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The Relationship Between Prostatic Volume And Serum Estrogen In Obese Versus Non Obese Males With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Full text linkBackground: Old age, obesity and androgens are more vulnerable to prostatic disorders. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem for adults. Objectives: To determine the morphological changes of prostate gland and effects of Estrogen levels in obese versus non-obese males with BPH. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on sixty patients in an emergency clinic of Dr. Ruth Pfau, Dow university of Health Sciences, Karachi from 17th May 2019 to 15th February 2020(IRB-1182/DUHS/approval/2019). All selected patients have BPH and assessed by Global prostate side effect score >7. Patients with BPH were divided into two groups obese and non-obese, as indicated by Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Group A (obese) had BMI ≥ 25; WC ≥ 90cm and group B (non-obese) had BMI < 25; WC < 90cm. Trans rectal ultrasound and estimation of serum Estrogen was performed to analyzed the length, width, diameter and volume of prostate. Results: The mean prostate volume was higher in the obese group 36.13±3.673ml while in non-obese group it was 31.21±6.771 ml, which was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001). The mean Estrogen levels in obese group were 328.21±115.05pmol/l, while in non-obese group it was 309.72±73.62pmol/l (p=0.462). Significant positive correlation was observed (r = 0.279, p- =0.031) between prostate volume and serum Estrogen levels in study participants. Conclusion: Obesity and serum Estrogen levels had significant effect on the prostate volume as compared to non-obese participants within same age group which showed significant moderate positive correlation with prostate volume in obesity
Negative Air Environment-Induced Rehabilitation of Spasticity And Behavior During Physiotherapy in Cerebral Palsy Patients
Full text linkIntroduction: Negative air ions (NAIs) are beneficial in improving memory, anti-depressant effects, productivity, psychological health, and well-being by inducing alkalinity in the body. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that impairs movement and elicits behavioral issues like anxiety, anger, agitation, dependency on others, hyperactivity, incompatibility, and stubbornness. Such behaviors may hamper their cooperation or willingness for physiotherapy. Methodology: Evidence-based studies to support that NAIs can augment the rehabilitation of CP are scant so, the present study was designed to determine if exposure to NAIs can normalize behaviors and physical outcomes. Ethical approval was taken from IBC, University of Karachi followed by the consent of the participants and the Al Umeed Rehabilitation Association where the intervention study was conducted in 2021. CP-inflicted participants were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups. Both groups continued their regular twice-a-week physiotherapy sessions, but the intervention group also received 40-minute exposure to 10000 negative ions/cm3 for 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using a researcher-designed physiotherapist reporting questionnaire and Modified Ashworth Scale. Results: Analysis using SPSS v.28 demonstrated significant improvement in calmness, cooperation, physical condition, and willingness for physiotherapy along with minimal alleviation of spasticity. The possible role of neuronal pathways, synaptic response, and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and serotonin have been discussed. Conclusion: The study concludes that NAIs may alleviate spasticity and normalize behaviors during physiotherapy sessions. We suggest the inclusion of this novel intervention in the multidisciplinary rehabilitation plan after going through the second and third-phase clinical trials
Forensic Dentistry In Dire Need Of Recognition As A Separate Entity In Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Full text linkIntroduction: In this period of advancement, forensic dentistry plays crucial role in recognition of a person for ethical and the legal proceedings through the analysis of orofacial and dental characteristics with previous records. In this study, we aimed to assess the interest of dental professionals in participating in forensic dentistry courses and their willingness to introduce this subspecialty in the course curriculum of post graduate studies and to assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness about forensic odontology among dental professionals of Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online self-administered Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire with multiple close-end questions. In a convenient sample of 277 participants that includes academic faculty, undergraduates, postgraduates, house officers, dental care professional students (DCP) and dental technician/hygienist from Karachi, Pakistan. Data was measured using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: The survey showed that a significant number of study participants have knowledge of forensic dentistry as a branch 70.02% (p value 0.000) of the respondents showed interest to integrate forensic dentistry in the core curriculum. 62% of the Participants showed willingness to opt forensic dentistry as a career or profession. Those who were unwilling had various reasons. A significant number of people maintain dental records (P value = 0.026). Conclusion: There is need for up gradation and recognition of forensic dentistry into the curricula of dentistry to meet the international trends and pursue it as career
Production Optimization and Industrial Applications of Amylase From Indigenous Bacterial Species Using Banana Peels
Full text linkIntroduction: Alpha amylases are starch hydrolyzing enzymes that possess high industrial demand. Various strategies have been adopted to enhance cost-effective enzyme production of which utilization of agro-industrial waste is very promising. Methodology: In this study two amylase producers Bacillus megaterium and Exiguobacterium auranticum were isolated and identified by 16sRNA sequencing their growth conditions were optimized via submerged fermentation using banana peels as carbon source. Bacillus megaterium found to be mesophilic alkaline (37℃, pH of 9) strain giving 472 U/ml while Exiguobacterium auranticum found to be acidic thermophilic (50°C, pH 5) that gave 391 U/ml. Results and Conclusion: Production of amylase by acidic thermophilic E. auranticum is reported here for the first time. The crude enzyme also showed better chocolate and curry stain removal capacity when combined with commercial detergent. Also juice clarification assay showed promising results which indicates that the enzymes could be potentially used in detergent and food industry
The Prevalence and Risk Factors For Poor Sleep Quality Amongst Medical Students: A Cross Sectional Study
Full text linkIntroduction: Undergraduate medical students have consistently been shown to have high prevalence of mental health disorders in comparison to their peers from non-medical backgrounds and sleep quality is a critical aspect for maintaining mental wellbeing. The aim of this study is to compile prevalence on poor sleep quality and analyze its potential risk factors. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University. Undergraduate medical students asked to fill out a self-reported questionnaire that was sent via email which included the 14-point Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). 302 students responded and the data was analyzed using chi square and logistic regression to determine their association with Sex, BMI, Year of Study and Academic Score. Results: The mean age of study participants was 21.58 + 1.41 years and majority were males (58%). The mean PSQI, ESS and PSS scores were 6.35 + 3.28, 7.72 + 4.58 and 28.38 + 7.81 respectively. 11.3% of participants reported poor sleep quality, which was significantly associated with female sex and academic performance. 28.5% of students had excessive daytime sleepiness, which was significantly associated with female sex and academic year (first year). “Stress” and “Overthinking/Anxiety” were the two most common self-reported reasons for Poor Sleep Quality. 85.4% of students were stressed with an average PSS score of 28.38 + 7.81. Conclusion: This study therefore shows a high prevalence of stress with moderate sleep disturbance prevalence, which was associated with female sex and academic performance
Correlation of Middle Upper Arm Circumference With Other Anthropometric Indictors and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Young Adults of Urban Areas of Hyderabad, Pakistan
Full text linkIntroduction: Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is used to assess nutritional status particularly under nutrition. Recently, the use of MUAC has been suggested as a novel anthropometric marker to assess the condition of obesity among the children, adolescents, and young adults. We, therefore, setup / study to evaluate the correlation of MUAC for the assessment of various CVD risk factors. Methodology: The study was carried out from April 2021 to March 2022. Total 366 participants were randomly selected, out of which 190 were male participants and 176 were female participants. The data was collected using interview based questionnaire; middle upper arm circumference was measures using a non stretchable measuring tape. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS ver 23. Results: The mean age of participants was 24.04±4.04, the mean values of WC, WHR, SBP, DBP, and LDL were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in males, the mean values of HDL were significantly higher in females(p< 0.05). Non-significant difference in the mean values of BMI, FBG, Cholesterol and Triglycerides (P> 0.05) were observed between male and female participants. MUAC showed strong positive correlation with BMI, WC and WHR (P<.001). Except HDL all other CVD risk factors showed significant positive correlation with MUAC (P<.001), however, MUAC showed a significantly negative correlation with HDL( r = -.370, P<.001) in males, no correlation of MUAC with HDL ( r = -.028, P<.001) was observed in females. Conclusion: Except HDL significant correlation was observed between MUAC and various CVD risk factors
Analysis of Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study
Full text linkThe incidence of DM (Diabetes mellitus) is rising all over the world. Inadequate glycemic control in patients having type 2 DM presents a higher risk of developing associated complications. This study was conducted to analyse the information on the management of diabetes in standard clinical practice. The study provides description of clinical profile of subjects with DM2 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus) under treatment with insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs. A total of 500 patients diagnosed with DM2, and equal number of age and gender matched controls participated in the study. Clinical data including previous medical history of diabetes, medication taken for treatment, comorbidities, pre-prandial and post-prandial plasma glucose, and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were collected. It was observed that among all participants 59.4% were obese and 30.6% were overweight. It was also found that 57.4% patients were suffering from hypertension while 56% were suffering from hyperlipidemia. Patient’s data about family history revealed that 62.2% patients had both or either of the two parents suffering from diabetes. The mean fasting and random plasma glucose levels were found to be 178.6mg/dL and 245.4mg/dL respectively. Moreover, only 8% patients achieved glycemic goals and had HbA1c levels under normal limits. The study reveals that lack of awareness and poor self-care can increase the risk of comorbidities associated with type 2 DM. This study provides a basis for further investigations on quality of life of diabetic patients in various regions of Pakistan
Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Tertiary Care Facility
Full text linkAim: To determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of microorganisms in the ICU patients of a tertiary care facility in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: A retrospective study was conducted on the laboratory records of 50 patients with positive culture admitted to a tertiary care facility. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain patients’ records comprising of their name, sex, age, diagnosis, sample source, isolated pathogen culture results and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Blood, tracheal fluid, urine, sputum, pus, peritoneal fluid and catheter tips were included as specimen sources. Total 94% patients selected had clinically suspected nosocomial infections. Results: Overall, 45% of them had traumatic brain or spinal injury followed by 35% of post-operative cases, 10% respiratory disease related patients, 6% cardiac patients, 2% renal failure and 2% with miscellaneous infections. Majority of the patients admitted to the ICU were in the age range 51- 65 years. Positive microbial growth samples included blood (30%), trachea (24%), urine (26%), sputum (10%), pus (4%), peritoneal fluids (2%) and catheter tip (4%). Amongst the samples tested, Acinetobacter spp. (22%) were predominant, followed by E. coli (14%), P. aeruginosa (10%), S. aureus (10%) and Enterococcus spp. (8%). Majority of the gram negative species were resistant to amoxiclave, cefotaxime, pipercillin and teicoplanin. Conclusions: The incidence of nosocomial infections is high in ICU patients. Thus accurate antimicrobial treatment strategies together with the development of new therapeutic regimens and risk assessment in hospitals and their ICUs is significantly required to prevent antimicrobial drug resistance among microorganisms