Development and characterization of in situ gel system for nasal insulin delivery

The objective of the present study was to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel system based on chitosan and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) for nasal delivery of insulin. The hydrogel was prepared by mixing chitosan and PVA. The concentration of the components was optimized during formulation development. The prepared hydrogel was characterized for gelation temperature, gelation time, viscosity changes, degree of swelling, in vitro release and in vivo hypoglycemic effect. The prepared hydrogel was liquid at room temperature while underwent thermal transition from solution below or at room temperature to non-flowing hydrogel when incubated at 37 degrees C for approximately 12 minutes with increased viscosity. The in vitro release of insulin from gel network was observed spectrophotometrically which was good enough to maintain blood glucose level for six hour. Furthermore, the formulation when evaluated for their in vivo hypoglycemic effect, demonstrated its ability to reduce glucose level. The observed in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the proposed thermosensitive in situ gelling system has substantial potential as nasal delivery system for insulin.

Characterization of tumefactive demyelinating lesions using MR imaging and in-vivo proton MR spectroscopy

Background and Objectives

Diagnosis of tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) is challenging to both clinicians and radiologists. Our objective in this study was to analyze and characterize these lesions clinically, biochemically, electrophysiologically, and on imaging.

Methods

A retrospective analysis with prospective follow-up of 18 cases of TDLs was performed. Imaging included T2-, T1-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), post-contrast T1-weighted, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PMRS).

Results

All the lesions appeared hyperintense on T2 and FLAIR images. Increased Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (0.93–2.21 × 10−3 mm2/s) in centre of the lesion was seen in 14/18 cases; however, peripheral restriction (ADC values 0.55–0.64 × 10−3 mm2/s) was noted in 11/18 cases. In all, 13/18 cases showed contrast enhancement with open ring ( n = 5), complete ring ( n = 1), minimal ( n = 4), and infiltrative ( n = 3) pattern of enhancement. Nine of these 13 cases also showed venular enhancement. On PMRS, nine showed glutamate/glutamine (Glx) at 2.4 ppm.

Conclusion

Clinical features along with several MRI characteristics such as open ring enhancement, peripheral restriction on DWI, venular enhancement, and presence of Glx on spectroscopy may be rewarding in differentiating TDLs from neoplastic lesions.

Near-complete absorption of intense, ultrashort laser light by sub-lambda gratings

We demonstrate near-100% light absorption and increased x-ray emission from dense plasmas created on solid surfaces with a periodic sub-lambda structure. The efficacy of the structure-induced surface plasmon resonance, responsible for enhanced absorption, is directly tested at the highest intensities to date (3 x 10{15} W cm{-2}) via systematic, correlated measurements of absorption and x-ray emission. An analytical grating model as well as 2D particle-in-cell simulations conclusively explain our observations. Our study offers a definite, quantitative way forward for optimizing and understanding the absorption process.

Growth of Jatropha curcas on heavy metal contaminated soil amended with industrial wastes and Azotobacter. A greenhouse study

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of organic wastes (biosludge and dairy sludge) and biofertilizer (Azotobacter chroococcum) on the planting conditions of Jatropha curcas in metal contaminated soils. Results showed that the plants survival rate in heavy metal contaminated soil increased with addition of amendments. Treatment T6 (heavy metal contaminated soils+dairy sludge+biofertilizer) observed to be the best treatment for growth (height and biomass) as compared with the treatment T5 (heavy metal contaminated soils+biosludge+biofertilizer). In addition, organic amendments provided nutrients such as carbon, N, P and K to support plant growth and reduced the metal toxicity to plant. The present study showed that metal contaminated lands/soils could be suitably remediated by adapting appropriate measures.

Teratogenic effects of the anticonvulsant gabapentin in mice

INTRODUCTION

We aim to study and elucidate the safety profile of the antiepileptic doses of gabapentin during pregnancy, and to evaluate gabapentin-induced murine fetotoxicity at different dose levels.

METHODS

A total of 60 pregnant mice, divided into 12 groups of five mice each, were exposed to gabapentin in four different doses of 0 (control), 113, 226, or 452 mg/kg body weight per day, at three different gestational stages including early gestation (1-6 days), mid-gestation (7-12 days), and late gestation (13-17 days). The pregnant mice were euthanized on day 18 of gestation, and foetuses were examined for teratogenic manifestations. Their brains were dissected and examined for gross changes, malformations, histological changes, and quantitative protein estimation.

RESULTS

Foetal resorptions were observed in all treated groups with gabapentin administration at early gestation (1-6 days), and mid-gestation (7-12 days). On the other hand, growth retardation along with stunting in size of live foetuses were observed in all the mid-gestation (7-12 days), and late gestation (13-17 days) treated groups. Various gross malformations were observed with all the three doses (113, 226, and 452 mg/kg body weight per day) when gabapentin was administered at mid-gestation (7-12 days). The same trends were confirmed by gross and microscopic examination of brains along with quantitative protein estimation.

CONCLUSION

Gabapentin should not be prescribed during pregnancy, as no therapeutic dose of gabapentin is safe during this period as far as the foetal well-being is concerned.

Effect of domestic processing and cooking methods on total, hcl extractable iron and in vitro availability of iron in spinach and amaranth leaves

Spinach (Spinacia oleracia) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves were stored in polyethylene bags and without packing for 24 and 48 hours in a refrigerator at 5 degrees C and 30 degrees C in polyethylene bags. The fresh leaves were also dried (oven and sun), blanched (5, 10 and 15 min) and cooked in an open pan and a pressure cooker. The processed leaves were analysed for total iron, its availability and antinutrient content. The iron content of these leaves varied from 26.54 to 34.14 mg/100 g, dry weight and its HCl-extractability and in vitro availability were 62.11-67.18% and 3.03-3.97% of total respectively. Drying and storage had no significant effect on total iron content, HCl-extractability and availability (in vitro), while blanching and cooking resulted in significant improvement of iron availability, and a significant reduction in oxalic acid content, while only blanching significantly reduced phytic acid and polyphenol contents. Thus cooking and blanching are good ways to improve HCl-extractability and in vitro availability of iron.

Effect of supplementation on haemoglobin and serum retinol levels and nutritional status of school children of northern India

Supplementation study was carried out in 66 children of 10-12 years of age for a period of about 4 months. On the basis of blood analysis, 33 children were taken as deficient having low level of both Hb (<10 g/dl) and serum retinol (< 20 microg/dl). Similar number of children (33) were selected as control purposively who had Hb > 10 g/dl and serum retinol > 20 microg/dl. Average daily consumption of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, fats and oils, and sugar and jaggery was below the recommended dietary intake in control as well as deficient subjects, however, control children consumed more when compared to deficient children. Among nutrients the daily mean intake of energy, protein, iron, n-carotene and vitamin C were found lower than RDA in deficient subjects as compared to control subjects. Feeding of 100 g/day of cauliflower leaves powder supplements i.e. biscuits and shakarpara improved the Hb, serum retinol, height, weight and nutritional status in deficient subjects. The increase in Hb, serum retinol, weight and height in supplemented group was 14.61, 33.27, 4.48 and 7.06%, respectively. Initially, 27.27% children had normal nutritional status in deficient group, but after supplementation this value was increased to 42.42%. Higher percentage of children having deficiency signs of vitamin A (6.06%), iron (66.67%), B-complex vitamin (9.09%), and symptoms of protein-energy-malnutrition (72.73%) was observed in deficient subjects as compared to control subjects.

Gibberellic acid (GA3) induced changes in proanthocyanidins and malt quality of two- and six-row husked barleys

Analysis of husked barleys for proanthocyanidins and malt quality attributes has shown that not a single variety is free of proanthocyanidins. The proanthocyanidins in barley grains varied from 3.85 to 4.94 mg/g as catechin equivalent. The concentration of proanthocyanidins decreased, while total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, diastatic power and beta-amylase activity increased during maltings as well as with exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) application. Alfa 93 (two-row) and RD2560 (six-row) varieties appeared to be superior for malting and brewing purposes on the basis of proanthocyanidins, total phenols, diastatic power and beta-amylase activity. It is suggested that exogenous application of GA3 at 15 ppm may be useful for producing good quality malt from barley grains.

Effect of domestic processing on total and extractable calcium and zinc content of bathua (Chenopodium album) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) leaves

Bathua (Chenopodium album) and fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum graecum) stored in polyethylene bags and without packaging for 24 or 48 hours in a refrigerator at 5 or 30 degrees C in polyethylene bags. The fresh leaves were also dried (oven and sun); blanched (5, 10 or 15 min) and cooked in an open pan and a pressure cooker. The processed leaves were analyzed for total and extractable calcium and zinc content. The Ca and Zn content of these leaves varied from 970 to 2230 and 10.50 to 12.30 mg/100 g DM and the percentage HCl-extractability was 80.34 to 83.04 and 82.43 to 83.90, respectively. Non significant effects of drying and storage were observed on total Ca and Zn content and HCl-extractability while blanching and cooking resulted in significant improvement of HCl-extractability of these two minerals. Thus, cooking and blanching are good ways to improve the HCl-extractability of Ca and Zn.

Effect of home processing and storage on ascorbic acid and beta-carotene content of Bathua (Chenopodium album) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) leaves

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of selected processing and storage methods on the concentration of ascorbic acid and beta-carotene in Bathua and fenugreek leaves. Methods included storage of leaves with or without polythene bags for 24 and 48 h in a refrigerator at 5 degrees C; at 30 degrees C in polythene bags; drying (sun and oven); blanching (5, 10, 15 min); open pan and pressure cooking. Ascorbic acid content of fresh leaves was 220.97 to 377.65 mg and beta-carotene content was 19.00 to 24.64 mg/100 g, DW. The percent loss of ascorbic acid ranged from 2.03 to 8.77 and 45.15 to 66.9 while lower losses (0.0 to 1.75 and 1.63 to 2.84) of beta-carotene were observed in leaves stored in the refrigerator and at 30 degrees C, respectively. A markedly greater reduction in ascorbic acid and beta-carotene was observed in dried, blanched and cooked leaves. The study data suggest that storage of leaves in refrigeration, drying in oven, blanching for a short time and cooking in a pressure cooker results in better retention of these two vitamins.

Effect of home processing on total and extractable calcium and zinc content of spinach (Spinach oleracia) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves

Spinach (Spinacia oleracia) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves were stored in polyethylene bags and without packing for 24 and 48 hours in a refrigerator at 5 and 30 degrees C in polyethylene bags. The fresh leaves were also dried (oven and sun); blanched (5, 10 and 15 min) and cooked in an open pan and a pressure cooker. The processed leaves were analysed for total and extractable calcium and zinc content. The Ca and Zn content of these leaves varied from 1320 to 2120 and 11.70 to 12.60 mg/100 g DM and the percentage HCl-extractability was 77.82 to 81.92 and 85.16 to 86.15, respectively. No significant effects of drying and storage were observed on total Ca and Zn content and HCl-extractability while blanching and cooking resulted in significant improvement of HCl-extractability of these two minerals. Thus, cooking and blanching are good ways to improve the HCl-extractability of Ca and Zn.

Effect of home processing on ascorbic acid and beta-carotene content of spinach (Spinacia oleracia) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves

The present investigation was conducted to study the concentration of ascorbic acid and beta-carotene in spinach and amaranth leaves as affected by various domestic processing and cooking methods which included storage of leaves in polythene bags or without packing for 24 and 48 hours in refrigerator at 5 degrees C; at 30 degrees C in polythene bags; drying (sun and oven); blanching (5, 10, 15 min); open pan and pressure cooking. Ascorbic acid content of fresh leaves was 624.1 to 629.0 mg and beta-carotene content was 35.3 to 53.1 mg/100 g dry weight. The percent loss of ascorbic acid ranged from 1.1 to 6.3 and 55.3 to 65.9 while lower losses (0.0 to 1.3 and 1.5 to 2.1) of beta-carotene were observed in leaves stored in refrigerator and at 30 degrees C, respectively. A markedly greater reduction in ascorbic acid and beta-carotene was observed in dried, blanched and cooked leaves. The study recommended the storage of leaves in refrigerator, drying in oven, blanching for shorter time and cooking in pressure cooker for better retention of these two vitamins.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD): an appraisal of different tests for diagnosis

Fifty symptomatic patients with GERD, 20 each of non ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) & duodenal ulcer (DU) and 10 healthy controls were subjected to various tests employed for diagnosis of GERD. Among these endoscopy and histology had highest sensitivities (92% & 91% respectively) followed by Bernstein's test (overall 88%; early positivity 72%) and oesophagography (70%). The specificities of various tests were: endoscopy (86%), histology (82%) and Bernstein's test (overall 80%; early positive 94%). The false positivity was mainly in DU subjects where majority (greater than 84%) had two or more of these tests offitive. Any two of the three tests (endoscopy, histology & Bernstein's test) in combination had a sensitivity of 80-91% and a specificity of 90-92%. Our observations suggest that these tests, particularly in combination, are useful in establishing the diagnosis of GERD and that subclinical oesophagitis in DU might be responsible for the false positivity of these tests.

Comparison of stool microscopy and serology (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) in epidemiology of amebiasis

Stools from 634 individuals from Varanasi were examined for Entamoeba histolytica (EH). Serology was done in these subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing filter paper technique. Stools were positive for EH in 16.9%, and serology in 15.9%. Both the tests were positive in only 5.2%. In 72.4% both the tests were negative. In 11.7% of stool positive cases, serology was negative, and in 10.7% with positive serology stool examination did not reveal EH. A majority (92.5%) of stool positive subjects had only cysts. Additional parasites were detected in 15.3%.

Neuroticism in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Employing a Hindi adaptation of the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ), neuroticism level was assessed in 133 subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and compared with that in patients with organic bowel disease (33), healthy population (140) and known neurotics (110). Compared with healthy controls and patients with organic bowel disease, significantly higher scores were found among irritable bowel syndrome patients in all the subscales except obsession. The total of scores was midway between those of the normal population and known neurotics. Neurotic disorder was detected in 51% of irritable bowel syndrome patients compared to 24% of organic bowel disease subjects (P less than 0.05) and 7.8% of the healthy population. Cut-off points, calculated as mean + 2 SD of scores in the healthy population, were found to be reliable as shown by clinical interview.

Irritable bowel syndrome: therapeutic evaluation of indigenous drugs

Among 169 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), standard therapy (with clidinium bromide, chlordiazepoxide and isaphaghulla), a compound Ayurvedic preparation (with Aegle marmelos correa plus Bacopa monniere Linn) along with a matching placebo were given in a double blind randomised trial for 6 wk. The Ayurvedic preparation in 57 patients was found effective in 64.9 per cent, while standard therapy (60 patients) was useful in 78.3 per cent. Patients on placebo (52 patients) showed improvement in 32.7 per cent only. Ayurvedic therapy was particularly beneficial in diarrhoea predominant form as compared to placebo. The standard therapy was more useful in the painful form of IBS as compared to placebo and Ayurvedic preparation. In gas predominant form the effect of standard as well as Ayurvedic therapy, was similar to placebo. Long-term follow-up (greater than 6 months) showed that both forms of therapy were no better than placebo in limiting the relapse.

Medical myotomy for achalasia cardia. Long term results

Pneumatic dilatation was effective in relieving dysphagia in 16/17 subjects with achalasia cardia. It was also effective and safe in those with sigmoid oesophagus, although dilatation persisted in them. Recurrences were noted in one quarter of cases which were managed satisfactorily with subsequent dilatations. There were no complications. Pneumatic dilatation appears very useful in the management of achalasia cardia.