An antimicrobial activity of oil extracted from Saara hardwickii

Abstract Present research work represents antiviral and antibacterial value of body fat of Saara hardwickii commonly called as spiny tailed lizard. Oil was extracted from body fats located in the ventral region of this animal using hydrocarbons e.g., n-hexane, methanol, butanol and ethyl acetate as a solvent. The antibacterial activity of lizard oil was tested against standard as well as multi-resistant lines ofEscherichia coli, Styphalococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris alone and with antibiotic ampicillin. For antibacterial potential, Ethyl acetate and Butanol solvent extract showed best zone of inhibition (7mm) with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively. For antiviral potential, Butanol and Methanol extract showed best HA (Hemagglutination) titer of 04 with NDV and IBV viral strain respectively. It is concluded that lizard oil has antimicrobial potential against different pathogens strains (virus, bacteria).

Resumo O presente trabalho de pesquisa apresenta a importância antiviral e antibacteriana da gordura corporal de Saara hardwickii, comumente chamado de lagarto de cauda espinhosa. O óleo foi extraído de gorduras corporais localizadas na região ventral desse animal usando hidrocarbonetos, por exemplo, n-hexano, metanol, butanol e acetato de etila, como solvente. A atividade antibacteriana do óleo do lagarto foi testada em linhagens padrão e multirresistentes de Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Proteus vulgaris, de forma isolada e com antibiótico ampicilina. Para o potencial antibacteriano, acetato de etila e extrato de butanol apresentaram melhor zona de inibição (7 mm) com P. aeruginosa e S. aureus, respectivamente. Para o potencial antiviral, o extrato de butanol e o extrato de metanol apresentaram melhor título de hemaglutinação de 4 com as cepas virais NDV e IBV, respectivamente. Conclui-se que o óleo do lagarto possui potencial antimicrobiano contra diferentes cepas de patógenos (vírus e bactérias).

An antimicrobial activity of oil extracted from Saara hardwickii / Atividade antimicrobiana do óleo extraído de Saara hardwickii

Present research work represents antiviral and antibacterial value of body fat of Saara hardwickii commonly called as spiny tailed lizard. Oil was extracted from body fats located in the ventral region of this animal using hydrocarbons e.g., n-hexane, methanol, butanol and ethyl acetate as a solvent. The antibacterial activity of lizard oil was tested against standard as well as multi-resistant lines ofEscherichia coli, Styphalococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris alone and with antibiotic ampicillin. For antibacterial potential, Ethyl acetate and Butanol solvent extract showed best zone of inhibition (7mm) with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively. For antiviral potential, Butanol and Methanol extract showed best HA (Hemagglutination) titer of 04 with NDV and IBV viral strain respectively. It is concluded that lizard oil has antimicrobial potential against different pathogens strains (virus, bacteria).

O presente trabalho de pesquisa apresenta a importância antiviral e antibacteriana da gordura corporal de Saara hardwickii, comumente chamado de lagarto de cauda espinhosa. O óleo foi extraído de gorduras corporais localizadas na região ventral desse animal usando hidrocarbonetos, por exemplo, n-hexano, metanol, butanol e acetato de etila, como solvente. A atividade antibacteriana do óleo do lagarto foi testada em linhagens padrão e multirresistentes de Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Proteus vulgaris, de forma isolada e com antibiótico ampicilina. Para o potencial antibacteriano, acetato de etila e extrato de butanol apresentaram melhor zona de inibição (7 mm) com P. aeruginosa e S. aureus, respectivamente. Para o potencial antiviral, o extrato de butanol e o extrato de metanol apresentaram melhor título de hemaglutinação de 4 com as cepas virais NDV e IBV, respectivamente. Conclui-se que o óleo do lagarto possui potencial antimicrobiano contra diferentes cepas de patógenos (vírus e bactérias).

Antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Origanum vulgare: an in vivo study / Avaliação antimicrobiana e toxicológica de Origanum vulgare: um estudo in vivo

Origanum vulgare has been of great interest in academia and pharma industry due to its antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor properties. The present study aimed to find the anti-MRSA potential and in vivo toxicity assessments of O. vulgare. O. vulgare extract was used to monitor anti-MRSA activity in mice. Following MRSA established infection in mice (Mus musculus), treatment with O. vulgare was continued for 7 days. Autopsies were performed and re-isolation, gross lesion scoring and bacterial load in various organs were measured. Additionally, blood sample was analysed for hematological assays. Toxicity assessment of O. vulgare potential as medicine was done at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by evaluating liver and kidney functions. Bacterial load and gross lesion in lungs and heart were significantly low compared to positive control following O. vulgare treatment. Likewise, O. vulgare treated groups had hematological, neutrophil and TLC values similar to control groups. Increased AST, ALP and total bilirubin along with marked hepatocellular degeneration and distortion around the central vein, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatic cells was observed at higher dose. It is concluded that crude extract of O. vulgare may contain beneficial secondary metabolites and in future may be explored for curing infectious diseases.

Origanum vulgare tem despertado grande interesse na academia e na indústria farmacêutica devido às suas propriedades antioxidantes, antifúngicas e antitumorais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo encontrar o potencial anti-MRSA e avaliações de toxicidade in vivo de O. vulgare. O extrato de O. vulgare foi usado para monitorar a atividade anti-MRSA em camundongos. Após infecção estabelecida por MRSA em camundongos (Mus musculus), o tratamento com O. vulgare foi continuado por 7 dias. As autópsias foram realizadas e o reisolamento, pontuação das lesões grosseiras e carga bacteriana em vários órgãos foram medidos. Além disso, a amostra de sangue foi analisada para ensaios hematológicos. A avaliação da toxicidade do potencial de O. vulgare como medicamento foi feita com 200 mg / kg e 400 mg / kg, avaliando as funções hepática e renal. A carga bacteriana e as lesões graves nos pulmões e no coração foram significativamente baixas em comparação com o controle positivo após o tratamento com O. vulgare. Da mesma forma, os grupos tratados com O. vulgare apresentaram valores hematológicos, de neutrófilos e de TLC semelhantes aos grupos de controle. Aumento de AST, ALP e bilirrubina total juntamente com degeneração hepatocelular marcada e distorção ao redor da veia central, infiltração de células inflamatórias e vacuolização citoplasmática de células hepáticas foram observados em doses mais altas. Conclui-se que o extrato bruto de O. vulgare pode conter metabólitos secundários benéficos e, no futuro, pode ser explorado para a cura de doenças infecciosas.

Antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Origanum vulgare: an in vivo study

Abstract Origanum vulgare has been of great interest in academia and pharma industry due to its antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor properties. The present study aimed to find the anti-MRSA potential and in vivo toxicity assessments of O. vulgare. O. vulgare extract was used to monitor anti-MRSA activity in mice. Following MRSA established infection in mice (Mus musculus), treatment with O. vulgare was continued for 7 days. Autopsies were performed and re-isolation, gross lesion scoring and bacterial load in various organs were measured. Additionally, blood sample was analysed for hematological assays. Toxicity assessment of O. vulgare potential as medicine was done at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by evaluating liver and kidney functions. Bacterial load and gross lesion in lungs and heart were significantly low compared to positive control following O. vulgare treatment. Likewise, O. vulgare treated groups had hematological, neutrophil and TLC values similar to control groups. Increased AST, ALP and total bilirubin alongwith marked hepatocellular degeneration and distortion around the central vein, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatic cells was observed at higher dose. It is concluded that crude extract of O. vulgare may contain beneficial secondary metabolites and in future may be explored for curing infectious diseases.

Resumo Origanum vulgare tem despertado grande interesse na academia e na indústria farmacêutica devido às suas propriedades antioxidantes, antifúngicas e antitumorais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo encontrar o potencial anti-MRSA e avaliações de toxicidade in vivo de O. vulgare. O extrato de O. vulgare foi usado para monitorar a atividade anti-MRSA em camundongos. Após infecção estabelecida por MRSA em camundongos (Mus musculus), o tratamento com O. vulgare foi continuado por 7 dias. As autópsias foram realizadas e o reisolamento, pontuação das lesões grosseiras e carga bacteriana em vários órgãos foram medidos. Além disso, a amostra de sangue foi analisada para ensaios hematológicos. A avaliação da toxicidade do potencial de O. vulgare como medicamento foi feita com 200 mg / kg e 400 mg / kg, avaliando as funções hepática e renal. A carga bacteriana e as lesões graves nos pulmões e no coração foram significativamente baixas em comparação com o controle positivo após o tratamento com O. vulgare. Da mesma forma, os grupos tratados com O. vulgare apresentaram valores hematológicos, de neutrófilos e de TLC semelhantes aos grupos de controle. Aumento de AST, ALP e bilirrubina total juntamente com degeneração hepatocelular marcada e distorção ao redor da veia central, infiltração de células inflamatórias e vacuolização citoplasmática de células hepáticas foram observados em doses mais altas. Conclui-se que o extrato bruto de O. vulgare pode conter metabólitos secundários benéficos e, no futuro, pode ser explorado para a cura de doenças infecciosas.

Antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Origanum vulgare: an in vivo study / Avaliação antimicrobiana e toxicológica de Origanum vulgare: um estudo in vivo

Abstract Origanum vulgare has been of great interest in academia and pharma industry due to its antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor properties. The present study aimed to find the anti-MRSA potential and in vivo toxicity assessments of O. vulgare. O. vulgare extract was used to monitor anti-MRSA activity in mice. Following MRSA established infection in mice (Mus musculus), treatment with O. vulgare was continued for 7 days. Autopsies were performed and re-isolation, gross lesion scoring and bacterial load in various organs were measured. Additionally, blood sample was analysed for hematological assays. Toxicity assessment of O. vulgare potential as medicine was done at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by evaluating liver and kidney functions. Bacterial load and gross lesion in lungs and heart were significantly low compared to positive control following O. vulgare treatment. Likewise, O. vulgare treated groups had hematological, neutrophil and TLC values similar to control groups. Increased AST, ALP and total bilirubin alongwith marked hepatocellular degeneration and distortion around the central vein, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatic cells was observed at higher dose. It is concluded that crude extract of O. vulgare may contain beneficial secondary metabolites and in future may be explored for curing infectious diseases.

Resumo Origanum vulgare tem despertado grande interesse na academia e na indústria farmacêutica devido às suas propriedades antioxidantes, antifúngicas e antitumorais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo encontrar o potencial anti-MRSA e avaliações de toxicidade in vivo de O. vulgare. O extrato de O. vulgare foi usado para monitorar a atividade anti-MRSA em camundongos. Após infecção estabelecida por MRSA em camundongos (Mus musculus), o tratamento com O. vulgare foi continuado por 7 dias. As autópsias foram realizadas e o reisolamento, pontuação das lesões grosseiras e carga bacteriana em vários órgãos foram medidos. Além disso, a amostra de sangue foi analisada para ensaios hematológicos. A avaliação da toxicidade do potencial de O. vulgare como medicamento foi feita com 200 mg / kg e 400 mg / kg, avaliando as funções hepática e renal. A carga bacteriana e as lesões graves nos pulmões e no coração foram significativamente baixas em comparação com o controle positivo após o tratamento com O. vulgare. Da mesma forma, os grupos tratados com O. vulgare apresentaram valores hematológicos, de neutrófilos e de TLC semelhantes aos grupos de controle. Aumento de AST, ALP e bilirrubina total juntamente com degeneração hepatocelular marcada e distorção ao redor da veia central, infiltração de células inflamatórias e vacuolização citoplasmática de células hepáticas foram observados em doses mais altas. Conclui-se que o extrato bruto de O. vulgare pode conter metabólitos secundários benéficos e, no futuro, pode ser explorado para a cura de doenças infecciosas.

A cross-sectional study on practice of self-medication for dysmenorrhea among students in a medical college in South India

Background: The drugs used for self-medication can have both unwanted and beneficial effects. Self-medication if used inappropriately can result in adverse effects, increased antibiotic resistance, resources wastage, drug interactions, and ill health. Among adolescent females, dysmenorrhea is one of the most common clinical conditions which effects their daily activities, physical, and emotional well-being. Furthermore, it impacts negatively on their academic activities and quality of life. Therefore, practice of self-medication is very common in primary dysmenorrhea. Aims and Objectives: The aim of study is to access and evaluate practice of self-medication among medical students on primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based and cross-sectional study was conducted and female medical students of age group between 20 and 25 years were selected. A pre-validated 15 points questionnaire was used to assess the features and pain severity of dysmenorrhea. The results were taken by utilizing descriptive statistics. Results: In this study, total numbers of participants were 70 students. Dysmenorrhea was experienced in 80.02% of participants with mild degree (31.21%), moderate degree (29.29%), and with severe degree (19.7%) of dysmenorrhea. In this study, 57.34% of participants preferred for self-medication. The participants commonly used a combination of dicyclomine and mefenamic acid (68.78%) which is fixed dose combination. Medical consultation was sought only in 12.44% and 9.3% students used household remedies. Conclusion: The dysmenorrhea was common in students and they commonly practiced self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There is need to emphasize the significance of creating awareness within students regarding adverse effects of drugs.

Monkeypox and Monkey Fever: Basic Understanding for Better Community Participation in Disease Control

Fish is used as a great source of food and the quality of its meat can be indicated by fat and protein contents as well as low quantity of water in fish meat. Therefore, the present study was performed for improvement in weight, feed-conversion ratio, protein-efficiency ratio, and growth. The experiment was performed at commercial level in field (pond) and the influence of fish meal protein on growth of Labeo rohita was investigated in 60 days culture trials. 90 fingerlings (Size: 4.97 to 6.04; Weight: 4.15 to 4.20) were maintained in well aerated 280 L three glass tanks in triplicate. These glass tanks were named as T1, T2 and T3. T1 was consisted of 30% crude protein with control diet containing proteins, fats vitamins and fibres, T2 consisted of 35% protein with control diet, while T3 consisted of only control diet (rice polish). The fish were fed 4% percent of their body weight twice a day at twelve hours interval for 60 days. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in body weight, feed-conversion ratio, protein-efficiency ratio, and gross fish production of fish having 35% fish meal protein with control diet (T2) when compared with 30% fish meal protein with control diet T1 and control diet T3. These findings suggest that 35% fishmeal protein appear to be sufficient for obtaining optimum growth in fish.

Antiviral activities of Cholistani plants against common poultry viruses

@#Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.

Study of effect of Nigella sativa on prevention of nephrotoxicity induced by colistin in experimental animals

ABSTRACTBackground: Nigella sativa, a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world belongs to family ranunculaceae. Its Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various traditional systems of medicines and food. This study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on kidney when simultaneously given with colistin sulfate (CS) which induces tubular damage in rats.Methods: Animals were treated for 7 days: Group I (n=6) with normal saline and CMC, Group II, III and IV with 300.000IU/kg/day of CS (n=6). Group III and Group IV with NSO at the dose of 1 and 2ml/kg per orum prior to CS administration. All the animals were sacrificed on 8th day. Afterwards, the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea, renal tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and renal histology were performed.Results: Colistin sulfate induced tubular damage, increased the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea and MDA levels and decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH). However, simultaneous treatment with Nigella sativa oil at the dose of 1ml/kg and 2ml/kg for one week produced dose dependant improvement in tubular damage and reduced the biochemical alteration.Conclusions: It could be concluded that, Colistin sulfate induced nephrotoxicity is ameliorated by NS oil especially in higher dose of (2ml/kg). This nephroprotective effect is ascribed to free radical scavenging and potent antioxidant activity in Nigella sativa.

Comparison of fibroblastic proliferation and collagen deposition in response to CO[2] laser surgery and scalpel

CO2 laser is the advocated treatment for the removal of various soft tissue lesions in oral cavity in recent years. A number of clinical advantages are reported by CO2 laser as compared to scalpel. The objectives include oral tissue fibroblastic response after CO2 laser surgery and to compare advantages and disadvantages of CO2 laser and scalpel after an oral surgical procedure with special reference to fibrosis and collagen deposition. A comparative study, conducted at animal laboratory of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore for about three months. This study was conducted on 150 Sprague - Dawley Albino rats, which were divided into 3 equal groups of 50. Partial glossectomy was done with 3 watts CO2 laser for group [A], with 6 watts CO2 laser for group [B] and with scalpel for group [C]. The fibroblastic activity and collagen deposition was observed and compared histologically, 24 hours, 3[rd] day, 7[th] day, 14th day and 28[th] day after surgery. Histologically fibrosis and collagen deposition were highly significant in A and C groups as compared to group B. Six watts CO2 laser wound was much better as compared to scalpel in terms of lesser fibroblastic activity and collagen thickness hence having a good wound healing response

Feasibility of early surgical intervention in postoperative entero-cutaneous fistulae

To study the out come and benefits of an early surgical intervention in postoperative entero-cutaneous fistulae. It's a retrospective descriptive study conducted at department of surgery LUMHS from Jan 2001 to November 2008. Two hundred and thirteen [213] post-operative fistulae are included as study subjects while those due to inflammatory bowel diseases, road traffic accidents or following blunt, stab or gunshot abdominal trauma are excluded. An aggressive treatment to build up nutritional status, correction of anaemia and control of sepsis was followed by surgical intervention as soon as the patient's condition permitted. Variables such as type of fistula, out put per 24 hours, duration since development, complications due to fistula, nutritional status, operative procedure, operative time, post-operative complications, total post-operative stay, follow up schedule, outcome. The results were statistically analysed on SPSS-12. A total 213 patients comprising 184 males [85.6%] and 29 [13.5%] females with a mean age of 36.08 years and a range of 64 [78-14] years presenting with post-operative enter-cutaneous fistula are included in the study. Maximum number of patients [171, 79.5%] developed fistula between 4[th]-6[th] postoperative day and a vast majority of fistula occurred in the ileum [207, 97.18%] either as a result of anastomotic failure [103], leak from primary closure [99] or from un-noticed missed perforations [5]. Of the total number, 24 patients eventually died making a mortality of 11.2%. Early surgical intervention proved life saving [p<0.001]. A strong relation was found pre-operative albumin levels and surgical closure of the fistula [p<0.001] and associated mortality [p<0.001]. High out put fistula is unlikely to close spontaneously on conservative measures. Early surgical intervention can be life saving

Pattern of acute intestinal obstruction: is there a change in the underlying etiology?

To study the changing pattern of acute intestinal obstruction at a teaching institute. Patients and It is a prospective descriptive study conducted at a teaching hospital during the period from June 2004 to June 2009. All patients with clinical or radiological evidence of acute intestinal obstruction were included in this study regardless of the gender of the patient. Patients below the age of 10 years were excluded from the study. The treatment strategy was planned ranging from conservative treatment to emergency laparotomy after resuscitation and rehydration of the patient. Details of individual patients were recorded on a pro forma sheet and data analyzed statistically on SPSS version 14. A total of 229 patients with acute intestinal obstruction were admitted and treated. The mean age of the study population was 43.08 +/- 13.07 years. Postoperative adhesions accounted for 41% [n= 95] of the total cases, followed by abdominal tuberculosis [25%, n= 58], obstructed/ strangulated hernias of different types [18%, n= 42]. There was an obvious change in the pattern of etiology of acute intestinal obstruction as the common causes were postoperative adhesions and abdominal tuberculosis instead of obstructed inguinal hernias. An increase in the adhesive obstruction and a concomitant decrease in the incidence of obstructed hernias indicate a changing trend towards early operation before it gets complicated. Abdominal tuberculosis is emerging as another common cause of acute bowel obstruction

Small bowel perforations due to deliberate ingestion of injurious foreign bodies-a personal experience

Ingestion of foreign bodies is not an uncommon problem in our society. The patients usually ingest different types of foreign bodies either accidentally or deliberately. Rare in children but adults are not uncommonly affected and are either psychiatric patients or ingest foreign bodies accidentally. Life threatening complications may occur at times due to ingestion of sharp and pointed objects. An interesting case of ingestion of multiple injurious foreign bodies presenting with multiple small intestinal perforations is presented with review of literature

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly patients. An experience at Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro

Advancing age with its associated co-morbidities increases the likelihood of postoperative complications as well as conversion rate during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Recent studies have also questioned efficacy of this procedure in geriatric patients. The present study assesses the safety and applicability of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in geriatric patients. The objective of the present study was to asses safety and applicability of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly patients of 65 years and above. This is a prospective analysis of 173 patients, over 65 years of age, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from December 2002 to November 2006 at Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro. Patients presenting with complicated and uncomplicated gallstone disease were included in the study population and all of them were operated laparoscopically. The data included demographic details, co-morbidities, underlying biliary pathology, indications for surgery, operative and postoperative complications, morbidity and mortality, and hospital stay. The statistical analysis of the data performed on SPSS version 10. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy undertaken in 173 elderly patients with a mean age of 69.72 years, out of whom 52 [30.05%] were males and 121 [69.94%] were females. Co-morbid conditions were identified in 53.17% [n=92] patients and included hypertension in 38 patients [21.96%], Diabetes Mellitus in 23 patients [13.29%], COPD in 19 [10.98%] patients, Coronary artery disease in 9 [5.20%] and cardiac arrhythmias in 3 [1.73%] patients. Indications for surgery included simple biliary colic in majority of patients [69.94%] and complicated stone disease in 52 [30.05%] subjects. There were 37 [21.38%] emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 136 [78.61%] patients were operated electively. Mean operative time was 100 minutes with a SD 29.03. Fourteen [8.09%] patients required conversion to OC [Open Cholecystectomy] due to various reasons. Mean hospital stay was 6.28 days. Overall 23 [13.29%] patients developed postoperative complications. One patient died of acute MI on 2nd postoperative day. There is no undue risk in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly population and the procedure can be regarded as safe as in patients below 65 years of age

Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis

To study the presentation and outcome of cases operated for Gynecomazia. A retrospective study spread over four years i.e. June 2002 to May 2006. Different hospitals of Karachi including Civil Hospital. 46 males who were admitted for surgery of Gynecomazia. All patients included in this study were evaluated in detail clinically and by appropriate investigations. They were counselled about the condition, and operated via a peri-areolar or sub-mammary incision, and the outcome noted in terms of healing and complications. Out of the 46 cases, majority [71.74%] presented in the age group 11-20 years with peak incidence around 16 years of age. The main symptom was breast enlargement, though pain or discomfort was also seen in 12 [26.1%] patients. The size of the breasts varied between 4-8 cms, and 34 [73.9%] cases were bilateral. Surgery was done for macromastia in 7, long standing gynecomazia in 11 and cosmetic reasons in 28 cases. Wound infection and hypertrophic scar formation constituted the few complications noted. Gynecomazia is the commonest condition affecting male breasts. In majority of the cases counselling and observation is all that is required for management, as they subside spontaneously or on medication. Surgery is indicated in those cases that do not subside or on patient demand

Utility of intrapleural streptokinase in management of chronic empyemas.

BACKGROUND: The nonsurgical medical approach with use of fibrinolytic agent is an alternative modality in management of chronic empyemas. With the introduction of purer forms of streptokinase, there has been renewed interest generated in the use of intrapleural thrombolytics with documented successful drainage of difficult to drain chronic empyemas. To evaluate the utility of streptokinase in the management of chronic difficult to drain empyemas in a single blind randomized case control study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty four cases of chronic/multiloculated empyema were included which had cases preferred having loculations or multiloculations and failure of drainage via thoracostomies for less than 100 ml during last 24 hours. Cases were randomized into two groups as 12 cases of streptokinases group and 12 cases of placebo group. Streptokinase given as 2.5 lac units in 100 ml of normal saline instilled intrapleurally for 6 consecutive days. In control group, 100 ml of normal saline without streptokinase was instilled intrapleurally through intercostal drain for 6 days. They were assessed by amount of drainage through intercostal drain for six days after instillation of streptokinase/placebo, duration of intercostal drainage in situ, and radiological improvement by standard x-ray chest. RESULTS: The study revealed increased drainage through intercostal drain in streptokinase group compared to control group. The mean duration of intercostal drainage in situ was shorter in streptokinase group compared to control group. Radiologically, streptokinase group revealed score 3 improvement in eight out of twelve cases and score 2 improvement in rest of the four cases. In control group, score 1 improvement was seen in two out of twelve cases and no improvement was seen in rest of the 10 cases. The observation difference is found to be highly significant statistically (p <0.001). No major adverse effects were noted in the streptokinase group. CONCLUSION: The study concludes the safety, efficacy, reduced hospital stay and decreased morbidity in patients treated with intrapleural streptokinase as compared to control group.