Anatomical variations of sacral hiatus in dry human sacra

To observe anatomical variations of sacral hiatus in dry human sacra and its significance in caudal epidural block. An observational study. The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi from July 2011 to January2012. We studied 191 dry human sacra without discrimination of sex, geographical and ethnic group consideration. The bones were examined for various shapes of the sacral hiatus and level of apex and base of the sacral hiatus. Sacral cornua and median crest was also observed. The sacral hiatus were divided into six groups. [Group l-inverted U, group II- inverted V, group 111= irregular, group IV- M shape, group Vl-dumbbell shape]. SPSS 17 was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Out of 191 bones, inverted U shaped 76 [39%] and V shaped 56 [29%] sacral hiatus were most common and irregular 29 [15%] sacral hiatus was least common. Sacral cornua were prominent bilaterally in 83 [46.5%] bones while flat cornua were seen in 16 [9%]. The apex of hiatus was lying against 4th sacral vertebra in 129 [73%] bones while base of was present against 5th sacral segment in 183 [91%] of cases. The sacral hiatus has variations in shape. Inverted U shaped and inverted V shaped hiatus are most common shapes in dry human sacra. Sacral cornua are a reliable landmark in Caudal Epidural Block [CEB]

Effects of honey on lead induced changes in spermatogenesis

The objective of this study was to observe changes in spermatogenesis testes of albino rats exposed to intraperitoneal lead acetate and to look for the reversibility of these changes after cessation of lead acetate and subsequent oral administration of honey. Experimental animal study. National Institute of Health Islamabad from January to June, 2009. Animals were obtained from the animal house of N.I.H and were divided into three groups A, B and C. Group A was subdivided into two groups A-l and A-ll. Group B was also subdivided into two sub groups; B-l and B-ll. Group C was not subdivided into subgroups. The animals in group A were used as control, while those of groups B and C were treated with lead acetate that was given intraperitonially in the dose of 4mg/kg body weight, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The animals in group B-l were sacrificed at the end of six week to observe the toxic changes while animas in group B-ll were kept alive for another 6 weeks on normal diet. The animals in group C were given honey in dosage of 10ml/100ml water with normal diet for further Gweeks. These groups [B-l I and C] were then sacrificed after 12 weeks to observe the effects of honey on spermatogenesis. The histological comparison of testes of both groups of animals showed that after six weeks, the width of germinal epithelium and the number of spermatogenic cells had decreased in lead toxic groups as compared to the control rats [p<0.05] and in majority of the seminiferous tubules, the basement membrane was disrupted. The width of germinal epithelium, and the number of spermatogenic cells were improved after oral administration of honey. This study provides evidence that lead has toxic effects on testis which are partially reversible on oral intake of honey

Frequency of prescribing injectable medicines to patients by general practitioners in Hazara, Pakistan

To check the frequency of prescribing injectable medicines by general practitioners to adult outdoor patients and to identify the factors involved in such practice. Specially designed forms were distributed amongst the leading general practitioners in Hazara division. Data regarding the diagnosis, drug category, route of administration, number of injections prescribed and whether the patient influenced the decision to prescribe were recorded. The names of general practitioners and their patients were not to be mentioned. Findings: Injections from different drug categories were included in 31.88% of the prescriptions. 92.6% of these were for intramuscular, 7% for intravenous, and 0.4% for subcutaneous route. 67.43% of the injections were for myalgias, general debility, joints and connective tissue disorders. 78.64% of such prescriptions included drugs from B-Complex, analgesic and antipyretic group. 64.37% of injections were prescribed on patients request while 10.97% of the injections were to be given once or twice only. Conclusions: There is alarmingly high frequency of prescribing injectable medicines by general practitioners. The drugs most commonly prescribed were not from life saving category and were unnecessary. The request of the patient contributes significantly. Education regarding health hazards in such practice is important. General practitioners have a role to play in limiting the use of injections when oral treatment will suffice

Fluctuations of intraocular pressure during menstrual cycles

Objective: to investigate whether any relation between the days of the menstrual cycle and variations in intraocular pressure [IOP] exists or not, because the present literature is controversial, with some associations inconsistent and not replicable by other investigators

Subjects: three types of attempts were made. First, the number of days since the beginning of the last menses was recorded along with IOP for 558 women. Second, in twenty females and third in ten pairs of mother and daughter, IOP was recorded after every fourth day of the cycle, through two consecutive cycles. Intraocular pressure was measured by Goldman applanation tonometer

Results: the first group showed a peak between the 13th and 16th day, while the lowest was from 21st to 24th days. Although the intraocular pressure values differed in each of the twenty subjects and in the mother and daughter pairs at various times of the cycle, they did not definitely correlate with the different phases of cycle. The most impressive result is disclosed in the pairs of mother and daughter, in whom very similar changes were observed through two consecutive cycles

Conclusions: it seems that physiological hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle had no influence on IOP. Very similar changes in the pairs of mother and daughter strongly suggest that attention should be paid to some genetic factor; similar studies on twin sisters may prove a fruitful area for future research

improved embalming procedure for preservation of the cadavers

In many respects the embalment of dead bodies with Formaldehyde is harmful for the health of embalmers. Therefore there is need to develop methods that are potentially less harmful. In this study we tried to develop a new method for embalment which is less harmful. In this method we preserved five bodies with the help of a specially constituted solution containing Sodium Pentachlorophenate and Sorbitol besides other ingredients. Our results were encouraging as all the five bodies were used in summer heat for more than two months without any problems

Effects of protein malnutrition on the thyroid follicular cell size of albino rats

In this study, the effect of protein malnutrition and its reversal was observed in rats. A total of 80 male albino rats [Wistar strain] were used in this study. The animals of various groups were given isocaloric diet but the protein content of the diet varied from 2.5 to 20%. It was observed that protein malnutrition had an adverse though reversible effect on the thyroid follicular cell size of the albino rats. It is suggested that a similar study should be conducted to see the effects of PEM on the thyroid hormones as well to correlate our study with the function of the gland