Seroprevalance of Rubella antibodies among women of reproductive age: a study at Nishtar Hospital Multan

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalance of rubella antibodies among women of reproductive age and to emphasize the importance of vaccinating this population. Serum specimen of 180 students of College of Nursing Nishtar Hospital Multan was screened with IMMULITE/IMMULITE 1000 Rubella Quantitative IgG assay at MINAR [Multan Institute of Nuclear medicine and Radiotherapy]. Out of 180 serum specimens screened 168 [93.33%] were seropositive. 9 [5%] were seronegative and 3 [1.6%] fell in the intermediate range. All subjects were unmarried, between 16 and 24 years of age and none had a previous history of rubella vaccination. However there was non specific history of fever and rash in 11 [6.1%] students. It is evident from this small age without acquiring natural immunity need to be immunized to prevent repeated pregnancy loss and birth of infants with congenital rubella syndrome [CRS]

Managment of post burn contracture of neck

It is a prospective analytical study. 43 patients admitted during JAN 2001 to DEC 2002 who presented with severe functional [25 patients] of cosmetic impairment [27 patients]. We selected 4 different options to manage the patients. [1] Release of/or excision + thigh grafts [2] Release of/or excision + wolfm [3]Thick therish + local flap [4] Musculocutaneous flap. Out of 43 patients 27 were females and 16 were male and the age varies from 4-45 years. Out of 28 patients a [1] 25 given satisfactory and excellent results, and 5 out of Six patients a [2] and 4 out of 5 with [3] gave excellent results. To evaluate the outcome of different options for the management of PBNC we are presenting our 2 years experience of PBNC Neck in 43 patients from January 2001 to December 2002 who were admitted through surgical outdoor of Teaching Hospitals of PMC, Faisalabad. In our set up most of the patients presented with severe functional [25 patients] and cosmetic impairments [27 patients out of 43] because of late presentation, delayed treatment, poverty and lack of proper medical facilities. We selected 4 different options to manage these patients accordingly i.e. [1] release or and excision of contracture and thick split skin graft, [2] release or and excision of contracture and full thickness skin graft, [3] thick split skin graft and local flap, [4] musculocutaneous flap, giving satisfactory to excellent results in 25 out of 28 patients, 5 out of 6 patients and 4 out of 5 patients respectively. Thick split skin grafting after release or/and excision of contracture with strict advice of wearing cervical neck collar remained our mainstay of treatment because it was one of the best practical options to deal with severe PBC Neck while other options being reserved for difficult and recurrent cases. Thick split skin grafting is an easy, cost effective, reliable and compliant to the patient. Furthermore thick split skin grafting is a simple procedure whi ch may be carried out by any general surgeon with reserve for referred for the difficult cases

Carbon monoxide fractions in cigarette and hookah [hubble bubble] smoke

We studied the carbon monoxide [CO] fractions in hookah and cigarette smoke, using a carbon monoxide micro smokeriyzer [model EC50, BEDFONT, U.K.]. Mean carbon monoxide fractions [% by volume] of hookah smoke, using domestic charcoal were 0.38 +/- 0.07 [large hookah; unfiltered]; 1.40 +/- 0.43 [small hookah; unfiltered]; 0.34 +/- 0.06 [large hookah; filtered]; 1.36 +/- 0.35 [small hookah; filtered] and 0.41 +/- 0.08 [cigarette smoke]. The highest fractions were obtained with small size hookah and increase in size of hookah [i.e., volume of air in water base, fire bowl volume, pipe length, etc.] reduced the CO fraction significantly [P<0.001]. The fractions of cigarette lie between large and small hookah. The fractions vary slightly with different varieties of tobacco, e.g., CO fractions with Dera wala tobacco are significantly low [P<0.05]. Use of commercial charcoal gives significant rise in CO fractions [P<0,001] Comparison of filtered and unfiltered smoke shows no significant difference in values. We conclude that the CO hazard is as high with hookah smoking as with cigarette smoking

Ramadan fasting and thyroid hormone profile

A study comprising 41 males,5 females of the age ranging from 28 to 56 years was conducted during Ramadan of 1989 to compare T[3], T[4] and TSH levels in fasting with the levels of non-fasting conditions. Each individual gave 6 blood samples: One sample was taken 20 days before the onset of Ramadan, 3 samples at different fasting days and last two samples were drawn 23 days and five months after the end of Ramadan, respectively. The results showed a significant gradual rise in TSH throughout the fasting month, although the mean levels remained within normal limits. Pre- Ramadan levels were re-attained well after the end of Ramadan. There was no significant change in T[3] and T[4] levels