Improvement of physicochemical parameters of acyclovir using cocrystallization approach

ABSTRACT Acyclovir is an antiviral drug having potent activity against the virus of herpes family and varicella zoster. Unfortunately, drug suffers very poor oral bioavailability (15-30%). The main objective of present study was to develop acyclovir cocrystals with improved solubility which may result in improvement of bioavailability. Hansen solubility approach was used as a tool to predict the cocrystal formation of a drug with selected coformer. Cocrystals of acyclovir with various coformers were screened in order to enhance their water solubility. Cocrystals of the drug were prepared using various methods like solvent evaporation, wet grinding, and antisolvent addition. Formation of cocrystals by solvent evaporation method was found to be better method amongst all. Optimization of cocrystal formation was carried out by employing different solvents as well as the stoichiometric ratio of acyclovir with that of coformer. Synthesis of cocrystals was optimized using water as a solvent system resulted in good agreements. The potential cocrystal formation of acyclovir was characterized by IR, PXRD and DSC techniques. An in-vitro dissolution study was performed to determine the dissolution rate of cocrystals. The results suggest that acyclovir forms cocrystals with tartaric acid and the initial dissolution rate of synthesized cocrystals were considerably faster as compared to pure acyclovir.

Variación hematológica posopertoria en dermolipectomías / Hematological variation in dermolipectomy postoperative

Antecedentes: La tétrada deformante de la pared abdominal está constituida por la obesidad, la distensión abdominal, la gravidez y la diastasis muscular. Objetivo: Demostrar la variación que tiene el Hto y Hb con relación al porcentaje del peso corporal total que representan los colgajos dermograsos extirpados, tomando como parámetro el obtenido a las 24 hs de la cirugía y a los 7 días. Luegar de realización: Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario. Diseño: estudio prospectivo observacional. Población: Se analizaron prospectivamente 93 pacientes operados en el Servicio de Cirugía Plástica entre el 1 de agosto del 2007 y el 31 de diciembre de 2008. Métodos: Las variables analizadas fueron la modificación que tienen el Hto y la Hb en relación al % de peso corporal total que representan los colgajos extirpados, debiendo cumplir para el ingreso al etudio ciertos requisitos. Resultados: El promedio de descenso del Hto a las 24 hs es de 6,19 % y el de Hb a las 24 hs de 1,9 g/l; a los 7 días, es de 3,84 % y 1,25 % g/l respectivamente. Conclusiones: Comprender la importancia de una correcta preparación prequirúrgica de los pacientes para evitar complicaciones en el posoperatorio inmediato y alejado, mejorando así la selección de estos para disminuir la morbilidad de esta cirugía.

Background: The deforming tetrad of the abodminal wall is formed by obesity, abdominal distension, gravidity and muscle diastases. Objectives: Show the variation of the hematocrit and hemoglobin in relation to the percentage of the total body mass that represents the fatty skin folds extirpated, taken as a parameter the one obtained 24 hs after surgery and after 7 days. Place of study: Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario. Design: Observtional prospective study. Population: 93 patients who underwent an operation at the plastic surgery sevice were prospectively analyzed between August, 1st 2007 and December 31st, 2008. Methods: The variables analyzed were the modification of the hematocrit and the hemoglobin in relation to the percentage of total body mass that represents the skin folds extirpated, having the patients to fulfill certain requirements. Results: The average decrease of the hematocrit 24 hs after surgery was of 6,19 % and the hemoglobin of 1,9 g/l and 7 days later was of 3,84 % and 1,25 g/l respectively. Conclusion: Understand the importance of a correct presurgical care of the patients to avoid immediate and distant postoperative complications, bettering in this way the selection of them so as to diminish the morbidity of this surgery.

Pakistani teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of students with special educational needs

To explore classroom teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream classrooms and collaboration between the classroom and special education teachers in Pakistan. Fifty mainstream class room teacher [48 women two men] and fifty special education teachers [47 women and three men] from four schools of Lahore participated in the study. Their views were ascertained through three specially designed questionnaire exploring their attitude and knowledge towards inclusive education besides collaboration between mainstream and special education teachers. In general, teachers have positive attitudes towards inclusive education. They agree that it enhances social interaction thus minimizes negative attitude towards students with special needs. The findings also show that collaboration between the mainstream and the special education teachers is important and that there should be a clear guideline on the implementation of inclusive education. More efforts are needed for teaching students with special education needs in Pakistan. The findings of the study have significant implications to the school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders who are directly and indirectly involved in implementing inclusive education