Food Safety Knowledge, Beliefs and Behaviour among Health Sciences-related Field Undergraduate Students at a Local University (Pengetahuan, Kepercayaan dan Tingkah Laku Keselamatan Makanan dalam Kalangan Pelajar Bidang Berkaitan Sains Kesihatan di Sebuah Universiti Tempatan) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Foodborne disease is among the primary illness that causes morbidity and mortality in the world. Several studies show that most students do not have adequate food safety knowledge to protect themselves against foodborne diseases. This study aimed to determine the food safety knowledge, behaviour, and beliefs among undergraduate students at a local university in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involves 121 respondents from three health science-related faculties at the studied institution. The questionnaire was distributed via an online platform. This study used multiple-choiceformat questions for Food Safety Knowledge and a Likert type scale for Food Safety Behaviour and Belief question statements. Most of the respondents were female (78%). About 16% of the respondents have experience working / volunteering in food services, and half of them are involved in food handling during their services. This study recorded a moderate score in all sections (knowledge, behaviour, beliefs) with a total percentage score of 60.3%, 60.3%, and 66.1%, respectively. A strong but not significant correlation between food safety knowledge and beliefs (r = 0.69 p > 0.05) and between food safety knowledge and behaviour (r = 0.83 p > 0.05) were observed. This study is useful as a basis to develop a targeted food safety education program among undergraduate students. Students with high knowledge of food safety will increase food safety beliefs and behaviour, thus preventing them from getting any foodborne illness.

From Molecular Pathology of COVID 19 to Nigella Sativum as a Treatment Option: Scientific Based Evidence of Its Myth or Reality / 中国结合医学杂志

COVID-19 virus is a causative agent of viral pandemic in human beings which specifically targets respiratory system of humans and causes viral pneumonia. This unusual viral pneumonia is rapidly spreading to all parts of the world, currently affecting about 105 million people with 2.3 million deaths. Current review described history, genomic characteristics, replication, and pathogenesis of COVID-19 with special emphasis on Nigella sativum (N. sativum) as a treatment option. N. sativum seeds are historically and religiously used over the centuries, both for prevention and treatment of different diseases. This review summarizes the potential role of N. sativum seeds against COVID-19 infection at levels of in silico, cell lines and animal models.

Incidence and characteristics of benign liver space-occupying mass in 17 721 patients with chronic hepatitis B: a color Doppler ultrasound-based case-control study / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the incidence and risk factors of benign liver space-occupying mass in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and the ultrasound features that differentiate these masses from small hepatocellular carcinoma.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the color Doppler and clinical data of 17 721 patients with CHB treated in the Hepatology Unit of Nanfang Hospital between January, 2016 and December, 2017. The data were compared with those of 21629 healthy control subjects undergoing routine physical examination in the Center of Heath Management of Nanfang Hospital during the same period.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control subjects, the patients with CHB had significantly higher incidences of hepatic cysts (11.8% 8.7%, 0.05). Sonographically, the benign liver masses commonly showed homogeneous echo within the lesion with clear boundaries and regular shape. Hepatic hemangioma was distinctively hyperechoic in 83.32% (1579/1895) of the patients, while small hepatocellular carcinoma presented with weaker peripheral and internal blood flow signals with a lower flow velocity in the arteries and a higher flow velocity in the portal vein. Liver cirrhosis nodules mostly showed a mixture of strong and weak echoes (79.60%; 7637/9595) without blood flow signal within or around the nodule; an increased volume of the nodule accompanied by heterogeneous echoes within the nodule indicated an increased probability of malignant lesion. Hepatic cysts often displayed no echo within the lesion, but the echo could be enhanced posteriorly.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The patients with CHB are at a significantly higher risk of developing hepatic cysts, hepatic hemangiomas and hepatic cirrhosis nodules than the control population, and an older age and the male gender are associated with a higher incidence of hepatic cysts or cirrhosis. The differences in the sonographic and hemodynamic features can help to differentiate hepatic benign mass from malignant lesions, and kinetic changes in sonography can be used to monitor potential malignant transformation of the cirrhotic lesions.

Antioxidant, cytotoxicity, protein kinase inhibition and antibacterial activities of Fragaria × ananassa leaves

Fragaria × ananassa leaves extracts prepared in different solvents were subject for antioxidative, cytotoxicity, protein kinase inhibition and antibacterial activities. The extracts showed varying activities depending upon solvent used for extraction. Combined effect of methanol and ethyl acetate showed maximum antioxidant and reducing power potential [207.65+/-6 micro g AAE/mg and 88.58+/-20 micro g AAE/mg, respectively]. Maximum DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl] free radical scavenging activity was calculated by when methanol: chloroform and acetate fractions were used [87.68% and 86.88% inhibition, respectively]. Total phenolics varied from 186 to 1.91 micro g AAE/mg while total flavonoids also significantly varied among the extracts. The extracts also showed significant activities against brine shrimp larvae and bacterial strains tested. The study concludes that Fragaria × ananassa leaves can be a good source for isolation of active phytochemicals to be used in different industries

Homozygous mutations in NTRK1 gene underlie congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis in Pakistani families

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with loss of pain sensation, thermal sensation defects, and self-mutilating behavior. In the present study, we recruited two consanguineous pedigree showing pain insensitivity symptoms from Pakistan for clinical and molecular investigations. In family A, one female patient displayed classical CIPA symptoms along with microcephaly and severe intellectual disability. During course of the disease, her right foot was amputated and had remarkable dental degeneration and teeth shedding. In family B, one boy presented with classical symptoms of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Blood was collected from both families for molecular studies. Sequencing with the Ilumina Trusight One Sequencing Panel covering 4813 OMIM genes revealed a known homozygous mutation c.2084C>T; p.P695L of NTRK1 in family A and a novel truncated mutation c.2025C>G; p.Y681X in family B. Protein modeling analysis of both mutations (p.P695L and p.Y681X) predicted loss of the rigidity in tyrosine kinase domain of NTRK1 that led to conformational changes as well as deleterious effect on protein function. The known mutation was reported more than a decade ago in a family from Northern Israel and other non-sense mutation is newly identified. It is interested that most of NTRK1 mutations are associated with this domain. This is first ever report of NTRK1 variants in congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis patients from Pakistan.

Frequency and the related socio-demographic and clinical factors of phantom limb pain in traumatic amputees presenting at a tertiary care rehabilitation setup

Objective: To find out the frequency of phantom limb pain [PLP] in a sample of Pakistani amputee population presenting with amputation due to trauma and to investigate its relationship with different sociodemographic and clinical factors

Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi from August 2010 to October 2013

Material and Methods: Through non-probability purposive sampling, patients of both genders and all ages having a traumatic etiology of amputation were sampled from the outdoor amputee clinic and the indoor amputee ward. Patients having diabetes mellitus, polyneuropathy, memory loss, cognitive deficits and established history of psychiatric disorders were excluded. Through face to face semi structured interviews, information was obtained about presence of PLP, gender, location [urban or rural], ethnicity based on Pakistani provinces [Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir], monthly income in Pakistani Rupees [PKR] [<10,000, 10,000 - <50,000 and >50,000], level of education [grade <5, grade 5 - 10, and grade >10], level of amputation and cause of trauma [fall from height, motor vehicle accident, blast injury, bullet injury or others]

Results: Out of 268 patients [mean age 28 +/- 6 years], 266 [99.3%] were male and 2 [0.7%] were female. Majority [79.1%] were rural based, Punjabis [44.8%], had a monthly income <10,000 PKR [85.4%], education from grade 5 - 10 [80.2%] and a lower limb amputation [86.9%]. The commonest cause was blast injuries [72.8%]. PLP was present in 42.5% [n=114] of the individuals and it was not significantly related to gender, living location, ethnicity based on Pakistani provinces, level of education, monthly income, cause of traumatic amputation and level of amputation

Conclusion: PLP was found in 42.5% of our sample of Pakistani traumatic amputees. The frequency was not related to gender, monthly income, ethnicity based on provinces, education, rural or urban based living and etiology or level of amputation

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: a case report from Pakistan and literature review

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare disease with an autosomal recessive inheritance. The patients present in early childhood with frequent episodes of fever and absence of sweating. Painless fractures, bruises and cuts are quite common. Defective lacrimation and mental retardation are strongly diagnostic. Repeated injuries often lead to a reduced life expectancy. The diagnosis depends on relevant clinical features, abnormal sensory response on nerve conduction studies and nerve biopsy showing loss of the unmyelinated and small myelinated fibers. We report here a 5 year old female child who presented for electrodiagnostic evaluation and was found to have this disease

Study of phenolic content and urease and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of methanolic extract of rumex acetosella roots and its sub-fractions in different solvents

The present study aimed to establish relationship between urease and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities on the one hand and on the other between anti-enzymatic activities and total phenolic contents of the methanolic extract of roots of Rumex acetosella and its fractions in various solvents. The methanolic extract and its fractions in chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water showed remarkable inhibitory activities against both urease and alpha-amylase, there was a close correspondence between urease and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of the plant samples. The n-butanol fraction which had the highest total phenolic content [252.19 +/- 2.32 micro g of Gallic Acid Equivalents/mg of dry mass of the sample] showed prominent activity against both urease and alpha-amylase indicating a possible role of phenolics in inhibiting the activities of these enzymes. The samples displayed enzyme inhibitory activities in a dose dependent manner and their effectiveness was comparable with that of the standards, thiourea [for urease] and acarbose [for alphaamylase]. The samples were manifold more effective against urease than alpha-amylase; 2.8 mg/mL of MeOH extract produced about 81% inhibition in alpha-amylase activity, while only 10 micro g/mL of the extract was required to create the same inhibition in urease activity. The IC[50] values of methanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanolic, aqueous and standard solutions were 1.29, 1.31, 1.90, 1.38, 0.85 and 1.20 [mg/mL] respectively against alpha-amylase and 0.99, 3.89, 1.76, 0.91, 0.85 and 0.97 [micro g/mL] respectively against urease. The total phenolic content in MeOH, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fractions was 108.88 +/- 2.65, 43.70 +/- 1.90, 34.44 +/- 2.30, 230.71 +/- 1.78, 252.19 +/- 2.32 and 94.07 +/- 2.25 respectively

Antibacterial effect of mango [mangifera indica Linn.] leaf extract against antibiotic sensitive and multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi

Alternative herbal medicine has been used to treat various infections from centuries. Natural plants contain phytoconstituents having similar chemical properties as of synthetic antibiotics. Typhoid fever is a serious infection and failure of its treatment emerged multi-drug resistant [MDR] bugs of Salmonella typhi. Due to multiple and repeated issues with antibiotics efficacy, it became essential to evaluate biological properties of plants from different geographical origins. Mango leaves have been reported for various medicinal effects like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihelminthic, antidiabetic and antiallergic etc. Objective of present study was to investigate anti-typhoid properties of acetone mango leaf extract [AMLE] against antibiotic sensitive and MDR S. typhi isolates. A total of 50 isolates of S. typhi including MDR [n=30] and antibiotic sensitive [n=20] were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC 25923] and Salmonella typhimurium [ATCC14028] were used as quality control strains. AMLE was prepared and its antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion screening method and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], by agar dilution technique. Zone of inhibition [mm] of AMLE against MDR and antibiotic sensitive isolates was 18 +/- 1.5mm [Mean +/- S.D]. Zone of S. aureus [ATCC 25923] and S. typhimurium [ATCC14028] was 20 +/- 1.5mm [Mean +/- S.D]. MIC of AMLE was reported in range from 10-50 mg/ml. The present study described the inhibitory effects of mango leaves against S. typhi

Diaphragmatic crural splitting and median arch formation variations

Objective: This study was designed to note downvariations in the way of attachment of the crura ofthoraco abdominal diaphragm and the way theyform the median arch in view of their role as abarrier in gastro esophageal reflux and in designingesophageal hiatus

The Study Methodology: Itwas carried out in the anatomy department ofPunjab medical college Faisalabad during yearsfrom 2006 to 2010. A total number of 45 humancadavers were dissected for this study. The observedvariations were recorded and analysed

Results andConclusion: The crura at their vertebral attachmentseen divided into slips both on right and left sides in64.4% of the cases. In the remaining 35.6% of thecases they did not show this division on either side.Two slips were noted in 48.9% of cases on rightside and in 60% of cases on the left side. The medialmost slips of both sides joined each other to formmedian arch in 88.9% of cases. In 22.2% of casesthe arch formed at level between 1st and 2nd lumbarvertebra. Identification of these anatomicalvariations would be helpful in understanding thebases and treatment of gastroesophageal refluxdisease and hiatal hernia etc

Audit of caesareans section in present practice

Objective: To compare the rate of rise of caesarean section, to know the factors which are responsible for this rise and what measures can be done to decrease its rate

Study Design: [1] A retrospective study [2] Two cycle of audit were conducted

Method: Case records of all women that underwent caesarean section in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute and Hospital, Lahore, from 1[st] January 1994 and second from January 2008 to December 2008 was collected on the basis of age, parity, booking status, gestational age, onset of labour and level of urgency of caesarean section

Results: Two cycle audit were conducted. In first from January 1994 to December 1994 total number of deliveries were 1685 and caesarean section rate was 27%, in second from January 2008 to December 2008 total number of deliveries 2167 and caesarean section rate was 42.6%. Analysis shows that caesarean section rate is increased in present practice

Conclusion: The result of our study shows that there is 15% increase in caesarean section rate was compared to 14 years back which is ideally not beneficial for long term interest of patients. So the all possible effort should be made to bring down the caesarean section rate without compromising the well being of mother and fetus

Anti-mycobacterial activity of garlic [Allium Sativum] against multi-drug resistant and non-multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Emergence of multi-drug resistant [MDR] and extensively drug resistant [XDR] TB throughout the developing world is very disturbing in the present scenario of TB management. There is a fundamental need to explore alternative anti-TB agents. Hence natural plants should be investigated to understand their antimicrobial properties and safety. Garlic [Allium sativum] is one of natural plant which possesses variety of biological properties like anti-tumor, anti-hyperlipedemic and anti-microbial etc. The present study was evaluated for antibacterial activity of garlic against non-MDR and MDR isolates of M. tuberculosis. A total of 20 clinical isolates of MTB including 15 MDR and 5 non-MDR were investigated. Ethanolic extract of garlic was prepared by maceration method. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] was performed by using 7H9 middle brook broth dilution technique. MIC of garlic extract was ranged from 1 to 3 mg/ml; showing inhibitory effects of garlic against both non-MDR and MDR M. tuberculosis isolates. Alternate medicine practices with plant extracts including garlic should be considered to decrease the burden of drug resistance and cost in the management of diseases. The use of garlic against MDR-TB may be of great importance regarding public health

Paraurethral leiomyoma

Vaginal leiomyoma is a rare solid tumour with a variable presentation that can lead to pre-operative misdiagnosis. Local recurrence and transformation into sarcoma are also rare and surgical excision is recommended. Here, we present the case of a 23-year-old woman with a painless vaginal mass associated with severe dyspareunia since marriage [2 months ago] and dysmenorrhoea. She underwent surgery by vaginal route and histological findings confirmed a leiomyoma. After 2 months, the patient was disease-free and symptoms disappeared

Degenerative uterine fibroid in a pregnant patient

Uterine leiomyomas are the frequently found benign solid tumours of the female genital system, which usually develops 20-50% of all women between the ages of 30 and 50. Here we present the case of a 40 years old lady gravida 8 para 7+0 at 24 weeks of gestation with anterior wall uterine fibroid with complain of spotting and leaking per vagina. She expelled dead fetus 800 gm, the placenta was removed under general anaesthesia in pieces. It seems to be submucous degenerated fibroid. Histological finding confirmed the diagnosis. After few months she was admitted for hysterectomy due to menorrhagia and passage of clots. Ultimate treatment of fibroid is surgery

Level of interferon gamma in the blood of tuberculosis patients

Interferon gamma [IFN- gamma], a cytokine produced by a variety of cells is involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis. It activates the production of other cytokines and molecules that kill mycobacterium. IFN- gamma also has diagnostic role in identification of active and latent tuberculosis. To determine the level of IFN- gamma in the blood of TB patients. Ninety-one subjects were selected, including 54 active TB patients and 37 healthy controls. Among 54 TB patients, 27 had confirmed TB and 27 were clinically diagnosed as having TB. IFN- gamma concentration was determined in their blood by an ELISA technique. In TB patients, Mean +/- SD of IFN- gamma was 48.69 +/- 28.78 pg/ml while it was 12.99 +/- 5.70pg/ml in the control group [p <0.001]. Significant differences in the level of IFN- gamma were observed among confirmed TB patients, clinically diagnosed TB patients and the control group [Mean +/- SD 59.68 +/- 28.78, 36.85 +/- 24.76 and 12.99 +/- 5.70 pg/ml, respectively]. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of IFN- gamma in TB patients and the duration of anti-tuberculosis therapy. IFN- gamma level was high in both clinically diagnosed and confirmed TB patients as compared to a control group. Measurement of IFN- gamma production is helpful to diagnose active tuberculosis, but further research is required

Abdominal versus vaginal hysterectomy; an audit

To evaluate abdominal versus vaginal hysterectomy in relation to operative and postoperative complications. Single centre cross sectional study. Place and duration: The Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Shaikh Zayed post graduate Medical institute and Hospital, Lahore from 1[st] November 2005 to 31[st] October 2006. All the patients with benign indications for hysterectomy [abdominal and vaginal] were included except patients with serious / complicated medical disease. Relative informations were filled in a Performa and informations were taken from case records. This audit report included 200 women. 23.3% patients of vaginal hysterectomy were in the age group of 40-45 years while 35.7%patients of abdominal hysterectomy were in the age of 51 -55 years. Main indication for abdominal hysterectomy [85.5%] was fibroid uterus while for vaginal hysterectomy [66.6%] was uterovaginal prolapse. Most common immediate post operative complication in abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy was fever in 42.8% and 20.0% respectively. Intraoperative visceral injuries were done in 4 patients in abdominal hysterectomy while no injury was done in vaginal hysterectomy. 44[80%] patients of vaginal hysterectomy were discharged within 7 days of hospitalization while 64 [44%] patients of abdominal hysterectomy were discharged within 7 days of hospitalization. Hysterectomy either abdominal or vaginal is very safe and there were no lethal complication except few minor complications and also there was no mortality

Post menopausal bleeding

To find out the causes of postmenopausal bleeding and their correlation with medical illness. Single centre, cross sectional study. The department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute and hospital, Lahore from 1[st] August 2000 to 30[th] June 2002. All the patients with post menopausal bleeding diagnosed during the study periods were included, except patients after hysterectomy and premature menopause. Relative informations were filled in a Performa and informations were taken from case records. Total 50 patients were included in the study. Maximum number of patients with postmenopausal bleeding were between 56-60 years [32%]. Most of the patients were having parity between 4-6 [48%]. Majority of patients [32%] had symptom about 10 years after menopause. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity were commonly found medical illness in these patients, especially when cause is endometrial carcinoma, ultrasound scan, Pap smear and endometrial biopsy are essential to rule out cause of post menopausal bleeding. 70% patients were having benign cause while 30% patients had malignant cause for post menopausal bleeding. Carcinoma of genital tract is one of the most important cause of postmenopausal bleeding, so early detection of the cases can be life saving. Detailed medical evaluation, aid of ultrasonography, Pap smear and endometrial biopsy is required to find the cause of postmenopausal bleeding

Squamous cell carcinoma lower lip - an experience with Karapandzic Technique

Carcinoma of the lip is a common cancer of head and neck area. It occurs frequently on the lower lip of middle-aged and elderly males who have a history of chronic sun exposure. Surgical excision and radiotherapy are regarded as equally effective treatment options, but preferred method is surgical excision. Karapandzic technique provides myoneurovascular pedicled advancement flap for reconstruction of the defect after surgical excision. It is a simple and safe technique, functionally and esthetically, sacrifices little tissue, heals rapidly and is effective for repair of defects covering 1/3 to 4/5 of the lower lip. We report a 62 years male who presented with a large, fungating, pus-discharging and tender mass of lower lip. Biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor was excised and defect was reconstructed using Karapandzic technique. Patient remained asymptomatic during follow-up visits

Spontaneous fulminant gangrene of distal colon and rectum

A case of a young female is reported who presented with acute abdomen and peritonitis. Emergency laparotomy revealed fulminant gangrene of descending colon and upper third of rectum. Two-stage procedure was carried out as transverse colostomy and subsequent colorectal anastomosis two months later