Prevention of fall in white blood cell count by carica papaya leaf juice in carboplatin induced leucopenia in mice

Objective: To determine the effect of different doses of male and female papaya leaf juice on prevention of carboplatin induced leucopenia in mice

Methods: A total of 55 Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into five groups [C,M10, M5, F10 and F5].Leucopenia was induced in all groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin. Male papaya leaf juice was given to prevent leucopenia to groups M10 and M5 and female papaya leaf juice was given to F10 and F5. On days O, 7, 14 and 21 blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for white blood cell count. Significance of different was calculated by one way ANOVA

Results: After carboplatin injection, white blood cell count decreased. Papaya leaf juice prevented fall in white blood cell count throughout the study period with p-value < 0.001. White blood cell counts were significantly high in all groups as compared to control on day 7 with no significant difference between gender and dose

Conclusion: Papaya leaf juice prevents leucoopenia induced by carboplatin in a dose dependent manner. There is no difference between male and female plants in this respect

study to compare the in-vitro antifungal activity of cymbopogon citratus and terbinafine by disc diffusion method against the selected clinical isolates of dermatophytosis

Objective: To compare the in-vitro antifungal activity of Cymbopogon citratus and terbinafine by disc diffusion method against the selected clinical isolates of dermatophytosis"

Methods: This randomized controlled study comprised of 20 clinical isolates of superficial mycotic infections. Each of the 20 samples was inoculated in three petri dishes [total 60] on Sabouraud dextrose agar [SDA] medium. The prepared discs containing methanol extract of Cymbopogon citratus and terbinafine were placed on the inoculated plates. The diameter of clear zone around each disc in millimeters was measured after three days

Results: The antifungal activity of Cymbopogon citratus was 76%, 70%, 36% and 24% against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Microsporum canis and Microsporum audouinii respectively as compared to terbinafine [100%]

Conclusion: The Cymbopogon citratus is the potential candidate to be utilized for the treatment of superficial mycosis alternative to terbinafine

Prevention of fall in red blood cell count by carica papaya leaf juice in carbolatin induced aneamia in mice

Objectives: To determine the effect of different doses of male and female papaya leaf juice on prevention of carboplatin induced anaemia in mice

Methods: A total of 55 Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into five groups [C,M10, M5, F10 and F5]. Anaemia was induced in all groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin. Male papaya leaf juice was given to prevent of anaemia to groups M10 and M5 and female papaya leaf juice was given to F10 and F5. On days O, 7, 14 and 21 blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for red blood cell count. Significance of different was calculated by one way ANOVA

Results: After carboplatin injection, RBC count decreased. Papaya leaf juice prevented fall in RBC count throughout the study period with p-value < 0.001. Difference between male and female papaya leaf juice was not significant while higher dose [10 ml/kg] produced significantly higher responses as compared to low dose [5 ml/kg]

Conclusion: Papaya leaf juice prevents anaemia induced by carboplatin in a dose dependent manner. There is no difference between male and female plants in this respect

Gender differences among discrimination and stigma experienced by depressive patients in Pakistan

Objective: This study aims to examine Gender Difference in the level of Discrimination and Stigma experienced by people diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that Women diagnosed with Depression are likely to be experiencing more Discrimination and Internalized Stigma in comparison to Men

Methods: This is a Cross Sectional Study. Thirty eight patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder recruited from different Government Sector Hospitals of Lahore; were approached after obtaining informed consent. Discrimination and Stigma were measured through Discrimination and Stigma Scale and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory respectively

Results: Both Men and Women experience considerably high level of associated Stigma and Discrimination due to their Mental Illness. However, Women in comparison to Men experience significantly greater level of Internalized Stigma especially in domains of Discrimination Experience and Social Withdrawal

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the fact that people with Depression can be more benefited with psychological treatment if dealing with Stigma and Discrimination is also addressed in Intervention Plans

Psychological distress and manifestation of symptoms in dhat syndrome patients in relation to parental strictness

Dhat Syndrome also known as semen loss anxiety is commonly reported among men from the Indian subcontinent. The present study examined Dhat syndrome symptoms manifestation and psychological distress in patients with Dhat Syndrome in relation to perceived parental strictness. It was hypothesized that: patients perceiving their parents strict are likely to manifest significantly more symptoms and are likely to experience more distress compared to those perceiving their parents non strict. Sample comprised of 318 Dhat Syndrome patients recruited from clinics of health professionals. Dhat Syndrome Symptom Checklist [DSSC]and General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] were used for assessment. Individual assessment was carried out at the premises of professional clinics. Analysis revealed that patients perceiving their parents strict reported significantly more physical symptoms, somatic complaints and anxiety as compared to those who perceived their parents non strict. The findings highlight the importance of parental attitudes on the sexual behavior and perceptions

Psychological distress and coping strategies used by amputated survivors of October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan

The present study aimed to examine relationship between psychological distress and coping strategies used by amputated survivors of 8/11 earthquake in 2005 in Pakistan. The present study used cross-sectional correlational design. Thirty earthquake amputated survivors of 8/11 earth quake were recruited through Rehabilitation Centre, Ayub Medical complex, from Mansehra and Balakot survivor camps and it took two months to complete assessments. Urdu version of General Health Questionnaire-12 [Minhas and Mubbashar, 1996] and Coping Strategies Questionnaire [Kausar and Akram, 1998] were used for assessment. Majority [7 7%] of the participants were experiencing distress. Religious coping strategies were the most and active distractive strategies were the least used coping strategies by the amputated survivors. Moreover, those who used religious focused coping reported less distress and those who used avoidance focused coping strategies reported more psychological distress. The findings highlight the importance of religion and faith in coping with adversities and have important implications for rehabilitation of amputated earthquake survivors

Attitude of medical students towards psychiatry in NWFP

Worldwide literature shows negative attitude of medical students towards psychiatry, which determines future of this subject. Some work has been conducted in two provinces [Sindh and Punjab] of Pakistan in this regard. The Objective of this cross sectional study was conducted to find out the attitude of medical students in NWFP towards psychiatry. The survey was conducted at two different days of the month of July on final year students of two recognized medical colleges of NWFP. The sample consisted of 281 subjects of which 165 [58.3%] were males and 116 [41%] were females. Five Point Attitude scale [ATP 30] was used to assess the attitude. The data collected was labelled and analyzed with the help of SPSS version 10. There were total 30 items in the questionnaire of attitude study. Both male and female students showed positive attitude towards most of the items except few, towards which the attitude of the students was neutral. The results seem consistent with the local literature. Over all attitudes of medical students was positive. However, attitude of female students towards some of the items were more positive as compared to their male counterparts

Efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy with panic disorder: a single case study

Panic Disorder is very debilitating, distressing for the sufferers and has comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. Though it is very commonly reported disorder in clinical practice, research on efficacy of different management strategies and therapeutic interventions is non-existent in Pakistan. The present study employed single case design to examine the efficacy of behavioral and cognitive management strategies with panic disorder. Stanford Panic Appraisal Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], Fear Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] were used to assess the patient prior to, in the middle and after completion of intervention sessions. Intervention consisted of cognitive behavior therapy including anxiety management, panic management and challenging dysfunctional thoughts. Therapy consisted of 13 sessions conducted twice a week initially and later on once a week. Analysis revealed that the symptoms gradually decreased over sessions and the patient remained panic free at follow-up. The findings support effectiveness of psychological intervention with panic disorder

Head injury and its psychological implications: a literature review

Head injury may cause a variety of deficits including physical as well as neuropsychological. The survivors experience physical cognitive and emotional problems, and are often left with a number of deficits and handicaps. This paper evaluates post-onset changes in head injured people in the light of existing literature. Physical and psychological changes which may accompany head injury are examined. An account of psychological changes particularly personality and behavior changes is presented

Personality and behaviour changes in stroke patients: a career's view

This study examined psychological sequelae of stroke as viewed by the carers. Carers were asked to rate both the current and premorbid personality of patients on an 18 5-point bipolar adjective checklist. The carers were also interviewed to assess the patient on seven categries of symptoms [after McKinlay et al. 1981]. Stroke patients were frequently reported to be showing personality changes and these changes were in a negative direction on both occasions. According to carers' rating the patient's personality worsened over time. Patients were also reported to manifest emotional, subjective, behaviour and memory problems. The implications of the findings are discussed with refernce to rehabilitation of stroke patients