Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Calligonum polygonoides stem and buds

In the present study we demonstrate the identification of phenolic compounds and the phenolic contents of the methanol extracts from stem and buds of Calligonum polygonoides with antioxidant activity. Eleven and nine phenolic compounds were identified and quantified from stem and buds, respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. p-Coumaric acid was predominant in stem and gallic acid in buds. In general, the samples with the highest phenolic contents had the highest antioxidant activities. Stem and buds sparked attention due to their high phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. The Results from present study reveal that the C. polygonoides could be considered as a promising source of antioxidant phytochemicals

Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of spine- a recognizable cause of Myelopathy in Pakistan

Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament [OPLL] is not so rare disorder in spine. We reviewed retrospectively three cases of cervical stenosis complicated by Myelopathy in two men and one woman. All patients presented with signs of cervical myelo-radiculopathy of varying degrees. Diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed radiologically with plain radiographs, MRI scan, and CT 3D reconstruction. Surgical decompression was done, two patients underwent laminoplasty and one patient was treated by laminectomy. They all showed favourable outcome following surgical decompression

Blood transfusion is associated with increase resource utilization and bacterial infection

To observe the association of blood transfusion and clinical outcome in cardiac surgery patients. Forty patients underwent cardiac surgery during a period of two months in a single institution. Coronary artery bypass surgery [CABG] was performed in 21 [52.5%] patients, Mitral valve replacement [MVR] in 15 [37.5%] patients, aortic valve replacement [AVR] in 2 [5%] patients and Atrial septal defect [ASD] was closed in 2 [5%] patients. The mean age of the patients were 41.7 +/- 18 years, 80% were male. Twenty five [62.5%] patients required blood transfusion. Transfusion group showed chest wound infection [7.5%], pulmonary oedema [12.5%] and shortness of breath [10%]. Total leukocyte count and platelets count were significantly lower in transfusion group. We conclude that blood transfusion is associated with increased rate of infection and pulmonary oedema, with high cost and resource utilization. Blood transfusion should be used with appropriate caution

Incidence of complications after cardiac surgery, single unit experience

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of complications after cardiac surgery in a single unit. This was an observational study. This study was conducted in the department of Cardiac surgery of Civil Hospital Karachi, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, over the period of 1 year. This being a prospective, observational study, therefore all patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included in this study, only exclusions being those patients who had redo or reopen procedures. Any complications that took place were noted in the proforma. This study was based on proforma that included patients profile, pre operative investigations, operative data, included date of surgery, type of surgery [whether coronary, valvular or others]. Both intra and post operative complications, like cardio vascular complications, respiratory complications, neurological complications, renal implications, infective complications and miscellaneous complications were noted and entered in the proforma. Over the period of one year, 312 patients have their cardiac surgeries in the department of cardiac surgery, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Over all rate of complications were 118 [37.8%], cardiovascular complications were in 65 patients, neurological in 8 patients, respiratory in 27 patients, renal in 5, infective in 10, and miscellaneous complications in 3 patients. There were two [.6%] mortalities in our study group. This study concludes that cardiac surgery is not free of complications. Therefore it must be done with care and with all the possible supportive measures. The incidence of complications in our unit is about the same as in other renowned centers of the world, but central nervous system complications were less as compared to others, probably related with younger age group of patients in our study

Prevalence of hepatitis b and hepatitis c among cardiac surgery patients in relation to postoperative recovery

Background: hepatitis B and C are becoming a common occurrence in patients who are admitted for major surgical procedures and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis B and C admitted for different procedures in the cardiac surgery ward in relation to their postoperative recovery

Patients and Methods: one hundred and twenty six patients admitted during July to December 2007, 23.8% [n=30] were found to be seropositive. Data of 23 patients were available 65.2% [n=15] were male. The mean age of the subjects was 41 years, 56.5% [n=13] were seropositive for hepatitis B whereas 43.5% [n=10] for hepatitis C., 26% [n=6] had deranged preoperative LFT's. Post operatively 6 patients [26.1%] developed abnormal LFTs. Poor left ventricular function was present in 2[8.7%] patients, hypertension was present in 17.4%[n=4], 1 patient[4.3%] was Diabetic and obese, 2 patients[8.6%] have creatinine level more than 2 mg/dl

Results: the overall mortality was only 8.7% [n=2]. Altogether 60.9% [n=14] patients developed morbidities that comprised of: arrhythmias 13%[n=3], re-exploration 30.4%[n=7], wound dehiscence 4.3%[n=1] and in 10 cases [43.5%], morbidities other than these were seen that included: cardiac tamponade, disorientation, cough with hematemesis, infective endocarditis, renal failure, raised BP, delayed chest wound healing with persistent fever, bone pain and failure of saphenous graft. The mean time for bypass; 87 min and time for x-clamp; 58 min, 52% [n=12] patients needed inotropic support postoperatively with mean duration of 15 hrs. mean extubating time was 9.3 hrs. whereas mean time for removal of drain was 30.28 hrs. Bleeding recorded at 6hrs was 515 ml, at 24hrs; 903 ml and 422 ml on 2nd POD. The mean duration for ICU stay came out to be 3 days and ward stay was 4 days

Conclusions: * Approximately ¼ of the patients admitted during the 6 months period came out to be seropositive for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. * The number of affected males was greater than females. * Incidence of hepatitis B was greater than hepatitis C. * Practice of getting shave or hair cut from street barbers and needle prick injuries were popular source of infections particularly for hepatitis B virus, whereas blood transfusion and previous surgery got more response among hepatitis C seropositive. * Morbidity and mortality were high among these patients * Awareness regarding the above among general population and doctors should be created via public mass education