Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of Arundo donax, Areca catechu, and Ferula assa-foetida against Haemonchus contortus / Eficácia anthelmíntica comparativa de Arundo donax, Areca catechu e Ferula assa-foetida contra Haemonchus contortus

Abstract In the present study, anthelmintic activities of Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) catechu L., and Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. were determined. Leaves of A. donax L., latex of F. assa-foetida L. and seeds of Ar. catechu L. in different solvent fractions were subjected to in vitro (egg hatch assay; EHA, and adult motility assay; AMA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) tests of anthelmintic activity using Haemonchus contortus model. In the AMA, crude aqueous methanol extracts (CAME) and ethyl acetate fractions of F. assa-foetida at 10 hr post-treatment showed maximum mortality of H. contortus at 12.5-50 mg mL-1. In the EHA, CAME of F. assa-foetida was identified as a potent ovicide based on its low LC50 (16.9 µg mL-1), followed in order by Ar. catechu and A. donax. Results from the FECRT also showed the extract of F. assa-foetida L. to be more effective than those of Ar. catechu L. and A. donax L., against the gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed better anthelmintic activities against the adult worms in vitro, while CAME of these plants were better than their crude powders in vivo. It is recommended to document and investigate indigenous knowledge of possible medicinal plants to plan scientific trials that may justify their endorsement.

Resumo No presente estudo, as atividades anti-helmínticas de Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) Catechu L. e Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. foram determinadas. Folhas de A. donax L., látex de F. assa-foetida L. e sementes de Ar. catechu L. em diferentes frações de solvente foram submetidos a testes in vitro (teste de eclosão de ovos, EHA e ensaio de motilidade em adultos, AMA); e in vivo (teste de redução da contagem de ovos fecais, FECRT) de atividade anti-helmíntica, usando-se Haemonchus contortus. Na AMA, extratos aquosos brutos de metanol (CAME) e frações de acetato de etila de F. assa-foetida. Dez horas pós-tratamento, apresentaram mortalidade máxima de H. contortus em 12,5-50 mg mL-1. No EHA, CAME de F. assa-foetida foi identificado como um ovicida potente baseado em seu baixo LC50 (16,9 µg mL-1), seguido em ordem por Ar. catechu e A. donax. Os resultados do FECRT também mostraram que o extrato de F. assa-foetida L. é mais eficaz do que o de Ar. catechu L. e A. donax L., contra nematoides parasitas gastrointestinais. As frações clorofórmio e acetato de etila mostraram melhores atividades anti-helmínticas contra vermes adultos in vitro, enquanto o CAME dessas plantas foi melhor do que o pó bruto in vivo. Recomenda-se documentar e investigar o conhecimento indígena de possíveis plantas medicinais para planejar ensaios científicos que possam justificar seu endosso.

Molecular detection and characterization of ovine herpesvirus-2 using heminested PCR in Pakistan

Background@#Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a highly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle, deer, bison, water buffalo, and pigs caused by the gamma-herpesviruses alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2). @*Objectives@#This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OvHV-2 in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalo in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, by applying molecular and phylogenetic methods. @*Methods@#Blood samples were aspirated from sheep (n = 54), goat (n = 50), cattle (n = 46) and buffalo (n= 50) at a slaughterhouse and several farms. The samples were subjected to heminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the OvHV-2 POL gene and the OvHV-2 ORF75 tegument protein gene. @*Results@#The highest percentage of MCF positive samples was in sheep (13%), whereas goat, cattle, and buffalo had lower positive percentages, 11%, 9%, and 6.5%, respectively. Four OvHV-2-positive PCR products obtained from sheep samples were sequenced. The sequences obtained were submitted to the NCBI GenBank database (MK852173 for the POL gene;MK840962, MK852171, and MK852172 for the ORF75 tegument protein gene). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close similarity of study sequences with those of worldwide samples. @*Conclusions@#This study is the first cross-sectional study on the prevalence and molecular detection of OvHV-2 in apparently healthy cattle and buffalo that could be carrying OvHV-2 acquired from OvHV-2-positive sheep and goats. The results indicate that OvHV-2 is circulating in Pakistan. Further studies are needed to characterize OvHV-2 and elucidate further its prevalence.

Molecular detection and characterization of ovine herpesvirus-2 using heminested PCR in Pakistan

Background@#Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a highly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle, deer, bison, water buffalo, and pigs caused by the gamma-herpesviruses alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2). @*Objectives@#This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OvHV-2 in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalo in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, by applying molecular and phylogenetic methods. @*Methods@#Blood samples were aspirated from sheep (n = 54), goat (n = 50), cattle (n = 46) and buffalo (n= 50) at a slaughterhouse and several farms. The samples were subjected to heminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the OvHV-2 POL gene and the OvHV-2 ORF75 tegument protein gene. @*Results@#The highest percentage of MCF positive samples was in sheep (13%), whereas goat, cattle, and buffalo had lower positive percentages, 11%, 9%, and 6.5%, respectively. Four OvHV-2-positive PCR products obtained from sheep samples were sequenced. The sequences obtained were submitted to the NCBI GenBank database (MK852173 for the POL gene;MK840962, MK852171, and MK852172 for the ORF75 tegument protein gene). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close similarity of study sequences with those of worldwide samples. @*Conclusions@#This study is the first cross-sectional study on the prevalence and molecular detection of OvHV-2 in apparently healthy cattle and buffalo that could be carrying OvHV-2 acquired from OvHV-2-positive sheep and goats. The results indicate that OvHV-2 is circulating in Pakistan. Further studies are needed to characterize OvHV-2 and elucidate further its prevalence.

Frequency of Impairment of Executive Functioning among Patients having Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) isa highly debilitating neuropsychiatric condition with anestimated lifetime prevalence of 2-3 percent. Executivefunction refers to the ability to use high level oversightfunctions to modulate memory, sensory information,cognition, and affect as a situation evolves, and use ofstrategies that must shift to maintain performance. Impairmentof nonverbal memory has been reported in studies of patientswith OCD. The objective of present study was to determinethe frequency of impairment of executive functioning amongpatients having obsessive-compulsive disorder.Material and methods: A total of 150 patients fulfillingselection criteria were enrolled through the OutpatientsDepartment of Psychiatry, Services hospital Lahore. Aftertaking informed consent, the demographic data i.e. name, age,gender and duration of OCD were noted. All patients werescreened using the frontal lobe assessment battery (FAB) bythe researcher himself. Impaired executive functioning wascategorized as a calculated FAB score <12.Results: The study revealed that, out of 150 cases of OCD,frequency of impairment of executive functioning amongpatients was calculated as 22.67%(n=34). 65.33%(n=98)participants were between 18-30 years of age (M=30.05,S.D+5.83 years), 54.67%(n=82) were male and 45.33%(n=68)were females.Conclusion: Thus, it is concluded that executive functioningis impaired frequently among patients having obsessivecompulsive disorder. So, it is recommended that executivefunctioning should be monitored among patients who presentwith OCD. However, it is also required that every setup shouldhave their surveillance in order to know the frequency of theproblem.

Association between ABO Blood Group Phenotype and Reaction to Academic Stress in Young Medical Students

Introduction: Professional medical education needs hardwork, good physical and mental health. In previous studiesthere is no scientific consensus that a relationship existsbetween the ABO blood group and personality traits. In thiscurrent study we tried to find out association between differentblood groups and different type of stressors like physical,environmental, interpersonal and academic in young medicalstudents.Material and methods: This Descriptive Cross sectionalstudy was conducted at Rashid Latif Medical College Lahorefrom April to May 2019. A modified pre structured, valid andreliable questionnaire SSI was used to access the physical,academic, environmental, interpersonal stress, blood groupand gender of 1st year and 2nd year MBBs students. Initially220 (91 male and 129 female) were enrolled.Results: A total of 216 medical students filled in the survey outof 220 students, 126 students (n=126) were female and (n=90)were male who completed the questionnaire; the response ratewas 98.18%. Out of 216 students blood group A was 32, ABwas 42, B was 92 and O was 50. A greater variation in theresponse was observed in the physical category (St: deviation10.40), while the least variation was observed in the categoryof interpersonal (St: deviation 5.27), respondents while thevariation tends to increase in environment (St: deviation 6.78)and academic (St: deviation 7.20).Conclusion: All variables stressors like Physical, academic,environment and interpersonal are found to have negativeand insignificant relationship with dependent variable bloodgroup.

Asiatic Acid Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Neuroinflammation by Suppressing Mitochondrial ROS Production

This study sought to evaluate the effects of Asiatic acid in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine (MPP⁺)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Asiatic acid in Parkinson’s disease (PD). SH-SY5Y cells were induced using MPP⁺ to establish as an in vitro model of PD, so that the effects of Asiatic acid on dopaminergic neurons could be examined. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in BV2 microglia cells to explore potential mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of Asiatic acid. We showed that Asiatic acid reduced intracellular production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction, and suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia cells. We additionally found that treatment with Asiatic acid directly improved SH-SY5Y cell viability and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by MPP⁺. These data demonstrate that Asiatic acid both inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species directly to protect dopaminergic neurons from, and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells, which were established as a model of Parkinson’s disease. Our finding reveals that Asiatic acid protects dopaminergic neurons from neuroinflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia cells as well as protecting dopaminergic neurons directly. This suggests a promising clinical use of Asiatic acid for PD therapy.

Silymarin-Laden PVP-Nanocontainers Prepared Via the Electrospraying Technique for Improved Aqueous Solubility and Dissolution Rate

Abstract The aim of the present research was to develop a silymarin-laden PVP-nanocontainer providing ameliorated aqueous solubility and dissolution of the drug. Several silymarin-laden formulations were formed with varying quantities of PVP and SDS via the solvent evaporation method using the electrospraying technique. The influence of the hydrophilic carriers on solubility and dissolution was explored. The solid-state characterization was carried out by particle-size analysis, PXRD, DSC, FTIR and SEM. All of the formulations demonstrated better solubility and dissolution than did silymarin plain powder. Both the SDS and PVP had positive effects on solubility and dissolution of silymarin in the aqueous media. An increased solubility was attained as the drug/PVP ratio was 1/4; however, further increase in PVP did not provide significant improvement. In particular, a nanocontainer formulation prepared with silymarin, PVP and SDS (1/4/0.5, w/w/w) exhibited the best solubility (26432.76 ± 1749.00 μg/mL) and an excellent dissolution (~92 % in 20 min) than did silymarin plain powder. Also, it demonstrated similar dissolution profiles compared to a commercial product; therefore, might be bioequivalent to the commercial product (f 1 = 3 and f 2 = 69). Moreover, cumulative undersize distribution values as represented by X10, X50 and X90 were 201 ± 21.01 nm, 488 ± 36.05 nm and 392 ± 48.10 nm, respectively. The drug existed in the amorphous state in the PVP-nanocontainers with no strong chemical bonding with other excipients. Thus, this formulation might be used for more effective administration of silymarin via the oral route.

Perception of medical students for choice about their career

Background: Career counseling to medical students is vital for future needs of health care system

Objective: To assess the perception of students in choosing the medical profession and their future career planning

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan Pakistan, comprising 152 medical students. The questionnaire included questions on demographic information like age, sex, and year of study, reasons for choosing medical profession, future plans for specialization and choice of career in Pakistan or abroad, and their plans after graduation. SPSS 16 was used for data entry and statistical analysis

Results: Total number of study subjects was 152. Female participants were 62%. Mean age of participants was 22 +/- 2 year.77 [51%] students said they chose the medical profession because their parents wanted them to be doctors; while 50 [33%] chose the career to serve ailing humanity. Regarding specialization, in this study, 13.2% wanted to specialize in Surgery, 14.5% in Medicine, 3% in Public Health, while 24.3% did not want to pursue the medical profession and applied for positions in civil service by appearing in the Central Superior Services [CSS]. While 68%[103] students wanted to pursue the medical profession in Pakistan, the rest preferred to go to the United Kingdom 18.4%, 10% in America and 4% in Australia

Conclusion: Our study showed that most of the medical students selected medical profession due to parental and peer pressure. It was found that one third wanted to leave the country after graduation and one third wanted to leave the profession after graduation. It shows the lack of career counseling at undergraduate level in country

Health seeking behavior among psychiatric patients attending psychiatry outdoor of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Psychiatric illness is mental disorder or mental illness that can be explained as mental or behavior pattern that causes either suffering or poor ability to function in ordinary life. In our country psychiatric problems are increasing day by day. Very little has been done in South Punjab in this regard

Objective: To assess the health seeking behavior among psychiatric patients attending Psychiatric OPD of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan

Methodology: Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Psychiatry Outdoor, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Duration: From 15 February to 15 May 2016. Sample Size:116 patients were interviewed. Apredesigned and pre-tested questionnaire was used for the data collection. Subjects of study were all the patients who were suffering from Psychiatric illness between 18-65 years of age and of either sex. Atotal of 116 consecutive patients were included in the study. The questionnaire was prepared and presented. It included variables on age, sex, socioeconomic status, family history, occupation, marital status and education and questions on health seeking behavior, like Health care provider, 1 contact, 2 contact, 3 contact and 4 contact, distance travelled for health care. All data was collected after getting informed verbal consent from patients. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS 16. The frequencies and percentages were calculated on categorical variables. Means and Standard Deviation were calculated on numerical variables. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16

Results: There were total of 116 subjects included in study. 64% patients were males and 36% were females. 32.8% were illiterate while 36.2% had primary level education. 81% mothers and46.6% fathers of patients were illiterate. 63.8% patients were married and 67.2% were living in urban areas. Among 116 patients, 41.4% has depression, 19% epilepsy, 17.2% anxiety, 12.1 % schizophrenia and 10.3 % insomnia. Out of those, 56.9% of the patients went to Spiritual healer, 20.7% to Psychiatrist, 13.8% to Physician and 8.8% to Hakim overall in the study for the treatment of their psychiatric problems

Conclusion: This study showed that more than half of the patients with psychiatric problems went to Spiritual healers as first contact for health care. There is a dire need of health education programme to launch for the sensitization of people regarding to improve quality of life of psychiatric patients and improve health seeking behaviour

Radiological presentation of post primary tuberculosis in adult sputum smear positive patients

Background: Pulmonary Tuberculosis [TB] is traditionally classified into primary and post primary tuberculosis; both have distinct characteristics on radiology. Adetailed knowledge of different radiological patterns is helpful in diagnosis of TB

Objective: To determine the frequency of various radiological presentation of post primary tuberculosis in adult sputum smear positive patients

Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out at Department of Pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan on adult sputum smear positive pulmonary TB patients. A total of 250 new cases of pulmonary TB with no previous history of Anti-Tuberculosis treatment were included in this study. Socio demographic data and findings of X -ray Chest from each sputum smear positive patient were collected and recorded on a predesigned performa. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 17

Result: Out of 250 patients, 146 were male and 104 were female with mean age of 35.76 +/- 16.25 years. Left lung was most affected in 40.4% cases, right lung in 35.6%, while 24% has bilateral involvement. Duration of illness prior to diagnosis was 3 +/- 1.66 months. Among the radiological presentation, cavitation was seen in 49.2% cases, alveolar consolidation in 42.4%, nodular pattern in 3.2%, reticulonodular pattern in 3.2% and reticular pattern in 2% cases. There was significant association of alveolar consolidation with male gender [0.03] while reticulonodular pattern was significantly seen in female gender [0.007]. Majority of the patients were young; 42.8% were below the age of 30 years and 82% patients were below the age of 50 years and there was a delay of > 03 months in the diagnosis

Conclusion: According to this study, cavitations and alveolar consolidation were the commonest radiological presentations of post primary TB. Majority of patients were young and there was a considerable delay in diagnosis

Hepatoprotective evaluation of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua [Stems] in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rabbits

Liver diseases are the most common ailment all over the world mostly caused by viruses, toxic chemicals, excessive intake of alcohol, high doses of paracetamol, carbon tetrachloride, chemotherapeutic agents and peroxides oil, etc. There is a great need to assess the scientific basis for the medicinal plants that are claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. We investigate the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua [Stems] against paracetamol induced liver injury in experimental animals. To observe the level of improvement, biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP and Total bilirubin levels as well as histopathological changes in liver tissues were studied. Silymarin [50mg/kg, p.o.] was used as reference drug. The levels of the biochemical parameters were increased in rabbits which were intoxicate by paracetamol. Capparis decidua extract [750mg/kg, b.w.] treated rabbits showed maximum reduction of biochemical parameters in a significant [p<0.001] manner. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of control and treated groups also confirmed the hepatoprotective activity. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. The results of the present study therefore suggest that the different doses of Capparis decidua possess significant hepatoprotective effect and this effect might be due to the presence of flavonoids and tannins

Pharmacological evaluation of smooth muscle relaxant and cardiac-modulation potential of Phyla nodiflora in ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the pharmacological basis of its uses of Phyla nodiflora (P. nodiflora) for the treatment of anomalies predominantly by smooth muscle containing tissues such as gastrointestinal/vascular/broncho spasm and cardiovascular modulation.@*METHODS@#The crude hydroalcoholic extract of P. nodiflora (Pn.Cr) and its fractions were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat trachea, aorta and atrium. To access the contractile or relaxant effects of testing materials, the tissues were mounted in isolated organ bath and responses were recorded with transducers coupled with data acquisition system. BALB/c mice were challenged with castor oil for the assessment of in-vivo antidiarrheal activity. Normotensive rats were used for in-vivo hypotensive study.@*RESULTS@#Hydroalcoholic extract of Pn.Cr at variable concentrations inhibited the natural spontaneous rhythm and 80 mmol/L K mediated contractions in isolated segment of jejunum with EC values of 3.18 and 1.91 mg/mL respectively. Verapamil, a Ca channel blocker, demonstrated akin pattern in jejunum and therefore possibly suggesting calcium blocking activity. On isolated rat tracheal tissue, Pn.Cr showed relaxation of high-K and carbachol mediated contractions (EC values: 1.24 and 2.42 mg/mL). Pn.Cr treatment relaxed the rat aortic ring in a cumulative doses with high-K and phenylephrine-induced contractions (EC values 0.25 and 0.92 mg/mL). Activity based fractionation of Pn.Cr showed that dichloromethane fraction was more potent for relaxing the tissues spasm compared to aqueous fraction. In-vivo experiments, significant protection by Pn.Cr (P < 0.05) was observed in castor oil-induced diarrhea (50-500 mg/kg) whereas hypotensive effect in anesthetized rats was seen at the dose range of 1-10 mg/kg of Pn.Cr (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#This study suggests the blockage of calcium channel in the smooth muscles as a pharmacological application to make usage of P. nodiflora in the management of diarrhea, asthma and hypotensive effect.

Pharmacological evaluation of smooth muscle relaxant and cardiac-modulation potential of Phyla nodiflora in ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments

Objective To investigate the pharmacological basis of its uses of Phyla nodiflora (P. nodiflora) for the treatment of anomalies predominantly by smooth muscle containing tissues such as gastrointestinal/vascular/broncho spasm and cardiovascular modulation. Methods The crude hydroalcoholic extract of P. nodiflora (Pn.Cr) and its fractions were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat trachea, aorta and atrium. To access the contractile or relaxant effects of testing materials, the tissues were mounted in isolated organ bath and responses were recorded with transducers coupled with data acquisition system. BALB/c mice were challenged with castor oil for the assessment of in-vivo antidiarrheal activity. Normotensive rats were used for in-vivo hypotensive study. Results Hydroalcoholic extract of Pn.Cr at variable concentrations inhibited the natural spontaneous rhythm and 80 mmol/L K

Evaluation of in vitro urease and lipoxygenase inhibition activity of weight reducing tablets

Enzyme inhibition is a significant part of research in pharmaceutical field in view of the fact that these studies have directed to the innovations of drugs having remarkable performance in diverse physiological conditions. The present study was aimed to assess urease and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of weight reducing tablets. For evaluating the urease activity indophenol method was employed using Thiourea as the model urease inhibitor. The lipoxygenase inhibition was evaluated by measuring the hydroperoxides produced in lipoxygenation reaction using a purified lipoxygenase with lionoleic acid as substrate. When formulation of the weight reducing tablets was compared at various concentrations [50, 100 and 500microg/ml]. The antiurease activity and lipoxygenase inhibition activity increased in a dose dependent manner. The formulations under test have an excellent antiurease and lipoxygenase inhibition potential and prospective to be used in the cure of a variety of complications associated with the production of urease and lipoxygenase enzymes

Prevalence of resistance to 1[st] line anti tuberculosis drugs at Rahim Yar Khan

Background: tuberculosis is an important infectious health issue and its control strongly rely upon effective treatment. The drug resistance and its pattern are important determinant of the treatment regimen, its duration and outcome

Objective: to determine the frequency and pattern of drug resistance among 1[st] line anti tuberculosis treatment

Methodology: it was a cross sectional study carried on 100 cases of smear positive TB. This study was conducted from 1[st] January 2010 to 30 June 2011. Detailed demographic data and history of ATT was taken and their sputa were sent for drug susceptibility testing on LJ media. The cases with drug resistance and no previous history of ATT were labeled as primary while those with previous history of ATT were labeled as secondary resistant cases. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 15

Results: out of 100 patients enrolled, drug susceptibility report was available for 87 isolates as sputum failed to grow any organism in 13 patients. Out of these 87 cases, 48 [55.17%] were males and 39 [44.83%] females with age range of 9-91 years. Seventeen out of 87 patients [19.5%] had previous history of ATT. Out of 87 isolate, 62 [71.26%] were sensitive to all 1[st] line drugs [R, H, E, Z, S] while 25 [28.74%] were resistant to one or more drugs. Primary resistance was seen in 17 [24%] out of 70 cases in contrast to secondary in 8 [47%] out 17. The difference between primary and secondary resistance among various drugs was statistically significant for isoniazid [p value 0.003] and pyrazinamide [p value 0.036] while the difference to streptomycin, ethambutol and rifampicin was insignificant with p values of 0.20, 0.35 and 0.09 respectively. There was no case of primary MDR-TB and 5.9% of secondary MDR-TB. None of the sociodemographic parameter was significantly associated with drug resistance

Conclusion: resistance to 1[st] line anti-tuberculosis drugs at Rahim Yar Khan is still common. There are good number of patients in which this resistance pattern compromise the currently recommended regimens. However, larger surveillance studies are needed to strengthen this evidence

Susceptibility pattern of 2[nd] line anti tuberculosis drugs at Rahim Yar Khan

Background: Pakistan has a high burden of drug resistant TB. Effective management of these cases needs the inclusion of 2[nd] line anti-tuberculosis drugs. A comprehensive knowledge of susceptibility pattern to these drugs is mandatory to formulate the best possible regimen

Objective: to determine the susceptibility pattern of 2[nd] line anti tuberculosis drugs

Methodology: this cross sectional study was carried out at Department of Pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan on smear positive cases of PTB. This study was conducted from 1[st] March 2010 to 30[th] April 2011. A total of 64 smear positive tuberculosis patients of any age and sex regardless of previous treatment with 1[st] line ATT and no history of prior exposure to 2[nd] line ATT were included. Sociodemographic data like age, sex, marital status and income were recorded. Early morning sputum samples were cultured on LJ medium at a reference lab. Drug susceptibility testing [DST] was done for ethionamide, amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin and ofloxacin to determine the presence of resistance. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 15

Results: in this study, out of total 64 cases, 36 [56.25%] were males and 28 [43.75%] females with age range of 9 to 76 years. Thirteen cases [20.31%] had previous exposure to 1[st] line ATT. Twelve [18.8%] were resistant to one or more drugs. Resistance was highest for ofloxacin [14.1%] followed by ethionamide [6.3%], capreomycin [3.1%], amikacin [1.6%] and kanamycin [1.6%]. Sociodemographic characteristics also did not show any statistically significant association with drug resistance

Conclusion: there is high frequency of resistance to ofloxacin and ethionamide. To avoid addition of further resistance, DST should be available as early as possible by conventional methods or by rapid genotypic methods at the start of treatment

In vitro antioxidant and reducing capability of weight loss tablet formulation

Antioxidants are used as an influential counteractive measure in opposing the generation of reactive oxygen species. The current study was carried out to investigate antioxidant potential and reducing capability of developed weight reducing tablet formulation. When tablets were evaluated at concentrations of 50, 100 and 500 micro g/ml, antioxidant activity improved in a dose depending way just similar to standard Butylated hydroxyl anisol [BHA]. For evaluation of reducing ability the formulation under test evaluated at concentrations of 50, 100 and 500micro g/ml and it was observed that formulation contain good reducing capability and possess considerable activity to scavenge super oxide radicals. In-vitro analysis of weight reducing tablets formulation showed considerable antioxidant and reducing capacity that will be supportive in averting the development of a variety of oxidative stress-related diseases

Methanolic extract of peganum harmala exhibit potent activity against acanthamoeba castellanii cysts and its encystment in vitro

Acanthamoeba castellanii is member of free living amoeba that may cause painful sight-threatening keratitis and life threatening encephalitis which involves central nervous system. Treatments for both infections are problematic because of the amoebic cysts resistance to therapeutic agents. Here we evaluated in vitro strength of methanolic seed extract of Peganum harmala on Acanthamoeba cysts and its encystment mechanism. Our results revealed seed extracts [1 to 30mg/ml] exhibited amoebicidal effects against Acanthamoeba cysts. Furthermore Acanthamoeba encystment was also inhibited in concentration dependent manner with maximum inhibition at 2 micro g/ml after 48h incubation. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that methanolic extracts exhibit remarkable inhibition of Acanthamoeba cysts and encystment in vitro which could serve a potential new natural agent against Acanthamoeba

Clinical study on the efficacy of amoebex [coded herbal drug] compared with metronidazole for the treatment of amoebic dysentery

Amoebiasisis an infectious disease, which originated with the single-celled parasitic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. The parasitic amoeba infects the liver and intestine and may cause mild diarrhea and serious dysentery with bloody and mucoid stool. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Amoebex [400mg], a herbal formulation for the treatment of amoebiasis infections as compared to that of Metronidazole [400mg]. The therapeutic evaluations of these medicines were carried out on 184 clinically diagnosed cases of the amoebiasis infection. Sample sizes of Ameobex for this study included a total of 93 patients and for Metronidazole a total of 91 were registered and treated. Comparison of the data recorded for the participants relating to sign and symptoms variables showed significant differences of efficacy between test and control groups [p<0.0357] and no side effects were at all recorded in test group. According to observation, there was a difference in the overall clinical success of both treatment groups, however, the efficacy of the test treated medication [Amoebex] was superior to that of Metronidazole as [p<0.03], and on the basis of the statistical analysis done by the chi square test, the null hypothesis was rejected. `It is clearly evident that Amoebex possesses therapeutic value for the treatment of amoebiasis associated symptoms but also the eradication rate of amoebiasis is superior by Amoebex as compared to that of Metronidazole [Control drug]

Frequency of early remodeling of left ventricle and its comparison between patients with stroke volume >97 Ml versus patients with stroke volume <97 Ml after aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of early remodeling in patients of severe aortic regurgitation after aortic valve replacement and to see the incidence of early remodeling in patients with stroke volume >97 ml versus < 97 ml before aortic valve replacement

Method: This was a prospective comparative study conducted from August 2013 to December 2014 in a tertiary care hospital. Fifty seven [57] patients of isolated chronic aortic regurgitation were included in this study. SPSS v23 was used for data analysis. Independent sample t-test was used for analysis of continuous variables and chi-square test for qualitative variables

Results: Out of fifty seven patients, early remodeling occurred in 34 [59.64%] patients after surgery. The mean pre-operative stroke volume of patient in whom remodeling occurred was 110.3 +/- 9.66 ml while mean pre-operative stroke volume of patients who did not undergo remodeling was 86.65 +/- 7.63 ml. There were 28 [82.4%] patients with stroke volume >97 ml in whom Remodeling occurred where as in patients with stroke volume <97 ml remodeling occurred only in 6 [17.6%] patients [p value 0.004]. There was no inhospital mortality

Conclusion: There is an association between stroke volume and early LV remodeling after Aortic valve replacement. Stroke volume >97 ml is a good predictor of early LV remodeling