCS Class II drug having anti-histaminic property and mainly used for the treatment of motion sickness and postoperative emesis. The main objective of the research work was to formulate and optimize immediate release pellets of promethazine theoclate by using the extrusion-spheronization technique to offer immediate release dosage form suitable for treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and post-operative conditions.Methods: Immediate release pellets of promethazine theoclate were prepared by using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and corn starch as filler and disintegrant respectively along with other excipients. Pellet formulation was further optimized for bulk density, disintegration time and percent drug release after 10 min. using 32 factorial design. Formulations were also characterized for drug-polymer interactions using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and other physicochemical properties.Results: Optimised pellet formulation contains 2.5:4.5:1 ratio of MCC: Corn Starch: Drug and spheronization time of 60 seconds showing highest percent yield of 78% and immediate drug release of 100.52±0.65% after 10 min.Conclusion: Promethazine theoclate pellets formulated in this study can serve as an alternative to tablet dosage form which can give immediate drug release for treatment of motion sickness and postoperative emesis

Ancient oceans and Martian paleohydrology

The global model of ocean formation on Mars is discussed. The studies of impact crater densities on certain Martian landforms show that late in Martian history there could have been coincident formation of: (1) glacial features in the Southern Hemisphere; (2) ponded water and related ice features in the northern plains; (3) fluvial runoff on Martian uplands; and (4) active ice-related mass-movement. This model of transient ocean formation ties these diverse observations together in a long-term cyclic scheme of global planetary operation

PALAEOFLOOD RECORDS FROM UPPER KAVERI RIVER, SOUTHERN INDIA: EVIDENCE FOR DISCRETE FLOODS DURING HOLOCENE

Abstract: A record of six discrete middle Holocene floods has been established based on sedimentological and stratigraphical studies in the upper Kaveri catchment at Siddapur. The flood events are represented by six discrete, sharp-bounded, sand-silt couplets. Texturally and geochemically the suite of couplets is quite distinct from the overlying and underlying structureless fluvial deposits. Based on OSL ages the suite of couplets cover the Holocene from ~8 to ~2 ka. Such evidence is not present or reported from any other river originating in the Western Ghat in the Indian Peninsula. We argue that the six couplets represent short-term, high discharge events or flash floods. The initiation of this phase of flash floods broadly corresponds with the southward migration of ITCZ and a gradual decline in Indian summer monsoon precipitation starting at ~7.8 ka. Comparison of the elevation of the highest couplet with the high flood level (HFL) of the 1961 extraordinary flood on Kaveri demonstrates that the 20th century flood was higher than the mid-Holocene palaeofloods

Fluvial hydrology and geomorphology of Monsoon-dominated Indian rivers

The Indian rivers are dominantly monsoon rainfed. As a result, their regime characteristics are dictated by the spatio-temporal variations in the monsoon rainfall. Although the rivers carry out most of the geomorphic work during 4-5 months of the monsoon season, the nature and magnitude of response to variations in the discharge and sediment load varies with the basin size and relief characteristics. Large monsoon floods play a role of great importance on all the rivers. This paper describes the hydrological and geomorphological characteristics of the two major fluvial systems of the Indian region, namely the Himalayan fluvial system and the Peninsular fluvial system. Large number of studies published so far indicate that there are noteworthy differences between the two river systems, with respect to river hydrology, channel morphology, sediment load and behaviour. The nature of alterations in the fluvial system due to increased human interference is also briefly mentioned. This short review demonstrates that there is immense variety of rivers in India. This makes India one of the best places to study rivers and their forms and processes

Late Quaternary bedrock incision in the Narmada river at Dardi Falls

Fluvial incision in bedrock is common in many rivers of the Indian Peninsula. We investigated a site in the gorge of the Narmada river at Dardi Falls that displays geomorphic evidence of intense bedrock erosion. We report here a terrestrial cosmogenic radionuclide date from an eroded rock surface in Peninsular India. Terrestrial cosmogenic radionuclide dating of the rock surface adjacent to the inner gorge indicated that the minimum age of the gorge is 40 ka. We suggest that the present gorge has developed in two phases, separated by a period of large-scale aggradation that filled the gorge with alluvium. Gorge formation is most likely associated with tectonic activity in the SonNarmada- Tapi lineament zone. Erosion at this scale also requires large palaeodischarges with high unit stream power. This study illustrates the powers of combmmg newly developmg geomorphic, DEM and geochronological methods to elucidate the dynamics and nature of landscape evolution

Extrafollicular Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor: A Case Report

Odontogenic tumors are a group of heterogeneous lesions. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a benign, hamartomatous, slow-growing lesion, which is usually located in the anterior maxilla and is more prevalent in females. Although the follicular type is more frequently described in literature, here we report a case of extrafollicular type of AOT in the maxillary anterior region in a 16-year-old female

Palaeo and historical flood hydrology, Indian Peninsula

The Indian Peninsula has many rivers that flow through bedrock gorges, providing excellent sites for the emplacement and preservation of late Holocene slackwater sediments and palaeostage indicators. Preliminary surveys of palaeoflood hydrology at these sites and the available historical data (since 1700) indicate considerable spatial and temporal variability of the largest flood events. There appear to be complex associations with the monsoon and with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon that will require further study as more palaeoflood records are developed at the study sites. Data available thus far indicate a modern (post-1950) epoch of very large floods that may exceed the magnitudes of events over the last millennium

Sedimentary records and luminescence chronology of Late Holocene palaeofloods in the Luni River, Thar Desert, Northwest India

River Luni is the only well-integrated river system in the Thar Desert of India. This river catastrophically flooded due to unusually heavy rainfall in the catchment area during July 1979. In order to establish whether floods of this magnitude have occurred in the recent geological past, sedimentary records of palaeofloods occurring in the Sindari Gorge, in the lower Luni Basin were investigated. The principal slackwater flood deposits were observed in a back-flooded tributary near Bhuka. Analysis of the slackwater flood deposits preserved in the back-flooded tributary and their luminescence dating suggests that the Luni River has experienced at least 17 extreme floods during the past millennium. Evidence from the Bhuka site also suggests that no floods comparable in magnitude to the July 1979 megaflood have occurred during this period. This observation is in conformity with the palaeoflood record of central India. Comparison of the long-term monsoon rainfall series for the Luni Basin and the Indian region reveals a clear link between the two, and indicates that the clustering of large floods in the last few decades and during the Medieval warming period is a regional phenomenon associated with wetter conditions. This correlates with a regionally extended episode of landscape stability denoted by stabilization of dunes in this region