International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology
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Integrated protein-protein interaction and gene ontology enrichment analysis reveals strong association with carbohydrate metabolism pathways
Get PDFBackground: Carbohydrate metabolism is very important for keeping cellular energy balance, but it is not working properly in people with diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The molecular characteristics of this pathway can be elucidated through the integrated analysis of gene functions and protein-protein interactions. The study utilized computational techniques to examine the functional and relational characteristics of specific genes that govern carbohydrate metabolism.
Methods: The researchers utilized a dual-stage bioinformatics system. The first step was to use the STRINGdb R package to look at PPI with Homo sapiens (Ensembl ID: 9606) and set a cutoff of 500 for results with a lot of confidence. The research team utilized R-based tools to perform gene ontology enrichment analysis, aiming to identify statistically significant functional associations within biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular component domains. We only accepted GO terms when the q-value was less than 0.05.
Results: STRINGdb analysis revealed six high-confidence protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with interaction values ranging from 590 to 995, indicating a robust connection. GO enrichment analysis showed that there was a total gene overlap (GeneRatio =60/60) in the top biological processes related to carbohydrate metabolism. These processes included glucose metabolic process (GO:0006006), hexose metabolic process (GO:0019318), and monosaccharide metabolic process (GO:0005996). These processes exhibited highly significant adjusted p-values (p adjust <1.0E-114) and substantial fold enrichment (>78).
Conclusions: The integrated analysis unequivocally demonstrates that the examined gene set functions as a cohesive network primarily involved in glucose and sugar metabolism. This particularly emphasizes their importance in metabolic disease mechanisms and energy regulation, notably diabetes. These findings provide a robust foundation for potential therapeutic exploration and subsequent experimental verification
Prevalence of metal fume fever and its association with working conditions and chronic respiratory disorders among metal factory workers in eastern India
Get PDFBackground: Metal fume fever (MFF) constitutes a formidable occupational infirmity, arising from inhalation of ultrafine metallic particulates, pre-eminently zinc oxide, during metallurgical vocations. It’s symptomatology, characterized by pyrexia, bronchospasm, and the recurrent “Monday morning” febrile paroxysm, conceals a sinister trajectory toward chronic respiratory decline.
Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological inquiry was conducted among 181 metallurgical operatives in Liluah, West Bengal (July-December 2024). Participants, conscripted via multi-stage randomization, were interrogated using a validated questionnaire encompassing socio-demographic indices, occupational exposures, and respiratory morbidities. Analytical dissections employed ANOVA, chi-square, Z-tests, and Pearson correlations via SPSS v20, consecrating significance at p≤0.05.
Results: MFF prevalence attained an alarming 87.8%, with mean recurrence of 5.91±4.58 episodes annually. Nearly half (49.7%) harboured chronic respiratory disorders: COPD (24.3%), chronic bronchitis (17.7%), and asthma (7.7%). Robust associations emerged between MFF occurrence and sex (χ2=62.242, p<0.001), literacy (χ2=50.752, p<0.001), smoking (χ2=65.615, p<0.001), alcohol use, PPE compliance, ventilation, shift schedule, and primary metal exposure. Frequency of MFF episodes correlated near-perfectly with age (r=0.911), occupational tenure (r=0.928), daily working hours (r=0.838), cigarette consumption (r=0.952), and smoking duration (r=0.973).
Conclusions: Metal fume fever demonstrates an exceptionally high prevalence among metallurgical workers, acting as a sentinel for chronic respiratory morbidity. The strong correlations with occupational exposures and lifestyle factors underscore its preventable nature. Implementation of protective strategies and worker education is imperative to mitigate long-term pulmonary damage.
Bridging knowledge and practice gaps in pharmacovigilance: a study among medical interns in Uttar Pradesh
Get PDFBackground: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major public health concern globally, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the presence of pharmacovigilance systems, underreporting is common within medical colleges and antimicrobial stewardship programs, particularly in India. Medical interns are pivotal in ADR reporting, but gaps persist between their knowledge and practical application. By integrating pharmacovigilance into medical curricula, healthcare professionals can be better equipped to identify and report ADRs, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of ADR reporting among medical interns at Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, and identify barriers to reporting.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 medical interns using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire to assess their KAP regarding ADR reporting. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel.
Results: While 95% of interns were aware of ADRs and 70% understood the need to report them, only 25% had reported an ADR. Barriers included time constraints, lack of training, and legal concerns.
Conclusion: The study highlights high awareness but low reporting rates among medical interns, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions and streamlined reporting systems to improve pharmacovigilance practices
Pharmacological breakthroughs in anxiety management: exploring traditional and emerging therapies
Get PDFAnxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders and a significant cause of disability. While there is ongoing research into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and schizophrenia, there is a relative lack of innovative drugs being investigated for anxiety disorders. The first goal of this review is to summarize current pharmacological treatments (both approved and off-label) for panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and specific phobias (SP), which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), antipsychotics, alpha- and beta-adrenergic medications (e.g., propranolol, clonidine) and GABAergic medications (benzodiazepines). Second, we will look at new pharmacotherapeutic drugs being investigated for the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults. The pathways and neurotransmitters reviewed include serotonergic agents, glutamate modulators, GABAergic medications, neuropeptides, neurosteroids, alpha- and beta-adrenergic agents and natural remedies.
Prescribing pattern of drugs in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital, Assam
Get PDFBackground: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis require multiple medications for comorbid conditions, prevention of complications, and improvement of quality of life. Assessing prescribing patterns helps in evaluating rationality of drug use and identifying areas for optimization. Purpose of the study was to evaluate the prescribing pattern of drugs in CKD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in Assam.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in the department of pharmacology and medicine. The prescriptions of CKD patients under maintenance haemodialysis were gathered and examined in terms of demographic profile, comorbidities, classes of drugs prescribed, and mean number of drugs per prescription. Data were analysed and prescribing indicators were assessed according to WHO core indicators.
Results: The 120 prescriptions were examined. The average age of the patients was 55.6, and the majority of them were men. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Polypharmacy was observed with an average of 10.5 drugs per prescription. The most frequently prescribed classes of drugs were antihypertensives (calcium channel blockers, betablockers, diuretics), phosphate binders, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, diuretics, and nutritional supplements. The rate of generic prescribing was 78.16 and rate of essential drug list adherence was 76.26.
Conclusions: Polypharmacy is common among CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Rational drug use and adherence to WHO and evidence-based guidelines is essential to improve disease outcomes and reduce treatment burden.
A study on assessment of inappropriate prescribing of proton pump inhibitors at a teaching hospital
Get PDFBackground: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) are amongst the most extensively utilized therapies for conditions characterized by excessive gastric-acid production, making them highly susceptible to inappropriate long-term use predisposing individuals to a higher risk of side effects. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of inappropriate PPI prescribing in both in-patients and out-patients, with a focus on adherence to clinical guidelines regarding indications, dosage, frequency, and duration of therapy by using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Methods: Appropriateness of PPI prescriptions was prospectively assessed in 120 in-patients during their hospitalization and at discharge, and 50 out-patients with regard to the indication, dosage, frequency and duration of therapy for their compliance with NICE guidelines. The required data for the study was noted in a suitably designed data collection form.
Results: Among 120 in-patients, 56 (46.67%) were males and 64 (53.33%) were females. Pantoprazole 40 mg was the commonly prescribed PPI, accounting 115 (95.83%) IV and 5 (4.17%) oral prescriptions among In-patients whereas 94 (93.07%) prescriptions account for pantoprazole 40 mg and 7 (6.93%) with rabeprazole 20 mg during discharge, all through an oral route. On assessing the appropriateness of prescription, it was revealed that 80 (66.67%) were appropriate, while 40 (33.33%) were inappropriate in IPD. In 35 inappropriate indications, 14 (40%) are due to prophylaxis in low-risk patients with concomitant use of NSAIDs and 1 (2.86%) with corticosteroids. Twenty (57.15%) prescriptions had no indications. Four (10%) prescriptions had inappropriate frequency and 1 (2.50%) had inappropriate duration. Among the out-patients, 32 (64%) were males and 18 (36%) females. Pantoprazole 40 mg was prescribed in 5 (10%) through an IV route and 32 (64%) were oral prescriptions whereas 13 (26%) were given rabeprazole 20 mg orally. Inappropriateness was seen in 14 (77.78%) due to prophylaxis in low-risk patients co-prescribed with NSAIDs and 4 (22.22%) prescriptions had no clear indications. Three (14.29%) accounted for inappropriate frequency.
Conclusions: The study concludes that, the rate of inappropriate prescribing of PPIs is relatively low in both in-patients during hospitalization, at discharge, and in outpatients. Pharmacists can work closely with prescribers to ensure the proper indication, dose, frequency and duration of therapy
Beyond steroids: clinical outcomes of intralesional low molecular weight heparin in the management of oral lichen planus: a case series
Get PDFThe objective was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of intralesional enoxaparin in symptomatic oral Lichen planus (OLP) management, coupled with a review of the literature. Ten patients with clinically and histopathologically diagnosed OLP were enrolled and treated with intralesional injections of enoxaparin (3 mg/ml) weekly for a period of eight weeks. Clinical parameters assessed were lesion type, pain according to the visual analogue scale (VAS), lesion severity according to the T-score, and quality of life (QoL) at both the initial visit and follow-up. Of the 10 patients included, the mean age was 40.0±17.78 years, with 60% female distribution, presenting most with erosive and reticular lesions in equal proportions. Outcomes revealed significant symptomatic improvement and clinical resolution, as highlighted by a sharp drop in VAS scores from 8.0 to 0.0, a drop in T-scores from 3.6 to 0.67, and an increase in QoL scores from 4.4 to 10.0, indicating complete resolution in daily functioning; there were no reported side effects. Weekly intralesional injections of enoxaparin are safe and represent an effective treatment modality in symptomatic OLP, improving pain symptoms, leading to resolution of lesions, and enhancing the QoL
A cross-sectional study on attitude and understanding of artificial intelligence and its use in medical education among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital
Get PDFBackground: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize medical education by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving decision-making and streamlining healthcare delivery. Aims and objectives of the study were to assess the attitude towards the use of AI in medical education and to evaluate the level of understanding of AI concepts among medical students along with identification of factors influencing their attitudes and understanding of AI.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken at a tertiary care teaching hospital after taking institutional ethics committee (IEC) approval. A total of 250 medical students from various academic years were included in the study. A self-made structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on student’s demographic characteristics, attitudes towards AI, understanding of AI concepts and their readiness to integrate AI into their future practice. Data were later analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.
Results: Majority of students were aware of AI. Most students acknowledged AI’s potential to enhance medical learning, particularly in diagnostics (76%) and nearly half (45%) of students expressed concerns about AI replacing human judgment in clinical decision-making. Moreover, the study found a significant gap in formal education on AI with majority of students stating that AI was not adequately addressed in their curriculum.
Conclusions: While medical students recognize the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, there is a clear need for enhanced AI education within medical curricula. So, this study highlights the importance of integrating AI-related content into medical education to prepare students for the evolving landscape of healthcare
Clinical insights and management strategies in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a comprehensive review
Get PDFTakotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction typically triggered by stressors, presents diagnostic challenges resembling acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This comprehensive review synthesizes diverse triggers (stress, illness, therapies), diagnostic complexities (variability in criteria, imaging modalities), and management strategies (supportive care, tailored medications). Despite favourable outcomes with reversible ventricular dysfunction, heightened risks in specific cohorts (e.g., malignancies, post-PCI) underscore the need for refined diagnostic criteria and optimized therapies. Prospective studies are essential to enhance understanding and management of TCM, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and patient care
Formulation and characterization studies of microspheres
Get PDFIn the current scenario of delivering therapeutic agents to the target site requires an efficient drug delivery carrier which can delivery the drug only on the site of action in a sustained and controlled manner among many such carriers microspheres fulfill all the parameters for a potent drug carrier. Microspheres are free flowing powders consists of proteins or synthetic polymers that are biodegradable in nature ranging between 1–1000-micron size. A well-designed controlled drug delivery system can overcome some of the problems of conventional therapy an enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of given drug. Microspheres received much attention not only for prolonged release, but also targeted anticancer drugs. Microspheres can be manufactured by various type of material such as glass, polymers and ceramics microspheres. Microspheres are various types like bioadhesive microspheres, magnetic microspheres, floating microspheres, radioactive microspheres, polymeric microspheres are prepared by methods like spray drying, solvent evaporation, single emulsion, double emulsion, solvent extraction, quassi emulsion solvent diffusion. Microspheres will play a key role in novel drug delivery in the future by fusing together a variety of other strategies especially in diseased cells, diagnostics and act as supplements as miniature versions of diseased organ and tissues in the body