Determinants of Urolithiasis in Adult Patients Presenting to Urology Outdoor Mayo Hospital, Lahore

This study was focused on The Determinants of Urolithiasis in Adults presenting to outdoor of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Urolithiasis means stones in the urinary tract which may be of oxalate, phosphate or calcium. Objectives: To identify the frequency of various precipitating factors of urolithiasis and the percentage contributed by each factor in the disease. . Design: Sample study. Place: Lahore. Study Period: 2-3 months. Subjects and Methods: A sample was taken out of a 100 subjects having urinary tract stones presenting to Urology Outdoor, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Selection methods were discussed to define the criteria for selection of the population. Patients were interviewed through questionnaires. Modern data collection, compilation and analysis techniques were adopted.After describing the demographic characteristics using frequency tables, pie charts and bar charts were prepared for illustration. Results: Out of 100 subjects, urolithiasis was found to be more in people above 35 yrs (64%), mostly common in women (54%) as compared to males (46%). Less water intake (in57% cases), unfiltered/ unboiled drinking water (in 82% cases), high intake of green vegetables/tomatoes (in 40% cases) and urinary tract infections (in 57% cases) were found to be significantly associated with urolithiasis, 69.5% of the males had pre existing Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. 24% of the cases were on diuretics when they developed urolithiasis. Contribution of commonly notorious risk factors like high calcium intake, high protein diet was not found to be significant. 23% of the individuals were taking high calcium supplements.4% of the individuals were on high protein diet. 25% of the individuals had pre existing hypertension. Only 21% of the individuals had co existing gouty arthritis. 13% had pre existing diabetes mellitus. None of them was on drugs like triamterene, indinavir, and sulfadiazine

Misconceptions, Hesitancy and Efficacy of COVID19 Vaccination in Dental Surgeons Working in A Teaching Dental Hospital, Peshawar

@#The objective of this study was to assess misconceptions, hesitancy and efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine among Faculty, House Officers (HO) and Postgraduates (PG) dental trainees towards the novel COVID-19 vaccine and to assess the association between COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and conspiracy beliefs. A cross sectional study was conducted on 150 participants from Sardar Begum Dental hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A self-administered questionnaire was developed with questions related to perception of participants regarding misconceptions, safety, hesitancy and efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccination. The questionnaire comprised of 26 closed-ended questions. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package 26.0. More than half of the participants (87.3%) reported to be tested positive for COVID-19 at some point. Majority of participants (87.3%) reported that they were vaccinated and 86.7% reported that they had post-vaccination reactions such as pain in arm, fever and body aches. A notable number of participants that were part of the study believed in the misconceptions related to the COVID-19 vaccine. This study concluded that despite widespread vaccination awareness campaigns, significant number of dental surgeons believed in misconceptions regarding COVID-19 vaccination that may pose a significant challenge to Pakistan's COVID-19 immunization program.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on nerves

Background: Involvement of the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems is probably the most common complication of diabetes. The main symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy include negative symptoms (those related to nerve fiber loss or dysfunction) such as numbness and weakness, and positive symptoms (those related to abnormal function of surviving nerve fibers) such as tingling and pain.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study held in diabetic clinic of Nishter hospital, Multan, Pakistan. The study included any diabetic patients showing symptoms of neuropathy.Results: There were total of 140 in this study. This study included 85% of male and 15% of female. Most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy were pain (70%) and tingling (70%) followed by numbness in 65% of patients. There were 28 patients in 5 years duration of diabetes, 35 people in 6-10 years duration, 21 patients in 11-15 years duration, and 14 patients in 20+ years duration.Conclusions: Neuropathy due to diabetes is crippling especially when pain is the prominent symptoms. Autonomic symptoms like constipation and lightheadedness are discomforting for the patients. The most commonly used screening test is vibrating tuning fork test which is east to perform is clinical setting and is not time consuming. Diabetic patients need to take special care of.

Chemical characterization, docking studies, anti-arthritic activity and acute oral toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves

Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves. Methods: Safety was assessed by acute oral toxicity (OECD 425) study. Anti-arthritic activity was explored by in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation) and in vivo (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis and carrageenan-induced inflammation) methods. Antioxidant potential was determined by assessing ferric reducing power, DPPH inhibition, and H

Chemical characterization, docking studies, anti-arthritic activity and acute oral toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves

Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves. Methods: Safety was assessed by acute oral toxicity (OECD 425) study. Anti-arthritic activity was explored by in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation) and in vivo (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis and carrageenan-induced inflammation) methods. Antioxidant potential was determined by assessing ferric reducing power, DPPH inhibition, and H2O2 scavenging assays. Furthermore, molecular docking was done to check interactions between the plant constituents and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2). Quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid were quantified by HPLC and eight compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. Results: No mortality and abnormality in biochemical parameters were observed in the toxicity study. Histological analysis of vital organs also supported these biochemical results. The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the methanolic extract of leaves of Convolvulus arvensis exhibited dose-dependent anti-arthritic and anti-oxidant potential. Molecular docking showed better interactions of plant compounds with cyclooxygenases as compared to standard ibuprofen. Conclusions: Convolvulus arvensis exhibits strong anti-arthritic activity, justifying the traditional use of the herbal drug.

Prevalence of malaria, typhoid and co-infection in District DIR (lower), Pakistan / Prevalência de malária, febre tifóide e co-infecção no distrito dir (inferior), Paquistão

Malaria and typhoid fever are among the most endemic diseases in the tropical and developing countries. Both diseases share similar transmission factor and often have the similar symptom. Based on this reason, much medical personnel try to cure both malaria and typhoid instantaneously in each case of suspected Salmonella infection and vice versa. The District Dir (Lower) is a favorable location for the protozoan nourishment and secondly mostly reported cases of malaria and typhoid co-infections. The main objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of malaria and typhoid co-infection in the District Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The blood samples of 1889 patients were examined from September 2012 to April 2013, out of which 311 (16.46%) were positive for malaria and typhoid. Out of these infected, 117 (38%) sample was positive for malaria, 183 (58%) sample were positive for typhoid while co-infected cases were only 11 (4%). The current results indicate that this area is endemic for malaria and typhoid and co-infection. Its infection is prevalent in both the genders at varying degrees.

A malária e a febre tifóide estão entre as doenças mais endêmicas nos países tropicais e em desenvolvimento. Ambas as doenças compartilham fator de transmissão semelhante e muitas vezes têm sintomas semelhantes. Com base nessa razão, muitos profissionais da saúde tentam curar a malária e a febre tifóide ao mesmo tempo em cada caso de suspeita de infecção por Salmonella e vice-versa. O Distrito Dir (inferior) é um local favorável para a nutrição de protozoários e o segundo local com mais casos reportados de malária e co-infecções tifoides. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi descobrir a prevalência da malária e da co-infecção tifóide nos distritos de Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Paquistão. As amostras de sangue de 1889 pacientes foram examinadas de setembro de 2012 a abril de 2013, das quais 311 (16,46%) foram positivas para malária e febre tifóide. Destes infectados, 117 (38%) amostras foram positivas para a malária, 183 (58%) amostras foram positivas para a febre tifóide, enquanto os casos co-infectados foram apenas 11 (4%). Os resultados atuais indicam que esta área é endêmica para malária e febre tifóide e co-infecção. Sua infecção é prevalente em ambos os sexos em diferentes graus.

Pharmacological activities of a novel phthalic acid ester and iridoid glycoside isolated from the root bark of Anthocleista vogelii Planch

@#In this study, a novel phthalic acid ester (1) and a known iridoid glycoside (2) were isolated from the root bark of Anthocleista vogelii. The structures of the novel compound and iridoid glycoside were elucidated on the basis of their chemical and spectral data (UV, FT-IR, EI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and found to be phthalic acid ester, 4-ethyl-6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro- 3H-2,8-benzodioxacycloundecine-1,9-dione (1) and sweroside (2). The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase, α-amylase and α- glucosidase, and in vivo laxative activity in rats. The metabolite phthalic acid ester (1) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase (IC50 = 24.43 ± 0.096 μg/mL) and relatively good activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 = 10.28 ± 0.015 μg/mL). Sweroside (2) displayed weak activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 = 40.28 ± 0.063 μg/mL) but significantly (p<0.05) increased the feacal output of the treated animals compared to the normal and sodium picosulfate controls.

Bacterial isolates of infected wounds and their sensitivity to antibiotics

Background: Infection of the wounds has got definite role in delaying wound healing and development of chronicity. Various studies have been carried to identify and study the pattern of pathogens present in infected wounds and efficacy of antibiotics against these organisms

Objectives: To identify the most common pathogens involved in infections of the wounds after surgical procedures, patterns of their sensitivity and resistance to the different antibiotics

Setting and Duration: The study was carried out in Surgical Unit [3] of Lahore General Hospital, Postgraduate Medical Institute [PGMI] Lahore for the period of Six months from October, 2016 to March, 2017

Methodology: Wound swabs were collected using sterile cotton swabs after obtaining consent from patients. The isolated samples were identified by using standard parameters. Kirby baur disk diffusion method used to determine sensitivity. Tube dilution method was used for minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration

Results: Total 150 bacterial isolates were collected from infected wounds whereas 145[96.67%] were culture positive and 5[3.33%] were bacteriologically sterile. The most common bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus 47[32.4%] followed by Escherichia coli 29[20%], Proteus species 23[16%], Coagulase Negative Staphylococci 21[14.5%], Klebsiella pneumoniae 14[10%] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 11[8%]. All isolates showed high frequency of resistance to Ampicillin, penicillin, cephalothin and tetracycline

Conclusions: Staphylococcus Aureus has been found as the most common pathogen involved in wound infection. The antibiotics belonging to the group of Cephalothin, Ampicillin, Penicillin and Tetracycline are the least effective against pathogens isolated from infected wounds whereas Piperacillin alongwith Tazobactum; Amikacin and Norfloxacin are the most effective antibiotics against those pathogens

Biological activities of three medicinal plants from district Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan

Present research work was aimed to investigate the biological activities i.e. antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic and antitumor activities of crude methanolic extract of Anagallis arvensis L., Butea monosperma [Lam.] Kuntze and Coronopus didymus [L.] Pers. against Gram positive strains [Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus] and gram negative strains [Vibrio cholera, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Escherichia coli] were screened. Best activity was observed against K. pneumonia and S. aureus by A. arvensis compared with other strains. Butea monosperma exhibited considerable activity against S. aureus, V. cholera, E. aerogenes and K. pneumonia compared with other strains. Methanolic extract of A. arvensis L. inhibited fungal growth against A. niger up to 30.2%. B. monosperma inhibited the growth of A. niger up to 43.5% and against A. fumigatus 27.3%. C. didymus inhibited the A. fumigates up to 27.3% and against A. niger, it inhibited 48%. Brine shrimps lethality bioassay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity and LD50 value was calculated by using probit analysis. Potato disc bioassay was designed to screen antitumor activity and data was analyzed by one way ANOVA

Enzymatic degradation study of 111In-labeled minigastrin peptides using cathepsin B enzyme and AR42J cancer cell line for the development of neuroendocrine tumor imaging radiopharmaceuticals

Neuroendocrine tumors [NET] are the rare tumors which often impose graveyard threat. These tumors are characterized by the overexpression of various G-protein coupled receptors including cholecystokinin [CCK] receptors-1 and 2 [A or B]. Minigastrin peptides are being investigated for theranostic purposes of CCK-2 receptor positive NET. The minigastrin analogue [APHO70] was modified by engineering enzyme susceptible tetrapeptide sequence into APHO70 peptide to reduce the random degradation by lysosome enzymes which pave the way to random trafficking in patient's body and dipeptide addition at c-terminus. All the four modified minigastrin peptides [MG-CL1-4] were investigated for lysosome cathepsin B [catB] enzyme susceptibility and fate into AR42J cancer cell line. The indium-111 labeled MG-CL1-4 peptides were also studied for target [tumor] and non-target saccumulation by using tumor induced mice. The RP-HPLC analysis result showed nonspecific cleavage of standard 111In-APH070 and 111In-MGCL1 while specific cleavage was noted in case of 111In-MGCL [2-4]. The effect of specific and non-specific cleavage on biodistribution in tumor induced nude mice model indicates the promising accumulation of 111In-MGCL2, 111In-MGCL3, and 111In-MGCL4 radiotracers while 111In-MGCL1 showed less accumulation. 111In-MGCL2 and 111In-MGCL3 showed highest target-to-kidney ratio [T/K] i.e. 1.71 and 1.72, respectively whereas standard compound showed T/K 1.13. In conclusion, the two indium-111 labeled analogues i.e. 111In-MGCL2 and 111In-MGCL3 showed promising sensitivity for tumor and could be tested for further investigation to reach pre-clinical studies

Effectiveness of clobazam on perception, creativity, intelligence, selective and visual memory

Clobazam belongs to benzodiazepine class and is preferably used against anti-epileptic disorders. However, when used in reduced doses, its ability for improving cognitive functions becomes explicitly evident. This study objectively undertook the task of using the reduced doses of clobazam for proving potentials effects on cognitive functions. The drug, clobazam was administered in "active group? which contained 15 young healthy volunteers. The "placebo group? also entailed 15 subjects and each was administered with placebo drug. The controlled group? also included 15 subjects. All these 45 young healthy subjects were subjected to tests for perceptual learning, creativity, selective memory, visual memory and intelligence. Results clearly demonstrated significant impact of clobazam at the dose of 5mg/day on perceptual learning [P=0.0380], creativity [P=0.0787], memory function [P=0.4920], visual memory [P=0.4816] and intelligence of the subject [P=0.4920]. The outcomes highlighted in the studies reviled the positive effects of clobazam when used at reduced doses

Antibiotic resistance pattern shown by various pathogens, causing infections in neonates

This study was schemed to comprehend the latest kaleidoscopic trends of bacterial resistance in neonatal pathogens against all those antibiotics commonly employed as empirical therapy in neonates. The methodological approach included; isolation and subsequent identification of those pathogens having caused bacterial infections in neonates, application of antibiotic sensitivity testing and finally construing the conclusion depicting patterns of antibiotic resistance by various pathogens, isolated from neonatal biological samples. Antibiotic resistance patterns was evident in gram-positive as well as in gram-negative bacteria in all the eight species identified in this study. Even antibiotic drugs which are being commonly relied upon for treating multi-resistant bacterial infections, found to be in effective against many newly emerged resistant bacteria, when used alone. Resistance Antibiotics drugs against which most prominent resistance pattern emerged include; Amikacin sulphate, Linezolid, Piperacillin / Tazobactam, Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid, Vencomycin, Cefoperazone / Sulbactam, Ceftriaxone sodium, Ciprofloxacin, Cefixime trihydrate and Imipenem. The inferred upshot suggests that antibiotic resistance is emerging fast and ever-changing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance has significantly reduced the therapeutic space to maneuver, particularly, in treating neonatal infections

Comparison of intrauterine balloon tamponade and B Lynch Suture in Severe postpartum hemmorhage

Objective: To determine the success rate of intrauterine balloon tamponade versus B Lynch suture in the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur, from Jan 2017 to Jun 2017

Materials and Methods: A total of 104 patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage, 20 to 35 years of age of gestational age 36-42 weeks were included in the study. Patients with genital tract trauma, retained products of conception, ruptured uterus and any bleeding disorderwere excluded. Then selected patients were placed randomly into group A [intrauterine balloon tamponade] and group B [B Lynch suture] by using lottery method. Outcome variables like control of bleeding within 15 minutes after procedure [success rate] was noted

Results: The mean age of women in group A was 27.69 +/- 3.68 years and in group B was 27.60 +/- 3.65 years. The mean gestational age in group A was 39.98 +/- 1.57 weeks and in group B was 40.04 +/- 1.68 weeks. Success was 67.31 percent in group A [intrauterine balloon tamponade] and 88.46 percent in group B [B Lynch suture] with p-value of 0.009, showing statistically significant difference between the two groups

Conclusion: This study concluded that success rate [stoppage of bleeding within 15 minutes] of B Lynch suture is better as compared to intrauterine balloon tamponade in the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage and should be used as first line procedure in controlling severe PPH

Association of Diabetes with history of inherited diabetes

Background: Type-II Diabetes is a major global health risk and is often associated with genetic inheritance of diabetes

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify whether an association exists between family history of diabetes and suspected cases of diabetes

Material and methods: Cross sectional study conducted in screening camps from 19[th] till 24[th] February 2018

Setting: 56 public sector health facilities of Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib

Data collection and Analysis: 55,080 people of district Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib, age 25 and above were screened for diabetes by blood glucose level test. People with BSR>/=200mg/dl were labelled screened positive for diabetes. People with BSR<200mg/dl were categorized as Normal. Family history of any family member having diabetes was taken for all participants. The members of the family only included immediate blood relations like mother, father, brother, sister and grandparents. Data was entered in SPSS v.23 for analysis. Frequency distribution and percentage were calculated for age, gender, screening for diabetes and family history of diabetes. Chi square was used as a test of significance for association between family history and diabetes

Results: 55,080 people aged 25 and above were screened for diabetes. 2,855 people were screened positive for diabetes. 67.9 percent were females and 32.1 percent were males. Mean age was 43+/-12.61 years. In Normal category, 90.3 percent people had no family history of diabetes in their family while 9.7 percent reported positive family history. In screened positive for diabetes category, 64.7 percent people did not report any history of diabetes in their family where as 35.3 percent reported having positive family history. The association between diabetes and family history was found to be statistically significant

Conclusion: Risk of diabetes is associated with a positive family history of diabetes. Screening for early detection should be performed regularly for people with positive genetic risk of diabetes to ensure prevention and control of complications

Prevalence of Depression among patients with Diabetes Mellitus presenting in Diabetic Clinic Jinnah hospital Lahore

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

Antidiabetic potential of methanol extracts from leaves of Piper umbellatum L.and Persea americana Mill

Objective:To determine inhibitory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Piper umbellatum and Persea americana (P.americana) (traditionally used in Cameroon against diabetes) on α-glucosidase,β-glucosidase,maltase-gluconmylase,aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities,enzymes involved in starch digestion or diabetic complications.Methods:The methanol extracts from Piper umbellatum and P.americana were prepared by maceration.To assess relative efficacy of these extracts,the determination of concentrations that were needed to inhibit 50％ of enzyme activity was done,whereas,gas chromatography-mass spectrum was used to identify components from extracts that may be responsible for the activities.Resullts The tested extracts strongly inhibited α-glucosidase,maltase-glucoamylase,aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities with IC50 ranging from (1.07 ± 0.03) to 01.77 + 1.17) μg/mL.Among the tested extracts,P.americana was the most active against sensitive enzymes (IC50 of 1.07 ± 0.03 to 15.63 ± 1.23).But,none of the extracts showed interesting inhibitory effect against β-glucosidase as their percentage inhibitions were less than 16％.From gas chromatographymass spectrum analysis,10 and 8 compounds were identified in Piper umbellatum and P.americana extracts respectively,using NIST library 2014.Conclusions:Results of this study provide the scientific credential for a prospective usage of these plants to treat diabetes.

Antidiabetic potential of methanol extracts from leaves of Piper umbellatum L. and Persea americana Mill

Objective: To determine inhibitory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Piper umbellatum and Persea americana (P. americana) (traditionally used in Cameroon against diabetes) on α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, maltase-glucoamylase, aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities, enzymes involved in starch digestion or diabetic complications. Methods: The methanol extracts from Piper umbellatum and P. americana were prepared by maceration. To assess relative efficacy of these extracts, the determination of concentrations that were needed to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity was done, whereas, gas chromatography-mass spectrum was used to identify components from extracts that may be responsible for the activities. Results: The tested extracts strongly inhibited α-glucosidase, maltase-glucoamylase, aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities with IC

Radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin with lutetium-177: quality control and biodistribution study to develop theranostic infection imaging agent

Benzylpenicillin acts through binding with beta-lactamase enzyme and inhibiting the bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Therefore, the radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin with lutetium-177 is expected to serve as a theranostic agent for deep-seated bacterial infections. The radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin resulted tilde 93% radiochemical yield at optimized reaction conditions. Radiochemical purity analysis was tested with the help of Whatman No. 2 paper and instant thin layer chromatography. Biodistribution study with healthy New Zeeland white rabbit revealed moderate accumulation in different organs. Kidneys are the major organs, showed not more than 4.57+/-0.89% injected dose per gram organ [ID/gm organ] at 1 h time point and 3.48+/-1.11% ID/gm organ at 6 h time point. The accumulation of tracer agent in liver was found in the range of 7.42+/-2.42% to 9.09+/-2.76 ID/gm organ. The glomerular filtration rate studies revealed rapid clearance - omitting the chance of nephrotoxicity. The radiolabeling yield, biodistribution and glomerular filtration rate results revealed [177]Lu-benzylpencillin could be a potential candidate to diagnose the deep-seated bacterial infection

Antioxidant, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of pumpkin (cucurbit) peel and puree extracts - an in vitro study

Natural resources right from the beginning of the human civilization has paved the way to human being to combat different challenges. The big challenge was to safe the human being from diseases and shortage of food. Plants helped the man in both areas very efficiently. No doubt when plants are used as food actually we are also taking lot of compounds of medicinal values in an excellent combination which naturally reduce the risk of diseases. Extraction and purification of several medicinally important compounds also gave the way to develop pharmaceutical industry in addition to its own therapeutic effects against different lethal diseases. Pumpkin is one of the several medicinal important vegetables used in different way on the behalf of its admirable power to combat different diseases. Antioxidant and biological studies showed very important results. A good coherence was found among extraction yield [10.52 to 18.45%], total phenolics [1.13 to 6.78 mg GAE/l00g], total flavonoids [0.23 to 0.72mg CE/l00g] and antioxidant potential [-70%]. Antibacterial assays of peel and puree extracts advocated good potential to stop the growth and division of pathogenic bacteria. Further biological activity study was carried out using MDBK cancer cell line. The growth inhibitory effect on cancer cell line using MTT assay showed methanol extracts of peel and puree both remained efficient to inhibit growth [-35%] and cell division of cancer cells. Our results showed that extracts of pumpkin puree and its waste, peel, may be utilize to prepare functional food against pathogenic born diseases and most active compounds may also be extracted, concentrated and converted into tablets or suspension form for therapeutic purposes

Optimization of PCR for rapid detection of CTX-M gene in ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from Punjab, Pakistan

Aims: The study was carried out firstly, to evaluate the prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL), multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from Punjab, Pakistan and secondly, to characterize the genotypes of their beta lactamase producing enzymes and optimization of PCR based method for rapid and authentic detection of antibiotic resistant gene. Methodology and results: Two hundred of K. pneumonia strains were isolated from different clinical samples. Blood and MacConkey Agar were used to isolate and identify bacterial microorganisms while Muller Hinton Agar was used to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility against different antibiotics as per CLSI 2012 guidelines. ESBL producing bacteria were screened by double disk synergy /combination disk test. PCR was optimized and performed for resistant gene (CTX-M). The results showed that most of the isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotic including cephalosporin, aztreonam, sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, doxycyclin and were sensitive to imipenam and amikacin. Frequency of CTX-M gene in ESBL producing K. pneumoniae was 94%. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Based on the finding of this study it is suggested that prevalence of CTX-M gene (95%) is very high among ESBL producing isolates. Therefore, PCR based method may help clinicians for rapid detection and treatment of patients by choosing right medication against the resistant bacteria as early as possible.