Galangin ameliorates changes of membrane-bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia

Objective: To assess the protective effect of galangin on membrane bound enzymes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Methods: A single low dose of streptozotocin was injected to adult male albino rats to induce hyperglycemia. Galangin (8 mg/kg) or glibenclamide 600 μg/kg as a standard drug was given orally once daily for 45 days by gavage. Membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases were determined including total ATPase, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues (kidney, liver, and heart). Results: The levels of total ATPases, sodium-potassium-ATPase, calcium-ATPase and magnesium-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues were significantly altered in diabetic rats as compared to that in normal rats. After 45 days of treatment with galangin or glibenclamide, the levels of these enzymes were similar to that of normal control rats. Conclusions: Oral administration of galangin or glibenclamide can improve activities of these membrane-bound ATPases towards normal levels. Mechanism of galangin needs to be further explored in future.

Schwannoma of nasal inferior turbinate in young male: a rare occurrence

A 12-year old boy presented to the ENT Department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, with a one year history of progressively increasing unilateral right sided nasal obstruction. He denied any other symptoms like that of rhinorrhea, epistaxis, facial pain, headache and any history of nasal trauma. After routine clinical examination, CT scan nose/PNS with contrast was advised and subsequently biopsy was done that revealed the mass to be as schwannoma. This was then removed via a lateral rhinotomy approach and the postoperative specimen again revealed the same. The boy was followed for 1-year and no recurrence is seen. He is still in the follow-up phase

Fibrous dysplasia of mandible

An elderly male presented to the ENT, Outpatient Department at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital [ASH] with a mass on the left side of the face and lower jaw for 8-9 years. It was of a tennis ball size. No treatment was sought by him during those years. A diagnosis of benign fibro-osseous lesion of the mandible was made. Later the histopathology proved the same. The first occurrence in a male gender and involvement of the mandible is uncommon

Comparison of three different ceruminolytic agents [soda-bicarbonate, almond oil and normal saline] with respect to their efficacy

To compare the efficacy of three ceruminolytic agents for cerumen impaction with respect to its ease of complete removal via suctioning or probe. A comparative prospective study. This study was conducted carried out at the outpatient department of ENT, Abbasi Shaheed hospital, Karachi from November 2010 to March 2011. A comparative prospective study of 75 adult patients with cerumen impaction in either or both of the ears carried out at the outpatient department of ENT, Abbasi Shaheed hospital, Karachi. The study was done after taking the consent of the patients. All the adult patients of age 18 years or greater, of either sex with the symptoms in the ear[s] because of cerumen which was hard/dry and difficult to remove were included in the study. Those of age less than 18 years and not having any symptomatology because of the cerumen or with soft wax which was easy to clear were not included in the study. The study was carried out from November 2010 till March 2011. the patients with problematic, difficult to remove cerumen or cerumen impaction with symptoms were divided in to three groups: Groups A, Group B and Group c; all having equal number of cases that is 25 each. In group A they were given soda-bicarbonate in glycerin based ear drops; in group B almond oil and group C the normal saline for instillation in ear. The doses and timings for drops were equal in all the group and it was 3 drops in the affected ear every 6-hourly for 1-week. They were councilled that the dose should not be missed and they have to lay down for 5 minutes so that drops are absorbed and does not come out of the ear. After one week they were called in the OPD, was compared with completeness of removal of impacted cerumen for the three groups. Ease and completeness of cerumen removal was 80% in group A, followed by 60% for group C and 20% for group B. We found soda-glycerin to be superior to almond oil and normal saline as ceruminolytic agent

unusual foreign body in trachea

We report a very unusual case of foreign body [FB] in the tracheo-bronchial tract of a male child, who presented to us in the emergency department at our tertiary care centre with the complaint of FB in throat, cough bouts and choking sensation with pain and difficulty in breathing for whom an emergency rigid endoscopy was carried out after appropriate investigations

Comparison between dissection and bipolar diathermy method tonsillectomy

To compare dissection method and diathermy method tonsillectomy in terms of intraoperative mean blood loss, time taken for surgery and frequency of post operative bleeding. It was a grass experimental study carried out at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from January 2004 to January 2005. Patients of ages between 5 years and 25 years were selected from the out patient department. Sampling technique was convenient sampling. Sample was of 100 patient. First 50 patients were selected for dissection method [Group A] and the last 50 patients for bipolar method tonsillectomy [Group B]. Data collection procedure was interview and observational facts. Data was analyzed by using SPSSS version 10. For mean comparison, student's test was used. Significance of the test was taken at p<0.05. The difference in result between dissection method tonsillectomy and diathermy method tonsillectomy was statistically significant [P<0.001] in terms of intraoperative blood loss and time taken for surgery. Regarding postoperative hemorrhage, the difference between diathermy and ligation was insignificant. Tonsillectomy with bipolar diathermy was a better and safer technique as compared to ligation method especially in terms of intraoperative blood loss and time taken for surgery. The frequency of postoperative bleeding was similar in both methods

Ginseng induced fetal skeletal malformations

The use of alternative therapies including Herbal medicines is rapidly escalating in both the developed and the developing countries. It is generally believed that "natural" herbal medicines are better and safer than conventional medicine; herbal medicines are in fact associated with serious toxic effects. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Panax Ginseng; it was found that maternal treatment with Panax Ginseng negatively affected the development of skeletal system. Findings in our study suggest that further investigations and monitoring of embryotoxic effects of ginsenosides on human pregnancy are warranted

Fractured tracheostomy tube in the tracheo-bronchial tract: a rare occurrence. Case report

We report a very rare occurrence of fracture of a metallic tracheostomy tube that lodged in the tracheo-bronchial tract of our male patient and caused him a great deal of distress, anxiety with minimal of respiratory embarrassment, if any. The tracheostomy was done earlier as the patient presented in the emergency department with stridor and was found to have a supraglottic growth! After the emergency tracheostomy, admission was offered with subsequent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy he was discharged with a metallic bivalve tracheostomy tube in place to return with the histopathology report but he never returned becoming a treatment defaulter only to present with the broken tracheostomy tube in the airway, later

Cystic hygroma: an unusual presentation in adult

We report a case of a 22 years old male patient suffering from cystic hygroma [CH] probably post-traumatic in origin. He presented with an asymptomatic, cosmetically disfiguring and a painless swelling involving the right side of the neck

Unilateral high division of right sciatic nerve

A thorough knowledge of pelvis and lower extremity is of paramount importance in providing effective care to patients with lower extremity neuralgia. Neuroanatomy knowledge typically acquired in medical colleges at undergraduate level is limited and may not adequately equip the clinicians to effectively manage a patient with intractable pain of lower extremity especially if the nerves are not following a typical course. Sciatic nerve is the main nerve supplying most of the muscles and all of the joints of lower limb. It is a branch of Sacral plexus that leaves the pelvis usually below the piriformis muscle and after supplying the hamstring compartment divide at the level of apex of popliteal fossa into its two terminal divisions namely; Tibial And Common peroneal nerves. Sometimes Sciatic nerve while in the pelvis divides into its terminal branches that leave the pelvis in a number of ways in relation to piriformis muscle. This high division is responsible for ischalgia, wrongly placed intra-muscular inje ctions and piriformis syndrome. This study is carried out in various medical colleges of Lahore including FMH college of Medicine and Dentistry to update the statistical data provided to the therapist and clinicians managing patients of sciatica, ischalgia or piriformis syndrome

Clinical and angiographic findings in patients with significant left main coronary artery stenosis

To evaluate the clinical and angiographic features of patients with significant [>50%] left main coronary artery [LMCA] stenosis. In this prospective descriptive study, we evaluated clinical and angiographic features of 100 consecutive patients with significant LMCA stenosis, which were selected from 1284 patients undergoing coronary angiography at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Significant LMCA stenosis was seen in 7.7% patients. There were 83 males [83%] and 17 females [17%]. Age of the patients ranged from 35 to 72 with mean age of male patients 55.84 +/- 9.99 years and that of female patients 54.12 +/- 9.89 years. Severe angina [NYHA class III-IV] was the most common finding. 54% of the patients had ST depression in resting ECG while ECG was found to be normal in 19 [19%] patients. Hypercholesterolemia was the most commonly found risk factor. 94% patients had disease in other coronary arteries and left anterior descending artery [LAD] was the most commonly involved vessel. Majority of the patients [>70%] had preserved left ventricular [LV] systolic function. All patients underwent coronary angiography safely without any serious complication. Among patients undergoing routine coronary angiography about 8% had significant LMCA stenosis. Most of these had disease in other coronary arteries, especially in males. Severe angina along with diffuse ST depression in multiple ECG leads and strongly positive exercise test were common findings in patients with LMCA stenosis However no specific clinical features were found which could distinguish the patients with LMCA stenosis from other patients with coronary artery disease [CAD]

Diathermy versus cold steel dissection for tonsillectomy

To evaluate the intraoperative benefits of diathermy tonsillectomy technique against conventional steel dissection and silk ligature technique. Quasi experimental. Place and duration of study: Civil Hospital Karachi, Cheviot General Hospital and Baqai Medical University Hospital Karachi from January 1998-November 200I. 256 patients of both genders, age range between 5-30 years. Tonsillectomy by electro dissection in one consular fossa [TF] and by cold steel dissection in the other consular fossa in the same patient was reviewed. Diagnosed cases of chronic tonsillitis and sleep apnea syndrome [obstructive type]. Exclusion criteria: Bleeding disorders and any co-morbids like hypertension and respiratory tract infections etc. Intraoperative time and blood loss was found significantly less in tonsillar fossa where diathermy dissection was employed as compared to conventional cold steel dissection and silk ligature technique. Diathermy could be a useful and effective technique for tonsillectomy operation

Short term experience of tricuspid valve dilatation

Four patients with tricuspid stenosis aged 25-42 years [mean 3 years] were submitted to tricuspid valve dilatation using two 20 mms balloons. In addition to Tricuspid Valvuloplasty 2 had mitral Valvuloplasty and 2 had both mitral and aortic Valvuloplasty. Following balloon dilatation tricuspid valve area was inadequate in 50% Tricuspid regurgitation as estimated by Doppler was the same as predilatation in all and did not increase in 6 months 'follow-up. Hemodynamic and symptomatic improvement was evident. The future looks to be optimistic for this technique