Study of the toxic effects of cypermethrin in experimental animals

This study focuses on the toxic effects of a commercially available pesticide, cypermethrin [CM], on animals. This pesticide was administered in the form of aerosol spray through a nebulizer. The study was performed in four different groups and a constant dose of the pesticide was administered once, twice, thrice and four times a day to the respective group for a period of 30 days. The animals were then dissected to study the pesticide effects on different organs. The organs were preserved in 10% formalin. The tissues were processed by basic histopathological method and the slides were prepared for observation. The results were recorded on a performa and were quantified by a unique scoring system. It is concluded that the injurious effects to the mentioned organs were dose and frequency dependent

Frequency of bacterial, viral and fungal meningitis occurrence in Gadap town Karachi, Pakistan

In the present study the frequency of bacterial [including tuberculous meningitis], viral and fungal meningitis occurrence in Gadap Town, Karachi, Pakistan has been determined. It is a population-based descriptive study which was carried out in Fatima Laboratory Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from November 2013 to November 2014. A total of 100 cases of meningitis were reported in the hospital during the study period. The physical, chemical and microscopic examinations of the samples were performed following the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. In biochemical analysis, glucose was estimated by hexokinase method whereas protein was estimated by calorie method of molybdate. The results of the analysis indicated that the incidence of bacterial meningitis was highest [65%] in the studied population, in which 30% cases were diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis and 35% with other bacterial infections. In the remaining cases, the fungal meningitis [20%] was second most common followed by viral meningitis [15%]

Histopathological spectrum of gastric biopsies in a tertiary care hospital

This study was carried out to determine the histopathological spectrum of gastric lesions at a tertiary care hospital. A retrospective study. This study was conducted at Dr. Tahir Laboratory from Gastroenterology unit of Hamdard University Hospital Karachi from July 2009 to August 2012. The gastric mucosal biopsies of 280 patients received at Dr. Tahir Laboratory from Gastroenterology unit of Hamdard University Hospital Karachi. A slight higher frequency of gastric disease seen in females with age range of 17 years to 78 years was observed. The clinical presentations mostly seen were abdominal pain, dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite and weight loss. The histopathology revealed chronic active gastritis [H Pylori positive and negative] followed by malignant gastric ulcer. A number of biopsies were unremarkable histologically. The more prevalent lesions in this series were chronic active gastritis. H. pylori associated gastritis was seen in majority of the patients. Thus gastric biopsy is an essential tool for diagnosis and confirmation of clinically suspected cases

Antibacterial activity of Joshanda: a polyherbal therapeutic agent used in common cold

Joshanda which, a polyherbal preparation is extensively used by masses as a household remedy for treatment of common cold and found very effective. Our results indicated that Zizyphus jujube [Unnab], Onosma bracteatum [Gaozaban] and glycyrrhiza glabra [Mulethi] have significant degree of invitro activity against Staph. aureus while Cordia latifolia [Sapistan] has got a significant invitro activity against H.influenzae. Other ingredients did not show any significant activity against rest of the organisms tested

BCG vaccination of children upto 12 years age: does it protect against tuberculosis?

To review the set criteria for the use of BCG vaccination as part of National immunization programme. To determine the protective effect of BCG vaccination in the prevention of tuberculosis [children oge upto 12 years]. To find out the risk factors for the causation of tuberculosis among cases to that among controls. Matched case control study done on 600 individuals with case to control ratio 1:1, age, sex and socio-economic status taken as matching factors. National Institute of Child Health, Karachi. The study shows that BCG is not protecting our population [children age upto 12 years] from tuberculosis. Among vaccinated cases 67.14% were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, 10% from haematogenous form of tuberculosis and 22.86% from glandular tuberculosis while among non-vaccinated the proportion was 62.5, 20% and 1 7.5% respectively. Low educational status of mother and history of tuberculosis in the family are two risk factors for causation of tuberculosis. The reason for non-effectiveness of BCG vaccination in our population is perhaps because they are exposed to TB infection in their families at an earlier age before BCG vaccine can provide immunity