Objective: Impetigo is a superficial infection of the skin that involves only the epidermis. It affects mostly children, usually on exposed areas of the body (eg. The face and the legs). Staphylococcus aureus is the most important causative organism. Streptococcus pyogenes (i.e.) group A betahemolytic streptococcus) causes fewer cases, either alone or in combination with S. aureus. The objective of this study is to find out the efficacy and safety of azithromycin alone and in combination with probiotic among children suffering from impetigo.Methods: This prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional study was conducted for a period of 6 mo in pediatric OPD and dermatology OPD in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital. A total of 100 patients, randomly divided into two groups with 50 patients in each group. Group, I patients treated with Azithromycin 10 mg/kg/d for 5 d. Group II patients treated with Azithromycin 10 mg/kg/d for 5 d with probiotic (50 million spores of Lactobacillus sporegens, Streptococcus faecalis 30 million spores, clostridium butyricum 2 million spores, Bacillus mesentericus 1 million spores) twice daily for 5ds.Results: Reduction in a number of lesions and wound area, clinical response were highly significant in Azithromycin with the probiotic-treated group. Conclusion:In this study, probiotic bacteria may counteract the inflammatory process beyond the intestinal milieu. The results of this study indicate that Azithromycin with probiotic is effective in the treatment of impetigo.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) the most common type of arthritis is a degenerative joint disease primarily affecting the articular cartilage and its surrounding tissue. Drugs like Diacerein and S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) are used to remodel the cartilage and slow the progression of the disease, by acting through different mechanisms. Though there is documented evidence of the efficacy of both agents used individually in several clinical trials only a few studies report a comparison. To analyse the efficacy and safety of Diacerein Versus S-adenosyl methionine in the treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Methods: A prospective randomised interventional study was planned comparing diacerein with SAMe for 12 w in the management of OA of the knee. 40 patients in each group were randomly assigned to receive either diacerein 50 mg twice daily or S-adenosyl methionine 200 mg thrice daily for 12 w. Both groups received a short course of diclofenac 50 mg bd for one week, to tide over the acute symptoms.Results: Assessment of both drugs individually showed an equieffective potential in reducing osteoarthritis pain over a period of 12 w. But the comparison between the two groups showed a marginal improvement in pain relief from the 4 th to 12 th week of assessment in the diacerein group. Conclusion:Both the drugs for the treatment of OA, were shown to be effective in relieving pain but with a slower onset of action. Since no radiological changes were observed during the 12-week protocol, studies of longer duration are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these drugs.

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Background: Renal dysfunction arises as a result of exposure to medicines, industrial or environmental chemicals. Cisplatin is a major antineoplastic drug used for the treatment of solid tumors. Its chief dose limiting side effect is nephrotoxicity; 20% of patients receiving high-dose cisplatin have severe renal dysfunction. Ebselen a promising antioxidant, was used to explore the nephroprotective effect.Methods: The rats were divided into five groups; each group consisting of 6 animals. The experimental design included one control group and four experimental groups. The study was carried out for a period of 7 wks. The test drug Ebselen in group 4 and 5 and the reference standard drug Amifostine in group 3 was administered once a week intraperitoneally for 5 weeks. Nephrotoxicity was induced by cisplatin (5mg/kg IP) in the 6th week, following this the drug Amifostine in group 3 and Ebselen in group 4 and 5 will be continued twice a day for 5 consecutive days post induction. Urine samples were collected and sent for determination of urine creatinine and albumin.Results: The Urine creatinine level and albumin level estimation in group II show significant renal damage as compared to control group. The statistical reduction in urine creatinine and urine albumin level in Ebselen treated group I (10mg/kg), Ebselen group V (20mg/kg) as compared to Cisplatin group II show a potential reduction in renal damage. Ebselen treated group V showed a reduction in urine creatinine and urine albumin as same as in group III.Conclusions: This study brings to a close that Ebselen lessens Cisplatin induced renal damage.