Estimation of bioactive potential of culturable bacterial endophytes from Coleus

Endophytic microflora is source of several bioactive compounds. Endophytes isolated from Coleus species are yet to be fully explored for their bioactive potential. In this study, bacterial endophytes were isolated from three different species of Coleus. Isolated endophytes were characterized by using Gram staining and by sequencing 16S rRNA region. Further, solvents with different polarities were used to prepare extracts which were used for assessment of different bio-activities including in vitro cytotoxicity, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities. Also, the pure endophytic bacterial cultures were evaluated for their antiphytopathogen potential as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and protease production. Advanced studies on the endophytes with promising activities may lead to the isolation of novel natural products for drugs as well as in industrial and agricultural applications.

Effectiveness of Early Versus Late Dressing Removal in Contaminated and Clean Surgical Wounds

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of early versus late dressing removal in contaminated and clean surgical wounds. Study design: A Prospective non-randomized study. Place and duration: In the Surgical Unit of AllamaIqbal Teaching Hospital, Sialkot from March 2018 to March 2019. Method: Sixty patients age eighteen or above (planned surgery and emergency surgery) were enrolled in the study, admitted in hospital and operated. All surgical wounds met the criteria of contaminated and clean surgical wounds. Thirty patients were included in each group with early and late dressing removal. In the early removal group, within 48 hours, the surgical dressing was removed and in the late group 48 hours after surgical intervention. The incidence of deep and superficial surgical site (SSI) infection was studied in these two groups. Additional subordinate factors such as dehiscence of wound incidence and secondary suturing were too assessed. Results: Thirty patients were included in each group with early and late dressing removal for final scrutiny. The occurrence of superficial surgical sight infection was lower expressively in the early dressing removal group. The time required for full recovery (days) (8.60-10.70; p=0.734) was shorter considerably in the early dressing removal group. In the early dressing removal group, there was the significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (days) (10.50 vs. 15.0; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Early dressing removal considerably decreases the superficial SSIs incidence in contaminated and clean surgical wounds. It also considerably decreases the time of full wound healing and facilitates short hospital stay as compared to late dressing removal.

Protective Effects of Ginger Extract against the Toxicity of Cyclophosphamide on Testes: An Experimental Laboratory-Based Study

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used medication in chemotherapy and can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can affect testicular functions by reducing the sperm motility and concentration, changing the sperm morphology, and increasing DNA fragmentation in sperm. Ginger is one of the most widely used spices in various foods and is used as an herbal medicine in many countries due to its antioxidant effects. We aim to study the protective effects of ginger against CP-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the role of ginger in preventing cyclophosphamide-induced adverse effects on the testicular histology of CP-treated male rats. Methods: The study was performed on 30 male albino rats with body weights of 300-350 g. The animals were divided into the following three groups (10/cage): Group 1 (control, untreated group), Group 2 (CP group, received a single dose of CP at 100 mg/kg-1 BW intraperitoneally), and Group 3 (CP+ginger, received ginger extract orally at 500 mg/kg for 35 days after CP injection). The morphological and histological structures of the testes were compared in the different groups of rats. Results: The CP-treated group showed a disorganized germinal epithelium compared with those of the controls. The CP+ginger-treated group showed a significant recovery of the organization of the germinal epithelium and the cellular attachments. Caspase-3-positive cells were significantly higher in the CP group and had remarkably lower levels in the CP+ginger-treated group. A reduction in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the destruction of connective tissue were observed in the CP-treated group; these changes were improved in the CP+ginger-treated group. Conclusion: Ginger extract can protect reproductive functions against CP-induced toxicity in rats.

New Insights on the Mechanisms Affecting Fertility in Men with Non-Seminoma Testicular Cancer before Cancer Therapy

PURPOSE: Patients with non-seminoma testicular cancer (NSTC) cancer can be subfertile or infertile, and present reduced sperm quality, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the sperm proteome of patients with NSTC, who cryopreserved their sperm before starting cancer treatment, with that from healthy fertile men.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration were evaluated before the cryopreservation of samples from patients with NSTC (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Sperm proteomic analysis was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two groups were identified using bioinformatic tools.RESULTS: A total of 189 DEPs was identified in the dataset, from which five DEPs related to sperm function and fertilization were selected for validation by Western blot. We were able to validate the underexpression of the mitochondrial complex subunits NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Core Subunit S1 (NDUFS1) and ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase core protein 2 (UQCRC2), as well as the underexpression of the testis-specific sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-4 (ATP1A4) in the NSTC group.CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that sperm mitochondrial dysfunction may explain the observed decrease in sperm concentration, total sperm count and total motile count in NSTC patients. The identified DEPs may serve as potential biomarkers for the pathophysiology of subfertility/infertility in patients with NSTC. Our study also associates the reduced fertilizing ability of NSTC patients with the dysregulation of important sperm molecular mechanisms.

Pattern of ocular morbidity in school children and its association with academic achievement

Background: Ocular morbidity describes any eye disease regardless of resultant visual loss. India is plagued by ocular morbidities in school going children. Refractive error is considered to be the major cause of visual impairment. The objectives of the present study were to compare the pattern of ocular morbidity in urban and rural school children, to study the association of academic achievement with ocular morbidity in study population and to suggest appropriate recommendations for addressing the problem of ocular morbidity in school children.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the 9 primary and 5 junior high schools of field practice areas of Rural Health Training Centre and Urban Health Training Centre respectively, under Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh from September 2005 to August 2006.Results: Prevalence of ocular morbidity in the present study was 23.3%. Maximum prevalence of 28.7% of ocular morbidity was seen in the age group of 14-16 years. Prevalence of ocular morbidity was found to be 100 (51.6%) in males and 64 (40.1%) in females. 29.3% of the 164 school children having ocular morbidity showed poor academic achievement compared to 18.7% of the 541 children not having ocular morbidity and the association was found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Refractive error was one of the major causes of ocular morbidity among school going children but most of them were of mild degree. Ocular morbidity was found to affect the academic achievement of school going children.

Isolation, identification and bioactive potential of bacterial endophytes from Coleus

Coleus (Lamiaceae) is a large and widespread genus comprising of species with diverse ethnobotanical uses. In the present study, bacterial endophytes were isolated from Coleus forskohlii and Coleus aromaticus. Endophytes are the microorganisms which reside within the plants without showing any harmful effect on its host. Diverse types of endophytes live symbiotically within almost all plants and in turn help the plant in a number of ways such as imparting resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses, producing compounds involved in attraction of pollinators, inducing the plant defense mechanisms, etc. The bacterial endophytes isolated in this study, were characterized by microscopic examination (using gram staining) and molecularly identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA. Extracts were prepared from endophytic biomass using solvents of different polarities (methanol, ethyl acetate and butanol) and were screened for their bioactive potential (in vitro cytotoxicity anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant activity). Scale-up of endophytes showing promising results is under process, which will help in isolation of pure compounds.

Physically active men show better semen parameters than their sedentary counterparts

Background: The quality of semen depends upon several factors such as environment, life style, physical activity, age, and occupation. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the conventional and functional semen parameters in men practicing vigorous physical activity to those of sedentary men

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, semen samples of 17 physically active men and 15 sedentary men were collected for analysis. Semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines, while functional parameters were evaluated by flow cytometry

Results: Results showed that several semen parameters [semen volume, viability, progressive motility, total motility, normal morphology, and moribund cells] were superior in the physically active group in comparison with the sedentary group. Semen parameters such as viability, progressive motility and total motility, as well as the percentage of moribund spermatozoa were significantly different between both groups. However, sperm DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial potential were not significantly different among the groups

Conclusion: Nevertheless, the physical activity shows better semen parameters than sedentary group. Taken together, our results demonstrate that regular physical activity has beneficial impact in sperm fertility parameters and such a life style can enhance the fertility status of men

Women's participation; livestock management and its harmful effectson their health: a case study of Toba Tek Singh

Livestock production is of paramount importance in minimizing the vulnerability of poor and marginalized people in remote rural areas. Women play an active role in managing and care taking of the herd by participating in different activities of livestock management. The growing population is exerting pressure on all the resources and in future, it is expected that the livestock demand will also increase for fulfilling the demands of masses. Due to women's crucial role in livestock management activities, they are more susceptible to zoonotic diseases. The zoonotic diseases are becoming a threat by becoming responsible for the death of 2.2 million people every year and majority of the victims belong to developing countries. To find out health related issues while participating in livestock management activities. Survey. 2011-2012. the present study was conducted in rural areas of district Toba Tek Singh. One Union Council [UC] and three villages from the selected UC were selected by using simple random sampling technique. The sample size of the study was 120 respondents of rural females having forty respondents from each village. The study revealed that majority of the respondents was involved in grazing and fodder cutting activities and they are satisfied with their role. It was also noted that the highly educated respondents were more secure from diseases than that of less educated and illiterate respondents. It is the sole responsibility of the government and public sector department to run campaign regarding livestock diseases to whom human are susceptible so that the risks regarding this situation may be minimized

Outcome of stapled haemorrhoidectomy versus Milligan Morgan's haemorrhoidectomy

To compare the postoperative outcome of stapled haemorrhoidectomy and conventional Milligan Morgan's open haemorrhoidectomy. Comparative study. Surgical Unit 1, Ward-3, Department of Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from March to September 2006. Sixty patients of late 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree haemorrhoids were selected for admission from the outpatient department after taking informed consent. Patients with concomitant anal disease [e.g. fissure, abscess, fistula, ano-rectal cancer etc.] were excluded. Two groups of thirty each were made, one for Milligan-Morgan open haemorrhoidectomy and another for stapled haemorrhoidectomy, in which excision of a ring of mucosa proximal to the haemorrhoid[s] was done thus, interrupting the blood supply but maintaining continuity of the rectal mucosa. The operative time was measured in minutes. Postoperative pain was assessed through VAS. Bleeding was measured as no, mild, profuse. Other post-operative complications during hospital stay like urinary retention, anal stenosis etc. were noted. Student t-test, chi-square test and repeated measured analysis of variance were applied to compare the variables. The mean age was 40.7 +/- 11.6 years. A majority [53.3%] of patients [combined% in both groups] had third degree haemorrhoid. The mean length of operative time was found statistically insignificant between open and stapled groups [19.6 +/- 5.9 vs. 22.4 +/- 7.2 minutes, p=0.974]. However, the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly less in the stapled than open haemorrhoidectomy group [3.37 +/- 2.2 vs. 2.03 +/- 0.81 days, p=0.003. Mean postoperative pain [observed by VAS] in the stapled group was significantly less than the open haemorrhoidectomy group [4.43 +/- 1.25 vs. 7.37 +/- 0.72]. The proportion of postoperative bleeding, infection, anal tag, urinary retention, tenderness on digital rectal examination and wound discharge was higher in open than stapled haemorrhoidectomy group, but statistically insignificant [p < 0.05]. There was a significant difference between Milligan Morgan's and stapled haemorrhoidectomy for postoperative pain and hospital stay. However the mean length of operative time was insignificantly different

Darning Versus Prosthetic Mesh Repair In Cases Of Inguinal Hernia

To compare the results of Darning versus Mesh Repair in cases of Inguinal Hernia.Prospective, comparative study over a span of 11 months i.e. from Feb. 2002 to Dec.2002. Setting: Department of General Surgery, K.V. SITE Hospital, Karachi.One hundred patients who underwent Inguinal Hernia repair.All patients had a detailed history taken and thorough examination done, followed by relevant investigations. The patients were divided into two groups randomly, half i.e. 50 patients underwent repair by darning while the other 50 underwent repair with polypropylene mesh. The patients were followed for a minimum period of two years, and the outcome of both the procedures was compared on the basis of recurrence and other complications. All the inguinal hernia patients were male with ages between 16 and 64 years, majority being in the 3545 years age group. In 20 patients the inguinal hernia was direct and in 13 patients it was complete. Assessment for post-operative pain with the help of a visual scale revealed mild pain in 44% patients with darning repair and 40% with mesh repair, while moderate pain was present in 14% patients with darning repair and 12% with mesh repair Severe pain occurred in 2% patients in both the groups. Post-operative infection occurred in 12% patients with darning repair and 8% with mesh repair. Scrotal hematoma was seen in 6% patients with darning repair and 2% patients with mesh repair. Nerve entrapment neuralgia was seen in one patient operated by the darning method Recurrence was only seen in one [2%] patient, who belonged to the darning group.Polypropylene mesh repair is better as it is associated with lower recurrence rate and complications

Ten years experience of Mini Cholecystectomy versus ten years experience of conventional Cholecystectomy at K.V.S.S. Site Hospital, Kar.

Over a span of ten years i.e. from 1994 to 2003, 1040 Mini Cholecystectomies [MC] were performed at K.VS.S. SITE Hospital through a small [about 3.5 cms] sub costal incision placed just below the tip of ninth costal cartilage. The cases were studied for operative time, post operative hospital stay, post operative pain, resumption to daily life and work, antibiotics used, drain insertion, post operative complications and conversion to Conventional Cholecystectomy [CC]. Results of the above mentioned study were compared with the results of 950 cases of Conventional Cholecystectomy performed through Kocher's incision during the preceding ten year period i.e. from 1984 to 1993. As a result of comparison of the two procedures it is concluded that Mini Cholecystectomy is superior to Conventional Cholecystectomy

Amyand`s hernia

This is the case report of a patient who presented to us with a right inguino scrotal swelling which was red, tender and irreducible; other associated symptoms were fever, nausea and anorexia for the last 24 hours. Base line investigations showed leucocytosis. A diagnosis of strangulated inguinal hernia was made and the patient was operated through a right inguinoscrotal incision. An unusual presentation in the form of an inflamed appendix was found in the hernial sac which was adherent to the bowel loops. Appendectomy was performed and the gut loops reduced, followed by herniotomy and herniorraphy. The post-operative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the second post-operative day