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Background: Infertility is a very common health problem among middle-aged hypertensive individuals on beta-blocker therapy. With advancing research, it is observed that almonds can enhance the fertility index. Aim: To find that how almonds (prunus Amygdalus), cardioselective beta blocker and combined preparation of both these can affect serum testosteronein mice. Methods: This study was done in the Physiology Department, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad. Some part of this project was done inNational Institute of Health, Islamabad along with the Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM) Laboratory, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, and Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. It was an Animal based experimental study. This study was conducted from December2014 to March 2015. 120 Balb-c mice were selected for our study according to the predefined setcriteria and four groups were made, each group consisting of 30 mice. Group A was the control group, atenolol was given to group B, almonds to group C, and atenolol plus almonds to group D. Serumtestosterone was measured after 3 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 and mean±standard deviation was determined. For difference, statistical significance was calculated after applying one way ANOVA. The p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A serving as control mean testosterone was found to be 1.58±0.69IU/L. Mean serum testosterone in B-group (Atenolol) was 0.43±0.27 IU/L. In group C (Almonds) it was 3.77±2.64 IU/Lwhich was significantly increased. In group D (almond+Atenolol) serum testosterone level was1.82±1.00 IU/L that is elevated but non-significantly in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Almonds increase mean testosterone and atenolol lead to adecrease init. It is thus concluded that almondscan revert the changes induced by atenolol. Keywords: Almonds, Testosterone, Atenolol, Hypertension, Infertility.

Objectives: Inflammation is the one of the major causes for development of type 2diabetes mellitus and its complications. In this study, association between inflammation and type2 diabetes mellitus was studied by measuring various inflammatory markers (soluble vascularcell adhesion molecules type – 1, Interleukin – 6 and C- reactive protein) between healthy anddiabetic patients. Study Design: A cross sectional comparative study. Place and Duration ofStudy: The study was conducted at Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, ArmyMedical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi andCentre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM), Army Medical College,Rawalpindi for blood sampling and biochemical assays respectively. Material and Methods:The study was performed in 40 human subjects divided into two groups containing 20 subjectseach. One group was designated as control while the other was diseased (diabetic) group.Glycemic status was measured to confirm their normal and diabetic state. Inflammatory markerswere measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: Levels of allinflammatory markers (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules type – 1, Interleukin – 6 and Creactiveprotein) were found to be raised in the experimental diabetic groups; 1991.5 ± 201.97ng/ml, 24.99 ± 1.366 pg/ml and 2931 ± 168.319 respectively compared to the control group;570.2 ± 16.526 ng/ml, 6.64 ± 0.3516 pg/ml and 1806.6 ± 183.32 respectively. Conclusions:Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus as comparedto normal healthy control subjects.

Objectives: To study the effect of maternal high-fat, high-cholesterol diet on thelipid profiles of rat offspring. Study Design: Randomized control trial (RCT). Place and durationof study: Department of Biochemistry, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaborationwith Chemical Pathology Laboratory (CPL), Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and NationalInstitute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. The study was completed in six months. Material andMethods: Sixty adult female albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were divided into two groupsof 30 each. Male rats of the same strain were used for breeding. Ten days before expectedmating experimental group was shifted to a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, keeping the controlgroup on normal rat diet. Lipid profiles of pregnant dams of both groups were done at day20 of gestation. Offspring of both groups from weaning onwards were fed the normal rat diet.One male and one female offspring from each litter of both groups (30 male and 30 femalesfrom each group) were selected and their lipid profiles were evaluated at post-weaning andadult stage. Results: At day 20 of gestation, high-fat and cholesterol fed dams showed highlysignificant increase in TC, LDL-c, HDL-c and LDL-c / HDL-c ratio than the control dams (p

Objectives: To observe the effect of lipid lowering by atorvastatin administrationon platelet reactivity by measuring serum beta thromboglobulin concentration in male andfemale Sprague Dawley rats. Study Design: Randomized control trial (RCT). Place of study:The study was conducted at Physiology department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. Animalhandling, obesity induction, drug administration and sample collection were done at NationalInstitute of Health (NIH), Islamabad and biochemical assays were performed at Centre forResearch in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM), Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.Period: 12 months. Material and Methods: Ninety healthy Sprague Dawley (male and female)rats were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups. Group I rats (normal control)were given normal chow diet for three weeks. Group II rats (obese control) were given high fatdiet for three weeks to induce obesity. Group III rats (obese treated) were given atorvastatinfor three weeks in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day orally by gavage method after obesity induction.Terminal blood sampling was done at the end of the study by intra-cardiac puncture. Bloodwas centrifuged to obtain serum and serum beta thromboglobulin was measured by usingEnzyme Linked Immunosorbant assay. Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) increasein serum B-TG concentration in obese rats as compared to normal control rats. Atorvastatinadministration to obese rats significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum B-TG concentration.Conclusions: Obesity increases and statin administration decreases platelet reactivity in highfat diet induced obese Sprague Dawley rats as reflected by serum B-TG concentration.

Objective: The objective of the study was to observe the effect of lipid loweringtherapy on homocysteine and TXA2 concentration in obese hyperlipidemic Sprague Dawleyrats. Design: Randomized Control Trial (RCT). Place and Duration of study: The study wasconducted in Department of Physiology and Centre for Research in Experimental and AppliedMedicine (CREAM), Army Medical College, Rawalpindi; and National Institute of Health (NIH)Islamabad over a period of 12 months. Methodology: Ninety healthy Sprague Dawley ratsdivided into three equal groups. Group I (n=30) were healthy controls, group II (n=30) weremade obese and group III (n=30) were obese treated (atorvastatin 10 mg/kg/day orally bygavage method for three weeks). Body weight was recorded thrice weekly, lipid profile wasmeasured by colorimetric method on microlab and homocysteine and TXA2 were measuredby Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay. Results: Serum low density lipoproteins and TXA2decreased after three weeks of atorvastatin administration, elevated HCY concentration in obesehyperlipidemic rats however was not significantly affected. Conclusion: Atorvastatin apart fromlowering lipid levels in the body also reduces TXA2 concentration which is a vasoprotective.Elevated HCY concentration which is deleterious to the endothelium however is not affected.

Mitral valve prolapse is generally considered a benign condition, however, a subset of patients remains at high risk of arrhythmogenesis which may lead to sudden cardiac death. Objective: To stratify risk of arrhythmogenesis in patients with mitral valve prolapse on the basis of high resolution ECG, Holter monitoring, resting heart rate and mitral leaflet geometry. Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study. Place of study: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC)/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi and Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Methodology: Mitral leaflet displacement and thickness were measured on echocardiography in 37 patients with mitral valve prolapse. Resting heart rate and time domain indices of heart rate variability of each patient were recorded from 24 hours Holter monitoring. High resolution ECG of all the patients was carried out to record ventricular late potentials. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and the alpha value was set at

To observe the effect of skill lab training on academic performance of final year medical students in terms of marks obtained in long case, short case, objective structured clinical examination and viva.The cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from February to April 2015. Two batches of final year MBBS were recruited for the study. Batch 1 received conventional training, and Batch 2 received skill lab training. The performance of students was assessed by comparing the marks obtained in long case, short case, objective structured clinical examination and viva. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Of the 335 subjects, 168(50.1%) were male and 167(49.9%) were female students with a mean age of 21.79±1.02 years. Batch 1 had 151(45%) students and Batch 2 had 184(55%). Batch 2 got significantly higher marks in long case, short case and objective structured clinical examination (p0.05 each). Viva result was not found to be related to training (p0.05).Acquisition of clinical skills significantly improved when medial students were trained in skill laboratories.

Objective To determine the effect of gender and physical activity on internet addiction in medical students. Methods In this cross sectional, analytical study Young's internet addiction test questionnaire was distributed to 350 MBBS students of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. The study was conducted from January to May 2015. A dichotomous response from students regarding physical activity was obtained which was verified from the sports department of the institution. Based upon total score, internet addiction was categorized as no addiction if the score was less than or equal to 49, moderate addiction when the score was 50 to 79 and severe when the score was 80 to 100. Results Out of 322 respondents 175 (54.3%) were males and 147 (42.7%) females with a mean age of 19.27±1.01 years. Total internet addiction score and frequency of internet addiction were similar between males and females (37.71±11.9 vs 38.63±14.00, p=0.18 and 25 vs 29, p=0.20). However, total score and frequency of internet addiction were higher in students lacking physical activity as compared to those with regular physical activity (40.37±15.05 vs 36.38±11.76, p=0.01 and 30 vs 24, p=0.01). Conclusion Internet addiction is unrelated to gender however it is inversely related to physical activity.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are chronic inflammatory conditions of airways sharing common pathophysiology. The two disorders have similar cellular responses, with different symptoms based on the differences in the physical structures involved. Studies have shown that allergic rhinitis has a major impact on asthma morbidity and that treating allergic rhinitis may also impact asthma control. The objective of this study was to determine association of allergic rhinitis with gender and asthma.In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients with allergic rhinitis and equal number of patients without allergic rhinitis were included. Patients were excluded if they were smokers or if they had respiratory infection within the month preceding the study. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed on history, nasal smear and blood complete picture. In both groups, patients having asthma, pre-diagnosed by the physician were isolated and their frequency was calculated.Ninety-two male and 108 female patients with mean age 30.72 +/- 12.58 were included in the study. Odds ratio for allergic rhinitis patients and asthmatics was 5.05 (p0.05). Association of allergic rhinitis with gender was also statistically significant (p0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed predictability of allergic rhinitis from asthma at p0.05.Allergic rhinitis is significantly associated with gender and asthma.