Modulation of visfatin levels by thiazolidinediones in insulin resistant sprague dawley rats

Background: Insulin resistance is manifested by decreased effect of fixed quantity of insulin on glucose metabolism leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Visceral obesity has a positive correlation with insulin resistance but its mechanism is not fully defined. Insulin resistance may be the consequence of adipocytokines including visfatin and resistin. This study was designed to see the effect of thiazolidinediones on visfatin levels in insulin resistant rats

Methods: Ninety Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of 30 each. Group I served as control. Rats in Group II and III were made insulin resistant diabetics with high sucrose diet. Group III was treated with thiazolidinediones after development of diabetes. Plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, HDL, TG:HDL ratio and serum visfatin levels were analysed

Results: Body weight and plasma glucose, visfatin levels and TG:HDL ratio were significantly increased [p<0.05] in group II and group III at the end of 4[th] week. Treatment of group III with thiazolidinediones led to improvement in insulin resistance with increase in serum visfatin levels [p<0.05]

Conclusion: Thiazolidinediones augment sensitivity of insulin to restore normoglycaemia by increasing serum visfatin level

Teaching anatomy at undergraduate level -- a survey amongst students comparing use of powerpoint and blackboard

To find out a more effective method for teaching anatomy at undergraduate level by comparing PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk modes. Comparative study. This study was conducted at the departments of anatomy at Army Medical College, Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad Medical and Dental College in Rawalpindi/Islamabad from March to May 2010. 130 students who were exposed to both the PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk based lectures in three medical and dental colleges, were selected at random from class nominal roll. A specially designed questionnaire was sent to them. 82% [106] of the students returned the survey form with the response. Various advantages and disadvantages of both the PowerPoint and Blackboard-Chalk method were highlighted in the students' response. 65%, 62% and 60% of the students recommended that a combination based upon Blackboard as main format, and supplemented by PowerPoint should be used in lectures [embryology, histology and gross anatomy], gross anatomy demonstrations and histology practical respectively. The PowerPoint was recommended to be used in the beginning to outline the lecture and summarize the things at the end with picture showing wherever needed. A strategy based upon mixing PowerPoint with Blackboard as main format is preferred by undergraduate students in anatomy

Determining the factors associated with unmet need for family planning: a cross-sectional survey in 49 districts of Pakistan

Around 137 million women in the developing world who would like to avoid childbearing are unable to do so, despite a huge increase in contraceptive access and use globally. Ironically, the prevalence of unmet need in Pakistan is among the highest in the world despite being one of the first countries in South Asia to launch national family planning program. The aim of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of unmet need for contraception and to indentify the factors associated with it Across-sectional survey was conducted in forty nine districts of Pakistan across all four provinces from September 2008 to March 2009. Using an adapted version of PDHS questionnaire, interviews were conducted with approximately 10,000 married women of reproductive age in each district. Sample was later weighted according to district population at the time of analysis to control over and under representation. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between risk factors and unmet need. The total unmet need for contraception was 23.5%. Muinvariable analysis showed that unmet need was found significantly higher in Balochistan and Sindh province compare to Punjab. The unmet need was quite prevalent among the specific groups that include older age women, low or uneducated women, those who have higher number of living children, had no history of miscarriage or abortion, those who are not exposed to mass media once a week, and among the women in lowest wealth quintiles. Despite all the efforts made to increase in uptake of contraceptive method the contraceptive prevalence rate has hardly changed over the last decade. However, several groups of women continue to have high unmet need for family planning. Thus, the family planning programmes may need to shift their focus from increasing uptake of contraceptives to satisfying unmet need for contraception with special focus on those underserved marginalized groups and areas with highest levels of unmet need

Effects of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol supplementation on basal testosterone cortisol ratio in male sprague dawley rats

Basal testosterone cortisol ratio is considered very important to maintain homeostasis. Increase in this ratio has various beneficial effects on body. In this study we determined the effects of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol supplementation on basal testosterone cortisol ratio in male Sprague Dawley rats. It was quasi experimental study carried out in department of Physiology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad during October 2006 to September 2007. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups with ten rats in each group and above mentioned antioxidants supplementation were given along with standard diet for one month. After this, blood samples were taken and analyzed for serum testosterone and cortisol by ELISA and malondialdehyde levels colorimetrically. Data were analysed on SPSS version 13 and p<0.05 was considered significant. There was no significant rise in testosterone cortisol ratio in rats supplemented with single antioxidant; however rats supplemented with combination of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol revealed significant rise in testosterone cortisol ratio with a fall in malondialdehyde levels. Synergistic effects of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol resulted in a decline in reactive oxygen species induced lipid peroxidation and rise of testosterone cortisol ratio

Levosulpiride in premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders. A large number of treatment options have been used so far for the treatment of this dysfunction and still a large number of experts are doing research in this field. Here we have tried to research on the beneficial effects of levosulpiride in the treatment of PE. Eighty-eight patients form different areas of Hazara division suffering from PE were chosen. Sixty-four patients were given levosulpiride and the remaining 24 patients were given Placebo. Out of 64 patients who have been given levosulpiride, 30 patients showed very good improvement, 14 patients showed some improvement, 14 patients showed little and 06 patients showed no improvement. levosulpiride have very good beneficial effects in the treatment of PE

Frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy population

Ventricular late potentials are low amplitude signals detected on Signal averaged ECG. These potentials have been associated with the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Few studies are available relating frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy individuals but no such data is available for our population. We planned the study to determine frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy subjects of our population. Thirty-seven healthy subjects with mean age 26 +/- 5 were included. All the subjects underwent ECG, Echocardiography, Exercise tolerance test, blood sugar profile and coronary angiogram to rule out all the possible confounders. Signal averaged ECG was performed on all the subjects to determine ventricular late potentials. Three parameters of SAECG, i.e., fQRS, LAS 40 and RMS 40 were measured using 1200 EPX arrhythmia research technology. Only 1 subject out of total 37 had ventricular late potentials [2.7%]. The frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy subjects [2.7%] indicates the magnitude of development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias that may lead to vulnerability of sudden cardiac death. However study on larger scale is needed to confirm the frequency of ventricular late potentials in our population

Sensitivty and specificity of Romhilt-Estes point score system for detecting left ventricular hypertnophy

The present study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of Romhilt and Estes point score system of ECG for the assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy by comparing it with the gold standard of echocardiography. Fifty clinically diagnosed patients of LVH were included in this collaborative study of Dept. of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and Department of Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. ECG of the patients were recorded and Romhilt-Estes point score calculated. This was followed by echocardiography and left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index was calculated. It was found that Romhilt-Estes point score system had a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 90%. The sensitivity of ECG is low in detecting LVH, however, sensitivity can be increased by combining Sokolow Lyons voltage criteria and Cornell voltage criteria with Romhilt-Estes point score. ECG is however still recommended as a routine investigation because of its cost effectiveness and easy availability

Gender differences in lipids and lipoprotein [a] profiles in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to assess gender differences in blood lipids and lipoprotein [a] levels in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was carried out at Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Sixty four patients suffering from type 2 DM and forty one healthy individuals were studied. The subjects were divided into healthy females, healthy males, type 2 DM females and type 2 DM males group. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for lipoprotein [a] [Lp [a]], total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc]. When the lipid profile of healthy females was compared with the lipid profile of healthy males it was observed that HDL-C levels were significantly higher in healthy females as compared to healthy males [p < 0.05] while serum triglycerides were significantly raised in healthy males as compared to healthy females [p < 0.05]. Diabetic females had significantly higher levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and Lp [a] levels as compared to healthy females [p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05 and p < 0.05]. Diabetic males had significantly higher levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and Lp [a] levels than healthy males [p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05]. The difference in lipid and Lp [a] profile was non significant between diabetic females and diabetic males. There are gender differences in lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as healthy individuals. Diabetic individuals have raised levels of Lp [a] as compared to non diabetic subjects in case of both females and males. However in diabetic females and diabetic males there is no difference in lipid profile and Lp [a] concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings

Dose response relationships of different reagents for platelet aggregation

Hemostasis in human body depends on a complicated series of events which actively involve blood platelets. Platelets exhibit diverse responses in a variety of agonists. In vivo, most of the agonists act in synergism, causing aggregation of platelets. The synergism between ADP - Epinephrine and Epinephrine - Collagen has been determined in this study by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. The study was carried out at the department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The subthreshold concentrations of each of the agonists were established with the help of dose response curve. By adding these agonists in subthreshold concentrations, the synergism between ADP - Epinephrine and Epinephrine - Collagen was determined. The subthreshold levels of these agonists when combined showed the synergistic responses m causing platelet aggregation. The study brings to light that the optimal platelet aggregation does occur between the above mentioned pairs of agonists even when each of the agonist is added to the other in subthreshold doses

Electrocardiographs diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy: comparison with echocardiography

The present study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of electrocardiographic criteria for the assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy by comparing it with the gold standard of echocardiography. Fifty clinically diagnosed patients of LVH were included in this collaborative study of Dept. of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and Department of Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. ECG of the patients were recorded and Romhilt-Estes point score calculated. This was followed by echocardiography and left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index was calculated. It was found that Romhilt-Estes point score system of ECG had a sensitivity of 35% and specificity 90%. It is concluded that the sensitivity of ECG is low in detecting LVH, however, sensitivity can be increased by combining Sokolow Lyons voltage criteria and Cornell voltage criteria with Romhilt-Estes point score. ECG is however still recommended as a routine investigation because of its cost effectiveness and easy availability

Synergistic interaction of adenosine diphosphate-epinephrine and epinephrine - collagen in aggregation of human platelets

Efficient hemostasis in human body depends on a complicated series of events which actively involve blood platelets. Platelets exhibit diverse responses in a variety of agonists. In vivo, most of the agonists act in synergism, causing aggregation of platelets. In this study, the synergism between ADP ' Epinephrine and Epinephrine ' Collagen has been determined by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. The study was carried out at the department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The subthreshold concentrations of each of the agonists were established with the help of dose response curve. By adding these agonists in subthreshold concentrations, the synergism between ADP ' Epinephrine and Epinephrine ' Collagen was determined. The combinations of these agonists in subthreshold levels showed the synergistic responses in causing platelet aggregation. These findings indicate that the optimal platelet aggregation does occur between the above mentioned pairs of agonists even when each of the agonist is added to the other in subthreshold doses