Urdu Translation and Validation of Academic Resilience Scale in Pakistani School Students

The present study was conducted to translate and validate the Academic Resilience Scale (Martin & Marsh 2006) in Urdu on Pakistani school students. For this purpose forward and backward translation method (Brislin, 1976) was utilized to translate original English version into Urdu. Urdu version had high test-retest reliability coefficient i.e. r=.903**. For validation, a sample of 340 students was selected conveniently from different schools Multan, Pakistan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to measure the factor structure of scale and it was discovered to be one-dimensional. ARS – Urdu version had significantly good reliability coefficient (α = .843). The scale validity and reliability were found to be satisfactory. Therefore, its findings demonstrated that it is appropriate for measuring academic resilience of school students

Efficacy of transvaginal sonohysterosalpingography for evaluation of infertile women

Background: Women with infertility may be benefitted from sonohysterosalpingography (SHSG), a transvaginal ultrasound procedure that uses a contrast medium to assess the endometrial cavity and tubal patency. It could be a safer and more viable alternative to radiographic hysterosalpingography (HSG). The aim of the study was to evaluate the uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency in infertile women by SHSG using transvaginal ultrasound.Methods: The prospective comparative study was carried out in a total of 35 cases of infertile women between the reproductive age of 20-40 years following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, from July 2016 to June 2017. Detailed history and physical examinations were carried out and appropriate management was instituted as per the needs of the individual patient.Results: In the present study, 41.2% of the women belonged to the age range of 25-29 years. Out of 35 women, 50% women were in the state of primary infertility and remaining were in a secondary infertility state. Holding the SHSG both tube blockage as positive findings the sensitivity of SHSG was found at 100%, specificity was 96.88% and accuracy was 97.14%, while positive predictive value was 80.49% and negative predictive value was 100%.Conclusions: Transvaginal SHSG as a first-line method for evaluation of endometrial cavity and tubal patency is effective and time convenient. Before going to the more invasive gold standard methods, i.e. Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy, this may be a simple, safe, and well-tolerated technique with a low risk of adverse effects and severe complications

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IN VITRO BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BACOPA MONNIERI

Objective: The present study was designed to identify the phytocompounds, to compare the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous and methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri.Methods: Antioxidant activity was determined by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Super oxide dismutase (SOD), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Catalase assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured with inhibition of albumin denaturation and trypsin inhibitory assay. Finally, extracts were tested against various pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains by broth dilution assay and disc diffusion assay respectively.Results: Results showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, quinines and glycosides etc while steroids and carboxylic acid were absent. The extracts demonstrated free radical-scavenging activity quite comparable with standard ascorbic acid. Methanolic extract exerted comparative higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity than aqueous extract. Both extracts were most effective against Bacillus subtilis and lowest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion: The results obtained clearly indicated a promising potential of B. monnieri for serving as a strong ROS scavenger, might be used as anti-arthritic and strong natural antibiotic agent for effective treatment of various oxidative stressed disorders (cancer, cardiovascular diseases), inflammatory disorders (rheumatoid arthritis) and various bacterial infections

Pattern of semen analysis at andrology lab of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University: Findings and the shortcomings to overcome

Background: The Infertility wing dept. of gyne & obst at BSMMU provides services to the infertile couples who are referred from primary care levels and who cannot afford the expensive private facilities. The semen analysis is performed for the male partners of infertile couples at the Andrology Lab of BSMMU for detecting male factor abnormalities. Objectives: The objective of the study is to find out the pattern of semen parameters in our population and to find out the frequency and type of abnormal semen parameters. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of the semen analysis performed at the Andrology Lab of BSMMU during the year 2011. A total of 200 consecutive samples were analysed. The procedure and reference values were according to the WHO guidelines 1999. Results: Semen parameters were abnormal in 38.5% of semen analysis. Severe male factor abnormality (azospermia and severe oligospermia combined) was in 28%. Sperm concentration had the highest variability followed by motility and morphology respectively in the n01moozospermic males. Conclusion: Severe oligospennia and azospermia are the most common abnormali­ties among the infertile men presenting at the Infertility unit ofBSMMU. It is recommended that the service at the Infertility wing of BSMMU should be more focused on these male factor abnormalities

Primary subfertility with partial septate uterus and longitudinal vaginal septum

A 22 year old married woman presented with the complaints of severe dyspareunia, difficulty in conceiving for 18 months, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea since menarche. Clinical examination revealed longitudinal vaginal septum. Ultrasound scan revealed two endometrial cavities with a single cervix. Hysterosalpingogram revealed septum which had separated the endometrial cavity with no free spillage of contrast media on both fallopian tubes. Ultrasound KUB and intravenous urethrography did not reveal any abnormality in the urinary system. Resection of vaginal septum, hysteroscopic septoplasty and diagnostic laparoscopy were performed. Three months after the surgery, she was relieved from the symptoms. However, no comments on fertility issue can be made at the moment as the couple is practicing contraceptive methods

Primary subfertility with partial septate uterus and longitudinal vaginal septum

A 22 year old married woman presented with the complaints of severe dyspareunia, difficulty in conceiving for 18 months, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea since menarche. Clinical examination revealed longitudinal vaginal septum. Ultrasound scan revealed two endometrial cavities with a single cervix. Hysterosalpingogram revealed septum which had separated the endometrial cavity with no free spillage of contrast media on both fallopian tubes. Ultrasound KUB and intravenous urethrography did not reveal any abnormality in the urinary system. Resection of vaginal septum, hysteroscopic septoplasty and diagnostic laparoscopy were performed. Three months after the surgery, she was relieved from the symptoms. However, no comments on fertility issue can be made at the moment as the couple is practicing contraceptive methods

ASSESSING THE THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF JOSHANDA: PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES

Objective: Joshanda, a polyherbal Unani formulation is extensively used as a common home remedy for the treatment of a cough and cold accompanied by pharyngeal inflammation and fever. This study aimed to analyze phytochemicals, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity.Methods: The study investigated the presence of phyto-compounds in joshanda and antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory activities by various in vitro standard methods using ascorbic acid, ampicillin, and aspirin respectively as standard drugs.Results: Joshanda aqueous extract revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids glycosides, terpenoids, and alkaloids and absence of sterols, saponins, xanthoprotiens, and carboxylic acid. Joshanda showed the highest inhibition against B. subtilis (% MGI 99.000±0.577) and least inhibition against P. aeruginosa (%MGI of 84.102±0.491). Joshanda extract, ascorbic acid demonstrated highest % DPPH radical scavenging of 98.379±0.313%, 98.843±0.443% and a minimum of 36.210±1.174%, 83.192±0.422%. Results showed H2O2 scavenging activity of 0.047±0.001 μg/ml per minute degradation of H2O2. FRAP value was observed in joshanda and ascorbic acid with a maximum of 0.945±0.024, 0.687±0.047 mmol and minimum of 0.171±0.036, 0.059±0.005 mmol respectively. Joshanda extract showed the highest albumin denaturation inhibition of 14.069±0.350% and the lowest of 1.880±0.194% at extract volume of 1000 µl and 100 µl respectively. The extract demonstrated the highest proteinase inhibition of 24.003±0.291 % and the lowest of 4.959±0.254% comparable to aspirin. Joshanda had no potent anticandidal activity up to 1 mg/ml.Conclusion: Results clearly suggested that joshanda is a potent phytodrug and can also be used as a strong reactive oxygen species scavenger, might be used as anti-arthritic and strong natural antibiotic agent for effective treatment of various oxidative stressed disorders

Characterization, purification and identification of some Alkaloids in Datura stramonium

This study aimed at investigating the presence of alkaloids and other chemical constituents in Datura stramonium (Saikaran, Jimson weed). All parts of the plant were dried, crushed and then underwent extraction by soxhlet and maceration methods. The solvents used in these methods were normal hexane (nonpolar) and ethanol (polar). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and FTIR techniques were used to analyse the chemical components of jimson weed. The results showed the presence of hyoscine in all plant parts while atropine in the seeds only. The best separation was found to be when the solvent system was acetone: water: ammonia (90:07:03). Maceration method is the best and cost effective procedure for extraction

Association study of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene G2350A dimorphism with myocardial infarction

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a strong candidate gene for myocardial infarction (MI). Insertion-deletion dimorphism in intron 16 of this gene has been inconclusively found to be associated with it. Several new polymorphisms in the ACE gene have been identified and among these, a dimorphism in exon 17, ACE G2350A, has a significant effect on plasma ACE concentrations. To assess the value of genotyping the ACE G2350A dimorphism in a genetically homogeneous population, we carried out a case-control study of dimorphism G2350A for a putative association with MI among Pakistani nationals. We investigated a sample population of 370 Pakistanis, comprising 163 controls, and 207 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute MI (AMI). ACE G2350A alleles were visualized by assays based on polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease analysis. Frequencies of G alleles were 0.68 among controls and 0.72 among AMI patients. The ACE G2350A dimorphism showed no significant association with MI (chi2 = 0.90, 2 df, P = 0.64), plasma levels of homocysteine (P = 0.52) or with serum levels of folate (P = 0.299). The results indicate that ACE G2350A polymorphism is not associated with risk of myocardial infarction in the Pakistani population investigated here