evaluation of the type of lectures by mbbs students

The current study was done to pilot different techniques of making lectures interactive and to find out compliance of the students with interactive lectures. Prospective / comparative study. This study was carried out at the Department of Pharmacology, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad from 01.04.2014 to 30.04.2014. An entire class of 3[rd] year MBBS students [n =F 65] was given interactive and the regular lectures for the Drugs acting on The Central nervous system in Pharmacology. Out of the total number of 12 lectures, alternative lectures were delivered in an interactive style. At the end of 12 lectures, students' opinion was obtained using a structured feedback evaluation questionnaire, having 5 statements on a 5 point Likert scale. 92% of the students found that interactive lectures are more effective. Notably more number of students agreed or strongly agreed that interactive lectures amplified alertness, developed interest, by-passed monotony, and urged them to learn by themselves as compared to usual lectures. The students preferred use of video-clips [65%],followed by each-one-teach-one. The use of interactive lectures to create interest among students is supported by the results of the study. An interactive lecture was more easily listened and considered to be more useful than the regular lecture by the students

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of isolated flavonoids from mucuna pruriens seeds

Modern day medical science is still waiting for more potent and safer drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs are no exception

Purpose of the study: Seeds of Mucuna pruriens have shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and we planned to test flavonoids and alkaloids to find the active principles because both of them are found in relatively higher concentration in seeds of Mucuna pruriens plant

Materials and Methods: Study has been carried out in four groups of eight albino mice each, group I [control], group II [standard], group III [flavonoids] and group IV [alkaloids]. Carrageenan induced paw edema has been used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity by recording the edema development after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4- hours after Carrageen an injection in the right dorsal surface of hind paw of mice

Results: Flavonoids have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity with p <0.05 after 1-, 3- and 4 hours whereas they have mild activity at 2 hours [P < 0.05]

Conclusion: Isolated flavonoids from Mucuna pruriens seeds have showed significant anti-inflammatory activity whereas alkaloids have not shown any significant anti-inflammatory activity. So, flavonoids are most likely responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of Mucuna pruriens

Evaluation of analgesic activity of isolated flavonoids from mucuna pruriens seeds

Medicinal plants have been used as analgesics since millennia

Purpose of the study: Seeds of Mucuna pruriens have shown to possess analgesic activity and we planned to test flavonoids and alkaloids to find the active principles because both of them are found in relatively higher concentration in seeds of Mucuna pruriens plants

Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out in four groups of eight albino mice each, group I [control], group II [standard], group III [flavonoids] and group IV [alkaloids]. Formalin paw licking test has been used to evaluate the analgesic activity by recording the number of lickings for 30 minutes after formalin injection in dorsal surface of left hind paw

Results: Flavonoids have shown significant analgesic activity [mean no. of lickings 24.25 +/- 8.97] p<0.05. While alkaloids have not shown any significant analgesic activity [mean number of lickings 39 +/- 6.78]

Conclusion: Isolated flavonoids from Mucuna pruriens seeds have showed significant analgesic activity whereas alkaloids have not shown any significant analgesic activity. So, flavonoids are responsible for the analgesic effect of Mucuna pruriens

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. Seeds

Inflammation is associated with pathophysiology of various clinical conditions like arthritis, gout and cancer. Numbers of drugs are being used to treat inflammation but they are partly effective and have significant adverse effect profile. Mucuna, pruriens is traditionally used to relieve fever, pain and inflammation

Purpose of the study: to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed powder

Materials and Methods: this study has been carried out in five groups of albino mice, having eight animals each. Three different doses of Mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder has been given to three groups and anti-inflammatory activity has been compared with the other two groups, standard and control Carrageenan-induced paw edema has been used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and decrease in paw edema after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours have been interpreted as anti-inflammatory activity

Results: mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in all three groups as depicted by decrease in edema after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours [p < 0.05]

Conclusion: mucuna pruriens seed powder showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in all three groups of mice and activity increases with increasing the dose of seed Powder

Analysis of the prevalence of cancer in Faisalabad: a single centre study

To analyse the prevalence of different types of malignancies presenting to one centre in Faisalabad over a period of 3 years. A retrospective study. The study was conducted at Meezan Lab from January 2007 to December 2009. All the consecutive specimens presenting for histopathology were included in the study. The total number of biopsies dealt with during this period was 3926 out of which 564 were malignant. The male to female ratio was 1:1.19. The peak age for presentation was between 51-70 in males, while it was 31-50 in females. In males the top five tumours involved the lymph nodes 43[16.6%], prostate 40[15.5%], urinary bladder 28[10.8%], skin 24[9.3%] and vocal cords 16[6.2%]. Among females the most frequently seen tumours were breast 101[33.0%], skin 30[9.8%], lymph node 20[6.5%], ovary 19[6.2%] and esophagus 16[5.2%]. The incidence of malignancies appears to be on the rise. This could be due to an increased level of awareness in the patients causing them to present earlier. There is the need to set up a population based tumour registry on a national level to calculate the true incidence

Hepatitis C; prevalence in paramedical staff of a teaching hospital

Hepatitis C is RNA virus isolated in 1988 but still no cultured in the laboratory. Hepatitis-C infection is a serious global public health issue, WHO estimates worlds 3% population is HCV positive. Pakistan is also facing the huge burden of this disease. Accurate prevalence information for hepatitis C infection is scant in Pakistan. Few population based studies are available, the most comprehensive being that of Luby et al which after testing a representative sample from a population of 150,000 in Hafizabad, Pakistan found an overall sero-prevalence of 6%. This increased to 30% with increasing age. They also found sero-prevalence of 16% in household members of HCV infected cases. Aslam et al reported a population prevalence of 16% from Lahore and 23.8% in Gujranwala. In our study published in Medical Forum showed prevalence of HCV antibodies in population attending our department of ophthalmology is 27.06%. There is no data from Pakistan about prevalence of hepatitis C in Paramedical staff. It appears that paramedical staff is at higher risk of contracting this infection as they are exposed to multiple risk factors like needle stick injuries. Little is known about the prevalence of Hepatitis C in this group of population. The objective of our study was to assess the perceived increased incidence of Hepatitis C in this group of population. The objective of our study was to assess the perceived increased incidence of Hepatitis C in this group of population. This is a retrospective audit of the data from the records kept by clinical laboratory on University Medical College, Faisalabad. All paramedical staff members were invited for HCV Antibody test on 13.1.2007 to 20.12007. Any staff member working in those days was included in the study. Persons on holidays or did not give free informed consent was excluded from the study. Serum of blood samples were analyzed by EXCEL a one step device for the qualitative detection of antibodies to Hepatitis C virus in serum or plasma by trained professional. This test has a relative sensitivity of 96.8%, relative specificity 99% and accuracy 98.9% as compared to HCV EIA test, Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS system. A total 80 staff members were working in the hospital at that time, 61 attended for the test [F:31,M:30]. We found 7 [11.4%] were HCV positive and 54 [88.52%] were HCV negative including 2 weekly positive. Among HCV positive 4 [6.55%] were male and 3 [4.91%] were females. Age distribution was 17-75 years with mean age 32.51 years. Among HCV positive 3 were analyzed by ELISA technique. 2 weekly positive by EXCEL were negative by ELISA and 1 positive by EXCEL was positive by ELISA. Paramedical staff is perhaps not at higher risk of contracting HCV infection. However more studies are required to further assess this finding

Evaluation of analgesic activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seeds

Abstract: Pain is one of the most common symptom though having protective role, but usually unpleasant. So far medicines available for its management are not only partly effective but having significant adverse effects. Purpose of study: To evaluate the analgesic activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed powder

Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out in five groups of albino mice, having 8 animals each. Three different doses of Mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder has been given to three groups and analgesic activity has been compared with the other two groups, standard and control. Formalin paw licking test has been used to evaluate the analgesic activity and decrease in the number of lickings in 30 minutes after formalin injection has been interpreted as analgesic activity

Results: Mucuna pruriens Linn Seeds showed significant analgesic activity as depicted by decrease in number of lickings in 30 minutes period i.e, seeds in lgm/kg group, 32.625 +/- 6.13 and group receiving seeds 2gm/kg 24.25 +/- 6.64. Group receiving 3gm/kg seed powder is 21.0 +/- 8.48 which is significantly less than the control which is 44.125 +/- 5.88 [p < 0.05]

Conclusion: Mucuna pruriens seeds powder showed significant analgesic activity in all three groups and activity increases with increasing the dose of the seed powder

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among obese people in Faisalabad

Remarkable increases in obesity have occurred all over the world particularly in the last decade. This is true even for the developing countries. Excess weight is a high risk factor for diabetes in both men and women, especially those with excess abdominal fat. The reason has been attributed to the growing insulin resistance. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in obese general public is 30% in the international literature. It is less studied in Pakistani. population living in Pakistan. To study the prevalence of raised blood sugar among obese persons in a population attending Madina Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad. A questionnaire containing personal and socioeconomic information was completed for each participant. Height, weight, and waist circumference were recorded by trained professionals and BMI was calculated. BMI more than 30 was inclusion criteria. Blood sugar was performed from a venous blood sample analyzed by Merck, Microlab 300 semiautomatic chemistry analyzer with Biocon, Germany's, Fluitest GLU, GOD - PAP reagent. Data was analyzed by SPSS statistical tool. A total of 40 [M: 17, F: 23] subjects were included in the study, among whom 8 [20%] had raised random blood sugar in diabetic range. Two of the 8 raised blood sugar group knew they had diabetes mellitus on subsequent questioning and 6 were told first time they have diabetes mellitus. Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus and we recommend every obese person in general public should have their blood sugar measured to make an earlier diagnosis to reduce the subsequent risk of complications. Furthermore health education may be imparted to general population. This is perhaps the only cost effective way to address the issue of diabetes and "double burden of diseases" which Pakistan is facing

Risk factors for sensori-neural hearing loss a study of 100 cases

To analyze the risk factors causing the sensorineural hearing impairment and therefore the need for a careful directed approach towards diagnosis and better management of these patients. A prospective descriptive study. This study was carried out at ENT and Medicine departments of "The University Hospital, Faisalabad, over a period from July 2006 to June 2007. This study was carried out on 100 patients presenting with sensorineural hearing impairment of either sex having age ranging from 15 years to 80 years. The patients belonging to congenital hearing impairment, conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing impairment were excluded from the study. A detailed history, thorough general physical, systemic and ENT examination and necessary investigations revealed the cause in majority of the cases. The data was collected on a data collection proforma. Presbyacusis [37%] was the commonest cause of sensorineural hearing impairment in our series followed by metabolic disorders [24%] and ototoxic drugs [10%]. In 8% of the cases we could not identify the risk factor which was labeled as idiopathic. Sensorineural hearing impairment is just a symptom and not a diagnosis with a very diverse etiology and every case should be carefully and thoroughly investigated for the underlying risk factor so that a carefully directed approach towards better management of these patients could be possible

Prevalence of hepatitis-C in Faisalabad region of Pakistan

To study the prevalence of HCV in a population attending Madina Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad for ophthalmic procedures. It is a retrospective audit of patients found to be HCV positive on routine testing, attending Madina Teaching hospital, Faisalabad for ophthalmic procedures. Anybody who required a surgical intervention is routinely screened for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in this department for last number of years. A total of 1027 patients from June 2007 to August 2007 [3 months] were selected for the study. Among them 278 [27.06%] were found to have HCV antibodies in their serum and 749 [72.93%] were HCV antibody negative. In HCV positive group 158 were males [56.83%] and 120 females [43.16%]. Furthermore it was more prevalent in age group 50 - 70 years in both sexes. Hepatitis C is significantly more prevalent in Faisalabad region than reported previously. Also it is more common in age group 50 to 70 years and is equally distributed in both sexes. Cause [s] of this distribution is unknown and should be investigated

Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma one airway, one disease

To study the co-existence of allergic rhinitis and asthma. A prospective discriptive study. This study was conducted in the departments of ENT and Medicine, Madina Teaching Hospital. The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad; during January 2006 to July 6. 300 patients of either sex and having age not less than 10 years were selected at random presenting with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or asthma. They were thoroughly evaluated regarding their history, physical examination and relevant investigations according to a pre designed proforma. The pulmonary function of these patients was determined by peak flow meter. 174 patients [58%] out of total 300 patients attended the ENT clinic while 126 patients [42%] presented in the department of medicine. 40 patients [23%] out of 174 patients were diagnosed as having co-existing asthma. Similarly 62 patients [49.2%] out of 126 patients were found to have co-existing allergic rhinitis. So its was noted that 102 patients [34%] had co-existing allergic rhinitis and asthma. Average peak flow rate in non-asthmatic patients was 495 litres per minute [ranging from 450 to 550 litres/minute] while average peak flow rate in asthmatic patiens was noted to be 270 litres/minute [ranging from 150 to 325 litres/minute]. 4 patients [1.3%] had asthma and nasal polyps while 7 patients [2.3%] were diagnosed as having allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. The association of allergic rhinitis, asthma and nasal polyps was noted in only 3 patients [1.0%]. The maximum number of patients [76.9%] were found in between age group of 11-30 years. 52.7% patients belonged to male gender while 47.3% of the patients were females. Allergic rhinitis and asthma both-often co-exist in the same patient. All patients with allergic rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma and similarly all patients having asthma are needed to be evaluated for allergic rhinitis. Moreover it is reasonable to adopt a combined strategy to achieve aequate control of both these atopic conditions of the patients