Anti-inflammatory Potentials of Fibraurea tinctoria Leaves Extract in Experimental Rats or Animals

The activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Fibraurea tinctoria leaves and anti-inflammatory was investigated. We utilized rats for which oedema was induced by carrageenan. The extract of Fibraurea tinctoria leaves was administered orally at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg. Paw oedema was significantly minimized using all prepared doses of the extract administered. The 400 mg/kg dose producing the highest oedema reduction. The Percent Inhibition with hydroalcoholic extract of Fibraurea tinctoriaand Indomethacin were 67.6% and 68.49% respectively. We concluded that this study has established the anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Fibraurea tinctoria leaves. I believe the results justifythe traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of wounds and inflammation

Influence of Co-Administration of Bioflavonoid on Diuretic Activity of Furosemide

As bioflavonoids have a strong affinity to bind with albumin, it is plausible that they may have the ability to displace the diuretic furosemide bound to albumin. In this study we sought to verify this hypothesis by examining the effect of the co-administration of a bioflavonoid with furosemide on the diuretic activity of the latter. Diosmin is a bioflavonoids type of plant chemical found mainly in citrus fruits.For this purpose, we analyzed bioflavonoids by their ability to bind to human serum albumin (HAS) using an in silico method and found that diosmin had a higher affinity to albumin than furosemide. Subsequently, we investigated the effect of the co-administration of diosmin with furosemide on the diuretic activity of the latter in mice.Our results showed that the combination did not produce any significant change in the diuretic activity of furosemide; however, after 3 hours of treatment, the urine volume of the mice that received diosmin along with frusemide was greater than that of mice administered only the same dose of furosemide. There was no significant difference in urine volume between the two groups at the end of 24 hours. A similar trend of increased levels at 3 hours in the combination group and absence of any difference at 24 hours was noted in the case of the urine concentrations of Na+, K+, and 2 Cl Our findings indicate that co-administration of diosmin increased the immediate diuretic effect of furosemide for the first few hours and that this effect subsides within 24 hrs. Therefore, this combination should be used with care, especially during the first few hours of administration

Hepatic & Renal Toxicity of Energy Drinks, a Serious Health Risk, Wistar Albino Rats Study

The recent years have seen a significant increase in the individual consumption of energy drinks across the globe. As a result, notable concerns continue to rise both among the public and among the scientific community, concerning the health effects that energy drinks pose to individuals. This study therefore examines the adverse effects of energy drinks on health, using ten normal albino rats as specimens. The specimen was then divided into two groups consisting of five rats each, with one group was given energy drinks while the control group was given normal drinking water days for a period of 21 days. The specimen was then sacrificed and their blood samples used for biochemical and histological studies. The study findings reveal that energy drink consumption significantly increased the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatininelevels when compared with the control group. In addition, the study demonstrates that energy drink consumption significantly decreased body weight and organ to body weight ratios when compared with the control group. The study further recognizes that the consumption of energy drink is associated with significant alterations in serum toxicity markers, bodyweight, organ body weight and histopathological changes. The study therefore recommends that need for public health education to educate individuals; especially youths about the risks of consuming highly caffeinated energy drinks. The study also recommends the need for further studies in order to minimize the harm excess and long-term consumption of energy drinks presented to the public

Knowledge of Root Canal Treatment and Its Association with Patients’ Demographics – A Cross-Sectional Insight

Introduction:Endodonticsisthedivisionofdentistrythatmainlydealtwiththephysiology,pathophysiology,pathologyandmorphologyofhumandentaltissues.Thestudydeterminedtheknowledgeamongpatientswhounderwentrootcanaltreatment(RCT).Methods:Across-sectionalstudywascarriedamongRCTpatientsvisitingvariousdentalclinics.Avalidatedself-administeredquestionnaireincludinginformationrelatedtoknowledgeaboutRCTwasusedtocollectrequireddata.StatisticalPackageforSocialScience(SPSS)Version22.0wasusedtoanalyzethedata Results:RegardingtheRCTknowledge,itwasrevealedthatpatientswithpreviousRCThistorywerehavingbetterknowledgethanpatientswithoutRCThistoryorthosewhowereplanningtoundergoforRCTprocedure(p=<0.001).DifferencesbetweensmokingstatusandRCTknowledgewerealsostatisticallysignificant(p=0.048).Conclusion:Inconclusion,moderateknowledgewasobservedamongpatientswhounderwentRCTorthosewhowereplanningtoperformRCT

A Cross-sectional Assessment of Quality of Life among Pharmacy Academics

Introduction: These days, living a good quality life has become a luxury rather than a necessity and investigating the quality of life (QoL) across teaching professionals seems to be beneficial. This study aimed to determine the association between demographic and socioeconomic variables and the QoL among pharmacy academics. Methods: Stratified random sampling was applied to collect data using a pre-validated and self-administered questionnaire the Duke Health Profile (DHP). Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) ver. 22.0 was used to analyze the descriptive and inferential data.Results: One hundred and fifty-five pharmacy academics were included in this study where majority 98 (63.2%) were males and 57 (36.8%) were females. The majority 74.2% weremarried and 68.4% were having more than 5 years of teaching experience. A total of 123 ofthe pharmacy academics were more than 35 years old which accounted for 79.4% of the respondents. Various determinants like age, residence, gender, administrative position, marital status, monthly income, and teaching experience are the main factors affecting QoL among pharmacy academics. Conclusion: From the present study it could be concluded that QoL among pharmacy academics was significantly influenced by numerous socio-economic and demographic determinants

Health-Related Quality of Life among University Healthcare Academics

Introduction: Having a good health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important to ensure good job performance. However, it is subjective and it cannot be measured easily. This study aimed to evaluate HRQoL among universityhealthcare academics in public andprivate universities.Method:In this study,a stratified random sampling approach was employed. The strata were created based on departments in the universities. Arandom sample from each stratum was taken in a number proportional to the stratum's size when compared to the overall target population. A validated questionnaire comprising two sections was administered online to collect the data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis H test) were applied using SPSS version 22.Results: Out of all the total 130 respondents, 57 (43.8%) were from a private university and the other 73 (56.2%) were from a public university. There were 61 (46.9%) male respondents and 69 (53.1%) female respondents. HRQoL according to the studied domains of the DUKE health profile was associated with various demographic and socioeconomic variables such as type of institution, department/faculty, age, gender, number of children,and years of experience.Conclusion:The demographic and socioeconomic variables were strongly associated with the HRQoL among university healthcare academics.

Out-of-pocket Healthcare Costs of COPD Exacerbation Episodes: A Hidden Cost and Growing Strain on Family Budgets

Introduction: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) appears to be the main reason for hospitalization among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the substantial economic burden of COPD in terms of out-of-pocket costs (OOPCs) among COPD patients. Methods: This study consisted of 67 consenting patients with AECOPD. A cross-sectional study was performed via convenience sampling. Data were gathered based on per episode of exacerbation and the calculation of OOPCs was done based on direct and indirectcosts. Results:This study showed that the mean length of hospital stay for four severity levels (according to GOLD guidelines) was 3.4, 7.2, 10.3 and 14.1 days, respectively. The mean OOPCs per episode of exacerbation according to the severity level were 139.1, 153.3, 171.4 and 365.8 USD, respectively Conclusion: Impacts of OOPCs regarding AECOPD episodes on healthcare resources are worthy of attention. Cost estimation from patients’ perspective especially OOPCs estimation is important in decision and policy-making to improve healthcare states of a population

Health-related Quality of Life among Community Pharmacists

Introduction:The role of community pharmacists (CPs) has kept on changing. Due to the evolving role of CPs, it is important to know its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among CPs. Besides, the literature on the HRQoL of CPs is not being enriched, there is an urge to carry out a study to evaluate the HRQoL among CPs. This study aimed to examine the association between the socio-demographic factors and the HRQoLamongCPs. Methodology: A set of questions related to the HRQoL has been adopted from a pre-validated questionnaire, the Duke Health Profile and contextualized it to measure study outcomes. The target population in this study was the registered CPs that were practicing. The site of the study included all the chain and independent pharmacies. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)version 22.0 was used to analyze the data and the significance level was set at p≤0.05. Variousdomains of the Duke Health Profile (DHP) were calculated using the provided formula Results: A total of 172 respondents were included in this study. Several HRQoL domains were significantly associated with socio-demographic factors. The univariate analysis illustrated that mental and general healthstatehad significant associations with age, practice setting was significantly associated with the mental health state, the salary was significantly associated with self-esteem and mental health was significantly associated with length of service and practice setting. Dysfunction dimensions of anxiety, anxiety-depression, and pain were significantly associated withgender. Conclusion: Gender, age, length of service, salary and practice setting were the risk factors for HRQoL among CPs

Predictors of Job and Workplace Satisfaction among Community Pharmacists

Aims: This study aimed to assess the current levels of job and workplace satisfactionamong community pharmacists (CPs) and to explore the factors that can affect their job and workplace satisfaction. Methods: A self-administered research tool (questionnaire) was developed based on previously published literature. After its reliability and validity measurements, the questionnaire was distributed to the target population and data was collected. Data wereentered into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) ver. 22.0 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square,and multiple regression analysis. The level of significance (α) was set at 0.05.Results: CPs reported high satisfaction (76.7%) concerning their jobs. Only 23.3% of them were not satisfied with their current job. Univariate analysis showed that job and workplace satisfactionamong CPs was not significantly associated with gender, age, length of service, position and salary. However, the univariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference between practice settings and job and workplace satisfactionwith p= 0.013. Among the respondents, those who worked in the chain pharmacies (83.7%) expressed greater job and workplace satisfaction, which is 16% higher than those working in independent pharmacies (67.6%). Therefore, practice setting was shown as the predictor of job and workplace satisfactionamong CPs by using multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: Overall, CPswere relatively satisfied with their current job. Our results had reinforced previous studies that reported that practice settings can affect pharmacists’ job and workplace satisfaction.