Prunus domestica alters functions of frog's heart

Prunes could exert cardiovascular protective effects. Trials have demonstrated antihypertensive effects of Prunus domestica. The aim of this study was to find out if prunes could alter cardiac functions that may help understanding the mode of control of hypertension. Changes in rate and contractile force of frogs' heart were recorded using Power Lab. Effects of prunes' extracts: aqueous [10, 20, 40%]; methanolic, acetonic, ethanolic and chloformic [10%]; were evaluated and compared with other drugs. We tested effects of acetylcholine and atropine [10-5], adrenaline, propranolol, verapamil and diltiazem [10[-3]]; NaC1, KCl, CaC1[2], MgC1[2] [10% w/v] on frog's heart alone and with prunes/drugs. All extracts of prunes significantly reduced HR and contractile force. Prunes combined with acetylcholine, propranolol or verapamil significantly enhanced bradycardia; whereas it blocked tachycardia produced by epinephrine, atropine or calcium; moreover prunes blocked the significant increase in HR and cardiac contractility produced by CaCl[2]; and reduced HR along with MgC1[2]. NaCl and KCl alone or with prunes had non-significant effects on frog's heart. In conclusion, Prunus domestica plays a key role in modification of intracellular Ca+2 concentration resulting in negative ionotropic and chronotropic effects [similar to cholinergic stimulation and adrenergic or calcium channel blockade] that could lead to hypotensive effects

Frequency of hypovitaminosis D and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Objective: To find out the frequency of hypovitaminosis D and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients prior to administration of standard anti tuberculosis therapy

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases-DUHS. After approval from BASR and following written informed consent eighty newly diagnosed, as per WHO criteria, tuberculosis patients were enrolled. Prior to the initiation of anti tuberculosis therapy, the serum vitamin D level was determined by 25-OH Vitamin D kit using the chemiluminescent immunoassay [CLIA] method. A cut off value of >30 ng/mL of serum vitamin D was taken as normal whereas a range between 10-30 ng/ mL and <10 ng/mL were considered insufficient and deficient respectively. Frequency of socio-demographic associated risk factors of hypovitaminosis D was also determined

Results: Out of eighty newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients 33 [41.25%] were males and 47[58.75%] were females with their ages ranging from 18-50 years. 54 patients [26 male and 28 female patients] were smokers. BMI of all the patients was found to be less than the normal ranges. Hypovitaminosis was present in all the cases. Vitamin D insufficiency was found in 49 participants [20 male and 29 female] whereas 31 patients [13 male and 18 female] were found to be vitamin D deficient

Conclusion: Prevalence of serum vitamin D level derangement is very high in newly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in our local setting which necessitates administration of adjuvant vitamin D along with standard anti tuberculosis therapy

Placental histology in diet and insulin treated gestational diabetics

To observe and compare placental histology for hypoxic changes in diet plus exercise alone versus dietplus exercise and insulin treatment in patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus [GDM]. Comparative / analytic study. The study was conducted in Lyari General Hospital and Mamji Hospital after approval from the Institutional Review Board [1KB] and Ethical Committee of Dow University of Health Sciences from Jan 2010- Jan 2011. After written informed consent, 30 patients were diagnosed to have GDM with RBS between 126-129 mg/dl were given diet control plus exercise therapy [Group A]. 39 GDM patients with RBS greater than 130 mg/dl were kept on diet plus exercise and insulin [Group B]. After delivery placentae were collected from 25 patients in each group. Histological slides of placentae were prepared and parameters of hypoxia such as villous immaturity, villous fibrinoid necrosis, syncytial knots, chorangiosis, calcification etc. were observed and compared between the two groups using light microscope. Results were evaluated by SPSS 16 using student t- test and chisquare test. Statistically non-significant results were obtained for the hypoxic parameters. However numerically more calcification was found in Group A while villous immaturity, villous fibrinoid necrosis and syncytial knots were present more in Group B. Histological examination of placentae showed presence of hypoxic features in both Group A and Group B patients with more propensities in diet plus exercise and insulin treated GDM group

How undergraduate medical students reflect on instructional practices and class attendance: a case study from the Shifa College of Medicine, Pakistan / 보건의료교육평가

The goal of this study was to assess student perceptions of a variety of instructional practices and attitudes toward class attendance. Data were obtained and analyzed by administering a questionnaire to students of the Shifa College of Medicine, Pakistan in 2011 and 2012. The subjects positively assessed most instructional practices, and in particular felt that teaching sessions conducted in small groups were more valuable than formal lectures in large groups. Students did not like having to give presentations, quizzes, panel discussions, and journal club. A positive correlation was found between the perceived importance of attendance and levels of academic motivation. Of the students surveyed, 11.8% were against mandatory attendance, saying that it reduced motivation and that attendance should be optional. In conclusion, the students had a positive perception of a range of instructional practices, and felt especially positively about practices that involve student activity in small groups. Programmatic improvement in instructional practices might increase class attendance.