Three new anthraquinone derivatives isolated from Symplocos racemosa and their antibiofilm activity / 中国天然药物

Three new alkyl substituted anthraquinone derivatives, trivially named as symploquinones A-C (Compounds 1-3) were isolated from Symplocos racemosa. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, Mass, H- and C-NMR, and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques). The resulting data were also compared with the reported literature. These compounds were then subjected to antibacterial or antibiofilm testing. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited good antibacterial activity in the concentration range of 160-83 μg·mL against Streptococcus mutans, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. Both compounds were further screened for anti-biofilm activity, which revealed promising activities at sub-MIC concentrations. None of the compounds were found to be active against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

HLA- DR Alleles in Pakistani Patients of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Objective: To determine frequency of HLA-DR alleles in Pakistani patients of pemphigus vulgaris in comparison with local healthy controls. Study Design: Cross-sectional, comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi, from January 2011 to January 2014. Methodology: Twenty eight patients with biopsy proven diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris referred from Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi were included. Patients were compared with a group of 150 unrelated local healthy subjects. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood collected in Tri-potassium EDTA. HLA-DRB1 typing was carried out on allele level [DRB1*01 - DRB1*16] using SSP [sequence specific primers]. HLA type was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and results recorded. Phenotype frequency of various alleles among patient group and control group was calculated by direct counting and significance of their association was determined by Fisher's exact test/ Chi square test. Results: A total of 12 male and 16 female patients, with age ranging from 21 to 34 [mean 23.4 years] were genotyped for HLA-DRB1 loci. A statistically significant association of the disease with HLA-DRB1*04 was observed [50% versus 20.7% in controls, p < 0.05]. Conclusion: There is a strong association of HLA-DRB1*04 with pemphigus vulgaris in Pakistani population. Key Words: Pemphigus vulgaris. Human leukocyte antigen. Pakistan. Haplotype.

Ciprofloxacin; the frequent use in poultry and its consequences on human health

Fluoroquinolones are bactericidal agents that exhibit AUC/MIC dependent killing. In general, they are effective against Gram-negative organisms and some mycobacteria. Ciprofloxacin is the members of this group and its bactericidal action involves the impeding of enzyme topoisomerase II and IV. In human beings, this drug is recommended for a variety of infections including typhoid fever, chronic bacterial prostatitis, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, complicated intra-abdominal infections, infectious diarrhea, and uncomplicated cervical as well as urethral gonorrhea. The drug is as effective in animals as in humans, and is therefore used in animals as well. According to European health law and National Office of Animal Health [NOAH], UK, the statutory withdrawal period for veterinary medicinal products must not be less than 28 days for meat from poultry. The chicken used for meat purpose usually is of the age between 6 to 8 weeks, therefore the use of the drug must be discontinued by the age of 2 weeks. Whereas the age of chick at which it usually develops indicated diseases, is 3 weeks. In this situation, it is not possible to attain a withdrawal period of 28 days. Based on these observations, ciprofloxacin use may not be recommended in poultry for treatment of diseases as it may cause unnecessary exposure to humans while utilizing poultry meat and may lead to the development of drug resistance

Resistive index on doppler ultrasound after renal transplantation as renal function predictor

To determine the correlation between doppler resistive index and serum creatinine levels in renal transplant recipients. Cross sectional study. Department of Radiology, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Oct 2009 to Oct 2010. A total of 82 outdoor and admitted patients of both genders, within age group of 18-60 years, were included in the study. These patients were referred from Nephrology department Military Hospital, Rwp and Armed Forces Institute of Urology after renal transplant. Written informed consent was taken alongwith history of any co-morbid disease like dabetes or hypertension and for post transplant duration. Gray scale ultrasound was performed first, followed by doppler ultrasound of transplanted kidney and resistive index was calculated. The presence of any post transplant complications were also recorded. The values of resistive index were then correlated with the serum creatinine levels. Doppler ultrasound was performed on 82 patients included in the study and resistive index was calculated. A strong correlation between resistive index [RI] and serum creatinine level was found as calculated through Pearson's equation i-e 0.89. Thus making resistive index a strong predictor of transplanted kidney function and survival. Patients with RI>0.8 were older with mean age of 45.56, had raised serum creatinine level with mean value of 276.69micro mol/l and had longer post transplant duration [mean 21.63 weeks]. These patients also had other co-morbid diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The commonest post transplant complication was raised parenchymal echogenicity [30.5%], followed by perinephric collections [18.3%]. RI on doppler ultrasound in renal transplant patients shows a strong correlation with serum creatinine levels. Renal transplant patients with elevated serum creatinine levels had raised resistive indices