Identification of IgE- binding pollen protein from Cannabis sativa in pollen-hypersensitive patients from north Pakistan

Cannabis sativa [C.sativa] is well-known for its medicinal, industrial and recreational use. However, allergies in relation to Cannabis sativa [C.sativa] are rarely reported. C. sativa is one of the common weeds found in Pakistan and its pollen grains are common in spring and fall season. Although categorized as an aeroallergen, there are limited number of reports regarding allergenic potential in C. sativa. Therefore, the current study is aimed at exploring the IgE- binding potential among the C.sativa pollen in local pollen allergic patients. Initial screening of C. sativa sensitized individuals was carried out by dot blot from the sera of pollen allergic patients. Proteins from the pollen grains were extracted and resolved on 10% gel. Eight bands were visible on gel however only one protein fragment i.e. of 14KDa size was found to bind to IgE as analyzed through protein gel blot analysis. Strong IgE affinity of a 14 kDa protein fragment from C. sativa pollen extract suggests its allergenic potential. Further study is required to find the exact nature of this protein fragment

Determination of nitrate in biological fluids by HPLC

Nitrate is the stable product of nitric oxide, which is physiologically active radical, an immunomodulator and a neuromodulator; its quantification in biological fluids is important to study the physiological and biochemical nature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify nitrate in different biological fluids like serum, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and ascetic fluid [ASF] using HPLC technique. A new HPLC method for the estimation of nitrate in serum, CSF and ASF was developed using the mobile phase of 1.0mM each of Na[2]CO[3] and NaHCO3 [1:1, v/v, pH 5 with H[3]PO[4]] at a flow rate of 1.0mLmin[-1]. Eluate was detected at 220nm with the retention time of nitrate 2.55 min. The LOD and LOQ values of nitrate were 0.03 micro gmL[-1] and 0.098 micro gmL[-1], respectively. Nitrate was eluted through SAX Hypersil column of 150 x 4.6mm, id, 5 micro m particle size. Run time was 10min. The method was validated according to the FDA guidelines and was found linear in the range of 0.39 to 50 micro gmL[-1] and CV was <3%, within limits of FDA guidelines. The method was used successfully for the estimation of nitrate in biological fluids like serum, CSF and ASF of 20 patients each. This is an alternate and reproducible method for the detection of nitrates in biological fluids

Spectrophotometric method for the determination of Gemifloxacin mesylate in pure and tablet dosage form

A Spectrophotometric method for the determination of Gemifloxacin mesylate [GFX] is developed and validated according to ICH guidelines. GFX is a fluoroquinolone that is used in the treatment of pneumonia. The analysis of the pure drug was carried out at its 'k[max] 270 nm. The method was linear from 0.5-5microg/mL, r[2] 0.999 and equation is 0.102-0.000. The % RSD for inter-day [0.969%] and intra-day [0.714%] assuring a good precision and accuracy was close to 100%. Limit of detection and Limit of quantification were 0.197 and 0.599|ug/mL, respectively

The validation results and statistical data demonstrate that the method is accurate, sensitive, cost effective and reproducible and has an importance in quality assurance of GFX analysis. The developed method was proved suitable for analysis of GFX in the pure and tablet dosage forms without interference of excepients

Epidemiology and outcome of burns at Khyber teaching hospital Peshawar

To determine the epidemiology, describe the clinical presentation, outcome and the factors responsible for fatal outcome of burn patients. A total of 240 patients admitted in Surgical D unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from March 2004 to Feb 2005 with burn injuries were included. Patient characteristics including age, sex, type of burn, total body surface areas [TBSA] burned, any first aid received, treatment given in hospital and outcome were recorded. 52.2% of the 240 patients were females. 31.66% patients were below 10 years of age, while 21.25% and 27.08% were in the second and third decades. Majority had less than 20% TBSA burns [47.5%] and only 4.1% had more than 50% TBSA burns. Flame burns were the commonest [45%] followed by scalds 31.6% and electrical 10.83%. Scalds were common in children. 130 patients improved with daily washes, dressing and debridements, systemic and local antibiotics. Skingrafts needed in 30 patients, 36 were referred to plastic surgery unit and 16 with more than 40% TBSA burns were referred to specialized burn centres. Mortality was 19 with sepsis as the leading cause, multiple organ failure, and shock were other causes of mortality. Burns injury is a major public health concern and is associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality. Flame, scald and electrical burns are commonly a result of domestic and occupation accidents and are preventable. The effectiveness of initial resuscitation, infection control and adequate surgical treatment improves short and long term outcomes