Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric characterization of Curcuma longa: protection against pathogenic microbes and lipid peroxidation in rat's tissue homogenate

The present study was designed to investigate the mineral content and antimicrobial activity of Curcuma Longa extracts and its essential oil. We also determined the lipid peroxidation inhibition activity of the ethanolic extract against sodium nitroprusside [SNP] induced thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS] formation in rat's brain, kidney and liver homogenates. Major constituents of essential oil identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry [GCMS] were beta-sesquiphellandrene [38.69%], alpha-curcumene [18.44%] and p-mentha-1,4 [8]-diene [16.29%]. Atomic absorption spectroscopy [AAS] was used for the quantitative estimation of Calcium [Ca], Magnesium [Mg], Iron [Fe], Copper [Cu], Zinc [Zn], Chromium [Cr], Nickel [Ni] and Manganese [Mn]. The extract showed highest Mg [49.4mg/l] concentration followed by Ca [35.42mg/l] and Fe [1.27mg/l]. Our data revealed that the ethanolic extract of Curcuma Longa at 1-10 mg/kg significantly inhibited TBARS production in all tested homogenates. Crude extracts and essential oil were tested against three gram positive bacteria i.e. Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atrophoeus, Staphylococcus aureus, six gram negative bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonias, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Erwinia carotovora, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and one fungal strain namely Candida albicans by disc diffusion assay. Essential oil showed highest anti-microbial activity as compared to the crude extracts. The present study confirms the significant antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of the studied plant, which can be considered as a diet supplement for a variety of oxidative stress induced or infectious diseases

Ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa protects Fe[II] induced lipid peroxidation in rat's brain, kidney and liver homogenates

The study describes the effect of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa against Fe[II] induced lipid peroxidation. Basal and Fe[II] induced thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS] production was significantly inhibited by the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa at 25-200micro g/ml. Our data revealed that the extract has high DPPH radical scavenging activity at highest tested concentrations. The extract significantly chelated Fe[II] and scavenged hydroxyl [OH[black circle]] radical at 25-200micro g/ml concentration. The nutritional analysis was performed and carbohydrate, fats, fiber, protein, moisture and ash content were measured in the studied extract. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate and sugar, glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, protein and amino acid, phytosterols, tannins, gum and mucilage. The extract also showed significant antimicrobial activities against 10 bacterial strains i.e. Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escheria coli, Xanthomonas, Salmonella heidelberg, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium and Escheria coli [human] and 5 fungal strains i.e. Aspergillus niger, Entomola, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium. This study confirms the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa which can be considered not only as a diet supplement but can be used against a variety of free radical induced damage diseases

Efficacy of tamsulosin therapy in females with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms

Objective: To determine the efficacy of tamsulosin therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] in women

Methodology: This study was conducted in Institute of kidney diseases, Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar from April 2011 to September 2012. All female patients aged 13 and above with LUTS were included. After taking history, physical examination and baseline investigations, specific investigations such as urine culture, urodynamics and ultrasound with postvoid residual volume were performed. Base line international prostate symptom score [IPSS], maximal flow rate [Qmax] and post-void residual volume [PVR] were recorded for each patient before starting treatment. Tamsulosin therapy was initiated at 0.4 mg once daily and continued for 6 weeks. In follow up visits after 6 weeks, IPSS, Qmax, and PVR were repeated for evaluation of outcomes

Results: Out of 94 patients, 10 did not come for follow up. Mean age of the sample was 43 years. Presenting complaints were increased frequency [n=67, 79.8%], Urgency [n=62, 73.8%], Nocturia [n=64, 54.8%], Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying [n=17, 20.2%], Poor stream [n=15, 17.9%], Hesitancy [n=5, 6.0%], and Intermittency [n=2, 2.4%]. Mean PVR and IPPS decreased and Qmax improved significantly with p value <0.01. Efficacy was 90.5%. It was 52[96.3%] in pre-menopausal and 24[80.0%] in postmenopausal women. Only Two patients experienced drowsiness

Conclusion: Tamsulosin significantly decrease IPSS, PVR and improve Qmax, so they should be used as first line treatment for moderate to severe LUTS in women

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of renal stones larger than 2.5 CM

To share our experience regarding the safety and efficacy of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for the treatment of renal stones of larger than 2.5 cm and to study the frequency of any postoperative complications associated with this procedure. This is a descriptive study conducted during the period from June 2007 to December 2009. Using non-probability convenient sampling, total 88 patients with renal stones of more than 2.5 cm were selected for PCNL. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 10 for windows XP. In a cohort of 88 patients [57 male and, 31 female] PCNL was performed for renal stone treatment. The mean age was 33.5 [9 - 65] years. The mean operative time was 85 [60 - 180] minutes and the mean stone size was 3.2 cm range [2.5-4.8] cm. There were 37 staghorn and 51 non staghorn stone. PCNL via a single access tract was accomplished in 86% [76/88] of procedures, with upper pole calyx in 30, middle calyx in 27 and lower pole calyx in 19 procedures, while multiple tracts were used in 14% of procedures [12/88] with 09 procedures using the upper and middle calyxes and 05 procedures using lower and middle calyxes. The stone-free rates for staghorn stone at discharge and at 3 months were 83.7% and 90.8% respectively, while for non staghorn stone the figures were 85.8% and 92.5% respectively. Postoperative complications were observed in 9% of the procedures [8/88], the commonest of which was bleeding necessitating blood transfusion in 4 patients. PCNL is safe and Effective treatment for renal calculi associated with less morbidity, shorter hospital stay and is cost effective

Role of clean intermittent self catheterisation [CISC] in the prevention of recurrent urethral strictures after internal optical urethrotomy

Background: Urethral stricture is one of the oldest diseases Urethral dilatation Internal optical urethrotomy, were the only treatment. Clean Intermittent Self Catheterisation was introduced by Lapides has greatly decreased the recurrence of stricture. Objectives were to determine the role of Clean Intermittent Self Catheterisation [CISC] in the prevention of recurrence of urethral strictures after Internal Optical Urethrotomy and to study the frequency of any postoperative complications and tolerability for the patients associated with this procedure. Methods: A randomised controlled study conducted in the department of urology and renal transplantation, Institute of Kidney Diseases Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from June 2007 to June 2010. Total of 60 patients with mean age 48 years [range 20–73] were selected and randomly divided into Treatment Group [30 patients] and Control Group [30 Patients]. Eight "drop out" occurred in the treatment group and four "drop out" occurred in the controlled group. All the patients were treated with Internal Optical Urethrotomy using Sachse method followed by indwelling catheter for 5 days. The treatment group was then taught to perform Clean Intermittent Self Catheterisation by inserting a Classic Neleton Catheter [No. 16 or 18] twice a day for 1 week, then once a day for another 4 weeks and then once weekly continued for one year. All the patients were followed up regularly at 1 month intervals during the first 6 months and then every 2 months for the next 6 months. Results: Total of 48 patients completed the study, 22 in the treatment group and 26 in the control group. Within the first year, 4 patients [22%] in the treatment group developed urethral stricture. In the control group, 12 patients [46%] developed urethral stricture within the first year, showing a significant difference [p<0.01]. In the treatment group four patients developed simple UTIs while in the control group three patients developed UTIs, one with concomitant epididymitis. No other complications were noted up to one year follow up. Conclusion: Clean Intermittent Self Catheterisation is a simple and effective way of reducing stricture recurrence after Internal Optical Urethrotomy and is associated with less morbidity and is cost effective. CISC is an important modality for maintaining the normal urethral calibre. Keywords: Urethral Strictures, Optical Urethrotomy, Clean Intermittent Self Catheterisation, Recurrence, Complications

Percutaneous nephrostomy for the relief of upper urinary tract obstruction: an experience with 200 cases

To assess the role of Percutaneous Nephrostomy in upper obstructive uropathy. This was a descriptive study, conducted at Department of Urology, Lady Reading Hospital and Institute of Kidney Diseases, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from January 2006 to December 2008 on 200 patients of upper obstructive uropathy undergoing Percutaneous Nephrostomy. Fluoroscopy and Ultrasonography were used as guiding tools for accurate puncture of the renal tract. The patients were kept in the ward and their renal function tests were checked daily. All the data was collected on a structured proforma and analysis was done on SPSSv 10. A total of 200 Percutaneous Nephrostomy were attempted in 200 patients. The mean age of the sample was 41.6 +/- 12.68 years. Male to female ratio was 2.3:1. The causes included Stone disease in 104 [52%], Pyonephrosis in 52 [26%], Malignancy in 20 [10%], Renal tract tuberculosis in 12 [6%], Obstetrical trauma in 8 [4%] and Ureteric Injury due to Fire Arm in 4 [2%] patients. It was successful in 192 patients, while there was a failure in 8 cases [4%]. Considerable relief in terms of symptoms and renal biochemistry was observed with in a week. The mean blood urea level of 265 mg/dl before PCN dropped to 37 mg/dl and mean serum creatinine of 10.5 mg/dl dropped to 1.2 mg/dl respectively in all patients except 12 who were declared to have End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD]. Percutaneous Nephrostomy improves the patient's condition both in terms of urinary output and renal parameters

Pattern of serum vitamin D in OPD patients

To find out the prevalence of Vitamin-D deficiency in conditions other than osteomalcia and rickets in our part of the world. Prospective and observational study from Feb. 2005 to Dec. 2006. Multi-centric including Civil Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. Only those patients were included who had any structural or biochemical changes in the body. Serum Vitamin-D level of all patients was sent for estimation from a single reputable laboratory, apart from serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and routine blood investigations. All data was collected and processed on SPSS Version 10. Of the total 79 patients, 58[73%] were females and 21[27%] males. Minimum age was one year and maximum 90 years, with a mean age of 41.91 and standard deviation of 19.1. Majority of the patients were seen in the 4th, 5th and 6th decades of life, and most of them were house wives. The serum Vitamin-D level was found low in 73[92%] patients and the most severe form of deficiency was seen in patients with tuberculosis. Vitamin-D deficiency was seen in 92% of our patients, belonging to all age groups and suffering from different diseases

Passive smoking status of students and employees of a private medical university

To study the passive exposure by cigarette smoke among students and employees of Ziauddin Medical University. The data of passive smoking status was collected by a self administrated questionnaire which was prepared as per WHO guidelines. The eighteen staff members were smokers whose number was significantly higher [P value-0.04] when compared with students and faculty members. The thirteen of faculty members were among the never smoker category and their number was significantly higher [P value-0.004] compared to students and staff members while more students were passive smokers [36] as compared to staff and faculty members. Passive exposure to cigarette smoke is seen more in students as compared to faculty and staff so it is essential to create awareness both in health professionals and common people to prevent them from hazards of passive smoking