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Original article:-Pharmacology
Chandel Nitibhushansingh R1, Phadke Anant G2 and Goyal Chhaya A3
1M.D. (Pharmacology), Assistant Professor, 3M.D( Pharmacology), Professor, Department of Pharmacology, SAIMS Medical College & PG Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. 2M.D.(Pharmacology), Professor, Department of Pharmacology, JNMC, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India.
Abstract:- Aim: To study the interaction of calcium channel blocker (verapamil) with Antipsychotic drug (Haloperidol) in CAR and catalepsy models in rats.
Methods and Results: Every group consisted of 10 healthy albino rats of either sex. Different groups received Verapamil (5, 10 &20 mg/kg, i.p.), Haloperidol (ED50 -0.2mg/kg) alone and combined doses of both drugs. The Antipsychotic effect of drugs was measured by Conditioned avoidance response (CAR) using Cook’s Pole climbing apparatus and Adverse drug effect (Extra pyramidal syndrome) was measured by Catalepsy. 5 mg/kg i.p. of Verapamil inhibited CAR in 50 % of Rats (compared to control, p<0.001). 10mg/kg i.p. of verapamil inhibited CAR in 70% of Rats (p<0.001) & 20 mg/kg i.p. inhibited CAR in 80% of Rats (p<0.001). When verapamil (5 mg/kg i.p) was combined with Haloperidol ED50-0.2mg/kg the CAR was inhibited in 80% of the rats (p<0.001) and after combining verapamil (10mg/kg) with Haloperidol ED50-0.2mg/kg the CAR was inhibited in 100% Rats. (p<0.001) Verapamil at the dose of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (i.p.) did not induce catalepsy in the rats at any testing time interval. At 20 mg/kg i.p., it produced catalepsy in 3 rats at half hour and in 5 rats at 1 hour and 2 hour testing interval each.(p<0.01). Verapamil pretreatment in the dose of 5 mg/kg did not affect the haloperidol (ED50 -0.4 mg/kg) induced catalepsy. In the dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg, pretreatment with verapamil significantly increased cataleptic scores at all testing intervals (P<0.05).Conclusion: Verapamil blocked CAR. Its higher doses induced catalepsy and it is synergistic with haloperidol in blockade of CAR and catalepsy.
Key words:- Verapamil, Haloperidol, Conditioned avoidance response (CAR), Catalepsy.
Original article:-Community Medicine
Nitheshkumar1* and B.Kiranmai2.
1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, India.
2Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Gandhi Medical college, Hyderabad, India.
Abstract- Background Rabies, present on all continents and endemic in most African and Asian countries, is a 100% fatal zoonotic viral disease, transmitted to humans through contact, mainly bites and scratches with infected animals, both domestic and wild. According to the World Health Organization, about 35,000 people die of rabies in India every year – accounting for about 81 percent of global deaths. Even today with no cure anywhere in the world, Rabies is only preventable with wound care, vaccines and immunoglobulins. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KAP) about animal bites and rabies among rural women Hyderabad. Materials & Methods:- Cross sectional community based study was conducted in randomly selected urban slum, Hassannagar, Hyderabad. The sample size of 100 woman between 20-55 years of age depending up on prevalence of rabies in this particular area. Study variables are age, education, socioeconomic status, diet, cultural activities, vaccine, and supernatural methods. Study done in a period of one month during May 2012 and data was analyzed using software Epi info, percentages and chi square test was done to know the significance of variables. Results: Out of 100 sample 37 % are literates and 63 % illiterates and the mean age was 24years. Majority of the people heard about rabies and transmitted by dog bite. . Knowledge about appropriate wound toilet was found to be inadequate. Only 33.4% of the respondents knew rabies could be prevented by vaccination, while 38.7% believed that the infection could be treated with herbs and other indigenous applications. KAP study suggests that there is need to create awareness amongst the masses regarding epidemiology of the disease and merits of prompt and appropriate post exposure treatment through enhanced IEC activities.
Key words:- Rabies, Supernatural methods, Herbal application, Wound toilet, Vaccination.
Research article:-PSM/Community Medicine
Tiwari Ranjana1, Dhiraj Kumar Srivastava2* and Bansal Manoj3
1MD, PhD, D.G.O, DH&HM, PGCHMgtFW, Associate Professor, Department of PSM/Community Medicine,G.R Medical College, Gwalior(MP),India.
2*Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, UP Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai, Etawah(UP),India.
3MD, Assistant professor, Department. of PSM/Community Medicine,Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar (MP),India.
Abstract: - Background:-Ever since the establishment of HIV/AIDS as a disease entity in the medical fraternity, it has been an area of great concern for scholars across the globe. A regular assessment of knowledge and practices of practitioners are empirical for both practitioners and policy makers as it help them to assess the exact situation in the recent scenario of changing HIV epidemiology. Objectives:-To assess the knowledge and practices of practitioners in relation to HIV/AIDS. To find out the most preferred modalities to get updates on recent advances in HIV/AIDS. Material and Methods:-The study was carried out from July 2008 to Dec 2008 among government and private practitioners of Gwalior City. In this 75 government and 75 private practitioners were interviewed using a pre-structured questionnaire. Information regarding general profile, knowledge about signs and symptoms, management and counseling adopted in the management of HIV patients. The study also explored the different views on the most preferred modalities for getting updates on HIV. Result:-The mean score of government practitioners was 6.8 compared to 5.1 of private practitioners. There was a statistically differences in the knowledge of practitioners of both sectors on issues related to signs & symptoms, diagnosis and management. Similar differences were also noted in the practices commonly adopted in the management of HIV patients. Continuous Medical Educations (CME’s) was the most preferred modality of getting updates on recent advances in the field of HIV management. Conclusion:-There is an urgent need for upgrading the knowledge especially of private practitioners on various issues including HIV management. Regular CME’s should be organized to fulfill this job.
Key words:- HIV/AIDS, Practitioners, NACO.
Letter to Editor
Dr. Vandana Berry and Dr. Madan Lal.
Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana (Pb.)-141 008, India.
Abstract:- The present study was focused on finding the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter in various pyogenic manifestations. In the Microbiology Laboratory, Christian Medical College and Hospital, a total of 8,741 and 9,792 specimens were processed during the year 2008 and the year 2009 respectively. The prevalence of Acinetobacter species was 17.24% and 23.47% during 2008 and 2009 respectively. The isolates had remarkably poor response towards majority of antibiotics. Polymixin B was judged to be the best antimicrobial agent with a susceptibility value ranging between 84.67% and 85.53 % followed by imipenem having 60.29 % to 63.36 % susceptibility.
Key words:- Acinetobacter, Antimicrobial resistance, Polymixin B and Imipenem.
Research article:-Microbiology
M.Bharathi M.D1* and A.Usha Rani M.D2
1*Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India.
2Professor, Department of Microbiology, Siddartha Medical College, Vijayawada, India.
Abstract:- Background:- HIV infection is presently accounts for the highest number of deaths attributable to any single infective agent. Opportunistic infections (OIs) account for a considerable proportion of such mortality. Among OIs, respiratory tract infections are one. Preventable and treatable respiratory infections are seen in up to two thirds of all HIV positive persons. Aim: - To know the bacterial pathogens other than M .tuberculosis that cause lower respiratory tract infections and their susceptibility pattern in HIV seropositive patients. Material and methods: - 100 HIV seropositive patients attended to ART centre comprised the study group. Deep, coughed up sputum was collected from patients after taking informed, written consent. After assessing quality of sputum by doing Gram’s stain, sample was inoculated on Blood agar, Mac Conkey agar and Chacolate agar. Pathogens were identified by standard methods. Results:- 59 samples were culture positive. single pathogen was isolated in 33 cases and polymicrobial in 26 cases, with total 89 pathogens. The organisms isolated were S.pneumoniae, S.aureus, β haemolytic Streptococci, Nocardia asteroides, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Esch.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter boumannii, and Serratia marcescens. Most of the strains were susceptible to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxim, amoxyclav, doxycyclin and roxythromycin. 17 patients had CD4 counts of <200 with culture positivity in 14 cases (82.35%) and polymicrobial etiology in 35.29% cases. CD4 counts of 201-500 were found in 53 patients with 58.49% culture positivity and 26.41% polymicrobial etiology. 30 had counts of >500 with culture positivity in 14 cases (46.46%) and polymicrobial etiology in 20% cases. Conclusions: - S.pneumoniae was the commonest pathogen (38.2%). Polymicrobial etiology of respiratory tract infections was observed in all strata of CD4 counts, but at higher frequency as CD4 count decreases.
Key words:- HIV seropositive patients, CD4 count, Lower respiratory tract infections, Bacterial pathogens.