Niosomes as vesicular carriers for delivery of proteins and biologicals

Over the past several years, treatment of infectious diseases and immunization has undergone a paradigm shift. Stemming from the nanobiotechnology research, not only a large number of disease-specific biologicals have been developed, but also enormous efforts have been made to effectively deliver these biologicals. Niosomes are vesicular systems prepared from self-assembly of hydrated non-ionic surfactants. Opinions of the usefulness of niosomes in delivery of proteins and biologicals range from unsubstantiated optimism to undeserved pessimism. This article reviews the current deepening and widening of interest of niosomes in many scientific disciplines, and their application in medicine particularly for the delivery of proteins (insulin, cyclosporine, bacitracin, trypsin), vaccines and antigens (bovine serum albumin, antigen tetanus toxoid, haemagglutinin). This article also presents an overview of techniques of noisome preparation, characterization of niosomes and their applications.Keywords: Niosomes, Proteins, Biologicals, Vaccines, Oral deliver

Niosomes as vesicular carriers for delivery of proteins and biologicals

Over the past several years, treatment of infectious diseases and immunization has undergone a paradigm shift. Stemming from the nanobiotechnology research, not only a large number of disease-specific biologicals have been developed, but also enormous efforts have been made to effectively deliver these biologicals. Niosomes are vesicular systems prepared from self-assembly of hydrated non-ionic surfactants. Opinions of the usefulness of niosomes in delivery of proteins and biologicals range from unsubstantiated optimism to undeserved pessimism. This article reviews the current deepening and widening of interest of niosomes in many scientific disciplines, and their application in medicine particularly for the delivery of proteins (insulin, cyclosporine, bacitracin, trypsin), vaccines and antigens (bovine serum albumin, antigen tetanus toxoid, haemagglutinin). This article also presents an overview of techniques of noisome preparation, characterization of niosomes and their applications.Keywords: Niosomes, Proteins, Biologicals, Vaccines, Oral deliver

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF KATUKA (PICRORHIZA KURROA ROYLE EX BENTH.)

Now days, one of the major lacunae in the Ayurvedic system of medicine is adulteration of medicinal plant species i.e. raw drug. Drug sellers for their financial gains adulterate the raw drugs with cheap, similar looking drugs or other substances. So, it has become necessary for the Ayurvedic physicians and pharmaceuticals to identify the raw drug before its clinical use. There is a need to set the standards for proper identification of the raw drug. So, this study was designed to establish various pharmacognostical standards which can help in ensuring identification of Katuka, a well known herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Botanically, the drug Katuka is Picrorhiza kurroa Royal ex. Benth belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Katuka is a valuable bitter tonic and is mainly used in Ayurveda for its hepatoprotective action. Its rhizome is used for medicinal purpose. So, macroscopical and microscopical characters of intact and powdered rhizome were studied. Macroscopic study of rhizome and its powder indicated the organoleptic characters like size, shape, colour, odour, taste and texture. Microscopic study of T.S. of rhizome showed the presence of cork, cortex, vascular cambium, xylem, phloem, pith and pith ray. Microscopic study of powder of rhizome showed the presence of starch grain, cork cells, xylem vessels, and pith cell with pitted wall thickenings, tracheid and lignified fiber. Pharmacognostical characters of rhizome of Katuka revealed from this study will help in standardization of this raw drug and preventing adulteration in the herbal raw drug market

Framework for the Automation of SDLC Phases using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques

Software Engineering acts as a foundation stone for any software that is being built. It provides a common road-map for construction of software from any domain. Not following a well-defined Software Development Model have led to the failure of many software projects in the past. Agile is the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Model that is widely used in practice in the IT industries to develop software on various technologies such as Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Deep learning. The focus on Software Engineering side in the recent years has been on trying to automate the various phases of SDLC namely- Requirements Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing and Operations and Maintenance. Incorporating latest trending technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence into various phases of SDLC, could facilitate for better execution of each of these phases. This in turn helps to cut-down costs, save time, improve the efficiency and reduce the manual effort required for each of these phases. The aim of this paper is to present a framework for the application of various Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques in the different phases of SDLC

A role of Talisadi Taila Matra Basti in the manaegement of Parikartika w.s.r Fissure-In-Ano

Background: Parikartika is a clinical condition enrolled with the Lakshanas like Kartanavat and Chedanavat Shoola in anal region, and it can be correlated with Anal fissure associated with pain, burning sensation during defecation and tear in the distal anal canal. The incidence rate varied by sex and was significantly higher among females (12-24 years) and among males above (30 years), with the prevalence of 0.18% or 1.1 cases per thousand people per year. Aims and Objectives: To study the effect of Talisadi Taila Matrabasti in the management of Parikartika w.s.r Fissure-in-ano. Materials and Methods: For the present study, cases were obtained form Shalya Tantra OPD with complaint of Kartanavat and Chedanavat Shoola in anal region has been taken up for the study. Intervention: Talisadi Taila Matrabasti (48ml) administerd for 7 days along with Triphala Choorna (1tsp) HS. Results: Satisfactory relief was seen in signs and symptoms and improved quality of life after treatment. Conclusion: The study proved that Parikartika was effectively managed by Talisadi Taila Matrabasti

Recombinant Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A with N-terminal Mitochondrial Transduction Domain Increases Respiration and Mitochondrial Gene Expression in G11778A Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Cybrid Cells

Diseases involving mitochondrial defects usually manifest themselves in high-energy, post-mitotic tissues such as brain, retina, skeletal and cardiac muscle and frequently cause deficiencies in mitochondrial bioenergetics. We have developed a scalable procedure to produce recombinant human mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) modified with an N-terminal protein transduction domain (PTD) and mitochondrial localization signal (MLS) that allow it to cross membranes and enter mitochondria through its "mitochondrial transduction domain" (MTD,=PTD+MLS). _In vitro_ studies in a classic mitochondrial disease cell model demonstrated that Alexa488-labeled MTD-TFAM rapidly entered the mitochondrial compartment. MTD-TFAM treatment of these cell lines reversibly increased oxygen consumption (respiration) rates 3-fold, levels of respiratory proteins and mitochondrial gene expression. _In vivo_ results demonstrated that respiration increased to lesser degrees in mitochondria from tissues of mice injected with MTD-TFAM. MTD-TFAM can alter mitochondrial bioenergetics and holds promise for treatment of mitochondrial diseases involving deficiencies of energy production

A study on maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy with oligohydramnios: study from a tertiary care hospital, Karnataka, India

Background: Oligohydramnios is described as a condition with decreased amniotic fluid volume relative to gestational age. It is a severe and common complication of pregnancy which is associated with increased maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes. This study was conducted to find out the significance of oligohydramnios in determining the maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnant women with oligohydramnios.Methods: The present study is a hospital-based study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, of SSIMS and RC Davanagere, during the period between August 2018 to April 2019. Detailed clinical history was taken, AFI was measured using Phelan’s four quadrant ultrasound technique. All the information was entered in the proforma and analyzed.Results: The mean age group of the study participants was 26.36±4.46 years. Majority (51.9%) of them were primigravida. Gestational age, birth weight and abnormal Doppler study were found to have an association with the perinatal outcome. Perinatal mortality in the present study was 4%.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios is a frequent occurrence in obstetrics and this condition requires intensive surveillance and proper antenatal care