Hollow fiber-based liquid phase microextraction followed by analytical instrumental techniques for quantitative analysis of heavy metal ions and pharmaceuticals / 药物分析学报

Hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) and electromembrane extraction (EME) are miniaturized extraction techniques, and have been coupled with various analytical instruments for trace analysis of heavy metals, drugs and other organic compounds, in recent years. HF-LPME and EME provide high selectivity, efficient sample cleanup and enrichment, and reduce the consumption of organic sol-vents to a few micro-liters per sample. HF-LPME and EME are compatible with different analytical in-struments for chromatography, electrophoresis, atomic spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemical detection. HF-LPME and EME have gained significant popularity during the recent years. This review focuses on hollow fiber based techniques (especially HF-LPME and EME) of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals (published 2017 to May 2019), and their combinations with atomic spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, capillary elec-trophoresis, and voltammetry.

Efficacy of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract and hypertonic saline solution as intratesticular chemical sterilizing agents in dogs / Eficácia do extrato de folha de Azadirachta indica (Neem) e solução salina hipertônica como agente químico esterilizante intratesticular em cães

Castration refers to induced sterility via physical, chemical, or hormonal methods. Chemical castration is an efficient and reliable technique in contrast to other sterilization procedures as it is less painful to physical methods and cost­effective to hormonal methods. Azadirachta indica (neem), is a charismatic plant as its leaves possess anti­inflammatory, anti­microbial, and anti­androgenic chattels. To abate the escalating human population in South Asia, neem oil and neem leaf extract have been effectively used as a contraceptive agent. The key determinant of the current study was to evaluate Neem as a chemical sterilizing agent, (either necrotic or apoptotic), in dogs injected intratesticular in comparison to a hypertonic saline solution. Pre­ and post­injection testicular width size and blood samples for serum testosterone levels were collected on alternative days. Results disclosed substantial changes in testicular width size, histopathological profile, and serum testosterone level. A non­significant (P > 0.05) pre­injection testicular width readings in contrast to a significant increase (P < 0.05) three days post­injection was noted in all the competitive groups. The mean values recorded for testicular width size at the end of the trial study via neem leaf extract, 30% HSS and, control groups were 27.7362 ± 2.3315mm, 30.9594 ± 4.6861mm, and 24.5023 ± 2.5387mm, respectively. A declining trend, regarding serum testosterone level being statistically significant (P < 0.05) was recorded in treated groups (A, B) in contrast to the control group (C) as the values were 1.5357 ± 0.7819ng, 1.2669 ± 0.9095ng, and 2.4517 ± 0.1827ng in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Histopathological findings advocated the presence of apoptotic bodies in the neem treated group whereas the presence of degenerated interstitial cells, necrosed seminiferous tubules, damaged germinal epithelium, and ceased spermatogenesis was also studied in both competitive groups. Thus, the apoptotic effect and anti­inflammatory property of neem leaf extract resulted in less painful castration and verified Azadirachta indica as a better substitute for chemical castration in contrast to hypertonic saline solution.(AU)

A castração consiste na indução da esterilidade por meio físico, químico ou hormonal. A castração química é uma técnica eficiente e confiável, em contraste com outros procedimentos de esterilização, pois é menos dolorosa para os métodos físicos e econômicos para os métodos hormonais. Azadirachta indica (neem), é uma planta carismática, pois possui folhas anti­inflamatórias, antimicrobianas e antiandrogênicas. Para diminuir a crescente população humana no sul da Ásia, o óleo de nim e o extrato de folhas de nim têm sido efetivamente usados como agente contraceptivo. O principal determinante deste estudo atual foi avaliar o Neem como um agente esterilizante químico (necrótico ou apoptótico) em cães injetados intratesticularmente em comparação com uma solução salina hipertônica. O tamanho da largura testicular pré e pós­injeção e as amostras de sangue para os níveis séricos de testosterona foram colhidas em dias alternados. Os resultados obtidos revelaram alterações substanciais no tamanho da largura testicular, perfil histopatológico e nível sérico de testosterona. Observou­se uma leitura não significativa (P> 0,05) da largura testicular da pré­injeção, em contraste com um aumento significativo (P <0,05) três dias após a injeção em todos os grupos competitivos.Os valores médios registrados para o tamanho da largura testicular no final do estudo via extrato de folhas de nim,HSS a 30% e grupos controle foram 27,7362 ± 2,3315 mm, 30,9594 ± 4,6861 mm e 24,5023 ± 2,5387 mm, respectivamente.Uma tendência decrescente, com relação ao nível sérico de testosterona sendo estatisticamente significante (P <0,05), foi registrada nos grupos tratados (A, B), em contraste com o grupo controle (C), pois os valores eram 1,5357 ± 0,7819ng, 1,2669 ± 0,9095ng e 2,4517 ± 0,1827ng nos grupos A, B e C, respectivamente. Os achados histopatológicos advogaram a presença de corpos apoptóticos no grupo tratado com nim, enquanto a presença de células intersticiais degeneradas, túbulos seminíferos necrosados, epitélio germinativo danificado e espermatogênese interrompida também foi estudada nos dois grupos competitivos. Assim, o efeito apoptótico e a propriedade anti­inflamatória do extrato de folhas de nim resultaram em uma castração menos dolorosa e confirmaram que a Azadirachta indica foi um melhor substituto para a castração química do que a solução salina hipertônica.(AU)

Imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia: patient-reported side effects and their influence on quality of life

Objective: To evaluate side effects of Imatinib by patients of chronic myeloid leukemia and their influence on quality of life. Study Design: Descriptive and analytic study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at department of oncology CMH Rawalpindi, from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015

Material and Methods: The study was carried out at department of oncology CMH Rawalpindi from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015. Patients who had been using Imatinib orally for at least 6 months participated in the study. Patients under 18 years of age were excluded from the study. A questionnaire was developed to record adverse effects. This questionnaire included demographic details and quality of life issues like effects on their mood, daily life activities, work, walking and relationships

Results: Ninety two patients participated in the study. Mean age of the participants was 42.05 years [range 22 to 68 years], 52% were males. Among the study population eighty-seven percent had suffered from at least one adverse reaction. The most commonly complained adverse events were muscle cramps [67 out of 92, 72.8%]; fatigue [58 out of 92 63.04%], gastro intestinal upset [44 out of 92 47.82%] and skin rashes [30 out of 92 32.60%]. More than half of the patients felt that the adverse effect had a negative influence on their daily quality of life

Conclusion: Adverse drug effects were common among CML patients receiving Imatinib therapy. These adverse drug reactions had negative impact on patients' daily life

Frequency of proven risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in clinical patients: results of a study on patients being treated at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

To enlist the dominant risk factors predisposing patients to deep venous thrombosis. The prospective study was conducted in surgical and medical departments of Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, and Fauji Foundation, Islamabad, from January 2012 to December 2013. Patients having deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities by duplex scan were enrolled. After taking their detailed personal and biochemical history, frequency of risk factors was noted and graded accordingly. Of the total 120 patients, 71[59%] were males. Overall, left leg was involved in 53[44%], right leg in 34[28%] and both legs in 33[28%]. Of the total, 68[57%] patients were >40 years of age. Immobility was the main cause of deep venous thrombosis in 18[15%], followed by surgical interventions in 10[8%]. Pregnancy and post-partum thrombosis was the major cause in 9[8%] women. Only 6[5%] patients had natural predisposition to deep venous thrombosis. Immobility was an independent and important risk factor for deep venous thrombosis. Thromboprophylaxis is not routinely provided in most health centres in Pakistan, exposing patients to the risk

Frequency and visual outcome of anterior segment involvement in accidental ocular trauma in children

To analyze the frequency and visual outcome of anterior segment involvement in accidental ocular trauma in children. This descriptive case series was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from 15th June 2007 to 15th October 2008 on 200 cases of anterior segment involvement in children during accidental ocular trauma. Patients were admitted through casualty or Outpatient Department. After detailed history, systemic examination and complete ocular examination was done including visual acuity, slit lamp examination and examination under anesthesia when necessary. In this study, male children constituted 74.5% [149] and females 25.5% [51] of the total. Children between ages of 6-10 years are more vulnerable [42%]. Injury caused by blunt object was seen in 64.05% [129] of children and mostly it was due to stone in 21.50% [71]. The commonest place of injury was indoors in 38.50% [77], followed by playgrounds in 28.00% [56] and on streets and roads in 21.5% [43]. The visual acuity on arrival was PL+ ve in [35.5%] and open globe injury was observed in 36.0%. At the end of two months 13.5% eyes were phthisical. Blunt ocular trauma is a common ocular trauma in children with males more vulnerable. School going children are more at risk. Blunt trauma especially because of stone is the main culprit with devastating visual results

Frequency and complications of ocular pemphigoid in N.W.F.P.

Objective: to study the frequency of "Ocular Pemphigoid" in the population of NWFP and to study the mode of presentation and presence of complications

Material and Methods: it is a retrospective case study conducted in the department of Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, during the period from January 1998 to December 2001

Results: during this period six cases were identified with the proven diagnosis of ocular cicatricle pemphigoid [OCP]. The incidence of OCP in the admitted patients was 1:2427. Fifty percent of them were male and 50% female. The mean age of presentation was 56.6 years. Sixty seven percent of the patients had systemic mucous membrane involvement. Only 17% had skin involvement. All of them were. previously treated as trachoma

Conclusion: this paper emphasizes the presence of ocular pemphigoid and should be kept in mind when dealing with the patients of trichiasis, entropion and dry eyes

Causes of irreversible blindness

To find out the causes and risk factors of irreversible blindness in patients of different age groups and recommend strategies for its control. Design: It is a prospective study of one hundred consecutive blind cases, Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from January to June, 1999 at the Ophthalmology Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Peshawar. Subjects and A standard proforma was designed and entries were made regarding present, past and family history, thorough ocular examination of every patient was performed on slit-lamp with relevant biomicroscopic aids and posterior segment examination was conducted with direct as well as indirect ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopy was performed as and when required. Intraocular pressure and ocular mobility were noted and relevant investigations were performed where needed. Of 100 patients 56% were males and 44% females. There were 3% hypertensive patients and 35% had diabetes mellitus. Etiologically 40% patients were blind due to glaucoma, 33% had diabetic retinopathy, 8% due to vitamin-A deficiency, 7% experienced trauma, retinitis pigmentosa was the cause in 3% patients, 3% had retinoblastoma and 6% were blind because of unknown or unidentified causes. Irreversible blindness is more common in people above fifty years of age and mostly males are affected. Glaucoma was the commonest cause followed by diabetic retinopathy in this study