To measure the synergistic effects of aloe vera and rosiglitazone on blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in stretozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective: To measure the synergistic effects of Aloe vera and Rosiglitazone on blood glucose, insulin and insulin insensitivity in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Study Design: Randomized control trail study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in the Physiology Department from January 2009 to September, 2010 in alliance with National Institute of Health [NIH] Islamabad

Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy rats were made diabetic according to Srinivasan model. After confirming type 2 diabetes in them they were randomly segregated into two equal groups. The groups named diabetic were injected with normal saline and other combined group were given 150mg/kg body weight of Aloe vera extract and 2.5mg/kg body weight of rosiglitazone diabetic group. It was half their effective dose as their effective dose was calculated through pilot study

Results: Plasma glucose, insulin, and TG/HDL ratio were significantly reduced [p<0.0000001] in combined group then diabetic control group

Conclusion: The significant result was obtained in combined group in lowering plasma glucose, insulin and insulin resistance though half their effective doses were used. It will also help in reducing side effects associated with use of rosiglitazone

Trend of blood groups and Rh factor in the district Swabi

Objective: To determine frequency of ABO and Rh [D] blood groups among blood donors in district Swabi

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at BGKMC Hospital in collaboration with physiology Department, GKMC from 1[st] January 2015 to 31[st] December 2015

Materials and Methods: A total of 2120 healthy adult, blood donors [both volunteer and directed] from district Swabi were included. The data was collected from the record of Bacha Khan Group of Teaching hospitals in collaboration with department of Physiology

Results: Among ABO blood groups "B" [31.42%] was the most prevalent, followed by "A" [30.47%], "O" [29.53%] and "AB" [8.58%]. Group Rh positive [93.11%] was more prevalent than Rh negative [6.88%]. Similarly B[+ive] [28.76%] was most frequent followed by A[+ive] [28.41%], O[+ive] [27.64%], AB[+ive] [8.3%], B[-ive] [2.64%], A[- ive][2.08%], O[-ive][ 1.89%] and AB[-ive] [ 0.28%]

Conclusion: Blood group 'B' was most frequent among the ABO blood groups and Rh [D] positive among Rh blood groups while B[+ive] was the most frequent blood group in the study population

Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis of the Lintula score for reduction of negative appendectomies in adults

To evaluate the Lintula score in reducing negative appendectomies in the adult population. Descriptive analytical study. Surgical Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from August 2012 to April 2014. A total of 408 emergency patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the study. True or negative appendectomy status was determined per-operatively. Lintula score was calculated afterwards and evaluated for various cut-off points. Among the study population, 72 [17.6%] had a normal appendix by operative assessment and 336 [82.4%] had an acutely inflammed appendix. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the optimal cut-off point was

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in 100 cases of transhiatal esophagectomy- a single surgical unit experience of Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar

To observe the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of 100 transhiatal esophagectomies operated for esophageal carcinoma in a surgical unit of a tertiary care hospital. Data pertaining to all patients that had undergone transhiatal esophagectomy from Feb, 2012 to Jan, 2014 were reviewed. The study group comprised 100 patients. Indication for surgery was esophageal cancer. Perioperative morbidity and mortality i.e. morbidity and mortality during the first 30 days, were studied. Two patients died during the postoperative period in hospital. The anastomotic leakage rate was zero. No dysphagia was found during one month of postoperative period. Overall survival was 98% for the first 30 days of surgery. Transhiatal esophagectomy has been common stay and a safe rather feasible procedure. Oncological therapy has its role and better results are found in centers where the procedure is frequently performed

Cytomorphology versus conventional microbiological tests in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis

To determine the accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology [FNAC] in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Comparative cross-sectional study. Department of Pathology, Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital [KGNTH], Bannu, from September 2012 to March 2013. FNAC of enlarged lymph nodes was performed in the Department of Pathology, KGNTH, Bannu. Smears of the aspirates were examined under light microscope after staining with Haematoxylin and Eosin [H and E] stains. In cases of chronic lymphadenitis, the smears were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen [ZN] stain for Acid Fast Bacilli [AFB]. If no AFB was visualized, the aspirate was subjected to culture on Lowenstein Jensen [LJ] medium for yield of AFB. The results were analyzed by Microsoft Excel software. Chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis was found in 110 [46.81%] out of 235 cases. AFB were seen in aspirates of 43/110 [39.09%] cases by direct microscopy. Among the remaining 67 aspirates subjected to LJ medium, only 07 [10.45%] yielded growth of AFB. Smears of 4/15 [3.6%], 13/47 [11.7%] and 33/48 [29.7%] cases with haemorrhagic, inflammatory and caseous background respectively, were confirmed by conventional microbiologic tests. Out of 125 nongranulomatous lymphadenitis cases only 05 were confirmed to be due to tuberculosis by direct microscopy while culture was not positive in any case. Thus accuracy of FNAC was 72.34%.FNAC has a good accuracy in diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenopathy

Frequency of cardiovascular disease risk factors among doctors

To find out frequency of risk factors for cardiovascular disease amongst doctors. This was a cross-sectional study involving doctors [working at Lady Reading Hospital] recruited in Peshawar Heart Study [PHS]. All participants were interviewed in detail including present and past medical history, family history, smoking, drug and dietary history. Pulse, blood pressure, body mass index [BMI] and waist/hip ratio were measured. Random blood sugar and total cholesterol was checked. A supine resting ECG was recorded. Data was analyzed for frequency of cardiovascular risk factors using SPSS Version 16. A total of 208 doctors were interviewed. Mean age was 30.33 +/- 7.0 years. Mean BMI was 24.69 +/- 4.73.Mean waist size was 84.68 +/- 10.571cm. Mean waist/hip ratio was 0.86 +/- 0.068. Mean systolic BP was 121.82 +/- 13.70 mm Hg while mean diastolic BP was 78.89 +/- 09.36 mm Hg. Mean random blood cholesterol was 163.97 +/- 27.93 mg / dl. Mean random blood sugar was 95.79 +/- 24.57 mg /dl. Most [98.55%] of doctors had random blood sugar of less than 180 mg /dl. The big majority of the doctors was not performing any regular exercise [n=157, 75.5%]. Mean duty hours per day were 8.98 +/- 2.073.Active smokers were 39 [18.8%], while 9 [4.3%] were using Naswar. None of the doctors enrolled in study was drinking alcohol. Among modifiable risk factors hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension were less frequent amongst doctors while physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy eating, and smoking were relatively more frequent

prevalence of stress and associated factors in dentists working at Islamic international dental college hospital, Islamabad

While a number of studies have been conducted to investigate and understand stress in different professions, there are only a few studies which address stress in the dental profession. Such studies are even rarer in Pakistan. This study was conducted to investigate the extent of the stress and its causative factors among the dentists working at Islamic International Dental College Hospital, Islamabad. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 85 dentists using a self administered questionnaire was carried out. With a 58.82% response rate, the study showed that 76% dentists were not stressed, while 12% experienced mild, 10% moderate and 2% extremely severe stress, with the main factors being work related or time-management issues

Trends of lipid abnormalities in Pakistani type-2 diabetes mellitus patients: a tertiary care centre data

To ascertain trends of lipid abnormalities in Pakistani Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Fasting lipid profiles of 328 outpatient adult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting the Aga Khan University Hospital, from January 2005 to January 2006 were prospectively reviewed and abstracted on a pre-specified proforma. Demographic features, different patterns of dyslipidemia in accordance with specified risk categories, and the proportion of patients with none, one, two, or three lipid values outside clinical targets were noted. The influence of sex on dyslipidemia pattern was also assessed. Our patients had higher average HbA1c levels and higher total cholesterol, LDL and lower HDL levels. The triglycerides levels in our female patients were higher. The percentage of our patients with a high-, borderline-, or low-risk LDL cholesterol were 54, 29, and 16%, respectively [P = 0.51]. On a percentage basis, 73% were in the high-risk HDL cholesterol group, 18% were in the borderline-risk group and 9% in the low-risk group, respectively [P< 0.0001]. Regarding triglyceride concentrations, 16% had high-risk triglyceride levels, 34% were in the borderline-risk category, whereas 50% had a low-risk triglyceride levels [P< 0.0001]. Patient proportion with None, One, Two, or Three Values outside clinical targets on percentage basis were 2, 16, 48, and 34%, respectively [P< 0.0001]. Women were found to have greater odds of having LDL cholesterol above the target level i.e. >100mg/dl. Combination of high LDL and a low HDL cholesterol level was the commonest pattern of dyslipidemia found. Second was unfavorable levels of all three lipoproteins combined and the third was an isolated increase in LDL cholesterol. A greater proportion of women were found dyslipidemic