Hypertension Control Status Among Patients Receiving Treatment From Selected Primary Health Centres in Puducherry: A Cohort-Analysis Approach.

BACKGROUND:  High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor contributing to 60% of premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. In India, a mere 15% of the hypertensive population achieves optimal blood pressure control. Effective monitoring of hypertension is crucial for mitigating the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study employed a cohort analysis approach to determine the control status of hypertension and identify factors associated with hypertension among individuals seeking care at selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Puducherry from January 2019 to December 2022. METHODOLOGY: We assessed treatment records of 1127 patients with hypertension registered at PHCs in both urban and rural areas between 2019 and 2022. Information on socio-demographic details and blood pressure readings was collected to assess the control status of hypertension on a quarterly and six-monthly basis. Additionally, 436 patients were interviewed to identify factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension. RESULTS: Control rates of hypertension varied among PHCs on a quarterly and six-monthly basis. The rural PHC achieved the highest quarterly control rate of 80% in Q4 2020, while the urban PHC had the lowest rate of 44% in Q1 2020. Similarly, the highest six-monthly control rate of 78% was observed in Q3 2019 at both rural and urban PHCs, with the lowest rate of 44% in Q1 2020 at the urban PHC.  Conclusion: Analysing data obtained from regular monitoring of hypertension control status allows healthcare providers to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. It assists providers in making informed decisions regarding treatment adjustments, medication choices, lifestyle recommendations, and policy changes. This approach is expected to improve control status for hypertension, leading to the ultimate goal of better health outcomes for patients.

A strategic approach to the synthesis of ferrocene appended chalcone linked triazole allied organosilatranes: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antioxidant studies.

A series of ferrocene appended chalcone allied triazole coupled organosilatranes (FCTSa 7-FCTSa 12) were synthesised with the aim of amalgamating the pharmacological action of the constituting moieties into a single molecular scaffold. All the synthesised silatranes were well characterized by various spectroscopic techniques like IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. Organosilatranes were then evaluated for their biological alacrity against bacterial and fungal strains compared with the standard drugs Rifampicin and Amphotericin B respectively. The ferrocene conjugates were found to be only moderately effective against the tested microbes. However, the organosilatranes conceded excellent efficacy against parasite G. lamblia with FCTSa 11 arraying the leading results. On the other hand against another parasite T. vaginalis, FCTSa 8 has emerged as an outstanding composite. Further, Total Antioxidant Assay (TAA) with 2,2'-azino-bis-3-(ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) revealed FCTSa 10 to be the best claimant for radical scavenging activity. Along these lines, introducing some different substituents in the synthesised hybrids may act as a useful strategy for increasing the biological profile of the drugs.

Hemorrhagic Stroke and Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Rare Neurological Sequelae of Chickenpox Infection.

Chickenpox (varicella) is primarily a disease of childhood which occurs due to infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary VZV infection is rare in adults due to exposure in early childhood in our country. In adults, it is associated with some serious systemic and neurological complications which can follow both primary infection and reactivation of VZV. Neurological sequelae caused by primary VZV infection are rare and include encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, myelitis, acute cerebellar ataxia, Reye syndrome, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and rarely stroke and cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). VZV infection of cerebral vessels produces vasculopathy and hypercoagulable state, leading to complications such as stroke and CVT. We hereby report cases of two immunocompetent young adults who developed acute hemorrhagic infarction in the brain and CVT following chickenpox infection.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of chalconyl blended triazole allied organosilatranes as giardicidal and trichomonacidal agents.

A series of chalconyl blended triazole allied silatranes (7a-g/8a-g/9a-g) were synthesized in good yields using a simple, economical and biocompatible synthetic route. The blend of three different pharmacologically active moieties into a single scaffold resulted into synergistic effect in their bio-activity. Various substitutions were tried to study the structure activity relationship (SAR) of the synthesized compounds on the basis of biological results. All the newly synthesized compounds were well characterized by IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, low resolution mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of 7a and 7c were authenticated by single crystal X-ray crystallography. These compounds were screened by using Molinspiration software for their physicochemical properties and all the compounds showed good oral bioavailability. The antiparasitic activity of the newly synthesized compounds was evaluated against unicellular parasites (Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis) in comparison to standard drug (metronidazole) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-yl)-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. All the compounds displayed significant activity against G. lamblia and T. vaginalis with IC50 values ranging from 19.58-131.2 µM to 18.24-101.26 µM respectively. The entire library of compounds was found to be more active than metronidazole except 9a, 9f and 9g. Notably, 9e and 7e were found to be most significant against G. lamblia and T. vaginalis respectively.