Enhancement of gut permeation of amoxicillin with Nigella sativa seed extract and its phytochemical screening / 中国天然药物

The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as Black cumin, are predominantly used as carminative, antispasmodic, and stimulant. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of N. sativa seed extract on the permeation of co-infused amoxicillin across the gut wall. The methanolic extract of N. sativa improved intestinal permeability of amoxicillin in in-vitro experiments in a dose-dependent manner. Two new glycosides, decanyl nigelloic acid diglucoside [n-decanyl-3-aldehydic-4-methoxy-5-hydroxy benzoate-5-β-D-glucofuranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside]] and nigelabdienoyl triglucoside [homo-labd-5, 9(11)-dien-16-onyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside], along with seven known fatty acid glycerides/esters, were isolated from the gut permeation enhancing extract. The structures of these new glycosides were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses.

Enhancement of gut permeation of amoxicillin with Nigella sativa seed extract and its phytochemical screening / 中国天然药物

The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as Black cumin, are predominantly used as carminative, antispasmodic, and stimulant. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of N. sativa seed extract on the permeation of co-infused amoxicillin across the gut wall. The methanolic extract of N. sativa improved intestinal permeability of amoxicillin in in-vitro experiments in a dose-dependent manner. Two new glycosides, decanyl nigelloic acid diglucoside [n-decanyl-3-aldehydic-4-methoxy-5-hydroxy benzoate-5-β-D-glucofuranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside]] and nigelabdienoyl triglucoside [homo-labd-5, 9(11)-dien-16-onyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside], along with seven known fatty acid glycerides/esters, were isolated from the gut permeation enhancing extract. The structures of these new glycosides were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [NAFLD]; frequency in diabetes mellitus [type II] patients and non diabetic group at Shalamar medical and dental college, Lahore

Objectives: To assess the incidence of NAFLD and biochemical profile in nondiabetic and diabetic patients. Study Design: It was a cross sectional descriptive study. Setting: Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences [SIHS], Lahore. Period: Six months, Jan 2015 to Jun 2015

Methods: The patients coming to the Radiology Department for abdominal ultrasound were age and sex matched into fatty liver and non-fatty liver groups and diabetic and nondiabetic groups and were further evaluated on the basis of glucose, alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and triglycerides [TG] levels from the laboratory data

Results: The findings of all biochemical parameters were raised in diabetic patients with fatty liver as well as in non-fatty liver diabetic group and the differences were found to be statistically [P value less than 0.05] significant. In non-diabetic group, out of 200 subjects 56.5% had NAFLD whereas 43.5% had no NAFLD. In diabetic patients, out of 200 patients 69% had NAFLD and 31% had no NAFLD and the difference was significant statistically [P=<0.05]. The prevalence of NAFLD 12.5% was higher in type-2 diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetic group. In non-diabetic group, 113 subjects had TG value of 181 +/- 82.49, while 87 subjects had TG of 141 +/- 44.5. In diabetic patients, 138 patients had TG value of 467 +/- 277.64 whereas 62 patients had TG value of 178 +/- 46.52, which was statistically significant [P=<0.05]

Conclusion: Fatty liver is an important marker for metabolic syndrome which is a pre-diabetic condition. The occurrence of NAFLD was elevated in type II patients of diabetes. The traditional risk factors for NAFLD are considered to be female sex, type II diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. Hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and elevated ALT were observed more repeatedly in fatty liver than in non-fatty liver [type II] diabetic patients

Comparison of 1000-centistoke versus 5000-centistoke silicone oil in complex retinal detachment surgery

Objective: To compare the efficacy and complications of using 1000-centistoke versus 5000-centistoke silicone oil for complex retinal detachment repair

Study Design: Case series

Place and Duration of Study: LRBT Tertiary Eye Hospital, Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2013

Methodology: Eighty-five eyes [85 patients] presenting with superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments associated with PVR grades B and C [involving not more than 3 clock hours] were randomized to either 1000 centistokes [n=44] or 5000 centistokes [n=41] silicone oil group. All patients underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy surgery with silicone oil intraocular tamponade. Patient data was analysed at 18 months post-operatively. IBM SPSS 21 was used for data analysis

Results: There were 52 male and 33 female patients aged between 22 and 70 years [45.2 +/- 16.2]. After the first surgery, successful reattachment of the retina was achieved in 67 eyes [78.8%]; of which 35 eyes were in 1000-centistoke and 32 eyes in 5000-centistoke groups. Mean pre-operative Best Corrected Visual Acuity [BCVA] was 1.63 +/- 0.54 which was improved to a mean post-operative BCVA of 1.46 +/- 0.78 [1.42 +/- 0.74 in 1000-centistoke group; 1.49 +/- 0.78 in 5000 centistoke group]. The 1000-centistoke group had a significantly higher frequency of oil emulsification which necessitated early removal of silicone oil. There were 66 eyes [77%] with at least one complication [34 eyes in 1000-centistoke group; 32 eyes in 5000-centistoke group] including cataract, corneal abnormalities, raised IOP, hypotony, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal redetachment

Conclusion: Although visual and anatomical outcomes were comparable between the two groups, the 1000-centistoke silicone oil group developed early oil emulsification necessitating its early removal

Role of MRI in characterization of ultrasonographically indeterminate female adnexal masses

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of MRI in characterizing sonographically indeterminate female adnexal masses as benign or malignant

Study Design: Quasi experimental study

Duration and Place: This study was from March 2010 till March 2011 at the departments of Radiology, Surgery, Gynecology and Pathology at Jinnah postgraduate medical center Karachi and PNS SHIFA hospital, Karachi

Methodology: Female patients diagnosed as having indeterminate adnexal masses on pelvic ultrasound were included in this study. These patients were subjected to contrast enhanced MRI of the pelvis. The MRI results were interpreted by two senior consultant radiologists who did not perform the initial ultrasounds and had no knowledge of the ultrasound reports. The MRI results were compared with the final diagnosis of the patients achieved through histopathology or clinical follow up

Results: Hundred women participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 39 +/- 13 years. The most common site for pelvic masses was right adnexa [43%]. The consistency of masses was cystic in 37% and solid in 36% cases. Malignant lesions were found on MRI in 46% of cases and on histopathology in 44% cases. The Sensitivity and Specificity of MRI in characterizing adnexal masses as malignant was 100% and 96.43% respectively. The Positive Predictive Value [PPV] and Negative Predictive Value [NPV] of MRI in characterizing adnexal masses as malignant was 0.96 and 1 respectively

Conclusion: This study concluded that MRI is highly accurate and precise in characterizing the ultrasonographic indeterminate pelvic masses as benign or malignant

Sonographic assessment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis without clinically palpable pyloric lump

To evaluate the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of patients with suspected Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis [IHPS] who do not have a clinically palpable 'pyloric lump' or olive by taking surgery and follow-up as gold standard. Validation study. Radiology department at National Institute of Child Health [NICH], Karachi from January 2008 to March 2010. Appropriate technical and ethical approval for the study was obtained. Twenty eight consecutive patients [22 males and 6 females] with clinical suspicion of IHPS without a definite palpable 'pyloric lump' referred to radiology department of National Institute of Child Health [NICH] were included in the study. All patients underwent ultrasonography by an experienced consultant radiologist. Patients were categorized as having or not having IHPS. The results were compared with follow up at surgery for those declared as having IHPS on ultrasound and clinical follow up for those not having IHPS on ultrasound. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value [NPV] and positive predictive value [PPV] of ultrasound were calculated. Twenty four patients were diagnosed with IHPS. Four were diagnosed as not having IHPS. Out of these 4 patients 1 was subjected to barium meal examination. Patients were followed up to confirm the ultrasound findings or otherwise. Ultrasonography yielded a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 100% in diagnosing IHPS in patients without a palpable 'pyloric lump' or 'olive'. The positive predictive value of ultrasonography in these patients was 1.00 and the negative predictive value was 0.75. Ultrasonography should be the initial investigation in patients with clinical suspicion of IHPS and an impalpable pyloric lump to improve early diagnosis in these babies