Formulation and evaluation of some selected timolol maleate ophthalmic preparations

The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate certain Timolol maleate [TM] polymeric formulations including viscous solutions, hydrogels and in-situ gels aiming to improve its ocular bioavailability and decrease its side effects. In this study, Chitosan [CS], hydroxyehtylcellulose [HEC], hydroxypropylmethylcellulose [HPMC] and sodium carboxymethylcellulose [NaCMC] were used to prepare TM viscous solutions and hydrogels. In-situ gels of Gelrite and Pluronic F-127 [Pl F-127] were prepared at different concentrations. Mucoadhesives namely CS or HEC were incorporated to Pl F-127 to produce mucoadhesive/insitu gel. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their in-vitro drug release, viscosity, gelation temperature and mucoadhesive force. The selected TM formulations were tested for their effect on intraocular pressure [IOP] and systemic side effects based on blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR] and respiration rate [RR]. The results revealed that, TM in situ-gels F25 [containing Pl F-127 20% and CS 1.5% w/w] and F31[containing Gelrite 0.6% w/w] showed reasonable in-vitro results, and a marked IOP lowering activity without systemic side effects compared to TM marketed eye drops

Estudio de la frecuencia de litiasis urinaria por espectroscopía infrarroja en San Luis, Argentina / Study of urinary lithiasis frequency in San Luis, Argentina by using infrared spectroscopy

Se presenta por primera vez un estudio sobre la frecuencia de litiasis urinaria en la ciudad de San Luis, Argentina, a partir de datos de espectroscopía infrarroja. Se analizaron los espectros infrarrojos de 169 cálculos urinarios provenientes de centros sanitarios tanto públicos como privados. Los componentes químicos encontrados fueron oxalato de calcio monohidrato, uratos, fosfato de calcio, fosfato amónico magnésico hexahidrato y de composición mixta. El análisis cuantitativo de los datos, utilizando la estadística descriptiva, permitió determinar el tipo de composición litiásica más frecuente en el total de los sujetos y la distribución de los tipos encontrados según sexo y edad. La frecuencia de oxalato de calcio monohidrato y de uratos fue mayor en hombres que en mujeres correspondiendo a una franja etaria entre 21 y 60 años y entre 41 y 70 años, respectivamente. Esta relación se invierte en los fosfatos de calcio o magnesio presentando mayor incidencia en mujeres. Los cálculos de composición mixta se distribuyen de igual manera entre hombres y mujeres.

A study dealing with urinary lithiasis frequency in San Luis city, Argentina, applying infrared spectroscopy is reported for the first time. The infrared spectra of 169 urinary stones provided by public and private sanitary centers were analyzed. The most frequent chemical components found were calcium oxalate monohydrate, urates, calcium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate and mixed compositions. Quantitative data analysis, performed by descriptive statistics enabled the determination of the most frecuent lithiasic composition for all the cases, as well as its distribution according to the corresponding age and sex. Calcium oxalate monohydrate and urates were more frequently found in men than in women ranging between 21- 60 and between 41-70 years old, respectively. The inverse ratio is determined for calcium or magnesium phosphates, women being the most affected. Stones with mixed composition showed the same incidence in women and men.

Changes in near infrared spectroscopy during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Monitoring cerebral oxygenation with near infrared spectroscopy may identify periods of cerebral desaturation and thereby the patients at risk for perioperative neurocognitive issues. Data regarding the performance of near infrared spectroscopy monitoring during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest are limited. The current study presents data regarding use of a commercially available near infrared spectroscopy monitor during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. The cohort included 8 patients, 2 weeks to 6 months of age, who required deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for repair of congenital heart disease. The baseline cerebral oxygenation was 63 +/- 11% and increased to 88 +/- 7% after 15 min of cooling to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 17-18 degrees C on cardiopulmonary bypass. In 5 of 8 patients, the cerebral oxygenation value had achieved its peak value (either >or=90% or no change during the last 2-3 min of cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass). In the remaining 3 patients, additional time on cardiopulmonary bypass was required to achieve a maximum cerebral oxygenation value. The duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest varied from 36 to 61 min (43.4 +/- 8 min). After the onset of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, there was an incremental decrease in cerebral oxygenation to a low value of 53 +/- 11%. The greatest decrease occurred during the initial 5 min of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (9 +/- 3%). Over the entire period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, there was an average decrease in the cerebral oxygenation value of 0.9% per min (range of 0.5 to 1.6% decline per minute). During cardiopulmonary bypass, cooling and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, near infrared spectroscopy monitoring followed the clinically expected parameters. Such monitoring may be useful to identify patients who have not achieved the highest possible cerebral oxygenation value despite 15 min of cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass. Future studies are needed to define the cerebral oxygenation value at which neurological damage occurs and if interventions to correct the decreased cerebral oxygenation will improve perioperative outcomes.

Validation of 13C-urea breath test with non dispersive isotope selective infrared spectroscopy for the diagnosis of helicobacter pylori infection: a survey in Iranian population

The urea breath test [UBT] which is carried out with [13]C or [14]C labeled urea is one of the most important non invasive methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. Application of [13]C-UBT is becoming increasingly popular because of its non radioactive nature which makes it suitable for diagnostic purposes in children and women of child bearing ages. While isotope ratio mass spectrometer [IRMS] is generally used to detect [13]C in expired breath, this instrument is expensive and recently non dispersive isotope selective infrared [NDIR] spectroscopy which is a lower cost technique has been employed as a reliable counterpart for IRMS in small clinics. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of NDIR spectroscopy technique in Iranian population in comparison with histological examination, rapid urease test and [14]C-urea breath test as gold standard. Seventy six patients with dyspepsia were underwent [13]CUBT for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Good agreements were found between the [13]C-UBT and gold standard methods. The [13]C-UBT showed 100% sensitivity, 97.3% specificity, 97.56% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value and 98.65% accuracy. On the basis of these results it could be concluded that [13]C-UBT performed with NDIR spectroscopy is a reliable, accurate and non invasive diagnostic tool for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Iranian population