Effects of smokeless dipping tobacco [Naswar] consumption on antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile in its users

Dipping tobacco, traditionally referred to as moist snuff, is a type of finely ground, moistened smokeless tobacco product. Naswar is stuffed in the floor of the mouth under the lower lip, or inside the cheek, for extended periods of time. Tobacco use causes dyslipidemia and also induces oxidative stress, leading to alteration in levels of antioxidant enzymes. Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in turn play a vital role in the development of cardiovascular disease [CVD]. Studies conducted on smokeless tobacco products reveal contradictory findings regarding its effects on lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes. As use of Naswar is quite common in Pakistan, the current study aimed to evaluate levels of the antioxidant enzymes viz glutathione per oxidase [GPx] and super oxide dismutase [SOD], alongside lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, High density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] to assess the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in Naswar users.90Healthy males aged 16-43 years, who consumed Naswar daily, were selected for the study, alongside 68 age-matched non-tobacco users as controls. Both GPx and SOD levels as well as serum HDL-C were significantly reduced [P<0.01] in Naswar users, whereas serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly increased [P<0.01] in Naswar consumers compared to controls. Our findings indicate deleterious effects of Naswar usage on health by causing altered lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes thereby placing its consumers at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Quality of life in patients with thalassemia major in a developing country

To determine the problems faced by thalassemic patients in their personal, psychological and social life. A cross-sectional multi-centre survey. Karachi, Lahore and Quetta Centres of Fatimid Foundation, from October 2009 to October 2010. An indigenously developed Qualifty of Life [QoL] questionnaire modified from SF-36 questionnaire was administered to 101 transfusion dependent subjects suffering from thalassemia major. Variables were analyzed using SPSS version 15 for descriptive statistics. The mean age of the subjects was 10.5 years ranging from 6 - 21 years. Less than one third of the patients felt that their health was slightly worse as compared to last year. Forty five [44%] of the patients felt loneliness due to their disease. Parents of 36 [35.6%] of the children at times did not allow their children to play because of their disease. Twenty eight [27.7%] stated difficulty in mingling with children of their age. Seventy one [70.3%] of the patients reported that at some or all times they were worried about their future life and career while 70 [69.3%] admitted being taken extra care of by their friends and 56 [55.4%] by their teachers. The quality of life of surveyed thalassemic patients was immensely affected. Having physical impairments, social stresses, financial burdens and problems with their education and career make them very much vulnerable to psychological trauma very early in their life. All of this creates a hindrance in their way of developing into autonomous functioning adults

Perceptions of students of the learning environment studying an integrated medical curriculum

To assess the learning environment perceived by medical students of a college employing modular, organ-based integrated curriculum. A cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted in July 2012 among students of first year M.B.,B.S of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Lyari, Karachi. Among students of first year M.B., B.S. the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure [DREEM] Questionnaire, which has worldwide face validity, was used to assess the learning environment as perceived by students. The English version of the DREEM inventory was administered to all the students. The participation was voluntary and the questionnaire was anonymous. The return of the completed questionnaire was taken as their implied consent. The overall DREEM score was 121.07 [out of 200]. The students' perception of educational environment was found to be more positive. They also considered the overall atmosphere of college comfortable and reported better-than-average social lives. Nevertheless, the study also revealed that there was a lot of room for improvement in a newly established medical college. The study showed that the students perceived a positive learning environment at the college. Although the students were experiencing a considerable amount of stress, their social life on the campus was quite satisfactory