ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess whether diclofenac sodium interferes with the anti-platelet effect of low dose aspirin
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Army Medical College and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi
Material and Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers, divided into three groups, between the ages of 22-50 years, after written informed consent were selected according to a set criterion. They were given aspirin [150mg] once a day and diclofenac sodium 50mg three times a day for six consecutive days while use of any other drug was prohibited. Blood samples were taken from the study subjects on two occasions, before starting drugs and then on the seventh day. Blood samples were analyzed for platelet aggregation [ADP and collagen induced] and serum thromboxane B2 levels
Results: When a single daily dose of 150mg aspirin is taken with three daily doses of diclofenac sodium [50mg], results show that the anti-platelet effect of aspirin still remains. The mean platelet aggregation with ADP was reduced to 55.83 +/-- 5.38 percent from a baseline value of 71.67 +/-- 5.27 percent. Similarly if collagen was used as a reagent the aggregation of platelets was markedly reduced to 40.83 +/-- 6.63 from a baseline of 66.67 +/-- 6.54 percent. Results showed a prominent inhibition of aggregation of 22.10 percent for ADP and 38.75 percent for collagen. Also, mean thromboxane B2 levels reduced markedly from 971.11 +/-- 128.91 pg/ml to 702.99 +/-- 101.59 pg/ml
Conclusion: It is safe to use diclofenac sodium with aspirin, as the anti-platelet effect of the latter is not attenuated
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the nephropreventive effects of melatonin on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits
Study Design: Laboratory based randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from May 2017 to June 2017
Material and Methods: Seventy rabbits were divided into three groups. Group A served as a control group [n=10], group B [n=30] received I/P vancomycin 200mg/kg twice a day for seven days while group C [n=30] received I/P melatonin 10mg/kg 30 minutes prior to vancomycin administration for seven days. Animals were sacrificed on the eighth day. Biochemical analysis was done for serum urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium on day 0 and day 8. Kidneys were sent for histopathology. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and SPSS version 21. One way ANOVA, followed by 'Post Hoc Tukey' test was used for biochemical parameters
Results: Vancomycin induced massive renal damage [grade III] and led to elevation in biochemical parameters, while melatonin pretreatment prevented the renal damage and the biochemical parameters were also significantly reduced with a p-value of <0.001 for serum urea, creatinine and potassium but had insignificant p-value for serum sodium levels
Conclusion: The study outcome indicates the potential of melatonin to prevent Vancomycin induced nephrotoxicity by virtue of its antioxidant property
ABSTRACT
Artemether-Lumefantrine is the most widely recommended antimalarial combination used to treat millions of patients suffering from malaria. Artemether undergoes rapid metabolism and gets converted to its active metabolite dihydroartemisisn. Drug analysis is a vital aspect to evaluate drugs in research. There are a number of methods available for the determination of artemether in biological fluids. These methods include HPLC based UV detection, GS-MS, HPLC-ECD and HPLC-MS/MS. This article reviews different methods for the determination of artemether in the biological fluids. Among the available methods HPLC-MS/MS proves to be the most accurate and reliable one for analysis. This has the advantage of improved sensitivity and selectivity with smaller sample volume
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Antimalarials , Malaria/therapyABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of transition of summative assessment from frequent modular to combined block assessment and its role on learning of medical students
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out at Islamic International Medical College. A questionnaire comprizing of 8 questions with Likert scale [1-5] was designed for 3[rd] year students. The questions were grouped in three categories which included learning acquired, personal development and efficacy of assessment tools used in combined block assessment and frequent modular exam separately. Results of end of year exams were analyzed for difference in performance of students in two exams. The received data was analyzed by using SPPS 21
Results: About 60% students agreed that they need to study regularly in frequent modular exams. Combined block assessment promoted more in depth studies and multiple revisions 51% and 55% students respectively. About 42% students, in comparison with 33%, agreed that CBA helped in their personal development while 42% students agreed to assessment tools used in CBA while only 28% students to those used in frequent modular exam. About 47% students agreed that assessment tools in CBA were useful for deep learning and 47% students agreed that time given in CBA was enough in exam preparation. Comparison of all results [x 2 tests] was statistically significant. The comparison of end of year performance showed improvement in the mean of total marks obtained and decrease in the number of failed students in combined block assessment
Conclusion: Transition from frequent to combined block assessment with regular formative assessment has positive effect on learning, personal grooming and performance in summative assessment
ABSTRACT
To observe anatomical variations of sacral hiatus in dry human sacra and its significance in caudal epidural block. An observational study. The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi from July 2011 to January2012. We studied 191 dry human sacra without discrimination of sex, geographical and ethnic group consideration. The bones were examined for various shapes of the sacral hiatus and level of apex and base of the sacral hiatus. Sacral cornua and median crest was also observed. The sacral hiatus were divided into six groups. [Group l-inverted U, group II- inverted V, group 111= irregular, group IV- M shape, group Vl-dumbbell shape]. SPSS 17 was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Out of 191 bones, inverted U shaped 76 [39%] and V shaped 56 [29%] sacral hiatus were most common and irregular 29 [15%] sacral hiatus was least common. Sacral cornua were prominent bilaterally in 83 [46.5%] bones while flat cornua were seen in 16 [9%]. The apex of hiatus was lying against 4th sacral vertebra in 129 [73%] bones while base of was present against 5th sacral segment in 183 [91%] of cases. The sacral hiatus has variations in shape. Inverted U shaped and inverted V shaped hiatus are most common shapes in dry human sacra. Sacral cornua are a reliable landmark in Caudal Epidural Block [CEB]
ABSTRACT
To see the possible gastro protective effect of Sagu pearls on Diclofenac Sodium [NSAID] induced gastric ulcer by enhancing mucosal barrier. Randomized control trial. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad. It was conducted for a period of six months, from 15th September 2014 till 30th March, 2015. Fifty adult rats of both sexes of Sprague Drawly strain were divided into three groups: Group I [control]; Group II [ulcer group] given Diclofenac sodium orally at the dose of 50mg/kg body weight, daily for 2 weeks and Group III given Sagu pearls daily at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks along with Diclofenac Sodium. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed on day 16 and their stomachs were studied macro and microscopically. Statistical analysis was done to see any significant difference between the groups. Anti-ulcer effects were assessed on the qualitative and quantitative parameters like ulcer size and index, histological determination of depth of the mucosal lesion and mucus thickness. Results highlighted the probable protective effect of Sagu pearls by exhibiting almost 90% decrease in ulcer index in group III accompanied by a continuous thick mucus layer on the surface of mucosal cells confirmed by Periodic Acid Schiff [PAS] stain. Sagudana can provide protection against NSAID induced gastric ulcer by strengthening mucus barrier and thus can be used as an adjunct along with NSAIDs
ABSTRACT
Spina bifida is an important developmental defect of vertebral column. There are various types of spina bifida. The commonest one is spina bifida occulta [SBO], in which patients do not show any sign and symptoms as there is no herniation of spinal canal contents. This lesion is present at birth. Incidence of spina bifida decreases with age. The prevalence of spina bifida is related to various factors. Genetic predispositions, environmental factors and teratogenic effects of the drugs are important. It may be caused by the prenatal use of drugs like valproic acid. Sacral hiatus is used for caudal epidural block. We conducted this cross sectional study to find out the incidence of SBO in our population. This was an observational descriptive study. This study was carried out in Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi. The duration of study was six months. Bones were studied in five different medical colleges of Rawalpindi with the consent of the concerned authorities. A total of 200 sacra were selected. The damaged and defective bones were excluded. All the studied bones were complete. All bones were studied for prevalence of SBO in our population. Bones having apex of sacral hiatus till S4 were considered normal. The remaining bones were divided into four grades according to level of failure of closure of sacral laminae. Bones with partial closure between two or more adjacent sacral vertebrae [incomplete spina bifida] were included in Grade I and II. Bone with sacral hiatus extending beyond S4 [long hiatus]were included in grade III and all bones with open dorsal wall representing the complete failure of fusion of the laminae from S1-S5 were included in grade VI. Results were analyzed by SPSS 17. The spina bifida was found in 69 bones with an overall incidence of 34.5% among 200 bones. Out of 69 variants, bones were grouped in two groups; one having complete and incomplete SBO among adjacent vertebrae, other having long hiatus. Prevalence of grade-1 SBO was 5.5% while it was 4.5% for grade- IV SBO. Region between SI- 2 was the most common site for grade-1 anomaly. Incidence of long hiatus from S5-3 was higher i.e., 46 [23%] while 2 sacra had hiatus ending at S2. Presence of spina bifida occulta should always be kept in mind while dealing with patients of backache, urinary and neurological symptoms. It may also be the cause of failure of caudal epidural block. Studies with larger sample size and including different ethnic groups from different regions of Pakistan are required to note the regional and ethnic disparities in the anatomy of the sacral hiatuses
ABSTRACT
Post-operative nausea and vomiting is the most annoying and at the same time a dangerous side effect of general anaesthesia. Ondansetron is a routinely used anti emetic drug which is being administered by the trial and error principle. Though it did revolutionized the management of this condition but by and large failed to completely eliminate the problem. Recently an important factor possibly elucidating this failure is said to be the differing expression of genes controlling proteins that are involved in transport and receptors related to this drug. Quite surprisingly these transporter and receptor pathways have been found to be polymorphic and at the same time shown to be related to efficacy of the drug. The differentiation between those responding to treatment and those not responding may pave a way to individualize treatment for emesis to a greater extent. This review highlights the pharmacogenetics related to this commonly used anti-emetic drug in anaesthesia. It is visualized as a promising way to achieve the target of individualized therapy. It seems obvious that pharmacogenetics will become an important field of anaesthesia research in the future
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to observe changes in spermatogenesis in the testes of albino rats exposed to lead acetate. An experimental animals study. This study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindiand at National Institute of Health Islamabad from January to April, 2009. Male adult rats were exposed to lead acetate with intraperitoneal dose of 4mg/Kg body weight for 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The animals in group A were used as control. The animals of groups B were treated with lead acetate with specified dose for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks the animals of subgroup B were sacrificed. The results of these two groups were then compared, After six weeks, it was observed that the number of spermatogenic cells had decreased in the test groups as compared with control group [p<0.05]. Lead is toxic for cells of spermatogenic series, injurious to heaith and plays a significant role in reducing male fertility