Prisoners in Karachi – a health and nutritional perspective

The aim of this study was to assess the health and nutritional status of prisoners in Karachi, Pakistan. This cross sectional study was conducted from September 2012 to February 2013. Convenient sampling technique was used. A sample of 433 prisoners was taken from Karachi prison. Selected inmates were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Prisoners were assessed with measurements of height, weight, body mass index [BMI] status, Blood pressure, Random Blood Sugar levels, dietary pattern, occupational status, source of food, duration of exercise, history of diseases and addictions were recorded. Age of the prisoners varied between 18-65 years. Among 433 prisoners, 39.7% were under weight and 8.3% were malnourished. Exercise was not reported in 80% of prisoners. It was noted that 11.8% prisoners were having respiratory tract infections at time the study was conducted. Among 433 inmates, 386 were addicted to at least one addiction such as smoking, naswar, pan, gutka and manpuri, heroin, ganja [cannabis], charas [hashish form of cannabis], and opium. This study showed that the diet of the prisoners was insufficient and nutritionally imbalanced and has led to malnourished and underweight prisoners. Substance abuse is common among inmates

Role of amaltas and dandasa in controlling biofilm formation of streptococcus mutans and pseudomonas

People usually give least importance to their oral hyiegene as a consequence they are suffering from so many disease due to oral biofilm that form over the teeth. Also when patient is going for dental procedures they were exposed to water from the dental lines of this unit. Pseudomonas aeroginosa were the main culprit present in these water line and form biofilm there as well as in host causing infection. Biofilm forming property confers virulence characteristics thus making such bacteria highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. We analyzed the antibiofilm activity of natural occurring substances like dandasa [juglans regia] and amaltas [Cassia fistula]. Experimental study. All clinical isolates were identified at BUMDC and PNS microbiology lab [Karachi] by standard biochemical methods. This study was conducted between Nov 2012 to Feb 2013. 40 streptococcus mutan and 32 pseudomonas aerogenosa samples were taken from oral biofilm and contaminated denal lines water respectively and characterized using conventional biochemical, cultural and molecular methods. Biofilm forming activity of these isolates were checked. Then I mixed the dandasa and amaltas and observe the antibiofilm forming activity. Both dandasa and amaltas in a cone, of 12.5 mg/ml and 3.2 mg/ml respectively show good antibiofilm forming activity against pseudomonas aerogenosa and in a cone 0.8 mg/ml and 12.5 mg/ml respectively against streptococcus mutan. But combinations of dandasa with amaltas were found to be not more effective in inhibiting biofilm formation suggesting a indifferent activity with antiadhesive index of 1.0 and 0.75 against streptococcus mutans, and pseudomonas aerogenosa respectively. Streptococcus mutans in oral biofilm and pseudomonas in dental water lines exhibited biofilm formation which is the cause for antibiotic resistance and providing shelter to other organism. Amaltas and Dandasa provide a good antibiofilm activity individually

Association of urinary calcium and phosphate with bone mineral density among postmenopausal women

Development of peak bone mass and premenopausal bone loss is determined by the menstrual status of a women. Objective of this study was to determine the association of urinary calcium and phosphate with bone loss in post-menopausal women. This study is cross sectional. It was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Females [n = 90] were assessed with measurements of Body Mass Index, 24 hour urinary excretion of calcium creatinine ratio, Phosphate creatinine ratio. Bone mineral density of women was evaluated by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometrey [DEXA] and its association was analyzed with urinary calcium creatinine ratio and urinary phosphate creatinine ratio. Twenty two [44%] postmenopausal women were found to be osteoporotic while 24 [48%] were osteopenic on the basis of BMD measurements. The mean urinary calcium creatinine ratio and phosphate creatinine ratio was increased in postmenopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women [p < 0.001]. A significant negative correlation was found between BMD [hip] and urinary calcium and phosphate [r = - 0.65, p < 0.05] [r = - 0.58, p < 0.01] respectively in post-menopausal osteoporotic women. Urinary calcium and phosphate creatinine ratio appears to be a valuable markers for assessing bone loss in postmenopausal women

Frequency of tetanus toxoid immunization among college/university female students of Karachi

Tetanus is a deadly infectious disease for which immunisation is available in EPI at both infant level and for females of reproductive age. More than 95% of patients who develop tetanus have not been previously immunised. Objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of tetanus vaccination and to access the awareness of immunisation among females studying in 11 girls' colleges of Karachi and University of Karachi. A cross sectional study was conducted among 1,407 females studying in colleges and University of Karachi from April to August 2007 using a prescribed questionnaire. Among 1,407 female students who were interviewed for the study, 232 [16.48%] were not aware about tetanus immunisation program for females of reproductive age. Only 560 students [39.80%] received at least 1 of 5 recommended doses. Only 41 female students [2.91%] received complete course of 5 doses. Coverage of tetanus immunisation among literate females in most populous city of the country is far behind satisfactory. There is need for awareness and crash programs of tetanus immunisation

Antibacterial activity of Joshanda: a polyherbal therapeutic agent used in common cold

Joshanda which, a polyherbal preparation is extensively used by masses as a household remedy for treatment of common cold and found very effective. Our results indicated that Zizyphus jujube [Unnab], Onosma bracteatum [Gaozaban] and glycyrrhiza glabra [Mulethi] have significant degree of invitro activity against Staph. aureus while Cordia latifolia [Sapistan] has got a significant invitro activity against H.influenzae. Other ingredients did not show any significant activity against rest of the organisms tested