Polymeric micelles loaded in situ gel with prednisolone acetate for ocular inflammation: development and evaluation.

Aim: Our study developed a prednisolone acetate polymeric micelles (PM) system for ocular inflammation related to allergic uveitis. Methods: For PM development, a thin-film hydration procedure was used. Irritation, in vitro, ex vivo transcorneal permeation, micelle size, entrapment efficiency and histology within the eye were all calculated for PM. Results: The optimized in situ gel (A4) showed superior ex vivo transcorneal permeation with zero-order kinetics. Conclusion: The developed formulation could be a promising candidate for treating anterior uveitis via topical application to the anterior segment of the eye.

Emphasis on Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in the Ocular Delivery of Antibiotics.

BACKGROUND: Drug distribution to the eye is still tricky because of the eye's intricate structure. Systemic delivery, as opposed to more traditional methods like eye drops and ointments, is more effective but higher doses can be harmful. Objective- The use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs) as a method of drug delivery has been the subject of research since the 1990s. Since SLNPs are derived from naturally occurring lipids, they pose no health risks to the user. To raise the eye's absorption of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, SLNs can promote corneal absorption and improve the ocular bioavailability of SLNPs. Methods- To address problems related to ocular drug delivery, many forms of Nano formulation were developed. Some of the methods developed are, emulsification and ultra-sonication, High-speed stirring and ultra-sonication, Thin layer hydration, Adapted melt-emulsification, and ultrasonication techniques, hot o/w micro-emulsion techniques, etc. Results- Nanostructured lipid carriers are described in this review in terms of their ocular penetration mechanism, structural characteristic, manufacturing process, characterization, and advantages over other nanocarriers. Conclusion - Recent developments in ocular formulations with nanostructured bases, such as surface-modified attempts have been made to increase ocular bioavailability in both the anterior and posterior chambers by incorporating cationic chemicals into a wide variety of polymeric systems.

Eggnog: process optimization and characterization of a dairy-based beverage.

Eggnog, a dairy-based beverage, comprises both milk and egg proteins. We aimed at optimizing the eggnog formulation using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. The combined effects of milk (60-75), cream (25-35) and eggnog base (6-8, all three as g 100/ml) were investigated on heat coagulation time, viscosity and thermal gelation temperature. ANOVA indicated that experimental data were well explained by a quadratic model with high check values (R2 > 0.94) and non-significant lack of fit tests. Based on the responses, an optimized formulation of eggnog with 60.0 milk, 25.0 cream and 6.50 eggnog base (as g 100/ml), could be considered best for manufacturing eggnog with desired attributes. This optimized formulation was characterized for physico-chemical, microbial and sensory attributes and the results indicated significantly higher fat and protein content than control formulation, but lesser lactose and total sugar content. Significantly higher viscosity, heat stability and lower thermal gelation temperature were also observed for the optimized formulation. Coliform, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella counts were not detected in any sample but a significantly lower total plate count was observed for the optimized formulation.

Determinants of stroke in patients with rhino cerebral mucormycosis seen during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rhino cerebral mucormycosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection of the nasal sinuses and brain, and a group of saprophytic fungi causes it. During the second wave of COVID-19, India witnessed an unprecedented number of patients with rhino cerebral mucormycosis. Invasion of the cavernous sinus and occlusion of the internal carotid artery in many cases resulted in a stroke. The study aimed to assess the clinical and neuroimaging predictors of stroke in patients with rhino cerebral mucormycosis. We also evaluated the predictors of death in these patients at 90 days. METHODS: A prospective study was performed at a tertiary care centre in India between July 2021 and September 2021. We enrolled consecutive microbiologically confirmed patients of rhino cerebral mucormycosis. All patients underwent neuroimaging of the brain. Treatment comprised of anti-fungal drugs and endoscopic nasal/sinus debridement. We followed the patients for 90 days and assessed the predictors of stroke and mortality RESULTS: Forty-four patients with rhino cerebral mucormycosis were enrolled. At inclusion, in 24 patients, the RT-PCR test for SARS-COV-2 was negative. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent (72.7 %) underlying risk factor; in most, diabetes mellitus was recently discovered. At inclusion or subsequent follow-up, stroke was seen in 11 (25 %) patients. Only seven patients had hemiparesis. Imaging revealed internal carotid artery occlusion in 17 (38.6 %) patients. Hypertension, corticosteroid use, and cavernous sinus thrombosis were independent predictors of stroke. Nine (20.5 %) died during follow-up, and stroke was an independent predictor of death. CONCLUSION: Stroke indicated poor prognosis among rhino cerebral mucormycosis patients encountered during the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Does Calcified Neurocysticercosis Affect Migraine Characteristics and Treatment Responsiveness? A Case-Control Study.

Recently, inflammation and free-radical release has been described in the surrounding brain parenchyma of seemingly inert calcified lesions of neurocysticercosis. These free radicals can induce migraine by stimulating calcitonin gene-related peptide release. This stipulated mechanism led us to hypothesize that calcified neurocysticercosis may increase migraine severity. This case-control study included patients (migraine with calcified neurocysticercosis) and control subjects (migraine without calcified neurocysticercosis) in a 1:1 ratio. Headache frequency, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score were assessed at baseline and at the end of 3 months. To compare treatment responsiveness between patients and control subjects, we treated both groups identically so that difference in treatment would not confound the results. Each group comprised 78 patients. Baseline headache frequency (11.3 ± 3.3 versus 7.9 ± 3.4), VAS score (7.5 ± 1.1 versus 6.0 ± 1.2), and MIDAS score (15 ± 7.6 versus 9.6 ± 4.5) were significantly greater in patients than control subjects. Interestingly, the change from baseline to the end of 3 months in headache frequency (6.0 ± 1.7 versus 2.8 ± 1.4), VAS score (2.6 ± 0.02 versus 1.4 ± 0.01), and MIDAS score (8.3 ± 5.0 versus 3.6 ± 2.0) were significantly greater in patients than control subjects. Our study emphasizes that calcified lesions of neurocysticercosis are not inert, and cause an increase in the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Interestingly, these patients also showed a better response to treatment with amitriptyline, possibly resulting from its anti-inflammatory action. Further studies are warranted to explore possible inflammatory mechanisms in calcified neurocysticercosis, which influences migraine physiology.