Apomorphine induced conditioned place preference and sensitization is greater in rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress

CNS stimulants are the class of the drugs that may be used to get relief from depression. Apomorphine is a D1 and D2 receptor agonist with a CNS stimulatory effect used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease is also abused. Although many drugs of abuse produce tolerance and dependence. Long term use of pshycostimulants produce reverse tolerance described as sensitization. These drugs also have a number of other beneficial effects but their therapeutic use is limited because of abuse potential. Conditioned place preference [CPP] test is used to monitor the reinforcing effect of drugs of abuse. Stress is an important factor that precipitates and potentiates addictive effects of different drugs of abuse. The present study was designed to investigate the addictive effect of apomorphine [1mg/kg] in rats previously exposed to repeated unpredictable chronic mild stress for 10 days [animal model of depression]. Results from present study illustrate that unpredictable chronic mild stress potentiates the reinforcing effects of apomorphine as the number of entries and the time spent in the CPP compartment associated with drug administration is increased. Motor activity was taken as a parameter for behavioral sensitization which is induced by repeated administration of apomorphine, monitored as the number of cage crossings in light compartment of the CPP apparatus, also increased

Unpredictable chronic mild stress induced behavioral deficits: a comparative study in male and female rats

Stress is an important precipitant factor for depression. Changes in various body systems that occur in depression are similar to those observed in response to stress. Chronic stress may alter behavioral, neurochemical and physiological responses to drug challenges and novel stressors. Unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS] also produces alteration in the serotonergic [5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine] neurotransmission. Unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS] could be used as an animal model of depression. Neurochemical and behavioral effects of UCMS can be reversed by antidepressant agents, suggesting an important role of serotonin. In rodents, UCMS can elicit depression-like symptoms. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the behavioral deficits induced by chronic mild stress in male and female rats and finding out the vulnerability of the two groups. Male and female rats exposed to UCMS exhibited a significant decrease in cumulative food intake as well as in growth rate. Loco motor activity in home cage and open field was also decreased. Results may contribute to our understanding of the interaction between stress and behavioral functions have to depressive disorders

Abdominal sacrohysteropexy in young women with uterovaginal prolapse

Objective: To study the results of sacrohysteropexywith Prolene Mesh for treatment of uterovaginalprolapse in women who desire to preserve theiruterus

Study Design: Prospective observationalstudy

Place and duration of study: This study wascarried out in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad over aperiod of one year from April 2010 to April 2011

Methods: 12 women with uterovaginal prolapsewishing to retain their uterus underwentSacrohysteropexy with Prolene Mesh attached touterine isthmus and to the anterior longitudinalligament of the first or second sacral vertebra in atension free fashion. Subjective and objective cureof uterine prolapse and operative and postoperativecomplications were noted

Results: 12 patientsunderwent Sacrohysteropexy for uterovaginalprolapse during this study period. The mean age ofpatient was 30 years [range 16-40 years]. Ten[83.3%] were multipara while two [16.7%] werenullipara. All women had second degreeuterovaginal prolapse. The mean follow up periodwas 12 months. No women developed intra andpostoperative complications. No single case of mesherosion was detected success rate was 83.3%.Recurrent prolapse was recorded in 2 [16.7%]women which was symptomatic and required repeatsurgical treatment

Conclusion: Sacrohysteropexyis effective and safe procedure in women withuterovaginal prolapse who want to preserve theiruteri

Vaginal birth after one previous caesarean section [VBAC]

Objective: to determine feto-maternal outcome and mode of delivery foliowing one previous caesarean section

Material and Methods: this descriptive study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-I Services Hospital, Lahore from June 2008 to June 2009. All patients with one previous caesarean section due to non-recurrent causes with spontaneous onset of labour at term were included in this study. Detailed clinical examination including abdominal and pelvic examination and ultrasound for fetal well being and placental localization were done. Progress of labour was monitored through Partogram. Fetal monitoring was done by auscultation and CTG

Results: Among 200 patients included in this study 66.5% had vaginal delivery while 33.5% had repeat caesarean section. Four scar dehiscence and one uterine rupture that was successfully repaired were noted. Common indications for repeat CS were failed progress and fetal distress

Conclusion: a trial of scar may be given in all pregnant women with previous caesarean section except those with absolute contraindications. A woman with one previous caesarean section delivery with low transverse incision should be counseled and encouraged to attempt labour in her current pregnancy in hospital with 24 hours facilities of Operation Theater and blood transfusion services

Acute cholecystitis; laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been accepted as the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Its efficacy and timing in cases of acute cholecystitis is still under debate. This study was undertaken to evaluate our experience with early cholecystectomy as a safe effective treatment of acute cholecystitis. Record of all the patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups on the bases of onset of symptoms to surgical intervention: less than 72 hours in the early group [n = 15] and more than 72 hours in the late group [n = 25]. Conversion to open procedure was insignificantly less [3 out of 15 in early group and 8 out of 25 in late group] [20% versus 32%] in the early treated patients [p-value 0.411]. Furthermore the operative time [75 versus 95 minutes] postoperative hospitalization [2 versus 4 days] and total hospital stay [4 versus 6 days] were significantly reduced in patients undergoing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe effective technique for acute cholecystitis in experienced hands with lower conversion rate shorter operative time and reduced hospitalization

Repeated administration of Nigella sativa decreases 5-HT turnover and Nigella produces anxiolytic effects in rats

The black cumin or Nigella sativa L. seeds have many acclaimed medicinal properties. Pharmacological studies have been conducted on the aqueous and methanol extracts of N. sativa L. seeds to evaluate their effects on the central nervous system. In the present study, N. sativa oil was used to study its effect on anxiety in rats. Open field and elevated plus maze models were selected for the evaluation of anxiolytic effect of drug. After four weeks of daily administration of drug, the rats exhibited an increase in open field activity. The drug also produced anti-anxiety effect in rats when tested in elevated plus maze. Concentrations of 5-HT, 5-HIAA in brain and concentrations of plasma and brain tryptophan determined by HPLC-EC detector. Result shows that oral administration of N. sativa oil increased brain levels of 5-HT but the levels of brain 5-HIAA decreased significantly. Brain and plasma levels of tryptophan also increased significantly following oral repeated administration of N. sitiva oil. Based on this, it may be suggested that N. sativa oil is a useful choice for the treatment of anxiety

Clinico-epidemiological study of tetanus at district headquarter hospital, Faisalabad

To study age, sex and regional frequency of tetanus. To define the status of immunization against tetanus. To find the outcome of the treatment provided. All the consecutive patients above 10 years of age with the clinical evidence of tetanus presenting at DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad were included in the study. Detailed history of the illness was obtained from the relatives. Physical examination carried out specifically looking for any evidence of injury. Associated co-morbid factors were noted and managed accordingly. Careful management of the tetanus was done in a separate unit with limited facilities. A total of 40 patients presented during one year of study with the clinical evidence of Tetanus. 28 patients were in between 10-30 years of age, 12 were of more than 40 years of age. There were 29 [72,5%] males and 11 [27.5%] females. Most of the patients [87.5%] belonged to rural areas and only 12.5% were from the urban areas. 25 patients had no knowledge about their tetanus immunization status. 15 patients gave history of tetanus immunization in the past but none of them had a booster dose within last 10 years. Male population belonging to rural areas is the commonest victims of tetanus. Most of them are affected during the 2[nd] and 3[rd] decades of life. There is a complete lack of knowledge about the tetanus immunization. Standard management of tetanus at dedicated centers with facilities for artificial ventilation can save many lives

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries; experience at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad

This retrospective study was conducted in Surgical Unit-III, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. This study was conducted in order to define the frequency and type of bile duct injury both during open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to suggest most feasible method of managing these patients with the facilities available. Total number of fifteen cases was collected. Twelve patients were female and three were male with a median age of 38years. Ten cases were operated at some other hospital and five cases had biliary injury at Allied Hospital. Eight patients had biliary tract injury during open cholecystectomy while seven patients sustained such injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Injury was recognized in three patients while operating whereas in 12 cases it went unrecognized. Unrecognized injuries presented in the postoperative period as obstructive jaundice in 03, increased drain output in 04, peritonitis in 03 and cholangitis in 02 patients. Ultrasound, CT, drain contrast studies were the main radiological investigations used in addition to essential biochemical profile of the patients. Classification of the injury was according to Strasberg classification. Primary repair over T-Tube was done in 03 patients whose injury got recognized at the time of primary surgery. Roux en Y hepaticojejeunostomy was performed in 07 patients, T-Tube drainage was provided in 04 and simple intraperitoneal drainage was offered in 01 patient. Cholangitis occurred in 02 patients requiring systemic antibiotics. One patient died due to intraabdominal sepsis. Follow up ranged from 6-18 months. Liver function tests, T-Tube cholangiogram and HIDA Scan were used in selected patients. Tear in CBD is the most common type of injury recognized. Roux -en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the choice. The prevention is in identifying the anatomy during operation