potential role of resistin in atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between serums resistin levels and ischaemic heart disease and severity of ischaemic heart disease

Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study

Place and duration: This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD], Karachi from 1[st] September 2008 to 30[th] April 2009

Methodology: After informed consent, ninety patients with confirmed diagnosis of coronary artery disease [CAD], diagnosed on the basis of history, physical examination, classical ECG changes and raised cardiac enzymes, were enrolled and divided into 3 equal groups: 30 patients each for acute myocardial infarction [AMI] unstable angina [UA] and stable angina [SA] and 30 healthy individuals were recruited as controls. Serum resistin levels were determind by ELISA [Resistin kit by SPI bio, Bertin Pharma, France Plate reader 800, manufactured by Biotech, USA]. Complete blood count [CBC], Creatine kinase MB isoenzyme [CKMB] and Cardiac Troponin I [Trop I] were measured by standard laboratory methods

Results: Serum resistin levels were found to be increased in CAD patients and to increase in parallel with increasing severity of CAD. Serum resistin levels were also positively correlated with CKMB, Trop I and white blood cell [WBC] count

Conclusion: The results suggest that human resistin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease

Physical and microbiological analysis of water from different sources of Karachi

A number of diseases are caused by consuming water of poor quality. According to a community health study 30% of all reported cases of illnesses and 40% of deaths in Pakistan are due to waterborne disease. The purpose of the study was to i] to determine the physical quality and presence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli count and also ii] to compare the coliform and Excherichia coli bacteria in drinking water of different towns of Karachi with WHO's recommended values. Retrospective Study. This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah postgraduate medical Centre Karachi during the period of June 2007 to February 2008. Multiple water sample collected from 18 towns of Karachi by different sources like Piped water, hand pumps, Mineral bottles and Filter plants. The 250 milliliters sample for microbiological analysis was collected to perform all the required analyses and to provide for any quality control need, split samples or repeat examination. Statistical Package for social Science [SPSS version 11.0] used for data feeding and analysis. The results were given in the text as number and percentage for qualitative/ categorical variables like E. Coli and coliform and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables like Physical parameters pH, Temp, DO, Conductivity, TDS]. The pH in tap water samples ranged between 6.8 to 7.6. Temperature recorded at spot ranged between 25- 32 [degree sign] c. The dissolved oxygen varied from 3.6 to 4.8 pm, its permissible limit is 4ppm. In 108 tap water samples MPN of coliform/100 ml water samples were < 10 in 21[19.4%] samples and > 10 in 87 [80.6%] samples. Recovery of E. coli as indicator organisms of fecal pollution in different water samples were found. During the drinking water quality assessment a wide range of pollutions were found and generated very useful baseline information on the current pollution status of supplied water to Karachi which indicates that Karachi is receiving highly polluted water

histopathological pattern of ovarian teratomas at a tertiary care centre

To determine the frequency and types of various ovarian teratomas amongst various age groups, and 2] To compare the results with other workers. Study Design: Retrospective study. The study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute[BMSI], Jinnah Post graduate medical centre [JPMC], Karachi from 1[st] January 2001 to 31[st] December 2005. 1128 cases of ovarian biopsies were received for histopathological examination at the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science Institute, JPMC,Karachi.Out of 365 cases of ovarian neoplasms teratomas were separated, analyzed and classified according to the WHO classification system 1994 and their relative frequencies were recorded. Teratomas account for 14.52% [53/365] of all ovarian neoplasms. Mature cystic teratomas were the most common i.e 86.80% [46/53].Immature teratomas were 9.43% [05/53] followed by special subtypes 3.77% [02/53]. Mature cystic teratomas are the most common germ cell neoplasms of ovary. Immature teratomas are rare above 30 years of age

Frequency of endoscopic gastric neoplasms in five years at JPMC

Gastric cancer is among the most common malignancies in Pakistan. The aim of our study are i] to document different histological types of gastric malignancies as per age and sex ii] discuss its possible association in patients who underwent endoscopy and iii] compare our data with local and abroad studies. Retrospective study. This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, from 1[st] January 2003 to 31 December 2007. A total of 740 cases of gastric endoscopic biopsies were received for histopathological evaluation at the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science Institute, JPMC, Karachi. Out of these cases, a total of 70 gastric neoplasms were separated, analyzed and classified according to the WHO classification system and their relative frequencies were recorded. Gastric adenocarcinoma was the commonest neoplasm with male predominance in 5th to 7[th] decade of life, account for 88.57% [62/70] of all gastric neoplasms. Gastric lymphoma was the second common with 8.57%[06/70] and gastric carcinoid was least common with 1.43%[1/70] of all gastric neoplasms. This study highlights that adenocarcinoma is the most common gastric malignancy seen in most high risk group includes elderly males followed by lymphoma with no gender difference. So we advise regular endoscopic biopsies surveillance at least in high risk age group for the early detection of cancer