Controlled release effervescent buccal discs of buspirone hydrochloride: in vitro and in vivo evaluation studies.

In the present study controlled release effervescent buccal discs of buspirone hydrochloride (BS) were designed using HPMC as rate controlling and bioadhesive polymer by direct compression method. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid were used in varying amounts as effervescence forming agents. Carbon dioxide evolved due to reaction of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid was explored for its potential as buccal permeation enhancer. The designed buccal discs were evaluated for physical characteristics and in vitro drug release studies. Bioadhesive behavior of designed buccal discs was assessed using texture analyzer. In vivo animal studies were performed in rabbits to study bioavailability of BS in the designed buccal discs and to establish permeation enhancement ability of carbon dioxide. It was observed that effervescent buccal discs have faster drug release compared to non-effervescent buccal discs in vitro and effervescent buccal discs demonstrated significant increase in bioavailability of drug when compared to non-effervescent formulation. Hence, effervescent buccal discs can be used as an alternative to improve the drug permeation resulting in better bioavailability. However, the amount of acid and base used for generation of carbon dioxide should be selected with care as this may damage the integrity of bioadhesive dosage form.

Physical efficiency of Bengali farmers in response to change in environmental factors.

The present study was conducted on young farmers, selected randomly from a village of West Bengal. Their pre-exercise heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and other physical parameters were recorded. They were asked to perform standard step test at four different times of a day when environmental factors were recorded. Recorded environmental factors were maximum ambient temperature (Tmax), and minimum ambient temperature (Tmin) for the whole day, ambient temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), air velocity (AV), and globe temperature (Tg). The barometric pressure (P) was noted to be constant throughout the experiment. Post-exercise HR and MAP were also recorded. Our observations showed that environmental factors changed as the day progressed from the morning to noon and from noon to night; the physiological parameters of the farmers also changed. HR was lowest in the morning and night but highest in the evening while MAP was highest at midday and gradually returned to the pre-exercise level by the evening. The determined Physical Fitness Index (PFI) of the farmers was noted to be lowest at midday but highest at night. Our studies indicate that environmental factors have a role on the physical efficiency of farmers. Ta, RH and Tg appear to be primarily responsible for the alterations in the physiological functions and PFI.

Interrelation of one mile running time and HST score among rural school boys.

Peak physiological capabilities are necessary for top level performance in sports, although skills and motivation play an important role. Laboratory assessments often give us valuable insights concerning the physiological factors underlying athletic performance. The Physical Fitness Index (PFI) determined by the Harvard Step Test (HST) is one of the most important indexes which predicts the physical abilities of athletes. HST, Cooper's 12-min run-walk test and one-mile run are good measures of cardiorespiratory fitness. In the present study, we have attempted to determine the relationship between HST and the one-mile run in an open field on 31 school boys of a rural village, 14-15 years of age, who were in early puberty. The mean HST score was 90 +/- 7.07, and one-mile running time was 443.45 +/- 29.82 s. There is a good correlation between HST and running time (r = 0.94). Probable running time for one-mile may be determined from the HST score by using the regression equation: Running time in s = 783 - 4* HST +/- 0.13 (SE of estimate).