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Pharmacist-led interventions in addressing improper disposal practices of unused and expired household medication: A systematic review

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Pharmacist-led interventions in addressing improper disposal practices of unused and expired household medication: A systematic review Authors: Alfian, Sofa Dewi; Adhinagoro, Bagus; Winardi, Devani Olivia; Angela, Fidelia; Griselda, Meliana; Gathera, Vesara Ardhe; Abdulah, Rizky; (UniKL RCMP) Abstract: Background: Improper household medication disposal practices are a source of significant threat to environmental safety and public health. Pharmacists play a crucial role in mitigating these risks by educating the public about proper medication disposal. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of efforts conducted by health professionals to reduce the risks associated with improper disposal practices is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review pharmacist-led interventions in addressing unused and expired household medication disposal. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify studies evaluating pharmacist-led interventions and the effectiveness in improving household medication disposal practices until January 2024 with no constraints on publication year. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection process, data extraction, and outcomes assessment. Subsequently, the entire collected data were extracted and synthesized using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: The results showed that two among the total 83 studies retrieved during the search process met the inclusion criteria. The identified pharmacist-led interventions included the provision of an at-home medication disposal kit and an informational handout on proper disposal. However, these interventions showed no significant effects in improving household medication disposal practices, and all studies reported a low engagement rate with interventions. Conclusion: The systematic review identified limited literature on pharmacist-led interventions for unused and expired household medication disposal practices, with no observed significant effects. Active patient and pharmacist engagement were required to enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Furthermore, the included limited studies suggested the need for the development of more pharmacist-led interventions to facilitate the role of pharmacist in educating the public on proper household medication disposal. © 2024 The Authors

Nanoparticulate BDNF as A Potential Antidepressant via Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in Experimental Model of Depression

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Nanoparticulate BDNF as A Potential Antidepressant via Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in Experimental Model of Depression Authors: Nur Amirah Diyana Razlan; Kapitonova, Marina; Saiful Bahri Talip; Norhida Ramli; Brohi, Imam Bux; Nwe, Tin Moe; Alyautdin, Renad Nikolaevichd; (UniKL RCMP) Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of a nanoparticulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor with surfactant (BDNF) on the modeled depression not associated with stress in mice. Methods: Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 g were included in the study with reserpine-induced depression. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 1 – negative control, involving animals treated with normal saline, Group 2 – positive control involving animals treated with a traditional antidepressant fluoxetine, and Group 3 – experimental, treated with nanoparticulate BDNF with a surfactant. Open field, sucrose preference, and forced swimming tests were applied in the study, and the ELISA method was used to determine the corticosterone level in the serum. Digital morphometry of the adrenal cortex and thymus was done. SPSS 27.0.1 software was used for statistics, with a p<0.05 level of significance. Results: The mice of the BDNF and fluoxetine groups exhibited meaningfully lower levels of serum corticosterone (p<0.01), and considerable improvements in the open field, sucrose preference, and forced swimming tests (p<0.01) than the animals of the normal saline group. Digital morphometry showed a meaningful reduction in the share of the zona fasciculata in the adrenal gland, the area of its cells, and their nuclei in the BDNF group compared to the animals treated with normal saline (p<0.05). In contrast, the difference between the fluoxetine and normal saline groups was insignificant. A meaningfully higher thymic cortex-medulla ratio was noted in the mice of the BDNF group compared to the normal saline (p<0.01) and fluoxetine (p<0.05) groups, and a lower percentage of macrophages with apoptotic bodies compared to normal saline (p<0.01) and fluoxetine groups (p<0.05), which was not significantly different between the fluoxetine and normal saline groups. Conclusion: Nanoparticulate BDNF with a surfactant shows the efficacy of treatment of modeled depression comparable with the traditional antidepressant fluoxetine, as evidenced by behavioral tests, decreased corticosterone levels, or even exceeding it, as shown by significantly reduced hyperplasia of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland and of its cells, as well as reduced immunosuppressive changes in the thymus (higher corticomedullary ratio, lower volume density of the tingible body macrophages). These results underscore the potential of nanoparticulate BDNF as a treatment for depression not associated with stress. © 2024 by the authors.

In vitro Inhibitory effects of Polyherbal Formulation on Biofilm-forming bacteria in Chronic wounds

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: In vitro Inhibitory effects of Polyherbal Formulation on Biofilm-forming bacteria in Chronic wounds Authors: Badrinarayanan, Varalakshmi; Firdous, Jannathul; Karpagam, Thirunethiran; ShanmugaPriya, A; Suganya, V; (UniKL RCMP) Abstract: Biofilm is a complex microbial community highly resistant to antimicrobials. The formation of biofilms in biotic and abiotic surfaces is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The aim of the present study was to develop a polyherbal formulation for antibacterial activity and inhibition of biofilm formation. Andrographis paniculata (leaves), Cassia fistula (flower), Gymnema sylvestre (leaves), Ocimum tenuiflorforum (leaves), Cinnamomum verum (bark)were the herbs chosen for the study. The extraction of the herbal samples was carried out using the cold extraction method and their phytochemical characterization was carried out by GC-MS analysis. The anti-microbial activity and antibiofilm activity of polyherbal formulation was carried out using the agar well diffusion method and microtitre plate assay. The phytochemical results showed the presence of resins, carbohydrates, proteins, saponin and phenol. The agar well diffusion assay results and microtitre plate assay showed the highest activity exhibited with 500µg/ml of polyherbal extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and lowest against Escherichia coli. The results confirm the differences in antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of polyherbal formulation of various concentration. Larger concentration of formulation showed to be more effective against biofilm cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-biofilm properties and inhibitory impact of ACGOC extracts against the most prevalent clinical isolates such as S. aureus,B.pumilusand P. aeruginosa and so the hypothesis of synergistic interaction of biologically active compounds from five different herbal extracts was proved for its antibiofilm assays.

Intraoperative Rare Complication of Excision of a Large Loop Transformation Zone

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Intraoperative Rare Complication of Excision of a Large Loop Transformation Zone Authors: Yi, Myat San; Kyaw, Ei Mon Mon; Lwin, Soe; Yee, Mon Mon; Nwe, Tin Moe; Yee, Khin Than; (UniKL RCMP) Abstract: The case study discussed patient oriented quality care can enhance patient safety and increase the competency of healthcare professionals, even when they follow standard operating procedures and deal with unforeseen complications in performing LLETZ. This case report aims at validating the qualitative routine procedures against rare and complicated cases of LLETZ. The case concludes that every surgery should be performed carefully and properly to avoid unnecessary aftereffects in order to maintain efficient quality control. Simple and normal procedures were carried out by surgeons performing to the best of their abilities, competently, and with careful attention to patient safety. Though complications arose and were difficult and uncommon, the trained professional successfully navigated the procedure in such circumstantial emergencies.