Probiotic Characterization of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Raw Goat Milk

Abstract: The aim of this research was to determine the probiotic potential and safety of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from raw goat milk. Gram positive and catalase negative bacteria were isolated from raw goat milk (n = 61) and identified as LAB. LAB isolates were screened for antimicrobial, probiotic and technological characteristics. LAB isolates showed antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium) and high survival rate at pH 2 (93.54-100.38% after 4h), in the presence of 0.3% bile salts (100.85-108.96% after 4h) and simulated gastric fluid (74.16-80.13% after 3h). Three LAB isolates (1, 3 and 13) with high antimicrobial activity against all foodborne pathogens and probiotics characteristics were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and identified as Enterococcus faecium strains. Enterococcus spp. exhibited milk coagulation potential, amylolytic activity, susceptibility to antibiotics and no evidence of hemolysis. Enterococcus spp. isolated from goat milk showed probiotic and technological characteristics and can be used as a starter culture after further safety evaluation.

Antibacterial Effects of Cinnamon Extract, Clove Oil and Antibiotics against Helicobacter pylori Isolated from Stomach Biopsies

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium causing gastric problems such as, peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori were isolated from the stomach biopsy specimens (n = 100) of gastric patients by performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) against cagA (cytotoxin associated gene A) and ureC (Urease subunit alpha) genes. Furthermore, antibiogram studies of the H. pylori isolates were evaluated against the common antibiotics. The overall detection rate of H. pylori was 71% in biopsy specimens of gastric patients. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed the resistance rate of H. pylori isolates against metronidazole (50%), clarithromycin (28.33%), tetracycline (21.66%), amoxicillin (18.33%), and ciprofloxacin (11.66%). However, the H. pylori isolates were completely resistant to vancomycin, erythromycin and nalidixic acid antibiotics. Clove oil showed a remarkable antimicrobial effect against H. pylori whereas, mild inhibition (10 mm) was observed in case of curcumin extract. Due to increase incident of resistance and high prevalence of H. pylori in gastric patients, natural antimicrobial like clove oil can be explored as an alternative treatment.

Awareness Regarding Thalassemia in General Population of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

Background: Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder represents a significant burden for many countries across the globe and the knowledge related to this illness is very limited. The preventive practices, among people especially from developing countries. In Pakistan, Thalassemia is a serious health problem bearing 5 to 8% frequency of beta-Thalassemia gene without discrimination of ethnic groups. Objective: To assess the awareness level regarding Thalassemia in general population of Rahim Yar Khan, a district of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: Study Design: Cross sectional study. A total of 400 adults of 18 years and above age, were selected randomly, from the households of the Rahim Yar Khan City and one Rural Union council. Out of 400 subjects, only 131, reported that they had heard the name ”Thalassemia”, hence for analysis of awareness, the data of only these 131 was used. A structured questionnaire was designed which included information on; gender, age and 24 questions about awareness of Thalassemia disease. Level of Awareness was ascertained by response of these 24 questions and was categorized as poor, average and good. The persons answering less than 12 questions correctly were considered to have poor knowledge, answers of 13-18 questions were labeled as possessing average knowledge and the persons were included in category of having good knowledge who answered more than 18 questions correctly. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 20. Results: Out of 131 study subjects , who reported to have ever heard of word Thalassemia, level of awareness about Thalassemia was found to be “Good” among 7 (5.4%) persons, 27 (20.6%) persons have an average knowledge about Thalassemia and a large number of people 97 (74%) have poor knowledge about Thalassemia disease. Conclusion: Public knowledge regarding Thalassemia was found to be poor among general population of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

TQM Practices and their Effect on Non-financial Performance: An Empirical Study of Pakistani Hospitals

Introduction: There has been a vigorous change in the healthcare sector with increased patient expectations, technological advancements, and growing competition in the healthcare market. Therefore hospitals have to shift from traditional management approach to more diverse aspects like TQM practices and effective quality management system to augment the performance level. Relationship between TQM practices and performance is multipronged and widely discussed in the literature. Aim: Main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of TQM practices on nonfinancial performance elements of performance in different quality management system settings. Methods: This study used an empirical approach to identify and explain the TQM practices and non-financial performance relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 5 hospitals from different regions with either Joint Commissioned International (JCI) or ISO 9001 based quality management system. Data were collected from 150 hospital managers between October 2018 and February 2019. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 20 version. Results: Finding of the study support that TQM practices have a statistically significant and positive relationship with non-financial performance (p<0.05). Result of multiple linear regression analysis shows that TQM practices are a strong predictor of non-financial performance (Beta=0.793, t=15.837, R2=0.629, and p=0.000) and explain 63% variation in the model. TQM practices demonstrate higher overall and individual mean values for JCI accredited hospitals. T-test shows that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) in TQM practices between JCI and ISO-based quality management system. Conclusion: It can be inferred from this study that TQM practices have a leading role in the improvement of the non-financial performance of hospitals. Hospital managers at a different level can achieve improved results with effective implementation of identified TQM practices. TQM practices significantly contribute towards individual dimensions as well as an overall improvement in non-financial performance.

A Cross-sectional Study: Bone Markers in Different Body Mass Index Groups of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Females in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Pakistan is a big victim of breast cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Interestingly, bones are the common site of breast cancer metastasis and vitamin D deficiency makes this condition more worst. The present study designed to estimate bone markers and minerals in different BMI groups of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Materials & Methods: diagnosed breast cancer females were approached and their characteristics including age, marital status, menstrual & family history, receptor status, tumor grade & type and presence of metastasis were noted from their medical reports. Whereas bone markers and minerals viz., alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone specific ALP (BALP), vitamin D, carboxyl terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX), human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (Her2) protein, albumin, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) were estimated plus body mass index (BMI) measured. Results: Most of the recruited females found aged less than 50 yrs, wedded, belonged to plump to obese BMI groups, had invasive ductal carcinoma, expressed triple positive receptor status and tumor grade II. Very few had metastasis and family history of breast cancer. Patients in all BMI groups showed insufficient level of vitamin D but normal levels of ALP, Ca, Mg, P, albumin, Her2 protein and CTX. Whereas Ca and BALP found slightly low in underfed BMI group patients. Conclusion: The results concluded and recommended that vitamin D levels must be monitored in breast cancer patients before and after treatment otherwise it will decrease more and may affect other bone markers.

Assessment of antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of Camellia sinensis L.

The phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Camellia sinensis were evaluated in the present study. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of an applicable amount of lycopene, beta-carotenes, flavonoids and tannins in C. sinensis. Among the phytochemicals, tannin was found to be significantly higher in tea plant. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against selected bacterial strains namely, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurous, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Marginella morganii and Haemophilus influenzae was investigated. The results showed that the stem part of C. sinensis presented greater antimicrobial potential than the leaf and root. Antioxidant activity [assessed through % inhibition of linoleic acid per oxidation test] was the highest [89.22%] in n-hexane extract of root part as compared to other extracts. Finally, the cytotoxicity analysis [haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes] of plant extract showed the negligible [%] lysis of RBCs ranging from 1.73 to 4.01%. In conclusion, it can be suggested that C. sinensis is the potential source to obtain bioactive phenolic compounds with high antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which could possibly be exploited for the treatment of various infectious diseases

Assessment of Haematological Markers in Relation with Blood Urea Nitrogen and Serum Creatinine in Pre-dialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: To investigate the hematological and biochemical parameters in pre – dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and compared with the normal individuals.  Methods: The samples of CKD patients (n= 30) belong to both genders were collected from different tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan and compared with normal individuals (n = 30) not suffering from any disease used as control. Results: 18 of CKD patients and 19 from normal groups were male and 12 from CKD and 11 from normal group were female. The average age (yr) was 38 ± 12.06 for normal group and 44 ± 09.10 for CKD. The mean height (cm) of normal subjects was 163 ± 6.87 and body weights (kg) were 71.04 ± 10.12. Mean height of CKD group was 165.3 ± 7.79 and weights were 64.35 ± 12.23. Higher magnitudes of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine were found as 85.63 ± 56.11 and 6.86 ± 3.42 mg/dL respectively in CKD group. Hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBCs), pack cell volume, lymphocytes and eosinophils were found significantly (p<0.01) very low while white blood cells, monocytes and neutrophils were found high (p<0.01) in CKD patients. Conclusions: Findings concluded that hematological parameters were severely affected in CKD patients as compared to normal controls. Kidney dysfunction in turn not only affects the erythropoietin synthesis that normally stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBC’s but also the synthesis of rennin and Vitamin D that normally regulates blood volume and blood pressures and involves in making bones respectively.

Developing a deeper insight into reproductive biomarkers / 대한생식의학회지

The development of biomarkers of reproductive medicine is still in its infancy because many black boxes are still present in reproductive medicine. Novel approaches to human infertility diagnostics and treatment must be developed because reproductive medicine has lagged behind in the implementation of biomarkers in clinical medicine. Despite the dearth of the available literature, the current rapid pace of publications suggests that this gap will soon be filled therefore; this review is a précis of the research that has been done so far and will provide a basis for the development of biomarkers in reproductive medicine.

Beneficial effects of sitagliptin and metformin in non-diabetic hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients

Obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its associated complications. To evaluate the beneficial effects of sitagliptin and metformin in non-diabetic dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 newly diagnosed dyslipidemic patients with BMI >/= 25 and blood pressure >/= 130/80 at outpatient clinic of medical unit-1 of sheikh medical college /hospital Rahim Yar Khan. They were divided in to three groups each containing 35 patients; First group served as a healthy control while second and third study groups were given tablet sitagliptin 50mg and tab metformin 850mg respectively twice a day for twelve weeks. After three months treatment with sitagliptin and metformin there was significant reduction in body weight [Sitagliptin 6.5% vs Metformin 7.65%] and BMI [Sitagliptin 2.2% vs Metformin 2.8%] with p

Hypothyroidism in beta thalassemia major patients at Rahim Yar Khan

Background: hypothyroidism is one of the common complications among beta thalasemia

Objective: to determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients of beta thalassemia major in Thalassemia center, Rahim Yar Khan

Methodology: study design: Single center cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out in "Thalassemia Center", Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan over a period of one year from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2015. This study was carried out on 144 patients of thalassemia major aged 5-16 years. The data was collected regarding demographic variables, serum ferritin, T4 and TSH and duration of transfusion. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 19

Results: hypothyroidism was found in 45 [31.2%] patients. Of these, 42 [93.3%] had sub clinical hypothyroidism [normal T4 level with elevated TSH] whereas only 3 [6.7%] patients has overt hypothyroidism [decreased T4 level with elevated TSH]. Frequency of hypothyroidism has significant association with patient's age and duration of transfusion

Conclusion: sub clinical hypothyroidism occurs in a significant proportion of thalassemia major patients. Frequency of hypothyroidism has significant association with age and duration of transfusion. Regular follow-up of thalassemic patients to detect and timely treat such complication could improve the quality of life of these patients

Rauwolfia serpentina improves altered glucose and lipid homeostasis in fructose-induced type 2 diabetic mice

Rauwolfia serpentina is well-reported in traditional medicines for the treatment of hypertensive and neurological disorders. However, its antidiabetic potential has been currently described in both alloxan-treated and normoglycemic mice. Present effort was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol root extract [MREt] of R.serpentina in fructose-induced type 2 diabetic mice. Experimental mice were grouped into normal control [distilled water 1ml/kg] and fructose-induced type 2 diabetic groups [10% fructose 1 ml/kg].The second group sub-divided into negative [0.05% DMSO 1ml/kg] control, positive [pioglitazone 15mg/kg] control and three test groups [MREt 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg]. Each treatment was given orally for 14 days consecutively then mice were sacrificed in order to collect serum and liver samples to analyze physical, biochemical as well as hematological markers. MREt significantly improved percent body weight and glycemic change along with serum insulin, total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], lowdensity lipoprotein [LDL-c], very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL-c], high-density lipoprotein-cholesterols [HDL-c], total hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hepatic glycogen, coronary risk and fasting insulin resistance indices while suppressed down the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase enzyme in test groups when compared with diabetic controls. The present findings conclude that MREt of R. serpentina can effectively betters the carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis by either inhibiting fructose absorption in intestine or decreasing insulin resistance in fructose-induced type 2 diabetic mice

Methanolic Root Extract of Rauwolfia serpentina Lowers Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, Arteriosclerosis and Glycosylation Indices in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

Globally recognized antihypertensive phytomedicine Rauwolfia serpentina Benth is also well-known for its diversified ethno-medicinal usefulness. The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of methanolic root extract (MREt) of R. serpentina on atherogenic dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis and glycosylation indices in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic mice. After the single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg), forty two mice were allocated into diabetic control (1 ml distilled water), negative control (0.05% DMSO 1 ml/kg), positive control (5 mg/kg glibencalmide) and three test dose groups (MREt 10, 30 & 60 mg/kg). Normal control (1ml distilled water) was also used. After 14 days of respective treatments, fasting blood glucose, insulin, haemoglobin (Hb), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were determined. Wet organ weight, relative weight, percent change in glycosylation and non-HDL-c level was also determined. MREt maintained the wet organ and relative weight, as did not produce any harmful changes in kidney, liver, spleen and heart. Significant reduction in percent glycosylation was observed from -37.35 to -48% in all test groups. Upto two fold significant (p< 0.0001) decrease in atherogenic (AI) and arteriosclerotic (ArtI) indices, while improvements in atherogenic dyslipidemia ratio (ADR) were also observed in all test groups. Significantly (p< 0.0001) lowered level of non-HDL-c and glucose to lipid profile ratios were estimated in all test groups. The obtained results indicated the therapeutic potential of MREt in lowering the risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis and glycosylation in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.