Efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta‑analysis of intervention trials

Objective Colchicine, an approved treatment for gout, has been trialed in many diseases including osteoarthritis (OA) due to its anti-inflammatory effects. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear in OA. This systematic review and metaanalysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of OA. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched from inception through September 2022. Two reviewers independently screened for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing colchicine with placebo or other active comparators for the treatment of OA (knee, hand, or hip OA), extracted data, and performed Cochrane risk of bias assessments. Result Nine RCTs for the knee OA and one for the hand OA were identified, consisting of 847 patients (429 in colchicine arms, 409 in control arms). The studies were conducted between 2002 and 2021 with follow-up periods ranging from 2 to 12 months, in India, Iran, Turkey, Australia, Singapore, and Iraq. Moderate-quality evidence showed no clinically important pain reduction with colchicine compared to control (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], − 0.55, 0.22). Moderate-quality evidence showed no improvement in function with colchicine compared to control in knee OA patients (SMD, − 0.37; 95% CI, − 0.87, 0.13). Colchicine showed an acceptable safety profile with AEs/SAEs comparable to control. Conclusion Current evidence does not suggest a benefit of colchicine in reducing pain and improving physical function in the overall cohort of hand/knee OA patients. Future trials should focus on the subgroups of OA patients with local or systemic inflammation and/or mineralization who might benefit from colchicine.International Graduate Research Scholarship, University of TasmaniaNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia 2017-20Operational Programme Research, Development, and Education CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_053/0016952 CAU

CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR AND AWARENESS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS ABOUT DENTAL EROSION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CONSUMPTION OF CARBONATED/ACIDIC BEVERAGES

Objective: Irreversible loss of dental hard-tissue due to a chemical process is termed as dental erosion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of under-graduate medical students about dental erosion and its association with intake of acidic/carbonated beverages and to assess their consumption behavior. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted on 220 undergraduate medical students. Data were collected as mean and percentages and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0. Results: More than half of the participants n=118 (53.64%) reported that they consumed some form of acidic/carbonated beverages on a weekly basis in varying frequencies. The pattern of consumption of 1–2 servings (approx. 300 ml/serving)/day was most commonly seen in 25% participants. About 82.73% had the knowledge of dental erosion and 81.82% were aware that carbonated/acidic beverages are the reason of dental erosion. Conclusion: Medical students had accurate knowledge and positive attitudes toward dental erosion and its association with intake of carbonated/ acidic beverages. Despite being well aware about adverse effects of carbonated/acidic beverages consumption, many of them presented with harmful consumption behaviors

Dietary beliefs and eating patterns influence metabolic health in type 2 diabetes: A clinic-based study in urban North India

Background: Almost 15% of India\u27s urban adult populace now lives with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to characterize the eating patterns, knowledge, beliefs, and determinants of food choice, and assess associations with the metabolic health among urban Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 258 individuals (mean age 55.7 ± 10 years; body mass index 27.1 ± 4.8 kg/m 2 ; diabetes duration 10.1 ± 6.5 years) attending two out-patient clinics in New Delhi, India. Food-related information was collected during a semi-structured interview. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded. Results: Beliefs related to health and diabetes played a role determining food choice and dietary patterns; erroneous views were associated with the poor food choices and greater metabolic perturbations. Average consumption of fruits/vegetables was low. Intakes were positively associated with intentions to manage diabetes; inversely associated with the waist circumference and negatively correlated with one\u27s degree of personal responsibility for food choice. Household saturated fat usage was common. High fat intakes were positively associated with the taste preference, ratings of perceived "health-value;" waist circumference, glycosylated haemoglobin percentage (HbA1c%) and lipids. Conclusions: Strategies to enhance diabetes control among Asian Indians are required and should encourage fruit/vegetable intake, personal accountability, and consider individual beliefs and preferences. Greater emphasis and resources directed to regular dietary and behavioral counseling may assist.

Investigation of Corrosion Inhibitors Adsorption on Metals Using Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The use of computational chemistry as a tool in the design and development of organic corrosion inhibitors has been greatly enhanced by the development of density functional theory (DFT) and Molecular dynamic simulation (MD). Experimentally corrosion inhibitor development requires lots of money and time. Thus, in the era of hardware and software development, corrosion scientist can select a potential inhibitor on the basis of theoretical analysis of molecular properties of inhibitor molecules, which have reduced the cost. DFT and MD are capable to accurately predict the inhibition characteristics of inhibitor molecules using molecular/electronic properties and reactivity indices. The purpose of this book chapter is to summarize some important features related to DFT and MD, giving a brief background to the selected DFT/MD-based chemical reactivity concepts, calculations and their applications to organic corrosion inhibitor design. The impact of this book chapter is to illustrate the enormous power of DFT and MD

Spectroscopy in Oilfield Corrosion Monitoring and Inhibition

Interaction of surfaces of metals and alloys with electromagnetic radiation produces several interesting phenomena, including electronic transitions, molecular rotation and vibration within bonds, polarisation, or photochemical reactions. Spectroscopy is an essential tool that provides some structural information about these interactions. In corrosion, spectroscopic techniques are often employed for mechanistic determinations, especially in the presence of corrosion inhibitors. In this chapter, we have examined some spectroscopic methods that are useful for corrosion monitoring and corrosion inhibition. More emphasis is placed on sample preparation, output parameters, interpretation of results and possible deductions/predictions, which could be made from obtained results than on the underlying principles and mode of equipment operation. Attempts are also made to critically examine some literature, hence readers (early career researchers) and experts in the field will find this chapter very resourceful and a ready reference material

Methionine-functionalized graphene oxide/sodium alginate bio-polymer nanocomposite hydrogel beads: Synthesis, isotherm and kinetic studies for an adsorptive removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotics

This work was supported by Pt. Ravishankar Research Fellowship Scheme, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India (grant number V.R. No. 3114/4/Fin./Sch.//2018). This work was also supported by national funds through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Institutional Call (CEECINST/00102/2018) and by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV, financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020).In spite of the growing demand for new antibiotics, in the recent years, the occurrence of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (as a curative agent for urinary tract disorders and respiratory problems) in wastewater have drawn immense attention. Traces of antibiotic left-overs are present in the water system, causing noxious impact on human health and ecological environments, being a global concern. Our present work aims at tackling the major challenge of toxicity caused by antibiotics. This study deals with the efficient adsorption of two commonly used fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics, i.e., Ofloxacin (OFX) and Moxifloxacin (MOX) on spherical hydrogel beads generated from methionine‒functionalized graphene oxide/ sodium alginate polymer (abbreviated Met-GO/SA) from aqueous solutions. The composition, morphology and crystal phase of prepared adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG). Batch adsorption tests are followed to optimize the conditions required for adsorption process. Both functionalized and non-functionalized adsorbents were compared to understand the influence of several experimental parameters, such as, the solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature and initial concentration of OFX and MOX on adsorption. The obtained results indicated that the functionalized adsorbent (Met-GO/SA) showed a better adsorption efficiency when compared to non-functionalized (GO/SA) adsorbent. Further, the Langmuir isotherm was validated as the best fitting model to describe adsorption equilibrium and pseudo second-order-kinetic model fitted well for both types of adsorbate. The maximum adsorption capacities of Met-GO/SA were 4.11 mg/g for MOX and 3.43 mg/g for OFX. Thermodynamic parameters, i.e., ∆G°, ∆H° and ∆S° were also calculated. It was shown that the overall adsorption process was thermodynamically favorable, spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The adsorbents were successfully regenerated up to four cycles with 0.005 M NaCl solutions. Overall, our work showed that the novel Met-GO/SA nanocomposite could better contribute to the removal of MOX and OFX from the liquid media. The gel beads prepared have adequate features, such as simple handling, eco-friendliness and easy recovery. Hence, polymer gel beads are promising candidates as adsorbents for large-scale water remediation.publishersversionpublishe

Corrosion Mitigation by Planar Benzimidazole Derivatives

The corrosion has a considerable amount of impact on the economics of every nation, and ultimately it affects the GDP. In the present era, the challenge given by corrosion can be easily mitigated using organic compounds as corrosion inhibitor in different corrosive media. The important property of an inhibitor is the presence of the metal interacting with heteroatoms and a planar structure. In this regard, benzimidazoles (BI) with a fused bicyclic ring consisting of benzene and imidazole moiety in their structural framework making them a potential candidate for anti-corrosion work. In addition to this, bezimidazole derivatives are classified as green inhibitor due to different kinds of biological activities. Their higher potency to mitigate corrosion is because of the planar molecular structure, nitrogen atom and sp2 hybridized carbon, which provide them an ability to strongly interact with the metal. The focus of this book chapter is to investigate briefly the anti-corrosion ability of benzimidazole (BI) and their derivatives as a potential corrosion inhibitor for various industrially useful metals in different aggressive media

Effect of Sertraline on biomarker alterations in patients of multidrug resistant tuberculosis with depression: a prospective clinical trial

Background: Lipid profile parameters may be used as biomarker for depression. Sertraline belongs to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly used group to treat the depression in multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients.Methods: A prospective clinical trial was carried out in department of Psychiatry and department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory disease G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur. Diagnosed MDR TB patients were screened for depression applying Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and these patients were referred to Psychiatrist for diagnosis of depression. Total 25 diagnosed patients of MDR TB with mild to moderate depression were selected. HDRS Score and morning blood sample of 5ml were collected to analyze biomarker for depression before intervention. Same test was repeated in 18 patients who completed the study at day 30 and 120 after administering Sertraline (50mg). Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and paired t - test.Results: The mean decrease in HDRS score from base line at day 30 and 120 of administering Sertraline were 6.22 (±1.26) and 2.72 (±0.67) which were significant (p˂0.001). The mean increase in serum cholesterol at day 30 was 153.94 (±19.31) and at day 120 was 157.83 (±19.36) which were significant (p˂0.001). Rest of Tg, HDLc, LDLc and VLDL cholesterole levels were not increased significantly.Conclusions: As the depression symptoms improved by sertraline. The biomarkers of depression were also increased (within the normal range) from baseline but significant increase was observed in serum cholesterol only