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Existing theories make different predictions regarding the effect of a pathogenic infection on the host capacity to reproduce. Terminal investment theory suggests that due to the increased risk of mortality, and the associated risk of losing future opportunity to reproduce, infected individuals would increase their investment towards reproduction. Life-history theory posits that due to energetic and resource costs associated with mounting an immune defense, hosts would decrease their investment towards reproduction, and reallocate resources towards defense and survival. Additionally, Somatic damage incurred by the host due to the infection is also expected to compromise the host capacity to reproduce. We explored these possibilities in Drosophila melanogaster females experimentally infected with pathogenic bacteria. We tested if the effect of infection on female fecundity is pathogen specific, determined by infection outcome, and variable between individual infected females. We observed that the mean, population level change in post-infection female fecundity was pathogen specific, but not correlated with mortality risk. Furthermore, infection outcome, i.e., if the infected female died or survived the infection, had no effect on fecundity at this level. At individual resolution, females that died after infection exhibited greater variation in fecundity compared to ones that survived the infection. This increased variation was bidirectional, with some females reproducing in excess while others reproducing less compared to the controls. Altogether, our results suggest that post-infection female fecundity is unlikely to be driven by risk of mortality and is probably determined by the precise physiological changes that an infected female undergoes when infected by a specific pathogen.

Aquatic insects are found abundantly and exhibits high diversity in fresh water aquatic ecosystems. They serve as food item for the vertebrate and invertebrate predators and thus play a significant role in aquatic ecosystem. Insects responded well to a wide range of environmental disturbances and thus often are employed as proxies for water quality. The present study was carried out at Tamasi Lake, situated in Bhadravati Taluka of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra which comes under Tribal area. The year round investigation was carried out to evaluate the diversity of aquatic insects for a period of one year from June 2022 to May 2023. The present investigation shows the presence of total 28 species of aquatic insects from 5 orders and 18 families. The rich and varied diversity of aquatic insects indicate the moderate environmental condition of freshwater ecosystem under study and functioning properly.

Carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs) have drawn tremendous biomedical research interest because of their unique structural features. Recently, CNMs, namely carbon dots, fullerenes, graphene, etc, have been successful in establishing them as considerable nanotherapeutics for phototherapy applications due to their electrical, thermal, and surface properties. This review aims to crosstalk the current understanding of CNMs as multimodal compounds in photothermal and photodynamic therapies as an integrated approach to treating cancer. It also expounds on phototherapy’s biomechanics and illustrates its relation to cancer biomodulation. Critical considerations related to the structural properties, fabrication approaches, surface functionalization strategies, and biosafety profiles of CNMs have been explained. This article provides an overview of the most recent developments in the study of CNMs used in phototherapy, emphasizing their usage as nanocarriers. To conquer the current challenges of CNMs, we can raise the standard of cancer therapy for patients. The review will be of interest to the researchers working in the area of photothermal and photodynamic therapies and aiming to explore CNMs and their conjugates in cancer therapy.

Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, epilepsy,depression, migraine etc. are affecting more and more elderly people’s day by day. Conventionalroute of administration to treat these diseases has to face a major hindrance that is bloodbrain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier to achieve desired concentration of drug atthe site of action for therapeutic effect. Hence, intranasal route of delivery is considered aspromising and alternative route to achieve desired goals. In last four decades, brain targetingstrategies are widely studied and considered having great potential by researchers; especiallyintranasal delivery owing to its benefits. Various nano formulations such as nanoemulsions,nanosuspensions, hydrogels, in situ gels, dendrimers and lipidic formulations are studiedwidely. Lipid nano formulations especially second generation nanostructured lipid carriersoffer greater advantages in terms of stability, fabrication techniques, scalability, drug loadingand drug targeting. Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) constitute of two major componentsviz solid lipid and liquid lipid in a specific ratio. In this review, authors have discussed aboutthe possible synergistic actions of oils/liquid lipids with synthetic drugs resulting into greattherapeutic benefits.

Abstract Degradation kinetic study ascertains the shelf life of drugs under different environmental conditions. It can facilitate the prediction of specific critical factors that can affect the quality of pharmaceuticals during storage. To date, general systematic strategies for performing degradation kinetics of drugs have not been discussed in any literature. Moreover, no regulatory guideline is available on the degradation kinetic study of pharmaceuticals. Owing to this, the kinetic behavior of drugs is not being analyzed uniformly. This article provides a detailed insight into degradation kinetic approaches including criticality in selecting different variables for the study. Factors that can affect the quality of degradation kinetic study data have been critically discussed. In addition, a systematic strategy to perform degradation kinetic study with advanced degradation models has been discussed. This article will be helpful for the researcher working in the field of stability analysis and guide to select a logical path for determining the kinetic behavior of drugs. High-quality degradation kinetic data through the properly designed study will help to establish accurate storage conditions of pharmaceuticals. This article is unique and novel of its kind and would have a significant contribution to the field of stability analysis.

To date, nanomaterials have been widely used for the treatment and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Amongst various nanomaterials, polymer-based nanomaterials are becoming increasingly popular in nanomedicine due to their functionalised fabrication and easy synthesis, making them biocompatible, cost-effective, biodegradable, and efficient nanocarriers for the delivery of drugs to a specific target cell. They act as photothermal reagents with high absorption in the near-infrared region that can transform near-infrared light into localised heat with fewer side effects, provide easier integration with existing therapies, and offer increased effectiveness. They have been combined with photothermal therapy to understand the chemical and physical activities behind the stimuli-responsiveness of polymer nanomaterials. In this review article, we provide detailed information regarding the recent advances in polymer nanomaterials for the non-invasive photothermal treatment of arthritis. The synergistic effect of polymer nanomaterials and photothermal therapy has enhanced the treatment and diagnosis of arthritis and reduced the side effects of drugs in the joint cavity. In addition, further novel challenges and future perspectives must be resolved to advance polymer nanomaterials for the photothermal therapy of arthritis.

Background: There is growing attention on anterior esthetics by both dentists and patients, which emphasizes the need for conduct of study encompassing the anatomical features of an embrasure and correlating with papilla fill. Hence the present study has been designed to meet these parameters, including food lodgement. Aim: To assess the influence of anatomical and morphological characteristics of interdental embrasures on interdental papilla and food lodgement. Objectives: Were set as the following: 1. Correlation of modified papilla index score (PIS) with interdental anatomical measurements as follows: a. Distance between Contact Point and Bone Crest (CP-BC). b. Interdental Distance (IDD). c. Embrasure Space Area (EA). d. Crown Form (CF). e. Papilla Length (PL). 2. To determine the optimal dimensions of interdental embrasure between maxillary incisors so as to be completely filled by normal healthy interdental papilla. 3. To correlate occurrence of food lodgement with Modified Papilla Index Score (PIS) and Embrasure Space Area (EA). Materials and Methods: 532 patients aged 18-58 years who had fully erupted permanent dentition and healthy gingiva with probing depth≤3mm were included into the study. Quantitative analysis of interdental papillae were done using clinical parameters along with radiographic examination. Results: The clinical and radiographic assessment of 1312 interdental papillae revealed that the interdental anatomical factors viz (which are) CP-BC distance, IDD, EA, CF and PL significantly influenced the degree of papilla fill. The study also highlighted the possible occurrence of food lodgment in patients with open embrasures. Conclusion: Embrasure anatomical parameters and papillary heightvary widely among individuals. Interdental papillary deficiency is a relative phenomenon since it is an outcome of net influence of all the other parameters. Keywords: Embrasures; Interdental papilla; Food lodgment; Papillary height; Crown form; Esthetics.

Arthritis is the inflammation and tenderness of the joints because of some metabolic, infectious, or constitutional reasons. Existing arthritis treatments help in controlling the arthritic flares, but more advancement is required to cure arthritis meticulously. Biomimetic nanomedicine represents an exceptional biocompatible treatment to cure arthritis by minimizing the toxic effect and eliminating the boundaries of current therapeutics. Various intracellular and extracellular pathways can be targeted by mimicking the surface, shape, or movement of the biological system to form a bioinspired or biomimetic drug delivery system. Different cell-membrane-coated biomimetic systems, and extracellular-vesicle-based and platelets-based biomimetic systems represent an emerging and efficient class of therapeutics to treat arthritis. The cell membrane from various cells such as RBC, platelets, macrophage cells, and NK cells is isolated and utilized to mimic the biological environment. Extracellular vesicles isolated from arthritis patients can be used as diagnostic tools, and plasma or MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles can be used as a therapeutic target for arthritis. Biomimetic systems guide the nanomedicines to the targeted site by hiding them from the surveillance of the immune system. Nanomedicines can be functionalized using targeted ligand and stimuli-responsive systems to reinforce their efficacy and minimize off-target effects. This review expounds on various biomimetic systems and their functionalization for the therapeutic targets of arthritis treatment, and discusses the challenges for the clinical translation of the biomimetic system.

Stroke is the second most common medical emergency and constitutes a significant cause of global morbidity. The conventional stroke treatment strategies, including thrombolysis, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular thrombectomy, neuroprotection, neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, hemostatic treatment, do not provide efficient relief to the patients due to lack of appropriate delivery systems, large doses, systemic toxicity. In this context, guiding the nanoparticles toward the ischemic tissues by making them stimuli-responsive can be a turning point in managing stroke. Hence, in this review, we first outline the basics of stroke, including its pathophysiology, factors affecting its development, current treatment therapies, and their limitations. Further, we have discussed stimuli-responsive nanotherapeutics used for diagnosing and treating stroke with challenges ahead for the safe use of nanotherapeutics.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to study the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on macular thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and end-stage renal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, patients undergoing HD for diabetic nephropathy were recruited. None of the patients received treatment for DR per se during the study duration. Patients underwent ocular examination and optical coherence tomography before HD and were followed up on day 3 and day 30. At each visit, central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) and total macular volume (TMV) were measured and compared with baseline values using analysis of variance and post hoc test (Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-rank test). RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes of 19 patients were recruited in the study. The mean CSMT decreased from baseline value of 278.93 ± 45.01 μ to 239.81 ± 40.54 μ at the end of 30 days (P < 0.005). The mean TMV decreased from baseline value of 8.14 ± 0.68 mm3 to 7.80 ± 0.63 mm3 on day 30 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant reduction in CSMT and TMV after HD at 30 days as compared to baseline values. HD alone results in reduction of macular thickness over short term.

Nagaraja SreeHarsha,1 Rahul Maheshwari,2,3 Bandar E Al-Dhubiab,1 Muktika Tekade,4 Mukesh Chandra Sharma,4 Katharigatta N Venugopala,1,5 Rakesh Kumar Tekade,2,6–7 Abdullah M Alzahrani8 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 2National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India; 3School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 509 301, India; 4School of Pharmacy, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Takshila Campus, Indore, MP 452001, India; 5Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa; 6Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, The International Medical University, School of Pharmacy, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; 7Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Jammu, Jammu - 181 221, J&K, India; 8Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nagaraja SreeHarshaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, PO Box 380, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaEmail sharsha@kfu.edu.saBackground: Prostate cancer (PC) has the highest prevalence in men and accounts for a high rate of neoplasia-related death. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most widely used anti-neoplastic drugs for prostate cancer among others. However, it has low specificity and many side effects and affects normal cells. More recently, there have been newly developed drug delivery tools which are graphene or graphene-based, used to increase the specificity of the delivered drug molecules. The graphene derivatives possess both π-π stacking and increased hydrophobicity, factors that increase the likelihood of drug delivery. Despite this, the hydrophilicity of graphene remains problematic, as it induced problems with stability. For this reason, the use of a chitosan coating remains one way to modify the surface features of graphene.Method: In this investigation, a hybrid nanoparticle that consisted of a DOX-loaded reduced graphene oxide that is stabilized with chitosan (rGOD-HNP) was developed.Result: The newly developed rGOD-HNP demonstrated high biocompatibility and efficiency in entrapping DOX (∼65%) and releasing it in a controlled manner (∼50% release in 48 h). Furthermore, it was also demonstrated that rGOD-HNP can intracellularly deliver DOX and more specifically in PC-3 prostate cancer cells.Conclusion: This delivery tool offers a feasible and viable method to deliver DOX photo-thermally in the treatment of prostate cancer.Keywords: graphene, photothermal, chitosan, hybrid nanoparticles, HNP, prostate cancer

The present study showed the binding interaction of 2-(4,5-Dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl)-phenol-N-methylaniline (2DHOPNA) with BSA in 1,4-dioxane, DMSO and DMF by equilibrium dialysis, FT-IR, acoustical at physiological pH and its molecular modeling study. Findings were interpreted by scatchard plot which showed an increase in association constants with increasing temperature and concentrations of the 2DHOPNA. It is seen that, the binding supposed to be more significant in 1,4-dioxane than DMSO and DMF. Thermodynamic parameters are also determined for the binding interaction of 2DHOPNA with BSA. Values of Gibb’s free energy (∆G), enthalpy (∆H) and entropy (∆S) were calculated by using van’t Hoff equation. The positive values of ∆H and ∆S showed exothermic interaction between 2DHOPNA and BSA. Similarly, negative ∆G showed the spontaneity of the binding process. ∆G becomes more negative with increase in temperature, indicated feasibility of the binding interaction at high temperature. Molecular modeling confirmed the binding interaction having energy of -210.13. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v12i3.1450

A large number of hydrophilic and hydrophobic carriers in pharmaceutical excipients are available today which are used for formulation of solid dispersions. Depending on nature of carriers the immediate release solid dispersions and/or controlled release solid dispersions can be formulated. Initially crystalline carriers were used which are transformed into amorphous solid dispersions with enhanced properties. The carriers used previously were mostly synthetic one. Recent trend towards the use of natural carriers have replaced the use of synthetic carriers. This review is the overview of various synthetic, natural, semisynthetic, modified natural hydrophilic carriers used for formulation of solid dispersions.

It is well known that the presence of a blood–brain barrier (BBB) makes drug delivery to the brain more challenging. There are various mechanistic routes through which therapeutic molecules travel and deliver the drug across the BBB. Among all the routes, the transcellular route is widely explored to deliver therapeutics. Advances in nanotechnology have encouraged scientists to develop novel formulations for brain drug delivery. In this article, we have broadly discussed the BBB as a limitation for brain drug delivery and ways to solve it using novel techniques such as nanomedicine, nose-to-brain drug delivery, and peptide as a drug delivery carrier. In addition, the article will help to understand the different factors governing the permeability of the BBB, as well as various formulation-related factors and the body clearance of the drug delivered into the brain.

This study reports the CD44 receptor-targeted gold-doxorubicin nanocomposite (TGNC-DOX) for pulsatile chemo-photothermal therapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The developed TGNC-DOX was nanometric, having a particle size of 71.34 ± 3.66 nm. The doxorubicin was loaded by electrostatic interaction with high entrapment and loading efficiency (>75%). TGNC-DOX showed potent photothermal response and reversible photothermal stability following irradiation with 808 nm NIR laser irradiation. Further, TGNC-DOX showed laser-responsive and pH-dependent drug release behavior suggesting its suitability for chemo-photothermal therapy, specifically at the tumor microenvironment site. Cellular viability, cellular uptake, ROS generation, and apoptosis assays suggested selective localization of TGNC-DOX in cancer cells that showed a significant cytotoxic effect against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Moreover, the developed TGNC-DOX showed ferroptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. The event of TGNC-DOX-mediated thermal ablation is marked by a significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, as affirmed by flow cytometry. NIR-808 laser-responsive photothermal therapy of cancer cells was found to be more effective than without NIR-808 laser-treated cells, suggesting the fundamental role of photothermal ablation. The outcome concludes developed TGNC-DOX is a novel and potential tool to mediate laser-guided chemo-photothermal ablation treatment of cancer cells.

We present a case of prepapillary venous loop complicated by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). A 56-year-old female reported to us with blurring of vision in the right eye, noticed 8 days ago. Fundus examination in the right eye showed multiple superficial retinal hemorrhages in all the four quadrants with dilated veins and cystoid macular edema, suggestive of CRVO. Prepapillary venous loops were seen in both the eyes. In our case, both the eyes had an abnormal venous anatomy at the disc. On fundus fluorescein angiography, only the looped segment showed laminar flow in late phase in both the eyes. Hence, patients with an abnormal retinal venous anatomy should be treated with caution as they are considered to be at a high risk of retinal vein occlusion.

This article is presented for reporting a case of an extracted maxillary lateral incisor before orthodontic treatment planning, and canine substitution was performed as best option remained. This procedure required special consideration for esthetics and functional issues. A 21-year-old female patient with missing upper right lateral incisor with Class I bimaxillary protrusion came to seek treatment for malaligned teeth. Previously, she tried getting them corrected by extracting most prominent tooth which was maxillary right lateral incisor most probably. As she must have strongly requested to the previous dental surgeon about extraction, she got the lateral incisor removed. But to patient's displease, extraction of upper right lateral incisor didn't solve the problem and came to Orthodontist for correction of malaligned teeth. This skeletal Class II patient was having lateral tongue thrust on the right side causing posterior open bite, and on the left side, premolar and molar were in crossbite. Over-retained and malpositioned 53 caused 13 impacted and might have caused 12 to erupt so much labially that it needed to be removed. At the end of treatment, the patient was having Class II molar relation on both sides. The upper right canine was reshaped to look like lateral incisor. Esthetic results were satisfactory to the patient.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the tobacco-related genotoxic effects in individual with habit of smoking and chewing tobacco. Materials and Methods: The present study sample consisted of 120 individuals attending the outpatient department of D. J. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh (UP). The sample was divided into four groups as follows: Group I (individuals with habit of smoking tobacco), Group II (individuals with habit of chewing tobacco), Group III (individuals with habit of smoking and chewing tobacco), and Group IV control group (nontobacco-exposed individuals). Patients were asked to rinse their mouth gently with water. The exfoliated cells were obtained by scraping the buccal mucosa of individuals with a wooden spatula. The scraped cells were placed on the precleaned slides. The smears were then stained with RAPID-PAP™ and analyzed under the microscope. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: In the present study, an arbitrary unit was obtained using frequency/day multiplied by the duration of years (risk multiplication factor [RMF], a positive and significant correlation were observed between the RMF and the mean percentage of micronucleated cell count in smokers, chewers, and in individuals with both smoking and chewing habit, respectively. A weak positive and nonsignificant correlation were observed between age and mean percentage of micronucleated cells in smokers and smokers + chewers, respectively, while it was weak negative and nonsignificant in chewers. In control group, correlation between age and percentage of micronucleated cells was weak positive and nonsignificant at 5% level of significance. Conclusion: The micronuclei in exfoliated mucosal cells from buccal mucosa can be used as a biomarker of genotoxicity in predicting the effects of carcinogens.

Abstract Objective To investigate the Ki 67 expression and its correlation with clinicopathological features and 3 years as well as 5 years survival rate in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology Total 217cases of OSCC primarily treated with surgery with or without radiation were included. All patients were followed up for 3 years and 150 were followed up of 5 years for disease free survival. The immunohistochemistry was carried out on neutral buffered formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue to evaluate the expression of Ki67. Results The Ki67 labeling index (LI) was significantly higher with respect to adverse clinicopathological parameters such as histopathological grading (p

Maxillary lateral incisors are most common teeth to be found missing. They also are the most common teeth that need esthetic replacement. A 23-year-old female patient with missing maxillary lateral incisors was treated orthodontically: laterals were replaced with implants. Challenges while doing this case are discussed in the following case report.

In this paper we account the interaction of the Carboxamide derivatives of amino acid viz 2-{[2-(cyclohexycarbamoyl) benzoyl] amino} propanoic acid (2CMPA), 2-Benzamido acetic acid 2-cyclohexyl carboxamide (2BA2C), 2-{[2-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl) benzoyl] amino}-3-methylbutanoic acid (2CA3MBA), 2-benzamido-4-methylpentanoic acid-2-cyclohexyl carboxamide (2-BMCA) and 2-{[2-(cyclohexycarbamoyl) benzoyl] amino}-4-(methylsulfanyl) butanoic acid (2CA4MBA) with protein Bovine serum albumin (BSA) using ultrasonic interferometer technique. Ultrasonic velocity for complex solution of different compounds of carboxamide derivatives of amino acid with BSA has been measured at their different composition using ultrasonic interferometer. Difference in the ultrasonic velocity at different compositions of complex is measure of binding of the compounds with BSA. Binding effect at various pH viz. 3, 4 and 5 shows that compounds bound to the BSA more significantly at acidic pH and association constant decreases with increase in pH value. Scatchard analysis gives the values of association constants (Kf) for all the compounds at pH 3, 4 and 5 respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i5.1161

This paper presented the comparative binding interaction of ethyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (4-HP2OTP) and ethyl-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (2-HP2STP) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 1,4-dioxane, DMSO and DMF by equilibrium dialysis, FT-IR and acoustical study at physiological pH. The binding data obtained was interpreted by scatchard plot, which gives the association constants. An increase in association constants is observed with increase in temperature and concentration. FT-IR study explains the binding through shifting in peak positions of amide I and II. It explained the changes in secondary structure of BSA on binding with the drugs. The free energy (∆G), enthalpy (∆H) and entropy (∆S) values were calculated by using van’t Hoff equation. The negative ∆G showed the spontaneous process and positive values of ∆H and ∆S showed endothermic interaction between ligands and BSA. ∆G becomes more negative with increased in temperature, indicated feasibility of binding interaction at high temperature. The positive values of ∆H and ∆S also showed specific electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction between ligand and BSA. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i2.1116

The aim of this study was to design, optimize, and develop metronidazole (Met) loaded nanoparticles (MetNp) by employing quality-based design (QbD) as well as a risk assessment methodology. A fractional factorial design was used by selecting five independent variables viz., chitosan concentration, tripolyphosphate concentration, and acetic acid concentration as material attributes, stirring speed, and stirring time as process parameters, whereby their influence on two dependent variables such as particle size (PS) and %entrapment efficiency (%EE) was studied. MetNp were synthesized by employing an ionic-gelation technique and optimized formula obtained from the QbD design study. PS and %EE studies revealed the formation of MetNp with 558.06 ± 2.52 nm and 59.07 ± 2.15%, respectively. Furthermore, a Met release study in various simulated gastro-intestinal media suggested pH-triggered (pH > 7.0) and sustained release profile of Met from Eudragit S100 enteric-coated MetNp capsule (MetNp cap). Moreover, the stability investigation of formulations confirmed good stability with respect to their PS and residual drug content (RDC) at different temperature conditions. In conclusion, the QbD method was effectively utilized in the development of MetNp and enteric-coated MetNp cap depicting their potential to release Met through MetNp cap only in the colon region and can be utilized for the treatment of amoebiasis in the colon.

We report enhanced catalytic activity of CuO nanopetals synthesized by microwave-assisted wet chemical synthesis. The catalytic reaction of CuO nanopetals and H2O2 was studied with the application of external light source and also under dark conditions for the degradation of the hazardous dye methylene blue. The CuO nanopetals showed significant catalytic activity for the fast degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B (RhB) under dark conditions, without the application of an external light source. This increased catalytic activity was attributed to the co-operative role of H2O2 and the large specific surface area (≈40 m2·g−1) of the nanopetals. We propose a detail mechanism for this fast degradation. A separate study of the effect of different H2O2 concentrations for the degradation of methylene blue under dark conditions is also illustrated.

Diacerein, anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Being a BCS class II drug, it has poor solubility, dissolution rate and other physicochemical properties. Thus the aim of present study was to prepare co-crystals of diacerein to improve solubility, dissolution rate. The diacerein co-crystals were prepared using urea and tartaric acid as conformer by Solvent drop grinding method. The diacerein co-crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The co-crystals were evaluated for solubility, dissolution rate and other physicochemical properties and compared with commercial diacern sample. The co-crystals exhibit the difference in the size and shape of crystals. The FT-IR spectra of diacerein co-crystals showed slightly different in the characteristic peaks compared to commercial diacerein sample. DSC data indicate the decrease in the melting endotherm of co-crystals compare to diacerein. The co-crystals with urea showed increase and intense peak and co-crystals with tartaric acid showed decreased number of peaks compared to commercial diacerein. The co-crystals of diacerein formulated in to the Tablet and evaluated for tablet properties. The tablet formulation showed improved tablet characteristics as well as dissolution rate compared to commercial diacerein

Introduction: The degree of vascularity of the diseased mucosa in Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) has always been a matter of debate with conflicting results. Knowledge of this aspect is important to understand pathogenesis of OSMF, which in future could be translated into therapeutic strategies. Aim: In the present study, attempt has been made to investigate parameters like Mean Vascular Density (MVD), Total Vascular Area (TVA) and Mean Vascular Area (MVA) using CD34 antibody. Materials and Methods: Forty five previously untreated histopathologically diagnosed cases of OSMF were retrieved from archives and fifteen age and sex matched healthy volunteers without habits were included in the control group. Sections were immunohistochemically stained for CD 34 and morphometric analysis was performed. For statistical analysis ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test and Mann Whitney U tests were used and p-values

Aim: Regarding the high prevalence of hyperlpidaemia, which is one of the major risk fa ctors of cardiovascular disease and uncertain reports about the relation between periodontal disease and serum lipid profile, this study was conducted to assess the relation. Materials and Methods: The cohort study was conducted on 45 cases including 30 persons with chronic periodontitis as case group, and 15 healthy subjects as control group. Both groups had same age and weight ranges, sex and diet, without any periodontal treatment history in the past six months, underlying systemic disease such as diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic drugs or active tobacco smoking history. Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels (CHOL) were measured by direct enzymatic assay. Results: TG level was 116.713+/-30.485 mg/dl in control group and 166.197+/-69.332 in case group (P =

Measuring open channel flows has been a major challenge at the field level. Because of the fact that the measuring devices are to be made from procedures and materials prescribed in standard codes. Weirs over a period of time had been used to measure discharges in open channel systems. But non-availability of standard material at village level proves to be a major bottleneck in implementing weirs as field measurement devices. The present experimental study is an attempt to prove the good hydraulic performance of weirs made of locally available metal sheets. That use of complicated material and machining is not necessary in the fabrication of rectangular weir. A discharge formula for the rectangular weir of different sizes is extensively studied. From the experimental study it is concluded that the Cd value for each weir is nearly same. Also material and slight variation in thickness has no effect on the Cd value in case of rectangular sharp crested weir.