SSR based Characterization of Indigenous Harnai Sheep Breed of Balochistan

This study was on the molecular characterization of Harnai sheep breed in Balochistan. A set of (n=16) ovine specific SSR markers, recommended by FAO, was used on (n=50) blood samples from unrelated animals of Harnai sheep breed from their breeding tract. Various genetic parameters were observed using Pop gene software. A total of 74 alleles were found on 13 loci. The finding values for observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne) and Shannon’s Information index (I) the average values were found along with standard deviation to be 2.448±0.869, 1.7050.604 and 0.5890.357 respectively, further more, the mean values of observed heterozygosity (Obs_Het) expected homozygosity (Exp._Hom), expected heterozygosity (Exp_Het), effective number of allele (Ne) average Heterozygosity (Ave Het) were found to be 0.598±0.299, 0.366±0.284, 0.602±0.238, 0.363±0.219, 0.347±0.209 and 0.347±0.209, respectively. The value of F-statistic ranged from 0.2851 to 0.9132 for different microsatellite markers with an average of 0.515±0.021. Majority of the markers showed higher than average expected reduction in heterozygosity. The standard errors were generally low, which indicated that homozygosity prevails in the population under study. This might be due to intense inbreeding in this flock of Harnai sheep.

Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Sigesbeckia orientalis (St. Paul's Wort) in alloxan-induced diabetes model

The current study evaluated antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Sigesbeckia orientalis L. (St. Paul's Wort) (AESO) in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Following OECD guidelines safe doses of AESO were assessed in rats for the main study. Serum/bood glucose, α-amylase, and lipids levels and histopathological evaluations were conducted to assess antidiabetic and associated antihyperlipidemic efficacies of AESO. AESO was found to be safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glucose and lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins) levels was observed in AESO treatment groups. Serum α-amylase, high-density lipoproteins, and total body weight was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in diabetic rats treated with AESO. Histopathological data showed improvement in hepatocyte and pancreatic β-cells islets architecture. HPLC analysis identified quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid and cinnamic acid in AESO which are suggested to be responsible for observed antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic attributes. Further studies to standardise the extract and evaluation of safety profile in long-term toxicity studies are recommended for safe and effective antidiabetic nutraceuticals development.

Toxic effect of common poisonous plants of district Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The present paper was a part of Ph.D research work, conducted during the year 2014, in which 87 poisonous plants belonging to 54 genera, were collected, documented and preserved in the herbarium of Bannu, Department of Botany UST, Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkwa Pakistan. The plants were identified botanically, arranged alphabetically along with their Latin name, family name, common name, poisonous parts, toxicity, affects, toxin and their effects. Aim of the study was to induce awareness in the local people of district Bannu about the poisonous effects of the commonly used plants. Data about poisonous effect were collected from the local experienced and mostly old age people through questionnaire. Some information were collected from a number of veterinary texts and literature. The most important plants genera studied in the area were Brassica 6 species [11.11%], Lathyrus 5 spp [9.26%], Astragalus, Euphorbia and Prunus were with 4 spp [7.40%]. Datura, Jatropha, Ranunculus, Solanum and Sorghum were with 3 spp [5.56%] while Allium, Amaranthus, Chenopodium, Melilotus and Taxus were with 2 spp [3.70%]. These 15 genera contribute 48 species [55.17 %] while the remaining 39 genera have single species each and contribute 44.83% to the total poisonous flora of the research area. Other important poisonous plants were Anagallis arvensis L., Cannabis sativa, Datura stramonium L., D. metel L., Euphorbia species, Heliotropium europaeum, Ipomoea tricolor, Jatropha curcas, Lolium temulentum L., Malus domestica, Mangifera indica L., Medicago sativa L., Melilotus alba Desr., M. officinalis [L.] Lam., Mirabilis jalapa L., Narcissus tazetta, Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum halepense [L] Pers., and Xanthium strumarium. It was concluded that the local population had poor knowledge about the poisonous effect of the plants and the present research work was anticipated for use by health care professionals, veterinarians, farmers, homeowners, as well as botanically curious individuals

Status of PM and DC recognized research journals of khyber pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The objective of this study was to know the status of PM and DC recognized journals in KhyberPakhtunkhwa. Descriptive/cross-sectional study. This study was carried out in the Department of Community Medicine, WMC, Abbottabad from January 2015 to April 2015. A self administered structured questionnaire was designed. Data obtained on eight sampled journals was analysed manually, tables and figures constructed using MS Excel 2007. Latest issues of journals provided by the respondents and literature review were used as additional sources of data. Frequencies of variables like number of issues, publication fee, recognition, accessibility, qualifications of managing team, and ethical approval of researches were calculated. One journal was indexed by MedLine, which was recognized by HEC, PM and DC and CPSP as well. Six out of eight journals had both chief editors and managing editors from clinical sciences. None of the journals had an Impact Factor. All journal hold a publication fee. In KP, medical journals need improvement in terms of recognition, indexation, research publication ethics publication fee and online availability and a uniform recognition criteria by HEC,PMDC and CPSP is missing

Comparison of post-operative astigmatism following phacoemulsification with sutured versus un-sutured wound closure

To compare corneal astigmatism induced by sutured and sutureless wound closure of the main incision, after phacoemulsification, in patients attending the Eye department, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Quasi experimental study. Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, from 20th May, 2006 to 19th May, 2007. Sixty patients were included in this study divided in two equal groups. Phacoemulsification with foldable IOL was done in all patients by the same surgeon with same surgical technique. Main incision was closed with a single suture in group A and left sutureless with stromal hydration in group B. Keratometry was performed preoperatively, at day one and 4 weeks post operatively. Postoperative astigmatism in sutured and sutureless groups at the end of first week was [1.00 D +/- 0.38] and [0.88 D +/- 0.35] respectively. At one month postoperatively astigmatism was [0.76 +/- 0.43] and [0.66 +/- 0.32] respectively in the two groups. There was statistically no significant difference between the postoperative astigmatism at one month between the two groups [p> 0.05]. There is statistically no significant difference between post-operative astigmatism after phacoemulsification between a 3.2 mm self-sealing incision whether closed without suture or secured by a single suture

Spontaneous resolution of direct carotid cavernous fistula

Proptosis due to carotid cavernous fistula is rare sequelae of head injury. We report a case of post-traumatic, direct high flow carotid cavernous fistula that resolved spontaneously 06 weeks after carotid angiography. It however, resulted in loss of vision due to delay in early treatment. In the cases of post-traumatic proptosis, carotid cavernous fistula should be kept in mind

Pattern of diseases in a medical unit at Nishtar Hospital, Multan

To assess the frequency and pattern of diseases in a medical unit at tertiary care, [Nishtar Hospital] Multan. Cross-sectional study. Medical Unit-I, Nishtar Hospital Multan. May, 2004 to May, 2005. Patients admitted at Medical Unit-I, Nishtar Hospital, Multan were included in the study. Specially designed proforma was filled, data were collected and analysed on SPSS-10. Total admitted patients in medical unit-I at Nishtar Hospital, Multan from May, 2004 to May, 2005 were 660. 390 [59.1%] were males and 270 [40.9%] were females. Age ranges from 12-70 and above. Mean age was 43.88 years with standard deviation 18.87 years. Mostly [63.5%] patients were from home district. Chief complaints were uncontrolled diabetes mellitus [17.6%], fever [13.6%], weakness of one-half of body [10%], uncontrolled hypertension [9.7%], cough and fever [8.5%], yellowness of eyes [5.8%] and vomiting [4.2%]. Most common disease was diabetes mellitus [19.1%] followed by hypertension [17.9%], cerebro-vascular accidents [10%], chronic liver diseases [9.7%], acute hepatitis [8.9%], pneumonia [7.4%], meningitis [5.9%], chronic renal failure [3.2%], acid peptic disease [2%] and acute myeloid leukemia [1.5%] [Table No. 5]. Study revealed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease [IHD] and Cerebro-vascular accident [CVA] are most common diseases. Important measure to control diabetes mellitus and hypertension must be adopted. More detailed and large scale study are needed on pattern of diseases at tertiary care hospital so that disease pattern are known and on these basis strategies for control of diseases and patients care can be derived

Breast carcinoma in Karachi. Clinical and pathological features

To evaluate the clinical presentation and morphological features of carcinoma Breast. A retrospective analysis of 50 patients that presented with Ca Breast over a period of three years in the surgical department of Lyari General Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi. Most of the patients were in the 5th and 6th decade of life. The mean age at diagnosis was 48 years. The most common presentation was lump in the breast, out of which 12 were in left breast and 38 in the right breast. Location of lump indescending order; 18 in upper outer quadrant, 8 in outer lower quadrant, 5 in areolar reglon 3 in inner upper quadrant, 4 in inner lower quadrant, 10 patients presented with concomitant axillary lymphadenopathy, 2 with skin infiltration and distant metastatis. FNAC and Mammography correlated with H/P in 93% of cases. The most common tumor was infiltrating ductal carcinoma 81%. Tumor size was > 2 cm in 75% of cases. The number of cases with> 3 lymph node metastasis was significantly higher 70% in tumors of >2cm size. In Pakistani females breast carcinoma occurs at a younger age group. Due to unawareness, they are of large size at the time of presentation and show more frequent lymph node metastasis. Infiltrating ductal Ca is the most common type of tumor with predominance of high grade lesion