447 research outputs found
The ecological community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic gastrointestinal microorganisms – an appraisal
Get PDFSeraj Zohurul Haque,1 Mainul Haque2 1School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK; 2Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defense Health, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Abstract: The human gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by a vast population of bacteria, numbering ~100 trillion. These microorganisms have been shown to play a significant role in digestion, metabolism, and the immune system. The aim of this study was to review and discuss how the human body interacts with its gut microbiome and in turn the effects that the microorganisms have on its host, overall resulting in a true mutualistic relationship. Keywords: gastrointestinal, commensal, symbiotic, pathogenic microorganisms 
Metformin’s Enigma: Bridging Gaps in Research on Potential Benefits & Associated Risks - A Critical Plea for Comprehensive Investigation [Response to Letter]
No full textSiddhartha Dutta,1 Rima B Shah,1 Shubha Singhal,1 Sudeshna Banerjee Dutta,2 Sumit Bansal,3 Susmita Sinha,4 Mainul Haque5 1Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat, India; 2Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shri Anand Institute of Nursing, Rajkot, Gujarat, India; 3Department of Anesthesiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat, India; 4Department of Physiology, Khulna City Medical College and Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh; 5Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Mainul Haque, Email [email protected]
Importance of empathy among medical doctors to ensure high-quality healthcare level
No full textPatients hunt for genuine empathy from their medical doctor. Empathy is an affective mode of understanding. Empathy involves being enthused by another's experiences. However, a leading group medical doctors defines empathy as 'the act of correctly acknowledging the emotional state of another without experiencing that state oneself'. Beyond the field of medicine, empathy is an approach to understanding that precisely involves emotional resonance. However, mentioned definition of empathy primarily gives emphasis to an intellectual component rather than emotional form. Medical educationist and medical professional bodies increasingly recognise the importance of empathy because there are a lot report published regarding poor empathy level among medical doctors. This article will try to discuss emphasising on educational intervention which improves empathy level and its influence on healthcare
Generic medicine and prescribing: A quick assessment
No full textGeneric drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes that generic drugs are essential possibilities that allow better access to healthcare for all Americans. They are replicas of brand-name drugs and are the identical as those of brand-name drugs in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance features, and anticipated to use. Healthcare authorities and users can be guaranteed that FDA-approved generic drug products have met the same stiff principles as the innovator drug. The company that made Bayer aspirin fought in court enthusiastically to keep generic versions off the shelves, in the 1920s. The company lost in court, and consumers suddenly had an array of choices in generic aspirin. The Supreme Court of India uttering ‘the Supreme Court's ruling will prevent companies from further seeking unwarranted patents on HIV and other essential medicines.’ Generic medicine cannot be sold at a price higher than the branded medicine, so it is regularly a low-priced option. Thereafter, both the end user and the government who pay for part of the price of the medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia are benefitted. The treatment of diseases using essential drugs, prescribed by their generic names, has been emphasised by the WHO and many national health policies. Although there are some improvements in generic medicine prescribing, it has been advised by the WHO that ‘countries should intensify efforts to measure and regularly monitor medicine prices and availability, and adopt policy measures to address the issues identified.
Optimisation of rational prescribing to maximise the health benefit in scarce resourced countries
No full textFuture Medical Doctors Are Ready to Prescribe Antimicrobials Safely and Rationally
Get PDFTherefore, the answer remains in improving clinical pharmacology teaching and learning in undergraduate curriculum [40, 41]with necessary assessment program regarding prescribing skill [40]need to incorporate with the hope situation will improve to provide better health care for common people of this planet. </jats:p
Internet use and addiction among medical students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia
No full textMainul Haque,1 Nor Azlina A Rahman,2 Md Anwarul Azim Majumder,3 Seraj Zohurul Haque,4 Zubair M Kamal,5 Zakirul Islam,6 ATM Emdadul Haque,7 Nor Iza A Rahman,8 Ahmed Ghazi Alattraqchi8 1Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defense Health, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, Kuantan, Malaysia; 3Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, 4School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK; 5Sleep Research Unit, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; 6Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Eastern Medical College, Comilla, Bangladesh; 7Department of Medical Education, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP), Ipoh, 8Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia Background: The use of Internet has now become indispensable, and the technology has revolutionized the medical education and practice worldwide. Currently, medical students and professionals have an enormous opportunity to keep them always updated with the exponential growth of knowledge because of potential progression of Internet throughout the world that enables them to become a lifelong learner. Internet addiction is a widespread phenomenon among students and academicians at universities in Malaysia. Students use the Internet for recreational purpose and personal and professional development. The Internet has become an integral part of day-to-day life of the university students, including medical students. The aim of the present study was to examine the Internet use and addiction among students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire, Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire, developed by the Center for Internet Addiction, USA, was used. One hundred forty-nine medical students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin participated in this study. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.Results: The mean scores were 44.9±14.05 and 41.4±13.05 for male and female participants, respectively, which indicated that both the genders were suffering from mild Internet addiction.Conclusion: This study shows almost similar level of Internet usage among medical students irrespective of their socioeconomic background, with no statistically significant (p>0.05) differences, except among the years of study (p=0.007). Overall, from the research data and having worked with this cohort very closely, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin medical students can be labeled as wonted and recurring users of the Internet. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to define as Internet addicts or pathological users of the Internet because of small sample size and cross-sectional study. Keywords: Internet, addiction, medical students, UniSZA, Malaysi
Chronic tonsillitis and biofilms: a brief overview of treatment modalities
No full textMuhamad Abu Bakar,1 Judy McKimm,2 Seraj Zohurul Haque,3 Md Anwarul Azim Majumder,4 Mainul Haque1 1Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Swansea University School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK; 3University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK; 4Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Wanstead, Barbados Abstract: Recurrent tonsillitis is described as when an individual suffers from several attacks of tonsillitis per year. Chronic and recurrent tonsillitis both cause repeated occurrences of inflamed tonsils which have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Numerous children suffer from recurrent tonsillitis and sore throats, and these illnesses become part of their life. Antimicrobials can provide temporary relief, but in many cases, tonsillitis recurs. The cause of such recurrent infections have been identified as microorganisms which often create biofilms and a repository of infection in the wet and warm folds of the tonsils. This review discusses different treatment modalities, their advantages and disadvantages, and new treatment options focusing on biofilms. All treatment options should be selected based on evidence and individual need. Keywords: chronic, recurrent tonsillitis, inflammation, tonsillectom
Association of smoking with blood lipids in coronary heart disease patients admitted in Taiping Hospital, Perak, Malaysia
No full textIntroduction: Cigarette smoking is one of the predisposing factors for cardiovascular diseases as it may increase low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) levels and decrease high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Objective: To measure the blood level of LDL and HDL and compare the result between smokers and nonsmokers who suffered from coronary heart diseases (CHDs). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The information was collected by using a checklist from the records of CHD patients, admitted to Taiping General Hospital, Perak, Malaysia. Data collected were interpreted to find any significant association between smoking, level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. Results: Among the 196 patients included in this study, 85 were active smokers (43.4%), 54 ex-smokers (27.6%), and 57 nonsmokers (29%). Out of 171 patients with decreased level of HDL, 90.6% were smokers, 88.9% ex-smokers, and 80.7% of nonsmokers. It was found that significant changes occurred among the groups with decreased level of HDL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HDL level is more reduced among the smokers compared to the ex-smokers and nonsmokers especially in the female
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