During the COVID-19 pandemic, an at-home enzyme assay was developed for a biochemistry laboratory course at Arizona State University. The experiment was designed to use items that could be easily obtained and safe to use. The experiment focused on the analysis of salivary amylase using starch from food as a substrate, black tea as an inhibitor, and tincture of iodine to quantify the amount of starch present. In this article, we describe the design of the experiment and an analysis of the student performance with specific mention of the common problems that the students experienced. While this experiment was specifically designed as an at-home experiment, it could easily be adapted to use in a typical undergraduate biochemistry laboratory.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare mean Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) in maternal oral hydration with routine hydration in third trimester oligohydramnios. Study design: Randomized control trial. Settings: Department of Gynea/Obs Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad. Duration of study: 6 months from 1 st June to 30 th November 2016. Methodology: A total of 80 cases (40 in each group), were included in the study, Group A was oral hydration group and was enquired about daily water intake. They are bound to take 2 liters of water in addition to their daily intake for 7 days. Group B was routine hydration group and continued to drink water determined by thirst and followed up on OPD basis according to the hospital protocol. Ultrasonography was done by radiology department and reported by radiologist after completion of 7 days and revised amniotic fluid index was noted. All the information was recorded on proforma. Results: In this study, (40 in each group), 65%(n=26) in Group-A and 57.5%(n=23) in Group-B were between 18-30 years and 35%(n=14) in Group-A and 42.5%(n=17) in Group-B were between 31-45 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 27.88+5.40 years and 28.80+5.72 years respectively, pre-treatment mean AFI volume was in-significant between the two groups. Post-treatment mean AFI volume was recorded as 6.83+0.81 in Group-A and 5.05+0.75 in Group-B, p value was calculated as 0.001 which shows significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: We concluded that oral hydration appears to be significantly increased in mean AFI as compare to routine hydration in third trimester oligohydramnios, this therapy can be used instead of expectant management or invasive techniques in patients of third trimester oligohydramnios.

Background: Post-partum hemorrhage is one of the most common obstetric emergencies. However, Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a medication used to treat or prevent excessive blood loss due to trauma, surgery and medical conditions including hemophilia and heavy menstrual bleeding. Objective: To determine the role of intravenous tranexamic acid before elective caesarean section in preventing postpartum hemorrhage at tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Settings: Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Allied Hospital Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: 6 months from March 02, 2019 to August 01, 2019. Methodology: After taking demographic information and informed consent, all the patients were randomly divided into two groups by using random number table. Group A patients received tranexamic acid (1gm/10ml TA diluted with 20ml of 5% glucose) and group B patients not received tranexamic acid (placebo). Blood loss was noted by measuring the total blood collected in kidney tray of 10" size during delivery of placenta till completion of caesarean section. All this information was recorded through study proforma. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS version 21. Results: In our study the mean age of the patients was 29.90±6.06 years. The mean blood loss value of the patients was 387.27±89.56 ml. Statistically highly significant difference was found between the study groups with blood loss of the patients i.e. p-value=0.000. Conclusion:It has been proved in our study that the tranexamic acid is useful and effective drug to control the mean blood loss before delivery in females undergoing elective caesarean section as compared to placebo group.

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