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BACKGROUND Hypertension, a common clinical problem is considered as an ‘iceberg disease’ because its unknown morbidity far exceeds the known morbidity. In terms of attributable deaths, it is one of the leading behavioural and physiological risk factors amounting to 13% of global deaths. Drug selection is based on efficacy in lowering BP (blood pressure) and in reducing Cardiovascular (CV) endpoints like stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure. This study was carried out to evaluate the pattern, extent, rationality and frequency of the use of antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the study is to analyse drug utilisation in the treatment of hypertension in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted during January 2014 to December 2015 in Medicine OPD (Outpatient Department) in a tertiary care hospital. The sample size was selected as per the WHO recommendations on conducting Drug Utilisation Studies (DUS). Statistical Analysis- The collected data was numerically coded and entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed by SPSS version 16. Settings and Design- Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. RESULTS Out of 612 patients, 262 (42.81%) were in the age group of 60 and above. Considering gender distribution, 328 (53.59%) were males and 284 (46.41%) were females. Of these, 274 (44.78%) were prescribed monotherapy, 256 (41.83%) were prescribed two-drug therapy, 72 (11.76%) were prescribed three-drug therapy and 10 (1.63%) were prescribed four-drug therapy. Among 274 (44.78%) patients prescribed with monotherapy, 112 (40.87%) were prescribed with CCB (calcium channel blocker), 76 (27.73%) were given BB (B-blocker), 45 (16.42%) were prescribed ACEI (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), 35 (12.77%) were prescribed with ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) and 6 (2.18%) were prescribed with Diuretics (D). Of the total antihypertensive drugs prescribed, 68.30% were prescribed by generic name, while 25.98% were prescribed as FDCs (fixed drug combination) and 39.05% of antihypertensive drugs were from NLEM (national list of essential medicine). Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter in our study was 2.42, while number of antihypertensive drugs per encounter were 1.34. CONCLUSION The findings of our study suggest that majority of prescriptions had generic names of the drugs. Improving practitioners’ knowledge and attitude in rational prescribing can prove to be a cornerstone in achieving rational use of antihypertensive drugs.

A case report of a 73-year-old man admitted in the intensive care unit with acute renal failure and lithium toxicity is reported. Lithium is a gold standard drug for bipolar disorder. It has a narrow therapeutic index and requires blood level monitoring frequently. Hemodialysis is the last resort in management of lithium toxicity but in between high rebound levels during the dialysis result in persistent CNS toxicity.

The design, modeling, simulation, and testing of a landing gear system that enables a UAV to perch on an object or surface is presented here. The working principle of the landing gear is inspired by the anatomy of birds that grasp and perch as tendons in their legs and feet are tensioned. In a similar fashion, as the UAV sets down on a structure, its weight tensions a cable which actuates opposing, flexible, multi-segment feet to enclose the target. To analyze the grasping capability of the design, a hybrid empirical–computational model is developed that can be used to simulate the kinematics of the system as it grasps objects of various cross-sectional shapes and sizes. The model relates the curvature of the feet to the displacement and tension of the cable tendon. These quantities are then related to the weight of the UAV through the leg geometry. It also evaluates enclosure and calculates contact forces to quantitatively characterize the grasp. Results demonstrate how the model can be used by designers to determine how a UAV can perch upon a structure of a given shape and size. If perched, the minimum weight required to maintain its position is calculated. A prototype system was fabricated, analyzed, and tested on a radio-controlled hexacopter. Experiments show that the landing gear enables the hexacopter to land, perch, and takeoff from a variety of objects. Finally, we begin to investigate the scalability of the concept with a smaller, lighter design.

Background: Antimicrobials are most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Around 50% of the prescriptions of antimicrobial drugs are either not needed, inappropriate or in wrong doses. With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs), the prevalence of resistance has increased. To evaluate the prescription pattern and utilization of AMA in ear, nose, throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) of Tertiary Care Hospital, Nanded. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in ENT OPD of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded over a period of 3 months. During this period, approximately 1100 patients visited ENT OPD and 600 prescriptions were evaluated. The excluded patients were of post-operative follow-up and of patients undergoing medical examination for fitness and handicap certificate. Data were collected by using specially designed case report form. Appropriateness of AMA was assessed by Kunin’s modified criteria. Results: Total 600 prescriptions were analyzed out of which (91%) consist of AMA. Most of them reported with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (30.4%), chronic suppurative otitis media (21.4%), acute suppurative otitis media (10.4%), tonsillitis (3.3%), sinusitis (2.7%), and others (15%). Amoxicillin (43.9%) was preferred AMA followed by ciprofloxacin (30.6%), cotrimoxazole (5.8%), azithromycin (3.2%), doxycycline (3.2%) cefixime + clavulanate (3.2%), and amoxicillin + clavulanate (1.8%). Single antibiotic was preferred in all prescriptions. In the concomitant medications, antihistaminics were prescribed in 97.22% of patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 94.96% of patients, and antacids in 87.76% of patients. Fixed-dose combinations were used in 10% of prescriptions. Brand names of AMA were used in 10% of prescriptions. As per the Kunin’s modified criteria, 83% of patients received AMA therapy appropriately, while 17% patients inappropriately. Conclusions: Amoxicillin is the most common AMA prescribed and URTI is the most common diagnosis made. All AMAs should be prescribed only when needed and should be used in proper dose and for proper duration. Institution wise antibiotic policy should be used to contain resistance. Proper training and regular orientation programs of the juniors’ doctors for judicial use of AMAs will foster the habit of rational prescribing of AMA.

The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions of the methods used to teach pharmacology via problem-based learning (PBL). To improve problem solving skills and link basic sciences to clinical practice, medical educators have turned to problem based learning as a partial replacement for traditional didactic lectures approach. PBL is an instructional method that uses cases or problems as vehicles for students to acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In problem-based learning, new knowledge is acquired in the context of some meaningful problems or situation. Using likert scale we assessed the students' perceptions of pharmacology education and learning of pharmacology concepts through PBL. Survey responses were anonymous, and results were reported as aggregate data. The survey statements were answered on a five- point Likert scale with 1 indicating strong disagreement and 5 indicating strong agreement. Via a ten-question MCQ instrument, students performance was assessed. In our study there was significant increase in performance of students after PBL sessions. Student's feedback shown that PBL enhanced their understanding in Pharmacology, motivated them to read more as well as developed self directed and problem solving attitude in them. Most of students suggested to continue PBL sessions but don't want to replace all didactic lectures by PBL sessions.

Background: Acne and scabies are significant skin diseases and treatment of which carries major economic burden in Indian scenario. We planned study to compare safety, efficacy, and economy of treatment modalities of scabies for permethrin, benzyl benzoate, and ivermectin and acne for doxycycline and azithromycin. Hence, we can provide better treatment option for acne and scabies based on cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and safety. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study therapeutic efficacy and cost-effective analysis of treatment in acne vulgaris and scabies. Materials and Methods: A multicentric, prospective observational study was carried out with patients attending the outpatient department of 32 health-care centers of Wardha district. One hundred and forty-eight patients of acne and 124 patients were screened, of which 108 patients of acne and 120 patients of scabies were analyzed for therapeutic efficacy. Of 120 scabies patients, 52 patients took benzyl benzoate lotion, 48 patients received permethrin cream, and 20 patients received tablet ivermectin. In acne, 60 patients received tablet azithromycin and 48 patients received tablet doxycycline. Cost-effective analysis was done. Results: In scabies, efficacy was near 93% for all therapeutic agents, but benzyl benzoate (INR 15.01 per case) and ivermectin (INR 16.07 per case) are more cost effective than permethrin (INR 21.55 per case). In acne, azithromycin (62.2%) and doxycycline (60%) showed similar efficacy, but doxycycline (INR 112 per case) is more cost effective than azithromycin (INR 216 per case). Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy was similar for all therapeutic agents in both acne and scabies. Benzyl benzoate and ivermectin are more cost effective than permethrin in scabies. In acne, doxycycline is more cost effective than azithromycin.

Background: About half a million women die every year of causes related to pregnancy and child birth. Complication can arise at any time during pregnancy; child birth and post natal period and in absence of intervention, there is a high feto - maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim was to study the pattern of obstetrics complication among antenatal patients coming to a tertiary care centre. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 102 antenatal women admitted in intensive care unit of our institute during July 2014 to November 2014. Data regarding maternal socio-demographic profile and antenatal profile was collected. Results: Total 102 women included in the study. 95 (93%) were registered and 7 were unregistered women. 88 (86.4%) women had 3 or more antenatal visit, of which 3 (2.9%) were unregistered women. 82 (80.3%) women had blood Hb%

Background: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicity is a common cause of drug‑induced hepatotoxicity in children and adults. Specific treatment of paracetamol induced hepatitis is available in the form of N‑acetylcysteine only. Nigella sativa (NS) is used for the treatment of various ailments. Many studies have shown that NS plant has hepatoprotective potential. Hence, this study study was carried out to explore the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of NSoil against hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by paracetamol and it was assessed using biochemical parameters such as serum (Sr.) alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Sr. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Sr. bilurubin, Sr. alkaline phosphatase, and Sr. total protein. In addition, histopathological score was also assessed. The therapeutic and prophylactic effect of NSoil administration on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity was investigated by using above mentioned biochemical and histopathological parameters. Results: Paracetamol administration leads to rise in serum liver enzymes ad fall in Sr. total protein levels. NS oil has heptoprotective effect. NS oil significantly reversed changes in serum levels of AST, ALT, alkaline phophatase, bilurubin, and total protein produced by paracetamol. Furthermore, histopathological changes produced by paracetamol were reversed. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NS oil has hepatoprotective effect.NS oiladministration can prevent or reverse the hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol.

Background: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a potentially serious adverse effect of antituberculosis treatment (ATT) regimens containing isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Many in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that honey possess antioxidant property and hepotoprotective property but there is no systematic work available to test the effect of honey on antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hence present study was carried out to explore the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of honey with its antioxidant activity against hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide) in albino rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity in rats treated with antitubercular drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide) was studied by assessing parameters such as Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Serum total protein, Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Serum Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). The effect of Honey as co-administration and administration after establishment of hepatotoxicity on above parameter was investigated. These biochemical observations were supplemented by Histopathological examination of liver. Results: Honey significantly reversed changes in serum levels of AST, ALT, MDA, SOD, total protein and also histopathological changes produced by Antitubercular drugs. It was found that honey significantly prevented as well as reversed Antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity and antioxidant activity. Conclusions: The results of present study show that honey has significant prophylactic and therapeutic value against antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity.

Fixed drug eruptions are common cutaneous adverse drug reactions, commonly caused by anticonvulsants, antibiotics and analgesics. Here, we report a case of a 27-year-old male of fixed drug eruptions due to Aspirin which was used in treatment of headache.

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the common reasons for female patients to consult a gynecologist. AUB include bleeding from structural causes like polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, chronic endometritis, proliferative endometrium, fibroids, carcinoma and pregnancy related complication and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Methods: A prospective study done in one year duration among 210 patients of 20-70 years age group. A tissue sample is taken after endometrial curettage and examined by a pathologist for various lesions. The results: Largest number of AUB patients were about 31-40 years age group. The most common cause of AUB is endometrial hyperplasia. AUB is found in more multiparous women and menorhhagia is a most common bleeding pattern. Conclusion: Endometrial curettage is a sensitive tool for AUB diagnosis. Very little pathology can escape this investigating tool. It also avoids unnecessary hysterectomy.