Analysis of NT-proBNP and uric acid due to left ventricle hypertrophy in the patients of aortic valve disease

Objective: To evaluate the concentration of N terminal proBNP [NT-proBNP] and partially the serum uric acid in the severe condition of aortic valve dysfunction for assessment of left ventricle hypertrophy

Methods: The study was conducted in the signal transduction lab department of biochemistry Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad from September 2013 to February 2017. NT-proBNP and serum uric acid were measured in one hundred patients of aortic valve dysfunction. The patients were divided into three main groups: 1] Aortic stenosis, 2] Aortic regurgitation, and 3] Aortic stenosis with Aortic regurgitation. The results were compared between disease and controls groups

Results: High level of plasma NT-proBNP was detected in all the three disease groups of aortic valve [stenosis, p<0.001], [regurgitation, p<0.001] and [stenosis with regurgitation, p<0.001]. In addition, non-significantly increased level of serum uric acid was also observed in left ventricle hypertrophy in all the three respective disease groups of aortic valve

Conclusion: Increased secretion of NT-proBNP during cardiac remodeling can be related to the severity of left ventricle hypertrophy due to aortic valve abnormality in all the disease groups of severe stenosis, severe regurgitation, and combine disease condition of severe stenosis and severe regurgitation. However, non-significant increase in uric acid concentration is also identified which may be due to one of the factors involved in left ventricle hypertrophy in all the three disease groups of aortic valve. The interaction of uric acid with NT-proBNP during cardiac remolding due to aortic valve dysfunction is still not clear

Effects of ammi visnaga [bisnaga] extract on the volume and acidity of stimulated gastric secretion in fasting rabbits

To determine the efficacy of extract of Ammi visnaga on volume and acidity of stimulated gastric secretion in rabbits and also its safety on liver and kidney function. Quasi experimental study. Pharmacology Department, Saidu Medical College, Swat, in the years 2008-9. Thirty rabbits weighing 1 - 1.5 kg were divided into groups A, B and C each having 10 animals. After fasting for 48 hours, pylorus of animals of group A and B was ligated. Group A was administered Carbachol and group B was given extracts of Ammi visnaga followed by Carbachol after 15 minutes intraperitoneally. After 4 hours, stomach contents were measured for volume and then centrifuged and estimated for acidity. The extract was also administered to group C animals for 45 days to observe its effects on liver and kidney function. In group B, reduction in volume, free and total acidity of gastric juice was highly significant when the mean values were compared with group A. In group C, mean values of liver and kidney function test compared with pre-treated values, were found statistically non-significant. Ammi visnaga extract can be used effectively and safely in the treatment of hyper acidity conditions and peptic ulcer after evaluation of its effects in human being

Catheter associated urinary tract infections in the intensive care unit of tertiary care hospitals: bacterial spectrum and their susceptibility pattern

To determine microbial spectrum of catheter associated urinary tract infection and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in patients under intensive care. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study, which was carried out at the Department of Microbiology Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. This institute is providing laboratory cover to two tertiary care hospital and five institutes of excellence. A total of 122 isolates, obtained from urine of 100 catheterized patients, at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi for a period of six months were included in the study. Identification was carried out by biochemical and serological profile of the organism. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests of isolated organisms were performed by standard disk diffusion method as recommend by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Majority [68%] of the organisms isolated were Gram negative organisms while 32% of the infections were due to Gram positive organisms/fungi. Moxifloxacin [86.40%] and imipenem [83.30%] were the most active antibiotics. Resistance was very high to ampicillin [88.50%] and trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole [75.00%]. Majority of the catheter associated urinary tract infections are due to Gram negative but Gram positive organisms and fungi are also causing UTIs in about one third cases. Resistance to the conventional antimicrobials used for UTI was high

Cancer data analysis in the pathology department, combined military hospital, Multan, Pakistan 2002-2007.

This study was conducted with the objective of providing the pattern of cancer distribution from a hospital based tumour registry at CMH, Multan, in comparison with patterns from other National Studies. The retrospective study of malignant tumours recorded at the pathology department from 2002-2007 featured analysis in terms of age group, gender and type of tumour. Over the six year period the total number of malignancies was 930 with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The common tumours in males, in order of decreasing frequency were leukaemia, prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer, skin cancer and lymphomas. In females they were leukaemia, breast cancer, skin cancer, gallbladder cancer and lymphomas. In both sexes, the most common malignancy was leukaemia, which is contrary to other studies, pointing to a possible link with extensive use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals in this region of the country.

Evaluation of combined effect of verapamil and ranitidine on the volume and acidity of carbachol induced gastric secretion

This study was conducted to observe the effect of H2-receptor antagonist Ranitidine and calcium channel blocker Verapamil on the volume, free and total acidity of carbachol induced gastric secretion. Twenty four albino rats of Sprangue Dawley strain weighing 150-200 grams were used. Animals were divided into Four groups. After fasting for 48 hours, pylorus of each animal was ligated, verapamil 10mg/Kg, ranitidine 0.5 mg/Kg and carbachol 600 micro g/Kg body weight were administered intraperitoneally. It was observed that ranitidine significantly reduced both the volume and acidity [p<0.001]. Similarly Verapamil also significantly reduced the volume, free and total acidity when compared to carbachol alone. When verapamil was used in combination with ranitidine 15 minutes before carbachol, there was further inhibition of volume and acidity as compared to ranitidine alone. This reduction was statistically highly significant [p<0.001]. Our study suggests that combined therapy of verapamil and ranitidine may have clinical usefulness in the management of severe peptic ulcer and Zollinger Ellison Syndrome

Evaluation of effects of extract from seeds of myristica fragrans on volume and acidity of stimulated gastric secretion. liver and kidney function

This study was conducted to observe the effects of extracts from the seeds of medicinal plant "Myristica fragrans" [which has documented calcium channel blocker] on volume and acidity of carbachol induced gastric secretion, liver and kidney function in fasting rabbits. Thirty rabbits of local breed were included in the study and they were divided into three equal groups. Group A was injected with Carbachol. Group B was injected with extract and carbachol and group C was injected only extract and liver and kidney function was determined. The drugs and extract were injected intraperitoneally. It was observed that the extract inhibited volume, free and total acidity of gastric secretion in group B. This inhibition was statistically highly significant for all the three parameters [P< 0.001]. It was also noticed that there were non significant changes in liver function and kidney function test before and after 45 days treatment with extract in group C. It is concluded that the extract is an excellent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion and can be safely used for peptic ulcer and other diseases which need calcium channel blockers for their treatment. This will also enable a lay man to use the crude drug obtained from easily available local plant

Transradial diagnostic and percutaneous coronary intervention

To describe the technique and rationale of coronary diagnostic and intervention procedures via radial artery. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: From January, 2000 to August, 2001 at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD], Karachi. Subjects and A total of 167 [3.6%] patients underwent TR approach for both diagnostic and intervention procedures. The minimum age of the patients was 20 years whereas maximum age was 75 years. All patients with positive Allen's Test were included in the study. All the procedures were done by using the right radial artery approach. Out of 167 cases 76% were diagnostic and 24% were in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] group. In 3% the radial artery approach was not successful. In PCI group disease, pattern was single vessel [58%] with mostly left anterior descending artery[LAD] involvement [44%]. Lesions were mostly low to moderate risk. In PCI group 51 stents both pre-mounted and un-mounted [bare] were used. In 19% cases, direct stenting was done while 12.5% patients received Abciximab and 7.5% patients underwent IVUS for lesion quantification. In PCI group, procedure was unsuccesful in 2.4% cases due to inability to cannulate and negotiate the lesion. In our limited local experience of 167 cases of TR approach, there were no major complications like major bleed, limb ischemia etc. The TR approach for invasive procedures yields comparable results to femoral approach. It has a major benefit of reduction in puncture site related complications vis-a-vis intensive use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet, and fibrinolytics required for PCI. Additionally, the approach also increases patient comfort through early mobilization and reduction in cost