comparative study of legal and illegal items of different commercial brands of mefenamic acid 500 mg tablets as non-steroid anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent

Mefenamic acid, N-[2,3-Xylyl]-2-Aminobenzoic acid or N,2,3-Xylylanthranilic acid is an analgesic, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of this study is to assess the quality and the quantity of the legal and illegal types of mefenamic acid 500 mg tablets marketed in Yemen. We have selected six legal types of mefenamic acid tablets, which are registered by the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances and one illegal type of mefenamic acid which is a smuggling drug without name of brand [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China]. We have applied the qualitative and quantitative analysis for evaluating the items. The limit of content of mefenamic acid tablets is [95-105%] according to B.P. The result of analysis of these seven items of mefenamic acid were evaluated and showed that the qualitative analysis of six items, complied with B.P requirements whereas the uniformity of weight of tablets of smuggled drug [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China] did not. The quantitative analysis showed that the five types of mefenamic acid, [Ponstan forte 500 mg] [Park-Devis, Germany] [97.48%], [Pangesic forte 500 mg] [Ram Pharma, Jordan] [101.34%], [Ponsten forte 500 mg] [Birkl-Dove, Turkey] [103.27%], [Ponstel forte 500 mg] [Shin Poong Pharma, Korea] [98.93%], [Omatan forte 500 mg] [NP, Oman] [104.24%], complied with B.P, whereas the two items [Biostan forte 500 mg] [Biopharm, Yemen][86.86%] and [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China] [84.45%] did not comply

Biofilm formation and the presence of intercellular adhesion locus "ica" among staphylococcal from catheter associated infections

Catheter infections are most commonly caused by staphylococci, either coagulase negative [CONS] or Staphylococcal aureus [S. aureus]. It has been established that clinical isolates often produce a biofilm, which is involved in adherence to biomaterials and provides enhanced resistance of bacteria against host defences and antibiotic treatment. This study aims to detect the biofilm forming ability of staphylococcal clinical isolates evaluated by Congo red agar plate test [CRA] and spectrophotometer, and to determine the occurrence of the of the icaA and icaD genes for biofilm production by PCR. This study included 50 staphylococcal strains 26 [52%] CONS and 24 [48%] S. aureus isolated from urine catheters, central venous catheters, peripheral venous catheters, collected from 137 catheterized patients attending neonatal, internal medicine and surgical intensive care units [ICUs] and 20 strains, [10 [50%] CONS, 10 [50%]] S. aureus] isolated from skin and nasal swabs collected from 40 healthy volunteers as a control group. The results showed that according to CRA, 14 [53%] CONS and 18 [75%] S. aureus strains were biofilm producers. While quantitative detection showed that 10 [38.4%] CONS and 14 [58.3%]S. aureus were strong biofilm forming, 2 [7.6%] CONS and 4 [16.6%] S. aureus strains were weak biofilm producers, and all strains of control group were non biofilm forming. Both icaA and icaD genes were present in 17 [65.5%] CONS and 19 [79.1%] S. aureus strains, [6 strains were PCR positive and negative with the other two tests] and absent in all strains of the control group. We concluded that CRA, spectrophotometer and PCR are all valid tests and we can use any of them in the diagnosis of catheter associated biofilm formation, the choice depends on the health condition of the patient, PCR is a rapid tool for diagnosis especially because a large number of catheterized patients are critically ill and rapid diagnosis is required

Psoriatic arthritis: Is there a relationship of severity of nail disease to skin or joint disease?

To examine the relationship between the severity of nail disease and severity of both skin and joint disease as well as functional assessment among psoriatic arthritis [PsA] patients. Thirty two patients were included in the current study. Pattern of arthritis was recorded and severity of joint disease was assessed using modified Ritchie index [adding DIPs, lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints] and scored as mild, moderate and severe. Psoriatic skin patterns were recorded and severity of skin disease was assessed using the percentage of body surface area [% BSA] affected with psoriasis. Severity of nail disease was assessed using Psoriasis Nail Severity Score [PNSS] where all the 20 nails were scored for pitting, onycholysis, hyperkeratosis and dystrophy. Functional assessment was done using HAQ. Finally, the presence of HLA-B17 and HLA-B27 were investigated. Pattern of arthritis was as follows: polyarthritis was found in 19 patients [59.4%], oligoarthritis in 7 [21.9%], spondyloarthropathy in 4 [12.5%], DIPs in 2 [6.2%] and arthritis mutilans was not found. Modified Ritchie index was mild in 11 patients [34.4%], moderate in 18[56.3%] and severe in 3 [9.3%]. As for skin disease pattern, psoriatic plaques were found in 25 patients [78.2%], guttate in 4[12.5%], combined guttate and plaques in 2[6.2%] and pustular psoriasis in 1[3.1%].No erythrodermic or discoid pattern were found. The percentage of involved BSA ranged from [2.8-44%]. Nail disease was detected in 26 patients [81.2%] and was distributed as follows: 6 patients [23%] scored PNSS > 10, 13[50%] scored 10-19, 5[19.4%] scored 20-29 and 2[7.6%] scored > 30.PNSS had no correlation with age or duration of arthritis but had significant positive correlation with skin disease duration [p< 0.01] and with%BSA [p<0.01]. Also, PNSS had positive correlation with modified Ritchie index but not with HAQ which was found to correlate with modified Ritchie index [p<0.05]. Low PNSS scores were found in positive HLA-B27 and not in positive HLA-B17 patients but overall, no significant correlation were found between them. PNSS, as a simple and practical method, could be used as a good indicator for assessment of nail disease severity among psoriatic arthritis patients. Also it correlates with duration and severity of skin involvement and severity of joint disease. Research for disease pathogenesis at genetic and cellular level is still needed to understand the true link between psoriatic nail, skin and joint disease

Increasing uptake of macronutrients by plants grown on sandy loamy soil by Fe, Mn, Zn soil application

The effect of increasing doses of iron, manganese and zinc applied as soil application on growth and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium by sunflower and squash plants was studied in pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. The growth of sunflower and squash plants responded positively to soil application of Fe, Mn or Zn. In sunflower plants, zinc application induced the highest effect on uptake of macronutrients compared with iron and manganese application. Whereas, adding iron gave the highest response in squash plants. The ratio of shoot/ root dry weight increased only with iron and zinc in both sunflower and squash plants. The marked increase in content and uptake of N, P, K and Mg by applying Fe, Mn and/or Zn suggests that when plant nutrition was balanced by using micronutrients, plants could make a better use of macronutrients

Axillary brachial plexus block: smaller volume; higher level

Fifty patients were scheduled for upper limb surgery above the elbow. Axillary brachial plexus block, using a catheter inserted high in the axilla with arm abducted and a firm digital pressure at the residual side of the arm, enable a high insertion of the catheter and a more central spread of the injected local anesthetic. Radiological and clinical evaluation of the technique was done. The small volume of the injected drug and a high block level obtained were discussed

Combinations between aminoglycosides and antibiotics and non depolarizing neuromuscular blockers: do they differ?

One hundred and fifty patients were divided into 3 equal groups according to the non-depolarizing muscle relaxant used. [atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium]. Each group was further subdivided into subgroups: group A [reference one], B and c subgroups received gentamicin and amikacin respectively at complete block and at 0.08 to 0.15 twitch recovery. Duration of the action of the muscle relaxant, recovery time [after reversal] and percentage of twitch depression after injection of antibiotics were determined using myograph 2000. The recorded data have been discussed denoting that both gentamicin and amikacin potentiate the neuromuscular blockade by atracurium, vecuronium or pancuronium with prolongation of recovery time. However atracurium may be preferred in patients treated with these antibiotics and amikacin is preferred to gentamicin in patients perceiving pancuronium