ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels
Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology [FUUAST], Karachi, comprising a total of 55 [50%] females and 55 [50%] males whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years, and fasted during Ramadan [June-July 2014] were enrolled in the study. Subjects were separated into normal weight, overweight and obese males and females. Anthropometric measurements and Fasting venous blood samples were taken at first and last [29th] day of Ramadan. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were assayed with ELISA kits. All values were calculated and presented as mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] and by using analysis of variance [ANOVA] for repeated measures. P values < 0.05 were accepted as significant
Results: Body mass index [BMI] [Kg/m2] in over-weight and obese male subjects exhibited considerable reduction [P<0.05; P<0.05], post Ramadan when compared to their respective pre Ramadan fasting weights. Noticeable and significant reduction was also observed in BMI of obese females [P<0.05]. Post Ramadan Overweight Males [P<0.05] and Post Ramadan Obese Males [P<0.001] exhibited significantly elevated plasma adiponectin [?g/mL] values. While plasma adiponectin mean concentration of only obese females were significantly improved at last week of Ramadan [P<0.01]. Fasting in Ramadan significantly decreased TNF-alpha [pg/mL] levels of post obese males and females than Pre-Ramadan-groups [P<0.05; P<0.01] respectively
Conclusion: The study reports of noticeable changes with Ramadan fasting resulting increase of plasma adiponectin and decrease of TNF-alpha levels as well as body weight. The study strongly suggests further investigations on larger sample sizes with possible association of dietary restrictions and weight loss on mechanism of enhanced adiponectin and reduced TNF-alpha in obese and overweight persons who fast on Ramadan pattern
ABSTRACT
Background: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus is a fatal infection that has a very high case fatality rate. It is highly infectious and there is no recommended treatment for it. Oral ribavirin is the most commonly used drug and has variety of side effect profile
Objective: To determine the frequency of side effects in cases taking oral ribavirin for post Crimean Congo virus exposure prophylaxis
Methodology: This cross sectional study study was conducted at Medical and Emergency Department, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar khan from 1 January to 31 December 2016 on suspected cases of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever [CCHF] virus exposure. The cases were suspected on this basis of signs and symptoms of hemorrhagic fever and negative Dengue serology. Oral Ribavirin was given in 2 grams [gm] loading dose, 4 gm/ day for 4 days and then 2 gm/ day for next 6 days in divided doses. The cases were then followed for development of nausea/ vomiting, anemia, jaundice, generalized aches and pains and insomnia. The results were collected and recorded and analyzed by using SPSS version 22
Results: In this study, there were total 32 cases that were started on ribavirin prophylaxis. Two cases quit prophylaxis early. Out of total 30 cases left that completed the prophylaxis, 17 [56.67%] were males and 13 [43.33%] females. The mean age and weight were 32.86 +/- 7.05 years and 45.66 +/- 7.74 kg respectively. Side effect profiles were seen in 24 [80%] cases. The most common side effect was nausea/vomiting seen in 18 [60%] cases, generalized aches and pains in 17 [56.67%], anemia in 12 [40%] cases, jaundice in 11 [36.67%] and insomnia in 4 [13.33%] cases. There was no significant difference of side effects in terms of age, gender, and weight group with p values of 0.63, 0.49, and 0.25 respectively
Conclusion: Oral ribavirin is commonly used for CCHF virus exposure prophylaxis and has a very high side effect profile among which GI side effect and generalized aches and pains are the most common
ABSTRACT
Background: Ischemic heart disease especially inferior wall myocardial infarction [IWMI] is an important health issue. It can further add to morbidity and mortality when it is associated with right ventricular [RV] infarction
Objective: To determine the frequency of right ventricular infarction in cases with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Cardiology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan in January to 31 December 2015. The cases with age range of 30 to 80 years of IWMI; assessed by ST segment elevation of at least half mm in lead II. III and aVF, were included in this study. The co-morbidities in the form of DM, HTN, smoking, family history of IHD and dyslipidemia were also considered. However, the cases with renal failure, trauma, electrolyte imbalance and MI other than inferior wall were excluded from the study. The diagnosis of RV infarct was made by the elevation of at least 1 mm in V4R lead in cases with IWMI changes. These cases were followed during their hospital stay to look for development of any complication. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 21
Results: In this study, there were 30 cases of IWMI. Out of which 22 were males and 8 females. The mean age was 48.87 +/- 11 years. Nineteen [63.33%] cases has door to needle time less than 30 minutes. DM, HTN, smoking, family history of IHD and dyslipidemia were seen in 10 [33.33%], 9 [30%], 13 [43.33%], 01 [3.33%] and 2 [6.67%] cases respectively. Thrombolysis was done in 23 [73.33%] cases. RVinfarct was seen in 11 [36.67%] cases. RVinfarct was seen in 7 out of 22 males while it was seen in 4 out of 8 females [p= 0.36]. There was no significant association of RV infarct with any age group [p=0.60]. There was again no significant association with door to needle time, duration of symptoms, thrombolysis status and any of the risk factors with RV infarct. The most common in hospital complication was different types of arrhythmia which rd were found in 9 [30%] cases
Conclusion: Inferior wall MI is reported in good number of cases. Every 3 case of inferior wall MI also has right ventricular MI
ABSTRACT
Congenital vallecular cyst is a rare laryngeal lesion, accounting for 10-20% of all laryngeal cysts, with a potential to cause severe upper airway obstruction, which can be fatal. It can cause stridor, apnea, cyanosis, respiratory distress, and feeding difficulties. Diagnosis requires a high level of clinical suspicion and helps in timely intervention. Direct laryngoscopy is gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Treatment options include aspiration, marsupialization, and surgical excision. Here, we report a case of 7-week-old infant with complain of recurrent episodes of cyanosis when agitated, since the age of 3 weeks, admitted with impression of apparent life-threatening events [ALTEs]
Extensive investigations were non-conclusive, which were done in local hospital. Direct laryngoscopy was performed in our hospital and showed presence of a vallecular cyst. Thus complete excision of cyst was done in the same setting with dramatic relief of symptoms
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Infant , Congenital Abnormalities , Cysts/surgery , Laryngoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Airway Obstruction/etiology , Infant , Brief, Resolved, Unexplained EventABSTRACT
The current study was aimed at investigating the effect of Areca catechu nut dichloromethane fraction [7 mg/kg] on monoamines [serotonin and dopamine] modulation [5-hydroxytryptophan-induced tremors and phenylethylamine-induced stereotypes] and its interaction with tyramine [cheese effect]. The dichloromethane fraction caused pronounced increase in 5-HTP-induced tremors [50%] with negligible PEA-induced stereotypes [20%]. Additionally, it did not produce a significant increase in the tyramine pressor effects. These results suggest that the dichloromethane fraction of A. catechu nut primarily elevates serotonin levels [probably via monoamine oxidase A inhibition] and does not induce cheese effect
ABSTRACT
Background: There is a growing epidemic of tobacco use among adolescents in the developing world. However, there is no up to date information on smoking among adolescents in Pakistan. Adolescence is the time of life when people are more interested in taking risks and testing the boundaries of the world outside as well as their own limits
Objectives: To assess prevalence of smoking and some social factors involved in initiation of it in school adolescents and to formulate recommendations to plan the campaign to prevent and control smoking by school based prevention program
Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two high schools of Liaqatpur. A total of 300 students, 152 from 9[th] and 148 from 10[th] class were taken having mean ages 14.4 and 15.5 respectively. A questionnaire was given and response of each student was noted individually
Results: In present study out of 300 students, 37[12.33%] were found smokers. Regarding class wise the proportion was 11.18% and 13.51% in 9[th] and 10[th] classes respectively, which shows higher prevalence with increasing age. The prevalence was higher among the children of land Lords and Businessmen. Similarly the education of father has impact upon the smoking prevalence as it was significantly low as compared to those of illiterate parents. The occupational status and education of mother has non-significant effect over prevalence of smoking
Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking in school adolescents of Pakistan is low as compared to many countries but still it is higher than some other countries of the world. Many social factors are involved in initiation of smoking. So there is need to control and prevent this initiation by causing awareness in the parents and school based prevention programs
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of HCV infection amongst nursing staff working in a tertiary care hospital. Simple descriptive study of prevalence. Nursing staff of Nishtar Hospital Multan. 152 senior nursing staff working in all wards of Nishtar Hospital Multan. Diagnosis of HCV infection was made by detection of antibodies to HCV in serum [ACON Hepatitis C Virus Rapid Test Strip, Serum]. Those nurses whose test was positive by the above technique, underwent second generation Elisa testing for Hepatitis C to confirm the diagnosis [Cobas Core Anti-HCV EIA]. Study was conducted upon 152 nursing staffs working in different wards of Nishtar Hospital Multan, which is a tertiary care hospital. These 152 staff nurses were checked for anti-HCV and only 3 cases were positive [1.97%] and 149 negative [98.03%]. Study shows that the prevalence of HCV infection among nursing staff is 1.097%, which is low as compared to other studies but higher in comparison to the general population of Multan [0.27%]. It is recommended that both private and public health care systems to increase the awareness. The health care workers should strictly follow appropriate preventive measures
ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to determine the bacterial spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria causing community-acquired pneumonia in Rawalpindi. Laboratory based, non-interventional descriptive study In vitro activity of various antimicrobials was tested against isolates from 510 specimens including sputum, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and tracheal aspirates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique using standard antibiotic sensitivity disks and the results were interpreted according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards criteria. Minimal inhibitory concentration of penicillin was determined by agar dilution method in all cases where the inhibition zone diameter was 19 mm or less. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from 88 specimens. These included Haemophilus influenzae [73%], Moraxella catarrhalis [12%], Streptococcus pneumoniae [10%] and Haemophilus parainfluenzae [5%]. Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae were generally sensitive to co-amoxiclav [88%] and ceftriaxone [97] where as 33% were resistant to chloramphenicol. All the isolates of M. catarrhalis were sensitive to co-amoxiclav. One isolate of S pneumoniae was resistant to penicillin, while 2 showed relative resistance. H. parainfluenzae was generally sensitive to most of the antibiotics. In our setup co-amoxiclav can be given as empirical treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonias