Muhammad Asif Raza

Point prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in southern Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in an irrigated area of lower Punjab (Pakistan). For this purpose, 100 faecal samples were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes. Parasitological procedures including direct and indirect methods (sedimentation and floatation) and coproculture were used for the identification of helminths. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 51% in cattle, 47% in buffaloes, 62% in sheep and 52% in goats, with nematodes being the most common helminths. The prevalence of helminths was higher in young animals compared with adults in cattle (P < 0.0001), buffaloes (P < 0.0001), sheep (P < 0.059) and goats (P = 0.010). The prevalence of different species of helminths also varied in different age groups, with Toxocara vitulorum being higher in calves than adults both in cattle (P = 0.017) and buffaloes (P < 0.0001). Sex-wise prevalence of helminths was higher in males than females for buffaloes (P < 0.0001) and sheep (P = 0.014) in contrast to cattle and goats.

Electromagnetic Interference with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Causing Inadvertent Shock: Case Report and Review of Current Literature

As the number of patients having implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices is increasing, it is important for the physicians and patients to be aware of situations and conditions that can result in interference with normal functioning of these devices. There are multiple cases of malfunction of ICDs reported in literature and it may be of great significance to have an overview of these incidents for appropriate recognition and future prevention. Here we are reviewing the available literature as well as reporting an interesting case of electromagnetic interference (EMI) resulting from leak of current in pool water causing firing of ICD.

Pharmacological evaluation of Rumex vesicarius Linn leaf extract and fractions in rabbit gastrointestinal ailment

The aqueous-methanolic leaf extract and fractions of the Rumex vesicarius L. (Rv.Cr) was evaluated for the possible presence of spasmogenic and spasmolytic constituents to rationalize its traditional uses in gastrointestinal disorders. In rabbit jejunum, R. vesicarius caused a dose-dependent (0.03 to 0.3 mg/ml) weak stimulatory effect on spontaneous contractions, followed by relaxation at the next higher dose (1 mg/ml). In the presence of atropine (0.03 µM), the spasmogenic effect was abolished and the relaxant effect was obtained at lower doses (0.1 to 1.0 mg/ml) shifting the dose response curves to the left. The spasmolytic effect on the spontaneous and K + -induced contractions in atropinized preparations was mediated at doses 0.03 to 1.0 mg/ml and 0.3 to 5 mg/ml, respectively which explained the involvement of calcium channel blocking (CCB) effect. The CCB effect was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with R. vesicarius produced a dose-dependent shift in the Ca ++ dose-response curves to the right in a similar manner as verapamil. Activity-directed fractionations revealed that the spasmolytic effect was concentrated in methanolic fraction, while spasmogenic activity in the aqueous fraction which was remarkably stronger than aqueous-methanolic extract. This data shows that the crude leaf extract of R. vesicarius L. contains spasmogenic and spasmolytic constituents mediating their effect through cholinergic and CCB actions, respectively, which explains its traditional use in the gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal colics and cramps, constipation and diarrhea, gestroesophagial reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome/inflammatory bowel disease.