A Unique Case in the Field of Medicine

Chronic cough fever and off and on difficulty in breathing in a 10-year-old male patient was not responding to drugs. Here we present a case of undiagnosed foreign body since 7 years in airway

Polyethylene glycol as a de-aggregating agent in the preparation of celecoxib loaded gelatin microspheres

Se prepararon microesferas de gelatina con elevada eficiencia de captura mediante el método de reticulaciónquímica por emulsificación, utilizando polietilenglicol como agente antiagregante. Para la reticulación dela gelatina se utilizaron dos agentes de reticulación diferentes: formaldehído y glutaraldehído. Lasmicroesferas preparadas se caracterizaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido según la eficienciade captura, el tamaño de las partículas, la liberación de fármaco in vitro y la morfología. Los estudiosde espectrometría FTIR indicaron la ausencia de interacción química entre la gelatina y el PEG. El PEGactúa únicamente como barrera para impedir la agregación de las microgotas de gelatina presentes en lafase interna de la emulsión durante la preparación. Los estudios de liberación de fármaco in vitroindicaron que las microesferas reticuladas mediante glutaraldehído presentaban un índice de liberacióninferior a las reticuladas con formaldehído La liberación repentina se observó en ambos casos. Engeneral, aproximadamente un 40% del fármaco se libera en la primera hora, seguido de una liberaciónlenta durante unas 96 horas en el caso de las microesferas reticuladas con glutaraldehídoGelatin microspheres with high entrapment efficiency were prepared using emulsification chemical crosslinkingmethod using polyethylene glycol as a de-aggregating agent. Two different cross-linking agentsviz. formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were used for cross-linking gelatin. The prepared microsphereswere characterized for entrapment efficiency, particles size, in-vitro drug release and the morphologywas studied by scanning electron microscopy. The FTIR studies indicated that there is no chemicalinteraction between gelatin and PEG. PEG acts only as a barrier to the aggregation of the gelatinmicrodrops present in the internal phase of the emulsion, while preparation. In-vitro drug release studiesindicated that the microspheres cross-linked using glutaraldehyde showed slower release rate than thosecross-linked with formaldehyde. Burst release was observed in both the cases. In general, about 40%of the drug is released in the first hour followed by a slow release for about 96 hours for glutaraldehydecross-linked microspheres

The androgen receptor and signal-transduction pathways in hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Part 1: modifications to the androgen receptor

Prostate cancer is the second most common male malignancy in the western world an increasing incidence in an ageing population. Treatment of advanced prostate cancer relies on androgen deprivation. Although the majority of patients initially respond favourably to androgen deprivation therapy, the mean time to relapse is 12-18 months. Currently there are few treatments available for men who have developed resistance to hormone therapy, due to the lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying development of this disease. Recently, however, major advances have been made in understanding both androgen receptor (AR) dependent and independent pathways which promote development of hormone resistant prostate cancer. This review will focus on modifications to the AR and associated pathways. Molecular modifications to the androgen receptor itself, e.g. mutations and/or amplification, although involved in the development of hormone resistance cannot explain all cases. Phosphorylation of AR, via either Ras/MAP kinase or PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathways, have been shown to activate AR in both a ligand (androgen) dependent and independent fashion. During this review we will discuss the clinical evidence to support AR dependent pathways as mediators of hormone resistance

Environmental Balance Through Optimal Control on Pollutants

Pollution, which is a very common term has been divided as primary pollutants and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are those who results directly from some process whereas secondary pollutants are caused due to intermixing and reaction of primary pollutants. These pollutants result into acid rain. In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed to study the environmental impact due to acid rain. Pollutants such as primary and secondary pollutants are the causes of acid rain. Control in terms of gases emitted by factories, smog, burning of coal and fossil fuels have been applied on primary pollutants, secondary pollutants and acid rain to have an ecofriendly environment. Stability for the equilibrium points have been worked out. Simulation of the model has been carried out, which shows that there can be a clean environment if all the necessary steps are taken care of to curb this problem

Antimutagenic Potential of Probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes Using Ames assay

Objective: Probiotic are beneficial microbial nutrition supplements which have useful effects on human health by conserving of bowel microbial balance. There are many studies that have been recommended the use of probiotic products as cancer risk reducer. The aim of present study was to investigate antimutagenic potential of Probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes against TA98 and TA100 strain of Salmonella typhimurium.Material and Methods: Ames test was used in the present investigation to evaluate antimutagenic activity in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium using direct acting mutagens (Sodium azide) and different concentration of Probiotic L.Sporogenes (25, 50, 100 and 500 μg/0.1 ml/plate).Results: Probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes showed significant antimutagenicity against mutagen sodium azide in TA98 and TA100 tester strains whereas it showed antimutagenicity result in inhibition of 93-97% and 62-88% of his+ revertants induced by sodium azide in TA98 and TA100 strains respectively.Conclusion: The antimutagenicity of Probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes the observed in the present study implies chemopreventive pharmacological importance of Probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes and encourages its use as a biotherapeutic agent

Understanding the degree of awareness among medical professionals regarding the ethics of pharmaceutical marketing activities in context of revised medical council of India code of ethics

Background: Pharmaceutical marketing activities are regarded as ethically challenging by most medical professionals. This study was planned to understand the extent of the interaction of pharmaceutical companies with healthcare providers & to determine the level of awareness about the ‘Medical Council of India (MCI) Code of Ethics’.Methods: A questionnaire based survey was conducted among 100 consultants and residents. The questionnaire mainly dealt with ethical issues about accepting free gifts, medicines and other sponsorships from pharmaceutical representatives, interactions and expectations from representatives of pharmaceutical companies by doctors and ascertaining among them the level of awareness about the MCI’s code of ethics.Results: 59.4% residents and 58.8% consultants do not consider small gifts (stationery/books/drug samples) as ethically problematic. 88% residents and 85% consultants felt that offers should be limited. 72% of consultants were aware of the revised MCI code of ethics as compared to 28% of residents.Conclusions: Most physicians do maintain a code of ethics with regards to accepting gifts and they felt that inexpensive gifts do not influence clinical judgment. Consultants were of the view that amended MCI code of ethics would not affect their clinical practice significantly

Mathematical Model for Impact of Media on Cleanliness Drive in India

A mathematical model on cleanliness drive in India is analysed for active cleaners and passive cleaners. Cleanliness and endemic equilibrium points are found. Local and global stability of these equilibrium points are discussed using Routh-Hurwitz criteria and Lyapunov function respectively. Impact of media (as a control) is studied on passive cleaners to become active. Numerical simulation of the model is carried out which indicates that with the help of media transfer rate to active cleaners from passive cleaners is higher

Polyethylene glycol as a de-aggregating agent in the preparation of celecoxib loaded gelatin microspheres

Se prepararon microesferas de gelatina con elevada eficiencia de captura mediante el método de reticulación química por emulsificación, utilizando polietilenglicol como agente antiagregante. Para la reticulación de la gelatina se utilizaron dos agentes de reticulación diferentes: formaldehído y glutaraldehído. Las microesferas preparadas se caracterizaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido según la eficiencia de captura, el tamaño de las partículas, la liberación de fármaco in vitro y la morfología. Los estudios de espectrometría FTIR indicaron la ausencia de interacción química entre la gelatina y el PEG. El PEG actúa únicamente como barrera para impedir la agregación de las microgotas de gelatina presentes en la fase interna de la emulsión durante la preparación. Los estudios de liberación de fármaco in vitro indicaron que las microesferas reticuladas mediante glutaraldehído presentaban un índice de liberación inferior a las reticuladas con formaldehído La liberación repentina se observó en ambos casos. En general, aproximadamente un 40% del fármaco se libera en la primera hora, seguido de una liberación lenta durante unas 96 horas en el caso de las microesferas reticuladas con glutaraldehído.Gelatin microspheres with high entrapment efficiency were prepared using emulsification chemical crosslinking method using polyethylene glycol as a de-aggregating agent. Two different cross-linking agents viz. formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were used for cross-linking gelatin. The prepared microspheres were characterized for entrapment efficiency, particles size, in-vitro drug release and the morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The FTIR studies indicated that there is no chemical interaction between gelatin and PEG. PEG acts only as a barrier to the aggregation of the gelatin microdrops present in the internal phase of the emulsion, while preparation. In-vitro drug release studies indicated that the microspheres cross-linked using glutaraldehyde showed slower release rate than those cross-linked with formaldehyde. Burst release was observed in both the cases. In general, about 40% of the drug is released in the first hour followed by a slow release for about 96 hours for glutaraldehyde cross-linked microspheres

Cotransplantation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Insulin-Secreting Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hematopoietic Stem Cells: A Novel Therapy for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Aims. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is believed to be an autoimmune disorder with disturbed glucose/insulin metabolism, requiring life-long insulin replacement therapy (IRT), 30% of patients develop end-organ failure. We present our experience of cotransplantation of adipose tissue derived insulin-secreting mesenchymal stem cells (IS-AD-MSC) and cultured bone marrow (CBM) as IRT for these patients. Methods. This was a prospective open-labeled clinical trial to test efficacy and safety of IS-AD-MSC+CBM co-transplantation to treat IDDM, approved by the institutional review board after informed consent in 11 (males : females: 7 : 4) patients with 1–24-year disease duration, in age group: 13–43 years, on mean values of exogenous insulin requirement of 1.14 units/kg BW/day, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac): 8.47%, and c-peptide levels: 0.1 ng/mL. Intraportal infusion of xenogeneic-free IS-AD-MSC from living donors, subjected to defined culture conditions and phenotypically differentiated to insulin-secreting cells, with mean quantum: 1.5 mL, expressing Pax-6, Isl-1, and pdx-1, cell counts: 2.1 × 103/μL, CD45−/90+/73+:40/30.1%, C-Peptide level:1.8 ng/mL, and insulin level: 339.3  IU/mL with CBM mean quantum: 96.3 mL and cell counts: 28.1 × 103/μL, CD45−/34+:0.62%, was carried out. Results. All were successfully transplanted without any untoward effect. Over mean followup of 23 months, they had a decreased mean exogenous insulin requirement to 0.63 units/kgBW/day, Hb1Ac to 7.39%, raised serum c-peptide levels to 0.38 ng/mL, and became free of diabetic ketoacidosis events with mean 2.5 Kg weight gain on normal vegetarian diet and physical activities. Conclusion. This is the first report of treating IDDM with insulin-secreting-AD-MSC+CBM safely and effectively with relatively simple techniques