BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most prevalent of all intracranial tumours. Although they are mostly benign, about 20% of meningiomas are atypical or malignant. Knowledge of their histologic grade can be clinically useful while planning surgery. OBJECTIVES: To differentiate between various grades and subtypes of meningiomas with advanced MR parameters. METHOD: We assessed the advanced MR imaging characteristics of 27 histopathologically confirmed meningiomas on a 3T MRI, of which 23 were grade I meningiomas (2 fibroblastic, 9 meningothelial, 9 transitional, 3 unspecified) and 4 were grade II/III meningiomas (2 atypical, 1 papillary, 1 anaplastic). Analysis of the ADC, FA, λ1, λ2, λ3 and mean diffusivity was performed using standard post-processing software. RESULTS: The mean size of atypical meningiomas (5.9 cm ± 0.7 cm) was significantly higher (p = 0.038, 95% confidence interval [CI]) than that of typical meningiomas (4.6 cm ± 1.6 cm) with a cut-off value of 6.05 cm (75% sensitivity and 87% specificity). The mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) (ASL) of atypical meningiomas (286.70 ± 8.06) was significantly higher (p = 0.0000141, 95% CI) than that of typical meningiomas (161.09 ± 87.04) with a cut-off value of 276.75 (66.7% sensitivity and 75% specificity). Among the typical meningiomas, transitional subtypes had the lowest ADC. High FA and planar coefficient (CP) values and low λ3 and spherical coefficient (CS) values were seen in fibroblastic meningiomas. Fibroblastic meningiomas also showed the lowest vascularity among typical meningiomas. CONCLUSION: Tumour size and ASL perfusion are two parameters that could differentiate between typical and atypical meningiomas while ADC, FA, λ3, CP, CS, rCBF and rCBV may be helpful in distinguishing different subtypes of typical meningiomas.

Abstract A primigravida at 32 weeks of gestation presented to us with eclampsia and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) along with SARS COVID-19 pneumonia. Immediate termination of pregnancy was done under general anesthesia and patient was electively ventilated in view of increased oxygen requirements. Further therapy using magnesium sulphate, antihypertensives, steroids, and convalescent plasma was carried out. The condition of the patient steadily improved leading to her extubation on the 4th postoperative day and subsequent discharge on the 8th day of admission.

Abstract The dynamics of rising bubbles in a liquid sodium pool plays a significant role in the estimation of the radiological source term during anticipated transients and normal operation of a fast reactor. Sodium is chemically reactive with air and water. Therefore, carrying out experiments using sodium on a reactor scale level requires extra precautions. We report an in-house experimental technique to depict the bubble dynamics along with numerical support to establish similarity behavior between water and liquid sodium, to reduce the number of experiments in sodium systems for in-depth knowledge of bubble dynamics in the case of the fast breeder reactor. In the present work, 3-D bubble dynamics is studied in the OpenFOAM platform and the validated numerical model is used to study bubble dynamics in sodium to establish similitude between the water and sodium systems. The bubble aspect ratio of 0.9 cm diameter bubbles in the sodium system is found to be in close agreement with that of 0.5 cm bubbles in the water system. Experimental and numerical findings suggest similarity of the aspect ratio between water and scaled-up sodium systems. The similarity criteria established between water and sodium are found to be very useful in conducting water-based experiments to study bubble dynamics in sodium systems.

Objetivo: La vía oral siempre ha sido la ruta preferida de administración de fármacos en muchas enfermedades y hasta hoy es la primera forma investigada en el desarrollo de nuevas formas de dosificación. El principal problema en las formulaciones de fármacos orales es la baja y errática biodisponibilidad, lo que resulta fundamentalmente por la escasa solubilidad en agua, con lo que plantean problemas en su formulación. Para la administración terapéutica de los grupos activos lipófilos (BCS clase II drogas), las formulaciones a base de lípidos están teniendo cada vez más atención. Métodos: Con ese objetivo, a partir de los sitios web de PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, y sus registros se utilizaron como fuentes principales para llevar a cabo la búsqueda de los artículos de investigación más importantes publicados sobre el tema. A continuación, la información fue analizada cuidadosamente, poniendo de relieve los resultados más importantes en la formulación y desarrollo de sistemas de administración de fármacos auto-emulsionante micro, así como su actividad terapéutica. Resultados: El sistema de administración de fármacos autoemulsionante (SMEDDS) ha ganado más atención debido a la mejorada que permite la reducción de la biodisponibilidad oral en dosis, los perfiles temporales más consistentes de la absorción del fármaco, la orientación selectiva de fármaco (s) hacia la ventana de absorción específica en el tracto gastrointestinal, y la protección del fármaco (s) desde el entorno poco receptivo en el intestino. Conclusiones: Este artículo proporciona una visión completa de SMEDDS como un enfoque prometedor para abordar eficazmente el problema de moléculas poco solubles.

Aim: Oral route has always been the favorite route of drug administration in many diseases and till today it is the first way investigated in the development of new dosage forms. The major problem in oral drug formulations is low and erratic bioavailability, which mainly results from poor aqueous solubility, thereby pose problems in their formulation. For the therapeutic delivery of lipophilic active moieties (BCS class II drugs), lipid based formulations are inviting increasing attention. Methods: To that aim, from the web sites of PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, and Registry were used as the main sources to perform the search for the most significant research articles published on the subject. The information was then carefully analyzed, highlighting the most important results in the formulation and development of self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems as well as its therapeutic activity. Results: Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) has gained more attention due to enhanced oral bio-availability enabling reduction in dose, more consistent temporal profiles of drug absorption, selective targeting of drug(s) toward specific absorption window in GIT, and protection of drug(s) from the unreceptive environment in gut. Conclusions: This article gives a complete overview of SMEDDS as a promising approach to effectively deal with the problem of poorly soluble molecules.

Aim: Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers inherent properties have made it the nanocarrier of choice in the current era of innovation. Dendrimer based products are growing and mushrooming like anything in the current time. Although it suffer from hemolytic toxicity which could be reduced by protecting free amino group. Methods: In the present work alternate acetylated method for PAMAM dendrimers was discussed. 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide Linker was used for acetylation. The acetylated conjugate was evaluated for color reaction, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetric, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra studies. Results: The PAMAM dendrimers were synthesized using divergent approach and further acetylated. Change in λmax values from 282.0 to 282.5 nm was observed for acetylated dendrimers. Characteristic peak of N-H stretch of primary amine at 3284.16 cm-1 was disappeared due to conversion of primary amine to secondary amine. A new peak of -(CO)-NH stretch was obtained at 1640.28 cm-1 (medium) which shows attachment of acetic acid surface group. The changes in Endothermic peak from 120.56 to 110.40ºC were observed which shows the PAMAM dendrimers surface modifications The peak of -NH2 at 2.99 ppm was replaced by (-NHCOCH3) at 2.42 ppm further supports the proof of acetylation. Conclusions: The spectral data clearly revealed that this approach for acetylation gives considerable amount of acetylation in less time duration with elimination of organic solvent. This method could be employed for regular acetylation of amine terminated nanocarriers. EDC linker mediated capping of amine groups opened a new avenue for acetylation of amine terminated protein/peptides.

Objetivos: Las propiedades inherentes de la poliamidoamina (PAMAM) la han convertido en el nanotransportador de elección en la era actual de la innovación. A pesar de que sufren de toxicidad hemolítica que podría ser reducido mediante la protección del grupo amino libre. En el presente trabajo se discutió el método alternativo de acetilación para los dendrímeros PAMAM. Material y Métodos: El enlazador 1-Etill-3-(3-dimetilaminopropil) carbodiimida (EDC) se utilizó para la acetilación. El conjugado acetilado se evaluó mediante la reacción de color, mediante espectroscopia Ultravioleta visible, espectroscopia infrarroja con transformado de Fourrier, Calorimetría Diferencial de barrido y los estudios de los espectros de Resonancia magnetica nuclear. Resultados: Los dendrímeros PAMAM se sintetizaron utilizando el método divergente y más acetilado. Cambio en los valores λmax 282,0 a 282,5 nm se observó para dendrímeros acetilados. El pico característico del NH de amina primaria a 3284,16 cm-1, desapareció debido a la conversión de amina primaria a amina secundaria. Un nuevo pico de - (CO) -NH se obtuvo a 1640,28 cm-1 (medianas), que muestra la unión de grupo de superficie de ácido acético. Se observaron los cambios en el pico endotérmico de 120,56 a 110.40 ºC que muestra las modificaciones superficiales de dendrímeros PAMAM. El pico de -NH2 en 2,99 ppm fue sustituido por (-NHCOCH3) a 2,42 ppm apoya aun más la prueba de acetilación. Conclusión: Los datos espectrales revelaron claramente que este enfoque para la acetilación da considerable cantidad de acetilación en menos tiempo de duración con la eliminación de disolvente orgánico. Este método podría ser empleado para regular la acetilación de las aminas terminales de nanovehículos. El enlazador EDC de grupos amino abre una nueva vía para la acetilación de amina terminales de proteínas / péptidos.

Aim: The main aim of this review article is to provide information like advantages of protein and peptides via different routes of drug administration, targeted to a particular site and its implication in drug delivery system. Methods: To that aim, from the web sites of PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, and Registry were used as the main sources to perform the search for the most significant research articles published on the subject. The information was then carefully analyzed, highlighting the most important results in the development of protein and peptide drug targeting as well as its therapeutic activity. Results: In recent years many researchers use protein and peptide as a target site of drug by a different delivery system. Proteins and peptides are used as specific and effective therapeutic agents, due to instability and side effects their use is complicated. Protein kinases are important regulators of most, if not all, biological processes. Abnormal activity of proteins and peptides has been implicated in many human diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Conclusions: It is concluded that the protein and peptide were used in drug targeting to specific site and also used in different diseased states like cancer, diabetes, immunomodulating, neurodegenerative effects and antimicrobial activity.

Objetivo: El objetivo principal de este artículo de revisión es proporcionar información sobre las ventajas de las proteínas y péptidos a través de diferentes vías de administración de fármacos, dirigidos a un sitio en particular y su implicación en el sistema de administración de fármacos. Métodos: Con ese objetivo, los sitios web de PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, se utilizaron como las principales fuentes para realizar la búsqueda de los artículos de investigación más importantes publicados sobre el tema. La información fue luego cuidadosamente analizada, destacando los resultados más importantes en el desarrollo de proteína y péptido de direccionamiento de drogas, así como su actividad terapéutica. Resultados: En los últimos años muchos investigadores utilizan las proteínas y los péptidos como un sitio diana de fármaco por un sistema de administración diferente. Las proteínas y los péptidos se utilizan como agentes terapéuticos específicos y eficaces, debido a la inestabilidad y los efectos secundarios de su uso es complicado. Las proteínas quinasas son reguladores importantes de la mayoría, si no todos, los procesos biológicos. La actividad anormal de proteínas y péptidos se ha implicado en muchas enfermedades humanas, tales como diabetes, cáncer y trastornos neurodegenerativos. Conclusión: Finalmente concluyó que la proteína y el péptido se utilizaron en fármaco que se dirige al sitio específico y también se utiliza en diferentes estados de enfermedad como el cáncer, la diabetes, como sustancias inmunomoduladora, efectos neurodegenerativos y actividad antimicrobiana.