Is increased erythrocyte lithium sodium counter transport A useful marker for essential hypertension?

Background: Essential hypertension is a very common and wide spread problem. It is associated with maked morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of essential hypertension needs to be determined

Objective: To compare the rate of sodium counter transport in mild and moderate essential hypertensives with normotensive subjects

Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on age and sex matched 20 mild essential hypertensives [G2], 20 moderate essential hypertensives [G3] and 20 normotensives [G1]. All cases were diagnosed after taking detailed history, complete physical examination and laboratory investigations. Lithium efflux and maximum rate [Vmax] of Lithium-Sodium countertransport was measured in red blood cells

Results: Increase in Lithium efflux and Vmax of Lithium- Sodium counter transport of mild and moderate essential hypertensives was highly significant [p<0.001]than that of normotensives

Conclusions: Lithium efflux and Vmax of sodium coutertransport is raised in mild and moderate essential hypertensive as compared to those in normotensive subjects. This can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of essential hypertension

Strengths and limitations of abgar scor: a critical appraisal

A cross sectional study was undertaken on 200 normally delivered newborns at Lady Aitchison hospital Lahore from august to december 1998. Apgar scores were recorded using the current virginia apgar scoring system at 1 and 5 minute interval. the newborns with scores 0-5 at 5 minutes were considered at higher risk for developing respiratory or neurological complications. our study showed significant difference [p<0.05] in scores of full term average birth weight [3 kg] and preterm low birth weight newborns [< 2 kg]. the 5 minutes scores were improved AS compared To 1 minute in 97% cases. More studies are recommended by increasing the apgar scoring time to 10 minutes in order to enhance the predictive value of this score for respiratory or neurological disabilities

Effect of difluoromethyl ornithine [DFMO] on ovulation in rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of difluoromethyl ornithino [DFMO] on ovulation and proceeding in adult female Albino rats. These were divided into four groups. The control groups [I [n= 6] and III [n= 4]] were injected vehicle [0.9% normal saline] and in the experimental groups [II [n= 6] and IV [n= 4]] each rat was injected 50 mg DFMO subcutaneously at 0900 hrs on pro-oestrous day. Rats of group I [control] and II [experimental] were sacrificed at 1400 hrs the same day and their plasma were collected for LH radioimmunoassay. There was highly significant reduction in the level of LH [p < 0.001] in experimental [group III] as compared to controls [group I]. Rats of groups III [control] and IV [experimental] were sacrificed next day at 0800 hours on oestrous. It was observed that there was highly significant [p <0.001] reduction in number of ova shed in DFMO treated rats as compared to controls. These results suggested that DFMO blocks the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase [ODC] required for polyamines synthesis