Isolation and characterization of antihypertensive peptides from soy bean protein

Proteins and peptides are the most diverse biomolecules found in nature and make our interest due to their wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industry. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays a major role in controlling blood pressure. The inhibition of ACE with peptides is a main target in the regulation of hypertension. The objective of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of soy bean. This was accomplished by isolation of ACE inhibitory peptides using response surface methodology (RSM) and characterization of these bioactive peptides by mass spectrometry. 31 hydrolyzed fractions were isolated and evaluated for their ACE inhibition potential. Hydrolyzed fraction having highest ACE inhibitory activity was characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique. RSM results showed maximum ACE inhibition potential (64%) by hydrolyzate was obtained at 45 ºC temperature, pH 8.0, E/S 0.2 in 2 hours hydrolysis time. Results of LC-MS analysis revealed Ser-Gly, Ser-Pro, Met-Ala, His-Ala, Lys-Pro, Phe-Thr, Met-Leu, Pro-Arg, Ala-Pro-Val, Pro-Ala-Leu, Val-Met-Gly, Pro-Leu-Val, Pro-Pro-Gln, His-Arg-Gly, Ser-Phe-Val-Leu, Ala-Val-His-Try, Arg-Thr-Val-Arg, His-His-Tyr-Leu-Val, Asp-Gly-Ala-Cys-Ser-Ala-Asn and MetVal-Thr-Gly-Pro-Gly-Cys-His bioactive peptides in hydrolyzed fraction of soy bean. Our data provide evidence that response surface methodology is a good approach for isolation of antihypertensive bioactive peptides with more potent activity as nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals. Therefore soy bean can be use for industrial production of pharmaceutical grade natural medicines for handling high blood pressure.

Efficacy of Probiotics Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Composition and Hematological Parameters of Cyprinus carpio Fingerlings Fed Corn Gluten Meal-Based Diet

Abstract Plant based protein sources are one of the best, cost effective and easily available protein sources being used in fish feed. But due to a lower number of micro-biota in fish gut plant meal based diets cannot be digested and absorbed well in fish body. Probiotics were supplemented at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 gkg-1 levels in fish feed for formulating one control and five test diets. In this study, three replicates of each treatment were used and number of fingerlings was 15 in each replicate. The C. carpio (common carp) fingerlings were fed at 5% of live wet weight on their prescribed diet twice daily. The results revealed that supplementation of probiotics in corn gluten meal based diets significantly (p<0.05) improved growth performance, carcass composition and hematological parameters. Most optimum values of growth performance parameters were noted at 2 gkg-1 level of probiotics supplemented diet. C. carpio fingerlings fed corn gluten meal based diet supplemented with 2 gkg-1 level of probiotics indicated significant (p<0.05) improvements in crude protein (17g) crude fat (9g) and gross energy (3 kcalg-1) whereas higher red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and hemoglobin (Hb) was also recorded in fish blood when fed 2 gkg-1 probiotics level diet. From these results, it was concluded that 2 gkg-1 probiotics supplementation in corn gluten meal based diet is optimum for improving growth performance, body composition and hematology of C. carpio fingerlings.

Effect of hypertension duration on relationship between blood pressure and signs and symptoms in hypertensive patients:a cross sectional survey

Background: Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or more, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more or taking anti-hypertensive medication. The clinical presentation of high blood pressure may depend upon several factors such as age, gender, severity and duration of hypertension. There is a paucity of data exploring the role hypertension duration may play in shaping the relationship between blood pressure and signs and symptoms of hypertension. To evaluate the effect of hypertension duration on relationship between blood pressure and signs and symptoms in hypertensive patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 patients, aged 18 or above, with self-reported history of hypertension and on anti-hypertensive medication. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire whereas the blood pressure level was measured with the help of sphygmomanometer using stethoscope. Inferential analysis was performed by applying chi-square test whereas the significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The study results revealed that among patients with ≥5 years duration of hypertension headache history (P=0.021), edema (P=0.034), increased urinary frequency (P=0.031), sleep apnoea (P=0.016), palpitation (P=0.005) and confusion (p=0.021) were significantly associated with systolic whereas only increased urinary frequency (P=0.009) was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, among patients with <5 years duration of hypertension vision problems (P=0.03), sleep apnoea (P=0.015) and palpitation (P=0.035) were significantly associated with systolic whereas sleep apnoea (P=0.048) and palpitation (P=0.028) were significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure.Conclusions: The study results showed that patients with higher blood pressure were more likely to have the signs and symptoms of hypertension. Also, patients with longer duration of hypertension had greater number of signs and symptoms associated with systolic hypertension.

Diagnostic accuracy of a limited immuno-panel of Calretinin and BER-EP4 for diagnosis of malignant effusions

Objective: To differentiate between adenocarcinoma cells and reactive mesothelial cells [RMC] in serous effusions using a limited immuno-panel of Ber-EP4 and Calretinin

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Pathology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, in collaboration with the Departments of Surgery, Pulmonology and Oncology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from March 2015 to March 2016

Methodology: Ninety-seven clinically and radiologically proven cases of peritoneal and pleural effusion and peritoneal wash of patients with suspicion of malignancy were included in the present study. Diagnostic accuracy of a limited immuno-panel of Calretinin and Ber-EP4 for diagnosis of malignant effusions was calculated using histopathology as gold standard

Results: The sensitivity of Ber-EP4 for malignant cases was 98.6%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value [PPV] 100%, negative predictive value [NPV] 96%, and diagnostic accuracy 98.9%. Sensitivity of Calretinin as positive staining for RMC was 79.2%, specificity and positive predictive value [PPV] 100%, negative predictive value [NPV] 93.6%, and diagnostic accuracy 94.8%

Conclusion: Limited immuno-panel of Calretinin and Ber-EP4 had a high positive and negative predictive value and is cost-effective in resource limited set-up for identification of adenocarcinoma cells and reactive mesothelial cells in challenging cases of serous effusions

Effect of caffeine on anti-clotting activity of warfarin in healthy male albino rabbits

Drug-drug interactions are most commonly occurring phenomenon in clinical practice. Many physicians are afraid of being involved in an allegation of malpractices due to the occurrence of any severe interaction. These interactions not only occur between drugs but also between any kind of food, tobacco smoke, caffeine and alcohol etc. Therefore, the present study was directed to inspect the effect of caffeine on the anticoagulation activity of warfarin in healthy adult male albino rabbits. Blank blood samples were collected from each rabbit. Rabbits were given warfarin [0.5mg kg-1] orally via stomach tube and blood samples were collected in PT/INR vials at various intervals. After a washout period of 14 days, warfarin was orally administrated at same dose rate along with caffeine [5 mg kg-1 every twelve hours for three days] and same sampling schedule was repeated. Prothrombin time [PT] and the international normalized ratio [INR] of blood samples were determined to estimate changes in the anticoagulation activity of warfarin after its concurrent administration with caffeine. The PT data revealed that Rmax and AUC increased significantly [P

Impact of age at diagnosis on clinicopathological outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in Karachi

Objective: A recent trend in diagnosis of oral cancer in young age is observed, however its impact on various clinicopathological parameters needs to be explored. The aim of the current study was to compare and analyze impact of age at diagnosis with clinicopathological parameters of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Methods: In this cross sectional study conducted at Department of Oncology Ziauddin Hospital Karachi, we included histologically confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The patients were categorized as young age group [40yrs and younger] and old age group [41 yrs and above]. A total of 115 patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2016 were enrolled in the study. The variables considered were age at diagnosis, sex, site of lesion, positive family history, tumor grade, stage, uric acid level and survival

Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between two age groups in overall survival, uric acid level and positive family history of cancer. No significant difference was observed in tumor location, grade and stage

Conclusion: Majority of oral cancer patients present at an advanced stage irrespective of age at diagnosis but young age has an overall improved survival. Moreover, a positive family history of cancer in young age group mandates further exploration of possible role of genetic polymorphisms which might be responsible for early onset of the disease

Diagnostic accuracy of perfusion ct in grading of gliomas

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of perfusion CT in grading gliomas taking histopathology as gold standard

Study design: Cross-sectional validation study

Setting: Department of Radiology, Allied/DHQ Hospitals, Faisalabad

Period: Study was carried out over a period of six months from 01-09-2015 to 28-02-2016

Methodology: A total of 105 patients were included in this study. Low radiation dose non contrast CT head was performed to localize the region of interest before obtaining a perfusion scan. For the perfusion scan, 50ml of non ionic contrast is injected at a rate of 4-5ml/sec through an IV line by using an automatic power injector. At 5 seconds into the injection, a cine scan was initiated with the following technique: 80kv,100-120mA and 1 second/ rotation for a duration of 50 seconds. After the initial 50 sec cine scan, 8 more axial images were required, 1 image every 15 seconds for an additional two minutes, thus giving a total acquisition time of 170 sec to assess delayed permeability showing a large heterogeneous lesion with surrounding edema and mass effect on CT brain plain were included in the study

Results: Mean age of the patients was 49.4 +/- 16.1 year. There were 69 males [65.7%] and 36 females [34.3%]. Comparison of perfusion CT findings versus histopathology in diagnosing high grade gliomas showed positive cases 77 and 95, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of perfusion CT was 78.9%, 80.0%, 79.0%, 97.4% and 28.6%, respectively

Conclusion: In conclusion, clinically available perfusion imaging tools by using CT can provide additional information regarding brain tumor vascular estimates, which could be useful imaging biomarkers for preoperative glioma grading and angiogenesis assessment and could also be useful for treatment planning and response assessment

Analysis of toll-like receptors-9 [TLR9] gene polymorphism [rs5743836] in Pakistani patients with HCV

Toll-like receptors [TLRs] are innate immune receptors that mediate the inflammatory response during HCV infections. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association of TLR9 gene polymorphism [rs5743836] in Pakistani patients infected with genotype 3a of HCV. Total 500 subjects were recruited, 400 HCV patients and 100 healthy individuals. Genotyping of TLR9 [-1237T/C, rs5743836] was carried out in 400 HCV patients [323 interferon responders and 77 interferon nonresponder] and control group by applying High resolution melting [HRM] curve assay. No remarkable differences in distribution of genotype between HCV [p<0.0001; OR= 3.21, 95% CI= [2.514.12] and control groups [p<0.0001; OR=0.092, 95%CI= [0.0580.14] were observed. In conclusion TLR9-1237T/C gene polymorphism may not be considered as a molecular risk for patients with HCV in Pakistan

Phytochemical analysis and hepatoprotective effect of polyherbal formulation on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The potent phytotherapeutic modalities against the hepatotoxicity have motivated us to explore numerous plants and polyherbal preparations because conventional drug discovery is more expensive and tedious. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of a polyherbal formulation [PHF], comprising of Solanum nigrum, Silybum marianum, Atrmesia absinthium, Achillea millifolium and Cichorium intybus against carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. CCl4 intoxication induced vacuole formation and fast degeneration so selective liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and total bilirubin in rat's plasma, as well as liver histological architecture, were used to evaluate the effect of herbal treatments with different doses [ranging 100-500 mg/kg] for two weeks. Statistical analysis showed that PHF significantly [P<0.05] improved the level of liver enzymes as well as improved the liver architecture comparative to control groups. It could be concluded from current findings that PHF prepared from Solanum nigrum, Silybum marianum, Atrmesia absinthium, Achillea millifiloium and Cichorium intybus have some hepatoprotective activities

Antibacterial activity of penicillins alone and in combination with different agents against Staphylococcus aureus

Difficulties in the treatment of the resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which is a frequent cause of nosocomial infections in paediatric patients, has prompted this research to empower the usage of various combinations of penicillin. During the study period 17,452 clinical samples were processed for culture. The positive cultures yielded 564 strains of S. aureus. Out of these, 362 [64.2%] isolates were found to be methicillin sensitive S. aureus [MSSA] and 202 [35.8%] methicillin resistant S. aureus [MRSA]. The frequency of S. aureus isolates from male patients [355; 63.1%] was found to be higher than female patients [209; 36.9%] and those from indoor wards [441; 78.2%] were more than the outdoor wards [123; 21.8%]. Frequency distribution of S. aureus showed to be highest among blood 342 [60.6%] and cerebrospinal fluid 100 [17.8%] samples. The sensitivity pattern of MSSA with piperacillin-tazobactam was 344 [95.0%], ampicillin-sulbactam 340 [93.9%], co-amoxiclav 332 [91.8%] and ampicillin-oxacillin 257 [71.0%]. MRSA susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam was 143 [71.0%], ampicillin-sulbactam 114 [56.6%], co-amoxiclav 61 [30.2%] and ampicillin-cloxacillin 18 [9%]. The Cochran Mantel Haenszel test showed that the effectiveness for each penicillin was associated significantly [p<0.05] with both the MSSA and MRSA. The combinations of piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin-sulbactam, co-amoxiclav and ampicillin-cloxacillin exhibited higher efficacy than using them alone to combat Staphylococcal infections

Risk factors of neonatal mortality in Faisalabad, Pakistan

The objective of study was to find out major correlates of neonatal mortality. The main focus was in determining the impact of different demographic and health related characteristics of neonates and their mothers. A planned questionnaire was prepared in order to collect the information from mothers of newborns. The data were collected from different public and private hospitals of Faisalabad district. Discharge condition of neonate [dead or alive] was taken as response. Binary logistic regression was applied in order to unveil the impact of different contributory factors on the chances of neonatal mortality. Marriage age of mother, age of mother at baby birth, number of pregnancies, time since last birth, antenatal care, delivery mode, gender of baby, baby weight, baby disease and its nature, domestic violence, baby nutrition and residence were found to be significant factors affecting neonatal mortality. Odds ratio was used as a measure of association. From the results, it can be summed up that marriages at optimal ages, lesser frequency of pregnancies, early initiation of mother feeding, increased care during pregnancy to avoid low birth weight and birth time diseases, and increased facilities of antenatal care in rural areas can effectively reduce the neonatal mortality rates

Awareness and knowledge regarding risk factors and common symptoms of cervical cancer among female students of Rawalpindi

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice among medical students regarding cervical cancer risk factors, common symptoms and preventive measures

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Foundation Medical University, Rawalpindi from 1st Jul 2016 to 30th Jun 2017

Material and Methods: A total of 173 pre clinical female student of MBBS who give consent were enrolled in the study by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. With informed written consent, data were collected on pretested questionnaire. Data were presented as frequencies and percentages

Results: Total 173 students were enrolled with response rate of 98%. Age ranged from 18-21 years. Fifty three [31%] students had family history of cervical cancer. Majority of the students 101 [59%] had heard about cervical cancer. Knowledge about etiological agent [38, 22%], HPV vaccine available for infection prevention [11, 6%] and its Pap smear screening [61, 36%] was poor. Abnormal vaginal discharge was the most common symptom [98, 57%]. Overall response of symptoms was poor. An attitude towards diagnostic measures for cervical cancer was positive. A total of 127 [74%] students responded that every adult girl should be vaccinated against cervical cancer, 137 [73%] voted for regular cytological examination however 88 [56%] were not in opinion of doing pap testing as OPD procedure

Conclusion: Our study revealed poor knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms among female students. Awareness programs are required for early detection and treatment of this fatal cancer

Anxiety among the young cardiac patients - a neglected illness

Objective: To explore the prevalence of anxiety among young cardiac patients visiting tertiary care hospital, Rawalpindi

Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology [RIC], from 27[th] Jun to 30[th] Sep 2016

Material and Methods: After ethical clearance and approval of the supervisor of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, data were collected from the OPD patients of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology over a period of one month. Patients were briefed about the nature of study and after informed written consent, information was collected through face to face interviews by trained data collectors using General anxiety Disorder [GAD] scale. SPSS-21 was used for data analysis

Results: A total 237 patients were interviewed and male to female ratio was 1.4:1 [140:97]. Age ranged from 20-40 years with mean of 32 +/- 5.2 years. Overall prevalence of anxiety was 25.5%. There was not statistically significant difference observed in anxiety levels between male [23, 9%] and females [25, 11%], [p-value: 1.000]. The participants were divided into 4 age groups and group 4 [36-40 years] was most affected group. However, none of the group showed statistically association with age groups. A statistically significant relationship is found with unemployment and anxiety [OR: 2.8, p-value: <.005]. However there was no relationship between duration of cardiac illness and anxiety [p-value: .588]

Conclusion: Moderate level of anxiety was most prevalent among the 30-40 years age group

MRSA: Prevalence and susceptibility pattern in health care setups of Karachi

This assessment aims to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistance and multidrug resistance [MDR] among the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] to the frequently prescribed antibiotics in Karachi. Isolates of MRSA, recovered from various clinical samples were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study from Jan 2015 to June 2017. Agar diffusion method was employed according to the protocols of Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Out of total 346 S.aureus strains, the frequency rate of MRSA was 52 % [n = 180]. MRSA infection was found higher among the age group 21-30 years i.e. 30% [n=54], followed by 20 % [n=36] in 31-40 years. Frequency of MRSA percentage in male and female was and 70 % and 30 % respectively. MRSA was more frequently observed in blood 20 % [n=36]. MRSA showed high resistance [100 %] to Oxacillin and Cefoxitin while 25% Vancomycin resistant S. aureus [VRSA] isolates and 25% Teicoplanin resistance were also reported. MRSA exhibited 16% resistance to Minocycline. It was concluded that MRSA pose a challenging threat to public health in Karachi. In addition, MDR should be periodically checked to avoid treatment failure

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea

DAdenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant tumor of salivary glands. It is extremely rare in trachea worldwide. They arise in the subepithelioal minor salivary glands, grow slowly and metastasize by perineural invasion. Patient usually presents with dyspnea. It is diagnosed by histopathological evaluation of biopsy taken by endoscopy. Its treatment includes surgical resection with or without radiotherapy. They frequently recur after initial treatment

Genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1: useful determinants for clinical outcome of bladder cancer in Pakistani population

Background: Incidence of bladder cancer has increased rapidly worldwide in the past few years. Environmental as well as genetic factors are involved in the etiology of bladder cancer. Glutathione S transferase mu 1 [GSTM1] and glutathione S transferase theta 1 [GSTT1] genes are two xenobiotic metabolizing genes in phase II of detoxification process

Aim: The current study was aimed to find out the association of different environmental factors and GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to bladder cancer in Pakistani population

Method: Bladder cancer cases [236] and control blood samples [270] were screened using phenol chloroform method of DNA extraction followed by multiplex PCR

Results: With respect to age; bladder cancer was more prevalent in age >60 years and low grade tumors were more frequent than high grade tumors. Smokers had a significantly higher incidence rate of cancer; also family history of cancer was found to be strongly associated [P < 0.05] with bladder cancer. Commonly reported symptoms by the patients of bladder cancer were hematuria, lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] and flank pain. A larger number of patients had undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Similarly GSTM1 [OR 2.24; CI 1.5-3.2; P = 0.0001] and GSTT1 [OR 2.9; CI 1.4-6.1; P = 0.002] gene deletion showed a highly significant association with bladder cancer. Simultaneous deletions of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes also showed highly significant association [OR 5.3; CI 2.1-13.1; P =0.0001] with cancer risk. No association was found when both of the two genes deletion was compared with bladder cancer among smokers

Conclusion: This study suggests that GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with increased susceptibility toward bladder cancer in Pakistani population