Formulation Design And Optimization Of Floating Matrix Tablets Of Ciprofloxacin Hcl By Using Hpmc And Ethyl Cellulose With Experimental Design

The oral floating matrix tablets of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride were formulated by Experimental design by using HPMC K100M and Ethyl Cellulose as the retardant polymers each with three different levels with an approach to increase gastric residence and thereby improve drug bioavailability. From FTIR results it was confirmed that there is no chemical interaction between the drug with the excipients used in tablet formulations. Also, there was no shift in the endotherm of in the drug- excipients mixtures indicating compatibility of drug with all the excipients. All the tablets were prepared by effervescent approach in which Sodium bicarbonate was added as a gas generating agent. Floating Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method and prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, percentage friability, hardness and drug content studies. All the formulations showed compliance with pharmacopeia standards (I.P. 1996). Floating lag times of all the formulations were within 1 minute and Total floating time of all the formulations were more than 12 hours. In vitro release studies revealed that the release rate decreased with increase polymer proportion of retarding polymers. The formulation CHE9 sustained release of drug for 12 hours with 21% release of drug after 1 hour and more than 97% at the end of 12 hours. From the Kinetic model it was found that the optimized formulation CHE9 showed linearity in case of Zero order (R2: 0.938) and Higuchi model (R2: 0.954). By fitting data to Korsmeyer-Peppas model and ‘n’ value lying above 0.5 indicating non Fickian release.

Is interferon-alpha and retinoic acid combination along with radiation superior to chemo-radiation in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of cervix?

Locally advanced cervical cancers comprise a large majority of the gynecologic cancers in India and other developing countries. Concurrent chemo-radiation has improved the survival of high risk stage I and stage II cervical cancers. There is no evidence that the same survival benefit has been achieved with chemo-radiation in stage III and stage IV disease. Interferon-alpha and Retinoic acid have synergistic anti-proliferative activity. In combination with radiation, they substantially enhance the sensitivity of the squamous carcinoma cells to radiation. Based on these observations from the in vitro studies, a few clinical trials have evaluated the combination of interferon-alpha and Retinoic acid, concomitant with radiation, to treat cervical cancers. The results from these early trials were encouraging and the combination had minimal toxicities. However, till date, no phase III randomized controlled trial has been done to evaluate this therapeutic modality.

Preparation of Alginate Gel Beads Containing Metformin Hydrochloride Using Emulsion- Gelation Method

A new emulsion gelation method was used to prepare gel beads for a highly water-soluble drug metformin hydrochloride using sodium alginate as the polymer. The gel beads containing oil was prepared by gently mixing or homogenizing oil and water phase containing sodium alginate which was then extruded into calcium chloride solution to produce gel beads. The effects of factors like type of oil and percentage of oil on the morphology and release characteristics were investigated. A variety of oils were used to study the effect on the sustaining property of the formed beads. The oil entrapped calcium alginate gel beads showed good sustained release. Scanning electron photomicrographs demonstrated minute oil globules on the beads and also through the inner surface of the beads. The beads also showed floating behavior depending on the type of the oil that have been used for the preparation

Association of metal tolerance with multiple antibiotic resistance of enteropathogenic organisms isolated from coastal region of deltaic Sunderbans.

A survey of microorganisms was conducted in four coastal regions of the deltaic Sunderbans. Among ten different isolates, three were enteropathogenic. They were Vibrio cholerae non-O1 (CT+), enterotoxinogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These enteropathogens were able to grow in the presence of zinc (Zn++), cadmium (Cd++), lead (Pb++), cobalt (Co++), copper (Cu++), nickel (Ni++) and silver (Ag+) up to 10 mM concentration. They also showed resistance against 5 to 10 antibiotics. Metal tolerance and drug resistance were not determined by plasmid(s). Synthesis of outer membrane protein among the marine isolates was higher in presence of metal. Enteropathogens isolated from the deltaic Sunderbans were well adapted for growth of the saline environment with higher concentrations of toxic metals.

Cytologic diagnosis of neurilemomas of male breast by fine needle aspiration.

Among 217 cases of male breast lesions subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) over a period of nine years, three cases were found to be having neurilemomas, The review of literature reveals the first case of neurilemoma of male breast diagnosed by FNAC was reported in 1992. Very scanty literature is available on this rare tumour of male breast. The aspirates yielded cellular smears composed of clusters of spindle shaped cells and Verocay bodies. Histopathological examination of the excised masses confirmed the cytological diagnosis.

Desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion in thalassemia.

Twenty one children of beta thalassemia major aged between 2 and 14 years of age on regular blood transfusion were given subcutaneous desferrioxamine. Their serum ferritin, 24 hours baseline urinary iron excretion and subcutaneous desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion were measured. The result showed a close correlation between serum ferritin and amount of blood transfusions received by the patient. There was good correlation between serum ferritin and desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion. A negative iron balance could be achieved in 15 out of 21 children with one dose of desferrioxamine therapy.

Commercial oral rehydration solutions--pitfalls, knowledge, attitude and practices.

Locally available commercial preparations of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) were analyzed for their composition, package instructions and availability. A survey from 50 chemist stores, revealed that ORS packets available belonged to 28 different pharmaceutical companies. None of the shops stored more than five different brands and alternate preparations were handed over the counter freely. Only 48% of the available ORS formulations had the WHO recommended composition. In about one-fourth preparations, the sodium concentration was 30 mEq or less per litre. Forty-one per cent solutions had glucose concentrations more than 2%. The glucose and sodium ration of 1:1 was maintained in only 48% of the formulae. Bicarbonate and citrate both were used with almost equal frequency in these preparations. Cost, flavor, additional ingredients and package instructions varied widely in different packets. ORS formulations most commonly found in the drug stores had low sodium and high glucose concentration. The attitude of doctors and nurses of Pediatric Department and Chemists towards commercial ORS was also studied. While 92% doctors were aware about WHO-ORS, none of the chemists and only 4% nurses had this awareness. All the respondents could remember only up to 3 or 4 brand names and except 30% doctors, none were aware about the composition of those brands of ORS. Regarding importance of composition, preparations and precautions, practically nobody was up to the mark, but doctors were definitely better as compared to nurses and chemists.

Impact of national immunization schedule on vaccine preventable diseases: a hospital based study.

An analysis of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in two block years, i.e., 1972-1975 and 1986-1989 showed an overall decline in morbidity and mortality. Improvement in morbidity was most noticeable in typhoid fever followed by polio and tetanus. However, in tuberculosis and measles with compilations, there was a significant increase in admission rates 3.8 vs 4.4% and 1.8 vs 2.2%, respectively. Mortality in vaccine preventable diseases except polio has declined significantly.

Childhood morbidity and mortality in a large hospital over last four decades.

Pediatric statistics in a 50-year-old large hospital were analysed to find out any change in pediatric admission rate, morbidity and mortality and outcome of common disorders during the last four decades. Information was collected from four block years from each of the last four decades and compared. An increase of almost 250% in the total pediatric admissions as compared to an increase of 150% in total hospital admissions over last four decades suggest an increased awareness of maternal and child health by the community. The pediatric mortality excluding neonates has not shown a significant fall over the last four decades, being 14.6, 12.7 and 13.0% in 1955-1958, 1974-1977 and 1984-1987, respectively. Diarrheal disorders, pneumonia, tetanus and infections of central nervous system continue to remain the common causes of hospital admissions in children. The morbidity and mortality in these disorders, in general, have shown a significant decline though less appreciable in pyogenic meningitis, encephalitis and tetanus cases.