Clinico-pathological assessment of virulent Newcastle Disease Virus in ducks

Abstract Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious, highly contagious and lethal disease of avian species. It is considered that ducks are natural reservoir or carrier for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and are resistant against different strains of NDV. Current study was designed to evaluate the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease in domestic ducks through histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serum biochemical changes. For this purpose, eighty ducks were reared for 42 days and divided in two groups A and B. Ducks in group A were challenged with (NDV) at rate of 0.1 ml of ELD50 (virus titer 107.32/100µl) on second week of age, whereas Group B was control negative. Splenomegaly, atrophy of thymus and necrotic lesion in kidney were observed on 9th day of post infection. Hepatic degeneration and mononuclear cell infiltration were noticed in proventriculus and intestine in challenged ducks. Viral antigen detected in lungs, intestine, proventriculus and lymphoid organs of infected ducks through IHC. Albumin and total protein values were significantly low in infected groups A as compared to control group B. ALT, AST, and ALP values were significantly high in infected group A. On 5th and 7th day of post infection oropharyngeal swabs were negative for NDV and cloacal swabs were positive for NDV through Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that ducks are susceptible to NDV and virulent strain of NDV caused disease in ducks.

Resumo A doença de Newcastle (DN) é uma doença infecciosa, altamente contagiosa e letal de espécies aviárias. Considera-se que os patos são reservatórios ou portadores naturais do vírus da doença de Newcastle (VDN) e são resistentes a diferentes cepas de VDN. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a patogênese da DN em patos domésticos por meio de histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) e alterações bioquímicas séricas. Para este propósito, 80 patos foram criados por 42 dias e divididos em dois grupos A e B. Os patos do grupo A foram submetidos ao VDN a uma taxa de 0,1 ml de ELD50 (título viral de 107,32 / 100 µl) na segunda semana de idade, enquanto o Grupo B foi controle negativo. Esplenomegalia, atrofia do timo e lesão necrótica no rim foram observadas no 9º dia pós-infecção. Degeneração hepática e infiltração de células mononucleares foram observadas no proventrículo e intestino em patos infectados. Antígeno viral foi detectado em pulmões, intestino, proventrículo e órgãos linfoides de patos infectados por IHQ. Os valores de albumina e proteína total foram significativamente baixos no grupo A infectado em comparação com o grupo B. Os valores de ALT, AST e ALP foram significativamente altos no grupo A. No 5º e no 7º dia após a infecção, os esfregaços orofaríngeos foram negativos para VDN, enquanto os esfregaços cloacais foram positivos para VDN por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa. Conclui-se que os patos são suscetíveis ao VDN e à cepa virulenta de VDN que causou doenças em patos.

Clinico-pathological assessment of virulent Newcastle Disease Virus in ducks / Avaliação clínico-patológica do Vírus da Doença de Newcastle em patos

Abstract Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious, highly contagious and lethal disease of avian species. It is considered that ducks are natural reservoir or carrier for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and are resistant against different strains of NDV. Current study was designed to evaluate the pathogenesis of Newcastle disease in domestic ducks through histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serum biochemical changes. For this purpose, eighty ducks were reared for 42 days and divided in two groups A and B. Ducks in group A were challenged with (NDV) at rate of 0.1 ml of ELD50 (virus titer 107.32/100µl) on second week of age, whereas Group B was control negative. Splenomegaly, atrophy of thymus and necrotic lesion in kidney were observed on 9th day of post infection. Hepatic degeneration and mononuclear cell infiltration were noticed in proventriculus and intestine in challenged ducks. Viral antigen detected in lungs, intestine, proventriculus and lymphoid organs of infected ducks through IHC. Albumin and total protein values were significantly low in infected groups A as compared to control group B. ALT, AST, and ALP values were significantly high in infected group A. On 5th and 7th day of post infection oropharyngeal swabs were negative for NDV and cloacal swabs were positive for NDV through Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that ducks are susceptible to NDV and virulent strain of NDV caused disease in ducks.

Resumo A doença de Newcastle (DN) é uma doença infecciosa, altamente contagiosa e letal de espécies aviárias. Considera-se que os patos são reservatórios ou portadores naturais do vírus da doença de Newcastle (VDN) e são resistentes a diferentes cepas de VDN. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a patogênese da DN em patos domésticos por meio de histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) e alterações bioquímicas séricas. Para este propósito, 80 patos foram criados por 42 dias e divididos em dois grupos A e B. Os patos do grupo A foram submetidos ao VDN a uma taxa de 0,1 ml de ELD50 (título viral de 107,32 / 100 µl) na segunda semana de idade, enquanto o Grupo B foi controle negativo. Esplenomegalia, atrofia do timo e lesão necrótica no rim foram observadas no 9º dia pós-infecção. Degeneração hepática e infiltração de células mononucleares foram observadas no proventrículo e intestino em patos infectados. Antígeno viral foi detectado em pulmões, intestino, proventrículo e órgãos linfoides de patos infectados por IHQ. Os valores de albumina e proteína total foram significativamente baixos no grupo A infectado em comparação com o grupo B. Os valores de ALT, AST e ALP foram significativamente altos no grupo A. No 5º e no 7º dia após a infecção, os esfregaços orofaríngeos foram negativos para VDN, enquanto os esfregaços cloacais foram positivos para VDN por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa. Conclui-se que os patos são suscetíveis ao VDN e à cepa virulenta de VDN que causou doenças em patos.

Comparative Evaluation of Physical and Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Potential of Various Cooking Oils

The study was based on the comparative evaluation of physical and physicochemical properties and antioxidant potential of different cooking oils as awareness for the consumers. The cooking oils extracted from sunflower, corn, canola, soybean, and rapeseed and available for consumers as different commercial brands were purchased from the local market and analysed for their physical, physicochemical and antioxidant properties. All of the selected oils were found to be statistically similar on the basis of their physical properties including odour, specific gravity (P=.65) and refractive index (P=0.84). All of the selected oils contained vitamin A except one brand of each of the sunflower, corn and canola oils. The selected oils and their blend showed statistically different physicochemical properties and antioxidant potential (P=.000). The corn oil and rapeseed oil were found to be the best quality oil due to comparatively lower acid, peroxide and saponification values and higher antioxidant potential in terms of free radical scavenging capacity. The study results would provide valuable information to the consumers and the researchers regarding the selection of the best quality cooking oils available in the market.

Renal bone disease in patients on hemodialysis: an observational study focusing on the variation of calcium metabolism

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the disturbances in the levels of mineral in the body due to hemodialysis at different levels of parathormone levels and to assess its association with the calcium levels.Methods: Study was a cross sectional for the period of 6 months taking ethical approval. Total 255 cases were registered in this study after taking their informed consent. The cases were divided into three groups according to PTH level. Group 1 has 87 subjects with PTH level <250, group 2 has 102 subjects with PTH level 250-650 and group 3 has 66 cases with PTH level >650. The cases were taking hemodialysis for greater than 6 months and have the ages more than 18 years were included in this study. The demographic data includes age, sex dialysis related data like duration of hemodialysis, levels of calcium, phosphorus, albumin, PTH, ALP were observed.Results: Hemodialysis duration were recorded in respective three groups as 7.28±5.71, 6.26±5.56 and 6.15±4.30 days respectively  (P=0.319). Calcium was found in group 1, 8.70±0.81, in group 2, 8.39±0.89 and in group 3, 8.76±0.82 (P=0.01). PTH level in three respective group were recorded to be 123.46±74.15, 418.47±115.49 and 1314.67±1188.63 (P <0.001).Conclusions: Present study showed that significant difference was found in mineral levels in patients on hemodialysis with PTH level as well as with alkaline phosphatase level. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found with duration of dialysis and with parameter of albumin.

Clinical efficacy comparison of saccharomyces boulardii and lactic acid as probiotics in acute pediatric diarrhea

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii and lactic acid producing probiotics in addition to usual treatment regimen to cure diarrhea among children [6 months to 5 years of age]

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from February to July 2015

Methodology: Children suffering from acute diarrhea were orally administered Saccharomyces boulardii and lactic acid producing probiotics for 5 days. The efficacy of administered probiotics was monitored. Patients were given Saccharomyces boulardii and lactic acid producing probiotics randomly to remove the bias

Results: Two hundred patients randomly selected for trials; out of which, 100 were treated with Saccharomyces boulardii while the other 100 were supplemented with lactic acid concomitantly along with conventional diarrhea treatment. Results indicated that Saccharomyces boulardii treatment group has significantly higher efficacy rate [45%] compared to lactic acid producing probiotics [26%]

Conclusion: This study concluded that Saccharomyces boulardii has a better efficacy compared to lactic acid and may be adopted as a probiotic of choice

Educational impact of mini-clinical evaluation exercise: a game changer

Background and objective: Workplace based assessment has a strong educational impact in terms of student's clinical performance by steering their learning towards the desired learning outcomes. Educational impact is hardly measured in the sphere of medical education and this study is an attempt to measure educational impact of post graduate residents. The aim of this study was "To explore educational impact of Minicex [Mini-clinical evaluation exercise] on residents with respect to their learning"

Methods: A mixed convergent parallel method was selected, participants were identified through non-probability convenience sampling, total 10 participants were chosen for data collection, all of them experienced four minicex encounters which generated their scores [the quantitative data], after first two Minicex encounters each participant was interviewed using a structured interview technique, similarly, after 3rd and 4th Minicex encounters. Data was entered in the SPSS version -21 to calculate descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics were determined using ANOVA to calculate improvement in score over time and P-value to report statistical significance. Qualitative analysis was done using thematic analysis approach with the help of themes based on interview questions: priori theme. NVIVO was used for triangulation of themes accordingly

Results: The results indicate statistically significant improvement in scores and p values were considered significant at 0.05. Also, qualitative analysis provided reasons for improvement in scores and residents' satisfaction such as feedback, motivation, self-directed learning, peer assisted learning

Conclusion: The study concluded that residents learning behavior and ,their satisfaction from assessment method can be enhanced through work place based assessment particularly in context of minicex [mini-clinical evaluation exercise] so encouraging its use in similar situations. However, the scope for generalization of results remains limited owing to a small sample size

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women regarding benefits of breast feeding and immunization in newborns

Objectives: To study the knowledge attitude and practices of pregnant women regarding benefits of breastfeeding and immunization. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study

Material and Method: This study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics of P.N.S. Shifa Hospital Karachi over a period of six months. All pregnant women admitted in the obstetric ward were included. After obtaining informed consent participants were administered questionnaire, which was filled in by the researcher. The questions were in the native language. Performa includes questions pertinent to knowledge, attitude and practices regarding benefits of breast feeding and immunization to achieve the millennium development goal 4

Results: Despite of the level of education out of 235 participants at most of them [97%] were aware of role of immunization and breast feeding. But 14.5% lack knowledge of frequency of breast feeding. 42.11% participants said doctor advise her to breast feed while 52.2% counseled by the family lady, midwife and friends. 45.96% participants never got advice by the doctors against use of un-prescribed drugs during pregnancy

Conclusion: The knowledge attitude and practices of pregnant women regarding benefits of breastfeeding and immunization are not up to the mark. There is a need to increase the education of the mothers to ensure better understanding regarding breastfeeding and immunization to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 4

Study of curriculum of doctor of physical therapy programme based on world federation of medical education standards

Objective: To evaluate the curriculum for Doctor of Physical Therapy [DPT] programme based on World Federation of Medical Education [WFME] standards

Methods: A questionnaire was constructed based on WFME ‘Should' and ‘Must' standards. It was validated by five experts in two rounds. It is comprised of Items/ questions with Yes/No options. The questionnaire was filled by the DPT Faculty and final year students at Riphah International University, Islamabad from March 01, to April 30, 2017

Results: The key weakness identified were students participation in program management, evaluation, mission statement, program designing, curriculum committee, students activities and organization, and other matters relevant to students, followed by the use of external examiners, reliability and validity of assessment tools, scrutiny of assessments by external examiners and feedback to the students on assessment. The integration of behavioral and social sciences, readiness of graduates for postgraduate studies, institutional autonomy and academic freedom for curriculum development and designing, and opportunity for the participation of other stakeholders were identified as strengths

Conclusions: As per WFME standards the curriculum for DPT program needs improvements in student's assessments and their participation in program management, evaluation, mission statement and designing, along with facilitation in student's activities, organizations. Strengths of the curriculum were integration of behavioral and social sciences, readiness for postgraduate studies, institutional autonomy and academic freedom for the development and designing of curriculum, and the participation of other stakeholders

In vitro antibacterial susceptibility of different brands of oral levofloxacin 250 mg tablet against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Antibiotics are not only used in morbidity but also help in prevention of infection. The irrational use of broad spectrum antibiotics is now increasing the resistance against pathogens. This present study has been carried out to evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial effect of levofloxacin against clinical isolates. According to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] guidelines, minimum inhibitory concentrations 90% [MIC90] of the levofloxacin tested were evaluated by an agar dilution method. Total 63 clinical isolates Staphylococcus aureus [n=34] and Escherichia coli [n=29] were collected from different hospitals at Karachi and were evaluated MIC90 of eleven different brands of levofloxacin tablet [250 mg]. Levofloxacin [Reference] was tested against E.coli standard [American Type Culture Collection] [ATCC=25922] with [MIC90; 0.03micro g/ml] and compared with different eleven brands of levofloxacin tablets 250mg [MIC90; 0.5micro g/ml -16.0micro g/ml]. Levofloxacin [Reference] sensitivity against S. aureus standard [ATCC=25923] is [MIC90; 0.12micro g/ml] and similarly when it was compared with same levofloxacin tablets [MIC90; 0.5-16.0micro g/ml]. It has been concluded by the present study, a large number of strains of bacteria have shown better bactericidal action of different brands of levofloxacin and nearly all commercialized drugs were appropriate for therapeutic use

Psychological distress and disease: level of stress in victims of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To measure the level of stress and its relationship and comparison with demographic variables among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Methodology: This was a cross sectional comparative study conducted during April 2016 to July 2016 in Faisalabad. A sample of 120 diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients between aged 20 to 50 years, mean age 34.57+/-8.36 were selected through random sampling techniques from different public hospitals of Faisalabad. A self-report measure perceived stress scale 10 items [PSS- 10] Urdu was used to measure the level of stress among T2DM Patients. Statistical analysis was run through SPSS version 21

Results: A significant positive relationship observed between gender and stress at p<0.05, and significant negative relationship between age and stress p<0.01. Significant gender difference observed at p<0.05 and significant age differences at p<0.01among T2DM patients

Conclusion: Stress is negatively linked with increasing age and positively linked with gender. Men and adults experience low level of stress as compared to women and early adults with T2DM

Effectiveness of stretching exercises in symptomatic and asymptomatic phase in primary dysmenorrhoea

Background: Primary dysmenorrhoea is health related problem within females with high prevalence affecting different aspects of their life and their productivity. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of stretching exercises done during symptomatic and asymptomatic phase of menstrual cycle in primary dysmenorrhea

Methods: Randomized controlled trial [RCT] [double blinded] study was carried out at Royal group of colleges Gujranwala, Pakistan. Sixty six students with confirmed diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhoea were included through non-probability convenience sampling. The students were randomly assigned to two equal [n=33] groups: Asymptomatic [A] and Symptomatic [B]. Each student was assessed for pain and associated symptoms of dysmenorrhoea by using numeric pain rating scale and Daily record of severity of problems [DRSP]. Stretching exercises were performed thrice per week for group A which did exercises during asymptomatic phase and same exercises were done twice a day for group B only in symptomatic days. Both groups did exercises for three months. Data was taken at baseline and post menstrual phase of three successive menstrual cycles. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20. An independent samples t test was used to compare both groups and repeated measures ANOVA was used to find the intervention-based effects within each group

Results: Mean age of students was 21.29+/-2.60 [Year], mean weight was 52.70+/-4.81 [Kg], mean age at menarche was 13.18+/-1.11 [Year] and mean BMI was 16.87+/-0.81 [Kg/m2 ]. Both groups were comparable at baseline for age, weight, BMI and age at menarche as p>0.05. Significant changes for pain and associated symptoms were found within each group [p>0.05]

Conclusion: It is concluded that stretching exercises in symptomatic phase and asymptomatic phase are equally effective to relieve pain and associated symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhoea

Effectiveness of per rectal misoprostol versus intramuscular oxytocin for prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of per rectal misoprostol over oxytocin in primary postpartum haemorrhage [PPH]

Study Design: Randomised controlled trial study

Place and Duration of Study: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, Unit IV, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, from September 2013 to February 2014

Methodology: Emergency obstetric patients receiving per rectal misoprostol [800 micro gm] were named as group 'A' and those receiving 10 units oxytocin intramuscularly were labelled as group 'B'. The patients were followed within 24 hours of spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Pads soaked were used to assess the amount of blood loss

Results: A total of 1,678 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients in group-A was 29.11 years while the mean age of patients in group-B was 29.16 years. One hundred and twenty-three [14.66%] patients in group-A and 120 [14.31%] patients in group-B had PPH. Among the total 1,678 patients, 243 [14.49%] had postpartum haemorrhage among whom 24 [9.88%] had major haemorrhage with a blood loss >/=1000 mL. Among the sub-group [839 patients] administered misoprostol had 123 [14.66%] patients with blood loss greater than 500 mL and the rest 716 patients [85.34%] had blood loss less than 500 mL. The sub-group administered oxytocin have 120 [14.31%] out of 839 patients with postpartum haemorrhage while 719 [85.69%] had blood loss less than 500 mL

Conclusion: Active management of 3rd stage of labour with per rectal misoprostol administration was as effective as intramuscular oxytocin. Both were equally effective to reduce PPH and the subsequent need for surgical interventions

Prevalence and antibiotic trials against Salmonella enterica isolated from diarrheic lambs and kids

Salmonella enterica [S. enteric] is the major zoonotic threat for small ruminants and humans responsible for huge economic losses and high mortality in Pakistan. Lambs and kids of Lahore district were examined to determine the prevalence, hematology and chemotherapy of S. enterica. A total of 200 diarrheic samples [n=100 lambs; n=100 kids] were collected and examined; 59 [29.50%] were found positive for S. enterica. Lambs had lightly greater prevalence [31%] than kids [29%]. The frequency analysis [OR=1.16 [reciprocal =0.87]] showed non-significant difference in both the lambs and kids. The significant decrease [P5R0.001] in hemoglobin, pack cell volume and total erythrocyte count was observed in infected lambs and kids. Results of in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. enteric isolated from both lambs and kids were susceptible to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, azithromycin, tobramycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin and nalidixic acid. Where as the results of in vivo antibiotic trials showed that isolates from both lambs and the kids with diarrhea were susceptible to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin

Differential antibrucella activity of bovine and murine macrophages.

Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen affecting macrophages. Macrophages release some antibrucella components such as lysozymes (LZ), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrite intermediates (RNI) which prevent intracellular survival of Brucella. The present study compared the antibrucella activity of bovine and murine macrophages following stimulation with B. abortus lipopolysaccharides. Our results revealed increased production of these antibrucella substances in murine macrophages as compared to bovine macrophages. The differential production of these antibrucella components explained the differential B. abortus killing ability of these species (bovine and mice) that was measured in terms of intramacrophagic survival of Brucellae in murine and bovine macrophages.

Effect of smokeless tobacco on the outcome of Swiss albino mice pregnancy and changes in their offspring's body weight; an experimental study

Objective: To study the harmful effects of smokeless chewing local tobacco on Swiss Albino mice pregnancy outcome and observe the effect on their offspring's body weight

Study Design: An Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Anatomy Department Al- Tibri Medical College, Isra University Karachi during June 2015 to December 2015

Materials and Methods: Twenty pregnant Swiss albino mice and their 40 offspring male and female equal number, Selected randomly. The mice were divided into Experimental and control groups. Inclusion criteria were the healthy offspring of two weeks age. At the time of birth initial weight was taken and the final weight was taken after two weeks. Exclusion criteria was unhealthy, less or more than two week's age. Independent sample t-test was used for analysis of data through SPSS version 20.0

Results: Total of 20 female Swiss albino mice divided equally into two groups experimental and control. Experimental group was kept on 5% smokeless tobacco. Twenty offspring from experimental and twenty offspring from control group of both sexes were taken. Initial and final weights of both groups were recorded. Significant difference was observed in initial and final weights of offspring with P-value=0.01

Conclusion: Tobacco which is frequently used in our region without any knowledge of its harmful effects. It is proved that smokeless tobacco not only reduces the weight of offspring but during pregnancy it effects the growing fetus leading to stillbirth and neonatal deaths

Advanced oxidation of acridine orange by aqueous alkaline iodine

The advanced oxidation process is certainly used for the dye waste water treatment. In this continuation a new advanced oxidation via aqueous alkaline iodine was developed for the oxidation of acridine orange [AO] [3, 6 -bis [dimethylamino] acridine zinc chloride double salt]. Oxidation Kinetics of AO by alkaline solution of iodine was investigated spectrophotometrically at lamda[max] 491 nm. The reaction was monitored at various operational parameters like several concentrations of dye and iodine, pH, salt electrolyte and temperature. The initial steps of oxidation kinetics followed fractional order reaction with respect to the dye while depend upon the incremental amount of iodine to certain extent whereas maximum oxidation of AO was achieved at high pH. Decline in the reaction rate in the presence of salt electrolyte suggested the presence of oppositely charged species in the rate determining step. Kinetic data revealed that the de-colorization mechanism involves triodate [I3[-]] species, instead of hypoidate [OI[-]] and hypiodous acid [HOI], in alkaline medium during the photo-excitation of hydrolyzed AO. Alleviated concentration of alkali result in decreasing of rate of reaction, clearly indicate that the iodine species are active oxidizing species instead of OH radical. Activation parameters at elevated temperatures were determined which revealed that highly solvated state of dye complex existed into solution. Reaction mixture was subjected to UV/Visible and GC mass spectrum analysis that proves the secondary consecutive reaction was operative in rate determining step and finally dye complex end into smaller fragments

Effect of stabilizers on the chemical and photodegradation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solution

Ascorbic acid [vitamin C] is susceptible to light and air and forms various degradation products. A number of stabilizers have been used to study their effect on the degradation of ascorbic acid [AH2] in dark and light at pH 4.0 and 6.0 alone and in combination with citric and tartaric acids. The assay of AH2 in degraded solutions was performed by a specific UV spectrometric method. The degradation product of AH2 at pH 4.0 and 6.0 was identified as dehydroascorbic acid. The degradation of AH2 has been found to follow first-order kinetics. The apparent first-order rate constants, t90 and percent inhibition in rate in the presence of stabilizers and the second-order rate constants for the interaction of stabilizers with AH2 have been determined. The highest stabilizing effect on AH2 was found by sodium metabisulfite, followed by sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfate, sodium thiosulfate and thiourea. The pH of the solutions has also been found to influence the degradation of AH2 as the rates are higher at pH 6.0 compared to those of pH 4.0, probably due to the ionization of AH2. A synergistic effect has been observed when citric or tartaric acid was added to the solutions containing stabilizers where citric acid showed comparatively better effect

Analysis of amino acids by high performance liquid chromatography

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are considered as the key precursors for the formation of hormones and low molecular weight nitrogenous substances with biological importance. Since the analysis of amino acids has been carried out for both qualitative and quantitative purposes with an aim to study their levels in the plasma concentration, the quantitative determination, in particular, also helps in the diagnosis of different diseases associated with their deficiency. This review article deals with the determination of amino acids by chromatographic methods which include ion-exchange chromatography [IEC], high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography [RP-HPLC] and ultra-performance liquid chromatography [UPLC]. The review will also give an idea for the preparation of samples, derivatization methods for the analysis of amino acids [direct and indirect methods] and separation of amino acids by high performance liquid chromatographic technique

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies of immediate release diclofenac potassium tablets [50mg] in healthy volunteers

This study was conducted with the aim to determine the pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence of diclofenac potassium 50 mg test [F4] tablet formulation with reference product [Caflam]. Present study was single dose, randomized, two phase cross over design, conducted in 12 healthy Pakistani volunteers and planned in accordance with FDA guidelines. In this study a simple, selective, sensitive and reproducible HPLC procedure was developed and validated for the estimation of diclofenac potassium in plasma. The process was validated in the range of 50 - 0.05 [micro]g.mL-1 and used in bioequivalence trial of two products. Multiple blood samples were collected at various time points [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 hr after treating volunteers with test [F4] and marketed reference brand. Plasma separation and deproteination were carried out with acetonitrile; samples [20[micro]L] were injected using the validated HPLC method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters [compartmental and noncompartmental] were estimated using KineticaTM 4.4.1 [Thermo Electron Corp. USA]. Bioequivalence among the products was established by calculating the 90% CI with log and non log transformed data for C[maxcalc], T[maxcalc], AUC[0-[infinity]], AUC[tot] and AUC[last] using two way ANOVA and Schirmann's Two one sided t- test. No significant difference was found between log and non-log data. The 90% confidence interval values using log transformed data for AUC[0-[infinity]] [0.997-1.024], AUC[tot] [1.004-1.031], AUC[last] [0.997 - 1.024], C[maxcalc] [0.994-1.007] and T[maxcalc] [0.996-1.013] for the trial and reference products were found within the FDA acceptable limits of 0.8-1.25. Results were further verified by the Schirmann's one-sided t test. Results showed the bioequivalence of test and reference formulations. Both the products were well tolerated