Comparative Study of the Effect of Liraglutide and Donepezil on Learning and Memory in Diazepam-Induced Amnesic Albino Rats.

Background Dementia is an age-related gradual loss of memory that is progressive in nature. Presently, the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is treated with donepezil, an anticholinesterase. But it only provides short-term symptomatic improvement. Liraglutide, which is an anti-diabetic drug, stimulates the anti-apoptotic pathway of nerve damage, which helps in regenerating nerve cells; so, it may help in dementia cases. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of liraglutide on learning and memory and to compare its effect with donepezil in diazepam-induced amnesic albino rats. Methodology Twenty healthy male Albino rats weighing 150-200 grams were taken and divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D. Group A rats were normal rats, whereas the rats in groups B, C, and D were made amnesic by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 0.1 mg per kg of diazepam. Immediately after producing amnesia, group B rats received normal saline, group C received liraglutide, and group D received donepezil through the intraperitoneal route as test drugs. Group A rats received only normal saline. The amnesic effect was measured by the escape latency period, which was measured by using a Morris Water Maize (MWM) instrument. Escape latency is the time (in seconds) to locate the platform from the starting point. The amnesic effect is shown by an increase in escape latency and the anti-amnesic effect by a decrease in escape latency. Escape latency was recorded at 0 hr, 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, and 4 hr after test drug administration. Results Group B rats showed an increase in escape latency, which shows the amnesic effect of diazepam. When group C and group D amnesic rats were treated with liraglutide and donepezil, respectively, a one-hour after-treatment increase in escape latency was seen but after two hours, both groups showed a decrease in escape latency, which indicates the anti-amnesic effect of both drugs. When groups C and D were compared, and the post-hoc highly significant difference (HSD) test was used, there was no significant difference between the two drugs, although the liraglutide-treated group (C) showed a lower anti-amnesic effect. However, group C showed a significant effect as compared to group B rats (p-value <0.05), which indicates the anti-amnesic property of liraglutide as compared to normal saline. Conclusion Liraglutide shows an anti-amnesic property. Since it works by a mechanism different from donepezil, it can be used as add-on therapy with donepezil in dementia patients.

Blood Pressure Reducing Potential and Renoprotective Action of Cilnidipine Among Hypertensive Patients Suffering From Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases which also causes progressive kidney damage leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD), so the rate of progression of CKD can be controlled by reducing blood pressure (BP). Many anti-hypertensive drugs are available. Cilnidipine is a new-generation calcium channel blocker (CCB). This meta-analysis is aimed to generate pooled evidence about the effectiveness of cilnidipine as an anti-hypertensive and to explore its reno-protective actions. Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2000 to December 2022 to include the studies. The pooled mean difference, along with 95% CI, was computed using Revman 5.4.1 software (Revman International, Inc., New York City, New York). The Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool was used for bias assessment. This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO with Reg. no. CRD42023395224. This meta-analysis included seven studies with 289 participants in the intervention group and 269 in the comparator group, and were selected from Japan, India, and Korea. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly reduced in cilnidipine treated group among hypertensives with CKD subjects weighted mean difference (WMD) was 4.33, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.26 to 7.31 as compared to the other group. Cilnidipine also shows a significant reduction in proteinuria with WMD 0.61 and 95% CI 0.42 to 0.80. Both groups were similar in adverse drug reactions (ADR). Cilnidipine is a more effective anti-hypertensive as compared to Amlodipine or other CCBs, mainly in reducing SBP. Besides this, cilnidipine also shows better reno-protective action because it also significantly reduces proteinuria in such patients.

Effectiveness of bilastine and fexofenadine among allergic Rhinitis patients in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Allergic rhinitis is a worldwide health problem which impairs quality of life and interferes with daily activities. Untreated allergic rhinitis also carries a significant financial burden for the society. Bilastine, a novel second-generation antihistaminic drug that is highly selective for the H1 histamine receptor, has a rapid onset and prolonged duration of action. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness of bilastine and fexofenadine in treatment of allergic Rhinitis patients. 104 patients were enrolled who have fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the study from the OPD of Ear, Nose and Throat Department. Patients were divided randomly in two groups A and B. Patients of group A were allowed to take tab Bilastine 20 mg OD whereas, patients of group B were allowed to take tab. Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 120 mg OD orally for two weeks. The baseline Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) were compared between two groups. The study findings showed that the mean TNSS was significantly reduced in our study group. Baseline TNSS was 13.55 and 13.45 in Group A and Group B respectively. Reduction in this parameter first become apparent in the 24 hours and maintained till 2nd week. Bilastine showed significant improvement in quality of life of Allergic rhinitis patients and proved to be more effective than fexofenadine in reducing the TNSS score, when used alone in allergic rhinitis patient.

Face mask recognition system using CNN model.

COVID-19 epidemic has swiftly disrupted our day-to-day lives affecting the international trade and movements. Wearing a face mask to protect one's face has become the new normal. In the near future, many public service providers will expect the clients to wear masks appropriately to partake of their services. Therefore, face mask detection has become a critical duty to aid worldwide civilization. This paper provides a simple way to achieve this objective utilising some fundamental Machine Learning tools as TensorFlow, Keras, OpenCV and Scikit-Learn. The suggested technique successfully recognises the face in the image or video and then determines whether or not it has a mask on it. As a surveillance job performer, it can also recognise a face together with a mask in motion as well as in a video. The technique attains excellent accuracy. We investigate optimal parameter values for the Convolutional Neural Network model (CNN) in order to identify the existence of masks accurately without generating over-fitting.

A missed medial humeral epicondyle fracture with incarcerated fragment in the elbow joint and ulnar nerve palsy: A rare case report.

Medial epicondyle fracture associated with incarcerated intra-articular fragment and ulnar nerve palsy is uncommon and frequently missed. We report a case of 13-year-old boy with incarcerated medial epicondyle fracture fragment in ulnohumeral joint and ulnar nerve palsy, which was managed successfully by open reduction internal fixation and ulnar nerve transposition.

Orthopedic Implant Removal in the Department of Orthopedics of a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Implant removal surgery is one of the common surgical procedures done in orthopedics. Studies report that a major portion of orthopedic surgeries carried out in different institutions comprises implant removal procedures. This can be challenging in limited manpower and infrastructure availability scenarios, like in developing countries like Nepal. This study aims to study the prevalence of orthopedic implant removal procedures carried out among overall surgical procedures in the orthopedic department of a tertiary care center in Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on the medical records of the department of orthopedics of a tertiary care center after approval from the institutional review committee. The data included records from the starting of 2018 to the end of 2019. Data related to the number of implant removal procedures, types of implants, indications, fracture sites, anesthesia use, gender and age distribution were studied. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used to study descriptive data. RESULTS: Out of 2557 orthopedic operations carried out in the study duration, 458 (17.91%) of implant removal procedures were done in the department. The most common age group was the young adult age group, 255 (55.68%). Medium-sized implants were the commonly removed ones, 337 (73.58%). Elective procedures were the most common indication, 369 (80.57%). CONCLUSIONS: Implant removal procedures cover a major fraction of overall orthopedic operations carried out by the department, most of which are elective procedures. In limited-resource settings, this can be challenging, and a proper evaluation with counseling could be done before implant removal surgery.

Calcific Tendinitis in the Elbow Presented as Acute Tennis Elbow.

Calcific tendinitis occurs frequently in shoulder and hip region. Its occurrence in elbow joint is frequently misdiagnosed because of its rare incidence and similar clinical presentation with other acute conditions of elbow like trauma, infection and tennis elbow. Characteristic symptoms of this condition are acute onset of pain, tenderness and swelling on the lateral aspect the elbow. Plain Radiograph is the primary modality to distinguish and evaluate this condition. Awareness and familiarity with this condition helps in early diagnosis and avoids unnecessary treatments and biopsy as this condition is self-limited. Keywords: Calcific tendinitis; self-limited; tennis elbow.

A study of hand injury and emergency management in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the underlying structures of the hand carries the potential for serious handicap. To reduce this risk, even the smallest hand injuries require proper medical care. AIMS: To assess wound healing, mobility, and the ability to perform normal essential function post-operatively in open hand injuries associated with fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with 45 metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 13) cases with single fractures of hand, excluding thumb; Group 2 (n = 9) cases with multiple fracture of hand, excluding thumb; Group 3 (n = 8) cases with fractures involving thumb and first metacarpal. Tendon injuries were repaired. For fractures, Kirschner wire fixation was done. In two cases with multiple fractures, Joshi's external support system (JESS) fixator was applied. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. RESULTS: One patient with proximal phalangeal fracture developed extension lag. No stiffness was observed in any of the cases treated by intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation. No non-union or delayed union was observed following cross-wire fixation with two Kirschner wires. Two case of open fracture developed superficial infection. Two patients with multiple fractures developed angulation at fracture site after the Kirschner wires were removed 4 weeks postoperatively, and two cases of multiple fractures developed hypertrophic non-union. CONCLUSIONS: Delicate handling of tissues, preservation of gliding planes for tendons, prevention of infection, accurate reduction and fixation, and early and appropriate physiotherapy affect prognosis in case of hand injuries.