Formulation, Development And In Vitro Evaluation Of Tramadol Extended Release Tablets

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop “once daily” extended release tablets of tramadol (100 mg) by wet granulation using hydrophilic polymer like hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K100M,K15M and polyethylene oxide (PEO). Methods: The tramadol matrix tablets were prepared by using different polymers like hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K15M and K100M), polyethylene oxide (PEO) as the nontoxic and easily available suitable matrix system. The extended release tablets of tramadol (400 mg) were prepared wet granulation technique. Different pre compression and post compression were performed. In vitro dissolution tests were performed and percentage drug release was calculated. The fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies conducted on pure drug tramadol and the optimize formulation (T6). Different release models like zero order, first order, higuchi and Korsemeyer-Peppas were applied to in vitro drug release data in order to evaluate the drug release mechanisms and kinetics. Results: Pre compression and post compression parameters satisfied with pharmacopeia specifications. The In vitro release studies were performed using USP type II apparatus showed that optimized formulation T6 consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO) with 25 mg of the polymer was found to extended release of tramadol over a period of 24h. The optimized formulation T6 followed the zero order kinetics as correlation coefficient (r2) values are higher than that of first-order release kinetics. In order to understand the complex mechanism of drug release from the optimized formulation T6 matrix system, the in vitro release rate were fitted to Korsemeyer-Peppas model and the release exponent value (n) obtained was 0.82105 exhibited anomalous (non fickian) diffusion mechanism. Conclusion: The present study shows that polyethylene oxide was found to play a great role in controlling release of tramadol from the matrix system. Accordingly it can be concluded that the formulation is robust in the performance is less likely to be affected by the various factors studied.

Improvements in biomass production: Learning lessons from the bioenergy plants maize and sorghum

The use of biomass energy is preferred over fossil fuels as the former is more sustainable and emits a reduced amount of greenhouse gases. Sorghum, a tropical C4 plant, is known to have a marked drought tolerance. However, very little is known about the mechanisms involved. An allied species Zea mays, also a C4 plant, is far less drought tolerant. Both plants are known to accumulate high biomass during the course of their growth cycle and can be used as renewable energy sources. This article discusses the possibilities of using these two plants for the production of improved biomass in the context of drought tolerance and sustainable food production. Crucial and novel approaches that render Sorghum more tolerant to drought have been reviewed. Novel drought tolerance mechanisms in two sorghum cultivars- Samsorg 17 (more drought tolerant) and Samsorg 40 (less drought tolerant) have also been reviewed.

Effect of Cold Stress on Milk Yield, Physiological and Hemato-biochemical Profile of Cross Bred Dairy Cattle

The present study was performed to evaluate haematological and biochemical parameters with response to milk production of dairy cattle at low temperature. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated as indicator of thermal comfort zone for cattle. Lactating crossbred dairy cattle were selected for this study. A significant increase in RBC, Hb, and PCVWBC was recorded in winter. Glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin level showed a significant increase in winter. Milk production level was decrease due to cold stress. These results provided an insight into the haematological and biochemical responses of Jersey crossbred cows to different environmental conditions. Hence, this study will be helpful for the better dairy cattle management in winter seasons for higher production at the cold arid high altitude region

Effect of Heat Stress on Physiological and Hemato-biochemical Profile of Cross Bred Dairy Cattle

The present study was done to see the effect of heat stress on blood parameters in dairy cattle. Dairy cows of similar physiological status were selected. Blood samples were collected and analyzed based on the temperature-humidity index (THI). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for packed cell volume PCV(%), red blood cell count RBC count, white blood cell count (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb). Significant rise in physiological parameters such as respiration rate (RR), pulse rate, was observed. Hematobiochemical parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC), (WBC), (PCV%), (Hb), Cholesterol, creatinine, ALT, AST, Cortisol and BUN were increased. From the present study it can be concluded that THI is a sensitive indicator of heat stress.

Utilisation of Maternal Health Services and its Predictors in Slum Population.

Introduction: The particularly sorry plight of disadvantaged slum population with ample scope of further research into such areas as vulnerability to health risk and access to treatment, reduced economical choice and social support besides natural disasters and emotional stress of displacement. Material & Methods: An observational (cross-sectional) study was designed on a pre designed and pre tested questionnaire to understand women’s fertility and contraceptive behavior and to study Socio behavioral Determinants of Utilization of MCH services. Results: The prevalence of <18 marriage was 78.03%.The teenage pregnancy was as high as 46.36% with 47.90% having parity of 4 or more.And of those not seeking ANC 53.42% did not feel the need for care during pregnancy. A very important finding was that 64.23% had home delivery and of these, 74% did not have any trained birth attendant. Conclusion: Levels of education in the family, caste, affordability (asset-holding) and accessibility were the factors which determined the utilization pattern. In general, those with better levels of education and those with better affordability preferred private practitioners and were willing to travel longer distances to avail health services as there was more awareness, motivation and felt need.

Prevalence of tuberculosis in Faridabad district, Haryana State, India.

Background & objectives: Epidemiological information on tuberculosis (TB) has always been vital for planning control strategies. It has now gained further importance for monitoring the impact of interventions to control the disease. The present study was done to estimate the prevalence of bacillary tuberculosis in the district of Faridabad in Haryana State of India among persons aged older than 15 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, residents of Faridabad district were assessed for the prevalence of tuberculosis. Twelve rural and 24 urban clusters with estimated populations of 41,106 and 64,827 individuals were selected for the study. Two sputum samples were collected from individuals found eligible for inclusion. The samples were also cultured by modified Petroff’s method and were examined for growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis once a week for eight weeks. A person found positive by smear and/or culture was identified as sputum-positive pulmonary TB positive. Results: A total of 105,202 subjects were enumerated in various clusters of the Faridabad district. There were 50,057 (47.58%) females and 55,145 (52.42%) males. Of these 98,599 (93.7%) were examined by the study group (47,976 females; 50,623 males). The overall prevalence of sputum smear or culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis in our study was found to be 101.4 per 100,000 population. Interpretation & conclusions: The present results showed that the prevalence of sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis was higher in Faridabad district than the notification rates recorded by the World Health Organization for the contemporary period, a disparity that could be explained by a difference in case detection strategy employed for the study.

Onset of First Seizure In Adults: A Prospective Study From A Tertiary Hospital.

Seizure is the most common and serious neurological emergency seen in clinical practice. A detailed evaluation of every patient with first onset seizure is mandatory to determine seizure type, precipitating events, underlying etiology. There is no reliable diagnostic test and so its diagnosis and management requires clinical acumen and experience If the event is an epileptic seizure, the seizure type and associated clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG) and neuroimaging findings assist in determining the risk of seizure recurrence and the possible need to begin anticonvulsant therapy.

Teaching community medicine to medical undergraduates—learning by doing: Our experience of rural posting at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Background. The goal of medical education is to ensure that the medical graduate has acquired broad public health competencies needed to solve the health problems of the community. We present the current teaching of community medicine to medical students of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi during their 5-week posting at the rural centre at Ballabgarh, Haryana. Methods. The teaching activities consist of field visits to different levels of health facilities and meeting with health workers, epidemiological exercises, a community-based exercise, posting in inpatient and outpatient departments of a secondary hospital, and domiciliary visits to families of patients. These are spread over 80 sessions of about 200 hours. There is very little didactic teaching and the assessment is broad-based. The evaluation of the posting was based on comparison of blinded pre- and post-posting assessments as well as anonymous feedback of the posting by the students. Results. There was a significant increase in the mean scores of all components of the posting—epidemiology (5.1 to 8.4), health systems (6.8 to 9.3) and clinical (8.0 to 10.8). The posting did not result in a better understanding of a public health approach as compared to a clinical approach. The feedback provided by students was generally positive for all activities with 94% of them rating it as good or very good. Conclusion. The teaching of community medicine can be made more practical and interesting without compromising on learning. However, despite such a programme, getting medical students to develop a public health approach is a daunting task.

Tuberculous Meningitis - A Clinico- Radiological Study.

To study the CT-scan changes in brain in patients of tuberculous meningitis and their correlation with stage of disease and its outcome.A prospective, hospital - based, clinico - radiological study of one year duration including 48 pediatric and 44 adult patients. 50% of patients in the stage I had normal CT-Scan and this proportion decreased to 10.53% in stage - II and 6.67% in stage III. A normal CT-scan is associated with complete recovery in 72.22%, partial recovery in 16.67% and death in 11.11% of cases. Abnormal CTscan is associated with advancing stages of disease and a poor outcome. CT-scan is a valuable tool for diagnosis and monitoring the progress of cases of tuberculous meningitis.

Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant and Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Some Medicinal Plants.

Aims: Enhancement of cholinergic activity and reduction of oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals such as nitric oxide are well recognized therapeutic approaches in several pathological conditions. We evaluated the anticholinesterase, antioxidant and nitric oxide scavenging activity of the aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum, Curcuma longa and Solanum nigrum. Study Design: Experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Delhi University, New Delhi, India between January 2008 and December 2008. Methodology: The aqueous extracts of the rhizome of Curcuma longa, berries of Solanum nigrum and seeds of Ocimum basilicum were authenticated by HPTLC fingerprinting. The anticholinesterase activity of these extracts was estimated spectrophotometrically as described by Ellman in 1961 and IC50 was calculated. Total antioxidant capacity of extracts was also estimated spectrophotometrically based on the reduction of molybdenum (Mo) (VI) to Mo(V) by the sample and the subsequent formation of a green phosphate/Mo(V) complex at acidic pH. Ascorbic acid was used as standard. Estimation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of extracts was based on the diazotization reaction. Results: The anticholinesterase activity (IC50) was observed at the concentrations of 2.73 ± 0.09, 3.38 ± 0.05 and 3.88 ± 0.11 gram/l for Solanum nigrum, Curcuma longa, and Ocimum basilicum respectively. At these concentrations, maximum antioxidant capacity equivalent to 4.36 ± 0.14 mM of ascorbic acid was shown by Curcuma longa, followed by Solanum nigrum, and Ocimum basilicum. Curcuma longa showed the maximum nitric oxide scavenging activity equivalent to 29.78 ± 1.28 mM of sodium nitrite followed by Solanum nigrum and Ocimum basilicum. Conclusion: Plant derived pharmacological agents may provide an attractive therapeutic option in future for several pathological conditions especially the neurodegenerative diseases due to their anticholinesterase, antioxidant and nitric oxide scavenging properties.

Topically applied standardized aqueous extract of Curcuma longa Linn. suppresses endotoxin-induced uveal inflammation in rats.

Aqueous extract of C. longa when administered 4 h after induction of E. coli lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats showed significantly suppressed inflammation with a significantly lower mean clinical grade, histopathological grade and aqueous humor (AH) protein level compared to vehicle treated group. Although, prednisolone group showed significantly lower clinical grade, histopathological grades and AH protein levels compared to C. longa group, TNF-α levels did not differ significantly. Moreover, when the aqueous extract was administered starting from 3 days before induction of uveitis, the mean clinical and histopathological grade as well as AH protein and TNF-α levels were comparable to C. longa group when treatment was administered 4 h after induction of uveitis. It is concluded that topically applied standardized aqueous extract of C. longa suppresses endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats by reducing TNF-α activity.

Design and development of transdermal drug delivery system.

In the course of development of microspheres preparation techniques, the encapsulation of hydrophilic drugs with high entrapment efficiency has been a problem, as the commonly used technique like single emulsification technique and w/o/w double emulsification technique show low entrapment of the hydrophilic drugs. The problem is overcome by using by using w/o/o double emulsification technique, several modifications have been done in this technique one of most widely and effective technique in w/o/o double emulsification is the solvent diffusion technique. In this brief review comparison of w/o/o double emulsification technique with other methods and details about the w/o/o double emulsification technique and the drugs encapsulated using this technique will be discussed.

Nutraceutical: A Bright Scope and Oppourtunity of Indian Healthcare Market.

Nutraceutical is regarded as the bio active substance and the constituents are either of known therapeutic activity or are chemically defined substance generally accepted to contribute substantially to the therapeutic activity of the drug. Phytochemical screening involves botanical identification, extraction with suitable solvents, purification and characterization of the bioactive constituents of pharmaceutical importance. Quality control for the officially and safely of herbal product is essential .The quality control of photochemical may be defined as the status of a drug which is determined either by identity, purity, constant and other chemical physical biological properties or by manufacturing process .compound with synthetic drug The critical and approach for herbal drug are much more complex Nutraceutical, a portmanteau of the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”, is a food or food product that reportedly provides health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. A product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease.

Morbidity among Under Five Children in a Rural Area of Jammu.

Children under five years of age constitute approximately 15% of the country's total population and are the most vulnerable section of the society and suffer from highest morbidity. A Prospective study was conducted to find out the magnitude of morbidity in under five children in rural area and its association with various socio-environmental factors. 206 under-fives (134 Males & 72 Females) were followed monthly for a period of one year. The annual incidence rate of morbidity (Acute spells of illness) was 4.6 episodes /child /year. The leading causes of morbidity in decreasing order of incidence were - acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, skin infections and fever. Episodes of illness were observed more during infancy, in females, malnourished and in children living in over-crowded and poorly ventilated houses. An inverse relationship of the morbidity and socio-economic status of the families was also observed. However, no association of morbidity was observed with parental literacy, location of Kitchen, type of excreta disposal and Infant feeding practices.

Facioscapulo Humeral Muscular Dystrophy.

Facioscapulo humeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a rare type of myopathy and differs clinically and genetically from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is an autosomal dominant disorder and as the name designates it has the characteristic distribution of the weakness. The face is almost always affected. Progression of the disease is slow and symptoms begin in adolescence but signs may be evident in children. We present a case of facioscapulo humeral muscular dystrophy in a 14 year old girl & the case was sporadic in nature.

Pleuropulmonary Blastoma With Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis at Presentation.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare childhood neoplasm accounting for less than one percent of all primary malignant lung tumors of children less than six years of age. Metastasis to CNS, orbit and iris, bone, contralateral lung and rarely adrenal glands, liver, kidney and pancreas has been described. This report presents a rare case of pleuropulmonary blastoma with cervical lymph node metastasis at the time of presentation.