Incidence and outcome of small for gestational age fetuses: An experience from a secondary care hospital

The objective of the study was to determine the frequency and outcome of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) foetuses, and its association with the mode of delivery, foetal birthweight, maternal age and gestational age. It was a hospital-based descriptive study, conducted at Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karachi, from January 2009 to December 2010. Mode of deliveries, foetal birthweight, maternal age and gestational age of SGA foetuses were recorded and analszed. Of a total of 6024 deliveries during the study period, 722(11.98%) had SGA foetuses. Maternal age in such cased ranged between 20-40 years in 588(81.44%), while 406(56.23%) of these deliveries were in between 34-37 weeks of gestation. Besides, 396(54.84%) cases were delivered vaginally. The incidence of SGA increased from 2009 to 2010 (13.13% vs 10.76%). The frequency of SGA foetuses tends to be significantly higher in Pakistan compared to the Western world. Prenatal care and better management can potentially avoid the occurrence of SGA deliveries, perinatal morbidity and mortality

Electronic cigarettes use and perception amongst medical students: a cross sectional survey from Sindh, Pakistan

Objective: The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are actively marketing their product through electronic and social media. Undergraduate medical students are expected to have better knowledge and awareness as they directly interact with patients in their training, The purpose of this study is therefore, to determine knowledge, use and perception regarding e-cigarettes among medical students from Sindh, Pakistan. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st July and 30th September 2016 at five different medical colleges situated in the second largest province of Sindh, Pakistan. The data was collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Of the 500 students, the mean age was 21.5 ± 1.7 years and 58% were females. Over (65.6%) students were aware of e-cigarettes, 31 (6.2%) reported having used e-cigarettes, of whom 6 (1.2%) self-reported daily use. Users of conventional tobacco products were significantly more likely to have heard of e-cigarettes (87.6% vs 51.6%, p \u3c 0.001) and having used them (13.9% vs 1.3%, p \u3c 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis we found a strong association of e-cigarette use with consumption of conventional cigarettes [OR: 10.6, 95% CI 3.6-30.8, p \u3c 0.001], use of smokeless tobacco products [OR: 7.9, 95% CI 2.7-23.4, p \u3c 0.001] however a weak association was observed for Shisha use [OR: 3.05, 95% CI 0.9-9.6, p = 0.05]

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of some derivatives of alkyl piperidine

Abstract: Synthesis of novel phenacyl derivatives of alkyl piperidine as cytotoxic agents via simple and single step reaction procedure is going to be reported here. Twelve new compounds were successfully synthesized in moderate yield and in solid form. Their synthesis was confirmed by TLC, melting point, CHN analysis and through different spectral studies such as UV, IR, Mass and proton NMR. The advantages of this synthetic route are simple operation, mild reaction conditions and good yields. These newly synthesized derivatives were extensively explored for their cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality assay

Underlying conditions and clinical spectrum of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA): An experience from a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

The incidence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is especially increasing in high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. Despite a high estimated CPA burden in Pakistan, actual data on CPA are not available. The aim of the current study is to determine the underlying conditions and clinical spectrum of CPA at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. This is a retrospective chart review study in patients admitted with CPA from January 2012 to December 2017. A total of 67 patients were identified during the study period. Mean age of CPA patients was 45.9 ± 15 years, 44 (65.7%) were male and 19 (28.4%) had diabetes. The most common type of CPA was simple aspergilloma (49.2%) followed by chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) (44.7%). TB was the underlying cause of CPA in 58 (86.6%) patients followed by bronchiectasis caused by allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) 8 (11.9%). Aspergillus flavus was identified in 17 (47.2%), followed by A. fumigatus in 13 (36.1%) CPA patients. Isolation of multiple Aspergillus species was found in 10 (25.6%) patients. Itraconazole was given in 27 (40.3%) patients and a combination therapy of itraconazole and surgery was given in 21 (31.34%) patients. We found aspergilloma and CCPA as the most prevalent forms of CPA in our setting. Further large prospective studies using Aspergillus specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies testing are required for better understanding of CPA in Pakistan