ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infections are very serious health problem that are further worsened by increasing/developing resistance to the current antibiotics. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are needed for H. pylori eradication. Use of a CD46 derived peptide [P3] as bactericidal agent against H. pylori has shown high activity rate in vivo and this study examines the changes in H. pylori features in response to effect of P3 treatment.AGS cells were infected with H. pylori wild type strain 67:21 and its mice passage strains [P3 treated and untreated strains] and further examined using immunoblotting assay, FACS and Urease activity analysis. Comparatively we found increased level of Urease alpha subunit A [UreA] and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C [AhpC] proteins for P3 treated strain of H. pylori than its wild type or untreated strain after infection of AGS cells. Conclusion These results suggest that there might be a high rate of adherence to host cells for the P3 treated passage strain than untreated or wild type strain. Our findings also indicate that either adhesins are being changed or H. pylori interaction to the host cells is affected after P3 treatment
ABSTRACT
Background: Anaemia is common in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction [AMI] and can badly affect the short and long term outcomes. Hospital acquired anaemia [HAA] is a type of anaemia which develops in patients during hospitalization with a normal haemoglobin level at the time of admission. There is very scant data regarding the causes for hospital acquired anaemia. This study was conducted in order to determine the causes and baseline characteristics of low haemoglobin level in AMI
Methods: This descriptive study was performed in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1[st] June 2013 to 31[st] May 2014. All the patients with AMI having normal baseline haemoglobin level at admission were included. Haemoglobin was rechecked on 5[th] day of admission to see whether patient develops HAA or not
Results: A total of 456 consecutive patients with AMI were screened for low haemoglobin. Low haemoglobin level [haemoglobin 70 years were 12 [14.3%]. hypertensives were 34 [40.5%], diabetics were 24 [28.6%], CKD was seen in 11 [13.1%], dyslipidemia in 17 [20.2%], and smokers were 16 [19%]. Upper GI bleed was found in 23 [27%], lower GI bleed in 7 [8.3%], hematuria in 6 [7.1%], possible coronary intervention in 7 [8.3%], and more than one cause in 14 [16.6%] patients, while no cause was found in 27 [32.14%] patients
Conclusion: One third of patients had no discernible cause of low haemoglobin, while one fourth of patients had isolated upper GI bleed as the main cause for hospital acquired low Hb
ABSTRACT
To determine attitude of people towards opting a treatment modality for mental illnesses and factors affecting it in Psychiatric Outpatient department at Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out at Psychiatric Outpatient department at Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] January 2008 to 31[st] May 2009. Patients/ caregivers presenting at Psychiatric OPD of Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] January 2008 to 31[st] May 2009 were interviewed according to a standard questionnaire. Consent was taken from each and every patient/caregivers. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 version. The study comprised 531 patients of which 42.4% were males and 57.6% females. Mean age was found to be 32.1 years [S.D= +/- 12.1]. Regarding mode of treatment opted first, 64.4% resorted to medical treatments while 28.8% used spiritual forms of treatment. 33.9% patients said that they consulted family physician for their problem first. 37.3% consulted a psychiatrist first followed by 18.7% who consulted various moulvis, Aalims and peers. Other forms of traditional healers consulted include hakims [6.8%] and homeopaths [3.4%]. Only 17.1% patients said that they had psychiatric treatment alone. 65.7% thought Rohani ilaaj to be part of religion or both religion and culture. And only 12% thought that Rohani Ilaaj has no role in treatment of mental illnesses. Strong belief still exists in traditional healing in our society. Although psychiatric treatment is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable, work needs to be done to increase awareness