Gradual Changes in Genetic Based Developments for Phylogenetic Trends in Picornaviruses.

On the basis of the several techniques, the new groups and the strains within the Picornaviruses were classified. New groups like human pathogen EV22 (Echovirus 22) was discovered that was found to be highly different from other Picornaviruses to date. The biological properties of Picornaviruses were studied and on the basis of biological properties the viruses were classified into similar groups. The protein composition is rare because most of the copies out of 3 would not be processed to VP2 and VP4. EV23 was said to be similar to EV22 in various sections of genome. The Picornavirus classification is done hierarchically of a family using the quantitative approach with the help of PEDs (pairwise evolutionary distances). Comparison of the GENETIC classification with expert-based Picornavirus taxonomy and the differences in the frameworks were demonstrated, related to the virus groups and genetic diversity that show the classification content and structure. In the GENETIC classification, human Rhinovirus A, human Rhinovirus C and genus Aphthovirus were separated.

comparison of red-green color vision deficiency between medical and non-medical students in Pakistan

To investigate the prevalence of red-green color vision deficiency [CVD] among medical and dental students compared with non-medical students. This descriptive, cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of CVD between medical and non-medical Pakistani students. A total of 926 medical and dental students from Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan were compared with 7288 non-medical students from Nadirshaw Edulji Dinshaw University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan, and Pakistan Air Force [PAF] Public Schools [Muree and Sargodha], Pakistan. Standard Ishihara color vision charts were used, which provided an accurate assessment of CVD. More than 3 mistakes from plates 10-17 identified students as having red green CVD. The study was carried out from September 2003 to December 2008. The overall prevalence of CVD in the study population was 2.75%. They were no significant differences between male students in engineering college versus medical college [2.7% versus 4.4%, p=0.125], or between schools and universities [3.1% versus 3.1%, p=0.930]. A small proportion of the Pakistani population suffers from red-green CVD, more prominent in males. We found no differences between students in engineering college versus medical college, or between schools and universities in different geographical locations within Pakistan

Study of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in North Indian patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of the general population has irritable bowel syndrome. Despite this high prevalence, the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. There is no data available concerning the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in North Indian patients with irritable bowel syndrome. AIM: This study evaluated the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared with healthy controls. METHODS: This study included 225 consecutive patients of irritable bowel syndrome between the ages 20 and 65 years attending the gastroenterology clinics. Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome was made according to the Rome II criteria. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth was estimated by using the non-invasive glucose hydrogen breath test. RESULTS: Of 225 patients of irritable bowel syndrome, 160 (71.1%) were male and 65 (28.9%) were female. Of 100 controls, 65 (65%) were male and 35 (35%) female. The prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth was 25 of 225 (11.1%) patients with irritable bowel syndrome and 1 of 100 (1%) in apparently healthy controls. This difference was statistically significant. The prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in male and female patients was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in irritable bowel syndrome patients from North India is approximately 11.1%, which is lower than the reported prevalence.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in North Indian patients with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Occasionally celiac patients continue to experience gastro-intestinal symptoms even with a gluten free diet. In these cases, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may be one of the causes of the lack of response. Therefore, this prospective study was planned to determine the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in celiac patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 87 confirmed cases of celiac disease from North India and 87 age and sex matched controls. Celiac disease was confirmed by positive IgA antitissue transglutaminase on ELISA. 80 g glucose hydrogen breath test (non-invasive test) was performed to establish small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Rise of more than 10 ppm in hydrogen concentration over baseline value within two hours was considered suggestive of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. RESULTS: Out of 87 patients with celiac disease, 49 were male and 38 were female.The mean (+/-SD) age for male patients was 26.3 +/- 16.3 years (range 14-59 years) and for female patients was 28.4 +/- 15.6 years (range 16-58 years). Amongst the controls, 52 (59.8%) were male and 35 (40.2%) were female. The mean (+/- SD) age for male controls was 27.6 +/- 14.5 years (range 15-57 years) and for female controls was 29.3 +/- 16.5 years (range 18-59 years). Hydrogen breath test was suggestive of bacterial overgrowth in 18 of the 87 (20.7%) celiac disease patients but not in any of the apparently healthy controls. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a large number of celiac patients from North India suffer from bacterial overgrowth which can be accordingly treated with antibiotics.

Incidence of gall bladder malignancy in patients with cholelithiasis

A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Chandka Teaching Hospital Larkana from January 1997 to December 1998. One hundred cases of cholelithiasis were reviewed for malignancy [80 females and 20 males]. Out of these 10 percent patients were found to have carcinoma of the gall bladder. Their ages ranged from 41 to 69 years, with mean age of 52.2 years. Carcinoma of the gall bladder was found to be more common in the 5th decade of life. Common presenting symptoms were upper abdominal pain [100 percent] nausea and vomiting [80 percent], weight loss [50 percent], jaundice [40 percent] and anorexia [20 percent] Abdominal mass was palpable in two patients. Preoperative diagnosis with the help of ultrasound was possible only in three cases. Histopathologically, all the cases were adenocarcinomas. In majority of the cases, stones were mixed with cholesterol as a predominant component