Posted by admin on May 31, 2025 in |
Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, often leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular events, and a reduced quality of life. Effective medication adherence is critical for preventing adverse outcomes and improving long-term survival. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led patient education program in improving medication adherence and enhancing medication knowledge in hemodialysis patients. Secondary objectives included examining the relationship between adherence and demographic factors. Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted on 109 hemodialysis patients. Medication adherence was assessed using the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS), and patient medication knowledge was evaluated through the Patient Medication Knowledge Assessment (PMKA). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the significance of changes in adherence and knowledge. Results: Among the 109 participants, the pharmacist-led intervention resulted in a highly significant improvement in medication adherence, as measured by GMAS (p < 0.001). Patient knowledge, assessed through PMKA, also showed a statistically significant increase...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2025 in |
Perimenopause is a transitional stage in a woman’s life, typically occurring in her 40s, leading up to menopause. During this time, hormonal changes, particularly a decline in estrogen levels, can have a significant impact on bone health. Calcium citrate is a commonly used calcium supplement that is known to promote bone health. Isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen found in plants, particularlyin soybeans and soy products. The study aimed to compare the effects of calcium citrate and isoflavones on BMD in perimenopausal women with low BMD. 60 perimenopausal women with low BMD, aged 40-55 years, who were divided into two groups: Group A received Calcium citrate supplementation, while Group B received Calcium citrate+Isoflavones supplementation. BMD was measured at baseline and after 3 months using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). After 3 months, both groups showed improvements in BMD compared to baseline (p <0.05). The increase in BMD was greater in Group B (Calcium citrate + Isoflavones) compared to Group A (Calcium citrate) (p<0.05) Results revealed that the combination of calcium...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2025 in |
The quest for natural immunomodulators has led to the exploration of traditional Indian herbs, renowned for their immune-boosting properties. In this study the goal was to create and assess a polyherbal formulation that contained extracts of all herbs. A polyherbal tablet was formulated using a combination of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in a specific ratio. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is a plant that contains antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) contains antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, Immunomodulatory, anti-carcenogenic properties. Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, has many properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective. The tablet’s physicochemical properties, such as hardness, friability, and disintegration time, were evaluated. The formulated tablet exhibited satisfactory physicochemical properties. The polyherbal tablet containing Giloy, Amla, and Tulsi demonstrated potent immunomodulatory activity, validating the traditional use of these herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. This formulation offers a promising natural adjunct to conventional immunotherapies, warranting further clinical investigation. Polyherbal formulations have emerged as a promising strategy to...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2025 in |
Re-endothelialization after stent implantation and vascular injury is a critical step in the process of vascular healing. Proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is a major factor influencing the induction of re-endothelialization. Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anti-epileptic drug. VPA was recently shown to modulate expression of various genes involved in angiogenic activity. However, accumulating evidence suggests that significant dose-dependent antiproliferative effects of VPA can occur and partial cytotoxic effects may restrict the use of VPA to local high-dose (≥ 1mM) devices such as a drug eluting stent. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of low-dose VPA on proliferation of HUVECs and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in-vitro and neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries in-vivo. Treatment of HUVECs with low-dose VPA (≤ 1mM) promoted proliferation, whereas VSMCs were not affected. Particularly, VPA 100 nM and 100 μM promoted endothelial proliferation by 151.41 ± 15.40% and 163.28 ± 4.82%, respectively, compared with the control group. These changes were preceded by increased expression of extracellular signal-regulated...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2025 in |
Fungal infections constituted a major chunk of secondary infections in COVID-19 due to immunosuppresion and rampant use of steroids. Invasive Aspergillosis, Candidemia and COVID associated mucormycois (CAM) post second wave in India among COVID-19 patients was a challenging experience for the clinicians. Increased burden of fungal infections led to a tremendous increase in the sample load of the mycology laboratories across the country. This retrospective study was planned to observe the types of fungal infections reported during COVID-19 pandemic and study the impact of COVID-19 on the sample burden in the mycology laboratory of our tertiary care hospital. Samples received from admitted patients in mycology laboratory were processed using standard procedures. The data was collected and analysed in terms of change in the sample numbers, sample types received during pre and post COVID years (Year 2019 to Year 2022) and also the types of fungal infections reported during pandemic. Total number of samples received in the year 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 were 656, 396, 940 and 1276 respectively...
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