scholarly journals Effectiveness of Methotrexate and Salfasalazine Alone Versus Methotrexate and Sulphasalazine Combination in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Md Abdul Baset ◽  
Bidhu Bhusan Das ◽  
Devendra Nath Sarkar ◽  
Mainuddinin Ahmed ◽  
Md Ismail Hossain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Joint Destruction ◽  
Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Difference

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology that is characterized by symmetric synovitis and the propensity to cause joint destruction, disability and premature death. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) slow the natural course of the disease, reduce joint damage and pain, and retard loss of function and disability. Disease modifying agents should be started as early as possible. A number of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of combinations of DMARDs in early RA.Methods: This is a comparative descriptive type of study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, Rangpur & Medicine Specialists Chambers, Rangpur, over a period of 2 (two) years from July 2010 to June 2012 on newly diagnosed RA patients on the basis of ACR criteria. The 30 patients were divided into 3 groups. Group I got MTX, Group II got SSZ and Group III got MTX & SSZ. Purposive consecutive sampling method was employed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcome of patients of rheumatoid arthritis treated with MTX or SSZ alone versus MTX and SSZ in combination. The primary outcome measure was change in DAS28.Results: The mean DAS 28 score baseline was found 7.23±0.44 in group I, 7.29±0.39 in group II and 7.86±0.41 in group III. The mean DAS 28 score end of the study was 4.24±0.39 in group I, 4.85±0.54 in group II and 3.08±0.36 in group III. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001) among the three groups. There is no toxicity found in any group. Regarding side effects, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) among the three groups.Conclusion : This study suggests that the mean changes in the DAS28 score significantly lower in those who received combination therapy compared with those who received either MTX or SSZ alone during one year follow up.Bangladesh J Medicine Jul 2015; 26 (2) : 67-75

Seasonal variations in wool growth and heat tolerance of sheep. I. Wool growth

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Wodzicka
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Seasonal Rhythm ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Difference

The monthly wool growth of three groups of rams was studied at Beltsville, Maryland. Group I received natural daylight (at 38° 53' N.) and was shorn monthly. Group II had a 7:17 hours of daylight to hours of darkness rhythm and was shorn every 6 months, once in winter and once in summer. Group III received natural daylight and was likewise shorn every 6 months. The rams of all groups produced more wool in summer than in winter. This difference was significant (P<0.001). The mean body weight and food intake were both greater in the winter months, which indicated that the seasonal rhythm of wool growth was not a consequence of poorer feeding in winter. The rams which were shorn monthly (group I) grew considerably more wool than the other two groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. The short-day treatment of group II did not increase the annual wool production nor decrease the seasonal rhythm of wool growth. The balance of evidence from this and other experiments indicates that temperature rather than light controls the seasonal rhythm of wool growth.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine for Attenuation of Hemodynamic Response during Laryngoscopy and Intubation

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-52
Author(s):  
Sanjay Kumar Gupta ◽  
Saurabh Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Hemodynamic Response ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Difference

Background: The present study was conducted to compare dexmedetomidine and clonidine for attenuation of hemodynamic response during laryngoscopy and intubation. Subjects and Methods: Group I patients received 0.9% normal saline (placebo), group II patients received 0.5 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine and group III patients received 3 µg/kg of or clonidine. Each group had 15 patients. Results: The mean age in group I was 28.2 years, in group II was 32.1 years and in group III was 33.2 years, mean weight was 61.2 years, in group II was 60.4 years and in group III was 62.1 years, height was 156.2 cm, in group II was 157.1 cm and in group III was 152.8 cm. There were 8 males and 7 females in group I, 6 males and 9 females in group II and 7 males and 8 females in group III. The mean SBP (mm Hg) in group I was 121.4 and in group II was 122.6, and in group III was 127.4, DBP (mm Hg) was 76.2 in group I, 78.4 in group II and 78.2 in group III. MAP (mm Hg) was 86.7 in group I, 93.2 in group II and 92.5 in group III. HR (bpm) was 74.2 in group I, 78.4 in group II and 77.3 in group III. % oxygen saturation was 98.2in group I, 98.5 in group II and 97.9 in group III. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that both groups were equally effective in causing attenuation of hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation.

scholarly journals Use of Clinical Disease Activity Index Score for Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: An Indian Experience

Arthritis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Singh ◽  
H. Kumar ◽  
R. Handa ◽  
P. Talapatra ◽  
S. Ray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Group Iv ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Assessment Of Disease Activity

Introduction. Serial objective assessment of disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is imperative to achieve remission. The CDAI score appears more practical than DAS-28 in routine assessment of disease activity in RA patients. Objective. To evaluate correlation and agreement of the DAS-28 with CDAI in RA patients. Methods. A total of 200 patients of RA were evaluated by DAS-28 and CDAI and divided into 4 categories of disease activity i.e. Group-I: Remission (DAS-28 < 2.6; CDAI < 2.8), Group II: Low disease activity (DAS-28 = 2.6–3.2; CDAI = 2.8–10), Group III: Moderate disease activity (DAS-28 = 3.2– 5.1; CDAI = 10–22), Group IV: High disease activity (DAS-28 > 5.1; CDAI > 22). DAS-28 was compared to CDAI in each group using spearman correlation coefficient and kappa statistics. Results. Group I shows mean DAS-28 of 1.99±0.38; mean CDAI of 0.90±0.65, (P = 0.0001). Group II shows mean DAS-28 of 3.04±0.17; mean CDAI of 6.45±02.35, (P = 0.0001). Group III shows mean DAS-28 of 4.25±0.58; mean CDAI of 16.46±3.31 (P < 0.0001). Group IV shows mean DAS-28 of 6.38±0.87; mean CDAI of 38.56±11.88 (P < 0.0001). Kappa statistics (κ) of the above comparison was 0.533. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that CDAI—a composite score that employs only clinical variables and omits assessment of Acute Phase Reactant (APR), has moderate to good correlation (Kappa value = 0.533) to DAS-28 for assessment of disease activity in RA patients.

Genoprotective role of vitamin E and selenium in rabbits anaesthetized with sevoflurane

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 413-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cetin Kaymak ◽  
Ela Kadioglu ◽  
Hulya Basar ◽  
Semra Sardas
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Comet Assay ◽  
Antioxidant Supplementation ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Sevoflurane Anaesthesia ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

In this study, genotoxic effects of repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia were investigated in rabbits with or without antioxidant supplementation. Twenty-one New Zealand male rabbits were included in the study and randomized into three groups as: placebo treated (Group I), vitamin E supplemented (Group II) and selenium supplemented (Group III). Vitamin E and selenium were given intraperitoneally for 15 days before anaesthesia treatment. Anaesthesia was administered using 3% sevoflurane in 4 L/min oxygen for a 3-hour period and continued for 3 days. Blood samples were collected before anaesthesia (Sample 1), after the first, second and third days of sevoflurane administration (Sample 2, Sample 3 and Sample 4 respectively) and the last samples were taken 5 days after the last sevoflurane administration (Sample 5). Genotoxic damage was examined using the comet assay. The degree of damage is assessed by grading the cells into three categories of no migration (NM), low migration (LM) and high migration (HM) depending on the fraction of DNA pulled out into the tail under the influence of the electric field. The number of comets in each sample was calculated (1 × number of comets in category NM + 2 × number of comets in category LM + 3 ×number of comets in category HM) and expressed as the total comet score (TCS), which summarizes the damage frequencies. In Group I, a significant increase in the mean TCSs was observed for Samples 3 and 4 as compared with Sample 1. However, there were no significant differences between Samples 1, 2 and 5. The mean TCS of Sample 4 was significantly higher than Sample 1, 2 and 3 in Group II. Group III demonstrated no significant mean TCSs for any experimental conditions. Statistical differences were also observed between the groups with significant P values. This experimental study points out the presence of DNA damage with repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia and the genoprotective role of antioxidant supplementation on DNA damage in mononuclear leukocytes of rabbits by highly sensitive comet assay.

Bone mineral density and spongiosa architecture in correlation to vertebral body insufficiency fractures

1998 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Andresen ◽  
S. Radmer ◽  
D. Banzer
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Vertebral Body ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Insufficiency Fractures ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

Objective: the clinical value of spinal quantitative CT (sQCT) and the structural patterns of the vertebral bone were studied Material and Methods: sQCT was performed on 246 patients with a mean age of 57 years for whom conventional lateral radiographies of the thoracic and lumbar spine were available. All patients were suffering from back pain of unknown etiology. the bone mineral density (BMD) of the midvertebral section of 3 lumbar vertebral bodies was determined by means of single-energy-(SE)-weighted QCT (85 kV). Spongiosa architecture and density profile analyses were made in the axial images. This was contrasted to BMD values ascertained in SE QCT. the mean BMD was compared to the number of fractures and the patients were divided into three groups: group I — no fracture; group II — one fracture; and group III 1 fracture Results: the mean BMD was: 134.3 (74.1–187.5) mg hydroxyapatite (HA)/ml in group I; 79.6 (58.6–114.3) mg HA/ml in group II; and 52.4 (13.1–79.1)mg HA/ml in group III. A significant deterioration in spongiosa structure was found with increasing demineralization: strongly rarefied patterns predominated in the fracture groups II and III Conclusion: sQCT provides a good risk assessment of the occurrence of vertebral body insufficiency fractures

scholarly journals Effects of Ficus syncomorus and Datura metel stem-bark extracts on the sperm characteristics of Yankasa rams

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
J. O. Okpara ◽  
M. B Abudul ◽  
S. I Garba ◽  
O. V Adelowo ◽  
A. C Mbgojikwe
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Datura Metel ◽  
Sperm Characteristics ◽  
Group I ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

Interest in medicinal plants for the management of myriad of conditions including reproductive disorders refractory to orthodox medicinal care is on the increase. Ficus syncomorus and Datura metel are two of such plants with folkloric evidence of aiding fertility in human. This study investigated the effect of aqueous stem-bark extracts (200 mg/kg) of F. syncomorus and D. metel respectively on the sperm characteristics of Yankasa rams. Twelve (12) matured (15 – 16 months) old rams were used in this study and randomly assigned into three (I, II, III) groups of four (4) animals each. Group I served as the control while II and III served as the treatment groups and received daily oral doses (200 mg/kg) of F. syncomorus and D. metel extracts respectively for 7 consecutive days. Semen was collected from all the groups at the end of the treatments using Electro-ejaculation method and evaluated by light microscopy. The mean semen volume (68.70+4.2 to 65.62+2.00) and percentage progressive motile cells significantly (p<0.05) reduced 7 days post treatment in group III (84.05+1.3) compared to the control (85.20+1.32) and the group II (86.56+0.40) animals. The mean sperm count, the percentage liveability and the haematological parameters and erythrocytic indices (10.81±0.24 for group 111 to 12.54±0.30 for group1) significantly (p<0.05) decreased in group III compared to the values in the control and group II rams. Abnormal sperm morphology (bent mid-piece, curved tail, headless tail, tailless head) significantly (p<0.05) increased in D. metel group (7.26+0.12) compared to F. syncomorus (5.02+0.04) and control groups (5.62+0.01) respectively. D. metel aquesous extract adversely affected sperm characteristics with significant effect on semen volume, sperm morphology and counts as well as haematological parameters. Exposure of animals to D. metel at the dose used may impair sperm fertilizing ability, thus leading to reduced ram fertility. While F. syncomorus extract appears a potential drug candidate for improving fertility.

Association of Salivary Lipids and Early Childhood Caries in an Indian Subpopulation: A Preliminary Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 393-397
Author(s):  
Akhilesh Sharma ◽  
Mudunuri Sindhuja ◽  
Priya Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Early Childhood Caries ◽  
Salivary Flow ◽  
Salivary Flow Rate ◽  
Total Lipids ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Group Ii

Aim: This preliminary study aimed to estimate and correlate the relationship between salivary flow rate and levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids in children with and without early childhood caries. Study design: Ninety children aged 3 – 6 years were divided into three groups of 30 each based on their decayed missing filled tooth (dmft) score, group I (dmft score = 0), group II (dmft score ≥4 and ≤ 9) and group III (dmft scores ≥ 10). Whole unstimulated saliva was collected in a sterile graduated cup over a period of 5 minutes and was quantitatively analyzed for levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis by one way ANOVA, Post-Hoc tukey and Pearson’s correlation test. Results: Salivary flow rate was 1.20±0.36, 1.01±0.37 and 0.86±0.31 ml/min in group I, II and III respectively. The mean levels of salivary triglycerides in group I, II and III was 3.57±0.43mg/ml, 6.11±1.70mg/ml and 6.03±1.73 mg/ml, respectively. The mean levels of salivary total lipids were higher in group II and III, ie 22.51±2.87 mg/ml and 22.68±2.54 mg/ml respectively. The mean level of salivary cholesterol was highest in group III (8.03±2.91 mg/ml). Salivary triglycerides and total lipids showed a significant positive correlation with dmft scores of children (p≤ 0.001). Salivary cholesterol also had a positive association with dental caries experience of children but was not significant. There was a negative correlation between salivary flow rate and levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids. Conclusion: Children with ECC (group II and III) had lower salivary flow rate and higher levels of salivary triglycerides and total lipids compared to caries free children (group I). Levels of salivary cholesterol did not differ between caries free and children with ECC.

The Role of sFas in the Immune Escape Mechanism and Progression of Cancer Larynx

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. CMENT.S2565
Author(s):  
Amr A El Badry ◽  
Ismail Elmofty ◽  
Amira Helmy
Keyword(s):  
Serum Level ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Soluble Fas ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cancer Larynx ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

This work assess serum levels of soluble Fas form (sFas) in patients with different stages of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC) to investigate its prognostic significance. We correlate its levels with the morphological changes of peripheral blood cells via buffy coat examinatin. The study population included 70 patients clinically diagnosed and pathohistologically confirmed LSCC in addition to 20 healthy controls. According to TNM classification 33(47.1%) patients were in stage I (group I) and 24(34.3%) in stage II (group II), 13(18.5%) in stage III (group III). The results revealed that the mean serum level of sFas (pg/ml) in the control group was 51.2, in group I was 66.33, in group II was 81.33 and in group III was 112.45. Statistical analysis of the mean of sFas by ELISA test in the patients' groups in comparison to the control revealed a significant increase of both group II and III in comparison to the control group (P < 0.01) but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between group I in comparison to either the control or group II. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between group I in comparison to group III. LM examination revealed massive extent of the apoptotic cells in group III when compared to both group I and group II. EM examination of the buffy coat revealed apoptotic changes, mainly in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs), represented by surface membrane ruffles and blebs with clumped nuclear chromatin and vacuolated cytoplasm. In conclusion, this study may help us to better understand one of the escape mechanisms in cancer larynx. This mechanism is represented by the significant increase in both the serum level of sFas and the morphological apoptotic changes that detected in PBMNCs. Soluble Fas may contribute to the progression of laryngeal cancer. It can be used as an attractive target for anticancer therapy and may be considered as a marker of disease progression and poor prognosis in laryngeal cancer.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Intraoperative and Postoperative Analgesic Requirement

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 56-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Keng Sim ◽  
Pei-Chang Xu ◽  
Hwee-Leng Pua ◽  
Guojing Zhang ◽  
Tat-Leang Lee
Keyword(s):  
Early Postoperative Period ◽  
Morphine Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analgesic Requirement ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sparing Effect ◽  
Postoperative Morphine

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in experimental and clinical acute pain settings. This study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative electroacupuncture (EA) on intraoperative and postoperative analgesic (alfentanil and morphine) requirement in patients scheduled for gynaecologic lower abdominal surgery. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group I (control group) –received placebo EA for 45 minutes before induction of general anaesthesia (GA); Group II –preoperative EA instituted 45 minutes before induction of GA; Group III – 45 minutes of postoperative EA. The Bispectral Index monitor was used intraoperatively to monitor the hypnotic effect of anaesthetic drugs, and alfentanil was titrated to maintain the blood pressure and pulse rate within ±15% of basal values. Postoperative pain was managed by intravenous morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Patients in Group II (0.44 ± 0.15μg/kg/min) received less alfentanil than those in Group III (0.58 ± 0.22μg/kg/min) (p=0.024), but not significantly less than those in Group I (0.51 ± 0.21μg/kg/min) (p=0.472). Postoperative morphine consumption was numerically lower in Group II compared with the other groups; however, the difference was statistically significant only during the period of 6–12 hours between Group II [0.03 (0.05) mg/kg] and Group I [0.10 (0.11) mg/kg] (p=0.015), and Group II and Group III [0.08 (0.10) mg/kg] (p=0.010). The 24-hour cumulative morphine consumption for Group II (0.52 ± 0.19mg/kg) was less than that for either Group I (0.68 ± 0.38mg/kg) or Group III (0.58 ± 0.27mg/kg), but the difference did not reach significance. In conclusion, preoperative EA leads to a reduced intraoperative alfentanil consumption, though this effect may not be specific, and has a morphine sparing effect during the early postoperative period.

Effectiveness of treatment of tonsillopharyngitis: comparative study

2002 ◽  
Vol 116 (11) ◽  
pp. 917-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khader J. Abdul-Baqi ◽  
Farouk M. N. Shakhatreh
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Sensitivity Test ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Culture And Sensitivity ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Selection Of

This study was performed to find out the effectiveness of three different treatments of patients having acute tonsillopharyngitis. Three groups of patients were selected (50 patients in each group). Group I received one antibiotic according to the result of culture and sensitivity test, while groups II and III received two antibiotics or one antibiotic respectively without a culture and sensitivity test. Diagnosis was based on the acutely subjective symptoms of sore throat and positive clinical examination findings. The effectiveness of treatment in group I (96 per cent) was statistically significant (p<0.05) and higher than group II (82 per cent) and group III (74 per cent), while the difference between group II and III was not statistically significant (p>0.05).Our findings demonstrate that a culture and sensitivity test of the throat swab is necessary before treating acute tonsillopharyngitis. It was suggested that there should be appropriate selection of antibiotics to preserve normal flora, avoidance antibiotics for viral infections, patient compliance with prescription and educational programmes directed at patients and physicians. All of these measures would assist in reducing the volume of antibiotic use, bacterial resistance and the overall cost of treatment of tonsillopharyngitis.

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