Articles

In this investigation, solid dispersions were prepared and characterized to improve the solubility and dissolution of poorly water soluble drug Ketoprofen, using glucosamine HCl as a carrier. For the improvement of the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water soluble drugs different techniques are used such as solubilization, salt formation, particle size reduction and solid dispersion etc, but in the present study, solid dispersions (SDs) of poorly water soluble NSAID Ketoprofen were prepared to improve its solubility and dissolution rate, using solvent evaporation method with drug-carrier ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. Our results indicate that all solid dispersions of Ketoprofen and Glucosamine HCl exhibited more enhancements in solubility and dissolution rates than corresponding physical mixtures. The DSC thermograms and X-ray diffraction patterns showed a slight reduction in crystallinity in solid dispersions which were further verified by FT-IR and SEM. It is concluded that solid dispersion is an effective technique for enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug Ketoprofen using Glucosamine HCl as a carrier. This amino sugar (Glucosamine HCl) could be used as a novel potential carrier for preparation and formulation of SDs and would have potential commercial benefits.

Background: Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders in a long-term fashion that may cause drug dependence. Discontinuation after prolonged administration may lead to withdrawal expression, being anxiety the most predominant sign. It has been described that a context-dependent associative learning process underlies diazepam dependence. Nitric oxide is a crucial player in learning and memory processes, hippocampal transmission, as well as in benzodiazepines withdrawal. Considering that previous results from our laboratory showed an increase in hippocampal functional plasticity only in diazepam dependent rats, the aim of the present investigation is to determine whether diazepam dependence could alter neuronal nitric oxide synthase enzyme (NOS-1) expression within the hippocampus, by using western blot. Results: chronic diazepam-treated animals that developed dependence showed increase in NOS-1 expression in dorsal, but not in ventral hippocampus, while no-dependent or control animals presented similar NOS-1 protein levels. Conclusion: withdrawal from long-term diazepam exposure could be associated to increased nitric oxide neurotransmission within dorsal hippocampus induced by NOS-1 over-expression. This mechanism could underlie the improved hippocampal synaptic transmission previously observed in diazepam withdrawn animals. Confirmatory experiments need to be addressed to determine the mechanisms by which nitric oxide participates in benzodiazepines withdrawal in order find new molecular targets to develop pharmacological tools to prevent the withdrawal syndrome

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide, it is accepted as the gold standard in the treatment of symptomatic gallstones for its minimal invasiveness, less pain and early recovery. Purpose: To predict the difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients according to the recently published scoring system and select the difficult cases to be done by a senior surgeon. Patients: This is a prospective cohort study. This study took place Oct 6th University Hospital and Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo university; the study involved 120 patients admitted with calcular cholecystitis, arranged for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after applying the scoring system. Results: In our study we found that age, sex and ultrasonographic data were significant predictive factors for assessment preoperatively difficult cases that will be operated upon. We found 14 patients above 50 years who scored to be difficult and very difficult were at outcome difficult, only three patients converted to open surgery over fifty. Conclusion: We can report that obese patient who were over fifty with history of previous upper abdominal surgery and ultrasonographic picture showed thick walled GB and pericholecystic collection had high risk of conversion. At this study scoring system was used for prediction of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy sensitivity was 93.75% and specificity was 52.94% of the scoring system at score 5 for prediction of easy or difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A 51-year-old women presented with asymptomatic multiple polypoidal nodules over scalp with simultaneous papularnodular skin eruptions involving nose, nasolabial folds and forehead for 40 years duration. Her daughter also noted to be having multiple papularnodular skin eruptions involving nose, nasolabial folds and forehead which raised curiosity of possible familial condition. The punch biopsy of polypoidal nodule indicating histological evidence of spiradenoma was favour in diagnosis of Brook Spienger Syndrome. We report this case as this is a rare clinical entity.

A rare case of Diabetic Foot in male of middle age has been shown.

Ocular disorders encompass a multitude of diseases that are unique in their cause, therapy and degree of severity. Due to distinctive morphology of the eye, efficient ocular drug delivery has proven to be a difficult task. Current treatments of ophthalmological diseases include the usage of both intrusive as well as nonintrusive methods such as injections, eye drops, ointments, gels etc. The current state of the art drug delivery methods are associated with low bioavailability and therefore nanotechnology based drug delivery approached are evolving as for improving the therapeutic index of currently used drugs against variety of ocular disorders. This review highlights the recent developments in nano-formulations for ophthalmic treatment and also offers discussions towards the future prospectus of nano-formulations in the mainstream of ophthalmic diseases.

Introduction: The tracheobronchial injuries are usually fatal and some of the lucky people can reach emergency services without dying in the place of trauma. They can cause severe symptoms which can be lifetreathing. This type of injuries must been taken carefully and need to decide fast what treatment you going to give. Case report: We present a 53 years old patient who has been stabbed during a fight and got his trachea ruptured. His complaints shortness of breath and neck swelling. He can be treated conservatively with bronchoscopic and clinical evaluation. Discussion: Tracheobronchial injuries are life-threatening and the airway must be secured first. They can be treated conservatively in some cases. CT can be useful but fiberoptic bronchoscopy is the key in diagnosis. Conclusion: Although early treatment of tracheal lacerations is urgent surgery, it is reported that these injuries can be treated with conservative methods under appropriate conditions.

The use of unlicensed and off-label medicines in children is widespread and has raised an increasing concern over the last years. The majority of medicines taken by children are extemporaneously compounded by pharmacist, and there is a lack of information regarding bioavailability, suitability and stability. These formulations must be prepared from pure active substance and not from commercially available dosage forms. The development of paediatric formulations, particularly those suitable for very young children, can be a challenge to pharmacists. There is limited knowledge available about the acceptability of different dosage forms, administration volume, dosage form size, taste, safety of formulation excipients regarding to age and development status. The selection of formulation and route of administration depends on the disease being treated and the clinical condition. European Guidelines and reflection papers recommend that pharmaceutical development should consider some parameters like capability, acute or long-term illness, caregiver convenience, disability, culture differences and formulations more attractive to children must be explored.

The lymphatic system consists of small non-contractile lymph vessels which collect fluid from the interstitial space and carry it to the major contractile lymphatic vessels with valves that maintain a unidirectional flow to the lymph nodes and is responsible for returning proteins, lipids and water from the interstitium to the venous system near the junction of the subclavian vein and internal jugular vein on both sides. Lymphedema would be the result of the failure of transport with the further accumulation of fluid rich in protein at the interstitium, especially in limbs. Primary lymphedema, which affects 1.15 / 100000 children (especially pre-pubescent girls), not always clinically evident at birth, is a genetic disorder that represents many different subsets of phenotypes: congenital or congenital lymphangiectasia, congenital trofoedema family or Meige, congenital amniotic band and essence or idiopathic. The most common form of presentation is due to congenital absence or abnormality of the lymphatic tissue caused by a genetic mutation of the genes responsible for the development of lymphatic vessels that is characterized by the difficulty of draining lymph vessels. This genetic alteration may be sporadic or inherited.

Aims: Implication of modified N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in synaptic plasticity and learning was investigated in normal and pathological conditions. Study design: We studied the efficiency of synaptic plasticity, the development of the long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD) in olfactory cortex slices, treated with antisense or sense oligodeoxynucleotides (aODNs and sODNs) to the GluN1 subunit of NMDAR. Main outcome: aODNs induced the LTD development in slices after high-frequency tetanization. Contrariwise, in sliced treated with sODNs the enhanced LTP developed. Under conditions of severe anoxia (10 min), treatment of slices with aODNs and sODNs contributed to the preservation of synaptic activity which has been blocked in the control untreated slices. In practical implications such directed up- and down regulation of NMDAR might be useful in the readjustment of brain activity by the controlling balance of excitation/inhibition.