International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

The relation of pain with geographical location in Turkey in transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy

Metin shak Öztürk¹, Orhan Koca¹, Eyüp Veli Küçük¹, Muzaffer O uz Kele¹, Mustafa Güne ¹, Muhammet hsan Karaman¹

¹Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Department of Urology

Accepted 14 May, 2011

Abstract

In this study, the relationship of patient tolerance in transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate biopsies, with geographical location in Turkey was evaluated. One hundred sixty-two patients with a mean age of 67.9 years (range, 46-82 years) who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsies in our clinic were examined. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used as the tolerance assessment criterion. The mean pain scores according to regions were as follows: Black Sea region, 4.9; East Anatolian region, 3.6; Central Anatolian region, 3.6; Marmara region, 2.2; Aegean region, 1.9; Mediterranean region, 1.5; and Southeast Anatolian region, 1.4. The mean pain score of patients from the Black Sea region was significantly higher than the other regions; whereas the mean pain scores of patients in the East and Central Anatolian regions were significantly higher than the other regions, except Black Sea region. The difference patient tolerance and age were not statistically significant. The geographical locations of the patients were shown to affect the pain levels significantly, in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies. In case the results of the present study are confirmed in large-scale studies, it may be beneficial to consider this issue in counseling the patients undergoing prostate biopsies.

Key words: Prostate biopsy, pain, age, geographical region, TRUS.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Description of pharmaceutical care to assess their effectiveness on adherence to antiretroviral therapy--A randomized clinical trial

Marysabel Pinto Telis Silveira¹, Cezar Arthur Tavares Pinheiro ², Marília Cruz Guttier³, Tatiana Vanessa Silveira Pereira³, Leila Beltrami Moreira⁴

¹Department of Pharmacology, Life and Health Science Center, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

²Specialized Service for HIV/AIDS–SAE–Pelotas, Federal University of Pelotas and Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

³Pharmacist, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

⁴Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Accepted 03 June, 2011

Abstract

In the framework of pharmaceutical care, pharmacotherapy follow -up requires developing, implementing and monitoring an individual care plan to solve drug-related problems (DRP). HIV/AIDS patients use complex regimens, factor that could lessen adherence, which in turn, is associated with increased viral replication and the development of drug-resistance. Studies have shown that perception of side-effects also lessens adherence, reinforcing the need to prevent, identify and solve problems during antiretroviral treatment and to avoid DRP through pharmaceutical care. We describe a program of pharmaceutical care for HIV/AIDS patients and our planned randomized controlled trial. To evaluate pharmaceutical care program for HIV-infected patients using antiretroviral treatment, through the Dáder method. Randomized clinical trial method was used for this study. Patients will be interviewed when they collected drugs or have their medical visit. Data will be collected through questionnaires demographic and self-reported adherence to the antiretrovirals and self-efficacy, for 12 months. Viral load and CD4 will be measured. The pharmaceutical care program will consist of color labeling the antiretrovirals and giving patients a card with prescription information. This study will provide information about HIV-infected patients’ pharmaceutical care and will hopefully provide a validated model of pharmaceutical care for specialized health centers that will supplement their care.

Keywords: Patient compliance, pharmaceutical care, anti-retroviral agents; HAART; HIV, Dáder method.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

The attenuating effect of zinc on Propoxur-induced oxidative stress, impaired spermatogenesis and deranged steroidogenesis in wistar rat

¹Oyewopo, A.O., ²Saalu, L.C., ³Osinubi, A.A., ⁴lmosemi, l.O., ¹Omotoso G.O., ¹Adefolaju G.A.

^lDepartment of Anatomy,University of IIorin, llorin, Nigeria.

²Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.

³Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Anatomy, University of Ibadan, lbadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 May, 2011

Abstract

Propoxur (PPX), a carbamate pesticide is known to cause reproductive toxicity partly through induction of cellular oxidative stress. In the present study, the ability of Zinc (Zn), a known antioxidant to ameliorate testicular oxidative stress was investigated in adult male Wistar rats exposed to PPX (10 mg/kg body weight per day) orally for 30 days. The results from this study showed that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the growth rate and relative weights of testes of PPX-exposed rats compared to the control. PPX-exposed rats also displayed a significant (p < 0.005) decreases in plasma testosterone levels, epididymal sperm count and spermatozoa motility when compared to the control values. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant (p < 0.005) decrease in the activities of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) in the testes of PPX-exposed animals. Zn supplementation in the PPX-exposed rats restored the activities of testicular GPx and the testicular content of MDA to the levels of the control group. Co-treatment with Zn also normalized the deranged sperm parameters and hormonal profiles. We conclude that Zn administration minimized the evidences of testicular oxidative damage and reversed the impairment of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis induced by PPX in the rat.

Key words: Propoxur, oxidative stress, rat, testosterone, zinc.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Assessment of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari (Guggul) as potential source for antibacterial agent

Pankaj Goyal, Abhishek Chauhan and P. Kaushik

Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukul Kangri University, Hardwar Uttarakhand - 249 404, India

Accepted 20 March, 2011

Abstract

There is a great need to discover novel antibiotics due to wide-spread emergence of resistance among pathogenic bacteria against available antibiotics. The current study deals to access the susceptibilities of some clinically significant bacteria against various crude extracts of Commiphora wightii gum resin. Agar well diffusion assay was the key process to evaluate the antibacterial potential of various crude extracts of the plant. Active crude extracts were further subjected to determine MIC against susceptible bacteria. The study indicated that antibacterial activity was found to be dependent on the type of extract and the organism evaluated. Ethanol extract was found to have comparatively higher activity than other organic and aqueous extracts. Gram-positive bacteria showed competent but variable susceptibilities to all the tested extracts. MIC data showed hopeful results as some of the extracts exhibited significant inhibitions of bacteria even at low concentrations. Phytochemical analysis of the active extract reveals the presence of certain metabolites. Commiphora wightii gum resin is shown to have promising antibacterial activity that could be very useful in the discovery of novel antibiotic.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, guggul, minimum inhibitory concentration.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients: Is it a useful parameter in assessing prediction for mortality?

Yasar Kucukardali*, Yalcin Onem*, Hakan Terekeci*, Fatih Tangi*, Burak Sahan*, Alev Akyol Erikci**, Ozkan Sayan**, Selim Nalbant*, Cagatay Oktenli*

*Department of Internal Medicine, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul-Turkey

**Department of Haemotology, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul-Turkey

Accepted 20 March, 2011

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate MPV (mean platelet volume) showing platelet reactivity if it is associated with the severity of the critical illness or mortality in ICU patients. Study group (130 patients) was formed from survivor group (68 patients) and non-survivor group (62 patients). Platelet counts and MPV values were compared between two groups in the first five days of hospitalization. MPV correlation was studied with APACHE II score, age, haemoglobin level, duration in the ICU and as an independent risk factor in mortality. Mean age and APACHE scores were significantly higher in non-survivor group compared to survivor group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups according to MPV and platelet counts in first five days of hospitalization. There was a unique positive correlation between MPV and APACHE score (r: 0.34, p< 0.05). Only age was independent risk factor in mortality. In our study, we found positive correlation between severity of critical illness and MPV. However, there was no relation between MPV and mortality in heterogenic critical patients. Subgroup analysis of patients in ICU might be useful in assessing prediction for mortality.

Key words: Mean platelet volume, critical illness, mortality, APACHE, ICU.

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Retinoblastoma in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

¹Adio Adedayo Omobolanle, ²Komolafe Rhoda Dein.

¹Ophthalmology unit Dept. of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria.

²Eye clinic, University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 March, 2011

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is a challenge in Nigeria due to delay in presentation and poverty. Study of outcome will enable better advice on policy. Patients presenting at University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital eye clinic with clinical retinoblastoma between January 2000 and December 2009 were studied retrospectively. Clinical features, treatment offered response etc. International classification of Retinoblastoma of 2006 was used. Data analyzed with Epi-Info version 6.Twenty six eyes of 13 children. Mean age 3.17 yrs (SD+_0.64). Male-female ratio 1:1. Most parents were illiterate (96.2%).Over sixty percent (61.5%) delayed presentation till over 6 months. All were uniocular. Five had Group D and eight were group E type of retinoblastoma. Eight had leukocoria (61.5%).Two cases (15.4%) had extra ocular RB. Enucleation carried out in 46.2%. Four patients (30.8%) absconded when enucleation was suggested. Histology of 3 cases showed primitive undifferentiated type with areas of extensive necrosis. Five relapsed within 2 to 5 months. None had more than 2 cycles chemotherapy. None followed up for more than 36months post-enucleation. Treatment not completed in any subject. Poor prognostic factors include late presentation, delay in accepting treatment options, indigence and low parental education. Awareness campaigns and early case finding by community health officers is necessary.

Key words: Retinoblastoma, Chemotherapy, Enucleation, Histology, Illiteracy, Case finding, Nigeria.