Allelopathic potential of 73 weed species in Pakistan

Introduction: Use of allelochemicals as inexpensive, biodegradable and eco-friendly substitutes for the management of weeds in crops is a central topic nowadays. Objective: The current study represented the comprehensive screening of allelopathic activity of 73 weeds in Pakistan by the Sandwich method and dish pack method. To investigate the allelochemical compound in top most allelopathic weed. Methods: Allelopathic effects of selected weeds leaves leachate were determined through sandwich technique, while volatile allelopathic effects through dish pack techniques. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical techniques were applied to investigate allelochemical potential of Melilotus indicus. The statistical analysis of the data described the allelopathic effect of 73 weed plants on lettuce seedling growth in terms of radicle and hypocotyl elongation. Results: Elongation percentage of radicle and hypocotyl ranged 0-74 % to 0-148 % and 0-75 % to 0-84 % respectively at 10 mg concentration of dry plant powder in sandwich method while it was 2-234 % and 7-150 % at in Dish Pack method. Among the plants screened for phytotoxic activity, M. indicus contained the strongest allelochemicals. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of M. indicus showed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compound along with other allelochemical. Conclusions: Selected weeds may have strong allelochemical potential that can help in the development of bioactive compounds from plant species to be used as natural herbicides and pesticides for sustainable management of weeds and pest.

Introducción: El uso de aleloquímicos como sustitutos baratos y amigables con el ambiente para el manejo de hierbas en plantaciones es un tema central actualmente. Objetivo: En el presente estudio se midió la actividad alelopática de 73 hierbas en Pakistán a través de los métodos "sandwich" y "dish pack", con el fin de investigar los compuestos aleloquímicos más importantes en las hierbas analizadas. Métodos: A través del método "sandwich" se determinaron los efectos alelopáticos de los lixiviados de hojas en las hierbas analizadas, mientras que el efecto alelopático volátil a través de la técnica "dish pack". Para investigar el potencial aleloquímico de Melilotus indicus se aplicaron técnicas fitoquímicas tanto cualitativas como cuantitativas. El análisis estadístico de los datos describió el efecto alelopático de 73 especies de hierbas sobre el crecimiento radicular y del hipocótilo en plántulas de lechuga. Resultados: El porcentaje de elongación radicular y del hipocotilo varió entre 0-74 % hasta 0-148 % y 0-75 % hasta 0-84 % respectivamente, con una concentración de 10 mg de polvo de planta seca con el método "sandwich". Además, fue entre 2-234 % y 7-150 % con el método "dish pack". Entre las plantas analizadas para actividad fitotóxica, M. indicus presentó los aleloquímicos más fuertes. Los análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos de M. indicus mostraron la presencia de flavonoides y compuestos fenólicos, junto con otros aleloquímicos. Conclusiones: Las hierbas seleccionadas pueden tener un potencial aleloquímico fuerte que ayude al desarrollo de compuestos bioactivos de plantas, para usar como hierbicidas y pesticidas naturales en el manejo sostenible de plagas y malas hierbas.

Acute toxicity and antispasmodic activities of achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch

Since Achillea wilhelmsii is used as antispasmodic in traditional medicine, we conducted our current work to investigate its rationale on scientific grounds. Acute toxicity studies of crude methanol extract of Achillea wilhelmsii [Aw. CMeOH] is also performed. Effect of Aw. CMeOH and its fractions were tested on isolated sections of rabbits' jejunum at test concentrations 0.01, 0.03, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 10mg/ml. The test extracts, in similar concentrations, were also tested on KCl-induced contractions. Calcium chloride curves were constructed for those fractions which relaxed KCl induced contractions in the absence and presence of the test samples to investigate its possible mode of action through calcium channels. Aw. CMeOH tested positive for flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, sterols, phenols, carbohydrates and proteins. LD[50] for acute toxicity studies is 2707 +/- 12.6 mg/kg. Mean EC[50] values for Aw. CMeOH on spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions are 3.41 +/- 0.18 [2.56-3.8, n=6] and 0.68 +/- 0.05 [0.6-0.85, n=6] mg/ml, respectively. Respective EC[50] values for n-hexane fraction on spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions are 3.06 +/- 0.08 [2.8-3.3, n=6] and 1.68 +/- 0.8 [1.4-1.9, n=6] mg/ml, respectively. Corresponding EC[50] [mg/ml] values for chloroformic, ethylacetate and aqueous fractions of Achillea wilhelmsii on spontaneous rabbits' jejunum preparations are 4.8 +/- 0.2 [4.41-5.63, n=6], 5.07 +/- 0.15 [4.7-5.58, n=6] and 5.2 +/- 0.13 [4.91-5.64, n=4], respectively. Constructing calcium chloride curves, in the presence of 0.1 mg/ml of Aw. CMeOH, mean EC[50] value [log molar [Ca[++]]] is-1.98 +/- 0.03 [-1.89-2.05, n=6] vs. control EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]]-2.41 +/- 0.02 [-2.32-2.44, n=6]. Mean EC50 value [log molar [Ca[++]]] for 0.3 mg/ml n-hexane fraction is-1.76 +/- 0.05 [-1.70 -1.93, n=6] vs. control EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]] value-2.18 +/- 0.07 [-2.0-2.46, n=6]. While in the presence of chloroformic fraction [3 mg/ml], mean EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]] value is -2.4 +/- 0.1 [-2.78 - 2.9, n=6] vs. control EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]] value-2.70 +/- 0.05 [-2.5-2.8, n=6]. Mean EC50 value [log molar [Ca[++]]] for ethyl acetate fraction [1 mg/ml] is-1.94 +/- 0.07 [-1.75-2.05, n=6] vs. control EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]] value-2.69 +/- 0.04 [-2.57-2.79, n=6]. Mean EC50 [log molar [Ca[++]]] value for residual aqueous fraction [3 mg/ml] is-1.8 +/- 0.3 [-1.71-1.84, n=6] vs. control EC50 [log molar [Ca++]] -2.6 +/- 0.04 [-2.59-2.76, n=6]. Whereas, the verapamil [0.1 micro M] EC[50] value [log molar [Ca[++]]] is-1.7 +/- 0.1 [-1.6-1.8, n=6] vs. control EC50 value [log molar [Ca[++]]]- 2.4 +/- 0.09 [-2.3-2.47, n=6]. The present research work confirms that the intestinal relaxation effect of Achillea wilhelmsii is supporting its traditional use as antispasmodic. The plant species can be a source for calcium antagonist[s], which can preferably be isolated from n-hexane fraction

Frequency of asymptomatic spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites

To determine the frequency of asymptomatic spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites. Descriptive study. The study was conducted at indoor and outpatient departments of Medicine, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 29[th] February 2008 to 28th August 2008. One hundred and ninety five patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites were selected. To standardize the study; patients of both genders over 18 years of age, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and ascites were included in the study after obtaining their informed consent. Patients with abdominal tenderness and fever, hepatic encephalopathy, intra-abdominal surgically treatable cause, with any co-morbid disease [hypertension and diabetes mellitus] or refusing to give consent were excluded from the study. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were observed to control the confounding variables. Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was based on increased ascitic fluid absolute polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN] count [> 250 cells / mm[3]] and/or positive bacterial culture. Out of 195 patients, 10 patients [5%] had neutrocytic ascites [absolute neutrophil count > 250 cell/mm[3]]. Out of these 195 patients, three patients [1.5%] were found to have positive ascitic fluid culture. In our study the frequency of asymptomatic spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites turned out to be 5% which is low. Therefore, analysis of ascitic fluid through diagnostic paracentesis should be reserved for inpatient or outpatient with clinically apparent new onset ascities or in cirrhotic patients with ascities whose general condition deteriorates

Control of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy using INR in Patients with Artificial Heart Valves

To determine frequency of patients with artificial heart valves who are optimally anticoagulated, over anticoagulated or under anticoagulated based upon INR values. Descriptive, cross sectional study. Pathology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. Five hundred patients who underwent heart valve replacement at AFIC were selected according to convenience sampling. Prothrombin time along with International Normalized Ratio [INR] was done in every case on automated Coagulation Laboratory [ACL]. Patients were grouped into adequately anticoagulated, under anticoagulated and over anticoagulated according to INR values. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the frequencies and percentages. One way ANOVA followed by post Hoc Sheffe test was applied to compare mean values of INR across the three groups. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 300 patients [60%] were adequately anticoagulated whereas 175 [35%] and 25 [5%] were under and over anticoagulated respectively. Fifteen patients [60%] of the over anticoagulated group had hemorrhagic complications. INR values of all the three groups were significantly different from each other p-value [<0.005]. Dose of oral anticoagulant [warfarin] should be adjusted according to the results of INR to avoid thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications

Microbial spectrum of cardiac implantable electronic device infections - a tertiary cardiac center experience

The objective of the study was to determine the microbiological spectrum of cardiac implantable electronic device [CIED] infections. Case series Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology / National Institute of Heart Diseases AFIC/NIHD from January 2011 to Nov 2013. A total of 15 pus samples from patients with possible CIED infection out of 814 patients with implantable CIEDs were processed. Thirteen patients with positive cultures out of fifteen were included in the study. Clinical evidence of CIED infection included signs of inflammation and purulent drainage. A CIED infection was microbiologically confirmed based on culture yield. Blood cultures were carried out in all patients with suspected CIED infection along with trans-oesophageal echocardiography [TOE], wherever clinically indicated to exclude bacteremia and lead endocarditis. Sixty nine percent of patients with culture proven CIED infection were females and 31% were males. The mean age of patients was 61 years [range 53-70 years]. Devices included 11 PPMs, 1 ICD and 1 CRT. The most frequent organisms were gram-positive [77% of isolates]; with Coagulase-negative Staphylococci [CoNS] predominating in particular Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis [MRSE] in 46.4% cases followed by Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis [MSSE] in 15%. Non tuberculous Mycobacterium fortuitium was isolated from pus in two patients; with PPM and ICD implants respectively. MRSA was isolated in only 01 PPM infection with evidence of lead endocarditis on TOE. Pseudomonas species was isolated from pus in one patient with CRT implant. CIED infections are more often caused by Staphylococci predominantly CoNS, although atypical Mycobacteria can be implicated

Platelet count in malaria

To evaluate the significance of platelet count in cases of malaria at presentation. Descriptive study. Department of pathology CMH Lahore, from Aug 2007 to Sep 2008. A total of 256 patients of all ages with short history of febrile illness, rigors and chills were included in the study. Three ml blood sample was taken to prepare thick and thin blood smears. The smears were stained with Leishman's stain and examined'for malarial parasite. Complete blood counts of all the subjects were carried out with Sysmex KX -21 hematology analyzer. Out of 256 patients, 102 [40%] were positive for malaria on microscopy. 80 [31%] had Plasmodium vivax and 22 [9%] had Plasmodium falciparum infection. Thrombocytopenia was found in 66 [82.5%] and 19 [86.45%] patients of Plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum respectively. Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in cases of malaria at presentation. Its presence in a patient with acute febrile illness increases the probability of malaria. Replacement therapy is usually not required and platelet count becomes normal after anti malarial treatment

tertiary care hospital experience of efficacy of darn repair versus bassini repair in inguinal hernia

To compare the results of Bassini vs Darn inguinal hernia repair techniques in terms of postoperative pain, infection rate, hospital stay, resumption of duty and recurrence. A randomized controlled prospective comparative study of inguinal hernia repair was conducted in Combined Military Hospital Quetta, and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Jan 2001 till June 2004. Seventy-eight patients of both sexes between 20-60 years with primary inguinal hernia were included in the study. Patients with obstructed/strangulated and recurrent inguinal hernias were excluded. They were randomly assigned to group I having 42 [53.76%] patients treated by Bassini repair and group II, 36 [46.24%] patients repaired with Darning technique. In group I, severe post-operative pain requiring intra-muscular analgesics occurred in 24 [57.14%] patients, infection occurred in 3 [7.14%], mean hospital stay was 5 days [4- 6 days], assumption of duties took 5-6 weeks and recurrence at the end of one year was 4.76%. In group II, severe postoperative pain requiring intra-muscular analgesics occurred in 9 [25%] patients, infection occurred in one [2.8%], mean hospital stay was 4.5 days [4- 5 days], assumption of duties took 4-5 weeks and recurrence at the end of one year was 0%. Darn repair, though a difficult procedure is a better technique than simple Bassini repair with a low morbidity and recurrence rate

Homozygous beta° thalassaemia presenting with warm antibody immune haemolytic anaemia in an adult male

Beta thalassaemia major in certain genetic mutations may present as thalassaemia intermedia or, its diagnosis may be missed. The management of such patients requires special consideration. We present such a case of beta thalassaemia major who developed warm antibody type of immune haemolytic anaemia

Evaluation of serum transferrin recceptor concentration in diagnosing and differentiating Iron deficiency anaemia from anaemia of chronic disorders

To diagnose and differentiate iron deficiency anaemia [IDA] from anaemia of chronic disorders [ACD] using serum concentration of soluble transferrin receptors [sTfR]. One hundred and seventy six adult anaemic patients were diagnosed on bone marrow examination as IDA and ACD in the Department of Haematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from November 2001 to May 2003. They were further evaluated with sTfR, serum iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC] and serum ferritin. These biochemical investigations were compared with results of bone marrow iron status, which served as gold standard. Absence of stainable iron in the bone marrow was diagnostic of iron deficiency, whereas abundance of iron along with decreased siderocytes and sideroblasts was considered diagnostic of ACD. Data was collected on a proforma and analysed using software SPSS [version 11.0] and t-test was used to test the statistical significance. Specificity, sensitivity positive and negative predictive value of the sTfR test was calculated. Out of 176 patients studied, 90 [51.1%] were diagnosed as ACD whereas 86 [48.8%] as IDA. The mean + SD sTfR levels in IDA patients was 9.68 + 2.48 mg/l, whereas mean + SD sTfR levels in ACD patients was 2.96 + 1.28 mg/l, thus clearly separating the two categories of anaemic patients. Both the sensitivity and specificity of sTfR in IDA was found to be 100%, whereas in ACD, these were 66.6% and 100% respectively. The positive and negative predictive value, in case of IDA was 100%, whereas in ACD it was 100% and 74.1% respectively. The results of serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin correlated well in IDA, with a fall in serum iron, raised TIBC and decreased serum ferritin, except in few cases in which concomitant inflammatory conditions resulted in falsely high serum ferritin level. Serum iron and TIBC were not useful in cases of ACD. However, the serum ferritin cutoff level of 90 ng/ml was evaluated which virtually excludes IDA, and found this highly effective in cases of IDA alongwith chronic inflammatory conditions. The results show that in case of simple IDA, sTfR concentration is significantly raised and it has a very high test efficiency in this condition. However in case of ACD the positive predictive value is high [100%] but the negative predictive value is compromised [74.1%]. It is therefore a reliable laboratory index of IDA and in distinguishing IDA from ACD

Frequency of translocation down syndrome in northern Pakistan

To determine the proportion of Translocation-Down syndrome in patients of Down syndrome. Cross sectional study carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from October 2000 to October 2002. One hundred and sixty nine clinically suspected patients of Down syndrome were referred to AFIP Rawalpindi for cytogenetic confirmation during the period of study. Five ml of venous blood was collected from each case in heparinised vaccutainer tube. Blood was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium enriched with L-glutamine and foetal bovine serum. Phytohaemagglutin was used as T-cell mitogen. The cultures were incubated for 72 hours at 370C. Mitoses were arrested in metaphase by colchicine. The cells were harvested and slides prepared and aged. These were digested with trypsin and stained with Giemsa stain. Twenty metaphases were analysed under the microscope and the observations were recorded. Out of 169 patients studied, Down syndrome was confirmed in 138 [81.7%] patients on chromosomal analysis. One hundred and thirty [94.2%] of these had classical Down syndrome with 47 chromosomes [Trisomy 21]. Seven [5.1%] patients had translocation variant of Down syndrome while there was one [0.7%] case of mosaic Down syndrome. The chromosomes involved in translocation were 13, 14, 15 and 21. All of these patients had the phenotype of Down syndrome. In patients with translocation variant parents were also studied. Only one mother had the same translocation as that of her child and her age was 29 years. Our results show that 5.1% of patients with Down syndrome phenotype have the translocation variant on cytogenetic studies. Chromosomal abnormality, however, is not commonly present in the parents. Identification of this variant is more demanding and requires thorough, meticulous examination by an experienced observer as the total number of chromosomes is 46 in contrast to 47 in the classical Down syndrome

Frequency of factor V leiden mutation

To determine the frequency of factor V leiden mutation. Observational study. One-year, January 2001 to December 2001 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Two hundred subjects each of apparently healthy and unrelated Punjabi and Pathan origins were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected in EDTA and DNA extracted by phenolchloroform extraction method. DNA analysis was done by PCR for restriction fragment length polymorphism. The product was digested overnight with Mn/1 and electrophoresed on acrylamide gel to detect 67 and 153 base pair fragments of factor V leiden against 37, 67 and 116 base pair fragments of normal factor V. In the 400 subjects studied, only 5 cases of heterozygotes for factor V leiden were detected. The overall carrier rate was 1.3% [95% Cl 0.2-2.2%]. The carrier rate in Punjabis and Pathans was 1% and 1.5% respectively. This study confirms that the prevalence of factor V leiden is low in Asians and Africans as compared to the European population

Factor X deficiency in north Pakistan

Factor X deficiency is one of the most rare hereditary coagulation disorders. In populations where rate of consanguineous marriages is high, rare hereditary disorders also flourish. Pakistan is one of those countries. The study was conducted to estimate the incidence of factor X deficiency in patients with bleeding disorders in North Pakistan. The records of the patients referred to Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for investigations of a suspected bleeding disorder were reviewed from 1st January 1997 to 30th June 2002. All patients referred for the investigations of a suspected bleeding disorder were included in the study. All patients underwent clinical interview and examination at the department. Factor X deficiency was diagnosed on the basis of prolonged prothrombin time and prolonged partial thromboplastin time with kaolin, which were corrected by addition of aged serum but not with adsorbed plasma. Factor X assays were carried out where possible. Only 24 patients of factor X deficiency were detected in 571 patients presenting with coagulation disorder. In 4 cases deficiency was thought to be secondary history, clinical findings and lab results. Inherited deficiency of factor X was thus detected in only 20/571 [3.5%] of the patients. Family history was positive in 8/20 [40%] patients. Consanguinity was noted in 12/20 [60%] patients. Median age of patients was 3 years. Male and females were in equal numbers. Most common clinical presentations were prolonged bleeding after trauma and mucosal bleeding seen in 80% and 70% of patients respectively. In patients in whom factor X assay was performed only one had <1% levels. Factor X deficiency although rare in American and European populations is not that rare in this part of the world. Its existence should be kept in mind in patients presenting with mucosal bleeding and prolonged PT and PTTK but normal platelet count and TT. The mutations in factor X, in this part of the world are most probably not the one, which would cause a severe bleeding diathesis