A Novel Diabetes Education Program to Improve Diabetes Knowledge, Awareness and Glycemic Control

Diabetes self-management education (DSME), an integral part of diabetes management is delivered by trained educators in well-developed countries. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of an organized, concise and easy-to-deliver diabetes education module in India. The relationship between diabetes self-care and glycemic control has been studied extensively. The present review discusses an innovative diabetes self-education training module that can be easily reciprocated by others to benefit the larger population.

Evaluation of Mifepristone and Misoprostol for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Between 13-20 Weeks of Gestation.

Aim: To assess the efficacy, safety and acceptability of mifepristone followed by vaginal misoprostol for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) between 13-20 weeks of gestation. Material and methods: Forty women who fulfilled the criteria of MTP Act of India, were given 200 mg oral mifepristone, followed after 36-48 hours by 800 μg vaginal misoprostol and subsequently 400 μg vaginal misoprostol 3-hourly (maximum 2,400 μg). Success was taken as complete expulsion of fetus and placenta within 15 hours of first dose of misoprostol. Results: Success rate of complete abortion was 92.5%, which increased to 95% at 24 hours and successful expulsion of fetus was seen in 100% cases within 24 hours of first dose of misoprostol. Median induction-abortion interval was 6 hours. There were no major side effects. Nulliparous women took significantly longer time to abortion and required more analgesia than multiparous women. Conclusion: Mifepristone followed by vaginal misoprostol is a safe, effective and acceptable method for second trimester termination of pregnancy.

Molecular docking study of 3,6 bis(3’substituted propoxy) and 3,6 bis (5’substituted pentyloxy) xanthone derivatives as PGHS- 2 inhibitors.

The primary effect of the NSAIDs is to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX or prostaglandin synthase), thereby impairing the ultimate transformation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxanes. Two related isoforms of the COX enzyme have been described, COX-1 and COX-2. Identification of this cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoform resulted in the development of selective COX-2 inhibitors, with the hope of producing a safer analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The principal benefit with the selective COX-2 inhibitors is the production of comparable analgesia and antiinflammatory effects to the nonselective NSAIDs, but with fewer symptomatic gastric and duodenal ulcers and a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms. In the present work, twelve novel series of xanthone derivatives (A1-A6 and B1-B6) were allowed to dock against PGHS-2(prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2) protein (PDB ID: 3LN1) to evaluate their comparative efficacy in terms of docking performance. The results are discussed on the basis of binding energy value.

In-Silico Drug Design: A revolutionary approach to change the concept of current Drug Discovery Process.

Computational methods play a central role in modern drug discovery process. It includes the design and management of small molecule libraries, initial hit identification through virtual screening, optimization of the affinity as well as selectivity of hits and improving the physicochemical properties of the lead compounds. In this review article, computational drug designing approaches have been elucidated and discussed. The key considerations and guidelines for virtual chemical library design and whole drug discovery process. Traditional approach for discovery of a new drug is a costly and time consuming affair besides not being so productive. A number of potential reasons witness choosing the In-silico method of drug design to be a more wise and productive approach. There is a general perception that applied science has not kept pace with the advances of basic science. Therefore, there is a need for the use of alternative tools to get answers on efficacy and safety faster, with more certainty and at lower cost. In-silico drug design can play a significant role in all stages of drug development from the initial lead designing to final stage clinical development.

Effects of sports training & nutrition on bone mineral density in young Indian healthy females.

Background & objectives: Peak bone mass, a major determinant of osteoporosis is influenced by genetic, nutritional, lifestyle and hormonal factors. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of sports training on dietary intake and bone mineral and metabolic parameters in young healthy Indian females. Methods: Healthy female college going students (N=186, sportswomen, 90; controls 96) in the age group of 18-21 yr, residing in New Delhi (India) were evaluated for anthropometry, biochemistry (serum total and ionic calcium, phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D & parathyroid hormone), diet, physical activity and lifestyle. Bone mineral density (BMD) at hip, forearm and lumbar spine were studied using central DXA. Results: Sports related physical activity (3 vs. 0 h/day, P<0.001) and direct sunlight exposure (120 vs. 30 min/day, P<0.001) were significantly higher in sportswomen than in controls with sedentary lifestyle. Significantly higher intake of all macronutrients (energy, protein, carbohydrates and fat) and dietary calcium was noted in the diets of sportswomen. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher (53.0±18.9 vs. 12.9±7.7 nmol/l; P<0.001) while PTH (35.3±17.6 vs. 51.7±44.9 pg/ml; P<0.001) and ALP levels (194.0±51.0 vs. 222.1±51.4 IU/l; P<0.001) were significantly lower in sportswomen when compared to controls. No significant difference was found in ionized calcium and inorganic phosphorus in the two groups. Significantly higher (P<0.001) total BMD and BMD at all sites except femur neck were found in sportswomen than controls (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: Physical activity, optimal nutrition and adequate sun exposure are vital for attaining peak bone mass.

Impact of Two Regimens of Vitamin D Supplementation on Calcium - Vitamin D - PTH Axis of Schoolgirls of Delhi.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of supplementation with oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on bone mineral biochemical parameters of school-going girls. Setting: Government school (government-aided) and Private school (fee paying) in Delhi. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Intervention: Cholecalciferol granules (60,000 IU) orally with water, either once in two months (two-monthly D3 group) or once a month (one-monthly D3 group) for one year. Participants: 290 healthy schoolgirls (6-17 y), 124 from lower socioeconomic strata (LSES) (attending government schools) and 166 from upper socioeconomic strata (USES) (attending private schools). Outcome measures: Serum 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase levels at 6 and 12 months after start of supplementation. Results: At baseline, 93.7% schoolgirls were vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D<50 nmol/L]. While significant increase in serum calcium and decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels was noted in both groups with both interventions, PTH response was inconsistent. In LSES subjects, twomonthly D3 and one-monthly D3 supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D levels by 8.3 nmol/L and 11.0 nmol/L, respectively at 6 months (P<0.05). Similarly, the increase in the two intervention arms in USES subjects was 10.5 nmol/L and 16.0 nmol/L, respectively (P<0.05). In both groups, this increase in serum 25(OH)D levels persisted at 12 months (P<0.05). Despite supplementation with 60,000 IU of Vitamin D3 (monthly or two-monthly), only 47% were vitamin D sufficient at the end of one year. Conclusions: 60,000 IU of cholecalciferol, monthly or two-monthly, resulted in a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D levels in vitamin D deficient schoolgirls.