Randomized clinical trial of human interleukin-11 in dengue fever-associated thrombocytopenia

To assess the effectiveness of recombinant human [rh] IL-11 to increase platelets count in patients suffering from Dengue fever [DF]. Randomized double blind placebo control study. Farooq Hospital, Lahore, from July to October 2011. Forty hospitalized patients suffering from Dengue fever having platelets count A[2] 30000 per micro liter were randomly categorized into two groups, rhIL-11 [test] and distilled water [placebo] groups. The efficacy outcomes [as indicated by step up in platelets count at 48 hours] for the treatment group were compared with the outcomes for the placebo group. The data revealed that the increase in platelet response with recombinant human interleukin 11, 1.5 mg subcutaneously is significantly more brisk than the placebo group. The platelets response in patients with severe thrombocytopenia was greater in the treatment group [50%] at 48 hours as compared to the placebo group [20%] [p=0.047]. Response rate was slightly greater among males [6/10, 60%] than females [8/16, 50%]; moreover, three-fourth [75%] female responders were in the placebo group, compared to half [50%] male responders in the treatment group. Results of the study suggest that treatment of severe thrombocytopenia accompanying DF with recombinant human interleukin11 may be a useful therapeutic option

Death in the home: domestic violence against women in Khyber pakhtunkhwa

Domestic or Interpersonal Violence [IPV] remains a major global problem often resulting in morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to determine the scope of deaths related to domestic violence in the Khyber Pakhunkhwa province, Pakistan. Data were collected on all reported female fatalities due to domestic violence for the years 2009-2011 from the records of the department of Forensic Medicine, Khyber Medical College Peshawar for analysis. A total of 305 deaths were reported, showing an increasing trend of 115 deaths for 2009-10 and 190 deaths for 2010-2011. The majority, 182 [59.7%] belonged to the rural areas and 123 [40.3%] to urban areas of the province. Victims were generally of the younger age groups [17% below age 16 and 42.3% between 17-32 years]. Homicide was the manner of death in 293 [96.1%] while the most common causative agent was firearm injury [235, 77.1%]. Head and neck injuries were most common [52.6%] followed by the chest and abdomen [31.6%] while multiple sites and extremities accounted for 15.8% of injuries. Young and adult females of KPK province of Pakistan are susceptible to homicidal deaths due to domestic violence, perpetrated through firearm injuries to the head and neck regions.

Clinical diagnostic criteria for suspected ileocaecal tuberculosis

Ileocecal Tuberculosis [TB] is difficult to diagnose clinically as getting histological specimens means resorting to surgery, which is often hazardous and complicated in sick, anemic and emaciated patients with malabsortion syndrome. The present study was undertaken as an attempt to devise clinical criteria for diagnosis of ileocecal TB without resorting to invasive surgery. 52 patients with suspected ileocecal TB were assigned pre-determined criteria based on clinical signs, symptoms and simple laboratory investigations. Criteria for exclusion were also devised; patients were followed up for an average of 1.1 years. Clinical response was assessed by complete resolution of symptoms and signs within 3 months. All 52 patients completed the study and all became symptom free within 3 months of treatment. All patients gained a minimal of 2 kg over 6 weeks and 32 patients gained more than 10% of body weight within 3 months; the difference in mean weights before and after 3 months treatment was highly significant [p<0.001]. In patients with suspected ileocecal tuberculosis, predetermined clinical criteria can be readily applied for early diagnosis, without resorting to surgery and with excellent clinical response

DNA methyltransferase 1 [DNMT1] gene activity in human lymphomas correlates with aberrant p53 gene expression

The DNA Methyltransferase 1 [DNMTl] gene has been implicated as a mutagen for tumor suppressor genes by causing hypermethylation and subsequent TA mutations of CpG islands located in the promoter regions of these genes. The present study was undertaken to determine if increased DNMTl gene activity correlated with increased aberrant p53 gene expression in human lymphomas. The study was undertaken on randomly selected archival human lymph nodes comprising 50 normal or reactive lymph nodes and 50 lymphoma lymph nodes. These were subjected to Fluorescent. In Situ Hybridization [FISH] using oligonucleotide Antisense probes for the DNMTl and the p53 mRNA according to standard FISH protocols. Percent cells stained, mean 'dots' stained per cell and staining signal intensity were taken as the criteria for comparing control and lymphoma lymph nodes. Quantitation of probe signals was done both by manual visualization of fluorescent signals and computer based image analysis. Correlation analysis was performed by calculation of Pearson's correlation coefficient. Data indicated significantly increased expression of the DNMTl and the p53 mRNA in lymphoma cases as compared to controls [p<0.001]. Moreover significant correlation was obtained for the expressions of these two genes in lymphomas [p<0.001] but not in control lymph nodes. Increased DNMTl gene activity may contribute to increased p53 gene expression in human lymphomas, supporting a mutagenic role for the DNMTl gene

Osteopetrosis-a survey of 17 cases

This is a retrospective survey of 17 children with osteopetrosis admitted in paediatrics ward from 1990 to 1995. Their clinical data, radiographs, laboratory data and histories were analyzed. All of them were male with age range from 1 month to 5 years. 80% of patients had a history of parental consanguinity. All of them had moderate to severe anaemia and failure to thrive as their presenting symptoms. Other predominant associated features were stuffy nose with depressed nasal bridge [95%], hepatosplenomegaly [90%] and increase in size of head [80%]. Neurological complications such as visual loss [80%] and deafness [40%] were also observed. Not a single fracture was observed. The diagnosis of osteopetrosis was made by chance, radiologically. Treatment in all patients was symptomatic. No curative treatment was available. Mortality was high due to repeated infections and bleeding. The possibility of a new subtype of malignant recessive osteopetrosis is discussed

Environmental decay and biopollution

The problem and hazard of environmental pollution and decay and its direct relation to human life and progress has been outlined and discussed. The need to develop a sane and safe approach to the problem is highlighted and the grim prospects for the future stressed, unless real efforts are made to control and regulate the bent of progress

simple stain for motile bacteria

A simple method of staining living bacteria for motility or other studies is presented. The method is relevant to routine use in the microbiology laboratory

Shortened histotechnique

An improvisation of the traditional long method of tissue processing and slide making is presented, allowing slides to be made in an average of 4 hours as compared to 1-2 days by the long method. It is hoped that this new method will facilitate routine and research work in the histology and histopathology laboratories

Some cytological answers to atherosclerosis

A concise review of the atherosclerotic process is presented and a new concept is proposed as to the fundamental nature of atheromas and the process of atheromatosis. Evidence and arguments are provided to consider the atheroma as a newly developing and evolving vasculo-endocrine unit of the vessel wall, secreting steroidal chemicals and hormones into the blood stream. These hormones are of probable importance as trophic factors for the vascular tunica interna and are also of circulatory value for enhancing trans-capillary transport of nutrients and metabolites and catalysing the tissue reactions of metabolism in the tissue spaces [thus being tissue circulation promoters and enhancers]. They may be of use in preventing or treating various tissue metabolic storage disorders as well as in creating better general and special tissues for the body