Formulation & Evaluation of Fast Dissolving Tablets of Amlodipine Besylate by Using Co- Processed Superdisintegrants.

Aims: To formulate fast dissolving tablets of amlodipine besylate using co-processed superdisintigrant and evaluate the properties of fast dissolving tablets. Study Design: Formulation, evaluation of fast dissolving tablets of amlodipine besylate. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Quality Assurance S. N. D. College of Pharmacy Babhulgoan Yeola Dist Nashik 423401, between July 2012 to February 2013. Methodology: In the present study, novel co-processed superdisintegrants were developed by solvent evaporation method using crospovidone and sodium starch glycolate in different ratios (1:1, 1:2 1:3 2:1, 3:1) in the fast dissolving tablet formulations. Drug and the developed excipients were characterized for compatibility studies with FTIR and DSC. The co-processed superdisintigrant mixture was evaluated for angle of repose, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio in comparison with physical mixture of superdisintegrants. Fast dissolving tablets of Amlodipine Besylate were prepared using co-processed superdisintegrants and evaluated for pre-compression and postcompression parameters. Effect of co-processed superdisintegrants (crospovidone and sodium starch glycolate) on wetting time, disintegrating time, drug content, in-vitro release, and stability parameters have been studied. Results: The angle of repose of the developed excipients was found to be < 300 Compressibility (%) index in the range of 13.14 to 14.63 % and Hausner’s ratio in the range of 1.15-1.19. The prepared tablets were characterized by FTIR and DSC Studies there was no change in the result. Based on in-vitro dispersion time (approximately 40 sec), promising formulation CP5 was tested for in-vitro drug release pattern in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Conclusion: Among the designed formulations, the formulation (CP5) containing coprocessed superdisintegrant (3:1 mixture of crospovidone and sodium starch glycolate) emerged as the overall best formulation based on drug release characteristics in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. From this study, it can be concluded that dissolution rate of amlodipine besylate could be enhanced by tablets containing co-processed superdisintegrant.

A study to evaluate the clinical outcome of drug-eluting vs. bare-metal stents for acute coronary syndrome patients during commercial use in real setting.

Background: This study compared clinical outcome of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) versus Bare Metal Stents (BMS) in coronary arteries in patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was carried out in an inpatient setting of the private tertiary care hospital. Patients with >18 years, diagnosed for Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), required intervention in coronary artery with implantation of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) or Bare Metal Stents (BMS) were recruited in the study. The data had been collected from file or database of the hospital. All subjects were followed for major adverse cardiac event. Results: A total of 202 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled into DES group (n=101) and BMS group (n=101). All patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 12 months for Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE). Clinical outcomes during 12 months were compared between DES group & BMS group. Overall MACE rates were reported non-significantly high in BMS group patients (14.85%) compare to DES group patients (8.91%) (p=0.458). However, DES group had lower rates of death (0.99% vs 1.98%, p=0.57), rate of MI (3.96% vs 4.95% p=0.73), rate of revascularization (1.98% vs 3.96% p=0.42) & rate of sub acute thrombosis (1.98% vs 3.96% p=0.42) and higher rate of bleeding (1.98% vs 0.99% p=0.57) compare to cohort-II. Conclusions: The use of DES in the setting of Acute Coronary Syndrome is associated with lower Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) rate compared to BMS without compromising the overall safety over the course of one-year follow-up. The long-term safety of drug-eluting stents needs to be ascertained in large, randomized trials.

Effect of endodontic irrigating solutions on the microhardness and roughness of root canal dentin: An in vitro study.

Context: To evaluate the effect of widely used endodontic irrigating solutions on root dentin microhardness and surface roughness. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty, non-carious extracted human permanent incisor teeth were selected. The crowns of the teeth were sectioned and the roots were separated longitudinally to get 240 specimens. These specimens were then divided into six groups according to the irrigating solutions used. The solutions used were 5% and 2.5% NaOCl solutions, 3% H2 O2 , 17% EDTA solution, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and distilled water. Then, the specimens were subjected to microhardness and roughness testing. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests. Results: The results of this study indicated that all irrigation solutions, except 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, decreased the microhardness of root dentin, and 3% H2 O2 and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate had no effect on surface roughness. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, it is concluded that 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate seems to be an appropriate irrigation solution, because of its harmless effect on the microhardness and surface roughness of root canal dentin.

Neonatal behavior of small for gestational age infants.

The behavioral pattern of small for gestational age (SGA) infants differs from that of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Maternal malnutrition and SGA infants being a common problem in our country, we assessed the behavior of 36 full term SGA infants using the Brazelton scale. These infants had an excellent orienting capacity, state control and self quieting. Their motor performance was fair and autonomic regulation showed a good recovery over first 10 days. A comparison of this behavior with full term AGA infants showed a better orientation in SGA infants. Though there was a significant difference in motor, state regulation, and autonomic regulation, by the end of the first month they recovered to the same level as the AGA infants. The pattern of SGA behavior described is at marked variance with most of other reports from abroad.