Antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical analysis of cichorium intybus seeds extract and various organic fractions

This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant effectiveness of methanolic extract and different fractions [n-butanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane] of C.intybus seeds. The antimicrobial activity was determined by the disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] against a panel of microorganisms [four bacterial strains, i.e. P. multocida, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. aureus and three fungal strains, i.e A. flavus, A. niger and R. solani]. The results indicated that seeds extract and fractions of C. intybus showed moderate activity as antibacterial agent. While Antifungal activity of C. intybus seeds extract/fractions was very low against A. flavus and A. niger while mild against R. solani. The C.intybus seeds extract/fractions contained appreciable levels of total phenolic contents [50.8-285 GAE mg/100g of Dry plant matter] and total flavonoid contents [43.3-150 CE mg/100g of Dry plant matter]. The C. intybus seed extract/fractions also exhibited good DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC[50] ranging from 21.28-72.14 micro g/mL. Of the C .intybus seeds solvent extract/fractions tested, 100% methanolic extract and ethylacetate fraction exhibited the maximum antioxidant activity. The results of the present investigation demonstrated significant [p < 0.01] variations in the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of C. intybus seeds solvent extract/fractions

Effect of variations in insulin on serum leptin levels in pre and post menopausal women

To measure the serum leptin and insulin levels and assess that how insulin affects these levels in pre and post menopausal obese and non-obese women. The experimental work was carried out at the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine-1 [CREAM-1], Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and was spread on a duration of 18 months. The samples for the study were obtained from healthy 80 subjects and divided into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups of 40 each. The groups were further sub-divided into obese and non obese based on the body mass index [cut off BMI value=25 kg/m[2]]. There is significant difference in the mean age [p

Control of acute variceal haemorrhage a comparison of octereotide and baloon temponade

A multicenter prospective randomised control trial of patients with acute bleeding from oesophageal varices. Patients not fit for immediate sclerotherapy or band ligation because of severe torrential haemorrhage. This study was conducted at three centers of District Sialkot, i.e., Govt. Sardar Begum Hospital, Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital, Memorial Christian Hospital from March 1999 to April 2002. The objective was to compare the efficacy and practicality of two commonly used techniques Octeriotide vs Balloon Temponade [BT] for the control of acute variceal haemorrhage. A total of 86 patients were studied in two groups, 46 in Balloon Temponade and 40 in Octeriotide infusion group. These patients presented with acute variceal bleeding. The diagnosis was confirmed by upper GI endoscopy. Stoppage of bleeding was achieved in 44 of 46 patients. Efficacy was 95.65% in Balloon group whereas this was achieved only in 37 of 40 patients. Efficacy was only 85% in Octeriotide group and in BT group complete stoppage of bleeding was seen in 40 [86.96%] whereas minor ooze present in 6[13.04%] at the end of 12 hours. In octeriotide group 25[62.50%] patients achieved complete stoppage of bleeding in [30%] and minor ooze was present, in 3 [7.5%]. No effect on bleeding after 12 hours infusion at 50 ug/hour. Balloon Temponade is the only certain way to control acute profuse variceal haemorrhage. This technique is especially valuable during the transport of patients. The efficacy of octeriotide is limited only to minor/moderately severe cases of variceal bleeding or in combination with balloon Tamponade when patients are bleeding from gastric' fundal varices or from portal hypertensive gastropathy

Role of computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary mass legion

To evaluate the diagnostic yield and complications of computed tomography [CT]-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy [PTNLB] of peripheral pulmonary mass lesion. Design: This is a retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted in the Department of Chest Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi over a period of two years from January, 1997 to December, 1998. Subjects and We retrospectively reviewed 41 case records of patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy during January, 1997 to December, 1998 having radiological evidence of peripheral pulmonary mass lesion. A special proforma was designed to record demographic data, clinical features, biopsy results and complications of the procedure. Subsequently results were analyzed. Adequate tissue specimens were obtained in 37 patients out of a total of 41, the tissue pickup rate was 90%. In all 37 patients specific histological diagnosis was made, 32 [94%] had primary malignant lesions, 02 [6%] metastatic malignant lesions and 03 [8%] benign lesions. No complications were observed except mild pain at the site of procedure. CT-guided PTNLB is a safe and effective procedure in obtaining specimens for pathological diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary mass lesion