Comparison of Open Sub-Inguinal and Microscopic Sub-Inguinal Varicocelectomy for Improvement of Sperm Parameters

Background: Varicoceles along with oligospermia as well as with asthenozoospermia lead to the male infertility. It can weaken the spermatogenesis via many different pathophysiological mechanisms. Many surgical and non-surgical methods are available for its treatment. Objective: To compare microscopic versus open sub-inguinal varicocelectomy in males with varicocele with oligospermia and asthenozoospermia. Study Design: Randomized controlled trail Place and Duration of Study: Department of Urology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from 1st May to 30th November 2017. Methodology: One hundred and fifty males with varicocele were recruited and divided in two equal groups. Group A patients underwent microsurgical sub-inguinal varicocelectomy and Group B patients underwent conventional/open sub-inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analysis was done before surgery and after four months of surgery and 50% improvement in semen parameters were noted. Results: The mean age was 31.69±5.49 years. In group A and group-B ≥50% improvement was observed in 36 (48%) and 21 (28%) respectively. The improvement was significantly higher in group A than group B (p>0.012). Conclusion: The improvement in sperm count and motility was significantly higher in patients treated with microsurgical sub-inguinal varicocelectomy when treated with conventional/open sub-inguinal varicocelectomy. Keywords: Male infertility, Varicocele, Varicocelectomy, Seminal parameters, Microsurgical sub-inguinal, Conventional/open sub-inguinal

Comparison of Efficacy of Ondansetron Pre-treatment in Alleviating Pain due to Propofol during General Anaesthesia with Placebo

Background: Ondansetron is a 5HT3 receptor blocker and has multifaceted action like sodium channel blocker and µ - opioid agonist. Objective: To compare the efficiency of ondansetron pre-treatment in alleviating pain caused by propofol during induction of general anaesthesia with placebo. Material & Method: In this randomized controlled trail 120 patients of ASA grade I & II undergoing elective surgery were included and divided into two equal groups A & B by using lottery method. Each group comprised of 60 patients. In group A two ml 0.9 % normal saline and in group B, 2 ml ondansetron (4mg) given intravenously. In both groups propofol was given in a dose of 2.5 mg / Kg intravenously. Results: The mean age of patients in group A was 29.95 ± 4.79 year and in group B was 30.30 ± 4.87 year. Majority of patients 67(55.83 %) were between 18 to 30 year of age. Out of 120 patients. 63 (52.50 %) were ASA I & 52 (47.50 %) were ASA II. Efficacy of group A (placebo) was seen in 11 (18.33 %) while in group B (ondansetron) was seen in 56 (93.33 %). Conclusion: Ondansetron pre-treatment in alleviating pain cause by propofol is very effective. Keywords: Pain, ondansetron, propofol, general anaesthesia.

Is Nasogastric Tube essential in abdominal surgeries? Randomized controlled trail.

Objective: Objective was to compare mean hospital stay in patients with abdominal surgeries with and without Nasogastric tube. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trail study. Setting: DHQ Charsadda. Period: Jan to Nov 2018. Material & Methods: One hundred and thirty two patients who underwent abdominal surgeries according to a preset inclusion criteria were in this study. These Patients were randomly assigned using sealed opaque envelopes containing computer‐generated random numbers into with and without NG tube. Mean hospital stay was noted in both groups. Student ‘t’ test was used to compare the mean hospital stay of both groups. Results: Mean age of patients in group A was 28.50 ± 9.28 years and for group B was 30.12+_9.09 years. Mean hospital stay for group A was 5.64+_2.32days and for group B was 8.73+_3.43 days with a p-value of < 0.000. Conclusion: Patient with nasogastric tube stay longer in hospital than without tube.

A Randomized Controlled Trail for Comparing LED Color Temperature and Color Rendering Attributes in Different Illuminance Environments for Human-Centric Office Lighting

In this study, two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the color rendering index (CRI) and correlated color temperature (CCT) of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on office user acceptance and to explore the proper color attributes for human-centric office lighting. Experiment 1 had four LED lights, with two levels for the CRI (CRI < 80: 79, 76; or CRI ≥ 80: 83, 84) and CCT (3000 K or 6500 K) at 300 lux. In experiment 2, there were four LED lights, with several levels for the CRI (CRI < 80: 78; or CRI ≥ 80: 87, 83) and CCT (3000 K or 6500 K) at 500 lux. Ninety-six participants in experiment 1 and ninety-four participants in experiment 2 performed a reading task. The results in experiment 1 and experiment 2 showed that LEDs with lower CRI values at warm color temperatures were rated as more acceptable than LEDs with higher CRI values at warm color temperatures. However, the positive effect extended to LEDs with higher CRI values at cool temperatures but not to LEDs with lower CRI values at cool temperatures. Therefore, the findings are that LEDs with lower CRI values at warm color temperatures and LEDs with higher CRI values at cool temperatures provide the right level of color attributes for office lighting.

THE EFFECTS OF SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM NAAD YOGA MEDITATION TRAINING ON MINDFULNESS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Introduction: Meditation has been practiced since times immemorial consciously or unconsciously by the people from different origins and the trend has caught more attention of the researchers worldwide due to popularity of yoga in the recent years. Method: Internet-delivered online NAAD yoga meditation training for 6 weeks was being imparted to the university level participants (n = 67) and were assessed before, during and after treatment, and their compliance with the intervention they received was tracked online. In the randomized controlled trail (RCT) study, the treatments were received at a time, place, and computer of the participants’ choosing with the proviso that the training be completed live and online during each of 6 successive weeks (6 days a week with a 32 minutes session each day). The trait MAAS, a 15-item scale designed to assess individual differences in the frequency of mindful states over time questionnaire was being used as tool to assess (also known as trait) mindfulness amongst all the participants. Results: Both a short term (3 weeks) long-term (6 weeks) NAAD yoga meditation programs elicited a statistically significant improvement on MAAS scores (p&lt;.000).

Comparison of outcome of interrupted versus continuous closure technique of rectus sheath in emergency laparotomies patients in terms of wound dehiscence.

Objective: To compare outcome of interrupted versus continuous closure of rectus sheath in emergency laparotomy patients, in terms of wound dehiscence. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trail. Setting: Department of Casualty Surgical Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Institute of Medical Sciences, Gambat. Period: 1st January to 30th June 2020. Material & Methods: Total duration of study was 6 months. Total of 150 patients (75 in each group) were studied. Interrupted closure of rectus sheath was done in group “A” patients while continuous closure was done in group “B” patients, and efficacy in terms of wound dehiscence was compared in both groups. Results: Overall male to female ratio was1.29:1. The average age of the patients was 39.41 years +13.02SD. Wound dehiscence in Group “A” was found in 2.6% cases while 6.6% in Group “B” patients. Conclusion: Interrupted closure of Rectus sheath in emergency laparotomy is more effective than continuous closure in preventing wound dehiscence.

Agnihotra as an inexpensive method to treat HIV/AIDS – A pilot study

Background: Despite four decades of searching, no vaccine exists yet for HIV/AIDS, and it is still a big problem in many countries of the world. Purpose: Finding a simple method which is affordable, and which could help avoid side effects which the commonly used antiretroviral drugs often show, is the need of the moment. Method: A group of HIV positive children have been performing daily sunrise/sunset Agnihotra themselves under supervision for two years. Data were collected on viral load and CD4 counts before and after that. Repeated measure ANOVA was employed to find out the effectiveness of Agnihotra on reduction of viral load and increase in CD4 count. Results: Data shows general health improved measurably as viral load went down and CD4 values increased. Conclusion: These preliminary results show good potential of Agnihotra for HIV/AIDS patients and a randomized controlled trail is suggested.