Controlled release floating drug delivery system for proton pump inhibitors lansoprazole: In-vitro, In-vivo floating and pharmacokinetic evaluation.

Lansoprazole (LPZ) show poor bioavailability because of first pass effect and absorption factors. The floating delivery systems could reduce fluctuations in plasma drug concentration through maintaining desirable plasma drug concentration. The objective of present study was to enhance bioavailability despite first pass effect through continuous availability of drug from floating system. Gum tragacanth (GT) and itaconic acid (IA) based floating hydrogels (FH) were synthesized. Parameters optimized were; microwave radiation exposure time, pH, GT:IA ratio and concentration of the glutaraldehyde. Optimized FH were evaluated for entrapment efficiency (% EE), in-vitro release, FTIR, SEM, and in- vitro and in-vivo floating study. Finally, pharmacokinetic was evaluated in ulcer-induced SD rats. Grafting percentage, swelling ratio and %EE of LPZ was 115%, Ì´250% and 90%, respectively. Microwave radiation exposure time, pH of reaction medium, GT:IA ratios and cross linker concentration were 2 min, pH 5, ratios 2:1 and 0.02%, respectively. The optimized FH showed acceptable floating behavior. The X-ray images revealed that hydrogels remained floated over gastric contents up to 24 hours. The in-vitro release and pharmacokinetics revealed availability of LPZ upto to 24h in-vitro and in ulcer-induced SD rats, respectively. The present hydrogels based floating system of lansoprazole is capable to extend the gastric residence time upto 24 hours.

Forensic STR profiling based smart barcode, a highly efficient and cost effective human identification system.

In forensic science, the human identification is the major goal in criminal cases and in paternity dispute, based on DNA profiling of individual. Analysis of short tandem repeat (STRs) markers used as a reliable technique for this purpose. In this study the main objective was to develop a human identification based on DNA fingerprinting using Human Identification Barcode System (HIBS). HIBS may be used to provide a unique molecular signature of human in the form of a barcode. DNA was isolated from blood by using PCR technique to detect bands to design human barcode using self-designed system. HIBS is a web based application that can be accessed via www.hibs.com.pk. HIBS can be accessed with internet access and may be introduced on security checkpoints to identify an individual based on his own DNA instead of conventional procedures of identification. The barcode generated through DNA fingerprinting will be stored in a HIBS, and may also be a part of CNIC. It may be successfully used against suicide bombers, target killers, etc., as even a single blood spot, a few skin cells, root of the hair etc., to identify such culprits. It may also be effectively used to relieve the individuals with false accusations.

Meta-Analysis of miRNAs and Their Involvement as Biomarkers in Oral Cancers.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recent studies have highlighted the role of miRNA in disease pathology, indicating its potential use as an early diagnostic marker. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs is known to affect cell growth, and these may function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in various cancers. The main objective of this study was to characterize the extracellular miRNAs involved in oral cancer (OC) that can potentially be used as biomarkers of OC. A total of 318 miRNAs involved in oral carcinoma were shortlisted. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of oral carcinoma from reported experiments were identified. Common genes between lists of DEGs of OC of each miRNA were identified. These common genes are the targets of specific miRNA, which may be used as biomarkers of OC. A list of significant biomarkers for cancer was generated like CDH2 and CDK7, and functional enrichment analysis identified the role of miRNAs in major pathways like cell adhesion molecules pathway affected by cancer. We observed that at least 25 genes like ABCF3, ALDH2, CD163L1, and so forth are regulated by a maximum number of miRNAs; thereby, they can be used as biomarkers of OC.