Light sheet microscopy for histopathology applications

Light sheet microscopy (LSM) is an evolving optical imaging technique with a plane illumination for optical sectioning and volumetric imaging spanning cell biology, embryology, and in vivo live imaging. Here, we focus on emerging biomedical applications of LSM for tissue samples. Decoupling of the light sheet illumination from detection enables high-speed and large field-of-view imaging with minimal photobleaching and phototoxicity. These unique characteristics of the LSM technique can be easily adapted and potentially replace conventional histopathological procedures. In this review, we cover LSM technology from its inception to its most advanced technology; in particular, we highlight the human histopathological imaging applications to demonstrate LSM's rapid diagnostic ability in comparison with conventional histopathological procedures. We anticipate that the LSM technique can become a useful three-dimensional imaging tool for assessing human biopsies in the near future.

Head injury and its consequences - a one year study in Karachi

Head injuries are a major cause of mortality or disability among the youth of the nation. This study was conducted to determine the causes of head injuries in Karachi and its implications on individuals. Prospective observational Study. This study was performed at the Emergency department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi from January 2013 to December 2013. The study included 1,59,600 cases of head injury [expired or alive] brought to the emergency department of JPMC. Major Head injuries accounted for 42% of the total injury cases. Majority of the head injury cases belonged to the male segment of the society [73%] with ages ranging from 20 years - 39 years [54%]. The leading cause of head injury was found to be Road traffic accidents [RTA] [43%]. While analysing the outcomes of head injuries, it was found that the death rate for head injuries was 40%. This encompasses the patients that expired during or after treatment as well as the dead brought to the hospital. The mortality rate due to head injuries is escalating day by day. Road traffic accidents account for majority of these cases. Steps need to be taken to control fatal head injuries by adopting effective preventive measures like traffic control and management, rapid response to accidents, effective and efficient handling of cases in hospital emergencies

Epidemiology and mortality of burns in Karachi

Despite being a serious hazard the causal factors and outcomes of burn injuries in Karachi remain an under researched area. The purpose of our study was to analyse the epidemiology and mortality of burn injury cases in Karachi in order to create awareness at mass level. Prospective Observational Study. This study was carried out from October 30[th], 2013 to April 30[th], 2014 in the Burns Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi. The study encompassed all the burn injury cases [expired or alive] reported to the Civil Hospital during the six months of the study period. The demographic information, cause and level of injury of all the reported cases were documented. 784 cases of thermal injuries were reported. Out of these, 441[56.25%] were males and 343[43.75%] were females. Most of the burn victims [60%] belonged to the age group of 15 - 44 years. Out of 784 cases, 565 cases [72%] were of serious dermo-epidermal and deep burns. The overall burn mortality rate was found to be 55.9%. This included burn victims who were brought dead or expired during treatment. Maximum burns were a result of fire/flame [48.1%]. The mortality rate of burn injuries in Karachi is alarming as compared to the international statistics. Fire incidents are the main cause of these injuries. Fatal burns can be prevented if necessary precautions are taken

Fatal road traffic accidents in Karachi

Fatalities due to road traffic accidents are a major cause of mortality all over the world. The aim of our study is to look at socio-demographic profile of such cases in order to find some remedial measures to minimize the brunt. Retrospective / observational study. This study was conducted at the Emergency Department, Sir Syed Hospital, Qayyumabad, Karachi from January to June, 2013. Study was based upon 56 victims of RTA. It includes all those who died during treatment or found dead on arrival in the emergency department. The demographic data of these cases was recorded. Males victims were 71% and maximum number of victims [37.5%] was in age group 30-39 years. Most of the accidents [38%] took place between 1200hrs and 1800hrs. Most of the injuries were found on the head [66%] and then chest 14%, lower extremities 21%, upper extremities 19%. The most common external injuries were abrasions, bruises and lacerations. Skull was the most common bone to be fractured [44%]. The head injury constituted major cause of death [53%] followed by hemorrhagic shock [35%]. Pedestrians and two wheeler riders were mostly affected individuals followed by cyclists, drivers of three wheeler, light and heavy motor vehicles. The incidence of traffic accidents is at rampant. The accidents risks can be minimized by enhancement of road visibility, good traffic control with properly working road traffic signals. Fatalities of Traffic accidents victims can be reduced by providing good pre-hospital care, establishment of well equipped emergency trauma centres in all big hospitals

Role of traditional birth-practices causing maternal and neonatal mortality in Faisalabad: an anthropological approach of household decision making

Anthropology is a holistic science that targets the study of man in its social, cultural, economic, psychological, political, geographical and ecological settings. Anthropology views major's interventions in areas of health to be planned with the complete cognizance of cultural factors that largely effect the target populations regarding their participation in all such major interventions. The Social Impact Assessment [SIA] referred by Anthropology basically demand scientific verifications of all such hurdles that may later on impede the acceleration of such heavy funded programs. The objective of the study was to investigate the decision-making regarding Safe Child Birthing Process among pregnant females and role of their in-laws. Cross Sectional Study This study was commissioned to the research team on behalf of Pakistan National Council on Ageing [PNCA] based in Islamabad. The data collection was done in the BHU of Chak # 474 GB, Tehsil Samundari, District Faisalabad. The study duration was three months and lasted from July 2012 to September 2012. Structured questionnaire was developed to collect information on child birth practices as well as opinion of females of respective sample area. In this regard, an extensive questionnaire was designed and pre-tested vigorously. Questionnaire contained bio-informatics including demographic information of clients and the second part covered areas of decision making, role, agents and other stakeholders. Questionnaires were filled with the help of LHVs and LHWs after getting the permission from their senior authorities. Results show that 29.2% of the respondents were illiterate, while 33.4% of the respondents pass their primary education. Ratio of birth attendant at last delivery was 58.1% for TBA/Dai and 17.2% respondents used the services of doctor for delivery proposes. Mother-in-law was the most influential decision maker in the family. As result explains that, for antenatal visit 118 time, for normal delivery 135 times and for EmONC 128 times decision taken by mother-in-law [n=267]. The decisions regarding child birth largely remain a female issue and rest with the mother-in-law mostly. The second dominant agents are husband and the father-in-law/brother-in-law. On statistical level, the result show strong association between clients and in-laws. The study verifies that the para-medical staff is also required to get training on the importance of cultural factors and means to convince the target population with threatening their cultural mind-set. A complete cognizance of such cultural variable may lead to promotion of safe child birthing as well as contributed in reducing the maternal mortality rates among the rural women

Lethality of suicidal organophosphorous poisoning in Karachi in 2010

The study was aimed to evaluate the cases of suicide using organophosphorous compounds as intoxicant with the objective to bring up possible preventive measures based upon modifiable factors associated with lethality. Cross-sectional analytical Study. This retrospective study was based upon 66 patients of poisoning treated at intensive care unit of Ward No.5, JPMC Karachi during a period of one year from January 2010 to December 2010. Out of total 66 cases of poisoning 38 were of organophosphorous compounds [OPC] poisoning, 20 males and 18 females. Most of the cases [63%] of OPC poisoning were in age range of 20-40 years, 33 [86.84%] were of suicidal poisoning while 5 [13.16%] had accidental poisoning and 57% reported to treatment facility within 6 hours. All the cases of OPC poisoning had severe symptoms with fatal out come. Suicidal ratio was quite high. The period between the ingestion of poison and initiation of treatment plays vital role. In order to reduce fatality rate urgent intervention is required by government by improving the treatment facilities at local level hospitals i.e. primary health care centres and banning of highly toxic organophosphorous compounds. Additional measures which can help include improving the public awareness regarding recognition of toxic symptoms and importance of prompt referral to an appropriate facility

epidemiologic profile of homicidal deaths in Karachi

The study was planned to review the epidemiologic profile of homicidal deaths in Karachi. Observational study. Since Jan. 2009 to June 2009 and place of study was the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. 1'wo hundred and ninety seven cases were included in the study. The data was collected by reviewing the police papers and autopsy repons. The parameters recorded were age, sex, manner of death, type of weapon used, part of the body involved, time of death and location of fatal wound. During the study period there were 297 cases of homicides, out of which 259 [87.2%] were firearms related homicides and majority of victims were males [75.4%] and most of them were between 21 to 30 years of age [39.5%] Most of the crimes occurred during night hours [59, 5%] and head injuries were most common [49.8%]. The firearms related homicides are highest in number, the reason being easy access to firearm weapons. Further studies and effective intervention strategies are needed to be employed to reduce the occurrence of homicides. The situation demands a strict control on firearms by government