Landmark studies in neuro-ophthalmology

@#High-quality clinical evidence, derived from well-designed and implemented clinical trials, serves to advance clinical care and to allow physicians to provide the most effective treatments to their patients. The field of ophthalmology, including the subspecialty of neuro-ophthalmology, abounds with such high-quality clinical trials that provide Level 1 clinical evidence. This review article summarizes the research design, key findings, and clinical relevance of select monumental clinical studies in neuro-ophthalmology with the primary goal of providing the readers with the rationale for current standard of care of various neuro-ophthalmic diseases. This includes the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial, Rescue of Hereditary Optic Disease Outpatient Study, and Controlled High-Risk Avonex® Multiple Sclerosis Study

A study on knowledge and practices of over the counter medications among 1st year medical students

Background: Self-medication is widely practiced worldwide and often considered as a component of self-care. Selfmedication assumes a special significance among the medical students as they are the future medical practitioners and have a potential role in counselling the patients about the advantages and disadvantages of self-medication. Self-medication assumes a special significance among the medical students as they are the future medical practitioners. Medical students also differ from the general population because they are well-exposed to the knowledge about diseases and drugs. Therefore the present study was taken up to assess the extent of knowledge and practices of over the counter (OTC) drugs among the first year medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional, non-interventional, observational study was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 among 246 first year medical students. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics with percentages and averages using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).Results: In the present study, it was found that 86% students practiced self-medication. Most common conditions for taking self-medication with OTC was fever (89%) followed by cough and cold (75%). 15% of them experienced adverse reactions on OTC self-medicated drugs. The main source of information during self-medication was reading material (56.3%) followed by advice from seniors/pharmacist (43.7%).Conclusions: Self-medication is widely practiced among undergraduate medical students. In this situation, we should educate the students about advantages and disadvantages of self-medication of over the counter drugs.

Cerebral venous sinus stenting for pseudotumor cerebri: a review

Pseudotumor cerebri is characterized by headaches, visual field changes, papilledema and an elevated cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure without evidence of an intracranial mass. In the setting of failed medical therapy, surgical options such as ventriculoperitoneal shunts and optic nerve sheath fenestrations are considered. Recently, venous sinus stenting has emerged as a new treatment option for patients with pseudotumor cerebri. We review the role of cerebral venous sinus stenting in the management of patients with medically refractory pseudotumor cerebri. Although long- term studies are needed in this field, the current reports indicate a favorable outcome for preventing vision loss and symptom control

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Chromolaena odorata [L.] king and robinson

Extracts of the leaves of Chromolaena odorata [L.] King and Robinson were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of plant secondary metabolites and in vitro antibacterial and antiftmgal studies. The results of preliminary study revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroidal nucleus, flavonoids, saponins and tannins in the ethanol and chloroform extracts. The chloroform and alcohol extracts were investigated for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities by using Agar Disc Diffusion Technique. Four strains of micro-organisms comprising two gram positive, one gram negative and one fungi were used in this study. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] study revealed the antimicrobial activity and antifungal activity of the extract against the tested strains of microorganisms in concentration ranges of 25, 50 and 75 microg/ml, respectively. The results of zone of inhibition study revealed the concentration dependent nature of the extracts with better effectiveness against gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria

Formulation and evaluation of cetirizine dihydrochloride orodispersible tablet

Cetirizine orodispersible tablets were prepared to achieve quick onset of action and for maximum bioavailability. Tablets were prepared using cetirizine along with camphor and mannitol in the proportion of 1:1:1, 1:1:3, and 1:1:6. The flow property of granules was found to be good for the formulation CZ2 [1:1:3]. The hardness and friability of all the formulations were found to be within the standard limit for orodispersible tablets. Disintegration time was found to be rapid in formulation CZ2 [1:1:3].The in vitro dissolution time was found to be 100% in 11 minutes for the formulation CZ2 [1:1:3]