Eat Fast, Die Young: The Pattern of Fast Food Consumption amongst International Medical Students

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing fast-food consumption amongst the International Medical Students of USM-KLE.Hypothesis:Fast food consumption is deleterious to the overall health of a person, and thus we expect low fast food consumption amongstmedical students of USM-KLE. Nevertheless, due to the lack of awareness and poor understanding of the ill effects of fast food consumption, the pattern of fast food consumption is increasing among the medical students of USM-KLE. Materials andMethods:A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in the month of June 2018 by distributing questionnaires to 326 Malaysian students –from year 1 to year 5 –who are studying in Belgaum, India. The questions touched on the aspects of their profile, driving factors offast food consumption, routine exercise pattern, and their knowledge on the deleterious effects of fast food on their health. Data wascollected for their experiencebothin Malaysia & India, & these werethen analysed using SPSS 16.0 software.Results:In this study, theresults werecoded & translated according to each question. It is observed that there isahigh prevalence of fast food consumption amongst the students; 97% of the students consume fast food. Conclusion:The results of this study showed thatdespite their knowledge on the poor health effects of these foods.the students prefer to consume fast food mostly on the basis of their hectic schedule, the restaurants’ close distance, the good taste of the meals, as well as their fast availability

Spasmolytic effect of traditional herbal formulation on guinea pig ileum.

Background: The herbal formulation consisting of Andrographis paniculata Nees., Cassia fistula L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Cuminum cyminum L. is widely used by the local traditional practitioners in rural Northern Karnataka for spasmodic abdominal pain. Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate safety and spasmolytic effect of poly‑herbal formulation. Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity studies were carried out in Swiss mice, as per the Organization for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The spasmolytic activity of the formulation was studied in isolated guinea pig ileum model using histamine and acetylcholine as agonists. The data were analyzed by one‑way ANOVA, followed by Dunnetts post‑hoc test and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The formulation did not show any adverse toxic effects and found to be safe. It also showed significant (P < 0.05) relaxation in different agonist like histamine and acetylcholine‑induced contractions in guinea pig ileum. Conclusions: Antispasmodic activity of the herbal formulation can be attributed to its atropine‑like activity. The present findings, therefore, support its utility in spasmodic abdominal pain.

Effect of rifampicin, isoniazid on acute and subacute inflammation in male Wistar rats: an experimental study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by significant inflammation leading to complications like pulmonary fibrosis, constrictive pericarditis, etc. Drugs possessing anti-inflammatory activity can reduce the complications of infections occurring due to inflammation and fibrosis. To study the effect of rifampicin, isoniazid on acute and subacute models of inflammation in male Wistar rats. Methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of rifampicin, isoniazid was studied using acute (carrageenan paw edema) and sub-acute (cotton pellet granuloma and histopathologic examination of grass pith) models of inflammation. Results: Rifampicin and isoniazid used in the present study showed significant antiinflammatory activity in acute as well as subacute models of inflammation. Conclusion: Rifampicin and isoniazid when administered to treat TB can reduce complications of TB by virtue of its anti-inflammatory activity.

Learning Styles Preferences of First Year Medical Students Of J N Medical College Belgaum: A Single Institute Experience In Karnataka, India.

Abstracts: Background: Researchers agree that in addition to cognitive factor, non-cognitive factors like learning style are predictors of performance. Students use different sensory modalities for assembling knowledge and information. This study was aim to recognize preferred learning styles of first year medical students at KLE university’s J N Medical college Belgaum India. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 150 consented students .The students were subjected to VARK learning style questionnaire to identify their learning styles preferences. The questionnaires which identify four learning style preferences/modes as visual (v), auditory (A), read and write(R) and kinaesthetic (K). Descriptive statistics was used to identify the learning styles of the students. Results: Hundred present students preferred multimodal style of learning, while 92%preferred quadrimodal, 7% trimodal , 1% bimodal. Among the four learning style preferences it was found that 99% of them preferred kinaesthetic, followed by, auditory, read/ write and visual modality. Conclusion: This study gives insight that no single teaching –learning strategy can work for effective teaching learning in medical students. Faculty teaching first year medical students has to adopt multi modal teaching-learning strategies to create effective teaching and learning environment.

Activity of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. root and Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. bark pastes in acute and chronic paw infl ammation in Wistar rats.

Background: The pastes prepared from roots of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. and barks of Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. are widely used by traditional healers for the treatment of arthritis in rural northern Karnataka. Objective: The present study was undertaken to scientifi cally evaluate the safety and effi cacy of traditionally used formulations in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: The study, approved by IAEC was carried out in male Wistar rats and dermal toxicity in rabbits. Carrageenan model was used to assess effect on acute infl ammation. Paw volume were measured at 1, 2, 4, and 6th hour postchallenge. Chronic infl ammation was developed by using Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Paw volume, ankle joint circumference, and body weight were assessed on 1st, 4th, 8th, 14th, 17th, and 21st day. Paste was applied once every day to the infl amed area of the paw of respective groups of animals, continuously for 14 days. Statistics: The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as signifi cant. Results: The formulations did not show any dermal toxicity and found to be safe. Both the pastes signifi cantly (P < 0.05) suppressed, carrageenan-induced paw edema at 6th hour and Holoptelea integrifolia appears to be more effective than Plumbago zeylanica. Signifi cant reduction was observed in paw volume, ankle joint circumference and animal body weight gained. Conclusions: The tested formulations (P. zeylanica root and H. integrifolia bark pastes) showed signifi cant antiinfl ammatory activity. The present fi ndings therefore support its utility in arthritic pain, infl ammation and the claim of traditional practitioners.

Antiulcer activity of water soaked Glycine max L. grains in aspirin induced model of gastric ulcer in Wistar rats.

Introduction: Glycine max L. with Drakshasava, widely used by traditional healers as a formulation for the treatment of peptic ulcer in rural northern Karnataka in India, appears to be effective as assessed by patients and in our previously published research work of traditionally used formulation. Aim: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and effi cacy of the overnight water soaked G. max grains. This is one of the components of traditional formulation. The study, approved by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee was carried out in male Wistar rats after assessing its toxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats (n = 6 in each group) were treated with aspirin 200 mg/kg oral. In addition to aspirin control group received normal saline, standard group received 20 mg/kg omeprazole and 3rd and 4th group received G. max 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally every 24 h for 7 days. After 24 hours fasting, on the 8th day stomach contents were aspirated under anesthesia to estimate free and total acidity. Stomachs were opened along the greater curvature to calculate ulcer index and subjected to histopathology studies. Statistics: The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed-by Dunnett’s post hoc test. P ≤0.05 was considered as signifi cant. Results: The severity of aspirin induced ulceration was found signifi cantly (P < 0.05) decreased in test groups compared with the control group. Free and total acidity was signifi cantly reduced in 500 mg/kg treated group, compared with the control group and was inferior to omeprazole treated group. Conclusion: The grain of G. max was found to be effective against aspirin induced ulcers.

Screening of codeine, dextromethorphan & dextropropoxyphene for their genotoxicity in swiss albino mice.

Background & objectives: It is mandatory for all new drugs to be tested for their potential genotoxicity in addition to general toxicity testing. Some old drugs have not been tested adequately for their genotoxic effects as these were in use before the regulations were enforced. The present study therefore aims to explore the genotoxic potential of some commonly used opioids like codeine, dextromethorphan and dextropropoxyphene in swiss albino mice. Methods: Therapeutic equivalent doses of codeine, dextromethorphan and dextropropoxyphene were given orally. Single dose for acute study and multiple doses (repeated every 24 h for 7 times) in additional groups of mice (n=5 in each) for subacute study. Cyclophosphamide served as positive control while normal saline as negative control. About 0.5 ml of blood was collected by retroorbital sinus for comet assay and later the mice were sacrifi ced to aspirate the femoral bone marrow for micronucleus test. Percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) and comet tail length were calculated in micronucleus assay and comet assay respectively, which served as markers of genotoxicity. Results: Signifi cant Signififi (P<0.001) increase in comet tail length and % MnPCE was observed in both acute and subacute studies of cyclophosphamide group, whereas codeine, dextromethorphan and dextropropoxyphene treated groups did not show any signifi cant changes. Interpretation & conclusion: The results indicated that codeine, dextromethorphan and dextropropoxyphene were devoid of genotoxicity in mice.

Antidepressant activity of fosinopril, ramipril and losartan, but not of lisinopril in depressive paradigms of albino rats and mice.

Fosinopril, ramipril and losartan significantly decreased the duration (sec) of immobility in forced swim test and were comparable to amitriptyline. The duration of immobility were significantly decreased in fosinopril, ramipril and losartan in the tail suspension test and were comparable to amitriptyline. Only losartan significantly increased the rearing number of entries, time spent (sec) in open arm and in light area in comparison to control animals. Fosinopril and ramipril and not lisinopril showed significant antidepressant activity while losartan showed a significant antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. Present findings suggest that these drugs could be better antihypertensives in hypertensive patients with comorbidity like depression or anxiety.

Promotion of cutaneous wound healing by famotidine in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Drugs like famotidine, omeprazole and sucralfate which have been reported to promote the healing of gastric ulcers, may have the same effect on cutaneous wounds. Due to paucity of information in this regard, the present study was planned to investigate the effect of these drugs on resutured incision, excision and dead space wounds in Wistar rats. METHODS:Resutured incision, excision and dead space wounds were inflicted under light ether anaesthesia aseptically. Control animals received vehicle and other groups received famotidine, omeprazole and sucralfate orally for a period of 10 days in the incision and dead space wounds, whereas in excision wounds till complete closure. On the 11th day after estimating breaking strength of the resutured incision wounds, animals were sacrificed and granulation tissue removed from dead space wounds to estimate the breaking strength and hydroxyproline content. Quantification of granulation tissue and histological studies were also carried out. Wound closure rate, epithelization time and scar features were studied in the excision wound models from the day of famotidine till complete closure of the wound. RESULTS: Only famotidine significantly promoted the healing process in all the three wound models studied. Histopathological studies revealed increased collagen content and granulation tissue in famotidine treated group compared to control. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In all the three wound models studied famotidine promoted wound healing whereas omeprazole and sucralfate did not do so. The pro healing effect of famotidine needs to be explored clinically.

Development of safer molecules through chirality.

Many of the drugs currently used in medical practice are mixtures of enantiomers (racemates). Many a times, the two enantiomers differ in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Replacing existing racemates with single isomers has resulted in improved safety and/or efficacy profile of various racemates. In this review, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic implications of chirality are discussed in brief, followed by an overview of some important chiral switches that have yielded safer alternatives. These include levosalbutamol, S-ketamine, levobupivacaine, S-zopiclone, levocetirizine, S-amlodipine, S-atenolol, S-metoprolol, S-omeprazole, S-pantoprazole and R-ondansetron. Few potential chiral switches under evaluation and some chiral switches that have not been successful are also discussed.

Female gonadal sex steroids potentiate the anti-convulsant activity of phenytoin sodium.

Neither estrogen (E), progesterone (P), E + P nor phenytoin could protect the rats against maximal electroshock seizure. However phenytoin administration in the E, P, or E + P pre-treated animals provided significant protection in terms of absence of hind limb extension and a decrease in the extension/flexion ratio. The results suggest that there is an existing beneficial influence of the oral contraceptives both individually and in combination on the anti-convulsant activity of phenytoin, and this needs to be further probed.

The anti-inflammatory activity of some sulphonamides in albino rats.

Clinically equivalent doses of dapsone, sulphasalasine and sulphamethizole in albino rats showed significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan and cotton pellet induced inflammation. Their activity was comparable to that of aspirin (200 mg/kg) and was confirmed by granuloma histology. Further, these compounds also showed significant (P < 0.01) analgesic activity which was comparable to that of aspirin. The ulcer index for sulphamethizole was comparable to that of control animals, whereas dapsone and sulphasalazine showed significant ulcerogenicity (P < 0.01). Other sulphonamides like sulphadiazine, sulphanilamide, sulphamoxole and cotrimoxazole did not show significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

Aspirin and anticonvulsant interaction.

Aspirin (360 mg/kg, po) per se had anticonvulsant activity in MES model. No effect was observed at lower doses and in other models. Aspirin 216 mg/kg, po (a subanticonvulsant dose) protected animals, receiving subanticonvulsant doses of phenytoin, phenobarbitone and carbamazepine against MES.

Enhancement of anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin by verapamil.

Verapamil in minimum therapeutic equivalent dose, failed to show anti-inflammatory activity as did sub-anti-inflammatory dose of aspirin (54 mg/kg) however, when combined with sub-antiinflammatory dose of aspirin, significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of carrageenan and cotton pellet induced inflammation was observed. The anti-inflammatory activity of this combination treatment was almost comparable to that of the anti-inflammatory dose of aspirin (200 mg/kg), as confirmed by granuloma histology. Adrenal weight in the combination treatment group was similar to that of aspirin (200 mg) treated group and was significantly lower, as compared to controls. Further, a reduced ulcer index in the animals treated with combination (aspirin + verapamil), as compared to aspirin alone (200 mg) group, suggests its therapeutic potential.

Use of electromagnetic counterpoise to measure cardiac force.

To quantify the drug induced changes in cardiac force the methods in vogue use springs and strain-gauge coils, which apply counterforce to oppose cardiac force and thus stop systolic excursion of the lever. The present report pertains to a new technique based on similar principle, utilising induced electromagnetic force as a means of counterpoising in study of contractility of isolated, frog heart. The technique monitered changes in contractility produced by small doses of adrenaline, digoxin, acetylcholine and CaCl2. The plots of estimated cardiac force (in V) against doses (log-units) of the drugs could be made to reveal dose response relation.