The quality of an analytical method developed is always appraised in terms of suitability for its intended purpose, recovery, requirement for standardization, sensitivity, analyte stability, ease of analysis, skill subset required, time and cost in that order. It is highly imperative to establish through a systematic process that the analytical method under question is acceptable for its intended purpose. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) are two important performance characteristics in method validation. LOD and LOQ are terms used to describe the smallest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably measured by an analytical procedure. There has often been a lack of agreement within the clinical laboratory field as to the terminology best suited to describe this parameter. Likewise, there have been various methods for estimating it. The presented review provides information relating to the calculation of the limit of detection and limit of quantitation. Brief information about differences in various regulatory agencies about these parameters is also presented here.

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Softwares are the collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do and thereby help to process the data as wanted. These programs are designed to address general and special purpose applications. Softwares used in pharmaceutical sciences cover wide subject areas such as pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical biotechnology, etc. Softwares used in pharmacology are mainly related to minimize the efforts needed in determining pharmacokinetic principles of particular drug in individuals, pathways of drug, and consequently, its adverse reactions. Applications of softwares in pharmaceutical chemistry are to elucidate various physiological properties of drugs and to predict activity values for new compounds within certain limits. They may be enormous assistance to those trying to generate the large databases from massive efforts in drug research. However, softwares used in pharmaceutics help for predicting the dissolution rate, biopharmaceutical characterization, accurate and precise stability profile, etc. of formulated dosage form. Softwares used in pharmacognosy give information on herb activity, interactions, mechanisms of action and supporting data underlying the use of herb for health. Wide applications of software in pharmaceutical biotechnology help to increase the predictability of results, identify genes, elucidate protein structure, identify genome responsible for expression of particular characteristics, etc. Hence, in the present article, we have enlisted the subject wise different software names, websites and their features used in the milieu of pharmacy.

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Current ophthalmic drug delivery systems are insufficient, specifically eye drops, which allow approximately 95% of the drug contained in the drops to be lost due to absorption through the conjunctiva or through the tear drainage. The use of soft contact lenses has been proposed as a method to deliver drugs to the eye in an efficient manner. The contact lenses restrict the drug from being lost to tear drainage by releasing the drug into two tear layers on either side of the contact lens, where it ultimately diffuses into the eye. By using loaded soft contact lenses, continuous drug release for extended period is possible. This paper focuses on the different methods of drug loading used throughout a polymer hydrogel.

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Aim: The present study was undertaken to develop a validated, sensitive, rapid, simple and economic an isocratic HPLC method for estimating Sumatriptan succinate in tablet dosage form. Materials and Methods: Normal phase chromatographic analysis was performed on an Ascentis® Si HPLC Column (25cmΧ2.1mm, 5μm) with ammonium phosphate − acetonitrile (80:20, v/v, pH 3.5 adjusted with ortho-phosphoric acid) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and detection wavelength of 230 nm. System suitability tests essential for the assurance of quality performance of the method were performed. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, reproducibility, specificity, and robustness, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ), as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results: A single sharp peak was obtained for Sumatriptan succinate at retention time of 6.8±0.01 min. The polynomial regression data for the calibration plots exhibited good linear relationship (r=0.9999) over a concentration range of 50-1050 ng/ml and the linear regression equation was y=120.9x+33.56. Accuracy ranged from 99.96% to 101.49%. The LOD and LOQ values were 11 and 35 ng/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed method gave good resolution of Sumatriptan succinate. System suitability tests and statistical analysis performed prove that the method is precise, accurate and reproducible, and hence can be employed for routine analysis of Sumatriptan succinate in bulk and commercial formulations.

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The lucrative business of ornamental fish culture in West Bengal (Mainly in three districts-Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas) are facing loses due to the invasion of different ecto- and endo-parasites. The present study shows that the ornamental fish (Goldfish - Carassius auratus) are mainly affected with ecto-parasites like Ichthyophthirius sp., Dactylogyrus sp., Gyrodactylus sp., Argulus sp. and endo-parasites like Procamallanus sp. and Cucullanus sp. The intensity of infection is high in case of Ichthyophthirius sp. and the intensity of the infection is high in summer months when the temperature is high or moderately high. In cooler months the intensity of the infection is lower as because the parasites are unable to breed or scarcity of food particles.

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Aims and Objectives: An AmpC enzyme differs from the Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) in their preferential hydrolysis of cephamycins along with other classes of cephalosporins (except fourth generation) and being resistant to inhibition by clavulanic acid. Various phenotypic methods of AmpC detection has been described but they are technically intricate and difficult to interpret. Present study was aimed to evaluate two simple modifications of modified three dimensional enzyme extract test - disk method and well method to detect AmpC enzymes among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. Materials and Methods: A total 160 consecutive clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from various clinical samples were tested for extended spectrum β-lactamase production using CLSI described phenotypic confirmatory test. AmpC production was determined by using boronic acid disk potentiation test. All the strains were tested with modified three dimensional test and two simple modification of three dimensional extract test - disk method and well method. Results & discussion: Among 160 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae 80 were AmpC producers. Modified three dimensional test detected only 70% of AmpC producers. Disk method and well method using enzyme extract showed 100% and 91% sensitivity respectively. Disk method was technically simple, easy to interpret and gave consistent results on repeated testing. Disk method using enzyme extract can be reliably used for AmpC detection in routine clinical microbiological laboratories.

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Background: Histopathological changes induced by a rise in the acclimation temperature in advanced Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings were studied to understand their adaptive ability to thermal changes. The histopathological changes in relation to the thermal changes have been widely used as bioparameters in the evaluation of fish health. Materials and Methods: The six experimental temperatures that the fishes were exposed to were 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40ºC for a period of 30 days each. The fishes kept at an ambient temperature of 29.3΁1.5ºC were used as control. The major organs studied were gills, liver, kidney, and heart. No specific alterations were observed at control, 32, and 34ºC. The organs were sampled at the end of 30 days exposure and histopathological changes of different organs were examined. Result and discussion: Different organs (gill, liver. Kidney and heart) show different histopathological changes in higher temperatures. However, adaptive and degenerative changes were found to occur at the higher temperatures of 36, 38, and 40ºC. Conclusions: Changes of temperature can be tolerated by the fishes and it brings about adaptive physiological changes to compensate the effects of temperature. Significance: The study was helpful; to understand the adaptive mechanisms used by fishes with changes of environmental temperatures.

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This article elaborates on the general aspects and health benefits of chewing gum. Chewing gums have been used since the time of prehistoric man as a source of entertainment and relaxation. It has also become a trendsetter with the teenagers. Currently, the health benefits of chewing gums are being studied and used in the treatment of various diseases. Certain medications have also been included in gums to act as an alternative drug delivery system. These gums have been found to be successful for the treatment of diseases, such as peptic ulcers, upper digestive tract cancer, oral candidiasis, and so on. It helps to relieve symptoms of xerostomia, Parkinsonism, tooth sensitivity after bleaching, and oral malodor. It helps in maintaining oral health, relieves stress, helps in weight loss, and improves alertness. Chewing gum may be distracting and irritating in numerous social environments, including schools, colleges, and the workplace. Research into the social effects of chewing gums is also necessary to further our knowledge into the psychosocial aspects of these gums.

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The freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farms and hatcheries of north and south 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal were surveyed for the details of antibiotics and disinfectants used for controlling the prawn diseases and pathogens. During the survey, 4antibiotics and four 4disinfectants were found to be used commonly by the farmers during a 12-month period of study. The chemicals used in the culture systems as antibiotics or disinfectants for the culture water, tanks, other utensils, and others have serious health hazards for both the cultured prawns and human beings. The study also indicates no herbal medicines, and probiotics are being used in prawn farms.

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Aim: The study aims to develop a simple, rapid and economical normal phase thin layer chromatography (TLC) method for identification and quantification of 5,7-dichloroquinolin-8-ol and 5-chloroquinolin-8-ol, two active ingredients of halquinol, an antimicrobial agent. Materials and Methods: The analysis was performed on silica gel 60 TLC plates pre-washed with disodium ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid disodium salt (Na ₂ EDTA) solution with methanol-ethyl acetate-iso-propyl alcohol-ammonia solution [8:20:1:0.6 (v/v)] as the mobile phase. Detection and quantification was performed densitometrically at 247 nm. Results: Responses of both 5,7-dichloroquinolin-8-ol and 5-chloroquinolin-8-ol were linear functions of concentration in the range of 300-800 ng. The intraday precision and intermediate precision of the method for 5,7-dichloroquinolin-8-ol and 5-chloroquinolin-8-ol was determined and it was found to be precise. Conclusion: The TLC method developed for simultaneous quantitative determination of 5,7-dichloroquinolin-8-ol and 5-chloroquinolin-8-ol was found to be simple and economical. Therefore, it can be used in routine quality control analysis of halquinol in bulk drug powder and halquinol bolus.

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Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are a type of nanoparticles. They are submicron colloidal carriers which are composed of physiological lipids, dispersed in water or in aqueous surfactant solutions. SLN have wide range of advantages over other types of nanoparticles. These include availability of large-scale production methods and no signs of cytotoxicity, which are main hindrances in the application of other types of nanoparticles. Hot and cold homogenization techniques are mainly employed for its production. They are mainly evaluated on the basis of their drug release profile and particle internal structure. The products based on SLN are under development. They have a very wide range of applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They can be applied for any purpose, for which nanoparticles have a distinct advantage. Thus, SLN can be used extensively as an alternative to the existing drug carrier systems, providing more flexibility with respect to the area of applications and also aspects for commercialization.

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Studies have identified that workers in paint industries are vulnerable to disorders due to the exposure to toxic chemicals and solvents. Such disorders are often missed. Social health security is incomplete, especially in our country, until such issues are addressed. Our aim was to study the alterations in biochemical parameters among paint workers in comparison with healthy subjects, in Puducherry. It was a cross-sectional study with 2 groups. Group A comprised 17 paint workers and Group B, 10 healthy controls in Puducherry. Blood samples and urine samples were collected from both the groups. All blood and urine parameters were estimated an using automated biochemical analyzer. Statistical analysis was employed. Our study showed adverse renal parameters (P<0.05) in the paint workers as compared with the control group. Contrary to conventional expectation, our study did not show evidence of obvious liver damage.

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