ABSTRACT
Lectins are diverse proteins that bind to carbohydrates and are involved in many important physiological processes. They are highly specific to the sugar molecules they bind and therefore, have many therapeutic and diagnostic applications. There are several lectins that display antiviral, antibacterial antifungal and antitumour activities. Characterization of new lectins paves way for comprehension of their diverse biological roles and mechanism of action, thus aiding in further exploration of lectins in various domains of biology. Here, we endeavoured to purify and characterize lectin from the seed of the legume,Pongamia. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (syn. Millettia pinnata), seed lectin (PPSL) was purified conventionally by ammonium-sulfate precipitation followed by size exclusion chromatography. The further lectin was physicochemically characterized by CD, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and isothermal calorimetry. Hemagglutination studies with various mono and disaccharides showed specificity towards galactose. This specificity was reaffirmed by isothermal studies with appreciable thermodynamic parameters. Lectins have tremendous diagnostic applications. They are used as second-generation drug delivery systems.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of peptide/polypeptide fraction of Aloe vera through in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: The peptide/polypeptide fraction from Aloe vera was obtained through trichloroacetic acid precipitation. The anti-inflammatory property of the peptide/polypeptide fraction was tested by protein denaturation, membrane stabilization assays. The effect of the fraction on RAW 264.7 cell viability was examined by MTT assays. The nitric oxide level was determined through Griess reagent. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were estimated using ELISA kits. In vivo studies were carried out in male Wistar rats through injection of Freund's adjuvant in the hind paw. Paw edema was measured through the Vernier scale and levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, TNF-α, IL-6, and secretory phospholipase A2 were estimated through their respective kits after fourteen days of treatment. GraphPad Prism6 was used for analyzing the results. Results: The peptide/polypeptide extract inhibited protein denaturation with an IC
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of underlying causes of pyrexia of unknown origin on bone marrow examination. Descriptive study. The study was carried out at Hematology department [pathology] of Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST] and Military Hospital Rawalpindi [during the period of one year] from Jan 2012-Dec 2012. Total of 94 patients reporting with pyrexia of unknown origin at MH Rawalpindi underwent bone marrow examination. Bone marrow aspiration procedure was done from posterior superior iliac spine in patients older than one year while tibial tuberosity was used in patients less than one year of age. Lumbar puncture needle of 16 G was used for bone narrow aspiration and trephine biopsy was done by using 11 G trephine biopsy needle. In children, commonest causes observed were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 7 [23.3%], marked haemophagocytosis in 4 [13.3%] and visceral leishmaniasis in 4 [13.3%] patients. In adults, commonest causes included megaloblastic anaemia in 13 [20.3%], lymphoproliferative disorders in 8 [12.5%] and hypersplenism in 5 [7.8%] patients. This study concludes that causes of pyrexia of unknown origin vary with age of the patient. The most frequent causes of pyrexia of unknown origin observed in children were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, marked haemophagocytosis, and visceral leishmaniasis where in adults main causes were megaloblastic anaemia, lymphoproliferative disorders and hypersplenism
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of different causes of pancytopenia on bone marrow examination. Descriptive study. The study was carried out at Haematology [pathology] department of Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST] and Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Jan 2012- Dec 2012. Total 67 cases of pancytopenia were included in the study. Bone marrow aspiration was done using 16 GLP needle and biopsy was done by using 11 G Trephine biopsy needle. Out of 67 patients, [15%] were children and [52%] were adults. Among children leishmaniasis and hypersplenism were the most common causes [20%] of pancytopenia followed by acute leukemia [3.8%], aplastic anaemia [6.7%] and megaloblastic anaemia [6.7%]. Among adults megaloblastic anaemia was the most common cause [40.4%] followed by lymphoproliferative disorder [15.4%], hypersplenism [7.7%], aplastic anaemia megaloblastic anaemia, acute leukemia and myelodysplasia. Major causes of pancytopenia in children were leishmaniasis and hypersplenism where as in adults they were megaloblastic anaemia and lymphoproliferative disorders
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Tertiary Care Centers , Bone Marrow Examination , Leishmaniasis , Hypersplenism , Anemia, Megaloblastic , Lymphoproliferative Disorders , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
The use of stainless steel [SS] surgical screws as a suitable alternative to titanium implants for anchorage control in the orthodontic treatment of a 17 year old female patient has been reported. The patient gave history of trauma related bilateral TMJ ankylosis that had been released earlier. She had the stigmata of the ankylotic face presenting as bimaxillary proclination on a skeletal Class II jaw base with retrognathic mandible, typical bird face, increased over bite and overjet and multiple missing teeth resulting in disturbed occlusion and poor esthetics. The rigid anchorage obtained allowed for dental correction. Esthetics and function was improved after active orthodontics; by genial augmentation and prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. Our results suggest that SS mini screws which are extremely cost-effective and readily available can successfully be used as an alternative to expensive titanium mini implants for orthodontic anchorage. This could have significant implications in other developing countries