Evaluation of therapeutic potential and anti-hyperchlostrolemic effects of prunes in albino rats: An experimental study.

Hyperlipidemia is a global epidemic that causes various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Prunes include fiber and numerous phenolic compounds that decrease cholesterol by decreasing LDL oxidation and supporting heart health. This study examined the therapeutic effects of Prunus domestica prunes on plasma fatty acids in albino rats after ingesting prune pulp. After chemical examination, prunes were proximately examined for nutritional content. Prunus domestica pulp was given to hyperlipidemic rats for two months in a clinical trial. 12 albino rates and divide into 3 groups. First group was controlled, others experimental. The study's 15th, 30th and 60th days evaluated lipid profile. The following study was analyzed using 2 way anova. Prunes have enough fiber, minerals and polyphenols to affect hyperlipidemic rats. GIII rats lower LDL, weight, and HDL more than GI and GII.

Effectiveness Of Sofosbuvir And Ribavirin In Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Relapsers.

BACKGROUND: Combination of DAAs, Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin has been known as an effective treatment for HCV genotype 3. The aim of our study is to assess the efficacy of Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin in relapsed HCV genotype 3 patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis of hospital records between January 2015 and December 2016. Data was taken of only those patients who were followed for one year. A total of 193 cases were included in this study who were HCV genotype 3 relapsers and out of these 28 patients failed to be followed. Data was entered and analysed in IBM SPSS software package 23. RESULTS: Out of the total 193 cases, 74.1% of cases achieved RVR at 4 weeks of therapy. ETR was achieved by 91.2% cases, while 8.8% of cases were non-responders. There was statistical significance in gender achieving ETR with a p-value of .008. 84.5% of cases achieved SVR-12. Statistical significance was noted between haemoglobin levels at presentation and 4 weeks follow-up with a p-value <0.005, and also between 4 weeks and 12 weeks follow-up with a p-value <0.005. Statistical significance was also found between age and PCR at 4 weeks (p-value of .002), age and PCR at 24 weeks (p-value of .051) and between ALT levels and PCR at 4, 12 and 24 weeks follow up (p-value <0.005). At 1-year follow-up, 79.3% of cases achieved a negative PCR, 28 patients failed to be followed, 6.2% of cases had a positive PCR. 5.5% of cases of the total 163 SVR cases had a relapse at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: HCV genotype 3 patients can benefit from Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin. With the SVR of more than 80%, this combination is cost-effective and safe. Treatment duration should be dependent on RVR and viral load at 4 weeks follow-up.

The Urdu Version Of The Safety Attitude Questionnaire (Saq) For Inpatient Settings In Pakistan: Psychometric Properties And Baseline Data.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire for inpatient settings in Pakistan. METHODS: The SAQ short form (inpatient version) was translated with the back-translation technique into Urdu. The SAQ-Urdu was administered in three teaching hospitals in Pakistan to a sample of 483 front line healthcare personnel from August 2016 through December 2017. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the factor structure of the responses. Cronbach's alphas and correlation coefficients were computed. Mean and percentage agreement scores for items were reported. RESULTS: The response rate was 75%. Goodness-of-fit indices from the confirmatory factor analysis showed a reasonable model fit (χ2=213.27, df=125, p<0.001; CFI 0.94, RMSEA 0.044). Cronbach's alphas of survey factors (teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, perceptions of management, and working conditions) ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. In terms of mean percentage agreement scores, substantial variability was found at the clinical unit level. CONCLUSIONS: The Urdu version of the SAQ showed satisfactory internal psychometric properties. The attitudes around patient safety considerably vary and indicate a need for improvement.

User engagement with and attitudes towards an interactive SMS reminder system for patients with tuberculosis.

We conducted a qualitative study to understand user perceptions, acceptability and engagement with an interactive SMS reminder system designed to improve treatment adherence for patients with tuberculosis (TB). Patients received daily reminders and were asked to respond after taking their medication. Non-responsive patients were sent up to three reminders a day. We enrolled 30 patients with TB who had access to a mobile phone and observed their engagement with the system for a one-month period. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 patients to understand their experience with the system. Most patients found the reminders helpful and encouraging. The average response rate over the study period was 57%. However, it fell from a mean response rate of 62% during the first ten days to 49% during the last ten days. Response rates were higher amongst females, participants with some schooling, and participants who had sent an SMS message the week prior to enrolment. Non-responsiveness was associated with a lack of access to the owner of the mobile phone, problems with the mobile phone itself and literacy. Our pilot study suggests that interactive SMS reminders are an acceptable and appreciated method of supporting patients with TB in taking their medication.