Preclinical evaluation of Boswellia serrata for anxiolytic activity

Background: Boswellia serrata (BS)has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic texts Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. It possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties. It is found that BShelps in surging of GABA levels in mice brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible anxiolytic activity of BSin Swiss albino mice by light and dark arena (LDA) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models.Methods: In this study, BS(50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg; p.o) was evaluated for anxiolytic action and compared with standard drug (diazepam) and control (normal saline) in mice by LDA and EPM models. In LDA, number of entries and time spent in light and dark boxes were noted for individual mouse. Similarly, number of entries and time spent in open and closed arms were recorded for EPM model.Results: One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test was used to analyze the data. BSin a dose of 50 mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in light box (p<0.05) and decrease in time spent in dark box (p<0.05) when compared to control group in LDA model. Similarly, in EPM model 200 mg/kg of BS significantly increased time spent in open arm (p<0.001) and decrease in time spent in closed arm (p<0.001) when compared to control group.Conclusion: BS in dose of 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg has significant anxiolytic action in animal models

A retrospective study on the clinical picture of COVID-19 patients associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India

Background: The clinical characterization of COVID varies from mild to severe. In the initial phases of the disease, symptoms like fever, cough, and dyspnea can occur. The severity and outcome of COVID vary with preexisting conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective of current study was to assess the clinical presentation and laboratory derangements of COVID-19 patients associated with T2DM.Methods: The present retrospective study was started after the approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. Various clinical (Sp02, final diagnosis, co-morbidity, and outcome) and biochemical parameters (CBC, LFT, RFT, LDH, Trop I, CK-MB D-dimer, CRP, ferritin levels, RBS, HbA1c) of Covid-19 patients were collected from Central Laboratory and & Medical Record Department of our institution. Patient names were anonymized and data were analyzed. The results are expressed in percentages.Results: A total of 24 COVID-19 patients (with T2DM) details were collected from the medical record department and central laboratory. Out of 24 patients, 16 (66.6%) were male, and the remaining 08 (33.3%) were female. Out of 24, 05 patients had mild covid, 02 were moderate and the remaining 17 suffered from severe COVID. The mean values of oxygen saturation, LDH, D-dimer, Troponin-I, CRP, Ferritin, Procalcitonin, and CK-MB were 76%, 797.3 U/l, 1614.2 ng/ml, 6.93 ng/ml, 72.6 mg/dl, 521.2 µg/l, 2.33 µg/l and 40.59 ng/ml respectively. The average random blood sugar level and glycosylated hemoglobin were 308.8 mg/dl and HbA1c 10.22%. Mean values of 42.5 mg/dl and 1.54 mg/dl were recorded for blood urea and S. creatinine. Regarding liver function test, mean values of 0.87 mg/dl, 0.37 mg/dl, 0.49mg/dl, 344.8U/l, 115.6U/l,108U/l respectively noted for total bilirubin, direct, indirect, SGOT, SGPT and ALP. Regarding patient outcome, 09 (37.5%) patients recovered and 15 (62.5%) died due to COVID. The values of glycosylated Hb and random blood sugar among the 15 patients who died due to covid infection suggested uncontrolled diabetes Mellitus in 7 of them with associated hypertension and died due to septic shock. Conclusions: Though the laboratory mean values of the liver function test and renal function test shows moderate variations the mean values of CRP, LDH, Procalcitonin, and Ferritin which are the acute inflammatory markers are highly disrupted when compared to normal ranges. 

Blackboard versus PowerPoint presentation: Students opinion in medical education

Aim: The aim was to get the students opinion regarding blackboard and PowerPoint (PPT) presentation in 1st year medical students and to determine the advantages and disadvantages of both the methods. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire-based study was conducted in 1st year medical students. A total of 49 (n = 49) 1st year medical students were participated in the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire in English was used to collect data. A questionnaire containing 15 questions was used to assess views of students regarding blackboard and PPT teaching methods. Questionnaire forms were given after blackboard and PPT presentation on Biochemistry topic. Students were requested to fill the questionnaire forms and opine. Results: The results were analyzed by statistical analysis software version 16.0 (U.S.A) and expressed in percentages and displayed with the help of bar diagram and pie chart. In this study, blackboard teaching was the most preferred teaching aid (60.43%) compared to PPT teaching method (39.56%). However, more subject coverage (69.3%) and demonstrations of clinical conditions (69.3%) were better in PPT teaching when compared to blackboard teaching method. Conclusions: Blackboard teaching remains the best preferred teaching aid, which can be supplemented by PPT presentation for better understanding

Assessment and Correlation of Adverse Events Following Coronavirus Disease Vaccination with Blood Group and Dietary Style

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess and correlate adverse drug events following coronavirus disease (COVID) vaccination with blood group and dietary style. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study carried out from May 2021 to July 2021. A prevalidated Google questionnaire containing demographic details, dietary style, blood group, preexisting diseases, and adverse events of the COVID vaccine was circulated to all health-care professionals of our institution through mail/WhatsApp. Informed consent was obtained (in Google Forms) from all the participants after describing the purpose of the study and the assurance to maintain anonymity and confidentiality. A total of 102 responses were collected, out of which 100 (n = 100) responses were analyzed and interpreted (two responses were excluded since participants are not vaccinated). The descriptive statistical method is applied for the assessment of adverse events. The Chi-square test is applied to assess the correlation between adverse events with blood group and dietary style. P 0.05). Conclusion: The present study concludes that study participants experienced minor adverse events following Covishield and Covaxin; pain at the injection site, myalgia, and fever are more frequent. Moreover, there is a higher incidence of injection site pain in nonvegetarians compared to vegetarians. However, there is no significant association between other adverse events with blood group and dietary style of the participants