Assessment of radiological hazards due to soil and building materials used in Mirpur Azad Kashmir; Pakistan

Health hazards associated with exposure due to the natural radioactivity which is a part of our physical environment are of great concern. In order to assess the risks associated with exposure due to the natural radioactivity in soil and building materials, extensive studies have been carried out all over the world. The most commonly encountered radionuclide's are [238]U, [232]Th, their decay products and [40]K. In order to study the concentration of these radionu-clides soil, sand, gravel aggregates, bricks and marble, samples were collected from different sites and local suppliers of the district Mirpur, Azad Kashmir [Pakistan]. [226]Ra, [232]Th, and [40]K activities in the collected samples were measured using HPGe detector. The measured specific radioactivity concentration of [226]Ra, [232]Th and [40]K in the studied samples ranged from 10 +/- 1 to 47 +/- 2, 18 +/- 1 to 75 +/- 4 and 40 +/- 3 to 683 +/- 3 Bq.kg[-1], respectively. From the measured activity concentration, radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, gamma and alpha indices, terrestrial absorbed dose and annual effective dose were calculated. Maximum value of radium equivalent activity of 197.1 +/- 9 Bq.kg[-1] was observed in soil sample whereas minimum value of 45.9 +/- 2 Bq.kg[-1] was found in gravel aggregates. Relatively higher mean values of hazard indices were found in brick samples. Annual effective dose varied from 0.06 +/- 0.01 to 0.47 +/- 0.02 mSv.y[-1]. Current values of annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity and hazard indices have been found to be within the recommended limits

Fluoroquinolone and macrolide co-resistance in clinical isolates of Campylobacter species: a 15-year study in Karachi, Pakistan

Fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics are generally considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of severe campylobacteriosis. This study was conducted to analyse the trend of erythromycin and ofloxacin resistance among Campyiobacter spp. isolated from stool specimens over a period of 15 years [1992-2007] at The Aga Khan University clinical laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 83 396 stool specimens were processed, with a 14% isolation rate for enteric pathogens. The isolation rate of Campylobacter spp. was low during 1992-93 [6%-13%], peaked in 1996 [46%], then ranged from 20% to 40%. We report a rising trend in ofloxacin resistance, re-emergence of erythromycin resistance and indications of co-resistance to both drugs in clinical isolates of Campylobocter spp.

Prescription pattern of benzodiazepines for inpatients at a tertiary care university hospital in Pakistan

To determine the point prevalence of benzodiazepine prescriptions for inpatients at a tertiary care university hospital in Pakistan and to correlate it with prescription patterns of various specialties, indications and demographic variables of the patients. This 24-hours point prevalence study was done at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. By convenient random sampling, 208 inpatients were interviewed. Patients' files were also studied to record the drugs administered. Data was entered into questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS 10.0. The point prevalence of the benzodiazepines was 21.2%. It was higher among males than females and among surgical than non-surgical patients. Midazolam was the most commonly used benzodiazepine, followed by Alprazolam and Lorazepam. Pre-anesthesia and psychiatric symptoms were the two most common indications. Oral route was used in 84% patients for drug administration and mean Valium equivalent dosage was 4.86mg/day. Mean length of prescription was 3 days. Longer duration of hospitalization was a significant predictor of the requirement of benzodiazepine prescription [p-value=0.020]. Prescription pattern of benzodiazepines at a tertiary care university hospital is similar to that reported in the developed countries through monitoring at various levels by physicians, clinical pharmacist and nursing staff. Data regarding the prescription pattern of benzodiazepines is scarce, and it needs to be expanded to formulate clear guidelines regarding their prescription

comparative study of 20 / silver nitrate and galvanic cautry for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

To compare the results of 20% silver nitrate and galvanic cautry for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. SETTING: ENT department Mayo Hospital, Lahore: DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 100 patients of allergic rhinitis with age range of 16 years to 50 years from Oct 1992 to Oct 1995. Taking into consideration the morbidity and beneficial effects of using 20% silver nitrate cautry and galvanic cautry for the treatment of allergic rhinitis detailed results are studied. 20% silver nitrate cautry is far superior than galvanic cautry for the treatment of allergic rhinitis