ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of ginger root powder and black cumin seed powder alone or in combination on performance and egg production in laying hens. A total of 270 Leghorn laying hens of 28 weeks old were randomly distributed among nine groups with 30 layers in each treatment with three replications following the factorial design (32). Experimental diets consisted of 0.00%, 0.50% and 1.00% levels of ginger root powder and black cumin seed powder alone or in combination. The experimental period lasted for a total of 84 days and laying hens’ performance was measured. Non-significant effect was observed on feed intake due to supplementation of black cumin seed powder whereas, significant (P<0.05) effect was observed due to ginger root powder supplementation. T5 treatment group which was supplemented with 0.00% ginger root powder and 1.00% black cumin seed powder had significantly (P<0.01) highest egg weight, egg production and egg mass along with best feed conversion ratio. It can be concluded that supplementation of 1.00% level of black cumin seed powder was recommended for best layer performance.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with prehypertension have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The coexistence of prehypertension with risk factors increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. That’s why it is important to treat pre-hypertensive patients having risk factors. The objective was to evaluate the effect of atenolol and nebivolol in pre-hypertensive patients. Methods: Pre-hypertensive patients having risk factors were selected, and non-pharmacological therapy was advised to all patients. Those patients who were not able to follow strictly non-pharmacological guidelines and remained pre-hypertensive were included in this study. Pre-hypertensive patients were divided into three groups. One group received atenolol 50 mg orally, once daily. Second group received nebivolol 5 mg orally, once daily. Third group received placebo orally, once daily. All groups received treatment for 1 month. Results: In the nebivolol group after 1 month of study, the mean reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 134.2±3.07-118.26±4.66 and mean reduction in diastolic BP (DBP) was 87.13±1.87-80.73±1.99. Reduction in SBP and DBP in the nebivolol group was significant (p≤0.0001). In the placebo, and atenolol group results were not significant. Conclusion: Nebivolol produces a significant reduction in SBP and DBP in pre-hypertensive patients. Atenolol and placebo did not show beneficial results.
ABSTRACT
Potassium (K+) is one of the most important ion present in the human body and involved in numerous physiological activities. It mainly affects heart and skeletal muscle but the effects are not confined to theses organs only. The article precisely focuses on the explaining the physiological as well as pathological aspects of potassium on cardiac tissue. This article tends to explain: The cause of difference in extra cellular and Intra cellular concentration of potassium when potassium channels are open in resting conditions, why are Purkinje fibers and ectopic tissue are more sensitive to effect of potassium, mechanisms responsible for increased action potential duration by hypokalemia and decreased action potential duration by hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia generates ectopic activities and hyperkalemia inhibits them, therapeutic effects of potassium administration without causing hyperkalemia. These issues will be discussed and try to be explained with the help of Ohm’s law , Nernst equation and Nernst potential to sort out the complicated actions of potassium on cardiac tissue in a simplified manner. The primary aim of article is to improve understanding of potassium physiology by medical graduates, secondarily, convey message regarding improvement in teaching methodology in Pharmacology for the benefit of new generations.
ABSTRACT
Background: There is an enormous health burden caused by the co-prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco use in India. This intervention study was undertaken in district Vadodara, Gujarat, India to promote tobacco cessation by integrating 'brief advice' for tobacco cessation in TB patients who were tobacco users and registered for treatment under TB control programme, based on the tested strategies advocated by World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (The Union). Materials and Methods: Brief advice for tobacco cessation based on five A's, advocated by the WHO and the UNION was incorporated into the on-going TB Control programme in India in the year 2010. The tools were developed for education, training and capturing data. All the registered TB patients receiving directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) who used tobacco in any form were offered brief advice during routine interaction for treatment. Results: A total of 46.3% of TB patients, predominantly males (89.6% males and 10.3% females) were current users of tobacco; 39.1% used smokeless tobacco, 35.9% were smokers and 25% were dual users, that is, smoked as well as used smokeless tobacco. At the end of treatment, of the 67.3% patients who were offered brief advice, quit tobacco use, 18.2% re-lapsed while 14.5% were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: A significant numbers of TB patients use tobacco with adverse impact on TB control programmes. Our study shows that it is feasible to introduce 'brief advice' strategy as a cost effective intervention for tobacco cessation among TB patients with careful monitoring.