Biological Activities of Stem, Leaves and Essential Oil of Cedrus deodara from District Poonch, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D. Don) Loudon, is a high value medicinal plant found in flora of Poonch part of Himalayan region. The present study was conducted to determine and compare the antioxidant activity, quantification of phenolics and flavonoids, chelating ability, biofilm inhibition, thrombolytic activity and cytotoxicity of the stem, leaves of crudes extracts and essential oil. It can be claimed that that all parts of C. deodara including its essential oil is a rich source of phytochemicals that exhibited high quantity of phenolics ranged from (49.76±0.22 GAE to 60.36±0.44GAE mg/g) and flavonoids ranged from (4.78±0.61mg/g to 6.62±0.45 mg/g)but also exhibited antioxidant, metal chelating agent ability, antibacterial potential ranged from (35.59±0.50 to 61.61±0.61%)and thrombolytic activities ranged from (22.86±0.7 to 32. 64±0.5 %)with minimal toxicity ranged from (0.40±0.35 to 3.73±0.23%). Further studies are required to determine the bioactive compounds and bioactivity of plant extracts and fractions

Antioxidant activities and inhibitory effect of Taraxacum officinale, Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa on prooxidant induced lipid peroxidation in mice liver

This study reports the antioxidant and protective properties of three dietary plants, Taraxacum officinale, Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa on lipid peroxidation in mice liver. Extracts showed significant (p = 0.0392) inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced using the pro- oxidants iron (10 μM FeSO4) and sodium nitroprusside (5 μM) in liver homogenates of mice. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated by the quenching of DPPH radical (p=0.00236). Extracts also showed metal chelating activities (p=0.00143) and high antioxidant activity in phosphomolybdenum assay (p=0.00246). The high content (p=0.000243) of phenolics and flavonoids were detected in aqueous extracts of the plants which may be responsible for antioxidant activities. Taraxacum officinale comparatively showed higher antioxidant activities followed by Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa. It is concluded that polyphenolic-rich extracts of studied plants are potential sources of natural antioxidants

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Ureteric Calculi Taking Non-enhanced Computed Tomography as a Gold Standard

Objective: To find the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for the evaluation of ureteric calculi taking non enhanced Computed Tomography as gold standard. Study Design: An analytical cross-sectional prospective study was performed. Settings: The study was performed in National Hospital and Medical Center, Lahore. Period: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 October, 2020 to 15 January, 2021. Material & Methods: In our study, all those patients with suspected ureteric calculi presenting to radiology department were included. Patients on dialysis, those with polycystic disease and ureteric stricture, as well as patients who declined to give consent and those who were uncooperative, were all excluded. Ultrasound was performed on both sides of the patient's kidney, concentrating on the ureters. Then were sent to a 64 slice CT scanner for a non-enhanced CT scan. Results: Total 121 Patients were reviewed in this research. Females were 82 (67.8%) while male was 39 (32.2%). On Ultrasound 61(50.4%) were positive for ureteric calculi while 60 (49.6%) were negative for stone in the ureter. On CT scan 110 (90.9%) patients were positive for ureteric calculi while 11 (9.1%) were negative for stone in ureter (p= 0.05). The trans-abdominal ultrasound with sensitivity 58.62%, Specificity 56.76%, Positive predictive value 51.52% and Negative predictive value of 63.64% and accuracy of 57.68%. Conclusion: The sensitivity of ultrasound is comparable to Computed Tomography findings, hence, it can be used as an option in cases where CT scans are not available or is contraindicated, such as in pregnant women. Moreover, Ultrasound modality is cheap, with no radiation dose and is readily available in our setups, making it suitable for initial diagnosis as well as for follow-up scans. Keywords: Non-enhanced Computed Tomography, Ultrasound, Ureteric Calculi, radiation, Computed Tomography. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/90-04 Publication date:June 30th 2021

Elevated Liver Function Tests as Predictors of Severe Maternal Outcomes in Women with Preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that ultimately led to high mortality and morbidity due to its complication HELP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet count), syndrome, and its association with elevated liver function tests. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and severe maternal outcomes in women diagnosed with preeclampsia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Park Teaching Hospital Lahore Pakistan from April 18, 2024, to August 5, 2024. Group A with severe maternal outcome group eclampsia, HELLP, and group B without severe outcome. Liver function tests (AST, ALT, and ALP) were measured upon diagnosis. Severe maternal outcomes were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 26 applying a paired t-test. Results: Among 300 women diagnosed with preeclampsia 90(30%) had increased LFTs and severe maternal outcomes were measured in 45 (50%) women with increased LFTs as compared to 30 (14.3%) women with normal LFTs(p=0.001). logistic regression analysis also showed that increased ALT (OR 3.7, 95%CI 2.01-7.02, p<0.001) and AST (OR 4.4, 95%CI 2.4-8.02, P<0.001) were significant predictors of severe maternal outcome while ALP was not associated with severe outcomes (OR 1.2, 95%CI 0.8-2.4, p=0.41). Conclusion: This study provides new insight into the prognostic values of LFTs, which could increase their prognostic value and improve clinical decision-making and maternal care in preeclampsia

Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Objective: To know the frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome in patients suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in dermatology outpatient clinic of tertiary care hospital Faisalabad. Sample size of the study was 125 patients from population of Faisalabad. For enrolling patients in our study consecutive sampling method was used. After seeking approval from ethical hospital committee and completing inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total 125 patients of both gender having plaque psoriasis (between ages of 20-60 years) were taken in this study. Demographic details were noted. A fasting venous blood sample was taken and delivered to hospital laboratory for accessing triglycerides, HDL and fasting blood glucose levels. Waist circumference and blood pressure reading was taken by staff nurse. All the data was recorded on self-made performa. Results: Out of 125 patients, 71(56.8%) were male and 54(43.2%) were females; 31 (24.8%) were in the range of 20-30 years of age whereas 94(75.2%) were in the range of 31-60 years. Mean +Standard Deviation was measured as 37.96+8.05 years. Out of 125 psoriatic patients, the frequency of metabolic syndrome was seen in 37 (29.6%) of cases. Practical Implication: The connections between MS and psoriasis provide psoriasis patients with early possibilities for MS diagnosis and treatment, which could result in a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality. Different geographic regions and ethnic groups show significant differences in the symptoms of psoriasis and metabolic disorders. It can aid in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome-related complications. Conclusion: Because of significant relationship of metabolic syndrome with chronic plaque psoriasis, all psoriatic patients must be tested for metabolic syndrome and thus managed according to fasting lipid profile levels to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality Keywords: chronic plaque psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, dermatology, triglycerides, waist circumference</jats:p

Clinical Patterns and Frequency of Dermatological Manifestations Associated with Pregnancy

Introduction: Pregnancy is a physiological state of women which is associated with intricate endocrinological, immunological, metabolic &amp; vascular changes. So pregnancy makes a woman susceptible to various changes in skin &amp; appendages. Alteration to the immune state of the pregnant women is necessary to allow mother to tolerate genetically different tissue during pregnancy. Decrease in cell mediated immunity in normal pregnancy is mainly responsible for the higher frequency and severity of certain infectious diseases. Some of which can also be transmitted to the baby during child birth. Moreover there are marked changes in the levels of sex hormones particularly oestrogen &amp; progesterone and this can lead to profound changes in skin. Objective: To find the prevalence of dermatological manifestations in pregnant patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital Study Design: Descriptive/Cross-sectional Study Setting: The study was done in the Dermatology unit DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. Duration of Study: The study was carried out from 1st October 2016 to 10th March 2017 Subjects and methods: 185 pregnant women presenting at any gestational age in dermatology department and patients referred from Gynae department with dermatological complaints were included in the study. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes were excluded. Complete history and clinical features of the patients were accessed and relevant investigations were done to support the diagnosis. Final diagnosis was made on basis of history, clinical examination and laboratory confirmation of disease as per operational definition. LFT’s for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was done from DHQ laboratory and sample for skin biopsy for pemphigoid gestationis were sent to pathology laboratory FMU. All the data was recorded in a well-structured questionnaire. Results: Age range in this study was from 18 to 40 years with mean age of 30.129±3.26 years and mean duration of disease was 5.864±1.79 week. Majority of the women were with 2nd trimester of pregnancy (67%). 60% of women had no occupation. Striae Gravidarum was seen in 48.1%, Linea Nigra 45.9%, Melasma 25.4%, Hirsutism 16.2%, Palmer Erythema 8.1%, Atopic eruption of Pregnancy 11.9%, Polymorphic eruption of Pregnancy 3.2%, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy 1.6%, Pemphigoid gestationis 1.1%, Acne Vulgaris 9.7%, Vulvovaginal candidosis 8.1%, Urticaria 6.5% and Scabies was 5.4%. Practical Implication: We set out to investigate the prevalence of dermatological manifestations during pregnancy, as well as other clinical characteristics affecting pregnant women in Pakistan. Conclusion: If infections during pregnancy are diagnosed at the earliest stage it may prevent morbidity during and after antenatal period. Keywords: Pregnancy; Dermatological manifestations; Frequency, Clinical Patterns, Pemphigoid Gestationis, Acne Vulgaris, Vulvovaginal Candidosis,</jats:p

Emergence and Re-Emergence of Infectious Diseases: Perpetual Threat to Public Health World Wide

Now-a-days emerging and re-emerging infections worldwide are becoming the utmost problem for the development of mankind. Many different infections are considered to be zoonotic for humans (transferred from animals to humans). Emerging infections are those which are completely new contagion and affected new geographical locations. Infections are thought to be re-emerging that were important health problem globally or in a specific region, then diminished and once again appear and become the health issues for vast number of population. Although, zoonotic infective agents are most probably thought to be the cause of emergence and re-emergence of communicable diseases.</jats:p

Frequency of Teenage Pregnancy and Frequency of its Complications

Objectives: To determine the frequency of fetomaternal complications among teenage pregnant women. Study design: Descriptive study, cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, Civil Hospital Karachi Study duration: 4th February 2019 to 3rd August 2020. Materials &amp; Methods: A total of 126 pregnant women with teenage pregnancies of 13-19 years of age were included. Patients with known medical disorders i.e. PIH, DM were excluded. All teenagers were questioned for demographic particulars like age, parity, ethnicity, antenatal care, qualification, and their height and weight were taken. Clinical details regarding maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy were acquired. The data regarding the demographic characteristics of pregnant teenagers and details about fetal and maternal outcomes were documented. Results: In this study, the age span ranges between 13 and 19 years with a mean age of 17.44 ± 1.63 years. A majority of these patients 100 (79.87%) were between theage group of 17 to 19 years. In this study, the frequency of fetomaternal outcome in teenage pregnancy was as follows; anemia was found in 41 (32.54%), miscarriage in 23 (18.25%) patients, and preterm birth in 45 (35.71%) patients. Conclusion: This study concluded that teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse fetomaternal outcomes so it is recommended that public awareness should be arranged on national and regional levels regarding this major public health issue and to avoid teenage marriages. Keywords: Teenage pregnancy, anemia, preterm birth.</jats:p

Production of avian influenza virus vaccine using primary cell cultures generated from host organs

Abstract The global availability of a therapeutically effective influenza virus vaccine during a pandemic remains a major challenge for the biopharmaceutical industry. Long production time, coupled with decreased supply of embryonated chicken eggs (ECE), significantly affects the conventional vaccine production. Transformed cell lines have attained regulatory approvals for vaccine production. Based on the fact that the avian influenza virus would infect the cells derived from its natural host, the viral growth characteristics were studied on chicken embryo-derived primary cell cultures. The viral propagation was determined on avian origin primary cell cultures, transformed mammalian cell lines, and in ECE. A comparison was made between these systems by utilizing various cell culture-based assays. In-vitro substrate susceptibility and viral infection characteristics were evaluated by performing hemagglutination assay (HA), 50 % tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) and monitoring of cytopathic effects (CPE) caused by the virus. The primary cell culture developed from chicken embryos showed stable growth characteristics with no contamination. HA, TCID50, and CPE exhibited that these cell systems were permissive to viral infection, yielding 2–10 times higher viral titer as compared to mammalian cell lines. Though the viral output from the ECE was equivalent to the chicken cell culture, the time period for achieving it was decreased to half. Some of the prerequisites of inactivated influenza virus vaccine production include generation of higher vial titer, independence from exogenous sources, and decrease in the production time lines. Based on the tests, it can be concluded that chicken embryo primary cell culture addresses these issues and can serve as a potential alternative for influenza virus vaccine production.</jats:p