Recently Published Articles
High Performance Liquid Chromatographic-UV Method for Determination of Atorvastatin Calcium in Pharmaceutical Formulations
Abstract:
The effectiveness of atorvastatin calcium in lowering cholesterol is dose-related. It is available in 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg film coated tablets. In order to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of tablets in formulations, the objective of this presented work was to develop a new high performance liquid chromatographic-UV method for quantitation of active atorvastatin calcium in pharmaceutical formulations. The method was based on reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic-UV separation of atorvastatin at detection wavelength of 246 nm using Acclaim 120 C18 reversed phase LC column (5 mm, 250×4.6 mm) with mobile phase of acetonitrile-dichloromethane-acetic acid (68.6: 30.6: 0.8 v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1 at 25°C. Different variables affecting chromatographic separation were carefully studied and optimized. The study results provided chromatogram of atorvastatin with retention time of 2.68 min. The calibration curve was linear over...
Macular Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness in Patients Using Oral Isotretinoin
Abstract:
Determining the effects on macular ganglion cell layer thickness in patients using isotretinoin by utilization of optical coherence tomography. Sixty eyes of 30 patients using isotretinoin and 60 eyes of 30 control group patients in the same age range were included in this study. The average age of the patients using isotretinoin was; 21.2 ± 3.62 years, whereas the average age of the patients in the control group was 22.7 ± 3.7 years. The thickness of the macular ganglion cell layer (GCL), the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and subfoveal macular thickness of all patients were measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The macular ganglion cell layer thickness in the OCT of ...
Liver Stiffness by ARFI does not Correlate with Decompensation and Portal Hypertension in Patients with Cirrhosis
Abstract:
Establishing the degree of fibrosis is important in determining the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) has been validated as a reliable method to estimate liver fibrosis. It remains unclear if ARFI readings may be a useful way to stage patients with established cirrhosis and predict the development of complications. The aim of this study was to determine if ARFI liver stiffness measurements correlate with the severity of liver disease in patients with cirrhosis, and predict the development of complications and decompensation. All patients attending our institution who had a prior clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis and an ARFI liver stiffness measurement (LSM) over 26 months were included. Area under the receiver operating c...
Serum Vitamin D Level in Oral Lichen Planus Patients of North India- A Case-Control Study.
Abstract:
Studies have unveiled lower levels of serum vitamin D in autoimmune diseases and the role of vitamin D in inhibition of helper T cells proliferation, stimulation of regulatory T cells, diminishing of B-lymphocyte differentiation and inhibition of immunoglobulin secretion has been discussed in the literature. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder in which cell mediated immunity plays an important part and so it may also be related to serum vitamin D levels. To estimate serum vitamin D in oral lichen planus patients of North India, compare it to the controls and to evaluate various factors influencing vitamin D level in OLP cases such as sun exposure, gender, psychosocial factors, meteorological influences, religion and diet.
Single Daily Activity or Exercise Capacity Measurements Did not Predict Future Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Congenital Heart Disease
Abstract:
Studies suggest that cardiovascular risk of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is increased. This study aims on the predictive value of a single daily activity and exercise capacity assessments on the change of body-mass-index (BMI) and blood pressure in the future. We retrospectively analyzed all patients with CHD who underwent a daily activity assessment by triaxial accelerometry and accompanied cardiopulmonary exercise testing. From 276 patients 16 years or older (120 female, 28.6 ± 8.5 years) current BMI and blood pressure could be abstracted from their last outpatient visit. After a mean follow-up of 5.5 ± 1.5 years, the BMI of the patients has increased from 23.0 ±...
Hearing Loss Induced for Pesticides in a Rural Worker: A Case Report
Abstract:
The use of pesticides by agricultural workers without protection can damage the hearing. This report describes the characteristics of work with pesticides, and compares the results of high-frequency audiometry over 36 months.
Frailty and the Immune System
Abstract:
Frailty describes a medical syndrome that confers increased vulnerability to disproportionate changes in health status following minor stressors. With loss of homeostatic reserve in multiple physiological systems, frailty conveys an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Despite the lack of a clear universal definition, the utilisation of two landmark operational models has allowed a rapid expansion in frailty-centred research. The pathophysiology of frailty is yet to be elucidated in the literature, but a critical role for a heightened inflammatory state is hypothesised. Raised levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with frailty, with emerging evidence relating their biochemical action with development of the frailty phenotype. Dysregulation of both the innate and adaptive immune system are key components of the frailty syndrome. Remodelling of the T cell compartment and upregulated inflammatory pathways are theoris...
Vulvovaginitis as a Risk Factor for the Degree of Labial Adhesions in Prepubertal Girls with Labial Fusion
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the degree (percentage) of occlusion due to labial adhesions and vulvovaginitis. Prospective study of pre-pubertal females who attended our Division, during the past 7 years, due to labial fusion. Medical history, clinical examination and Q tip culture of vaginal fluid samples were performed, after separation of the labia. Treatment of isolated pathogens was administered, based on antibiogram results. 53 patients, with mean age 3.81 years (±0.88 years, SD:2.65, range:0.33-9.5 years) had a total of 89 vaginal specimens collected, as re-culture was performed in 17 patients due to labial fusion recurrence. In 32.08% no path...
“That Which is Measured Improves”: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Self-Monitoring in Self-Management and Adaptive Behavior Change
Abstract:
Current psychological treatment approaches that rely on time-intensive, face-to-face psychotherapy are not capable of meeting the demand for mental health services. Mental health interventions that promote self-regulation and self-management of symptoms will play an increasingly important role in the well-being of millions of individuals. Self-monitoring is a core assessment and intervention component of many mental health interventions and an obligatory first step in the self-regulation process. The present paper reviews prominent theories of self-regulation and describes classic studies spanning clinical, social, cognitive, and personality psychology, which identify potential mechanisms underlying self-monitoring. At the empirical level, we describe the use of self-monitoring across a range of behavioral interventions directed at mental health and physical outcomes, identify factors that influence the effects of self-monitoring, and suggest ways in which technol...