Formulation, development and evalution of an immediate release tablet of Methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a Folic Acid Antagonist and used as an Antineoplastic agent. In this study Methotrexate immediate release tablet is developed, which was stable and bioequivalent generic tablet formulation equivalent to innovator’s product. The developed tablet formulation shows similar dissolution and disintegration profile as that of innovator tablet. The immediate release tablet was prepared by Wet Granulation method. The in vitro release was carried out in 0.1N Hydrochloric Acid. The in-vitro release at 50 rpm showed similar dissolution profile when compared with the innovator tablet. The stability studies were carried out and there was no significant change in the drug content, assay, and DT and dissolution rate.

High Dose Statins: Is it Beneficial over Conventional Dose of Statin in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Increasing burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors has led to increase in the incidence in the coronary artery disease (CAD). Advancements in medical and surgical care of patients with heart disease have led to a large number of people surviving acute coronary events. Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at high risk for recurrent coronary events, sudden death, and all cause mortality. Conventional revascularization therapies reduce the risk of further ischaemia but do not affect the underlying atherosclerotic disease. Statins have a proven record in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, statins have been shown to exert various pleotropic effects, which may stabilize vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, initiating, statin therapy in patients with established CAD is both beneficial and more cost effective. Trials conducted in recent times have addressed the issue of whether higher dose statin therapy provides further reductions in the risks of cardiovascular events following an acute coronary syndrome diagnosis, over and above that provided by a conventional dose statin regimen. However, recent trials of high dose statin therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this article is to provide a critical and up-to-date summary of the findings of clinical trials of intensive statin therapy, including a brief overview of safety and efficacy of such treatments.

Incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection amongst clinically diagnosed acute viral hepatitis cases and relative risk of development of HBV infection in high risk groups in Calcutta.

The present study revealed that 30.5% of acute infective hepatitis were due to the infection of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) however, 8% controls also showed HBV positivity. The possible route of infection of HBV in our country were Parenteral in 51.9%, Sexual in 24% and Unidentified in 24.1% cases. HBV marker positivity was 45.5% amongst health care workers 33.3% in recipients of multiple blood and blood product transfusion, 25% in sexual partners and their children, 20% in S.T.D. clinic attendants and 10% in patients on haemodialysis.

A study on the prevalence of tuberculosis in a rural community of Bangladesh.

The population of two villages of Chagalnaiya Upazila was selected for a study on the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis through a two stage screening process. Initial screening was conducted on 3406 persons which is 78% of the total population (3920) of the two villages. The initial screening revealed 182 persons with the history of cough lasting 4 weeks or more, chest pain, continuous fever and haemoptysis. Sputum examinations for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) of tuberculosis detected 21 sputum positive cases giving a prevalence rate of 6.2 (per 1000 population) higher than the estimated national average of 5.0 per 1000. Most of the cases were not receiving treatment. Some social and environmental factors of suspected and detected cases were also studied.