Validation of the Mizaj of heart by determining the ash value of vital organs of three species

This study aimed to determine the cause of Yabis attribution in the heart by estimating the ash value of three vital organs, such as heart, brain, and liver, of three species, chicken, goat, and buffalo. Creatures are composed of Arkan Arba'a in varied proportions, qualitatively and quantitatively most suitable for accomplishing their functions. Philosophers have described the structural and functional variabilities of species in terms of the Mizaj, which relates to its possible dominant Rukn. The Mizaj of human beings is described as the reflection of the Mizaj of their heart and the organs connected to it. The Mizaj of heart is attributed as Harr-Yabis

Twenty-seven samples of vital organs of three species, each obtained from market, were subjected to total ash value determination. The procedure was followed in accordance with the International Standard, ISO 936:1998[E]

The mean ash value of the chicken's heart, brain, and liver was 5.18%, 7.62%, and 6.56%, respectively. The mean ash value of the goat's heart, brain, and liver was 2.53%, 11.18% and 4.24%, respectively. The mean ash value in the buffalo's heart, brain, and liver was 5.32%, 8.74%, and 6.56%, respectively

Interpretation and Conclusion: Yubusat is required for hardness, stiffness, and durability to stay active and dynamic. Compared with the brain and liver, the heart's rigid nature, consistent action, and resemblance with the coniferous shape of Rukn Nar indicates the presence of Yubusat Nariyya. In this study, the least mean total ash value of the heart among all the three species implies the least presence of Ajza' Ardiyya, thus validating the presence of Yubusat Nariyya in it. Therefore, the heart's structure and function are in accordance with its Hararat and Yubusat Nariyya

Growth hormone therapy; classic short stature children

To detect growth hormone deficiency in short stature children and to observe the response of growth hormone replacement therapy in isolated GH deficient. An interventional descriptive study. The study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics at Military Hospital Rawalpindi in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi over a period of two years from Jan 2007 to Dec 2008. Thirty short children between three to fourteen years of age having isolated growth hormone deficiency confirmed by laboratory investigation were included in the study prospectively and retrospectively. Growth hormone replacement therapy with recombinant GH was given to all children at the dose of 0.14iu/kg, six days a week subcutaneously. Each patient was assessed and evaluated after every three months. The mean chronologic age was 8.05 +/- 2.74 years with a height age of 4.02 years. The male to female ratio was 1.72:1. They were treated with recombinant GH in a dose of 0.14iu/kg, six days a week, subcutaneously at evening. Response to GH was excellent and the mean growth speed had gone up from 2.53 +/- 0.87 cm per year before the treatment to 8.94 +/- 3.18 cm / year in the first twelve months of treatment and 6.8 +/- 1.6 cm / year during the second year of treatment. During the first twenty four months of treatment, height standard deviation score increased by 1.0 +/- 0.4 SD [p < 0.0001] The height velocity increased, the bone age / chronological age ratio and height SDS for chronological age decreased, while height SDS for bone age increased. There were no adverse reactions. Short stature with classic growth hormone deficiency is not uncommon. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with growth hormone replacement has a very good outcome and the child attains a reasonable height

Cost, efficacy and safety of aminosidine [paromomycin] in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis

To compare Aminosidine as a single agent in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with antimony compounds. Open non-randomized, interventional study of three drugs used in Pakistan for visceral leishmaniasis. Military hospitals at Muzaffarabad Azad-Kashmir and Rawalpindi [reservoir for visceral leishmaniasis in Pakistan] over a period of five years. Children up-to 12 years of age diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis [LD-bodies positive]. Patients were divided into three groups of 30 patients each. Every patient received either sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimonate @ 20 mg/kg/day for 28 days or the trial agent Aminosidine @15mg/kg/day for 21 days. Most patients were less than 36 months of age [82.2%] while there was male predilection [1.2:1]. Fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia were seen in 100% cases with malnutrition in 71%, cough in 51%, lymphadenopathy in 23.3% and bleeding diathesis 40% being the other common features. Three agents were found to be effective [to a different degree] as regards defervesence, reduction in size of enlarged organs, recovery of bone-marrow function manifested by improvement in hematological parameters. No major side effects were detected clinically or by laboratory studies. Cost of therapy was also remarkably lower for aminosidine as compared to the antimonials. Aminosidine as a single agent is much cheaper, effective and a safe drug suitable for treatment of visceral Leishmaniasis in Pakistan

phase II study of gemcitabine concurrent with radiation in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: a trial of the cancer research group Pakistan

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of weekly gemcitabine as a radiosensitizer concurrent with radical radiotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of head and neck. From August 2001 to January 2002, thirty-nine patients with stage III or IV B inoperable carcinoma of head and neck were enrolled. Patients with histopathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma with at least one bidimensionally measurable lesion, no prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and a KPS of 60 or above were included. Patients with nasopharyngeal, glottic or sub-glottic cancer were excluded. Gemcitabine 150mg/m2 or a total dose not exceeding 200 mg was given on day 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 during radiation treatment. Radiation was delivered with conventional fractionation to a total dose of 66-70Gy. Miller's criteria was used for response evaluation. RTOG/EORTC acute radiation [and chemotherapy] morbidity scoring system and WHO grading of acute and sub acute toxicity criteria were used for documentation of toxicity. All 39 patients were evaluable for toxicity but only 35 patients were evaluable for response. An overall response rate of 94.3% [95% CI; 80.8-99.3] was seen with a partial response rate of 71.4% and complete response rate of 22.9% [95%CI; 10.4-40.1]. Grade 3 mucositis was seen in 28 patients [71.8%]. Grade 4 mucositis was seen in 2 patients [5.1%]. Pharyngeal toxicity was the second-most common toxicity. Grade 2 toxicity was seen in 12 patients [30.8%] and grade 3 in 6 patients [15.4%]. Despite vigorous symptomatic and supportive care acute toxicities led to treatment interruption in 40% of patients. A high overall response rate and a high rate of acute toxicity are seen at a weekly gemcitabine dose of 150mg/m2 concurrent with radiation. This shows that gemcitabine is a potent radiosensitizer with a marked tumor and normal tissue radio sensitization

Toxicity profile and objective response of paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of 1-hour weekly Paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer along with evaluation of overall survival. A phase II interventional trial. Oncology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, between August 2001 to July 2003. Thirtysix patients were enrolled in the study. All patients with histologically confirmed and bidimensionally measurable metastatic breast cancer who had received previously either chemotherapy or hormone therapy were included in the study. Paclitaxel was administered in 1-hour weekly infusion in a dose of 100 mg/m2 for 12 doses. All patients had received previous chemotherapy with either CAF or CMF. Twenty five patients had also received hormone therapy, 61% had two or more metastatic sites involved, and lung was the common site of involvement. Complete response was observed in 4 [11.1%] patients, partial response in 14 [38.8%] patients, with an overall response rate of 50.0%. Clinical benefit was 94.4% and median overall survival was 11 months. Treatment was well-tolerated with no grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Common side effects were arthralgias, myalgias and neutropenia. Treatment with 1-hour weekly infusion of Paclitaxel is a well-tolerated chemotherapy with a substantial degree of efficacy in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Efficacy of letrozole for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal patients

To evaluate the clinical benefit and tolerability of letrozole after tamoxifen failure in locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. A phase II non-randomized trial Oncology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March 1999 to February 2001 over a period of 2 years. One hundred and seventeen patients with tamoxifen failure were treated with letrozole 2.5 mg once daily, through oral route. All the accrued patients were either estrogen/progesterone receptor positive or unknown with KPS of more than 50%. Patients who had prior hormone therapy other than tamoxifen, or more than one chemotherapy for recurrent or advanced disease were not enrolled in the study. Time to progression [TTP] was the primary objective, whereas objective response [OR], duration and rate of clinical benefit [complete response + partial response + stable disease >6 months], tolerability and effects on quality of life were the secondary end points. The clinical benefit was 47.0% with an objective response of 28.2%. The objective response and median time to progression in soft tissue disease was better than in the visceral and bone disease. The median time to progression for patients having positive estrogen receptor / progesterone receptors [ER/PR] was 9.5 months which is slightly higher than in patients having unknown ER/PR status. The treatment with letrozole was well-tolerated with side effects observed in only 14 patients. Letrozole is an effective hormone therapy after tamoxifen failure since it has significant clinical benefit and objective response. It can be safely used as second line hormone therapy in postmenopausal patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer