A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF DIFFERENT OLMESARTAN TABLETS AVAILABLE IN THE ALBANIAN MARKET

ABSTRACTObjective: Olmesartan (OLM) is the latest molecule of registered and marketed in Albania for the treatment of arterial hypertension. This study aimsto carry out a quality control (QC) test on all the alternatives available in the Albanian market and evaluate if there are any outstanding differencesterms of quality as it is in terms of price.Methods: There were carried out various QC pharmacopeias tests on a range of different productions of OLM 20 mg tablets. There have been carriedout weight variation test, setting the diameter, thickness, friability, hardness, disintegration, and dissolution test. The pharmaceutical equivalents werecompared to the reference product in terms of similar dissolution factor (f) of dissolution profiles and the dissolution efficiency. The dissolution test wascarried out using Varian dissolution apparatus 2 (50 rpm, 37±0.5°C); Varian Prostar high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine theOLM concentration at wavelength 250 nm; Varian hardness VK 200, Guoming BJ-2 disintegration apparatus were used for the respective tests.2Results: The study showed that although there is a consistent difference in market price, their quality is comparable. The dissolution profiles werevery similar. All formulations met the standards of the United States Pharmacopoeia.Conclusion: All tablets were within the pharmacopoeia limits. The present study confirmed that the difference in price not always represents adifference in terms of quality.Keywords: Olmesartan medoxomil, Quality control, Pharmacopoeia standards

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF THREE GALENIC PREPARATIONS FOR TOPICAL USE

Background: Atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis are an important challenge for dermatology doctors. In order to have the best result in shorter time of treatment, it is necessary a collaboration with clinical pharmacists to have the right product, for the right type of skin, in the right amount according to the affected surface. It is very important to decide first which NSAID to use as topical therapy, second the type of formulation to use having at disposal Galenic preparations such as lotion, cream and unguent Objective: To study the efficacy and compliance of patients on three Galenic preparations. Method: A randomized, open group controlled trial. 198 patients were included in this trial to be treated either with lotion of 0.1%, cream of 0.1% or unguent 0.1% mometasone furoate (MF). The data were analyzed with chi-square test. Results: About 118 (59.6%) of patients were males and 80 (40.4%) were females. The male/female ratio was 1:0.67. After 28 days of treatment quite all patients were improved or had no signs of illness (lotion 97.6% improved, cream 80% absence of signs, unguent 63.0 % improved). The results after statistical analysis shows that there are much more possibility to become absent from signs using cream, rather than lotion or unguent [cream vs lotion 157 folds (P= 0.002) while unguent vs lotion 25 folds (P<0.001)]. There were not noticed any treatment-related irritation from all three formulations. Conclusion: All three formulations can improve the health status of patients with eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. However cream gives faster and better clinical improvements compared to unguent or lotion. All three galenic preparations were well tolerated

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF THREE GALENIC PREPARATIONS FOR TOPICAL USE

Background: Atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis are an important challenge for dermatology doctors. In order to have the best result in shorter time of treatment, it is necessary a collaboration with clinical pharmacists to have the right product, for the right type of skin, in the right amount according to the affected surface. It is very important to decide first which NSAID to use as topical therapy, second the type of formulation to use having at disposal Galenic preparations such as lotion, cream and unguent Objective: To study the efficacy and compliance of patients on three Galenic preparations. Method: A randomized, open group controlled trial. 198 patients were included in this trial to be treated either with lotion of 0.1%, cream of 0.1% or unguent 0.1% mometasone furoate (MF). The data were analyzed with chi-square test. Results: About 118 (59.6%) of patients were males and 80 (40.4%) were females. The male/female ratio was 1:0.67. After 28 days of treatment quite all patients were improved or had no signs of illness (lotion 97.6% improved, cream 80% absence of signs, unguent 63.0 % improved). The results after statistical analysis shows that there are much more possibility to become absent from signs using cream, rather than lotion or unguent [cream vs lotion 157 folds (P= 0.002) while unguent vs lotion 25 folds (P<0.001)]. There were not noticed any treatment-related irritation from all three formulations. Conclusion: All three formulations can improve the health status of patients with eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. However cream gives faster and better clinical improvements compared to unguent or lotion. All three galenic preparations were well tolerated

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of diseas

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of disease

Et’hem Beu mosque, Tirana, a sparkle of Islamic architecture in Albania

During the centralization of the Turkish Empire had reached its peak in fifteen and sixteen (XV-XVI) centuries, Ottoman art in Albania was very similar of that in Skopje or Edirne. On the other hand in the seventeenth (XVII) centu- ry, when the influence of the central Ottoman government slowly declined; the local contribution to Islamic buildings in Albania gradually increased. In the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth (XVIII-XIX) century, the blending of Ottoman elements reached its peak with the appearance of a particular style of Albanian-Islamic Architecture. This style presents a synthesis of religious and secular elements such as ottoman, local and western. The fusion of these features seemingly heterogeneous reflects indeed the country of Albania in history, as a con- necting route of the East and West. These recent works, as named by Machiel Kiel, (2011) [16] are the products of the "Golden century of Islamic culture in Albania". This time is considered as the "golden age" in terms of architectural development in Albania. This paper attempts to unfold how Islam was spread in region of Albania and how the religious buildings adapted the Islamic elements breathing harmoniously with the local architectural elements. In this regard the case study of Et’hem Beu Mosque of Tirana has been conducted to unfold the facts of a relationship of local Islamic features and European architecture through literature review on Islam in Albania, detailed description on Mosque background, his- tory and its architectural implication has been presented. Eventually this study will promote the evolution of Islamic architecture in Albania and its significance in Albanian architectural development

Sustainable heritage: Analytical study on the viability of adaptive reuse with social approach, case study of Asia Heritage Row, Kuala Lumpur

Historic buildings maintain the local characteristics and preserve the culture and history of a country. This historical and cultural significances as a legacy can be passed to next generation by conserving the historical buildings. Nowadays in the process of conservation, Adaptive Reuse Practice has been necessary, especially when historical buildings are no longer functioning its original purpose. Moreover, adaptive reuse holds different dimensions of sustainability that of economic, environmental and social. In the pursuit of the sustainable development, social sustainability has been the new parameter to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse. In this regard an attempt has been made as a main objective to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse and its social sustainability. Asia Heritage Row located in Doraisami Street and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur is used for the hypothesis testing. The variables that are measured as parameters in achieving social sustainability are categorized into cultural, aesthetical, social and human comfort. The data is mainly collected from literature review, case study and questionnaires distributed to the users of the case study area. The data is analyzed by determining the statically reliable relationship between adaptive reuse and social sustainability parameters. The associations between variables are examined by correlation. The result show’s that adaptive reuse of Asia Heritage Row Building not only have a social value but preserves the heritage significances as a place of social interaction and also ensures its sustainability. Hope this study would be worthwhile for those who are intending to know or carry out research about the socio-sustainability of readapted heritage buildings in future

Adaptive reuse of heritage building

Historic buildings maintain the local characteristics and preserve the culture and history of a country. This historical and cultural significances as a legacy can be passed to next generation by conserving the historical buildings. Nowadays in the process of conservation, Adaptive Reuse Practice has been necessary, especially when historical buildings are no longer functioning its original purpose. In the pursuit of the sustainable development, social sustainability has been the new parameter to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse. There are not enough studies held to explore the social parameter. In this regard an attempt has been made to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse and its social sustainability. Asia Heritage Row located in Doraisami Street and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur, is used for the hypobook testing. The purpose of this book is to assess re-adaptive building impact to the social life of the users and their satisfaction after application of adaptive reuse and to evaluate the contribution of Asia Heritage Row after application of adaptive reuse towards cultural and aesthetical heritage values. The data is mainly collected from literature review, case study and questionnaires distributed to the end users of the Asia Heritage Row. The data is analyzed by determining the statically reliable relationship between adaptive reuse and social sustainability parameters. The associations between variables are examined by correlation. The findings show that adaptive reuse of Asia Heritage Row building has a significant value both; culturally and socially. It preserves the heritage significances as a place of social interaction and ensures its sustainability. The book then provides recommendations to improve application of adaptive reuse to the heritage buildings for future reference

Analytical study on the viability of adaptive reuse with social approach. Case study of Asia Heritage Row, Kuala Lumpur

Nowadays in the process of conservation, Adaptive Reuse Practice has been necessary. It holds different dimensions of sustainability that of; economical, environmental and social. In the pursuit of the sustainable development, social sustainability has been the new parameter to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse. Asia Heritage Row located in Doraisami Street and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur is used for the hypothesis testing. The variables that are measured as parameters in achieving social sustainability are categorized into cultural, aesthetical, social and human comfort. This study aims to study the viability of adaptive reuse of the Asia Heritage Row towards social sustainability of heritage built environment in Kuala Lumpur. The data is mainly collected from literature review, case study and questionnaires.The data is analyzed by determining the statically reliable relationship between adaptive reuse and social sustainability parameters