bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Az idősek kapcsolathálózati jellegzetességei
Authors: Albert Fruzsina
Published: April 2017

A tanulmány a hatvan év feletti magyar népesség kapcsolathálózatainak jellegzetességeit mutatja be az Integrációs és dezintegrációs folyamatok a magyar társadalomban című OTKA kutatás 2015. évi adatfelvételének segítségével. A vizsgált dimenziók: a párkapcsolatok, a bizalmas kapcsolathálók, a barátságok, a gyenge kötések. A tanulmány az alapvető szociodemográfiai változók mentén írja le a fenti dimenziókat, továbbá az élettel való elégedettség és a kapcsolathálózat jellemzőinek az összefüggéseit is bemutatja.
Perioperative Complications of Urogynecologic Surgery: Our Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Cengiz Huseyin , Dagdeviren Hediye , Kaya Cihan , Helvacoglu Caglar , Ekin Murat
Published: April 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perioperative complications in women who undergo urogynecologic surgery.Study Design: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent urogynecologic surgery between January 2014 and January 2016 was performed. The type of surgeries and significant perioperative complications were recorded. Intraoperative complications included, injury of nerves, bowel, bladder or ureter, intraoperative blood transfusion, conversion to laparotomy and anesthesia-related events.Results: The sample included 120 consecutive women who underwent urogynecological surgeries. The mean age of the patients was 53 (range, 34-88 years). 46% of the patients had one or more of medical problems. 55% percent of the patients had previously undergone a pelvic surgery. 70% of the patients had surgeries by vaginal approach, 10% of them had by abdominal approach and 20% of them had surgeries by laparoscopic approach. The prevalence of complications was 27.5%. This included 11 intraoperative complications (6 cases bladder injury, 2 cases transfusion) and 21 postoperative complications.Conclusion: In conclusion, the number of women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anal incontinence continues to increase, the present study provides useful statistical data for our country.
Is Stem Cell a Curer or an Obstruction?
Authors: Damayanti Siska , Triana Rina , Chouw Angliana , Dewi Nurrani Mustika
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Each cell in human body is assigned with a specialized function to perform.  Before a cell becomes specialized, it is a stem cell. Stem cell research and therapy is progressing dramatically these days. Stem cell therapy holds enormous treatment potential for many diseases which currently have no or limited therapeutic options. Unfortunately, this potential also comes with side-effects. In this review, the positive and negative effects of regulation of stem cells will be explained.Content: Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. The type of stem cells are embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, somatic stem cells, foetal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Stem cell transplantation is one form of stem cell therapy, it comes with different sources, and those are autologous and allogenic transplantation stem cells. In an autologous transplant, a patient’s own blood-forming stem cells are collected, meanwhile in an allogeneic transplant, a person’s stem cells are replaced with new stem cells obtained from a donor or from donated umbilical cord blood.Summary: Its abilities to maintain undifferentiated phenotype, self-renewing and differentiate itself into specialized cells, give rise to stem cell as a new innovation for the treatment of various diseases. In the clinical setting, stem cells are being explored in various conditions, such as in tissue repair and regeneration and autoimmune diseases therapy. But along with its benefit, stem cell therapy also holds some harm. It is known that the treatment using stem cell for curing and rehabilitation has the risk in tumor formation.
Hugh Hellmut Iltis (1925-2016)
Authors: Vázquez-García J. Antonio
Published: April 2017

Semblanza del destacado botánico Hugh Hellmut Iltis.
Distribución espacial, estructura de tamaños y reproducción de Astrophytum ornatum (Cactaceae)
Authors: Zepeda Verónica , Golubov Jordan , Mandujano María C.
Published: April 2017

Antecedentes y Objetivos: La familia Cactaceae tiene el mayor número de especies listadas en riesgo de extinción, pero la información biológica y poblacional de estas especies, necesaria para determinar su riesgo poblacional y su estatus de conservación en las listas rojas, es escasa o insuficiente. El estatus de Astrophytum ornatum es vulnerable, pero su situación ecológica no ha sido evaluada, por lo que no se conoce exactamente cuál es su condición local y regional. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar algunos de los factores que influyen en el mantenimiento de sus poblaciones y aportar información que permita establecer su estatus de conservación.Métodos: En este trabajo se analizó la estructura poblacional, el patrón de distribución espacial y la reproducción de A. ornatum en una población remanente localizada en Cadereyta de Montes, Querétaro, México.Resultados clave: Astrophytum ornatum tiene un patrón de distribución espacial agregado, similar a otras especies que requieren nodrizas o grietas y rocas que les proporcionan sombra. La mayoría de sus individuos se concentran en las primeras categorías de tamaño, 34% son reproductivos, las plantas grandes presentan un mayor número de estructuras reproductivas (botones, flores, frutos) y un menor número promedio de semillas por fruto.Conclusiones: La población estudiada presenta un potencial de crecimiento ya que su estructura poblacional tiene la forma típica de especies con reclutamiento frecuente. Dicha estructura poblacional, la alta densidad y la presencia de plantas pequeñas sugieren que la población está en buenas condiciones; sin embargo, no se observó reclutamiento de plántulas y hay una alta mortalidad en todas las clases de tamaño, además los riesgos para esta población son la cercanía a núcleos de población humana y a bancos de materiales. La evaluación global sugiere que se considere la especie como amenazada.
Distribución histórica de las especies del género Haematoxylum (Leguminosae) en la Península de Yucatán, México, basada en ejemplares de herbario
Authors: Plasencia Vázquez Alexis Herminio , Villegas Pascale , Ferrer Sánchez Yarelys , Zamora Crescencio Pedro
Published: April 2017

Antecedentes y Objetivos: El género Haematoxylum está representado en la Península de Yucatán por dos especies. La más conocida es el palo de tinte (H. campechianum) y recientemente, en 2014, fue descrita H. calakmulense. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar y caracterizar las áreas de presencia histórica de ambas especies en la Península de Yucatán y dentro del sistema actual de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) federales.Métodos: Para obtener registros históricos de presencia de ambas especies se consultaron los principales herbarios que reúnen ejemplares de las mismas: CICY, CIQR, ENCB, MEXU, UADY, UCAM y XAL. Para caracterizar las áreas donde se tomaron los registros se utilizaron coberturas de suelo, altimetría, climas, morfo-edafología y sistemas ecológicos potenciales y activos en la Península de Yucatán. Se calculó el número de registros de ambas especies contenidos dentro de las Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) federales.Resultados clave: Haematoxylum campechianum está presente en un mayor número de localidades dispersas por toda la Península, mientras que H. calakmulense se observa mayormente hacia el interior de la Península, en la parte meridional, en los alrededores y el interior de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul y en la periferia del Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Bala’an K’aax. Para ambas especies la mayor parte de los registros se tomaron en áreas con una combinación de suelos Leptosoles-Vertisoles, con un clima cálido subhúmedo y con predominancia de selva alta y mediana subperennifolia. La mayor parte de las poblaciones de las dos especies se encuentran en áreas externas a las ANPs.Conclusiones: Tanto para H. campechianum como para H. calakmulense existen muchos vacíos de información y áreas sin explorar. Sería pertinente tenerlos en cuenta en estudios futuros, para ayudar a complementar la información existente y determinar con precisión su estatus de conservación.
Efecto de la ganadería y la variación estacional sobre la composición florística y la biomasa vegetal en los humedales de la costa centro oeste del Golfo de México
Authors: Rodríguez-Medina Karla , Moreno-Casasola Patricia , Yañez-Arenas Carlos
Published: April 2017

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los humedales son ecosistemas altamente productivos que aportan diversos servicios ecosistémicos; sin embargo, también son de los más amenazados debido a actividades humanas como la agricultura y ganadería. México ha perdido 62% de sus humedales y específicamente los de la costa central del Golfo de México se están viendo afectados debido a la actividad ganadera. Existen pocos trabajos acerca del tema; por tanto, en esta investigación se analizó el efecto de la ganadería y la estacionalidad sobre la composición florística, biomasa aérea (BA) y biomasa subterránea (BS) de humedales herbáceos de la laguna de Alvarado, Veracruz, México.Métodos: Se seleccionaron dos localidades de trabajo y en cada una se eligieron dos sitios de muestreo. En cada sitio se colocaron ocho parcelas de 1 m² (la mitad fueron cercadas para evitar al ganado). Durante un año se obtuvieron datos de riqueza y diversidad de especies, cobertura vegetal, BA y BS. Con estos datos se calculó el valor de importancia relativa (VIR) por especie e índice de reemplazo de especies.Resultados clave: Se registraron 29 especies y se observó un gradiente de perturbación, resultando las localidades de Río Blanco las más conservadas. En general la riqueza fue significativamente mayor en lluvias y las especies con mayor VIR fueron las propias de humedales, aunque hubo gramíneas dominantes en ambas temporadas. La BS fue significativamente mayor en Río Blanco (sitio 1), y la BA en Río Blanco 1 y Río Limón 1. En lluvias la BA fue mayor en la mitad de los sitios.Conclusiones: Con los resultados de este trabajo se observa que los humedales herbáceos de agua dulce pueden conservar sus funciones ecológicas en presencia de la ganadería siempre y cuando sea de bajo impacto. Inclusive, si ésta se practica de manera controlada, puede favorecer la diversidad de especies nativas del humedal y limitar el crecimiento de pastos invasores.
Los híbridos de Pleopeltis (Polypodiaceae, Polypodiophyta) en México: novedades y precisiones
Authors: Cerón-Carpio Amparo B. , Rojas-Alvarado Alexander F. , Tejero-Díez J. Daniel , Caamaño Onofre Lucio
Published: April 2017

Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: En México, hasta el momento, se conocen cuatro híbridos de Pleopeltis. Estos híbridos naturales forman parte de los procesos de especiación y contribuyen a aumentar la diversidad taxonómica del género en el país. En este ensayo se dan a conocer dos nuevos híbridos recolectados en la Sierra Madre Oriental de Puebla, México y se reconoce formalmente otro híbrido.Métodos: Estos híbridos nuevos se definieron mediante el estudio comparativo de caracteres morfológicos en la arquitectura laminar y tipo de indumento.Resultados clave: Se reconocen como híbridos nuevos a Pleopeltis ×gracilis y Pleopeltis ×pueblensis y se publica de forma válida a Pleopeltis ×arreguiniae.Conclusiones: Con base en el reconocimiento de estos nuevos nothotaxa, México cuenta con siete híbridos en Pleopeltis. Aparte de presentar tablas comparativas, se ofrece una clave para la correcta determinación de estos nothotaxa.
Diversidad y distribución de la tribu Vernonieae (Asteraceae) en México
Authors: Redonda-Martínez Rosario
Published: April 2017

Antecedentes y Objetivos: La tribu Vernonieae se distribuye principalmente en trópicos y subtrópicos de ambos hemisferios e incluye 21 subtribus, 118 géneros y alrededor de 1050 especies. Los objetivos de este trabajo son proporcionar una lista actualizada de las especies mexicanas de la tribu y aportar datos referentes a su distribución por estado, altitud, tipos de vegetación, hábito de crecimiento y fenología.Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de diversos trabajos taxonómicos y colecciones científicas de México y algunas del extranjero.Resultados clave: Se reconocen 73 especies y dos taxones infraespecíficos pertencientes a 19 géneros que se agrupan en ocho subtribus. De los 19 géneros, tres son endémicos y tres introducidos; 47 especies y dos taxones infraespecíficos son endémicos y tres introducidos. Chiapas, Oaxaca y Veracruz concentran el mayor número de géneros y especies, además de Guerrero. En el bosque de Pinus-Quercus se encuentra la mayor diversidad de especies de Vernonieae, las cuales se distribuyen desde el nivel del mar hasta los 3000 m de altitud.Conclusiones: Más de 60% de las especies de Vernonieae presentes en el país son endémicas y únicamente 4.2% corresponde a taxones introducidos.
Primer reporte y distribución de Delastria rosea (Pezizales: Incertae sedis) en México
Authors: Gómez-Reyes Víctor Manuel , Gómez-Peralta Marlene , Guevara Guerrero Gonzalo
Published: April 2017

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Delastria rosea es un hongo de hábito hipogeo, se caracteriza por presentar una gleba rosa y esporas globosas con ornamentación reticulada. Se conocía hasta la fecha del norte de África, sur de Europa y California en Estados Unidos de América. El objetivo del presente trabajo es registrar D. rosea para la micobiota mexicana.Métodos: Se realizaron recolectas siguiendo las recomendaciones para el estudio de los hongos hipogeos. El material estudiado proviene de bosque mesófilo de montaña del estado de Michoacán, México.Resultados clave: Se describe Delastria rosea para la micobiota mexicana; se discute las semejanzas y diferencias con las descripciones europeas y norteamericanas.Conclusiones: Se considera que los ejemplares estudiados corresponden a Delastria rosea, a pesar de las diferencias que presentan con las descripciones europeas y norteamericanas.
Drought Coping Mechanisms among the Turkana Nomadic Pastoral Community of Ilemi Triangle Region of Northern Kenya
Authors: Mutu Paul Lopodo
Published: April 2017

Drought has remained a major disaster that has contributed to a higher vulnerability among the mobile pastoral population because of its slow onset and accumulative impact over period. Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Diseases (CRED) has quantitatively provided that Kenya has experienced about 19 droughts from 1989 to 2010.These drought scenarios are mainly in arid and semi-arid areas where Turkana belongs but the Turkana nomadic pastoral population has been surviving in such harsh environment where humanitarian assistance is barely absent. Therefore, the researcher in the objective prompts to ask, and find out how this pastoral community do survive and cope with this repeated drought in such isolated and tough environment. The studies available for this region have concentrated mainly to specific areas of Turkana without touching Ilemi triangle belt in Northern Turkana areas that is more prone to droughts. The study utilises multiple research design and a multistage random, purposive and quota sampling methods. The qualitative and quantitative data were analysed and the findings indicated that migration remain the most common method of coping with drought and it recommended for the supporting of the traditional coping mechanisms and promoting viable programs that support livestock and livelihoods.
STUDY OF FIXED DOSE COMBINATIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: Jadhav Sujata Abhay , Pisal Shaunak A , Khanwelkar Chitra C , Thorat Vandana M , Matule Somnath M
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: To study and analyze the pattern of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) in medicine outpatient clinic.Methods: The study is prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months in medicine outpatient clinic in tertiary care hospital. Aftertaking approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, the data were collected on every working day of the hospital. Prescriptions from the patientscoming to medicine outpatient clinic outpatient department were taken and required information is filled in data record form.Results: A total of 83 prescriptions were included in the study. Out of 287 drugs, 111, i.e., 39.92% were fixed dose formulations. As per drug categoryanalysis, nutritional supplements were used (47.74%). While 27.02% and 9.03% of FDCs were given for cardiovascular complains and respiratorycomplains, respectively. FDCs used for other conditions were 16.21%. About 29.72% of total FDCs are included in approved list of FDCs by DrugsController General of India (DCGI), November 2014.Conclusion: 39.92% drugs are FDCs out of total prescribed drugs. Nutritional supplements are prescribed in higher concentrations. Out of total FDCsonly 29.72% were included in DCGI approved list of FDCs and only four FDCs are found in the WHO list of essential drugs.Keywords: Fixed dose combinations, Prescriptions, Approved, Drugs Controller General of India.
DEVELOPMENT AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERISATION OF CHITOSAN LOADED PACLITAXEL NANOPARTICLE
Authors: Sarkar Tumpa , Ahmed Abdul Baquee
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectives: To meet the above aim the following objectives are undertaken: (1) Preparation of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded nanoparticles by differenttechniques, (2) In-vitro evaluations of the drug loaded nanoparticles and selection of optimized batch.Methods: PTX loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by Ionic-crosslinking technique. In this technique, chitosan was dissolved in 0.25%v/vacetic acid solution. To this above solution 0.84%v/v, glutaraldehyde solution was added dropwise under high-speed homogenizer at 17000 rpm for1 hr.Result: Particle size of prepared nanoparticle formulations was found to be 345.175±5.66-815.125±8.355 nm with low PDI between 0.456. Themaximum entrapment of drug was found to be 88.57±2.533% with formulation F5. In-vitro release studies of the F5 formulation showed 57.8±1.735%release of drug after 24 hrs.Conclusion: The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for its particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release study,and surface morphology studies by scanning electron microscopy. The results of Fourier transform infrared studies of 1:1 physical mixture of drug andexcipients confirmed the absence of incompatibility. Thus, the study concludes that PTX loaded nanoparticles were developed successfully by ioniccrosslinking method, which is expected to enhance the oral bioavailability of PTX.Keywords: Paclitaxel, Nanoparticles, Chitosan, Ionic-crosslinking, In-vitro release.
EVALUATION OF THYROID FUNCTION TEST IN OBESE PATIENTS
Authors: Fathima Faazila , P Preetha
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate thyroid function in 20-50 aged obese people. As obesity is a widespread problem today, knowledge about the factors affectingor influencing it is important. Little is known about the changes in thyroid function obese people. Influence on thyroid hormone synthesis has beenproposed.Methods: Thyroid function test was done for 30 obese and 30 nonobese people, and their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were compared.Results: Using paired t-test, we found that there is a statistically significant difference between TSH levels in obese and nonobese people at p<0.001.Keywords: Thyroid, Obese, Nonobese, Thyroid function test.
DRUG-ADMINISTERING PERSONS’ EXPOSURE TO ORAL ANTICANCER DRUGS TO BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH A TUBE
Authors: Murakami Masahiro , Katsuragi Satoko , Ohno Masako , Shigematsu Makoto , Kishi Ayumi , Zamami Yoshito , Komada Fusao , Kurata Naomi , Amano Manabu
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate anticancer drug exposure of non-health care professionals who administer drugsthrough a tube employing a method devised by us.Methods: The subjects were 30 general volunteers aged 22-84 years. They wore gloves and administered Indian ink, simulating an anticancer drug, toa multipurpose adult human-type patient care simulator through a tube using 5 types of syringe, and the area stained with Indian ink was measured.Results: When comparing the number of pixels among the syringes regardless of age, Syringe B showed the lowest number (11.8±3.1 cm2), and therewas a significant difference between Syringes B and E. Furthermore, we compared the total number of pixels in each age group regardless of the typeof syringe. In the 20-year-old group, it was the lowest (10.9±2.3 cm2) showing significant differences in comparison with the other groups. WhenSyringe B was used, the number of pixels was markedly lower than on adopting the other syringes.Conclusion: It was clarified that the level of exposure to anticancer drugs markedly varies depending on the type of syringe and age. It was alsoclarified that the method to evaluate exposure to anticancer drugs using Indian ink devised by us is simple and useful.Keywords: Oral anticancer drugs, Simple suspension method, Drug-administering persons’ exposure.
EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOID-RICH FRACTION FROM THE WHOLE PLANT OF WEDELIA CHINENSIS
Authors: Srinivasan Pavithra , Jayagopal Manibala , Ramachandran J
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The fundamental objective of this research is to evaluate the antioxidant and fibrinolytic properties of whole plant extracts of Wedeliachinensis.Methods: The extract was subjected to maceration process in an incubator for 4 hrs at 150 rotations/minute (rpm), 50°C. The plant material wasleft to macerate for 20 hrs. The in-vitro antioxidant property of the methanolic extract was determined using thin-layer chromatography (TLC)autobiography, 2, 2`- Azino-bis-3 ethyl benzthiazoline-6 sulfonic acid (ABTS), radical scavenging assay, metal chelating, nitric oxide, and superoxide.In-vitro thrombolytic model was performed on flavonoid fraction of W. chinensis.Results: Maximum inhibition was observed in the flavonoid fraction concentration of 20 μg/mL W. chinensis as 75.64% in ABTS radical scavengingactivity, 78.0% in metal chelation, 84.34% innitric oxide radical scavenging activity, and 81.8% in super oxide radical scavenging assay. Clot lysisactivity of W. chinensis was 20.43±0.34, 35.3±1.10, 43.76±0.67, and 63.42±1.65 respectively. Hemolysis rates were <5%.Conclusion: On exhaustive survey on W. chinensis, it was found that this herb has been used for various activities that potentiated the folklore usefor treating mankind. Medicines derived from plant origin will have a long history of use for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Inour study, it was found that the flavonoid fraction of W. chinensis possess antioxidant and thrombolytic properties. However, in vivo clot dissolvingproperties and active component(s) responsible for W. chinensis are yet to be discovered which can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases.Keywords: Antioxidant, Cardiovascular diseases, Fibrinolysis, Hemolytic, Radical scavenging assay, Wedelia chinensis.
ZERUMBONE, A NATURAL PLANT DIETARY COMPOUND INDUCES EXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN-12P70 CYTOKINE IN HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS
Authors: Dash Swagatika , Ray Monalisa , Mishra Abtar , Shahbazi Sajad , K Gopinath Achary , Nayak Sanghamitra , Singh Shikha
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Despite possessing many biological activities as antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancerous, and zerumbone lacksany evidence for its immunomodulatory activity. This naturally occurring dietary compound needs to be developed as drug to support therapeuticclaims in various infections and diseases.Methods: Hence, in this study, the immunomodulatory effects of zerumbone were investigated by evaluating the effect of this compound toward thelymphocytes proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Results: Lymphocyte proliferation assay showed that zerumbone was able to activate human lymphocytes at dosage-dependent manner at the highestconcentration 40 μl/mL. The production of human interleukin-12p70 cytokine in culture supernatant from activated lymphocytes was upregulatedby zerumbone at 24 hrs and gradually decreased at 48 hrs. Hence, the study confirms the immunomodulatory activity of zerumbone which play animportant role in boosting up the immune system through cytokine production in dosage dependent manner.Conclusion: The study concludes that zerumbone could be used as a lead molecule in herbal therapeutic world as an immunomodulatory drug in thetreatment of chronic infections and various autoimmune disorders.Keywords: Zerumbone, Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, Immunomodulation, Cytokine, Lymphocyte proliferation.
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE OF STROKE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: K Sattanathan , Kuriakose Chachu , M Naseem Shifafiya , Tharakan Nelta S , R Sambath Kumar
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of the work was to study the clinical profile of stroke in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study on stroke was carried out for a period of 6-month (May 2015 to October 2015). A total of 241 inpatientsfrom Shri Preethi Hospital were incorporated in the study. The data were collected and evaluated by reviewing case files and patient interview.Result and Conclusion: Out of 241 patients, an incidence of ischemic stroke was found to be higher. The occurrence of stroke steeply rises with agewith male predominance. The burden of stroke tends to be more in rural, illiterate, and low socioeconomic status population. The study reveals riskfactors such as sedentary lifestyle, previous and family history of stroke, underlying disease like hypertension, diabetes. The circadian pattern in onsetshowed a significant peak in morning (6 am-12 pm) for Ischemic and afternoon (12 pm-6 pm) for hemorrhagic stroke. Topographic distribution ofcerebral infract and hemorrhage was found to be in parietal lobe and periventricular white matter, respectively. Mostly prescribed medication forischemic and hemorrhagic patients was antihypertensive and mannitol, respectively. The contraindication for thrombolytic therapy was found to below economic status and average delay in time of presentation to hospital. The study highlights the need for aggressive management of traditionalrisk factors, need for extensive work up in patient to find etiologies and need for more active interventions in community for the prevention of stroke.Keywords: Ischemic, Hemorrhagic, Circadian pattern, Antihypertensive.
VOICE RECOGNITION SECURITY SYSTEM USING MEL-FREQUENCY CEPSTRUM COEFFICIENTS
Authors: Mahalakshmi P , M Muruganandam , A Sharmila
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Voice Recognition is a fascinating field spanning several areas of computer science and mathematics. Reliable speaker recognition is a hardproblem, requiring a combination of many techniques; however modern methods have been able to achieve an impressive degree of accuracy. Theobjective of this work is to examine various speech and speaker recognition techniques and to apply them to build a simple voice recognition system.Method: The project is implemented on software which uses different techniques such as Mel frequency Cepstrum Coefficient (MFCC), VectorQuantization (VQ) which are implemented using MATLAB.Results: MFCC is used to extract the characteristics from the input speech signal with respect to a particular word uttered by a particular speaker. VQcodebook is generated by clustering the training feature vectors of each speaker and then stored in the speaker database.Conclusion: Verification of the speaker is carried out using Euclidian Distance. For voice recognition we implement the MFCC approach using softwareplatform MatlabR2013b.Keywords: Mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient, Vector quantization, Voice recognition, Hidden Markov model, Euclidean distance.
GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE AS AN INDICATOR OF OBESITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: M Vinodhini V , Kb Sudhan
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Obesity, characterized by an increase in excessive fat accumulation, represents a social problem worldwide and has been recognizedas a major underlying factor in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a cell-surface protein contributing tothe extracellular catabolism of glutathione. Elevated GGT is strongly associated with obesity and excess deposition of fat in the liver, termed nonalcoholicfatty liver disease, which is thought to cause hepatic insulin resistance and contribute to the development of systemic insulin resistanceand hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, we have investigated the serum GGT levels in obese individuals and the correlation of serum GGT with bodymass index (BMI) and waist circumference.Methods: The study was carried out in 100 obese patients and 100 non-obese individuals.Results: Patients with obesity showed a significant increase in GGT levels when compared to the control group. The mean levels of BMI, WC, totalcholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), very LDL-cholesterol, total protein, and aspartate aminotransferase werefound to be significantly elevated in the obese individuals compared to controls. The mean levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed asignificant decrease in the obese participants.Conclusion: Elevated liver enzymes, although in normal ranges, especially at upper quartiles as observed in our study, may play a central role inearly diagnosis of fat overflow to the liver. The findings of our study suggest that serum GGT levels may be a simple and reliable marker of visceral fataccumulation.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Insulin resistance, Metabolic syndrome, Obesity.
QUALITY BY DESIGN-BASED OPTIMIZATION AND VALIDATION OF NEW REVERSE PHASE-HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF LEVOFLOXACIN HEMIHYDRATE AND AMBROXOL HYDROCHLORIDE IN BULK AND ITS PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Authors: Sumithra Sumithra , P Shanmugasundaram , V Ravichandiran
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Innovative application of quality by design (QbD) technique for simultaneous estimation of levofloxacin and ambroxol hydrochloride (HCL)in bulk and its pharmaceutical dosage form using reverse phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method.Method: A method has been developed for the separation of levofloxacin and ambroxol HCL using RP-HPLC on C18 column (250 4.6 mm, 5 ml) withultraviolet detection at 306 nm. Experimental designs were applied for multivariate optimization of the experimental conditions of RP-HPLC method.Three independent factors: Acetonitrile content in the mobile phase composition, buffer pH, and flow rate were used to design mathematical models.Here, central composite design (CCD) experimental design was used to study the response surface technique and to study in depth the effects ofthese independent factors. Derringer’s desirability function was applied to simultaneously optimize the retention time of last eluting peak (ambroxolhydrochloride) and resolution between levofloxacin and ambroxol hydrochloride.Result and Discussion: The predicted optimum assay condition consisted of acetonitrile, potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 5.00;potassium dihydrogen phosphate), and methanol in a proportion of 20:70:10% v/v, respectively, as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/minute.Using this optimum condition, baseline separation of both drugs with good resolution and a run time of <5 minutes were achieved. The optimizedassay condition was validated according to the ICH guidelines to confirm specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision.Keywords: Levofloxacin, Ambroxol hydrochloride, Experimental design, Response surface methodology, Derringer’s desirability, Quality by designapproach.
A STUDY ON PATTERN OF PRESCRIBING MEDICATIONS USED IN SECONDARY PREVENTION OF STROKE
Authors: R Lakshmi , Kc Jithin , G Arya , Nair Lekshmi P
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectives: The main objectives of this study were to estimate the demographic details of patients with the first incidence of stroke and to study thevarious risk factors for ischemic stroke.Methods: It was a retrospective, observational study carried out for 1 year at the Department of Stroke Medicine of a tertiary care teaching hospitalin Kerala, India. A total of 636 patients were admitted under stroke medicine during the period from July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015, and who satisfiedthe inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. A standardized data collection form was prepared and necessary data were collectedfrom patient’s medical records.Results: The maximum number of patients was in the age group of 60-69 years. 65.1% patients were residing in the rural area. 60.7% patients weremale. Most of them had hypertension as common comorbidity (21.35%) and the highest number of patients had diabetes mellitus and hypertension(21.7%). Majority of the patients were prescribed with antiplatelets (94.91%), followed by statins (93.8%).Conclusion: A strict control on the comorbid conditions and sticking on to the medications can prevent the occurrence of future stroke.Keywords: Stroke, Secondary prevention, Drugs, Prescribing pattern.
CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION HABITS AND PERCEPTION OF ADOLESCENTS IN CHENNAI POPULATION*
Authors: Darsini Pria , R Gayatridevi
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Caffeine consumption by adolescent population has increased dramatically over the last decade through increased coffee consumption andenergy drinks. However, caffeine causes many adverse effects, which demands people’s attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the mostpopular caffeinated product among adolescents and the knowledge and belief of adolescents about caffeine in their day to day life.Methods: An online survey was created and about 260 responses were obtained. Only 248 were counted as the remaining was removed by exclusioncriteria.Results: The most popular caffeine intake by adolescents was coffee. Students ingested caffeine at levels that could cause negative health effects andseemed unaware of the total amount of caffeine consumed.Conclusion: More information about caffeine should be incorporated into health education at all levels, so students can identify and avoid negativeeffects along with caffeine withdrawal and addiction.Keywords: Caffeine, Coffee, Adolescents, Addiction, Habits.
A REVIEW ON “NEW TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AS NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE AND ITS RISK FACTOR CAUSE, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT AT WORLDWIDE”
Authors: Bhor Rohit Jaysing
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a dynamic and irreversible neurodegenerative illness and relates to the most widely recognized reason for dementiaaround the world. AD is a dynamic and lethal cerebrum ailment. Alzheimer’s obliterates mind cells, bringing on memory issue or misfortune and issueswith speculation and conduct sufficiently serious to influence work, long lasting leisure activities or social life. Alzheimer’s illness is quickly becomingworldwide, but there is no cure for it. Now, accessible medications just give symptomatic help and do not mediate in infection prepare adequatelyenough to avert or cure it. Various late studies have reported that working memory does not appear to demonstrate regular age-related deficienciesin solid more established grown-ups when enthusiastic data are included. Indeed, contingent upon the capacity included, patients might demonstratean enthusiastic advantage in their working memory execution. Moreover, this advantage is not generally obviously one-sided (e.g., toward negativeor positive data). We decipher this intricate example of results as an outcome of the cooperation between numerous components including theseriousness of AD, the nature of emotional jolts, and sort of working memory errand. Clinical advantages of the accessible pharmacological treatmentfor AD with antidementia drugs (to be specific cholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine) are obvious. In an unexpected way, learns about the transientcapacity to encode and effectively control enthusiastic data in dementia of Alzheimer’s sort are few and have yielded blended results.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, Diagnosis, Classification of Anti-Alzheimer’s drug.
RIFAXIMIN INDUCED HYPONATREMIA: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Upadhyay Shalini , Agrawal Prabhat , Bansal Manish , Gupta Anjalika
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTRifaximin is one of the common drugs used in clinical practice in the management of traveler’s diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hepaticencephalopathy. Hyponatremia is one of the rare side effects of this drug. We hereby present the case of a middle-aged woman who was a known caseof IBS: Diarrhea predominant who developed symptoms of hyponatremia after a short duration of rifaximin treatment, no other cause of hyponatremiawas found on evaluation, so we suspect this as a rare side effect of rifaximin therapy.Keywords: Rifaximin, Hyponatremia, Irritable bowel syndrome.
ENTERIC FEVER IN TRAVELERS: AN UPDATED INSIGHT
Authors: Mehta Varshil
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTEnteric fever is a broad term used to represent typhoid and paratyphoid fever which is caused by S. typhi and S. paratyphi respectively. The mostcommon cause being S. typhi, overall. However, S. paratyphi is known to infect the travelers at a higher rate. Indian subcontinent being one of the mostendemic region, it is always beneficial for the travelers to get immunized while traveling to these areas. However, Vaccination to S. paratyphi is not yetavailable, hence travelers often fall prey to the disease. The morbidity is often high but mortality is very rare, especially due to first line treatment drugslike ceftriaxone, nalidixic acid and floroquinolones (if patients are sensitive to it). Recently, it was observed that Multi-drug resistance (Resistance to atleast ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]) was limited to Typhi isolates and was increased at an exponential rate. Hence,with increasing resistance to these drugs, developing vaccines or new drugs against these bacteria, remains an area of prime interest.Keywords: Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Enteric fever, Traveler.
STUDY ON MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF MOBILE PHONES AND THEIR ROLE IN NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL OF SOUTH INDIA
Authors: Bhumbla Upasana , Ahmad Safaa Muneer , Mathur Dinesh Raj , Bandey Lubna , Mathur Gyaneshwari
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Mobile phones have become an essential accessory of our life in todays’ world.. The study revealed the potential role of mobile phonesin nosocomial infections.Objectives: To screen the mobile phones of health-care personnel for microbial contamination in hospital.Methods: A total of 100 swabs were collected from mobile phones of 40 resident doctors and 10 health-care personnel before and after use ofdisinfectant. Samples were processed, and identification was done as per standard laboratory procedures.Results: Results revealed 92% bacterial contamination with monomicrobial or polymicrobial growth. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (29.59%)was the most predominant organism followed by Diphtheroids (22.44%). Other bacteria which were isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococci,Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter spp. fungal growth included Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.On the other hand, after using disinfectant, the contamination rate was reduced.Conclusion: Mobile phones act as a carrier for transmission of both community acquired as well as hospital acquired infections. However, with theproper use of disinfectants, and proper hand hygiene practices it can be reduced.Keywords: CONS(Coagulase-negative Staphylococci), S.aureus (Staphylococcus aureus), K.pneumoniae(Klebsiella pneumoniae).
METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ULTRAVIOLET-VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPIC METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF HEPATITIS-C DRUGS - DACLATASVIR AND SOFOSBUVIR IN ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENT FORM
Authors: Chakravarthy V Ashok , Bbv Sailaja , A Praveen Kumar
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of the present work is to develop a simple, efficient, and reproducible spectrophotometric method for the quantitativeestimation of hepatitis-C drugs - Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir in its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) form.Methods: The developed ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the quantitative estimation of hepatitis-C drugs - Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir isbased on measurement of absorption at a wavelength maximum (λmax) of 317 and 261 nm using methanol as solvent.Results: The method was validated in terms of specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, and robustness as per the ICH guidelines. The method wasfound to be linear in the range of 50-150% for Daclatasvir and in the range of 43-143% for Sofosbuvir. The percentage recovery values were in therange of 99.4-100.6% for Daclatasvir and in the range of 99.7-100.6% for Sofosbuvir at different concentration levels. Relative standard deviation forprecision and intermediate precision results were found to be <2%. The correlation coefficient value observed for Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir drugsubstances was not <0.99, 0.99, respectively. Results obtained from the validation experiments prove that the developed method is quantified for theestimation of Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir drug substances.Conclusion: The developed method can be successfully applied for routine analysis, quality control analysis, and also suitable for stability analysis ofDaclatasvir and Sofosbuvir in API form as per the regulatory requirements.Keywords: Daclatasvir, Sofosbuvir, Method development, Validation, Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.
HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS EXTRACT PROMOTING THE RECOVERY OF MEMORY IMPAIRMENT IN ALZHEIMER’S RATS: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIAPOPTOTIC EFFECTS
Authors: Elbaz Farouk Kamel , Aly Hanan F , Khalil Wagdy Kb , Ali Gamila H , Booles Hoda F
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The present study was conducted to investigate the role of Haematococcus pluvialis extract against oxidative damage, the inflammatory,and apoptotic impacts characterizing the neurodegenerative disorders.Methods: Oxidative stress, B-cell lymphoma 2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the inflammation, apoptotic and antiapoptotic impacts in Alzheimer’sdisease (AD) rats were determined through assessment of glutathione reduced (GSH), GSH peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde), thecytokines level such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1β), and macrophage inflammation protein (MIP1α) in AD rats.Moreover, the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt) genes regulating the apoptosis in AD ratswas measured.Results: The results revealed that levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MIP1α were significantly increased in AD rats. Moreover, the expression of PI3Kand Akt genes was downregulated which it was coincided with the increase of apoptosis in AD rats. On the other hand, treatment of AD rats withH. pluvialis extract decreased the oxidative stress of AD in the form of prevention the inflammatory and apoptotic impacts.Conclusion: H. pluvialis could be used for ameliorating AD due to its role in decreases the oxidative stress of AD in the form of prevention theinflammatory and apoptotic impacts. H. pluvialis is a very attractive candidate for uses against neurodegenerative disorders that are caused byincreases oxidative stress inducing neuroinflammation and apoptosis.Keywords: Haematococcus pluvialis, Oxidative stress, Inflammation biomarkers, Apoptotic and antiapoptotic impacts.
EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG PRACTICING DOCTORS
Authors: Madhusudhan Santhosh Kumar , Gh Shashikala
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: The primary objective of the study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, and practice of pharmacovigilance (PV) among the practicingdoctors. The secondary objective was to ascertain the reason for underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess theseparameters of PV. These questionnaires were distributed among 90 doctors to ascertain the answers. In addition, the same parameters werereassessed (post-questionnaires) after sensitizing the doctors about PV.Results: Only 52 doctors took the posttest, a response rate of 57%. The mean awareness, knowledge, and practice of PV among doctors were 4.70,3.60, and 2.90, respectively, which significantly increased in post-test questionnaire (p<0.05). The Pearson correlations revealed that the level ofawareness among the respondents was significantly related to the knowledge and the practice of PV, linearly, and positively. In other words, higher theawareness more was the knowledge and better was the methods of application. The most common factor discouraging doctors from reporting ADRswas they found it difficult to decide whether ADR has occurred or not (32.69%).Conclusion: There was a significant positive correlation between awareness, knowledge, and practice of PV. In spite of these findings, the ADRreporting rate is negligible in India. To bring about a strong culture of reporting among doctors, it is mandatory to continuously expose doctors to theconcepts of PV by continuous medical education, workshops, seminars and to make reporting mandatory in India.Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drugs reactions, Awareness, Knowledge, Practice.
BSMI AND TAQI POLYMORPHISMS IN VITAMIN D RECEPTOR GENE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS FROM NORTH INDIA
Authors: Taneja Nancy , Khadagawat Rajesh , Mani Shalini
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjective: Polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes are known to be linked with different metabolic diseases including Type 2 diabetesmellitus (T2DM) also. However, the association of these polymorphisms is not much explored for the Indian population. To determine the prevalenceof BsmI and TaqI polymorphism in VDR gene of T2DM patients from North India.Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 100 well-characterized T2DM patients and 100 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from bloodsamples and using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism based method, the presence of these polymorphisms wasinvestigated in these samples. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software.Results: For TaqI polymorphism, both the wild type (TT) and heterozygous (TC) genotype showed a significant difference between patients andcontrols (p=0.023 and p<0.001, respectively). Whereas, the frequency of CC genotype was not significantly different among these groups (p=0.506).For BsmI polymorphism also, the frequency of wild type (GG) and heterozygous (GA) genotype was significantly different in patients and controls(p=0.027 and p=0.001), respectively. However, the frequency of AA genotype was not of statistical significance in patients (p=0.071).Conclusions: The mutant alleles of TaqI and BsmI polymorphisms are known to be associated with different metabolic diseases, including diabetestoo. In our study also, there is a significant difference between the frequency of wild type and heterozygous genotype for these polymorphisms. Thissuggests that BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms may be associated with T2DM patients.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Polymorphism, Vitamin D receptor, Patient, Control, Restriction fragment length polymorphism.