N/A Continue Reading

N/A Continue Reading

N/A Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) harbors immune evasion that impairs immune responses and prevents optimal immunity against Mtb. However, little is known about mechanisms of immune evasion in Mtb infected individual. In this study, the relationship among the IL-35 level, IL-35-producing regulatory T cells (iTr35) subset, the bacterial burden and lung lesions in mice infected with Mtb were investigated to assess the impact of immune evasion on the infected mice.Methods: A total of twenty C57BL/6 male 6-7 weeks old mice, were injected with 1 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) of attenuated H37Ra strain of Mtb in a volume of 200 μL, to prepare mouse tuberculosis infection models. Colony forming units in left lung and spleen coefficient were determined followed by histopathology, quantitative RT-PCR for mRNA, Western blot analysis, cytokine IL-35 detection and flow cytometry of fork head box protein P3-expressing T cells.Results: Compared with the control mice, the mRNA... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Plantar fasciitis is the commonest musculoskeletal disorder seen in subjects with history of frequent running and prolonged standing. This study was designed to determine the frequency of plantar fasciitis among traffic wardens of Lahore.Methods: This was cross-sectional study comprising of consenting 147 traffic wardens from city of Lahore. A modified plantar fasciitis pain scale (PFPS) questionnaire was used to record the sociodemographic information, past history of heel pain and risk factors of plantar fasciitis. Diagnosis was based on patient history and physical examination using visual analogue scale (VAS). The data was gathered and SPSS version 23.0 was used to analyze the data.Results: The frequency of plantar fasciitis among 147 wardens was 38.7%. A total of 90 (61.2%) subjects were having morning stiffness while 85 (57.8%) had pain on palpation of medial plantar calcaneal region. Ninety six (65.3%) wardens reported of having 4-8 hours daily standing work while... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Recently, many scientific researchers are focusing on investigating the antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants against different gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as against some cancer cell lines as an alternative substituent to the available drugs in the market. This study was designed to investigate the chemical composition of Ducrosia anethifolia solvent extracts with their potential as antibacterial and anticancer biomedical agentsMethods: Different extracts of Ducrosia anethifolia were analyzed to reveal their major chemical composition using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These compounds were further tested for their antibacterial (agar well diffusion technique) and cytotoxic activities (MTT assay).Results: In-vitro antibacterial assay against selected human pathogens indicated highest susceptibility of Bacillus subtilis organic and aquatic extracts of Ducrosia fruit and leaves (15.5 mm inhibition zone) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (15mm) mainly with acetone fruit extracts. Negligible or no effect against was observed against the gram negative... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Cigarette smoke contains nicotine that has numerous health hazards ranging from mild to life threatening morbidities. The health benefits of date palm against the toxic substances are well documented in the literature. This study is designed to investigate the effect of nicotine on body weight of mice and its amelioration by date palm pit powder (DPP).Methods: Thirty two adult male albino mice were divided into four groups each having eight animals. Date’s pit were first soaked for 48 hours in cold distilled water and then dried by air convection drying method. DPP was administered by oral gavage. Control group ‘A’ was given saline 1.5 ml per kg for 15 days. The experimental groups were given 0.5 mg/kg nicotine intra-peritoneally for 15 days. For the next 30 days, Group C received 0.9% saline orally and Group D received 500 mg/kg of DPP orally. Solid food intake was measured... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a taste enhancer and is a common ingredient of some foods as canned vegetables, soups, processed meat and traditional seasoning. Garlic, on the other hand, is known to have antibacterial and antiviral effects and has also been used for cancer prevention. The objective of current study is to observe the effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) in MSG induced toxic effects on the body weight of adult Wistar rats.Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy at University of Health Sciences, Lahore in 2016. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats, 6-8 weeks old of 150-175 grams weight were taken and divided into four groups (6 rats in each). Group A served as a control and received 6 ml/kg of distilled water orally via gavage tube and intraperitoneally for 14 days; Group B was treated with... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Tuberculosis has been an epidemic for humans over ages caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB). First line drugs in fixed dosage are employed for its treatment. Therefore this study was designed to observe the clinical outcomes after two months of initial treatment with antituberculous drugs in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: The study was conducted on n = 30 newly diagnosed patients having pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed with acid fast bacilli positive sputum at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital, Lahore. After informed written consent, blood samples were drawn at 02 and 06 hours post dose intervals for antituberculous drugs in fixed dose combination (FDC). Liver and renal enzyme levels in relation with clinical signs and symptoms were assessed and recorded before and during drug therapy on day 1, 14 &56. Data was entered and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS software, version 20). ANOVA test was used to determine... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Chronic hepatitis C infection and its associated mortality and morbidity is a big health challenge in Pakistan. Chronic hepatitis C infection leads to marked reduction of serum hepcidin levels leading to systemic iron overload. Present study was aimed to determine the levels of serum hepcidin in chronic hepatitis C patients and controls.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Physiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore from January 2012 to January 2014. A total of 81 individualsin each of the two groups were recruited after taking written informed consent. Group A was a control group (with no history of hepatitis) while Group B comprised of chronic hepatitis (CHC) patients. Both groups were tested for serum hepcidin levels measured by ELISA technique. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for serum hepcidin levels in each group. Comparative analysis of serum hepcidin value was done between two groups by applying Kruskal... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Patients having diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2) are increasing all over the world. Early detection could decrease the risk of morbidities in general population. Glycated haemoglobin-A (HbA1C) is not only a reliable screening test for diabetes but also provides an insight in long-term complications related with this disease. Therefore this study was designedto determine the association of HbA1C with clinical symptoms of DM-2 in general, undiagnosed population of Lahore.Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted for 15 months enrolling 2500 participants from community of Lahore, Punjab. A well-structured questionnaire recorded familial histories and clinical symptoms (if any present) related with DM-2. HbA1C levels were detected by standard methods. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: HbA1C level > 7% was observed in 1651 (66%) patients who were previously unaware of their diabetic condition. There was a highest positive association of HbA1C status with polyuria [Odds ratio: 2.60... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Health care workers are the most vulnerable group to be infected with viral hepatitis. At this time there is limited data related to seroconversion after vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) especially in the hospital staff. The current study aims to find out the frequency of seroconversion after hepatitis B vaccination in healthcare workers and factors affecting seroconversion.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Gastroenterology at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman Lahore from November 2015 to May 2016. After taking written informed consent, 250subjects from various Departments of Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore were enrolled, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Demographic data like name, age, gender, height and weight were recorded. History related to smoking was taken and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Aftercompletion of course of three vaccines, blood sampleswereanalyzed for quantitative determination of anti-hepatitis B antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Episiotomy is the most common surgical procedure in obstetrics and the utilization of this surgical technique is increasing day by day. The importance of absorbable sutures for episiotomy repair cannot be denied. This study was carried out to compare post-episiotomy repair complications between continuous subcutaneous stitching with vicryland interrupted mattress closure with catgut.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Hussain Memorial Hospital Lahore and Kishwar Fazal Teaching Hospital Sheikhupura. Four hundred patients, admitted with labour pains were equally divided into two groups. Group A, comprised of patients, who had episiotomy repair by continuous subcuticular sutures with vicryl and group B patient’s episiotomy repair was done by interrupted mattress sutures with catgut. All patients were delivered by vaginal route with episiotomy, to widen the perineum. The details of history and post episiotomy repair complications like postpartum pain, in duration, process of healing, wound discharge, wound dehiscence and... Continue Reading

Background and Objectives: Research plays an essential part in academic advancement of medical students. At student level research experience is highly associated with future career achievements. This study was carried out to determine attitudes towards research among undergraduate and postgraduate students and also among male and female students.Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at Wah Medical College, Pakistan Ordinance Factory Hospital from January to June 2018. The study was carried out on 192 students, 64 postgraduate and 128 undergraduate students. They were selected by simple random sampling technique and a pre-tested attitude towards research (ATR) scale questionnaire was used for data collection. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic information and second part comprised of 30 questions to assess their attitude towards research. The questions were to be responded on seven points Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree after taking informed consent. Data was analyzed... Continue Reading