ABSTRACT
Therapeutic dentin regeneration remains difficult to achieve, and a majority of the attention has been given to anabolic strategies to promote dentinogenesis directly, whereas, the available literature is insufficient to understand the role of inflammation and inflammatory complement system on dentinogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine the role of complement C5a receptor (C5aR) in regulating dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) differentiation and in vivo dentin regeneration. Human DPSCs were subjected to odontogenic differentiation in osteogenic media treated with the C5aR agonist and C5aR antagonist. In vivo dentin formation was evaluated using the dentin injury/pulp-capping model of the C5a-deficient and wild-type mice. In vitro results demonstrate that C5aR inhibition caused a substantial reduction in odontogenic DPSCs differentiation markers such as DMP-1 and DSPP, while the C5aR activation increased these key odontogenic genes compared to control. A reparative dentin formation using the C5a-deficient mice shows that dentin regeneration is significantly reduced in the C5a-deficient mice. These data suggest a positive role of C5aR in the odontogenic DPSCs differentiation and tertiary/reparative dentin formation. This study addresses a novel regulatory pathway and a therapeutic approach for improving the efficiency of dentin regeneration in affected teeth.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Complement C5a/metabolism , Dental Pulp/physiology , Dentin , Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a , Stem CellsABSTRACT
Background@#Vitamin D may enhance immune system function and provide a protective effect against infections. Feto-maternal circulation plays an important role in supplying the developing fetus with nutrients and antibodies for its development and health during pregnancy and for its early years of life after birth. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of maternal vitamin D supplementation in preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. @*Methods@#We searched the Central and MEDLINE databases and went through all the reference lists in the related articles. We also searched for ongoing trials at http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/ and www.clinicaltrials.gov. Randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D supplementation with a placebo or no treatment in pregnant women published in the English language up to March 2019 were included. Two reviewers extracted data independently using a predefined protocol and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with differences agreed upon by consensus. The predefined primary outcome was the number of offspring who had RTIs. The secondary outcome was the presence of measurable serum immunoglobulin E levels. @*Results@#Three trials involving 3,224 participants (mother–child pairs) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The present analysis reported that maternal supplementation with vitamin D had no effect on RTIs among children (n=1,486 offspring; risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–1.11; random effects; I2 statistics, 0%). @*Conclusion@#Maternal vitamin D supplementation had no effect on RTIs in children. Therefore, consideration of other prevention methods in this regard is recommended.
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@#Breast cancer and cervical cancer are among the leading causes of death among women in the world. Even though chemotherapy is available as cancer treatment, the development of drug resistance in both cancer cells has reduced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in such treatment. The current study was aimed to evaluate the cell viability of human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, and cervical cancer cells, HeLa upon the combination treatment of ascorbic acid and tamoxifen. The cell viability was measured using the MTT assay, with an incubation period of 72 hours in a humidified CO2 incubator. The concentrations of tamoxifen and ascorbic acid that reduced 50% of the cell population (IC50) were determined from the dose-response curve. The IC50 concentration was used to determine the cell viability in the treated cells. CompuSyn software was used to evaluate the combined effects towards both cells upon treatment and the results were calculated as combination index (CI). The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism (version 7). Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test. The IC50 values of tamoxifen and ascorbic acid on MCF-7 cells were 14.53 µg/ml and 15.8 µg/ml respectively, while the IC50 values of tamoxifen and ascorbic acid on HeLa cells were 11.09 µg/ml and 202.3 µg/ml respectively. The combination of tamoxifen and ascorbic acid exerted a greater growth reduction percentage in both cells compared to tamoxifen alone. The results indicated that ascorbic acid synergizes the cytotoxic effect of tamoxifen at lower concentrations towards MCF-7 cells with a CI less than 1. However, the combination of tamoxifen and ascorbic acid exerted an antagonistic effect in HeLa cells, with a CI more than 1.
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Objective: To study the activity of ozagrel sodium alone and in combination with the atypical antipsychotic drug on Red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV) along with different doses and their comparison in rats. Method: This experimental study consisted of 120 albino rats of both gender, they were of 310-350 g, there were 10 groups which consists of each of 12 rats (n=12). Rats were treated with an accurate dose of ozagrel and atypical antipsychotic (Zuclopenthixol cis isomer of clopenthixol) alone and in combination for 3-weeks (21 days). We obtained blood sample at 0, 7th, 14th and last day of the study. Red blood distribution widths were measured from blood tests by utilizing standard medical laboratory technique. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV) was measured by using the coefficient of variation indicator. Results were gathered and summarized by applying statistics. The comparison was formed between all days value to zero-day. Results: Minimum dose treated groups by both medications showed an increase and RDW-CV, but maximum dose showed p<0.001 decreases in RDW-CV in individual groups of drugs treatment and in case of RDW-CV maximum dose showed an increasing trend with p<0.001 in the combination groups. Conclusion: Maximum dose of ozagrel may cause a decrease in RDW-CV alone and it may cause an increase in (RDW-CV) with a combination of atypical antipsychotic drug.
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Body fat is regulated by a complex neuroendocrine system,making it difficult to maintain weight loss achieved via caloricrestriction. Bariatric surgery produces greater weight lossand weight loss that is more durable than caloric restriction,and therefore is currently the most effective therapy forobesity. Sodium-glucose-co-transporter inhibitors areglucose lowering drugs that reduces plasma glucose levelsby inhibiting glucose and sodium reabsorption in the kidneys,resulting in glycosuria.Sleeve gastrectomy is one such bariatric surgical procedurethat involves the creation of a reduced stomach lumen alongthe lesser curvature of the stomach through the removal ofgastric tissues along the greater curvature from the fundusto the antrum. Stomach capacity is typically reduced 80%or more, and the intestine remains intact. This procedureproduces dramatic weight loss in humans and in rodents. Infact, recent reports indicate that its efficacy is close to that ofthe more common Roux-en Y gastric bypass.There are many diverse factors on which operative mortalityof bariatric surgery depends such as facility related, surgeonrelated, followed by patient and procedure-related. Tominimize operative mortality, specific factors were consideredfor the specific patients. As a result, to treat type 2 diabetes inassociation with obesity, slightly obese patients or overweightpatients were treated with conventional bariatric proceduresworldwide. For the management of morbidity obese diabeticpatients, there is no single or standard procedure
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Resealed erythrocytes have been explored in various dimensions of drug delivery, owing to their high biocompatibility and inability to initiate immune response. The present research was designed to evaluate the drug delivery potential of erythrocytes by loading a hydrophobic anti-malarial drug, Artemether. Three different loading techniques were applied to achieve maximum optimized drug loading. A HPLC method was validated for drug quantification in erythrocytes. The relatively high loading was achieved using hypotonic treatment was 31.39% as compared to other two methods. These, drug loaded erythrocytes were characterized for membrane integrity via ESR showing higher ESR values for drug loaded cells as compared to normal cells. Moreover, microscopic evaluation was done to observe morphological changes in erythrocytes after successful loading which showed swollen cells with slight rough surface as compared to smooth surface of normal cells. Drug release was studied for 8 h which showed more than 80% release within 3-7 h from erythrocytes treated with different hypotonic methods. Overall, the study revealed a potential application of erythrocytes in delivery of hydrophobic drugs using hypotonic treatment as compared to other methods.
Subject(s)
Erythrocytes/classification , Drug Liberation , Artemether/administration & dosage , Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methodsABSTRACT
Background: This study [Prevalence of Depression in Diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital] was conducted to find out frequency of Depression in Diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital
Objectives: To assess prevalence of depression in diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital
Study design: Cross-sectional study
Setting: Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Duration: 5 Months from 16-04-2016 to 20-09-2016
Results: The research showed that there was a prevalence of a state of mild depression among diabetics. There was no significant association of depression with gender and age of patients
Conclusion: From this study we concluded that there is a prevalence of depression among diabetics. Though the depression was of varying degree, on average there is a mild state of depression among diabetics. That being said, diabetics should be regularly screened for depression and do timely intervention, if needed
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Objective: To determine the frequencies of nasal itching, epistaxis, dry/chapped lips and xerosis of skin among Pakistani peacekeepers exposed to the dry climate of Nyala, Sudan
Study Design: Prospective cohort study
Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Field Hospital 6 Nyala, Sudan, from February 2014 to May 2012
Material and Methods: Total 144 United Nations Pakistani Peacekeepers of Pakistan Field Hospital 6[all ranks] were selected by non-probability convenient sampling. The data consists of frequency of four symptoms was collected after three months of exposure to dry climate
Results: The most common symptom was dryness of skin [36.1%] followed by chapping of lips [29.9%] while nasal bleeding [epistaxis] was least common [9%]. Significantly higher number of subjects of ages more than 40 years had nasal bleeding compared to the younger group [p value 0.002]
Conclusion: Exposure to extreme dry climate affects skin and nasal mucosa. Frequency of epistaxis found to be significantly more in subjects older than 40 years as compared to younger ones
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Polysaccharide gums because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-immunogenic properties are considered as the best choice for preparing sustained release tablets as compared to their synthetic counterpart. The cross linking of natural gums in matrix tablets increase the sustained release property of matrix tablets. Isoniazid is a first line therapy of tuberculosis, belongs to BCS I with half-life of 3-4 hours. These characteristics make isoniazid a good candidate for sustained release dosage form. Karaya gum crossed linked with trisodium tri metaphosphate was used as release rate retardant for preparing isoniazid cross-linked matrix tablet. Total 8 sustained release formulations were prepared. Both granules and tablets were evaluated under in vitro condition against different parameters. Dissolution studies were performed with all eight formulations for 12 hours using USP apparatus I. Four formulations designated as F1, F2, F3, F4 have drug and karaya gum while other four formulations F5, F6, F7, F8 have drug and crossed linked polymer in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 respectively. Dissolution data was analyzed by using different kinetic models. Best fit model for most efficient formulation was zero order while release mechanism was super case I. Formulation 8 showed sufficiently slow release kinetics and about 83% of drug was released in 10 hours, indicating that cross-linked karaya gum proved efficient in preparing sustained release tablets
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[number sign]Salvia moorcroftiana is an herbaceous plant commonly known as "Kallijari" in Pakistan and belongs to the family Lamiaceae. This study was carried out to evaluate its scientific base for its traditional use in pain, fever and inflammation. The powdered plant was extracted by the method of cold maceration using aqueous methanol [70:30] as solvents. Hot plate, flick tail and acetic acid induced writhing test were utilized for analgesic assessment. Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated by carageenan-induced mice paw edema. Brewer's induced pyrexia was used for the evaluation of antipyretic activity. Non-significant [p<0.01] results as compared to the standard were obtained in all experiments. It was evident from acute toxicity study that plant was non-toxic in nature. It is concluded from the study that plant had the potential to be safely used for pain, fever and inflammation
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Background: Hypospadias is a congenital abnormality characterized by opening of external urethral meatus on ventral aspect of the penis with an overall incidence of 1:300. Different treatment modalities have been employed in the treatment of distal penile hypospadias with varying degrees of success and complications. A number of studies have compared Mathieu and Snodgrass Techniques but the existing evidence is doubtful owing to small sample size and great variation in their results
Objective: To compare the outcome of Mathieu repair with that of tubularized incised Plate Urethroplasty [Snodgrass] in distal penile hypospadias
Methodology: 90 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria's were selected and divided into two equal groups randomly using lottery method. Group-A was treated by Mathieu technique and Group-B underwent Snodgrass repair. Operative time was noted in minutes from the start of procedure till the end. Patients were followed post-operatively at 15[th] day, 1 Month and 2 Months and functional recovery and complications were evaluated
Results: The age of the patient ranged from 1 to 25 years in both groups with mean age of 6.67+/-5.74 years in Group-A and 6.65+/-6.06 years in Group-B [p=0.982]. Snodgrass was better in terms of mean operative time [67.37+/-8.85 minutes versus 87.86+/-8.22; p=0.00] as compared to Mathieu technique. The functional outcome in terms of meatal location at tip was better in Snodgrass [93.7% versus 80.2%; p=0.003] with a lower fistula rate [5.4% versus 21.6%; p=0.00] as compared to Mathieu technique
Conclusion: Tubularized Incised Plate Urethroplasty [Snodgrass] is better than Mathieu technique for the treatment of distal penile hypospadias in terms of operative time, success and complication rate
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Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of trichloroacetic acid [TCA] 100% and cryotherapy in xanthelasma palpebrarum [XP]
Methods 40 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were treated with cryotherapy on right eye [group A] and TCA on left eye [group B]. Patients were followed up for 6 weeks and final outcome variable of efficacy i.e. complete resolution of xanthelasma was assessed at 6 weeks. Adverse side effects of therapy were also recorded as secondary outcome variables. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0
Results Mean age of patients was 43.75 +/- 5.90 years and age ranged from 34 to 56 years. Out of 40 patients 9 [22.5%] were male and 40 [77.5%] were female. Complete resolution of xanthelasma was seen in only 7 [17.5%] in group A, while complete resolution of lesions was seen in 30 [75%] of patients in group B [p = 0.000]
Conclusion A single session of 100% TCA is highly effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of Xanthelasma palpebrarum
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Objective: To compare the mean Vitamin D level in patients with alopecia areata [AA] with age and gender controlled matched healthy controls
Study Design: Case-control study
Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology OPD, JPMC, from October 2014 to March 2015
Methodology: All the patients diagnosed of alopecia areata by a trained dermatologist were selected. Controls were age and gender matched healthy volunteers. Venous blood was drawn and sent to hospital laboratory for 25 [OH] vitamin D by enzyme immunoassay method on chemical analyser. Data was recorded on SPSS version 16. Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare vitamin D levels of cases and controls. P-value <0.05 was taken as significant
Results: There are 30 cases of AA, and 30 age and gender matched controls. The mean age of our study group was 23.77 +/- 8.86 ng/dL in patients and 24.03 +/- 8.62 ng/dL in the control group. Fifteen [50%] patients presented between 3-12 months of onset of AA. Median [IQR] vitamin D level of cases was 13.5 [18.6] ng/dL and healthy controls was 22.5 [16.25] [p=0.001]
Conclusion: Serum Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with alopecia areata compared to healthy controls
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Alopecia Areata , Vitamin D/blood , Age Factors , Case-Control Studies , Gender IdentityABSTRACT
The objective of this study was validation of a reverse phase HPLC method for the estimation of metoclopramide HCl in plasma already validated for determination of metoclopramide HCl in tablets dosage form. A reverse chromatographic method was used for estimation of metoclopramide HCl with the mobile phase of acetonitrile, 20mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer solution [pH 3.0 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid] in the ratio of 40: 60. The column used was Waters C18 3.9x300mm micro Bondapak [RP]. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 2ml/ minute. The detector was set at the wavelength of 275nm. This method validated in plasma and was found to be linear, with correlation coefficient [R[2]], value of 0.9988, in the range of 48 ng/ml-0.25ng/ml. The method modified was accurate, precise, sensitive and showed good stability results. The % RSD of the retention time and peak area of metoclopramide HCl was 0.19% and 1.44% respectively. All the parameters such as specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, system suitability, solution stability, detection and quantification limits were evaluated to validate this method and were found within the acceptance limits. The method can be effectively used for estimation of metoclopramide HCl in plasma
Subject(s)
Humans , Calibration , Metoclopramide/blood , Metoclopramide/pharmacokinetics , Reproducibility of Results , Drug StabilityABSTRACT
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia [AMI] is a malignant disease of the bone marrow in which karyotypic analysis is the most important diagnostic and prognostic tool for predicting remission rate, relapse and overall survival. This study was carried out to determine the frequency and type of cytogenetic aberrations in de novo acute myeloid leukemia in adults at a tertiary care hospital
Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Hematology Department, Liaquat National Hospital from November 2014 to April 2016.A total of 51 cases were diagnosed with AMI during the study period. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out by banding technique on bone marrow aspirate samples
Results: The mean age of the study subject was 42.03+/-17.70 years. Frequency of karyotyping abnormalities was observed in 47% of cases, in which most frequently occurring cytogenetic abnormalities were those of good cytogenetics including t[15;17] and t[8;21], seen in 23.5% and 9.8% of cases respectively. Intermediate risk cytogenetics including Del 9q was seen in 1.96% of cases. However, poor risk cytogenetics including complex cytogenetics, t[11;q23] and del [13] were seen in 7.8%, 1.96% and 1.96% of cases respectively. Normal cytogenetics was seen in 27 [52.9%] patients
Conclusion: Karyotyping is one of the most important diagnostic and prognostic tools and a maximum benefit could be attained through cytogenetic analysis. Cytogenetic aberrations in our series are more or less similar as reported at national level with preponderance of good risk cytogenetics in our setting
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Abnormal Karyotype , Chromosome Aberrations , Cytogenetic Analysis , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Plants have provided sources to find novel compounds. These plants are being used as therapeutic purposes since the birth of mankind. The traditional healers normally utilize medicinal plants as crude drugs while scientists using the folk claim as guides to explore medicinal plants. Moringa oleifera is a famous edible plant having therapeutic and nutritive values. The present study was designed to cumulate the research data regarding to what extent, phytochemical, nutritional and glycemic control studies has been explored using its different extracts. The articles indicated that the powder, aqueous, methanol and ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera (leaves, pods, seeds, stem and root bark) have significant therapeutic herbal potential to treat diabetes mellitus. Collectively, the mechanism behind is intestinal glucose inhibition, insulin release as well as decrease in insulin resistance probably regeneration of b-cells of pancreas, increase in glutathione and reduction in malondialdehyde. Conclusively, this article give descriptive information about antidiabetic effect, claimed marker compounds and proposed antihyperglycemic mechanism of a single plant. It can be suggested a potential herbal source to treat diabetes mellitus as being widely accepted by major population as nutrition and therapeutic agent.
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Nutritional assessment, as a method to identify malnourishment, has long been documented as an essential component of patient management which predicts adverse outcomes. The objective of the study was to find out the frequency of malnutrition and its association with the frequency of complications and deaths postoperatively. This study included all patients who were operated upon in a general surgical unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore from June to August, 2013. Evaluation of 280 patients showed that 112 [40%] of the patients were malnourished, 90 [32%] were at risk of being malnourished and remaining 78 [28%] of the patients had normal nutritional status, according to the Subjective Global Assessment. Thirteen percent [13%] malnourished and 2 [3%] of the normally nourished patients died within 30 days of operation [p=0.001]. Incidence of complications in malnourished patients was 23 [20.53%] as compared to normally nourished patients [5.12%, p=0.006]. Malnutrition is very common in patients admitted to surgery wards of our hospitals. It adversely effects the outcome of surgical operations by increasing complications and mortality
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Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of cutaneous diseases among peacekeepers at a tertiary care hospital in United Nations and African Mission in Darfur, Sudan
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at dermatology outpatient department of United Nations peacekeeping mission [UNAMID] level III Hospital at Darfur, Sudan from March 2014 to Feb 2015.Peacekeepers of both gender reporting to dermatology OPD were registered after informed consent. Patients' demographic profile, nature of duty, disease diagnosis and duration of illness were noted. The data was managed and analyzed using SPSS-17
Results: A total of 542 peacekeepers of the age ranging from 20-60 years were analyzed. Eczema was the most common disease [38.7%], followed by fungal infections [22.5%] and acne [10.7%]. 47.6% of patients had the disease before deployment in mission area and 52.4% developed after reaching in mission area
Conclusion: Eczema, dermatophytosis and acne were the commonest skin problems among peacekeeper. Almost half of these had dermatological problems before deployment
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Bullous pemphigoid [BP] is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering condition that predominantly affects older patients and characterized by local or generalized tense blister formation. Mucosal involvement with small blisters or erosions may exist in a minority of patients. BP is generally self-limiting with remission in most patients by 5 years. We report an 83-year-old hemiplegic lady with unusual distribution of bullous pemphigoid lesions