Pathophysiology, risk stratification, and management of sudden cardiac death in coronary artery disease.

Management of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is undergoing radical change in direction. It is becoming increasingly appreciated that besides depressed left ventricular systolic function and the conventional risk stratification tools, new markers for plaque vulnerability, enhanced thrombogenesis, specific genetic alterations of the autonomic nervous system, cardiac sarcolemmal and contractile proteins, and familial clustering may better segregate patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) who are at high risk of SCD from those who may suffer from nonfatal ischemic events. Better understanding of pathophysiologic processes such as post-myocardial infarction remodeling, the transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure, and the increased cardiovascular risk of CAD in the presence of diabetes or even a pre-diabetic state will help to improve both risk stratification and management.

Peripartum hysterectomy: a ten-year experience at a tertiary care hospital in a developing country.

Acute bleeding after delivery can be a life-threatening complication. Emergency hysterectomy is usually undertaken as a last resort. This study was conducted in order to estimate the incidence, indications, risk factors and complications associated with peripartum hysterectomy performed at a tertiary care hospital.

Primary perisplenic hydatid cyst.

Splenic parasitic cysts due to flat worm Echinococci resulting in hydatid disease are a rare presentation as primary site even in the endemic regions. Primary splenic parasitic cysts have an incidence of 0.5-4%.

ADP-ribosylation factors regulate the development of CT signaling in immature human enterocytes.

Diarrheal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children worldwide. Evidence suggests that the interaction of immature human enterocytes with bacteria and their enterotoxins may account for the increased susceptibility of neonates to diarrheal diseases. However, the precise mechanisms that contribute to the excessive response to cholera toxin by the immature gut are largely unknown.

Novel neural correlates of operant conditioning in normal and differentially reared Lymnaea.

The aerial respiratory behaviour of the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis is an important homeostatic behaviour that can be operantly conditioned. The central pattern generator underlying this behaviour, as well as motorneurons innervating the respiratory orifice, the pneumostome, have been identified and their activity can be monitored in the semi-intact preparation using electrophysiological recordings. In this study, we used both intact animals and semi-intact preparations to identify novel changes in the respiratory central pattern generator following operant conditioning.

Cardiovascular and airway relaxant activities of peony root extract.

Paeonia emodi (peony) is a well known plant used medicinally to treat hypertension, palpitations, and asthma. Despite its popularity, there are few reports in the scientific literature examining its use in such conditions. We prepared a 70% ethanolic extract of peony root (Pe.

Attributes of an effective clinical teacher: a survey on students' and teachers' perceptions.

Objective: To identify the attributes of effective clinical teacher, using a self-filled survey questionnaire, that students and faculty value most, and to compare the opinion of student and faculty regarding the same.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi from October 2006 to January 2007.

Knowledge, awareness and practices regarding dengue fever among the adult population of dengue hit cosmopolitan.

Background: The World health Organization (WHO) declares dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever to be endemic in South Asia. Despite the magnitude of problem, no documented evidence exists in Pakistan which reveals the awareness and practices of the country's adult population regarding dengue fever, its spread, symptoms, treatment and prevention. This study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue fever in people visiting tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.

Hydrocortisone modulates cholera toxin endocytosis by regulating immature enterocyte plasma membrane phospholipids.

Background & Aims: Diarrheal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children worldwide. Evidence has indicated immature human enterocytes and their interaction with bacteria and enterotoxins may account for the noted increased susceptibility of neonates to diarrhea. Our aim was to characterize the developmental difference in cholera toxin (CT)-GM1-mediated endocytosis.

Factors associated with helmet use among motorcycle users in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives: Wearing a helmet is the single most effective measure for preventing head injuries in motorcycle users. The authors undertook this study to estimate compliance and determine reasons for noncompliance with helmet use among motorcyclists in their community.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of motorcyclists in three large randomly selected public-access parking spaces across Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.

Prevalence and demographics of anxiety disorders: a snapshot from a community health centre in Pakistan.

Background: The developing world is faced with a high burden of anxiety disorders. The exact prevalence of anxiety disorders in Pakistan is not known. There is a need to develop an evidence base to aid policy development on tackling anxiety and depressive disorders in the country.

Acute myelogenous leukemia mimicking a hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

Acute leukemia is a rare malignancy of pregnancy. When it develops, there are many complications to consider and management becomes exceedingly difficult. We report a case of acute myelogenous leukemia presenting as preeclampsia and fetal demise at 36 weeks of gestation.

Myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury: reactive oxygen species and the role of neutrophil.

A growing body of evidence suggests that oxygen radicals can mediate myocardial tissue injury during ischaemia and, in particular, during reperfusion. This review focuses on the role of neutrophil as a mediator of myocardial damage. Upon reperfusion, neutrophils accumulate and produce an inflammatory response in the myocardium that is responsible, in part, for the extension of tissue injury associated with reperfusion.