Genotoxic evaluation of ornidazole and secnidazole in albino mice: an experimental study

Background: The present study was planned to explore the genotoxic potential of some commonly used antimicrobials like ornidazole and secnidazole in swiss albino mice.Methods: Therapeutic equivalent doses of ornidazole and secnidazole were given by intra peritoneal route. Single dose in individual groups of mice (n=5 in each) was administered for acute study. Doses were repeated every 24 hrs for 7 times in additional groups of mice (n=5 in each) for sub-acute study. Cyclophosphamide served as positive control while normal saline as negative control. After 24 hrs of single dose (acute study) and last dose of drug administration in sub-acute study, about 0.5 ml of blood was collected by retro orbital sinus for comet assay as described earlier (Rojas E et al, 1999) and later the mice were sacrificed to aspirate the femoral bone marrow for micronucleus test as described earlier by described by Schmid W (1975). In comet assay, the total comet length and head diameter was measured under microscope using ocular & stage micrometer to calculate comet tail length. In micronucleus assay, the stained bone marrow tissue smears were scored for the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) and also the ratio between polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) to normochromic erythrocytes (NCE) was obtained.Results: It was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison tests. Significant (P< 0.01) increase in comet tail length and percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (% MnPCE) was observed in groups treated with single and multiple doses of Cyclophosphamide whereas ornidazole and secnidazole treated groups did not show any significant changes.Conclusions: The results indicate that Ornidazole and secnidazole are devoid of genotoxicity.

Study on organophosphate poisoning analysis and pharmacotherapeutic outcome in tertiary care hospital

Background: Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is the most common cause of poisoning and suicides in rural India as it is easily available and more often used in agriculture as a pesticide. In the present days, death due to OP is mainly due to draught, scarcity of rains and debt.Methods: The main objective of the study was to know the sociodemographic patterns, mode of presentation and outcome of treatment in the OP poisoning case that were admitted and treated in the tertiary care hospital attached to SIMS Shimoga. The study was a retrospective which included 120 patients at the point.Results: It was found that OP poisoning was commoner in males than in females. The male: female ratio was 1.5:1. OP associated deaths were the more common in agriculture based socioeconomic group than others mainly due to easy accessibility. Muscarinic manifestations were the common presentation in most of the patients. It was found that in the majority of the cases atropine and pralidoxime were the commonly used antidotes and recover rate was 93%.Conclusion: Consumption of large doses of OP and delayed treatment due to late admission were associated with increased mortality. Awareness programs regarding safe use and strict policies governing the availability of OP will help in saving many lives due to OP poisoning

Elastic-plastic fracture analysis of anisotropy effect on AA2050-T84 alloy at different temperatures: A Numerical Study

The third generation Al-Li alloy AA2050-T84 is widely used in aircraft applications due to its lightweight and significant mechanical properties. The anisotropic variations of tensile and compression properties of this alloy at various temperatures are substantial. In this work, the variations of the J-integral, CTOD, and Plastic Zone Size (PZS) due to anisotropy of a 4-inch thick AA2050-T84 plate at ambient and cryogenic temperatures were studied numerically by using Compact Tension (C(T)) specimen. The material anisotropy resulted in fracture and constraint parameter variation for Mode-I constant load. Numerical results indicated a decrease in crack driving forces and a constraint parameter with the decrease in temperature at the plate surface and central location. Plate surface locations appear to be isotropic for both temperatures under elastic-plastic fracture analyses as crack driving forces were almost identical. The temperature effect is more on constraint as the normalized PZS values at ambient temperature have been twice that of cryogenic temperature. The isotropic behavior of a plate under sub-zero temperature makes the plate suitable for cryogenic temperature applications

Analysis of usage of diuretics in medical intensive care unit of SIMS-Shimoga a tertiary care hospital

Background: Patients are admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) with a history of various acute and chronic clinical conditions associated with organ failures. Compared to the patients admitted in the general wards the mortality and morbidity are high in ICU patients. The patients in ICU are subjected to multiple drugs; diuretic agents are liberally and deliberately used in this setup despite the lack of evidence supporting their benefits.Methods: The main aim of the study was to know the extent of use of diuretics in the ICU set up, to categorize the use of diuretics in different clinical conditions and different classes of diuretics used. The study also tried to determine adverse events and outcome in critically ill patients. The study was a retrospective cross-sectional of 3 months duration conducted in all patients admitted in the medical ICU of the tertiary care center. The study mainly concentrated on the usage of diuretics and related aspects.Results: Loop diuretics (54.81%) composed the major class, thiazides (30.84%). Potassium sparing diuretics (7%) and osmotic diuretics (7%) and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (1%) were the other class of diuretics. The classes of drugs used in ICU along with diuretics were antibiotics (30%), analgesics (9.5%), anti-inflammatory (6.36%), and drugs acting on blood (10.18%) of total drugs used in ICU. Antacids/laxatives (7.3%) and antiemetic (4.8%), the rest of drugs (15%) of drugs used in ICU.Conclusion: In almost 95% of cases, the combination of other drugs along with diuretics was considered to be rational

Drug utilization study on antidiabetic medications at SIMS-Shimoga a tertiary care hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. DM is a leading cause of blindness, end stage renal disease, and nontraumatic lower extremity amputations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of antidiabetic medications at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: Demographic details of the patient were noted. Evaluation of the written prescription was carried out according to the requirements in case record form followed by computerization of data and analysis.Results: DM was almost equal in male (51%) and females (49%), the risk of DM was high after 40 years of age. Out of all the case records and prescriptions reviewed it was found that 23% had Type 1 DM, and 77% had Type 2 DM. In 46.35% cases, there was a family history of DM while in 47.44% cases it was absent, 6% were unaware. The average number of drugs per prescription was 3.26±0.24 and antidiabetic drugs at 1.72±0.28. Insulin alone was prescribed in 25.54% cases. Single antidiabetic agents as lone drugs were seen in 39.05%; combined oral antidiabetic drugs accounted for 25.54% cases. The combination of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents were prescribed in 9.85% cases.Conclusion: Metformin was the oral hypoglycemic agents, which was the most frequent prescribed as was insulin and its analogs. These drugs being essential in the treatment of diabetic patients should be made available to patients all the time

Retrospective study on cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is an RNA virus. The first case of AIDS in human beings was reported in 1981, and now spread of HIV infection is alarmingly high with around 20 million deaths. The objective of the study was to determine the cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy among autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient attending the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) center of the tertiary care center.Methods: The objective of the study was to determine the cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy among AIDS patient attending the ART center of the tertiary care center. The study was retrospective, 20 patients included in different age groups and categories the cost incurred toward patients were divided under different heads: medication, laboratory diagnosis, transport, and miscellaneous costs.Results: It was found that major part of the cost is spent on drugs. The cost of transport and lab diagnosis varied based on age and stage of the disease. Miscellaneous costs were also high and were proportional to other costs.Conclusion: HIV infected population is more likely to have a lower socioeconomic status which has varied effect on the effectiveness of highly active ART. Some of the problems faced by them are access to health care, transport, economic instability, etc. all these factors have an impact on outcome of treatment. Overall it can be found that preventive measure than treating has better impact on quality of life

Evaluation of the wound healing effect of Jasminum grandiflorum by wound contraction studies and wound breaking strength

Background: Wound is a common process leading to inflammation and healing process. Jasminum grandiflorum is a plant widely grown in Karnataka and is mention in ancient medical systems to promote healing. So the study was taken up to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant.Methods: Excision and incision wound models in albino rats were used to study the wound healing effect. It was mainly studied by the degree of epithelisation at various intervals and compared with control group. The strength of the wound was assessed by its wound breaking strength at the end.Results: It was found that jasmine extract increased the degree of epethelisation and thus promoting wound healing. It was also found that the wound breaking strength was more in the drug treated group compared to normal.Conclusions: Jasminum grandiflorum leaf extract is known to have wound healing property.   

Evaluation of wound healing effect of Jasminum grandiflorum in albino rats by histopathological studies

Background: Wound healing is an important process in regeneration of the lost tissue, it involves various steps. Varieties of substances are known to interact in the healing process, some of the plant products are found to be beneficial. Jasmine leaves are mentioned to have healing effect in ancient literature. Hence the study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing effect by assessing the histopathological parameters.Methods: The study was done in the albino rats which were divided into various groups. The histopathological parameters were studied at regular intervals.Results: It was found that jasmine paste improved the wound healing process at all the stages.Conclusion: Jasminum grandiflorum has wound healing effect in albino rats

Study of knowledge, attitude, practice of rational use of medicines among interns at Mc Gann teaching district hospital, Shivamogga- a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Rational use of medicines requires that the patients receive medication appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements for an adequate period of lime, and at the lowest cost to them and to their community. Objective of the study were like descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted to determine and identify the level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding rational use of medicines among the interns.Methods: A validated structured questionnaire containing 19 questions regarding rational use of medicines in knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) format was distributed in hand among 109 interns affiliated to this institution. Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate the results in the form of number and percentage.Results: Out of 109 interns, 102 completed the questionnaire and were included in the final analysis. Majority of interns who participated in study were aware of the concept of rational use of medicine but the knowledge related to EML (essential medicines list), P drugs, schedule H drugs and number of FDCs (fixed dose combination) in EML was limited.Conclusions:  As interns are future prescribers, they need to be aware of all the aspects of rational use of medicine and there is need to emphasise on learning module and training programs to ensure the interns have knowledge of rational use of medicines

Evaluation of cost effectiveness and efficacy of commonly used different antacid gel preparations

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common clinical condition in Indian population. Antacids, which are available as over the counter (OTC) are the commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of GERD. Antacids manufactured and marketed by various multinational and local companies are available in the market. There is need for evaluating the cost effectiveness and efficacy of these antacids as a matter of public concern. Hence the present study was conducted to evaluate the cost effectiveness and efficacy of the commonly prescribed antacid gel preparations.Methods: Seven different gel formulations of antacids manufactured by different companies were evaluated. Cost effectiveness was done by calculating the cost per ml of antacid and also by palatability test. Efficacy was evaluated based on acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of antacid preparations.Results: The highest cost was 0.305 Rs. per ml and lowest was 0.135 Rs per ml. Palatability score was high at 26.80 and low at 23.85. The antacid with lowest ANC was 20.5 mEq and the highest was 26.5 mEq.Conclusion: Cost effectiveness studies are beneficial in improving the prescribing pattern. It will be a benefit for both doctor as well as patient