Infestation rate with Polyplax spinulosa [burmeister, 1839] among certain laboratory albino rats [Rattus norvegicus] in relation to different washing agents in two Erbil city universities

The ectoparasite Polyplax spinulosa [Class: Insecta; Sub-Order: Anoplura; Familiy: Polyplacidae] was found to act as a biological vector of some pathogenic virus, bacteria and protozoa. The main objective of the present study was to identify the P. spinulosa parasitizing laboratory rats in two different animal houses [Science College-Salahaddin University and Medicine College-Hawler Medical University] and the effect of washing with different detergent agents on the mean intensity and numbers of the Polyplax spinulosa. In a study from the beginning of February to July 2010, thirty [30] adult Albino rats [15 rats from each Science and Medicine Colleges] randomly were collected from two selected animal houses of two universities in Erbil City. The fur was gently examined and scraped off using a fine brush; hair particles and ectoparasites that dropped off were transferred to a petridish, and examined using magnifying lenses and dissecting microscope before and after washing with two different agents. The ectoparasites collected in small vials were fixed in 70% ethanol. The overall prevalence with the P. spinulosa was 80%, the higher rate of infestation [100%] and mean intensity [13.33] was among rats of Science College, while the lower rate [60%] and mean intensity [4] was among rats of Medicine College. The present study showed that Cis-Cypermethrin has greater role than Cyprimidine in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite. The overall prevalence with the P. Spinulosa was 80%, The higher rate of infestation was among rats of Science College. Cis-Cypermethrin has a role in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite

Exhumation; a tool to establish cause of death

Exhumation is disinterment of the dead body that has already been buried. From January 2004 to December 2005, Thirty-Five cases were exhumed and subsequently autopsied in the rural and urban areas of Sindh by the Standing Medical Board of District Hyderabad for establishing the cause of death. The results revealed that out of the total thirty-five cases, [60%] twenty-one were subjected to autopsy examination first time on exhumation [Primary] whereas the remaining [40%] fourteen were re-examination cases [Secondary]. The cause of death was established in [66%] fourteen of the primary examination cases and [24%] five of the secondary examination cases. Male/ Female ratio was 2:51:1 and the maximum number [62.8%] were in between 21-40 years of age. Rural population [77%] is more frequently involved than urban population [23%]

Psychological autopsy study of suicide pattern and its relationship to depressive illness

Suicide with respect to the high risk individuals is emerging as an important entity in our society requiring research and evaluation. The following study was conducted at CMC Hospital Larkana by doing a psychological autopsy, to see the pattern of suicide and its relation to depressive illness. A total of 52 suicide cases were reported by police authorities for autopsy examination during the months of November 2002 to October 2004. The autopsy records of these cases were consulted along with the police inquest reports. The relatives were traced with the help of police records and interviews were held using a structured interview form with at least two informants including a near relative or a friend. The results demonstrate that the act of suicide is more prevalent in males than in females. The high risk age group is 30 - 39 yrs. Firearms and Hanging is the most commonly employed mean. Most of the victims were married. Only 4 were widow / widowers. The trimester from August to October occasioned for abou t 53.8% cases. 71% of the victims were assessed to be suffering from major depressive illness. Recognition of high risk individuals and their treatment at a psychiatric hospital may save precious lives. The study also calls to repeal the law concerning suicide

Medical and socioeconomic aspects of road traffic accidents

Road traffic accidents leave medical and social repercussions on families and individuals involved. Moreover, it is saddening that the most vulnerable are from the youth and middle age groups. This deprives the society of much needed and precious human resources. Hence, the mean which was originally designed to serve mankind has become a means of destruction, cause of disability and sometimes death. The medical profession has to assume a key role not only in the management of the injured, but also in the prevention of accidents and road safety measures. In order to reduce the incidence of road accidents it is important to establish an efficient organizational set-up, highlight the role of mass-transit, periodic checkup of the vehicle for its road worthiness and education of masses with the hope that they will adhere to the rules while on road

Coronary heart disease risk-factor profile in a lower middles class urban community in Pakistan

We determined the risk-factor profile and prevalence of coronary heart disease in Metroville, a lower middle class urban community in Karachi, and compared them to the Pakistan health survey PNHS 1990-94, and the US health and nutrition survey 1988-94 NHANES111. Subjects < 18 years and pregnant women were excluded as were people with extreme ranges BMI [corrected] heart rate, height and waist. The prevalence of hypertension was 23% in men and women, hypercholesterolaemia was 17% in men and 22% in women [P < 0.001]. Hyperglycaemia was present in 5% of men and women and obesity in 33% of men and 47% of women [P < 0.001]. Compared to PNHS, the prevalences of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and WHR were higher in our population. Mean values of BMI [corrected] cholesterol, WHR were higher in the US population while mean values were lower for diastolic blood pressure and blood glucose

Evaluation and comparison of coronary heart disease risk factor profiles of children in a country with developing economy

To define the risk factors [RF] profile and prevalence rates of high risk factors in an urban Pakistani community and compare it to the RF profile and prevalence rates of Pakistan National Health Survey. The present study included RF relevant data of 400 house hold children selected by open invitation as a part of Metroville Health Study [MHS], a risk factor modification study which was a cooperation between National Heart Lung Blood institute [NHLBI] USA and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Pakistan. The base line data of 389 girls and 417 boys age 5-17 was included. PMRC data of 5067 and NHANES III survey data of 10,252 US children was used for comparison with MHS. RF analyzed were height weight, SBP, DBP, BMI and serum cholesterol. Comparisons between MHS and PMRC and US were made by using two tailed student t test and of high RF were defined as those exceeding US standards and expressed as percentages. The RF factor profile of urban Metroville children was worse than the national average of PMRC children. Except for diastolic blood pressure in both boys and girls and SBP in PMRC boys, all other RF were less than US children. Prevalence rates were higher in urban Metroville community, i.e., MHS compared to the PMRC which represents national average data. RF profile of Pakistani children has been presented and effect of urbanization demonstrated by comparing the PMRC and MHS RF profile. Hypertension in Pakistani children has emerged as a single most important RF requiring urgent prevention

Evaluation of the uncertainties in the 2-D technique for the breast cancer treatment using 3-D treatment planning system

Breast tangentiual irradiation is one of the most common treatment techniques used in most radiotherapy practice applied to this area. The difficulty with tangential fled irradiation to the breast or chest wall has always been in achieving a homogenous radio-therapeutic dose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uncertainties in the breast tangential fields, which was calculated as a 2-D technique where the plan was produced by assessing dose distribution on te central axis slice only. This plan was then recalculated at a 3-D technique using the entire CT data set with the changes in the beam parameters to meet the requirements for 3-D technique. This study was performed by using the Advantage Radiation Therapy System [ARTS] treatment planning system. The two planning methods were compared using dose-volume histograms [DVH[s]] and isodose districbutions in the upper and lower slices. From the comparison, we concluded that a single-slice plan [2-D method] is unsatisfactory in providing sufficient information about the dose variation across the treatment volume and that ideally a 3-D plan with DVHs should be produced

Cytological aspects of cyclophosphamide injection on liver, spleen and kidney of the Egyptian toad, bufo regularis reuss I Golgi apparatus

Golgi apparatus of liver, spleen and kidney were tested weekly for a period of one month after injection of Cyclophosphamide. Significant changes were observed .in the Golgi bodies of the organs examined in the experimental animals. An increase in the number and size of Golgi complexes was noticed during the course of activation of the drug in the liver. Similar observations were recorded for both the spleen and kidney. After four weeks from injection, a decrease in number and size of the Golgi apparatus occured until it returned back to normal