Assessment of antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of Camellia sinensis L.

The phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Camellia sinensis were evaluated in the present study. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of an applicable amount of lycopene, beta-carotenes, flavonoids and tannins in C. sinensis. Among the phytochemicals, tannin was found to be significantly higher in tea plant. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against selected bacterial strains namely, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurous, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Marginella morganii and Haemophilus influenzae was investigated. The results showed that the stem part of C. sinensis presented greater antimicrobial potential than the leaf and root. Antioxidant activity [assessed through % inhibition of linoleic acid per oxidation test] was the highest [89.22%] in n-hexane extract of root part as compared to other extracts. Finally, the cytotoxicity analysis [haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes] of plant extract showed the negligible [%] lysis of RBCs ranging from 1.73 to 4.01%. In conclusion, it can be suggested that C. sinensis is the potential source to obtain bioactive phenolic compounds with high antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which could possibly be exploited for the treatment of various infectious diseases

Incidence of retinopathy in chronic Hepatitis C patientstreated with pegylated interferon alpha 2a and ribavirin combination therapy

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of retinopathy in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with Pegylated interferon alpha 2a and Ribavirin. This descriptive case series study was conducted in Medical Unit II of the Jinnah Hospital Lahore from September 2012 to February 2013. One hundred chronic hepatitis C patients visiting Medical Unit II outpatient department fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected for this study via non probability purposive sampling. Patients were started on pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. Subjects were subjected to dilated eye fundoscopic examination at the start of therapy and then after three months of the therapy. One hundred patients were included in this study. Out of these 100 patients 5% developed retinopathy whereas fundus examination was normal in rest of the patients. Interferon therapy can lead to retinopathy. Periodic fundoscopic examinations help in early detection and prevent progression to permanent visual loss

Vitamin D deficiency in patients presented in medical OPD with fibromyalgia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients presented in medical OPD with fibromyalgia/body aches and pains

Study Design: A prospective observational cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: Medical OPD of DHQ teaching hospital Sahiwal from July 2013 to June 2014

Material and Methods: 120 patients 80[66.67%] female and 40[33.33%] male coming to medical OPD of DHQ teaching hospital Sahiwal complaining of body aches and pains and diagnosed as Fibromyalgia according to American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria. Patients were not suffering from systemic illness on examination. The reports of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, CBC and ESR, were normal. Serum level of 25[OH] vitamin D was estimated by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent assay [ELFA technique] using commercially available kit VIDAS[R] 25[OH] vitamin D total [VITD]

Results: Out of 120 patients, 80[66.67%] were female and 40[33.33%] male patients. 56[70%] out of 80 female patients had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 14[17.5%] out of 80 patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. 25[62.5%] out of 40 male patients had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 8[20%] out of 40 male patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. So, out of 120 patients 81[67.5%] had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 22[18.33%] patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. Total 103[85.83%] out of 120 patients were suffering from vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency [<30 ng/mL]. 17 [14.13%] out of 120 patients had sufficient levels of vitamin D [>30 ng/mL]

Conclusion: Fortification of food especially milk and ghee should be done with vitamin D to improve vitamin D deficiency state in the people. Government health authorities should ensure this practice for decreasing the bony problems in the community

effect of multiple risk factors on the severity of coronary artery blockage among the patients who had undergone angiography in the cardiology unit of JHL

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is the leading cause of mortality in the elderly. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors [CVRFs] such as advancing age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and family history of CAD are well recognized for their association with clinical events and acute coronary syndromes; however, the correlation between CVRFs and atherosclerotic burden, assessed angiographically, is not as well established, with the studies reporting variable and inconsistent results. To study the effect of multiple risk factors on the severity of coronary artery blockage among the patients who had undergone angiography. A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study. This study was carried out at Cardiac unit Jinnah Hospital Lahore from May 2010 to July 2010. The study included 120 patients undergoing angiography and were assessed for severity of risk factors. Cross tabulation was performed with dependent variable, severity of coronary artery disease and independent variables like familial tendency, smoking, Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol level. Chi square test was applied to see statistical significance. severity of coronary artery disease was assessed by number of coronary vessels involved. Vessels with more than 50% blockage on angiography were labeled as blockade. Among them 42% of the subjects had one vessel involved and 78% of the subjects had more than one vessel involved. Mean age of subject were 53.0 yrs with SD + 11.7. 76.7% were male and 23.3% were female. 49.2% had familial history of Coronary artery disease 66.7% were smokers. 38.3% of subjects had diabetes mellitus. 68.3% of the subjects had hypertension. 37.5% of the subjects were overweight. 17.5% of the subjects had cholesterol level > 250 mg/dl 75.8% of the subjects had a proximal blockade, 20.0% had a distal blockage and 4.2% had both proximal and distal blockage. Smoking, duration of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day and obesity are positively associated with severity of coronary artery disease and are statistically significant [P<.05]. While high cholesterol level, diabetes and Hypertension had a non-significant relationship in our study. There is a significant association between the severity of risk factors and the severity of coronary artery disease. The association of Smoking, duration of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day and obesity with severity of coronary artery disease is statistically significant [P<.05]

Detection of Babesia bovis in blood samples and its effect on the hematological and serum biochemical profile in large ruminants from Southern Punjab

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the presence of Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in large ruminants in southern Punjab and its effect on hematological and serum biochemical profile of host animals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were collected from 144 large ruminants, including 105 cattle and 39 buffaloes, from six districts in southern Punjab including Multan, Layyah, Muzaffar Garh, Bhakar, Bahawalnagar and Vehari. Data on the characteristics of animals and herds were collected through questionnaires. Different blood (hemoglobin, glucose) and serum (ALT, AST, LDH, cholesterol) parameters of calves and cattle were measured and compared between parasite positive and negative samples to demonstrate the effect of B. bovis on the blood and serological profile of infected animals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>27 out of 144 animals, from 5 out of 6 sampling districts, produced the 541-bp fragment specific for B. bovis. Age of animals (P=0.02), presence of ticks on animals (P=0.04) and presence of ticks on dogs associated with herds (P=0.5) were among the major risk factors involved in the spread of bovine babesiosis in the study area. ALT concentrations were the only serum biochemical values that significantly varied between parasite positive and negative cattle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>: This study has reported for the first time the presence of B. bovis in large ruminant and the results can lead to the prevention of babesiosis in the region to increase the livestock output.</p>

Dental fluorosis - an orthodontic adhesive challenge

The purpose of this study, carried out in early 2010, was threefold: Firstly, to assess the frequency of mild to severe type of dental fluorosis in the school children of district Jhang, [Punjab], both males and females with an age range of 6-14 years. The ratio between girls [420] and boys [278] was 1.51:1. Out of a total sample size of 698, 76 girls and 90 boys suffered from dental fluorosis with a total frequency of 23.78%. Secondly, to give a wake up call to those who are responsible for the prevention of this menace from that specific segment of poor and neglected society. Lastly, to get an effective bonding clue for this pretty good quantum of patients who pose a great challenge in orthodontics, in terms of poor sheer bond strength of adhesives due to repeated bond failures while using "standard etching protocol", resulting in a poor treatment outcome. Current orthodontic literature hints that among the various orthodontic adhesive materials, self etching primer has so far played a promising role in these cases, as is evident from various studies

Frequency of ectopic canines - a study

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of ectopic canines in patients' reporting to the 28 Military Dental Centre Lahore Cantt, seeking orthodontic treatment during the last twelve months. A total of 173 patients were evaluated. Out of which 41[24%] patients [11 were males and 30 were females] with an approximate male to female ratio of 1:3. Most frequent location was labial, 38 out of 41[93%]

Alanine aminotransferase / Aspartate aminotransferase ratio reversal and prolonged prothrombin time: a specific indicator of hepatic cirrhosis

Both ALT/AST ratio reversal [AST/ALT>1] and prolonged prothrombin time are separately related to hepatic cirrhosis. Ratio reversal means that in normal individuals ALT is more than AST and thus ALT/AST>1 but with development of cirrhosis AST becomes, ALT and so AST/ALT>1 or ALT/AST<1. This study was conducted with the idea that prolonged prothrombin time and reversed [AST/ALT>1] ratio together can prove a more specific indicator with a high positive predictive value for the detection of hepatic cirrhosis in patients of chronic liver disease than either of the two alone. Method: This is a comparative cross sectional study. The data of hepatitis B and C patients was collected from the general medical ward and medical out patient department. Clinical and Ultrasonographic features, detected by a single ultrasonologist, were used to diagnose cirrhosis. Patients who were alcoholic were excluded from the study as alcohol itself causes ALT/AST ratio reversal. To avoid laboratory errors and variations the facilities of only a single specific laboratory were used for this study. The sensitivity and specificity of ALT/AST ratio reversal along with positive predictive value were calculated. Then prolonged prothrombin time [PT] and reversed ratio together were used and the results of these two groups were compared. It was found that the reversal of ratio alone is 88% specific as an indicator of hepatic cirrhosis and almost 70% sensitive and have a positive predictive value of 94.5%. The statistical significance test based on z-test for difference of proportion yields: z=6.96 with a p value=0.0000. On the other hand, the prolonged PT and ratio reversal are 98% specific and 53.9% sensitive with a positive predictive value of 98.2%. z-test for difference of proportion yields here: z=6.23 with a p value=0.0000. ALT/AST ratio reversal alone has a high sensitivity and the combined effect of these two parameters increases the specificity as compared to either of the two alone. The high positive predictive value here shows that almost all the patients with reversed ratio and prolonged PT will have cirrhosis

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV infection in blood donors of Multan region

Acute and chronic viral hepatitis are common public health problems in Pakistan, and associated with serious complications. The carrier rate of HBsAg is quoted to be around 10% in general population while the prevalence of HCV in blood donors is 4.8%. Data regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among healthy blood donors is well established in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore and Abbotabad areas, but similar data is not available for Multan population. Data regarding the epidemiology of HIV infection among blood donors is not available at most of the blood transfusion centers. In this study six thousands [6000] consecutive young healthy voluntary blood donors [age 16-50 years] comprising of 5476 males and 524 females, belonging to Multan region were included from Blood Transfusion Center Nishtar Hospital Multan and Fatmid Blood Transfusion Center Multan and were tested for HbsAg, Anti-HCV and HIV. Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Infection was 3.37%, 0.27% and 0% respectively. The reported prevalence figures for HBsAg and Anti-HCV in other studies are quite variable, depending upon screening protocol, study groups selected and methodology of testing. If data from all the blood transfusion centers of Pakistan is collected and published, we can get representative prevalence values of HBV, HCV and HIV infection of the general population