Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination of Commonly Consumed Fruits in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Excess accumulation of potentially toxic elements in frequently consumed fruits is a serious threat to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) and to estimate the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with their daily intake in commonly consumed fruits in Bahir Dar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Three types of fruits (mango, banana, and orange) were collected using a simple random sampling method from open markets in Bahir Dar town. Wet digestion was used, and the concentration of potentially toxic elements was analyzed in the edible portion of the fruits. The average daily intake (ADI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) were estimated to assess the human health risks posed by the intake of those potentially toxic elements from the consumption of the studied fruits. Results: The concentrations of Cr and Cu were lower than the maximum limit of normal values in mango, banana, and orange. However, the Pb and Cd concentrations (mg kg-1) in mango were 0.576 and 1.771, respectively, which exceeded the FAO/WHO recommended permissible limits of 0.3 mg kg-1 and 0.2 mg kg-1, respectively. The ADI of potentially toxic elements was found to be lower than the maximum permitted tolerable daily intake in the studied fruits, and the HI values (mgday-1 kg-1) of all studied potentially toxic elements were lower than one in banana and orange, except mango (3.69). The TCR values for Pb, Cd, and Cr in banana and orange were 7.16 × 10-4 and 7.15 × 10-4, respectively, which exceeded the recommended threshold risk limit (>1 × 10-4), but in mango (1.71 × 10-3), the level was above the moderate risk limit (>1 × 10-3). However, the TCR value in all the studied fruits was above the recommended safe limit (ILCR < 1 × 10-6) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). Conclusion: The study revealed that the consumption of mango fruit in the studied areas may pose noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic adverse health effects.

Development and validation of a simple and affordable LC-UV method for identification and assay of selected antimicrobial medicines.

Antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics, are among the most common classes of drugs reported as substandard and falsified (SF) in developing countries. Therefore, it is important to develop simple and affordable analytical methods for the quality control of antimicrobial medicines. In this study, a liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) was developed and validated for the screening and quantification of 13 antimicrobial medicines and one beta-lactamase inhibitor in pharmaceutical formulations. LC separation was carried out on a Kinetex C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.6 µm) with gradient elution. The mobile phase consisted of mixtures of acetonitrile-water-10 mM phosphate buffer pH 3.5 at ratios of 3:92:5, v/v/v for mobile phase A and 50:45:5, v/v/v for mobile phase B with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The screening method was intended for confirmation of the identity of the actives and validated for specificity and robustness, whereas the quantification method (using only a different detection wavelength) was further validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, sensitivity and precision (repeatability, intermediate precision). For all compounds, the method was found to be linear (r2 > 0.999), precise (%RSD < 1%), accurate (% recovery of 98-102%), sensitive, specific and robust. The developed LC method was successfully applied for the identification and assay of 12 antimicrobial samples from Ethiopia. Among the 12 samples analyzed, one (8.3%) product was confirmed to be falsified.

A power efficient actively shielded two-channel transverse MRI gradient coil numerical design.

Large and fast electrical current pulses are typically applied to conventional single-channel transverse MR gradient coils. However, these pulses result in a significant amount of power losses and heating of the coils. Previously, we presented a cylindrical multi-channel Z-gradient coil design that has better power efficiency compared to the single-channel design. In this work, we further investigate the DC power advantage for a two-channel actively-shielded transverse cylindrical gradient coil over the single-channel design. The conventional coil quadrants are radially divided into two sections, one for each channel, for both the primary and shielding surfaces. The symmetric inner sections of both the primary and shielding coils are assigned to the first channel, while the outer enclosing sections for each quadrant are assigned to the second channel. Discrete wire design is employed, where quasi-elliptic functions are used to parameterize the turns of each section. The coil geometric parameters, section size, number of turns, and turn locations are used as the design optimization parameters. The coils are optimized to maximize the coil's efficiency while keeping the linearity error less than 10% and the shielding ratio above 85%. The design procedure is employed to design both the single and two-channel transverse gradient coils for comparison. Eleven different two-channel configurations having different section sizes were investigated. Results show that the power used to drive the most power-efficient two-channel coil is less than that of the single-channel design by ∼25%. Moreover, the two-channel configuration showed slightly better shielding efficiency.

Transient eddy current analysis for a spiral gradient pulse.

Eddy currents are induced in the metallic structures of MRI machines due to the rapid switching of gradient fields generated by gradient coils. Several undesirable effects are associated with the induced eddy currents such as heat, acoustic noise, and MR image distortions. Accurate transient eddy currents numerical computations are required to predict and ameliorate such effects. Spiral gradient waveforms are of importance, particularly for fast MRI acquisition applications. For mathematical convenience, previously published work is mostly concerned with transient eddy currents computations associated with trapezoidal gradient waveforms; where spiral gradient waveforms were not considered. We recently presented preliminary transient eddy currents computations induced by an amplitude-modulated sinusoidal pulse in the scanner's cryostat. In this work, we present a full computational framework for transient eddy currents induced by a spiral gradient waveform. A mathematical model for transient eddy currents involving the spiral pulse was derived and presented in detail using the circuit equation. Computations were implemented using a tailored multilayer integral method (TMIM) and results were compared to Ansys eddy currents analysis for cross-validation. The transient response of resultant fields generated by both an unshielded transverse coil driven by a spiral waveform was computed showing high agreement between Ansys and TMIM; albeit with high computational efficiency concerning time and memory. For further validation, computations for a shielded transverse coil were performed showing how eddy currents effects are reduced.

In vitro Comparative Quality Assessment of Different Brands of Furosemide Tablets Marketed in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The use of ineffective and poor quality drugs endangers therapeutic treatment and may lead to treatment failure. For desired therapeutic effect, drugs should contain the appropriate amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient and the required physical characteristics. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate quality as well as physicochemical bioequivalence of different brands of furosemide tablets marketed in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Five different brands of furosemide tablets were purchased from community pharmacies in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia. The quality control parameters of furosemide tablets were determined by identification, weight variation, disintegration, assay and dissolution tests and the results were compared with USP and BP pharmacopoeial standards. Difference (f1) and similarity (f2) factors were calculated to assess in vitro bioequivalence requirements. RESULTS: Identification test results revealed that all samples contained the stated active pharmaceutical ingredients. The results of weight variation tests indicated that all samples complied with USP specification limits. The active pharmaceutical ingredients quantitative assay showed that all the brands of furosemide tablets were between the 90% and 105% limit of label claim. Similarly, all samples fulfilled disintegration time (i.e., ≤30 min) and dissolution tolerance limits (i.e., Q ≥80% at 60 min). Hence, none of the samples were found to be counterfeit and/or substandard. Difference factor (f1) values were <15 and similarity factor (f2) values were >50 for all the tested brands of furosemide tablets. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that all the furosemide brands met the quality specification of weight variation, hardness, friability, dissolution, disintegration and assay. The study also indicated similarity in the dissolution profile of the brands of furosemide tablets with the innovator product. Hence, all of these generic brands could be substituted with the innovator product in clinical practice.

Self-Medication Practices among Undergraduate University Students in Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate self-medication is a public-health problem worldwide. Major problems associated with self-medication include wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens, and adverse drug reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess self-medication practices and associated factors among undergraduate Wollo University students in Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 341 undergraduate university students using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire from January to February 2019. Simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using the self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression was employed in data analysis, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication in this study was 64.98%. Mildness of disease (57, 34.13%) and dissatisfaction with health-care services, (44, 26.34%) were the main reasons for self-medication practice. The most common types of diseases for self-medication were headache (80, 47.9%), gastrointestinal infections (74, 44.31%), and respiratory tract infections (48, 28.74%). Analgesics (94, 56.28%) and antibiotics (60, 35.9%) were the leading classes of medicine used in self-medication. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that agriculture students (AOR 0.163, 95% CI 0.049-0.545) were 84% less likely to practice self-medication than medicine and health-science students. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that self-medication practices are common among study participants and significantly associated with their field of study. Awareness promotion on the risk of inappropriate self-medication for university students is highly recommended.

Antimalarial Activity of the Leaf Latex of Aloe weloensis (Aloaceae) against Plasmodium berghei in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Emergence of drug resistance and lack of therapeutic efficacy of modern antimalarial drugs are the most triggering factors for the searching of new lead compounds with different mechanisms of action. Medicinal plants with documented traditional uses are a viable option for treatment of malaria. Traditionally, the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis has been used in the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the antimalarial activity of the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. METHODS: A four-day suppressive test was employed to evaluate the antimalarial effect of the leaf latex of the plant against P. berghei in Swiss albino mice. Mice were randomly assigned in five groups of five animals in each and given 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the leaf latex, chloroquine 25 mg/kg, and distilled water. The level of parasitemia, packed cell volume, survival time, temperature, and body weight was used to determine the antimalarial activity. RESULTS: The acute toxicity study indicated that the leaf latex of A. weloensis caused neither mortality nor signs and symptoms of toxicity at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Furthermore, the 4-day suppressive test indicated that the latex of the plant exhibited a significant parasitemia reduction in a dose-dependent manner as compared to negative control. The leaf latex of the plant exhibited a percent inhibition of 13.05%, 41.87%, and 66.84% at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The chemosuppression of the antimalarial activity was statistically significant at 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05), 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01) as compared to negative control. All doses of the leaf latex prevented weight loss and reduction in temperature and packed cell volume and increased the survival time of infected mice. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis possessed antiplasmodial activity confirming the genuine traditional use of the plant as an antimalarial agent.

Antimicrobial Drug Therapy Problems Among Patients in the Outpatient Department of Ataye Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial drug therapy problems refer to incorrect and inappropriate utilization of antimicrobials which affect patient's health outcomes and results in bacterial resistance. Incorrect use of antimicrobial agents is a key driver for the spread of antimicrobial drug resistance. Improving drug therapy problems has an important effect on the patients' health, treatment costs, and enhancing patients' quality of life. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess antimicrobial drug therapy problems among patients in the Outpatient Department of Ataye hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was used to assess antimicrobial drug therapy problems among patients in Ataye hospital from September 2018 to February 2019. Data were collected by trained graduating pharmacy students by reviewing medical records of patients using checklists and questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 248 patient cards were included in this study. At least one antimicrobial drug therapy problem had occurred among 96 (38.7%) of the study participants. The most common drug therapy problem was the need for additional drug therapy which was incurred by 38 (15.3%) of the study participants and ineffective antimicrobial therapy was experienced by 22 (8.9%) of the patients. Tetracyclines 25 (26%), fluoroquinolones 19 (19.8%), and penicillins 18 (18.8%) were the most common classes of antimicrobials prone to drug therapy problems. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed that nearly two-fifths of the study participants had experienced at least one form of antimicrobial drug therapy problem. The most common drug therapy problem was the need for additional drug therapy and the use of ineffective antimicrobial therapy. Tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and penicillins were the main classes of antimicrobials involved in the drug therapy problem.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contaminations. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%) had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to Pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use. CONCLUSION: In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not get advice from pharmacists and other health care professionals on how to dispose off unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients regarding disposal practices of unused medications.

Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health problems and environmental contamination. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess disposal practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 263 patients in four public health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%), had unused medications at their home during the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing down into a toilet, 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications to the pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing of their medications and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use. CONCLUSION: In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents did not receive advice from pharmacists and other health-care professionals on how to dispose of unused medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients about disposal practices of unused medications.

Characterization and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Aloe schelpei Reynolds.

BACKGROUND: The role of free radical reactions in disease pathology is well known to be involved in many acute and chronic disorders in human beings, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, aging, immunosuppression and neurodegeneration. The search for new drugs of plant origin becomes increasingly urgent due to drug resistance. Aloe schelpei is an endemic Aloe species traditionally used for the treatment of infectious and chronic diseases. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate free radical scavenging activities of leaf latex of Aloe schelpei and its isolated compounds. METHODS: The leaf latex of A. schelpei was subjected to preparative thin-layer chromatography to afford three compounds. Free radical scavenging activities of the leaf latex and its constituents was carried out using a 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. RESULTS: Phytochemical investigation of the leaf latex Aloe schelpei by prepartive thin layer chromatography led to the isolation of three compounds, identified as microdontin A/B (1), aloin A/B (2) and aloinoside A/B (3). The results showed that the leaf latex had a strong free radical scavenging activity reaching a maximum of 84.3% at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, and with an IC50 value of 25.3 ± 2.45 µg/mL (p < 0.05). Among the isolated compounds, microdontin A/B (1) was found to have the strongest free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 0.07 ± 0.005 mµ, followed by aloinoside A/B (IC50 = 0.13 ± 0.01 mM) and aloin A/B (IC50 = 0.15 ± 0.02 mM). CONCLUSION: The traditional medicinal practice of the leaf latex may be due to the antioxidant activities of the leaf latex of A. schelpei and the isolated compounds.

In Vitro and In Vivo Quality Evaluation of Glibenclamide Tablets Marketed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Good quality drugs fulfilling the regulatory parameters and produced per the current good manufacturing (CGMP) standards are very critical for best therapeutic outcome in patient therapy. Hence, this study assesses quality as well as physicochemical bioequivalence of five brands of glibenclamide tablets marketed in Addis Ababa using in vitro and in vivo methods. Friability, disintegration, dissolution, and assay for the content of active ingredients were evaluated using the methods described in the British Pharmacopeia (2009) and United States Pharmacopeia (2007). All the brands of glibenclamide tablets complied with the official specification for hardness, friability, disintegration, and assay. Difference factor (f1) values were less than 15 and similarity factor (f2) values were greater than 50 for all products of glibenclamide. The hypoglycemic effect of different products of glibenclamide tablets was evaluated on normoglycemic mice. The in vivo studies indicated that there is no significant difference in percent reduction of blood glucose level between the brands of glibenclamide and the innovator product (p > 0.05). Hence, based on the in vivo results and in vitro dissolution studies, the brands might be substituted with the innovator product in clinical practice.