ABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of non-thermal atmospheric plasma on mutans biofilms. Materials: A 100 µl culture of Streptococcus mutans poured into two 120 well flat base microtiter plates, allowed to adhere and incubated overnight using brain heart infusion (BHI). These 120 wells were grouped into four groups, group A-helium treated, group B-plasma treated, group C- chlorohexidine treated and group D-control group (untreated group) with a group size of 30 wells per group. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) essay & Colony Forming Units (CFU) counting was done to check the viability & survival of streptococcus mutans biofilms. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the mean optical density (OD) among the four groups (p<0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed that untreated samples and Helium had significantly higher mean OD than plasma and chlorhexidine groups. A similar result was also seen using the survival essay by CFU counting. Conclusion: Plasma utilizes the air from the atmosphere, thus rendering plasma a better reach in the oral cavity. This property of plasma can be efficiently used to neutralize Streptococcus mutans biofilms in the oral cavity.
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is an important global public health problem and is a major cause of disability and premature death. The present study was conducted to compare effi cacy and safety of amisulpride and escitalopram on Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) among depression patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal. Methods: The study was conducted in patients for 1-year in the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital. A total of 117 depression patients were divided into two groups. Group I (58 patients) received amisulpride tablet at a dose of 50 mg/day and Group II (59 patients) were given escitalopram at a dose of 10 mg/day. The patients were required to follow-up at 4, 8 and 15 weeks. The effi cacy of the drugs was calculated by HAM-A. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were monitored at every follow-up. Appropriate statistical tools using Graphpad instat 3.0 were used for analysis p<0.05 was considered signifi cant. Results: HAM-A score in group receiving amisulpride at 0 and 15 weeks was 19.83±0.33 and 8.17±0.32 (p<0.0001). HAM-A score in group receiving escitalopram at 0 and 15 weeks was 20.76±0.28 and 8.98±0.24 (p<0.0001). Gastrointestinal disturbances, sexual disturbances, amenorrhea, lactation, agitation, and insomnia were the commonly encountered ADRs. Conclusion: Both amisulpride and escitalopram were highly effective in the treatment of anxiety in depression patients during the study period. Further, more clinical studies with longer follow-up duration are needed to substantiate the therapeutic effects of amisulpride.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dry eye produces discomfort and reduced vision. The treatment of dry eyes has traditionally involved hydrating and lubricating artifi cial tears. The newer medications include non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of dry eye disorders. This study was designed to compare the effect of topical carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) alone or in combination with topical NSAID for the treatment of dry eye in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with dry eye were enrolled for a study period of 1 year. Patient of either sex (male/female), age between 18 and 70 years, and all diagnosed cases of dry eye in ophthalmology outpatient department were selected. Patients (n=60) were stabilized on CMC for 2 weeks and thereafter divided into two groups. Group I (n=30) received only topical CMC; Group II (n=30) received CMC+NSAID. The patients were followed up to 12 weeks. Diagnostic tests included Schirmer’s test and tear break up time (TBUT). Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used for assessing the Quality of Life. Analysis was done using GraphPad InStat software. p<0.05 was considered signifi cant. Results: This was an open-label study revealing a mean age of 46.0±1.79 years. Females (56.67%) showed a signifi cantly higher prevalence of dry eye symptoms compared to males (43.33%). The mean duration of illness was 1.95±0.16 years. Schirmer’s test, TBUT test values and OSDI score in Group I and Group II at 0 and 12 weeks revealed signifi cant intragroup difference (p<0.0001). At 12 weeks intergroup comparison in Schirmer’s test value (p>0.05) and TBUT test value (p>0.05) showed no signifi cant difference while OSDI score revealed signifi cant difference (p<0.05). Burning, stinging, blurring of vision, photophobia, and hyperemia were among the common adverse effects seen. Conclusion: Both groups showed signifi cant improvement in Schirmer’s test and TBUT test value and OSDI score at the end of the study. Intergroup comparison showed a signifi cant difference with reference to OSDI score. Patients receiving NSAID reported more adverse effects.
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Background: There is a need to introduce clinical pharmacology at the undergraduate level in order to improve rational prescribing of medicines. The present study was undertaken to analyze drug utilization pattern of genitourinary infections to teach certain basic skills to MBBS students which will form an integral component of practicing rational therapeutics. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted by Pharmacology Department in Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (SGRRIM and HS). A total of 92 prescriptions were collected by second professional MBBS students and randomly evaluated for prescribing pattern using WHO drug indicators. Results: A total of 92 prescriptions were analyzed. Male:female ratio was 1.96:1. Age wise distribution was done: 0-15 years were 14 (15.21%), 16-30 years were 26 (28.26%), 31-45 years were 24 (26.08%), 46-60 years were 19 (20.65%), and >60 years were 9 (9.78%). A total of 260 drugs were prescribed. 116 (44.61%) antimicrobials, 70 (26.92%) antacids and antiemetics, 40 (15.38%) analgesics, 11 (4.23%) urinary alkalizers, 9 (3.23%) antifibrinolytics, and 14 (5.38%) miscellaneous drugs were prescribed. 144 (55.38%) injectable and 116 (44.61%) oral drugs were prescribed. Numbers of fi xed-dose combinations were 32 (34.78%). 2.82 drugs per prescription were prescribed. 171 (65.76%) drugs were prescribed from National List of Essential Medicines 2013 (NLEM 2013). Majority of drugs were prescribed by brand names. Conclusion: Majority of drugs were prescribed from NLEM 2013. The main purpose of undergraduate medical curriculum is to develop the requisite diagnostic and therapeutic skills of a basic doctor. It is only by drug utilization studies that burden of diseases and corresponding utilization of drugs can be measured.
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A pesar de los avances en el tratamiento de la diabetes, las complicaciones de la enfermedad a largo plazo, tales como la retinopatía, la nefropatía y la neuropatía, siguen siendo la mayor causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en los pacientes diabéticos. Los estudios clínicos prospectivos con insulinoterapia intensificada han establecido una clara correlación entre la hiperglucemiay el desarrollo de las complicaciones diabéticas estudios en animales han demostrado el vínculo entre el incremento del metabolismo de la glucosa inducido por la hiperglucemia diabética a través de la vía del sorbitol y el desarrollo de lascomplicaciones. Por otra parte, una mejor comprensión de los mecanismos patogénicos de la neuropatía diabética ha promovido la utilización de las mediciones electrofisiológicas como medio confiable de cuantificar la progresión de la neuropatía diabética y también ha redefinido metas realistas de tratamiento para las complicaciones diabéticas, como la detención o atenuación de los procesos de la enfermedad en vez de su reversión. Estudios clínicos recientes con insulinoterapiaintensificada e inhibidores de aldosareductasa, apoyan claramente estos nuevos objetivos de tratamiento. En estudios a largo plazo de 5 a 8 años, la insulinoterapia intensificada no revirtió los signos clínicos y los síntomas de la neuropatía diabética, pero si evitó su aparición en pacientes sin evidencia de neuropatía al comienzo del estudio.La insulinoterapia intensificada tampoco restauró la pérdida preexistente de la función,pero redujo la pérdida acelerada de esa función,característica de la neuropatía diabética