CNS stimulant activity of Qurs saffron [a herbal medicine] in experimental animal models

To confirm the safety and efficacy of the product for human health due to its wide use and to explore its effects on CNS. Experimental and observational. This study was conducted at Frontier medical college Abbottabad Pakistan in March 2011. Thirty rabbits divided into five groups were administered Qurs saffron at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, Caffeine 100mg/kg orally and the last group was taken as control group, received normosaline. The animals were observed for behavioral changes at 30 min intervals. At 50mg/kg of the drug were found to have mild stimulant activity, while 100mg/kg were found to have a moderate CNS stimulant properties same like caffeine at a dose of 50mg/kg. While at a dose of 200mg/kg_Qurs saffron were found to have a strong stimulant properties. From the current study it can be concluded that the product have dose dependent CNS stimulant effects

Neonatal sepsis: causative bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics

Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the causative bacteria and level of their resistance to commonly used antibiotics. This descriptive study was carried out at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from April 2009 to January 2010. All neonates of either gender admitted in neonatology unit with clinical sepsis and positive blood culture were included in the study. Neonatal period was defined as 28 days of life at term and up to 44 weeks of gestational age in preterm babies. One hundred and thirty neonates of either gender were studied during the period. Blood sample for culture was taken from a peripheral vein or an artery ensuring standard anti-septic measures. BACTEC technique was used for obtaining bacterial growth and drug sensitivity after incubation of 24-48 hours. Second blood culture was also performed in few cases which were not showing improvement after initial treatment. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Early and late onset sepsis was found in 29.2% and 70.8% respectively. Gram-negative bacteria were more frequent than grampositive bacteria with a frequency of 54.6% and 45.4% respectively. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria showed high resistance against commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriazone and gentamicin. Staph. aureus is the most common gram-positive bacterium and E. coli is the most common gram-negative bacterium causing neonatal sepsis. Grampositive and gram-negative bacteria are highly resistant against commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriazone and gentamicin, and are relatively more sensitive to less commonly used drugs like amikacin and ceftazidime

Obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuraecemia in young and old hypertensive patients

There is strong correlation among hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia which are important risk factor for the cardiovascular disease. Objective of this study was to assess and compare the prevalence of obesity, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia among young and old hypertensive patients in the local setting. This cross-sectional study was conducted at medical Out-patient Department at Shahina Jamil Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from September 2007 to February 2008. Eighty-six patients seen in the medical outpatient department were enrolled in the study. Patients with age 15 years or above and diagnosed as case of systemic hypertension were included. Patients with endocrine disease, pregnancy, coarctation of aorta, and renal disease leading to hypertension were excluded from the study. Total eighty-six patients with mean age of 53.7 +/- 12.9 years were included in the study. Patients were divided into younger age group [age <46 years] and older age group [age >/= 46 years]. Mean Body Mass Index [BMI] was 29.7 +/- 5.2 in the younger age group and 26.9 +/- 4.7 in the older age group, mean serum cholesterol level was 192.2 +/- 14.2 mg/dL in younger age group and 190.9 +/- 18.3 mg/dL in the older age group, mean serum triglyceride level was 170.5 +/- 13.7 mg/dL in younger age group and 166.6 +/- 21.4 mg/dL in the older age group and mean serum uric acid levels were 5.6 +/- 0.7 mg/dL in younger age group and 5.7 +/- 1.2 mg/dL in the older age group. Overweight and obese patients were 70.9% with its higher prevalence in younger [86.2%] as compared to older patients [63.2%]. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 27.9% of the patients, with a frequency of 24.1% in younger patients and 29.8% in the older patients. Hypertriglyceridemia was seen in 66.3% of the patients, with a frequency of 69.0% in younger patients and 64.9% in the older patients. Hyperuricemia was present in 37.2% of the hypertensive patients with a frequency of 34.5% in the younger patients and 38.6% in the older patients. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia are not associated with the age of the hypertensive patients. Increased BMI is more frequent in the young as compared to the old hypertensive patients