Species richness of scavenger insects on different carcass types

@#The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of food webs. In this study, we analyzed differences in species richness of scavengers based on carcass type in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected insects from experimental carcasses of three different types, domestic dogs (Canidae, Canis lupus familiaris), Hijazi goats (Bovidae, Capra aegagrus hircus), and camels (Camelidae, Camelus dromedarius). Data collection was conducted during the decay stage in June, 2016. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes as a marker for the molecular identification of the scavenger insects. The results showed that there were more insects on the camels and goats than the dogs. In total, seven species were found on all carrions. Six species were found on the camels and goats, but only five were found on the dog. Musca domestica was the most collected species of flies whereas, Necrobia rufipes was the most collected species of beetles. Overall, this study showed that carrion type had an effect on the type and number of insects attracted to the carrions. Thus, one of the significant factors that influence the associated scavenger assemblage is a carcass type.

de-escalation protocol for febrile neutropenia cases and its impact on carbapenem resistance: a retrospective, quasi-experimental single-center study

Our objective was to evaluate the impact of using an imipenem de-escalation protocol for empiric febrile neutropenia on the development of carbapenem resistance. A pre-post intervention design was used. The intervention was adopting the imipenem de-escalation approach, which began on January 1, 2012. A retrospective chart review of cases of febrile neutropenia bacteremia was performed one year before and one year after the intervention. We compared the development of carbapenem resistance between the two study periods. Seventy-five episodes of febrile neutropenia bacteremia were included in the study. They had similar demographics, clinical features and outcomes. There were 78 and 12 pathogens in the primary and follow-up blood cultures, respectively. Approximately 61% and 66% of the primary and follow-up blood cultures, respectively, were gram-negative bacteria with similar carbapenem resistance profiles in the two study periods. In our study population, 57% of the gram-negative bacteria were ESBL pathogens. The resistance of the gram-negative bacteria to piperacillin/tazobactam [72% versus 53%, p = 0.161], imipenem [16% versus 11%, p = 0.684], and meropenem [8% versus 16%, p = 0.638] did not significantly change after our policy change. In conclusion, the use of the carbapenem de-escalation approach for febrile neutropenia in our institution was not associated with an increase in carbepenem resistance. Future prospective multi-center studies are recommended to further confirm the current findings

Outcome of hand function after extensor indices proprius opponensplasty

Objective: To assess the functional improvement in the hand after Opponensplasty

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Plastic Surgery Department Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from October, 2005 to March, 2015

Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients with loss of opposition of thumb were included in the study. Their opposition was lost either due to median nerve or both median and ulnar nerve injury or directly damaged thenar muscles. Patients in whom there is restricted range of thumb motion or scarring in the route of tendon transfer were excluded from the study. After taking informed consent Extensor Indices Proprius tendon transfer was done. Post- operatively cast was given for 4 weeks and protective splintage was applied for another 2 weeks. Improvement in the hand function was recorded at conclusion of study

Results: Four patients lost follow-up. Out of 36 patients, 26 [72%] patients showed good results, 6 [17%] showed fair results and 4 [11%] showed poor results. 25 patients [69%] had good Kapandji score, while 7 [20%] had fair and 4 [11%] had poor score. Mean DASH score was 24. Overall patient's satisfaction was very good. Most of the patients hand function improved significantly

Conclusion: Our study results strongly suggest Opponensplasty with Extensor Indices Proprius is an excellent procedure for restoring opposition in patients with median or both median and ulnar nerve injury at wrist

Retinal pigment epithelial cell culture and cooperation of L-carnitine in reducing stress induced cellular damage

To show that L-carnitine [LC] is capable of reducing non-oxidative stress in the retinal pigment epithelial cells [RPE] of the human eye. The RPE cells were cultured from donor eyes, obtained immediately after post-mortem. The interaction between bovine serum albumin [BSA] and non-oxidative [sodium hydroxide and methyl methane sulphonate] stressinducers was observed by recording the change in the absorption profiles of the interacting molecules after incubation in light for 5 hours and after treatment with LC. The isolated and cultured RPE cells from human eyes were treated with sodium hydroxide or methyl methane sulphonate and/or LC for 5 hours under light, and the qualitative effect on cell morphology after treatment was analyzed by staining the cells with Giemsa and visualization by light microscopy. The cell morphology was also qualitatively analyzed by scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. L-carnitine and stress-inducers interact with BSA and bring about changes in the spectral profile of the interacted molecules. Light microscopy as well as SEM show that the changes in the cellular morphology, induced by 100 micro M concentrations of non-oxidative stress-inducers, are considerably reduced in the presence of 100 micro M LC. However, L-carnitine alone does not cause any qualitative damage to the cell morphology during incubation under similar conditions. The results give a preliminary indication that LC has the ability to reduce the changes brought about by the non-oxidative stress-inducers in the RPE cells in culture

Adherence of private practitioners with the National Tuberculosis Treatment guidelines in Pakistan: a survey report

In Pakistan, over 80% of the patients suffering from TB consult a private practitioner for the initial evaluation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven thickly populated urban communities of Rawalpindi district to evaluate the adherence of private practitioners with TB treatment guidelines as laid down by National Tuberculosis Control Programme [NTP] in Pakistan. The data was collected over 30 days. A young lean man was simulated to act as a TB patient and was provided with a chest X-ray suggestive of TB and two Acid-Fast Bacilli [AFB] positive sputum reports. Only those prescriptions were included for analysis which either had recognized the patient having TB or had any TB drug written in the prescription. A total of 77 practitioners were visited. Prescriptions of 53 general practitioners fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Only 2 [3.7%] prescriptions out of 53 met the required standard for TB patients as laid down by NTP. Eighty three% [n = 44] favored a combination drug for the treatment while the rest preferred individual preparations. The study reflects the lack of knowledge about standardized TB treatment protocols amongst the private practitioners in Pakistan. Public Private Partnerships between government public health departments and non-governmental organizations working in public health can be a valuable tool in generating mass awareness campaigns

Compensatory renal hypertrophy following unilateral nephrectomy in albino rats

This study was carried out on 72 albino rats [36 experimental and 36 control] following UNX and so we know the rate and extent of compensatory renal hypertrophy [CRH] of the remaining kidney. The mean absolute change in mass due to hypertrophy in the experimental kidney KW [compensatory] following unilateral nephrectomy after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days was 0.384 +/- 0.003, 0.674 +/- 0.005, 0.768 +/- 0.004, 0.926 +/- 0.006, 0.940 +/- 0.005 and 0.932 +/- 0.007 gm respectively. The mean relative change in mass due to hypertrophy in the experimental kidney,%KW[compensatory following unilateral nephrectomy after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days was 46.36 +/- 0.84, 77.66 +/- 1.16, 91.43 +/- 0.96, 105.71 +/- 0.77, 110.15 +/- 0.77 and 112.08 +/- 1.89 respectively. It was concluded that there was rapid compensatory increase in the renal mass of the experimental kidney within first 10 days, the mean relative compensatory increase in the renal mass of the experimental kidney was 46.36 +/- 0.84% than the control. From the 11th day to the 40th day there was a steady compensatory increase at a slower rate [59.35% in 30 days] until the mean relative compensatory increase in the renal mass of the experimental kidney had reached 105.71 +/- 0.77% of the control value

Endoscopic management of ureteric calculi

A study involving 60 patients with ureteric calculi was conducted at the Department of Urology, Lahore General Hospital, from January 1991 to December 1993. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of uretero-renoscopy for ureteric calculi. This procedure was performed for fragmentation or removal of stone with the help of auxiliary instruments where possible. The study group predominantly consisted of male patients more than 14 years of age having ureteric calculi larger than 5 mm in diameter. The overall success rate of fragmentation, removal or push/bang of ureteric Galculi was 66.7 percent. In 15 patients although ureteric orifice was negotiated, the calculi could not be accessed either due to failure of visualization [n=8] or due to oedema and narrowing of lumen [n=7]. In five patients [25 percent] we failed to negotiate ureteric lumen due to narrow ureteric orifice. Perforation of ureter [n=1] and mucosal injury [n=1] occurred during the procedure. Fever in postoperative period occurred in three patients

Management of ureteric stones [a study of 200 cases]

A series of 200 consecutive patients with radiopaque ureteric stones seen at the Urology Department, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore is presented. The age of the patients was between 15-72 years, with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Renal pain was the chief presenting symptom and duration varied between 1 day and 8 years. Majority of the ureteric stones were impacted in the pelvic part of the ureter. The size of the stone varied between 0.3-1.5cm along the transverse diameter. One seventy two patients [86%] were managed conservatively with a success rate of 73%. Twenty six patients [13%] underwent ureteroscopic stone removal with a success rate of 74%. open surgery was performed only in two patients [1%].We conclude that the size of the stone in majority of the patients is such, that they are amenable to conservative or endoscopic procedures. open surgery has less role to play as primary form of treatment in the management of ureteric stone