Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their new born

Background: Vitamin D deficiency may affect the mother and its new born health

Objective: To detect the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their newborn of Karachi at tertiary care hospitals, and correlating maternal vitamin D with cord blood

Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 women in labor presenting with a singleton term pregnancy at tertiary centers in Karachi. Data was recorded on a special proforma, maternal blood was taken before delivery and cord blood was taken at delivery. All blood samples were analyzed for 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels

Results: The mean vitamin D levels were 24 ng/mL for the mothers and 20 ng/mL for the newborns. Vitamin D sufficiency was noted in 11[22%], insufficiency in 16 [32%], and deficiency in 23 [46%] of the 50 mothers whereas sufficiency and deficiency, were noted in 6 [12%] and 44 [88%] of the newborns respectively. There was a positive correlation between the vitamin D levels in maternal and cord blood [r = 0.03; P=0.003]. Maternal vitamin D levels were significantly affected by sunlight exposure [P =0.007] and quality of diet [P=0.01]

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is high among pregnant urban Pakistani women and their newborns. This public health problem needs urgent attention

Antioxidant and nutraceutical value of wild medicinal Rubus berries

Nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of three edible wild berries [Rubus ellipticus Smith, Rubus niveus Thunb, Rubus ulmifolius L.] from Lesser Himalayan Range [LHR] were evaluated. Their edible portion was assayed for moisture, fats, ash, carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, essential minerals [Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Cl, S, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Se, Co, Ni] and DPPH free radical scavenging activity was applied to determine the antioxidant potential. The fruit of Rubus ulmifolius L. [blackberry] possessed the highest values of energy [403.29 Kcal], total protein [6.56g/100 g], Nitrogen [N] content [1500mg/100g], K [860.17mg/100g], Ca [620.56mg/100g], Zn [17.509mg/100g] and the strongest antioxidant activity [98.89% inhibition]. While the raspberries [Rubus ellipticus Smith, Rubus niveus Thunb.] exhibited more significant contents of dietary fiber [5.90g/100g], carbohydrates [86.4 g/100 g] and Fe [4.249mg/100g]. Significant variation was observed among the tested samples in all the investigated features. The combination of bio elements and active antioxidants clearly showed the applicability of these berries as a nutraceutical supplement

Massive endometroid ovarian carcinoma and synchronous uterine malignancy

The diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma is a challenging task especially when women usually present vague symptoms like abdominal distension and pain. The aim of this paper is to report a case of synchronous ovarian malignancy in a young patient. A 86 year old unmarried female presented with a huge right ovarian cystic mass occupying the, whole abdomen, breathlessness, jaundice and urinary retention. She underwent laparotomy for surgical removal of the mass and during the surgical procedure a frozen section was performed that showed malignancy. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo ophorectomy was thereafter performed on her. Final histopathological report of the mass revealed well differentiated endometroid ovarian cancer and endometroid endometrial cancer. Synchronous endometroid tumors are generally present in young patients; these tumors tend to be of low grade malignancy. Prognosis of endometroid carcinoma is relatively better than other histological types

Medico-botanical investigation of medicinal plant zanthoxylum alatum roxb

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicines. The plant is a biosynthetic laboratory, not only for chemical compounds but also a multitude of bioactive constituents. The proposed research work was confined to the medico-botanical investigation of Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. The study was carried out in Botany Laboratory of the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi. The study was confined to solubility test, colour test, leaf anatomy and powder microscopy. The medicinal importance was also considered. This species is used as [chewing stick] Miswak by local people of Pakistan in different areas. Anatomical features such as fibers, parenchyma cells, vessels and pith were identified in Z. alatum. Powdered Ai'iswak of Z. alatum was soluble in sulphuric acid only while insoluble in other solvents. Powdered drug of these species did not retain their original colour in hot and cold tests, on dry filter paper and after one hour; when mixed in various solvents. The abaxial and adaxial surface of leaf epidermis has diacytic stomata. The cells were of different shapes that is, trigonal tetragonal and pentagonal. The purpose of research was to know the morphological features, botanical identity and medicinal importance of the plant