Effect of packaging materials and storage on quality attributes of freeze dried pineapple lassi powder for defence applications

The study evaluates the effect of two different packaging materials on storage stabililty of and instant fruit-dairy functional beverage mix.  Freeze dried Pineapple lassi (PL) powder was packaged in Aluminium Laminated Polyethylene (ALP) and Metallised Polyester (MP). Quality changes at elevated temperature conditions (38±1°C, 33 % relative humidity) were evaluated.  Shelf life was calculated to be 44 and 62 days in MP and ALP pouches, respectively. Moisture, water activity, Vitamin C, Lactococci, TBA, colour change and Browning Index were studied in both packaging materials. ALP was found to be better than MP as samples kept in ALP preserved most of the antioxidant properties. The kinetics of Vitamin C degradation was of first order (K=-0.017 , R2= 0.99). Moisture content increased and  lactococci  count decreased during storag

Systematic Review of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in India: The Past, Present, and the Future Trends

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has become an asymptomatic disease in the Western world with the introduction of routine calcium screening. However, the same phenomenon is not observed in India. We have now systematically reviewed the status of PHPT in India. While there is a paucity of literature on PHPT from India when compared to Western countries, some information can be gleaned upon. Most patients present with symptomatic disease whereas very few are screen-detected cases (bone disease 77%, renal disease 36%, and 5.6% asymptomatic). Mean calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphate levels are high while Vitamin D levels are low. The average parathyroid gland weight is large and the majority being parathyroid adenomas (89.1%). Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) is common in the postoperative period. The disease-related mortality rate is 7.4%, recurrence 4.16%, and persistent disease 2.17%. We suggest that dedicated efforts are needed to pick up asymptomatic disease in India by methods like incorporating calcium estimation in the routine health check-up programs

IN VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF 4-BENZYLPIPERIDINE

ABSTRACTObjective: To study the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of 4-benzylpiperidine.Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of 4-benzylpiperidine using in vitro models such as inhibitionof albumin denaturation and proteinase inhibitory activity.Results: This study revealed the dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation and proteinase inhibitory activity by 4-benzylpiperidine.Conclusion: In the present study, results indicate that the 4-benzylpiperidine possess anti-inflammatory properties. The drug inhibited the heatinduced albumin denaturation and proteinase inhibitory activity. It shows dose-dependent significant activity when compared with a standard drug.Hence, this study gives an idea that the 4-benzylpiperidine can be used as a lead compound for designing a potent anti-inflammatory drug which canbe used to cure inflammation.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activity, 4-Benzylpiperidine, Protein denaturation, Proteinase inhibitory activity

Harlequin Syndrome in a Case of Toxic Goitre: A Rare Association

Harlequin syndrome (HS) is known to be associated with conditions like brain stem infarcts and superior mediastinal neurinoma. However, it has not been reported in association with autoimmune hyperthyroidism. We report a case of exacerbation of unilateral sweating in a patient with HS following the onset of toxic goitre. Previous reports have suggested that a tortuous inferior thyroid artery can produce neurovascular compression of the sympathetic chain which was not observed in our patient. Autoimmune aetiology for HS needs to be explored. Increased sweating in hyperthyroid patients needs to be assessed properly so as to prognosticate appropriately

Assessment of awareness on generic drugs among health care professionals and laypersons

Background: In the present day world the expenditure on medicines is very high. Most of the people in developing countries find it difficult to afford expensive medicines. One of the measures to cut down the expenditure on medicines is to use generic drugs. Hence the study was taken up to know the awareness, attitude and preference for generic drugs among medical and non medical persons.Methods: The study was done on 290 participants. 60 medical interns, 30 doctors, 50 nurses, 50 non medical staff (clerks and attenders) and 100 patients were included. They were given a questionnaire to know the awareness and knowledge on generic drugs, willingness to prescribe (among doctors) and use it (non medical staff and patients).Results: This study showed that all medical persons- doctors, interns and nurses knew about generic drugs whereas 60% of non medical staff and 95% of the patients were not aware about it. All doctors had good knowledge about generic drugs and 80% prescribed it always. 70% of the patients depended on what doctors prescribed for them and never asked for generic/ branded drugs in particular. 70% non medical staff preferred it only sometimes.Conclusions: The awareness among non medical persons is poor than medical persons among the surveyed population. Hence adequate measures should be taken to increase awareness and knowledge among public so that they become imperative enough to ask their doctors to prescribe generic drugs

A prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety of topical bromfenac 0.09% over topical flurbiprofen 0.03% after cataract surgery

Background: Different medications are used to reduce pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. Hence this study was taken up to compare the efficacy and safety of topical bromfenac 0.09% over topical flurbiprofen 0.03% in reducing anterior chamber inflammation and pain after cataract surgery.Methods: Total of 100 patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra ocular lens (IOL) implantation were randomly allocated to receive bromfenac 0.09% and flurbiprofen 0.03% topically from first post-operative day onwards for 6 weeks. Assessment of anterior chamber inflammation and pain was done by slit lamp and visual analogue scale respectively on each follow up days. Analysis was done by unpaired t test and Fischer’s exact test.Results: The response to treatment was earlier in bromfenac group for all the inflammatory changes (significant difference was found on day 7, p<0.05) except for corneal edema where both the groups showed similar response. On 7th day after surgery, 72% patients in flurbiprofen group and 12% in bromfenac group had pain (score1), while on the 14th day none in the bromfenac group complained of pain whereas 4% in flurbiprofen group still had pain. Both the drugs were safe and no clinically serious adverse effects were observed in either of the groups.Conclusions: This study showed both the medications, topical bromfenac 0.09% and topical flurbiprofen 0.03% effective and safe in reducing pain and anterior chamber inflammation after cataract surgery but the response was earlier with bromfenac 0.09%

Impact of educational intervention on pressurized metered dose inhaler technique among undergraduate medical students

Background: Inhaled medications form the cornerstone for the management of Asthma and related diseases. Proper technique of pressurized metered dose Inhalers (pMDIs) has proven to be associated with higher level of control of these conditions. Medical personnel who are responsible for training patients must themselves be proficient with usage of pMDI. This study evaluated the outcome of different educational interventions regarding the correct usage of pMDI.Methods: An interventional study was carried out with 60 second year medical students in department of pharmacology, HIMS, Hassan from June to August 2015. Pre and post intervention (after one week and one month) was evaluated based on National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) criteria for the use of pMDI by written and demonstration methods. The interventions included a video clip, an information leaflet and demonstration by a trained faculty.Results: Overall mean scores in pre-test for written knowledge and skill demonstration are 2.13±1.49 and 3.78±1.06 .There was substantial improvement in post intervention scores 7.15±1.41 and 7.37±1.67 (p<0.05) . Using one way ANOVA, demonstration group has shown statistically significant improvement in mean score compared to video and checklist groups in 1 week (8.8 versus 7.2 and 6.1, p<0.05) and 1 month (8.25 versus 7.1 and 5.7 (p<0.05) after the intervention.Conclusions: Correct usage of pMDI is a necessary skill for health care professionals and can be taught by various methods. The educational intervention by an interactive demonstration has proven to be effective in learning the inhaler technique

A retrospective study of antimicrobial usage in wound healing

Background: Chronic wounds are responsible for increase in burden to healthcare systems. The evidence concerning effectiveness of antibiotic therapy or optimal regimens is insufficient. Patients with chronic wounds receive significantly more systemic and topical antibiotics. Current guidelines for antibiotic prescribing for such wounds are often based on expert opinion rather than scientific fact. As there is increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the relationships between antibiotic resistance and rationales for antibiotic therapy have to be determined. Current practice of antibiotic usage for chronic wounds and postoperative wounds in a tertiary care setting should be studied.Methods: Retrospective study was conducted from February 2017 to February 2018 using medical records of patients with wound admitted in surgical departments in HIMS, Hassan, Karnataka. The inpatient records were analysed, which includes duration of stay in the hospital, number of drugs/products per person, percentage of antibiotics prescribed, percentage of antibiotic injection prescribed, and other modalities used to treat wounds.Results: In present study, amongst 100 antimicrobial prescriptions, 26 females and 74 males. The most commonly prescribed parenteral antibiotic was ceftriaxone (58%), followed by metronidazole (56%). The average number of antibiotics per prescription was 2.8. The mean duration parenteral antibiotics given was 4.26 days during their hospital stay oral antibiotics were 5.18 days after the discharge from the hospital.Conclusions: The information generated shall be used to decide the policies to govern the prescription of antibiotics in the management of chronic wounds and post-operative wounds

Comparison of safety and toxicity of liposomal versus conventional Doxorubicin: an updated review

Cancer persists to be a major cause of hospitalization and death every year. With the passage of time, new formulations of anticancer drugs are being introduced to the market and are drawing the concern of healthcare professionals in terms of the superiority, toxicology, and cost-effectiveness of the new formulations in comparison to the conventional formulation of the same drugs. Doxorubicin, a highly potent chemotherapeutic agent, it comes with three formulations (pegylated liposomal, nonpegylated liposomal and non-liposomal conventional formulations). English-language literature of the three formulations of Doxorubicin has been reviewed to inform the healthcare professionals regarding the differences between these formulations. Liposomal Doxorubicin promotes better toxicology profile than non-liposomal conventional Doxorubicin with an increased cost. Due to very limited studies, the cost-effectiveness of liposomal Doxorubicin is not well defined. Apart from that, this review highlights the inter patient variability in regard to the clearance and volume of distribution following the administration of liposomal Doxorubicin. In conclusion, further studies regarding the superiority of liposomal formulation of Doxorubicin , efficacy and dose standardization of liposomal Doxorubicin should be sought in the near future in a more better way