Quality control testing of various samples of peppermint oil collected from local market of Karachi

Menthol is the most commonly used substance in many cosmetics and pharmaceutical products either as an active ingredient or in the form of excipient. In the present study, different samples of commercially available peppermint oil were subjected to standardization by determination of physicochemical characteristics, acid value, and resinified oil content. Thin layer chromatography [TLC] has been used to confirm the presence of menthol. The result showed that the quality control test performed for the evaluation of the physicochemical parameters of peppermint oil can be considered useful in its standardization. The results of acid value and the resinified oil tests, carried out on the raw material, have found to be within the standard limits. The results indicated specified number of free fatty acids and absence of greasy impurities. The data obtained from the study would be useful in the authentication of the commercial peppermint oil samples. In TLC studies, the Rf value of the active constituent has been determined by comparison with its standard spot. This technique may be used as a tool for the correct identification of the active constituent which could help in the standardization of the peppermint oil samples

Association of chemical stress with type I and II diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by absolute or relative deficiencies in insulin secretion or insulin action correlated with chronic hyperglycemia and other disturbances in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism results in weakening immunity. In addition, various biochemical disorders associated with diabetic vascular complications, such as hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress frequently co-exist with diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have also suggested that these and additional factors might involve with increasing chemical stress in diabetic patients

Material and methods: The questionnaire based survey was conducted including both close and open ended questions along with the assessment of chemical stress using Sadaf Stress Scale [SSS] version 2 among diabetic patients. This study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi from October 1st till November 10th, 2014. Data was analyzed and plotted using SPSS version 20.0

Results: This study showed that 28% of diabetic patients were in severe chemical stress. However, the various symptoms of severity included body temperature alterations [50%], feeling of dehydration [56%] and shortness of breath [63%] were obtained

Conclusion: It is concluded that the diabetes patient with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of developing chemical stress that may indicate multiple metabolic and as indicated by prominent symptoms that can be a oxidative alterations on sequence of increase use of medications and altered glucose metabolism

Impact of statins on risk and survival of ovarian cancer / 부인종양

No abstract available.

Standardization of herbal formulations: an overview

The herbal system of medicine has gained worldwide importance due to its safety and efficacy considerations. Herbal medicines have been used for treating various diseases since ancient times. The present article deals with the importance and method of standardization of herbal medicines in order to ensure their purity, safety and efficacy. A detailed introduction regarding various aspects of the herbal system of medicine and methods of achieving quality of herbal medicine has been presented The various quality control methods recommended by World Health Organization have been described. Effort has also been made to focus on the physical, chemical and biological evaluation to achieve a high standard of quality for herbal medicine

Therapeutic effect of carnitine on atorvastatin induced mechanical myotoxicity of gastrocnemius muscles of rats

To Study Therapeutic Effect of Carnitine on Atorvastatin-induced Mechanical Myotoxicity of Gastrocnemius Muscles of Rats. Observational study. This study was conducted at Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, from 21[st] January 2012 to 30[th] December 2013. Present study showed that effect of statin on mechanical properties of gastrocnemius muscle of rats and use of carnitine as prevention of statin induced myopathies. Animals were injected statin for 6 weeks in one group and carnitine to another group along with statin to study the possible therapeutic effect. After treatment period, animals were decapitated and gastrocnemius muscles were isolated. Twitch and tetanus of muscles were recorded in each group. Our results showed that treatment of statin reduced the body weight of animals and increased the resting length [106%] of isolated gastrocnemius muscles. We also observed that force of contraction of both twitch and tetanus in statin treated group were significantly reduced [P>0.0001]. This negative effect of statin on twitch and tetanus parameters of muscle was partially decreased by an additive treatment of carnitine. Thus, carnitine plays a vital role in improving muscle contractile ability caused by statins. Our study demonstrated the potential preventive measure of atorvastatin-induced myopathy using carnitine and its impacts on mechanical function of muscles

Effects of season (summer & winter) on electrical characteristics of skeletal muscle membranes of the spiny-tailed lizard, uromastix hardwickii.

This study deals with the observation of changes with temperature variations of the seasons in the muscular electrical excitability in the reptile Uromastix hardwickii. Freshly captured adult animals of both the sexes were used in all the experiments, and the gastrocnemius (skeletal) muscles were dissected out. The muscle samples were digested with digestive fluid (pepsin & Hcl), stirred, settled and supernatant was removed, till whitish fluid having clear cells obtained for patch clamp recording of ionic currents and potentials. Resting membrane potentials and action potentials of reptilian cell membranes were measured in whole cell current mode. The glass microelectrodes, with a tip diameter 2–3 μm and tip resistance 5–6 MW (when filled with intracellular solution) were used in these experiments. The present study was carried out to investigate the electrical characteristics of the skeletal muscles of this species of Uromastix, which are not studied earlier. The average mean values of resting membrane potential, action potential and its durations showed no significant changes with the change in the season, but other components of action potential including threshold potential, after-potential and its duration were found to be increased significantly (P<0.05) in summer as compared to winter. Temperature dependency of these parameters with seasonal variation, are studied for the first time in the gastrocnemius (skeletal) muscles of Uromastix hardwickii. Hence seasonal changes in the components of action potential are invariably associated with changes in environmental temperature, and may be responsible for changes in the activities and homeostasis of these animals; and possibly indicating underlying mechanism of hibernation.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses in blood donors of northwestern Pakistan.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are major health problems associated with blood transfusion practices in Pakistan. This study was conducted on a large population to asses the epidemiology of HCV and HIV in the North West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P) of Pakistan Methods: Between January 2008 and July 2009, 62,251 healthy blood donors (BDs), aged 17-50, were included. In that group, 61,059 (98.1%) were male and 1192 (1.9%) were female. All donors from the 11 areas of N.W.F.P were screened for HCV and HIV antibodies by ELISA (Biokit). Blood groups were also determined. Results: HCV prevalence was 2.6% while HIV infection was 0.045% in this Pakistani population. Prevalence of HCV and HIV in 2008 was 2.4% and 0.049% respectively. In 2009, it was 3.0% for HCV and 0.038 for HIV. Among the age groups, the prevalence of HCV and HIV was not significantly different (p=0.128). Only 1484 (2.4%) of the donors were voluntary, the remaining were paid and family blood donors. The difference in the number of male and female donors was highly significant (p=0.00001). The B+ blood group was found in 30.5% followed by O+ in 25.9%, A+ in 24.9%, AB+ in 10.4%, A- in 2.6%, B- in 2.5%, O- in 2.3%, and AB- in 0.9%. Our study revealed a higher prevalence of HIV than in most of previous reports. Conclusion: The frequency of HCV infection in blood donors is higher in N.W.F.P than in most of the rest of the world and lower than in other regions of Pakistan. Transfusion of infected blood is a common cause of transmission. HIV prevalence is increasing in Pakistan.

Behavior in children with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the differences in behaviors in children with diagnosis of Down syndrome. METHOD: Eight children with Down syndrome who displayed autistic features were compared with eight Down syndrome children without autistic features. These children were randomly selected and were matched for age and level of retardation. Standardized Psychological tests were administered to tap the behavioral differences. Mann-Whitney U test was used for significance of difference between both the groups. RESULTS: Down syndrome children without Autism Spectrum Disorder had better communication and socialization skills than children with Down syndrome with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Down syndrome children with Autism Spectrum Disorder displayed more restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests and activities. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Autism Spectrum Disorder manifests as a distinct behavioral phenomenon in Down syndrome. Hence it is important for professionals to consider the possibility of a dual diagnosis which will entitle the child to a more specialized and effective educational and intervention services.

scalping flap for nasal reconstruction

A 50 years old man reported to the out patient, department of Plastic surgery services of Civil Hospital Karachi with a traumatic cut nose by a sharp object. Examination revealed complete loss of both alae, tip and vestibule along with some loss of tissue over the root. The large defect was closed with "scalping flap of Converse" This flap is well known for its reliability, color match and the texture. It causes minimal donor area morbidity