A novel HPTLC method for quantitative estimation of biomarkers in polyherbal formulation

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the quantitative estimation of biomarkers gallic acid and berberine in polyherbal formulation Entoban syrup.MethodsHigh performance thin layer chromatography was performed to evaluate the presence of gallic acid and berberine employing toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid: methanol 12:9:4:0.5 (v/v/v/v) and ethanol: water: formic acid 90:9:1 (v/v/v), as a mobile phase respectively.ResultsThe Rf values (0.58) for gallic acid and (0.76) for berberine in both sample and reference standard were found comparable under UV light at 273 nm and 366 nm respectively. The high performance thin layer chromatography method developed for quantization was simple, accurate and specific.ConclusionsThe present standardization provides specific and accurate tool to develop qualifications for identity, transparency and reproducibility of biomarkers in Entoban syrup

Experience of Pediatric Rapid Response Team in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Objective: To report our experience before and after implementation of pediatric rapid response team (RRT) in pediatric wards of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methods: An audit of RRT activity from December 2007 to August 2008 was conducted and reviewed Patient diagnoses at the time of call placement, interventions done and post-intervention clinical outcomes. Clinical Outcomes in the nine months before RRT implementation were compared with those in the first operational nine months after RRT. Results: Eighty-three calls were generated during the post-intervention study period of 9-month (21 calls/1000 admissions). The median age of Patients was 27 months, 37% calls were for infants. The majority of Patients were under care of medical services (93% vs 7% under care of surgical services). Greater numbers of calls were made during 0800-1600 hours (45%). Respiratory issues were the most common reason for activation of RRT. Because of early interventions, majority (61%) of Patients avoided unnecessary PICU stay and expenditure, only 17% required mechanical ventilation in PICU. The code rate per 1000 admissions decreased from 5.2 (pre-RRT) to 2.7 (post-RRT) (p=0.08, OR 1.88(95% CI 0.9 -3.93). The mortality rate of Patients admitted in PICU from wards decreased from 50% to 15% (p=0.25, OR 1.64 (95% CI 0.63 -4.29). Conclusion: Our experience with implementation of RRT was associated with reduction in cardiorespiratory arrest, mortality and saved a lot of PICU resource utilization. It is an excellent Patient-safety initiative especially in resource-constrained countries by bringing PICU reflexes outside the PICU

Measles in Children Younger Than 9 Months in Pakistan

Pakistan has one of the highest burden of measles and measles-related deaths in the world. We compared the clinical course and outcomes of measles in infants aged : g months with those \u3e9 month old amongst children admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected by a retrospective chart review, and compared between age 9 months (Group 13). Severe malnutrition (P=0.039, adjusted odds ratio=3.02), anemia (P=0.017), leukocytosis (