Histopathological effects on stomach, liver and kidney associated with Cedrus deodara root oil in ulcer induced rats (Wistar strain).

Cedrus deodara have been used traditionally in ayurvedic system against peptic ulcer. Present work is concerned with the determination of histopathological effects in ethanol induced ulcer on rats (Wistar Strain) treated with Cedrus deodara root oil at a dose of 200mg/kg and comparison of its antiulcer activity against control, positive control and standard anti-ulcer drug (Omeprazole). The aim was to find out the antiulcer effect of Cedrus deodara root oil and to observe histopathology of liver, kidney as well. 120 Albino rats were taken and divided into four groups i.e. A, B, C and D designated as control, positive control, standard and treated groups respectively. Normal and intact general architecture of mucosa and submucosa layers of stomach observed. No significant changes observed in thickness of epithelium, no inflammatory cells were present on the mucosa and submucosal layer and gastric glands were normal. Liver of albino rats, showed no dilation and congestion in central as well as portal vein. Kidney of albino rats exhibited no shrinkage in glomeruli, no congested and dilated renal corpuscles, neither hemolysis nor congested and dilated renal tubules were seen. It is concluded that C. deodara root oil has anti-ulcer properties without effecting kidney and liver tissues.

Attitude of future healthcare provider towards vitamin D significance in relation to sunlight exposure.

OBJECTIVE: Nature is the kindest of all to provide man with all the necessary components for a healthy life at easily accessible lengths. The deprivation arises with unawareness and lack of correct measures to extract the benefits. Medical education makes the youth aware of the numerous disorders and diseases, as well as their preventions and treatments. This awareness needs to be realized and implemented in the society, and it is not possible without the advisers acting on the same lines. Since doctors are the most trusted and their advice is adopted without much thought, it is extremely inevitable to analyze the attitude of medical students of various levels to understand the cause of their negligence toward their own deficiencies, the focus for this study being vitamin D (VD). METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study was done on undergraduate medical students of health profession from different universities of Pakistan to access the awareness regarding VD deficiency associated with sunlight. Informed consent was duly signed by each participant after which self-constructed questionnaire was provided to them and data are collected. SPSS 17 was used for Statistical analysis. RESULTS: Final students are well aware of VD significance, take food rich in VD but still suffer from fatigue and muscular pain. No treatment was taken for fatigue and muscular pain by majority of these sufferers and those who took treatment were VD supplement. The health sufferers were mostly those who avoided sunlight highlighting the role of VD in maintaining an active lifestyle as well as the significance of sunlight in maintaining VD levels. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that in spite of awareness, the role of sunlight exposure and the proper time and duration of exposure cannot be ignored to create a healthy and active society.

Exposure to aflatoxin B1 and associated risk factors in hepatitis C patients in cosmopolitan city of Pakistan: facility-based study.

INTRODUCTION: population-based follow-up study has been designed to investigate the contributing factors to high exposure to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the subsequent associated risk factors among hepatitis C-infected patients at a referral centre, Karachi. Pakistan. Hepatitis C infection affects millions of individuals worldwide and confers high morbidity and mortality, especially in lower middle-income countries (LMICs) including Pakistan. A literature review of recent studies has revealed that a number of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) cases are markedly increased in Pakistan, where one of the potential causes of HCC is hepatitis C virus. The objectives of this study were to determine frequency of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure and other associated characteristics among hepatitis C patients at a referral centre, Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: a semi-structured pre-coded pro forma designed to collect socio-demographic, Pharmacological, biochemical and clinical information from patients and hospital records. Patient´s pre and post polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and other blood parameters were analysed. AFB1 exposure was determined using an ELISA kit and validated through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: AFB1 exposure was found in 30 (34%) patients. Post treatment responders were 49 (55.6%). More than 37% of study participants had a family history of hepatitis C. About 74% had a history of surgical procedure, and around 36% of study participants had a blood transfusion history. Up to 36% participants were fond of spicy food and around 25% study participants were eating roadside food on daily basis. CONCLUSION: high frequency of AFB1 exposure due to risky dietary habits, low level of formal education and awareness are contributing factors may be responsible for high exposure of AFB1. Effective and multidimensional strategies are needed to prevent advance stage progression of disease and associated complications.