Ghrelin + Insulin: Solution to diabetes?
Green or Black?
Pharmacy in the Light of Islam
Comics Gallery
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Editor’s Note
Deans' Message
Prof. Dr. Omer Attef Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy Dear Readers, We would like to introduce the first issue of a public and scientific bulletin edited by the students of the College of Pharmacy and Health Scienc es, Ajman University of Science and Technology under the title of AUSTRx. This issue comes as a welcome addition to the pharmacy library resources through presentation of up to date information on recent advances in the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical sciences. In addition to its educational role, the college of pharmacy and health sciences is also concerned with the dissemination of information about both theoretical and technical aspects of pharmacy practice. The patronage of this scientific and informational bulletin by the college of pharmacy and health sciences supports the mission of the university and the implementation of its comprehensive vision in its three dimensions: education, information and investment. The real challenge facing this bulletin is not in issuing it, but in its continuation periodically with the participation of students in its editing. In this regard, we pledge the support of the college of pharmacy and health sciences and the university administration for sustaining this bulletin. We extend our thanks to all those who participated in launching this bulletin and we hope it will continue to improve with time.
Rana Farrukh Tufail Chief Editor: AUSTRx Journal The word change basically describes a man’s will to push his existing boundaries to the limit. It is his desire to push the envelope so that he creates a better space for himself. The person bringing about the change understands what he needs, anything could bring about the change, It may be fear of existing circumstances BUT out of fear he gets a clearer vision, from this new sight he gets hope and from hope he gets PROGRESS. The change that I talk about is what you are now reading. The Journal you hold in your hand is a testimonial to what we STUDENTS can achieve. We may feel insignificant in this complex system, we might also feel diminished by what we are studying BUT it is US who actually make the system work. In this spectacular dish WE are the main ingredients. A lot of hard work and effort has been put into the basic idea of the journal itself. The rest was built up as a result of continuous guidance and support from our Dean, Professors, Team members and YOU- the students. Your support for the journal and continuous feedback is quintessential for its sustenance and progress. As the administration of the AUSTRx journal we will publish what we hope will provide a vantage point in the study of Pharmacy. The research published in the journal will be up-to-date and will enhance your current knowledge. My only request from you, my fellow students, is to help us progress. Here’s an analogy: It is hard for an egg to turn into a bird, it will be even harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. We must CHANGE. “The AUSTRx team is exceptionally grateful to the Dean: Prof. Dr. Omer Attef, Student Activities Supervisor: Dr. Yasser El Shabraway & Dr. Nihal Abdallah for their continuous input. We wish all of you the best in studies and we hope your feedback gives us the support for the second edition.” I am yours truly,
Rana Farrukh Tufail
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Latest Research
Ghrelin... the key to diabetes and obesity treatment? Dr. Nihal Abdalla Ghrelin, a recently discovered acylated 28amino acid peptide, is a potent orexigenic and adipogenic hormone that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH). It is a novel hormone that, through a process of reverse pharmacology, has been shown to be the natural ligand of the orphan growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a) present in the hypothalamus and pituitary (1). Similar to synthetic GHSs, ghrelin strongly stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) in both animals and humans. GHS receptors are present in the hypothalamus and pituitary, which is consistent with the GH-releasing effect of ghrelin (2). Ghrelin has the particularity to be octanoylated on the serine position 3. The octanoylation of ghrelin is necessary for its biological activity mediated through the activation of GHS-R 1a. (3). Ghrelin is predominantly produced by the endocrine X/A like cells of the stomach submucosa. It is released into the plasma directly in an endocrine fashion. It is also identified in other portions in the gastrointestinal tract such as the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and also the salivary glands, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, placenta, testis, adrenal gland, thyroid and the central nervous system (3). The key regulator of plasma ghrelin level is food intake. Plasma ghrelin level is elevated during starvation and before meals, while it decreases after food intake in response to glycemia. Plasma ghrelin level decreases faster and more drastically following a meal rich in carbohydrates rather than in fats, while a meal rich in proteins was described as havingcontradictory effects. Preprandial ghrelin surges occur before every meal. (4)
Plasma ghrelin level is negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI). It is documented that plasma ghrelin level is increased in anorexia nervosa and cachexia, and decreased in obesity. Various hormones and drugs also affect plasma ghrelin levels. Somatostatin, GH and pirenzepine (an acetylcholine antagonist) decrease ghrelin secretion, while pyridostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) increases ghrelin secretion. In human serum, butyrylcholinesterase and platelet- activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF- AH) contributed to ghrelin desoctanoylation. In rat serum, carboxylesterase is responsible for ghrelin desoctanoylation. (5) Ghrelin crosses the blood- brain barrier and stimulates food intake by acting on several classical body- weight regulatory centers, including the hypothalamus, hind brain, and mesolimbic reward system. Chronic ghrelin administration increases body weight via diverse, combined actions on food intake, energy expenditure and fuel utilization. Congenital ablation of the ghrelin or ghrelin- receptor gene causes resistance to dieti n d u c e d o b e s i t y, a n d pharmacologic ghrelin blockade reduces food intake and body weight. However, these effects could be further explored from the therapeutic point of view. (6). Physiological, Pathological and potential therapeutic roles of ghrelin: The growing known spectrum of the biological activities of ghrelin has led to studies on its physiological role and the potential therapeutic uses of ghrelin receptor agonists and antagonists in many diseases. Among these effects are: stimulation of GH- release, stimulation of appetite, food intake and body weight, stimulation of gastric secretion and
motility, various cardiovascular effects as increasing the stroke volume, improving endothelial function and decreasing blood pressure. Ghrelin has various effects on glucose homeostasis. (3) Ghrelin stimulates short- term food intake and long- term body weight regulation via its adipogenic and diabetogenic effects. Ghrelin stimulates gastric emptying, and these effects could be explored from a therapeutic point of view. Ghrelin level changes profoundly in anorexia, in states of insulin resistance, in obesity, and after bariatric surgery suggesting that it is an important hormone in body weight regulation (6). Leptin ; a hormone secreted from the adipose tissue, has opposite effects on the same neurons that stimulate food intake, which indicates that ghrelin and leptin are complementary components of a regulatory system that informs the CNS about acute and chronic energy balance. The relationship between ghrelin and insulin has not been clarified so far (7). Whether ghrelin participates in the control of insulin secretion remains an unresolved issue (8). Earlier studies have generated conflicting results in that ghrelin has been shown to inhibit insulin release in some experimental situations (9,10,11) and to stimulate insulin secretion in others (12,13).
Fig. 2: Role of Ghrelin, leptin and insulin at the arcuate nucleus and hypothalamus (14). (AGRP: Agoti gene related protein, NPY: neuropeptide Y, POMC: proopiomelanocortene, Mc3r: melanocortene 3 receptor, Lepr: leptin receptor, Ghsr: growth hormone secreretagogue receptor).
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Latest Research A recent study was conducted to clarify those ongoing debates regarding the role of ghrelin in glucose homeostasis, food intake and body weight regulation. Also it was carried out to investigate the relation between the different types of macronutrients and ghrelin, leptin and insulin levels. That study proved that the relation between ghrelin, leptin and insulin is versatile yet integrated with many factors controlling it. Among these factors are the glycemic condition, the body weight and the type of macronutrient consumed whether high protein, high fat or regular diet. Ghrelin and insulin were proved to play
antagonistic roles on glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis, so ghrelin or its antagonist could be a potential therapeutic target for treatment and / or prevention of diabetes. The conflicting reports about the effects of ghrelin on both glucose and insulin levels may be attributed to variable effects of both forms of ghrelin; the active acylated and the non active non-acylated form, different experimental periods and designs, in vivo versus in vitro experiments. Moreover, the relation between ghrelin, appetite and body weight is also crucial; ghrelin was found to have a strong negative association with body weight. So, ghrelin or its antagonists could also be
therapeutic targets for managing the body weight problem in conditions of obesity or cachexia . Chronic consumption of a diet higher in protein was proved to increase thermogenesis, lower respiratory exchange ratio, increased protein oxidation, and reduced carbohydrate oxidation. However, appetite inhibition (satiety) and ghrelin secretion seem to be more responsive to acute protein intake and unaffected by chronic protein intake (15). So, due to their effect on ghrelin level, high protein diets affect satiety and could be considered as a preferable dietary strategy in combating obesity.
1 - Kojima M, Hosada H, Date Y, Nakazato M, Matsuo H ,Kangawa K. Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach. Nature 1999; 402: 656-60. 2 - Kojima M, Hosoda H, Matsuo H , Kangawa K. Ghrelin: Discovery of the natural endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2001; 12 (3): 118-22. 3 - De Vriese C, Delporte C. Ghrelin: A new peptide regulating growth hormone release and food intake. Int J Biochm and Cell Biol 2007; 4:20-9. 4 - Kojima M, Kangawa K. Ghrelin structure and function. Phyiol. Rev. 2005; 85: 495-522. 5- Ghigo E, Broglio F, Arvat E, Maccario M, Papotti M, Muccioli G. Ghrelin; A more natural GH secretagogue and/ or an orexigenic factor. Clin. Endocrinol. (oxf.) 2005; 62: 1-17 6- Higgins SC, Gueorguiev M , Korbonits M. Ghrelin the peripheral hunger hormone. Ann Med.2007; 39(2):11- 36. 7- Cui C, Ohnuma H, Daimon M, Susa S. Ghrelin infused into portal vein inhibits glucose- stimulated insulin secretion in Wistar rats. Peptides 2008; 29:1241-6. 8- Dezaki K, Sone H, Yada T. Ghrelin is aphysiological regulator of insulin release in pancreatic islets and glucose homeostasis. Pharmacol and therapeutics 2008; 118 (2):239- 49. 9- Borglio F, Avart E, Benso A, Gottero C. Ghrelin, a natural GH secretagogue produced by the stomach, induces hyperglycemia and reduces insulin secretion in humans. J Clin Endocrionol Metab 2001; 86:5083- 6. 10- Edigo EM, Rodriguez- Gallardo J, Silvestre RA, Marco J. Inhibitory effect of ghrelin on insulin and pancreatic somatostatin secretion. Eur J Endocrinol 2002;146:241-4. 11- Kvist Reimer M, Pacini G, Ahren B. Dose- dependent inhibition by ghrelin of insulin secretion in the mouse. Endocrinol 2003; 144: 916-21. 12- Date Y, Nakazato M, Hashiguchi S,Dezaki K, Hosada H. Ghrelin is present in pancreatic alpha- cells of humans and rats and stimulates insulin secretion. Diabetes 2002;51:124-9. 13- Lee HM, Wang G, Englander EW, Kojima M. Ghrelin, a new gastrointestinal endocrine peptide that stimulates insulin secretion: enteric distribution, ontology, influence of endocrine, and dietary manipulations. Endocrinology 2002; 143: 185- 90. 14- Barsh G.B ,Schwartz M.W. Genetic approaches to studying energy balance: perception and integration.Nature Reviews Genetics 2002;3: 589-600. 15- Leidy H, Mattes R, Campbell W. Effects of Acute and Chronic Protein Intake on Metabolism, Appetite, and Ghrelin during Weight Loss. Obesity 2007; 15: 1215- 25.
Dr. Moayad Shahwan
How to control your blood Cholesterol??
Blood cholesterol depends on LDL’s and HDL’s.
-Low-density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. Whereby high levels can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries (arthereosclerosis). A clot (thrombus) that forms near this plaque can either block blood flow to part of the heart muscle causing a heart attack or the brain resulting in stroke. High levels of LDL (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. The LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL for a heart disease patient and hence it is called "bad" cholesterol whereby its Lower levels reflect a lower risk of heart disease. high density lipoprotein is the one that carries about 30% of blood cholesterol. Researchers think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. It is known as "good" cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack “whilst” a low HDL level (less than 4050mg/dL) indicates a greater risk. (especially of stroke) WHAT TO DO??? 1. Eat your colors. Even if your LDL is a little on the high side, there's at least one way to defuse its danger. Antioxidants, these help in protecting the body cells from oxidation and aiding the body in its fight against slow destruction. Food sources known to fight what is called free radical damage actually limit the harm that LDL can do to our vessels. Vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, garlic, red grape juice, soybean constituents and any fruit or vegetable are great antioxidant-rich foods, but many fruit juices don’t contain fiber, so whole fruit is preferred to fresh juice, because fiber is an important combatant against high LDL. 2. Reduce homocysteine. Homocysteine is a protein and it can be
an enemy of good health at high levels. It encourages blood clotting, LDL oxidation and works against the benefits of high levels of good cholesterol. But have no fear. B vitamins (especially folic acid) help quell homocysteine. Rich sources of B vitamins are leafy green veggies, orange juice, dried beans and fortified cereals. Multivitamin supplements with folic acid and B vitamins also help control homocysteine in most people. 3. Watch what you drink. Heavy drinkers of caffeinated coffee (nine cups a day) have up to 25% higher homocysteine levels. However, drinkers of caffeinated black tea can lower homocysteine levels, possibly because tea contains folic acid. Researchers believe that this may help to explain why studies have linked heavy coffee consumption to increased heart problems and tea consumption to reduced heart problems. 4. Know your fats. Remember, not all fats are bad. The cardiovascular system's greatest nemesis is saturated fats (animal fats) found in many meat and dairy products. These fats can raise bad cholesterol levels in the body and make the blood more sluggish and prone to clotting, leading to constriction of arteries and lower blood(oxygenated) supply to the heart and brain. Avoid fatty meats and stick to lean poultry and fish. Another artery enemy is trans fat, which is found in hard margarine and the hydrogenated oils in processed foods. It's best to stay away from saturated fats and trans fats and choose heart healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, borage oil, avocado and fish oil. 5. Keep your mind and your arteries open. It’s highly important to have vascular function because it allows blood to flow smoothly to the heart and brain, which is accomplished by nitric oxide released in the cells of blood vessel walls. Foods that stimulate the release of nitric oxide already present in the body are such as red skinned peanuts, apple skin and pulp, cinnamon and purple grape juice. Also these foods help in reducing blood clot and LDL oxidation. 6. Soluble fibers found in barley, high fiber raisins, whole wheat bread, sesame seeds, nuts and oats are highly important because they slow down the entrance of cholesterol into the body. Always go for whole foods and not refined foods. Say “NO” to white rice, white potatoes and semolina pasta. 7. Taking 25grams of soy daily decreases cholesterol levels due to its isoflavone content.
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Dr. Elhadi N. Mahmoud
Which is more healthierBlack tea or green tea? Green tea is rich in polyphenols such as epigallocatechin (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Black tea is fermented green tea. During fermentation, the simple polyphenols undergo polymerization which leads to more complex molecules such as theaflavins and therarubigens (MW 500 to 3000). Green and black tea have marked antioxidant activity in vitro but green tea is about five times more potent than black. Adding milk has no effect. In contrast, human experiments using oral doses have shown that 1) Green tea and black tea cause a significant increase in antioxidant activity of plasma. 2) Green tea is only about 50% stronger than black tea in vivo. 3) The effect is rapid, peaking at about 30 minutes after consumption for green tea and 50 minutes for black tea. One possible explanation is that tea polyphenlos undergo spontaneous decomposition in the gut and the smaller antioxidant molecules are then absorbed. This would explain the similar activities of green and black tea in vivo.
With milk or without??? adding milk causes protein binding which would inhibit this decomposition. This implies that only tea without milk will render significant antioxidant activity in the blood stream. However, this study did not monitor plasma antioxidant activity after more than a few hours. It is possible that the tanninprotein complexes formed after milk is added are decomposed further down the gut and bacterial action on the liberated tannins(or instantaneous breakdown) leads to absorption to antioxidant phenolics from the colon into the blood stream. Effects of citrus on tea. Drinking tea, particularly green tea, with citrus such as lemon juice is common. Studies, including a study from Purdue Univeristy in 2007, found that most of the
How to increase
your productivity
Dr. Leena Sarhan I once read a book written by one of the best trainees around the world and just as he shared his secrets for a successful career with me, I would like to share his secrets on with you. As Jane Austen once said “To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment” Similarly, I believe that very few people can think properly or motivationally when they are working. Innovation does not come with spending long hours in front of the computer checking your e-mail every sixty seconds nor will working constantly without a breath make you a good employee. Try taking a break, relax - in all honesty it works! I feel that my best ideas and performance comes in shape when I have relaxed and am actually enjoying myself. I discovered this personally during my second pregnancy, where I took up writing during my vacation. I soon
antioxidant catechins are not absorbed into the blood stream when tea is drunk by itself. The study, however, found that by adding citrus to the teas, it lowers the pH in the small intestine and causes more of the catechins to be absorbed, making the tea healthier by adding citrus.
realized that as I began writing, ideas would flow to my mind while sitting on my sofa, and I would register them for hours at a time without feeling like I was being forced to do it. And believe me, it was the greatest experience that I’ve ever had! And it’s not only me, Newton didn’t magically get his great innovations in the field of physics running after trains and working around the clock, neither did Albert Einstein discover all his theorems sitting locked up inside with all his books. I believe that the best ideas and brain juices flow when a person is relaxed and is enjoying himself. We need to give our abilities a chance to flow, the creative ability that enhances our social life and while at work, drinking coffee. Another way is to sit calmly and stare into the sunset. I assure you these activities are NOT wasting time but actually are a starting point to manage it. My advice to you is to take a good rest and enjoy. Laugh with your colleagues, go for long walks and if anybody tells you, you are wasting your time, tell them you are trying to “increase your productivity!”
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Pharmacy has more than one sees!! Sakina Siraj “Why Pharmacy? Why not medicine?” A typical monotonous question which is encountered on numerous random days. To which I being a polite person usually would smile it off with a shrug. But now being a pharmacy student , being in the middle of it all knowing very well that this is the degree we’ll be holding in a few years time and considering the public’s image of a pharmacist I now very courteously reply “ Why medicine? Why not Pharmacy?” Pharmacy as many people think is a degraded job. Surprisingly enough the definition of pharmacy is laughable. Most consider it confined to the person sitting in a pharmacy shop. And the assumed dependence level of a pharmacist on the physician is blown out of proportion. I have been even thrown a question like “Pharmacists can’t make medicines, do they?” To which I responded with a “Well,
if it wasn’t for making medicines we wouldn’t be having our lab. sessions.” Pharmacy is a not a low job in any manner nor are the opportunities involved narrow. It’s just the cliché people have due to their meetings with pharmacists working in pharmacies. On the contrary pharmacy is indeed a flexible job. It can be moulded into either a profession or a business. Doctors are professionals by nature. And true enough they have the right to prescribe medicines. But to our credit, pharmacists have the right to manufacture them. And when you talk about being independent and in the medical field there is no better option. Doctors are not independent. They do not get “customers” when they are on leave. Their presence is required to do the job. Whereas a pharmacist can own a pharmacy and his pharmacy still runs when he is on leave where he has other people hired to do the job. The pharmacy need not close down. And I consider pharmacy as to be among
the best businesses around. Even in times like these when there is an economic crisis going on, the business of pharmacy would go full on. People may no longer shop at Calvin Klein; there can be a couple less Vincci shoes, or the need for wearing an Omega watch would not exist, luxury items can be forestalled but how do they avoid taking medication? The hardware market may be at a loss, the textile market may be experiencing a staggering line of clientele, the gold market may be having a dip in their customers but the pharmacy industry goes full on. People inevitably do get sick and medicines are needed. There is no go without it. So the moral of the story: If you are puzzled whether to take pharmacy or not, take it, it’s the prescription for success. If you are a pharmacy student and are having second thoughts about the career, don’t think much, you are in the right place. And if you have already carved yourself a niche in the pharmacy industry, we inspire from you!
DUPHAT CONFERENCE 2010 The 15th Dubai International Pharmaceuticals & Technologies Conversion & Exhibition was Held between 15-17 of March, at the Dubai International Convention & exhibition Centre, UAE. Duphat 2010 was officially inaugurated by the Patron H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, minister Of Finance and president of the Dubai Health Authority. All faculty pharmacy professors graced the exhibition with their presence. The students participated in the poster presentations covering a range of topics. ? Assessments of Breast Cancer Knowledge Among Females ? In Ajman , UAE ? The Ugly Truth About Cosmetics. Some posters touched subtle topics such as: ? Zoonosis ? biotechnology ? BOTOX & how it can improve the quality of your life. The event concluded with a closing ceremony where DUPHAT crystal moments and certificates were distributed to chairpersons, speakers, professional poster presenters, student poster presenters, participants, schools and scientific committee members and for their active participation.................................................................. .
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Antibiotic Pharmacists in the ascendancy. Dr. Emaan S. Salman The practice of pharmacy has changed significantly in recent years. The pharmacists’ responsibilities centered on dispensing and compounding drugs during the 1950s Introduction of clinical pharmacy in secondary care during 1970s began to shift the attention from the medication itself to the interaction between the patient and the medication. The discipline of clinical pharmacy practice has evolved over the past 25 ye a rs i nto a s e r v i c e k n ow n a s pharmaceutical care and has started to become an essential component of the multidisciplinary team. Today we will introduce you to one of clinical pharmacy derivatives which is Antibiotic Pharmacy. An interesting article was published in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy in 2007. The Author has successfully illustrated the origin of antibiotic pharmacist practice in UK, how did it develop, different roles assigned to an antibiotic pharmacists, evidence to support and prove the impact of such practice and the future of such career. We are summarizing some of the article's key points below. The role of the antibiotic specialist pharmacist has developed in U.K hospitals since 90s of the 20th century; it wasn't till 2003 that the potential of the antibiotic pharmacist became embedded in the collective conscience of Chief Pharmacists in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals across England and Wales.
They are now considered as key members of the National Infection Control Team where they are responsible for rational antibiotic prescribing. The Department of Health (DH) has even announced an investment of £12M over 3 years to support clinical pharmacy activities around the promotion of prudent antimicrobial prescribing and many UK hospitals have opted to continue to fund antibiotic pharmacist posts.
Role of Antibiotic pharmacists While Antibiotic Pharmacists maintain their typical pharmacist responsibility in providing efficient procurement, distribution and safe and secure handling of medicines, substantial amount of their time is spent in wards providing clinical services.
Their clinical responsibility involves: • Providing expert advice on the management of antibiotic therapy in individual cases referred by ward pharmacist colleagues and to act as a triage for cases requiring input from staff in microbiology or infectious diseases. • Providing education and training for pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on prudent antibiotic prescribing and to raise awareness of hospital guidelines and policies. This may include presentations at induction sessions for new hospital staff. • Designing antibiotic serum monitoring and dosing policies • Acting as a liason between microbiology and the pharmacy department • Playing a role in enforcing antibiotic formularies and monitoring prescribers compliance to it, managing entry of new antibiotics
• Developing and maintaining antibiotic guidelines • Monitoring and controlling antibiotic prescribing and usage by means of electronic stock control system. In addition many of antibiotic polices in UK were either initiated or implemented by antibiotic pharmacists, they also play an active role in practice research with goal of improving antibiotic prescribing practice in hospitals Antibiotic pharmacists have also been exploring innovative solutions to common problems in antimicrobial medicines management and sharing the fruits of their labours with colleagues in the NHS.
Future of Antibiotic Pharmacy Continuing concerns over inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and the menace of hospital-acquired infection with multiresistant microorganisms, combined with the incorporation of antibiotic prescribing data into key performance indicators for hospitals, will mean that the skills of the antibiotic pharmacist remain in demand for the foreseeable future. Antibiotic pharmacists will have a vital role to play in the forthcoming implementation of electronic prescribing and will be instrumental in harnessing the potential of computerized decision support for improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing and for monitoring prescribing trends and associated healthcare outcomes. The challenges that lie ahead will include the development of an accredited training programmed and competency assessment for specialist antibiotic pharmacists in order to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose and the clarification of responsibilities between antibiotic pharmacists and other colleges in microbial and infectious disease department. Antibiotic pharmacists are here to stay but further investment in practice research is of paramount importance to identify the most efficient and effective means of deploying this valuable pharmacy resource. * Kieran Hand. Antibiotic pharmacists in the ascendancy. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. (2007) .60 Suppl1, i73–i76. Published electronically in Oxford journals
For Full Article Refer: http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conten t/abstract/60/suppl_1/i73
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EVOLUTION OF PHARMACY IN ISLAM. Nasser Alorfi Co-Author Murtaza J. Mukhtar
During the Medieval age, Islam and Muslims influenced the world in a number of different ways. One of the most important of these subjects was medicine. In the past, pharmacy was not independent of medicine. The Doctors would diagnose the patient, prepare the medicine and provide it to the patient. The development of professional pharmacy, as a separate entity from medicine, started in ISLAM in Baghdad, Iraq resulting in the opening of the first pharmacy in history in Baghdad in 621 AH, 1224 A.D. And the Arabs formed the first Pharmacopoeia; the constitution adopted in the preparation of drugs and pharmaceuti cal industry. This first clear-cut separation of the two professions and the recognition o f t h e independent, academically oriented status of professional pharmacy materialized under the influence of Al-Razi who w a s a physician, chemist and a philosopher. O t h e r pharmacists in the history of Islam were Ibn-Baitar, Ya'qub b. Ishaq al-Kindi, Hunayn, Ibn Masawayh. Arabic pharmacy (Saydalah) as a profession with a separate entity from medicine was recognized by the ninth century. This century not only saw the founding but also an increase in the number of privately owned pharmacy shops in Baghdad and its vicinity, but in other Muslim cities as well. Many of the pharmacists who managed were skilled in the apothecary's art and quite knowledgeable in the compounding, storing, and preserving of drugs. Statesponsored hospitals also had their own dispensaries attached to manufacturing laboratories where syrups, electuaries,
ointments, and other pharmaceutical preparations were prepared on a relatively large scale. The pharmacists and their shops were periodically inspected by government appointed officials. The officials used to check for accuracy of the weights and measures as well as the purity of the drugs used. Such supervision was intended to prevent the use of deteriorating compounded drugs and syrups, and to safeguard the public. This early rise and development of professional pharmacy in Islam (over four centuries before such development took place in Europe) was the result of three major occurrences: the great increase in the demand for drugs and their availability on the market; professional
maturity; and the outgrowth of intellectual responsibility by qualified pharmacists. Also, Al-Razi exhorted practitioners to keep up with advanced knowledge by continually studying medical books and expose themselves to new information. Muslims also imposed a new constitution for doctors that whatever they describe to the patient should be written in a paper called “prescription”. Pharmacists used to import plant origin drugs from India, however, following the separation of medical profession from pharmacy profession, Muslim pharmacists started to manufacture drugs themselves and they found other drugs with therapeutic properties which were not known before,
and they invented a technical way of coating some medicines which were taken orally and thus masking of bitter taste and unpalatable flavor of these drugs. They also prepared the first anesthetic and antidote for poisoning. Al-Razi was the first in Islam to write a book based on home medical (remedial) advisor entitled “Man la Yahduruhu Teb” for the general public. This book, of course, is of special interest to the history of pharmacy since books on the same theme continued to appear and has found acceptance by readers to the present century. Al-Razi described diets and drugs that can be found practically every where in apothecary shops and the market place. Thus, a person could follow its instructions and prepare the right recip es for good results. Some of the illnesses treated were headaches, c o l d s , coughing, melancholy, and diseases of the eye, e a r, a n d stomach. In a feverish headache, for example, he p re s c r i b e d , 'two parts of the duhn (oily ex t ra c t ) o f rose, to be mixed with p a r t o f vinegar, in which a piece of linen cloth is dipped and compressed on the forehead'. For an eye remedy, he recommended myrrh, saffron, and frankincense, two drams each to be mixed with one dram of yellow arsenic and made into tablets. When used each tablet was to be dissolved in a sufficient quantity of coriander water and used as eye drops. Finally, Islam played a major role in the development of professional pharmacy as a separate entity from Medicine. And Muslims further developed it by the int ro d u c t io n o f p h a r m a co p eia s , prescriptions, drug laws, remedial, testing of drugs on animals, chemotherapy, Industrial pharmacy, quality control and new drugs such as anesthetic.
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Having problems studying?? Get some tips… Murtaza J. Mukhtar
Lamis A. Mohamed
It has been my personal experience of having students complaining several times saying, “I have problems studying and concentrating and sometimes I don’t feel like studying? What do I do?” a
Here are some tips. a
1. Study in Short, Frequent Sessions. Studying for hours and hours doesn’t only cause boredom but also creates fatigue, stress, and distraction. You cannot learn if you are stressed and distracted. BUT when you have short frequent sessions, you have the rest periods in which your brain assimilates your efforts. It is a powerful tool which many people do not acknowledge. a
2. Review the Same Day. When learning something new, try to go over the points the same day. If you wait a few days and then make efforts to review the material, it will seem much less familiar. However, a quick review later in the day will tend to cement the information into your brain so that in the next class you will recognize it and will seem easy. Three R's of studying: a) Read many times b) Recite in your own words c) Review often. a
3. Take Guilt-Free Days of Rest. The reason for resting is to refresh oneself. However, if you feel guilty (“I really should be studying”) then you lose your precious rest period creating more stress and the brain won’t absorb new data. On days off from studying, really enjoy yourself and do not feel bad about not studying. a
4. Honor Your Emotional State. Don’t study if you are tired or distracted. When the brain is relaxed, it is like a sponge, it absorbs data without effort, but if you are emotionally stressed, your brain literally repels data. Forcing yourself to study when your mind is on other things is a complete waste of time. a
5. Create a Studying Routine and set reasonable goals. If you schedule certain times of the day to study, you will get into a routine and accomplish more. If you just “fit it in” during your day, chances are that, there will never be any time. An effective way to do this is to literally mark it down, for example Sunday 3.00-5.00 P.M. “STUDYING”. And set your goals that are manageable, even if they seem too simple, you get in the habit of accomplishing them and gradually you can set higher goals (long-term goals). Focus on your day-day activity and this will lead you to your long term goals. a
6. Avoid the Frustration Enemy. There are mainly two types of persons, “Type A” they always think they aren’t going fast enough! In contrast, the “Type B,” less intense person who learns slower yet is more self-accepting, ends up ultimately learning the material in a shorter period of time. This is because he/she doesn’t waste energy blocking, getting upset, and thinking that they’re not good enough, they simply keep moving forward at a slower but “un-blocked pace,” and this leads them to success. a
Remember you will always face challenges and difficulties where you have to prove yourself and as Albert Einstein quotes, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”
On my first day of college, waking up was NOT a big deal. It was the starting of a new chapter and was a new beginning. Thoughts came and went. “Did I make a mistake? Is this what I want to do? Did I make a wrong decision? " For me pharmacy was not my dream.... not even my farthest choice, yet I knew it was not suppose to be easy. However, when the doctor started talking in my first lecture, it didn’t catch my attention yet he said those few sacred words that immediately made me realize that Pharmacy was for me! He started talking about his personal experience with pharmacy and some of his funniest stories, and then it hit me. When you think about it pharmacy is not just selling some drugs or even making one. It is the joy of doing something important in your life, something that has a meaning and can make a difference. Just the fact that I would know things no one else would ever get to know and when the patients come to you for advice that would be more than enough for me. At that exact moment I was 100% sure of my decision. After that I didn’t want to be a pharmacist any more, I wanted to be a professor of pharmacy, achieve more, do more. So just think big and think outside the box. That is how great scientists got what they wanted and you never know maybe you are one of them.
And never accept defeat as, “No defeat is final unless you stop trying”
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Laughter Therapy!
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From Left to Right
Wasiq Ali Khan (External Affairs Manager), Murtaza J. Mukhtar (Assistant Editor), Rana Farrukh Tufail (Chief Editor), Ahmed A. M. Gaili (P.R.O./Translator) Nasser Alorfi ( President AUSTRx Committee)
Acknowledgements The AUSTRx administration would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following people for their continuous support and behind the scenes activity. H.E. The president of A.U.S.T.N Dr. Saeed Salman for his futuristic Vision which led to the conception of the journal through his innovative student activities program. Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Omer Attef for his endless support and motivation & Guidance. Dr. Nihal Abdalla for her feedback on a day to day basis. Ms. Hafsa Tayyab Mustafa for her behind the scenes assistance in the collection & editing of articles from the females section. Student Activities Supervisor, Dr. Yasser El-Shabrawi, for representing the AUSTRx Team during meetings with the faculty Administration. Mr. Wasiq Ali Khan for all his external affairs management including co-ordination between the Designer and Print House. To Send feedback, Comments, Suggestions & to contribute with ideas & articles, contact the AUSTRx team at : austrx@hotmail.com Type “AUSTRx� in your search box.
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