Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of codeine phosphate and chlorpheniramine maleate in a fixed dose composition for the management of dry cough in adults: an open label phase IV clinical trial

Background: Dry cough is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek medical attention. It not only causes discomfort in patients, but also hampers their daily work and routine. Since there is no specific underlying cause for dry cough, a definitive treatment is still not available. Several cough suppressants have been used for the treatment of dry cough including codeine which reduces discomfort. However, some reports suggest that use of codeine at high doses leads to sedation and drowsiness. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of codeine, a clinical trial for fixed dose composition of codeine phosphate and chlorpheniramine maleate was conducted.Methods: The trial was conducted on 219 adults with prior symptoms of dry cough. Safety was evaluated on the basis of the change in patient’s vital parameters, any adverse event or severe adverse event that occurred during the course of study. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of cough severity scores, number of night awakenings due to cough, and overall decline in cough.Results: According to the investigator's evaluation the product was safe to use as no significant changes in the patient’s vital parameters were observed during the course of study. Also, no severe adverse events were reported. Administration of the investigation product significantly decreased cough severity and frequency at the 7th day of the study.Conclusions: This study suggests, FDC of codeine phosphate 10 mg and chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg per 5 ml oral syrup is safe and efficacious for the treatment of dry cough

Anterior Chamber Migration of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant in an Eye with Scleral-fixated Intraocular Lens

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Association of thyroid status with hemoglobin levels in pregnancy

Background: The association of hemoglobin levels with thyroid status in pregnancy was not studied in detail. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the levels of hemoglobin, thyroid function and its association with hemoglobin levels in first trimester of pregnancy.Methods: Fifty pregnant women who didn’t start any supplementation were recruited from the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department. Fifty age matched controls were recruited from the residents and staff of the hospital.  Thyroid profile and hemoglobin levels were measured in both the groups. The association was seen between hemoglobin levels and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.Results: The hemoglobin levels are significantly low in first trimester pregnant women. Further, the increased TSH levels are negatively correlated with low hemoglobin levels.Conclusions: Screening of hemoglobin levels in first trimester itself will be beneficial to prevent the complications of pregnancy. Further, hypothyroidism also present and associated with reduced hemoglobin. So, early diagnosis of these deficiencies will be useful to start giving supplements to avoid unwanted effects in pregnancy

Ebola virus VP30 and nucleoprotein interactions modulate viral RNA synthesis

AbstractEbola virus (EBOV) is an enveloped negative-sense RNA virus that causes sporadic outbreaks with high case fatality rates. Ebola viral protein 30 (eVP30) plays a critical role in EBOV transcription initiation at the nucleoprotein (eNP) gene, with additional roles in the replication cycle such as viral assembly. However, the mechanistic basis for how eVP30 functions during the virus replication cycle is currently unclear. Here we define a key interaction between eVP30 and a peptide derived from eNP that is important to facilitate interactions leading to the recognition of the RNA template. We present crystal structures of the eVP30 C-terminus in complex with this eNP peptide. Functional analyses of the eVP30–eNP interface identify residues that are critical for viral RNA synthesis. Altogether, these results support a model where the eVP30–eNP interaction plays a critical role in transcription initiation and provides a novel target for the development of antiviral therapy.</jats:p

Study of Metabolic Syndrome in Pre and Post Menopausal Women

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the occurrence of metabolic disorder (MS) and its various components among pre-and postmenopausal women and their associated relationship between menopausal status and MS. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted at the Biochemistry department in association with Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad. The necessary approval was obtained from the institutional ethical committee to conduct the study and informed written consent was also obtained from the study subjects. The cross-sectional case-control study included premenopausal females aged between 20-40 years as the control group (n=41) postmenopausal females aged between 50-60 years as the case group (n=41). Results: In the study group (post-menopause women), the mean value of BMI is 26.35±2.302 (kg/m2). In comparison with the control group (pre-menopause women), the mean value of BMI is 24.05±1.851 (kg/m2). There was a statically significant increase in the levels of BMI in the study group in comparison with the control group. There was a statically significant increase in the levels of SBP and DBP in the study group compared with the control group. In the study group, the mean value of FBS is 127.12±48.186 (mg/dl). In comparison with the control group (pre-menopause women), the mean value of FBS is 96.12±25.567 (mg/dl). There was a statically significant increase in the levels of FBS in the study group compared with the control group. Conclusion: It has been concluded that MS was significantly more prevalent among postmenopausal women than premenopausal women. This indicates that they are at risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, health care workers should closely monitor for the two conditions as metabolic syndrome is an underlying condition for other non-communicable diseases and also be advised to adopt healthy lifestyles to minimize the incidence of these conditions

Effect of PEM on thyroid status, serum total protein and A/G ratio in pre-school going children

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare serum total protein, serum albumin and thyroid hormones in children with Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and in healthy controls.Methods: Present study was a cross sectional hospital based case control study, total 75 children of age group 1-5 years were included in this study. Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was estimated by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay method, serum total protein by biuret method, albumin by BCG method and plasma hemoglobin by CMG method. Result: In malnourished children, there is significant decrease in serum total protein (4.76 gm %), albumin (2.24 gm %) and Hb (10.57 gm %) as compared to normal healthy children. Serum T3 (0.51 ng/ml), and T4 (3.93 µg/ml) levels were significantly decreased and non-significant changes in TSH (4.26 µUI/ml) levels in children with PEM was observed as compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: The reduction in protein is due to decreased intake of proteins and reduced biosynthesis. The decreased in T3 and T4 levels in malnourished children is probably due to a decrease in circulating plasma proteins

Paraoxonase 1 Activities and Lipid Parameters in Hypertension and Their Association with Chronic Alcoholism

Objective: To determine lipid profile, antioxidant vitamin (E and C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) activities in alcoholic hypertensive patients.Methods: Five hundred subjects were selected for this study consisting of 250 normal healthy individuals and 250 alcoholic hypertensive subjects. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL levels were measured using the enzymatic method while the LDL and VLDL levels were calculated by Friedwald equation. The MDA level were measured using thiobarbiturate (TBA) and the Vitamin E and C were measured using the enzymatic method. The SOD and PON 1 activities were measured using phenyl acetate as the substrate.Results: Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and MDA levels were found to be significantly high while the HDL and Vitamin E and C levels decreased among the alcoholic hypertensive subjects when compared to the control. Furthermore, significant decreases in SOD and PON 1 activities were also found among the alcoholic hypertensive subjects as compared to control.Conclusion: Alterations in lipid parameters, antioxidant vitamin levels, MDA level, SOD activities, and PON 1 activities are associated with hypertension that may be enhanced by alcohol intake, which may lead to the development cardiovascular disease.