'Vitamin A' a potential teratogen

To determine the teratogenicity of Vitamin A excess on intrauterine development of thymus in albino rats. Experimental studyThis study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy/ Histopathology, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore from September 2008 to September 2009. Study was conducted with 18 pregnant female albino rats, of Sprague-dawley variety. These female rats were randomly separated into equal groups, A, B and C [n=6]. Vitamin A was used in the form of Isotretinoin [13-cis retinoic acid]. The dose of isotretinoin used in this study was constant i.e, 2.5mg/kg body weight of rats for every experimental group. Taking the trimester of pregnancy as variable of the study dose was given on 9 [mid trimester] and 17 [late trimester] days of pregnancy to the mother rats. The sample size was obtained by collecting 18 foetuses from each group. Thymuses were collected from the rat foetuses of each group after dissection. The foetuses of experimental group whose mother rats received the dose of Vitamin A in mid trimester showed thymic ectopia in a significant number of foetuses [P<0.01], while dose of Vitamin A given in late trimester caused thymic hypoplasia [P<0.01] in fetuses of albino rats. It is obvious with these findings that single dose of Vitamin A can cause deleterious effects on developing thymus in albino rats. Caution must be taken while administration of Vitamin A to a pregnant woman

see the gross qualitative parameters such as general appearance of rats and their testes after long and short term use of sildenafil citrate

To see the gross qualitative parameters such as general appearance of rats and their testes after long and short term use of Sildenafil Citrate. As very little attention has been given to explore the effects of a sildenafil citrate on histological aspects of testes, hence this experimental study was designed to check whether the drug which is being used indiscriminately in our country and abroad is safe or it has any harmful effect on the architecture of rat testis. Experimental Study. This study was conducted in departments of Anatomy and Histopathology Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore for a period of six weeks from 02.05.2008 to 17.06.2008. Sample size consisted of 45 animals, divided into Group A [Control], Group B and C [Experimental], Each group was consisting of 15 animals. Physical examination of rats and their testis was done every day by the author himself and recorded. After giving drug, on inspection of rats all the animals were active and healthy and the gross appearance of the testes was normal except in an animal, in which the testes were smaller than the associates of the same group. Eating habits of all the animals were normal, taking food and water freely. After half an hour of giving the drug, they were mounting over each other and looked aggressive. The comparison of all the groups, A vs B, A vs C and B vs C remained statistically non -significant [P>0.05]. No significant difference was observed in qualitative parameters [general appearance] of the rats and their testes after giving sildenafil citrate

Mean eruption ages and emergence sequences of permanent mandibular first molar and central incisor in local population of Lahore, Pakistan

To find out the mean eruption age and emergence sequence of permanent Mandibular first molar and central incisor in local population of Lahore, Pakistan. Mandibular first molar and cental incisors are the first permanent teeth that erupt in mouth. The timing of these teeth is useful to determine early or delayed eruption. It also helps in prophylactic measures, as water fluoridation. Useful in pediatric dentistry e.g. as one of the milestone, orthodontic dentistry, for diagnosis of certain growth disturbances. Useful in forensic dentistry for estimation of age, developmental differences and similarities among populations. This study standard may ensure international comparability to assist clinicians. Cross-sectional. This study was conducted at the Department of Oral Biology, KEMU, Lahore from 1[st] March 2010 to 15 January 2011. Four thousand primay school children of both genders aging between 5-9 years were examined. Ethical permission was obtained. Consent was obtained. Emergence of teeth was noted in three anatomical stages. Teeth were noted by two-digit system of FDI [Federation Dentaire Internationale], on Performa, Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 13. in male mean eruption age of Lower Central Incisor was 7.29 years with emergence range of 6.75 - 8.14 years. whereas Lower First Molar was 6.93 years, with range of 6.46-7.93 years. In female mean eruption age of Lower Central Incisor was 6.84 years, with emergence range of 6.08-7.48 years. And of Lower First Molar was 6.87 years, with range of 6.75 - 7.32 years. P-value less than 0.05 was assumed significant. Mandibular central incisor and first molar eruption ages are later in both genders compared to Western standards used in our clinical and basic sciences

Effectiveness of ablative partial nail excision with phenolization in advanced stage onychocryptosis [ingrown toe nail]

To determine the effectiveness of ablative partial nail excision with phenolization in advanced stage onychocryptosis [ingrown toe nail]. Study type, settings and duration: An interventional study carried out at Department of Surgery, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Sukkur from January 2009 to December 2009. Patients coming to the surgical department with advanced stage [stage-II and III] or recurrence of ingrown toe nail were included in the study. Patients with stage-I disease, diabetics, with trauma and vascular causes were excluded. All patients were operated as day cases with partial nail excision and chemical ablation with phenol. Results: A total of 56 patients underwent the procedure. There were 44[78.5%] males and 12[21.4%] females. Forty six patients were operated for the first time while 8[14.2%] patients were recurrent cases who were operated previously elsewhere. Post operatively and after chemical ablation, 41[73.2%] patients showed improvement with quite good pain relief and reduced swelling on third day, 15[26.7%] patients improved in two weeks. At 2 months 22[39.2%] patients were lost to follow up. Recurrence was observed only in 7[12.5%] patients after four and a half months. Delayed wound healing for upto three weeks was noticed in 3[5.3%] patients while moderate to severe pain requiring strong analgesics for one month was seen in 6[10.7%] patients. Majority of patients n=36 [64.2%] became symptoms free in 10 days. Partial nail excision with phenolization is a simple and effective procedure with low recurrence rates for patients with advanced ingrown toe nail