Heroin smuggling across international borders in the form of "body packers"

To detect the body packers at international border and how to manage them. Patients brought by law enforcement agencies from international departure lounge were admitted and their CT scan abdomen scout view was performed and capsules were counted. They were keenly observed and treated symptomatic along with laxative. Stool was checked for capsules every time they went to toilet. Capsules were collected, opened or cut and examined for chemical assay. They were discharged and handed back to law enforcement agencies after clearance. The study was done at National Poison Control Center and Department of Radiology in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from 1999 to 2002. out of 380 cases of body packers reported to NPCC ended up in 2 mortalities that gave the recovery rate of 99.47%. The complications observed were intestinal obstruction [2], intestinal perforation [1], respiratory depression, and coma [2]. CT scan [scout view] is mandatory and become a potential document for giving clearance certificate to the body packers

Alterations in lipid profile in old age hypothyroid patients

The current investigation was designed to study the changes of lipid profile in hypothyroid patients in local population and t o investigate the importance of thyroid profile in oId age dyslipidemia patients. Ninety five newly diagnosed untreated h ypothyroid patients [aged 4 9.21 +/- 12.47 years, BMI 3 0.36 +/- 5.8, 74 females and 21 males] were identified from thyroid OPD of INMOL, PGMI, Lahore. Patients were compared with 78 control subjects [aged 48.80 +/- 11.00 years, BMI 30.51 +/- 04.70, 54 females and 24 males] matched by age and body mass index [BMI]. Serum TSH, FT4, FT3, Triacylglcerol [TAG], total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] were measured. Significantly increased levels of TC and LDL-C in overt hypothyroid patients were observed. No significant differences were found in HDL-C and TAG in overt hypothyroid patients as compared to the control group. Elevated levels of TC and LDL-C in hypothyroid patients represent an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease that requires therapeutic intervention. The deranged lipid profiles in hypothyroidism can not be corrected without the treatment for hypothyroidism in these patients. Therefore, all older patients referred for diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia should also be screened for hypothyroidism

Comparative study of garlic powder and gemfibrozil in patients of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus

In this study we observed the effects of garlic [Allium sativum] powder on lipid profile in hyperlipidaemic patients [fasting serum cholesterol 280 mg / 100 ml or more and / or triglyceride 180 mg / 100ml or more] suffering from ischemic heart disease [IHD] and diabetes mellitus [DM] and compared its effects with those of the standard lipid regulating drug gemfibrozil [Lopid]. Nine patients suffering from IHD and DM were put on garlic powder [6 gram / day] for a period of four weeks, six patients were put on gemfibrozil [1200 mg/day] for a period of four weeks. After completion of the treatment the lipid profile was again examined. The parameters studied were serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]. The reduction in the garlic treated group of patients of serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C was more marked as compared the gemfibrozil treated patients. Garlic increased the mean serum HDL-C levels very significantly. All these changes produced by garlic powder are beneficial in patients of IHD and DM which are at high risk. Serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C directly or indirectly enhance the process of atherosclerosis, while HDL-C slows this process by taking away cholesterol from arteries towards the liver for its metabolism and excretion. So garlic is very useful dietary component for slowing the process of atherosclerosis and its associated complications in high risk patients if used regularly for a long time

Risk factors in inhalation of foreign bodies in trachea bronchial tree in children

192 children with inhalation of foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree were analysed in order to establish risk factors associated with such accidents. Eighty percent cases, with boys exceeding girls, were between age 2-7 years. Commonest foreign bodies were betel nuts [33 percent], peanuts [30 percent], plastic whistles [15 percent] and orange seeds [9 percent]. Occurrence of inhalation was more during winter season with peanuts and orange seeds as inhalant objects at the top of the list. Incidence of inhalation while [mouthing] the objects occurred in 78 percent cases during playing: 28 percent cases, during talking: 13.4 percent during laughing: 14 percent cases while whistling and 2.6 percent Infants foreign bodies were pushed by other children

Incidence of HLA B27 in ankylosing spondylitis patients, their first degree relatives and controls

A prospective study of patients attending Physiotherapy Outpatient Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi was carried during 1991. Its main objective was to find out, among cases of ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed by WHO criteria, the number who were HLA B

7 positive; their first degree relatives and some normal controls from general population, were also tested. HLA studies were performed with the courtesy of National Institute of Health Islamabad. Among 16 patients suffering from the disease, the test was performed on 12 cases, and 8 [66.67%] tested positive; 6 of the 8 [75%] asymptomatic first degree relatives and 3 of 9 [33%] healthy controls also were positive. The association of HLA B

7 with ankylosing spondylitis was found to be slightly less strong in our patients i.e. 66% as compared to 90-95% shown in caucasian population. No prognostic importance could be proved. This study can be considered as a preliminary one and may help those who want to continue it on a larger scale