The Role Expectations for the Division Director of Education of Seventh-day Adventists : As Perceived by Seven Status Groups Within the Church

Problem: One of the most important and costly services provided by the Seventh-day Adventist Church is education. With a rapidly growing membership overseas and new nations sprouting up almost overnight, the need for adapting and fitting the Adventist educational mold to church school systems in these new nations is crucial. In this context, the Division Director of Education appears to play a vital part, yet his role has not been clearly delineated. It is with a view to ascertaining what his role should be, that this study has been undertaken. Method: The respondents drawn from eight overseas divisions as well as from the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist church were grouped under the organizational levels (sectors) of General Conference, Division, Union, and Local, and the professions (units) of principals, pastors, and teachers. A thirty statement questionnaire so designed as to be easily answered and computer scanned, and containing a five-point scale of response covering the range from I, strongly agree, to 5, strongly disagree, was provided. These statements were grouped under six areas, namely, communicator and coordinator; director of personnel; educational specialist and consultant; relations with management; spiritual leader; and supervisor and evaluator. This descriptive study used three statistical procedures to aid in analyzing the data. The first, the Kendall Coefficient of Concordance W, tested the reliability within groups. The second, the Cattell Coefficient of Pattern Similarity, presented a Gestalt view of the inter-relationships of the group responses. The third, the median and Q test, assisted in item identification. Results: The reliability was low but statistically significant. The Gestalt view indicated a negative pattern of similarity among the group responses. The views of teachers, church administrators, educational administrators, and education secretaries compared more closely than did those of pastors, Division Directors of Education, and General Conference respondents. The divergence of reaction indicated a certain independence of thought and response. The areas of the role of the Division Director of Education, according to the degree of agreement awarded them, are placed in priority as follows: specialist and consultant; spiritual leader; supervisor and evaluator; communicator and coordinator; relations with management; director of personnel. Conclusions: The priorities set by all respondents for the specific aspects of the role of the Division Director of Education were to: (1) propagate the philosophy of Christian education, (2) consult and advise Division administrators on educational matters, (3) ensure relevant, spiritual Bible teaching, (4) communicate with the General Conference education department, (5) encourage upgrading and in-service training for educators in all sectors, (6) ensure an Adventist emphasis in the curriculum of all schools, (7) organize division-level workshops, conferences, institutes and extension schools, (8) provide resource materials, (9) emphasize character development, (10) consult through associates, on educational planning and operation, (11) communicate with all levels of educators, (12) consult in planning and problem-evolving situations, (13) ensure the optimum balance among work, study, worship, and recreation in school programs, (14) assist in assessing the professional performance of educators, (15) uphold professional and religious standards, (16) ensure that current files are maintained on educational workers, (17) ensure that schools have current master plans of development, (18) ensure adequate supervision of schools, (19) have responsibility for professional aspects of inter-division transfers of educational personnel, (20) generally communicate with church members, and (21) advise in the selection of union education secretaries

Liquisolid Technology: Preparation, Characterization and Applications

With the advent of high throughput screening, drugs are emerging to be more lipophilic and less hydrophilic. Liquisolid Technology aims at solubility enhancement of such entities via cosolvency concept in a relatively minimalistic setup where there is no need of sophisticated machinery and is cost effective. It involves constituting a drug into molecular dispersion via a non-volatile solvent and then transforming it into a dry looking, free flowing compressible powder. This article aims at mapping Liquisolid Technology where its preparation techniques and potential applications are reviewed. An overview of the performance of Liquisolid in areas of dissolution enhancement, zero order release, photostability enhancement, liquipellets and its role in natural product formulations is recorded for a number of drugs. Keywords: Liquisolid, Dissolution Enhancement, Flowability, Compressibility, Cosolvenc

A questionnaire base survey on the knowledge, attitude and practices about antimicrobial resistance and usage among the faculty and resident doctor of teaching tertiary care hospital, Chittoor, India

Background: 10million could die every year due to antibiotic resistant infections by 2050 unless the threat is addressed. Irrational use of antibiotic use is a global phenomenon. So, 50% all anti bionics are prescribed, sold are dispensed inappropriately, while 50% of patients are not taking antibiotics correctly (WHO 2004).Methods: This was a cross section study it was a conducted in RVS institute, tertiary care teaching hospital. Chittoor. The questionnaire was distributed along the faculty resident doctors and senior faculty of this RVS institute Where their knowledge, attitude, practice regarding antibiotic prescription and resistance was assessed by a five point likert scale, whose response ranged from strongly agree to disagree. Some questionnaire were of useful or nor useful and yes or no.Results: Irrational prescription of antibiotics is worldwide problem and also in India was known to most of the physicians in our institute (n=95%) of participants. 80% subjects answered that prescription writing influenced by senior faculty and medical representatives. 50% subjects answered that antimicrobial resistance is a problem in daily practice.80 % subjects answered that most of the antibiotics available as over the counter drugs (OTC).Conclusions: This study concludes, prescription writing influences by senior faculty and medical representatives. It’s important to monitor and auditing prescription writing based on WHO Antibiotic guidelines to prevent resistance. Strict vigilance of OTC sales of antibiotics to prevent resistance

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some new 1,3,4-thiadiazoles containing pyrazole and pyrrole nucleus

AbstractA new series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole with pyrazole-3-carboxamides (3a–f) and pyrrole-3-carboxamide (4a–f) moiety are prepared using intermediate compounds 1,3,4-thiadiazolacrylamides (2a–f). The structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their 1H NMR, 13C NMR, LCMS mass, FT-IR and elemental analysis data results. Among all the compounds (12), seven compounds were found to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity with 77.27, 75.89, 76.24, 68.55, 63.72, 57.41, 53.05% and 81.00, 80.55, 78.62, 71.45, 68.95, 61.89, 56.32% inhibition in paw edema at 3h and 5h respectively, compared to the standard drug indomethacin (74.82 and 80.32% at 3h and 5h). Compounds 3c, 3d and 4c exhibited potent activity than standard drug

Receptor targeted gene delivery using folate ligand conjugated cationic liposomes.

Ph. D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2014.Gene therapy has become an important strategy to treat several human diseases, including cancer, viral infections and inherited disorders. In response to this growing trend, a number of gene delivery vectors have been manufactured both to facilitate nucleic acid uptake by target cells and also to promote the transport of genetic materials into the nucleus. The success of gene therapy however depends on the efficient delivery of therapeutic genes into target cells both in vitro and in vivo. Cationic liposomes represent a class of non-viral vectors that have shown the ability to bind and deliver DNA cargo to defective cells efficiently. This study has focused on the development of a novel folate-targeted cationic liposome-mediated gene delivery system. This receptor is overexpressed on numerous cancer cell types and offers a convenient docking point for subsequent cellular uptake of folate decorated liposome-DNA complexes by receptor mediation. In this study, a total of six cationic liposome preparations comprising either cationic cholesterol cytofectin -dimethylpropylamidosuccinylcholesterylformylhydrazide (MSO9) or 3β[N(N1,N1-dimethlaminopropylsuccinamidoethane)-carbamoyl]-cholesterol (SGO4) were formulated by mixing the fusogenic neutral helper lipid, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) as a common constituent. DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ was also used in formulations for possible in vivo development of PEGylated, targeted liposomes. The targeting ligand folate was appended to the distal end of liposome-anchored DSPEPEG₂₀₀₀, for prominent display and optimal receptor recognition. Transmission electron micrographs revealed liposomes to be unilamellar, spherical shaped vesicles with a narrow size range (50 - 80 nm in diameter). Agarose gel retardation studies demonstrated complex formation between cationic liposomes and plasmid DNA, whilst serum nuclease protection assays showed that the liposome formulations were capable of protecting the complexed DNA in lipoplexes against serum nuclease digestion. Ethidium bromide dye displacement studies yielded information on the compaction or condensation efficacy of the liposomes with respect to the cargo plasmid. In addition, particle sizes determined by dynamic light scattering confirmed the suitability of lipoplexes for future in vivo applications in which extravasation is essential. Importantly, these liposome:DNA complexes were found to exhibit minimal growth inhibition levels in HEK293, HeLa and KB cells. Further investigations were carried out to determine the optimal transfection activity of complexes in the folate receptor-positive cell lines (HeLa and KB). The plasmid containing the transgene firefly luciferase (pCMV-luc) was used in transfection studies. Results showed that folate targeted liposomes, irrespective of cytofectins MSO9 or SGO4 achieved highest transfection activities in vitro, specifically via receptor mediation. Lower transfection activity was observed for by untargeted PEGylated and unPEGylated liposomes compared to that of the folate targeted liposomes, strongly implicating folate receptor-mediation in the uptake of ligand-displaying lipoplexes. This was further confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Furthermore, zeta potential values obtained for targeted complexes revealed low negative surface charge, thus minimizing the possibility of electrostatic interaction between lipoplexes and target cells. The cytofectin, MSO9, achieved 10 fold greater transfection activity than the cytofectin SGO4 although they are closely related, differing only in their spacer lengths. Competition assays using free folate (200 μM) to confirm folate receptor mediated lipoplex uptake in the HeLa, and KB cells revealed a dramatic decline in transfection activity due to the excess free folate binding to and blocking access to the folate receptors on the cell membrane. The two novel PEGylated lipoplexes designed for folate receptor-mediated uptake by transformed mammalian cells display very favourable physicochemical characteristics, low cytotoxicity and promising transfection profiles in vitro. Therefore further investigation of the cationic liposome formulations examined in this study in vivo is warranted

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF IN-SITU GEL CONTAINING CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIODONTITIS.

Objective: The present study describes the use of in-situ gel in periodontal drug delivery systems which contains gellan gum (0.4–0.6% w/v), pluronic F127 (14, 15 and 16% w/v), and drug Ciprofloxacin HCl (0.1% w/v). Number of peoples around the world suffered from dental problem and ultimate fear is tooth loss hence in-situ gelling system was designed for the treatment of periodontal diseases. The therapeutic efficacy of drug can be greatly improved by prolonging its contact time.Methods: Formulations were developed by simple solution method. Each formulation was characterized in terms of in gelling strength, viscosity, rheology, content uniformity, in vitro drug release, and syringeability.Results: In vitro gelation time and the nature of the gel formed in simulated saliva for prepared formulations showed polymeric concentration dependency. Drug release data from all formulations was fitted to different kinetic models and the Korsemeyer-Peppas model was the best fit model. Drug release was significantly decreased as the concentration of each polymer component was increased. Increasing the concentration of each polymeric component significantly increased viscosity, syringeability, and time for 50%, 70%, and 90% drug release. In conclusion, the formulations described offer a wide range of physical and drug release characteristics. The formulation containing 0.6% w/v of gellan gum and 14% w/v of pluronic F127 exhibited superior physical characteristics. The formulation stored at 4ËšC before application, which is syringeable through 21 gauge needle.Conclusion: This formulation was made to inject directly in to periodontal pocket where it immediately converts in to gel form at body temperature.Â

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ODONTOGENIC INFECTIONS THROUGH CONTROLLED FASHION BY POLYMERIC DEVICE CONTAINING MOXYFLOXACIN

Objective: Present work demonstrates the use of film that releases the drug at a pre-programmed manner. Several methods have been explored for management of moxifloxacin in dealing of Odontogenic infections which are mainly caused by necrotic pulp or by bacterial invasion from the periodontal tissue. These are usually mixed bacterial infections, and they penetrate mostly into the soft and bony oromaxillofacial tissues to produce submucosal infiltrates and abscesses.Methods: The films were developed with the intention to minimize the dose of a drug, to deliver definite concentration and to preserve dosage at its site for a longer period by this means gets a better patient compliance. Moxifloxacin films were prepared by solvent casting technique using gellan gum at different concentrations and PEG 400 as plasticizers. Compatibility study such as FT-IR and DSC also performed to check the interaction between drug and excipients used. The formulations were evaluated for their thickness, weight uniformity, folding endurance, content uniformity, surface pH, In vitro drug release. Optimized formulations were subjected to in vitro antibacterial activity and stability studies to assess the effectiveness of the formulations.Results: Formulations shown the good uniformity of drug content, there was no any kind of effect on moisture loss test. Weight and thickness of the films were found to be uniform. Plasticizer like PEG400 was found to influence their effect on drug release as well as characteristics of films.Conclusion: In vitro studies revealed that the formulations provide the best alternative to prolong drug release at the end of 10 h and formulations remained stable with intact at ambient conditions.Â

Multinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes as anticancer agents

A series of dinuclear ruthenium(ii) complexes that contain labile chlorido ligands, [{Ru(tpy)Cl}2{μ-bbn}]2+ {designated Cl-Rubbn; tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, bbn = bis[4(4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)]-1,n-alkane (n = 7, 10, 12, 14 or 16)} and derivatives containing nitro substituents on the tpy ligand and/or secondary amines within the bbn linking chain have been synthesised and their potential as anticancer agents examined. Some of the Cl-Rubbn species showed good anticancer activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with the Cl-Rubb12 complex being four-times more active than cisplatin. Inclusion of nitro substituents on the tpy ligands of Cl-Rubb12 resulted in significantly decreased anticancer activity. The incorporation of amine groups into the linking ligand did not increase the anticancer activity of the Cl-Rubbn complexes. The Cl-Rubbn complexes and those containing amine groups in the linking chain aquated at approximately the same rate, with 50% aquation within 120 minutes. By comparison, the complexes containing nitro substituents on the tpy ligand aquated extremely slowly, with 60% of the chlorido complex remaining 24 hours after they were dissolved in water. Cyclic voltammetry with the model mononuclear complex [Ru{(NO2)3tpy}(Me2bpy)Cl] + {(NO2)3tpy = 4,4′,4′′- trinitro-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine} showed that the nitro substituents exerted a strong effect on the ruthenium centre, with the anodic peak corresponding to the Ru(iii/ii) couple shifted positively by 300 mV compared to that from the non-nitrated parent complex [Ru(tpy)(Me 2bpy)Cl]+. 1H NMR studies of the reaction of the Cl-Rubbn complexes with GMP indicated that the ruthenium complexes covalently bound the nucleotide slowly, with 33% bound in 24 hours. However, the results of this study suggest that the cytotoxicity of the dinuclear ruthenium complexes is a combination of covalent and reversible binding with DNA. © the Partner Organisations 2014

Development and validation of Spectrophotometry methods for estimation of linezolid in bulk and in pharmaceutical Dosage formulation

A simple, precise and economical, and rapid Spectrophotometric methods for the quantification of Linezolid in bulk material and in tablets. Further, this study is designed to validate the developed methods as per ICH guidelines. Material & methods: In Methods A and B, a stock standard solution was prepared by dissolving 10 mg of Linezolid in 100 mL of phosphate buffer pH 7.4 to obtain a concentration of 100 μg/mL. After suitable dilution, 10 μg/mL of  Linezolid was prepared and scanned in the UV-visible range 400 –200 nm;  In method A zero order spectrum Linezolid showed a maximum absorbance at 251 nm. while in Method B  area under curve (AUC) zero-order spectrum was recorded between 245 and 268 nm. For a linearity study, series of dilutions were prepared from stock solutions. Results: In Method A and B, Linezolid followed linearity in the concentration range of 3 – 18 μg/mL with (r2 = 0.9978) (r2 = 0.9981). The accuracy of the method was checked by recovery experiment performed at three different levels i.e., 80%, 100% and 120%. The % recovery was found to be in the range 96.15% – 99.32% for method A, while in method B range is 99.16 % - 100.20 %. The low values of % RSD are indicative of the accuracy and reproducibility of the method. The precision of the method was studied as an intra-day, inter-day variations and repeatability. The % R.S.D. value less than 2 indicate that the method was precise. Ruggedness of the proposed method was studied with the help of two analysts. The proposed method of pharmaceutical formulation the amounts of Linezolid estimated by both these methods (A and B) were found to be 96.25 ± 0.44 and 99.48 ± 1.05, respectively. Conclusion: The developed methods are simple, precise, rugged, and economical. Both these methods can be used for routine analysis of Linezolid from its tablet formulation. Keywords: Linezolid, UV-Spectrophotometric methods, area under curve, zero order spectru

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TASTE MASK ORALLY DISPERSIBLE PARACETAMOL TABLET

Mostly the drugs are administered by oral route. Orally dispersible tablets are achieving importance when compared to novel oral drug delivery system. Orodispersible tablets are suitable for all age patients by masking the taste of drug. The objective of the present study was to optimize, formulate and evaluate orally dispersible tablet (ODT) of Paracetamol which disintegrates within few seconds in presence of saliva fluid by the use of super disintegrants.  Paracetamol is widely used over-the counter analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). It is a very bitter drug so the patients unable to take orally; hence their bitter taste were masked. ODTs Formulations were prepared by Direct Compression and wet granulation method by the use of superdisintegrants and taste masking (F7;F8) is done by Eudragit EPO. The developed formulations were evaluated in terms of weight variation, drug content, friability, thickness, hardness, disintegration and in vitro dissolution test. Stability study of optimized formulation was also carried out as per ICH guidelines. The effects of disintegrants as well as binders in different concentration on the release profile of paracetamol ODTs were studied. The studied parameters were found to be satisfactory for all formulations. Disintegration time for the formulations was found to be less than 40 seconds. Disintegration time for all ODTs decreased with increase in disintegrant concentration. ODTs prepared using Avicel possessed least disintegration time (11s), offered better dissolution profile than that of all the ODTs formulations. Accelerated studies proved that the optimized formulation was stable even after three months. Keywords: Orodispersible tablets, Paracetamol, Prosolv ODT; Eudragit EPO, physical characterization. in-vitro dissolution,Â