Photoinitiated polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate by safranin T / triethanolamine in aqueous solution: a kinetic study

This study involves the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl metharylate [HEMA] [1-M], photoinitiated by safranin T [ST] / triethanolamine [TEOHA] system in the pH range 6.0â€"9.0. The kinetics of the reactions during the initial stages of polymerization [tilde 5% HEMA conversion, within 150 s] has been evaluated to avoid the effects of any volume changes in the solution. The concentration of HEMA in polymerized solutions has been determined spectrometrically at 208 nm with a precision of +/- 3%. The apparent first-order rate constants [kobs] for the polymerization of HEMA by ST in the presence of 0.010 M TEOHA range from 2.57-6.08 [1 M], 2.14-5.44 [2 M] and 1.79-4.81x10[-4] s[-1] [3 M] at pH 6.0-9.0. The second-order rate constants for the interaction of TEOHA with HEMA [1-3 M] range from 1.79-6.08x10[-2] M[-1] s[-1] at pH 6.0-9.0. This indicates that the reactivity of TEOHA radicals increases with an increase in pH of the solution. The viscosity of HEMA solutions exerts an influence on the rates of polymerization and the values of kobs show a linear relation with inverse of solution viscosity. This could be due to the quenching of the ST excited triplet state with an increase in the viscosity of the solution

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus in surgical patients

To assess the current prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus in our set up. Prospective descriptive study from June 2005 to December 2006. Department of Surgery, Baqai Medical University, Karacho. All patients who were operated during the study period. The detailed information about each patient was entered on a pre-designed questionnaire, including age, sex, type of operation, HBV and HCV screening test results, and presence of risk factors like: history of drug addiction, blood transfusion, family history of hepatitis, tattooing, viral vaccination, hospitalization, previous surgery, haemodialysis, etc. Amongst the total 275 patients, 27 [9.8%] had the Hepatitis virus: HBV-10, HCV-14 and HBV and HCV-3. Infection was more common among male patients and those between the ages of 4150 years. Knowledge about Hepatitis risk factors is deficient; hence there should be more emphasis on public mass education programmes. Besides HBV vaccination should be carried out to reduce Hepatitis transmission

Prolonged sitting occupation: etiological factor of anal fissure

To assess the correlation between prolonged sitting occupation and anal fissure as an etiological factor. Observational study - case series. From June 2004 to June 2006 at Baqai Medical University and Korangi Surgical Clinic Karachi. All patients with anal fissure attending the out patient clinic of above mentioned hospitals were included. Their profession was recorded. Other information regarding duration of job, sitting duration during their work was also sought. Out of 120 patients 108 were male. All were between the ages of 22-40 years. Seventy three were having long duration sitting occupation causing external pressure on anal canal between the sitting object and coccyx. Evidence from the present study suggests that long duration sitting occupation has played a role in pathogenesis of anal fissure

Varicocelectomy performed under local anesthesia

To report a series of varicocelectomy performed under local anaesthesia. Interventional study. Fatima Hospital Karachi from April 2003 to April 2006. Thirty consecutive patients with varicolcele were included in this study. All patient were evaluated with a complete clinical history, physical examination and scrotal ultrasonography to assess the testicular volume and to confirm varicocele. All surgeries were done on day care basis. About 76 patients had grade II varicocele. 0.5% xylocaine with adrenaline [1:200000] was used for local infiltration Post operative pain level was assessed with visual analog scale [VAS]. It varied from 10mm to 30mm with an average of 21.3. No intra-operative complications occurred. All patients were discharged within 12 hours after surgery. Overall 5 patients had minor complication: 2 had scrotal haematoma, 3 had surgical wound infection one patient had flank pain for 24 hours. This study has shown varicocelectomy under local anaesthesia to be possible, simple, cheap, reliable and a safe method with minimal complications