Colorimetric determination of gabapentin in pharmaceutical formulation

Three accurate, simple and precise colorimetric methods for the determination of gabapentin in capsules are developed. The first method is based on the reaction of gabapentin with vanillin (Duquenois reagent) in the presence of McIlvain buffer pH 7.5 and the color developed was measured at 376 nm. The linearity range was found to be 80-360 microg ml(-1). The second is based on the reaction of the primary amino group of gabapentin with ninhydrin reagent in N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) medium producing a colored product which absorbs maximally at 569 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 40-280 microg ml(-1) of gabapentin. The third method is based on the reaction of gabapentin with p-benzoquinone (PBQ) to form a colored product with lambda(max) at 369 nm. The products of the reaction were stable for 2 h at 30 degrees C, shifts of the wavelength of maximum absorbance were not observed for up to 24 h after starting the reaction. The absorbance is proportional to gabapentin concentration in the range 80-320 microg ml(-1). The optimum experimental parameters for the reactions have been studied. The validity of the described procedures was assessed. Statistical analysis of the results has been carried out revealing high accuracy and good precision. The suggested procedures could be used for the determination of gabapentin in capsules. The procedures were rapid, simple and suitable for quality control application.     

Clinical presentation of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The poor prognosis for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is principally due to its advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. The symptoms and clinical findings at presentation of 56 patients with confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma is described and analysed. Recognising the common modes of presentation is essential to diagnose the disease at an early stage.     

The association between maternal periodontitis and low birth weight infants among Malay women

Abstract – Objectives: Maternal periodontitis has been suggested as one of the risk factors for low birth weight (LBW) infants. The objective of this study was to determine the association between maternal periodontitis and LBW infants among Malay women. Methods: Screening periodontal examinations were carried out on all eligible Malay pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy attending two randomly selected community maternal and child health clinics in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Patients with four or more sites with pocket depth 4 mm or higher, and clinical attachment loss 3 mm or higher at the same site with presence of bleeding on probing were diagnosed as having periodontitis in this study. Using this definition, systematic random sampling was utilized for selection of 250 subjects for each exposed and non‐exposed group. Of 500 subjects enrolled in the study, 28 (5.6%) were either dropped or lost to follow‐up. Of the remaining 472 subjects, 232 with periodontitis were in the exposed group and 240 with healthy periodontium were in the nonexposed group. Results: The incidence of LBW was 14.2% (95% CI: 9.70–18.75) in women with periodontitis, and 3.3% (95% CI: 1.05–5.62) in women without periodontitis. The relative risk of having LBW infants was 4.27 times higher for women with periodontitis compared with those without periodontitis (95% CI: 2.01–9.04). After adjustment for potential confounders using multiple logistic regression analysis, significant association was found between maternal periodontitis and LBW (OR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.34–11.05). Conclusion: The results of this study provide additional evidence that pregnant women with periodontitis are at a significantly higher risk of delivering LBW infants.     

Novel mutations within the embB gene in ethambutol-susceptible clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Genetic analysis of the embB gene revealed mutations in 17 (68%) of 25 ethambutol (EMB) resistant isolates (M306I, M306V, M306L, Q497R) but also in 4 (20%) of 20 EMB-susceptible isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, namely, an ATG-->ATM substitution resulting in M306I, G406N, and the novel alterations M423I and A659T.     

The coastal medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia: a mini-review on its bioactive compounds and pharmacological activity

Humans have long used natural remedies like plants and herbs to treat disease.Furthermore,research has been ongoing to find alternative pharmaceutical drugs based on traditionally used plants,as natural products show fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs.Medicinal plants have long been targeted in drug development due to their bioactive compounds like alkaloids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.This is not only the case for terrestrial plants,but marine environments also provide a larger diversity of flora and fauna with medicinal bioactive compounds.Vitex rotundifolia,also known as Beach Vitex,is a coastal plant that has been traditionally used to treat a variety of diseases including premenstrual syndrome,headaches,migraines,colds,and eye pain.There have been many review papers on V.rotundifolia,emphasizing its taxonomy,distribution,and biological activity.Our current mini-review not only summarizes the pharmacology and bioactivity of V.rotundifolia,but it also provides new information on the main bioactive compounds of V.rotundifolia such as flavonoids,phenolic acid,and terpenes and their current pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo research.This information can be useful for developing new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical agents to treat and manage disease.     

Pain control after thoracotomy. An extrapleural tunnel to provide a continuous bupivacaine infusion for intercostal nerve blockade.

This study was undertaken to determine whether an infusion of local anesthetic (LA) delivered through an extrapleural tunnel could provide satisfactory control of pain in the postthoracotomy period. Twelve patients undergoing thoracotomy were studied. A T-shaped tunnel was created by elevating the parietal pleura at the posteromedial end of the thoracotomy wound. An irrigation catheter was then inserted and an infusion of bupivacaine commenced, initially at 5 mg/kg/24 h and subsequently at 3 mg/kg/24 h. Pain was well controlled in eight patients and satisfactory in four patients. The latter required one dose of opiate analgesia each in the 48-h postoperative period. We conclude that an infusion of bupivacaine into the extrapleural space is an effective means of control of pain after thoracotomy.     

Effect of socio-demographic factors on endogenous biomarkers (cystatin C and creatinine) among elderly chronic kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

Creatinine is normally used to evaluate kidney function among elderly patients in clinical practice, which has been reported to be affected by socio-demographic factors like BMI and age. Cystatin C a newly introduced biomarker may be more efficient in identifying kidney function in obese and aged CKD patients. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of BMI on endogenous biomarkers (cystatin C and creatinine) among elderly CKD patients in Malaysia, a first such study in the country.

Methods

The current study was conducted at the Hospital University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. A total of 300 elderly Malay participants ≥?65 years, with CKD, were taken in study. Demographic data, blood pressure, weight, and height were documented. Serum creatinine was assayed by Chemistry Analyzer Model Architect-C8000 (Jaffe Method), while serum cystatin C was examined by Human cystatin C ELISA kit (Sigma-Aldrich) using Thermo Scientific Varioskan Flash ELISA reader.

Results

The study participants were divided into three groups on the basis of age. There was a statistically significant difference at the p value?<?0.05 in serum creatinine level for the three age groups [F (2, 297)?=?1.98, p value 0.045]. Patients were divided into four groups on the basis of BMI. The results of one-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference at the p value?<?0.05 in the mean serum creatinine level for the four groups [F (3, 396)?=?2.99, p value 0.032]. However, no statistically significant differences between mean serum cystatin C levels were observed on the basis of patient’s age and BMI.

Conclusion

Cystatin C is not related to BMI and age among elderly chronic kidney disease patients. The study clearly evaluates the role of serum cystatin C as a good competitor of creatinine among the elderly CKD patients.