Termiticide activities of wood extractives of Ziziphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae) against subterranean termites under field conditions

Abstract Synthetic wood preservatives are the causes of large-scale environmental pollution and few have been withdrawn from the commercial markets in the past years. The present studies focused on determination of naturally present extractives of Ziziphus mauritiana as less toxic wood protectant against subterranean termites. Firstly, natural resistance of Z. mauritiana heartwood against termite was determined by exposing stakes in the field. For the preparation of extractives, air-dried Z. mauritiana heartwood and bark shavings were soaked in 1 liter each of ethyl acetate, hexane, petroleum ether and water in a bottle separately. Different dipping treatment times (36 and 72 hours) at 10, 20 and 30% concentrations of extractives on Populus deltoides wooden stakes were used and stakes were exposed to termites in submerged manner. Combination of extractives in different solvents were included as separate experiment and finally, seasoning prior to extractives application on P. deltoides wooden stakes was also done and stakes were arranged in three replications for each treatment. Maximum mean percent weight loss (81.1%) was observed in case of P. deltoides followed by boiled Z. mauritiana (15.24%) in termite resistance test. Stakes treated with petroleum ether extracts had minimum weight loss alone or in combination with other extract's solvent in all experiments. Extractives in other solvents followed petroleum ether non-significantly but were significantly different from their respective control treatment, which had the highest weight loss (>60%). Transferring durability using extracts of Z. mauritiana increased resistance of non-durable P. deltoides against termites and extractives could be used as wood preservatives.

Management of house fly, Musca domestica L. (Muscidae: Diptera), through botanical baits

ABSTRACT The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a major pest of all aspects of life, like the domestic, medical and veterinary and causal agent of several pathogenic diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of different insecticide-free baits against house fly by incorporating flower methanol extract of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Tegetes erecta (marigold) at 10%, 20% and 30% bait formulation of corn syrup, dried milk and water. However, imidacloprid and thiacloprid (each at 5% concentration) were also included in the study for comparison. Results showed that insecticide baits were superior in causing mortality of adult house fly but dependent upon syrup. Overall, 20% baits of both extracts caused more than half population death of house fly within 48h. On the other hand, the mortality rate by 30% baits (from sunflower and marigold) had a similar impact as observed in case of imidacloprid and thiacloprid baits. Therefore, biological baits could play a more active and safer role in the management of house fly as compared to synthetic insecticides.

Comparison between primary closure and open technique for the surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus

Objective: to compare the two different surgical techniques for the treatment of pilonidal sinus primary closure and open technique in respect of hospital stay, duration of healing time and rate of recurrence

Material and Methods: this prospective randomized study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Fatima Memorial Hospital, and Lahore from January 2003 to December 2008. A total number of 42 cases of chronic pilonidal sinus, all belonging to Pakistani nationality were identified and divided in two groups randomly. Patients in Group A were treated by excision and primary mid line closure of the defect while in Group B the wounds were left open. After excision to be healed by granulation. Four patients were lost at follow up. The remaining 38 cases, 32 males and 6 females, were finally analyzed. Mean follow up period was 2.5 years

Results: the mean hospital stay was 5.5 days in group A while 8.2 in groups B [p=0:025and. The mean healing time was much shorter in group A than group B which is statistically significant [p=0.001and. Complications in both groups were comparable

Conclusion: excision with primary closure of the defect has less morbidity and is a cost effective way of treating chronic pilonidal sinus

Prevalence of Hepatitis 'B' and 'C' in orthopaedics patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad

Hepatitis B and C is a common global health problem and is spreading rapidly in developing countries due to lack of health education, poverty and illiteracy. Both of these infections can be transmitted through blood or body fluids, tattooing, through infected instruments, unsafe shave by barbers and sexual contact. Medical personnel are most exposed to these infections. There should be proper preventive measures to prevent its spread in the community. This is a descriptive study carried out from July 2003 to July 2004 on 1630 patients admitted in the department of Orthopaedics Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Patients of either sex, of all ages undergoing surgery were included in the study. All patients underwent screening for Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C and confirmed by Elisa method in positive patients. Out of 1630 patients 1205 [73.92%] were male and 425 [26.07%] were female. Hepatitis B and C was present in 84 [5.15%] patients. Out of 84 infected patients 51 [3.12%] were suffering from hepatitis C and 33 [2.02%] were suffering from hepatitis B. In 2 [0.12%] patients both hepatitis B and C infections were present. Out of 51 hepatitis C patients, 33 [64.71%] were male and 18 [35.29%] were female. Out of 33 hepatitis B patients, 28 [84.85%] were male and 5 [15.15%] were female patients. Among the predisposing factors previous history of surgery was positive in 18 [21.43%] patients, history of blood transfusion in 13 [15.47%] patients, dental procedure was in 7 [8.33%] patients, and abroad visit in 4 [4.76%] patients. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C in orthopaedic patients is quite high with the common risk factors: previous history of surgery or blood transfusion. Therefore, all patients which need surgery should be routinely screened for hepatitis B and C to prevent transmission to other patients, medical staff. There should be separate operation theatres facilities for these patients. There should be policy by the Government for protection of medical personnel who are exposed to these patients and there should be compensation for those who get infected with these infections during their service otherwise the medical personnel especially surgeons will hesitate doing surgeries on hepatitis B and C infected patients