Microsponge delivery system

Microsponges are polymeric delivery systems consisting of porous microspheres having a size range in between 5 to 300 microm depending upon the degree of smoothness or after feel required for the end formulations. Microsponge Delivery System MDS is a unique technology for controlled delivery of drug. The present review introduces Microsponge technology along with its synthesis, characterization, programmable parameters and release mechanism of MDS. Wide ranges of applications are also suggested to develop drug or cosmetic products with enhanced safety and efficacy. MDS can provide increased efficacy for topically active agents with enhanced safety, extended product stability and improved aesthetic properties in an efficient and novel manner.     

The future of HIV prevention: control of sexually transmitted infections and circumcision interventions

Prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has proven effective in reducing HIV infection when treatment is available promptly for symptomatic persons in conditions of an emerging epidemic. Biologically, it is assumed that reduced genital tract inflammation reduces infectiousness for HIV as well as reducing susceptibility in HIV-uninfected persons. Male circumcision has been demonstrated effective in reducing risk for HIV infection in three separate trials from South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. Global expansion of STI treatment and male circumcision programs are vital tools for control of HIV infection; current evidence is reviewed and research priorities are presented.     

Ex vivo photometric and polarimetric multilayer characterization of human healthy colon by multispectral Mueller imaging

Healthy human colon samples were analyzed ex vivo with a multispectral imaging Mueller polarimeter operating from 500 to 700 nm in a backscattering configuration with diffuse light illumination impinging on the innermost tissue layer, the mucosa. The intensity and polarimetric responses were taken on whole tissues first and after progressive exfoliation of the outer layers afterwards. Moreover, these measurements were carried out with two different substrates (one bright and the other dark) successively placed beneath each sample, allowing a reasonably accurate evaluation of the contributions to the overall backscattered light by the various layers. For the shorter investigated wavelengths (500 to 550 nm) the major contribution comes from mucosa and submucosa, while for the longer wavelengths (650 to 700 nm) muscular tissue and fat also contribute significantly. The depolarization has also been studied and is found to be stronger in the red part of the spectrum, mainly due to the highly depolarizing power of the muscular and fat layers.     

The peroneus quartus muscle: clinical correlation with evolutionary importance

The peroneus quartus (PQ) is an accessory muscle of the peroneal/lateral compartment of the leg. The muscle has often been implicated as a cause of pain in the lateral ankle region, and subluxation or attrition of the peroneal tendons. The present study was aimed at observing the prevalence and morphology of this muscle in human cadavers. Ninety-two embalmed lower limbs were dissected for this study. The PQ muscle was found in 21% of the limbs. In all these limbs it originated from the lower part of the lateral surface of the fibula, the undersurface of peroneus brevis and the posterior intermuscular septum. In the majority of limbs, insertion was on the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneus. Taking into account the possibility of this muscle being a cause of lateral ankle pathology, the present study attempts to correlate the findings with the anatomy of the surrounding region. The frequent occurrence of this muscle in humans is suggestive of a progressive evolutionary change to evert the foot in order to assume a bipedal gait.     

Estimating the parameters of a model for protein-protein interaction graphs.

We find accurate approximations for the expected number of three-cycles and unchorded four-cycles under a stochastic distribution for graphs that has been proposed for modelling yeast two-hybrid protein-protein interaction networks. We show that unchorded four-cycles are characteristic motifs under this model and that the count of unchorded four-cycles in the graph is a reliable statistic on which to base parameter estimation. Finally, we test our model against a range of experimental data, obtain parameter estimates from these data and investigate possible improvements in the model. Characterization of this model lays the foundation for its use as a prior distribution in a Bayesian analysis of yeast two-hybrid networks that can potentially aid in identifying false-positive and false-negative results.     

Efficacy of Single Dose Azithromycin as Prophylactic Antibiotic in Surgical Removal of Mandibular Third Molars: A Clinical Study

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin as prophylactic antibiotic in surgical removal of mandibular third molar.

Materials and Methods

The study was carried out as an open clinical trial on fifty (23 males & 27 females) patients chosen from the ones referred to our Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department for surgical removal of mandibular third molar (SRMTM). Pre-surgical evaluation of pain, swelling, lymphadenopathy, fever and purulent discharge from the surgical site were made. All patients were administered oral Azithromycin 500mg, 1 hour prior to the procedure. The patients were followed up clinically for a minimum period of 10 days post operatively. Evaluation for pyrexia, purulent discharge from surgical site, persistent pain &/or swelling & lymphadenopathy was done on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 10th postoperative day to determine SSI (surgical site infection). All patients received same set of post-operative medications (Tab. Diclofenac sodium (50mg) TID, Tab. Ranitidine 150 mg BID for 5 days) and set of instructions.

Results

Surgical site infection was seen in only one patient (2%) out of the total fifty patients included in the study when oral Azithromycin was administered one hour prior to surgical removal of mandibular third molar.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that, giving antibiotics pre-operatively 1 hour before the SRMTM is beneficial to reduce/avoid SSI. The surgeon must consider all potential factors that may contribute to the post-operative complication and decide whether the benefits of antibiotic therapy outweigh its risks.     

Turning sickness in a riverine buffalo naturally infected with Theileria annulata and its successful therapeutic management

Bovine tropical theileriosis (BTT) has been recognized as a persistent major constraint in the genetic improvement programme of native cattle breeds under ‘Operation Flood’. The disease accounts for high mortality in dairy animals especially calves. A riverine she buffalo (Murrah), aged 3.5 years and weighing approximately 400 kg, initially suffered from ruminal hypotonicity, severe dyspnoea, frothy discharge, lacrimation, cessation of defaecation and anorexia, besides icterus, a mild form of anaemia and moderately elevated temperature etc., for the past few days. The buffalo developed neurological signs later on. Laboratory investigations revealed presence of Koch’s blue bodies in the lymphocytes and Theileria annulata meronts in the circulating erythrocytes. The buffalo promptly responded to the specific therapy and restored to normal haematological indices, and later on, erythrocytes were free from the piroplasms. The cerebral form of BTT in the instant case was differentiated and discussed with other diseases causing analogous neurological signs.     

Comparative Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein and WBC Count in Fascial Space Infections of Odontogenic Origin

Purpose

To assess efficacy of C-reactive protein levels as monitoring tools for patients with fascial space infections of odontogenic origin.

Material and Method

A randomized prospective study was conducted on 20 patients suffering from fascial space infection of odontogenic origin, in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Bharati Vidyapeeth dental college and hospital, Pune, Patients between 18 and 60 years of age of both the sexes were selected. All patients were treated and observed by the same surgeon. Patient’s venous blood sample was collected pre-operatively and on 2nd and 5th post-operative days for evaluation of WBC count and C-reactive protein (CRP). All patients were encouraged for strict follow-up protocol.

Result

Where the results of WBC count and CRP when compared it was seen that the mean values of WBC were normal in 15 cases and abnormal in 5 cases on day 0, day 2 and day 5; whereas the mean values of CRP were abnormal on day 0 and day 2 and were within normal limit on day 5 in all cases.

Conclusion

The findings of this prospective analysis indicate that White blood cells and C-reactive protein are effective markers for determining severity of infection, efficacy of treatment regime for patients with fascial space infections of odontogenic origin. Thus the markers also help in making treatment of patients with fascial space infections of odontogenic origin more cost effective and they also help protecting patients from side effects of excess drugs usage. Thus we conclude that CRP should be incorporated as monitoring tools for managing patients with fascial space infections of odontogenic origin.