ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the efficacy of lactulose plus rifaximin with efficacy of lactulose alone in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
Study Design: A randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from December 2014 to June 2015
Methodology: All patients who presented with hepatic encephalopathy due to decompensated chronic liver disease were randomly divided into two groups of 65 patients each. One group was given 30 ml thrice daily lactulose alone and the other lactulose plus rifaximin 550 mg twice daily for 10 days. Informed consents were taken from the participants' attendants. Grades II-IV hepatic encephalopathy was noted according to West-Haven Classification. All subjects were followed until 10 days after admission
Results: The mean age of patients was 56.06 +11.2 years, among which 46.9% were females and 53.1% were males. After ten days of follow-up, reversal was seen in 58.46% in lactulose alone group and 67.69% in lactulose plus rifaximin group [Chi-square p=0.276]
Conclusion: There was no difference in effectiveness of lactulose plus rifaximin and lactulose alone in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the lipid profile of the subclinical and clinical hypothyroid patients and to evaluate the correlation between body mass index [BMI] and lipid profile in hypothyroidism
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, and Citi Laboratory, Rawalpindi, from January to December 2013
Methodology: The subjects were selected through non-probability, purposive sampling. On the basis of thyroid profile, the subjects were divided into 3 groups: euthyroids [n=20], subclinical hypothyroids [n=50], and clinical hypothyroids [n=30]. The blood of these subjects was then analyzed for lipid profile. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18 statistical software
Results: Both hypothyroid groups showed altered lipid profile which was observed to be significantly raised when compared with the euthyroid subjects. Comparison of lipid profile in euthyroid, subclinical, and clinical hypothyroid groups showed significant differences by non-parametric tests [p < 0.05]. An assessment of correlation of lipid profile with the BMI was found to be significant [p < 0.01]
Conclusion: Hypothyroidism causes alteration of lipid profile. Clinical and subclinical hypothyroid patients have altered lipid profile as compared to euthyroids. Thyroid status monitoring is very important, since it can induce changes in lipid profile. Such dyslipidemic status is significant not only for the management of thyroid disorders but also for common diseases like obesity and coronary atherosclerosis in the population
ABSTRACT
To compare the frequency domain parameters of heart rate variability in stressed and non stressed subjects. It was a cross sectional study. The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College from June 2014 to December 2014. Eighty subjects between 20-40 years of age were inducted in the study after fulfilling DASS questionnaire and were divided into stress and control group. Ten minutes ECG of the subject was taken using power lab and analyzed for heart rate variability following the guidelines of Task Force of European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology. Frequency domain indices of heart rate variability were compared among stressed and control group usingfastfouriertransform. Psychologically stressed subjects have significantly decreased high frequency in absolute unit and normalized unit [p < 0.05] and increased low frequency in normalized unit and absolute unit [p < 0.05 and .001 respectively] and low to high frequency ratio when compared with controls [p < 0.001]. There was significant negative correlation among LF ms2 and HFms2 [p < 0.001,r = -.423], LF ms2 and HFnu [p< 0.001,r = -386],HF ms2 and LFnu [p < 0.05, r = -.361] and HFms2 and LF/HF [p < 0.05, r = -.553],LF/HF and HFnu [p < .001 r = -.553], LFnu and HFnu [p < 0.05, r = -.237]. There was also statistically significant positive correlation of LF/HF and LFnu [p < .001.r = .824]. Assessment of Heart rate variability is an important measure of autonomic nervous system and effect of psychological stress on autonomic nervous system can be indexed by determining heart rate variability
ABSTRACT
To determine the effect of aqueous extract of walnut leaves on lipid profile i.e. serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol triglycerides, LDL/HDL and atherogenic ratio [Total Cholesterol/HDL] ofhypercholesterolemicrats. Study Design: An experimental randomized control study. The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, with assistance from National Institute of Health, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Citilab, Islamabad, Pakistan. The duration of study was one year from April 2014 to March 2015. A total of 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were included in the study. They were divided into 3 groups i.e. ten rats in each group. Group l [Control group], Group 2 [Hyper-cholesterolemic control], Group 3 [Aqueous group] treated with aqueous extract of walnut leaves after induction of hypercholesterolemia in a dose of [200mg/kg] through gavage needle once daily, for four weeks. Blood sampling was done at the beginning [baseline], end of week 8, and end of week 12 to perform lipid profile, LDL/HDL and atherogenic ratios TC/HDL-cholesterol. Statistical analysis was applied by using SPSS version 17. All data was shown as mean +/- SD and Student t test was applied between groups, p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Hyper-cholesterolemic rats after treatment with aqueous extract [Group 3] had significantly lower levels [p<0.001] of serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides while significantly high [p<0.001] levels of HDL-Cholesterol with significantly reduced [p<0.001]TC/HDL-Ch. Aqueous extract of walnut leaves has hypo-lipidemic effect on serum total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol and triglycerides. It reduces TC/HDL, LDL/HDL ratios whereas it significantly increases the level of HDL-Cholesterol
ABSTRACT
To determine the effects of increased BMI on ICSI outcomes. It was an analytical cross sectional study. Islamabad Clinic Serving Infertile Couples, Islamabad, Pakistan. Duration of the study was one year, from January 2013 to December 2013. Total of 150 females were classified into three groups on the basis of BMI. Those with BMI ranging from 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2 /were placed in normal group [n=50], those with BMI ranging from 25 - 29.9 kg/m2/were placed in overweight group [n=50] and those with BMI ranging more than 30kg/ m2 were placed in obese group [n=50]. Serum levels of FSH, LH, Te, TSH, T3 and T4 were done in all three groups and their effects on oocyte and embryo quality were observed during controlled ovarian stimulation and after ICSI procedure. Obese group had significantly decreased ICSI outcomes due to increased levels of testosterone [p value< 0.05]. Increased BMI leads to decreased ICSI outcomes
ABSTRACT
We report two siblings suffering from Werner's syndrome, which is a rare premature aging disorder caused by genetic mutations. They developed premature aging during adolescence with loss and graying of hair, short stature, baldness, atrophic skin, thin extremities, flat feet, 'bird-like' face and cataracts. Multiple chronic non-healing ulcers were present over the feet in both patients
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to investigate the role of the 5-HT [7] receptors in lordosis and release of LH and compare the lordotic responses with 5-HT [IA] agent. Ovariectomised but oestradiol benzoate [OB] [10 micro g] for 48 h plus by progesterone [0.5 mg]- primed receptive rats were used for the study. Thirty min. prior to progesterone 5-HT [IA] and 5-: HT [7] agonists were administered intra-peritoneally [i.p.]. Lordotic quotient and release of LH were measured. Agonistic effect was then antagonized by respective antagonists. Effects on the above parameters were noted and correlated for possible interplay. 5-HT [7] agonist mimicked inhibitory effect of 8-OH DPAT on lordosis in receptive rats, however, the response was generally attenuated. Treatment by 5-HT [IA] antagonist, WAY 100135 causing a protective effect was evident transiently. Attenuation of lordotic quotient was again evident in rats treated with 5-HT [7] antagonist. 5-HT and the 5-HT [IA/7] receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, injected i.p. into the female rat inhibit the LH release and the effects of both are blocked by 5-HT [IA] antagonist, WAY 100135 and 5-HT [7] antagonist, SB 269970-A as both 5-HT [IA] agonist, 8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT [7] agonist, 5-CT have moderate activity at the 5-HT [7] receptor subtype, indicating the possibility that this subtype might mediate these effects has been investigated. Ovariectomised but steroids primed rats induces an LH surge. [5-CT], a potent but non-selective agonist at 5-HT [7] receptors, like 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT inhibited the LH surge at 2 mg injected i.p. The selective 5-HT [7] receptor antagonist SB-269970-A blocked LH surge when given systemically at both 5-HT [IA] and 5-HT [7] receptor subtypes. These data indicate that 5-HT [7] receptors play a role in the regulation of lordosis and release of LH and there exist a direct correlation between the two
Subject(s)
Female , Animals , Lordosis/metabolism , Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A , Serotonin , Receptors, Serotonin , Gonadotrophs/metabolismABSTRACT
Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection the post-mortem stability of noradrenaline [NA], dopamine [DA], serotonin [5-HT] and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid [5-HIAA] were examined in the rat hypothalamus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, cerebellum and corpus striatum over an 8 hour time period. Changes in concentrations of the different neurotransmitters were less than might be expected. The significant changes were: [a] A fall in NA levels in the cerebral cortex by 4 hours and in the hypothalamus at 8 hours [b] A reduction in DA concentrations in the corpus striatum at 8 hours but a two fold rise of levels in the hypothalamus at 1 and 2 hours. [c] A four-fold increase in 5-HT concentrations in the amygdale throughout the 8 hours studies. The results indicate that for comparative studies on post-mortem brain tissue correction factors should be employed to take into account differential changes in the concentrations of the various neurotransmitters
Subject(s)
Postmortem Changes , Brain , RatsABSTRACT
A study was undertaken to establish sex steroid and gonadotrophic hormonal profiles in peripheral plasma throughout a number of menstrual cycles in a group of Pakistani women. The relationship between plasma steroid and gonadotrophin levels was studied and was compared to those reported in the literature on normally menstruating women in different countries. Subjects studied exhibited a mean cycle length of 29.62 days, mean follicular phase of 13.81 days, mean luteal phase of 15.65 days and registerd a mid-cycle LH surge. The mean LH mid-cycle peak level was 18.06 IU/1; the FSH peak 5.03 IU/1; the preovulatory estradiol peak was 9.03 pmol/1 and the progesterone peak 25.5 nmol/1. The pattern of these hormones in a group of Pakistani women revealed a secretion pattern similar to that reported by other workers, however absolute levels of hormones were relatively low in this study