Antioxidant and hepatorprotective activity of cordia macleodii leaves

This Investigation was undertaken to evaluate ethanolic extract of C.macleodii leaves for possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by four established, in vitro methods viz. 1,1-diphenyl-2picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging method, nitric oxide [NO] radical scavenging method, iron chelation method and reducing power method. The extract demonstrated a significant dose dependent antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid. The extract was also evaluated for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] induced liver damage model in rats. CCl[4] produced a significant increase in levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT], serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [GOT], Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP] and total bilirubin. Pretreatment of the rats with ethanolic extract of c. macleodii [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg po] inhibited the increase in levels of GPT, GOT, ALP and Total bilirubin and the inhibition was comparable with Silymarin [100mg/kg po]. The present study revealed that C. macleodii leaves have significant radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activities

Amalgam repair: efficacy of spherical-particle amaljcam as repair material

Repair of faulty or broken amalgam restorations is a routine procedure carded out in dental practices. Various factors affect the bond strength of repaired restorations. One of such factors is the type of amalgam alloy used to repair the restoration. This study was conducted to determine which type of alloy produces highest bond-strength. One hundred twenty samples were prepared from conventional, admixed and lathe-cut amalgams [40 samples from each type]. Equal number of these samples was repaired with spherical-particle amalgam, conventional amalgam, admixed amalgam and lathe-cut amalgam using amalgambond [a 4-META dentine adhesive] as a bonding material. Tensile bond-strength of the samples was tested on electro-mechanical testing machine at cross head speed of 10 mm per minute at Pakistan Ordnance factory, Wah Cantonment. To determine the significance of the findings, Anova [one-way] was applied. revealed that spherical amalgam produces highest bond-strength. The p- values <0.05 were cons4dered significant. The samples repaired with spherical amalgam [p-value p<0.0001] show highly significant bond strength

Behavioral effects of l-[m-chlorophenyl] piperazine [m-CPP] in a rat model of tardive dyskinesia

The present study was designed to monitor the responsiveness of 5-hydroxy tryptamine [5-HT]-2C receptor in rats treated with haloperidol exhibiting tardive dyskinesia [TD]. Results show that haloperidol injected at a dose of 1 mg/kg twice a day for two weeks elicited vacuous chewing movements [VCMs]. Which increased in a time dependent manner following the drug administration for 3-5 weeks. The behavioral effects of 1-[m-chlorophenyl]piperazine [m-CPP] a 5-HT-2C and 5-HT-1B agonist were monitored 2 days after 5 weeks of saline or haloperidol administration. The results show that hypophagic as well as anxiogenic-like effects of m-CPP are greater in repeated haloperidol than repeated saline injected animals, while hypolocomotive effects of m-CPP are not different in repeated saline and haloperidol injected animals. Results are discussed in the context of role of 5-HT-2C receptors in the regulation of the activity of dopaminergic neuron and its possible impact on elicitation of TD

Colopleural fistula: Case report and review of the literature

We report a 28-year-old woman, pregnant, at 24 weeks, with 3-day history of right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. Few hours after admission, she delivered a dead baby. She had a history of right partial hepatic lobotomy and cholecystectomy at UK on May 2004 because of multiple pyogenic liver abscesses. Chest examination revealed signs of hydrothorax on the right side. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusion on the right side. Pleural fluid was exudative with high neutrophils. Gram stain and culture showed multiple organisms. CT scan chest and abdomen with contrast, combined with barium enema, revealed right colothorax communication. Colothorax fistula was closed surgically. On the following days, the patient's symptoms resolved, and she was consequently discharged

Dose related effects of Buspirone on serum electrolyte balance, plasma osmolality and systolic blood pressure [SBP] in rats

Buspirone is a potent anxiolytic that decreases serotonin transmission. Changes in electrolyte balance, plasma osmolality and systolic blood pressure are often associated with stress-induced anxiety in rats as well as in human but effects of buspirone on changes in serum electrolytes balance, plasma osmolality and SBP of rats has not been reported. Present study concerns the effects of different doses of buspirone [0.25, 0.5, and 1mg/kg] on serum electrolyte, plasma osmolality and systolic blood pressure [SBP] of rats. Anxiolysis related variable are also monitored. Results show that the administration of buspirone [0.25mg/kg and 0.5mg/kg] significantly increased the serum concentration of electrolytes and plasma osmolality but decreased the serum level of magnesium. These doses also reduced the systolic blood pressure [SBP]. A dose of 1mg/kg buspirone produced no effect on the concentration of serum electrolytes, and plasma osmolality. Anxiolytic effects of the drug were dose dependent but 1mg/kg dose decreased the effect. The results are discussed in the context of serotonin receptors [5-HT[1A] to be involved in buspirone-induced changes of electrolytes, SBP and plasma osmolality

Intraerythrocyte and serum electrolytes in diabetic patients with hypertension

To determine the serum and intraerythrocyte concentrations of vasoactive ions in patients of diabetes mellitus of either gender with hypertension. Cross-sectional study. The Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, from May-June 2002. Patients and The study was conducted on 48 volunteers. Out of 48, 24[12 men and 12 women] were hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus. Remaining [12 men and 12 women] were normal healthy subjects. Biochemical estimations were done by flame photometry and spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls test. A decrease in serum concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride and intraerythrocyte potassium and an increase in the levels of glucose, haematocrit and intraerythrocyte sodium was observed in both male and female patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. No significant changes were observed in serum potassium levels. The results suggest that dysregulations of electrolyte balance caused by hyperinsulinemia or altered glucose metabolism may lead to hypertension

Effect of restraint street on serum electrolytes; in rats

Aim of this study was to determine the effect of immobilization stress on serum electrolytes [sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium] in rats. Male albino wistar rats were used in experiment. Test animals were restrained by immobilizing for two hours on wire grids. Control animals were kept unrestrained in home cages. Rats were killed after the termination of restraint period. Blood was collected and serum separated for the analysis of electrolytes. Serum sodium, potassium and calcium were analyzed by flame photometer. Magnesium content was determined by spectrophotometer. Result shows a significant decreased [P = 0.001] in sodium, potassium, and calcium but increased [P = 0.001] in magnesium serum level. It is concluded that stress induced decrease in sodium, potassium and calcium and increase in serum magnesium level may contribute to stress induce hypertension

Computer aided conformational analysis of sulfonated azo dyes diammonium orange G [C 16H10N2O7S2] [NH4]. 4H2O

The present work describes the conformational analysis of diamomonium orange G [C16H10N2O7S2[NH4]. 4H2O] by using kitaigorodsky function. The minimum potential energy was found to be -0.0099839 at fc1=16o and fc 2=360o

Computer aided conformational analysis of 2'-Deoxy-3'-5'-Di-O-Acetyl Adenosine

Conformational analysis of 2'-Deoxy-3'-5'-di-0- acetyl adenosine has been carried out on the basis of potential energy calculations. The allowed regions found to be from omega = 0 [degree] to 40 [degree] and omega = 160 [degree] to 360 [degree]. It is suggested that in these regions, the molecule has maximum activity

Comparison of polymerase chain reaction, culture and serology testing for detection of Bordetella pertussis in children

The aim of this study was to perform a PCR technique on naso- pharyngeal swabs to detect BP in 59 children suffering from protracted cough lasting for at least two weeks and to compare the performance of three different techniques for diagnosis of BP; PCR, culture on Bordet Gengou agar and serological assays of IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies to FHA by enzyme immunoassay test. Three patients out of 59 [5.1%] were positive for B. pertussis by both PCR and culture methods. Eleven cases were positive for IgA antibodies compared to seven cases positive for IgA and only one by IgM. Serum IgA and IgG antibodies results showed highly significant correlation with results of culture and PCR, but no significant difference was found with IgM results. In conclusion, PCR was found to be an accurate and rapid method for detection of B. pertussis compared to culture method. The results of IgA and IgG antibody tests showed highly significant correlation to culture and PCR results

Conformational Analysis of 2- [4- [5-Bromo-3-Methyl Pyridyl] Butyamino] -4-Pyrimidone

Potential energy of 2-[4-[5-Bromo-3-Methyl pyridyl] butylamino]-4-pyrimidone was calculated. This calculation suggests that most stable conformation existed at W1=220°, W2=220° and the minimum potential energy was -0.00807 kcal/mole

audit of laparoscopic cholecysstectomies performed at PNS Shifa

Open cholecystectomy used to be the gold standard for more than 100 years, now this has been taken over by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The operation has proved its worth because of little post operative pain, minimal scar, reduced hospital stay [1-2 days] and convalescence 1 to 2 weeks as compared to open cholecystectomy. The only problem seems to be the proper training of surgeons for safety of the patient to avoid common bile duct [CBD] and other injuries

Skeletal age determination in young children of Nawabshah

Skeletal age was determined in 323 normal children [172 males and 151 females] aged 1-8 years. The male children matured similar to Greulich - Pyle standards during first year and showed retardation after this age. The female children matured equal to Greulich -Pyle standards upto two years, after that period they showed retardation. The retardation was found generally in all the bones, but it was particularly more in carpal bones of both the sexes. This might be due to malnutrition, ill health or some other environmental factors, for which a longitudinal study is suggested

Profile and risk factors for congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is an important cause of infant mortality and disability. The frequency, spectrum and contributory risk factors for significant cardiovascular malformations among live-births was retrospectively evaluated at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Of a total of 8331 live births between July, 1987 and December, 1992 34 babies were diagnosed to have congenital heart disease in the neonatal period giving a prevalence of 4 per 1000 live births. Ventricular septal defects was the most common [n = 10, 29%] abnormality. Eight cases had associated chromosomal abnormality, the most common being Trisomy 21. Maternal abortions, still-births, consanguinity and diabetes mellitus were not found to be significant risk factors for congenital heart disease in this survey

Injected monosodium glutamate increases holotryptophan pyrrolase activity and plasma corticosterone levels more in male than female rats

Monosodium glutamate [MSG] injected intra - peritoneally at doses 4 g/kg increased holotryptophan pyrrolase activity significantly by 61.6% in male rats. The increases were smaller [24%] and non- significant in females. Apotryptophan was decreased by 61% and comparably in the two sexes. Cumulative effect on total enzyme activity was a reduction of 37.5% in female rats. A decrease of 20.6% in male rats was not significant. Plasma levels of corticosterone were increased significantly in male but not in female rats. The sex differences are explained in terms of female hormones being effected by MSG administration and higher circulating MSG - induced corticosterone levels being involved in the enhancement of holotryptophan pyrrolase activity in male rats. Plasma total tryptophan levels were increased due to an inhibition of total tryptophan pyrrolase activity in female but not in male. Plasma free tryptophan concentrations were decreased in both sexes

Alterations in serum electrolytes after indomethacin administration: a sex related study

Rabbits of both sexes were injected with indomethacin 10 mg/kg. One hour after injections blood was analzed for serum electrolytes and osmolality. Administration of indomethacin caused increase in serum sodium [p<0.01], potassium [p<0.01], calcium [p<0.05], phosphorous [p<0.01]. chloride [p<0.01] and glucose [p<0.01] in both sexes. Two way ANOVA showed a significant treatment effect on sodium [p<0.01], potassium [p<0.01], calcium [p<0.01], phosphorus [p<0.05] and chloride [p<0.01]. It is concluded that the ingestion of indomethacin can have a major effect on serum electrolytes and osmolality, that may influence the clinical data in patients taking this drug. The present study on the serum electrolytes balance show a possible involvement of greater increase of serum potassium, calcium, phosphorus and chloride concentration in male than in similarly treated female rabbits, because of the slow absorption capacity of this drug in females

Intussusception recognition of the various features by barium studies and ultrasound imaging

In adults, intussusception is rather uncommon. However, it represents the most common abdominal emergency in childhood. Despite its prevalence, there is still considerable variability in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this entity. Herein, current data is summarized, controversial issues are addressed and approach is outlined to the diagnosis, using both the contrast material enema and ultrasonographic examination