Relative dose intensity of taxane-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients in a tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed tumor among women worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and causes of low relative dose intensity (RDI) < 85% for taxane-based chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of BC in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH).

Methods: This was a retrospective study that included 303 BC patients, treated with taxane-based chemotherapy protocols at SQUH.

Access- and non-access-related infections among patients receiving haemodialysis: Experience of an academic centre in Oman.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of access and non-access-related infections in patients receiving haemodialysis at an academic tertiary hospital in Oman.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 287 hospitalized patients who received haemodialysis during the period January 2018 to December 2019 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Results: A total of 202 different infections were documented in 142 of the 287 patients (49.

Antibiotics utilization patterns and dosage appropriateness among patients receiving hemodialysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge, with a reported prevalence of around 10%. Prescribing for patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) is challenging and complicated by polypharmacy, comorbidities, and changes in clearance of medications. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotics utilization patterns and dosage appropriateness in patients receiving HD at a tertiary hospital.

Evaluation of the appropriateness of meropenem prescribing at a tertiary care hospital: A retrospective study in Oman.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of meropenem in terms of indication and continuation of treatment at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman.

Methods: A retrospective observational study, conducted by reviewing the medical records of 400 adults, admitted patients who received at least one dose of meropenem during the study period (January 2017 to September 2017). The analysis was performed using univariate statistics.

Effect of infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor, on doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX), is limited by nephrotoxicity. We investigated the possible protective effect of infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor on DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. Rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of DOX (17.

Effect of infliximab and tocilizumab on fructose-induced hyperinsulinemia and hypertension in rats.

Fructose administration can induce hypertension, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. Here, we investigated the possible protective effect of infliximab (IFX), a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor, or tocilizumab (TOC), an interleukin-6 (IL6) inhibitor, on fructose-induced increase in blood pressure, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in rats. The animals were fed a 60% fructose diet in the absence or presence of IFX (5 mg/kg, i.

The effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in mice.

This study aimed at investigating the possible ameliorative effects of sitagliptin in mice with gentamicin (GEN) nephrotoxicity. Sitagliptin was given to the animals at an oral dose of 10mgkg per day for 10days, and in some of these mice, GEN was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 100mgkg per day during the last seven days of the treatment. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy and biochemically by measuring several indices in plasma, urine and renal cortex homogenates.

Effect of aqueous extract and anthocyanins of calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae) in rats with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to assess the possible beneficial effects of aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces and anthocyanins isolated therefrom in an adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) model.

Methods: Rats were orally given, for 28 consecutive days, either adenine alone or together with either aqueous extract of H.

Preparation and Validated Analysis of Anthocyanin Concentrate from the Calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa.

Extracts of Hibiscus sabdarnffa calyces have been shown to have various medicinal properties, some of which have been reported to be due to anthocyanins present in the calyces. To study whether these claims are valid, it is necessary to produce an extract with a high anthocyanin content and to have available a method to identify and quantify the individual compounds in the product. A method of extraction and purification has been developed based on a polyamide column chromatographic purification step.

The endogenous lipid N-arachidonoyl glycine is hypotensive and nitric oxide-cGMP-dependent vasorelaxant.

N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGLY), is the endogenous lipid that activates the G protein-couple receptor 18 (GPR18) with vasodilatory activity in resistance arteries. This study investigates its hemodynamic effects and mechanisms of vasorelaxation. Hemodynamic effects of NAGLY in rats were assessed using a Biopac system and its vascular responses were assessed using a wire myograph.

Mechanisms of vasorelaxation induced by oleoylethanolamide in the rat small mesenteric artery.

The actions of the anandamide-like mono-unsaturated fatty acid oleoylethanolamide (OEA) were first linked to satiety and control of food intake and recently reported to relax resistance vessels. This study characterizes its vasorelaxant mechanisms. Vasorelaxation to OEA were assessed in third order branches of rat superior mesenteric artery using a wire myograph.

Interaction of nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, with cisplatin in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We investigated the effect of administration of nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. WKY rats and SHRs were divided into four groups, each. The first and second groups received saline and oral nimesulide (20mg/kg/day for 6 days), respectively, whereas the third and fourth groups received a single intraperitoneal (i.

Four-week administration of nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, improves endothelial dysfunction in the hindlimb vasculature of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chronic administration of nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g, n=6) were used. The first group served as normoglycemic control and the second and third groups were rendered diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg).

Differential responses to various classes of drugs in a model of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs.

Different drugs from various pharmacological classes were compared for their ability to protect against the nasal effects of acute allergen challenge in a guinea pig model. In the model, sneezing and nose rubbing were recorded after an initial allergen challenge in guinea pigs previously sensitized to egg albumin. Four days later the same guinea pigs were re-challenged a second time when anesthetised.

Allergic rhinitis and its pharmacology.

The pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and its drug treatment is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed upon potential new treatments. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by allergen(s), symptoms (sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and nasal hypersensitivity), and signs such as invasion of nasal mucosa by inflammatory cells.