Effective Decontamination and Regeneration Protocol for in vitro Culture of Strawberry Cv. Chandler

Nodal segments of strawberry cv. Chandler were collected from the field and surface sterilization of the explants was carried out using various levels of decontaminants as different treatments viz. sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) 0.5% for 7, 5 and 3 min and mercuric chloride (Hg Cl2) 0.1% for 5 min, 3 min and 3 min 10 sec. The explants were excised and cultured for 3 weeks on the initiation medium supplemented with various levels of BAP (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mg/l) and its combination with GA (0.5 and 1mg/l). Sub culturing was done and finally rooting was initiated on the medium supplemented with various levels of IBA (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mg/l) for 4 weeks. The results obtained indicated that, among the decontaminants, treatment of explants with Hg Cl2 0.1% for 3 min 10 sec resulted in the minimum contamination and browning of explants. Further, maximum shoot proliferation percentage, shoots per explant and minimum number of days to shoot initiation was observed when explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BAP over other concentrations of either BAP or in combination with GA. However, the maximum length of shoots was obtained in medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l GA. While, medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA supported highest percentage of rooting, the highest number of roots, maximum root length of microcuttings and minimum number of days to root initiation were observed in medium supplemented with 1mg/l of IBA

Urinary Tract Infection: Analysis of Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics

Abstract Antibiotics are one of most common drugs prescribed in hospital today. It has been estimated that up to onethird of all patients receive at least one antibiotics during hospitalization`. The cost involved is therefore correspondingly high and up to 40% of a hospital's drug expenditure may be devoted to the purchase of antibiotics 1 . The objective of this study was to analyze the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). A prospective cross sectional and observational study was conducted on patients diagnosed with UTI. The study was carried out in the OBG and Urology departments of both in-patients and out-patients, for a period of 5 months (Aug 2011 to Dec 2011). Patients diagnosed with UTI and who were above age group of 15-years were included in the study. A suitable data collection form was prepared to collect the required data. Among 162 patents, 54 were in-patients and 108 were out-patients. Most of the in-patients were prescribed with Ciprofloxacin 13(22.8%), and Ceftriaxone 19(33.3%). In out-patients, Ciprofloxacin 25(23.8%), Norfloxacin 15(14.3%) and Ceftriaxone 14(13.3%) were prescribed frequently. The study found that gram negative organisms like E. coli and Klebsills was the most predominant organisms associated with infection. It was also found that Cephalosporin's were most commonly used and Quinolones were the second most commonly used drugs for the treatment of UTI

Renoprotective Effect of<i>Coccinia indica</i>Fruits and Leaves in Experimentally Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the secondary complications of diabetes mellitus that is marked by changes in extracellular matrix components leading to end-stage renal failure. Diet plays an important role in managing diabetes. In the present study, the effect of Coccinia indica consumption on diabetes-mediated kidney damage was determined. Both control and diabetic rats were fed with AIN-76 diet supplemented with C. indica fruits and leaves individually at 10% and 5%, respectively, for a period of 2 months. Various parameters, such as fasting blood glucose, urine sugar, albumin excretion, kidney index, and glomerular filtration rate, were ameliorated to various extents by the supplementation of C. indica in the diet. Additionally, diabetic rats fed with diet supplemented with C. indica fruits or leaves showed improvement in glucose tolerance compared to control diabetic rats. They also exhibited beneficial effects on key antioxidant enzymes of the kidney. Furthermore, an increase in laminin and fibronectin as a result of diabetes was alleviated in C. indica-fed rats. These results indicate that the consumption of C. indica is beneficial in partially containing diabetes-mediated deleterious effects on the kidney

A Study on Adverse Drug Reactions in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India

Medication-related adverse events or adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are harmful events caused by medication. ADRs could have profound effects on the patients’ quality of life, as well as creating an increased burden on the healthcare system. ADRs are one of the rising causes of morbidity and mortality internationally, and will continue to be a significant public health issue with the increased complexity in medication, to treat various diseases in an aging society. This was a prospective and observational study conducted in medicine department of sagar hospital, Bengaluru. Patients were enrolled based on the criteria with a suitable statistical tool. Among 64 patients, 33 (51.6%) female and 33 (48.44%) were males found. ADRs were more in the age group of 41 – 60, 32 (50%), less in the age group is 0 – 20, 04 (6.25%). Significantly higher numbers of ADRs caused by the antibiotics 25 (39%) followed by antihyperlipidicmic and anti-arrythmic 01 (1.56%), Most of the ADRs were moderate 40 (62.5%) and sever 01 (1.56%) in nature. Most commonly affected organ is dermatological system 32 (50%). Majority of the ADRs were associated with antibiotics. Commonly skin related ADRs was found in this study. The results provided an insight to the Health care Providers on the importance of monitoring and reporting of ADRs. Our study results emphasize a need for establishing a pharmacovigilance centre to ensure the safe use of drugs. </jats:p

A STUDY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ANAEMIA IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Anaemia is a common complication for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and is associated with cardiovascular comorbidities and reduced Quality of Life. Susceptibility may change depending upon the stage of chronic kidney disease, age, and social habits. A Prospective and Observational study was designed to assess the demographics of patients and variables in Anaemia along with the management of Anaemia in Chronic Kidney Disease. The suspected patient’s blood samples were tested for their Haemoglobin, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and Packed Cell Volume analysed. Among 115 patients, 79 were males, and 36 were females. 58 patients (50.43%) were identified in the age group &gt;60 years due to diabetes, hypertension and other comorbidities. The patients were given Epoetin Alpha (9.6%) and Iron Sucrose (2.3%) along with Ferrous ascorbate and folic acid (2.7%). In 113 patients (98.3%) and 109 patients (94.78%), the Haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume were increased due to reduced immune response, comorbidity and severity of Chronic Kidney Disease. Non-pharmacotherapy was provided, and the most common was exercise, meditation (25%), Iron-rich food (2.17%) and a renal low salt diet (1.73%). Follow-up was conducted to check the improvement and found that 95.6% of patients recovered.</jats:p