Fetal Atrial Ectopic Rhythm Detected Using Handheld Doppler

@#Atrial ectopic rhythm is one of the most common fetal arrhythmias that can present during the prenatal period. Detection of fetal arrhythmia can be made by auscultating fetal heart rate and rhythm using a fetal handheld Doppler, and this can be done even in a resource-limited setting. Te fnding of an abnormal fetal heart rate and rhythm should prompt early referral to a pediatric cardiologist, as this may improve clinical outcomes. We present a case of atrial ectopic rhythm detected in utero using a handheld Doppler.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers with broad spectrum antibacterial activity from the Indonesian marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea

The marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea is one of the marine organisms containing unique organobromine molecules polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which have diverse biological activities. Compounds 1−4 have been successfully isolated and their structures were elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, single-crystal x-ray diffraction, and comparison with data in literature. Compound 1, C12H6 O4 Br6 , was isolated in gram quantity (1.35 g) and elucidated as 2,3,4,5-tetrabromo-6-(3ʹ,5ʹ-dibromo-2ʹ-hydroxyphenoxy)phenol after NMR and X-ray analysis. Compound 1 takes a twist-like conformation with torsion angle ϕ1 = 27.7 (6)°; ϕ2 = 86.5 (5)°, while the angle of the ether bond is 117.5°. Compounds 2−4 were elucidated as 2,3,5-tribromo-6-(3ʹ,5ʹdibromo-2ʹ-hydroxyphenoxy)anisole, 2,3,5-tribromo-6-(3ʹ,5ʹ-dibromomethoxyphenoxy) phenol, 2,3,5-tribromo-6- (3ʹ,5ʹ-hydroxyphenoxy)phenol, respectively. Antibacterial evaluation of 1−4 on Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens showed that the potent activity was at 0.08 µg/disk, 12 ± 0 mm (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538); 6.25 µg/disk, 10 ± 0 mm (Klebsiella pneumoniae); and 50 µg/disk, 12 ± 0 mm (ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 showed ichthyotoxicity (zebrafish embryos, Danio rerio) at a level of LC50 >10 µg/ml [dead, 48 hours postfertilization (hpf)]. This is the first report that compound 4 inhibits the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Correlation of Obesity and Other Factors with Presence of Extra Hepatic Disease among the Patients Presenting with Fatty Liver

Purpose: To assess the Correlation of obesity and other factors with presence of extrahepatic disease among the patients presenting with fatty liver at CMH Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. Study design: Correlational Study. Setting: Gastroenterology department CMH//Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayad Al Nahyan Hospital Rawalakot. Duration of study: Six months, from 01-09-2018 to 01-03-2019. Patients and methods: A prospective study was conducted on 51 patients of fatty liver diagnosed on ultrasound by consultant radiologist of own hospital. The demographic profile included age, gender, presence of obesity, triglyceride levels and total cholesterol levels. Common extra-hepatic conditions which were looked for in this study included Diabetes mellitus (DM), Hypertension (HTN), Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and Osteoarthritis (OA) which were diagnosed with the help of detailed history taking, relevant physical examination and laboratory investigations. Results: Out of 51 patients included in the final analysis 31 were male and 20 were female. Twenty-seven participants had one or more co-morbid illnesses while 24 had no such diseases at the time of study. DM was the commonest comorbid illness while OA was least reported. Twenty four patients were obese while 27 had BMI less than 30. The presence of obesity and raised total cholesterol levels had a significant relationship with presence of extra-hepatic illness among the patients presenting with fatty liver. Conclusion: Patients presenting with fatty liver have high prevalence of extrahepatic diseases. Routine screening of common illnesses should be done on all the patients who have been diagnosed as having a fatty liver. Special attention should be given to the patients who had BMI more than 30 or raised total cholesterol levels.

LARP2 DNA Methylation in Transfusion-dependent Haemoglobin E-Beta (HbE/β) and β-Thalassaemia Major Patients

Abstract@#Introduction: The large clinical spectrum of haemoglobin E-beta (HbE/β) thalassaemia leads to the investigation of complex mechanisms involved in erythropoiesis. DNA methylation in LARP2 is one of the potential epigenetic modifiers not fully explored in HbE/β and β-thalassaemia major. This study aimed to analyse DNA methylation profile and gene expression of LARP2 using peripheral blood (PB) in nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) for the source of DNA of HbE/β- and β-thalassaemia major patients. Methods: PB were collected from 33 transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients from Hospital USM and Hospital RPZII, Kelantan, Malaysia. DNA methylation profile and gene expression of LARP2 were examined by bisulphite sequencing PCR and quantitative real-time PCR respectively. Results: Partial DNA methylation of LARP2 was observed in 43% (9/21) HbE/β- and 17% (2/12) β-thalassaemia major patients. LARP2 expression (1.49±26.60) in HbE/β-thalassaemia was not significant against normal controls and β-thalassaemia major (p>0.05). In contrast, LARP2 expression (6.8±16.42) in β-thalassaemia major showed a significant up-regulation against normal controls (p<0.05). The association of LARP2 expression and DNA methylation profile was statistically significant (p<0.001). LARP2 expression was down-regulated in 75% (3/4) HbE/β-thalassaemia patients with CD26/IVS1-5, in contrast to up-regulation of 80% (4/5) IVS1-5/IVS1-5 β-thalassaemia major patients. DNA methylation of LARP2 in these patients were either partially methylated or unmethylated in CD26/IVS1-5 and IVS15/IVS1-5 respectively. Conclusion: DNA methylation of LARP2 may act as an additional modifier to gene mutation especially involving IVS1-5 in HbE/β-thalassaemia. Homozygous IVS1-5 in β-thalassaemia major may contribute to different disease presentation compared to those involving CD26 in HbE/β-thalassaemia.

The Use And Addiction To Smart Phones Among Medical Students And Staffs In A Public University In Malaysia

@#Objective: Smart phones have become an important part of human’s life, including the healthcare population and medical students. However, pathological use of smart phones could lead to smart phones addiction. The aim of this study is to observe a pattern of usage of smart phones among the medical students and staffs in the Faculty of Medicine Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and screen for smart phone addiction among the respondents. Methods: A cross sectional, quasi-experimental study design involving medical students and staffs in the Faculty of Medicine Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) was employed. A total of 598 respondents was approached to participate, and all consented to this study. Measurements used in the study include a self-developed questionnaire to measure pattern of smart phone usage and Smart phone addiction scale (Malay version). Result: We found that 65.9% of the respondents were heavy users of the smart phone (more than 3 hours daily) and majority of them were using it for social networking. More than half of the respondents (52.2%) were at risk of developing smart phone addiction based on Smart phone Addiction Scale (Malay Version). Conclusion: This study revealed that medical students, and the faculty staffs were heavy users of smart phones, and they were at risk to develop smart phone addiction.

Interaction of palladium inorganic salt and organic complex with glutathione content of liver homogenate

Glutathione is an essential antioxidant of living organism that provides a primary protection against metals toxicity. A significant amount of glutathione is present in blood erythrocytes, plasma and liver hepatocytes to protect them from oxidative damage from both external and internal oxidants. Metalo-element palladium has numerous pharmacological, clinical and toxicological compensations, like palladium is used as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, neuroprotective and anti-tumor agent. However studies have also indicated some mild to serious toxic effects of palladium metallo-elements. In the presence study the interaction of palladium inorganic salt and organic complex with glutathione [GSH] content of liver homogenate was examined spectro-photometrically. 20% [w/v] liver homogenate was prepared of the collected liver of rabbit in 5% TCA [tri-chloro-acetic acid] solution and 1mm EDTA, using a potter-eveljhem homogenizer with motor driven Teflon pestle. The GSH content quantification was carried out by Elman's method. Our finding showed that there was a depletion of GSH content by both palladium inorganic salts and organic complexes, concentrations wise as well as with time elapse as level of GSH content decrease from [43.6% to 72.62%] with Palladium Nitrate and from [24.09 to 59.5%] with Bis-benzonitrile Palladium II Chloride as compared to control, and further dropped with time incubation from 0-90 minutes from [49.7 to 87.1%], with Palladium Nitrate and from [29.3% to 67.6%] respectively. The result showed that the effect of both inorganic salt of palladium was more enhanced as compare to its organic complex. It was suggested from our finding that the depletion in the glutathione content of liver homogenate may be due to oxidation of glutathione or due to glutathione metal abduct formation by both inorganic salt and organic complex of palladium. This study in situ is a model of in vivo

Determination of waiting time in patients visiting general male and female outdoor clinics

Objective: To determine waiting time of patients visiting general male and female outdoor clinics of 01 Mountain Medical Battalion, Bagh

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at 1 Mountain Medical Battalion Bagh, from Dec 2016 to Feb 2017

Material and Methods: One hundred and ninety patients selected out of all patients visiting general male and female outdoor clinics during working days were included in this study. Lottery method was used to select ten patients daily in the study period and these were then scrutinized to include those fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Waiting time to get registered, consultation and total waiting time was noted. Data collected was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17; Independent sample t-test was used to compare means between samples with the level of statistical significance set at 5 Percent (p<0.05)

Results: Waiting time to get registered for female patients was 7.24 +/- 4.42 minwhile for male patients it was 8.64 +/-5.30 min. Waiting time for consultation ranged from 15.15 +/- 10.50 min for female and 16.25 +/- 9.89 min for male patients. Total waiting time was 22.04 +/- 11.75 min for female and 24.93 +/- 12.06 min for male patients. Out of all patients, 83.33 Percent females and 87.5 Percent male patients were seen within 30 minutes after being registered

Conclusion: Majority of patients visiting general outdoor clinics were seen within 30 minutes of their registration which is close to the international standards. There is need to further improve waiting time of patients to increase patient satisfaction. The difference of waiting time was insignificant between male and female patients

Impact of different organic acids on solubility enhancement of cefpodxime proxetil immediate release tablet and its stability studies

Cefpodoxime proxetil is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic demonstrates pH dependent solubility and is highly soluble only in acidic pH. The purpose of this investigation was to design and develop immediate release tablets of cefpodoxime proxetil by direct compression method and determine the effect of different solid buffers [organic acids] such as fumaric acid [formulations F1-F4], maleic acid [formulations M1-M4] and citric acid [formulations C1- C4] by using cefpodoxime and acid in the ratios of 4:1, 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 to achieve pH-independent release of the drug. Physical parameters and assay were found to be within the acceptable range as prescribed in USP 36 / NF 31. In vitro dissolution studies of each formulation were performed in distilled water, USP dissolution medium, HCl buffer solution of pH 1.2, phosphate buffer solutions of pH 4.5 and 6.8 to observe the drug release. The formulations F3, F4, M4 were selected for film coating on the basis of better drug release profile, to protect the drug from chemical degradation through hydrolysis. Film coated formulation F3, F4 and M4 showed a remarkable in vitro release of the drug [72.88+/-0.43 to 92.67+/-0.71%] within 30min of observation in all dissolution media and further evaluated by model independent and model dependent approaches. The drug release was found to be best fit to Weibull model as highest r[2] [adjusted] [0.924- 0.998] and lowest AIC [18.416-54.710] values were obtained in all dissolution media. R Gui[registered sign] applied for stability studies of F3 and F4 formulations, showing shelf lives of 28 and 27months at ambient and 33 months at accelerated temperatures. Formulation F4 was chosen as best formulation on the basis of physical properties, highest dissolution rate and stability studies

Depletion of GSH in human blood plasma and cytosolic fraction during cadmium toxicity is temperature and pH dependent

Toxicities of heavy metals is a burning issue and a topic of interest among the toxicologists throughout the world. Metals are always in use of man since long but in recent years the use of cadmium has increased in the form of various cadmium compounds such as cadmium compounds as stabilizers in plastic pipe industries and in the preparations of different alloys etc. Cadmium is even used in phosphate fertilizers and thus comes directly or indirectly in contact with human eatables like crops, vegetables and fruits. Once it is absorbed it affects almost all the organs and systems of human body especially blood components and kidneys. Always the chemical reactions of different chemicals are dependent on some influential factors, among these factors the effect of pH and temperature of the media in which these chemicals interact with each other are very much important. Keeping in view this fact we have evaluated the effect of cadmium nitrate tetra hydrate on GSH of human plasma and cytosolic fraction. Estimation of thiol was done by Ellman's modified method and was found that the interaction of cadmium nitrate tetra hydrate and GSH of these blood components was more at a pH and temperature, which were near to physiological pH and temperature of human body. This fact was proved as the estimated thiol concentration left after the interaction of cadmium nitrate tetra hydrate and thiol of these blood components was minimum at pH and temperature near to human blood pH and temperature. We concluded that the possible reason for depletion of GSH of these blood components was conversion of GSH into Cd[SG][2]and/or GSSG formation

Effect of organo and inorganic lithium salt on human blood plasma glutathione- a comparative study

Investigation of toxicological effect of various metals is the field of interest for toxicological scientists since four to five decades and especially the toxicological effect of those drugs containing metals and there use is common because there is no other choice except to use these metal containing drugs. Inorganic as well as organic salts of lithium are commonly used in prophylaxis and treatments of many psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to see the difference between the effect of organic and inorganic salt of lithium commonly used in psychiatric disorders on the GSH of human blood plasma. It is the scientific fact that ionic dissociation of organic and inorganic salts of any metal is always quite different hence to prove this fact, the effect of lithium citrate [organic salt of lithium] and lithium carbonate [inorganic salt of lithium] was investigated on human blood plasma GSH to find the difference between the effect of two. Ellman's method was used for the quantification of glutathione contents in plasma. It was found that lithium citrate decrease plasma GSH contents less than lithium carbonate indicating that organic salts of lithium are safe than inorganic salts of lithium when are used in psychiatric disorders. Further to analyze the effect of organic and inorganic salt of lithium on blood plasma GSH with the increase in incubation time was also evaluated and was found that both concentration and time dependent effect of organic salt of lithium shows that this salt has decreased plasma GSH contents of human blood less than inorganic salt of lithium either by promoting oxidation of GSH into GSSG or by lithium glutathione complex formation. These results suggest the physicians that the use of organic lithium salts is much safer than inorganic salts of lithium in terms of depletion of blood plasma GSH contents

Study of the effect of inorganic and organic complexes of arsenic metal on the status of GSH in T. cells and B. cells of blood

Arsenic is a major threat to large part of the population due to its carcinogenic nature. The toxicity of Arsenic varies with its chemical form and oxidation states. Glutathione [GSH], a major intra-cellular tripeptide plays a major role in arsenic detoxification. The present study was designed to provide insight into the extent of changes in GSH level by inorganic arsenic in the form of Arsenic trioxide [ATO] and organic arsenic in the form of nitro benzene arsenic acid [NBA]. Lymphocytes [T.cells and B.cells] were investigated for determination of change in GSH metabolic status caused by arsenic. The depletion of GSH level positively correlated with increasing arsenic concentration and time of incubation. The decline in GSH level was consistent with increasing pH and physiological temperature. Our findings show that changes in GSH status produced by Arsenic could be due to adduct [As-[SG][3]] formation. This change in GSH metabolic status provides information regarding mechanism of toxicity of inorganic and organic arsenicals. These findings are important for the rational design of antidote for the prevention of arsenic induced toxicity

Cadmium-glutathione complex formation in human t-cell and b-cell lymphocytes after their incubation with organo-cadmium diacetate

Cadmium intake is associated with oxidative stress that causes depletion of intracellular as well as extra cellular reduced glutathione. There is strong evidence indicating that reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species generated in the presence of cadmium could be responsible for its toxic effects in many cells and tissues. Depletion of reduced glutathione in various cells, especially in T and B-lymphocytes, causes extreme damage to the antioxidant defense system of body. The aim of this research work was to investigate the metabolic changes that occur in T and B lymphocytes after their incubation with organ cadmium diacetate by using Ellman's spectrophotometric method of thiol quantification. The results of the present study indicate that cadmium depleted T and B lymphocytes GSH to a harmful extent. It is proposed that this depletion is due to the bivalent cadmium glutathione complex formation, oxidation of reduced glutathione [GSH] to its oxidized form, or both

Perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards learning tools

Use of technology in education has increased worldwide. Teaching methodologies are shifting from traditional classroom lectures to e-learning and computer-based learning. Pakistani students are also now fathoming necessity of acquiring tools for strengthening their knowledge and skills. The objective of present study was to analyze the shifting trends [perception and attitudes] of Pakistani Pharmacy students towards learning tools. A survey based study conducted on 296 students from various years of Pharmacy, studying in a state owned university, Karachi, Pakistan. This study was initially piloted and Cronbach's-alpha was computed for evaluation of internal consistency of questionnaire [for perception; 0.660, for attitude; 0.777 respectively]. Data was computed by SPSS, version 16 [Crosstab] and Chisquare [P=0.05]. Most of the students strongly agreed [53%; [CHI][2]=495;P<0.05] that introducing technology will improve learning; books are reliable reading source [53%; [CHI][2]=437.23;P<0.05] or book-reading is essential [50%; [CHI][2]=360.36;P<0.05] while others disagreed that they only study from class lectures [31%; [CHI][2]=17.22;P<0.05]; not take classes [41%; [CHI][2]=48.21;P<0.05]; have used software [44%; [CHI][2]=46.54; P<0.05]. Majority of the students agreed on incorporating technology to improve learning. Other factors such as unavailability and expenditure of books influenced their ability to learn. This study might assist policy makers in developing policies that could improve learning

Formulation design and evaluation of Cefuroxime axetil 125 mg immediate release tablets using different concentration of sodium lauryl sulphate as solubility enhancer

Cefuroxime axetil immediate release tablets were formulated by direct compression method with different percentages of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) such as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and also without SLS. Resulting batches of tablets were evaluated by both pharmacopeial and non-pharmacopeial methods to ascertain the physico-mechanical properties. Dissolution test were carried out in different medium like 0.07 M HCl, distilled water, 0.1M HCl of pH 1.2 and phosphate buffers at pH 4.5 and 6.8 to observe the drug release against the respective concentration of SLS used. Later, test formulations were compared by f1 (dissimilarity) and f2 (similarity) factors using a reference brand of cefuroxime axetil. Significant differences (p<0.05) in dissolution rate were recorded with the change in concentration of SLS in different media. Test formulation T3 containing 1% SLS was found to be best optimized formulation based on assay, disintegration, dissolution and similarity and dissimilarity factors.

Formularam-se comprimidos de liberação imediata à base de cefuroxima axetil, pelo método de compressão direta, com diferentes percentagens de lauril sulfato de sódio (LSS), tais como 0,5, 1,0, 1,5, e também sem SLS. Os lotes resultantes dos comprimidos foram avaliados por ambos os métodos da farmacopeia e não farmacopeicos para determinar as propriedades físico-mecânicas. O teste de dissolução foi realizado em meios diferentes, como HCl 0,07 M, água destilada, HCl 0,1 M com pH 1,2 e os tampões fosfato (pH 4,5 e 6,8) para observar a liberação do fármaco contra a correspondente concentração de LSS utilizado. Em seguida, as formulações de teste foram comparadas por fatores f1 (dissimilaridade) e f2 (similaridade), utilizando uma marca de referência de cefuroxima axetil. Diferenças significativas (p<0,05) na taxa de dissolução foram registradas com a mudança na concentração de LSS em diferentes meios de dissolução. A formulação T3 contendo LSS a 1% foi considerada a melhor formulação otimizada com base nos ensaios de desintegração, dissolução e fatores de semelhança e dissimilaridade.

Glutathione; is it depleted in T-cells and B-cells when lithium compounds are used as drug of choice in many psychiatric disorders?

Compounds of lithium are used as drug of choice in many psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia etc. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of lithium on lymphocyte's GSH levels for which terasaki technique was used to separate T-cells and B-cells of human volunteer's venous blood. Experimental Study. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan. 1st December 2012 to 26 February 2013. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's HSD test. Thiol quantification was done by using Ellman's method and was found statistically significant [p < 0.001] decrease in T-cells/B-cells GSH level which was dose and time dependent. T-cells/ B-cells dose dependent drop in GSH level was 2.752 micro M [9.41%] and 2.554 micro M [16.12%] by lowest used concentration [0.003 micro M] of lithium citrate. We have noted that there is significant drop in T-cells and B-cells GSH due to which immunological alterations happen which are linked with GSH contents of lymphocytes and hence inhibition in lymphocytes activity is co-related with depletion in GSH level of these cells which ultimately with the increase in Li+1 concentration cause further decrease in GSH level leading to cells death

Formulation development and evaluation of diltiazem HCl sustained release matrix tablets using HPMC K4M and K100M

The aim of this study was to develop a sustained release hydrophilic matrix tablet of Diltiazem HCl and evaluates the effect of formulation variables [e.g. lubricant, binder, polymer content and viscosity grades of HPMC] on drug release. Twelve different formulations [F1-F12] were prepared by direct compression. The results of the physical parameters and assay were found to be within the acceptable range. Rate of drug release was found to be slow as the fraction of the polymer was increased from 20-50%. The drug release rate from tablets containing K4M was effectively controlled by increasing the talc concentration, whereas the burst effect was reduced by increasing binder content. The drug release was higher with K4M as compare to K100M. Model-dependent and independent methods were used for data analysis and the best results were observed for K4M in Higuchi [R[2]=0.9903-0.9962] and K100M in Baker and Lonsdale [R[2]=0.9779-0.9941]. The release mechanism of all formulations was non-Fickian. F7 [50% K4M, 2% talc, 10% Avicel PH101] and F11 [40% K100M] were very close to targeted release profile. F12 [50% K100M] exhibited highest degree of swelling and lowest erosion. The f[1] and f[2] test were performed taking F11 as a reference formulation

Change in metabolic status of glutathione by palladium nitrate in blood components

This piece of research work present the toxicological impact of varied concentrations of Palladium Nitrate [Pd [NO[3][2] by changing the chemical status of glutathione and the way how glutathione plays its role in detoxification and conjugation processes of [Pd [NO[3][2] in whole blood components [plasma and Cytosolic fraction]. The impact of different concentration of [Pd [N03]2] on reduced glutathione level in whole blood component [Plasma and Cytosolic fraction] were measured spectrophotometrically following Standard Ellman's method. Compared with control sample, significant decrease in the GSH content in whole blood components [plasma and Cytosolic fraction] was obtained with various concentrations [100microM-1000microM] of Palladium Nitrate. Depleted GSH level was more pronounced with time incubation period [0-90] minutes. These finding shows that changes in the GSH status produced by palladium nitrate could either be due to palladium nitrate and glutathione [Pd-SG] complex formation or by conversion of reduce glutathione [2GSH + Pd[+2] -> GSSG]. This change in the GSH metabolic status provides information regarding the mechanism of palladium, in blood components

[Effect of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion on maxillary skeletal movement: a comparative study between tooth-borne and bone-borne palatal distracters]

The transverse deficiency of the maxilla is considered as one of the common clinical orthodontic problem, whereas the Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion is one of the essential treatments for the correction of that skeletal deficiency in the adult patients. The aim of this study was to assess the ratio of horizontal skeletal movement and tipping movement of the two parts of the maxilla after Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion with Lefort-I cortical osteotomy, midpalatal suture and pterygoid-maxillary suture osteotomies by using tooth-borne palatal expanders and bone-borne transpalatal distracters. Twenty adult patients [with ages between 18-30 years without inborn deformities or congenital syndromes] with skeletal maxillary narrowness being clinically and radiologically assessed. The studied sample is separated randomly into two groups: Group I, the expansion performed by tooth-borne palatal expanders. Group II, the expansion performed by bone-borne transpalatal distracters. A 7 day latency period passed before the activation of the expansion device [1 mm/day]. The ratio of horizontal skeletal movement in the tooth-borne palatal expanders group after 4 months of expansion was 46.98% of the entire expansion, whereas that was a little higher 48.83% in the bone-borne transpalatal distracters group but this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the efficiency of the tooth-borne palatal expanders is nearly similar to that of the bone-borne transpalatal distracters after Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion with Lefort-I cortical osteotomy, midpalatal suture and pterygoid-maxillary suture osteotomies

Evaluation of the interaction of vanadium with glutathione in human blood components

Metallo-elements including Vanadium [V] have strong affinity for sulfhydryl [-SH] groups in biological molecules including Glutathione [GSH] in tissues. Because of this fact it was of interest to further investigate the interaction of Ammonium Vanadate [NH[4]VO[3]] with Glutathione as a biomarker of toxicity and the role of Glutathione in the detoxification and conjugation processes in whole blood components including plasma and cytosolic fraction. Effects of different concentrations of Ammonium Vanadate [NH[4]VO[3]] on the level of reduced Glutathione in whole blood components [Plasma and Cytosolic fraction] were examined. GSH depletion in plasma and cytosolic fraction was Ammonium Vanadate's concentration-dependent. Depleted GSH level was more pronounced with more incubation time period. These findings show that changes in the GSH status produced by Ammonium Vanadate could be due to either by adduct formation of Vanadium and glutathione i.e. [V-SG] or by increased production of oxidized Glutathione [2GSH +V[+5] - GSSG]. This change in GSH metabolic status provides some information regarding the mechanism of toxicity by Ammonium Vanadate and the protective role of glutathione

Comparison of high-pressure liquid chromatography and microbiological assay for determination of ciprofloxacin tablets in human plasma employed in bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics study

Ciprofloxacin was given orally to 28 healthy male volunteers for single oral dose of 500 mg; Plasma samples were collected at different time's interval between 0 and 12 h and analyzed both by high pressure liquid chromatography and by a microbiological assay. The detection limits [LOD] were 0.02 ug/ml and 0.1 ug/ml, for both methods respectively. For each method, coefficients of variation [R[2]] were 0.9995 and 0.9918 in plasma and limit of quantitation [LOQ]. 02 and 0.5 ug/ml. The Comparison of means maximum concentration 2.68 ug/ml at 1.5 h for test and 2.43 ug/ml are attain in HPLC method of Reference at 2 hrs respectively. The plasma concentrations measured by microbiological assay of reference tablet are 3.95 microg/ml [mean +/- SE] at 1 hour and 3.80 microg/ml [mean +/- SE] at 1 h. The concentrations in plasma measured by microbiological method were markedly higher than the high-pressure liquid chromatography values which indicates the presence of antimicrobially active metabolites. The mean +/- SE values of pharmacokinetic parameters calculated by HPLC method, for total area under the curve [AUC 0-infinity] were 13.11, and 11.91 h.mg/l for both test and reference tablets respectively. The mean +/- SE values of clearance measured in l/h were 44.91 and 48.42 respectively. The elimination rate constant Kel [l/h] showed 0.17 l/h for test and 0.15 l/h reference tablets and likewise, absorption half-life expressed in hours shown 0.67 h for test and 1.04 h for reference respectively. The Mean Residence Time for test is 5.48 h and 5.49 h for reference. The mean +/- SE values of pharmacokinetic parameters [Microbiological assay] for total area under the curve [AUC 0-infinity] were 22.11 and 19.33 h.mg/l for both test and reference tablets respectively. The mean +/- SE values of clearance measured in l/h were 29.02 and 31.63 respectively. The elimination rate constant Kel [l/h] showed 0.21 l/h for test and 0.20 l/h reference tablets and likewise, absorption half-life expressed in hours shown 0.86 h for test and 0.56 h for reference respectively. The Mean Residence Time for test is 5.27 h and 4.67 h for reference. Significant difference observed between two methods