Physico-chemical standardisation of market sample of zufa khushk [agastache urticifolia]

In Unani system of medicine Zufa Khushk is in medicinal use since ancient times. There is controversy in botanical identity in between the two plants of same family [Labiatae]. Commonly available Zufa Khushk in north Indian market is botanically identified as Agastache urticifolia [Benth] Kuntze [Giant Hyssopus] but it has been described by some latest authors of Unani literature as Hyssopus officinalis [Common Hyssopus] and standardization of its flower has also been carried out by them. Keeping in view the necessity to provide pure and genuine drug to the patients for better efficiency of the prescribed drug, standardization of the sample drug has been carried out and revealed that actual botanical source of Zufa Khushk is Agastache urticifolia of Labiatae. It has also been studied that in spite of its aromatic nature, the market sample of Zufa Khushk was free from volatile oil

challenge of risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype

Cytogenetic aberrations have long been recognized as the most important prognostic variable in acute myeloid leukemia [AML] and are now a major stratification tool for post-remission therapy. Cytogenetics-based stratification improves survival. Patients with AML and normal cytogenetics, the largest single subgroup, have had a very heterogeneous outcome with standard chemotherapy in multiple clinical trials. Hence it is difficult to recommend a [one size fits all] kind of treatment for this heterogeneous population of AML patients. New emerging data from preclinical, retrospective, and large, randomized controlled studies indicate that in addition to cytogenetic abnormalities, many other molecular aberrations are operative in the response to treatment as well as in the risk of relapse. Such molecular markers are being tested for developing targeted therapies and may help in improved stratification of patients in the selection of post-remission therapy. Emerging evidence reveals that at the submicroscopic level, AML with normal cytogenetics may carry poor prognostic genetic lesions or [molecular signatures] as is the case with FLT3 mutations and overexpression of BAALC, ERG or MN1, or may have aberrations that predict better risk as is the case with isolated NPM1 or CEBPA mutations. Later studies have tried to explore the interaction of various prognostically important genes in this group of AML patients. The utility of the evolving data for bedside management of such patients is expected to improve with the wider application of modern tools, using the proposed clinical outcome models, and probably by development of a risk-scoring system based on the relative risk associated with each molecular aberration. The goals include identifying those patients most likely to benefit from upfront allogeneic HSCT and sparing good-prognosis patients from unnecessary transplant-related morbidity. The following is an outline of the most common molecular changes, their impact on the outcome of AML patients with normal cytogenetics and challenges in their wide scale application in risk stratification

Dermatoglyphic pattern in normal individuals

Fingerprints [dermatoglyphics] are the impression of the papillary ridges on the palmar aspect of the distal phalynx. These ridges contain the opening of the sweat ducts and these glands are concerned in maintaining the body temperature. A study on the normal dermatoglyphic pattern was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Civil Hospital Karachi. Our findings on 200 people showed whorls in 48%, loops in 42.5%, arches in 4.8% and the composite variety in 4.7% of individuals. In United Kingdom the findings were loops in 70%, whorls in 25% and arches in 5%. A change in the external environment is suggested for the different pattern of dermatoglyphics in the two countries

history of dermatology

Dermatology as a speciality began in the 19th century. Before this the diseases of the skin were considered either as a manifestation of systemic disorder or as a route for the removal of humors. In the prehistoric period the uncivilised man had no knowledge of cutaneous disorders, the diseases in general were either due to obvious causes as injury insect bites etc. or it was the work of demons. As man became more civilised he tried to find the cause of illness and ways to treat them. Different countries had different ways to treat them, as there was no access to the outside world. The ancient man was also aware of prevention of disease, he found ways to prevent himself against small pox, long before Jenner electrified the world with smallpox vaccination. Many writings of ancient times refer to skin diseases. In the middle or the dark ages we see the spread of leprosy and bubonic plague, opening of leprosariums and public health institutions. Most of the specialities have originated in the modern age, mostly due to the advanced methods of investigations, diagnosis and treatment. Dermatology had its origin from the Vienna school of medicine by Ferdinand Hebra. Whatever the future may hold for us we should not forget the work of our ancestor. They worked at a time when hardly any facility was available to them, yet described diseases so meticulously and found therapeutic cure for them. History of medicine forms an infrastructure on which modern dermatology is based. As we trace the history of dermatology from the prehistoric times to the modern age, we see that many diseases have inflicted man again and again, some disease have been controlled, new diseases have emerged. Man's constant struggle to combat infection has led to new inventions and discoveries

Piezogenic papules-a study of 100 cases

Hundred people were examined for piezogenic papules [cutaneous hernia]. Of these 80 had pedal papules, 86 wrist papules and 74 both pedal and wrist papules. Most of these papules were bilateral and multiple. All cases examined were painless. Biopsy showed fragmentation of dermal elastic tissue and herniation of subcutaneous fat into the dermis. Histology was similar for both pedal and wrist papules

Dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis

Dermatopathia Pigmentosa Reticularis is a rare hereditary disorder, which has a characteristic triad of generalized reticulate pigmentation, non cicatricial alopecia and onychodystrophy. The other variable features of the disorder are hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, pigmentation of the oral mucosa and conjuctiva, punctuate spots on the cornea, adermatoglyphia, hypo or hyperhidrosis and non scarring bullae on the hands and feet. Histologically the disease is characterized by pigmentary incontinence. Our patient has the characteristic triad of the disease and almost all the variable features. The histology in our case is also consistent with that described in other cases of dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis

Piezogenic pedal papules

Piezogenic Pedal Papules are soft, skin coloured, compressible papules present on the periphery of the heels, which appear on application of pressure and disappear on removal of force. These papules were first described by Shelley and Rawnsley in 1968. They are called piezogenic because they appear on pressure [piezo= pressure, genic= giving rise to]. These papules may be painful or painless. They are characterised histologically be small fatty herniation into the dermis or loss of compartmentalisation of subcutaneous fat

Mesenteric venous thrombosis: Asir experience

Twenty-one patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis who were operated upon in two district general hospitals in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia, during 1985-1989 were studied. Seventeen patients [81%] were female. The disease was found to be commonest in the fifth and sixth decades. The overall mortality was 33.3%. The majority of the patients in this series had no associated illness. The survival rate was better if an early diagnosis was made with timely surgical intervention and administration of anticoagulants

Skin and sports

Sports-related cutaneous injuries are many. These may vary from being trivial to that of anaphylaxis. Sometimes a minor injury can be a source of constant discomfort to the player. On the other hand a simple injury like calcaneal petechiae can be mistaken for a melanoma. Importance therefore lies in the awareness of cutaneous injury in sports and how to prevent them

Traumatic rupture of hydatid cyst in a child presenting as acute abdomen without anaphylaxis

A 12 year old child with traumatic rupture of intra-abdominal hydatid cysts is described. The case presented with peritoneal irritation mimicking ruptured viscus. Surprisingly there were no features of anaphylaxis despite extensive intraperitoneal spillage of hydatid cyst content

Free amino acids composition of aqueous humor from Pakistan subjects with senile cataract

Free amino acids content of aqueous humor in Pakistani subjects with senile cataract is measured and results are compared with previous studies. Most of the amino acids showed lower concentration than those reported for European1 and American 2 subjects