Distribution of ABO and Rh D blood groups in the population of Poonch district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

We evaluated the distribution of ABO and Rhesus [Rh] D blood groups in the population of Poonch district in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The blood group phenotypes were detected by the classic slide method. The ABO blood group system in the total sample showed the same trend of prevalence as for the general Indian subcontinent [B >/= O > A > AB]. The same trend was found among males, but among females the order of prevalence was different [O B > A > AB]. However, the allelic frequencies in both sexes were in the order of O > B > A. The Rh positive and negative distribution trend in both sexes was also similar

effects of reducing the exposure time of mitomycin C in glaucoma surgery

Topical application of mitomycin C has significantly increased the success rate of trabeculectomy. However the optimum exposure time of mitomycin C to the filtration site is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adequate post-operative control of IOP and a lower incidence of post operative complications can be achieved by using mitomycin-C for a shorter period of time during trabeculectomy, performed in high risk glaucoma patients. Twenty eyes of patients of glaucoma, who were considered to be at high risk for failure because of their young age, previous ocular surgery like cataract extraction and trabeculectomy, inflammatory glaucoma, high myopia and prolonged anti-glaucoma medication, underwent trabeculectomy with topical application of 0.2 mg/ml concentration of mitomycin C for three minutes. They were case matched with a group of same number of eyes of high risk glaucoma patients who received same concentration of drug for 5 minutes. Twelve months after surg ery, the mean pre-operative IOP decreased from 29.9 mmHg to a post-operative level of 16.05 mmHg in 3 minutes group, with a success rate of 85%, and from 29.35 mmHg to 16.55 mmHg in 5 minutes group, with the same success rate of 85%. The incidence of complications was higher in 5 minutes group, when total number of complications was compared. [p value< 0.05] Ocular hypotony developed in 3 [15%] eyes in 5 minutes group, and none in 3 minutes group. No patient developed hypotony related maculopathy in either group. Other complications like hyphema, post-operative uveitis, and conjunctival wound leakage were managed conservatively. The present study supports the conclusion of previous studies that mitomycin C is highly effective drug when used in association with trabeculectomy, and when used in concentration of 0.2 mg/ml for three minutes is as effective in controlling post-operative IOP as is five minutes exposure time of the same concentration. Further, emphasizing that the shorter exposure of the drug is associated with lesser incidence of vision threatening complications

Seroprevalance of Rubella antibodies among women of reproductive age: a study at Nishtar Hospital Multan

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalance of rubella antibodies among women of reproductive age and to emphasize the importance of vaccinating this population. Serum specimen of 180 students of College of Nursing Nishtar Hospital Multan was screened with IMMULITE/IMMULITE 1000 Rubella Quantitative IgG assay at MINAR [Multan Institute of Nuclear medicine and Radiotherapy]. Out of 180 serum specimens screened 168 [93.33%] were seropositive. 9 [5%] were seronegative and 3 [1.6%] fell in the intermediate range. All subjects were unmarried, between 16 and 24 years of age and none had a previous history of rubella vaccination. However there was non specific history of fever and rash in 11 [6.1%] students. It is evident from this small age without acquiring natural immunity need to be immunized to prevent repeated pregnancy loss and birth of infants with congenital rubella syndrome [CRS]

Maternal mortality: a 10-year study at Nishtar-Hospital Multan

To analyse causes of maternal deaths and to identify preventable causes leading to this tragedy in our setup. An analytical, hospital-based study. Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Nishter Hospital Multan from June-August 2005. During the study period retrospective data was collected for period of 10 year from January 1995 to December 2004. This data was analyzed in order to determine the Maternal Mortality Rate [MMR], causes of death and characteristics of the mothers who died including her age, parity and whether they were booked or unbooked. A total numbers of 30031 deliveries took place during the study period and there were 178 maternal deaths with maternal mortality rate of 593/100,000 LB [live births]. 7[3.9%] patients were below the age of 20, 74[41.5%] were in the age group of 21-30 and 82[46%] in 31-40 years age range. 15[8.42%] were above the age of 40. Most of them [69%] were grand multiparas [Parity >5]. The major causative factors were haemorrhage 63[35.4%], eclampsia 41[23.03%], sepsis 25[14.04%], anaemia 18[10.1%], hepatic encephalopathy 14[7.9%], abortion 11[6.2%]. Majority of the patients were unbooked and presented in the hospital very late. A high proportion of potentially preventable maternal deaths indicate the need for improvements in education for both patient and health care provider. The provision of skilled care and timely management of complications can lower maternal mortality in our setup

Probing for blocked nasolacrimal duct in adults [an alternative to D.C.R.]

An investigation was conducted into the efficacy of probing syringing the blocked nasolacrimal ducts. [NLD] in adults with epiphora. It was done under local anaesthesia. Watering improved subjectivly in 42% of the cases after a single procedure. This improvement was seen in only 16% is cases with mucocele and not in cases with pus regurgitation

Intra-ocular lens implantation in children

We report the outcome of intra-ocular lens implantation [10L] in 15 eyes of 15 patients with visually significant cataracts [10 traumatic and 5 developmental]. Eleven had posterior chamber lens implants [PCL] and four anterior chamber lends implants [ACC], two among the later group being secondary implants after failed contact lens trials. Eleven patients were males and four females. At the time of operation, age ranged from 3-12 years. Follow up period was 6-24 months. Most significant complications were fibrinous uveitis and capsular thickening. Uveitis was worse in younger patients [aged 3-5 years] and became less virulent with sub-conjunctivial injection of Depomedrol. The marked capsular thickening required capsulotomy in 50% of the cases mostly within six months of operation. Visual outcome was excellent [VA 6/12 or better] in 40%, good [VA 6/24 - 6/12] in 33% fair [VA 6/60 - 6/24] in 20% and poor [Less than 6/60] in 7% [the eye with macular damage, corneal scarring and early age onset cataract]. Best results were obtained in traumatic cases aged 5 years and over, with intact climatic conditions with heat and dust around and socio-economic factors are responsible for failure of contactlens. Two patients required secondary ACLs after poor compliance with contact lenses. Uniocular cataract, traumatic or developmental, in children had till recently been a problem for the parents, ophthalmologists and allied specialities. Left alone the child is left with uniocular vision, leucocoria [cosmetically un-acceptable and a psychological burden on child and parents] with added risk of developing squint sooner or latter by the poorly seeing eyes risk being proportionately worse with earlier age onset of cataract

Comparative study of blood pressure levels in local healthy male sedentary people and manual workers

To compare the levels of blood pressures in local sedentary and manual male workers. Design: Sedentary, light and heavy manual workers were randomly selected on the basis of their occupational activities for the last five years. Setting: Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Subjects: Seventy three male apparently healthy subjects from three occupational groups of approximately the same age, weight and height. Main outcome measures: Body mass index [BMI], weight, pulse rate and blood pressure levels were measured manually while their fasting glucose and haemoglobin levels were determined chemically. Significantly higher [P<0.05 and 0.001] pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were observed in sedentary subjects as compared to light manual and heavy manual workers. However, when light manual workers were compared with heavy manual workers, only the diastolic blood pressure was found to be significantly lower [P<0.05] in heavy manual workers. Non-significantly [P>0.05] different levels of haemoglobin [13.9 +/- 0.1 4 vs 13.6 +/- 0.1 5 g/dl] and blood glucose [84.3 +/- 1.15 vs 85 +/- 0.85 mg/dl] were observed in sedentary and manual workers, respectively which were within normal limits. Conclusions: Occupational physical activity has beneficial effects on pulse rate and blood pressure levels. And there is an increased likelihood of coronary artery disease associated with reduced physical activity

Vasectomy: yet an ineffective tool for population control in Pakistan

Five hundred men undergoing vasectomy in our department have been studied. They have been analysed regarding their age, literacy, number of living children, reason for requesting vasectomy and postoperative complications. Our results show that vasectomy services in the study group were poorly utilized. Causes of this poor performance are discussed. A group of 100 men who refused vasectomy were also interviewed to know their reservations

Therapeutic implications of microbiological investigations of vaginal discharge in local population

This paper presents the microbiological study of vaginal discharge in local population. One hundred and ten patients from mixed socio-economic background were selected for this study. All patients presented with complaint of vaginal discharge. Along with detailed history and thorough clinical examination, bacteriological investigations were performed. The result of these investigations and their therapeutic implication are discussed

Electromyographic studies in healthy individuals and patients with upper motor neuron lesions

Electromyographic studies were conducted on the tibialis anterior muscles along with serum creatinine phosphokinase levels in the clinically normal individuals and the patients with upper motor neuron lesions. Motor unit potential's duration, amplitude, percentage of polyphasic potentials and incidence of spontaneous activity were recorded. The data obtained showed that percentage of polyphasic potentials and incidence of spontaneous activity were recorded. The data obtained showed that percentage of polyphasic potentials and incidence of spontaneous activity were much higher in the diseased than in the normal group and the difference was statistically highly significant [p<0.001]. However, the motor unit potential's duration and amplitude were not significantly different [p>0.05] from the control. It is conceivable, therefore, that increased polyphasic potentials and spontaneous electrical activity are two important associated electromyographic findings in upper motor neuron lesions

Electromyographic studies in pregnant and non pregnant Pakistani women

Motor unit potentials were electromyographically recorded from 19 healthy pregnant ladies and 11 non-pregnant controls of the same age group. Different parameters of the motor unit potentials recorded included duration, amplitude and type of potentials in the biceps brachii muscle. The data obtained showed statistically non-significant [P>0.05] differences between the values of the two groups regarding the duration, amplitude or the percentage of polyphasic potentials recorded. Therefore, present study has suggested that various physiological changes of pregnancy do not influence the electromyographic parameters of skeletal muscles

Comparative antisecretory effects of cimetidine, ranitidine and tiotidine on basal volume and pH of gastric acid secretion in intact rats

An investigation was carried out to study comparative antisecretory effects of H2-receptor blocking drugs including cimetidine, ranitidine and tiotidine in pylorus ligated intact albino rats. The data obtained showed that the efficacy of these agents in reducing the volume and acidity of the gastric secretion in the rats was in the order of ranitidine > tiotidine > cimetidine when administered in the doses in proportion to what is commonly used clinically in human peptic ulcer patients

Post-hysterectomy fallopian tube prolapse presenting as vault granulation tissue

Prolapse of fallopian tube following hysterectomy is a rare condition which can cause diagnostic confusion and can lead to distressing symptoms following the operation. A case of post-hysterectomy fallopian tube prolapse presenting as granulation tissue at the vault is presented. The fallopian tube prolapse should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vault granulation tissue following hysterectomy and particularly so if the tissue is tender to touch

Antidiabetic screening of a folkloric medicinal plant prescription in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits

An investigation was carried out to study the effects of an aqueous decoction of a plant prescription containing equal parts of Balsamodendrone myrrha [Mur makki], Styrax benzoin [Luban], Ferula foestida [Hing], Aloe vera [Mussabar] and Nigella sativa [Kalongi] on blood glucose levels in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits. In normal rabbits, oral administration of the decoction was found to lower the blood glucose levels significantly. The maximum decrease was noted at 8-12 hours after administration by the 3.5 ml/kg dose. In diabetic rabbits too, the decoction produced a significant fall in blood glucose levels. The maximum decrease was observed after 12 hours by the 3.5 ml/kg dose. Acetohexamide, an oral hypoglycemic drug in 500 ml/kg oral dose produced a significant decrease in the blood glucose level in the normal rabbits only. The decoction, however, produced significant hypoglycemia in both normal and diabetic rabbits which indicate that the drug is a better and more potent antidiabetic agent as compared to acetohexamide. The decoction contained relatively high levels of calcium, manganese and magnesium elements. It produced no visible symptoms of acute toxicity and no mortality was recorded within one week after oral administration of drug in the doses checked. It is conceivable that more than one type of hypoglycemic principles are present in the aqueous decoction which act probably by producing an increased release of insulin and by providing necessary metallic elements. However, further study is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism and real worth of the compound plant prescription as an antidiabetic agent