[Evaluation of anti-Candida properties of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin]

Background: Antimicrobial peptides with relative length [2-100 amino acids] and positive charge [pure charge [+9]-[+2]] are amphiphilic that isolated from a wide range of animals. Recently, these peptides have been known as a part of innate immune response. Nowadays, more than 500 antimicrobial peptides from animals have been reported

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin

Methods: In this study, using alcohol-acid technique, peptides of frog's skin were isolated and purified by Sep-Pack and Sephadex column. Then the anti-Candida activity [Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans, Fluconazole Sensitive C. albicans, and C. glabrata] of the peptides in different concentrations were evaluated

Results: Regarding to statistical analysis, peptides in concentration ranging from 25 to 100 micro g/ml had the most anti-Candida activities. In respect to different understudy Candida species, these agents had the less effect on the Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans [p<0.05]

Conclusions: The anti-Candida effects of cationic peptide obtained from frog skin are approved in this study

[Experimental study of the effects of cooking methods on tilmicosin residues in chicken]

Antibiotic residue in food is a major concern from a health point of view. Post-slaughter and pre-consumption processing such as cooking could affect residue. The purpose of this study is to survey the effect of boiling and microwave on tilmicosin in chicken. Chicken samples containing different tilmicosin amounts cooked in boiling water and in the microwave. After cooking, tilmicosin amount was determined by HPLC and its reduction percent amount due to cooking was calculated. Sample temperature and weight reduction amount were determined after cooking. Boiling and microwave resulted in significant tilmicosin reduction. In boiling method tilmicosin reduction percentage became more by time increase; however, it was inversely related to tilmicosin initial concentration. There was significant and positive correlation between sample central temperature and tilmicosin reduction percentage. In microwave mehod, tilmicosin reduction percentage was not influenced by time or tilmicosin initial concentration. Tilmicosin reduces during cooking and its reduction amount is different in various cooking method and, therefore surveillance data obtained from tilmicosin concentrations in raw tissue such as meat are not directly applicable for consumer exposure and dietary intake calculations when the whole cooked product is consumed

Bone marrow negative visceral leishmaniasis in an adolescent male

Visceral Leishmaniasis or Kala Azar is endemic in certain regions of India. In endemic areas, the constellation of fever, progressive weight loss, weakness, pronounced splenomegaly, anemia, leukopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia is highly suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis. Demonstration of the parasite in liver, splenic or bone marrow aspirates is confirmatory. We present a case in which Leishmania donovani [LD] bodies were demonstrated on splenic aspirate. We were unable to demonstrate LD bodies on bone marrow aspiration

Immunodiagnosis of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]

Indirect plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was standardized and evaluated for its effectiveness in immunodiagnosis of haemonchosis in experimental and clinical cases in sheep by using somatic whole adult antigen of H. contortus. Plate ELISA was standardized using 5 mg/well antigen concentration with 1:100 and 1:1000 of sera and conjugate dilution. Indirect plate ELISA was able to demonstrate the antibody titre at different weeks post infection in experimental sheep. A comparison of plate ELISA on suspected field sera and faecal sample examination by floatation method revealed that 74 samples were found to be positive by ELISA but only ten by faecal examination. Sensitivity of plate ELISA was found to be 80.0%, whereas specificity was 21.42% indicating that this test is quite sensitive for clinical cases; an early diagnosis, however, lacks specificity

[Evaluation of respiratory disorders associated with occupational inhalation exposure to raw materials used in ceramic production]

The main purpose of this study was to assess the pulmonary reactions associated with occupational inhalation exposure to raw materials used in ceramic production [RMCP]. Thirty three male workers with current exposure to RMCP and 20 healthy male unexposed employees, with almost identical demographic and socioeconomic status were interviewed and respiratory symptom questionnaires were administered to them. Furthermore, they underwent chest X-ray and lung function tests. Additionally, personal dust monitoring was carried out at dusty work sites. To determine the chemical composition, possible silica phases and SiO2 contents of dust samples, they were analyzed by X-ray diffraction [XRD] and X-ray fluorescence [XRF] techniques. Atmospheric concentrations of dust, that contained 69% SiO[2], exceeded current permissible levels. Additionally, exposed workers had higher prevalence rates of regular cough, wheezing, phlegm and shortness of breath. Likewise, their chest radiographs showed some degrees of abnormalities. Furthermore, significant reductions in some parameters of pulmonary functions of exposed workers were noted. The findings of this study indicate that a strong association exists between exposure to RMCP, prevalence of respiratory symptoms, abnormal changes in chest radiographs and functional impairments of the lungs

Management of locally advance carcinoma breast [stage III]

The aim of this study was to see the prognosis of patients with locally advanced carcinoma breast after primary surgical intervention followed by adjuvant therapy and to evaluate possible complications. The study includes 50 patients; Most of them were postmenopausal with stage IIIA carcinoma breast with age ranging from 51-60 years. Modified radical mastectomy was the primary procedure followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Tamoxifen given to postmenopausal women. Patients were followed up for one year. Locoregional recurrence and distal metastases occurred mostly in stage IIIB patients and also that the prognosis of patients with LABC is poor due to late presentation, bigger size of tumour and axillary metastasis

Repair of inguinal hernia as day care [ambularoty] vs inpatient [routine] surgery, study at Mayo Hospital, Lahore

This cross sectional, comparative study carried out in the Department of Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore over a period of one year. Study include 80 patients divided in two equal groups i.e., day care [ambulatory] and inpatient [routine]. To compare postoperative complication, economic benefits, routine daily activity and also to evaluate acceptance of day surgery in our set up. Those belonging to day surgery were worked up on OPD basis and in combination and procedures performed were herniotomy or herniorrhaphy. The final results were conclusive enough to show that day care hernia can be successfully performed in one set up and comparable results in terms of operative and postoperative complications can be obtained and are matchable to any hernia centre. Hospital stay and expenses of treatment on hospital resources are significantly reduced

[ effect of previous history of Tuberculosis on female infertility in Rooyan institute of infertility patients]

The reason of infertility can have a direct influence on the plan and outcome of management. In this paper we intend to show the effect of tuberculosis [TB] history on female infertility among infertile couples attending to Rooyan infertility management center. In this case-control study our cases were those who were diagnosed as infertile female and controls were those women whose husbands were infertile due to some male factor. We used logestic regression for analyzing the association of history of Tuberculosis and female infertility with attributable risk estimation. 308 cases were compared to 314 controls. Considerng the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval, there was a asignificant difference between the history of TB and infertiliy [OR=4.7, 95% CI: 1.01-29.91]. The attributable risk of TB for female infertility was 0.023 +/- 0.01 [which is significant at 5% level]. The attributable risk of TB for female infertility was 0.023 +/- 0.01 [which is significant at 5% level. These figures show that at least 2% of female infertility can be prevented by prevention and proper treatment of tuberculosis

Effects of the black cumin seeds [nigella sativa linn.] on endometrial mucins of mature rats; histochemical study

Nigella sativa Linn is a well-known herb that is used by different societies, as food additive and as a medicinal herb; it used as a galactagouge for lactating women, and has long been described as an abortifacient-emmenugouge is to investigate the effect of crude black seeds on the endometrium and the pattern of its mucins, during the different phases of the Estrus cycle, making use of some special stains for the histochemical demonstration of muczns. Crude Nigella sativa Linn seeds were administrated for ten days, by an orogastric tube, on single regular daily dosage to properly selected mature Norway albino female rats. Animals were subdivided into subgroups, according to phases of the estrus cycle. Utera of these animals were routinely processed for carbohydrate histochemical [d-PAS, d AB2.5-PASR and AB1.0] studies using carney's fixative paraffin embedded sections. Experimental specimens were compared with that of control subgroups. Results showed marked production of diastase fast-PAS reactive non-alcianophilic Neutral mucins, with inhibited production of sulphated highly acidic mucins among the surface lining and the glandular epithelial cells, at Estrus. Effects of such changes in the pattern of endometrial mucins on the state of fertility, was discussed. Nigella Sativa, Linn. Metrial gland Endometrial Histochemistry Sialomucins, Fucomucins, Sulphated mucins. d-PAS, AB2.5PAS, AB1.0

Clinical and biochemical study of 114 cases of cholelithiasis

During a period of 16 months 114 patients with cholelithiasis were studied. The diagnosis was confirmed by cholecystogram in 41 cases, by surgery in 28 and both surgery and the x-ray in 45 cases. There were 100 females and 14 males and their average age was 43.2 years. The average number of pregnancies in females was 6.5. Clinically the jaundice was observed in 9 percent and the gall bladder was palpable in 47 percent of cases. Cholelithiasis appeared to be related to increased parity but not to the body weight

Urethral stricture; A prospective study of 150 cases department of urology Allied Hospital Faisalabad

To demonstrate various etiological factors of urethral stricture II. To evaluate the various modes of treatment of stricture urethra. A prospective study of 150 cases. The study was carried at Urology Department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: From 01-01-2001 to 30-06-2002. Patient and One hundred and fifty male patients with urethral stricture were included in the study. An analysis was carried out of the etiological factors responsible for urethral stricture formation and of the various treatment modalities. The age range from 3 to 85 years with a mean age of 43 years. 58% patients presented with urinary retention Trauma caused stricture formation in 52 [34%] patients. Previous catheterization, pyuria, Trans vesical prostectomy and TURP were responsible for stricture formation in 35, 25, 19 and 16 cases respectively. Anterior urethra was involved in 112 cases and 36 patients had posterior urethral involvement. Optical internal urethrotomy was treatment of first choice in strictures of <1 cm and it was successful in [92.7%] patients. Anastomotic urethroplasty was performed in 37 cases with success rate of 94% while substitution urethroplasty was successful in 80% cases. Anatomical sites and etiological factors of stricture urethra are comparable with other studies. Optical internal urethrotomy is reliable procedure in short and simple stricture. For long and complex stricture urethroplasty is the preferred treatment.

Disturbance in serum silicon level in hemodialysis patients in Ramadi

This study was performed during the first quarter of 1998 on 15 hemodialysis patients at the Dialysis Unit in Saddam General Hospital in Ramadi. Serum Silicon as well as other elements were determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy [ICP]. High levels of silicon and aluminum, associated with low levels of calcium were observed in three patients. No other variations were noticed in other elements. To avoid additional burdens on the health of dialysis patients, the causes of trace element disturbances associated with this technique are discussed, and few recommendations are offered

Rupture of the uterus in full-term pregnancy

Of 48,519 deliveries conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC] over 7 years [January, 1986 to December, 1992], 257 were of ruptured uterus, giving a rate of one in 189 deliveries. Main cause of rupture was obstructed labour. Maternal mortality was 3.9% and foetal mortality 88% in cases admitted with uterine rupture and 17.6% in rupture occurring within the hospital

Dietary and serum calcium in pregnant women

Dietary and serum calcium were estimated in 200 normal pregnant women between 37-41 weeks of gestation and in cord blood of their new born. Calcium intake per person per day was low, 11.8mmol/L, as compared with the daily recommended allowance of 30 mmol/L Mean maternal serum calcium level was also low [1.9 mmol/L] and only 20% of mothers had serum calcium within normal range. Mean calcium value in cord blood was at lower limit of normal range, being 2.3 mmol/L; 38.5% of cord samples [77] were below the normal range

Maternal factors affecting birthweight of uncomplicated pregnancy

Two hundred full-term pregnant mothers with no complication of pregnancy and no associated disease selected from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre were studied for their nutritional status and other characteristics. The effect of these factors on birthweight of their new-born was determined. Total calorie intake per capita per day was low being 1913. The mean birthweight was 2.9kg, 26% weighed 2.5kg or less. No significant sex difference was observed in the birthweight. Variables having a significant positive influence on birthweight were maternal age at first delivery, upto 25 years, beyond which correlation was not significant; maternal weight and maternal total calorie intake [irrespective of source] upto an intake of 2500 calorie per day, beyond which correlation was not significant. Combined effect of these three maternal factors on birthweight was highly significant. Coefficient of correlation, R being 0.81

Serum calcium, urea and uric acid levels in pre-eclampsia

Serum calcium, urea and uric acid levels were determined in 100 normal pregnant women and 50 patients with pre-eclampsia. Serum calcium levels were significantly lower and urea and uric acid levels higher in pre-eclampsia. Low levels of calcium were found as early as 28 weeks and can therefore be used for early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia

Maternal morbidity in the department of obstetric and gynecology, Jinnah postgraduate medical centre Karachi

Maternal morbidity was observed in 377 obstetric cases at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC] during a period of one year. Morbidity rate was 4.4% of total deliveries. Three hundred and twenty-four [86%] mothers had no proper antenatal supervision. Infection was more common after abdominal delivery and injury to genital tract after vaginal delivery. The most serious injury was rupture of gravid uterus. Thirty-seven cases of ruptured uterus were admitted in one year and 5 cases occurred within the hospital [1 in 1225 deliveries]