Argemone mexicana extract alleviates gastrointestinal disorders by stimulating muscarinic receptors and blocking voltage-gated L-type calcium channels

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological potential of Argemone mexicana in treating constipation and emesis by using in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: The spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum fragments loaded in a tissue organ bath. The response was recorded with an isotonic transducer attached with Power Lab Data Acquisition System. The laxative and antiemetic activities were assessed in BALB-c mice and poultry chicks challenged with carbamylcholine and copper sulphate stimulated emesis, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the extract were (267.75 ± 5.77) mg GAE/g and (73.86 ± 6.01) mg QE/g, respectively. Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmogenic effect on isolated rabbit jejunum segments with an EC50 value of 0.016 mg/mL, which was blocked by atropine (0.3 μM). Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmolytic effect in atropine treated jejunum fragments with an EC50 value of 2.185 mg/mL. Furthermore, Argemone mexicana extract relaxed potassium (80 mM)-induced contractions (EC50: 9.07 mg/mL), similar to a standard drug verapamil. The calcium channel blocker activity was confirmed by a rightward shift of concentration-response curve of calcium in the presence of Argemone mexicana extract (1-5 mg/mL) and verapamil (0.1-1 μM). In addition, the extract increased the distance travelled by a charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and exhibited antiemetic effect on copper sulphate induced emesis in chicks. Conclusions: Argemone mexicana shows cholinergic agonist and calcium channel blocker activities, as well as antiemetic effect. It may be used as a potential agent for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Comparison of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and LED-FM microscopy for the diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

ABSTRACT GeneXpert is one of the recent technological instruments used to diagnose tuberculosis in a short span of time. In this study, the performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) was compared with light-emitting diode Fluorescent Microscopy (LED-FM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 737 EPTB samples were collected from tuberculosis (TB) suspected patients. Out of these samples, male to female ratio was 53% (n = 390) to 47% (n = 347) respectively. The sensitivity and specificity was 73% and 100% for GeneXpert, while 40% and 100% for LED-FM microscopy. This shows that the sensitivity of GeneXpert is 40-50%, higher than LED-FM microscopy. GeneXpert also detected low number of bacilli as compared to LED-FM microscopy.

Revamping soil quality and correlation studies for yield and yield attributes in sorghum-legumes intercropping systems / Melhoria da qualidade do solo e estudos de correlação para a produtividade e os atributos de produtividade em sistemas de plantio consorciado de sorgo e legumes

Restoration, preservation and sustainability of agricultural resources including soil demands biologically and economically viable farming practices. For boosting physico-chemical properties of soil from 2012 to 2015, three legumes including cowpea, cluster bean and soybean were intercropped with sorghum in 40-60, 75-25 and 100-100 seed blending ratios, while pure stand of sorghum was kept for comparison. Correlation studies were also conducted to determine linear or inverse relationship between physiological and agronomic attributes with green forage yield of sorghum. Results revealed that intercropping systems were not effective in significantly improving the physical properties of soil, however soybean and sorghum mixed seeded crop in 100-100 seed ratio resulted in the highest total and available nitrogen especially during last two years of the study and it was followed by mixed seeded crop of cluster bean and sorghum (100-100 seed ratio), while pure stand of sorghum appeared to be the most exhaustive farming system. Correlation analysis depicted a linear relationship between all agronomic attributes (seedling count, plant population at harvest, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area per plant, fresh and dry weights per plant) and physiological growth parameters (leaf area index and leaf area duration, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate) with forage yield of sorghum. Thus, legumes inclusion was found to be effective in restoring soil fertility, while long term legumes inclusion by following rotation may be suggested.

A restauração, a preservação e a sustentabilidade dos recursos agrícolas, incluindo o solo, exigem práticas agrícolas biologicamente e economicamente viáveis. Para aumentar as propriedades físico-químicas do solo de 2012 a 2015, três leguminosas, incluindo feijão-fradinho, guar e soja, foram consorciadas com sorgo nas proporções de mistura de 40-60, 75-25 e 100-100, enquanto que o sorgo puro foi mantido por comparação. Estudos de correlação também foram conduzidos para determinar a relação linear ou inversa entre atributos fisiológicos e agronômicos com a produtividade de forragem verde do sorgo. Os resultados revelaram que os sistemas consorciados não foram eficazes em afetar significativamente as propriedades físicas do solo, no entanto, soja e sorgo misturados na proporção de sementes 100-100 resultou no maior nitrogênio total e nitrogênio disponível, especialmente durante os últimos dois anos do estudo e foi seguido do plantio de sementes mistas de guar e sorgo (100-100 rácio de semente), enquanto a monocultura de sorgo parecia ser o sistema de agricultura mais exaustivo. A análise de regressão mostrou uma correlação linear entre todos os atributos agronômicos (contagem de plântulas, população de plantas na colheita, altura de planta, diâmetro de caule, número de folhas e área foliar por planta, peso fresco e seco por planta) e parâmetros de crescimento fisiológico (índice de área foliar e duração da área foliar, taxa de crescimento da cultura e taxa de assimilação líquida) com o rendimento de forragem do sorgo. Assim, a inclusão de leguminosas foi eficaz no aumento da fertilidade do solo, enquanto a inclusão de leguminosas a longo prazo por rotação de diferentes leguminosas é sugerida.

Indole acetic acid and ACC deaminase from endophytic bacteria improves the growth of Solarium lycopersicum

Background: Endophytic bacteria are ubiquitous in all plant species contributing in host plant's nutrient uptake and helping the host to improve its growth. Moringa peregrina which is a medicinal plant, growing in arid region of Arabia, was assessed for the presence of endophytic bacterial strains. Results: PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA of bacterial endophytes revealed the 5 endophytic bacteria, in which 2 strains were from Sphingomonas sp.; 2 strains from Bacillus sp. and 1 from Methylobacterium genus. Among the endophytic bacterial strains, a strain of Bacillus subtilis LK14 has shown significant prospects in phosphate solubilization (clearing zone of 56.71 mm after 5 d), ACC deaminase (448.3 ± 2.91 nM α-ketobutyrate mg-1 h-1) and acid phosphatase activity (8.4 ± 1.2 nM mg-1 min-1). The endophytic bacteria were also assessed for their potential to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Among isolated strains, the initial spectrophotometry analysis showed significantly higher IAA production by Bacillus subtilis LK14. The diurnal production of IAA was quantified using multiple reactions monitoring method in UPLC/MS-MS. The analysis showed that LK14 produced the highest (8.7 uM) IAA on 14th d of growth. Looking at LK14 potentials, it was applied to Solanum lycopersicum, where it significantly increased the shoot and root biomass and chlorophyll (a and b) contents as compared to control plants. Conclusion: The study concludes that using endophytic bacterial strains can be bio-prospective for plant growth promotion, which might be an ideal strategy for improving growth of crops in marginal lands.

Flexible cystoscopy a valuable diagnostic tool for lower urinary tract pathology

To assess the role of flexible cystoscopy in the diagnosis of lower urinary tract pathologies and its suitability as a routine diagnostic protocol in outdoor patients. The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Urology Department, Pakistan Ordinance Factory Hospital, Wah Cantt., from June 2009 to June 2010. All adult patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms to outdoor department were included on the basis of universal non-probability sampling technique. Cystoscopy was performed as a clinic-based procedure without sedation. SPSS 17 was used for data analysis. Of the 1500 patients in the study, 810[54%] were females and 690[46%] were male. Lower urinary tract pathologies were found in 480[32%] patients. The most common pathology among males was enlarged prostate in 127[8.4%] patients. Among females, urethral stenosis was the most common pathology in 57[3.8%] patients. Transitional cell carcinoma was seen in 57[3.8%] patients having haematuria with inconclusive ultrasound and intravenous urography. All patients tolerated the procedure well. Flexible cystoscopy is an effective, well-tolerated and easy way of detecting lower urinary tract pathologies among outpatients

Transperitoneal approach for radical Nephrectomy: five years experience at Pakistn Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan

Renal cell carcinoma [RCC] comprises 85% of all renal neoplasms. Radical nephrectomy is the only hope of cure for patients with RCC. Role of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is very limited because of the chemo-radio resistant nature of these tumours. Several surgical approaches have been employed depending upon surgeon preference, size and location of the tumour. Objective of this study is to share the five years experience [from 1999 to 2004] of radical nephrectomy at Urology Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], that was performed through anterior sub costal trans-peritoneal incision. It was a descriptive type of study with convenient non probability sampling technique. 100 patients were included. Patients were assessed by their mode of presentation, laboratory investigations, intra-operative findings, control of renal pedicle, total operative time, blood loss, intra-operative and post operative complications. The observations were noted on a proforma and analysed on SPSS version 10. Out of 100 patients, 64% were male and 36% were female with mean age of 58 years. Most common presentation was pain, present in 60% of patients. 88% of patients had normal renal function test. Average tumour size was 7.93cm, diagnosed on ultrasonography [USG] and CT scan. Average time taken to get control of renal pedicle was 73.2minutes. 20% of patients needed venacavatomy and thrombectomy, which was easier through this approach. Mean operative time was 129.44 minutes. Average blood loss was 274.2ml. No intra-operative complications were seen. Mortality rate was 4%. Radical nephrectomy is still the best option for treatment of renal cell carcinoma. There are various surgical approaches, however, anterior subcostal transperitoneal approach is more effective with early control of renal pedicle, less blood loss and minimal manipulation of the kidney thus minimizing the risk of embolism

Prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with tobacco smoking among adult males in rural Sindh, Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and to obtain information on socio-demographic factors associated with tobacco smoking among adult males in a rural district of Sindh Province, Pakistan. We used a one-stage cluster sampling frame to identify 411 adult males from the study site. We found a high prevalence, 55% of current smokers among this rural population. The median age of initiation of smoking was 20 years. Awareness of the adverse effects of smoking on lung and heart diseases was 86% and 77%, respectively. Smoking prevalence increased with age and income, and was highest among subjects aged 44 years and above (76%) and with incomes of more than PKR 4000 (72%). The high prevalence of smoking suggests that there is an urgent need for developing intervention plans to address this major public health problem in this region.

Prevalence and factors associated with current smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan.

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence and evaluate factors associated with smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan. A school-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in three towns in Karachi, namely, Gadap Town, Bin-Qasim Town and Malir Town, from January through May 2003. Two-stage cluster sampling stratified by school type was employed to select schools and students. We recruited and interviewed 772 male students regarding socio-demographic factors, smoking history of students, their families/friends, number of siblings, and place of residence. The prevalence of smoking (30 days) among adolescents was 13.7%. Final multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and place of residence, being a student at a government school (OR=1.6; 95% Cl: 1.0-2.7), parental smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.1-2.8), uncle smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.2-2.8), peer smoking (OR = 6.2; 95% Cl: 3.9-9.9), and spending leisure time outside home (OR = 3.9; 95% Cl 1.2-13.2) were significantly associated with adolescent smoking.