Ambient Air Pollution and Acute Ischemic Stroke-Effect Modification by Atrial Fibrillation.

Acute ischemic strokes (AIS) are closely linked with air pollution, and there is some evidence that traditional cardiovascular risk factors may alter the relationship between air pollution and strokes. We investigated the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the association of AIS with air pollutants. This was a nationwide, population-based, case-only study that included all AIS treated in public healthcare institutions in Singapore from 2009 to 2018.

Association of air pollution with acute ischemic stroke risk in Singapore: a time-stratified case-crossover study.

Background: Air quality is an important determinant of cardiovascular health such as ischemic heart disease and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with substantial mortality and morbidity reported across the globe. However, associations between air quality and AIS in the current literature remain inconsistent, with few studies undertaken in cosmopolitan cities located in the tropics.

Objectives: We evaluated the associations between individual ambient air pollutants and AIS.

Association of ambient air pollution with risk of hemorrhagic stroke: A time-stratified case crossover analysis of the Singapore stroke registry.

Background: Haemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a major cause of mortality and disability. Previous studies reported inconsistent associations between ambient air pollutants and HS risk.

Objective: We evaluated the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of HS in a cosmopolitan city in the tropics.

Zinc Oxide-Supported Copper Clusters with High Biocidal Efficacy for and .

Cu clusters on ZnO have been prepared by a simple low-temperature solid-state reaction from their respective acetate precursors. The formation of metallic Cu along with a small quantity of CuO was influenced by the presence of the zinc acetate precursor. Although there is a lack of formation of any metallic Cu in the absence of zinc acetate, increase in the heating duration helps in the formation of increased metallic Cu.

Substrate-free copper nanoclusters exhibit super diamagnetism and surface based soft ferromagnetism.

Pure metallic copper nanoparticles free of any substrate were synthesized by the thermo-chemical reduction of copper acetate using triethanolamine as a reducing-cum-protection agent. The structure and physical and magnetic properties of the Cu NPs were analysed physicochemically. Microscopic analysis reveals the formation of particles of size of 3-5 nm as seen by TEM but present as a large agglomeration as identified by SEM.

In vitro assessment of non-irritant microemulsified voriconazole hydrogel system.

Research was aimed on microemulsion-based hydrogel for voriconazole. Oleic acid and isopropyl myristate as lipid phases; tween 20: tween 80 as surfactants and PEG600 as cosurfactant were selected to formulate voriconazole microemulsions. The promising microemulsions in terms of zeta potential, pH, viscosity, and drug release were selected and developed into hydrogels using carbopol 934.

Association of serum interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score with clinical outcome in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background And Aim: Studies on potential biomarkers in experimental models of acute lung injury (ALI) and clinical samples from patients with ALI have provided evidence to the pathophysiology of the mechanisms of lung injury and predictor of clinical outcome. Because of the high mortality and substantial variability in outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), identification of biomarkers such as cytokines is important to determine prognosis and guide clinical decision-making.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we have included thirty patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit diagnosed with ARDS, and serum samples were collected on day 1 and 7 and were analyzed for serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 by ELISA method, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring was done on day 1.

Outbreak of scrub typhus in Andhra Pradesh--experience at a tertiary care hospital.

Aim: To describe the clinical features, laboratory manifestations, complications in patients diagnosed with scrub typhus at a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Material And Methods: All cases of acute onset fever diagnosed to have scrub typhus August 2011 to December 2012 were analysed. Cases of scrub typhus confirmed by the well felix test with a titre of 1 in 80 or more and a positive immunochromatography test were studied.

Formulation and Characterization of Aceclofenac -Aloe vera Transemulgel.

The present research was aimed to formulate aceclofenac transemulgel using Aloe vera as gel base. The prepared formulations were subjected to physical characterization, in-vitro and in-vivo assessment. Aceclofenac, a hydrophobic potential non steroidal anti inflammatory drug, causes ulceration upon chronic oral administration, could be formulated into transemulgel to enhance therapeutic efficacy and to lower the unwanted side effects.

Effect of Argemone mexicana (L.) against lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus and oxidative stress in Wistar rats.

Argemone mexicana (L.) has a role in the treatment of epileptic disorders in Indian traditional system of medicine. We studied its effect on induced status epilepticus (SE) and oxidative stress in rats.

Liposomal Aloe vera trans-emulgel drug delivery of naproxen and nimesulide: A study.

Introduction: The present aim of this study was to formulate naproxen and nimesulide liposomal formulation for incorporation in Aloe vera transemulgel and to carry out in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the formulation.

Material And Methods: A. vera gel was prepared and used as a gel base for formulation.

Ganciclovir-tenofovir interaction leading to tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity.

Viral enteritis is an important gastrointestinal disorder in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic agent in these patients. As ganciclovir and tenofovir are the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of CMV and HIV infection, respectively, this case report showcases the potentiality of drug interaction as well as the safety measures to be taken when using these two drugs together in unavoidable situations.

Assessment of hupu gum for its carrier property in the design and evaluation of solid mixtures of poorly water soluble drug - rofecoxib.

There are no reports about the pharmaceutical applications of hupu gum (HG). Hence the present study was undertaken to test its suitability in the dissolution enhancement of poorly water soluble drug. Rofecoxib (RFB) was taken as model drug.

Hepatitis B and/or C co-infection in HIV infected patients: a study in a tertiary care centre from South India.

Background & Objectives: Co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals results in increased hepatic complications. We undertook this study to evaluate the presence of HBV and HCV in HIV infected individuals attending a tertiary care centre in southern India.

Methods: A total of 120 cases with HIV infection and 120 healthy adult control subjects were included in the study.

A rare presentation of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient from a non-endemic region.

Histoplasmosis is an important systemic fungal infection in endemic areas. In India, the disease has been reported from several parts of the country, most cases being from eastern India considered to be endemic for the disease. There have been very few cases reported from the state of Andhra Pradesh, in the southern part of India.

An Adenomatoid Odontogenic Cyst (AOC) with an Assorted Histoarchitecture: A Unique Entity.

AOC - a relatively uncommon lesion of odontogenic origin, that is non-invasive, slow growing and composed of odontogenic epithelium, shows varied clinical and histoarchitectural patterns. It has been regarded as a benign odontogenic tumour for more than a century, sharing its clinical and radiographic features with that of dentigerous cysts. Few cases which have shown the association of this lesion with dentigerous cysts have also been reported.

Transmucosal delivery of metformin- a comprehensive study.

Discovered in the 1920s, the biguanide metformin hydrochloride is still the first line drug in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride is absorbed slowly and incompletely from the gastrointestinal tract. The present research work was undertaken with the aim of developing a fast dissolving film of metformin hydrochloride, suitable for oral trans mucosal administration.

Anatomical, biochemical and physiological considerations of the colon in design and development of novel drug delivery systems.

The colon is composed of four distinct layers such as serosa, muscularis externa, sub mucosa and mucosa. There exists a difference in the anatomy, neural and blood supply and absorption characteristics as the length of the colon is traversed. At birth the mucosal surface of the colon is similar to that of the small intestine but rapid changes occur with the loss of the villi leaving flat mucosa with deep crypts.

Burkholderia pseudomallei: an uncommon cause of bacteraemic pneumonia in a diabetic.

A 55-year-old woman presented with fever, breathlessness and shock. She was diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus (Type 2) after admission. Blood culture grew Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week study.

Background And Objective: Hyperglycaemia leads to increased oxidative stress resulting in endothelial dysfunction. ACE inhibitors, antioxidants and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to improve endothelial function. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of NCB-02 (a standardized preparation of curcuminoids), atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function and its biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of the antiretroviral activity of a new polyherbal drug (Immu-25) in patients with HIV infection.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a new polyherbal preparation, Immu-25, in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: 36 patients (10 female, 26 male) with a mean age of 35 +/-10 years, with confirmed HIV infection with a CD4 count <500 cells/microL, received two capsules of the test drug twice daily for 18 months in this open-label pilot study. Patients were evaluated at monthly intervals for general signs and symptoms, development of opportunistic infections, and changes in weight and performance index.