Vol 19, No 2 (2024)
- Year: 2024
- Articles: 9
- URL: https://vietnamjournal.ru/2772-4344/issue/view/10026
Medicine
Meet the Section Editor



Antimicrobial Stewardship Program: Time to be Focused in Speciality Settings of Leprosy Institute and Related Health Care Setup
Abstract
Leprosy, often known as Hansen's disease is a contagious chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). Our methodology is easily repeatable in tertiary care settings with diagnostic accuracy resources and staff capable of building a stewardship team. Comprehensive antimicrobial policies and programmes are required to properly alleviate the initial issue.



The Effect of COVID Convalescent Plasma on Hospital Stay: A Retrospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India
Abstract
Introduction:COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) has been used as standard of care in patients all over the world. CCP is plasma collected from recently infected and currently recovered COVID-19 patients, which contains antiviral antibodies that can be used to treat patients with COVID-19. Several studies have shown a shorter hospital stay and lower mortality in patients treated with convalescent plasma in comparison with those not treated with it.
Objectives:This study aims to determine the effect of COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) on the length of hospital stay in symptomatic patients and to determine outcome of the disease in patients who were administered CCP
Methods:This was a retrospective observational study done at a tertiary health care centre from July 2020 to May 2021, including patients who received CCP during the course of their stay in the hospital.
Results:Among 257 participants, the patients with multiple comorbidities who were administered CCP had the longest average length of stay in the hospital which was 15 days, out of which, 92 (35.8%) patients were discharged while 9 (3.5%) patients died. Also, the maximum number of deaths was observed in those patients who had no associated comorbidity, being 11 (4.3%). It was observed that earlier administration of CCP in patients (< 5 days from symptom onset) was associated with a higher number of discharges as compared to deaths.
Conclusion:Our study indicates that CCP may be efficient in treating COVID-19 patients if given in early course of the disease.



The Patent Landscape of mTOR and PTEN Targets
Abstract
Background:PTEN and mTOR signaling have many roles, including antiinflammatory, immunosuppressant and cancer.
Objective:US patents were retrieved to show the current landscape of the mTOR and PTEN targets.
Methods:PTEN and mTOR targets were analyzed by patent analysis. The U.S. granted patents from January 2003 to July 2022 were performed and analyzed.
Results:The results showed that the mTOR target was more attractive in drug discovery than the PTEN target. Our findings indicated that most large global pharmaceutical companies focused the drug discovery related to the mTOR target. The present study demonstrated that mTOR and PTEN targets showed more applications in biological approaches compared to BRAF and KRAS targets. The chemical structures of the inhibitors of the mTOR target demonstrated some similar features to those of the inhibitors of KRAS targets.
Conclusion:At this stage, the PTEN target may not be an ideal target subjected to new drug discovery. The present study was the first one which demonstrated that the group of O=S=O may play a critical role in the chemical structures of mTOR inhibitors. It was the first time to show that a PTEN target may be suitably subjected to new therapeutic discovery efforts related to biological applications. Our findings provide a recent insight into therapeutic development for mTOR and PTEN targets.



Investigation of Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic and Analgesic Activities of Citrullus colocynthis in Albino Rats through in vivo and Pharmacoinformatics Studies
Abstract
Introduction:Hyperpyrexia, algesia and inflammation are pathological disorders which are treated with synthetic as well as herbal medications.
Aims:The basic aim of the present study is to evaluate the ethnopharmacological activities of phytoconstituents that are present in C. colocynthis (fruit extract) by using in vivo and in silico studies.
Methods:Thirty-six albino rats were used in our studies with an average weight between 150-170 g. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan (an extract from a red seaweed) that induced edema in albino rat paws. However, in antipyretic and analgesic activity studies, yeast and acetic acid were used to cause pyrexia or algesia, respectively. Different doses of acetone fruit extract were used to treat inflammation, pyrexia and algesia.
Results:Our results showed that the maximum percentage inhibition of acetonic fruit extract in anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities was observed at 70% and 100%, respectively, with 400 mg/kg doses, and in pyretic activity the maximum inhibitory percentage was 86% with a 100 mg/kg dose. In in silico analysis, we have shown that bioactive compounds (α-spinasterol, ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid) found in fruit extract have outstanding inhibition properties that involves proteins PTGS2, TLR2 and TRPV4. C. colocynthis fruit extract shows results that are statistically significant (p < 0.005) and comparable to a reference drug. Acetonic fruit extract of C. colocynthis can be used as a natural and safe remedy with no side effects.
Conclusion:Both in vivo and in silico studies on chlorogenic acid, ascorbic acid and α-spinasterol have shown that these are inhibitory compounds that can be used for boosting the immune response.



The Extent of Delay in Diagnosis, Treatment and their Associated Factors among Tuberculosis Patients Attending Government Hospitals of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
"Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem" worldwide, affecting almost all age groups. "Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to significantly reducing the TB burden." However, a significant proportion of cases remain undiagnosed and untreated, which plays a vital role in the transmission of the disease and severity of the illness in the community in most developing countries.
Aim & Objectives:This study aimed to assess "the extent of delay in diagnosis and treatment of TB patients" and to identify the major factors associated with such delays (whether patient or health system-related) among TB patients in Rishikesh.
Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Rishikesh Town, Dehradun District, Uttara khand, India. Total of 130 newly diagnosed TB patients were recruited as study participants who attended the government hospitals of Rishikesh, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh and S P S Government Hospital, Rishikesh. A universal sampling technique was used in this study.
Results:The mean age of the study participant was 36.75 [Standard Deviation (SD), 17.6], and the median age was 34 years. Of the patients, 64.6% were men, and 35.4% were women. The extent of various delays, such as patient delay (median 16 days), diagnostic delay (median 78.5 days), treatment delay (median 4 days), health system delay (43 days), and total delay (median 81 days).
Conclusion:The misconception of any chronic disease may lead to a false diagnosis or long treatment for symptomatic relief; the absence of proper diagnostic tests and doctor shopping could be the reasons for the prolonged diagnostic delay. Therefore, by strengthening the collaboration between private and public practitioners in order to meet the expectations of the Government of India to achieve the goals of the "National Strategic Plan for ending TB" in India by providing good quality care for all patients.



A Rational Approach To Antitubercular Drug Design: Molecular Docking, Prediction of ADME Properties and Evaluation of Antitubercular Activity of Novel Isonicotinamide Scaffold
Abstract
Introduction:One of the most devastating and leading diseases is Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Even though many synthetic drugs are available in the market, to increase the therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity. Isoniazid is the primary drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Methods:The main objective of the study is to perform molecular docking studies and synthesize the derivatives of isonicotinamide along with the anti-tubercular activity. The isonicotinamide derivatives (a-j) are prepared using isoniazid, carbon disulphate, methyl cyanide, and benzaldehyde derivatives and characterized by TLC, IR, 1HNMR, and Mass spectroscopy. The enzyme decaprenylphosphoryl-D-ribose oxidase (DprE1) of M. tuberculosis had good binding capacity with all the ligands revealed in molecular docking studies. In-vitro studies indicated that all the ligands showed anti-tuberculosis with strain M. tuberculosis.
Results:The analysis was based on the binding energy and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The highest and lowest binding energy is -4.22 Kcal/mol (f) and -8.45 Kcal/mol (d), and the MIC for compound d was found to be 644.22 nM. Among all the ligands, compound 5d has the most cytotoxic effect and lower IC50 values and better bioavailability.
Conclusion:This investigation helps in the development of better anti-tubercular therapy.



Investigation of Antifungal Action of Fractions C17H31NO15 Isolated from Artemisia herba-alba extract versus Isolated Aspergillus niger from Zee maize
Abstract
Background:Plants are harmed by parasitic organisms, and toxic poisons are created. Phytopathogenic fungi create toxins that can severely harm plants' basic physiological functioning.
Objective:Investigation of antifungal impact of various fractions of methanol extract of Artemisia herba-alba to Aspergillus niger as a plant pathogen.
Methods:Artemisia herba-alba extract was purified using column chromatography, giving various antifungal fractions tested versus A. niger.
Results:The 6th fraction give the highest inhibition zone with a diameter of 5.4 cm and MIC 125.02±4.9 µg/ml, which was identified using Mass spectroscopy, 1HNMR, Elemental analysis as well as IR testing, revealing the chemical formula of the purified fraction. Ultrastructure alteration of treated A. niger was examined versus control using the transmission electron microscope. Purified fraction has tested versus normal cell line with minimal cytotoxicity.
Conclusion:These results revealed the possibility of using Artemisia herba-alba methanol extract as a promising antifungal versus phytopathogenic fungi, especially A. niger after more verification of results.



Outpatient Intravenous Remdesivir to Prevent Progression to Severe COVID-19: An Observational Study from a Greek Hospital
Abstract
Background:Remdesivir, a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor, has been a powerful weapon in the battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Originally approved for use in hospitalized patients, remdesivir improves clinical outcomes in patients with moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After proving efficacious in hospitalized patients, its use was approved in early disease for symptomatic, non-hospitalized patients that present risk factors for progression to severe disease.
Objective:To evaluate whether administration of the antiviral medication remdesivir at an outpatient basis has an effect on hospital admissions of patients presenting with SARSCoV- 2 infection.
Methods:We conducted an observational clinical trial involving 107 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients who attended the emergency department of a third-level greek hospital seeking care for symptoms appearing within the previous 5 days and who had at least one risk factor for progression to severe disease. After arterial blood gas evaluation, eligible patients received intravenous remdesivir at a dose of 200 mg on day 1 and 100 mg on days 2 and 3. The efficacy endpoint was set as COVID-19-related hospitalization or death in the next 14 days.
Results:A total of 107 patients (57.0% men) participated in the study, 51 (47.7%) of them fully vaccinated. Most prevalent were age ≥ 60 years old, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease, immunosuppression or malignancy, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lung disease. All patients enrolled completed the 3-day course, with a total of 3 out of 107 patients (2.8%) eventually having a COVID-19-related hospitalization by day 14, while no deaths were reported by day 14.
Conclusion:Among non-hospitalized patients with at least one risk factor for progression to severe COVID-19, a 3-day course of intravenous remdesivir yielded favourable results.


