Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential of the phenolic extracts of Mimusops elengi (M. elengi) L. (Sapotaceae). Methods:The extract of stem bark and seeds of M. elengi were prepared in methanol and acetone:water (7:3). The acetone: water was further partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Antioxidant activity of the extracts and partitioned fractions of M. elengi was evaluated in terms of radical scavenging potential (DPPH), inhibition of lipid peroxidation [ferric thiocyanate (FTC)], and total antioxidant activity (phosphomolybdate method). Total phenolics content were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Results:The stem bark extract partitioned with ethyl acetate exhibited highest amount of total phenols (98.0 mg GAE/g dry weight), among all other extracts, with 92.0%DPPH radical scavenging activity at concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, while methanol extract (stem bark) had maximum inhibition of lipid peroxidation (62.0%) and total antioxidant activity (771.0 mg/g GAE/g). A positive correlation occurred between total phenols and radical scavenging activity (R2= 0.922 9) and total antioxidant activity (R2= 0.945 1). Conclusions: Our study suggested that antioxidant activity of stembark extract of M. elengi is due the presence of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the bark extract is a valuable source of natural antioxidants.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of helminths of goats such as Fasciola hepatica, Haemonchus contortus, Paramphistomum cervi, Oesophagostomum columbian, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Monezia expansa, Oestertagia oestertagi and Oestertagia circumcincta. The overall prevalence of all species of helminthes was 52% in goat. The study was designed to investigate the factors of helminths prevalence on the basis of sex and age of goat with the help of Chi-square. All the results obtained were non-significant due to some factors which directly affects the prevalence of helminths.

Objective: Eucalyptus and Curcuma species are well reputed for their traditional medicinal uses in south east Asia, therefore, the present study was designed to determine reducing potential of their essential oils. Method: Essential oils of the selected medicinal species Eucalyptussideroxylon, E. teriticornis, E. citriodora, Curcuma longa and C. aromatic were extracted using hydro distillation method, separated with diethyl ether and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Column chromatography of Curcuma aromatica was carried out and six fractions were collected using gradient solvent system of n-hexane-ethyl acetate. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of oils were evaluated using standard protocol and results were expressed in μM equivalent to FeSO4.7H2O. Results: The essential oil of Eucalyptus sideroxylon was found to possess highest reducing potential among the Eucalyptus species. Curcuma longa essential oil showed most significant reducing potential with 138.4±1.1 FRAP equivalents. Conclusions:It was concluded that the all essential oil and the column fractions of C. aromatica possess significant reducing capacity ranged from 95.8±1.0 to 152.4±1.4 μM in a dose dependent manner.

The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has stimulated a renewed interest in the anatomy of Calot’s triangle 1. This triangle is a focal area of anatomical importance in cholecystectomy and a good knowledge of its anatomy is essential for both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy 2, 3. This triangle was described by Calot in 1891 as bounded by the cystic duct, the right hepatic duct and lower edge of liver 4. In its present interpretation the upper border is formed by the inferior surface of the liver with the other two boundaries being the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct 2,5. Its contents usually include the right hepatic artery (RHA), the cystic artery, the cystic lymph node (of Lund), connective tissue and lymphatics 5,6. The cystic artery is a branch of the RHA and is usually given off in Calot’s triangle 7. Anatomic variations in Calot’s triangle are common. Variations in cystic artery anatomy, based on its origin, position and number are well described 3, 8 because of its importance in avoiding inadvertent bleeding and its consequences. The reported incidence of these variations is from 25 to 50 % in various studies 3,9 with the magnified laparoscopic view having increased the frequency of recognition of these variations. The methods of retraction used in the laparoscopic procedure gives a different view of the area, thus introducing the term ‘laparoscopic anatomy’7. Accurate knowledge of cystic artery anatomy and its variations can reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding, an important cause of iatrogenic extra hepatic biliary injury and conversion to open cholecystectomy 3, 7, 8. The incidence of conversion to open surgery due to vascular injury is reported to be 0-1.9% and its mortality 0.02% 3, hence these variations should stay in surgical conscience to prevent procedure related morbidity. We aim to present the variations in cystic artery seen in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our patient population.

Poultry farming not only provides high nutritious food but also creates employment opportunity for rural masses. Documented evidences elaborates that helminth parasitism is most deciduous problem of chickens especially in developing world. Ascaridia (A.) galli, a nematode of small intestine, has been considered as the most common and important parasite of chicken. The present study was carried out to investigate prevalence and severity of A. galli in White Leghorn layers (housing type: battery cage and deep litter, 50 each) and Fayoumi-Rhode Island Red crossbred (male and female: 50 each) flock rearing at Government Poultry Farm, Dina, Punjab, Pakistan. Two hundred faecal samples were examined by using standard parasitological and McMaster egg counting technique. The overall prevalence was 24.5% at farm, 13% in White leghorn layer (battery cage=2%, deep litter=24%) and 36% in Fayoumi-Rhode Island Red (male=34%, female=38%). It was also observed that White leghorn layer rearing in deep litter had more severe infection (EPG=1920) of A. galli compare with battery cages birds (EPG=500). Parasite prevalence was significantly related with sex (P<0.05) in Fayoumi-Rhode Island Red and male birds had less number of average parasites (0.34±0.47) as compared to females (0.38±0.490). Additionally, female birds were under serious threat of infection (EPG=2270) compared with its counterpart (EPG=1250). Given the high infection rates, particular attention should be paid to management and provision of feed supplement to White leghorn layer housing in deep litter and female bird of Fayoumi-Rhode Island Red crossbred.

Objective: To explore potential inhibitors of viral enzymes of SARS CoV-2. Methods: The in-silico docked potential of anti-viral, antibiotic, and analgesic drugs were studied for inhibition of the nonstructural protein (NSP) 9, NSP3, and NSP15 of SARS CoV-2 using recent structural peculiarities of these enzymes, 3D optimized structures of drugs and algorithm-based ligand inhibitory potential. Results: Teicoplanin, azithromycin, and remdesivir potentially inhibited NSP9 (Dock-score 9 620, 5 472 and 6 252, respectively), NSP3 (Dock-score 9 846, 5 604 and 5 548, respectively) and NSP15 (Dock-score 10 960, 6414 and 6 002, respectively). Conclusions: Teicoplanin acts as a significant receptor antagonist and potentially inhibits the SARS CoV-2 enzymes.

BACKGROUNDHepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a major public health issue around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In this study, we assessed outcome of interferon (INF) treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients categorized by gender, age, and viral load.

METHODSIn this study, 750 HCV positive patients with genotype 3 were selected, out of which 616 completed the entire treatment. Their personal history, pre-treatment HCV RNA and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was quantified. Patients were treated with combination therapy of INF-α 2b three million units (thrice a week) plus ribavirin (1000 - 1200 mg per day) for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks their HCV RNA and serum ALT level was quantified.

RESULTSOut of the 616 patients, 391 (63.5%) responded to therapeutic regimen (INF-α 2b plus ribavirin). Among the responders, 27.1% were men and 36.4% were women. Best treatment response was observed in patients having low viral load < 8 × 10(5) IU/ml and age ≤ 40 years than patients having low viral load and age > 40 years (73.2% vs. 60.3%, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBetter response to IFN-α 2b plus ribavirin was observed in patients with lower viral RNA and younger age. It suggests that all patients considered for treatment should have quantification of serum HCV RNA level. The result can be used to counsel patients on the likelihood of response and may influence the patient's decision on treatment.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Pakistan ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The objevctive of the present study was to explore the potential influence of blood markers and patient factors such as risk factors, kidney function profile, coagulation profile, lipid profile, body mass index, blood pressure, and vein diameter on the maturation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODS: Retrospective data from 300 patients who had undergone AVF creation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh were examined. A predictive logistic regression model was developed using a backward stepwise procedure. Model performance, discrimination, and calibration were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The final model was externally validated by 100 prospective patients who received a new fistula at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. RESULTS: A total of 400 (300 retrospective and 100 prospective) patients were recruited for this study, with a mean age of 60.14 ± 15.9 years (development set) and 58 ± 15 years (validation set), respectively (P = 0.208). Study results showed that males were twice as likely to undergo fistula maturation as females, while patients with no evidence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were three times more likely to mature their fistula and a preoperative vein diameter > 2.5 mm resulted in a fivefold increase in fistula maturation as compared with a vein size of less than 2.5 mm. The model for fistula maturation had fair discrimination, as indicated by the area under the ROC curve (0.68), but good calibration as indicated by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (P = 0.79). The area under the receiver operating curve for the validation model in the validation set was 0.59. Similarly, in the validation set, the Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic indicated an agreement between the observed and predicted probabilities of maturation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gender, PVD, and vein size are independent predictors of AVF maturation. The clinical utility of these risk categories in the maturation of AVF requires further evaluation in longer follow-up.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Calibration ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve ; Veins

For the development of 19-plex Y STR system and polymorphism studies in locl ethnic populations sixteen markers of non-recombining regions (NRY) of Y chromosome, which show high power of discrimination among individuals, were selected in this study. Blood samples (600) were e.ollected from the males of three most common castes of Pakistani population (Arnin, Awan and Rajput) with different parent lineages. Three markers (DYS385a/b, DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ and YCAⅡa/b) among 16 Y STRs are double-targeted regions of the Y chromosome and thus provide two polymorphie peaks for each respective primer set. These 16 Y-STRs were developed into Megaplex system for simultaneous amplification of all markers within the population. The overall power of discrimination observed in focused populations was 60.5%, 66.5% and 55% in Rajput, Awan and Arain casts respectively. This discrimination power will be helpful in haman identification for forensic casework studies including sexual assaults and paternity testing.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum. Methods: Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum. Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds. The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet. Results: The 80% hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, total antioxidant power, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties. The 80% hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver, kidney, and heart. The 80% hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum. The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat. Conclusions: Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.