A sensitive and selective method has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine (AML), valsartan (VAL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The analytes and their deuterated analogs were quantitatively extracted from 100 μL human plasma by solid phase extraction on Oasis HLB cartridges. The chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved on a Chromolith RP18e (100 mm × 4.6 mm) analytical column within 2.5 min. The resolution factor between AML and VAL, AML and HCTZ, and VAL and HCTZ was 2.9, 1.5 and 1.4, respectively, under isocratic conditions. The method was validated over a dynamic concentration range of 0.02–20.0 ng/mL for AML, 5.00–10,000 ng/mL for VAL and 0.20–200 ng/mL for HCTZ. Ion-suppression/enhancement effects were investigated by post-column infusion technique. The mean IS-normalized matrix factors for AML, VAL and HCTZ were 0.992, 0.994 and 0.998, respectively. The intra-batch and inter-batch precision (% CV) across quality control levels was ≤ 5.56% and the recovery was in the range of 93.4%–99.6% for all the analytes. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of 5 mg AML + 160 mg VAL + 12.5 mg HCTZ tablet formulation (test and reference) in 18 healthy Indian males under fasting. The mean log-transformed ratios of Cmax, AUC0–120h and AUC0-inf and their 90% CIs were within 90.2%–102.1%. The assay reproducibility was demonstrated by reanalysis of 90 incurred samples.

A sensitive and selective method has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine (AML), valsartan (VAL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The analytes and their deuterated analogs were quantitatively extracted from 100 μL human plasma by solid phase extraction on Oasis HLB cartridges. The chromatographic separation of the analytes was achieved on a Chromolith RP18e (100 mm × 4.6 mm) analytical column within 2.5 min. The resolution factor between AML and VAL, AML and HCTZ, and VAL and HCTZ was 2.9, 1.5 and 1.4, respectively, under isocratic conditions. The method was validated over a dynamic concentration range of 0.02–20.0 ng/mL for AML, 5.00–10,000 ng/mL for VAL and 0.20–200 ng/mL for HCTZ. Ion-suppression/enhancement effects were investigated by post-column infusion technique. The mean IS-normalized matrix factors for AML, VAL and HCTZ were 0.992, 0.994 and 0.998, respectively. The intra-batch and inter-batch precision (% CV) across quality control levels was ≤ 5.56% and the recovery was in the range of 93.4%–99.6% for all the analytes. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of 5 mg AML + 160 mg VAL + 12.5 mg HCTZ tablet formulation (test and reference) in 18 healthy Indian males under fasting. The mean log-transformed ratios of Cmax, AUC0–120h and AUC0-inf and their 90% CIs were within 90.2%–102.1%. The assay reproducibility was demonstrated by reanalysis of 90 incurred samples.

Introduction: Half of facial paralysis in children is idiopathic at origin. However, dismissing facialparalysis as being idiopathic without a thorough history and meticulous examination could bedisastrous as illustrated by this case.Case report: We report a case of sphenoid wing meningioma in a 4-year-old girl. She firstpresented with only facial asymmetry that was noticed by her mother. Examination suggested aleft upper motor neuron facial nerve palsy. A sphenoid wing meningioma was found on magneticresonance imaging (MRI) of her brain. She underwent craniotomy and total tumour excision.Histopathological examination of the tumour showed a grade 1 transitional type meningioma.Meningiomas in children are rare compared to the adult population. Presentations in childrenmay be delayed due to their inability to recognise or communicate abnormalities. Distinguishingbetween upper and lower motor neuron facial palsy is crucial in decision making for facial paralysisin children.

A sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC– MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of lisinopril (LIS) andhydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in human plasma using their labeled internal standards (ISs). Sample pre-treatmentinvolved solid phase extraction on Waters Oasis HLB cartridges using 100 μL of plasma, followed by liquidchromatography on Hypersil Gold C18 (50 mm×3.0 mm, 5 μm) column. The analytes were eluted within 2.0 min usingacetonitrile-5.0 mM ammonium formate, pH 4.5 (85:15, v/v) as the mobile phase. The analytes and ISs wereanalyzed in the negative ionization mode and quantified using multiple reaction monitoring. The methodshowed excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.50–250.0 ng/mL for both the analytes. Theintra-batch and inter-batch precision (% CV) was ≤5.26% and their extraction recoveries were in the range of 96.6% –103.1%. Matrix effect evaluated in terms of IS-normalized matrix factors ranged from 0.97 to 1.03 for boththe analytes. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the plasma concentration of the drugsusing 10 mg lisinopril and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide fixed dose formulation in 18 healthy Indian volunteers.

A simple and reliable strategy was proposed to engineer the glutathione grafted graphene oxide/ZnO nanocomposite(glutathione-GO/ZnO)as electrode material for the high-performance piroxicam sensor.The prepared glutathione-GO/ZnO nanocomposite was well characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrum(FTIR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),cyclic voltammetry(CV),electrochemical impedance spectros-copy(EIS)and differential pulse voltammetry(DPV).The novel nanocomposite modified electrode showed the highest electrocatalytic activity towards piroxicam(oxidation potential is 0.52 V).Under controlled experimental parameters,the proposed sensor exhibited good linear responses to piroxicam concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 500 μM.The detection limit and sensitivity were calculated as 1.8 nM and 0.2 μA/μM·cm2,respectively.Moreover,it offered excellent selectivity,reproducibility,and long-term stability and can effectively ignore the interfering candidates commonly existing in the pharmaceutical tablets and human fluids even at a higher concentration.Finally,the reported sensor was successfully employed to the direct determination of piroxicam in practical samples.

Diabetes mellitus, a very common and multifaceted metabolic disorder is considered as one of the fastest growing public health problems in the world. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, a condition with high glucose level in the blood plasma resulting from defects in insulin secretion or its action and in some cases both the impairment in secretion and also action of insulin coexist. Historically, animal models have played a critical role in exploring and describing malady pathophysiology and recognizable proof of targets and surveying new remedial specialists and in vivo medicines. In the present study, we reviewed the experimental models employed for diabetes and for its related complications. This paper reviews briefly the broad chemical induction of alloxan and streptozotocin and its mechanisms associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Also we highlighted the different models in other species and other animals.

Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening mycosis typically seen in immunocompromised patients. Pulmonary cryptococcosis generally presents as multiple or solitary nodular opacities. Cryptococcal infection presenting as a destructing cavernoma (cryptococcoma) without diffuse infiltration of the lung is an extremely rare presentation, even in immunocompromised patients. This report presents a healthy, HIV negative, immunocompetent patient who presented with a large solitary lung mass provisionally diagnosed as a lung malignancy on radiological imaging that proved to be a large cryptococcoma after biopsy. The patient was treated with liposomal Amphotericin B and fluconazole, and the lesion showed regression on serial imaging. This case report thus highlights an unconventional presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent individual.

Diabetes mellitus, a very common and multifaceted metabolic disorder is considered as one of the fastest growing public health problems in the world. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, a condition with high glucose level in the blood plasma resulting from defects in insulin secretion or its action and in some cases both the impairment in secretion and also action of insulin coexist. Historically, animal models have played a critical role in exploring and describing malady pathophysiology and recognizable proof of targets and surveying new remedial specialists and in vivo medicines. In the present study, we reviewed the experimental models employed for diabetes and for its related complications. This paper reviews briefly the broad chemical induction of alloxan and streptozotocin and its mechanisms associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Also we highlighted the different models in other species and other animals.

Aims: Acinetobacter baumannii has been identified as one of the six most pathogenic bacteria that is the cause of most hospital bacterial infections according to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). These nosocomial pathogens are notorious worldwide due to its ability in causing lethal infections among immunocompromised patients and its resistance to many strong antibiotics. This study aims to compare the expressed proteins of two A. baumannii strain, ATCC 19606 and a pathogenic clinically isolated strain known as AB-13. Methodology and results: AB-13 clinically strain was isolated from the lower respiratory tract of a patient with pneumonia. In this study, the proteomic profile of both ATCC 19606 and AB-13 are produced using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The total protein contents were extracted, quantified and separated using 2-DE with a pH range of 4-7 to acquire the proteomic profile for comparison. The final analytical gel was analysed using Delta2D software and among the 324 protein spots successfully resolved, 10 spots exhibited signs of differential expression with 7 spots found to be downregulated and 3 spots upregulated (p< 0.01). These differences could signify the evolution AB-13 has undergone as it acquires traits ultimately aiding in its survivability, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity within varied environments especially during infections. Conclusion, significance and impact of study These findings support the presence of variation in AB-13 from a proteomic perspective, highlighting the pathogen’s evolution improving survivability and pathogenicity, warranting in-depth exploration towards understanding A. baumannii virulence and pathogenicity.
Acinetobacter baumannii--pathogenicity ; Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis ; Proteomics

Aims: This study was aimed to characterise nine clinical isolates in our culture collection that were categorized as Diutina species based on their molecular genetic profiles. D. rugosa is a species complex comprising four taxa., i.e., D. rugosa sensu stricto, D. pseudorugosa, D. neorugosa and D. mesorugosa. The most commonly used phenotypic identification methods for yeasts often lead to the misidentification of this species complex. Methodology and results: The Diutina isolates were received from two local referral hospitals as pure cultures. Species confirmation was performed using conventional phenotypic methods; CHROMagar and RapID Yeast Plus Kit. To study the inter- and intraspecific relationships among the clinical isolates, ITS region, D1/D2 domain and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were performed. The results were further validated using the housekeeping gene sequence similarity technique coupled with pairwise sequence alignment. The results from phenotypic methods results were ambiguous and inconclusive. The sequence analyses of ITS regions and D1/D2 domains revealed that the samples consisted of three yeast species; D. rugosa complex: D. rugosa (n=1), D. mesorugosa (n=6), Candida pararugosa (n=1) and Meyerozyma guilliermondii (n=1). The RAPD analysis with random primers, OPG4, OPG11 and OPA18, demonstrated good banding patterns that could distinguish between the Diutina isolates. The pairwise sequence alignment revealed that the Diutina isolates were genetically similar to D. rugosa ATCC 10571. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The molecular methods, D1/D2 domain, ITS1 and ITS4 region, and RAPD analyses have proven helpful for accurately identifying the yeasts, especially closely related species; D. rugosa and D. mesorugosa.