case of urticaria pigmentosa

Urticaria pigmentosa is the most common variant of cutaneous mastocytosis. A three and a half-month-old female child presented with generalized eruption of multiple brownish macular and papular lesions on the trunk, limbs, face and neck of two months duration. On stroking the individual lesion, there was formation of wheal and erythema [Darier's sign positive]. Histopathological examination of lesional skin and staining with Giemsa stain and hematoxylin eosin showed infiltration of numerous spindle shaped mast cells in perivascular and periappendageal location in the upper dermis. These findings were suggestive of mastocytosis. There was no systemic involvement. We present a typical case of urticaria pigmentosa

Effect of Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis and nystatin on Candida albicans

Candida albicans is the most frequent etiological agent of oral candidiasis. This study was done to compare the anticandidal effect of Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis to nystatin on Candida albicans. In this laboratory study thirty-two strains of Candida albicans isolated from patients with oral candidiasis. Yeast suspension of Candida yeast cells was provided, subsquntly a serial dilution from Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis and Nystatin in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar [SDA] medium were prepared. Then a loop of Candida suspension was cultured on all of the solid media and was incubated at 25°C. The findings of fungus growing were recorded during 7 days. MIC of Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis L, mix of these essences and Nystatin was 0.390 microl/ml, 12.5 microl/ml, 0.78 microl/ml and 160 IU/ml, respectively. Thymus vulgaris contained antifungal activity against Candida albicans, but Myrtus communis demonstrated a very low activity against Candida albicans

Road traffic crashes in Ramadan: an observational study

The aim of this study was to investigate trends in road traffic crashes [RTCs] managed by an emergency service, Rescue 1122, in 2011 in Punjab, Pakistan. RTC data were collected from 35 districts of Punjab and reviewed retrospectively. Data analysis revealed that the service responded to 12 969 RTC emergencies during August 2011 [Ramadan], compared with an average of 11 573 RTCs per month from January to August 2011. The younger age group [11-27 years] was victims in 29% of RTCs; 39% were due to speeding and 43% occurred in peak rush hours [14:00-18:00] before iftar [breakfast].Results of the study showed that Rescue 1122 faced more RTCs during Ramadan compared with the preceding months. Road safety is an important public health issue in Pakistan. Although there have been great improvements in roads in the past few years, much work needs to be done to deal with mounting trends in RTCs. Public awareness, political will and stringent law enforcement are key factors

comparative analysis of coverage of AIDS in Pakistani press: a case study of AIDS days

Background: Media is considered one of the most effective tool in creating awareness and has the tendency to change the minds of masses regarding any issue. The present study assessed the role of print media in the coverage of AIDS day in Pakistan. Methods: A coverage of the concerned day and disease from 2003 to 2009 was estimated. The universe of study comprise of news items in five prominent dailies of Pakistan. The method of content analysis was used for the analysis and comparison. Results: Out of all the studied dailies, Jang published 16 news [11%], Nawa-i-Waqt 15 [11%], Dawn 49 [35%], The Nation 26 [18%], and The News 36 [25%]. All the news published in the Jang and The News were in the positive direction whereas 26 in Dawn, 10 in The Nation, and 23 in The News were in the positive. None of the newspaper published negative news. Conclusion: Despite of the fact that health problems are increasing rapidly yet their coverage is limited. The Urdu press is not playing its due role to aware the masses about AIDS. In Pakistan there are many misconceptions among the public regarding AIDS thus creating awareness is inevitable

[ correlation between clinical signs and genotypes of giardia duodenalis isolated from patients with giardiasis in Kerman City]

Giardiasis is one of the human parasitic diseases caused by a flagellate protozoan named Giardia duodenalis [G.lamblia]. Giardia is one of the most common organisms causing diarrhea in human and also a common gastrointestinal parasite in vertebrates. A total of 352 stool samples were collected from patients infected with giardiasis referred to health centers in Kerman city. Samples were examined by formalin- ether concentration procedure. First, DNA extraction was performed on 30 stool samples containing adequate Giardia cysts and then PCR-RFLP was done on glultamate dehydrogenase [gdh] marker. Clinical signs of patients were recorded in a questionnaire and their relationships with molecular results were analyzed. The highest rate of infection was in the age group of 0-12 years with significant difference with other age groups [P<0.0001]. The most common clinical signs were abdominal pain [71.7%], diarrhea [69%], abdominal cramping [54.1%] and the least common signs were malaise [20.4%] and fever [16.1%]. Of all 30 isolates, 18 samples [60%] were found as genotype All, 5 ones [16.7%] belonged to Al assemblage and 7 samples [23.3%] were BIII assemblage. There was a significant difference between genotyping of Giardia and clinical signs of diarrhea, abdominal signs and nausea [P<0.05]. Higher prevalence of Giardiasis was found in the age group below 12 years, but clinical signs in different age groups and two sexes were identical. Assemblage A showed correlation with mild intermittent diarrhea and assemblage B had correlation with persistent diarrhea

Fetal and maternal out come in eclampsia

To Study the fetal and maternal complication of patient developed eclampsia. Prospective study. Department of Obs. and Gynae Lahore General Hospital Lahore. This Study way conducted from Aug 04 to Aug 05. All the patients presenting with eclampsia to the labor ward were included in study. A total of 3850admission were made in labour word. During Period and out of them 58 Cases were of eclampsia out of them 20 were Primigravida 22 multi gravida and 16 grand multi gravida. Out 58 patients 31 patient developed the complication of eclampsia, 15, IUGR., 6 abruptio Placenta, 4 PPH, 4 Pulmonary edema and 2 Cerebral in Farcts. Among the new born prematurity was found to be major cause of Perinatal mortality. Eclampsia is a dreadful complication of Preeclampsia associated with high perinatal and maternal mortality. An improvement in pre-natal consultation should make it possible to reduce its incidence

Changes in O[2] stauration during inhalational induction of anaesthesia in children - a comparison between halothane and Isoflurane

To study the change in O2 saturation during induction of anaesthesia in children. A comparison between Halothane and Isoflurane. Prospective comparative study. Department of anaesthesia Services Hospital Lahore. This study was conducted in 2004 on 70 children irrespective of sex age range 1-10 year. A total 70 children were studied 35 in each group. The result showed that halothane is a better inhalational induction agent then isoflurane. Halothane is better than isoflurane for inhalational induction in children

comparison of air way maintenance by cuffed oropheryngeal air way [COPA] and laryngeal mask air way [LMA] in spontaneously breathing adult patients

In this study total hundred patients wee included. Fifty [group I] were subjected to COPA device for airway maintenance and in other fifty [group II] LMA was used. In this study first attempt successful insertion rate in group I was 90% while in group II it was 94%. However statistical analysis showed no significant different in both groups. Regarding maneuvers needed to maintain smooth breathing in group I head tilt was used in 2%. It is significantly high in group I than in group II. Laboured breathing was seen in 6% in group I while 2% in group II. There was no significant difference in both groups. According to this study LMA is better in all respect as it is easier to insert and better fit in

Expression of hepatitis B surface antigen in saccharomyces cerevisiae

The genome of HBV virus of serotype ayw cloned in pBR322 and expression shuttle vector pYES2 were used for construction of the HBsAg chimeric genes and their expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two recombinant plasmids were constructed. One of them contained the coding sequences for the major polypeptide of surface antigen. Another construct carried the major polypeptide with the pre-S2 antigenic determinant. These vectors were transferred into the yeast. Only pDF1 which contained the HBsAg gene was expressed. Some peculiar features of recombinant plasmid construction and expression of the HBsAg gene are discussed

double blind placebo controlled study comparing the CNS and antimuscarinic side effect of amitriptyline and maprotiline

A double blind placebo controlled cross over study randomized in a latin square design was conducted at Pharmacology Department of Rawalpindi Medical College on twelve healthy human volunteers of either sex, with ages between 20-25 years and a body weight between 50-60 kg to compare the C.N.S. and antimuscarinic side effects of tricyclic [Amitryptyline] and tetracyclic [Maprotiline] antidepressants Results revealed that amitriptyline causes more sedation than maprotiline. The antimuscarinic effects like dryness of mouth, decrease in salivary volume and impairment of visual accommodation are also more prominent with amitriptyline compared with maprotiline

Comparative study of bioavailabilities of three formulations of cotrimoxazole tablets

Bioavailablities of three brands of Cotrimoxazole tablets, from local and international firms, were studied in eight healthy human volunteers by double blind cross - over design. Bioavailability of Sulphamethoxazole was determined from area under the curve of plasma concentrations versus time, while that of Trimethoprim was determined by measuring the cumulative amount of unchanged drug excreted in urine for 48 hours. We did not find any significant differences in their bioavailabilities and that they should be clinically equally effective

Comparison of absorption and disposition Kinetics of different brands of chloramphenicol capsules

In view of reported differences in bioavailabilities of different formulations of chloramphenicol, absorption and disposition kinetics of four brands of chloramphenicol capsules were compared in rabbits. Concentrations of chloramphenicol were estimated in their blood samples by a spectrophotometric method. It was observed that brand 'A' of chloramphenicol gave significantly higher peak plasma concentration [[c]max] and had a significantly lower rate of clearance [cl] from the body compared with other three b rands [B.C and D] of the drug. There were no statistically significant difference in their absorption rate constant [[k]abs], absorption half life [[t]1/2 abs], elimination rate constant [Ke], plasma half life [[t]1/2], volume of distribution [Vd] and mean residence time of drug in the body [MRT]. However, they do not seem to differ in their clinical efficacies as plasma concentrations remained 4-5 times above the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] for the sensitive organisms for a reasonable period of time, with all the four brands

comparative study of bioavailabilities of different brands of chloramphenicol

Different drug manufacturers claim better quality and bioavailability of the similar dosage from of a drug product. In view of this, the bioavailability of four different brands of chloramphenicol was investigated in ninty six albino rabbits of either sex with an average body weight of 2.5 +/- 0.1 kg. Each brand of chloramphenicol was administered to a group of twenty four rabbits and blood concentrations were estimated using the spectronic-20 spectrophotometer at 430 nm against water blank. The study revealed that the bioavailability of brand 'A' of chloramphenicol was significantly higher compared with brands 'B', 'C' and 'D' which did not differ significantly form each other

Comparison of bio-availability of different brands of chloramphenicol currently on the market

Different drug manufacturers claim better qualities and bioavailability of their products as compared to identical strengths of these very drugs manufactured by their rivals. In view of this confusion, bioavailability of four different brands of chloramphenicol was measured in ninety six albino rabbits. The relative bioavailabilities were determined by measuring area under curve [AUC] of plasma concentrations versus time which were 100%, 85.34%, 76.14% and 83.83% for the brands A, B, C, and D respectively. However, the plasma concentrations remained well above [4-5 times] the minimal inhibitory concentrations [MIC] against sensitive organisms for a reasonable period of time with all the four brands. Therefore, we presume that they should not differ in their clinical efficacies