Assessing the Impact of Punch Geometries on Tablet Capping Using a Newly Proposed Capping Index

PURPOSE

Increased tablet anisotropy could lead to increased tablet capping propensity. Tooling design variables such as cup depth could serve as a key player for inducing tablet anisotropy.

METHODS

A new capping index (CI) consisting of the ratio of compact anisotropic index (CAI) and material anisotropic index (MAI) is proposed to evaluate tablet capping propensity as a function of punch cup depth. CAI is the ratio of axial to radial breaking force. MAI is the ratio of axial to radial Young's modulus. The impact of various punch cup depths [flat face, flat face beveled edge, flat face radius edge, standard concave, shallow concave, compound concave, deep concave, and extra deep concave] on the capping propensity of model acetaminophen tablets was studied. Tablets were manufactured at 50, 100, 200, 250, and 300 MPa compression pressure at 20 RPM on different cup depth tools using Natoli NP-RD30 tablet press. A partial least squares model (PLS) was computed to model the impact of the cup depth and compression parameters on the CI.

RESULTS

The PLS model exhibited a positive correlation of increased cup depth to the capping index. The finite elemental analysis confirmed that a high capping tendency with increased cup depth is a direct result of non-uniform stress distribution across powder bed.

CONCLUSIONS

Certainly, a proposed new capping index with multivariate statistical analysis gives guidance in selecting tool design and compression parameters for robust tablets.

Evaluating the effect of glidants on tablet sticking propensity of ketoprofen using powder rheology

Punch sticking has been a leading drawback that has challenged successful tablet manufacturing since its initial conception. Due to the capricious nature of the complication, this can arise during any phase of the development process. Even now, identifying such a problem is a prerequisite during the initial stage of development. The present study evaluated the role of Aerosil®200, talc, and Syloid®244 as glidants in varying amounts ranging from 0.0 percent to 2.0 percent w/w on tablets sticking relatively to five different metal surfaces, with ketoprofen as the model drug. Powder rheology is a predictable technique used to calculate the sticking index. The sticking index of each formulation in comparison to each metal coupon was identified by calculating the kinematic angle of internal friction and the angle of wall friction using the shear cell test and wall friction test, respectively. Interestingly, glidants were found to reduce the sticking propensity of the powder blend in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the compression study validated the expected sticking tendency ranking order. According to the research data, the sticking index could effectively be utilized to envisage the possibility of tablet sticking, i.e., by selecting the formulation's excipient and their percentages or selecting appropriate punched metal surfaces in the tableting process.

Validation and Comparison Study for Fourth Generation HIV Test Kit

Introduction/Objective

CDC recommends the use of 4th generation HIV test as the first line of screening. Alere Determine HIV – 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo (Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, Inc., Scarborough, Maine) (Alere) is a qualitative 4thgeneration assay that detects HIV 1/2 antibodies and p24 antigen. In this validation study, Alere was compared with OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody test (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA) (Oraquick), a qualitative 3rd generation test and BioPlex (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, California) a 5th generation test that detects and differentiates between HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen.

Methods/Case Report

Comparison study: Forty-five samples were tested simultaneously on the three assays. Results for the patient samples were confirmed with Geenius (Bio- Rad Marnes-La-Coquette, France) or PCR assays for antibody or antigen positive cases respectively.

Precision study

A HIV-1 antibody positive and an all-negative sample were tested 10 times each to validate the precision of the Alere test.

Dilution study

A positive sample for HIV-1 antibody was used for dilution with a HIV negative serum sample. Diluted samples from 1:10 to 1:1000 were tested using Alere and BioPlex.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

Comparison study revealed that sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for Alere test were 100%. Sensitivity for Oraquick was 86.6% and NPV was 77.77%. Specificity and PPV were 100%. BioPlex showed sensitivity and NPV of 100%, but specificity was 78.5% and PPV was 90.90%. Precision study showed reproducible results on the Alere test. Dilution study revealed that Alere assay gave positive results up to 1:300 dilution, and BioPlex assay was positive up to 1:500 dilution.

Conclusion

Our studies showed that Alere had the sensitivity and specificity of 100% making it an effective screening test in acute settings. BioPlex assay demonstrated that it was the most sensitive test with quantitative index for the HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen. Therefore, both Alere and BioPlex tests are good initial screening tests

Compression - Decompression Modulus (CDM) - An Alternative/Complementary Approach to Heckel Analysis

The novel modulus-based approach was developed to characterize the compression behavior of the materials and how it results into tablet mechanical strength (TMS) of the final tablet. The force-displacement profile for the model materials (Vivapur® 101, Starch 1500^®, Emcompress^®, and Tablettose^® 100) were generated at different compression pressures (100, 150, 200 MPa) and speeds (0.35, 0.55, 0.75 m/s) using compaction emulator (Presster™). A generated continuous compression profile was evaluated with Heckel plot and the proposed material modulus method. The computed compression parameters were qualitatively and quantitatively correlated with tablet mechanical strength (TMS) by principal component analysis and principal component regression, respectively. Compression modulus has negatively correlated, while decompression modulus is positively correlated to TMS. Proposed modulus descriptors are independent of particle density measurements required for Heckel method and could overcome the limitations of Heckel method to evaluate the decompression phase. Based on the outcome of the study, a two-dimensional compression and decompression modulus classification system (CDMCS) was proposed. The proposed CDMCS could be used to define critical material attributes in the early development stage or to understand reasons for tablet failure in the late development stage.

Predicting lubricants effect on tablet sticking using ketoprofen as model drug and evaluating sticking propensity using different metals and powder rheology

Tablet sticking occurrence is a persistent, costly, and time-consuming problem that needs to be resolved. Predicting the sticking tendency of a new formulation has been very difficult during the development batches because of short runs and limited data. A model formulation comprising ketoprofen and microcrystalline cellulose was used to predict the effect of magnesium stearate and sodium stearyl fumarate on the occurrence of tablet sticking relative to different punch metals. Lubricant amounts were varied from 0.0% to 2.0 %w/w. Five different metal coupons were used to represent punch metals. The sticking index (SI) of each formulation relative to each metal coupon was determined by measuring angle of internal friction and angle of wall friction by performing shear cell test and wall friction test, respectively. The SI was used to predict each formulation's sticking tendency rank order relative to metal coupon. Both lubricants show a decrease in the powder blend's sticking propensity with increased lubricant concentration. The predicted sticking propensity rank order was then validated by the compression study. The result suggests that the SI can be used to predict tablet sticking, such as by changing the composition of the formulation or changing the punch metal during tablet compression.

Preparation, Optimization and Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Avanafil Nanocomplex Utilizing Antioxidants for Enhanced Neuroprotective Effect on PC12 Cells

(1) Introduction: in recent decades, interdisciplinary research on the utilization of natural products as “active moiety carriers” was focused on due to their superior safety profile, biodegradability, biocompatibility and the ability for sustained or controlled release activity. The nano-based neuroprotective strategy is explored as an imperative treatment for diabetic neuropathy (DN). Avanafil (AV), that selectively inhibits the degradation of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, thereby increasing the levels of cGMP, makes a decisive mediator for cytoprotection. (2) Methods: AVnanocomplex formulations were prepared by a modified anti-solvent precipitation method and the method was optimized by Box–Behnken design. An optimized formulation was characterized and evaluated for various in vitro parameters; (3) results:based on the desirability approach, the formulation containing 2.176 g of chitosan, 7.984 g of zein and 90% v/v ethanol concentration can fulfill the prerequisites of optimum formulation (OB-AV-NC).OB-AV-NC was characterized and evaluated for various parameters. The neuroprotective mechanism of AV was evaluated by pretreatment of PC12 cells with plain AV, avanafil nanocomplex (NC) without antioxidants (AV-NC) and with antioxidants (α-Lipoic acid LP; Ellagic Acid EA), AV-LP-EA-Nanocomplex has also shown considerable attenuation in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation with a significant increase in the PC 12 viability under HG conditions in comparison to pure AV; (4) conclusion: the nanocomplex of AV prepared to utilize natural polymers and antioxidants aided for high solubility of AV and exhibited desired neuroprotective activity.This can be one of the promisingstrategy to translate the AV nanocomplex with safety and efficacy in treating DN.

Performance of fenugreek bioinoculated with Rhizobium meliloti strains under semi-arid condition

Rhizobium meliloti strains were isolated from the fields of S.D. Agricultural University (Gujarat, India) and were maintained in the Congo Red Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar medium. These strains were tested for their effectiveness for fenugreek crop grown under semi-arid condition. Among the six Rhizobium strains, FRS-7 strain showed best plant growth parameters like shoot length, shoot dry weight, shoot total nitrogen, root length, root dry weight, root total nitrogen, seed yield, 1000 grain weight, number of root nodules, and nodules fresh and dry weight. The performance of this strain was better as compared to 20 kgN ha(-1) treatment through urea and was even far better over control plot. Seed yields obtained with FRS-7 during two years were 10.14 and 9.66 q ha(-1); which was about 36.8% and 45.9% high over control. This strain resulted in saving of about 20 kgN ha(-1) accompanied with better crop yield and soil health. Results of the present experiments can be utilized in integrated nutrient management for cultivation of fenugreek in semi-arid areas to provide sustainability to agricultural productivity in such regions.

Effectiveness of Azotobacter bio-inoculant for wheat grown under dryland condition

Judicious use of chemicals along with biofertilizers and organic resources are advocated for sustaining crop productivity and soil health, and meeting a part of fertilizer requirement for different crops. In the present study, different combinations of nitrogen (urea and/or farmyard manure) doses with Azotobacter strain (Azo-8) were experimented for a dryland wheat variety GW-273. It was observed that the combination of Azotobacter strain (Azo-8) along with urea (60KgN ha-1) and farm yard manure (40KgN ha -1) gave the best response. It resulted in more than 23% and 36% increase in shoot fresh weight and dry weight, 26% and 38% increase in root fresh weight and dry weight, 39% increase in test weight of seeds and 27% increase in yield over control. The results of present experiments can be utilized in integrated nutrient management for wheat cultivation in dryland areas to provide sustainability to the agricultural productivity.

Prolapse of the globe into the maxillary sinus after orbital floor fracture

A 24-year-old woman sustained a blow-out fracture of the orbital floor with prolapse of the globe into the maxillary sinus. This was treated by replacing the globe in the orbit surgically and reconstructing the orbital floor. Postoperatively, the eye retained normal visual acuity.