Efficacy of lodoxamide versus sodium cromoglycate in vernal keratoconj unctivitis

To determine efficacy of lodoxamide as compared to that of sodium cromoglycate when used for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Prospective comparative clinical trial. This study was carried out at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI] in collaboration with Department of Ophthalmology Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] Karachi from April 2010 to October 2010. A total of untreated 80 cases with clinical diagnosis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis [VKC] of 5-29 years of age and of both sexes were included in this study. Patients of other types of allergic conjunctivitis and of VKC already on medication were not included in this study. Follow up visits were carried out at fortnightly intervals for the period of at least three [03] months to rule out comparative efficacy of the two drugs. We studied a total of 80 cases, 56 males [70%] and 24 females [30%] with diagnosis of VKC. All cases were divided in two groups; group A and group B. Group A comprised of 40 patients who used lodoxamide whereas; Group B comprised 40 patients who used sodium cromoglycate. No significant difference in demographic features was found in two groups [p>0.05]. The results showed significant improvement in all symptoms and signs in 60 days of study in group A [lodoxamide] and in group B [sodium cromoglycate] improvement was observed in 90 days of the study [p<0.05]. Improvement in all the symptoms and signs was earlier [within 30 days of study] in group A than in group B

Psyllium husk to increase HDL- Cholesterol; placebo controlled study

To examine the effects of Psyllium husk on HDL-Cholesterol. Single blind placebo controlled study. Study was conducted at department of pharmacology and therapeutics at Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from January 2006 to July 2006. Forty hyperlipidemic patients were included, among which 20 patients were on placebo as control group, and 20 were on Psyllium husk, 3 gram daily, in divided doses for the period of three months. Patients with peptic ulcer, renal disease, hepatic disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and alcoholism were excluded from the study. HDL- Cholesterol was determined by using kit Cat. #303210040 by Eli Tech Diagnostic, France. Data were expressed as the mean +/- SD and [t] test was applied to determine statistical significance as the difference. A probability value of <0.05 was the limit of significance. Two patients were dropped from the study due to low compliance of metallic taste of psyllium husk. Psyllium husk has increased HDL-Cholesterol, in 90 days of treatment, from 34.61 +/- 1.85 to 36.77 +/- 1.96 [mg/dl], which was highly significant statistically when paired [t] test was applied for results. Percentage change was +6.24. It is concluded from this study that Psyllium husk decreases the risk of CHD by increasing HDL-Cholesterol

Effects of mobile phone radiations on brain

Use of mobile phone has increased markedly in recent years. The debate regarding health effects of low intensity electromagnetic field radiation generated from mobile phones has dramatically influenced the lifestyle of all age group populations. Widespread concern continues in the community about the harmful effects of radiofrequency radiations on various human body tissues. Long term use of mobile phone can cause various hazardous effects on the human health including brain. The most frequent health problems due to the use of mobile phone on the brain reported worldwide are headache, dizziness, tension, sleep disturbance, loss of memory and the brain tumor. The aim of this review is to emphasize the different studies concerning the effects of mobile phone on brain. Keeping in view the effects of mobile phone radiation on the brain, it is suggested that long-term and unnecessary use of mobile phone should be avoided

Assessment of homocysteine levels in preeclampsia

Assessment of Homocysteine levels in preeclampsia. A cross-sectional analytical study. Department of Physiology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi in collaboration with Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, JPMC, Karachi from March 2005 to November 2005. Study included 90 subjects distributed into three groups of 30 subjects each. 30 were apparently health subjects. 30 mild pre-eclamptic and 30 severely prerec lamptic. Clinical details were collected. Fasting blood samples were drawn by adopting aseptic methods and serum was analyzed for Homocysteine levels by !Mx Analyzer method. Among 90 screened subjects Homocysteine in 30 normal subjects was 6.61 mmol/L. 30 mild preeclamptic subjects showing 12.65 mmol/L was highly significant as compared to normal. However; 30 severe preeclamptic subjects shows mean Homocysteine level 14.44 mmol/L as compared to normal. The difference in both groups weir statistically highly significant as compared to normal subjects. Concluded that serum homocysteine levels were strongly associated with preeclampsia, which suggests that elevated circulating homocysteine may be involved in pathogenesis of uteroplacental vascular disease associated with preeclampsia, which may he a risk marker in pregnant women

Changes in haemoglobin, red cell count, red cell indices and reticulocyte count in response to daily versus intermittent oral iron supplementation during pregnancy in local population

To assess and compare the relative effectiveness of different oral iron supplementation regimens on hematological parameters in pregnant anemic women. This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute with collaboration of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi. Subjects were pregnant women [n=90] showing clinical anemia [Hb<11g /dl] in their 20-24 weeks of gestation. All selected women were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups at the time of registration [30 in daily, 30 in TW, 30 in WS] 75 out of 90 enrolled women successfully completed 12 weeks trial. Group-I received 60 mg oral iron daily, Group-2 received 60 mg TW and Group-3 received 120mg once weekly. Haemoglobin, red cell count, red cell indices and reticulocyte count were evaluated by routine methods initially at baseline before iron therapy then at four weeks interval for 12 weeks following iron therapy. There was no significant difference existed in the mean haemoglobin level, RBC count, Red cell indices and Reticulocyte count between three treatment groups at the end of 12 weeks therapy. The increase in reticulocyte count showed effective erythropoiesis following iron therapy. The results within the group were compared from baseline to twelve weeks and all the groups were compared with each other. Intermittent iron supplementation is an equally effective mode of treatment of anemia as it has similar effect on hematological status to those of standard daily supplements

Iron status in pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the iron-status in preeclampsia and a possible contributory role of iron in the etiology of preeclampsia. The study subjects were classified into two groups, normal healthy pregnant women as a control and preeclamptic group. The blood was used for estimation of hemoglobin and haematocrit while serum was used to assess the serum iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC] and serum ferritin. Significantly increased levels of iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were found in preeclamptic as compared to control group. The total iron binding capacity [TIBC] and unsaturated iron binding capacity [UIBC] were significantly decreased in preeclamptic group as compared to the control group. It was concluded from this study that increased level of serum iron may be implicated in oxidative stress in preeclampsia but no positive correlation was found between serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity and elevated blood pressure in preeclamptic group