Osmotically Regulated Two-Compartment Asymmetric Membrane Capsules for Simultaneous Controlled Release of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

In the present study, asymmetric membrane capsules (AMCs) with two compartments were successfully developed for simultaneous delivery of two poorly water-soluble drugs, Atenolol and Amlodipine Besylate, by using solubility modulation approach. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before dissolution showed presence of outer dense region and inner porous region for the prepared asymmetric membrane and the pore size increased after dissolution for both outer and inner layer. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed no incompatibility between the drug(s) and the excipients used in the study. The developed system was able to control the release of ATN and AMB by increasing the solubility through buffering agents of different strengths (0.25N to 1.0N). As the level of buffering agent was increased, the solubility of drugs also increased inside the asymmetric membrane capsule. The developed system was independent of the agitation intensity of the dissolution fluid but was dependent on the polymer diffusibility and osmotic pressure of the media, which clearly stated that osmotic pumping was the primary mechanism of drug(s) release from AMCs. The results of in-vitro demonstration of effect of membrane thickness on dissolution fluid entering AMCs showed that as the membrane thickness increased the volume of dissolution fluid entering into AMC decreased. The release kinetic studies of different formulations of AMCs showed that formulation code six, which consists of the highest amount of osmotic agents and optimum amount of buffering agents, was the best formulation, and it followed zero order release kinetics (r2=0.9990 for ATN and r2=0.9988 for AMB)

PRE-ANALYTICAL VARIABLES IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: TRAINING MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES THROUGH CASE BASED DISCUSSION

Background: Pre-analytical variables in clinical chemistry are factors prior to the biochemical analysis of samples affecting laboratory test results accounting for 32-75% of errors leading to misdiagnosis, decreased quality of medical care services and wastage of monetary resources. Aim: To educate first year medical undergraduates about pre-analytical variables through case based discussion and lecture method of teaching and assess the gain in knowledge by these methods. Methods and material: Two batches of medical students namely A (N=50) and B (N=52) were assessed for their background knowledge on the topic using an MCQ based questionnaire (pre-test). Batch A and B were taught through didactic lecture and case based discussion respectively. Post-test questionnaire was conducted to test the gain in knowledge of both batches. Delayed post-test was conducted after 2 weeks to assess retention of knowledge amongst students. Results: Pre-test scores of Batch A and B were not significantly different indicating that both batches had similar background knowledge of topic. Post-test scores vs. pre-test scores were significantly higher in both batches implying that both batches benefitted from their respective teaching sessions. But post-test score of Batch B was significantly higher than that of Batch A indicating higher gain of knowledge through case based discussion. Delayed post-test score was also significantly higher in Batch B vs. A implying better retention of knowledge through case based discussions. Conclusion: Topic ˜Pre-analytical variables in clinical chemistry must be included in undergraduate medical curriculum. Case based discussion could be an effective module for teaching the same. Key words: Case based discussion; Didactic lecture; Medical students; Medical education; Pre-analytical variables

PRE-ANALYTICAL VARIABLES IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: TRAINING MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES THROUGH CASE BASED DISCUSSION

Background: Pre-analytical variables in clinical chemistry are factors prior to the biochemical analysis of samples affecting laboratory test results accounting for 32-75% of errors leading to misdiagnosis, decreased quality of medical care services and wastage of monetary resources. Aim: To educate first year medical undergraduates about pre-analytical variables through case based discussion and lecture method of teaching and assess the gain in knowledge by these methods. Methods and material: Two batches of medical students namely A (N=50) and B (N=52) were assessed for their background knowledge on the topic using an MCQ based questionnaire (pre-test). Batch A and B were taught through didactic lecture and case based discussion respectively. Post-test questionnaire was conducted to test the gain in knowledge of both batches. Delayed post-test was conducted after 2 weeks to assess retention of knowledge amongst students. Results: Pre-test scores of Batch A and B were not significantly different indicating that both batches had similar background knowledge of topic. Post-test scores vs. pre-test scores were significantly higher in both batches implying that both batches benefitted from their respective teaching sessions. But post-test score of Batch B was significantly higher than that of Batch A indicating higher gain of knowledge through case based discussion. Delayed post-test score was also significantly higher in Batch B vs. A implying better retention of knowledge through case based discussions. Conclusion: Topic ˜Pre-analytical variables in clinical chemistry must be included in undergraduate medical curriculum. Case based discussion could be an effective module for teaching the same. Key words: Case based discussion; Didactic lecture; Medical students; Medical education; Pre-analytical variables

Evaluation of oral fast disintegrating tablet of taste masked famotidine in rat

The purpose of this research was to formulate fast-disintegrating tablets of famotidine by using tasteless complex of famotidine. Famotidine is a commonly used antiulcer drug but major disadvantage is its bitterness and low bioavailability. A fast-disintegrating dosage form has been developed as a user- friendly formulation that disintegrates in the mouth immediately. In this study the bitter taste of famotidine was masked by making complex with ion exchange resin Indion 214. The drug-resin complexes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Famotidine oral fast disintegrating tablets were prepared by direct compression method by using different superdisintegrants. The prepared tablets were found to comply with various official specifications. Tablet containing crospovidone as superdisintegrating agent showed superior organoleptic properties, along with excellent in vitro disintegrating time and drug release, as compared to other formulation. The in vivo anti ulcer activity in rats shown that there was no bioavailability change due to complexation and tablet had good antiulcer activity.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Clinico-biochemical correlation with special reference to oxidized LDL and small dense LDL in Indian women with CAD

In women with coronary artery disease (CAD), clinical presentation is different enough from men which lead to missed or delayed diagnosis of CAD. We therefore assessed the major risk factors and biomarkers in female subjects with CAD. Venous sample of control, unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction (MI) patients were taken. In Both UA and MI patients, predominant risk factor was menopause (76.7% UA, 86.7% MI) followed by hypertension (56.7% UA, 60% MI), central obesity (56.7% MI, 56.7% UA), dyslipidemia (50% UA, 50% MI) and diabetes mellitus (50% UA, 33.3% MI). Total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were highly significant (p<0.001) in MI and UA as compared to controls. LDL cholesterol was significantly increased (p<0.05) in MI as compared to UA. Triglycerides and HDLCholesterol were also increased but not at the significant level (p>0.05). Apolipoprotein (ApoB), small dense LDL and oxidized-LDL (Ox-LDL) were highly significant (p<0.001) in MI and UA as compared to controls. Based on discriminate analysis ox-LDL is a potential marker to discriminate cases of UA from controls while ApoB is the reliable marker which can discriminate the cases of MI from UA and controls

Formulation and evaluation of biphasic release tablet containing diclofenac beads

The purpose of the present research work was to produce a biphasic delivery system for Diclofenac sodium. A dual component tablet made up of a sustained release beads and immediate release tablet coat was prepared by direct compression using super disintegrating agent. Both the beads and coat contained a model drug (diclofenac sodium). The sustained release effect was achieved with polymers chitosan and sodium alginate. The in vitro release profile from these tablets showed the desired biphasic behavior, the diclofenac contained in the fast releasing component was dissolved within 15 min, whereas the drug in the beads was released upto 8 h.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Bioactive compounds of edible fruits with their anti-aging properties: a comprehensive review to prolong human life

Aging is a complicated biological process in which functional and structural alterations in a living organism take place over time. Reactive oxygen species is one of the main factors responsible for aging and is associated with several chronic pathologies. The relationship between aging and diet is quite interesting and has attained worldwide attention. Healthy food, in addition to dietary antioxidants, are required to delay the process of aging and improve the quality of life. Many healthy foods such as fruits are a good source of dietary nutrients and natural bioactive compounds which have antioxidant properties and are involved in preventing aging and other age-related disorders. Health benefits linked with healthy consumption of fruit have drawn increased interest. A significant number of studies have documented the advantages of fruit intake, as it suppresses free-radical development that further reduces the oxidative stress created in the body and protects against several types of diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and other cardiovascular diseases that ultimately prevent aging. In addition, fruits have numerous other properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and have health-promoting effects. Mechanisms of various bioactive compounds that aids in preventing various diseases and increases longevity are also described. This manuscript provides a summary of various bioactive components present in fruits along with their health-promoting and antiaging properties

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

FAGONIA: A POTENTIAL MEDICINAL DESERT PLANT

ABSTRACT Desert plants are unique adaptation from environmental conditions. Fagonia is a genus of plant in the family zygophyllaceae with about 20 species around Mediterranean to India, S. Africa, California, Chili. The local name of fagonia is dhamasa. They are traditionally well known for the treatment of hemorrhoids, inflammation, sores, leprosy, open wounds and fever in the form of internal and external conventional formulation. When the powder that is made up of the whole plant of F. schweinfurthii is dusted on boils and skin eruptions, it causes healing, When the whole plant is boiled in water, its bath is useful for allergies and other skin diseases and decoction is given orally as blood purifier. The other species like Fagonia bruguieri its aqueous extract is claimed for anti-allergy. Methanolic extract of Fagonia cretica is claimed for good antimicrobial potential and it exhibited strong free radical scavenging properties against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species . The other effects of Fagonia species include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and thrombolytic activities are observed. Many chemical constituent's, such as triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoid glycosides, etc., have already been reported in different Fagonia spp