In this paper, we numerically simulated 3-dimensional transient flows in valveless micropumps, which are of a diameter of 6 mm and are driven by sine-wave voltage at frequencies from 8 to 500 Hz. The numerical simulations were conducted to study electro-mechanical coupling and fluid-structural interaction. From the simulations, we obtained the flow fields inside the flow path, as well as deformations and stress distributions of the structure. Based on the numerical results, we improved our design of micropumps and developed a new micropump model with much better working performance. In addition to mechanical design, performance charters for the micropump were generated with the use of CFD tools. The present study shows that 3-dimensional transient CFD simulations can be used for predicting the performance of micropump working at a low actuating frequency.

The present study was done to develop and evaluate a matrix transdermal patch for bisoprolol fumarate. Different combinations of Eudragit RS 100 and HPMC E5 were used with polyethylene glycol 400 as a plasticizer on a polyvinyl alcohol backing layer by the solvent evaporation technique. The patches were evaluated for organoleptic characteristics and physicochemical parameters. Initial in vitro dissolution experiments were conducted to optimize formulation parameters prior to ex vivo skin permeation studies. Eudragit RS 100 and HPMC E5 (9:1) combination was studied for skin permeation because of the sustain release effect. The effect of control patch and permeation enhancer including Tween 80, propylene glycol, and DMSO were evaluated at 10%-40% concentration in the Franz diffusion cell using excised abdominal skin of rabbit. Different kinetic models were used to interpret the release kinetics and drug release mechanism. The patch M04-PE containing 40% Tween 80 had better sustained release effect and had closer flux to the desired flux. M04-PE followed the zero-order kinetics with super case II release drug mechanism.

Fumaria officinalis belongs to family papaveraceae and is traditionally used to treat hypertension, hepatitis and diabetes. The current study was conducted to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic activity of Fumaria officinalis. Aerial parts of the plant were sequentially extracted with n-hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on all extracts. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition method. In vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was performed on all extracts by using dinitrosalicylic acid. Effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of F. officinalis on blood glucose was evaluated in normo-glycaemic rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Glimepiride 0.2 mg/kg was used as standard therapy in diabetic rats. Results showed that methanolic extract exhibited the maximum percentage inhibition of DPPH (86.30%) and alpha-amylase inhibition (94.01%) at 500 µg/ml and 16 mg/ml concentration respectively. Administration in normo-glycaemic rats did not show any significant decrease in blood glucose level at 500 and 750 mg/kg dosage. Aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a significant hypoglycaemic effect (p˂0.05) at all doses. A significant increase in the body weight and an improvement in liver and kidney function tests of diabetic rats were observed. These extracts also reduced the damage to the cells of glomeruli, interstitial inflammation, necrosis of tubular cells and thrombosis in the kidney, the enlargement of sinusoids and steatosis in the liver of diabetic rats. This study concludes that F. officinalis may have antidiabetic potential possibly due to its antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities.

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CRISPR-Cas9 has exhibited enormous potential in gene therapy. It can perform genome editing with single-nucleotide precision in various types of cells and tissues, providing a powerful breakthrough technology for genome...