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Objective: To determine the morphological and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolates from contact lens paraphernalia in Malaysia and to investigate their pathogenic potential based on the physiological tolerance. Methods: One hundred and eighty contact lens wearers donated their contact lens, lens storage cases and lens solutions between 2018 and 2019. The samples were inoculated onto 1.5% non-nutrient agar plates for 14 d. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and the amplified PCR products were sequenced and compared with the published sequences in GenBank. The pathogenic potential of positive isolates was further tested using temperature-tolerance and osmo-tolerance assays. Acanthamoeba species were categorized into three distinct morphological groups established by Pussard and Pons. Results: Acanthamoeba was successfully isolated from 14 (7.8%) culture-positive samples in which 11 belong to morphological group II and 3 belong to morphological group III, respectively. The sequencing of 18S ribosomal RNA gene led to the identification of the T4 genotype in all the isolated strains. In vitro assays revealed that 9 (64.3%) Acanthamoeba isolates were able to grow at 42 °C and 1 M mannitol and were thus considered to be highly pathogenic. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report identifying the Acanthamoeba genotype and their pathogenic potential among contact lens wearers in Malaysia. The potentially pathogenic T4 genotype isolated in this study is the most predominant genotype responsible for human ocular infection worldwide. Hence, increasing attention should be aimed at the prevention of contamination by Acanthamoeba and the disinfection of contact lens paraphernalia.
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Objective To determine antiacanthamoebic activity of natural and marketed honey samples. Methods Natural honey samples were collected directly from the bee hive and marketed honey samples were purchased from the local market in Karachi, Pakistan. Both honey samples were tested for their flavonoid content (quercetin equivalent per gram of the extract) and phenolic content (gallic acid equivalent per gram). Furthermore, their antioxidant activity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Using amoebistatic and amoebicidal assays, the effects of honey samples were tested against growth and viability of Acanthamoeba parasites. Results Natural honey exhibited potent amoebistatic and amoebicidal effects, in a concentration-dependent manner. Honey-treated Acanthamoeba castellanii showed loss of acanthopodia, following which amoebae detached, rounded up, reduced in size, decreased in cytoplasmic mass and they were observed floating in the culture medium. Importantly, honey-treated amoebae did not revive when inoculated in fresh growth medium, however, glycerol-treated amoebae exhibited viable trophozoite and active growth. In contrast, marketed honey samples varied in their efficacy against Acanthamoeba castellanii. The proportion of flavonoid, as determined by quercetin measurements and the proportion of phenolic, as determined by gallic acid measurements was higher in natural honey compared with marketed honey. Similarly, the antioxidant activity, as determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity was higher in natural honey vs. marketed honey. Conclusions This study shows that natural honey has antiacanthamoebic properties and possesses higher flavonoid, phenolic and antioxidant properties compared with the marketed honey. These findings are of concern to the public, health officials, and to the manufacturers regarding production of honey for medical applications.
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The main focus of studying suicide terrorist attacks in Pakistan was to assess the damages produced by these attacks and to study various factors which stimulate the attackers not only to blow themselves but also to take lives of many innocent peoples who are not involved in any activity provoking for these attacks. To study the increasing tendency of suicide terrorist attacks in Pakistan with references to various factors involved in the issue. Data is based on different sources and personal study of some of the cases which were visited for forensic examination. Data is based on different sources and personal study of some of the cases which were visited for forensic examination. This study was conducted at Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir. The duration of study was from 2005 to 2011. The data was collected from different sources and by personal study. Increasing tendency of suicide terrorist attacks in Pakistan and their outcome is shown in tables 1 and 2. Tendency of suicide terrorist attacks in Pakistan is increasing day by day with the involvement of external factors
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The number of reported crime in which the victims were first rendered unconscious, lacking awareness of his or her surrounding and later the planned crime ensued. Blood and urine samples were collected and tested for sedative hypnotics at the toxicology lab. The specimens, all of them were tested positive from benzodiazepine. Cross Sectional study. This study was conducted at Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar from 01.01.2010 to 31.12.2010. The study was conducted on 77 samples of urine and blood obtained from the victims who were brought over by police to the tertiary care hospitals in district Peshawar. The procedure to find out the exact subtype was with the help of High Performance Liquid Chromatography [HPLC] in the Toxicology Laboratory. The chemical analysis revealed that all the samples obtained from the victims carried Clonazepam a subtype of Benzodiazepine. Easy availability of benzodiazepine and other narcotic analgesics across the country renders these technically dangerous medicines into the hands of criminals resulting in heinous and monstrous consequencesry renders these technically dangerous medicines into the hands of criminals resulting in heinous and monstrous consequences
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Homicide is the highest level of aggression found in all cultures and ages and is one of the oldest crimes in the human history. The pattern of Homicide has changed with the passage of time except for the motives which almost remain the same that is the lust of woman, money and land. The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of homicide in Muzaffarabad AJK. Prospective study. This study was conducted at combined Military Hospital [CMH] Muzaffarabd [AJK] during the period 1[st] Jan 2010 to 31[st] December 2011. Thirty cases of homicide presented for autopsy was selected on basis of police inquest and autopsy findings. These causes were examined regarding age, Sex, type of weapon used, part of body involved along with seasonal variations. The Homicide rate in Muzaffarabad during the years 2010 and 2011 is 2.748/100, 000 per year Males are the primary targets with 30% between 30-39 years of age. The most common weapons for this offence are the Blunt weapons. The Homicide rate is high with the use of Blunt weapons followed by firearms