Preclinical Explorative Assessment of Celecoxib-Based Biocompatible Lipidic Nanocarriers for the Management of CFA-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Wistar Rats.

Celecoxib (CXB), a COX-2 inhibitor, is primarily indicated for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effective therapeutic efficacy of CXB on RA via oral administration shows adverse systemic complications, and therefore, local application of CXB has been recommended. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with enhanced skin permeation potential of CXB. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and percentage drug entrapment (PDE) of the developed SLNs (CXB-SLNs) were found to be 240 nm, < 0.3, and ~ 86% respectively. The developed SLNs exhibited sustained release up to 70% at the end of 48 h. Drug permeation was found to be 45% for SLN gel and 31% for conventional gel. The dermatokinetic studies also confirmed enhanced permeation of CXB in the epidermis and dermis and revealed superiority of the developed SLN gel vis-à-vis the conventional gel. Further, in the CFA-induced arthritis rat model, % arthritis index (AI) of the CXB-SLN gel formulation was found to be very less (18.54%) as compared to untreated (187.34%) and conventional gel-treated (91.61%) animals. In conclusion, the current study can provide a suitable alternative for the development of an effective topical formulation of CXB in lipid nanocarriers.

Visfatin--a review.

Expedited research on Obesity has confirmed that, adipose tissue is highly active in secreting a variety of proteins, one among them is visfatin. It was originally identified as Pre B cell Colony Enhancing Factor (PBEF), to be secreted by the lymphocytes and can act as a cytokine with immune regulatory action. Besides, it acts as Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt), an enzyme involved in the NAD+ salvage pathway. It has been shown to help in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, but whether it binds to insulin receptor and exerts insulin mimetic activity is still a controversy. Visfatin has antiapoptotic activity and has a regulatory role in inflammation. Several studies have identified changes in the circulatory levels of visfatin in diseases. Notable among them are obesity, diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases and bone disorders. It is a molecule of clinical relevance and could be a promising biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Solar photocatalytic degradation of resorcinol a model endocrine disrupter in water using zinc oxide.

Photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of resorcinol a potent endocrine disrupting chemical in aqueous medium was investigated by ZnO under sunlight irradiation in a batch photoreactor. The influence of various parameters such as photocatalyst amount, initial concentration of resorcinol and pH was examined for maximum PCD of resorcinol. A considerable influence of pH upon the chemical oxygen demand (COD) disappearance was observed. In general, neutral or basic pH is favorable for COD removal of resorcinol. PCD intermediates were identified using FTIR and GC/MS. Two of the initial oxidation intermediates detected were 1,2,4-trihydroxy-benzene and 1,2,3-trihydroxy-benzene. FTIR studies revealed 1,2,4-trihydroxy-benzene as the major PCD intermediate. A working photodegradation mechanism is also suggested for PCD of resorcinol. This work envisages the great potential that sunlight mediated photocatalysis has in the removal of resorcinol from waste water.

Cross-referral between voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres and TB services, Maharashtra, India, 2003-2004.

SETTING: India has a high tuberculosis (TB) burden, with 1.8 million new cases per year. Although an estimated 2.5 million people are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the national HIV prevalence is <1%. India's size and diverse TB-HIV epidemiology pose a major challenge to the implementation of links between TB and HIV/AIDS programme services. METHODS: A pilot cross-referral initiative was instituted between voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCT) and the diagnostic and treatment facilities of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in four districts of Maharashtra, India. OBJECTIVE: To detect TB disease among VCT patients and selectively screen TB patients for referral to VCT services. RESULTS: Between July 2003 and June 2004, 336 (3%) of 9921 VCT patients were identified as TB suspects and 83 (29%) were diagnosed with TB disease. Of the 765 selectively referred TB cases, 181 (24%) were found to be HIV-positive, representing 11% of the newly detected persons living with HIV in the four districts. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot cross-referral initiative yielded significant numbers of active TB cases among VCT patients and HIV-positive persons among TB patients. Collaborative activities between HIV/AIDS and TB programmes need to be rapidly scaled up to other states in India.

Chitosan-tailored lipidic nanoconstructs of Fusidic acid as promising vehicle for wound infections: An explorative study.

The current research study intends to explore the combined potential of lipid nanoparticles and chitosan as an optimum therapy for the management of wound infections. Fusidic acid (FA), a steroidal antibiotic employed for treatment of primary and secondary topical infections was encapsulated within the nanoengineered lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (FA-LPHNs). A number of variables like lipid/polymer ratio, lipid, surfactant and chitosan concentration, stirring speed were optimized to get the desired particle size and % entrapment efficiency. The developed carriers were further characterized for particle size, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity studies in HaCat cell lines, ex vivo permeation studies and skin safety profile. The developed LPHNs offered nanometric size (284.67 ±â€¯5.67 nm), sustained drug release (79.31 ±â€¯0.45%) and enhanced drug permeation (72.09 ±â€¯1.26%). The changes in viability of HaCat cells were insignificant indicating the safety profile of LPHNs. The administration of FA-LPHNs resulted in 5-times and 4-times decrease in its inhibitory concentration against MRSA 33591 and MSSA 25921 respectively, along with antibacterial activity for a longer duration. Further, hydrogel incorporated nanoparticles were found to be topically applicable and compatible with mice skin. The studies indicated the superiority of FA-LPHNs for better management of wounds and associated infections over the conventional marketed product.

Rhizomucor variabilis: a rare causative agent of primary cutaneous zygomycosis.

Rhizomucor variabilis is a rare cause of human infections. We report a case of primary cutaneous zygomycosis in an immunocompetent host. Although microscopy reveals the fungal aetiology, the need for species identification is highlighted to better understand the species and establish an epidemiological pattern as it is reported from restricted geographical locations.

Maxillary rhinosinusitis due to Fusarium species leading to cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Fungal rhinosinusitis is being recognized and reported with increasing frequency over the last two decades worldwide. Intracranial extension is the most dreaded complication of fungal sinusitis with high mortality rates. We report a case of chronic rhinosinusitis in a 55-year-old diabetic male, caused by Fusarium species. The patient was diagnosed as a case of chronic left maxillary sinusitis with cavernous sinus thrombosis. The sinus lavage showed fungal elements on direct microscopic examination and culture revealed growth of Fusarium species within 4 days of incubation. Conservative therapy with IV amphotericin B resulted in favorable outcome of the patient. This is an extremely rare case where cavernous sinus thrombosis occurred as a complication secondary to Fusarium species rhinosinusitis.

Increased yield of smear positive pulmonary TB cases by screening patients with > or =2 weeks cough, compared to > or =3 weeks and adequacy of 2 sputum smear examinations for diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: RNTCP recommends examining three sputum smears for AFB from Chest Symptomatics (CSs) with cough of > or =3 weeks for diagnosis of Pulmonary TB (PTB). A previous multi-centric study from Tuberculosis Research centre (TRC) has shown that the yield of sputum positive cases can be increased if duration of cough for screening was reduced to > or =2 weeks. Other studies have shown that two smear examinations are adequate for diagnosis of smear positive PTB . To validate the above findings, a cross sectional multi-centric study was repeated in different settings in five geographical areas in India. METHODS: Three primary and secondary level health facilities with high out-patient attendance were selected from two Tuberculosis Units (TU) in each of the 15 selected districts to screen about 10,000 new adult outpatients from each state. For patients who did not volunteer history of cough, symptoms were elicited using a structured simple questionnaire. All the CSs were referred for sputum examination. RESULTS: A total of 96,787 out-patients were registered. Among them 69,209 (72%) were new adult out-patients. Using > or =2 weeks of cough instead of 3 weeks as the criterion for screening, there was an overall increase of 58% in CS and 23% increase in the detection of smear-positive cases. Among 211 patients, 210 were positive at least by one smear from the initial two specimens. Increase in the work-load if 2 smears were done for patients with cough of > or =2 weeks cough were 2 specimens (i.e. 13 to 15) per day for an adult OPD of 150. CONCLUSION: The yield of sputum positive PTB cases can be improved by screening patients with > or =2 weeks cough and two specimens are adequate for diagnosis.