Relationship between qooba [dermatophytosis] and mizaj temperament

In this study we have tried to assess the Mizaj [temperament] of the patients of Qooba [dermatophytosis]. Among 126 patients we have found that maximum number of patients [46.83%] belonged to Saudawi temperament, followed by Damwi [31.75%], Balghami [24.60%] and Safrawi [13%] temperament

Anxiety levels in dental patients

The aims of the study were to describe the level of dental anxiety in a representative sample population. Experimental study.This study was conducted at the Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi. The study was conducted 1[st] to 31[st] of March 2013. All patients coming to the dental OPD for different dental procedures during the month of March 2013 were included in the study. Study sample comprised of 213 patients 135 Females and 78 Males. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 75 years. The study sample was divided into three groups: 1] 5-24 years 2] 25-39 years and 3] 40-75 years According to the performed dental procedures the sample was divided into two groups; 1] undergoing invasive procedures 2] undergoing non-invasive procedures Measurement of anxiety levels were recorded on the proforma using Norman Corah's anxiety scale data was entered on Microsoft Excel work sheet and was analyzed using SPSS 14. The results of this study showed women having higher DAS values as compared to men both in educated and non-educated strata regardless of the nature of the procedure being performed invasive or non-invasive. In the study 40% males and 25.5% females were relaxed when asked for their anxiety levels when visiting for a dental checkup and considered it as an enjoyable experience. 49.1% Males and 47.3% Females were relaxed waiting in the dental office. When asked regarding the noise of a drill 3.6% Males and 8.2% Females felt very anxious. For question relating to tooth cleaning and instrument preparation 5.5% Males and 8.2% Females were very anxious. This study has shown that educated individuals in both the genders have more anxiety as compared to uneducated individuals. Government funding should be directed towards awareness programs for population regarding dental treatments. Training of dental practitioners in patient counseling should be emphasized in the management of anxious patient

Comorbidities in patients requiring dental extraction

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi [JMDC] to determine the frequency of comorbidities that may affect the dental extraction in patients older than 35 years of age. A total of 3986 patients visited the oral surgery OPD of JMDC during the period of December 2010 to October 2011. The history charts of 1867 patients aged 35 years and above were included in the study. The patient's medical and drug history was recorded on a predesigned Proforma to find out the frequency of different medical problems including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiac disorders, renal disorders and blood dyscrasias. From a total of 1,867 patients, 436 patients [23.4%] were having comorbidities. The age of patients ranged from 30 to 80 years with the mean age of 39.6 years. The majority of them [54%] were in the 4th to 6th decades of life. There were 898 male patients [48.1%] and 969 females [51.9%]. In this study, hypertension was the most prevalent comorbid accounting for [236/1867, 12.6%] patients, followed by diabetes mellitus [126/1867, 6.74%], peptic ulcer [48/1867, 2.57%] and ischemic heart disease [16/1867, 0.85%].It is very important for the attending clinicians to have an exact knowledge of the patient's medical condition, although the prevalence of patients having comorbidities was not very high, the dentist must bear in mind that some of these patients may have contraindications to certain surgical procedures and others may require special modifications in standard treatment protocols to provide safe and effective dental treatment in these groups of patients

Nutrition of Children and Women in Bangladesh: Trends and Directions for the Future.

Although child and maternal malnutrition has been reduced in Bangladesh, the prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age z-score <-2) among children aged less than five years is still high (41%). Nearly one-third of women are undernourished with body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2. The prevalence of anaemia among young infants, adolescent girls, and pregnant women is still at unacceptable levels. Despite the successes in specific programmes, such as the Expanded Programme on Immunization and vitamin A supplementation, programmes for nutrition interventions are yet to be implemented at scale for reaching the entire population. Given the low annual rate of reduction in child undernutrition of 1.27 percentage points per year, it is unlikely that Bangladesh would be able to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal to address undernutrition. This warrants that the policy-makers and programme managers think urgently about the ways to accelerate the progress. The Government, development partners, non-government organizations, and the academia have to work in concert to improve the coverage of basic and effective nutrition interventions, including exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, supplementation of micronutrients to children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, management of severe acute malnutrition and deworming, and hygiene interventions, coupled with those that address more structural causes and indirectly improve nutrition. The entire health system needs to be revitalized to overcome the constraints that exist at the levels of policy, governance, and service-delivery, and also for the creation of demand for the services at the household level. In addition, management of nutrition in the aftermath of natural disasters and stabilization of prices of foods should also be prioritized.

Historical perspective of parkinsonism and ra'asha

Unani classical literature is a rich source of information for various clinical disorders but there is a wide gap between ancient and modern views of elaborating the pathophysiology. As far as Parkinsonism is concerned, it is a syndrome characterized by tremors, muscular rigidity, Bradykinesia and postural instability. After going through literature and historical review it is very much obvious that the description about the Ra'asha and its associated symptoms arise due to CNS disorder that is vividly described by ancient Unani scholars but due to wide gap in ancient and modern knowledge and way of describing pathogenesis of the Parkinsonism and Ra'asha could not be correlated. With the help of this study a thorough review of classical literature along with model concept of extra pyramidal disorders is being incorporated

Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Elders of Various Socio-economic Status with Special Reference to Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a complex heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology. Why otherwise normal process leads to bone density inadequate to support the body in some people is not known. Although the fracture-precipitating condition of inadequate bone mass is common to all types of osteoporosis, the processes by which this end is reached probably result from etiologies distinctive to each of the types or the many forms of disease. Risk factors for osteoporosis include age, race, sex, body weight, family history, premature menopause, nulliparity, number of lactations, dietary factors, limited exercise, use of cigarette, excessive alcohol consumption, and prolonged use of medications4. Loss of menses at any age is a major determinant of osteoporosis risk in women. Acceleration of bones loss coincides with menopause, either natural or surgical, at which time the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Estrogen and hormone replacement therapy have been shown to conserve Bone Mineral Density [BMD] and reduce the risk following menopause, but young amenorrheic women may also benefit from the use of oral contraceptive agents to promote a normal menstrual cycle. Any interruption of menstruation for an extended period results in bone loss14, 17. Many nutrients and several non-nutrients have been implicated as etiologic risk factors for osteoporosis. At present, safe and effective treatment is not readily available to replace bone that is already lost. It is nevertheless, important to identify women who are at risk of developing osteoporosis as early as possible, so that measures can be taken to prevent further bone loss. Because low BMD is a major risk factor for osteoporosis, its assessment is clinically useful.

Therapeutic Evaluation of Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban in Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder [Iztirab-e-Nafsani/Tashweesh] and its treatment is usually multimodel and among the combination of pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic intervention is most effective to suppress the anxiety related disorder. Ancient literature is full of psychiatric disorders and their description is mainly based on humoral and temperamental theory. But anxiety itself is not separately explored and rather intermingled along with melancholia, mania, sehar, subara, qutrub etc. This study has been undertaken to explore the anxiety disorder in the light of Unani concept. And a combination of two pharmacopoeial formulations, [viz. Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban] already well described for such ailments were evaluated following modern parameters to establish their efficacy in anxiety disorder. The formulations were found effective and results were statistically significant.

Importance of ophthalmological examination in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss

To evaluate the importance of ophthalmological examination in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL]. This study was conducted at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department of Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital in Al-Ramadi city, Iraq from 20 December 2007 to 30 October 2008. Fifty children with congenital SNHL were included in this prospective study. Ophthalmological examination was carried out for all patients. Out of 50 patients with SNHL, 16 [32%] had ocular abnormalities. Ocular abnormalities were more common in postlingual age group [81.3%] than other age groups, which is statistically significant [p=0.007]. Myopia was the most common abnormality that was present in 5 patients [31.3%]. The results showed that hyperopia was found in 2 patients [12.5%], squint in 2 patients [12.5%], retinitis pigmentosa 2 patients [12.5%], and blepharitis in 1 [6.3%] patient. Four other patients had multiple abnormalities: one with myopia and astigmatism, one with hyperopia and conjunctivitis, one with bilateral blepharitis, and allergic conjunctivitis, and the last one with myopia and blepharitis. Two children on examination of the eyes was diagnosed with Usher syndrome. Ocular abnormalities are a common problem in children with congenital SNHL necessitating ophthalmological examination to detect any abnormal visual acuity, and aid in the diagnosis of congenital deafness syndromes

Antimicrobial Activity of Some Schiff Bases Derived from Benzoin, Salicylaldehyde, Aminophenol and 2,4 Dinitrophenyl Hydrazine

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of three schiff bases were evaluated against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Parallel experiments were also carried out with standard drugs (Kanamycin for bacteria and Nystatin for fungi). Two compounds [N-(1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2phenylethylidine)-2',4' dinitrophenyl hydrazine, abbreviated as PDH and N-(2-hydroxy benzylidine)-2'-hydroxy imine, abbreviated as HHP] showed significant antimicrobial activities. The rest one [N-(1-phenyl 2-hydroxy-2 phenyl ethylidine) 2'-hydroxy phenyl imine, abbreviated as PHP] showed moderate activity. All these three compounds were found to possess pronounced cytotoxic effect. These compounds can be considered as potent antimicrobial agents.

Endoscopic evalution of acute dysphagia due to mechanical obstruction

To find out the common causes of mechanical dysphagia in South Punjab and determine the endoscopic features of benign and malignant stricture to decide for either therapeutic intervention [endoscopic dilatation/stunting] or biopsy. This descriptive study was conducted in Medical Unit-1, Gastroenterlogy Nishtar Hospital Multan Pakistan during the period from September 2004 to December 2005. A total 50 patients were included in the study. Foreign body in esophagus, was seen in 3 patients [6%] 2 female and one male. Two patients [4%] had esophageal web, both patients were female and upper part of oesophagus was involved in both of them. Benign stricture was the commonest abnormality. Lower third of oesophagus was the commonest site of involvement [62.5%], middle one third was involved in 31.25% of cases while upper third was involved in only 1 patient [6.25%]. Carcinoma oesophagus was predominantly found in males and lower one third was the commonest site [71.4%]. No patient had involvement of upper third while middle third was involved in 28.6%. Mean age of the patients was 42; age range was 14 to 63. Duration of dysphagia ranged from one day to 35 days; mean duration was 18 days. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and valuable procedure in individuals of all age groups with dysphagia and often leads to positive therapeutic intervention even in quite frail subjects. Benign esophageal stricture, esophagitis and esophageal carcinoma, are the commonest causes of dysphagia in South Punjab

Anti-smoking campaign in Multan, Pakistan

Smoking is a serious public health concern, particularly among young people. This communication describes an anti-smoking campaign targeted at the students of Nishtar Medical College and Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan. The aim was to promote sports and discourage smoking though community participation and mobilization. A mixed media strategy was adopted and information and education materials were developed. A seminar was held giving information on smoking, its hazards, quitting strategies and experiences. This was followed by a cricket match played between the students at which further brochures were distributed and slogans displayed. The activity was very successful and succeeded in mobilizing the community and putting over the anti-smoking message. Such events could be used to promote other issues related to lifestyle