Cost variation analysis of hypolipidemic drugs currently available in Indian pharmaceutical market

Background: Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the growing pharmaceutical markets in the world having number of formulations available with large difference in prices. Price variations of such drugs which are used by large number of population have major economical implication. Hyperlipidemia is major risk factor for ischaemic heart diseases. So we planned this study to find out variation in cost of oral hypolipidemic drugs available in India either as a single drug or as fixed dose combination (FDCs) and to compare cost of their generic version with brands.Methods: The prices of single and FDCs of hypolipidemic drugs were taken from “Indian Drug Review 2018” and “Current Index of Medical Specialities during October 2018 to December 2018”. Maximum and minimum prices of various hypolipidemic drugs of same strength and dosage forms manufactured by different companies were taken.Results: Minimum cost variations are 3.62% (pravastatin 10 mg) and 3.37% (rosuvastatin 5 mg and fenofibrate 67 mg). Maximum cost variations are 500% (simvastatin 5 mg) and 500.32% (atorvastatin 10 mg and fenofibrate 160 mg). Wide variations are found in cost of brand drug with generic version of same strength components. None of the pharmaceutical companies are selling drugs cheaper than or equal to the cost of generic drugs of same strength.Conclusions: Most of hypolipidemic drugs should come under control of Drug Price Control Order so that financial burden of healthcare services on Indian population can be reduced and by adherence to treatment will improve health status of the community

A systematic review of variables used to assess clinically acceptable alignment of unilateral transtibial amputees in the literature.

Prosthetic alignment is a subjective concept which lacks reliability. The outcome responsiveness to prosthetic alignment quality could help to improve subjective and instrument assisted prosthetic alignment. This study was aimed to review variables used to assess clinically acceptable alignment in the literature. The search was done in some databases including: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus. The first selection criterion was based on abstracts and titles to address the research questions of interest. The American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics checklists were used for paper risk of bias assessment. A total of 25 studies were included in this study. Twenty-four studies revealed the critics of standing position or walking to locate clinically acceptable alignment, only one study measured outcomes in both situations. A total of 253 adults with transtibial amputations and mean age of 48.71 years participated in included studies. The confidence level of included studies was low to moderate, and before-after trial was the most common study design (n = 19). The joint angle, load line location with respect to joints and center of pressure-related parameters were reported as sensitive outcomes to prosthetic alignment quality in standing posture. The amount of forces at various parts of gait cycle and time of events were sensitive to prosthetic alignment quality during walking. Standing balance and posture and temporal parameters of walking could help to locate clinically acceptable alignment.N/

Mechanisms underlying the growth inhibitory effects of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib in human breast cancer cells

INTRODUCTION: Inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 are being extensively studied as anticancer agents. In the present study we evaluated the mechanisms by which a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, affects tumor growth of two differentially invasive human breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 (highly invasive) and MDA-MB-468 (moderately invasive) cell lines were treated with varying concentrations of celecoxib in vitro, and the effects of this agent on cell growth and angiogenesis were monitored by evaluating cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and vasculogenic mimicry. The in vitro results of MDA-MB-231 cell line were further confirmed in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: The highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells express higher levels of COX-2 than do the less invasive MDA-MB-468 cells. Celecoxib treatment inhibited COX-2 activity, indicated by prostaglandin E(2 )secretion, and caused significant growth arrest in both breast cancer cell lines. In the highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of celecoxib-induced growth arrest was by induction of apoptosis, associated with reduced activation of protein kinase B/Akt, and subsequent activation of caspases 3 and 7. In the less invasive MDA-MB-468 cells, growth arrest was a consequence of cell cycle arrest at the G(0)/G(1 )checkpoint. Celecoxib-induced growth inhibition was reversed by addition of exogenous prostaglandin E(2 )in MDA-MB-468 cells but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, MDA-MB-468 cells formed significantly fewer extracellular matrix associated microvascular channels in vitro than did the high COX-2 expressing MDA-MB-231 cells. Celecoxib treatment not only inhibited cell growth and vascular channel formation but also reduced vascular endothelial growth factor levels. The in vitro findings corroborated in vivo data from a mouse xenograft model in which daily administration of celecoxib significantly reduced tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 cells, which was associated with reduced vascularization and increased necrosis in the tumor mass. CONCLUSION: The disparate molecular mechanisms of celecoxib-induced growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells depends upon the level of COX-2 expression and the invasive potential of the cell lines examined. Data suggest a role for COX-2 not only in the growth of cancer cells but also in activating the angiogenic pathway through regulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor

Cleavage of misfolded nuclear receptor corepressor confers resistance to unfolded protein response-induced apoptosis

10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-0002Cancer Research66209903-991

Influence of 16 years of fertilization and manuring on carbon sequestration and agronomic productivity of groundnut in vertisol of semi-arid tropics of Western India

Productivity of cropland soils, especially in arid and semi-arid tropics of India rigorously declined due to increasing losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) over the past decades. In the present study, we examined a 16-years long term experiment with continuous mono cropping rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) to quantify the influence of fertilization and manuring on yield sustainability and C sequestration potential on rainfed Vertisols of Western India. The treatments include, i) T1 = control; ii) T2 = 100% recommended dose of fertilizer [RDF-20:40:40 kg ha−1 of N:P2O5: K2O]; iii) T3 = integrated nutrient management [INM- 50% RDF + compost 6 Mg ha−1 + biofertilizers (BF)]; iv) T4 = organic nutrient source [compost 6 Mg ha−1 + vermicompost (VC) 2 Mg ha−1 + castor neem cake (CNC) 250 kg ha−1 + BF + mulching]. Maximum mean groundnut pod yield (1.17 Mg ha−1) was recorded in T2 which was statistically similar to T4 (1.16 Mg ha−1). However, Mann-Kendall test for yield trend suggests the consistency in yield increase under T3 treatment during the last 16 years. The rate of pod yield enhancement was 27 kg ha−1 for every Mg increase in profile SOC stock. The mean SOC concentration (g kg−1) of 1-m soil depth increased from 4.0 to 5.6 (40%) in T4 over control and the mean SOC sequestration rate was 0.63 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. A minimum of 1.22 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 input was needed to maintain SOC stock at its antecedent level (zero change). We conclude that combined use of chemical fertilizers along with locally available organic resources is essential for enhancing SOC storage while achieving sustainable crop productivity in semi-arid agro-ecosystem

Not Available

Not AvailableProductivity of cropland soils, especially in arid and semi - arid tropics of India rigorously declined due to increasing losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) over the past decades. In the present study, we examined a 16 - years long term experiment with continuous mono cropping rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) to quantify the influence of fertilization and manuring on yield sustainability and C sequestration potential on rainfed Vertisols of Western India. The treatments include, (i) T1 = control; (ii) T2 = 100% recommended dose of fertilizer [RDF - 20:40:40 kg ha−1 of N:P2O5: K2O]; (iii) T3 = integrated nutrient management [INM - 50% RDF + compost 6 Mg ha−1 + biofertilizers (BF)]; (iv) T4 = organic nutrient source [compost 6 Mg ha−1 + vermicompost (VC) 2 Mg ha−1 + castor neem cake (CNC) 250 kg ha−1 + BF + mulching]. Maximum mean groundnut pod yield (1.17 Mg ha−1) was recorded in T2 which was statistically similar to T4 (1.16 Mg ha−1). However, Mann - Kendall test for yield trend suggests the consistency in yield increase under T3 treatment during the last 16 years. The rate of pod yield enhancement was 27 kg ha−1 for every Mg increase in profile SOC stock. The mean SOC concentration (g kg−1) of 1 - m soil depth increased from 4.0 to 5.6 (40%) in T4 over control and the mean SOC sequestration rate was 0.63 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. A minimum of 1.22 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 input was needed to maintain SOC stock at its antecedent level (zero change). We conclude that combined use of chemical fertilizers along with locally available organic resources is essential for enhancing SOC storage while achieving sustainable crop productivity in semi - arid agro - ecosystem.Not Availabl

LY303511 amplifies TRAIL-induced apoptosis in tumor cells by enhancing DR5 oligomerization, DISC assembly, and mitochondrial permeabilization

10.1038/sj.cdd.4402177Cell Death and Differentiation14101813-182

Art and science of photodynamic therapy

10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04406.xClinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology335-6551-55