Assessment of Morus alba (Mulberry) leaves extract for anti-convulsant property in rats

Background: The mulberry tree, a plant of the family Moraceae and the genus Morus, has been widely cultivated to feed silkworms. Various parts of Morus alba linn used as an Anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, free radical scavenging activity and neuroprotective agent. The plant contains flavonoids, moranoline, albanol, morusin coumarine, and stilbene, which have. In this study, anticonvulsant property of Morus alba leaves extract (MAE) was evaluated by using MES and PTZ induced convulsion in rats.Methods: Effects of MAE were evaluated in experimental models of electro convulsions, maximal electro shock (MES) and chemoconvulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in rats (n=6), which were treated intraperitonially with doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg.Results: The duration of tonic hind limb extension (seconds) with MAE in MES induced convulsions at dose of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg is 8.33�21, 6.83�16 & 3.16�98 respectively. In the dose of 400 mg/kg of MAE showed highly significant results by reducing the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES induced convulsions. And onset of jerky movements (seconds) with MAE in PTZ induced convulsions at dose of 100, 200, 400mg/kg is 157.83�99, 195.66�.02 and 295.50�.10 respectively. In the dose of 400mg/kg of MAE showed highly significant results by delaying the onset of convulsions.Conclusions: Results indicate that the MAE have anticonvulsant effects in MES induced convulsions and in PTZ induced convulsions.

Radiological mean age of fusion of medial end of the clavicle: a parameter of age

Objective: To determine the mean age of fusion of medial end of clavicle by radiography

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Forensic Medicine, Dow Medical College and Ziauddin University, Karachi, from June 2010 to May 2011

Methodology: The subjects for this study were selected from various government colleges of Karachi. The subjects were analyzed for age and further confirmation was done by interviews where birth records and other physical parameters of age were also assessed. X-rays chest PA view was taken focusing on the medial end of clavicle; and were examined by a consultant radiologist and complete fusion of the medial end was noted. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant

Results: The mean age of fusion of medial end of the clavicle was found to be 21 +/- 1.43 years. Significant difference was observed in male to female age of fusion 21.14 +/- 1.41 years versus 20.65 +/- 1.94 years [p > 0.05]. Similarly, statistically significant differences were observed between lower to middle income class and higher income class of all society. No difference was observed among various ethnic groups

Conclusion: Socio-economic factors, such as diet and nutrition, directly affect bone growth and hence bones' age. The results of fusion of the medial end of the clavicle are not affected by ethnicity; however, it is significantly affected by gender. More studies should be conducted in various parts of the country to make a natural standard in setting up uniform criteria for assessing age at or above 21 years

Role of toluidine blue in early detection of oral cancer

Oral cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the world with marked geographic incidences in occurrence. The range of frequency of this dreadful cancer varies form negligible in Japan to 45% in Sir Lanka, Nepal, India and Pakistan when compared with the over all incidence of all bodily cancers. In Pakistan oral cancer constitute 10% of all malignant tumors standing second to bronchogenic carcinoma in males and breast carcinoma in females. The more early it is diagnosed the better is the prognosis. This prospective study was planned to use Toluidine Blue as a diagnostic material for early diagnosis of oral cancer. Patients with oral lesions having no clinical evidence of oral cancer, but presenting as non-healing oral ulcers more than 6 months or raised margins were selected. They belonged to both sexes and all age groups. Toluidine Blue [ORA SCAN] was used to stain the lesion and biopsy was taken from stained area, 30 patients which in some cases was more than one place. These patients were randomly selected. Histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in twelve patients and dysplasea in five patients. Tuluidine Blue can be used as early diagnostic aid in cancer of oral mucosa

Septic arthritis of the hip in childern - Aga Khan University Hospital experience in Pakistan

To present clinical, radiological and bacteriological features and short term outcome of septic arthritis of the hip in children. There were 23 male and 16 female children, including 6 neonates and 10 infants with a mean age of 3.9 years. Diagnosis of septic hip was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by X-rays, leukocyte count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]. Thirty nine patients with 40 hips were followed for a mean time period of 76 weeks. All patients had a positive joint aspirate [pus] and underwent surgical decompression alongwith intravenous antibiotic therapy. Symptoms of pain, fever and restricted range of hip motion were common to all patients. The mean leukocyte count was 14,000 and the mean ESR was 63 mm. Cultures of blood and joint aspirate were positive in 9 and 28 patients respectively. Staphylococus Aureus was the commonest organism [14 patients] identified, and only one patient had Hemophilus Influenzae. Seven patients had a mixed osteoarticular infection. Positive clinical response was noted in the mean time period of 8.6 days. In follow-up, four cases developed myositis ossificans and 2 cases showed signs of partial growth plate destruction. Our findings of the absence of H. Influenzae and the presence of a number of gut organisms are different from the previous studies. Duration of symptoms was an important prognostic factor and correlated well with the final outcome. Early surgical decompression was found to be the treatment of choice. A combined osteoarticular infection should be kept in mind in cases which show a poor response after the initial joint debridement

Treatment of Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures with Closed Flexible Intramedullary Ender Nails: 39 Fractures followed for a Period of Two to Seven Years

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of flexible intramedullary Ender nails for the treatment of tibial diaphyseal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients treated with the Ender Nail for both open and closed tibial shaft fractures. Between January 1989 and December 1994, 43 fractures were treated with these nails. The configuration of each fracture was determined using the Orthopedic Trauma Association classification and the extent of soft tissue damage was assessed using the Gustilo and Anderson's classification. Four patients were excluded from the study due to inadequate follow-up. There were 27 closed and 12 open fractures. The average time to union in 34 out of 39 fractures was 17 weeks. Delayed union and malunion occurred in two patients each and superficial wound infection in 1 patient. Nonunion occurred in 5 fractures that were all located in the distal 1/3 of the tibial diaphysis. We attribute this high rate of non-union to a poor rotational control on the distal fragment by these nails. CONCLUSIONS: The Ender nails provide effective fixation for the OTA stable class of tibial fractures, where they produce good axial and rotational stability by virtue of their three-point fixation. Rotational and angular stability should be improved by a supplementary cast immobilization for fractures with unstable configuration and those located in the distal third of the diaphysis