Objectives:Continuous availability of affordable medicines in appropriate formulations is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in children. Odisha an eastern Indian state records very high mortality of children. The study aims at documenting the availability and prices paid for purchasing essential child-specific medicines.Materials and Methods:The survey of 34 essential medicines was conducted in six randomly selected districts of Odisha. Data were collected from medicine outlets of the public, private, and other sector (Nongovernmental Organization [NGO]/mission sectors) of six randomly selected districts, using WHO/Health Action International medicine price collection methodology. For each medicine surveyed, data were collected on the highest and lowest-priced formulations available in each facility.Results:Both public sector and other sector health facilities procure only one brand of medicines, mean percentage availability of medicines being 17% and 21.8%, respectively. In the private sector, the mean percentage availability of the high and lowest-priced medicines for a particular drug product was 10.8% and 38.5%, respectively. The public sector procurement price is 48% lower than international reference prices. In the private sector, high-priced, and low-priced products are sold at 1.83 and 1.46 times the international reference price, respectively. Substantial price variation was observed for some medicines across individual outlets. Medicines were found to cost 2.08 times their international reference price in NGO/mission sector facilities.Conclusions:The availability of children's medicines in public sector facilities of Odisha state is poor. Medicines for children cost relatively high in both private and NGO sectors compared to the international reference price. The availability medicines should be improved on an urgent basis to improve access of medicines for children of Odisha.

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Objective:The main objective of this study is to assess about the awareness, attitude, and practice regarding disinfection and handling of extracted teeth among the students of a dental college in Odisha, India.Materials and Methods:The survey was done with a self-designed questionnaire distributed among the students of a dental college in Odisha, India. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Software (SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0., Released 2007, Chicago, SPSS Inc.) and the results obtained.Results:Of the many methods available, the safest and practical methods to sterilize and disinfect the extracted human teeth could be autoclaving, submersion in 10% formalin and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solutions. In addition, it was found that there is a significant need to educate the potential handlers of such extracted teeth about the latest statuary protocol and guidelines.Conclusion:Most of the participants in the study were aware of the established safety protocols regarding how to handle the pathogenic specimens and were putting in practice those standardized guidelines. But still another good number of handlers need to change their casual attitude while following the safety guidelines so as to protect themselves, others and the environment from the pathogenic clinical specimens.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are generally well tolerated; most adverse effects are mild and common are GI upset. But recent literatures suggest increase reports of Cutaneous Drug reactions (CDRs) including SJS with Fluoroquinolones. However there is insufficient data both in animal and clinical study regarding comparative Analysis of CDRs among different Fluoroquinolones. Hence the present study was under taken to evaluate incidence of comparative CDRs among different Fluoroquinolones.Methods: 96 Albino mice were divided into 16 groups of 6 each. Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin were administered in Group 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16 at the dose of 50/100/150/200mg/kg respectively. The following parameters were observed i.e. Number and % of mice developed CDRs with type and severity. Duration of exposure till development of CDRs, time to Recovery and Mortality in each group.Results: Ofloxacin produced maximum number of CDRs i.e. in 33.3% mice which was significantly higher than that with levofloxacin (p=0.006*). The incidence of CDRs with Ciprofloxacin was 16.67 % and Moxifloxacin16.67 %, but no statistically significant difference than Ofloxacin. The onset for CDRs was significantly earlier with Ofloxacin among the Fluoroquinolones (P=0.013*). The reactions varied from severe dermatitis to serious exfoliation of the skin with ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin, Alopecia with Moxifloxacin but no cutaneous reactions to Levofloxacin. Mortality was found only with Ofloxacin (12.5%).Conclusions: CDRs are common and may present as severe skin exfoliation or Alopecia with Fluoroquinolones. The CDRs are Maximum with Ofloxacin without significant difference from ciprofloxacin but significantly higher than levofloxacin which has least potential for CDRs. Fatality may occur with Ofloxacin.

Background: Interventions that target blood pressure control and proteinuria, specifically interruption of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), have been utilized in attenuating cardiovascular complications. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been reported to have certain advantages. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the utilization pattern and efficacy of different ARBs in patients with HTN and associated type-II diabetes.Methods: Hypertensive patients with or without type-II diabetes treated with ARB based regimen were selected.  The BP and 24 hours urinary albumin excretion were analysed at baseline and after three months of treatment.Results: Mean reduction in systolic blood pressure(SBP) was more with ARBs and calcium channel blocker(CCB) combination. Telmisartan alone and with ACEI reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) maximally in diabetic hypertensive patients. Proteinuria was significantly reduced with telmisartan (p<0.001) and olmesartan (p<0.05) based therapy. The side effects were minimal with ARB based therapy. Telmisartan was the costliest among all ARBsConclusions: There was suboptimal use of combination therapy in diabetic hypertensive patients.  Telmisartan was having the better control on 24hr urinary albumin excretion.

Background: Malnutrition is a common condition among elderly people with dementia and is associated with low nutrient and calorie intake. There are no data about efficacy of intervention with nutritional supplements in addition to medication in cognitive decline people. Aims and Objectives: we aimed to find out the nutritional status of patients with cognitive decline and to ascertain the effects of nutritional supplements with medication in such patients. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted for 12 months. All patients admitted with cognitive decline as per the mini-mental state examination score were included after informed consent. The demographic details, clinical features, treatment given, and response to treatment were noted and tabulated as mean ± and SD and analyzed statistically. Results: Maximum patients were found to be of moderate degree cognitive decline and were at risk of malnutrition. There was significant improvement in cognitive status and behavioral symptoms after 12 months of treatment with nutritional supplements and drugs in our study population. Conclusions: Addition of nutritional supplements to drug therapy does provides significant advantages in cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms. They did add a lot in rectifying the deficiency of different nutritional parameters and thereby improving the domains such as nutritional functions and activity of daily living.

BACKGROUNDS-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAM) protects liver cells in viral hepatitis and paracetamol-induced hepatic damage, etc. But, there are scanty data regarding hepatoprotective effect of SAM in isoniazid-induced liver damage. With this background, the present study is undertaken to assess the activity of SAM in isoniazid-induced liver damage in animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODSHepatic injury was induced in albino rats by administering isoniazid (INH) at a dose of 54 mg/kg orally once daily for 30 days and served as the animal model of hepatitis. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAM) at dose of 48 mg/kg once daily was administered one hour prior to administration of INH to other group of rats (SAM pretreated group) for same 30 days duration and act as the test group. Silymarin 100 mg/kg was used as the standard hepatoprotective drug in the study. The liver enzymes and bilirubin level in serum were measured in above treatment groups and were compared statistically. Histopathology of liver was also compared among different groups. RESULTSThere was a significant lowering of liver enzymes in SAM pretreated group in comparison to the model group of INH-induced hepatitis. Histological examination also showed protective effect on liver architecture in rats pretreated with SAM followed by INH. CONCLUSIONThe results of the animal study clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of SAM against isoniazid-induced hepatitis.