Female ; Humans ; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

Objective: To investigate hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic potential of citrus peel extract and powder using rodent experimental modeling. Methods: Considering the fact, rat feeding trial was carried out for a period of 56 d to access the prophylaxis of citrus peel flavonoids by employing normal (study I), hyperglycemic (study II) and hypercholesterolemic (study III) rats. Each study was further divided into three groups to ensure the provision of selected diets, i.e., control, functional and nutraceutical diets. Each study was further divided into three groups to ensure the provision of selected diets, i.e., control, functional and nutra-ceutical diets. Results: Declining trend for total cholesterol was observed in all studies with maximum reduction(8.55%)in rat group fed on nutraceutical diet in study III.Likewise,levels of low density lipoproteins and triglycerides reduced 11.39% and 7.89% respectively in hypercholesterolemic rats. Moreover, nutraceutical diet alleviated the sera glucose level by 8.96% in study II. Conclusions: Conclusively,inclusion of citrus peel bioflavonoids in dietary therapies is a promising strategy to modulate lipidemic and glycemic attributes without imparting any deleterious effect on hematological parameters.

Objective:To explore the hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of conventional and supercritical extracts of black cumin.Methods:Purposely,rat modelling was carried out for 2 months by designing three studies i.e.study Ⅰ (normal rats),study Ⅱ (hyperglycaemic rats) and study Ⅲ (hypercholesterolemic rots).Each study was further divided into three groups based on diet i.e.control,functional diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by using conventional solvent) and nutraceutical diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by supercritical fluid extraction system).Results:During whole trial,an abating trend was observed in the level of serum cholesterol with maximum reduction (12.8％) in nutraceutical group of study Ⅲ.Low density lipoprotein and triglyceride level was also lowered maximum in study Ⅲ as 17.1％ and 11.6％,respectively.Whereas,highest decline in glucose level was in nutraceutical group of study Ⅱ as 11.2％.Conclusions:Inclusion of black cumin extracts in diet significantly lowers the occurrence of hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia.Furthermore,hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of nutraceutical diet is more prominent as compared to functional diet.

Astroblastoma is an uncommon glial tumor with predominant manifestation in the young age. Herein, we report a case of 18-year-old astroblastoma female patient who presented with history of two months headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated well circumscribed, intra-axial abnormal signal intensity lesion (size=5×4 cm²) in the right parieto-occipital region of the brain. The patient underwent complete surgical resection of the gross tumor, as confirmed by an early post-surgical MRI (i.e., within 24 hours of surgery). Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic lesion exhibiting perivascular pseudo-rosettes with centrally hyalinized blood vessel and focal nuclear pleomorphism. Immunohistochemistry staining illustrated reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein and integrase interactor 1 (INI-1). These features rendered the diagnosis of astroblastoma. A comprehensive review of the current literature to summarize the clinicopathological and radiological characteristics, prognostic factors and current treatment strategies of astroblastomas is also presented. Our study would expand the pool of this uncommon tumor towards its better understanding and optimal treatment.
Adolescent ; Blood Vessels ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis ; Female* ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrases ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Central California Valley has a diverse population with significant proportions of Hispanics and Asians. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthy blood donors in the Valley. METHODS: A total of 217,738 voluntary blood donors were identified between 2006 and 2010 (36,795 first-time donors; 180,943 repeat donors). RESULTS: Among the first-time donors, the HBV and HCV prevalence was 0.28% and 0.52%, respectively. Higher HBV prevalence seen in Asians (3%) followed by Caucasians (0.05%), African Americans (0.15%), and Hispanics (0.05%). Hmong had a HBV prevalence of 7.63% with a peak prevalence of 8.76% among the 16- to 35-year-old age group. Highest HCV prevalence in Native Americans (2.8) followed by Caucasians (0.59%), Hispanics (0.45%), African Americans (0.38%), and Asians (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic disparities persist with regard to the prevalence of HBV and HCV in the Central California Valley. The reported prevalence may be an underestimate because our study enrolled healthy volunteer blood donors only. The development of aggressive public health measures to evaluate the true prevalence of HBV and HCV and to identify those in need of HBV and HCV prevention measures and therapy is critically important.
African Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Donors ; California ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hispanic Americans ; Humans ; Indians, North American ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Tissue Donors

Objective: The study examined the efficacy of various generations of cephalosporins against biofilms developed by pathogenic S. aureus and E. coli. Methods: The development of biofilms by both bacteria was assessed using petri-plate and microplate methods. Biofilm hydrolysis and inhibition were tested using first to fourth generations of cephalosporins, and the effects were analyzed by crystal violet staining and phase contrast microscopy. Results: Both bacterial strains exhibited well-developed biofilms in petri-plate and microplate assays. Cefradine (first generation) showed 76.78% hydrolysis of S. aureus biofilm, while significant hydrolysis (59.86%) of E. coli biofilm was observed by cefipime (fourth generation). Similarly, cefuroxime, cefadroxil, cefepime, and cefradine caused 78.8%, 71.63%, 70.63%, and 70.51% inhibition of the S. aureus biofilms, respectively. In the case of E. coli, maximum biofilm inhibition (66.47%) was again shown by cefepime. All generations of cephalosporins were more effective against S. aureus than E. coli, which was confirmed by phase contrast microscopy. Conclusions and Relevance: Cephalosporins exhibit dual capabilities of hydrolyzing and inhibiting S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. First-generation cephalosporins exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against S. aureus, while the third and fourth generations significantly inhibited E. coli biofilms. This study highlights the importance of tailored antibiotic strategies based on the biofilm characteristics of specific bacterial strains.

Objective To explore the hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of conventional and supercritical extracts of black cumin. Methods Purposely, rat modelling was carried out for 2 months by designing three studies i.e. study I (normal rats), study II (hyperglycaemic rats) and study III (hypercholesterolemic rats). Each study was further divided into three groups based on diet i.e. control, functional diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by using conventional solvent) and nutraceutical diet (contained extract of black cumin prepared by supercritical fluid extraction system). Results During whole trial, an abating trend was observed in the level of serum cholesterol with maximum reduction (12.8%) in nutraceutical group of study III. Low density lipoprotein and triglyceride level was also lowered maximum in study III as 17.1% and 11.6%, respectively. Whereas, highest decline in glucose level was in nutraceutical group of study II as 11.2%. Conclusions Inclusion of black cumin extracts in diet significantly lowers the occurrence of hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Furthermore, hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of nutraceutical diet is more prominent as compared to functional diet.

Objectives Blood stream infections (BSIs) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of BSI with a focus on the identification of the causative agent of BSI, and to further evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the causing bacterial pathogens.Methods A cross-section study was carried out at the tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan from January to December, 2018. Blood samples were collected in BACTEC

Objective To investigate hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic potential of citrus peel extract and powder using rodent experimental modeling. Methods Considering the fact, rat feeding trial was carried out for a period of 56 d to access the prophylaxis of citrus peel flavonoids by employing normal (study I), hyperglycemic (study II) and hypercholesterolemic (study III) rats. Each study was further divided into three groups to ensure the provision of selected diets, i.e., control, functional and nutraceutical diets. Each study was further divided into three groups to ensure the provision of selected diets, i.e., control, functional and nutraceutical diets. Results Declining trend for total cholesterol was observed in all studies with maximum reduction (8.55%) in rat group fed on nutraceutical diet in study III. Likewise, levels of low density lipoproteins and triglycerides reduced 11.39% and 7.89% respectively in hypercholesterolemic rats. Moreover, nutraceutical diet alleviated the sera glucose level by 8.96% in study II. Conclusions Conclusively, inclusion of citrus peel bioflavonoids in dietary therapies is a promising strategy to modulate lipidemic and glycemic attributes without imparting any deleterious effect on hematological parameters.