Sodium chloride composition of commercial white bread in Morocco

This study aimed to evaluate the amount of salt provided by the consumption of bread in daily food intake and compare it to recommended salt intake. Chloride ion concentrations were measured using Mohr's Method to indirectly quantify added salt in bread samples from 80 professional bakeries in Casablanca, Morocco. Results showed that the average amount of added salt during the preparation of white bread is 17.42 +/- 1.28 g / kg, which is the equivalent of a daily intake of 8 to 9 g of salt through bread alone, and exceeds all recommendations. The high salt content of white bread might be a contributing factor to the high sodium intake in Morocco, especially considering that bread is a staple food in the country. Any policies or initiatives to reduce sodium consumption should target bread as a strategic vehicle to reduce salt intake

Characteristics and outcome of dengue infection; clinical perspective from a secondary care hospital of Karachi

To determine the frequency and characteristics of dengue fever [DF] in patients of acute febrile illness presenting at a secondary care hospital. The observational cross sectional study was carried out from May to October 2010 in Remedial Centre Karachi and included patients above the age of 12 years who presented with acute febrile illness. The WHO classification and case definitions were used to classify the disease as Dengue Fever [DF], dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF] and dengue shock syndrome [DSS]. Clinical, hematological and biochemical findings were recorded serially until discharge. During the study period, 90 [34.75%] presented with typical features of DF, 28 [31.11%] were dengue proven, seven [7.7%] proved to be of malaria in which malarial parasites were found positive in the peripheral blood, while the remaining 55 [61.11%] patients were dengue probable. Age of the patients ranged from 13 to 76 years. Fever was the most common clinical presentation [100%] followed by vomiting 50 [55.56%], body ache 31 [34.44%] abdominal pain 17 [18.89%] and headache 9 [10%]. Maculopapular rash was seen in 4[4.44%] patients. Laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and raised alanine aminotransferase levels. Eighty one patients [90%] improved clinically and hematologically and were discharged in stable condition. Fever and thrombocytopenia were the most common presentation of dengue fever [DF]. The overall mortality of DF is low, if treated appropriately. Awareness of health care professionals and public regarding preventive strategies is essential to fight against this disease

Knowledge of depression among community members and health care providers in two selected areas of district Rawalpindi

To determine the level of knowledge about depression in two selected areas of district Rawalpindi. Cross-sectional survey report. Union council Rehmatabad and mohalla Sultanpura, Rawalpindi, from June to December 2007. Strata of community were interviewed regarding the knowledge about depression using an indigenously developed questionnaire. To determine any association between difference of level of knowledge and different strata of community Chi-square [X][2] tests was applied at 5% level of significance and p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Most of the respondents [63%] thought that diabetes was the major health problem in our country. Most of participants thought that drug abuse and addiction [74.3%], adolescent emotional and behavioral problems [66.8%] followed by alcohol abuse [50.3%] and personality disorders [49.2%] were the common mental illnesses. Chi-square [X][2] statistics showed a highly significant association between difference of level of knowledge and the two strata of community i.e. health care providers and community members [p < 0.001]. People in the selected areas of district Rawalpindi had a poor knowledge about depression

Knowledge, attitude and practice of tuberculosis management among general practitioners of Karachi

To assess the knowledge attitude and practice of tuberculosis management among general practitioners of Gulshan-e-Iqbal town. It was a descriptive cross sectional study. The study was carried out in Gulshan-e-lqbal from March - September 2007. Fifty general practitioners of Gulshan-e-lqbal town participated in study. 64% of GPs knew and were following DOTS.20% admitted that they were familiar about this program but they didn't follow it while 16% told that they were unaware about DOTS. 32% GPs were unaware of the correct regimen. Awareness about TB was not adequate among general practitioners of Gulshan-e-Iqbal town. The practitioners having experience of 5-10 years had better knowledge, attitude practice than those having experience of 10-15 years. Male practitioners had better knowledge and management as compared to female while attitude of female was found better than males

Adjuvant gemcitabine in case of carcinoma of pancreas. A case report

This report describes a case of a 53 year old man who presented with a diagnosis of carcinoma head of pancreas, and initially underwent surgery. Since carcinoma of pancreas has a high recurrence rate even after surgery, the patient was offered Gemcitabine [1000mg/m2, weekly for 7 weeks, then 1 week of rest followed by once weekly for 3 weeks, then rest week every 4 weeks]. He received 16 doses of gemcitabine. There was absolutely no grade 3 or 4 toxicity nor any delays, reductions or omission of doses. Post treatment CT scans showed no evidence of recurrence and patient is in good health 15 months post chemotherapy

Is a physician required in every settlement of Sind?

Well-Known sntity functional disorders seems to be an important public health problem of all the medical institutions in wich all the age groups are involvedd but the younger females predominate. Functionals commonly labelled as hysterics has always been a problem to the physicians and the families. It is very likely that even a senior physician may miss the diagnosis. Therefore, a thoroughh probe in history, clinical examination and laboratory aids were utilized. Thisis stimulated us to work on this problem. Study was undertaken in 1974-75 by involvingg 50 parameters and interviewing a scheme with the help of questionnaires. The total number of individuals 2234 of both serries and all ages were exaaamined, 92 were labelled as functional [0.24%]. The youngerrs, urban, females found predominantly study reveals more unmarried [54.4], domestic [43.5%] and educatedddd [30%]. The treatment received was from various allopaths [32%], Hakims [26%]. Homeopaths [21%] and Peres [7.6%], 100% were willingg for further treatment. All had the history of death of near relatives while 65% had the family history of functional disordders. They were over protected by relations [75%] with the hope to help them in maintaining this problem. 92% of our respondents were addicts, 85% were smokers. All had behavioural disorders. While the normal appearance, orientation, concentration power and intelligence [97%]. On systemic examination GIT, respiratory and CNS was mostly normal except few minor findings which may be due to functional overley. Investigations in this study were witin normal limits except few who had minoor disorders. The treatment given to these cases under the observations were passage of Ryle's tube, Yranquillisers, medical counselling and golden injections, 27.6%, 21.7%, 8.7% respectively marriages counselling and psychotherrapy of 11.0% and 2.2% done which was quite fruitful in our cases. 2.2% persons got relief by operations. The relapse rate in our study was 3.3%. The functionals are of many type which mimic many organic ailments but the differentiation between a functional and organic lesions is quite important as the ignorance about the fact may lead to may lead to many dangerous results, not only to the patient but to the families and above all the defamation of the physician at the same time. The best medical service should be early diagnosis of the ailment and the prompt treatment based on friendly mutual understanding between the doctor and the patient counselling his status for education wims and local environment [Stetler, 1962 [2]]. As the problem is common in younger age group, therefore, it is advisable that the parent-child and teacher-child relations must be kept in mind to ensure postive health in such ailments