Green analytical chemistry-driven response surface modeling to stability-indicating chromatographic method for estimation of cilnidipine and application of high-performance thin-layer chromatography-mass spectrometry for characterization of degradation products.

Cilnidipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat cardiac diseases such as angina and high blood pressure. Several column and planar chromatographic methods for estimating cilnidipine in pharmaceutical dosage forms have been documented. However, these method developments have been carried out employing organic solvents such as acetonitrile, methanol, toluene, chloroform, and others as mobile phase components or as sample pretreatment diluents. These organic solvents are neurotoxic and teratogenic to humans and aquatic animals, according to International Council for Harmonization Q3C (R8) recommendations. According to the green analytical chemistry approach, such organic solvents should be reduced or removed during the development of chromatographic methods for environmental protection and the safety of human and aquatic animal life. As a result, the stability-indicating chromatographic estimation of cilnidipine was performed utilizing less toxic organic solvents. To prevent organic solvent waste during method development, mobile-phase optimization was performed using the design of experiment-based response surface modeling. Cilnidipine has been subjected to hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis, and dry-heat decomposition to determine its stability. The greenness profiles of the suggested and published chromatographic methods were examined using the national environment method index, analytical greenness calculator, green analytical procedure index software, and eco-scale assessment tool.

Rapid transition to online practical classes in preclinical subjects during COVID-19: Experience from a medical college in North India.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic compelled medical schools to opt for online mode in medical education. The competency-based curriculum started in India last year onwards allotted more hours to practical teaching than lectures. As the lockdown extended, there was a need to shift laboratory teaching to online mode. We describe our experience of developing and implementing a framework to rapidly shift practical lab teaching of preclinical subjects to online mode. METHODS: A mixed method study was conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown period in a public funded medical institute of India. A framework utilizing the principles of small group teaching using the available resources was developed and implemented. Online feedback was obtained from students, while in-depth telephonic interview was conducted for teachers. RESULTS: A Demonstrate-Engage-Assess framework for online Practical teaching of Preclinical subjects (DEAPP) was developed and implemented. Feedback was obtained from 103 first year students and six teachers from preclinical subjects. Around 62%-80% students were satisfied with online practical teaching or agreed with benefits of various online tools used in the teaching sessions. Teachers found the framework more planned, and resource efficient, while students found it to be more engaging, enjoyable, and motivated for learning. No face-to-face interaction, non-experiential learning, and adaptation to newer technology were the main barriers perceived in online practical laboratory teaching. CONCLUSION: DEAPP framework was found to be feasible for rapid online transition of practical lab teaching and reported by the students and teachers as engaging, enjoyable and motivated learning.

A study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices about blood donation among medical students of a medical college in North India.

INTRODUCTION: Scarcity of blood and blood products is frequently encountered in health care institutions. Medical students can serve as an important pool of potential blood donors for the attached teaching hospitals. AIM: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of medical students about voluntary blood donation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a cross- sectional study conducted among medical students of Dr RPGMC Tanda in Himachal Pradesh, in the months of August to December, 2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the students present on the day of the survey who expressed their consent for participation were enrolled in the study. A pre- tested, structured questionnaire was used as a study tool. After the collection of the baseline information, a brief interactive awareness session, addressing voluntary blood donation was organized for the participants and their willingness to donate blood was again noted at the conclusion of the session. The data was analyzed by using SPSS software. RESULTS: 235 students participated in the study, 102 (43.4%) males and 133 (56.5%) females. The mean age was 20.42 ±1.38 years. KNOWLEDGE OF VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION: The mean knowledge score of participants was 74.4%. Overall 225 (95.7%) participants were aware of their blood groups. Attitude related to blood donation: 91% study participants felt that people should donate blood and were themselves willing to donate blood. PRACTICE RELATING TO BLOOD DONATION: Out of the 235 study participants, only 54(22.9%) had donated blood so far. Willingness to donate blood after interactive awareness session increased from 91% to 97.5%. Conclusion: The study population has relatively good knowledge and a favourable attitude about voluntary blood donation. However the prevalence of blood donation among the students is still low, especially among the girls.

Stability-Indicating HPTLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Flurbiprofen and Chloramphenicol in Ophthalmic Solution.

A specific, accurate and reproducible stability-indicating high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for the estimation of flurbiprofen and chloramphenicol in the presence of their degradation products. Degradation studies of both the drugs were carried out in acidic, alkaline, neutral, oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions. Separation was performed on thin layer chromatography plate precoated with silica gel 60 F254 using ethyl acetate : n-hexane : methanol : tri-ethyl amine (5 : 4 : 2 : 0.5, v/v/v/v). Spots at retention factor 0.29 and 0.62 were recognized as flurbiprofen and chloramphenicol, respectively, and were quantified through densitometric measurements at wavelength 267 nm. Method was found to be linear over the concentration range 12-60 ng/spot with correlation coefficient of 0.9997 for flurbiprofen and 200-1,000 ng/spot with correlation coefficient of 0.9977 for chloramphenicol. The proposed method was applied to the estimation of flurbiprofen and chloramphenicol in commercial ophthalmic formulation. The developed HPTLC method can be applied for routine analysis of flurbiprofen and chloramphenicol in the presence of their degradation products in their individual as well as combined pharmaceutical formulations.

To study the effect of monosodium glutamate on histomorphometry of cortex of kidney in adult albino rats.

Thousands of chemicals are being used recently in our new high tech foods like ready to eat Japanese, Chinese, packaged and tinned foods. Most food additives act as either preservatives or flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt of glutamic acid. The present study investigated the effect of intraperitoneally administered MSG on cortex of the kidneys of adult albino Wistar rats and compared with control group. The histomorphometry done by calibrating with ocular micrometer on kidney tissue of control and experimental group revealed a significant difference in glomeruli with increase in length, size of bowman's capsule with an increase in bowman's space. The size of renal tubules could not be compared as the cells of these tubules in experimental group were disintegrated and distorted. In the experimental group (rats treated with 4 mg MSG/g body weight), the cortex of the kidneys developed variable pathological changes, which were patchy in distribution with intervening normal areas. There was distortion of renal cytoarchitecture. Many glomeruli (66.4%) showed hypercellularity, i.e., cellular proliferation of mesangial or endothelial cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The capillary membrane showed thickening as was evident on PAS stain. Since MSG, as a food additive, was found to be toxic on various organs of the body by various researchers, it should perhaps be stopped from being used as a food additive. This may be a suggestion which needs validation in human studies.

Epidemiological trends of RF/RHD in school children of Shimla in north India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: There are no active surveillance studies reported from South East Asian Region to document the impact of change in socio-economic state on the prevalence of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) in children. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the epidemiological trends of RF/RHD in school children of Shimla city and adjoining suburbs in north India and its association with change in socio-economic status. METHODS: Active surveillance studies were conducted in 2007-2008 in urban and rural areas of Shimla, and 15145 school children, aged 5-15 yr were included and identical screening methodology as used in earlier similar survey conducted in 1992-1993 was used. The study samples were selected from schools of Shimla city and adjoining rural areas by multistage stratified cluster sampling method in both survey studies. After a relevant history and clinical examination by trained doctor, echocardiographic evaluation of suspected cases was done. An updated Jones (1992) criterion was used to diagnose cases of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and identical 2D-morphological and Doppler criteria were used to diagnose RHD in both the survey studies. The socio-economic and healthcare transitions of study area were assessed during the study interval period. RESULTS: Time trends of prevalence of RF/RHD revealed about five-fold decline from 2.98/1000 (95% C.I. 2.24-3.72/1000) in 1992-1993 to 0.59/1000 (95% C.I. 0.22-0.96/1000) in 2007-2008. (P<0.0001). While the prevalence of ARF and RHD with recurrence of activity was 0.176/1000 and 0.53/1000, respectively in 1992-1993, no case of RF was recorded in 2007-2008 study. Prevalence of RF/RHD was about two- fold higher in rural school children than urban school children in both the survey studies (4.42/1000 vs. 2.12/1000) and (0.88/1000 vs. 0.41/1000), respectively. The indices of socio-economic development revealed substantial improvement during this interim period. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RF/RHD has declined by five-fold over last 15 yr and appears to be largely contributed by improvement in socio-economic status and healthcare delivery systems. However, the role of change in the rheumatogenic characteristics of the streptococcal stains in the study area over a period of time in decline of RF/RHD cannot be ruled out. Policy interventions to improve living standards, existing healthcare facilities and awareness can go a long way in reducing the morbidity and mortality burden of RF/RHD in developing countries.

Variant human pancreas: aberrant uncinate process or an extended mesenteric process.

Variations in the morphology of pancreas are not very common. We observed a rare variant of the uncinate process of the pancreas that extended in the mesentery of the small intestine. After its origin from the lower part of the head of the pancreas, the mesenteric process (MP) passed over the third part of the duodenum to enter the mesentery of the jejunum and ileum and extended up to the level of the pelvic brim. The branches of the superior mesenteric vessels were embedded in the extended MP of the pancreas. This aberrant extension of the pancreas was drained by a narrow duct, which joined the main pancreatic duct inside the head. We did not observe a separate uncinate process arising from the head. On histology normal acini and endocrine cells were observed in the extension. This variant is important as symptoms of pancreatic disease from such extensions may be confused with other commonly encountered acute or chronic abdominal conditions.