Most common body parts infected with scabies in children and its control

Scabies a skin disease caused by mite Sarcoptes scabiei is common in Pakistan and spreads mostly where there is frequent skin to skin contact. In the present study children belonging to four age groups 0-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years attending Baqai Institute and Hospital Gadap from June-September 2013 were examined. The association between scabies of different human parts and age for boys was significant [p<0.01], while for girls it was highly significant [p<0.001]. The most frequent body parts infected with scabies lesions were hands, head and feet. Oral ivermectin was effective antiscabietic for children as it was easy to administer and had good patient acceptability

Biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is a common endocrine disorder affecting 5 -10% of women and is the major cause of anovulatory infertility. Prevalence varies among populations based on genetic and environmental factors. Etiology of PCOS remains unknown but Hyperandrogenism and Insulin resistance have both been associated with PCOS. The objective of the present study was to measure plasma levels of Homocysteine and other biochemical parameters in women diagnosed with PCOS attending Gulf Medical College Hospital [GMCH], Ajman. Young women between 18 and 35 years of age, diagnosed with PCOS [N =37], not on any treatment, attending GMCH were included in the study. Biochemical parameters were measured using standard procedures. Laboratory normal reference ranges were used for comparison. 54% of the women with PCOS were overweight or obese according to the BMI and 51% had a waist circumference >88cm. Fasting and postprandial Glucose and Insulin levels and HOMA-IR were within the normal reference ranges indicating that no Insulin resistance was seen in these women. 40% of the women had a serum total Cholesterol level above 200 mg/dL. LDL Cholesterol was above and HDL cholesterol lower than the desirable value. Serum Triacylglycerol was within the normal reference range. Serum Testosterone, Estradiol, Prolactin TSH and plasma Homocysteine were found to be within the normal reference ranges. Homocysteine levels correlated with Testosterone, total Cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Body mass index was high in 54% of the women. No Insulin resistance was seen in these patients. Hormone levels and Homocysteine were within the normal reference ranges. Dyslipidemia was observed. These findings differ from reports in literature where Insulin resistance, Hyperandrogenism and high Homocysteine levels have been associated with PCOS

Role of chelating agents in thalassaemia major patients

The purpose of this work was to evaluate current chelation in thalassaemia major patients. It is a retrospective study. This study was conducted at a charity blood transfusion center in Lahore; from March 2006 to August 2006. One hundred and seventy patients suffering from transfusion dependent thalassaemia major were evaluated for chelation practice and iron overload. Among them 98.2% were found to be either non-chelators or inadequate chelators whereas 82.3% patients had serum ferritin levels above 2500 ng/ml. Growth failure and hepatosplenomegaly were also common. Survival appears to be limited as only 6 patients were older than 20 years. Patients face risks and complications during treatment of thalassaemia major. Urgent and effective measures need be taken to remove the difficulties to improve quality of life in these patients. Involvement of clinical haematologists or physicians in the treatment of thalassaemia major can produce promising results

Similar nature of ionic imbalances in cardiovascular and renal disorders

Background: Several studies have reported improper ionic environment in cardiovascular and renal patients but how the diseases are associated on ionic basis is still not clear

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate sodium and potassium concentrations and their transport abnormalities in cardiovascular and renal patients

Patients and Methods: Thirty patients of various cardiovascular and thirty patients of various renal disorders [53.33% males, 46.67% females] were selected. Erythrocytes were isolated from freshly drawn blood samples, washed and used for the estimation of sodium and potassium levels using flame photometer [Corning 410]. Serum sodium and potassium were measured by flame photometer. RBC membranes were prepared for the estimation of Na[+] -K[+] -ATPase activity in terms of inorganic phosphate released/mg protein/hour

Results: Intra-erythrocyte and serum sodium and potassium concentrations and Na[+] -K[+] -ATPase activity were different in cardiovascular and renal patients from controls. Intra-erythrocyte sodium level was increased significantly [P<0.01] in cardiovascular patients and non-significantly in renal patients as compared to controls. Na[+] -K[+] -ATPase activity and serum sodium level were decreased significantly [P<0.01] in both the groups as compared to controls. Serum potassium was found to be decreased significantly [P<0.01] in cardiovascular patients whereas it was raised significantly [P<0.01] in renal patients as compared to control subjects

Conclusion: The results indicated similar nature of ionic and electrolyte imbalances in cardiovascular and renal disorders resulting from impaired Na[+] -K[+] -ATPase system. Further investigations in the same area, may be of help to establish an understanding of the progression of diseases, associated complications and the preventive steps that should be taken to arrest the progression of these disorders

Maxillofacial trauma: Current practice in management at Pakistan institute of medical sciences

This study was carried out to determine the aetiology, pattern and management of maxillofacial injuries at PIMS, Islamabad. This descriptive study was conducted at Plastic Surgery Department, PIMS Islamabad from 1st February 1998 to 30th April 2002. All the adult patients presenting with maxillofacial injures were included where as patients less than 12 years of age and only facial lacerations were excluded. Similarly isolated nasal bone fractures were also excluded because these patients were routinely managed by ENT department. Age, sex, presentation, aetiology, associated injuries and treatment modalities undertaken in these patients were recorded. In 164 patients 254 fractures were noted. Most were male [86%], ranging in age from 13'71 years with a male to female ratio of 6:1 respectively. The most frequent [48%] cause noticed was road traffic accidents followed by assault. Mandible was the commonest to be involved in such injuries followed by maxilla. Most of the patients [32%] had associated facial injuries. Various treatment modalities were practiced. Maxillofacial fractures should be managed by open reduction and internal fixation as early as possible

comparison of two fasciocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of defects of the weight-bearing heel

To compare the indications, ease of elevation, operative time, complications and durability of two fasciocutaneous flaps i.e. sensate medial plantar artery flap and distally based sural artery neurocutaneous flap, used for the coverage of weight bearing heel in young ambulant adults. Design: A comparative study. Place and duration of study: CMH Rawalpindi and PIMS Islamabad during the period from May 1995 to April 2002. Patients and All the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria discussed later in the text were divided into two groups. Twenty patients underwent a medial plantar artery flap [MPAF] while 30 had their defects reconstructed by a sural artery neurocutaneous flap [SANF]. The mode of presentation was noted in each case with a special note of the etiology. Postoperatively the patients were followed-up to evaluate any early or long-term complications. The MPAF group consisted of 20 patients including 16 males and 4 females with a mean age of 28 years [range 22 to 37 years]. The SANF group consisted of 30 patients including 29 males and only one female with a mean age of 30 years [range 23-38 years]. In both groups a majority of patients presented with a history of road traffic accidents and was managed by delayed primary procedure. The duration of the operation was considerably less in SANF coverage i.e., 50-100 minutes compared to 120-190 minutes for the MPAF. Flap survival was 100% in both the groups. The postoperative complications were more in patients who underwent SANF. Complete weight-bearing was started at 6 weeks in medial plantar artery flap whereas the same started 6-8 weeks in sural artery neurocutaneous flap. Average time for return to work was 8 weeks in medial plantar artery flap but it was double [12 weeks] in sural artery neurocutaneous flap. The medial plantar artery flap provides sensate and the same quality skin cover to the weight-bearing heel as compared to the distally based sural artery neurocutaneous artery flap. The medial plantar artery flap procedure is longer to perform but allows early weight-bearing with less complications than the distally based sural artery neurocutaneous flap

Some physical and biochemical effects of automobile exhaust polution on common road-side plants in Karachi, Pakistan

The effects of vehicle exhaust pollution on leaf composition of some common road-side plants of Karachi were examined. Leaf samples from polluted locality were often chlorotic and with the deposited soot. Significantly higher frequencies of clogged and partially clogged stomata [with particulate matter] were found in the leaves from air-polluted locality as compared to those from unpolluted locality. Air pollution remarkably decreased the level of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a and ethanol soluble carbohydrate content as compared to the control. The lead content of leaf samples from the polluted locality was significantly higher