Serum concentration of zinc in healthy pregnant women versus pre-eclamptic pregnant women: a case control study in Lahore, Pakistan

Objective: To find out serum zinc level in healthy pregnant women and pre-eclemptic pregnant women

Study Design: Ramdomized controlled trial study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Department of Pathology, Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore and at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore from March 2015 to September 2015

Materials and Methods: Size of sample was determined statistically by using table and119 [102 experimental group[51 pre-eclamptic pregnant women and 51 normal pregnant women] and 17 control group] blood samples were collected randomly

Results: The average zinc concentration in healthy pregnant group was found 1.44 +/- 0.14 mg/l as compared to pre- eclamptic pregnant group 0.25 +/- 0.02 mg/l. In pregnant women average zinc concentration was found to be decreasing with trimester. The average systolic blood pressure in healthy pregnant women was 113.83 +/- 1.74 mm/Hg as compared to the pre-eclamptic pregnant women was 145.34 +/- 1.68 mm/Hg. Average diastolic blood pressure in healthy pregnant women, was found 75.23 +/- 1.46 mm/Hg as compared to pre-eclamptic pregnant women, which was 92.76 +/- 1.80 mm/Hg

Conclusion: Zinc level in the blood serum of pre-eclamptic pregnant women was found lower as compared to healthy pregnant women. Low blood serum zinc level is associated with the elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure also

Study of histological changes in liver, lungs and testes of dermally nicotine treated albino mice

The current study was carried out in order to assess the toxic effects enforced by nicotine on liver, lung, and testes of mice. Experimental study. This study was conducted at the Animal House of Lahore College for Women University Lahore for a period of thirty days. The initial body weights of mice were obtained. A control group consisting of 20 mice injected with saline solution and an experimental group containing 40 mice treated with 1 mg/kg of nicotine subcutaneously were designed. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks after which final body weights were recorded. Later the mice of both groups were slaughtered and their livers, lungs, and testes were taken out and directly preserved in 10% formalin. A considerable decrease of body weight and food intake was evident in the experimental group and so was observed in the organs weight too. The decrease of body weight and food intake was from 36.89 +/- 1.31 to [35.39 +/- 1.25] and [119.41 +/- 5.76] to [115.01 +/- 5.50] respectively. All the three organs also showed a prominent decrease of the weight and resulted in the degeneration and alteration of the histology. Major histological changes in liver were widening and enlargement of sinusoids, necrosis, degeneration of hepatocytes, and fat deposition. Testes had disruptions in the seminiferous tubules and less number of Leydig cells, and experimental lungs showed proliferation of cells, damaged connective tissue network and congestion of lungs. Nicotine administration to the encountered animals reduces the body weight. Decrease in body weight is considered to be due to reduction in food intake. By examining the liver, lungs, and testes affected by nicotine, it can be figured out that nicotine greatly affects the histoarchitecture of the three organs in several ways. For functional integrity of the organs, extreme and direct exposure to such drugs must be prevented

Predictors of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever in Punjab, Pakistan

This study was conducted to assess the future threat of Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Punjab, Pakistan. Observational and Analytical Study. This study was conducted at Directorate General Health Services Punjab, Lahore and data was collected from 1st Jan 2008 to 31 st Dec. 2008. Primary data of laboratory confirmed cases was collected from all levels of health facilities of public and private sector. Disease vectors were collected from Lahore. Data of rainfall and temperature were obtained from website of department of meteorology Pakistan to determine the potential values. Vector-bone diseases are the serious health problems worldwide, including Pakistan. Coverage of control interventions and physio-environmental factors were also analyzed. In 2008 there was a largest epidemic of dengue fever in Punjab and 1382 cases were reported in 16 districts out of 36, which increased in number of cases up to 5724 and district up to 34 in 2010. Our results suggest that rainfall and temperature were predictive of the abundance of Ae.aegypti and Ae.albopictus and in time interventions have positive significant impact on disease transmission. This paper offered useful information that the climatic and physio-environmental factors like built-up, agriculture, water bodies and forest areas have different influence on the dengue fever incidences. This will help in focusing the preventive measures being applied on priority in very high-risk zones and save time and money. No special funds were used for this study

Survival probability of Plasmodium falciparum against chloroquine and its combination with sulphadoxine-pyremethamine in Punjab, Pakistan

Survival probability of P.falciparum was determined against the chloroquine and its combination with sulphadoxine-pyremethamine, Type of study: Prospective nonrandomizcd descriptive study. Place and duration of study: Study was conducted in five districts [Muzaffargarh, D.G, Khan, Jhang, Sheikhupura and Multan] of Punjab, Pakistan, During the non-transmission season of the year 1999 to 2000 and 2008, among the rural populations 5952 persons were screened for malarial parasites, Methodology: During the malaria non transmission season [November, December and January], 5952 persons were screened for malaria and 1409 positive cases were detected, 404 subjects out of total positive cases were selected to be tested against chloroquine and 50 with combination of chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyremethamine by in vivo technique. Follow up was carried out for 28 days [on day 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28], Over all 35, 4% resistance-I was detected against chloroquine monotherapy and 4% with combination therapy [chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyremethamine] Resistance-Ill was not found. Two variables were found important predictors of drug resistance; a young child and a high parasitaemia count [>6000/micro1] at day 0, It is concluded that malaria is still significant problem and resistance against monotherapy is increasing, hence adoption of combination therapy as first line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Punjab Pakistan is recommended

Significant reduction of malaria in the Punjab, Pakistan after introduction of roll back malaria strategy in 2003

The purpose of this study was to understand the malarial situation in Punjab, Pakistan. In this study, the data was collected from different health facilities, malaria control programme offices, reference laboratories and field stations of 91 districts from 2005 to 2009. The data of past five years [2005-2009] from health facilities, malaria control programme offices, reference laboratories and field stations was collected. An excel databank was created and analysis was done by using SPSS. Out of the total of 123 districts, 91 districts [86.7%] were endemic for malaria in Pakistan. Balochistan and FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] had highest malaria incidence, while Sind and KPK [Khyber Pakhtoon Khah] had moderate. The lowest malaria incidence was confined to Punjab and AJK [Azad Jammu Kashmir]. In Punjab the maximum API [Annual Parasitic Incidence] was noted 0.04 in 2005 and 0.05 in 2009. The incidence of cases in south Punjab was more than central and north Punjab, 82% of indigenous cases were of Plasmodium vivax, 18% were of P.falciparum, P.ovale and P.malariae or mix infection was not reported. In Punjab malaria has reduced significantly [p=0.028] and fully qualifies the embarkation of malaria elimination strategy. Prioritizing to target P.falciparum first and subsequently eliminate the P. vivax malaria. KAP [Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices] study is required before initiating malaria elimination in Punjab, Pakistan

Infant mortality and its causes in three different districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Maternal and newborn mortality rates remain unacceptably high, especially where the majority of births occur in home settings or in facilities with inadequate resources. This study was conducted to estimate the Infant Mortality Rate [IMR], reporting percentage and to identify the risk factors for infant mortality in Punjab, Pakistan. Retrospective Study. This study was conducted in the Directorate General, Health Services Punjab, Lahore from 01-07-2007 to 30-06-2008. Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during July to September 2009. Interviews of female family heads were conducted by the trained researchers. Deaths of 786 infants were reported in three districts, verbal autopsy of all cases was done to find out the causes of deaths during infancy. World Bank [2010] reported IMR of Pakistan 71/1000 live birth [estimated infant's deaths 9811], which is very high from this study [6/1000 live birth]. Major Causes of infant mortality were found malnutrition 194[24.6%], Acute Respiratory Infections [ARI] 188[23.9%], and Diarrheal Diseases 161[20.4%]. Mortality due to said diseases can be reduced by improving childbearing and childrearing practices, equitable distribution of good standard health care facilities, safe drinking water and individual attention

Prevalence of hydatidosis in animals in different abattoirs of Punjab, Pakistan from 2004-2008

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic public health problem globally and in Pakistan also causing illness in human and animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of disease. None randomized prospective study. This study was conducted in different abattoirs of Pujab [Faisalabad and Lahore], Pakistan from 2004-2008. In present study 39738 male and female animals [sheep, goats, buffaloes, cattle and camels] were examined. Liver and Lungs were main visceral organs with bigger size of cyst collected and processed on Real Time PCR. Highest prevalence [%] was found 7.29 [102/590] in camels and lowest 5.18 [155/2990] in cattle. Prevalence of fertile cysts was also determined and found highest [95%] in camels and lowest [75%] in cattle. Sterile, calcified and under developed cysts were also seen but without any significant number, except in cattle sterile cysts were significantly high [P<0.05]. Study showed high prevalence in two [Faisalabad and Lahore] out of six abattoirs visited in different big cites. It is concluded that in Punjab hydatidosis is significantly prevalence. The major cause of this prevalence is improper disposal of infected organs and unhygienic conditions of abattoirs

Antimalarial drug resistance in vitro studies against Plasmodium falciparum in Punjab, Pakistan

Antimalarial drug resistance was checked against Plasmodium falciparum in Punjab Pakistan, Prospective nonrandomized descriptive study. Study was conducted in seven districts [Muzaffargarh, D.G.Khan, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan] of Punjab, Pakistan during the transmission season from July-November of 2003 to 2008. Out of total positive for P.falciparum 612 [228+192+192] subjects were enrolled for study as per eligibility criteria of World Health Organization [WHO] and in vitro standard test kit was used for study. Differences in proportions and its significance were analyzed by chi-square tests. Resistance [%] to chloroquine was noted higher in males [79.5%] and in females [20.4%]. Highest resistance [%] 31.8 was detected in 6-15 years age group. Same resistance [%] trend was observed in basoquine for males [72], females [28.35], for age groups 6-15 years [41.7] and total was 34.8. Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine found highly effective with only 5.7% resistance. Trend of resistance [%] in male, female and among different age groups was found same in chloroquine and basoquine. Differences among the resistance [%]sulphadoxine-pyrimethamme and chloroquine or basoquine was highly significant [p<0.00l] and between basoquine and chloroquine resistance difference was non significant [p>0.177]. Male of age group 6-15 years having 6000 parasite >/= microl must be treated on priority basis by artesunate combination therapy [ACT]. Chloroquine was less effective than sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine [adjusted odds ratio [OR], 6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-17.0; P<.001] and basoquine [adjusted OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.0-36.5; P = .004]. Chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine were equivalent in efficacy at day 28 [adjusted OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.3-7.0; P = .73]