Paclitaxel delivery by micro/nano encapsulation using layer-by-layer assembly

A novel formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) has been developed by providing multilayer assembly over drug loaded porous CaCO3 microparticles (CaCO3 MP) using combination of biocompatible and biodegradable polyelectrolytes (PE’s). PTX was encapsulated into the nanopores of preformed CaCO3 MP prepared by the co-precipitation method. Infrared (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) provides evidences that PTX has been encapsulated into nanopores of CaCO3 MP and not crystallized on the surface. PTX loaded CaCO3 MP (CaCO3-PTX) was found to be highly stabilized against thermal decomposition as evinced by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicating decomposition at 600°C and 250°C for CaCO3-PTX and PTX respectively. The multilayer assembly over CaCO3-PTX was effectuated by alternate deposition of protamine sulfate (PRM) and sodium alginate (SA) using LBL technique followed by subsequent core removal [PTX- (PRM/SA)5]. The pay load efficiency of PTX in this system was found to be 78.98±2.14%. The developed system was further evaluated for surface morphology, size and size distribution, surface charge, core removal and layer-by-layer growth due to sequential adsorption of PE’s. The release data of PTX-(PRM/SA)5 was comparable with marketed formulation of PTX (PTX-M) and CaCO3-PTX when performed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF pH=7.4). The release profile of PTX-(PRM/SA)5 indicates that PEs based multilayer matrix is capable to provide barrier to PTX release as it has been found to follow first order matrix diffusion kinetics with 64±4.8% release within 24 hrs. The t50% of PTX-M, CaCO3-PTX and PTX-(PRM/SA)5 was found to be 70, 90 and 480 minutes respectively. This alternative delivery system of PTX disguised in the form of LBL assembly could have immense application for the treatment of metastasized mammary glands vis-à-vis existing formulation of PTX which is by and large criticized for having certain toxic excipients to be given parentrally. Moreover, the proposed system provides ample of opportunity to modify the surface for targeted application of PTX.
&#xa

Output feedback stable stochastic predictive control with hard control constraints

We present a stochastic predictive controller for discrete time linear time invariant systems under incomplete state information. Our approach is based on a suitable choice of control policies, stability constraints, and employment of a Kalman filter to estimate the states of the system from incomplete and corrupt observations. We demonstrate that this approach yields a computationally tractable problem that should be solved online periodically, and that the resulting closed loop system is mean-square bounded for any positive bound on the control actions. Our results allow one to tackle the largest class of linear time invariant systems known to be amenable to stochastic stabilization under bounded control actions via output feedback stochastic predictive control

RIDDHI (HABENARIA INTERMEDIA D. WEAR): SIGNIFICANCE AND VERSATILITY IN VARIOUS ANCIENT AYURVEDIC NIGHNATU SCRIPTURES

In Ayurveda treatment combines products derived from plants, animal, mineral, etc. Amongst all types of Ayurvedic preparations plant-based preparations play a significant and important role in the Ayurvedic healing process. Healing with medicinal plants is as old as mankind itself. We have been using medicinal plants since extremely long time. The use of plant based medicinal products and supplements have increased tremendously over the past three decades. Ṛddhi is an important member of Aṣṭavarga group of plants. Traditionally it is used in many herbal preparations for its rejuvenating and health promoting properties. Polyherbal formulation containing tubers of this herb possess properties viz. full of vital energy, high in antioxidants, and boosting immunity. The demand of this herb is increasing day by day but due to scarcity of this plant in wild, unaware about authentic botanical source, non-existing cultivation practices there is widespread problem of adulteration or substitution with other plants. So by taking into account the above situation this systematic review has conducted to find out authentic botanical source of Ṛddhi

Structure and electrical properties of (Bi,Na)0.94Ba0.06Ti1-x(Mg1/3Nb2/3)xO3 ceramics

In this work the effect of pseudo-cation (Mg2+1/3Nb5+2/3)4+ addition on Ti-site of (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 ceramics, having general formula (Bi,Na)0.94Ba0.06Ti1-x(Mg1/3Nb2/3)xO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), on their structural and electrical properties was investigated. These compounds were prepared using a standard high temperature solid-state reaction technique and characterized by structural, microstructural, impedance, and conductivity studies. The sintered ceramics are almost phase-pure perovskite materials showing high bulk densities (>95% TD), uniform microstructure and satisfactory impedance properties in all the samples. Besides, an attempt has been made to ascertain the role of grains and grain boundaries on the electrical properties of these solid solutions and their dependence on the temperature and frequency, using complex impedance spectroscopy technique. The obtained data analysed in the framework of AC conductivity, complex impedance as well as electric modulus formalisms indicate on dominant negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) character of the materials due to the contribution of semiconducting grains. Further, the dielectric relaxation in the material was seen to be of non-Debye type

Toxicity assessment of the alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica

The present study aimed to evaluate the safety of the alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica in Charles foster rats through an acute and sub-acute oral administration.For assessment of acute oral toxicity test, ratswere orally treated with single dose of the alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica at the doses of 50, 250, 500, 1000 2000 and 5000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity study, using the OECD guidelines no. 407, the extract was administered at the doses of 50, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days and at the dose of 2000 mg/kg satellite group also used for 6 weeks.In acute toxicity above mentioned doses neither showed mortality nor exterior signs of toxicity. In sub-acute, study no significant changes found in haematological and biochemical level ofthe treated rat after 14 days and 28 days in comparison to control. The histopathology of rat brain, kidney, liver, and heart also showed the no cellular changes after extract treated rat.The alcoholic leaves extract of Reinwardtia indica was found non-toxic in single drug dose administration up to 5000 mg/kg (acute study) and in sub-acute administration up to 2000 mg/kg

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF GEL CONTAINING ETHOSOMES ENTRAPPED WITH TRETINOIN

A skin disease, like acne, is very common and normally happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime. The structure of the stratum corneum is often compared with a brick wall, with corneocytes surrounded by the mortar of the intercellular lipid lamellae. One of the best options for successful drug delivery to the affected area of skin is the use of ethosomes which can be transported through the skin through channel-like structures. Tretinoin is a widely used retinoid for the topical treatment of acne, photo-aged skin, psoriasis and skin cancer which makes it a good candidate for topical formulation. Yet side effects, like redness, swelling, peeling, blistering and, erythema, in addition to its high lipophilicity make this challenging. Drug loaded ethosomes had been prepared using phospholipid and ethanol, were optimized and characterized for entrapment efficiency, vesicular size, shape, In-vitro skin permeation, skin retention, drug‐membrane component interaction and stability. The ethosomal formulation having 0.5 %w/v of phospholipid and 20 %v/v of ethanol (F2) showing the greatest entrapment efficiency (80.25±0.23) with small particle size (205.40±2.31nm) was selected for further skin permeation studies. The skin permeation and skin retention studies were performed on ethosomal formulation, liposomal formulation (0.5 %w/v of phospholipid without alcohol), hydroethanolic drug solution and phosphate buffer saline (pH7.4) drug solution. Among them, ethosomal formulation showed higher cumulative percentage of drug permeation (93.36±0.45%) and 8 hours than the other formulations. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the three dimensional nature of ethosomes. Dynamic light scattering technique proved that the ethosomes has smaller vesicular size than the liposomes prepared without alcohol. FT‐IR studies revealed no interaction between the drug and membrane components. The ethosomal vesicles were incorporated in carbopol gel base and its anti‐acne was compared with the marketed gel. Our results suggest that the ethosomes are an efficient carrier for dermal and transdermal delivery of tretinoin. Keywords: Tretinoin, Ethosomes, Diffusion, Carbopol gels, Transdermal delivery

Effect of hydroxychloroquine in viral clearance in nCOV-19 infected patient admitted in tertiary care centre, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Background: In view of recent publications of conflicting evidence on the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis and as a treatment for COVID-19 patients, we need to assess the effect of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients of authors own local population.Methods: In this retrospective chart review study, categorization of confirmed COVID-19 cases nasopharyngeal swab of RT-PCR was done into a group of patients who received hydroxychloroquine standard dose and another control group who did not receive hydroxychloroquine. The main comparing parameter was to see virus clearance days across both groups.Results: A total of 112 patients were included for the study, and grouped of 72 patient who received HCQS and remaining 40 patients as control. The virus clearance time in days was found to be 9.01±3.08 for HCQS group and for control group it was 8.64±2.34 days (Man Whitney U test value = 2.13, p=0.756).Conclusions: There is no significant difference found in attaining virus negative status with use of HCQS administration in this study

Industrial heat island: a case study of Angul-Talcher region in India

Most of the urban heat island (UHI) studies are carried out in densely populated cities but core industrial areas are also potential sites of heat island effect despite having a comparatively lower population. In the present study, heat island assessment has been carried out for Angul-Talcher industrial area (ATIA) which is one of the oldest industrial areas of India and is still undergoing a transformation to accommodate more industries and mining operations. As the major contributors towards influencing local meteorology were expected to be industrial (and mining) activities, the heat island was studied as "industrial heat island" (IHI) rather than urban heat island. Industrial and mining sites were the most frequent nighttime canopy-layer heat island intensity (HIN) hotspots due to anthropogenic heat of associated industrial processes as well as built structures. During the daytime, croplands experienced the most frequent canopy-layer HIN hotspots which could be attributed to low moisture of the soils during the non-farming period of the field campaign. Hourly maximum atmospheric heat island intensities were observed in the range of 7-9 degrees C. Monthly maximum HINs ranged from 2.97 to 4.04 degrees C while 3-month mean HINs varied from 1.45 to 2.74 degrees C. Amongst different land use/land cover classes, the highest mean canopy-layer heat island intensity for the entire 3-month-long duration of field campaign during nighttime was assessed at the mining sites (3-month mean 2.74 degrees C) followed in decreasing order by the industrial sites (2.52 degrees C), rural and urban settlements (2.13 degrees C), and croplands (2.06 degrees C). Corresponding daytime canopy-layer heat island intensity was highest for the croplands (2.07 degrees C) followed in decreasing order by the mining sites (1.70 degrees C), rural and urban settlements (1.68 degrees C), and industry (1.45 degrees C)