Bioavailability of zinc from different pakistani cereal grains

The zinc has been determined by Neutron Activation Analysis while phytate by spectrophotometric method in some Pakistani cereal grains. The zinc : phytate ratio found is more than 40:1 in all cereal grains which is far more than the suggested binding ratio of 4:1. Therefore, bioavaliability of zinc from Pakistani cereal grains is more than sufficient and no deficiency can be encountered due to bioavailability of zinc. The only deficiency of zinc which could happen will be due to the pathological conditions

comparative study: treatment of scabies

The treatment of scabies in 260 patients have been studied during the out break of disease last year. The patients of age group 10-45 years were divided into three groups and were topically treated. First group with sulphur, second with benzyl benzoate and the third with a combination of sulphur and benzyl benzoate, alongwith the usual dose of antihistamine. The results of therapeutic success showed that the scabies treatment period has decreased down to 20% by the combined use of benzyl benzoate and sulphur. There was only two cases of relapces

Antibacterial activity of iron [II] and zinc [II] -amino acid complexes

Zinc [II] and Iron [II] complexes of ten amino acids viz: L - alanine, L - arginine, glycine, L - histidine, L - phenylalanine, L - lysine, L - proline, L- threonine, L - tryptophan, L - tyrosine and L - leucine were prepared and their antibacterial activity was studied against the standard strains of Escherichia coli [ATCC 25922], Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC 25923] and Streptococcus pyogens [ATCC 27853] in comparison with the action of pure amino acids and salts of Iron [II] and Zn [II]. The complexes of Iron [II] and Zinc [II] - phenylalaninates, histidinates, tryptophanates and tyrosinates were found more active against these strains as compared Zinc acetate and Ferrous sulphate salts, while the respective pure amino acids showed no antibacterial activity. The Zinc [II] complexes of phenylalininate, histidine, tryptophanates and tyrosinate were more active as compared to their complexes with Iron [II]. A significant antibacterial activity of other complexes were also observed against all of the three strains

99Tcm-radiopharmaceuticals and their status in Pakistan

99Tcm, a unique blend of nuclear and chemical properties, has become a work horse of diagnostic radiopharmacy. Its relatively short half life and low energy alpa emission are the prime factors which give rise to this rare combination best suiting the safety requirements among all the radionuclides of clinical importance. Its availability from a convenient generator system through simple and reliable operation, and ability to from co-ordination complexes with a variety of ligands also very significantly contribute to its prominence. Many 99Tcm-radiopharmaceuticals are used in diagnostic imaging procedures with assured safety. Past, present and future of 99Tcm-radiopharmaceuticals, its reviewed here with particular reference to their status in Pakistan

Clinical comparison of indigenous 99Tcm-radiopharmaceuticals kits with amersham diagnostic kits

The ultimate appropriateness of the indigenous [Pinscan] cold kits was judged by performing clinical studies with them and comparing results with Amersham's diagnostic kits [Amerscan]. The scans obtained by indigenous kits was as good as those of Amersham's. This proves that the indigenous kits are of acceptable quality and be used for routine clinical studies

Bioburden and sterility dose setting for radiation sterilization of locally manufactured sanitary pads

The initial bioburden or count of colony forming unit [CFU] were determined on the locally manufactured non-sterilized sanitary pads and Sterilization Dose [SD] and Device Verification Dose [DVD] calculations were done. A total of 180 tests were carried out on sixty samples. The maximum and minimum microbial contaminants found were 248 and 92 respectively with an average of 175. The 20% samples were subjected to identification, only aerobic microorganisms were isolated and identified as bacilli. Most of the isolates [83%] were Bacillus pumilus and subtillis. The Sterilization Dose [SD] calculated by the method proposed by Sterilization Standards Committee, Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation [AAMI], for a Sterility Assurance Level [SAL] of 10-3 set for this item was 1.18 Mrads whereas Device Verification Dose [DVD] was 0.59 Mrads

Rapid biological quality control of radiopharmaceuticals

The modern techniques of radiometric sterility testing and limulus lysate pyrogenicity testing are used for rapid biological quality control of radiopharmaceuticals. These techniques have been applied to active 198Au, 51Cr, 59Fe, 197Hg, 203Hg, 131I, 99mTc and to non-radioactive radiopharmaceutical kits DTPA, MDP, HIDA and EHIDA in our laboratories since 1984. The radiometric test has been carried out on 164 batches and limulus lysate on 76 batches of 15 different radiopharmaceuticals and the results achieved are presented. The both techniques are rapid, convenient and sensitive and the results are equally good and reliable than the corresponding time consuming standard conventional ones. The techniques are as suitable as conventional techniques and are suitable for most of the radiopharmaceuticals' tested. The status, advantages and limitations of these techniques are also described

Simple, efficient and simultaneous determination of anabolic steroids in human urine

A high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of free anabolic drug "sustanon 250" [Organon] is developed. Four testosterone esters, propionate, phenylpropionate, isocaproate and decanoate were detected simultaneously and quantitatively in only 15 minutes. The percentage extraction in dichloromethane of the four testosterone esters from doped urine was 88,87,89 and 94% respectively. The separation recorded at 254 nm using analytical column ODS-C[18] and methanol as an eluent, showed no interference of naturally occurring steroids. This method can be used for pharmacokinetic studies, routine analysis in pharmaceutical industry, routine therapeutic surveillance and in drug abuse by sportsmen

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]

This article discusses the basic concepts of Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] with the intention to introduce the subject to uninitiated. The MRI technique is a powerful noninvasive probe of the body's internal anatomy. In MRI, the images are produced not by X-rays, but through the use of non-ionizing radiowaves that stimulate transitions between spin states of nuclei in a magnetic field when passed through the body. The time required for the nucleus to return to equilibrium gives information about the environment of that nucleus. In this way tissue abnormalities can be determined in vivo. This article covers the basis of MRI phenomena, the concept of magnetic moment of the sample, NMR exalation and emission and the equipment necessary to observe these NMR properties. The primary agents used to increase tissue contrast in MRI are also mentioned. Finally the importance and prospects of this technique in Pakistan have been discussed

Detection of coliform organisms in drinking water by radiometric method

The radiometric method has been used for detection of coliform bacteria in water. The method is based on measuring the released metabolic [14] CO[2] from [14]C- lactose in growth media containing coliform organisms incubated at 37°C under continuous shaking. This rapid and sensitive radiometric method permits the detection of even single coliform organisms within 6 hours of incubation. Using this automated method, a total of 102 samples [in duplicate] collected from different areas in and around Rawalpindi and Islamabad were assessed for coliform bacteria. Of these 102 samples, 50 were tap water samples, 40 from wells and 6 each were from Rawal and Simly dams. About 47% and 67% tap water samples, while 62% and 74% well water samples were found unsatisfactory from around Islamabad and Rawalpindi areas, respectively. About 83% and 66% water samples from Rawal dam and Simly dam respectively were found to be unsatisfactory