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Objectives: Liver fibrosis is one of the serious health concern around the globe. Persistent exposure to drugs, toxicants, and pathogens may induce liver fibrosis. Marine macroalgae are globally consumed because of nutritive and medicinal value. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of two seaweeds Padina pavonia and Caulerpa racemosa in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Materials and Methods: Animal model of hepatic fibrosis was developed by injecting 40% CCl4 dissolved in olive oil [2 mL/kg, body weight (b.w.), i.p.] on alternate days for 30 days. Water extracts (WE) [200 mg/kg b.w., p.o.] of P. pavonia and C. racemosa were given to rats daily for 30 days. On day 31, rats were sacrificed after 12 h fasting. Serum was used for biochemical estimation. 10% neutral buffered formalin was used to preserve the liver sample for histopathological examination, while the other portion was used for the preparation of tissue homogenate to estimate antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde levels. Results: WEs of both marine macro-algae significantly abrogate the elevated serum concentrations of aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase along with a substantial (p<0.05) reduction in serum bilirubin levels. They also showed positive effects on oxidative stress, evident by improvement in reduced glutathione, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and down regulation of lipid peroxidation level, with stabilizing the destructive cellular morphology of liver induced by repeated CCl4 injection. Both algal extracts also improved kidney function (urea and creatinine) along with lipid metabolism (triglycerides and cholesterol). Conclusion: Water extract of C. racemosa has shown great potential in attenuating liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.

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Parasites lives on host organism with some or complete metabolic dependence on it, while the haemoparasites inhabit and nourished from blood cells of the host. The current investigation evaluated to raise awareness of blood parasite (Plasmodium spp.) infection in Korangi creek, Karachi, population and to know as to which Plasmodium species was most prevalent. One year data was collected from different hospitals and laboratories of the Korangi creek area, blood slides were prepared under the microscope. Four hundred and eighty one infected slides with Plasmodium were observed amongst them 396 (82.32 percent) had P. vivax and 85 (17.67 percent) had P. falciparum infection. The rate of infection did not vary with gender but had a signification association with age. Highest incidence was recorded in age group 16-40 years for both P. vivax and P. falciparum followed by age group 1-15 years in P. vivax and age group 41-60 years for P. falciparum. It was suggested that protective measures are required to overcome disease that include covering arms and legs, using repellents mosquito nets along with proper dispensing and appropriate treatment.

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Scabies a skin disease caused by mite Sarcoptes scabiei is common in Pakistan and spreads mostly where there is frequent skin to skin contact. In the present study children belonging to four age groups 0-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years attending Baqai Institute and Hospital Gadap from June-September 2013 were examined. The association between scabies of different human parts and age for boys was significant (p<0.01), while for girls it was highly significant (p<0.001). The most frequent body parts infected with scabies lesions were hands, head and feet. Oral ivermectin was effective antiscabietic for children as it was easy to administer and had good patient acceptability.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neem extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the ultrastructure of the rat oral epithelium, because neem extract has been added in the tooth paste as an anti-plaque-forming substance in Asian countries. The non-toxic dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of Neem extract (NBE) was applied daily to the surface of buccal epithelium for four weeks and controls did not receive Neem extract. After four weeks cheek epithelial tissues were excised and processed for light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopy did not show significant differences between NBE-treated and control epithelium. Difference between control and treated rats weight was non-significant. Moreover, time period was also non-significant. Irregular cell surfaces were noticed when compared to control specimens when examined by scanning electron microscopy. Under transmission electron microscopy, wider intercellular spaces were observed in the treated epithelial spinous cellular layers when compared to control. Further, more keratohyalin granules were present in experimental granular cells. It was concluded that present study showed differences between Neem-treated and control in epithelial tissues but these structural differences may not be related to adverse side effects of the Neem extract.

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Cutaneous myiasis is a parasitic disease secondary to the presence of the larvae of certain insects, particularly diptera, in the skin of man or vertebrates [1]. Human myiasis is a rare clinical condition, but more frequently seen in tropical and subtropical areas. Hot humid climate with inadequate sanitary conditions favor the development of this condition. Dermatitis, psychiatric illnesses, leprosy, and diabetes are some contributory factors [2]. Treatment of myiasis, once diagnosed, is simple and rapid recovery is anticipated.

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This research was aimed to study the effects of oral administration of Camellia sinensis L. on the testicular and body weights of adult Wistar rats for short and long time periods. The adult Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (A, B and C). Every group had ten rats. Green tea extract 0.692% (w/v) was given to groups A and B on daily basis. The extracts were prepared fresh and given for a period of ten and thirty days, respectively, while distilled water was given to the group C rats only. The adult Wistar rats were sacrificed on eleventh and thirty-first day of experiment for the particular groups. The testes were dissected out cautiously, free from the supporter tissues and weighed to the adjacent 1 mg. There is no significant difference in the body weight in all 3 groups. Moreover, it was observed that Wistar rat's testicular weight was considerably increased in group B but no major changes were seen in group A. Our results indicated that green tea when given for short period of time may be effective to the testes but has no consequence on Wistar rat's body weight. However, it is indistinct if these alterations are reversible.

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Syphacia caudibandata was found in the gut of the common hare Lepus capensis (Linn.) in Karachi, Pakistan. The new species is characterized by having a typical caudal region provided with transverse band and bead like structures placed at wellproportioned spaces in the females and one or two cuticular mamelons and relatively short spicules in males. Scanning micrographs of the cuticle show a typical cuticular structure over the mid dorsal body surface. This is the first time that the genus Syphacia has been found in the host, Lepus capensis, in Pakistan.