Objective: To investigate the antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities of n-hexane fraction of Viola betonicifolia (V. betonicifolia). Methods: The antipyretic effect was scrutinized using brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia and anticonvlsion effect was tested using pentylenetetrazol and strychnine induced convulsion in mice. Results: N-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia demonstrated highly significant antipyretic activity during various assessment times (1-5 h) when challenged in yeast induced pyrexia test. The effect was in a dose dependent manner with maximum attenuation (82.50%) observed at 300 mg/kg i.p. When tested in pentylenetetrazol induced convulsion test, the 1st stage (Ear and facial twitching) and 2nd stage (Convulsive wave through the body) was 100% protected during 24 h at all the test doses (300, 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p.), while the latency time of remaining stages was significantly increased. The maximum effect was observed by n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia at 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p., as the latency time for generalized clonic-tonic seizure (5th stage) was increased up to 25.34 min. However, n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia had no protection in strychnine induced convulsion test. Conclusions:In conclusion, phytopharmacological studies provide scientific foundation to the folk uses of the plant in the treatment of pyrexia and neurological disorders.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of helminths of goats such as Fasciola hepatica, Haemonchus contortus, Paramphistomum cervi, Oesophagostomum columbian, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Monezia expansa, Oestertagia oestertagi and Oestertagia circumcincta. The overall prevalence of all species of helminthes was 52% in goat. The study was designed to investigate the factors of helminths prevalence on the basis of sex and age of goat with the help of Chi-square. All the results obtained were non-significant due to some factors which directly affects the prevalence of helminths.

The efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for elective induction of labor in post date multigravida with an unfavourable cervix was compared over a period of one year in the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Eightyeight multigravida post date women were divided into two groups and given 50 mg misoprostol orally and 50 mg intravaginally, respectively. The induction to onset of significant uterine contractions and delivery intervals were lower in the first group (7.8 h vs. 8.9 h) when compared to (10.4 h vs. 12 h). The first group had a higher rate of Caesarean section (7% vs. 4%; p>0.05), uterine hyperstimulation (9% vs. 5%; p>0.05), uterine tachysystole (23% vs. 14%; p>0.05) and neonatal admissions to intensive care unit (12% vs. 4%; p>0.05) when compared to second group. Fifty mg oral misoprostol has the potential to induce labor as safely and effectively as the intravaginal route.

The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has stimulated a renewed interest in the anatomy of Calot’s triangle 1. This triangle is a focal area of anatomical importance in cholecystectomy and a good knowledge of its anatomy is essential for both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy 2, 3. This triangle was described by Calot in 1891 as bounded by the cystic duct, the right hepatic duct and lower edge of liver 4. In its present interpretation the upper border is formed by the inferior surface of the liver with the other two boundaries being the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct 2,5. Its contents usually include the right hepatic artery (RHA), the cystic artery, the cystic lymph node (of Lund), connective tissue and lymphatics 5,6. The cystic artery is a branch of the RHA and is usually given off in Calot’s triangle 7. Anatomic variations in Calot’s triangle are common. Variations in cystic artery anatomy, based on its origin, position and number are well described 3, 8 because of its importance in avoiding inadvertent bleeding and its consequences. The reported incidence of these variations is from 25 to 50 % in various studies 3,9 with the magnified laparoscopic view having increased the frequency of recognition of these variations. The methods of retraction used in the laparoscopic procedure gives a different view of the area, thus introducing the term ‘laparoscopic anatomy’7. Accurate knowledge of cystic artery anatomy and its variations can reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding, an important cause of iatrogenic extra hepatic biliary injury and conversion to open cholecystectomy 3, 7, 8. The incidence of conversion to open surgery due to vascular injury is reported to be 0-1.9% and its mortality 0.02% 3, hence these variations should stay in surgical conscience to prevent procedure related morbidity. We aim to present the variations in cystic artery seen in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our patient population.

Objective:To study the screening of essential oils of Skimmia laureola leaves (SLO) for acute toxicity, antinociceptive, antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities in various animal models. Methods: SLO were extracted using modified Clevenger type apparatus. Acute toxicity test was used in mice to observe its safety level. Antinociceptive activity of SLO was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests. Yeast induced hyperthermic mice and pentylenetetrazole induced convulsive mice were used for the assessment of its antipyretic and anticonvulsant profile respectively. Results: Substantial safety was observed for SLO in acute toxicity test. SLO showed a high significant activity in acetic acid induced writhing test in a dose dependent manner with maximum pain attenuation of 68.48%at 200 mg/kg i.p. However, it did not produce any relief in thermal induced pain at test doses. When challenged against pyrexia evoked by yeast, SLO manifested marked amelioration in hyperthermic mice, dose dependently. Maximum anti-hyperthermic activity (75%) was observed at 200 mg/kg i.p. after 4 h of drug administration. Nevertheless, SLO had no effect on seizures control and mortality caused by pentylenetetrazole. Conclusions:In vivo studies of SLO showed prominent antinociceptive and antipyretic activities with ample safety profile and thus provided pharmacological base for the traditional uses of the plant in various painful conditions and pyrexia. Additional detail studies are required to ascertain its clinical application.

Objective: To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and explore the associated risk factors in chronic HCV patients. Methods:A total of 116 patients with chronic hepatitis C were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection out of which 112 chronic HCV patients [53 male (47.32%), 59 female (52.68%);mean age (43.76±16.40) years;mean BMI (23.8±3.9) kg] were enrolled in this study. The frequency of 6 HCV genotypes and associated risk factors were evaluated from five districts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Results:Genotype 3 was the most prevalent in 73 samples (65.17%) followed by genotype 1 in 24 (21.42%) and genotype 2 in 13 (11.60%) samples. Genotype 3 had significantly high prevalence (P=0.000 2). The results showed that 48 (42.85%) samples were infected with HCV 3a;25 (22.32%) with 3b;14 (12.50%) with 1a;10 (8.92%) with 1b; 11 (9.82%) with 2a; 2 (1.78%) with 2b;and 2 were untypable. The distribution of HCV genotypes in Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Sawabi and Nowshehra districts was different. Use of unsterile equipment for medication, barbers and previous history of hospitalization were the main risk factors for HCV transmission. Conclusions:Genotype 3a and 3b, 1a, 1b and 2a are the common genotypes in NWFP. Genotype 4, 5, and 6 can not be found in a single sample. The level of awareness about various modes of transmission of HCV among the population is found to be very low.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities of n-hexane fraction of Viola betonicifolia (V. betonicifolia).

METHODSThe antipyretic effect was scrutinized using brewer's yeast induced pyrexia and anticonvlsion effect was tested using pentylenetetrazol and strychnine induced convulsion in mice.

RESULTSN-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia demonstrated highly significant antipyretic activity during various assessment times (1-5 h) when challenged in yeast induced pyrexia test. The effect was in a dose dependent manner with maximum attenuation (82.50%) observed at 300 mg/kg i.p. When tested in pentylenetetrazol induced convulsion test, the 1st stage (Ear and facial twitching) and 2nd stage (Convulsive wave through the body) was 100% protected during 24 h at all the test doses (300, 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p.), while the latency time of remaining stages was significantly increased. The maximum effect was observed by n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia at 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p., as the latency time for generalized clonic-tonic seizure (5th stage) was increased up to 25.34 min. However, n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia had no protection in strychnine induced convulsion test.

CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, phytopharmacological studies provide scientific foundation to the folk uses of the plant in the treatment of pyrexia and neurological disorders.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antipyretics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fever ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Hexanes ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Viola ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the screening of essential oils of Skimmia laureola leaves (SLO) for acute toxicity, antinociceptive, antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities in various animal models.

METHODSSLO were extracted using modified Clevenger type apparatus. Acute toxicity test was used in mice to observe its safety level. Antinociceptive activity of SLO was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests. Yeast induced hyperthermic mice and pentylenetetrazole induced convulsive mice were used for the assessment of its antipyretic and anticonvulsant profile respectively.

RESULTSSubstantial safety was observed for SLO in acute toxicity test. SLO showed a high significant activity in acetic acid induced writhing test in a dose dependent manner with maximum pain attenuation of 68.48% at 200 mg/kg i.p. However, it did not produce any relief in thermal induced pain at test doses. When challenged against pyrexia evoked by yeast, SLO manifested marked amelioration in hyperthermic mice, dose dependently. Maximum anti-hyperthermic activity (75%) was observed at 200 mg/kg i.p. after 4 h of drug administration. Nevertheless, SLO had no effect on seizures control and mortality caused by pentylenetetrazole.

CONCLUSIONSIn vivo studies of SLO showed prominent antinociceptive and antipyretic activities with ample safety profile and thus provided pharmacological base for the traditional uses of the plant in various painful conditions and pyrexia. Additional detail studies are required to ascertain its clinical application.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Antipyretics ; pharmacology ; Body Temperature ; drug effects ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Rutaceae ; chemistry ; Toxicity Tests

AIM: To study the pattern of presentation and to highlight the common causes of primary benign orbital lesions.of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from July 1997 to August 2001 and then from September 2001 to date (Continued) at the Department of Ophthalmology of Chandka Medical College & Hospital Larkana. Only patients with primary benign orbital lesions were included in this study. All the patients were admitted in eye ward from the out patients department. The diagnosis of the disease was based on the presentation, clinical examination, investigations and histopathology of excised mass. A total of 68 patients were included in this study. The age range was from 2 months to 60 years. Out of 68, 27 (39.7%) patients were male and 41 (60.3%) were female. The left orbit was involved in 35 (51.5%) and right orbit was involved in 33 (48.5%).revealed that superficial capillary hemangiomas of the eye lid were the most common lesion 26 (38.2%) followed by deep orbital cavernous hemangiomas 5 (7.4%), lymphangiomas 5 (7.4%), orbital varices 4 (5.9%), gliomas 7 (10.3%), meningiomas 5 (7.4%), neurofibromas 5 (7.4%), neurofibromatosis 4 (5.9%), schwannomas 2 (2.9%), and pleomorphic adenoma (benign mixed cell tumor) of lacrimal gland 5 (7.4%) cases.treatment can prevent the patient from visual and life threatening complications.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition in adults, especially when it is limited to a single area of the skull, known as solitary calvarial involvement. In this case report, we present a unique instance of LCH affecting the parietal bone with a pus-draining fistula. This is a rare and unusual presentation at this location, which has been scarcely reported in medical literature. A 30-year-old woman with no prior comorbidity presented with complaints of headache that persisted for a year. She also had swelling on her scalp and a yellowish discharge for 3 weeks, but no neurological problems were observed. Radiology revealed thinning of the calvaria, with ragged margins along the inner table, multiple focal erosions, and involvement of overlying soft tissue and bony sequestrum. The patient underwent biparietal craniotomy and excision of the lesion. The histopathology report showed LCH. After 8 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence. The management of solitary calvarial involvement by LCH with masquerading presentation as a scalp infection can be achieved through complete excision of the lesions, resulting in a favorable outcome.