Prevalence, practice, and determinants of self-medication among the common public in a village of Northern Kerala, India

Background: Self-medication, managing health issues without professional guidance, poses significant risks to individuals and public health. Prevalence rates vary globally, often higher in low-income countries due to limited healthcare access. While self-medication offers cost-effective solutions for minor ailments, it may lead to misuse, adverse effects and financial burdens. Identifying factors driving self-medication is crucial for tailored interventions. This study aims to assess self-medication prevalence, practice, and influencing factors in a Kerala village. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study included 212 participants (?18 years) selected via convenient sampling. A pre-tested questionnaire collected socio-demographic data, self-medication prevalence, and influencing factors. Self-medication was defined as OTC drug use without consulting a medical graduate. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, with chi-square tests for bivariate analysis (p?0.05). Results: Participants (mean age: 38.13±15.56) reported 53.8% self-medication. Acute illness individuals self-medicated more (80.7% purchased from independent pharmacies). Time constraints (24.5%) and expired prescriptions (42.1%) drove self-medication. Medication choice was influenced by cost (54.3%), brand reputation (21.1%), and both (24.6%), with pharmacist recommendations (36.0%) playing a role. Self-medication was common among ages 41-60 (64.3%) and those with lower education levels (77.8% primary, 70.5% middle). Acute illness individuals self-medicated more (66%) than chronic cases (34%). Conclusions: This rural Kerala study identifies a 53.8% self-medication rate, affected by age, education, and healthcare preferences. Targeted interventions are needed for ethical self-medication and improved healthcare practices.

COVID-19 and its effects on neurological functions

@#Ever since the first reported case series on SARS-CoV-2-induced neurological manifestation in Wuhan, China in April 2020, various studies reporting similar as well as diverse symptoms of COVID-19 infection relating to the nervous system were published. Since then, scientists started to uncover the mechanism as well as pathophysiological impacts it has on the current understanding of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 receptor which is present in certain parts of the body which are responsible for regulating blood pressure and inflammation in a healthy system. Presence of the receptor in the nasal and oral cavity, brain, and blood allows entry of the virus into the body and cause neurological complications. The peripheral and central nervous system could also be invaded directly in the neurogenic or hematogenous pathways, or indirectly through overstimulation of the immune system by cytokines which may lead to autoimmune diseases. Other neurological implications such as hypoxia, anosmia, dysgeusia, meningitis, encephalitis, and seizures are important symptoms presented clinically in COVID-19 patients with or without the common symptoms of the disease. Further, patients with higher severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection are also at risk of retaining some neurological complications in the long-run. Treatment of such severe hyperinflammatory conditions will also be discussed, as well as the risks they may pose to the progression of the disease. For this review, articles pertaining information on the neurological manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection were gathered from PubMed and Google Scholar using the search keywords “SARS-CoV-2”, “COVID-19”, and “neurological dysfunction”. The findings of the search were filtered, and relevant information were included.

Synthesis and Development of BACE 1 Inhibitor for Alzheimer’s Diseases from Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants have shown great promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which significantly contributes to the production of pharmaceutical and cosmetic molecules with biologically efficient moieties. Plants derived bioactive compounds have been isolated from the medicinal plants and are used in brain diseases. Accountable for brain diseases. Plant extracts have undesirable effects such as acute or chronic toxicity; this could be involved in the delay or discouraging the adoption to the brain cells for proper and effective treatment. β-secretase is the primary protease in the process of producing Amyloid β (Aβ), which is an amyloid precursor protein in brain cells. This review is focused on the numerous different bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants such as Flavonoids, Phenyl propanoids, Prenylated flavones, Naphthoquinone, Resveratrol, Phlorotannins and Glycoside derivatives. Even though medicinal plants and their functional derivatives were reported to be good source of alternative medicines for long sought diseases like AD; but clinical trials on human are yet to be beyond the preliminary stages. The useful applications of these compounds, as bio-markers are also being explored, to further enrich control of Alzheimer’s.

Evolution of the biochemical profile of children treated or undergoing treatment for moderate or severe stunting: consequences of metabolic programming? / Evolução do perfil bioquímico de crianças tratadas ou em tratamento para déficit estatural moderado ou grave: consequências da programação metabólica?

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate changes in the biochemical profile of children treated or being treated for moderate or severe stunting in a nutrition recovery and education center. METHODS: this was a retrospective longitudinal study of 263 children treated at this center between August of 2008 to August of 2011, aged 1 to 6 years, diagnosed with moderate (z-score of height-for-age [HAZ] < -2) or severe stunting (HAZ < -3). Data were collected on socioeconomic conditions, dietary habits, and biochemical changes, as well as height according to age. RESULTS: the nutritional intervention showed an increase in HAZ of children with moderate (0.51 ± 0.4, p = 0.001) and severe (0.91 ± 0.7, p = 0.001) stunting during the monitoring. Increased levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (initial: 71.7 ng/dL; final: 90.4 ng/dL; p = 0.01) were also observed, as well as a reduction in triglycerides (TG) in both severely (initial: 91.8 mg/dL; final: 79.1 mg/dL; p = 0.01) and in moderately malnourished children (initial: 109.2 mg/dL; final 88.7 mg/dL; p = 0.01), and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C only in the third year of intervention (initial: 31.4 mg/dL; final: 42.2 mg/dL). The values of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels remained high throughout the treatment (initial: 165.1 mg/dL; final: 163.5 mg/dL and initial: 109.0 mg/dL; final: 107.3 mg/dL, respectively). CONCLUSION: the nutritional treatment for children with short stature was effective in reducing stunting and improving TG and HDL-C after three years of intervention. However, the levels of LDL-C and TC remained high even in treated children. It is therefore speculated that these changes may result from metabolic programming due to malnutrition. .

OBJETIVO: avaliar as mudanças no perfil bioquímico de crianças tratadas ou em tratamento para déficit estatural moderado ou grave em um centro de recuperação e educação nutricional. MÉTODOS: estudo longitudinal retrospectivo com 263 crianças semi-internas no Centro no período de agosto/2008 a agosto/2011, com idade entre 1 e 6 anos e diagnóstico de déficit estatural moderado, escore-Z da altura-para-idade (AIZ) < -2 e grave (AIZ < -3). Foram coletados dados socioeconômicos, dietéticos e bioquímicos e a evolução estatural segundo a idade. RESULTADOS: com a intervenção nutricional observou-se incremento no escore-z das crianças com déficit estatural moderado (0,51 ± 0,4; p = 0,001) e grave (0,91 ± 0,7; p = 0,001) durante o período de acompanhamento. Observou-se, ainda, aumento nos níveis de fator de crescimento insulina-símile (IGF-1) (inicial: 71,7 ng/dL; final: 90,4 ng/dL; p = 0,01), redução nos triglicérides (TG) tanto nas crianças graves (inicial: 91,8 mg/dL; final: 79,1 mg/dL; p = 0,01) como nas moderadamente desnutridas (109,2 mg/dL para 88,7 mg/dL; p = 0,01) e aumento significativo do lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-C) apenas no terceiro ano de intervenção (inicial: 31,4 mg/dL; final: 42,2 mg/dL). Os valores de colesterol total (CT) e lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) continuaram elevados durante todo o tratamento (inicial: 165,1 mg/dL; final: 163,5 mg/dL e inicial: 109,0 mg/dL; final: 107,3 mg/dL, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento nutricional para as crianças de baixa estatura mostrou-se eficaz na redução do déficit estatural e dos TG e melhora dos níveis de HDL-C após três anos de intervenção. Porém, os níveis de LDL-C e CT mostraram-se sempre elevados mesmo nas ...

Maintaining rear-fanged snakes for venom production: an evaluation of mortality and survival rates for Philodryas olfersii and P. patagoniensis in captivity

This study evaluates the mortality and average survival rates of captive female Philodryas olfersii and Philodryas patagoniensis snakes maintained for venom production. Also, two factors likely to reduce captive survival were studied - body condition at admission and seasonality. Mortality peaks occurred during the second month in captivity. More than half the individuals were dead at the end of the third month. This suggests that the first three months in captivity are the most critical in terms of survival and adaptation. Females collected and admitted during spring and summer lived less time than those collected in autumn and winter. As gravidity and egg-laying occur during spring and summer, we suggest that the lower survival rates in these seasons may be due to high costs and stress involved in these reproductive events. Unexpectedly, body mass and body condition were poor predictors of survival in captivity. Our results have important implications in maintaining snakes for venom production. We propose some prophylactic measures to minimize the deleterious impacts of captivity during the adaptation period.(AU)

Associação entre desnutrição em crianças moradoras de favelas, estado nutricional materno e fatores socioambientais / Association between malnutrition in children living in favelas, maternal nutritional status, and environmental factors

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação da desnutrição em crianças residentes em assentamentos subnormais (favelas) de Maceió (AL) com o estado nutricional materno e as condições socioambientais. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, envolvendo amostra probabilística de 2.075 mães (18 a 45 anos) e respectivos filhos (4 meses a 6 anos), moradoras nas favelas da cidade de Maceió (AL). Para escolha dos assentamentos, procedeu-se primeiramente a uma análise de clusters para eleger a região administrativa da cidade de Maceió com menor índice de desenvolvimento humano. Após essa análise, a 7ª Região Administrativa foi a designada para o estudo, com seus 23 assentamentos subnormais. Os dados socioeconômicos, demográficos, antropométricos e de saúde materno-infantil foram coletados através de inquérito domiciliar. A estatística analisou a razão de chances de uma criança ser desnutrida, e a regressão univariada foi usada para verificar quais variáveis maternas estariam associadas a essa desnutrição. RESULTADOS: A desnutrição crônica (-2 desvios padrão/altura por idade) esteve presente em 8,6 por cento das crianças e associou-se com idade e escolaridade materna, tipo de residência, número de cômodos, revestimento de piso, origem da água e baixo peso ao nascer (< 2.500 g) em crianças com idade < 24 meses. Encontrou-se também associação entre desnutrição infantil e baixa estatura materna, que não foi observada para índice de massa corporal. CONCLUSÕES: A alta prevalência de desnutrição infantil observada nesses assentamentos esteve relacionada às condições socioambientais e à baixa estatura das mães, que apresentaram déficit ou excesso de peso.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of malnutrition in children living in substandard settlements (slums) of Maceió, AL, Brazil, with maternal nutritional status and environmental conditions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving a probability sample of 2,075 mothers (18 to 45 years) and their children (4 months to 6 years), living in the slums of the city of Maceió. First, we conducted a cluster analysis with the purpose of choosing the settlements and the administrative region of the city of Maceió with the lowest human development index. After this analysis, the 7th Administrative Region was designated for the study, including its 23 substandard settlements. Socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric, and maternal and child health data were collected by means of household survey. The statistical analysis included the odds ratio of a child to be malnourished, and the univariate regression was used to check which maternal variables were associated with this malnutrition. RESULTS: Chronic malnutrition (-2 standard deviations/height for age) was found in 8.6 percent of children and was associated with mother's age and educational level, type of residence, number of rooms, flooring, water supply, and low birth weight (< 2,500 g) in children aged < 24 months. We also found an association between child malnutrition and maternal height. Such association was not observed regarding body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of malnutrition observed in these settlements was related to social and environmental conditions and short maternal height, who had weight deficit or weight excess.

Effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy using non-brand name drugs in Brazil

In Brazil, HIV-infected individuals receive drugs (including non-brand name drugs which comprise locally produced generics and drugs that have not been tested in bioequivalence trials) free of charge from the government. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where non-brand drugs are widely used. For this purpose, we estimated the proportion of subjects with virologic failure (plasma HIV viral load greater than 400 copies/mL at 6 months after initiation of treatment). This was a retrospective cohort study of drug-naive HIV-infected subjects who initiated HAART. Subjects were included in the analysis if they were 18 years of age or older, were treatment naive, started HAART with a minimum of 3 drugs, and had available information on blood plasma HIV-1 viral load after 6 months on therapy. All subjects used antiretrovirals in dosing regimens recommended by the Brazilian National Advisory Committee for Antiretroviral Therapy. Chart reviews were conducted in three settings: at two public health outpatient units, at one clinical trial unit and at one private office. No comparisons of the effectiveness of non-brand name with the effectiveness of brand name drugs were made. We present results for 485 patients; of these, 354 (73 percent), 55 (11 percent), and 76 (16 percent) were seen at the public health outpatient units, private office, and clinical trial unit, respectively. Virologic failure was observed in 119 (25 percent) of the subjects. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of HAART in a setting where non-brand name drugs are widely used.

Evaluation of the usefulness of children’s drawings and story-lines in the assessment of psychological state.

Introduction Children are known to display their thoughts and emotions in drawings and storylines. This study attempts to evaluate their clinical usefulness. Objectives To study the correlation between psychological states assessed through drawings and storylines and that assessed medically, in inpatients with psychological problems. Method Drawings and storylines on selected themes produced by children were assessed by nurses on 6 clinical parameters, using guidelines provided to ensure consistency. This data was compared with the medical assessments on same parameters, which was used as the "gold standard". Results Good correlation was found in identification of mood states and emotional distress. Correlation regarding cognitive development and self esteem was less satisfactory. Conclusions Such methods are useful subsidiary tools to medical assessments but caution in interpretation is necessary in some parameters.

Use of chlorine, benzoate and lactic acid as decontaminators to mechanically separated poultry meat and application in traditional Egyptian luncheon

Mechanically separated meat was chemically decontaminated with various approved materials and then used for preparation of traditional Egyptian luncheon. The prepared luncheon was then kept at room temperature to study the effect of such treatments on its bacterial load and keeping quality. All the used chemicals significantly reduced the bacterial load of mechanically separated meat in comparison with control product in which untreated mechanically separated meat was incorporated. Combined use of chlorine and sodium benzoate was the most powerful treatment, where it was responsible for reduction of the different bacterial populations by about 1.5-3.5 log[10] cycles. The same treatment exerted a much more effect than other three treatments in extending the shelf life of luncheon to 7 weeks in comparison with 5 weeks in samples treated with either chlorine or lactic acid alone and only 2 weeks in untreated control samples. Combined treatment also reduced the used concentration of both chemicals without affecting the shelf life of the product

Development of sensory scoring schemes for farm-raised fish [tilapia nilotica and Bagrus bayad]

The aim of the present investigation is to establish a guide for the post-mortem changes in sensory characteristics of farm-raised Tilapia nilotica [T. nilotica] and Bagrus bayad [B. bayad] which are among the most popular Egyptian freshwater fishes. Fish under experiment were kept in crushedice and the changes in the different sensory criteria were followed during storage by sensory evaluation of the skin surface, gills, eyes, smell and muscles stiffness of raw fish, as well as the eating quality criteria [odor, flavor and texture] for cooked samples. Numerical schemes using simplified descriptive terms were developed to make sensory evaluation more reliable and facilitate its application in industrial field. The scales were constructed into many features and the final judgement was performed according to summation of all investigated characteristics. The quality grades of raw examined samples of T.nilotica and B. bayad were categorized as excellent [grade A=10 marks] for samples stored for first three days, very good [grade B=8 marks] for samples stored for 7days, good [grade C=6 marks] for samples stored for 9 days, acceptable [grade C=4 marks] for samples stored for thirteen days, while samples stored for more than thirteen days in crushed ice were considered rejected [grade E=2 marks]

Bioresidual efficacy and phytotoxicity of certain systemic nematicides against root-knot nematode infesting tomato plants

The bioresidual efficacy and phytotoxic effects of four systemic nematicides: akldicarb, carbofluran, oxamyl and fenamiphos against root-knot nematodes infesting tomao plants were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouses. The obtained results indicated the important role of nematicide type on the studied nematodes and tomato plants. Fenamiphos proved more effectiveness than the other nematicides tested against the root-knot nematode larvae, followed by akldicarb. The highest inhibition of gall formation was obtained by fenamiphos, while oxamyl was the lowest inhibitor. General, for all tested nematicides at the evaluated concentrations, the best inhibition was achieved when the nematicide was applied at the time of inoculation. The nematicides tested except fenamiphos showed clear phytotoxic symptoms on treated tomato plants characterized by significantly reduction in the dry weight of plant roots and shoots. Among the tested nematicides only carbofuran decreased significantly the height of treated tomato plants

Microbiological evaluation of pizza with special concern to food-borne pathogens

Thirty samples of pizza randomly collected from different restaurants and pastries in Cairo and Giza governorates were investigated to evaluate their microbiological quality. The results indicated that the mean Aerobic plate, Enterobacteriaceae, Aerobic sporeformers, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococci, Staph. aureus, Enterococci, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Coliforms, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli [SPEC] and yeast and mold counts per gram were 1.5 x 10 5, 2 x 10 4, 6.1 x 10 2, 2.1 x 10 2, 2.9 x 10 3, 6.1 x 10 2, 3.2 x 10 4, 2.4 x 10 2, 9.8 x 10 2, 1 x 10 2 and 6.5 x 10 3, respectively. Pizza was found to be contaminated with newly emerging food-borne pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila, as well as Salmonella species. Escherichia coli, Enterobacter agglomerans, E. coloacae, Citrobacter diversus, C. freundii, Klebsiella ozenae and K. rhinoschleromata were isolated in percentage ranged from 3.3 to 20%. However, neither Listeria monocytogenes nor Yersinia enterocolitica could be isolated from the examined samples. The public health hazards of the isolated organisms, as well as suggested control measures were fully discussed in order to improve the quality of pizza

Hazard analysis and critical control point evaluation of eggs and basterma meal

Hazard analysis is conducted for a meal made from fried eggs with basterma prepared as sandwiches. Samples of the meal as well as its raw ingredients together with samples from similar meal prepared under laboratory conditions were analyzed microbiologically. The obtained results revealed high significant difference [p

Polymorphic variation of hemoglobins in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

No presente trabalho foi estudado o polimorfismo bioquímico das hemoglobinas de 96 búfalos indianos de diferentes cruzamentos envolvendo as raças Murrah, Jafarabadi e Mediterrâneo, criados na Fazenda Experimental Lageado - UNESP - Botucatu, Estado de Säo Paulo. As variantes de hemoglobinas foram identificadas através de eletroforese em gel de Agar-Amido em sistema de tampäo descontínuo, pH 8,6. Animais portando uma banda rápida (A1) foram considerados AA (4,4 por cento); búfalos com duas bandas (A1 e A2) foram considerados AB (31,87 por cento) quando A2 era mais fraca e BB (31,87 por cento) quando A2 era mais forte. Uma terceira banda foi encontrada, chamada N. Fenótipos com três bandas foram encontrados com as respectivas frequências; ABN (3,3 por cento) e BBN (30,77 por cento). Análises densitométricas e a falta de animais AAN levaram à conclusäo que, de alguma forma, a síntese da cadeia Beta mutante que origina a banda N esteja relacionada provavelmente ao alelo AlfaII. Provavelmente, a alta frequência de animais com banda N seja devida ao uso intenso de poucos reprodutores

Efecto de la leche sobre los estreptococos orales de la placa bacteriana en niños / Effect of milk on dental plaque oral streptococci in children

Se procura establecer si la ingesta de leche sin el añadido de azúcar, suministrada antes de dormir y después de realizado el cepillado de los dientes, actúa inhibiendo los estreptococos de la placa bacteriana en niños. Se trabajó con 12 niños de ambos sexos, de edades comprendidas entre 3 y 11 años. Los mismos fueron divididos en un grupo problema, al que se le hizo ingerir medio vaso de leche bovina pasteurizada, y un grupo testigo, que no tomó leche después de las cinco de la tarde. Se realizó una primera toma de muestra de placa bacteriana a la noche después de cenar y haberse cepillado los dientes. A la mañana siguiente, antes de la higiene bucal y previo al desayuno, se obtuvieron muestras nuevamente en ambos grupos. La experiencia se extendió a 15 días. Al cabo de ese tiempo se repitió el control microbiológico. Los resultados indicaron que en los pacientes que tomaron leche, al cabo de 15 días, se produce una disminución en el número de microorganismos total y en el pocentaje de estreptococos. En los pacientes testigo, el número de microorganismos aumentó en las muestras de la mañana. El porcentaje de estreptococos se mantuvo constante