Frondoside A is a potential anticancer agent from sea cucumbers

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Although high cure rates are achievable with current available drugs, this is not without side effects. Hence, attention has been shifted to alternative anticancer agents coming from natural products as treatment options. Extracts from marine sea cucumbers have been investigated for such properties. Frondoside A is a natural glycoside extracted from the sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa, which has been used as a traditional remedy, recently, the extract was found to have potential anti-tumor properties. This narrative review aimed at critically analyzing and summarizing the literature available regarding Frondoside A anticancer properties. For that, scientific databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect were searched for the keywords; Frondoside A, cancer, metastasis, anticancer properties, and sea cucumbers. Articles in languages other than English were excluded from the study. Such review will help researchers to better tailor future experiments and will enrich the knowledge about natural compounds consumed as traditional substances.

Association of RAGE gene polymorphism with type2 diabetes mellitus in local population

Objectives: Type-2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] is an endocrine disease having a significant genetic component. Polymorphisms of many genes may affect hereditary vulnerability of the disease that is characterized by insulin resistance and islet disorder. As the genetic basis of T2DM can vary between ethnic groups, it is important to investigate the genetic link of T2DM in Pakistani populace. This study was aimed to assess the association of receptor for advanced glycation end product [RAGE] gene polymorphism [-429T>C] with Type-2 diabetes mellitus within local populace

Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated by following kit protocol. Genotyping of the RAGE gene was studied by PCR-RFLP on genomic DNA. All research work was done in molecular biochemistry laboratory [MBL], University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Postgraduate Laboratory, The University of Faisalabad, Pakistan from December 2016 to July 2017

Results: We found distribution of -429T>C genotypes between T2DM and healthy controls as 24.7% [tt], 24.7% [Tt] and 50.7% [TT]. The outcomes were highly compatible statistically

Conclusion: The techniques of PCR and RFLP when performed simultaneously can be helpful in tracing vital information regarding polymorphism of AGE receptor

Prevalence and risk factors of HIV in Faisalabad, Pakistan - a retrospective study

Although the magnitude of HIV in Pakistan has been well documented, but no record of HIV prevalence in Faisalabad region exists. A retrospective study was carried out at Sexually Transmitted Infections [STIs] clinic, District Headquarter [DHQ] hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan to find out the prevalence of HIV and related risk factors. Between March, 2010 and December, 2012, a total of 31040 subjects were either interviewed or their medical records were reviewed. From those recruited by convenient sampling method, written informed consent was obtained and informed about the study protocol. Blood serum was tested for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 [Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western Blot]. On the whole, Anti-HIV was demonstrated in 173 [0.557%] of the respondents. This gives an overall HIV prevalence of 557 per 100,000.Averaged age of the patients was 49.5 years [range: 30-45] with 85.55% male. Majority of the patients were urban dwellers [87.28%], divorced or widowed [46.82%] and uneducated [50.28%]. A large proportion [78%] of the patients was injection drug users. Compared to blood donation/transfusion and sexual interactions, injection drug use was the major potential risk factor for HIV infection. Most important finding was higher HIV prevalence in Faisalabad region as compared to the previous assessments at the national level. This reflects an alarming situation necessitating contextual preventive interventions. Precarious practices such as injection drug abuse, blood donation/transfusion needs to be amended and extramarital sexual contacts should be avoided

Prevalence of diabetic dermopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Objective: To assess the prevalence of diabetic dermopathy [DD] in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients

Materials and Methods: In a case control study, seventy-six T2DM subjects underwent dermatological examination after written consent. Biochemical measurements included nonfasting plasma glucose [enzymatic kinetic colorimetry] and glycated hemoglobin [glycohemoglobin spectrophotometry]

Results: Only four diabetic patients [5.3%] had hyperpigmented and retracted atrophic scars of DD on the shins. Patients with diabetic dermopathy had longer diabetes duration [8.0 +/- 4.2 years vs.6.73 +/- 5.71years], elevated plasma glucose [13.88 +/- 2.86 mmol./L vs. 12.30 +/- 2.39 mmol./L] and worse glycemic control [HbA1c 12 +/- 2% vs. 11 +/- 1.83%] than that of diabetics without DD. However, step-wise regression analysis illustrated that development of diabetic dermopathy in T2DM patients is not related statistically to duration of diabetes and glycemic control

Conclusion: Even though the prevalence of diabetic dermopathy in present small diabetic population is low, it is mostly presented by poorly controlled T2DM patients. Frequent dermatological analyses and better glycemic control in large populations are needed to improve prognosis and quality of life in these patients

Sexually transmitted infections in Pakistan

Sexually transmitted infections [STIs] represent a major global health problem leading to morbidity, mortality and stigma. Prior to this study there was no information on the prevalence and knowledge of STIs in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Prospective, cross-sectional study in patients attending STI clinics from July 2006 to September 2009. After obtaining consent, patients completed structured questionnaires used for behavioral surveys. Blood and urethral swabs were collected and tested for syphilis, gonococcus, genital herpes, chlamydia and chancroid. Mean [standard deviation] age of the 1532 participants was 38.9 [9.4] years, including 37.8 [10.2] years for males and 35.5 [6.3] years females. Male gender [n=1276, 83.3%], low socioeconomic class [n=1026, 67.0%] and residence in rural suburbs [n=970, 63.3%] were more common. Most [n=913, 59.6%] were aware of the modes of transmission of STIs and the associated complications, 20% [n=306] were condom users, and 21.2% [n=324] had knowledge of safe sex. Opposite-sex partners were preferred by 972 [63.4%] patients, while 29.9% [n=458] had both homosexual and heterosexual sex partners. Syphilis was present in 29.5% of patients [n=452]; gonorrhea, in 13% [n=200], HSV-2, in 3.2% [n=49], chlamydia, in 4.7% [n=72] and chancroid, in 1.3% [n=20]. This report establishes baseline local prevalence rates for STIs. Syphilis emerged as the most prevalent STI in Faisalabad. Population-based studies are required to study the epidemiology of STIs, along with initiation of national health-education campaign

Skin infections among type ii diabetic patients in Faisalabad region, Pakistan

Endocrine disorders occasionally manifest themselves by their associated or induced cutaneous abnormalities. Skin is a frequently overlooked source of pathology. Several cutaneous abnormalities are more prevalent in diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of skin infections among type 2 diabetic patients and associated risk factors in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Type 2 diabetic patients [disease duration >1 year] and healthy volunteers were recruited and skin infections were assessed. Diabetes related skin infections were detected in 43% of type 2 diabetic patients and in 22.5% of the control subjects. Onychomychosis, candida vaginitis and herpes simplex were identified in 9.2% of the diabetic patients compared to 2.5% of the control subjects. Skin infections had an insignificant association with sex, mean age, age at diabetes diagnosis, diabetes duration, secondary complications of diabetes, blood glucose and cumulative haemoglobin. A broad spectrum of cutaneous disorders was seen in type 2 patients. While the pathogenesis of the most of the skin lesions remains ambiguous, additional studies should be performed to determine whether skin lesions could be used for predicting imminent diabetic complications