January 2014

About Authors:
Languluri Reddenna¹*, Sree Nagavalli K^2
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India-516003
²Department of Pharmacy Practice, S.J.M College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India-577502
*reddennapharmd@gmail.com

Punjabi University, Patiala, has kept up its spree of winning the highest "A" grade on a four-point scale amongst over 350 universities in the country. The status is awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which is an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission, for a period of five years. The rare status is given by the NAAC on the basis of overall performance of a University during a space of five years.  Punjabi university was earlier given "five star level" by the NAAC for the period covering March 2002-2007. The NAAC has reformatted the grading system from "five stars to one star level" to from "A to C" grade, equating "five stars" with "A" grade.

Applications are invited for the posts of Junior Research Fellow and senior Research Fellow (Funded by DST, Govt. of India): 02

Post: Junior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow

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About Authors:
Rohit Kumar Ahuja*¹, Surendra Singh Saurabh¹, Poonam Choudhary¹, Aniket Singh Chouhan¹, Kamal Singh Rathore^2
1 Lachoo Memorial College of Science and Technology (Pharmacy Wing) Sector-A, Shastrinagar, Jodhpur (Raj.) 342003, IND.
² BN Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Udaipur (Raj.) 313002, India
rohitahuja1111@gmail.com

Abstract:
To build up an oral drug delivery system, it is essential to optimize both release rate of drug and residence time of system within gastrointestinal tract. In oral path difference in gastric physiology such as gastric pH and motility display variability on gastric residence time (GRT) and drug delivery actions. Several approaches are currently utilized in the prolongation of the GRT including hydrodynamic balance systems (HBS), swelling and expanding systems, polymeric bioadhesive systems, high-density systems, modified-shape systems and other delayed gastric emptying devices.One such approach is Floating Microspheres (Hollow Microspheres). Floating microspheres are gastro-retentive drug delivery systems based on non-effervescent approach. These microspheres are characteristically free flowing powders made of proteins or synthetic polymers, ideally having a size less than 200 micrometer. Gastro-retentive floating microspheres are low-density systems that have sufficient buoyancy to float over gastric contents and remain in stomach for prolonged period. The drug is released slowly at desired rate resulting in increased gastric retention with reduced fluctuations in plasma drug concentration. Floating microspheres improve patient compliance by decreasing dosing frequency and better therapeutic effect of short half-life drugs can be achieved. Floating microspheres are characterized by their micromeritic properties such as particle size, tapped density, compressibility index, true density and flow properties including angle of repose, scanning electron microscopy, in vitro floatability studies, in vitro drug release studies and stability studies etc.

Introduction
At least one article is seen in newspaper on obesity on daily basis; no other disease is searched (and articles are read on) as frequently as obesity. Such is the menace of obesity that even fast food giant McDonald's has put an advice in few of its offices “not to eat too much fast-food”. Obesity is defined as BMI (body mass index) 30kg\m2 or more. A person with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered over weight but not obese. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in humans. It is also defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg\m2). As per world health organization (WHO), BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight and BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obese. Obesity is a foremost health problem not only in developed nations but also in developing countries. It increases the risk of other diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, fatty liver and some forms of cancer1.

Obesity is now so common in various geographies that it is beginning to replace conditions arising from malnutrition and infectious diseases as the most significant contributor to ill health. Obesity is measured using BMI and further evaluated in terms of fat distribution via the waist–hip ratio and total cardiovascular risk factors2. BMI is closely related to both percentage body fat and total body fat3. The global epidemic of obesity results from an amalgamation of such factors as genetic susceptibility, increased availability of high-energy foods and diminished need of physical activity in prevailing situation in modern society. Obesity is no more a cosmetic issue affecting certain individuals, but a pandemic threatening global well being because it exacerbates a large number of health-related problems, both independently and in association with other ailments^4,5.