Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Ferula gummosa Boiss. [Barije.] contain medical and antimicrobial properties. This study was done to determine the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this laboratory study, the plant was dried in dark place and aqueous, alcoholic extracts of Barije's root, powder were prepared using Soxhlet method. The efficacy of 0.1 dilution of different values of extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa [PTCC 1430] were evaluated by disk diffusion, Agar-well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] methods. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely resistant to the aqueous extract, and the MIC for the methanol and ethanol extracts was 1.25x10[4] microg/ml and 6.25x10[3] microg/ml, respectively. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. have antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in in-vitro model

PDPH by using gauge of needles

There is increase incidence of Lower Segment Caesarean section [LSCS] being performed under sub-arachnoid block [SAB] because it is relatively safe. One of the complications of SAB is Post Dural Puncture Headache [PDPH] which is very distressing to the patient. To observe the incidence of PDPH by using two different types of spinal needle of 25 gauge in females undergoing LSCS under SAB. Currently, in our setup 25G cutting [quincke] spinal needle is routinely used. Randomized controlled trial. Department of Anesthesia, Officers Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Cantt. 6 months from 15 February 2011 to 15 July 2011. 100 pregnant patients undergoing elective CD under spinal anaesthesia were randomized into two group A and B. Group A received SAB with 25G Quincke needle; Group B-received SAB with 25G pencil-point needle. Follow up was done up to 72 hours after the surgery. Data obtained through study was analysed through computer software SPSS version 12. quantitative variables like age, weight and height are presented as mean and standard deviation. The frequency of PDPH was qualitatively analysed in percentage. The frequency of PDPH was compared between two groups with the application of Chi-square as test of significance at P-value <0.05. It was found that the incidence of PDPH with Quincke [cutting tip] needle was significantly higher [7.%] as compared to pencil point needle [0%]. Pencil-point needle is associated with lesser incidence of PDPH and should be preferred to Quincke needle to achieve SAB in patients undergoing LSCS

Sonographic evaluation of ectopic Pregnancies

This study was carried out in the Radiology Department, District Head Quarter Teaching Hospital [D. H. Qr] and Dera X-Rays / Ultrasound Clinic, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, by performing abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography of all the suspected patients and endo-vaginal of selected cases by comparing with other modalities used for the diagnosis of pregnancy especially the ectopic. Eighty-five percent cases of ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed by abdominal / pelvic ultrasonography, while this ratio was increased up to 95% by endo-vaginal ultrasonography in those cases where the abdominal sonography was not helpful for accurate diagnosis. The study concluded that increased availability of ultrasonography leads to improve quality in the detection of ectopic pregnancy. It is necessary to screen all the patients with first trimester cramping and bleeding by ultrasonography

Crossed testicular ectopia: suprapubic approach

A child with a left non-palpable testis underwent surgery for an incarcerated right inguinal hernia. During the operation a left crossed ectopic testis was found at the internal ring and was brought down into the left hemiscrotum through a suprapubic tunnel. The literature is reviewed and this approach of orchidopexy of crossed testis is discussed

unusual presentation of Hydatid disease

Hydatid disease or echinococcosis is a parasitic condition of worldwide distribution. The parasite usually completes its life cycle between the domestic dog and the sheep. Human being seems to be an accidental or incidental intermediate host and from parasitic point of view a dead end. Hydatid cyst can occur in any organ of the body but most commonly involves the liver. Here we are reporting a case where patient presented with obstructive jaundice of 15 days duration and the investigations carried out showed the suspicion of malignancy. Patient was operated and it turned out to be a case of hydatid cyst of liver which had ruptured into the biliary tree

Effect on plasma testostrone level by heroin addiction and its restoration by withdrawal

Heroin is considered to be the most addictive of all known drugs. It has adverse effects on all major systems of the body including impairment of sexual functions. The current investigation explores the relationship of heroin addiction with plasma testosterone levels in addicted persons. The effect of withdrawal of the drug on plasma testosterone level has also been investigated. Plasma testosterone levels in subjects with heroin addiction [n=15] were determined on presentation, and after 15 and 30 days of heroin withdrawal. The plasma testosterone level of addicts was significantly lower than that age and sex matched control group [p<0.001] on presentation. Progressive increase in the level was observed after 15 days [p>0.05] and 30 days of withdrawal [p<0.01]. In young adult group [age 19-29 years] there was significant increase in testosterone level after 15 and 30 days of withdrawal. However the level in older groups [30-39 and 40-50 years] did not change after 15 and 30 days of withdrawal

[Body mass index and prenatal weight gain]

Introduction: Weight gain during pregnancy is variable and depends on mother's diet status before pregnancy. Based on medical resources, there is an inverse relationship between mother's Body Mass Index[BMI] and prenatal weight gain

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate mothers' BMI before pregnancy and prenatal weight gain

Materials and Methods: In a cross - sectional study, we analyzed retrospectively prenatal and obstetrical reports of 480 women attended health centers of rural areas in Rasht, who delivered during year 2002. The selection of them was done by cluster and random selection in ten health centers. Maternal characteristics including age, job, education, pre pregnancy weight, height, body mass index, pregnancy weight gain, parity, and main outcome including birth weight were recorded. Student t-test, Chi-square, One-way Anova and correlation were used to analyze data

Results: On the basis of body mass index [BMI], 7.9% 0f women were thin, 45.4% of them had normal BMI and 46.7% were overweight. The mean of BMI was 26.2 +/- 5.2. The mean of pregnancy weight gain was 9.2 +/- 4.1 kg [min=0.5, max=21kg]. An inverse relationship between BMI and pregnancy weight gain was showed [r=-0.26, p =0.01]. Although the mean of pregnancy weight gain in thin women was higher than obese ones but, about most of them didn't gain expected weight during pregnancy. Rate of low birth weight was about 11%

Conclusion: This study shows an inverse relationship between BMI and pregnancy weight gain. Pregnancy weight gain is lower than recommendations and also rate of LBW is higher than expected in these rural regions. Use of appropriate nutritional model for pregnant women, could contribute to increased pregnancy weight gain and improved birth weight

[Relative frequency of IUD expulsion in women]

Introduction: Intra Uterine Devices [IUD] use is among effective contraceptive available in different forms and spontaneous or deliberate expulsion of IUD is a common complication

Objective: it's to determine expressed associated reasons for expulsion of inserted IUDs among clients referred to Family Planning Specially research center

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, all 367 women who referred to the center for removal of IUD for any reason from 1997 to 2001 were selected. The samples' demographic characteristics and relative frequency of their expressed reason for removal of IUD were recorded

Results: Totally 51.2% of clients referred for two reasons: Wish to get pregnant, and hemorrhagic conditions or anemia. The least expressed reasons were prolepses [0.54%] and husband vasectomies [0.81%]

Conclusion: IUDS insertion must be done for women with decisive decision not to have children in long-term period and operative technicians to have sufficient training for insertion of IUDs and thereby to prevent early and spontaneous expulsions

Study of mtDNA polymorphism in Azeri ethnic group by PCR- RELP

The study of genetically polymorphism of population have been done on mitochondrial genome in many developed countries. Azeri is one of the largest Iranian ethnic groups settled in north west of Iran. The aim of this study is the evaluation of mtDNA polymorphism by PCR- RELP method. In this study 120 blood samples were collected from Azerbaijan people settled in different regions of this state, and the buffy coat of blood samples were isolated. The DNA of white blood cells were extracted, and the mitochondrial D-loop fragment was amplified by using special primers with PCR. Then, PCR product was digested by restriction enzymes. D-Loop Fragment with the size of 1024bp amplified by PCR and related bands showed on gel electrophoresis. In cutting with Hae III enzyme, six diversities were observed, one of which had heteroplasmy. Also, we detected two diversities including one case of heteroplasmy by AluI digestion. Seven genetically diversities were determined in 120 samples. This diversity in our samples can be the result of the extent of a smaller ancestral population or the shorter time genetic history in Azeri ethnic group

Neurological manifestations of Wilson's disease

To study the frequency of various neurological manifestations in patients with Wilson's Disease.Patients suspected of having Wilson's disease were admitted to the Neurology unit of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading hospital, Peshawar, for a full work up for Wilson's disease. Only those patients who had neurological signs or symptoms of Wilson's disease were included in this study. Out of 15 patients 9 were female and 6 were male, ranging in age from 8 to 26 years, with mean age of 15.6 years [SD +/- 5.82]. Most common neurological features were tremors followed by rigidity, dysphagia/drooling, speech or gait problems. All patients had low serum ceruloplasmin level and Kayser-Fleischer corneal rings. Liver involvement in the form of cirrhosis was found in 13 [86.7%] patients on ultrasonography, since no liver biopsy was done it could not be determined whether the remaining two patients had liver involvement or not. Neurological manifestations are not uncommon in Wilson's disease. It should be considered in patients of any age presenting with unusual liver, neurologic or psychiatric abnormalities. It should especially be looked for in children and other young patients with extrapyramidal signs or symptoms

Predictors of birth weight in Bahrain

The total of 1019 singleton, live births of 37 weeks gestation or more, occurring in all six public maternity hospitals in Bahrain, during the period 1st July to 15th August of 1987 were included in a study to assess the mean birth weight. The mean birth weight was 3246.1 grams [SD +/- 437.7] and boys were heavier than girls. The mean birth weight was significantly and linearly improved with gestation over 37 weeks and for taller mothers. The mean was significantly lower for primiparous mothers with history of previous low birth weight and when parents were first cousins. The birth weight was also adversely affected when the placental weight was less than 500 grams