Novel mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres were developed to explore the possibilities of non invasive delivery of insulin. The mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres were prepared by emulsifi cation method. Formulations were characterized for various physiochemical attributes, shape, surface morphology, size and size distribution, drug payload, swelling ability and mucoadhesion. Mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres bearing insulin were evaluated for in vitro drug release and in vitro drug permeation through mucosal membrane. In vivo performance was studied on blood plasma level of glucose. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked microspheres showed better reduction of blood glucose level than citric acid cross-linked microspheres. The in vivo performance of mucoadhesive microspheres showed prolonged and controlled release of drug as compared with the conventional dosage form.

Though meningiomas are common neoplasms of the nervous system, the occurrence of multiple meningiomas in different neuraxial compartments is rather rare. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who presented with spastic paraparesis in both lower limbs, and was found to have multiple homogenously enhancing tumors of dorsolumbar spine. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple bilateral supratentorial meningiomas. She underwent multiple level laminectomy and total removal of spinal tumors after which power improved in both lower limbs. Histopathology revealed psammomatous meningiomas. Only around 19 cases of multiple cranial and spinal meningiomas have been reported, of which, only five cases have more than one spinal meningioma. The implication of the incidence of such multiple meningiomas in the same patient with relevance to investigations and decision making are discussed along with a brief review of literature of cases with multiple spinal and cranial meningiomas.

The purpose of the present work was to design and optimize floating drug delivery systems of acyclovir using psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M as the polymers and sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. A 32 full factorial design was used for optimization of drug release profile. The amount of psyllium husk (X1) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M (X2) were selected as independent variables. The times required for 50% (t50%) and 70% (t70%) drug dissolution were selected as dependent variables. All the designed nine batches of formulations were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content uniformity, swelling index, in vitro buoyancy, and in vitro drug release profile. All formulations had floating lag time below 3 min and constantly floated on dissolution medium for more than 24 h. Validity of the developed polynomial equation was verified by designing two check point formulations (C1 and C2). The closeness of predicted and observed values for t50% and t70% indicates validity of derived equations for the dependent variables. These studies indicated that the proper balance between psyllium husk and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M can produce a drug dissolution profile similar to the predicted dissolution profile. The optimized formulations followed Higuchi's kinetics while the drug release mechanism was found to be anomalous type, controlled by diffusion through the swollen matrix.

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Giant cell glioblastoma (GCG) is a subtype of Glioblastoma multiforme that is rare in incidence and distinct in features and histopathological examination. It is reported to have better prognosis than common glioblastomas. The incidence of GCG in children is even more rare. We report a case of GCG in a 10-year-old boy along with a review of the relevant literature focusing on the differentiating points from common glioblastoma.