Pleural fluid estimation and tubercular infection in the people admitted with pleural effusion

We prospectively conducted this study to evaluate the diagnostic value of Pleural fluid estimation and find the rate of tubercular infection in the people with pleural effusion in city of Lahore. Pleural TB is a common form of extrapulmonary disease and may occur in the presence or absence of pulmonary parenchymal disease on the chest radiograph. Prospective Study. This study was conducted in the Biochemistry Department, FJMC, Lahore from May 2010 to Nov. 2010. This study to evaluate the diagnostic value of Pleural fluid estimation and tubercular infection in the people with pleural effusion. All patients aged 22 years and older with clinical and radiographic findings consistent with pleural effusion due to TB admitted to the hospital were evaluated consecutively. The studies were performed on pleural fluid samples: glucose and protein were estimated. Specific gravity was calculated. Cell count, differential cell count, bacterial culture, acid-fast bacilli smear were performed using standard procedures. Specimen was cultured, if effusion contains more than 150 WBC/cumm. It was observed that the level of fluid glucose was increased in both sexes as compared to the normal reported values. Level of fluid protein was more in both sexes as compared to the normal reported values. However level of pH was neutral in both sexes. Present study found that pleural TB is still a major cause of pleural effusion in the city of Lahore, and microbiological and biochemical investigation may be helpful in diagnosing the disease

MUC1 based breast cancer vaccines: role of post translational modifications

Vaccine development is one of the most promising fields in cancer research. After autologous transplantation, due to low tumour burden, patients are more likely to respond immunologically to a cancer vaccine[7]. MUC1 with its adhesive and antiadhesive functions, immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities, is therefore a good candidate for breast cancer vaccine. A structure-based insight into the immunogenicity of natural MUC1 glycoforms, of its sub-domains, motifs and post translational modification like glycosylation and myriostoylation may aid the design of tumour vaccines. Primary sequences of human MUC1 were retrieved from the SWISSPROT data bank. Protein pattern search: The primary sequence of Human MUC1 was searched at PROSITE [a dictionary of protein sites and patterns] database. Our study observes that post-translational modifications play an important role in presenting MUC1 as a candidate for breast cancer vaccine. It is found that the phosphrylation and glycosylation of important functional motifs of MUC1 may take part in the production of cytokines that may provide immunization

Fasting blood level of insulin in non-obese and non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the serum insulin levels among hypertensive patients and to study the possible relation with blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol and triglycerides. Study Design: Comparative study

Methods: Twenty non - obese, non diabetic patients with essential hypertension and twenty normotensive controls were studied at the PMRC, Research Centre, F.J. Medical College, Lahore. Blood was drawn for serum insulin levels, Blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides after an overnight fast. Blood pressure and body mass index [BMI] were recorded and results analyzed by using SPSS Package

Results: Showed significantly high [P<0.001] levels of insulin [13.02 +/- 1.95 mu/l] among the Hypertensives compared to controls [10.91 +/- 1.45mu/l]. A significant positive correlation was found [r = 0.439 and Sig. 0.05] between serum Insulin and Serum cholestrole. Correlation of serum Insulin with Diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, BMI and blood sugar level was weakly negative and insignificant

Conclusion: It is concluded that serum insulin levels are significantly higher among Hypertensives and significantly correlated with serum cholesterol levels compared to controls

Effect of aspirin administration on serum lithium levels in rabbits

Effect of aspirin administration on serum lithium levels was studied at Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore. 12 rabbits were divided equally into two groups and lithium was administered to one group while the other group received aspirin with lithium on body-weight basis for 22 days. Serum lithium levels were measured on the 7th, `15th, and 22nd day. Results showed a decrease in serum lithium upon administration of aspirin with lithium. We conclude that aspirin may be administered with lithium without any significantly adverse interaction or toxicity

prevalence of obesity among diabetic women

To ascertain the prevalence of obesity among newly diagnosed diabetic women, the medical records of 653 diabetic women were studied. These women were attending Diabetic Clinic established by Pakistan Medical Research Council at Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore. A comparison was made with non-diabetic non-pregnant women living In the catchment area of the hospital.The mean BMI of diabetic women was 26.95'5.27 compared to 21.91'5.7] of non-diabetic women [P<0.005]. The prevalence of obesitv [BMI > 30] was 21.7% among diabetic women and 7.6% among non-diabetics [P<0.001]

Effects of oral contraceptive therapy and its duration on the liver functions

Liver function tests were done in 75 females aged 20-40 year using oral contraceptives for 1-2-4 months and compared with 30 age matched controls. Use of any type of oral contraceptives either for 16 months [short term] or 6-24 months [long term], were associated with significantly higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate trasnaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], bilirubin and thymol turbidity as compared to controls. However. levels of these constituents of blood appear to be non-significantly different when compared among the two groups using oral contraceptives for short term and long. It is suggested that oral contraceptive drugs should be used with care and with proper investigation of the liver function before and during therapy

Quantitative and qualitative microbial load determination from meat samples effected by time and temperature

The effect of time and temperature on the microbial load of 300 beaf samples was determined. Bacterial count were higher in the meat samples from the shops and at room temperatures. Processing under hygienic conditions, detection of carriers and storage in deepfreezers will reduce the risk of contamination

Bacteriological analysis of different foods to determine the fitness for consumption

A total of 230 food samples were collected over a period of 18 months from different shops, vendors and canteens of Rawalpindi/Islamabad region. The sample included cooked, uncooked, frozen and non frozen [pre-packed] food. One hundred and five samples were found contaminated with different bacterial strains, which were grown at two different temperatures i.e. 35-37°C and at room temperature. The pathogenic microorganisms isolated were identified as Coliforms group, 79 [75.23%], Escherichia coli, 49 [46.66%], Staphylococcus aureus, 11 [10.47%], Clostridium perfringens, 5 [4.85%] and Salmonella spp, 1 [0.9%]. Other pathogens namely, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not isolated

Bacteriological study of fresh market's meat [beef and mutton] of Rawalpindi/ Islamabad Region

Six hundred samples, 300 each of mutton and beef were collected under aseptic conditions from meat shops of Rawalpini/Islamabad. They were examined bacteriologically under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at different temperatures for varying periods of time. Different species of bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli [520], Staphylococcus aureus [437], Staphlococcus epiderimis [200], Streptococcus faecalis [105], Corynebacterium pyogenes [50], Bacillus subtilis [84], Salmonella typhi [50], Proteus mirabilis [140], Pseudomonas aerugenosa and Aerobacter aerogenes [80]