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The present study aimed to enhance the transdermal delivery of lacidipine by niosomal vesicles. Lacidipine niosomes were generated using the ultrasonic method, and Span 60 was used as a nonionic surfactant. Formulations were prepared containing Span 60 and cholesterol in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, respectively, with essential oils added at increasing concentrations. The formulated niosomes had nano-vesicles with entrapment efficiency ranging from 75.81% to 91.25% and in-vitro drug release ranging from 80.61% to 89.81%. The optimal formulation was selected based on particle size, entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release. Optical microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed a spherical shape of the niosomal vesicles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed complete encapsulation of the drug in the niosomal vesicles. The optimized formulation was also incorporated into a gel base, which was then evaluated for appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro drug release and stability. Overall, the results indicated that the developed niosomal lacidipine vesicles may provide an alternative to existing delivery systems for this drug.

Despite numerous remarkable developments in clinical therapy, the world remains firmly in the grip of fungal infections. While conventional approaches to antifungal therapy are failing, dermatophytes continue to affect people’s daily lives, especially in humid and tropical areas, and pose a major medical problem. Cubosomes, the liquid crystalline nanostructures, are among the recently developed lipid nanoparticles that could potentially overcome the hurdles of conventional therapy. In the present study, cubosomes containing luliconazole, an antifungal drug, were formulated to overcome the limitation of poor water solubility and poor bioavailability of the drug for the main purpose of treating fungal infections. Various formulations of luliconazole loaded cubosomes were prepared with different ratios of lipid (glyceryl monooleate) and surfactant (poloxamer 407) using emulsification method. The prepared formulations were optimised and the optimised cubosomal dispersion was loaded into a carbomer-934 gel to form an emulsifying gel. All cubosomal dispersions had particle sizes ranging from 124 nm to 221.1 nm, optimal zeta potential and polydispersity index, and were found to be stable. The drug entrapment efficiency of the cubosomes was over 90%. The in vitro diffusion study showed that the developed formulation had a higher release rate than the marketed formulation. The in vitro antifungal activity study confirmed that the prepared emulsion formulation was also effective against Candida albicans. The novel drug delivery system developed in this study, the cubosomal emulgel, could thus be a favourable approach for the topical delivery of luliconazole for the treatment of fungal infections.

Ebastine, a histamine H1 antagonist, nonsedating, belonging to BCS class II is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The current study was intended in augmenting the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of ebastine, by formulating a microemulsion system using oleic acid, Transcutol

Objective: The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate a fast-dissolving oral film of lurasidone hydrochlorideused as an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia capable of providing faster onset of action. Methods: The fastdissolving films of lurasidone hydrochloride were prepared by the solvent casting technique using different compositions and combinations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E-3, E-5, E-15, and K4M as fast-dissolving polymer bases. A set of seven formulations were prepared and evaluated for parameters like physical characterization, thickness, weight uniformity, mechanical characteristics (folding endurance,tensile strength), surface pH, in vitro disintegration time, drug content, and an in vitro drug release. Results: The prepared films exhibited uniform and a smooth surface with uniform weight, thicknessand 89-90% mg drug content. The formulation F7 Showed excellent elasticity and disintegration within seconds. Lurasidone hydrochloride was rapidly released in vitro from all formulations. The release was found to be rapid and maximum of 41.5% in Phosphate buffer pH 6.8 and 58.6% in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid over a period of 30 min. The further optimized formulation F7Adepicted a faster and maximum release of 78% as compared to the marketed tablet 74%. Conclusion: The developed formulation is a better alternative to tablets by its ability to produce good drug release.

Objective: To overcome the limitations of fast dissolving tablets, a novel fast dissolving film of ebastine was formulated for attaining quick onset of action, aiding in the enhancement of bioavailability favorable in severe conditions of allergies. Methods: Films of ebastine were prepared by the solvent casting method using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E-15, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K-4 as a film base with different concentrations of crospovidone as superdisintegrant and polyethylene glycol-400 as a plasticizer. Further physical characteristics such as uniformity of weight, thickness, and drug content uniformity, tensile strength, folding endurance, percentage elongation, surface pH, disintegration and in vitro drug release were evaluated. Results: The optimized formulations with film base hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E-15 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K-4 containing 8% crospovidone showed 99.34 % and 97.42 % of maximum cumulative percentage release respectively exhibiting first order kinetics. However, no significant change was observed in stability studies. Conclusion: The concept of formulating fast dissolving films of ebastine offers a suitable approach in exhibiting rapid onset of action with improved delivery.

Background: The formulation of spanlastic vesicles of luliconazole can be used to overcome its poor skin permeation and improve its antifungal efficacy. Objective: In this study, we aimed to enhance the dermal delivery of luliconazole, an antifungal drug, through spanlastic vesicles. Methods: A 23 regular factorial design was employed, using the Design Expert® software for optimization. The independent variables chosen were Span: Edge activator ratio, type of edge activator, and sonication intensity and their effect on the dependent variables, i.e., entrapment efficiency, particle size, and percentage of drug release after 8h were determined. Spanlastics were formulated by ethanol injection method using Tween 80 as an edge activator. Results: Spanlastics were found to possess sizes in the nano range with entrapment efficiencies between 77 - 88% with optimum zeta potential and polydispersity index indicating a stable formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared studies revealed complete encapsulation of the drug within the elastic carriers. The optimized spanlastic formulation was further incorporated into a gel base and was found to be sufficiently viscous, spreadable, homogenous, showed a prolonged release for up to 8h and was also found to be non-irritant. The in-vitro permeation study revealed that the flux value obtained for luliconazole entrapped in the vesicular spanlastics (0.2292 mg/cm2.h) was also found to be higher than that of the marketed (0.1302 mg/cm2.h) and conventional gel (0.1122 mg/cm2.h). The optimized gel formulation was also evaluated for its antimycotic activity. Moreover, the optimized gel formulation also possessed a greater antimycotic activity against Candida albicans. The spanlastics loaded hydrogel formulation was found to have a greater zone of inhibition in comparison to the marketed formulation, thus proving to have optimum antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Conclusion: Collectively, the results revealed that spanlastics could be a potential nanocarrier for wellcontrolled delivery and for targeting deeper skin layers, thus providing new opportunities for dermal treatment.

Jivaji uses a Lacanian theoretical frame to situate the ‘sublime’ in relation to the notion of the ‘subject’ and then interrogates ethnographic data produced within a school mathematics classroom. In this space, the subject is located with respect to an inferred ideal subject or ‘sublime object’. This relation is constitutively discordant and productive of interruptions to efforts at occupying the positive properties of this sublime object. It is suggested that these moments of interruption reveal the immanent, otherwise veiled, presence of shame as structured into the school classroom as a means to police socio-historically specific behavioural norms.

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to design gels for the topical delivery of celecoxib and evaluate with an aim to increase its penetration through the skin and thereby its flux. Method: The solubility of celecoxib is shown to be increased by preparing solid dispersions (SDs) using carriers such as mannitol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-K30), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and urea by solvent evaporation, fusion, and coevaporation methods. In vitro release profile of all SD was comparatively evaluated and studied against the pure drug. The prepared SD was subjected for percent practical yield, drug content, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, X-ray diffraction studies, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The celecoxib gel was prepared using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and Carbopol containing a permeation enhancer dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at different proportions and evaluated for drug content, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, stability, and in vitro drug release. Results: Faster dissolution rate was exhibited by SD containing 1:5 ratio of celecoxib: PVP K-30 prepared by coevaporation method. In vitro drug release of celecoxib, gels revealed that formulation with HPMC has higher drug release as compared to Carbopol. Conclusion: The increase in dissolution rate for SD is observed in the following order of PVP K-30>urea>mannitol>PEG 6000. The CPD5 gel containing a SD CP5 and 20% DMSO showed the best in vitro release 74.13% at the end of 6 h.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of neonatal mortality in the developing world. This study aims to determine the incidence, the bacteriological profile of neonatal septicaemia, their antibacterial susceptibility pattern. Methods: It is a prospective study, carried out in the tertiary care NICU of S.P. Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, from January 2014 to October 2014. Blood culture specimens were collected from neonates, identification of organisms, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern detection was done. Results: Gram negative organisms were more common (71.42%) than gram positive (28.57%). Klebsiella was the most common pathogen (48.21%) in both early and late onset septicemia. In third generation cephalosporins, only one organism (Strept. faecalis) is sensitive to ceftriaxone but cefoperazone and cefotaxim both have activity against Klebseilla and coagulase negative Staphylococcus. Ceftazidime showed better results and active against Klebseilla, E. coli, pseudomonas and unidentified gram negative bacilli. In aminoglycosides amikacin has much better results than gentamicin. Piperacillin had advantage over ampicillin. All organisms except E. coli showed sensitivity to cefotaxime. Vancomycin had good activity against gram positive organisms (enterococcus, CONS, MRSA). Neonatal mortality rate was 23.43%. Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the newborns. Prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged rupture of membranes are major risk factors predisposing neonate to sepsis. This study, showed alarming results of antibiotic sensitivity patterns. The antibiotics which are routinely used like ampicillin and ceftriaxone showed poor activity against most of the organisms.

Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to design and evaluate fast dissolving tablet (FDT) for the oral delivery containing solid dispersion of meclizine (MCZ) hydrochloride, an antiemetic drug. Methods: The solubility of meclizine was increased by preparing solid dispersions using mannitol as a carrier by fusion method. The prepared solid dispersion, was subjected for in vitro drug release, percent practical yield, drug content, infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optimized solid dispersion was incorporated to prepare fast dissolving tablets. Preformulation studies were carried out on tablet blends. The prepared solid dispersion, as well as pure drug fast dissolving tablets, was evaluated for drug content, weight variation, hardness, friability, in vitro drug release, wetting time, disintegration time, water absorption ratio, in vitro dispersion time. Results: Meclizine pure drug, solid dispersions formulations SD1, SD3 and SD5 showed 12.8, 31.68, 38.92 and 53.28% cumulative drug release in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 after 60 min, respectively. Thus faster dissolution rate was exhibited by the solid dispersion containing 1:5 (w/w) ratio of meclizine: mannitol. Percent cumulative drug release for control and solid dispersion tablets after 60 min in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 was 92.04 and 98.2% respectively. The release of drug meclizine from best formulation SD5 FDT was found to be faster than pure drug FDT. Conclusion: Fast dissolving tablet of optimized solid dispersion showed better in vitro dissolution result then FDT of pure drug at the end of one hour.

Forty-four children were studied to compare the pathogenesis of fever in cerebral malaria, uncomplicated malaria and measles at the Eldoret District Hospital (EDH). A control group of normal children was used. The three patient groups were studied for three consecutive days measuring skin and core temperature three-times a day using the Liquid Crystal Device (LCD) thermometer. A statistical analysis of the results within and between the groups was carried out for core and skin temperature over the study period. No statistical differences were found between the groups for either the skin or the core temperature, but a significant statistical difference was demonstrated between the core and the skin temperature for all of the groups for each of the three days. No statistical difference was found when the differences between the core and skin temperature were compared between cerebral malaria and uncomplicated malaria. The possible roles of fever in morbidity and mortality are discussed, with special reference to cerebral malaria.