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Objective Venous puncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access to get blood samples. Superficial veins of Upper-Limb, mainly dorsal metacarpal veins and median cubital veins are the commonest site for access. In order to get acquaintance about anatomic variation to perform safe venous puncture, the main objective of this study was to examine the variations in superficial veins of upper limb by using Near-Infrared Illumination Device. Methods A sample size of 50 participants (100 records of both limbs) has been documented. Staff and students of LUMHS of both genders; with the age ranging from 18-60 years, were included in the study. Tourniquet/ Blood Pressure monitor cuff application was applied to visualize superficial cubital veins. Another technique of Near-infrared illumination device (sure view vein illumination system ZD-JM-260-01) was applied to observe superficial veins of hand dorsum in adults with and without Hinna (Mehndi) causing artificial discoloration of skin. Results The Study results showed that 46(92.0%) of the total participants reported Type A right arm cubital fossa. 47(94.0%) reported Type A left cubital fossa. 15(30.0%) of the male participants had Type 6 Right hand dorsum venous arrangement. Likewise, 5(10.0%) of the female participants had Type 6 right hand dorsum venous arrangement. 14(28.0%) male participants had Type 6 Left hand dorsum venous arrangement. Similarly, 7(14.0%) males had Type 2, and 13(26.0%) males had Type 3 left hand dorsum venous arrangements. Likewise, 5(10.0%) of the female participants had Type 3 left hand dorsum venous arrangement. Moreover, 03 adult females presented with Henna (Mehndi) already applied on dorsum of hands and superficial veins were as visible as in rest of subjects without application of Henna (Mehndi). Conclusion Type-A was observed most frequently in venous arrangement in cubital fossa of both left and right arms of the participants, while Type 6 was the most generally observed type in hand dorsum of both right and left arms. Moreover. Artificial discoloration of skin caused by Henna (Mehndi) did not seem to effect the visibility of vein structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, may be involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, the mechanism of neuronal and astrocytic damage remains ambiguous. A possible role of altered expression of p21 in autistic‐like behavior in rat offspring was examined with prenatal and postnatal BPA exposure. Methods: Wistar albino dams were exposed to BPA (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally throughout pregnancy and until the third postnatal day (PND). Pups were examined on 21st PND for behavioral test. Blood samples were collected for serum lactate levels and pups were sacrificed. Right frontal cortices were dissected out and processed for H&E, immunohistochemical analysis, and gene expression. Results: Anxiety like behavior and thigmotaxis along with reduction in serum lactate concentrations were observed in pups exposed to BPA. Decline in neuronal number and decreased astrocytic population with reduced dendritic spines were revealed by H&E and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively, in right frontal cortices. Over expression of p21 was also detected in BPA‐exposed offspring. Conclusions: Over expression of p21 may be associated with autistic behavior. Further studies are recommended to explore the structural alterations in other white matter pathways in frontal cortices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin (Cis) has been proved to be successful in treating cancers but it has several toxicities. Central nervous system toxicity is considered as one of its most common toxic effects. Vitamin E and Green tea are antioxidant with proven results on prevention of life threatening diseases. Objectives: To assess the preventive role of two antioxidants vitamin E and green tea against cisplatin induced neurobehavioral abnormalities in albino mice. Study Design: Experimental Study. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, in collaboration with Sindh Agriculture University TandoJam. Period: Dec 2015 to March 2016. Material & Methods: A total of 60 mice were grouped in to Group A, (control), Group B (Cisplatin), Group C (Cisplatin plus vitamin E) and Group D (cisplatin plus green tea). The weight, gross features and behavior of the animals was monitored before and in between drug administration. Behavioral studies were performed in quiet atmosphere, and included Pain stimulation test, heat Stimulation test, cold Stimulation test, Hearing, Object Recognition test. Results: A significant decrease in weight and body hair of the Cis treated animals was noticed as compared to control animals. Paw edema, mental orientation, object recognition, noise stimulation, heat and cold stimulation, time to move away from the stimulus were also significantly different to control. All features were improved with the addition of vitamin E and green tea. Conclusion: Toxic effects of cisplatin, on morphology and behavior of adult albino mice partially abrogated with antioxidant supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effects of oxaliplatin on gross appearance, behavior and neural tissue of albino mice and to observe prevention against oxaliplatin induced damage by glutathione. Study Design: Experimental study Place and Duration: Department of Anatomy, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro in collaboration with Sindh Agricultural University TandoJam from 1st January-30th June 2015. Methodology: Adult mice (n=36) from both genders were grouped and labeled as Control (Group A), Oxaliplatin treatment (Group B), Oxaliplatin plus glutathione (Group C). The gross features (Weight, hair loss, paw edema) and behavior (heat and cold stimulation test, noise stimulation test, hearing test) of the animals were monitored and animals were sacrificed and brains were collected for the histopathology to see the effects of oxaliplatin and its prevention by glutathione. Results: The weight of the animals significantly decreased over the entire period of study as compared to control animals. Also a significant decrease was noticed in hair on the skin of front part of the body in group B. In other parameters; paw edema, mental orientation, object recognition, noise stimulation group B exhibit significant difference to control p<0.05. Heat and cold stimulation tests significantly increased in group B. Microscopic features of brain tissue also showed inflammatory and ischemic changes in group B. All gross and microscopic features were improved with the addition of glutathione. Conclusion: The toxic effects of oxaliplatin, on morphology and behavior and brain of adult albino mice were partially reversed with glutathione supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the antioxidant activity of Resveratrol and Ascorbic Acid against hydrogen peroxide (an oxidant) mediated cell injury of human trabecular meshwork cells. Study Design: Experimental study. Setting: Molecular Biology Laboratory at Medical Research Centre, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro. Period: Six months. (21- 09-2016 to 20-03-2017). Materials and Methods: Human Trabecular Meshwork cells were purchased from ScienCell Research Laboratories, USA. TM cell metabolism, TM cell viability and Reactive oxygen species were detected by standard methods in co- and pre- treated TM cells. Results: A significant reduction in TM cell metabolism was observed approximating 61% at 1.0 mM H2O2 compared to Ascorbate - 99% and Resveratrol 99% (p=0.0001). Resveratrol was more effective than Ascorbate even at 4.0 mM H2O2, the TM cell activity was noted 76%. Compared to H2O2- treated TM cells, resveratrol improved mitochondrial function upto 4.0 mM H2O2 (76%). Compared to co-treatment, the pretreatment shows similar results except at 4.0 mM H2O2. At 4.0 mM H2O2 the pre-treat TM cell metabolic activity was found as 11%, 31% and 47% compared to co-treat as 9%, 31% and 76% in controls, ascorbate and resveratrol groups respectively (p<0.05). Resveratrol shows significant decrease in viability was seen in controls compared to Ascorbate and Resveratrol groups. Cell viability showed statistically significant differences at 2.0 and 4.0 mM H2O2 compared to controls (P=0.0001). For reactive oxygen species (ROS), cells were incubated and with Ascorbate and Resveratrol for 24 hours and TM cells were treated with 0.0mM, 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0mM and 4.0mM H2O2. Significant decrease in ROS was noted by Resveratrol compared to Ascorbate. Conclusions: Resveratrol and Ascorbate may prove useful in preventing and delaying the glaucoma, and timely institution of these anti - oxidants may help maintain trabecular meshwork functions and prevent visual loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Bisphenol A (BPA) that is a monomer of plastic products may possibly interfere with epigenetics and be involved in onset and progression of several diseases. This study was aimed to detect the epigenetic effects of in utero BPA exposure in mice offspring. Materials and Methods: All experiments were performed according to the national guidelines for laboratory animals and after ethical approval. Thirty adult BALB/c female mice were divided into 3 equal groups, G1 (controls), G2 (ethanol 0.10 ml/100ml of PBS so that final concentration would be 0.01%) vehicle control and G3 (BPA 10 mg/kg). Chemicals were given twice a week throughout the pregnancy. Once delivered at term, female offspring were observed for body weight, behavior and movements. Blood glucose, serum insulin, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) were measured at 5 and 15 months postnatal. Animals were sacrificed at 15 months and pancreas, kidney, adipose tissue and uterine tissue were taken and stained with either Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) or immunostaining and examined under light microscope. Results: Offspring of group G3 revealed abnormal changes of body weight, behavior and movements. Blood glucose, serum insulin, cholesterol and HDLc were high in group G3 offspring compared to controls. H & E staining showed changes in the parenchyma of pancreas, kidneys and uterus, which were confirmed by staining with anti-islet-1, kidney-specific (Ksp) cadherin, and anti-MLH antibody. Conclusion: In utero exposure of BPA exerts diabetogenic and atherogenic effects with less parenchymal tissue in endocrine pancreas, kidney and uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Death and morbidity are commonly occurred worldwide due to heart diseases and are becoming an increasingly important problem in the developing countries including Pakistan. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) serves as a good assessment tool to document beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in cardiac patients. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of short-term CR program on LVEF in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Study Design: Cross sectional and Case series study. Setting: Departments of Cardiology, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Period: 1st January 2014 to 30th June 2014. Methods: 100 patients of less than 75 years of age with acute uncomplicated anterior wall or anterolateral wall MI, inferior and RV MI. Cases were randomized into two groups of age and sex matched 50 patients each. Group I (study group) patients were administered secondary prevention advice and were started on the CR exercise protocol, Group II (control group) patients were administered secondary prevention advice only. Results: At baseline, LVEF was 42.5% in the study group and 41.4% in the control group patients and was statistically comparable. After 10 weeks study group showed the LVEF of 47.78% and control group had LVEF of 42.26%. The differences are being statistically significant. Conclusion: Significant improvement in LVEF in patients who had been engaged in CR program besides the secondary prevention strategies when compared with the control group patients who followed secondary prevention strategies only. The present study is amplify the beneficial effects of simple CR program, which additionally improves the key cardiac parameters like LVEF in the recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of aspiration thrombectomy (AT) using an Aspiration Catheter (INVATEC SPA DIVER C.E. MAX, Italy) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Study Design: Cross sectional and Case series study. Setting: Department of Cardiology, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Period: January 2012 to December 2013. Methodology and Results: Measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography was obtained before (acute LVEF) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 1 week after (late LVEF) the procedure. Most of the patients with full restoration of ST segment elevation following PCI were higher in the aspiration Catheter control group (90 vs 68%, P < 0.01), (86 vs 62%, P < 0.01) and (90 vs 64%, P < 0.01) respectively. Minimal change in LVEF was observed in patients between the Aspiration Catheter group and control group at 1 week post procedure. Conclusion: Combination of AT using Aspiration Catheter (INVATEC SPA DIVER C.E. MAX) with primary stenting can better outcome, while left ventricle (LV) function had subtle change in AMI when compared to primary stenting after balloon predilation without thrombectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative ophthalmic disorder and is considered among the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma that affects after 30 years of life, progressing slowly, and manifests as decreased visual acuity leading to blindness if not treated. POAG is genetically heterogeneous, inherited most commonly in autosomal dominant mode. Several genes have been reported for POAG with myocilin (Myoc) being most common. The present study has been conducted to screen 25 POAG families with 2 or more affected members for their association with Myoc and CYP1B1 (the most common gene in primary congenital glaucoma). After approval from Institutional Ethical Review Committee (ERC), 25 POAG families were enrolled from the southern province (Sindh) of Pakistan. Written informed consent was obtained from all participating individuals and diagnosis was confirmed by consultant ophthalmologists using various instruments and means. Venous blood was obtained from affected individuals and their normal family members for DNA extraction and subsequent analysis. All samples were initially screened for the Myoc gene followed by CYP1B1. Screening for Myoc revealed one previously reported variant c.144G>T in POAG-06 whereas screening for CYP1B1 in all 25 families showed a novel variant c.649G>A in POAG-02. The pathogenicity of the novel variant was confirmed using various bioinformatics tools. This is the first report of any POAG family found associated with a novel variant in CYP1B1 from the southern province of Pakistan whereas one family found associated with a reported variant in Myoc. The remaining 23 POAG families did not found to be associated with either Myoc or CYP1B1 indicating genetic heterogeneity of the population in this part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]