Antihyperglycemic effect of methanol extract of Tamarix aphylla L. Karst (Saltcedar) in streptozocin–nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

Objective To evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of Tamarix aphylla (T. aphylla) leaves in STZ–NIC induced diabetes in Wister Albino rats. Methods Acute toxicity study was done to check the toxicity of T. aphylla (L. Karst) methanol extract. T. aphylla leaves extract was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg, 250 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight per day) to diabetic Wister rats for 21 days. The various parameters were studied including fasting blood glucose levels, haemoglobin and glycosylated haemoglobin. Results The treatment groups with the extract at three dose levels expressively abridged the intensities of blood glucose and Glycosylated Haemoglobin. The earlier detected reduced level of plasma haemoglobin of the diabetic rats was raised to near normalcy with treatment of extract. Conclusions The results of the current study confirm that the leaves extract of T. aphylla are nontoxic and have antidiabetic nature.

image of expatriate Egyptians presented in Arab movies and its relationship with mental image among adolescents

Problem: we can put the study problem in the following question: What is the image of expatriate Egyptians presented in Arab movies and its relationship with mental image among adolescents?

Aims: The present study essentially aims to identify the relation between the image of expatriate Egyptians presented in Arab movies and its relationship with mental image among adolescents, Identify the image of expatriate Egyptians presented in moviesx that carries different implications of alienation. Identify the extent of [positive or negative] image of expatriate Egyptians among adolescents who considered as first viewers of the movies, and Identify the type of problems which may face expatriate Egyptians according to study sample movies

Methods: The Study used the survey method by analytical sample

Sample: Program sample: I analyzed the movies which present the image of expatriate Egyptians froml/ 127 2013 to!5/ 2/ 2014

Tools: A content analysis form of films presented the image of expatriate Egyptiansprepared by the researcher

Results: The study movies that presented the image of expatriate Egyptians gave us positive image about them with a ratio of 70% and gave negative image with a ratio of 30%, The goal of entertainment and interestingness occupied the first position by 41.4% among the goals of study movies and showing positives and negatives of alienation occupied the second position by 24.2%, Expatriate Egyptians suffered from some difficulties in the study movies, these difficulties were difficulties of language with a ratio of 42.3% and difficulties of obtaining resident permission with a ratio of 19.3%, Foreign countries occupied the first position by 80% among the countries in which events of study movies took place and Arab countries occupied the second position by 20%, and The mam motivations of alienation are economic with ratio 46.6% and social with ratio 36.6%

Factors affecting patient satisfaction during endoscopic procedures

To assess the quality and patient satisfaction in Endoscopy Unit of Shifa International Hospital. Cross-sectional survey. Division of Gastroenterology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July 2011 to January 2012. Quality and patient satisfaction after the endoscopic procedure was assessed using a modified GHAA-9 questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. A total of 1028 patients were included with a mean age of 45 +/- 14.21 years. Out of all the procedures, 670 [65.17%] were gastroscopies, 181 [17.60%] were flexible sigmoidoscopies and 177 [17.21%] were colonoscopies. The maximum unsatisfactory responses were on the waiting time before the procedure [13.13%], followed by unsatisfactory explanation of the procedure and answers to questions [7.58%]. Overall, unsatisfied impression was 4.86%. The problem rate was 6.22%.The quality of procedures and level of satisfaction of patients undergoing a gastroscopy or colonoscopy was generally good. The factors that influence the satisfaction of these patients are related to communication between doctor and patient, doctor's manner and waiting time for the procedure. Feedback information in an endoscopy unit may be useful in improving standards, including the performance of endoscopists.

Perceptions about blood donation among army personnel

There is little literature on the public attitudes towards blood safety and blood donation in Pakistan. The purpose of study was to identify the misconceptions, beliefs and fears about blood donation among army personnel so that appropriate strategies can be adopted for the recruitment of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors in future. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out at 123 [I] Fd Amb from July 2004 to Dec 2004. A self-administered questionnaire and face-to-face interview on the various aspect of blood donation were used for data collection from each individual. A total of 200 army personnel participated in the study. Out of 200 individuals, 41 [20.5%] were donors and 159 [79.5%] were non-donors. One hundred and eighty nine [94.5%] including donors and non-donors replied that a person more than 45 years of age could not donate blood. Out of 159 non-donors, 137 [86.16%] were of the opinion that blood donor should be of >60 Kg of weight. One hundred and seven [67.30%] of the non-donors answered that one can donate blood once a year. One hundred and forty five [91.20%] non-donors did not know amount of blood extracted during each donation. Out of 159 non-donors, 78 [49.06%] replied that they were not approached by anybody for blood donation. Out of 200 donors and non-donors, 105 [52.5%] revealed that extra leave could be the major incentive for blood donation. This study revealed the misconceptions regarding blood donation among army personnel. This needs education and motivation through dissemination of information regarding blood donation particularly by medical staff

Management of gestational trophoblastic tumours: a five-year clinical experience

An analysis of a 5-year clinical experience in the management of gestational trophoblastic tumours in a tertiary care hospital. Design: A prospective cohort follow-up study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from 1998 to 2003. Patients and A total of 30 cases were managed and a detailed analysis of these patients was done. Of these 13 followed Hydatidiform Mole, 10 after abortion and 7 after a term pregnancy. Out of 30 cases of gestational trophoblastic tumour, 63.3% were between 21 and 38 years of age. Ninety% of the patients presented with vaginal bleeding, while life-threatening hemorrhage occurred in 23.3%of the cases.43.3% of the patients had hydatidiform mole as an antecedent pregnancy and 36.7% of the patients presented within four months of the antecedent pregnancy. Blood groups O and B were most frequently encountered i.e. in 40% and 33.3% of the cases. Metastatic disease was present in 46.6% of the cases, of which 8 were high risk and one was of medium risk group. Major sites of metastasis were lungs [33.3%] and vagina [30%]. Serum BHCG of 40,000 miu / ml and above was present in 53.3% of the cases [P=0.016] and number of metastasis >8 were found in 16.7% cases [P=0.001]. Prior chemotherapy was given in only 2 patients and both of them died due to resistance. Chemotherapy was given to 100% of patients; survival was 100% in low-risk group and 50% in high-risk group [P=0.004]. Overall mortality was 20% i.e. 6 patients died of the disease. Major side effects of chemotherapy were stomatitis [66.6%], alopecia [56.6%], low hemoglobin [60%], weight loss and recurrent infection. Late diagnosis, previously failed chemotherapy and high WHO prognostic scores are major risk factors affecting outcome in these patients. Hence every female in reproductive age group with unexplained bleeding per vaginum should be investigated with serum BHCG [Beta human chorionic gonadotrophin]

Effect of statins on triglycerides in the management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease [CHD] is the leading cause of death worldwide. Effective treatment of hyperlipidemia can prevent development of CHD and significantly reduce the risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. The association between LDL cholesterol and CHD risk is well estalished. Low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides are also strong risk factors of CHD. Statins are the drug of choice for lowering LDL-cholesterol. In this study we have assessed the effect of various statins on triglycerides levels in the management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with CHD. The data of 179 patients were assessed retrospectively. 131[73.18%] were male and 48 [26.82%] were female patients. The mean age of these patients was 52.07 +/- 9.2 years. The mean trigyceride levels were 202.35 +/- 154.32 mg/dl before and 172.39 +/- 38.45 mg/dl after statins therapy showing a reduction of 29.96 mg/dl [14.81%]. This difference is significant statistically [p=0.007]. Atorvastatin was given to only 2 [1.12%] patients. The mean triglyceride levels were 210.00 +/- 37.59 mg/dl and 154.00 +/- 9.89 mg/dl before and after atorvastatin therapy. Cerivastatin was used in 14 [7.82%] patients which reduces triglycerides by 19.93 mg/dl [9.85%] [p=0.157]. Fluvastatin was used in 37 [20.67%] patients which lowers triglycerides by 23.87 mg/dl [12.43%] [p=0.050]. In 25 [13.97%] patients lovastatin was given and this reduces triglycerides levels by 18.54 mg/dl [10.21%] [p=0.106]. Simvastatin was used in 101 [56.42%]. It results in reduction of 16.09 mg/dl [8.35%] in triglycerides level which is highly significant statistically [p=0.0001]. We conclude all statins lower triglycerides levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. This effect is more marked with simvastatin and fluvastatin than other statins