Analytical techniques for the determination of meloxicam in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples

Meloxicam [MX] belongs to the family of oxicams which is the most important group of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and is widely used for their analgesics and antipyretic activities. It inhibits both COX-I and COX-II enzymes with less gastric and local tissues irritation. A number of analytical techniques have been used for the determination of MX in pharmaceutical as well as in biological fluids. These techniques include titrimetry, spectrometry, chromatography, flow injection spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry, capillary zone electrophoresis and electrochemical techniques. Many of these techniques have also been used for the simultaneous determination of MX with other compounds. A comprehensive review of these analytical techniques has been done which could be useful for the analytical chemists and quality control pharmacists

Surgical trends in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and their outcome

Parkinson's disease [PD] is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders featuring the cardinal symptoms of resting tremors, postural instability, rigidity, bradykinesia and akinesia treated with a range of medicinal agents. The traditional drug therapy usually involves levodopa, the most potent drug for controlling PD symptoms, along with catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors [COMTI], dopamine agonists and nondopaminergic drugs. For the last few years the treatment includes surgical techniques specially deep-brain stimulation, subthalamotomy, pallidotomy, thalamotomy, etc. The lay literature and mass media descriptions of surgery for PD often give patients and their families the impression that today's surgical procedures offer miraculous results to all patients undergoing this treatment. However, it is an important fact that these new treatments are not necessarily better than the established conventional drug therapy and that the treatment options must be selected according to the need of individual patient

Use of viral vectors for Gene therapy

Medicine is entering a new era for treating diseases and will enable physicians to treat the cause of a disease rather than the symptoms. Gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases but the technique is still under investigation to make sure that it will be safe and effective. In the future, this technique may allow physicians to treat a disorder by inserting a gene to a patient's cells instead of using drugs or surgery. One of the major hurdles to successful gene therapy of genetic and acquired diseases is the ability to introduce a foreign gene efficiently into the tissue of interest. Numerous viral and non-viral [synthetic] methods for gene delivery have been developed. This review highlights the use of viral vectors for gene therapy such as adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, retroviruses, herpes simplex viruses, poxviruses and baculoviruses

Physical methods in gene delivery

The types of gene delivery systems are not restricted to viral vectors but can also be the simple administration of the gene itself. The use of viral vectors for gene delivery has some risks regarding the safety of the patient whereas non-viral vectors are considered to be more safe but so far are less effective in vivo. Non-viral gene delivery system includes both physical and chemical approaches that are gaining popularity for a variety of gene-mediated therapies in humans. From the beginning of naked DNA induction directly into the cells, a number of other physical techniques have also been introduced. So far these methods have employed pressure, large volumes, electricity, ultrasound, laser, mangatic force, etc. for the transfer and expression of gene to the target site and some of them are found to be quite efficient. This review highlights the major physical methods used for the delivery of genes in living organisms

Mechanisms of bacterial resistance

The antibiotic resistance in microorganisms is a worldwide problem that results due to chemotherapy of microbial diseases. The appearance of gradual resistance shows that a single antibiotic loses its effectiveness with the laps of time against microorganisms. Bacteria: may develop resistance intrinsically or acquire it either vertically or horizontally. This review highlights the mechanisms involved in the resistance development-of bacterial species against different classes of widely used antibiotics

Use of different light-curing units in setting of dental restorative materials

The resin based filling materials were introduced in dentistry at the end of the 1940s. Poor color stability, low stiffness, lack of adhesion to tooth structure were the major drawback of this class of restorative material. Polymerization shrinkage is one of the challenges wh1th needs improvement of this material to many methods were developed. Light curing units which were the major breakthrough and the energy efficiency of the different light sources have also been discussed

malpractices in drugs sale and implementation of pharmaceutical care

Pharmaceutical care is a necessary element of health care system and is provided for the direct benefit of the patient. Community pharmacists are considered the professionals of choice in this area as they are in direct contact with a large number of populations. In order to properly implement the concept of pharmaceutical care, it is necessary to first fulfill the legal requirements as those are directly related to the sales of drugs. The current scenario of pharmacies / medical stores in terms of legal aspects was investigated by carrying out a field survey. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 250 local pharmacies and medical stores at various locations of Karachi. The questionnaire contained some basic information in terms of the presence of pharmacist, qualification of non-pharmacist, presence of a valid license, availability of compounding facility in the pharmacy, whether the selling of non-OTC drugs is on prescription or without prescription, storage facility of drugs, disposal of expired drugs and awareness of drug act, 1976 and related rules. Out of 250 visited medical stores and pharmacies, 160 participated in the survey, whose results are summarized in the study

Botulinum toxin: biochemical aspects, applications and adverse effects

Botulinum toxin is one of the most potent bacterial toxins known and its effectiveness in the treatment of some pain syndromes is well documented. However, the efficacy of some of its indications is still in the process of being confirmed. Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin with high affinity for cholinergic synapses, blocks the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings without interfering with neuronal conduction of electrical signals or synthesis and storage of acetylcholine. It has been proven that botulinum toxin can selectively weaken painful muscles, interrupting the spasm-pain cycle. In cosmetics, a small dose of botulinum toxin can be used to prevent formation of wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. Botulinum toxin has been categorized into seven types, of which type-A preparations are currently the most widely used. In addition to the clinical and cosmetic uses of botulinum toxin, a number of adverse reactions have also been reported; therefore, it should be used with caution

Effects of borates on the stability of chemical and pharmaceutical compounds

Borate ions are found to have an important role in analytical and kinetic studies both for the purpose of maintaining pH and as a catalyst in the chemical degradation of a number of drugs such as atropine, benzylpenicillin, carbenicillin, cefotaxime, cephradine, hydrocortisone, indomethacin, oxytetracycline, phenylbutazone, minocycline, 5A-flurouracil, methacoline, octastatin etc. They have also been reported to exert a stabilizing effect on certain drugs including chloramphenicol, epinephrine, riboflavin, I i-methyldopa, ethyl glucuronide, ribose and glucose. Borate buffer is widely used in ophthalmic formulations for the maintenance of pH and adjustment. Boric acid is involved in the catalysis of a number of reactions of biological importance including the L-arabinose isomerase catalyzed isomerization of D-galactose to D-tagatose in the presence of boric acid

Vitamin A: nutritional value and role in public health

For the past nine decades, research on different aspects on vitamin A [retinol] including nutrition, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, physiology, toxicology, medical therapy and public health is being conducted all over the world. Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for all vertebrates. It is required for normal vision, reproduction, embryonic development, cell and tissue differentiation, and immune function in animals and humans. Many aspects of the transport and metabolism of vitamin A, as well as its functions, are well conserved among species. On the other hand, deficiency of vitamin A is also known to be associated with different specific disease conditions such as xerophthalmia, which is manifested as night blindness and corneal abnormalities, softening of the cornea [keratomalacia] and ulceration leading to irreversible blindness along with increased susceptibility to infections and abnormalities in reproduction. Research evidence suggests that diet supplemented with butter, fish, oils, milk and meat could be used as a better source to overcome vitamin A deficiency leading to a healthy life

Advances in antioxidant activity of vitamin E

Vitamin E [a-tocopherol] is now well accepted as nature's most effective lipid-soluble, chain breaking antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from peroxidative damage. Free-radical mediated pathology has been implicated in the development of degenerative diseases and conditions. Vitamin E has a protective role in preventing or minimizing free-radical damage associated with specific diseases and processes, including cancer, aging, circulatory conditions, arthritis, cataract, pollution and strenuous exercise. Research evidence suggests that an adequate intake of vitamin E can provide protection from the increasing high free-radical concentrations caused by air pollutants and current lifestyle patterns. Topical application of a combination of vitamin E and C has been suggested as a protective measure against UV-induced skin damage

Developments in the clinical and food analysis of vitamin C

Vitamin C [ascorbic acid] is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for the prevention and cure of the deficiency disease scurvy. It plays an important role as redox cofactor and catalyst in a broad array of biochemical reactions and processes. The redox behavior of ascorbic acid is the basis of most of the analytical methods used for its determination. The various methods developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in biological samples and food materials include spectrophotometric methods, fluorimetric methods, mass spectrometric methods, chromatographic methods and enzymatic methods. The high-performance liquid chromatographic methods using different detection systems are highly specific and sensitive for the determination of ascorbic acid and related compounds such as dehydroascorbic and isoascorbic acid in biological samples

Blood lead levels in children of Islamabad

Blood lead levels were studied in 230 healthy school children, aged 5 to 14 years, belonging to lower income families. Mean blood lead level was 22.8 +/- 3.3 micro g/dl, being 23.05 +/- 2.8 micro g for boys and 22.5 +/- 3.9 micro g/dl for girls. Mean blood lead level in study population is lower than the one reported from Karachi but is within the safety limits prescribed by Commission of European Community and Centre for Disease Control, U.S.A. The role of atmospheric pollution has been discussed

Plasma zinc and copper levels in children from low income families

In continuation to a previous study, plasma zinc and copper levels were studied in 200 school children aged 6 to 15 years from low income families. The mean plasma zinc level was 47 +/- 10.8 micro g/dl for boys and -53 +/- 12.3 micro g/dl for girls, whereas copper levels were 74 +/- 5.9 micro g/dl for boys and 74 +/- 6.9 micro p,/dl for girls. Mean plasma zinc levels obsemed in this group were significantly lower [P<0.001] than the corresponding figures for children of similar age and sex distribution from high and middle income families. On the contrary meats plasma copper levels were sequential higher [P<0.001] in children from low income families as compared to the counterparts from middle and higher income families. Various possible reasons for these differences have been discussed

Plasma zinc and copper levels in children

Plasma zinc and copper levels were studied in 250 healthy school children, aged 5 to 15 years, belonging to middle and higher socio-economic strata. Mean zinc level was 62.47 +/- 13.25 micro g/dl in boys and 64.97 +/- 19.88 g/dl in girls. Mean copper level was 60.12 +/- 12.07 micro g/dl in boys and G4.B2 +/- 16.9 micro g/dl in girls. These levels were significantly lower than international reference range as well as the figures quoted for children of Australia. This lower range may be to dietary habits of our population, which include high intake of phytate containing cereals

case of cystic fibrosis

A case of a four years old female child suffering front cystic fibrosis, an autosontal recessive disease, rare in orientals, is presented. The child presented with a history of repeated chest infections and mat absorbtion. A positive family history of cystic fibrosis and a positive sweat test helped in establishing the diagnosis. The pathogenesis and management of the disease has been discussed

Giardiasis among school children of Islamabad

The prevalence of giardiasis was studied among 1000 school children of Islamabad area. All subjects belonged to lower socio-economic group. Water supply in their homes was inadequate and the environmental sanitation poor. The overall prevalence of giardiasis was 18.3%. Though it was slightly high among males [19.2%] as compared to females [17.69%], the difference was not statistically significant. Children between 5 and 9 years had a higher prevalence [20.4%] as compared to those between 10 to 14 years [15%]. The difference was statistically significant [P<0.05] and this pattern was consistent among children of both sexes