Development and validation of analytical method for the estimation of nateglinide in rabbit plasma

Nateglinide has been widely used in the treatment of type-2 diabetics as an insulin secretogoga. A reliable, rapid, simple and sensitive reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for determination of nateglinide in rabbit plasma. The method was developed on Hypersil BDSC-18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 mm) using a mobile phase of 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) and acetonitrile (35:65, v/v). The elute was monitored with the UV–vis detector at 210 nm with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 25–2000 ng/mL. The retention times of nateglinide and internal standard (gliclazide) were 9.608 min and 11.821 min respectively. The developed RP-HPLC method can be successfully applied to the quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters determination of nateglinide in rabbit model.     

Characterization of Ribosomal Binding and Antibacterial Activities Using Two Orthogonal High-Throughput Screens

We report here the affinity and antibacterial activity of a structurally similar class of neomycin dimers. The affinity of the dimer library for rRNA was established by using a screen that measures the displacement of fluorescein-neomycin (F-neo) probe from RNA. A rapid growth inhibition assay using a single drug concentration was used to examine the antibacterial activity. The structure-activity relationship data were then rapidly analyzed using a two-dimensional ribosomal binding-bacterial inhibition plot analysis.     

Pertinent issues in diagnosis and management of wheezing in under-five children at community level

Wheezing in acute respiratory infections is a rule rather than exception. A large proportion of children (up to 75%) having ‘pneumonia’ or ‘severe pneumonia’ as per WHO definitions have associated wheezing. The current strategies to diagnose and manage wheeze in the community need to be updated, as audible wheeze is present in only less than one-third of wheezy children, and can not be relied upon solely. A history of previous episodes of respiratory distress has a high sensitivity to diagnose wheezy disorders. In a significant proportion of children, the respiratory rate comes back to normal and the chest indrawing disappear after two to three cycles of inhaled bronchodilator medications. Operational research is needed to evaluate the feasibility of including management of wheezing in the community based ARI management programs.     

Newborn screening — From ‘Guthrie age to Genomic age’

Many countries across the world have made newborn screening (NBS) mandatory. It is a laboratory test which screens the newborns for metabolic & genetic disorders, some of which can be treated or modified if detected early in life, and thereby preventing potentially disastrous consequences and saving the baby’s life. The last four decades have witnessed rapid evolution in implementation & strategies used for NBS in US, Europe, Japan & other industrialised nations where NBS is well accepted public health policy. India is going through a progressive transitional phase of control over infant mortality & morbidity due to infections and emergence of genetic conditions. This is the right time to review NBS program in totality considering the global scenario of its initiation, growth, advances in technologies & its transfer from conventional to mass spectrometry techniques, as well as selection & nature of candidate NBS disorders. Nevertheless, the impact of this worldwide movement of NBS is inadequate in India; this review article discusses the various efforts required to successfully introduce this significant health service for population benefits as well as the lacunae & limitations still exist in 21st century in India. Based on the high-risk screening of congenital metabolic conditions using mass spectrometry in India, the first hand experience of more than a decade is shared here to provide better opportunities & guidelines to those who have serious urge to pursue NBS as an important preventive public health program, be it at government, public or private level for the masses of India.