Frequency of deranged blood lipids in male patients with androgenetic alopecia

Objective: to determine the frequency of deranged serum lipids in male patients with androgenetic alopecia

Methods: cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatients department of Dermatology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi over a period of six months i.e. January 2015 to June 2015. Male patients between 25-65 years with androgenetic alopecia were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for fasting serum lipids were taken during the same visit. All data were entered and analyzed

Results: total 150 patients were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Mean age in high and low triglycerides patients was 46.87+10.58 years and 42.32+11.29 years, respectively. Similarly, mean age [years] in normal and low HDL was 42.17+10.87 years and 48.13+10.21 years, respectively. There were 131 [87.3%] patients who presented with high triglycerides levels whereas 19 [12.7%] patients had normal triglycerides. Similarly, there were 46 [30.7] patients who presented with normal HDL levels where as 104 [69.3] patients had low HDL levels

Conclusion: the study concluded that serum lipids were deranged in male patients of androgenetic alopecia

Association of student.s intrinsic motivation and autonomous support of teachers on academic performance of dental undergraduates of Karachi

Objective: To assess the impact of teacher.s autonomous support on student.s academic performance among dental undergraduates of Bahria University Medical and Dental College [BUMDC], and to find out the influence of intrinsic motivation [self- determination theory] on academic performance of dental undergraduates of BUMDC

Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted among dental undergraduates of BUMDC. Total sampling technique was used in this study. Out of total 200 dental students in all four years of BDS, 185 questionnaires were completely filled in all aspects and therefore included for data analysis

Results: The final calculated scores of two sub-scales of the Learning Self-Regulation Questionnaire [SRQ-L, autonomous motivation and controlled motivation] had an average mean of 5.1 and 3.95. The average of the Learning Climate Questionnaire [LCQ] for tutor autonomy support was 4.51. The average academic performance score was 74.1%. More than half of the respondents [60%] were autonomously motivated. Students. autonomous support and perception towards tutors. autonomy support was [5.1 and 4.51 out of 7 scoring] respectively

Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that the intrinsic motivation of dental undergraduate has direct association on strong academic performance of learners. On the other hand, teachers. autonomous support has an inverse relationship over academic performance of dental undergraduates

Predictors for number of retrieved oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Oocyte numbers and IC SI success

Background: Successful ICSI depends on ovarian response to stimulation and maturation of oocytes retrieved

Objective: To identify predictors of number of retrieved oocytes during intra cytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]

Methods: A cross sectional study carried out at Islamabad Clinic Serving Infertile Couples @ Saudi Pak Tower from January 2011 till December 2012. Female subjects [n= 282] aged 20 -40 years had base line estimation of follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, antral follicle count and ovarian volume on the second day of cycle. Down regulation of ovaries was followed by controlled ovarian stimulation for 12 +/- 2days. On the day of ovulation induction by intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin, pre-ovulatory follicle count [PFC] was measured by trans vaginal scan and serum estradiol, progesterone and interleukin I- beta were estimated. Data was expressed as mean +/- standard deviation and median with interquartile range. Correlation coefficient was measured to study degree of association of demographic and clinical factors with NRO. Univariate regression of NRO as dependent variable with predictors was confirmed by multivariate regression

Results: Retrieved oocytes had strongest correlation with PFC [r = 0.98]. Multivariable analysis stipulated that in the presence of other variables PFC had similar strongest effect on oocytes. AFC showed significant but negative effect on NRO by multiple regressions. Progesterone, E2, IL-I beta, FSH and injections used for stimulation had insignificant effect in the presence of other variables

Results: PFC measured at the time of ovulation induction is strongest predictor of oocytes which are obtained during oocyte pick up procedure of ICSI

Intravenous urogram as a first line investigation in comparison with ultrasound

The objective of was to evaluate the usefulness and efficacy of intravenous urogram in patients with urinary tract pathology detected on ultrasound and X-ray KUB. The duration of the study was from September 2007 to August 2009 and a total of 250 patients were included in this cross-sectional study by non probability purposive sampling technique. Ultrasound scans and intravenous urograms were conducted by/under direct supervision of consultant radiologist. Out of 254 patients, four were unable to complete the intravenous urogram due to reaction to the contrast medium; hence a total of 250 patients were included in the final study. There were 66 male and 184 female patients. Calculi [renal, ureteric and vesical] were seen in 139 patients, pefviureteric Junction obstruction in 9, double collecting system and/or ureter in 6, neurogenic bladder in 13, horseshoe/pancake kidney in 2, ectopic kidney in 1, ureterocele in 2, cystocele in 1 and bladder mass in 7 patients. In 14 patients, the tests conducted were inconclusive and further investigations were advised. 28 patients had no detectable urinary tract pathology on any of the diagnostic modality. Intravenous urogram should not be performed routinely as a first line investigation in every patient presenting with flank pain. However, in congenital anomalies, intravenous urograms are needed and should be performed after a preliminary ultrasound

Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbosacral spine to determine the cause of sciatica

To analyze the lumbosacral spine using MRI to determine the most common pathology responsible for sciatica. Descriptive cross sectional study. This study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from October 2005 to April 2006. One hundred patients presenting with unilateral or bilateral sciatica were studied. MRI lumbo-sacral spine was the modality used to determine the anatomical factors responsible for sciatica. These factors included disc prolapse, osteophytes formation, and thickening of ligamentum flavum. It was seen that prolapsed disc was the most common cause of sciatica [found in 71% of the patients]. Out of these cases, disc bulge was found in 50% of the patients, protrusion / herniation in 37%, and an extruded disc fragment in 7%. Osteophytes and hypertrophied facet joints were seen in 7% of the cases, while ligamenta flava were thickened in 22%. 38% of the patients were in the 4[th] decade of life. Disc bulge is the most common pathology of lumbosacral spine in patients presenting with sciatica