Awareness Regarding Thalassemia in General Population of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

Background: Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder represents a significant burden for many countries across the globe and the knowledge related to this illness is very limited. The preventive practices, among people especially from developing countries. In Pakistan, Thalassemia is a serious health problem bearing 5 to 8% frequency of beta-Thalassemia gene without discrimination of ethnic groups. Objective: To assess the awareness level regarding Thalassemia in general population of Rahim Yar Khan, a district of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: Study Design: Cross sectional study. A total of 400 adults of 18 years and above age, were selected randomly, from the households of the Rahim Yar Khan City and one Rural Union council. Out of 400 subjects, only 131, reported that they had heard the name ”Thalassemia”, hence for analysis of awareness, the data of only these 131 was used. A structured questionnaire was designed which included information on; gender, age and 24 questions about awareness of Thalassemia disease. Level of Awareness was ascertained by response of these 24 questions and was categorized as poor, average and good. The persons answering less than 12 questions correctly were considered to have poor knowledge, answers of 13-18 questions were labeled as possessing average knowledge and the persons were included in category of having good knowledge who answered more than 18 questions correctly. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 20. Results: Out of 131 study subjects , who reported to have ever heard of word Thalassemia, level of awareness about Thalassemia was found to be “Good” among 7 (5.4%) persons, 27 (20.6%) persons have an average knowledge about Thalassemia and a large number of people 97 (74%) have poor knowledge about Thalassemia disease. Conclusion: Public knowledge regarding Thalassemia was found to be poor among general population of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

Development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for accelerated stability study and pharmacokinetic analysis of venlafaxine

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated for accelerated stability study and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of venlafaxine HCl. The chromatographic separation was carried out using ODS analytical column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size). The mobile phase included acetonitrile, methanol and potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (30:30:40; pH 6.1) at a flow rate 1.5 mL min−1. UV-Visible detector was used at wavelength of 227 nm to monitor elutions. Retention time observed was 2.745 min. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity and robustness. Accelerated stability study of venlafaxine HCl capsules was carried out at 40 and 50 ºC under 75% RH level. Suggested method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic analysis of venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets. Each of ten albino rabbits (≈ 1.2 kg each) was orally administered with 5 mg dose of venlafaxine HCl. The method was proved to be linear (R2 >0.998), accurate (98.25-99.27%), sensitive (LOD: 35ngmL−1; LOQ: 105 ng mL−1) and robust (RSD<1%). The drug showed stability at accelerated conditions of temperature and humidity. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of tested products were as follows: tmax was 2.5h, Cmax was 56.5 µg mL−1, t1/2 was 8.2 h, AUC0-36 was 845.9 µg h mL−1. The developed method is suitable to apply for quality control analysis and pharmacokinetic studies.

Clinical Analysis of Complete Denture Satisfaction Factors: Dentist and Patient Perspective

Background: The dilemma of patient satisfaction vs. non-satisfaction with dentures is another never-ending debate in dentistry. The fabrication of optimal dentures is possible with appropriate prosthetic laboratory techniques along with patients’ anatomic and physiologic requirements assessed by a dentist. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient’s priority and mean satisfaction scores of the patient and dentist during complete denture therapy. Material and methods: After selecting the subjects based on decided inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were asked to fill the proforma with VAS. The proforma contained a questionnaire divided into 3 parts which need to be filled by both the patients and the dentist, independently. The patients rated their dentures using a scale ranging from 1-5 (5=very satisfied; 4=satisfied; 3=neither satisfied, nor dissatisfied; 2=dissatisfied; 1=very dissatisfied), and a dentist rated the quality of the denture and the denture-bearing area. Results: According to the patient’s priority the majority of the patients preferred mastication (47%). The highest mean dentist satisfaction score was concerned with the extension of a denture (0.97 ± 0.28). There was no statistically significant difference with age and gender for mean denture assessment, aesthetic, phonetics, mastication and comfort satisfaction score (p>0.05). However, the employed patients have aesthetic, phonetics and mastication satisfaction score higher than unemployed patients and the relationship was statistically significant (p<0.05). The educated patients have mean phonetics satisfaction score higher as compared to uneducated patients and the relationship was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Majority of the patients was concerned with better chewing function with their dentures. Age and gender do not affect patient satisfaction. However, employed patients were less satisfied with their dentures as compare to unemployed patients. In addition, patients who were educated had better phonetics with their dentures as compare to uneducated patients. Strong dentist-patient communication is necessary to be able to satisfy a patient.

The Influence of Personal Characteristics of Pr eceptor on Professional Grooming of Nursing Students

Background: Professional grooming and professional development are important for growth not just positive image but also respect in the place of work. Objectives: The objective of the study was to check the influence of personal characteristics of preceptor on professional grooming of nursing students. Materials and methods: A crosssectional, descriptive, qualitative, correlational study design was used to check the relationship between preceptor characteristics and professional grooming of nursing students. The study was carried out in 117 students of under graduation from LSN, the University of Lahore. Convenient sampling technique was used for data collection. Inventory of Learning Environment (CLEI=19), preceptorship relationship scale, self-esteem scale, assessment of clinical professional competence questionnaire and registered nurse ‘readiness’ for work questionnaire were used in this study after informed consent. Results: The results of the study was positive significant relationship was found between personal characteristics of preceptor and professional grooming of student nurses which was checked by Pearson correlational test on SPSS version 23. The responses of significant values of preceptor personal characteristics and professional grooming were 1 and 0.616 and significant values were p>0.000. Above values showed the positive significant relationship between variables. Conclusion: Preceptor knowledge based on theoretical and practical, and personal characteristics of the preceptor was proved important components in this study. Most of the students, who participated in this research, have perceived the positive significant relationship between preceptor characteristics and professional grooming which enhanced the self-esteem, nursing professional behavior/competence and readiness for work related to the clinical learning environment. Moreover, according to the results of the study, efforts should be involved by stakeholders to develop the relationship between preceptor and students for the production of competent nurses in the future.

Lymph node biopsies: Evaluation of disease pattern and role of surgery – Our experience from South Punjab, Pakistan

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of different pathologies presenting with lymphadenopathy in patients from South Punjab and to evaluate the role of surgery in reaching the diagnosis. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffargarh (managed by The Indus Health Network), from August 2014 to October 2017. Those being biopsied at some other hospital and the lymph node dissection biopsy done for a known primary cancer were excluded. Results: Lymph node biopsy was done on a total of 71 patients (56.3% n = 40 males, 43.7% n = 31 females). The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 27.30 ± 17.07 years. Open biopsy was performed on 70 cases (98.6%), whereas laparoscopic biopsy was performed on one case (1.4%). The most common pathology found on histopathology report was Tuberclosis (TB) lymphadenitis (49.3%, n = 35), followed by lymphoma (25.4% – Hodgkin's disease [HD] 15.5% and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL] 9.9%). Conclusion: TB is the most common pathology, followed by lymphoma. HD is more common than NHL. Surgical biopsy is the gold standard. Laparoscopy and other minimally invasive techniques are very safe and useful for excision biopsy of the central lymph nodes.

Acute toxicity study of a polysaccharide based hydrogel from linseed for potential use in drug delivery system

ABSTRACT Linseed hydrogel (LSH) was evaluated by acute toxicity for its potential application in oral drug delivery design. White albino mice and rabbits were divided in four groups (I-IV) and different doses of LSH (1, 2 and 5 g/kg body weight) were given except to the control group (I) that was left untreated. Rabbits were monitored for eye irritation, acute dermal toxicity and primary dermal irritation, whereas, body weight, food and water consumption, hematology and clinical biochemistry, gross necropsy and histopathology of vital organs were scrutinized in mice. LSH was considered safe after eye irritation test as no adverse signs or symptoms were seen in the eye. In dermal toxicity and irritation study, skin of treated rabbits was found normal in color without any edema or erythema. After oral administration, there was no sign of any abnormalities in treated group animals (II-IV). The hematology and clinical biochemistry of treated group animals was comparable with the control group. Histopathology of vital organs has not shown any lesion or abnormalities. In the light of these outcomes, it can be concluded that LSH is not a hazardous biomaterial and could be incorporated as an excipient in oral and dermal preparations.

Appraisal of acute oral toxicity of glucuronoxylan hydrogel from Mimosa pudica seeds

Glucuronoxylan hydrogel (GXH) isolated from M. pudica seeds was assessed for acute toxicology in albino mice that were alienated into four groups. Three groups, i.e., II, III and IV received GXH at a dose of 1, 2 and 5 g/kg, respectively while group I was retained untreated and provided routine diet. After administering GXH, mice were examined for vomiting, diarrhea, allergy and tremors for 8 h. All animals were carefully observed for food and water consumption at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 day after administering GXH. At the end of studies, blood samples were drawn for investigation of hematological and biochemical parameters. All animals were sacrificed, relative body weight of vital organs was calculated and their histopathology was studied. It was concluded that there was insignificant difference in body weight, behavioral pattern, food and water intake among treated and control groups. Haematology and biochemistry of blood samples from all groups were found analogous. Histopathological evaluation of vital body organs exhibited no lesions in all groups. Ocular, cardiac and dermal safety of GXH was also established on albino rabbits.

Development of Maize Haploid Inducer Lines and Doubled Haploid Lines in Pakistan.

The work on maize doubled haploid development has started at the Maize Research Station, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2010 in collaboration with University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. The aim of current study was to develop locally adopted maize haploid inducer lines utilizing cheap and easy source of Stock6 and indeterminate gametophyte mutant ig1 gene lines imported from Maize genetic Coop Stock Centre. The lines were later utilized to produce doubled haploid inbred lines. The environmental conditions of Faisalabad are extreme in nature. In spring crop during pollination period temperature may reach up to 45°C. Therefore, locally adopted haploid inducers are needed. Best performing local inbred lines were screened having branched heavy tassel, bold seed, good pollen shedding ability and vigor. These lines were utilized as female donor parent while imported lines as recurrent pollen parent in back cross breeding program until BC4 generation. These lines were selfed twice until BC4F2 and evaluated for haploid induction rate (HIR). Lines with high HIR were further intercrossed to achieve maximum transgressive segregation. Mass selection for the adaptation traits was exercised for individual F2 plants followed by ear-to-row plantation of selected progeny. Four best haploid inducer lines with HIR up to 5% having very good tassel size, height and heat stress tolerance were selected in 2014. Haploid seeds collected in different induction crosses until 2012, were used for colchicine doubling treatment. The doubling percentage of the haploid plants was very low 0.15% and out of 1000 treated seedling 15 survived and only 5 reached up to maturity, where only one D0 cob was harvested. This was successfully selfed and was grown in three different locations for next two seasons and there was no segregation in the successive generations. Developing countries that cannot afford costly haploid inducer lines can work on Stock6 and other cheap sources available free of cost and can develop their own haploid inducer lines well adapted to their own climatic conditions.