Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs in a clinic in Malaysia

Background: Hypertension is one of the common chronic diseases resulting in high mortality and morbidity. A plethora of new drugs are now available, and the quality of life for these patients has been altered for the better. Not many studies are conducted in Malaysia regarding drug utilization of antihypertensives and hence this study was planned.Methods: This was a pilot study conducted in a private clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Thirty patients with hypertension were chosen randomly and their prescriptions were analyzed. The data was collected in a proforma designed for the study. The proforma included variables such as age, gender, drugs used, and also regarding the names of the drugs used (generic or trade). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Thirty patients were recruited for the study. We found that 53% of the patients were females and 47% males. Trade names were more commonly used i.e. 64% of patients, than the generic names. Monotherapy (70%) was more frequently used than combination drugs. Beta blockers (45%) were used more often followed by calcium channel blockers (25%).Conclusions: The incidence of polypharmacy was low. The three most common groups of drugs used in hypertension were beta blockers followed by calcium channel blockers and then angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Drug utilization studies are powerful exploratory tools to ascertain the role of drugs in society.

Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc stannate nanoparticles for antibacterial applications

AbstractA facile and economical hydrothermal method was used to synthesise Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles with cubic spinel structure. The crystallography and optical properties of the as-synthesised nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The morphology of the nanoparticles was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The synergistic antibacterial effect of Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria was investigated. These results indicate that the Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles have potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and can be used as a bactericidal agent to prevent and control the spread and persistence of infectious diseases

Long-term stroke risk in moyamoya disease

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease is considered a progressive disease with an ongoing risk of recurrent stroke. However, there is a lack of long-term observational data to quantify the extent of the stroke risk.METHODS: This study aimed to provide insight into the long-term stroke risk in MMD and explore possible risk factors for stroke. Records from all patients diagnosed with MMD in 13 clinical departments from six different Danish hospitals between 1994 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed until 2021.RESULTS: The cohort comprised 50 patients (33 females and 17 males). Patients were followed up for a median of 9.4 years, with more than 10 years of follow-up for 24 patients. Ten patients had 11 new stroke events - 6 ischemic strokes and 5 brain hemorrhages. Events occurred at a median of 7 years and up to 25 years after diagnosis. The overall Kaplan-Meier 5-year stroke risk was 10%. Patients with bypass performed had significantly fewer events than conservatively treated patients (HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07 - 0.91, p&lt;0.05). All but one event occurred in females, a difference that reached statistical significance.CONCLUSIONS: The study provides data on the extent of the risk of recurrent stroke in MMD. Bypass surgery patients had fewer stroke events than those treated conservatively. There was a trend toward a higher stroke risk in females.DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The data supporting this study's findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.</p

Effect of turmeric and Spatoglossum asperum on shelf life extension of marine finfish Sillago sihama in chilled storage condition

829-838The effect of turmeric and seaweed powder (Spatoglossum asperum) on shelf life extension of Sillago sihama in chilled storage condition was determined by sensory, pH, biochemical and bacteriological analysis. The experimental setup was divided into six groups, undeveined, deveined, undeveined coated with 5 % S. asperum powder, deveined coated with 5 % S. asperum powder, undeveined coated with 5 % turmeric and deveined coated with 5 % turmeric, all the group of fishes were stored in chilled conditions with 1:1 (fish:ice) ratio. Deveined S. sihama coated with 5 % turmeric demonstrated a longer shelf life of 14 days and between the groups significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were found in the sensorial, pH, biochemical and bacteriological values. Nevertheless, the validity of group one and two were found to be acceptable up to 8 and 10 days, respectively. In conclusion, deveined S. sihama coated with 5 % turmeric and stored in chilled conditions retain the shelf-life up to 14 days

Study on Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Technique for Photo-Fenton Application

International audienceInverse spinel Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles has fascinated colossal attention owing to its remarkable photo fenton activity and extra ordinary amalgamation of its properties specially its optical and magnetic properties are catered as suitable candidates in the field of electronics. Their high electrical resistivity prevents induction of eddy currents and the resultant loss of energy. Ferrites are economically viable and their magnetic and optical properties can be tailored as per the requirement of applications. Nanostructured cobalt ferrite particles were synthesised using scalable and facile co-precipitation technique by maintaining pH 9 by using the precursor solution. The particle size, morphology and reaction rate of the nanoparticles could be well tailored. The prepared CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revels the crystalline nature of the synthesized product, PL photoluminescence spectra and UV-Vis Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) divulges the optical properties and the spectrum is further used to evaluate the optical constants required for fabrication and Using, VSM, the magnetic behavior of the material have been determined. Degradation of Methylene blue dye using synthesized sample was studied for photocatalytic application