Optimization of antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of eucalyptus tereticornis and nigella sativa: response surface methodology

The screening of plants for medicinal purposes represents an effort to discover newer, safer, and possibly more effective drugs. Design of the present study was made aiming to the optimization of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis [leaves] and Nigella sativa [seeds] against bacteria belongings to both Gram-positive [Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus] and Gram-negative [Escherichia coli] spectrum by using response surface methodology. 20 g powder of each E. tereticornis [leaf] and N. sativa [seeds] were mixed with 200ml of ethanol at room temperature, and then it was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 min to separate the supernatants, and allowed to dry in order to obtain ethanol free extracts. A fresh bacterial culture of 100microl of test microorganism was inoculated onto media and spread homogeneously. The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts showed that all the concentrations tested were effective against the test microorganisms. The diameters of zones of inhibition exhibited by S. aureus PCSIR-83 were in the range of 0-28mm, E. coli PCSIR-102 [0-28mm] and B. subtilis PCSIR-05 [15-26mm]. The combination of N. sativa [15mg/micro l] and E. tereticornis [20mg/micro l] were found most effective at pH 9.0 and temperature 35°C. Our results clearly indicate that Gram positive bacteria showed more sensitivity than Gram-negative bacteria

Assessment of biochemical and antioxidative status in patients suffering from dengue fever / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

A multi-centred study was designed to collect dengue epidemiologic data from government and registered private hospitals/clinics and maintained archive of frozen specimens in bio-bank to be used for future dengue epidemic control program, and assess the epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) by evaluating biochemical and oxidative status of patients. ELISA IgM antibodies test was done to confirm DF. From August 2010 to December 2011, 101 confirmed blood samples of DF patients referred to pathology lab of Jinnah Hospital Lahore were subjected to the epidemiologic assessment by evaluating the biochemical and physiological indices and alterations of circulating antioxidants. Clinical features of DF patients and effect of fever on blood components and serum proteins of liver were recorded. The hospital stay in DF, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) showed significant difference. Significant increases in serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) (P=0.000), aspartate amino transferase (AST) (P=0.000), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P=0.000), malondialdehyde (MDA) along with significant decreases in total protein (TP) (P=0.000), reduced glutathione (GSH) (P=0.000), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) (P=0.000), and sialic acid contents (P=0.016) were observed. A positive correlation existed between bound sialic acid levels, liver enzymes and circulating antioxidants (r=0.656, P=0.016). In the present study, alterations of circulating antioxidants in DF suggest that DF might be a metabolic response to an acute, self-limiting tropical viral infection, and a consequence of the viral inflammatory process.

Senile cataract; serum lipids a modifiable risk factor

To estimate the serum lipid profile of patients having different types of senile cataract and compare them with that of the controls. Observational case control study. Tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Six months. We selected fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals from tertiary care hospital of Lahore. History, ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had Nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. The p-value of triglycerides and VLDL was significant. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Senile cataract patients; serum electrolytes and calcium

Purpose: The current study was aimed at finding out the significance of serum electrolytes and serum calcium levels in the development of senile cataract

Study Design: Case control study

Setting: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Period: Jan 2013 to June 2013

Methods: Total fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty controls were selected. Clinical history and clinical diagnostic tests were performed by an ophthalmologist. Blood samples were drawn and serum stored at -20o C. Serum potassium and sodium were measured by Flame photometry. Serum chloride levels were estimated by quantitative displacement of thiocyanate by chloride. The estimation of calcium was done using photometry by CPC method. Statistical analysis was done by Statistical package for social sciences [SPSS version 16.0]. There were 31 females and 19 male [F: M = 1.63: 1] patients. In the control group, there were 32 females and 18 males [F: M = 1.77: 1]. The age was >/= 40 years in both patients and control group

Results: Nuclear cataract was the commonest. Among all the analytes, only serum calcium levels were found to be significantly lower in patients [p value less than 0.05 as compared to controls]. While difference of sodium, potassium and chloride levels between cases and controls was insignificant. [p values 0.49, 0.36, and 0.45 respectively]

Conclusions: In Pakistan, serum electrolytes in cataract patients are not significantly different from the controls while serum Calcium of cataract patients is significantly low when compared with the control group, indicating the possible role of low calcium level as a risk factor in the development of senile cataract

Comparative study of alterations in tri-iodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4] hormone levels in breast and ovarian cancer

The present study was designed to investigate variations in the levels of thyroid hormones [T3, T4] in breast and ovarian cancers patients. A total 120 subjects were recruited [without thyroid history] divided into three groups; A, B and C. Group A as control with healthy individuals. While group B and group C were consisting of breast cancer and ovarian cancer patient respectively. Blood samples [5 ml] were taken and analyzed to estimate the levels of serum T3 [tri-iodothyronine] and T4 [thyroxin] hormones. Statistically significant difference [P=0.000* and P=0.017*] was obtained among all groups. A significant increase in T3 [P=0.000*] and T4 [0.005*] levels was observed among breast cancer patients as compared to healthy controls. While for ovarian cancer patients conflicting results were found for T3 and T4 levels in the serum i.e. insignificant difference was found in T3 [P=0.209] and T4 [P=0.050] as compared to control. Our results showed that in the breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients the thyroid hormone [T3 and T4] level has been altered from the normal ranges as compared to the normal healthy individuals. We conclude that hyperthyroidism has profound effects on breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells proliferation

Serum lipids - a modifiable risk factor for senile cataract

To identify the role of serum lipids in patients with different types of senile cataract. It was an observational case control study in a tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals were selected. History taking with ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. Serum triglycerides and VLDL were significantly raised in patients of senile cataract [p. <0.001]. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Relationship among intercanine width, intermolar width and arch length in upper and lower arches

Intercanine width, intermolar width and arch length are essential for diagnosis and treatment planning and are closely related factors in orthodontics.The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between these measurements and how these measurements are related to each other. Dental casts of 100 orthodontic patients [72 females and 28 males] with a mean age of 18.7 years [12-38 years] in the permanent dentition attending the orthodontic department of the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan were randomly selected. The casts were photocopied 1/1 with maximum contrast. Measurements were made on the photocopies of the upper and lower dental casts. Correlation between variables was determined using spearman's rho correlation coefficient. The data showed very high correlation between intercanine width and intermolar width of both upper and lower arches and a weak correlation was observed between upper intercanine width and upper arch length as well as lower arch length. Correlation was significant between upper and lower arch lengths