hepato-protective effect of cassia fistula [amaltas] leaves in isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rodents

Certain medicinal plants have been reported to have their effect on various experimentally induced diseases. Drug induced hepatitis [DIH] is one of them. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula leaves in experimentally induced drug hepatitis [DIH] in rodents. The rats were divided into four groups, i.e. a control group [A], antituberculous [ATT] group [B], and the remaining two groups [C and D] served as experimental therapy groups. They received Cassia fistula extract as hepatoprotective agent. Rats having normal liver functions were included in this study. Group C experimental rats received [INH/RIF] [50 mg/kg] each and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula at 400 mg/kg of body weight. On the other hand group D experimental rats received [INH/RIF] [50 mg/kg] each and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula at 500 mg/kg of body weight. Blood samples were taken at 30[th] day and liver in each was taken out for microscopical examination on day 30[th]. The [ATT] group rats showed variable increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin levels. Group C treated with 400 mg/kg of body weight Cassia fistula treatment decreased the level of these parameters in rats. On the other hand group D rats treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of Cassia fistula dose significantly decreased levels of these biochemical parameters. The morphological examination of experimental group C rats showed slight recovery whereas the rats in experimental group D showed a significant recovery. Cassia fistula constituents, especially flavonoids and anthraquinones have strong anti-oxidant activity which provides hepato-protection against drug-induced hepatitis [DIH]. In conclusion, high dose of Cassia fistula ethanolic leaves extract [500 mg/kg] body weight showed hepatoprotection against INH/RIF induced hepatitis in rats

quantitative analysis for the toxic pesticide residues in marketed fruits and vegetables in Lahore, Pakistan

This study was an attempt to assess the health hazards faced by the consumers through possible ingestion of toxic chemicals contained in the fruits and vegetables. In this cross sectional analytical study, tomato, apple and cucumber samples were collected from four main markets of Lahore and were analysed separately for the levels of nine pesticide residues using Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry system. The levels were compared with the maximum residue limits set by the WHO for every pesticide in respective items. The results showed that most of the samples did not contain any residues of the nine selected pesticides and only two samples of tomato had detectable residues of one pesticide Imidacloprid, which were within the limits set by the WHO. So it was concluded that the analysed fruit and vegetable samples did not pose a serious threat to the health of the consumers

Medical ethics in surgical wards: knowledge, attitude and practice of surgical team members in Karachi.

A survey was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical ethics among surgical residents and interns in three teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. 101 out of 120 completed responses were included in the study. Fifty-one respondents had heard about the Code of Ethics formulated by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Forty-four had read the code. Seven had no knowledge about it. Forty-seven reported taking consent for procedures. Forty-two respondents gave correct answers on questions of confidentiality and knowledge of law pertaining to trauma victims. Only 11 reported having been taught ethics as students. Four did not feel the need of its teaching at an undergraduate level. Doctors graduating within the last 10 years gave fewer correct answers than those graduating earlier. Knowledge of medical ethics and its application on the surgical floors is extremely poor. The survey results support the view that medical ethics should be part of the undergraduate medical curriculum.

In situ piezoelectric ESWL for ureteric calculi

To assess in situ Piezoelectric ESWL for ureteric calculi, avoiding false positive results arising from the spontaneous passage of small stones and also to evaluate the efficiency of the EDAP LT02 Lithotriptor for insitu ESWL treatment of ureteric calculi. A prospective evaluation of patients with ureteric calculi treated with Piezoelectric ESWL using EDAP LT 02 Lithotriptor. patients with ureteric calculi treated with Piezoelectric ESWL using EDAP LT 02 Lithotriptor for a period of twelve months, coming to Urology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad, as out door patients. A prospective evaluation of patients with ureteric calculi treated with Piezoelectric ESWL using EDAP LT 02 Lithotriptor for a period of twelve months, Seventy two patients, 60 males and 12 females, with mean age of 39.6 years, presenting with solitary ureteric calculus were treated using EDAP LT 02 Piezoelectric Lithotriptor, lo calization with fluoroscopy. No regional or general anesthesia given. After 3 months follow-up, of the 72 ureteric calculi cases, 60[83.3%] were successfully fragmented and ureter was stone free in 54 patients [75.1%] after insitu ESWL alone. The mean duration of stone clearance was 50 days [SD +11.58]. Sixteen patients required one session only, 28 patients required 2 sessions and twelve patients required three and more than three sessions. Stone location was 28 upper ureteric, 18 middle and 26 in lower ureter. Stone size varied from 7mm.to 17mm. in longest diameter. The average number of session, 1.5 for upper ureteric stone, 1.8 for mid and lower ureteric stones. Stone clearance for upper ureteric calculus was 85.7%, for mid ureteric 66.7% and for lower ureteric 69%, the overall stone clearance was 75%. In situ piezoelectric ESWL is safe, simple and effective technique for treating ureteric calculi. The site and size of the stone affects the success rate

Management of the lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] due to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH], with terazosin

This study was designed to assess the efficacy, safety and compliance of terazosin in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Study was conducted in the department of urology, DHQ Hospital Vehari, in about 1-year i-e from July 2004 to June 2005. Sixty patients with an age range of 45-85 years were included in the study. Data was collected prospectively. Patients were assessed according to the international prostate symptom score [I-PSS] at the start of study, during follow up and at the end of study. Out of sixty patients, fifty-two were able to complete the study. It was observed that most of the patients obtained a significant decrease in the prostate symptoms score and improvement in QoL score, with only a few side effects. Terazosin is a safe and effective treatment for BPH with good compliance

Rhabdomyosarcoma in children: a review of recent advances in management

Rhabdomyosarcoma [RMS] is primarily a malignancy of infancy, childhood and adolescence with a peak incidence in the first decade of life. These are highly malignant tumours of striated muscle, derived from primitive mesenchymal cells and exhibiting differentiation along rhabdomyoblastic lines, comprising more than50% of all soft tissue sarcomas in children. In this article, we have attempted to summarize, simplify and discuss tumour biology, diagnosis and staging of RMS, along with emergence of multidisciplinary therapeutic approach and their influence on the overall prognosis