Factors associated with the spread of tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis is the cause of morbidity and mortality' all over the world. It is the oldest documented infectious disease and it remains an ,important health problem, in most of the developed and many developing countries. The study was done at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad, and the previous history of 300 incoming patients was recorded on a prescribed questionnaire, and it was concluded that prevalence of tuberculosis was high in patients belonging to low socio-economic status [71%], in those who live in joint family system [68%] and those who were regular smokers [42%]. Males were more susceptible i.e. 62% than females [38%]

Food habits of silver carp and big head carp in hquaculture dams in winter

Analysis of intestinal contents of silver carp [Hypothalmicthys molitrix] and big head carp [Aristicthys nobilis] were made to know the feeding habits. It showed that silver carp primarily consumed phytoplanktons and few zooplanktons while big head carp consumed larger quantities of phytoplanktons, due to low density of zooplanktons in dam water and also because of the low water temperatures in winters. The temperature during December 2001 to January 2002 ranging from 22°C to 25°C. In silver carp the phytoplanktons identified were present in following percentages Volvox 30%, Microspora 17%, Chlamydomonas 8.7%, Ulothrix 6.5%, Scenedesmus 6.1%, Synedra, Dictyosphaerium, Euglena spp. 4.3%, Coccochloris 2.1%, and zooplanktons were identified to be Enteroplea spp. 6.5%, Branchionus 2.1%, Lecane 2.1%. In big head carp the phytoplanktons identified were in following percentages Spirogyra 34%, Microspora 26%, Spirulina 13%, Synedra 13%, Ulothrix 8.6% and Pinnularia 4.3%. None of the zooplanktons were identified from the gut contents of big head carps

Epidemiological and histopathological studies of goiter

Goiter can occur when the thyroid gland produces either too much thyroid hormone [hyperthyroidism] or not enough [hypothyroidism]. Diseases of thyroid gland can occur at any age and in both genders. Deficiency of iodine in the diet is the most common cause of goiter. The main purpose of this research is to find out the percentage of different goiters, malignancies and their histopathological examination. Data was collected from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. The sample of thyroid tissue was drawn out by using fine needle aspiration. It was found that adenomatous/multinodular goiter [70.69%] is the most common, followed by colloid goiter [24.36], malignancy of thyroid [3.48] and other diseases of thyroid including benign thyroid neoplasm and Hashimoto's thyroiditis [1.47%]. It was found that the most susceptible age for the thyroid problem in this region is between 20 to 40 years. The result also shows that females [81.32%] are highly more susceptible than males [18.68% because of physiological stresses in females such as pregnancy and menses, which may increase the need of iodine

Relationship between lipids and cardiac enzymes following acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction is a clinical syndrome that results from an injury to myocardial tissues that is caused by an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand. Hypertension, arteriosclerosis, strenuous exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption etc. are the risk factors causing acute myocardial infarction. The criteria for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction include changes serially obtained on electrocardiogram tracing, abnormal levels of lipids and cardiac enzymes. TO access the relationship between lipid and cardiac enzymes analytical study was carried out. About 250 samples were collected and centrifuged to get the serum. Then quantitative determination of Creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were performed. Enzymatic hydrolysis of triglyceride with subsequeht determination of liberated glycerol and CHOD-PAP [Cholesterol oxidase and peroxidase] method for cholesterol was performed. The results of the study showed that the level of cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein increases as the age increases showing a significant result and a non-significant result was obtained for low-density lipoprotein, as their value fell in normal range. A significant result was obtained for Creatine kinase and Lactate dehydrogenase. The value of Creatine kinase and Lactate dehydrogenase increases as the age increase

Prevalence of anemia and its risk factors in children of age group 5 to years

Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells, which can be caused either by too rapid loss or too slow production of red blood cells. Maintenance of normal level of hemoglobin, which is > 11 g/dl/is very important in children, because low level of hemoglobin can lead to anemia. Malnourishment in children can be the cause of anemia, but lack of proper caring practice was an important contributing factor, which may be due to social and actual poverty, illiteracy of parents, poor personal hygiene and inefficient use of resources as factors related to cause of anemia. It was found that percentage of anemia in children [5-12 years] is higher in low socio-economic status 72% and in children with poor diet and presence of worms about 75%