Potential of nano-emulsions as phytochemical delivery system for food preservation

Nature is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals. These plant based compounds have rich scope as antioxidants, antimicrobial compounds and food preservatives and so for long time to be used in meat, fruits, vegetables and processed food items, either as added preservative or as coating material in various food applications, but the major limitation is their limited solubility in a food grade medium. Nano-emulsion is a best choice as a medium having vast area of application. The major advantage of nano-emulsion would be the solubility of a vast group of compounds, due to the presence of water and lipid phases. In this way, nano-emulsions can be proved to be the most suitable candidate as phytochemical delivery system for food preservation. In present article, the use of phytochemicals as potent food preservatives has been reviewed, in context of solubility of phytochemicals in nano-emulsion and applications of food grade nano-emulsions to food systems

Knowledge, attitude and practice about [Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients] among neurologists and paediatricians

Neurologists and pediatricians in Pakistan are generally not aware of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients and do they discuss this issue with the patients. To assess the Knowledge Attitude and Practices about [Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients] among neurologists and pediatricians. Department of Neurology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, June 2005. Neurologists and pediatricians of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi were given a consent form to participate in the study. It was an interview-based study where a questionnaire was applied to the participants. There were 6 questions pertaining to the awareness about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients; about discussing the death with the patients and raising issue of sudden death in the discussion of epilepsy management. A total of 41 doctors [26 neurologists and 15 pediatricians] participated in the study. Amongst the neurologists, 13 [50%] were aware of and 6 [23.1%] had seen a case of unexpected death in epilepsy patients. Amongst the pediatricians, only 2 [13.3%] knew about it and had seen a case of sudden death. Overall 15/41[36.6%] doctors were aware of and 8/41 [19.5%] had seen a case of unexpected death in epilepsy patients. The patients of the above doctors never asked about it, except for one relative of a patient, who had lived abroad. Most of the doctors had never discussed this issue with the patients and none of them raised this issue in discussion about epilepsy management. The terminology of unexpected death in epilepsy patients was not known to many doctors and there is a need to increase awareness about this in doctors and general public

Clinical spectrum of multiple sclerosis at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan

To assess the clinical presentation of multiple sclerosis. This hospital based observational study was carried out from November 2004 to June 2005 at the Department of Neurology Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center Karachi. Patients of multiple sclerosis [MS] diagnosed on Poser's criteria were observed on the basis of age at the onset, gender, family history, symptoms and signs, clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging, visual evoked potentials, cerebrospinal fluid and oligoclonal bands. Out of 20 patients there were 13 females with M:F ratio of 1:2. Mean age at presentation was 25.8 years. Family history was negative. Clinical presentation included pyramidal weakness [75%], visual defect [70%], sphincter disturbances [60%], sensory impairment [35%], cerebellar signs [30%] and paroxysmal spasm [25%]. The clinical course of multiple sclerosis included Relapsing and Remitting RRMS [55%], Secondary Progressive SPMS [20%], Primary Progressive PPMS [15%] and Progressive Relapsing PRMS [10%]. Optico-spinal type was seen in 55%. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain was positive in 75% and of cervico-dorsal in 100%. Visual evoked potential was abnormal in 85% and oligoclonal bands were present in 5%. Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is not uncommon in Pakistan. The study revealed that young females were affected more compared with men with a ratio of 2:1 and mean age of onset was 25.8 years. Clinical type is in agreement with Asian variety of disease with high occurrence of optico-spinal presentation and low yield of oligoclonal band

Migraine: Comorbidity with depression

To identify and see impact of coexisting depression in diagnosed cases of migraine. Hospital-based case-control study. Department of Neurology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi. Patients of all ages and both sexes attending neurology OPD at JPMC between October 1998 to October 1999 were included. International Headache Society criteria for diagnosis of migraine and Urdu version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for diagnosis of depression was used. Migraine with Depression cases [MWD] were compared with Migraine without depression as controls [MC]. Duration and frequency of migraine, co-morbidity with depression. Out of 100 migraineurs, 40 were MWD and 40 MC were taken from the remaining 60 migraineurs. Among MWD and MC females were common: 72%[29] and 78%[31] respectively. Of the females MWD, most of the patients belonged to the age group 31-40years; 52%[15] patients, compared to MC where age group 21-30 years; 58%[18] was common. Among the males, maximum number of migraineurs belonged to the age groups of 22-30 years for both MWD and MC i.e. 46%[05] and 56%[05] respectively. Fifty percent of MWD reported having migraine attacks for 10 or more years, whereas only 18% of MC had the similar duration. [P-value =<0.01]. Ninety percent [n=36] of MWD reported maximal disability during the headache as compared to the 62.5%[25] of MC. 62.5%[25] of MWD had an average frequency of 4 or more attacks per month compare to 55%[22] of MC having once per month or less. [P-value =0.001]. Migraineurs with long history and high frequency might benefit from psychiatric evaluation and addition of antidepressant drugs to their therapeutic regimen

Presentation and management of hepatic trauma at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Hepatic injury is one of the most challenging problems for trauma surgeon. We collected data of all hepatic trauma patients received at one of the unit of Mayo Hospital for two years. The purpose of the study was to know different modes of presentation, time interval between the time of injury and hospital report, different management options available, morbidity and mortality. We found that young males living in cities are maximally prone to this type of injury. The patients presented late and most of them in hypovolemic shock. We treated 10.5% conservatively. The more extensive the procedure attempted, the higher was the mortality. We curtailed our mortality to 18% despite inadequate facilities. However we recommend a more conservative approach as we had encouraging results with it

Management of periocular post burn scarring in the epileptics

To assess the clinical presentation and management of patients with epilepsy presenting with periocular post burn scarring. Design: Prospective and descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from September 1999 to September 2002. Subjects and This study included 23 patients who had epilepsy and presented with periocular post-burn scarring to the eye department for management. All patients had contractures of their lids with variable amounts of corneal scarring and damaged to the eye ball. The surgical procedure performed consisted of release of contracture, horizontal lid shortening and application of free skin graft. There were 18 [78.26%] female and 5 [21.73%] male patients. The age range was from 18 to 45 years with a mean of 28 years. In 17 [73.91%] patients, lid contracture was released to cover their eyeballs. In 6[26.08%] patients the eyeball was lost due to late presentation. There should be a high index of suspicion in facial burns for ophthalmic damage and early referral to an ophthalmologist should be made to prevent complications. Early release of contracture with application of full or partial thickness skin grafts is advisable