Enhancing pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of Allium cepa nanosuspension in male albino rats using response surface methodology

Objective: To enhance the pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of quercetin contents of Allium cepa peel extract by novel nanosuspension technology. Methods: Nanoprecipitation approach was successfully used for the formulation of nanosuspension. To obtain pharmaceutical-grade nanosuspension with minimum particle size and polydispersity index, sodium lauryl sulphate was selected as a stabilizer. Important formulation parameters were statistically optimized by the response surface methodology approach. The optimized nanosuspension was subjected to stability and in vitro dissolution testing and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta sizer. To evaluate the preeminence of nanosuspension over coarse suspension, comparative bioavailability studies were carried out in male albino rats. The pharmaceutical potential of developed nanosuspension was evaluated by antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity studies. Results: The optimized nanosuspension showed an average particle size of 275.5 nm with a polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 0.415 and -48.8 mV, respectively. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the average particle size of nanosuspension was below 100 nm. The formulated nanosuspension showed better stability under refrigerated conditions. Nanosuspension showed an improved dissolution rate and a 2.14-fold greater plasma concentration of quercetin than coarse suspension. Moreover, the formulated nanosuspension exhibited enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial potential and was non-toxic. Conclusions: Optimization of nanosuspension effectively improves the pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of Allium cepa extract.

Enhancing pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of Allium cepa nanosuspension in male albino rats using response surface methodology

Objective: To enhance the pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of quercetin contents of Allium cepa peel extract by novel nanosuspension technology. Methods: Nanoprecipitation approach was successfully used for the formulation of nanosuspension. To obtain pharmaceutical-grade nanosuspension with minimum particle size and polydispersity index, sodium lauryl sulphate was selected as a stabilizer. Important formulation parameters were statistically optimized by the response surface methodology approach. The optimized nanosuspension was subjected to stability and in vitro dissolution testing and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta sizer. To evaluate the preeminence of nanosuspension over coarse suspension, comparative bioavailability studies were carried out in male albino rats. The pharmaceutical potential of developed nanosuspension was evaluated by antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity studies. Results: The optimized nanosuspension showed an average particle size of 275.5 nm with a polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 0.415 and -48.8 mV, respectively. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the average particle size of nanosuspension was below 100 nm. The formulated nanosuspension showed better stability under refrigerated conditions. Nanosuspension showed an improved dissolution rate and a 2.14-fold greater plasma concentration of quercetin than coarse suspension. Moreover, the formulated nanosuspension exhibited enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial potential and was non-toxic. Conclusions: Optimization of nanosuspension effectively improves the pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of Allium cepa extract.

The Vasorelaxant Effect Of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn. Polyphenol-Rich Extract (Hpe) On Rat’s Isolated Aorta / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. or also known as roselle which is rich in polyphenols, has been demonstrated to cause loweringof blood pressure in animal and clinical settings. However its exact mechanism of action particularly from polyphenoliccompounds is not clearly understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of H. sabdariffa polyphenol extract(HPE) towards vascular reactivity and its mechanism of action. The HPE was studied on isolated thoracic aortic ringsfrom normal Sprague-Dawley rats, suspended in a 15-ml organ chambers containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. Thechanges in tension were recorded by isometric transducer connected to data acquisition. HPE relaxed the contractioninduced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 μM) in similar pattern for both endothelium-intact and endothelium denuded aorticrings in dose-dependent manner 0.1 ~ 0.9 mg/ml. The pretreatment with atropine (1 μM), a competitive muscarinicantagonist, and propranolol (1 μM), a non-selective beta- blocker did not alter HPE vasorelaxation response. In addition,HPE did not inhibit the contraction induced by extracellular Ca2+ precontracted by PE (1 μM) or KCl (60 mM), in Ca2+-free solution, suggesting that the relaxation effect of HPE was not via inhibition of calcium channels. In conclusion,HPE demonstrated vasorelaxation effects on rat thoracic aorta although the underlying mechanism is still unknown.The vasorelaxation effect could be via angiotensin type 1 receptor inhibition in the vascular smooth muscle cells or theactivation of hyperpolarizing K+ chan

Indications and risk factors for permanent pacing in patients presenting to a single cardiac centre in pakistan

Background: Heart block to needs pacemaker implantation as management plan in emergency room

Objective: To determine the risk factors and indications for permanent pacing in patients presenting to a single cardiac center in Pakistan

Methodology: A cross sectional, single centered, study, was conducted from 1stSeptember 2015 to 30th April 2017. A total of 213 patients with different conduction defects, who presented to Punjab Institute of cardiology were included in the study. Patients of either sex with different conduction defects were included in the study after fulfilling inclusion criteria. Prevalence rates were calculated and analyzed by age, sex, different types of conduction defects and conventional risk factors for selected population. Data was entered in SPSS 21 and analyzed

Results: A total number of 213 patients were included. Frequency of conduction defect was increasing with age was observed with maximum frequency [28%]noted between 61 to 70 years of age. Hypertension [38%] and diabetes [23%] were the leading risk factors with female predominance and smoking in males among conventional risk factors. Among conduction defects third degree heart block was frequent [75%] among studied population

Conclusion: Rates of pacemaker insertions are increasing with age. The results are inline with international registries. Most common indication was 3rd degree heart block and common conventional risk factors were hypertension and DM. It is the need of time to establish a registry in Pakistani population and to record their patterns of presentation

Frequency of pulmonary hypertension in thalassemia patients

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is one of the complications of thalassemia

Objective: To determine the frequency of pulmonary hypertension in cases of thalassemia

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study, conducted at Department of Cardiology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1st July to 31st December 2017. In this study, cases of thalassemia of age 5 years or more were included. The diagnosed cases of thalassemia irrespective of its type and for at least 1 year in duration were included. They were assessed for echocardiography at same institute and pulmonary hypertension was labelled as yes when pulmonary arterial pressure was more than 35 mmHg. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23

Results: In this study there were total 105 cases of thalassemia, out of which 63 [60%] were males and 42 [40%] were females. The mean age of the patients was 9.43+/-3.89 years. The mean ALT was 23.78+/-7.13 [U/L], mean AST and ALP were 26.54+/-8.08 and 75.43+/-21.08[U/L]. Mean serum urea and serum creatinine were13.23+/-3.48 and 0.89+/-0.05[mg/dl]. Pulmonary hypertension was seen in 57 [54.29%] of the cases; observed more in females affecting 24 [57.14%] cases with p value of 0.78. It high in age group more than 12 years where it was seen in 15 [83.33%] out of 18 cases with p value of 0.18. This was also more common in cases with haemoglobin of 7 g/dl or less where it was seen in 20 [66.67%] out of 30 cases with p value of 0.46. Conclusion: Pulmonary hypertension is very common among cases of thalassemia and it is more common among patients of age more than 12 years

Augmentation Rhinoplasty: ninth Costal Cartilage Graft for stage III Saddle Nose deformity

Objective: To evaluate the results of 9th rib costal cartilage in the reconstruction of stage III saddle nose deformity

Study Design: Case series

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Dec 2014 to Jun 2017

Material and Methods: Individuals with stage III saddle nose deformity for at least two years due to trauma or as a sequel of septal surgery, with no history of anxiolytic and antidepressant intake were included in the study. Patient satisfaction level before and after surgery in terms of aesthetics and functionality were measured through Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] scoring system. The VAS system consisted of six different questions put to the patient in the form of a questionnaire regarding the shape of the nose and the impact that it had on his physical, emotional and social life. The score was calculated preoperatively and six months postoperatively in all patients. The minimum follow-up for each patient was six months. Data was analyzed using SPSS

Results: Ten male patients between 14-33 years [25.5 mean SD +/- 6] fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The pre op VAS score ranged between 33.3 and 50 [mean 41.2 SD +/- 5]. The post op VAS score ranged between 70.8 and 87.5 [mean 78.3 SD +/- 6.2]. There was a statistically significant improvement in the VAS score. Post op recovery was uneventful in all patients. One patient had post op recipient site infection which settled with IV antibiotics. One patient had severe post op donor site pain which was relieved by IV analgesics

Conclusion: Saddle nose is a difficult problem in nasal reconstruction, causing significant psychological and functional problems for the patient. Reconstruction with 9th costal cartilage graft provides functional and psychological relief

Assessment of freshwater springs, associated diseases and indigenous perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Objective: To assess the quality of freshwater aquifers [springs] associated diseases, and indigenous perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of environmental science, Karakoram International University Gilgit after approval from departmental research committee. In order to get the most accurate results, 18 water samples in triplicates were collected according to our lab own set of sampling standard operating procedures [SOPs] using pre-sterilized bottles of 100 ml from June 2016 to August 2016 along with associated diseases record and structured interviews from indigenous population. For physicochemical and microbial assessment, samples were tested before five hours after collection and associated diseases and indigenous perception was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques

Results: Findings revealed that levels of pH, EC, phosphates, TDS, and nitrite, fall within WHO standards except nitrate, temperature and turbidity. The highest concentration [mgL-1 +/- SE] of Hg in Barkolti and Barsat springs were [0.01 +/- 0.005] and [0.02 +/- 0.001] while Zn was [0.04 +/- 0.02] respectively. The concentration of Cu in Barkolti spring was [0.2 +/- 0.03] while in Barsat spring below the detection level. The concentration of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Fe in both springs fall within WHO permissible limits. The mean value of E. coli recorded in both Barkolti and Barsat aquifers were [1.08cfu +/- 0.45] and [2.11cfu +/- 0.56] respectively. The prevalence of water-associated diseases recorded in the order diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and their incidence increases at high peak in summer. Irrespective of physicochemical and microbial components, indigenous population believed that the spring water has curative properties

Conclusions: Physiochemical and microbial parameters of spring's water fall within WHO standards except nitrate, turbidity, temperature, and E. coli, and incidence of certain associated diseases. However, indigenous population is unaware about the fact and believed that spring water very safe

Estimation of trace elements and in vitro biological activities of lichens extracts

Infectious diseases caused by etiological agents are still a major threat to public health. Their impact is particularly large in developing countries due to relative unavailability of medicine and the emergence of widespread drug resistance. In the current research, trace metals were detected in lichens species through inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The antimicrobial potency of Pseudevernia furfruracea, Physcia species, Dermatocarpon vellerum and Parmellia species [lichens] extracts have been investigated against three local clinical bacterial isolates i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis through various agar disc and well diffusion methods. The antioxidant potential effect was also evaluated by DPPH and ABTS.+ free radical scavenging methods. Phytochemical constituents were screened through thin layer chromatography [TLC] and qualitative methods. Methanolic extract of P. furfruracea, Physcia spp, and D. vellerum showed a significant inhibition of S. epidermidis [14.3+/-1.7mm, 12.3+/-2.0mm, and 11.3+/-0.9mm] by pouring method of disc diffusion. Moderate zone of inhibition [8.0+/-1.4 mm] against S. epidermidis was observed by methanolic extract of Parmellia spp, through spreading method. All the results were evaluated by ANOVA and LSD tests at p<0.05. The diethyl ether extracts showed considerable antioxidant potential activity with 80%, 81%, 79% and 66%. Thin layer chromatography profiling gave us the idea about the presence of phytochemical constituents such as tannins, phenols, saponins, and terpenoids. Various Rf values on silica gel plates provided the valuable clues about polarity and the selection of solvents for separation of phytochemicals. Significant inhibition of E. coli was also observed through TLC-Bioautography. The findings revealed the considerable inhibitory and antioxidant effect of lichens may be due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Therefore, lichens could be a potential source of new antimicrobial and antioxidant agents

Biological activities of Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale extracts on clinically important bacterial pathogens, their phytochemical and FT-IR spectroscopic analysis

The spread of bacterial infectious diseases is a major public threat. Herbs and spices have offered an excellent, important and useful source of antimicrobial agents against many pathological infections. In the current study, the antimicrobial potency of fresh, naturally and commercial dried Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale extracts had been investigated against seven local clinical bacterial isolates such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Serratia marcesnces by the agar disc diffusion method. All tested pathogens except P. aeruginosa and E. coli were most susceptible to ethanolic and methanolic extracts of A. sativum. Similarly, chloroform and diethyl ether extracts of Z. officinale showed a greater zone of inhibition of tested pathogens except for P. aeruginosa and E. coli. We found that all extracts of A. sativum and Z. officinale have a strong antibacterial effect compared to recommended standard antibiotics through activity index. All results were evaluated statistically and a significant difference was recorded at P< 0.05. Antioxidant activity of extracts showed that 10 out of 13 extracts have high scavenging potential. Thin layer chromatography profiling of all extracts of A. sativum and Z. officinale proposed the presence of various phytochemicals such as tannins, phenols, alkaloids, steroids and saponins. Retention factor of diverse phytochemicals provides a valuable clue regarding their polarity and the selection of solvents for separation of phytochemicals. Significant inhibition of S. aureus was also observed through TLC-Bioautography. FT-IR Spectrometry was also performed to characterize both natural and commercial extracts of A. sativum and Z. officinale to evaluate bioactive compounds. These findings provide new insights to use A. sativum and Z. officinale as potential plant sources for controlling pathogenic bacteria and potentially considered as cost-effective in the management of diseases and to the threat of drug resistance phenomenon

Frequency of color blindness in pre-employment screening in a tertiary health care center in Pakistan

Objective: To describe the frequency of color vision deficiency among Pakistani adults presenting for pre-employment health screening in a tertiary care hospital

Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and the data was collected for color vision deficiency, age, gender, and job applied for from pre-employment examination during 2013-2014. IBM SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis

Results: Three thousand four hundred and thirty seven persons underwent pre-employment screening during 2013 and 2014; 1837 [53.44%] were males and 1600 [46.65%] females. The mean age was 29.01 [+/-6.53] years. A total of 0.9% [32/3437] persons had color vision deficiency with male being 1.4% and female 0.4%

Conclusion: Color vision deficiency was observed in 0.9% of candidates screened for pre-employment health check up in a tertiary care hospital. The color vision deficiency was predominantly present in male individuals

Short communication: in vitro screening of mucus and solvent extracts of Eisenia foetida against human bacterial and fungal pathogens

Earthworms are macro invertebrate and have been widely used as therapeutic drugs for thousands of years. In the current research, experiments viz., the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity of mucus and solvent extracts of Eisenia foetida were conducted to investigate for the first time in Pakistan against human infectious pathogens. Antimicrobial activity of E. foetida against human pathogens underwent investigation through an agar disc diffusion method while an ABTS+ free radical scavenging method assessed the antioxidant activity. The percentage of bacterial and fungal growth was analyzed statistically with One-Way Analysis of Variance [ANOVA]. Results showed that the mucus IV of E. foetida produced a strong potent antibacterial and antifungal activity. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited the highest inhibition zone [33.67 +/- 1.53 mm], followed by Klebsiella pneumonia [30.33 +/- 1.53mm], Penicillium notatum [30 +/- 0.051], Escherichia coli [29 +/- 1 mm], Candida albicans [28.33 +/- 0.54 mm], Staphylococcus aureus [27 +/- 1mm], Serratia marcescens [25.33 +/- 0.58 mm], Aspergillus flavus [25.33 +/- 0.58 mm], Staphylococcus epidermidis [24.33 +/- 0.58 mm], Streptococcus pyogenes [21.67 +/- 1.53 mm], and Aspergillus niger [20.67 +/- 0.53 mm]. Mucus IV of E. foetida also showed the highest antioxidant activity [99. The results clearly indicate that the mucus and solvent extracts contain effective antimicrobial properties and bioactive compounds to inhibit the growth of infectious pathogens. We conclude that mucus extracts of earthworm have significant level of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and in future could be potentially used against various infectious pathogens

Retractions by Pakistan journal of medical sciences due to scientific misconduct

Under pressure to publish, academicians and research scientists are increasingly indulging in scientific misconduct leading to retraction of such papers when identified. Other reasons of retraction include scientific error and problems related to ethics. Four published manuscripts [three from Turkey and one from Pakistan] had to be retracted from Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences from January 2014 to July 2015 due to scientific misconduct. There is a need to search for effective measures which could help reduce the number of retractions and prevent scientific literature from being further polluted, which seems to be increasing every year