Fabrication and in-vitro evaluation of ketotifen fumarate-loaded PLGA nanoparticles as a sustained delivery system

Ketotifen fumarate is a non-bronchodilator anti-asthmatic drug which inhibits the effects of certain endogenous substances known to be inflammatory mediators, and thereby exerts antiallergic activity. The present study describes the formulation of a sustained release nanoparticle [NP] drug delivery system containing ketoftifen, using poly [D,L lactide-co-glycolide] acid [PLGA]. Biodegradable NPs were prepared using 50: 50 PLGA by a water in-oil-in-water [w/o/w] double emulsion-solvent evaporation procedure and characterized for drug content, DSC [differential scanning calorimetry, XRD [X-ray diffractionl], FTIR [Fourier transform spectroscopy], particle size, surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, and drug release rate. The effects of different drug-to-polymer ratios on the characteristics of the NPs were investigated. NPs prepared were spherical with a smooth surface. Size of NPs was dependent on the concentration of polymer [10 mg/mL, 754.6 nm]. Increasing the external organic phase volume [primary emulsion] resulted in larger particles with higher encapsulation efficiency [55%]. The best drug to polymer ratio in the NP was F[3] [1:10 ratio] which showed loading efficiency of 55%, and mean particle size of 754.6 nm, respectively. The FTIR, XRPD, and DSC results ruled out any chemical interaction between the drug and PLGA. The NPs prepared with low ratio of drug to polymer [1:5] F[1] formulation showed faster dissolution rate than those with high drug to polymer ratio [1:10] F[3] formulation. In conclusion, by selecting an appropriate level of the investigated parameters, spherical NPs with encapsulation efficiencies higher than 55% and a prolonged drug release over 24h [73.67-90.05%] were obtained

Effect of Citrullus colocynthis hydro-alcoholic extract on hormonal and folliculogenesis process in estradiol valerate-induced PCOs rats model: An experimental study

Background: Citrullus colocynthis [CCT] is used as the anti-diabetic and antioxidant agent. Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a reproductive disorder which level of gonadotropins and sexual hormones are imbalanced

Objective: We evaluated the effect of CCT hydro-alcoholic extract on hormonal and folliculogenesis process in estradiol valerate-induced PCOs rats' model

Materials and Methods: 40 female adult Wistar rats divided into five groups [n=8 each: Group I [control] only injected by sesame oil as estradiol valerate solvent, group II [Sham] was orally received normal saline after estradiol valerate- induced polycystic ovarian syndrome [4 mg/rat estradiol valerate, intramuscularly], and three experimental groups, that after induction of PCOS within 60 days, received orally 50 mg/kg CCT extract [group III], 50mg/kg metformin [group IV], and CCT extract+ metformin [group V] for 20 days. The serum concentration level of luteinizing, testosterone and follicle stimulating hormones were measured using ELISA method and the serum concentration level of glucose were measured using the oxidative method [glucose meter]. Histological study of ovary tissue carried out by hematoxylin-eosin staining

Results: There was a significant reduction in luteinizing hormone and testosterone in III-V groups compared to Sham group, whereas follicle stimulating hormone in III-V groups was not significantly changed in comparison with Sham group. Histological investigations showed a significant increase in number of preantral and antral follicles and corpus luteum in the experimental groups compared to group II

Conclusion: Marked improvement in hormonal and histological symptoms of PCOS may be due to CCT effects hence, CCT can potentially be considered as an effective drug for treatment of PCOS

[Case report: miller fisher syndrome without external ophtalmoplegia in a child]

Miller Fisher Syndrome is an uncommon variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome of then presents with clinical triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia. In this report, a 3 year old girl with acute ataxia and areflexia without physical sign of external ophtalmoplegia with sensory axonal neuropathy on electrophysiologic study is presented. Based on clinical and electrophysiologic findings, the diagnosis of Miller Fisher syndrome was made and the patient underwent treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin for five days. With relative resolution of ataxia

Detection of acute childhood meningitis by PCR, culture and agglutination tests in Tabriz, Iran

Meningitis is one of the hazardous and life threatening infections and is associated with mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine etiological agents of childhood bacterial meningitis. The culture, Gram staining, agglutination and PCR assays were used to examine CSF specimens from 277 patients with presumed bacterial meningitis for the occurrence of 4 most common infectious agents consist of N. meningitis, H. influnsae, S. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae between 2008 and 2009 at different wards of the Children Hospital of Tabriz. The mean age of patients was 35 +/- 2 [Mean +/- SEM] month, [minimum 11 days maximum14 years], of all cases 59.6% male and 40.4% female. Overall the diagnosis was confirmed with a CSF culture in 11/277 [3.97%], by agglutination test in 14/277 [5.05%]. The isolated bacteria included S. pneumoniae 5 cases, H. influnsae 2 cases, N. meningitis 3 cases and P. aeroginusae 1 case. A positive PCR assay allowed us to diagnose bacterial meningitis in 19 patients [6.8%]. In the present study, we found PCR to be a useful and sensitive method for the detection of bacterial DNA in the CSF samples from suspected meningitis patients. Furthermore, to maximize management of meningitis cases, a combination of culture and PCR is necessary

Stroke in a child with type IV hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy: a coincidence or complication?

Hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy Type IV is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital insensitivity to pain and generalized anhidrosis and resulting in recurrent hyperpyrexia, self-mutilation behavior. The clinical presentation of a child with this rare disease complicated with stroke is described

Dose supplemental zinc prevent recurrence of febrile seizures?

Febrile seizures [FS] are the most common form of seizures in children. Previous studies have suggested that zinc may play a role in the prevention of FS. However, there is limited information on the preventative effects of zinc against FS. This study aimed to determine whether prescribing zinc supplements could prevent FS. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 children who had experienced simple FS for the first time were recruited. Children in the case group [50 patients] were orally administered1mg/kg/day zinc sulfate for 1 year, and children in the control group [50 patients] received a placebo. Serum zinc levels in both the control and case groups were measured at the start and at the end of the study, and recurrent cases of FS were recorded. The case group consisted of 29 boys [58%] and 21 girls [42%] with a mean age of 2.06 +/- 0.83, and the control group consisted of 31 boys [62%] and 19 girls [38%] with a mean age of 2.22 +/- 1.04 years. An inverse relationship was found between febrile diseases and serum zinc levels. In other words, the occurrence of febrile diseases decreased with an increase in serum zinc levels. Eight children [16%] in the case group and 8 in the control group experienced recurrent FS within a year. Supplemental doses of zinc [1mg/kg/day] reduced the rate of febrile illnesses, but did not prevent the recurrence of FS

Campylobacter jejuni infection and childhood guillain-barre syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS], acute postinfectious polyneuritis, is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis. Infection with Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a common antecedent of the GBS. This study aimed to determine the frequency of this infection in children with GBS and, the clinical and epidemiologic features of this association. We performed a prospective case-control study on a cohort of 47 children with GBS admitted to Tabriz Childrens Hospital in the northwest of Iran between July 2006 and July 2008. Serologic investigations were used to diagnose preceding C. jejuni infection. We found evidence of recent C. jejuni infection in 40.4% of the patients with GBS, as compared with 6.1% in household controls [odds ratio 10.5, 95% CI: 2.2-49.2, P<0.001]. Duration to achieve independent walking was longer in C. jejuni-associated patients [P<0.013]. However 95% of C. jejuni-associated GBS patients achieved independent walking at end of one year. The patients with preceding C jejuni infection were more likely to have axonal neuropathy [P<0.05]. Campylobacter jejuni infection is an important antecedent illness in childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome in Iranian children, and is associated with good prognosis

Comparison of immunoblotting and ELISA for detection of anti-ganglioside antibodies in children with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Anti-ganglioside antibody assays are widely used for diagnosis of auto-immune peripheral neuropathies. This study aimed to determine serum levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome by immunoblotting technique and compare the results with those obtained by ELISA method. In this investigation, 50 children with Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS] who were admitted from July 2006 to July 2008, to Tabriz Children's hospital in the north-west of Iran were studied. 30 children admitted for various other reasons than GBS were randomly selected as a control group. The levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies in serum were measured by ELISA and immunoblotting methods using commercial kits. Anti-ganglioside antibodies [IgG] were detected in 16 [32%] GBS patients and in 1 [3.3%] control using ELISA assay. However, by employing immunoblotting technique, antibodies against seven gangliosides were found positive in 28 [56%] GBS patients and none in the control group. The sensitivities of immunoblotting and ELISA methods were 56% and 32% and their specificities were 100% and 97%, respectively [p<0.001]. According to the clinical criteria of GBS, the specificity and sensitivity of immunoblotting was better than those of ELISA. It is important to notice that the immunoblotting method is able to measure the seven types of antibodies [GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and Gq1b] simultaneously and it is an easy, routine method with a lower cost

modified atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy. Twenty one children with medically intractable epilepsy were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were at least four seizures per month and a trial of at least three anticonvulsants without becoming seizure-free. The subjects received the diet over a 6-month period. Three months after diet initiation, 15 patients [71.4%] remained on the diet and 12 [57.1%] had >50% seizure reduction. Eleven patients [52.4%] completed the 6-month study and 8 [38.1%] chose to remain on the diet afterward. At 6 months, 9 patients [42.8%] had >50% seizure reduction. The diet was more effective in cryptogenic epilepsy [p=0.032]. Most complications were transient and successfully managed by careful follow-up and conservative strategies. The modified Atkins diet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for intractable childhood epilepsy

Giullain barre syndrome associated with brucellosis

Guillain Barre Syndrome [GBS] is a prototypical post-infectious autoimmune disease. We report a case of Guillain- Barre syndrome in a 9-year old boy who was admitted with weakness of both lower limbs for 10 days and a history of previously treated brucellosis

Menkes disease: report of two cases

Menkes disease is a rare X-linked recessive disorder of copper metabolism. It is characterized by progressive cerebral degeneration with psychomotor deterioration, hypothermia, seizures and characteristic facial appearance with hair abnormalities. We report on two cases of classical Menkes disease with typical history, [progressive psychomotor deterioration and seizures], clinical manifestations [cherubic appearance, with brittle, scattered and hypopigmented scalp hairs], and progression. Light microscopic examination of the hair demonstrated the pili torti pattern. The low serum copper content and ceruloplasmin confirmed the diagnosis. Menkes disease is an under-diagnosed entity, being familiar with its manifestation and maintaining high index of suspicion are necessary for early diagnosis

Solubility prediction of sulfonamides at various temperatures using a single determination

Solubility of sulphamethoxazole, sulphisoxazole and sulphasalazine in six solvents namely water,methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, acetone and chloroform were determined at 15, 25, 37 and 45 °C. Two models derived from the Hildebrand solubility approach are proposed for solubility prediction at different temperatures using a single determination. The experimental data of the present work as well as data gathered from the literature have been employed to investigate the accuracy and prediction capability of the proposed models. The overall percent deviations between the predicted and experimental values were 10.78 and 14.63% which were comparable to those of the classical two and three parameter models. The proposed models were much superior to the two pure predictive models i.e., the ones which do not require experimental solubility determination, as the overall percent deviations produced by the latter models were 150.09 and 161.00%