Development of diclofenac sodium-loaded alginate-PVP K 30 microbeads using central composite design

Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent with a short biological half-life [1-2 hr] and requires multiple dosing. This research was carried out to develop and optimize diclofenac sodium loaded alginate-PVP K 30 microbeads to eliminate the need for multiple dosing and adverse effects. Diclofenac sodium loaded alginate-PVP K 30 microbeads were prepared by ionotropic gelation. Particle size, drug release, swelling, FTIR and SEM analyses were performed. Optimized microbeads showed particle size of 0.589 +/- 0.054 to 0.620 +/- 0.067 mm, and drug entrapment efficiency of 97.88 +/- 2.86 to 98.60 +/- 3.55%. The in vitro drug release from microbeads was sustained over 10 hrs and followed controlled-release pattern. FTIR analysis indicated the possibility of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, i.e., -OH...O=C in microbeads. Microbeads for oral controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium were successfully developed by ionotropic gelation

Causes of low tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage in pregnant women in Lahore district, Pakistan

To assess the causes of low tetanus toxoid [TT] vaccination coverage in pregnant women a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted at the community, primary health care delivery and management levels in Lahore district, Pakistan. Out of a random sample of 362 women who had delivered during the previous 3 months, 87% recalled receiving 2 doses of TT. The main reasons for non-vaccination were poor knowledge about the importance of TT [32% of women] or the place and time to get vaccinated [18%]. According to the managers and primary health care medical officers, the main reasons for low coverage were lack of awareness about the importance of vaccination among the public and misconceptions about TT vaccination [e.g. that it was a contraceptive]

Effect of exo-polysacchrides producing bacterial inoculation on growth of roots of wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] plants grown in a salt-affected soil

Effect of soil salinity on physico-chemical and biological properties renders the salt-affected soils unsuitable for soil microbial processes and growth of the crop plants. Soil aggregation around roots of the plants is a function of the bacterial exo-polysaccharides [EPS], however, such a role of the EPS-producing bacteria in the saline environments has rarely been investigated. Pot experiments were conducted to observe the effects of inoculating six strains of EPS-producing bacteria on growth of primary [seminal] roots and its relationship with saccharides, cations [Ca2[0+], Na[+], K[+]] contents and mass of rhizosheath soils of roots of the wheat plants grown in a salt-affected soil. A strong positive relationship of RS with different root growth parameters indicated that an integrated influence of various biotic and abiotic RS factors would have controlled and promoted growth of roots of the inoculated wheat plants. The increase in root growth in turn could help inoculated wheat plants to withstand the negative effects of soil salinity through an enhanced soil water uptake, a restricted Na+ influx in the plants and the accelerated soil microbial process involved in cycling and availability of the soil nutrients to the plants. It was concluded that inoculation of the EPS-producing would be a valuable tool for amelioration and increasing crop productivity of the salt-affected soils