Eagle syndrome occurs due to elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, which then may produce a pain sensation due the pressure exerted on various structures in the head and neck. When suspected, imaging helps in identifying the abnormally elongated styloid process or the calcified ligament. In recent years, three-dimensional CT (3DCT) has proved to be valuable in these cases. We report the case of a 62-year-old man with this syndrome in whom imaging with 3DCT conclusively established the diagnosis.

No abstract

Research articlethe deeper parts of the auricle are supplied by the vagus nerve [X] (the auricular branch) and the facial nerve [VII] (which sends a branch to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve [X]). (4) These unique features serve as a drug delivery platform for effective delivery of API molecules.The economic cost of depression and its treatment are estimated at $6 billion in Canada, US$ 83 billion and £118 billion. Depression is a chronic, recurring and potentially life-threatening illness that affects up to 20% of the population across the globe. The etiology of the disease is suboptimal concentrations of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in CNS. It is also due to consequence of dysfunctional endocrine, immune and neurotransmitter systems.Duloxetine is an antidepressant that blocks the reuptake of both serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) by presynaptic transporters and also has low affinity for muscarinic cholinergic, histamine H1, 1 adrenergic as well as serotonin and dopamine receptors (5). Duloxetine exhibits seven to nine-fold greater potency at blocking ligand binding to the serotonin transporter (SERT) than the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and is about 3.5 times more potent at blocking [3H] 5-HT uptake than that of [3H] NE. (6). Duloxetine shows a very different distribution pattern. Very low concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid is seen may be due to the fact that the drug crosses the bloodcerebrospinal fluid barrier much worse than other antidepressants do, suggesting a low ability of duloxetine to enter the brain. Alternatively, low drug concentrations may be interpreted in a sense of a missing residence time in cerebrospinal fluid due to active transport mechanisms out of this environment either back into the bloodstream or into the brain. (7) Aim of the research was to design a suitable formulation loaded with Duloxetine using a novel biopolymer from kernels of Prunus amygdalus as a bio-retardent and stabilizer for delivering nanosized Duloxetine molecule through trans acoustic epithelial route for improved therapeutic efficacy of API. Material and MethodsDuloxetine was obtained as a gift sample from INTAS Dehradun. Biomaterial was obtained from the local market; remaining materials used were of analytical grade. Satheesh Madhav, Director, DIT University, Makkawala, P.O Bhagwantpura-248009, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India, Tel: +91 9760203573; Fax no: 3000309; Email: satheesh_madhav@yahoo.com AbstractThe aim of the current research work was to formulate drug loaded nano-suspension using novel bioexcepient isolated from kernels of Prunus amygdalus and to explore the capability of external acoustic meatus as novel acoustic drug delivery system. The biomaterial was extracted by simplified economical process and was further purified by hot dialysis method. The isolated biomaterial was subjected to various physicochemical evaluations along with spectral analysis including UV, IR, Mass, NMR, SEM. The bio-nano suspension formulated with the n...

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting nanoparticles having different optical and electrical properties when compared to larger particles. They exhibit photoluminescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light, which is due to the transition of an excited electron from the valence band to the conductance band followed by the return of the exciting electron back into the valence band. The size and material of QDs can affect their optical and other properties too. The QDs possess special attributes like high brightness, protection from photobleaching, photostability, color tunability, low toxicity, low production cost, a multiplexing limit, and a high surfaceto-volume proportion, which make them a promising tool for biomedical applications. Here, in this study, we summarize the utilization of QDs in different applications including bioimaging, diagnostics, immunostaining, single-cell analysis, drug delivery, and protein detection. Moreover, we discuss the advantages and challenges of using QDs in biomedical applications when compared with other conventional tools.

No abstract

Depression is momentous mood chaos marked by a mixture of symptoms that interfere with a person’s daily activities. The oral administration serves dose dumping issues of therapeutic molecules in specially targeted delivery. So, the external auditory canal pathway was explored to deliver the API and it help to bypass the above-mentioned problem. Sonication bath method was used to prepare bio-nanosuspension loaded with escitalopram and biopolymer extracted from Tagetes patula. Different ratios of drug and biopolymer were considered and 10 formulations were formulated followed by evaluation parameters like SEM, FTIR for biopolymer and ex-vivo, stability, drug release studies, etc., for the final formulation was performed. Formulations were examined through many evaluation parameters, such as content uniformity, pH, in-vitro drug release, and many more. It was found that STP 1 (1:0.5) was the best formulation. From pharmacokinetic data and in-vitro studies revealed and concluded that acoustic meatus is a feasible pathway for molecules delivery to the brain for depression treatment.

Our aim was to target antidepressant drug loaded nano-suspension using novel bioexcepient isolated from kernels of Prunus amygdalus and explore the capability of external acoustic meatus as novel acoustic drug delivery system. We isolated the biomaterial and performed various physicochemical evaluations along with spectral analysis including UV, IR, Mass, NMR, SEM. The bio-nano suspension formulated with the novel bioexcepient was tested for its functional properties. Eight formulations of escitalopram were prepared by using biomaterial as a retardant cum stabilizer and glycerin as nanosizent. All formulations were subjected to various evaluations, including pH, dispersibility, entrapment efficiency, particle size, mucoadhesion, in vitro release and stability. Our results revealed that the biopolymer possess promising retardibility cum stability and mucoadhesivity. Based on the in vitro and pharmacodynamic results obtained, it can be concluded that significant amount of drug reaches to the brain via external acoustic meatus and so it is feasible to deliver antidepressant molecule by this novelistic route.

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 medical store (drug-retailer working in authorized drug stores) for investigating the prevalence of use of medication in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Study revealed that, 32.6% patients could show the prescription from a qualified doctor or a dentist. Less than ten percent prescriptions came from dentists. Ninety-two (57.14%) drug retailers answered that a number of patient insisted them to advice on medications for their diseased conditions. Ayurvedic physicians were prescribing allopathic drugs, as reported by ninetyeight (60.8%) drug retailers. Qualified physicians were prescribing herbal drugs, as reported by fourteen (8.6%) drug retailers. Antibiotics were the highest sold 62% followed by tonics 26%, Original Research Articleantacids 8% and other drugs 4%. Only eighteen (11.1%) heard about Essential Drugs and twenty eight (17.31%) knew the generic name of some medications. Prescriptions which are not easily readable were reported by fourteen (30.43%) drug retailers. The prices of drugs are increasing was answered by 161(100%) drug retailers. These results concluded that the drug controlling body of the government should take steps to improve the medication use in the community and ensure proper dispensing of medications with legal prescription by only registered pharmacist.