Current trends in bioremediation and bio-integrated treatment of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Petroleum hydrocarbons and their derivatives constitute the leading group of environmental pollutants worldwide. In the present global scenario, petroleum and natural gas production, exploration, petroleum refining, and other anthropogenic activities produce huge amounts of hazardous petroleum wastes that accumulate in the terrestrial and marine environment. Due to their carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and mutagenic characteristics, petroleum pollutants pose severe risks to human health and exert ecotoxicological effects on the ecosystems.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Sources, Toxicity, and Remediation Approaches.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread across the globe mainly due to long-term anthropogenic sources of pollution. The inherent properties of PAHs such as heterocyclic aromatic ring structures, hydrophobicity, and thermostability have made them recalcitrant and highly persistent in the environment. PAH pollutants have been determined to be highly toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and immunotoxicogenic to various life forms.

Analysis of clinical characteristics, rationale, and management of critically ill obstetric patients transferred to ICU.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics, rationale for transfer of critically ill obstetric patients to intensive care unit and their management therein.

Methods: The observational retrospective case series study was conducted at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan, and comprised critically ill female patients transferred to intensive care unit from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology between August 2011 and June 2013. The data was collected on pre-designed proforma which included demographic characteristics of patients, their symptomatology and initial diagnosis, intervention in the department, continuing or subsequent complications/reasons for admission to intensive care unit, management and stay there and, finally, outcome.

Exploring the role of curcumin containing ethanolic extract obtained from Curcuma longa (rhizomes) against retardation of wound healing process by aspirin.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the curcumin containing ethanolic extract (EtOH) obtained from Curcuma longa (Cl) against retardation of wound healing by aspirin.

Materials And Methods: Wound healing process was retarded by administering the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of aspirin orally for 9 days to observe the effect of EtOH obtained from Cl using excision and incision wound model in rats. The various parameters such as % wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline, tensile strength were observed at variant time intervals and histopathological study was also performed.

Outcome of primigravida with high head at term.

Objective: To determine the progress of labour, need of medical and surgical intervention and foetal and maternal outcome in primigravida with high head at term

Methods: The prospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences, Nawabshah, Pakistan, from Jan 1 to June30, 2011, and comprised 100 primigravida with unengaged head at term and at onset of labour. Detailed history was taken in each case and general, systemic and obstetric examination was done. Pelvic assessment and ultrasonography was performed.

A clinical study of ectopic pregnancy.

Background: The frequency of ectopic pregnancy is increasing throughout the globe and it is the most life threatening emergency in first trimester of pregnancy. Objective of this study was to determine the frequency, risk factors, clinical presentation and management of ectopic pregnancy.

Methods: This prospective descriptive study was conducted in Gynaecology and Obstetrical Unit-II of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital Hyderabad from 1st May 2009 to 30th April 2012.

Morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric hysterectomy.

Background: Obstetric hysterectomy still complicates a substantial number of pregnancies in third world countries and is a significant cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to evaluate in our setup the frequency of obstetric hysterectomy, its indication, risk factors, complication, morbidity, mortality and avoidable factors.

Methods: A descriptive study of all patients who under went obstetric hysterectomy was conducted from 1st May, 2004 to 31st October, 2005 at Gynaecology and Obstetric Unit-II, III of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Hospital, Hyderabad.