Antithrombin levels in healthy Pakistani males

To determine the antigenic concentration and percent functional activity of antithrombin in healthy Pakistani males. Over a period of one year, 50 healthy male volunteers divided into two age groups were tested for antithrombin levels by radial immunodiffusion[RID], at the Departments of Pathology King Edward Medical College and Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. None of them were suffering from any acute or chronic disease, nor were taking any medications. Plasma samples were used to determine the antigenic and derived percent activity from NOR-Partigen* plates supplied by Dade Behring. The younger group of healthy male volunteers [n=25], mean age 23.5 years showed a higher antithrombin concentration 46.7mg/dl or 155% functional activity: while the older volunteers [n=25], with mean age 44.0 years, showed 42.4 mg/dl concentration or 142% functional activity. The p value was insignificant between the groups [p> 0.05]. The younger healthy individuals in our population show higher antithrombin concentration and functional activity, which tends to decrease insignificantly with age

Morphological changes in various tissues after Russell's viper [vipera russelli] envenomation

Background: The effects of Russell's viper Venom [RVV] on tissues were studied in 24 Rabbits injected with 1 MLD, 1/2 MLD and 1:20 MLD RVV

Materials and Methods: Lungs, Livers and Kidneys of these animals were examined by light microscope. Lungs and Liver of all animals of all groups showed intravascular clotting with RBC sludging and formation of platelet thrombi

Results: Kidneys of 1 MLD and 1/2 MLD group showed congestion of glomerular capillaries whereas interstitial blood vessels showed RBC sludging and platelet thrombi. Kidneys of 1:20 MLD group showed proliferation of endothelial and mesangial cells with degeneration of both proximal and distal tubules indicating both direct nephrotoxic action of RVV as well as damage produced by DIC like action of the venom

Conclusion: The results of present work show that RW produces DIC and haemodynamic changes in blood vessels of various organs in acute poisoning. In chronic poisoning in addition to DIC the Nephrotoxic effects are more prominent. Nephropathy seems to be due to both DIC and direct Neprotoxic effects of the venom

Effects of prolonged poisoning by cobra venom on blood coagulation, platelets and fibrinolysis

The effects of Cobra Venom [CV] on blood coagulation, platelets and fibrinolytic system were studied in rabbits after injecting repeated doses of 0.05 MLD of the Venom. Thrombocytopenia was the earliest change to appear. It was followed by rise in serum fibrinogen degradation products and prolongation of prothrombin time, [PT] activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT] and thrombin time [TT] indicating a progressive consumption coagulapathy and activation of fibrinolysis. Red blood cell morphology was unchanged during first three weeks; whereas fragmentation appeared after fourth week and it increased in severity with further envenomations i.e., when chronic disseminated intravascular clotting was established

Neonatal jaundice and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

One hundred new born males babies aged 7 days and above were included in this study. These were divided into two groups - Group I included G6PD normal subjects and Group II included G6PD deficient subjects. Total bilirubin and G6PD enzyme levels were done by commercially available kits. Results were analysed by using students t test and level of significance was done. A significant increase in total bilirubin level was observed in infants of G6PD deficiency, Erythrocyte G6PD level is significantly decreased in 06% of infants born with neonatal jaundice

Isolation of essential elements and inhibition activity of medicinal plant Datura alba Nees against human pathogenic fungi

In this study five extracts such as ethanol, methanol, ethylacetate, chloroform and aqueous extract were obtained from the medicinal plant Datura alba Nees. These extracts were tested against the human pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Paecilomyces varioti, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton rubrum. All crude extracts were found to be effective against test organism. Ethanol, methanol, and ethylacetate extracts appeared to be the most effective antifungal agents as compared to the chloroform and aqueous extract. Moreover in present study nine elements, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, S and Zn have been determined from the medicinal plant Datura alba Nees, by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and U.V. spectrophotometry. The medicinal plant Datura alba Nees contains considerable amount of elements which have therapeutic effects in skin diseases

Retinoblastoma; bone marrow infiltration: a study of 30 cases

Thirty patients of Retinoblastoma presenting in the Haematology Department of King Edward Medical College, Lahore were included in the study to find out the bone marrow involvement. The patients underwent bone marrow aspiration and peripheral blood examination was also done. The aspirates were screened for the presence of tumor cells. Of the patients studied 21[70%] were males while 9[30%] were females giving a male to female ratio of 2.8:1. Maximum number of patients were in the 2-3years age group. Twenty seven patients had unilateral Retinoblastomas while three patients had bilateral disease at presentation. The bone marrow of three patients showed presence of tumor cells

Effects of Russell's viper venom on blood coagulation, platelets and fibrinolysis

The effects of Russell's viper venom on blood coagulation, platelets and fibrinolysis were studied after injecting MLD, 1/2 MLD and 1:10 MLD intramuscularly in rabbits. RVV was shown to be a strong coagulant in vivo resulting in thrombocytopenia, prolongation of PT, APTT, Thrombin Time and fall of fibrinogen levels. Process of intravascular clotting was very acute in animals receiving MLD and 1/2 MLD doses of venom and there was no change in red blood cell morphology. Raised levels of serum FDPs indicated activation of fibrinolysis. Animals receiving 1:10 MLD showed in addition to disturbance of Coagulation; changes in red blood cells morphology and more prominant activation of fibrinolysis. These findings showed that RVV in vivo causes consumption coagulopathy and activated fibrinolytic enzyme system. The results of low doses group resemble more to what have been observed in patients of RV bite