FORMULATION OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE (IR) ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM PELLETS AND SUSTAINED RELEASE (SR) GLIBENCLAMIDE FOR FIXED-DOSE COMBINATION DOSAGE FORM

Objective: The objective of the present research was to develop fixed-dose combinations for the treatment of dyslipidemia, associated with type-II diabetes mellitus for improvement of glucose tolerance.Methods: Multiple unit pellet systems (MUPSs) consisting immediate release atorvastatin calcium pellets and sustained release glibenclamide were formulated by spheronization technique. The characterization of formulated pellets was done by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, and formulated pellets were evaluated for solubility, viscosity, pH, and in vitro studies.Results: From FT-IR and DSC studies, it was confirmed that no chemical interaction existed between the drug and the natural polymers used. Solubility of glibenclamide was found to be 4.38 and 18.24 and atorvastatin calcium was found to be 6.84, 214.67, and 287.43 g/L. The viscosity of 1% w/v of locust bean gum, guar gum, and ghatti gum was found to be 169 cP, 124 cP, and 31 cP in distilled water. The pH of locust bean gum, guar gum, and gum ghatti solutions was found to be 5.6±0.49, 5.2±0.27, and 4.7±0.51. The in vitro studies suggested that glibenclamide pellets had shown a sustained release till 12 h, while atorvastatin calcium had shown immediate release of drug due to rapid disintegration of pellets.Conclusion: Thus, MUPS can be considered as an alternative approach to treat diabetes induced dyslipidemia

Prevalence, severity and risk factors of allergic disorders among people in south India

Background: Allergic disorders are not usually life-threatening conditions but they impair the person’s ability to function. It thus adversely affects the psychological wellbeing and quality of life. These implications of allergic disorders can be minimized if strategies are planned for its early identification followed by appropriate interventions.Objectives: To find out the prevalence and risk factors of allergic disorders. Methods: Data was collected by house to house survey among participants aged 18 years and above using a standardized allergy assessment questionnaire.Results: Mean age of the 400 participants was 42.8±14.7 years. Majority 105(26.2%) were in the age group 36 to 45 years. Majority were females 287(71.7%) and were house wives 217(54.2%). Majority of participants were of upper socio economic class 98(44.7%) out of 219 and majority were from urban areas 326(81.5%). The prevalence of allergy among participants was found to be 115(28.7%). Out of these 115, 37(32.2%) had possibility of allergy, 60(52.2%) had probability of allergy and the rest 18(15.6%) had very high likelihood for allergy. People residing in semi urban areas had increased risk of allergy (p=0.024) than those from urban areas. The prevalence of asthma was 30(7.5%) and skin allergy was 23(5.8%). Most common precipitating factors for allergy were dust exposure 103(25.8%) followed by seasonal changes 71(17.8%). Family history of allergy was associated with allergy among participants (p<0.001). Usage of firewood was associated with symptoms of respiratory allergy among participants (p=0.01).Conclusion: The study revealed some important determinants of allergic disorders which have important implications to frame appropriate prevention and health educational strategies.Keywords: Allergy, prevalence, risk factors, semi-urban areas, urban area

Prevalence, severity and risk factors of allergic disorders among people in south India.

Background: Allergic disorders are not usually life-threatening conditions but they impair the person\u2019s ability to function. It thus adversely affects the psychological wellbeing and quality of life. These implications of allergic disorders can be minimized if strategies are planned for its early identification followed by appropriate interventions. Objectives: To find out the prevalence and risk factors of allergic disorders. Methods: Data was collected by house to house survey among participants aged 18 years and above using a standardized allergy assessment questionnaire. Results: Mean age of the 400 participants was 42.8\ub114.7 years. Majority 105(26.2%) were in the age group 36 to 45 years. Majority were females 287(71.7%) and were house wives 217(54.2%). Majority of participants were of upper socio economic class 98(44.7%) out of 219 and majority were from urban areas 326(81.5%). The prevalence of allergy among participants was found to be 115(28.7%). Out of these 115, 37(32.2%) had possibility of allergy, 60(52.2%) had probability of allergy and the rest 18(15.6%) had very high likelihood for allergy. People residing in semi urban areas had increased risk of allergy (p=0.024) than those from urban areas. The prevalence of asthma was 30(7.5%) and skin allergy was 23(5.8%). Most common precipitating factors for allergy were dust exposure 103(25.8%) followed by seasonal changes 71(17.8%). Family history of allergy was associated with allergy among participants (p<0.001). Usage of firewood was associated with symptoms of respiratory allergy among participants (p=0.01). Conclusion: The study revealed some important determinants of allergic disorders which have important implications to frame appropriate prevention and health educational strategies

Biological Synthesis of Size-Controlled Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles Using ImmobilizedRhodobacter sphaeroides

Size-controlled cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by immobilizedRhodobacter sphaeroidesin the study. The dynamic process that Cd2+was transported from solution into cell by livingR. sphaeroideswas characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Culture time, as an important physiological parameter forR. sphaeroidesgrowth, could significantly control the size of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles. TEM demonstrated that the average sizes of spherical cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were 2.3 ± 0.15, 6.8 ± 0.22, and 36.8 ± 0.25 nm at culture times of 36, 42, and 48 h, respectively. Also, the UV–vis and photoluminescence spectral analysis of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were performed

Bio-nanotechnology application in wastewater treatment

The nanoparticles have received high interest in the field of medicine and water purification, however, the nanomaterials produced by chemical and physical methods are considered hazardous, expensive, and leave behind harmful substances to the environment. This chapter aimed to focus on green-synthesized nanoparticles and their medical applications. Moreover, the chapter highlighted the applicability of the metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the inactivation of microbial cells due to their high surface and small particle size. Modifying nanomaterials produced by green-methods is safe, inexpensive, and easy. Therefore, the control and modification of nanoparticles and their properties were also discussed

Role of Temperature in the Growth of Silver Nanoparticles Through a Synergetic Reduction Approach

This study presents the role of reaction temperature in the formation and growth of silver nanoparticles through a synergetic reduction approach using two or three reducing agents simultaneously. By this approach, the shape-/size-controlled silver nanoparticles (plates and spheres) can be generated under mild conditions. It was found that the reaction temperature could play a key role in particle growth and shape/size control, especially for silver nanoplates. These nanoplates could exhibit an intensive surface plasmon resonance in the wavelength range of 700–1,400 nm in the UV–vis spectrum depending upon their shapes and sizes, which make them useful for optical applications, such as optical probes, ionic sensing, and biochemical sensors. A detailed analysis conducted in this study clearly shows that the reaction temperature can greatly influence reaction rate, and hence the particle characteristics. The findings would be useful for optimization of experimental parameters for shape-controlled synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Cu, Pt, and Pd) with desirable functional properties