Skin Changes in Newly Diagnosed Cases of Hypothyroidism

Introduction: Thyroid disorders are frequent in our population that leads to variety of cutaneous manifestations. Aim of our study was to determine the frequencies of skin changes of hypothyroidism and their association with gender. Methodology: This observational study was conducted at RIHS Islamabad (Ist Jun to 31st Dec 2019) after ethical approval. 105 patients (>18years age) of both genders. Confirmed to have hypothyroidism on the basis of thyroid function tests were included. Secondary hypothyroidism, sick thyroid disease, pregnant women, receiving thyroxin therapy, carcinoma of thyroid, critically ill cases, post-thyroidectomy and iatrogenic thyroid cases were excluded. After informed consent, demographic details were documented. Patients were clinically evaluated and examined in detail including dermatological examination for cutaneous manifestations. Various skin findings are studies with respect to gender. Data was analysed by SPSS version 21 with Chi-square test as a test of significance, significant p<0.05. Results: Among 105 cases of hypothyroidism (62% females and 38% males, mean age was 38.04+12.61 years. Mean TSH level was found to be 32.08 + 33.96 (mean TSH was 35.31+37.31 in females Vs. 26.96 + 27.19 in males; p=0.001). Common skin findings were dry skin in 69.5%, diffuse hair loss in 58%, coarse skin in 57%, pruritis in 51.4%, madarosis 37%, seborrheic dermatitis 34%, coarse scalp hairs 27% and slow nail growth in 23%. The brittle nails, alopecia areata, chronic urticaria, acanthosis nigricans, ivory yellow skin, purpura ecchymosis, ichthyosis, herpes simplex and certain other findings were found in <20% cases. Obesity was observed in 53(50.5%) cases, Type 2 diabetes in 20(19%), hypertension in 23(21.9%), dyslipidaemia in 12(11.4%) and anaemia in 9(8.6%). Obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia had no association with gender (p>0.05). However, hypertension and anaemia were significantly frequent amongst females (p<0.05). The dry, coarse skin, diffuse hair loss and seborrheic dermatitis were associated with female gender (p>0.05). Slow nail growth, brittle nails, acne vulgaris, acrochordons, vitiligo, xanthelasma were more common in males however the difference wasn’t statistically significant. Conclusion: Skin acts as an important diagnostic window to diseases affecting internal organs including thyroid disorders. Authors recommend screening for thyroid functions, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity and anaemia in patients presenting with suggestive dermatological manifestations irrespective of age and gender. KEYWORDS:  Hypothyroidism.  Thyroid Diseases.  Skin Changes. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Thyroid Gland

Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Groundwater Salinization in Parts of Karachi, Pakistan

This study is aimed to evaluate the groundwater quality of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Liaquatabad towns inKarachi. Thirty (n=30) groundwater samples were randomly collected from different locations by electrically pumpedwells at various depths (14-91m). All the water samples were analyzed to determine their suitability for drinkingpurpose based on various physicochemical parameters. Data reveal that high concentration of TDS and hardness havedeteriorated the groundwater quality of study area. The main phenomenon responsible for groundwater pollution is theseawater intrusion due to the proximity of study area to the Arabian sea. Large scale unplanned urbanization, poorwaste management and other anthropogenic activities have also triggered the deterioration of groundwater quality.Study showed that local geology plays vital role in the distribution of major cations and anions. Data suggested thatground water of this study area is highly contaminated by seawater intrusion and considered not fit for drinkingpurpose

Fasciola hepatica

Fasciolosis is the burning problem of the livestock rearing community having huge morbidity, mortality, and economic losses to livestock industries in our country Pakistan. The faecal and liver biopsy samplings were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopy technique during the entire study. A total of 307 samples including 149 samples from Karak and 158 samples from Kohat abattoirs were examined by PCR method and overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 5.86% (18/307), amongst theses 8.05% (12/149) in liver biopsy and 3.79% (6/158) in feacal samples of cattle and Buffaloes were recorded. Similarly the microscopy based detection was 3.58% (11/307) including 4.61% (7/149) in liver biopsy and 2.5% (4/158) in faecal samples accordingly. Furthermore the areawise prevalence of fasciolosis in abattoirs by PCR method was found to be 7.59% (12/158) in Kohat and 4.02% (6/149) in Karak. A 618 pb DNA was amplified in 2% agarose gel electrophoreses. It is concluded from the study that prevalence of fasciolosis was higher in abattoir of district Kohat and PCR was a more sensitive method of diagnosis than microscopy

In vitro antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the ethanol extract of Uromastyx hardwickii skin

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the ethanol extract of Uromastyx hardwickii Skin (UHSEE). Methods: The in vitro effects of UHSEE at various concentrations (10 - 250 µg/mL) on the activities of ߙ-amylase, ߙ-glucosidase and glucose uptake by yeast cells were used to evaluate its antidiabetic potential. Nitric oxide (NO), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide inhibitory assay were employed to determine its antioxidant effects, while the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay. Results: UHSEE inhibited ߙ-amylase and ߙ-glucosidase enzymes but increased glucose uptake by yeast cells in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). It also inhibited NO, DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and HRBC hemolysis in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Uromastyx hardwickii skin exhibits promising good antidiabetic, antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties in vitro. However, its true potentials in this regard needs to be evaluted in vivo

Molecular characterization of Paramphistomum cervi in buffaloes

Background: Paramphistomiasis (Rumen fluke disease) in ruminants is a major health problem, characterized by coarse hair, weakness, loss of appetite, weight retardations, intestine ulcers, inter-mandibular inflammation, causing substantial economic losses, and high mortality. In tropical and subtropical regions, the disease was neglected but has recently emerged as an important cause of production losses. While documented reports on Paramphistomum cervi, Paramphistomum ichikawai and Paramphistomum are limited in Asian countries and paramphistomosis has been considered the major health and economic problem in several countries. The present study aimed to identify paramphistomoid flukes that infects buffaloes with the goal of characterization of prevalence in Pakistan and its comparison with neighbor countries. Materials, Methods & Results: In 2018, a total of 178 slaughtered buffaloes aged four to six years were examined. After an immediate postmortem examination of each buffalo, flukes were collected from their infected rumen and reticulum using sterilized forceps and placed in a saline solution. DNA was extracted from adult Paramphistome species using the standard phenol chloroform method and used for amplification of partial fragment of 18S rRNA sequences using specific pair of primer. After amplification and sequencing of 18S rRNA partial fragment, the generated sequences were assembled and trimmed to remove any primer contaminations. Twenty-three randomly selected and morphologically identified adult Paramphistomum were used in species-level identification using specific primers for partial fragment of 18S rRNA sequences. The cleaned sequences (810 bp) were used to identify similar sequences using BLAST on the NCBI website. The GenBank retrieved sequences and new Paramphistomum species isolated sequences were aligned using CLUSTAL in the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood method in MEGA X. The 18S rRNA sequence was found 100% similar with Paramphistomum cervi of China and 98% with Paramphistomum epiclitum and other Paramphistomum species of India. The parasitic Pharamphistomum species was identified molecularly as Paramphistomum cervi. Discussion: Molecular studies provide insight into the biology and phylogenetic relationship among various parasites. These studies are reliable in the genetic-based identification and description of several disease causing agents. The 18S rRNA sequence of Paramphistomum cervi generated in this study was found closely identical to the P. cervi of the neighbor countries (China and India) which may be due to the similar geographical, environmental conditions and transboundary movement of infected hosts. This is the first nature of study which provides the molecular-based evidence of P. cervi existence in Pakistan and revealed the 18S rRNA as novel molecular marker for the identification and further characterization of Paramphistomum species across Pakistan. The submitted sequence of this study will provide a baseline for further molecular characterization and to compare with other Paramphistoma species from different regions of Pakistan

Epidemiological analysis of Paramphistomum species in Ruminants in selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

This epidemiological study was conducted to compare the climatic conditions of four different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in terms of the prevalence of parasitic infection Paramphistomum in cows and buffaloes. A total of 2400/cows and buffaloes (200/per month and 50/per district) fecal samples were collected. The samples were examined for Paramphistomum egg contamination by direct microscopic examination and sedimentation methods. The infectivity ratio was 17.5% in cows and 17% in buffaloes; the higher rate of infection was recorded in autumn with 41% in cows and 36% in buffaloes. Whereas the lowest ratio was 6.5% in cows and 7% in buffaloes recorded during spring. It was also noted that a high rate of prevalence was recorded in older animals (higher than 2 years of age) than younger (less than 2 years of age), while gender-wise, it was observed that male animals were more affected than females. Prevalence was higher in cows in Mardan district (19.30%) followed by Nowshera (19.10%) and Swabi (17.80%) districts while lowest in Charsadda district (13.80%) where in buffaloes the higher prevalence was recorded in Swabi (18.80%) followed by Mardan (18.60%) then Charsadda (16.80%) while lowest in Nowshera (13.80%)

An Analysis of Adjustment Challenges of Academia Returns Migrants: An Evidence from South Asia

The principal objectives of this research were to analyze their reintegration challenges and to dig out the way to use their social and human capital for getting benefit from the international political economy. Qualitative data were obtained from sixteen highly qualified return migrants in the universities of Faisalabad. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were adopted to reach the respondents and in-depth interviews with them were conducted with the help of an interview guide. Thematic analysis was applied on the bases of case studies. The return migrants were facing multiple challenges at the institutional, political, and economic levels. They were less paid as they can get better salaries internationally. There is no channel to utilize their human and social capital appropriately that can be beneficial for enhancing the role of the country in the global political economy. The difficulties in the diffusion of new ideas, mismanagement at the professional level, cultural shock, lack of proper infrastructure, and political interference in academic institutions remained challengeable for them. The country should better utilize the capital of the highly qualified return migrants to uplift the political economy of the country

Therapeutic potential of Pegnum harmela against Schistosoma bovis in buffaloes

Background: Peganum harmala have many biological and pharmacological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic and antiinflammatory. The present study was carried out to evaluate the  antischistosomal activities of Peganum harmala with special reference to bovine schistosomiasis in naturally infected buffaloes.Methods and Materials: A total of 54 naturally infected buffaloes with “Schistosomiasis” of ages around five years were used for anthelmintic studies. All of the buffaloes were properly marked so as to make a distinction from one other. A doctor of veterinary was available for daily checkup. Samples prepared according to the available methods in literature.Results: In the present study, naturally infected buffaloes with Schistosoma bovis were treated with  Peganum harmala (Harmal, seed), with dose 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 225 mg/kg body weight  respectively, and their impact on various parameters like eggs reduction, milk production, weight gain and feed intake was noted. Furthermore, their efficiency (%) was evaluated with “Praziquantel”  (allopathic drug) at “10mg/Kg body weight” dose level. After first dose of “Praziquantel” hundred percent effectiveness was noted, while the same result obtained for herbal drug after giving second dose of  “225mg/kg body weight”. To evaluate the effect of herbal medicines on protein portions, sera of treated and control buffaloes were also investigated.Conclusion: From present findings, it is concluded that the herb Peganum harmala can easily replace  Praziquantal (PZQ) with almost same efficiency (%). Furthermore, the herb is easily available at cheap price at local market and it will be good for the economy of Pakistan Key words: Pegnum harmela, Schistosoma, infectio