Pakistamide C, a new sphingolipid from Abutilon pakistanicum

The Abutilon genus from the Malvaceae family is of medicinal importance, and members of this genus are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and other parts of the world. Abutilon pakistanicum Jafri & Ali is mainly found in Pakistan. It has been used by different systems of traditional medicines to treat different diseases. Pakistamide C, a new sphingolipid, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of A. pakistanicum. Different spectroscopic techniques such as NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) and Mass spectrometry (EI-MS, and FAB-MS experiments) were used to elucidate the structure of pakistamide C.

Corniculatin A, a new flavonoidal glucoside from Oxalis corniculata

Oxalis corniculata L. (creeping wood sorrel) is medicinally important member of family Oxalidaceae, and is distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It has been used in different systems of traditional medications for different diseases. Corniculatin A, a new flavonoid glucoside, was isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the whole plant along with luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, This is the first report of these compounds from this species. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data including mass and 2D NMR experiments.

Role of fiberoptic bronechoscopy in the diagnosis of lung diseases: an experience with 164 cases

The aim of this cross sectional study is to determine the role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of lung diseases and observe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, complications and demographic characteristics of the patient in Jinnah Hospital Lahore. The study was performed in the Department of Pulmonology, Jinnah Hospital/Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore from January 2007 to June 2008. This study was completed on 164 patients who underwent bronchoscopy for various reasons. The data was analysed on the basis of demography, clinical symptoms, radiological and bronchoscopic findings, type of specimen taken, and their microbiological and histopathological reports for definite diagnosis. A total of 164 patients underwent bronchoscopy during this period. Among these 99 [60%] were males and 65 [40%] were females. Age of the females ranged from 16-70 years with mean 48.5 +/- 13.2 and the males were from 14-85 years with mean age 57.8 +/- 18.1. Fifty eight [35.4%] were non smokers whereas 106 [64.6%] were smokers. Among them 63 [38.4%] presented with cough while 37 [22.5%] with cough and fever and 23 [14.0%] with chest pain. Hoarseness of voice was present in 6 [3.7%] and 35 [21.3%] presented with haemoptysis. Right lung involvement was observed in 74 [45.2%] and left lung in 52 [31.7%], whereas bilateral involvement was observed in 30 [18.3]. On bronchoscopy in 84 subjects, fungating mass was present in 30 [18.2%], infiltrative lesion was observed in 10 [6.8%], nodular mass was seen in 8 [4.7%], thick pussy secretion was obtained in 25 [15.1%], external compression was found in 05 [3.0%] subjects and vocal cord paralysis was present in 06 [3.6%]. Among 164 patients we were able to reach a definite diagnosis in 109 [66.4%]. There was no complication in 140 [85.4%] patients, while mild haemoptysis was present in 7 [4.3%], 13 [8%] had low grade fever and 4 [2.4%] developed bronchospasm. Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure for the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma and also for smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence of complication is also very low in experienced hands

Cervicofacial emphysema

The case describes a young girl developing cervicofacial emphysema after fall. She presented in emergency with gradually worsening upper body swelling without any sign of distress. Swelling was found on the right side of the face, all around the neck and right arm with crepitus in all these areas. CT scanning of head, neck and chest were performed and a small area of communication between nasopharynx and the trapped air of subcutaneous emphysema was seen. Video-endoscopy of the pharynx showed a tear in the nasopharyngeal mucosa acting as a one way valve leading to the development of cervicofacial emphysema

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

This is a case report of 32 years old male, who presented in outdoor clinic of Pulmonology Department, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, with progressively increasing shortness of breath over 2 years, multiple episodes of dry cough over 9 months, history of low-grade fever for 15 days and haemoptysis for the last one day. He was diagnosed as a case of miliary tuberculosis on the basis of his chest X-ray findings and was on anti-tuberculosis treatment by the GP of the locality. Diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis was made on the basis of clinical features and laboratory findings