Effect of Aegle marmelos methanolic extracts of leaf and fruit pulp on learning and memory in albino rats

Background: The objective was to study the effect of Aegle marmelos methanolic extracts of leaf (LE) and fruit pulp extract (FE) on learning and memory in albino rats. 40 healthy wistar albino rats of either sex were randomly divided into 10 groups of 4 each (n=4), weighing about 150 to 200 gm were selected for the study. The extracts i.e. 1ml of 1% carboxy methyl cellulose, LE and FE at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were administered per oral one hour before the experiment.Methods: Learning and memory was assessed by elevated plus maze and Hebb William maze. Latency time and number of entries were assessed by elevated plus maze whereas only latency was assessed by Hebb William maze.Results: Plant extracts of LE and FE at doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg have shown significant percentage reduction in latency time in elevated plus maze and Hebb William maze (p<0.05) and reduction in the number of entries in elevated plus maze.Conclusions: LE and FE at doses 200 mg/kg have shown significant effect on learning and memory.

Drug utilization pattern of antimicrobials in OPD of ENT in teaching hospital

Background: A drug utilization study may be helpful to identify the problems, suggest the remedial measures and promote rational use. Antimicrobials are commonly used to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi, evidently require huge prescriptions in India.Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out for a period of four months from February to May 2019 in the Department of ENT (OPD) at NRI Medical College and General Hospital. Prescriptions were collected randomly from around 300 patients attending the ENT outpatient department after obtaining informed consent. The data were collected in the predesigned proforma for analysis.Results: 300 ENT patients were selected for the study, 62% were male and 38% were female. Out of 300 patients 190 ear disorders, 50 nasal, and 60 throat infections. Antimicrobial therapy were most commonly instituted in ear diseases (67.66%), nose (16.95%) and throat (15.37%) respectively. The most commonly used agents were amoxicillin with clavulanic acid- n=295, cefixime- n=1260, gentamicin- n=200, ciprofloxacin- n=157, azithromycin- n=199, nitroimidazoles (metronidazole- n=111).Conclusions: Cefixime and amoxicillin+clavulanic acid combination was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in our study. Interventions to rectify the use of brand names are necessary to promote rational drug use. An antibiotic policy has to be developed for the doctors in treating infections so that rationality in using the antibiotics will be developed and the occurrence of antibiotic resistance can be reduced.

Knowledge of medical students on clinical trials

Background: Basic research can help medical school students improve critical thinking skills required by medical practice. In this era of evidence-based medicine, the combination of medical education with clinical research is the key to ensure scientific discoveries are translated into clinical practice. This study’s objective was to know the awareness about clinical trials among undergraduate medical students.Methods: After obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee of NRI Academy of Medical Sciences, Guntur, India, this cross sectional study was conducted in second year medical students after taking their consent. A sample of 90was considered for statistical analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the objective of this study, which had general, regulatory and ethical questions related to clinical trials. Qualitative data variables were expressed by using frequency and Percentage (%).Results: Out of 90 students, it was observed that in the general questions category, 70% of students were aware of the purpose of conducting clinical trials, 50% were aware of the pre-requisites for a participant before participating in a clinical trial and 50% were aware of the parameters evaluated in a clinical trial. 95% of students did not know the response for regulatory questions. The students’ awareness regarding ethics related to clinical trials was better than the other two categories.Conclusions: The overall awareness of clinical trials was low among students though they demonstrated good awareness regarding few aspects of clinical trials.

Study of awareness of diabetes mellitus among diabetics and non-diabetics and drug utilisation pattern in diabetics attending tertiary care general hospital in India

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most challenging public health problems. It is important to know about the awareness level of a disease condition in a population, which plays a vital role in future development, early detection and prevention of disease.Methods: A total of 200 subjects were interviewed and their details were noted in a specially designed data collection form. The questionnaire contained a series of questions related to demographic characteristics and awareness of DM including general knowledge, risk factors and complications of diabetic and non-diabetic patients.Results: Among 150 subjects were diabetic and 50 were non-diabetic. 60 (40%), 14(28%) of diabetics and non- diabetics were between the age of 41-50. 101 (67.3%) were male, 49 (32.6%) were female. 101 (67.3%) of the study participant had family history of diabetes in diabetic. 45 (44.5%) diabetic, 20 (40.81%) non-diabetic male knows the risk factor for diabetes mellitus and 35 (34.6%), 21 (42.8%) were aware of symptoms, 09(8.9%), 03(6.1%) awareness on complication of diabetes. 21 (20.7%), 06 (12.2%) doesn’t know about Risk factors.Conclusions: The present study conclude a current situation of knowledge and awareness of diabetes mellitus and also emphasizes the need for improvement in knowledge and awareness on diabetes mellitus among the diabetic as well as non-diabetic subjects in order to achieve prevention and better control of diabetes risk factors, complications and its management.

Study of awareness of insulin usage in diabetics attending NRI Medical College and General Hospital

Background: India had 69.2 million diabetic patients. Insulin is an important part of diabetes treatment, but one-third of patients fail to take their insulin as prescribed, and many adults intentionally skip their doses. Since, diabetes treatment continues for lifetime, there is a need to assess the knowledge and understanding of patients in relation to their disease process and its management.Methods: A cross sectional, observational, knowledge and attitude survey were carried on patients with type II diabetes mellitus who are taking insulin therapy and attended medicine diabetes OPD in tertiary care Hospital during the period of April 2017 to Dec 2017. 200 diabetic patients’ ?18 years of age who were willing to respond to the study questionnaire were interviewed.Results: Total of 200 study participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires, almost 75 (37.5%) of the respondents were age group of 41 - 50 years. 109 (54.5 %) male, 67 (33.5%)Hindus, 121 (60.5 %) married,79 (39.5%) were primary school, 120 (73.8%) were family history of diabetes, duration of treatment1-3 years 72 (31.5 %), 160 (63%) of the study subjects know about diabetes is high blood glucose, 119(59.5%)of subjects know complications of diabetes, 165(82.5%) were know about insulin used for diabetes, 115 (57.5%) of patients know other substitute for insulin, 94 (47%) of the study subjects have knowledge of complications of insulin therapy, 85 (42.5) were know different types of insulin preparations, 141 (70.5%) were know insulin is mandatory in some patients,159 (79.5%) were understood the route of administration of insulin.Conclusions: The finding of present study showed that, diabetes patients had average knowledge and less favourable attitude among diabetic patients toward insulin therapy.