Effect of yogic intervention on the autonomic nervous system in the patients with coronary artery disease:a randomized controlled trial

In this study 258 patients from the Department of Cardiology in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow were selected to participate. All had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, the yoga group and the non-yoga group, 129 in each group; 208 completed the study protocol. The yogic intervention consisted of 35-40 min/day, 5 days a week over a period of 18 months in the Department of Physiology. Autonomic function testing was done in both the groups at zero time and after 18 months. We observed a statistically significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate [P < 0.05], i.e. a significant positive effect was observed when yoga therapy was used as an adjunct in patients with coronary artery disease

Chromosomal abnormalities as a cause of recurrent abortions: a hospital experience

To analyze the chromosomal abnormalities in couples with history of recurrent abortions. Retrospective study. Cytogenetic section, Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Three hundred couples with history of recurrent abortions. Structural chromosomal abnormalities in carrier couples. G-banded chromosomes were analyzed from both partners of 300 couples who had had two or more spontaneous abortions. Sixteen [5.3%] couples showed a chromosomal aberration in one of the partners. Seven translocations, 5 inversions, 2 deletions and 2 sex chromosomal abnormalities were identified. There was an increase in structural aberations, which was not significantly different from that reported worldwide. Chromosomal analysis is advocated as a primary tool in the evaluation of couples with repetitive fetal wastage

Antenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia in pregnancy

To evaluote fetal status for B. Thalassemia. During 1994-99, one hundred and twenty women with B thalassemia minor underwent Chorion Villus Biopsy in early pregnancy to determine the fetal status. Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Seventeen pregnancies were found to have B. Thalassemia major, 86 embryos had B. Thalassemia minor and seventeen were Thalassemia free. All the couples were given genetic counselling to make decision regarding management of the current pregnancy affected by B. Thalassemia. During initial phase of this study the undesirable side effects of the trans vaginal procedure in 2 cases were excessive vaginal bleeding and abortion. The sample was obtained after two attempts in these cases

Induction of labor as a planned program

Induction of labor near term in selected cases to procure a vaginal delivery of a selected time. The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 1995 - 1996. Labor induced after ripening of the cervix with Folly's catheter, Prostine vaginal Pessary. Labor pains initiated with Prostaglandins, ARM syntocinon infusion or both. Vaginal/abdominal delivery with due safety to mother and child. Vaginal deliveries obtained in 89.2% cases, 10.8% cesarean section rate, no maternal or fetal mortality

Seroprevalence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii, with particular reference to obstetric history of patients in Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Pakistan

Six hundred and forty blood samples were obtained from Rawalpindi-Islamabad to determine the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using indirect immunofluorescent antibody [IFA] test. Two hundred and forty samples were from suspected cases of Toxoplasmosis. Forty [17%] cases were positive for IgG antibody. Seven [3%] of these cases showed antibody titre greater than 1:320. Of 65 children tested, 8 [12.30%] were positive. Four [6%] children had a rising titre from 1:160 to 1:1025. Prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was correlated to mode of living, maternal obstetric history, their animal contact and age of the children

Observations on prevalence of malaria in primary school children of Mardan division

A survey of malaria was conducted in 1990 for the prevalence of malaria in primary school children of Mardan Division [N.W.F.P.]. The overall incidence was 18.21% while benign tertian malaria was 14.63%, malignant tertian 2.66% and mixed infection 0.92%. The study of haemoglobin showed deficiency of Hb in infected children as compared to non-infected ones

survey of malarial parasites in Islamabad

Two villages in the periphery of the City of Islamabad were screened for malaria cases during the post-monsoon and spring malaria transmission seasons. The parasite prevalence rate was found to be 3.08%, 2.69%, 2.03% and 1.11% during the months of September, 1988, October, 1988, March 1989, and April, 1989, respectively. Considering the prevalence rates of malarial parasites and the vector species in the area under study, control measures have been suggested

trial of Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 for mosquito control

Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 was tried to see its efficacy as a larvicide. It showed good initial toxicity but no residual effect. After 36 to 48 hours it did not kill the larvae and is therefore not recommended as a larvicide against mosquitoes for a country like ours unless further research is conducted to create a monomolecular layer on water surface for retaining the bacilli on the surface or else if some new strain is developed which has got longer residual effect

Bacillus sphaericus as mosquito larvicide

In Noorpur Shahan, a village in the outskirts of Islamabad, Bacillus sphaericus was tested to determine its efficacy against mosquito larvae. Since the creation of this new Islamabad district no mosquito control measure has been taken in the area and like so many other places in and around Islamabad, mosquito density is unusually high in this village. The efficacy of Bacillus sphaericus was studied up to seven weeks after its application and it gave good larval control

Anopheline species of Islamabad/Rawalpindi area

Surveys were conducted during June 1986 to May, 1987 to determine the prevalent species of anopheline vectors in Islamabad/Rawalpindi area and its vicinities. Anopheles culicifacies Giles, An. fluviatilis James, An. sergenti An Stephensi liston, An. subpictus Grassi, An. gigas, An. superpictus Grassi, An. annularis Van der Wulp,An. nigerrimus Giles, An. pulcherrimus Theobald, An. maculatus Theobald An. lindesayi giles, An. splendidas Koidzumi, An lumesi Theobald and An. barbirostris were recorded from the study area

Density of Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles fluviatilis in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and it's vicinities

Surveys were conducted during October 1986 to September 1987 for determining the prevalent anopheline densities in Islamabad Rawalpindi and the adjacent areas. It was observed that An. Culicifacies dominated from the third week of July onwards till beginning of December where as An. Fluviatilis dominated from March onwards till second week of July. Other species were found less in number

Application of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in the study of cattle bloodmeal of anopheline mosquitoes

2538 anophelines of different species were tested for their bloodmeal source and it appeared that 53.74 percent of all different anopheline species tested had bovine bloodmeal. The studies are important particularly in source reduction approaches in planning an integrated malaria control program

Fleas as ectoparasites of domestic rats in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and its vicinities

Six species of domestic rat fleas have been described from Islamabad/Rawalpindi and its vicinities. The studies include two different families of Siphonaptera. So far no work has been done on this aspect in the area under study

survey of malarial parasite and anopheline mosquitoes in Rawalpindi-Islamabad area

Four thousand persons were surveyed for malarial parasite in 10 localities around Rawalpindi-Islamabad during September-November, 1982. A parasite rate of 0.35% [Rawalpindi = 0.3%, Islamabad = 0.4%] was observed. Seven species of anopheline mosquitoes were identified from this area. Population of female mosquitoes was more in cattle sheds than human dwellings. Some control measures for malarial parasites have also been discussed

Incidence of intestinal protozoan parasites of man in twin cities of Rawalpindi Islamabad

A total of 8850 stool samples [Rawalpindi = 5360 and Islamabad = 3490] from seven hospitals of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad were examined for intestinal prtotozoa during September 1980 to September 1981 and the following protozoan parasites were recorded: Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli, iodamoeba buetschlli, Giardia lamblia, and Pentarichomonas hominis. Of the total patients examined 41.88% from Rawalpindi and 42.14% from Islamabad carried intestinal protozoan infection. In both the cities E. histolytica and G. lamblia had an almost similar incidence while E. coli, I. Buetschlii, and P. hominis showed a very low percentage of infection. It was noted that such factors as heavy faecal pollution of the premises, unsanitary faecal disposal, unhygienic water supply, and poor personal cleanliness facilitate transmission of these parasites