Antiviral, embryo toxic and cytotoxic activities of Astragalus membranaceus root extracts

Antiviral activity of Astragalus membranaceus aqueous and methanol root extracts was determined against Avian influenza H9 virus. Toxicity profile of extracts was evaluated using chicken embryos and BHK-21 cell line. Different concentrations [400, 200, 100, 50, 25. 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12µg/mL] of both aqueous and methanol extracts were mixed with standard virus inoculum [4HAunits] and incubated for 30minutes at 37oC prior to inject the chicken embryos. Chorioallantoic fluid harvested 72 hours post inoculation and evaluated for virus growth using hemagglutination assay. Same concentrations of both extracts without virus were injected in chicken embryos to evaluate embryo toxic activity as well. The cytotoxic activity of aqueous and methanol extracts was determined by MTT colorimetric assay using BHK-21 cells. Three concentrations [400, 200 and 100µg/mL] of aqueous and five concentrations [400, 200, 100, 50 and 25µg/mL] of methanol extract showed antiviral activity. None of the tested concentrations of aqueous and methanol A. membranaceus root extracts caused chicken embryo mortality. Cell survival percentage of aqueous extract was higher than 50 at all of the tested concentrations except 400µg/mL. Two concentrations [400 and 200µg/mL] of methanol extract showed cytotoxicity. It was concluded that aqueous and methanol roots extracts of A. membranaceus have antiviral activity and concentrations which were safe may be used for treatment of Avian influenza H9 virus infections

Anti-avian influenza virus H[9]N[2] activity of aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinalis [Ginger] and Allium sativum [Garlic] in chick embryos

In the present study, anti-Avian influenza virus H9N2 activity of aqueous extracts [5, 10, 15, 20, 25%] of Zingiber officinalis and Allium sativum was evaluated. Embryo-toxicity was evaluated by histopathological scoring of Chorio-allantoic membrane of chick embryos. Cytotoxicity of extracts was determined by MTT assay on Vero cells. Aqueous extract of ginger had antiviral activity at 10, 15, 20 and 25% while garlic had activity at 15, 20 and 25%. Histopathological scoring of chorio-allantoic membrane for aqueous extracts [5, 10, 15, 20, 25%] of ginger [0.66+/-0.57, 1.33+/-0.57, 1.66+/-0.57, 2.66+/-0.57, 3.66+/-0.57, respectively] and garlic [1.00+/-0.00, 1.33+/-0.57, 2.00+/-0.00, 2.33+/-0.57, 3.66+/-0.57, respectively] was concentration dependant. MTT assay revealed cytotoxicity of both plants was also concentration dependent. Extracts of ginger [5, 10, 15, 20, 25%] had lower cytotoxicity [71, 59, 28, 22, 0 % cell survival, respectively] as compared to garlic [61, 36. 20, 11, 3% cell survival, respectively]. Overall results revealed that concentration of aqueous extract of ginger [10%], showing antiviral activity against H[9]N2, was less toxic to vero cells [> 50% cell survival]. It is insinuated that ginger may have anti- Avian influenza virus H9N2 potential and its active compounds needs further investigations

Sleep patterns; among medical and non-medical students of university of Lahore, 2010-11

College students experience a number of sleep problems, which impact academic performance, health, and mood. University students are exposed to pressures due to academic demands. To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among college students and look into their sleep patterns and life style. A cross-sectional study. Sample was comprised of 141 medical and non-medical students. The study was conducted at University of Lahore and period spanned from Dec 2010 to April 2011. The age ranged 18 to 26, with 42.6 to 57.4 Male-female ratios. Both groups were almost similar in use of sleeping pills [medical: 97.2, non-medical: 82.2%]. They differed in percentages for studying academic books, listening MP 3 player and late night parties/hangouts, wherein medical students outnumbered non-medical students almost by half. Both groups differed in their usual time to sleep, medical students who sleep later than 12 pm was higher [66.2%], compared to 46.6% non-medical. In taking day naps [medical: 70.6%, non-medical: 37.0%], awakening due to noise often [medical: 41.2%, non-medical: 30.1%], nightmares during sleep often [medical: 23.5%, non-medical: 19.5%] and sometimes [medical: 44.1%, non-medical: 30.1%], difficulty in falling sleep sometimes [medical: 50.0%, non-medical: 32.9%], feel sleepiness in the class often [medical: 45.6%, non-medical: 28.8%], feel tired or sleepiness during the day [medical: 36.7%, non-medical: 23.4%]. Both groups also differ regarding worry about "sleep disturbance to some extent". [medical:51.4%, non-medical: 35.6%]. Our study found that medical students had more disturbed sleep patterns than the comparing group including delaying sleep time at night, awakening due to noise, experiencing nightmares, difficulty in falling sleep, feeling sleepiness in the class and during the day

Patient satisfaction; OPD services in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore

Patient satisfaction is a relative phenomenon, which embodies the patients perceived need, his expectations from the health system, and experience of health care. To determine the level of patient satisfaction towards OPD services with reference to doctor-patient interaction, registration desk, waiting area, and overall health facilities. Descriptive cross sectional study. Tertiary care hospital of Lahore. April 2013. A sample of 250 patients was selected by employing systematic random sampling technique. The patients were interviewed and data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences [SPSS] version 16.00. Data was presented in figures and tables. It was described using frequencies, percentages and mean. Majority of the patients i.e 232 [94%] reported being satisfied with the doctor. A vast majority agreed that hospital was clean 233 [94%] and adequately ventilated 224 [90%]. The hospital staff in the waiting area was found to be respectful 220 [89%] and fair 198 [80%] towards the patients. The patients had no difficulty locating the reception desk of the health facility 235 [95%]. A large proportion of patients i.e.220 [89%] said they would re-visit the hospital. The patients were highly satisfied with their doctors and were ready to re-visit the hospital. It is recommended that further studies should be conducted to assess patient satisfaction in the secondary and primary care health facilities and efforts should be made to get regular feedback from the patients

Effective lecture delivery; The medical students' perspective

To assess the perceptions of medical students regarding characteristics of effective delivery of lectures. To make suggestions to promote active listening during Iecture. To give recommendations regarding organization of lecture. Primary data collected by administration of Structured Questionnaire. Descriptive Cross-sectional. University Medical College, University of Lahore. August to September 2011. The study population comprised of 580 students studying at University Medical College of University of Lahore. The study sample was comprised of 123 students, 63 male and 62 female. The sample was determined by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. The study variables included socio-economic demographic and characteristic related to teaching skills and delivery of lectures. The most important effective lecture delivery characteristics noted by the respondents of this study in order of were prior knowledge of the topic [87.8%], subject knowledge [82.9%], basic lecturing skills [77.2%], organization of the lecture [76.5%] and clarity [74%] of the lecturer regarding the underlying concepts. Majority of respondents reported the onset of boredom 20 minutes after the beginning of the lecture [37.4%] and during last 20 minutes [41.5%] in a lecture spanning over 60 minutes. The majority of respondents [78%] felt that they are motivated by the lecture. The most frequent characteristic required for effective teaching was prior knowledge of topic by students before the delivery. This study concludes promoting the friendly atmosphere during the delivery of the lecture.

Dog bites; assessment of burden, determinants and public services available for their victims in district Lahore

Every day, 25-30 new cases of dog bites are treated at the civil hospital in Karachi. In absence of accurate number of rabies deaths, Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan suggests there are around 2000-5000 rabies deaths per year[2]. The estimated prevalence of dog bites in Punjab is 0.03%, but no such estimate is available for Lahore[3]. A community-based survey was carried out to assess the burden, determinants and public services available for dog bites in Lahore district, Pakistan. The prevalence of dog bites in the study population was 21.3%. The most common site of bites was the legs [68.4%], followed by the abdomen or trunk [12.1%], and hands or arms [5.6%]. Among respondents to an exit interview administered to clients seeking care from an antirabies centre, the most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years [53.4%]. The majority of respondents had been bitten by stray dogs [63], while 47 respondents were bitten by their own or others' pet dogs. Six respondents reported bites from rabid dogs. One hundred and seven [107] respondents said they had received vaccination at dog-bite centers; 89% of respondents confirmed the availability of vaccine, while 74.1% respondents said that they did not pay fees for services. The life-time prevalence of dog bites among respondents was 21.3%. The most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years. Both stray and pet dogs had bitten the victims

Prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis among jail inmates in Lahore - Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis. Using sputum smear examination for AFB screening and double PCR for HIV among jail inmates of Camp Jail, Lahore. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study and was carried out in district Camp Jail, Lahore, during the period between Jan 2007 to June 2008. The study population comprised of 3851 prisoners, all were males. Data was collected by administering closed-ended questionnaire. Sputum and blood samples were collected from symptomatic prisoners in standardised sputum containers and vials respectively. Majority of respondents [73.6%] were of urban background and most of these respondents [46.4%] were illiterate. Majority [36.8%] were factory workers before being locked up in the jail. The prevalence of smoking and drug/ alcohol abuse was 63.1% and 37.9% respectively. One hundred and thirty seven respondents [52.2%] had cough. Lab tests on serum done on jail inmates showed that 6 of 261 respondents [2.3%] were HIV positive. However none of the jail inmates was sputum smears positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study found clustering of risk factors among jail inmates which are conducive to the transmission of STIs, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. This study revealed that 6 of 261 jail inmates were seropositive for HIV

Tuberculosis; awareness about spread and control

To assess the awareness about spread and control of Tuberculosis amongst people presenting at Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore. A cross-sectional survey. Lahore Medical and Dental College [LMDC], Lahore. From November and December 2006. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among people presenting at Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore, between November and December 2006. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were determined in terms of percentages. In the present study, 82% respondents did not know the correct mode of transmission of tuberculosis. Correct modes of transmission including coughing, sneezing, spitting and breathing air were mentioned only by 18%. A large proportion of respondents [76%] knew that tuberculosis presents as cough lasting more than three [3] weeks and having prolonged fever [68%]. Fifty percent of respondents said that government health facilities are the best places for the treatment of TB. Twenty three percent [23%] of respondent mentioned use of medicine as a method of management and treatment. Improving sanitation and nutrition was mentioned to prevent and control TB by respondents in almost equal percentage [20% and 18%]. Poor knowledge and misconceptions concerning tuberculosis are rampant in Pakistani patients. Poor knowledge of TB patients concerning their disease may contribute to the high burden of TB disease in the country

Prevalence, predictors and determinants of depression in women of the reproductive age group

The purpose of this study was to find out prevalence, predictors and determinants of depression in women of reproductive age. The study was conducted in a peri-urban locality of Lahore. Among 186 respondents, 114 were less than 30 years of-age [61%], 117 were Christians [62%] and 124 were educated [67%], 65 lived in nuclear family system [35%], with 148 women having 5 to 10 family members [79%], 174 were housewives [94%], 154 husbands were in regular employment [83%] and 107 women had family income of less than Rs. 5000 [58%]. Among the study group, 123 women were married [66%], 19 were pregnant [15%] and 61 women had 3-4 children [50%]. The present study prevalence of depression was 25%. Emotional and physical complaints like sadness, crying, irritability, loss of interest in life, sleeplessness, inability to work, tiredness, health worries, disappointment, self blaming, poor appetite and weight loss, were more in depressed respondents than non-depressed women [p = < 0.001]. Among age group > 30 years, 33% women were depressed compared to 19% in age group < 30 years [p = 0.03]. Among uneducated respondents 35% were depressed in contrast to 19% of educated women [p = 0.02]. In nuclear family type, 35% respondents were depressed compared to 20% living in mixed family system [p = 0.03]. Among women with 3-4 children, 38% had depression in contrast with 19% with 1-2 children [p = 0.02]. The study concluded that depression in reproductive age women is not uncommon. Its emotional and physical predictors and socio-demographic determinants must be kept in mind while identifying its risk factors and planning its management