Anti-infective, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of Ziziphus oxyphylla and Cedrela serrata

Objective To search for the most active antimicrobial and antioxidant sub-fractions related to traditional use of Ziziphus oxyphylla (Z. oxyphylla) and Cedrela serrata (C. serrata) in Pakistan against infectious and liver diseases. Methods Factions of different polarity were tested in vitro for their antiprotozoal, antimalarial, antibacterial and antifungal activity against different pathogens. Cytotoxicity on MRC-5 cell lines (human lung fibroblasts) as well as, in vitro radical scavenging activity was evaluated using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay. Results The highest antiprotozoal activity was observed for the CHCl

Burn wound infection; significance of rule of nine in microbial surveillance

Burn injuries are common and major health problem throughout the world. The burn wound represents as a favorable area for opportunistic colonization of microorganisms with exogenous and endogenous origin. In burns patients infections arise from multiple sources. Burn wounds become initially colonized and infected with Gram positive bacteria, mainly Staphylococci, that are superseded during the second week by Gram Negative bacteria. it is a microbial surveillance retrospective study; that aimed to evaluate the significance of Rule of nine in diagnosis of aerobic bacterial burn wound infection and carried out in between June 2007 to September 2011 in the Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Karachi.Descriptive retrospective study. A total of 118 patient irrespective of age, sex, date and time of burn, date and time of hospital admission, interval between time of burn and hospital admission, degree and percentage [%] of burn and duration of hospital stay [when specimen collected] were registered for this study. All patients were divided into two groups [A and B]. Out of 58 patients of group A isolation rate per patient was 1.1 while in group B it becomes 3.0. According to TBSA the isolation rate in group B rises with rise in TBSA. Most prevalent organism in these patients was found S. aureus[23%] P.aeruginosa[21%]. Burn patients are incubator for variety of aerobic bacteria and rate of isolation of these organisms increase with rise in TBSA. The wounds of these patient must required continuous microbial surveillance that may reduce the rate of mortality

Changing frequency of hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C positive cases among blood donors screened in blood bank at Nishtar hospital, Multan

To determine the change in frequency of Hepatitis-C and B in blood donors presented for screening at blood bank of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. This cross sectional, descriptive hospital based study was carried out in Community Medicine Department, Nishtar Medical College, Multan in collaboration with the Blood Bank at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. A total of 300 donors were screened for hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C during the month of June 2009. Among 300 blood donors screened for hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C, 92.7% were males while females were only 7.3%. Among all blood donors screened, 6% were found hepatitis-B positive and 5.3% were found hepatitis-C positive. Hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C are increasing at an alarming rate in Multan and the surrounding areas. Aggressive measures are needed for control this epidemic

Comparative effect of candesartan cilexetil and atenolol on glucose metabolism in essential hypertensive patients

To compare the changes on Glucose metabolism in essential hypertensive patients. Randomized, open-labeled, prospective comparative study. The study was carried out in the department of pharmacology and therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from January 2007 to December 2008. In this study [80] newly diagnosed essential hypertensive patients were enrolled and divided into two groups [DR1] and [DR2] respectively. DRI patients received Candesartan 16 mg once a day and DR2 patients received Atenolol 50mg once a day for 3 months duration. At the end of study period the parameters examined were fasting and random blood glucose levels. The results have been expressed as mean +/- SEM [Standard error of Mean]. The mean fasting blood glucose level was decreased [from 90.22+ 1.34 mg/dl to 89.20 +/- 1.70 mg/dl; for DR1] versus DR2 in which mean fasting blood glucose level was increased [from 91.82 +/- 1.34 mg/dl to 97.91 +/- 1.22 mg/dl; p<0.001]. A reduction of 1.13% in case of DR1 and an increase of 6.63% were observed in case of DR2 group. The mean random blood glucose level was decreased for DRI group [from 151.12 +/- 0.99 mg/dl to 149.36 +/- 0.80 mg/dl] versus DR2 in which mean random blood glucose level was increased from [155.47 to +/- 0.96 mg /dl to 168.83 +/- 0.81 mg/dl; p<0.001]. A reduction of 1.16% was observed in case of DR1 group while and increase of 8.59% was observed in case of DR2 group, respectively. Candesartan cilexetil is a newer and safer alternative for the treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients in comparison to Atenolol treatment

Microbiology of burn patients of civil hospital Karachi

After initial period of shock, infection remains a major and most serious complication in burn patients. The flora of the burn wound is constantly changing and the potential risk of burn wound sepsis persists until complete healing of burn wound. In burn patients most of the infections are thought to be of nosocomial origin. Gram positive cocci are considered with increasing frequency in nosocomial infection. Gram negative organism cause trouble in different ways, pus containing toxins convert partial thickness burns into full thickness burn, causing general illness, failure of graft taking and most important is septicemia Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly pathogenic in the injured immuno suppressive burn patients. Most common isolates belongs to family Enterobacteriacae i.e. 36 [63.3%]. Second common isolates were belonging to Genus Staphylococci 15 [26%]. The prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was relatively less that was 07 [10.4]. Gram positive Staphylococci were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin, Chloramphenicol, and Imipenem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin i.e. 83.3% Imipenem was highly effective against [97.6%] isolates of Enterobacteriacae. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective drug that was effective against 87.5%isolates of Enterobacteriaicae

Proteinuria a target for reno-protection in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy

To study the response of angiotensin II [ATI] receptor antagonist ARE [Losartan] as monotherapy in diagnosed hypertensive, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] patients with nephropathy [albuminuria]. Department of pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. This study is a randomized trial used to examine the effects of ARB [Losartan] on the renal outcome of 20 diagnosed cases of hypertensive noninsulin dependent diabetes [NIDDM] with base line proteinuria. 20 normal subjects were also selected as control group. Baseline albuminuria is almost linearly related to renal outcome, and is the strongest predictor among all measured well-known baseline risk parameters. The changes in albuminuria in the first 3 months of therapy are roughly linearly related to the degree of long-term renal protection. ARB [Losartan] showed 58% [P<0.001] reduction in proteinuria, 4.7% reduction in serum urea, 7.06% [P<0.01] reduction in serum creatinine, creatinine clearance by 4.72%, serum potassium increases by 5.07% [P<0.01] and FBS reduced by 33.29% I [P<0.001]. Baseline to final change for SBP as well as for, DBP was significantly reduced i.e.19.20% [P<0.001] and 16.16%[p<0.001] respectively. In conclusion, albuminuria should be considered a risk marker for progressive loss of renal function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy, as well as a target for therapy. Reduction of residual albuminuria to the lowest achievable level should be viewed as a goal for future renoprotective treatments

Role of enterobactereacae in burn wound sepsis in Karachi

The over all prevalence of the Enterobacteriacae in present study was more than 50% in which the most prevalent organisms belongs to Proteus Spp. [38,3%] that followed by Enterobacter Spp. [22.4%]. The prevalence of E. coli and Kleb, Pneumoniae was 10%, Imipenem was the most effective [98%] drug against Enterobacieieacae. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective [82%] drug. Amikacin and fourth generation Cefepirne were the third effective [>70%] drugs against these bacteria. Ciprofloxacin was the less effective [60-64%] drug against KIeb. pneumonia and E. coli than the rest of the isolates of Eiiterobactereacae. Arnikacin [49%] and Cefepime [44%] were less effective against Proteus Spp. More than 50% isolates were sensitive to Piperacillin, Gentamicin and Tobramycin. Amoxicillin and Augmentin were ineffective against these bacteria in this study

Usefulness of entry test. what first professional MBBS part one results show?

To see how students admitted after entry test in Nishtar Medical College, Multan, perform in First Professional MBBS Part-I, we analyzed the results of three successive sessions i.e. N-51, N-52 and N-53. A total number of 437 students' results were analyzed. We grouped the students into top 50 of F.Sc [F.Sc-50], top 50 of Entry Test [ET-50] and top 50 of MBBS Part-I results [MBBS-50]. When we analyzed the MBBS-50 group, it was seen that in N-51 [Session 2002-2003], twenty one of MBBS-50 students were from F.Sc-50 group, twenty of MBBS-50 were from ET-50 group. In N-52 [Session 2003-2004], seventeen of MBBS-50 were from F.Sc-50 group. eighteen of MBBS-50 were from ET-50 group. In N-53 [session 2004-2005], twenty eight of MBBS-50 students were from F.Sc-50 group; eleven of MBBS-50 students were from ET-50 group. So in three successive MBBS batches [i.e. N-51, N-52 and N-53 batches], F.Sc-50 group contributed more as compared with the ET-50 group. Less number of students failed from F.Sc-50 group as compared with ET-50 group. F.Sc-50 group also have more high achievers as compared with ET-50 group. F.Sc-50 group showed improvements in its performance over the three years period. We conclude that F.Sc results are reflecting more precisely the students' performance in future as compared with the entry test results

Hypolipidemic effects of high fat sunflower oil and nigella sativa [Kalonji] on serum lipid profile of albino rats

Diet is the main factor affecting serum lipid concentrations. We studied the changes in serum lipid profile by high fat sunflower oil diet. We also documented the effects of Nigella Sativa [Kalonji] on serum lipid profile. Thirty two albino rats were divided into two groups i.e. one control [C] groups and other experimental [E] group having equal number of rats. Study was carried out for twelve weeks. Fasting blood samples were drawn by heart puncture for serum lipid profile under ether anaesthesia. Estimations were done by recommended methods. Statistical methods were done by using student's "t" test. We found decrease in total cholesterol by 9.6%, triglyceride by 4.21%, LDL cholesterol by 12.0% and HDL cholesterol by 10.4%. We concluded from study that polyunsaturated fatty acid in high concentrations [20%] has lipid-lowering effect and Nigella sativa has got HDL cholesterol raising effect, which has anti-atherogenic potential

Effects of low fat diet and nigella sativa [Kalonji] on serum lipid probile of albino rats

Diet influences serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and individual lipoproteins. We compared the serum lipid changes in albino rats fed on low fat sunflower oil diet and Nigella Sativa. Thirty two albino rats were divided into two groups, one control [C] group fed on low fat sunflower oil and other experimental [E] group fed on low fat sunflower oil diet and Nigella Sativa. The study was carried out for twelve weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken by heart puncture under ether anaesthesia for serum lipid profile. Estimations were carried out by recommended methods. Statistical methods was done by using students's "t" test. We found an increase in total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c]. We concluded from the study that polyunsaturated fatty acids in low proportions and Nigella Sativa has HDL-c raising effect, which has anti-atherogenic potential

Cross-cultural validation of harter's self-perception profile for children in the United Arab Emirates

Harter's Self-Perception Profile for children [SPPC] is a self-reporting inventory for ascertaining children's perception of themselves in various specific domains of their life, as well as their sense of global selfworth. A few studies have examined the psychometric properties of this instrument in the Western setting, but none have investigated this in an Arabic culture. Patients and Method: Psychometric properties of the SPPC were examined, using a sample of 100 schoolchildren aged 8 to 16 years in the United Arab Emirates. The internal consistency reliability was found to be excellent with Chronbach's alpha, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92. Significant age and gender differences were found with the internal consistency reliability scores, being higher in children aged 13 to 16 years [0.88 to 0.93] when compared to younger children, especially boys aged 8 to 12 years [0.54 to 0.66], suggesting a need to exercise caution while using this scale in young boys in this culture. Behavioral conduct subscale was found to have the highest reliability score and the strongest correlation to global self-worth [r=0.54] for both younger and older children in our sample. This is in contrast to findings from similar studies carried out on American and Dutch samples, where this subscale was found to have the lowest reliability score and the weakest correlation with one's global self-worth. The findings indicate that the SPPC is a reliable and internally valid instrument for use in the Arab culture

Oral midazolam in pediatric dentistry

The study aimed at abserving the changes in cooperation level of children undergoing dental procedures following the administration of a single oral dose of 7.5 mg of Midazolam. Children were multinational, and ranged in age between 24 to 59 months. All subjects were considered to be resistant to routine behavioural management techniques. There was a 77.8% treatment visit success. The success rate was statistically insignificant between the sexes. Due to the small population, differences could not be elicited based on nationality and age group of subjects. There were however noticeable differences in behaviour based on the dental procedure being performed. Dental extraction had the poorest cooperation followed by cavity preparation. Cooperation improved significantly when the rubber dam was removed [where applied]. Midazolam was found to increase treatment visit success rates in the present study

awareness of oral health in Emirati children

To develop an effective and efficient preventive dental health system, it is imperative to be cognizant of the existing problems and its various facets. One of the factors which mitigate against effective utilisation of dental health facilities is lack of awareness. To this end, a study was designed to appraise basic oral health concepts in the Emirati population. This study should serve as a baseline for comparisons in the future. Results obtained from the present study suggested a mixed and upwardly developing population. Western practices of tooth brushing have been incorporated into the lifestyle. Children seemed to have given up the use of "Miswak" and prefered to brush. Although there was no proper dental health education in schools curricula, prevention was a strong motivating force in frequent brushing. This pre-existing concept can be utilised in designs of preventive programmes. There seemed to be a lack of parental involvement in oral hygiene procedures. The level of dental health awareness seemed to be less in the present population than those in the Western World