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Background: Long-term diabetic complications have a great negative impact on the healthrelated quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to describe the influence of diabetic complications on HRQoL in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in India. The study included all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus above 18 years of age and currently on medication. The study was conducted upon approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) and informed consent was taken from all the participants before including them in this study. The European Quality of Life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) is used in this study to assess the patient's health-related quality of life. Results: A total of 200 patients participated in this study. Majority of the study participants, 40.5% were adherent to the medication prescribed by the physician and 59.5% were nonadherentto the medication. Hypertension is found to be the most common diabetic comorbidity and complication and CAD, Stroke, and Nephropathy are less frequent diabetic complications but are found to have a greater impact on HRQoL reduction. The mean EQ VAS score was 78.25 ± 14.60 and the mean EQ Index score was 0.8574 ± 0.1432. Mean EQ VAS scores for males and females were 80.3365 ± 14.0779 and 75.9896 ±14.8965 respectively. The mean EQ Index scores for males and females were 0.8657 ± 0.1458 and 0.8483 ± 0.1405 respectively. The mean scores of the HRQoL (both EQ Index and EQ VAS) were found to decrease with the increase in number of diabetic complications. Conclusion: Our study found that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have poor health-related quality of life. Non-adherence to medication and the presence of diabetic complications further deteriorate the quality of life of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Cancer is one of the major killers in India and of global concern. An attempt has been made here to identify small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) protein through docking studies in search of new oral cancer drugs from a curated set of 276 known anti-neoplastic agents obtained from PubChem. The Bcl-2 protein (PDB id:6QGH), being complexed with ligand ABT-263, has been detached from the complex. The ligand-free protein and 276 compounds have been prepared for docking studies using corresponding tools available in Discovery Studio (DS), ver.4.1. The 276 compounds have been docked on the first site of the protein using LibDock docking program available in DS. By considering Methotrexate as the reference compound (LibDock score: 114.76), we have identified 25 compounds as the most potential oral cancer drugs having LibDock scores greater than 100. Another set of 114 compounds with LibDock scores between 80 and 100 have also been identified as the next set of potential drug candidates and some of them show anti-apoptosis properties. Two other compounds with LibDock scores below 80 have been identified for comparative analyses with some high-scoring compounds. The docking results have been given in tables and pictures (screenshots) of the docked poses of selected compounds have been shown to illustrate the findings. Finally, the most suitable potential compounds have been identified by applying Lipinski's Rule of 5. The present approach using known anti-neoplastic agents is believed to help discover potential anti-oral cancer drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced Parkinson's Disease (APD) is complicated by the emergence of motor and non-motor fluctuations, which are initially predictable and eventually become unpredictable, in part due to erratic gastric absorption and short half of oral levodopa. Attempts to manage such fluctuations with oral dopaminergic drugs often lead to disabling dyskinesias. Continuous Subcutaneous Apomorphine Infusion (CSAI), despite being approved for the treatment of APD since 1993, was approved in India only in 2019. We studied the safety, tolerability and efficacy of CSAI in Indian patients with APD in a registry design to raise local awareness of this important treatment. We conducted a prospective registry-based observational audit at 10 centers across different states of India. Patients with APD, not responding to or with significant side effects from oral dopaminergic therapy, were assessed at baseline and at month 6 and 12 following CSAI infusion. Fifty-one patients completed the study, CSAI significantly reduced the functional impact of dyskinesia (p < 0.01 at 6 months and p < 0.001 at 12 months). There was a significant improvement in the OFF-state from baseline (p < 0.01 at 6 months and p < 0.001 at 12 months) No discernible side effects were observed apart from mild site reaction (n = 7), nausea (n = 7) skin nodules (n = 2). CSAI demonstrated safety, efficacy, tolerability and improved quality of life in patients with APD, as shown in previous studies. Our study highlighted current existing inequalities in treatment availability, lack of awareness, knowledge gap, affordability and cost remains a concern regarding apomorphine use in Indian PD population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Stroke is one of the most common causes of morbidity, mortality, in developed as well as in developing countries. Stroke patients are at highest risk death in the first few weeks after the event, and between 20-50% die within first month depending on type, severity, age, co-morbidities and effectiveness of treatment of complications. Aim of this study was to clinical profile of patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis (rtPA-alteplase). Material and Methods: Prospective Observational study of 30 cases of acute ischemic stroke receiving IV thrombolysis using rtPAalteplase at Tertiary care Institute of Gujarat, India. NIHSS score was assessed 24 hours after thrombolysis for all the subjects. Results: 25 cases received a dose of rtPA 0.6 mg/kg body weight. 10% of total dose is given as bolus, remaining as infusion over 1 hour. 5 cases received 20 mg of IV rtPA, of which 2 cases was already on dual antiplatelets, 2 cases was on anti-platelet plus oral anticoagulant, 1 case was more than 80 years of age. Primary outcome is defined as NIHSS reduction by at least 4 points, 24 hours of after thrombolysis. 18 subjects had achieved primary outcome in this study. Secondary outcome was measured with MRS Score after 3 months of thrombolysis. MRS Score of 0 to 2 is considered as favorable outcome. In this study 23 subjects (76.66 %) had favorable outcome at the end of 3 months. Conclusion: Stroke being a medical emergency should be treated as fast as possible. Creating awareness among local population will help in reducing the time taken for bringing the patient to hospital. An organized stroke team will help in reducing door to needle time. Advanced techniques like endovascular thrombolysis will help in few cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a possibly morbid disorder with higher incidence worldwide therefore the disease establishes a main health related fear. It is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. According to International Diabetes disease has been divided into: Insulin-dependent DM; Non-insulindependent DM; Gestational diabetes and monogenic diabetes and others. According to International Diabetes Federation, in 2015, about, 415 million people have diabetes; by 2040 this will increase to 642 million. The number of diabetic patients in India by 2040 will be 87 million. Therefore, there is need for the awareness of the symptoms and treatment of diabetes. Though the cases of diabetes get raised every day, except insulin and oral hypoglycaemic drugs no other treatment is available till day. Medicinal plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus, especially in developing countries where resources are adequate. This article presents a review on types of diabetes, its management and list of medicinal plants with antidiabetic effects used in the treatment of diabetes as well as experimental screening model used for diabetes for further research purpose to find a suitable treatment or medicine for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uterine fibroid is a common concern due to associated heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia negatively affecting women's life. The prevalence of uterine fibroid in India is upto 20-30% in reproductive females. Though surgical treatment still remains the mainstay of the treatment, medical methods had evolved over the years with the advent of many effective oral drugs. Methods: This comparative, interventional study conducted in the Gynaecological outpatient department of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from March 2020 to August 2021. This study total of 21 patients in each group i.e. 42 women aged 20-50 years with leiomyoma uterus on USG who were fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Statistical data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.20 software. Results: Age of the treated patients ranged between 33 to 50 years and maximum number of patients were in the age group between 41 to 45 years (40.5%). Maximum numbers of patients belonged to lower socioeconomic status; 38.1% and 47.6%. In both groups maximum fibroids were intramural in location; (61.9%) and (71.4%). Maximum number of patients had solitary fibroids (54.8%). Mean age of women in Mifepristone group & Ormeloxifene group were 39.76 ± 3.820 years and 41.48 ± 4.966 years respectively. The baseline mean Hb was 9.46 ± 0.45 gm% and 9.48 ± 0.39 gm% in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. The baseline mean PBAC score was 226.84 ± 28 and 213.16 ± 32.02 in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. The baseline mean fibroid size was 5.91 ± 1.54 cm and 5.38 ± 1.34 cm in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. The baseline mean fibroid volume was 72.43 ± 23.44 cc and 73.19 ± 21.56 cc in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. The baseline mean RI was 0.53 ± 0.16 and 0.58 ± 0.18 in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. The baseline mean ET was 7.03 ± 1.37 mm and 7.9 ± 1.87 mm in the mifepristone group & ormeloxifene group respectively. Conclusions: Mifepristone is more efficacious for the medical management of uterine fibroids as it significantly decreases the uterine fibroid size and volume along with reduction of menstrual blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-asthmatic medication makes the oral habitat susceptible to opportunistic infections like Candida, causing oral candidiasis. This study aimed to estimate salivary Candida Albicans in asthmatic patients taking anti-asthmatics medication. A prospective study was performed at the Oral Pathology and Microbiology Department of S.B. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Bidar, Karnataka, India, between June 2018 to November 2018. The research comprised a total of 100 individuals, 50 of whom were asthmatics, and 50 healthy controls who were age and sex-matched to the asthmatics. Saliva was collected for 5-10 minutes in a sterile container, and samples were transferred to the laboratory in cold chain conditions. Serial dilution was prepared for the saliva samples, and 50:1 standard dilution was inoculated on SAD (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar) culture media by lawn culture method. Some part of the culture plate was inoculated with Candida organisms. 32 people had candida growth, and 18 individuals did not have any candidal development at all. 18 people were in the 400 CFU/ml group, and 32 individuals were in the 401 CFU/ml group, respectively. It was 0.000 in the 400 colony forming unit/milliliter group, and 27200 in the 401 CFU/ml group, with 0.00 being the median. There was a notable difference between study and control groups in terms of colony forming unit per milliliter (P=0.000). The growth of Candida in asthmatics patients is very high compared to healthy people. Anti-asthmatic medication makes the oral habitat prone to attack from opportunistic infections like oral candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We read with concern the Editorial by Jain[[1]] suggesting that India is moving too quickly when it comes to rolling out bedaquiline (BDQ)-based, all-oral regimens for drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (DR-TB). Conveniently ignored are the rights and perspectives of the affected community, who have stated a clear preference for injectable-free DR-TB treatment regimens.[[7]] The vast majority of practicing physicians would clearly choose BDQ (oral, WHO Group A) over amikacin (injectable, WHO Group C) if they were afflicted with DR-TB. [Extracted from the article]

The National Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis is underway in the endemic districts of Tamil Nadu State, South India, since 2001. Annual mass drug administration (MDA) was carried out by the state health department to all eligible individuals. The impact of MDAs on transmission parameters was evaluated in 2 revenue blocks, viz, one with DEC alone and the other with a combination of albendazole. After 10 years with 6 annual MDAs, the transmission indices reached low levels in both treatment arms, but still persisted. However, the DEC alone arm showed higher transmission rates, compared to the DEC + ALB arm. Few villages which demonstrated persistent transmission need to be targeted with an additional control measure viz, vector control, to achieve LF elimination. It is evident from the 10 year period of the study that inclusion of albendazole along with DEC has significantly reduced the transmission indices to almost nil level, as compared to DEC alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]