Quality of patient-oriented online information on treatment of dementia: A comparative assessment of web pages in English and Hindi language.

Background: Management of dementia involves a multidisciplinary approach which also requires active participation from family members and caregivers. Thus, having easy access to information about dementia care is pertinent. Internet-based information is an emerging method for the same. Aim: To perform a comparative assessment of patient-oriented online information available on treatment of dementia over web pages in English and Hindi language. Methods: Observational study was conducted online through a general internet search engine (www.google.com). Web pages containing patient-oriented online information on treatment of dementia in English and Hindi were reviewed to assess their content and quality, esthetics, and interactivity. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: A total of 70 web pages met the eligibility criteria. Content quality assessed using the DISCERN score was significantly higher for English web pages compared to Hindi web pages (P < 0.01). About 72.4% (21/29) of English and only 9.8% (4/41) of Hindi web pages had a total DISCERN score of 40 or above, indicating good quality. For esthetics, the median score for English pages was significantly higher than for Hindi web pages (P < 0.01). The web pages with Health On Net (HON) certification had significantly better content quality. Conclusion: Our study revealed a scarcity of good quality online information about dementia and its treatment, especially in the Hindi language. English language websites showed better content quality than Hindi websites. HON Code label might be used as an indicator of better content quality for online resources informing on dementia treatment by lay people.

Effects of Abstinence From Opioid on Neuropsychological Performance in Men With Opioid Use Disorder: A Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: Impairments in neuropsychological functioning (mainly memory, learning, attention, and executive functioning) among persons with long-term opioid use disorder (OUD) have been widely reported, with few studies suggesting that these are not permanent and can improve with abstinence. Thus, present study aimed to evaluate the neuropsychological functioning in persons with OUD and examine the effects of abstinence on the same over a period 8 weeks. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with diagnosis of OUD as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition ( DSM-5 ) criteria underwent serial longitudinal neuropsychological assessments for executive functioning, attention and concentration, and verbal and nonverbal memory at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks of abstinence. RESULTS: The mean performance scores representative of attention, concentration, verbal memory, and nonverbal memory showed significant improvement in the initial 2 weeks, and executive functioning showed significant improvement by 8 weeks of abstinence (all P 's < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between the duration of opioid use and performance on verbal memory tests (0.014), the frequency of intake per day and performance on nonverbal memory and executive functioning tests, and the severity of opioid dependence and performance on nonverbal memory test (0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological functioning in certain domains was associated with the duration of opioid use, the frequency of daily opioid intake, and the severity of opioid dependence among persons with OUD at baseline. It showed significant improvement in domains of attention, concentration, verbal and nonverbal memory, and executive functions over a period of 8 weeks of abstinence.

Evaluation of a specialist antenatal nutrition clinic for women with a body mass index ≥ 40kg/m2: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the views of women who attended a specialist antenatal nutrition clinic that was specifically developed and piloted for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. DESIGN: A phenomenological approach, using individual interviews, was employed. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and scrutinised using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Themes were pinpointed and supported with direct quotes to demonstrate results. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Eight women, with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, receiving antenatal care at a tertiary hospital in south eastern Australia and who participated in a specialist antenatal nutrition service were interviewed. FINDINGS: Three main themes emerged: 1) Motivation to be Healthy; 2) Woman Centred Nutrition Care; 3) Conflicts, Confusion and Assumptions. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 40kgm2 responded positively to incorporating dietitians in the antenatal care setting. The reinforcement and reassurance provided by the specialist dietetic team was highly valued. More effective communication regarding referrals, improved consistency in information provided by the entire antenatal service and continuity of dietetic support beyond birth would add value to future interventions.

Recent developments in tubulin polymerization inhibitors: An overview.

Microtubules are protein biopolymers formed through polymerization of heterodimers of α- and ß-tubulins. Disruption of microtubules can induce cell cycle arrest in G2-M phase and formation of abnormal mitotic spindles. Their importance in mitosis and cell division makes microtubules an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery. A number of naturally occurring compounds such as paclitaxel, epothilones, vinblastine, combretastatin, and colchicines exert their effect by changing dynamics of tubulin such as polymerization and depolymerization. During past few years, rapid development of the novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors has been witnessed. Diverse classes of chemical compounds from the natural as well as from the synthetic origin have been extensively studied. This review highlights the various classes of synthetically derived chemical compounds those have been reported in last few years as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. A brief synthetic methodology to access these compounds has been highlighted along with the brief SAR studies. We strongly believe that this review will provide a platform to the synthetic chemists and biologists to design and synthesize new and potent compounds to inhibit the tubulin polymerization.