Medical certification of cause of death during COVID-19 pandemic - a challenging scenario.

Death certificate data is used to monitor local, regional and national mortality trend and is helpful in improving public health as well as public safety. Accurate and reliable information about the cause of death in a population is useful for understanding disease burden estimation and trends in the health of populations; moreover, the information provided by such data is vital in terms of public health planning as well. With the continuous upsurge in mortality due to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), mortality analysis could be valuable in addressing the current pandemic and implementing the epidemic control strategies effectively and efficiently.

Impact factor: Mutation, manipulation, and distortion.

Currently, there is an increased dependency on the impact factor in scientific research publications. Sometimes the overzealousness in implementing the impact factor value to a publication is detrimental to the growth of the scientific authors, especially the junior lot, for no fault of theirs. The inept and myopic application of the impact factor defeats the purpose of making the value judgment and hence has been criticized by many learned authors.

Anticandidal synergistic activity of Ocimum sanctum and fluconazole of azole resistance strains of clinical isolates.

Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans. It is the causative agent and most associated with serious fungal infection, accounting for more than 90% of cases. It is a most common cause of deep mycoses and vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Why the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Has Lost Its Steam in India?

The Jan Aushadhi Scheme (JAS) initiated by the Government of India is a powerful intervention against the unjustifiable pricing of medicines by private pharmaceutical industry, to make the generic medicines available at affordable prices. The marginalized populations of India are not able to afford many branded medicines; hence, there is an urgent need for making the cheaper generics available to Indians in the best interest of populations. It has been observed that lack of awareness in the public, distribution of free medicines by state governments, lack of support for JAS, poor supply chain, and doctors not prescribing generic medicines are the major constraints faced by the JAS leading to its poor success.

Efficacy of Atorvastatin in Prevention of Contrast-induced Nephropathy in High-risk Patients Undergoing Angiography: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (ATN) 80 mg in the prevention of contrast medium- induced nephropathy (CIN) in high risk patients undergoing angiograph.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, two-arm, parallel group RCT. A total of 216 patients undergoing coronary angiography were screened, and 188 eligible patients were randomized to two treatment arms.

Disposal practices of unused and expired pharmaceuticals among general public in Kabul.

Background: Most of the medicine users remain unaware about the disposal of unused or expired medicines. The aim of this study was to know the disposal practices of unused and expired medicines among the general public in Kabul.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews using prevalidated structured questionnaire.

Efficacy of Standardized Extract of (Bacognize®) on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students: A Six-Week, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

. , popularly known as Brahmi, has been traditionally used in Ayurveda since ages for its memory enhancing properties. However, data on placebo-controlled trial of on intellectual sample is scarce.

The Zest for Patient Empowerment.

Patient Empowerment (PE) can be considered as an active and self-determining role of patient than a passive recipient of health related services. It encourages the provider-patient relationship to blossom and helps in clearing patients' doubts, confusion and fears to bring in clarity, relief and assurance. For the active involvement of the patient's in own health management they need to be awakened, motivated, educated and enlightened to enable them to exercise their rights.

Total Protein Profile and Drug Resistance in Candida albicans Isolated from Clinical Samples.

This study was done to assess the antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida albicans and to evaluate its total protein profile based on morphological difference on drug resistance. Hundred and twenty clinical isolates of C. albicans from various clinical specimens were tested for susceptibility against four antifungal agents, namely, fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and ketoconazole.

Retrospective Analysis of Pattern of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions in Tertiary Hospital of Pauri Garhwal.

Introduction: Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions (CADR) are the common drug induced adverse reactions which usually have wide range of manifestations and severity.

Aim: To describe the prevalence and clinical spectrum of CADR's in a tertiary hospital of the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, India.

Materials And Methods: All patients suspected of having CADRs reported in the various out-patient departments, and in-patients of HNB Base & Teaching Hospital, from 1(st) January 2012 to 31(st) December 2014 were retrospectively analysed.

Plagiarism: an egregious form of misconduct.

Background: Publishing research papers for academic fraternity has become important for career advancement and promotion. Number of publications in peer reviewed journals and subsequent citations are recognized as measures of scientific success. Non-publishing academicians and researchers are invisible to the scientific community.

The fruits of authorship.

Scientific paper authorship is an important academic achievement for all research professionals. Being designated as an author of a paper has academic, research, social and financial implications. Signing of a manuscript as an author does confer credit but also transfers responsibility.

Ethnomedical properties of taxus wallichiana zucc. (Himalayan yew).

Taxus wallichiana Zucc., known as Himalayan yew, belongs to the family Taxaceae. It is a medium-sized, temperate, Himalayan forest tree of medicinal importance.

Impact of medicine-related information on medicine purchase and use by literate consumers.

Aims: To measure impact of information, education, and communication intervention (IEC) on rational medicine use, purchase, and stocking behavior.

Materials And Methods: This was a pre- and post-design, interventional study. Base data were collected in first visit, using pre tested questionnaire from 500 respondents, who were of either gender, English speaking, at least graduates, permanent residents, and willing to participate.

Writing patient case reports for publication.

A case report is a description of a clinical case that has unique features. It may include a previously unreported clinical condition or observation of a disease, a unique use of imaging or diagnostic tool to reveal a disease, a new therapeutic intervention of a known disease, a previously unreported complication of a disease, or a new adverse event from a medication. A case report should be crisp, focused, and include few figures and references.