Macro invertebrate community from Sonamarg streams of Kashmir Himalaya.

This study analyses a macroinvertebrate community survey for River Sindh and its tributary including Baltal, Yashmarg, Sonamarg and Thajwas Grar considering the extreme hydrological conditions linked with the seasonal low-flow period typical for some streams in this area. This study attempts to provide an overview of the macro invertebrate assemblages and physico-chemical variables of the River Sindh and its important tributary. Four study sites were selected from the River Sindh and its tributary including Baltal, Yashmarg, Sonamarg and Thajwas Grar for studying the ecological distribution of Macroinvertebrate assemblages. Totally, 33 taxa of macroinvertebrates were recorded from the two streams belonging to Mollusca-3 (Gastropoda-2 and Bivalvia-1), Annelida-1 and Arthropoda-29 (Insecta-29). Among insects Ephemeroptera (7), Trichoptera (6) and Diptera (13) dominated. Except Yashmrag all sites were found devoid of annelids while as the mollusks were found absent at Sonamarg. Highest values of Shannon Weiner Index were found at Yashmarg (2.42) and lowest at Sonamarg (1.99) while as highest and lowest Sorensen's similarity coefficient were found between Baltal/Thajwas Grar (0.68) and Yashmarg/Thajwas Grar (0.39), respectively. A perusal of the data on physico-chemical characteristics showed that these streams were hard water type with high dissolved oxygen content. The ionic composition of the stream waters revealed the predominance of bicarbonate and calcium. Insecta dominated both qualitatively as well as quantitatively and the study revealed that the substrate compositions dominated by gravel, pebble and leaf litters are primary determinants of the invertebrate community structure recording maximum species diversity and abundance. Sample locations impacted by Amarnath yatris pilgrimage comparatively reflected slightly higher increase in nutrients than Thajwas Grar almost devoid of pilgrimage effect.

Controlled-release isosorbide dinitrate pellets. Part I: Design and evaluation of controlled-release capsule dosage form.

Design and evaluation of 8-h controlled-release isosorbide dinitrate capsules representing 20.0 and 40.0 mg of the drug are described. The formulation conforms to the total drug incorporated in the dosage form. In vitro dissolution studies indicate that the formulations behave as controlled-release dosage forms. Studies of storage at 30 +/- 2 and 40 +/- 2 degrees C at relative humidities of 72.0 and 90.0%, respectively, indicate that both temperature and humidity accelerate the degradation of the formulation. These results indicate the need of controlled packaging conditions during manufacture of these capsules.

Controlled-release isosorbide dinitrate pellets. Part II: In vivo studies.

Isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) capsules containing 20.0 and 40.0 mg of the drug (reported earlier in Part I of this series) were evaluated in vivo in eight healthy volunteers in a double-blind study with marketed sustained-release preparations containing 20.0 and 40.0 mg of ISDN. The results were normalized by administering placebo and four conventional ISDN tablets, each containing 5.0 mg of ISDN, to the same group of volunteers in a separate study. The blood pressure of the volunteers was monitored for 8 h. The results indicate that the capsules prepared in the laboratory with the new formulation gave controlled release when compared with the respective marketed SR product.