37 research outputs found
Amaranthus deflexus L. (Amaranthaceae), a new addition to Indian Flora
Few populations of Amaranthus deflexus L. were observed in Kerala region (SE-India), contributing the first record of this species to the national Flora. A morphological (macro and micro) description of the species, as well as ecological data are given. A note on the phenotypic plasticity exhibited by the taxon is also provided
Amaranthus powellii (Amaranthaceae), a new addition for the flora of India and a preliminary list of the Indian Amaranthus species
Three populations of Amaranthus powellii were discovered in Kerala region (SE-India), representing the first record of this species for the national flora. A morphological description based on the Indian plants, as well as ecological data are given. A preliminary list of all the Amaranthus species occurring in India, which was never published during the last 135 years, is also provided
Asystasia dalzelliana var. alba (Acanthaceae), a new variety from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India
Asystasia dalzelliana var. alba, a new variety of the family Acanthaceae is described and illustrated from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The new variety differs from the typical variety with respect to color of flowers and lack of black blue bands on the anthers. Critical notes along with conservation status of the new variety are provided
Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial
antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics
for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at
four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study
samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and
included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics.
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual
symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of
participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating,
heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors
associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience
major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value:
<0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57,
95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the
most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI:
5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most
often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%).
Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in
Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly,
low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication
on student health
Social factors influencing the acquisition of antibiotics without prescription in Kerala State, south India
We investigated the magnitude of self-medication with antibiotics in a peri-urban area of Southern Kerala State, India and factors influencing this practice. First, a random sample of 400 households was surveyed in one primary health centre area near Trivandrum. We found 69.3% (95% CI=64.8-73.8) of households had at least one person using a pharmaceutical product during the two-week recall period; antibiotics formed almost 11% of the medicines consumed. Next, pharmacy based interview and observation data were collected from 405 antibiotic purchasers sampled from 11 out of the 12 private pharmacies in the area. Seventy-three of these 405 customers purchased antibiotics without a prescription (18%; 95% CI=14.3-21.7). By combining the household survey and pharmacy observations, we estimate that almost half of 1% (0.41%; 95% CI=0.24-1.16) of the population, or four people per 1000, is engaged in self-medication using antibiotics in Kerala in any two-week period. Our data show that people least likely to follow this practice are from higher income families, having more education and higher status occupations and receiving the benefits of medical insurance. Conversely, logistic regression analysis indicated that risk of buying antibiotics without a script was associated with education at secondary level or below, the perception that it is expensive to consult a doctor and low satisfaction with medical practitioners. Keralites' self-medication patterns are interpreted broadly using social, cultural, historical and economic perspectives. Solutions to the problem of antibiotic misuse are suggested, proceeding on several fronts: among practitioners, suppliers and marketeers of medicines, and among the population of pharmaceutical consumers themselves.Antibiotics Prescribing Self-treatment Pharmacy India
Association between alcohol-induced erythrocyte membrane alterations and hemolysis in chronic alcoholics
Nephro-Protective Action Of P. Santalinus Against Alcohol-Induced Biochemical Alterations And Oxidative Damage In Rats
The present study investigated the antioxidant potential of P. santalinus heartwood methanolic extract (PSE) against alcohol-induced nephro-toxicity. The results indicated an increase in the concentration of kidney damage plasma markers, urea and creatinine with a concomitant decrease in the concentration of uric acid in alcohol-administered rats. A significant decrease in plasma electrolytes and mineral levels with increased kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NOx) levels was also observed. PSE treatment to alcohol-administered rats effectively prevented the elevation in TBARS and NOx levels. Decreased activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in alcohol administered rats was brought to near normal levels with treatment of PSE. Chronic alcohol consumption affects antioxidant enzymatic activity and reabsorption function of the kidney which is evident from the decreased level of GSH as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione s-transferase (GST). However, treatment with PSE to alcohol-administered rats significantly enhanced these enzymatic activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content close to normal level. Alcohol-induced organ damage was evident from morphological changes in the kidney. Nevertheless, administration of PSE effectively restored these morphological changes to normal. The flavonoid and tannoid compounds might have protective activity against alcohol-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress mediated kidney damage
Gender differences in alcohol-induced oxidative stress and altered membrane properties in erythrocytes of rats
32-39<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">Alcohol-induced
oxidative stress leads to imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
the antioxidant
defense system, resulting in oxidative damage to membrane components such as
lipids and proteins, ultimately altering membrane properties. In this study, we
assessed oxidative stress status and alterations in erythrocyte membrane
properties in alcohol-administered rats with respect to gender difference.
Alcohol (20% v/v) administered rats of both genders showed significant changes
in plasma lipid profile with elevated nitrite/nitrate levels. Furthermore,
alcohol-administration significantly decreased erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes
and enhanced erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation, cholesterol/phospholipid
(C/P) ratio and Na+/K+-ATPase activity in both males and
females. Besides, anisotropic studies revealed that alcohol-administration
significantly decreased erythrocyte membrane fluidity. In conclusion, alcohol-
administration significantly increased oxidative stress by decreasing
antioxidant status, and subsequent generation of ROS altered membrane
properties by altering fluidity and Na+/K+-ATPase
activity. Female rats were more vulnerable to
alcohol-induced biochemical and biophysical changes in plasma and erythrocyte
including oxidative stress than male rats.</span