Knowledge of Stroke among Hypertensive Patients in Dhulikhel.

Background More than 50% of patients with stroke have hypertension, a common modifiable risk factor for stroke. Studies reported that 90% of diagnosed hypertensive patients do not seek for treatment in Nepal and the reason for this remains unexplored. There is a possibility that lack of knowledge of stroke and its potential causes may be the reason. Objective To assess the knowledge of stroke in a group of patients with hypertension in suburban Nepal. Method Hypertensive patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Nepal were approached and were included if they were 18 years or older. We used the Nepali version of 'Awareness of Stroke, Risk Factors, and Treatment' questionnaire to assess the knowledge of stroke. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. Result A total of 273 patients were included with the mean age of 56 years. Almost half (48%) of the patients were uneducated. We found that only 24% of the patients identified brain as an organ affected by stroke, only 32% were aware about more than one warning signs of stroke, 64% reported that they were unaware of the treatment options for stroke and only 5% reported control of blood pressure as a part of stroke management. The commonest reported identifiable risk factor for hypertension was high blood pressure (44%). Conclusion There are significant knowledge gaps regarding stroke in hypertensive patients. Although most patients recognized hypertension as a risk factor for stroke, they were unaware of treatment options. Increasing awareness of hypertension as a risk factor for stroke may help to prevent the stroke burden in Nepal.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of Asparagus racemosus Willd. root extracts.

The antioxidant activities of the crude hydro-alcoholic extract (CE) and its four fractions viz. methanol (MF), ethyl acetate (EF), n-Butanol (BF), and precipitated aqueous (PAF) of A.racemosus roots tested decreased in the order of EF > MF > CE > BF > PAF when investigated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Under iron induced lipid peroxidation almost similar results were observed except that the activity was more in PAF than BF. Hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was also demonstrable in vivo by the inhibition of-CCl4 induced formation of lipid peroxides in the liver of rats by pretreatment with the extracts. CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as judged by the raised serum enzymes viz. glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total and direct bilirubin as well as oxidant enzyme viz. malon dialdehyde were prevented, while antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase were elevated by pretreatment with the extracts, demonstrating the potent hepatoprotective action of the roots of A. racemosus.

A comparative histological analysis of human pulp following direct pulp capping with Propolis, mineral trioxide aggregate and Dycal.

BACKGROUND: Permanent teeth pulp exposures have traditionally been treated with calcium hydroxide pulp capping. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of human pulp tissue which were mechanically exposed to a new material, Propolis and compare it with two existing and commonly used pulp capping agents (mineral trioxide aggregate and Dycal). METHODS: Thirty-six intact human premolars were mechanically exposed. Teeth were divided into six groups of 6 teeth each and were capped with Propolis, mineral trioxide aggregate and Dycal. Final restoration was done with posterior composite resin using light cured glass ionomer cement as a liner. The teeth were then extracted on the 15th or the 45th day and processed for histological evaluation. RESULTS: Differences in inflammatory response and dentine bridge formation of the exposed pulp to the three different materials were statistically calculated using chi-square test and were found to be non-significant. There was more pulp inflammation in teeth treated with Dycal than with Propolis and MTA on the 15th as well as on the 45th day. Propolis and MTA showed bridge formation in more teeth, and the bridges were in closer proximity to pulp capping material than teeth treated with Dycal on the 45th day. CONCLUSIONS: The response of pulps to Propolis as a pulp capping agent was comparable to MTA and Dycal.