Association of lipoprotein- alpha with obesity in children and adolescents in district Swat

Studies have demonstrated that atherosclerosis has its silent beginning during childhood. Coronary artery disease, particularly when it presents early in adult life has been observed to have a familial tendency. Lipoprotein-alpha [Lp-alpha], has a strong genetic association and raised levels when combined with obesity increase the risk of premature coronay heart disease. Thus in adults, has emerged the possibility of preventing or delaying the coronary artery disease when appropriate measures are applied early in life. In our study, we assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with Lp-alpha in the child population of district Swat. The study was carried out in Saidu Teaching Hospital and Biochemistry Department, Saidu Medical College, Swat, from May to July 2007. Both boys and girls between 10-20 years of age were included. The prevalence of obesity was detected in 200 subjects by using body mass index. One hundred subjects were selected to compare the anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters of obese subjects with control group. Lp-alpha was measured in children of both the groups. The prevalence of obesity in adolescent boys was 6.7% and that in adolescent girls was 10%. The prevalence was higher in female subjects, compare to male subjects. Obese subjects had significantly higher weight, body mass index, blood pressure values and Lp-alpha levels as compared to control group. Lipoprotien-alpha level is higher in obese children and adolescents than in non-obese

Comparison of iron stores in healthy individuals and patients with ischemic heart disease

Excess body iron has been linked to atherosclerosis owing to its pro-oxidative properties. However, inconsistent results have emerged from the epidemiological studies linking iron status and the risk of cardiovascular diseases [CVD]. Objective of the present study is to compare iron stores of healthy individuals and patients with ischaemic heart disease [IHD]. A total of 137 subjects were included in the study, 90 patients of IHD and 47 healthy subjects with no history of IHD as controls. We compared body iron stores of patients and controls. Serum ferritin, serum transferrin receptor [sTfR] and sTfR/ferritin ratio were used as measures of body iron stores. Our results revealed that mean serum ferritin concentration of cases was significantly higher than controls. Moreover, mean sTfR and sTfR/ferritin ratio of controls was significantly higher than the patients. We conclude from our results that IHD patients have higher iron stores than healthy subjects suggesting a possible association between high iron stores and the risk of IHD

Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection in multitransfused thalassaemia major patients in northwest frontier province

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection in multitransfused thalassaemia patients. A prospective study. Department of Pathology, Khyber Medical College Peshawar and Fatimid Foundation Peshawar from January 2000 to January 2001. This study was carried out on 250 multitransfused thalassaemia major patients. They were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti hepatitis C virus antibodies [anti-HCV antibodies] by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA]. The patient's ages ranged from 1[1/2] year to 19 years. Majority of the patients included in the study had received more than 10 transfusions. The males were 180 [72%] and the females were 70 [28%]. Out of these 21 patients [8.4%] and 142 [56.8%] have been screened positive for HBsAg and anti HCV antibodies respectively. It has been recommended that properly screened blood, using a reliable method like ELISA, be only transfused to thalassaemic subjects in order to avoid / reduce transfusion associated infection

Cutaneous maingestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in pakistani patients

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] is an autoimmune process in which cutaneous lesions occur in majority of patients. This study from Karachi, Pakistan was conducted to determine the pattern and prevalence of such lesions in SLE in Pakistani patients. One hundred ninety eight patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatology Association were examined between 1986 and 2001' for the presence of cutaneous manifestations. Skin changes noted were: noncicatricial diffuse alopecia [22%], malar rash [31%], mucosal lesions [20%], discoid eruptions [15%], photosensitivity [33%], vascular lesions [20%], pruritis [17%], and pigmentary changes [22%]. Peripheral gangrene,chronic ulcers, Raynauds phenomenon, urticaria, chilblains, thrombophlebitis, palmar erythema, and erythema multiform were rare. Anti ANA and anti dsDNA were positive in 93% and 83% patients respectively. A different clinical pattern was noted in our patients than reported previously

Serum Lipoprotein [a] in Offspring of Patients with Premature Myocardial Infarction

To compare serum Lp[a], lipids: TC, TG and lipoproteins: HDL-C and LDL-C levels of offspring with history of paternal myocardial infarction with the serum levels in offspring without paternal history of myocardial infarction. SETTING: Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. METHODS: Thirty offspring between the ages of 8-25 years with the history of paternal myocardial infarction were randomly selected from population and were matched with offspring having no history of parental myocardial infarction. Offspring of fathers who had a myocardial infarction tended to have a significantly raised level of Lp[a] [p < 0.001] compared with those without parental history. None of the other lipoprotein variables we examined exhibited a significant difference between the two groups of subjects. The offspring of fathers with early myocardial infarction have higher mean values of Lp[a] than control subjects suggesting that this lipid variable may strongly predispose to CAD

Correlates of job satisfaction among health care professionals in Kuwait

Job satisfaction of health care providers [physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical laboratory technologists] was analyzed in relation to specific background and work environment characteristics in a multicultural setting. A stratified random sample was used to collect the data from six general hospitals in Kuwait. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 500 health care providers, of whom 370 [74%] responded. In bivariate analysis, nationality, education, age, and total experience were found to be significant determinants of job satisfaction. However, in multivariate analysis, three work environment characteristics emerged as significant determinants of job satisfaction. The nationality of the supervisor and in-service training showed a positive relationship with job satisfaction while the existence of unhealthy competition decreased job satisfaction. Conclusions: In view of the findings, employee job satisfaction can be improved through control of unhealthy competition, provision of an orientation to the job, and provision of effective in-service training

Complicated falciparum malaria

This prospective study was designed to assess the pattern of various complications of falciparum malaria, in vivo efficacy, resistance and safety of chloroquine and Quinine-Doxycycline combination in these complications. Twenty cases of falciparum malaria with complications like cerebral malaria [70%], Acute hepatopathy [20%], Acute renal failure [10%], Hyperpyrexia [10%], ARDS [10%], Hypoglycemia [10%], Subarachnoid Haemorrhage [10%], Retinal Haemorrhage [5%] and Severe anaemia [5%] alone or in combination were managed in two groups. Group A [n=l l] received chloroquine, success in 64% and in vivo resistance in 36% was noted. Group B [n= 1 3, Four were shifted from chloroquine] received Quinine - Doxycycline combination. Success rate was 93% and only one patient died. Side effect profile was low and two patients had acute psychosis which resolved spontaneously. We conclude that significant chloroquine resistance is present and Quinine-Doxycycline combination is safe, effective and economic in complicated falciparum malaria

Yeast cultivation on hydrocarbons

Three selected yeast strains i.e. Candida lipolytica [CBS], C. parapsilosis [H-D5], and C. tropicalis [B3] hydrocarbon utilizers were cultivated on a mineral salts medium containing NH4C1, [NH4]2 SO4 and NH4NO3 as nitrogen sources. Diesel oil and kerosene oil were used as sources of carbon and energy. Diesel oil and NH4CI were found to be better sources of carbon and nitrogen for C. lipolytca and C. parapsilosis. Increase in the availability of oxygen to the culture during growth resulted in an increase in the biomass formation. The cell mass yields obtained were upto 90%. Protein content of biomass and its amino acid profile were also reported