Optimization of antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of eucalyptus tereticornis and nigella sativa: response surface methodology

The screening of plants for medicinal purposes represents an effort to discover newer, safer, and possibly more effective drugs. Design of the present study was made aiming to the optimization of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis [leaves] and Nigella sativa [seeds] against bacteria belongings to both Gram-positive [Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus] and Gram-negative [Escherichia coli] spectrum by using response surface methodology. 20 g powder of each E. tereticornis [leaf] and N. sativa [seeds] were mixed with 200ml of ethanol at room temperature, and then it was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 min to separate the supernatants, and allowed to dry in order to obtain ethanol free extracts. A fresh bacterial culture of 100microl of test microorganism was inoculated onto media and spread homogeneously. The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts showed that all the concentrations tested were effective against the test microorganisms. The diameters of zones of inhibition exhibited by S. aureus PCSIR-83 were in the range of 0-28mm, E. coli PCSIR-102 [0-28mm] and B. subtilis PCSIR-05 [15-26mm]. The combination of N. sativa [15mg/micro l] and E. tereticornis [20mg/micro l] were found most effective at pH 9.0 and temperature 35°C. Our results clearly indicate that Gram positive bacteria showed more sensitivity than Gram-negative bacteria

Role of Glutaraldehyde in Imparting Stability to Immobilized β-Galactosidase Systems

ABSTRACT This review article highlights the role of glutaraldehyde as a matrix activator/stabilizer in imparting higher operational and thermal stability to β-galactosidase (βG) for biotechnological applications. Glutaraldehyde has been used extensively as a crosslinking agent as well as for functionalization of matrices to immobilize β-galactosidase. Immobilized β-galactosidase systems (IβGS) obtained as a result of glutaraldehyde treatment has been employed to hydrolyze whey and milk lactose in batch reactors, continuous packed-bed and fluidized bed reactors under various operational conditions. Moreover, these IβGS have also been utilized for the production of galactooligosaccharides in food, dairy and fermentation industries. It was observed that glutaraldehyde provided remarkable stability to immobilize βG against various physical/chemical denaturants, thus enhancing thermal/operational stability and rendering it more suitable for repeated utilization in industrial scale operations.

Reno-protective effect of garlic extract against immobilization stress induced changes in rats

OBJECTIVE: To examine immobilization stress-induced antioxidant defense alterations in rat kidney and the antioxidant effects of aqueous garlic extract in pre and post stress extract treatments. METHODS: Albino rats were treated with aqueous extract of garlic both before and 6 h of immobilization stress. Pro-oxidant eminence of rat kidney was assessed by determining the levels of glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase and antioxidant enzymes activities. RESULTS: In response to 6 h of immobilization stress, a significant rise in the level of kidney enzymes was recorded. However, antioxidant enzyme activities showed a sharp decline. CONCLUSIONS: The extract treatment before and after the stress reverted the activities of above mentioned enzymes towards their control values. Hence, garlic extract can be given as nutritional supplement for scavenging the free radicals generated in rat kidney.

Hematological profile and risk factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Quetta, Pakistan

Tuberculosis [TB] is a chronic debilitating infectious disease affecting more than one third of the global population. This study was designed to investigate different peripheral blood parameters and risk factors in TB patients. A total of 600 [Male, 238 and Female, 362] aging 20-80 Years patients with clinical signs of prolonged cough, chest pain and fever, were evaluated for peripheral blood parameters using hematology analyzer. All the informations related to the disease were collected from the patients and recorded using predesigned questionnaire. Erythrocytic Sedimentation Rate [ESR], Hemoglobin [Hb] and lymphocytes were markedly changed in both sexes. Hemoglobin was recorded lower than normal value in 55% and 53% of male and female population respectively. Total leukocyte count was also lower than normal values in 8% and 6% of male and female respectively. Similarly neutropenia was observed in 5% and 8% cases, while neutrophilia was recorded as 60% and 64% in male and female patients respectively. Lymphocytopenia was also observed in 59% and 43% patients in male and female respectively. Illiteracy, smoking habits, overcrowding and living in shared houses were the main associated risk factors contributing in the enhancement of the disease. The disease was present significantly more in females and was relatively higher in older patients. Different hematological parameters like Erythrocytic sedimentation Rate [ESR], platelets and leukocytes work as hallmark and help the clinicians in early diagnosis of the disease. Malnutrition, smoking tobacco, living in shared houses, illiteracy and poverty were the common risk factors contributing to the dissemination of the tuberculosis in the target area population

Refractive errors; profile in school age children

To know the profile of refractive errors in school age children in DHQ Hospital Karak and group of teaching Hospitals Bannu. DHQ Hospital Karak and group of Teaching hospitals Bannu. Two years study from August 2007 to August 2009. Descriptive study. A work up proforma was prepared for record of children. School age children with age range from 5 to 15 years who attended the eye OPD were documented and informed consents were taken from children and their parents. They were screened for refractive errors with retinoscopy. In some children cycloplegic refraction was done.Fundoscopy was also done to exclude any lesion causing visual impairment in some children .Refractive errors was noted as spherical equivalent of myopia and hypermetropia in children who had both spherical and cylindrical error while in those children who had only cylindrical error were assigned as astigmatism .Children with any organic lesion in cornea lens and fundi were excluded from study. Total 2680 school age children with age range from 5 to 15 years were examined out of which 1560[58.20%] were male and 1120[41.8%] were female.1688[62.98%] children were emmetropic while 992[37.01%] had refractive error .Spherical equivalent of myopia was present in 541[54.53%] while that of hypermetropia in 360 [36.29%]children. Astigmatism was present in 91[9.17%] children. Refractive error is a common ocular disorder affecting school age children. Myopia is more common followed by hypermetropia. Therefore routine careful visual check up in school age children should be carried out

Pattern of glaucoma in patients from two districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

To describe the pattern of glaucoma in patients examined at eye units of District Head Quarters [DHQ] Hospital Karak and group of teaching hospitals at Bannu. This descriptive study was conducted from August 2007 to December 2010 on already or newly diagnosed cases of glaucoma. After a detailed history, ocular examination of all patients including visual acuity assessment, anterior segment examination, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, and evaluation of the cup disc ratio was performed. Anterior and posterior segment examinations were performed with slit lamp biomicroscopy, direct and indirect ophthalmoscope while pediatric patients were examined under general anaesthesia. Findings were documented on proformas and analyzed using SPSS version 13. A total of 430 glaucoma patients were examined among which 253 [58.84%] were male and 177 [41.16%] were female. 291 [67.67%] patients had primary glaucomas while 139 [32.32%] patients had secondary glaucomas. In primary glaucoma group 171 [58.76%] patients had primary open angle glaucoma, 104 [35.73%] had primary angle closure glaucoma and 16 [5.49%] had pediatric glaucoma. In secondary glaucoma group 75 [53.95%] patients had neovascular glaucoma, 19 [13.66%] had lens induced glaucoma, 15 [10.79%] patients had pseudoexfoliation, 13 [9.35%] had aphakic glaucoma, 12 [8.63%] had traumatic glaucoma and 5 [3.59%] patients had inflammatory glaucoma. Regarding the age factor, 16 [3.72%] had pediatric glaucoma while 414 [96.72%] patients had adult onset glaucoma. Majority of glaucoma patients in Karak and Bannu Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are males except in case of primary angle closure glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma is the most common type after primary open angle glaucoma

Therapeutic Evaluation of Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban in Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder [Iztirab-e-Nafsani/Tashweesh] and its treatment is usually multimodel and among the combination of pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic intervention is most effective to suppress the anxiety related disorder. Ancient literature is full of psychiatric disorders and their description is mainly based on humoral and temperamental theory. But anxiety itself is not separately explored and rather intermingled along with melancholia, mania, sehar, subara, qutrub etc. This study has been undertaken to explore the anxiety disorder in the light of Unani concept. And a combination of two pharmacopoeial formulations, [viz. Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban] already well described for such ailments were evaluated following modern parameters to establish their efficacy in anxiety disorder. The formulations were found effective and results were statistically significant.

Retinitis pigmentosa; clinical presentations and associations

To review clinical presentations and associations in patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa. Descriptive study. January 2005 to December 2009. KTH Peshawar, DHQ Hospital Karak and Group of Teaching Hospital Bannu. A proper performa was made for documentation of patients. After informed consent, history was taken properly. Ocular examination regarding visual status, anterior and posterior segment examination with direct, indirect ophthalmoscope and slit lamp bimicroscopy was done. IOP was checked with applanation tonometer. For systemic examination and associations opinion of physician was asked if needed. Total 83 patients were examined out of which 49[59.03%] were male and 34[40.96%] were female. Regarding age factor 1[1.20%] patients were in age group up to 10 years, 3[3.61%] in age group 11 to 20 years, 12[14.45%] in age group 21 to 30 years, 21[25.30%] in age group 31 to 40 years, 27 [32.53%] in age group 41 to 50 years, 12[14.45%] in age group 51 to 60 years, and 7[8.43%] patients were in age group 61 to 70 years. In 79[95.18%] patients there was family history of R.P while in 4 [4.81%] patients no family history was present. All the patients have involvement of both eyes. 61[73.49%] patients presented with complaints of night blindness, 56[67.46%] patients with defect in visual acuity with range from 6/9 to perception of light, out of which 24 patients had refractive error and 32 patients had no refractive error. 21[25.30%] patients presented with field defect. Fundoscopy revealed, bone spicule pigments configuration in 83[100%] patients, attenuated blood vessels in 23[27.71%] patients and, waxy pallor disc in 12[14.45%] patients. Regarding associations, in systemic association group 82[98.79%] patients had no association while 1[1.20%] patients had bardet biedle syndrome. In ocular association group 24[28.91%] patients had myopia, 14[16.86%] patients had cataract. Primary open angle glaucoma was present in 3[3.61%] patients while 2[2.40%] had cystoid macular oedema. Keratoconus was present in 1[1.20%] patients. Retinitis Pigmentosa is a grave disease with irreversible loss of visual functions. Mostly it is bilateral. Severity increases with age. Familial onset is more

Ocular diseases among school age children presenting at District Head Quarter Hospital Karak

To review the pattern of ocular diseases among school age children with age range from 5 - 15 years in outdoor patients of Eye Unit District Head Quarter [DHQ] Hospital Karak. This study was conducted in Eye unit DHQ Hospital Karak from August 2007 to October 2008. Total 1168 consecutive children with different ocular diseases were examined. All patients were evaluated with a detailed history, a thorough ocular examination comprising of refraction, slit lamp examination, fundus evaluation followed by relevant investigations. Proper proforma was prepared for the documentation of demographic profile and diagnosis. Out of 1168 patients, 641 [54.88%] were male and 527 [45.12%] were female. Regarding diagnosis, 603 [5 1.62%] patients had refractive errors. 141 [1 2.07%] had lid diseases, 122 [10.44%] had spring catarrh, 82 [7.02%] presented after trauma, 64 [5.47%] had strabismus, 61 [5.22%] had bacterial conjunctivitis, 37 [3.16%] had lens related disorders, 19 [1.62%] had ptosis, 17 [1.45%] had dacryocystitis, 16 [1.36%] had retinal diseases and 6 [0.5%] patients had glaucoma. Refractive errors are the most common cause of ocular morbidity among school age children followed by lid diseases. Conjunctivitis, trauma and strabismus also contributed a significant fraction

Screening for postnatal depression in the developing world: a comparison of the Who Self-Reporting Questionnaire [Srq-20] And The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen [Epds]

This study was conducted to compare the suitability, usefulness, and validity of the Self Reporting Questionnaire [SRQ-20] and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] for screening postnatal depression in a mostly non-literate, rural, postnatal population of Pakistani women.Comparative Study.Ten union councils of Southern Kahuta, a rural sub-district of Rawalpindi, Pakistan during January to September 2002 [a total of nine months].Translation and cultural adaptation of all instruments was carried out using a rigorous seven-step procedure. A total of 541 women were administered the SRQ-20 and EPDS by trained health workers, and later interviewed with WHO Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry [SCAN]. Receiver Operating Curve [ROC] analysis was undertaken. ROC curves for the SRQ show values for the ROC area under the curve of 0.82 [95% CI: 0.78 to 0.86]. The corresponding values for EPDS are 0.84 [95% CI: 0.81 to 0.88]. The effects of varying cut-off points on the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value are described.This study shows that when used by trained health workers after cultural adaptation, the SRQ-20 is equally effective as EPDS in screening for postnatal depression. The health workers preferred to use the SRQ20 with non-literate women because of its simpler format